In business, there is an ever-shifting balance between income and expenditure. For everything that comes in, there will be supplier costs, business-related fees, premises running costs, employee costs, and so much more. The price of these items may change considerably throughout the year. Suppliers need more money, the cost of living forces wages up, and then there is the cost of fuel.
If you are in the agriculture or construction industry, then you will rely heavily upon your vehicles and machinery in your work. These will need to be running much of the time, and as such, can be expensive to fuel. But when it comes to fuel costs, you often cannot predict them. There is a vast fluctuation when it comes to fuel costs, and by the time you take an extra couple of pennies per litre and multiply that by the amount of fuel that you use in a week, you will often find that a minor price change can be quite costly when it hits your bank balance.
With this in mind, your business should look at ways of saving fuel and reducing the cost to the company.
Use Gas Oil Gas oil is often commonly known as red diesel. There is only one real difference between gas oil and regular diesel and that is that it is coloured with a red dye. Red diesel is available from companies like Fuel Box and can save your business a considerable amount of money. Red diesel is subject to a different set of tax regulations than regular diesel, making it a great deal cheaper for the end-user. It is only permitted for use in specific industries though; you are also not allowed to use gas oil on vehicles that are being used on the road either. Authorities have the power to be able to check vehicles to see if the red dye has been left in the fuel tank to ensure that this fuel has not been misused
Replace Your Fleet Your company’s vehicles will need replacing from time-to-time, and when it comes time, you should look at finding models with a greater fuel economy. With environmental issues taking the forefront in our lives, many companies are creating more efficient vehicles, making this one of the major contributing factors when it comes to deciding which model of machine or vehicle to buy. It will not only help you to reduce your carbon footprint, it will save you a considerable amount of money over the lifespan of the vehicle.
Create A Less Wasteful Working Culture The way that your employees use your machinery and vehicles will affect fuel consumption. Leaving motors running when they are not needed will mean that you are burning through more fuel and costing yourself a considerable amount more. Retraining your staff so that they are being more efficient in their use of company vehicles and machinery will mean that you can get people to start thinking about the costs and environmental impact of their actions.
The world we live in is incredibly fast paced – and as a business owner, it’s imperative that you keep up if you want to succeed. Tried and tested methods from the past will often no longer suffice, where changes in attitudes, technology and society have rendered many of them obsolete. Here’s what you need to know about bringing your business into the modern day.
Utilize modern software and technology There are all kinds of clever softwares and pieces of kit that companies can benefit from using this day and age. From incredible computers to software that can automate literally entire areas of your business, it’s something you need to be aware of as a company owner. If you’re in the dark about which changes to make, get an IT support team on board who can advise you and point you in the right direction.
Ditch the old fashioned marketing techniques Marketing has really changed over the years, as technology has improved, customer demand and expectation has changed, as well as the way that we use the internet. These days, marketing techniques need to be clever and subtle, and marketing in the wrong way will do you far more harm than good. From ‘black hat’ techniques such as keyword stuffing which will get you banned by search engines, to spamming links on social media which will annoy your customers, don’t just guess at it. If you’re not a marketing expert, employ a person or hire a company that is. You need someone that’s experienced and knows what they’re doing. Old or outdated marketing methods will be costing you in many ways- not just in money.
Improve your office Research has shown time and time again that the quality of your office can directly influence the productivity of your staff and business. You don’t need to be working out of the most expensive city view office block with floor to ceiling windows (although that’s the dream for many of us!) But you should make the most of what you have. Decorate, add plants, have the place professionally cleaned regularly, you can hire your cleaning employees to do this or utilize the services of a commercial third party cleaning company. One thing that many offices and workplaces have got on board with in recent years is the idea of collaborative working areas. Big companies like Google, Pixar and Facebook are amongst those that pride themselves on creative, collaborative workspaces for employees. Do your own research, work out what it is that customers and employees want and tailor your workspace to suit.
Have you considered how you will bring your business into the modern day, and where it could currently be falling behind?
When it comes to business success, we hear a lot about marketing and online media that will help us to attract, and keep, our best customers and clients. There are so many different ways in which marketing has evolved over the years, and we couldn’t have dreamt of the new methods businesses are getting their products and services in front of consumers. It seems as though most people have access to the internet and people from all generations are moving away from the ‘traditional’ print and TV entertainment, and discovering new ways to explore everything businesses have to offer. But with change comes challenge. There are undoubtedly some unique challenges that companies face now because of the modernized landscape, but what are these new ways and how do they apply to small businesses?
Television The fastest changing Marketing method seems to be television at the moment, the reason for this is that a lot of people are choosing to use services such as Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix. These make TV shows much more accessible and have an extensive range of options available too. This means that the days of having to wait for an advert to finish, and making a quick cup of tea in that time, are gone. We now have full control over when, where and how we watch our entertainment. Ultimately it means that advertisers need to become more creative, and even though subscription services such as Netflix, have no advertising time during the actual programs, there are ways in which these programs aim to “sell“ products and services to the consumer. Anyone will agree that YouTube is a massive tool for advertising these days. If you have a child who has access to a device, you will have watched an unboxing video at some point. This means that your children will have seen advertising without even realising it. That’s the trick with television. It’s sometimes hard to work out what is real, and where the adverts are. YouTube is a playground for anybody, but once users become “famous“ then the adverts and page content, become much more widespread.
Bloggers Bloggers aren’t particularly new, with many blogs spanning over a decade in time. But collaborating with a blogger, as a business is a great move. Especially considering how much work the bloggers put into their site, you find a fantastic opportunity to work with a real person, who cares about their craft. This really comes across, and since bloggers have a following of people, this is a market that businesses can tap into. Of course, the blogger needs to authorize everything that goes onto their sites, so individual companies may not be welcome or fit, but missing out on the opportunity to work with a blogger will be a shame for a business owner. There is a massive majority of bloggers who work with huge companies like Disney, or travel companies. And bloggers also tend to work with beauty companies and friends that know exactly how to use this as a marketing advantage. It’s a great way to have some authentic content written about your brand as well. This is valuable, as not only does it work well for SEO, it works to show you how your business is perceived on your side. Sites such as SEOExplode really help you keep track.
Targeting
It’s no secret that Facebook has been leading the way with regards to targeted adverts on its platform, they even provide training courses on how to use the targeted methods, and also help you every step of the way, to make sure that any money spent isn’t wasted. Targeting has been rolled out on other social media platforms as well. However, it’s important to remember that Google and Google ads are up-to-date with the targeting technology used. It all depends on where the focus of your potential clients are and creating space to allow your products and services to be seen.
This is, of course, an area that you’re able to educate yourself in, and be able to hire somebody to take this onboard for you. It isn’t the most comfortable topic to master, but if you have the time and inclination, then you can in an awful lot.
Apps
Creating an app for your brand can be a groundbreaking experience for your business. You find most large companies that have that works either as a loyalty scheme or an information and communication tool. Some activities are purely app-based, and since there is a lot of money to be made via apps these days, you’ll find there are more and more appearing. If you aren’t sure about that development, and most people are unsure on how to create an app from scratch, there are plenty of developers that will sit and talk you through the whole process, or can even create the app for you. With an app, you can contact people directly, send reminders, set up the loyalty scheme and run it, plus Use clever marketing ploys to keep customers on side. As with anything, security and keeping the app updated is an extra chore for your business, it’s really worth thinking about hiring a person who knows what they’re doing and can prevent any disasters on your behalf.
Tik-tok
It may seem bizarre to mention the video-sharing website as well. And It can seem like a pointless mention, but since everyone’s attention is on TikTok, then it only makes sense to put some content there, and include it in your strategy. Gaining followers on any platform is a good start. Finding and targeting your ideal clients is always a perfect way to give your business a boost. Many people are finding a viral video that gains a lot of attention. Can start the ball rolling to achieving great things. And at the end of the day, attention and eyes on what you have to offer is the ideal item for any marketing efforts. Work on those moves and acting skills, as you will need to start putting content for your brand on there sooner rather than later. There’s a lot to be said for staying ahead of the competition.
There is a whole world of marketing tools available to you, and we are incredibly lucky to have them at our disposal. Only problem with this is the fact that there is so many people doing the same things, and especially those in creative fields can feel a little bit put out by all the many businesses they have to compete with. But this is something you will need to have considered before starting your business, it isn’t going to be worth it in the end. Just make sure your business message is clear. And you know exactly where you are heading. Nobody can argue with somebody that has a clear view of where the future lies.
What ideas would you share with a brand-new blogger? Would it include some of the ups and downs in marketing you’ve experienced?
With climate change and helping to preserve the environment becoming the most important issues of the day, it’s more vital than ever that your business can jump on the bandwagon. Consumers are becoming more and more savvy and picky when it comes to the companies that they choose to do business with. If you don’t have the eco credentials, your niche market may move elsewhere. It doesn’t matter whether you import ball bearings, or whether you create custom made tee shirts from home, there are some simple ways to turn your business a more palatable shade of green.
You may think that morphing into a sustainable startup is expensive. While costs will be incurred, the possibility to pass this onto the customer can end up making your venture more profitable. People actively seek out companies that have a policy of being sustainable and are willing to pay a higher price for this luxury.
Lighting
Office blocks around the globe are full of inefficient strip lighting that causes a ridiculous amount of light pollution and costs a small fortune to keep on. Strip lighting isn’t natural and doesn’t create a pleasant ambience for offices. While they are cheap to install, they don’t last long and will regularly need replacing. More energy saving LED lighting will create a more comfortable light for your workplace. The bulbs themselves may be more expensive to buy but they can last five times longer than other bulbs. They also don’t contain the toxic mercury that is present in incandescent light bulbs.
The culture of your workplace also needs to be refreshed. Have an away day with your staff team and explain the new emphasis that you are going to place on saving energy. Whereas you may have had a policy of keeping your office lit overnight in the past, this wasteful act now needs to be banished. If your team leaves lights on when they aren’t using a meeting room, this needs to change. This will save energy as well as money for your startup.
Recycle As Much As You Can
When you are trying to be green, you need to think back to your school days of reusing, reducing and recycling. You might wonder what on Earth you can recycle. After all, you are a business, not a charity. Only ever consider recycling something when it is no longer of use to you. If you were going to throw it away anyway, you may as well give it to somebody who can use it.
Laptop computers that are obsolete to you could be great for a local school or hospital. As you are a startup with plenty of confidential and sensitive data on your hard drives, you need to simplify erasing computers with WipeDrive. Using this simple program, you can ensure that your assets remain secure, are fully wiped and don’t slip into the wrong hands.
Recycling doesn’t end with laptops and hardware. If you are refurbishing your office space and replacing the desktop booths with collaborative meeting pods, give the obsolete versions to somebody new to utilize. If you are keen on swapping the dull artwork with some local photography, give the framed pictures that you no longer want to a charity shop. One person’s junk is another person’s treasure.
Plastic
If you have seen a nature documentary recently, the chances are that it will have shown the shocking effects of disposable plastic in the world’s oceans. While everyone loves a bottle of cold water, you don’t have to succumb to the single use plastic variety, and you should place a ban on these in your office. Instead, fork out some cash and make an effort to install a water filtration system. This way, you no longer have to rely on the water cooler tanks, and your staff can enjoy freshly filtered water direct from the tap. Again, this can be costly, but it is a clear example of your commitment to help the environment that you can plaster all across your website for your potential customer base to see.
Being green doesn’t mean losing money, becoming less productive or forgetting about your other business priorities. You need to consider what really matters to you personally and professionally. With the emergence of public figures like Greta Thunberg, it’s time to get in on the eco conscious action and play your part in trying to save the planet. With some simple tweaks and a re-evaluation of your company ethos, you can turn your business the perfect hue of green.
There are many different routes into a successful career as an entrepreneur. Many of the worlds most famous entrepreneurial spirits, like Richard Branson never even went on to higher education or college. They just had that million-dollar idea and turned it into a successful endeavour.
However, that being said, no matter how sure you are that you’re about to become the next Steve Jobs or the like, it is always a good idea to have a solid educational background to fall back on in case everything doesn’t go to plan. Here we’ve outlined a few degrees that could help you to become a successful entrepreneur .
Business Degree
Of course one of the most obvious choices for a budding self-starter is a business degree. Learning about business can equip you with many of the different skills that an entrepreneur would need. Along with teaching you how to negotiate and communicate effectively, it can also teach you how to excel at presenting as well as planning and being assertive. Business degree programs also ask their students to learn about different relevant fields such as psychology, finance and economics. Having a thorough knowledge of these subjects are a great way to develop a well-rounded skill set, which will only make you a strong contender for success when it comes to owning your own business. Have a look at the University of Alabama Birmingham and see if they have a business course to suit your needs.
Marketing
Knowing how to sell and promote your business can only stand you in good stead of becoming an entrepreneur. Being able to think creatively and package relevant sales information to audiences in a palatable way, is important when you want to make sure that your customer has a great affinity and sentiment for your product. You’ll also be able to promote your products and services more effectively because you’ll know exactly what works. You’ll also have a good handle on the social media and public relations efforts that are needed when working for yourself.
Psychology
A huge part of becoming a successful entrepreneur is understanding people and how that relates to your business. For this reason, taking a degree in psychology could be hugely helpful to a hopeful entrepreneur. In the fledgeling days of your business, you will more than likely be encountering lots of people every day, including potential clients, suppliers and employees. Because of this, you will need to be persuasive, confident and astute, all of which can be learnt by taking a degree in Psychology. You’ll also learn critical skills in decision making, personality traits, and psychology when it comes to business which may be particularly helpful.
Finance
Knowing how to deal with and manage money is an imperative skill in every entrepreneur’s life. Being self-employed means that you have sole responsibility for how much you make and how your money is spent. By learning to be savvy about managing your finances, how to budget within a business setting and how to effectively manage expansion, can help your business go much further, much more rapidly. For this reason, those who are great at analyzing data, numbers and numerical patterns can make incredibly successful entrepreneurs.
Communications
A degree in communications is an excellent choice for an entrepreneur. The nature of this work demands that you communicate effectively and efficiently with people from every aspect of life. You’ll want to be able to express your ideas for your business effectively and be able to convey important matters with ease. So an aptitude for communication is a must. When studying a communication degree you learn specific skills in public speaking, project management and teamwork all which can prove very useful when you’re a budding entrepreneur.
IT Degrees
In today’s climate, almost everything is done digitally. From registering your business name to processing payments from customers, we have an ever-increasing need for technology and computers. With a degree in IT, you can find yourself ahead of the game. The tech industry is huge right now and there and hundreds if not thousands of profitable and well knows tech startups that have emerged in the last few years so a strong background in computing and IT will gove you a massive advantage. Also knowing how to utilise the many programs and software applications that come with working for yourself would be a definite plus. Another great thing about pursuing an IT degree is that it is also a very undersubscribed profession, meaning that if you do decide to fall back on your chosen degree, you’ll be able to find a lucrative role quite easily.
We hope this has helped you decide on the right degree for you.
