Succeed

Trade shows offer an excellent way to get your name out there with industry professionals and consumers who are already searching for the types of products and services you offer. With that said, they also mean you’re in a space where there is lots of competition, and you’re vying for the attention of the same people as your competitors. 

How can your company stand out in the crowd? Take a look at these tips, which can apply to a wide range of industries (manufacturing, software, retail — you name it) and roles within a company. 

1. Be Strategic About Your Booth’s Placement

The earlier you opt into a trade show, the better your booth positioning can be. The high-traffic spots typically go quickly. Seasoned trade show-goers understand the importance of choosing the booths that are right by the entrances or within the main walkways. While these are often the most expensive booth locations, they’re also the areas that receive the most attention.

It’s also important to see where your competitors’ booths are located. You probably don’t want to have a booth directly next to the largest brand in your industry. Instead, look for booths next to complementary companies with which you can network and bolster visitors’ experiences.

2. Have a Contest

People love winning, and they love great prizes. At a trade show, this is the ultimate win-win for vendors and visitors. Your contest can be something as low key as a fishbowl drawing or a ballot box in which attendees provide their information to enter your drawing. This is a great way to generate leads. However, remember that not all leads will be qualified for your particular business.

It’s important to give away items people want. Yo-yos and flying discs won’t bring droves of crowds to your booth. Objects such as Bluetooth speakers, noise-canceling headphones, and high-quality travel coolers, however, might deliver excited visitors directly to your virtual front door. Invest in solid promos that boast of your branding to ignite excitement among visitors.

Infographic Courtesy of Enplug

3. Get Social — in Advance

You want people to know you’re going to be at a particular trade show, so start amping your advertisement early. Head to the social sphere to tout about which booth they can find you, and encourage them to schedule meetings if you’re looking for one-on-one time with audience members. Send emails in advance and create a banner on your company’s homepage so people have all the information they need at their fingertips. 

Take time to write blogs about who will be presenting at the show, how long they’ve been with your company, and why they’re excited to showcase the products and services they’ll be offering. This is also a great time to boost SEO potential while you’re promoting upcoming trade shows.

Have you considered creating a unique hashtag that brings attention to your brand’s attendance at this year’s shows? Advertise it early and often on social media so people know where to go to find updates as the show gets underway. You can also integrate the hashtag into your giveaway competition by randomly choosing one person who uses your hashtag to win a prize.

4. Invest in Digital Signage

Perhaps you manage and oversee visual content on multiple digital screens for your business; this area is where you can really help your company’s booth gain an edge. Ignore bland, boring black curtains. Why not enliven the space with digital signage that will draw passersby directly to your booth? Demo products, showcase your office, or simply light up the booth with a crystal-clear image of your logo that will stick in people’s minds long after the show ends.

With a little planning, you could yield great ROI when attending trade shows. The key comes with a little strategic forethought. Trade shows might even become your go-to marketing tool!

Author bio: Jessica Ellspermann is Marketing Manager at Enplug, a digital signage software company. After launching her career in the luxury hospitality space, Ellspermann knows the power of content-to-business value, and she uses that expertise to help companies grow engaged client communities.

Getting funding isn’t easy in any economic climate, especially right now when businesses are more competitive than ever. Unfortunately, no matter how brilliant your ideas are, they need money to come to fruition. Remember, a business is still a business, no matter how small or passion-driven. You need capital to pay your staff, buy equipment, promote your brand, and survive day to day. While there’s no single best way to get funded, you’ll find that some methods might suit your business model or goals more, so it’s important to study all your options carefully. 

Whether you’re offering IT Services for small businesses in New Jersey, artisanal café, or a boutique agency, here are a few ways to get started with funding.

From Your Own Pockets

You might have heard of the term “bootstrapping” when it comes to the world of development, but it applies to businesses, too. Chron defines a bootstrap company as one that operates on minimal investment or financial dependency, and is typically started with minimal upfront investment from the founder’s own money. The biggest advantage of this method is that it avoids making loan repayments that end up eating up cash. 

Of course, there’s also the risk of having limited resources. So, consider having multiple streams of income that you can use to fund your business, like taking on freelance gigs or keeping your day job. If your schedule doesn’t permit either of those, then this method is best combined with some of the other types of funding below. 

Friends and Family

One effective way to gain capital is to get your friends and family in on your business. After all, who better to support your vision than your loved ones? However, be aware that things can get messy when you mix work with personal relationships. Should the business fail, you risk damaging your connections and losing their trust.

Therefore, make sure that there is a clear structure that dictates the guidelines of the funding, especially with regard to interest and borrowing rates. Have a third party outside of your relationship to oversee the process, and seek legal advice before inking any deals.

Get Crowdfunding

For start-ups, crowdfunding has become the go-to way to pay. This method drives power back to consumers by allowing absolutely anyone to pitch in for ideas they believe in. On the business owners’ side, it lets them to avoid having to deal with venture capitalists or drowning in a sea of debt.

Though it’s similar to peer-to-peer lending, it does not require repayment. Sometimes, a company would instead pledge free products, discounts, or other benefits in return to make sure that the supportive public doesn’t go unrewarded. Tech writers on Digital Trends list some of the most popular crowdfunding platforms, such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and Gofundme.

Apply for a Small Business Grant or Loan

For those who’d rather not give away a piece of their business, applying for a grant or a loan is a viable choice. The main difference between the two is that a loan requires you to pay for the money you borrow, while a grant does not. 

There are various institutions from whom you can apply for grants, such as state governments and private groups. However, the application process can be a job in itself. From looking for opportunities to solidifying your business model, there are many steps you need to take to make sure you’re qualified. Of course, the effort is more than worth it if you happen to succeed. 

Similarly, a loan comes with strict lending standards and qualifications you need to meet. Businesses that are just starting out might have difficulty applying for a loan, since most banks would require some form of cash flow for at least a year to prove that you can repay the money borrowed. But for businesses that have had at least a year of revenue and transaction history, then SBA loans, term loans, and business lines of credit are all possible options — provided that you read and understand the terms of the loan well. There are various factors to keep in mind, such as banks’ interest rates. FXCM’s article ‘How Central Banks Control Interest Rates’ details how exactly they work, and it is important to understand so you don’t come out with a bad deal. Fortunately, with today’s improved economic conditions and increase in competition, more lenders are willing to slash interest rates for small business loans. This doesn’t mean it’s easy, but if a bank approves you, then you’re more likely to get a lower interest rate in favor of scaling up your business. 

Angel Investors

Business writer Katharine Paljug states that angel investors are also called informal or seed investors, usually backing promising business in their early stages. Along with funding, they are also likely to provide mentorship and advice.

But although they may sound like a gift straight from heaven, they have their fair share of barriers. Like we previously discussed here on Strategics 360, it’s imperative that your product or service is unique and offers something that customers can’t get anywhere else. This is especially true for these investors who tend to be extremely selective about where they put their money. However, if you can hammer down your business plan and are transparent with your projections, it’s possible to grow your relationship with an angel investor from there.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are metrics that measure how successful your company is at accomplishing a goal or objective. They are the strongest indicator of whether or not your business is successful. The challenge is knowing which metrics are the most effective for achieving your goals, as well as how to present those metrics to the key stakeholders in your organization.

Defining the Right KPIs

There is no “one-KPI-fits-all” solution when it comes to defining your company’s key performance indicators. KPIs should be tailored specifically to your business model and objectives, so you can get a solid understanding of the health of your company by simply looking at the status of your KPIs. If your KPIs are on track, your business is as well.

Steps to Building Custom KPIs For Your Business

1. Evaluate your goals and objectives: What is the purpose of your company? What determines whether or not you are successful? The answer to these questions can help you better understand what metrics will help you reach your goals.
2. Focus on between 4 and 10 KPIs: There are so nearly infinite things in your business that can be measured, but less is more when it comes to monitoring KPIs. These should be the metrics that are the most critical towards your success. If you track too many, it can become overwhelming and pointless.
3. Reassess and review: Be critical of your KPIs and check to make sure that monitoring them is a good use of your time. They should be moving the needle and improving your company’s performance. If they aren’t, it may be time to think of some better KPIs.

Presenting Your KPIs

Data presentation matters. In order for a data analyst’s recommendations or analysis to generate real action, they need to be heard (and understood) by stakeholders. When information is not presented clearly and effectively, it may be hard for business-minded people to understand the importance and value of the data in front of them. The goal of KPI presentation, then, should be to make data understandable and easily comprehensible. 

The Psychology of Data Visualization

Data visualization allows you to maximize pre-attentive processing and quickly absorb complex information. When you are looking at a chart or graph, your brain will automatically identify unique elements and patterns. On the other hand, numbers on a spreadsheet require the viewer to actively analyze and examine to find key insights, which can be mentally exhausting.

Data visualization takes those seemingly random numbers and turns them into aesthetically pleasing visuals. You can tell a narrative with your data and integrate already learned information for quicker and more established connections. This connects your short and long-term memory, which helps you more permanently remember the information.

3-Step Process for Processing Information

1. Visual Sensory Register: Information first processes through here, which is part of pre-attentive processing. Before you are even aware you are processing information, certain things will stand out and objects may be unconsciously grouped together.
2. Short-Term Memory: Your short-term memory has a limited capacity. Anything that is not considered useful is discarded, so you can only retain about 3-9 “chunks” of visual information.
3. Long-Term Memory: Your long-term memory retains meaningful information, not the precise details.

Tips for Communicating KPIs

1. Keep it simple: Don’t overwhelm your audience with data. A clear and concise message is easier to comprehend and remember.
2. Choose the appropriate chart: Not all chart types will accomplish the same goal or tell the same story. That’s why it’s important to take some time to understand the different chart types so you can select the best option for your visualization. This infographic can help you choose the right chart for your KPIs:

1. Use color with intention: Color is a crucial element of data visualization design. It can simplify complex graphs, influence the feel of the data, or add contextual depth to data. It’s important to be consistent with your color choices and use plenty of contrast to make your visualizations easy to read and understand.
2. Tell a story: It’s easier for stakeholders to understand the data if you accompany it with a narrative and helpful context. They should be able to quickly sum up what action needs to be taken based on what they learned from the information you presented.

Author Bio: Samantha Marsh is the Marketing Content Coordinator for iDashboards, a data visualization software company on a mission to transform reporting into meaningful dashboards.

A lot has been changing since technology has seeped into almost all processes and changed the whole dynamics of how they function. Talent acquisition is no exception. The workforce demographics have changed, the demand for talent has increased, and the knowledge marketplaces have gone highly competitive. These changes have made talent management a highly discussed topic in the conference rooms of many organizations.

One of the major challenges the talent acquisition departments faces is ensuring that the right talent is hired for the right role. In today’s candidate-driven and resource-conscious market, to develop a competitive edge in talent acquisition, recruiting strategies have to be revisited to optimize them to bridge the skills gap. In order to stay at the top of the game, implementing a robust talent acquisition and management strategy is the key. Here are top 5 tips to help win the talent war, boost the recruitment process, manage the current talent and prepare for the future.

1. The Recruitment Process on Auto-mode

Manually screening through thousands of resumes is not only time-consuming but also a tedious task. Most of the valuable time is lost, leaving very less time to concentrate on other important aspects of the hiring process. The end result: the whole process becomes slow and the risk of losing a candidate increases. Embracing new and innovative technologies in recruitment through automation of time-consuming tasks can – lower the recruitment costs, filter better quality hires, free up resources – all at a faster pace. The new landscape of talent acquisition has brought in innovations, which are driving the evolution of automation in the recruitment process through the use of recruitment software. With automation, the recruitment process becomes simpler, faster and effective, thus saving a lot of time to carry out other important tasks. The software can screen resumes, perform low-level administrative tasks, recommend candidates on the basis of data, and make bias-free recruiting decisions.

2. The Use of Social Media

The largest pool of most talented, top quality applicants are on social media. Therefore, recruiters need to be present where the most potential candidates are. Social media presence is a must and the most effective marketing tool to attract and hire top talent. However, not all social media channels are great for social recruiting. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter harbor the potential talent. The key to use social media to its optimal potential is to be consistent and post regular updates.

 

3. The Complete Package Offer

Salary is not the only thing candidates look for while considering a job application. They’ll look at the complete package the company has to offer. The package may include salary, growth opportunities, responsibilities, bonuses, perks, reputation of the company, etc. If the candidate is a right fit, determine what they are looking for in a prospective job position and offer a complete package that meets their requirements, not just the salary.

3. The Boomerang Employee Advantage

In a talent starved market, a boomerang employee can be a boon. Hiring an ex-employee has its own set of advantages – the candidate is aware of the company culture and can easily settle in. However, the decision of hiring boomerang employees has to be taken with due diligence. The best way to decide is to treat boomerang employee as a first-time applicant through which an unbiased decision can be made and that will help in deciding whether the boomerang employee is a good fit or not.

4. The Power of Employee Referrals

An employee referral programs not only boost the morale of the existing employees, but are an excellent way to reach potential talent. Research says that employee referred candidates make better hires and stay with the company for long.

5. The Plan to Retain Employees

Recruiting new talent can be an expensive affair. A lot of HR activities, such as job posting, advertising, screening, interviewing, follow-ups, etc., demand investment of time, manpower and money. Training new employees also adds up to the investment.

The overall recruitment costs can be lowered, if a robust employee retention plan is in place. Usually, employee retention rates are influenced by salary, work environment, growth opportunities, benefits, etc. A great retention plan will offer great promotion opportunities, vertical as well as horizontal while enabling them to apply for them.

Author Bio: Kelly Barcelos is a progressive digital marketing manager specializing in HR and is responsible for leading Jobsoid’s content and social media team. When Kelly is not building campaigns, she is busy creating content and preparing PR topics. She started with Jobsoid as a social media strategist and eventually took over the entire digital marketing team with her innovative approach and technical expertise.

 

All our life, we try hard to be successful. But, what we do not realize is that in our careers, we cannot attain long-term success by just performing daily work chores without focusing on professional growth.

If we plan our professional goals in life meticulously, no matter which office we work at or which field we have chosen to work in, it can play a significant role in our endeavor towards professional development.

Creating a development plan for your career goals will help you accomplish your ambitions whether you are looking for your progress in a particular position or if you are trying to land a better job. And this planning of career goals essentially relates to the skills and knowledge that you have acquired from both your personal life and your workplace environment.

So, let’s see how you can effectively plan your professional goals that will help you achieve success in your career:

Know Your Goals Properly

A successful career is not an overnight thing—neither does it happen by itself nor can you develop it in a day, week or month.

Knowing your career goals is critical, as otherwise, you will keep confusing yourself when you are trying to get a promotion or looking for a new job in a different field of industry, with regards to what you want to achieve and how you think you are going to go about it.

So, when you have a proper plan in place, it will guide you throughout, so that you can choose a career that suits your skills and knowledge and you get the maximum value for your talents.

Sharpen Your Focus

When you are trying to shine in a career that suits you, proper focus and attention towards attaining your goals is crucial.

If you lose your focus, you will not be able to attain your career goals and you will have to stop pursuing your dreams in the middle of your way. Therefore, having a proper career development plan that sums up your goals, aspirations, and objectives, will help you stay focused on your journey.

When you are focused and determined, challenges on your way will hardly trouble you, and you will be in total control of your journey as well as your destination.

Assess Yourself Personally

The beauty of having a professional development plan is that it also helps you immensely in carrying out your personal assessment.

This is very important when you make a decision to follow a particular career path as well as to find success in that career. When you assess yourself personally, it gives you a perfect idea about where you are in your life at that point in time, where do you want to go from there and how you want to be in the future.

When you set clear career objectives, you will know perfectly what needs to be done, what steps need to be taken, to reach where you would like to be in the future. Then you can easily work your way around all challenges and reach your goals in a seamless way—as you would know what needs to be done, when it is to be done and how it needs to be done.

Be Confident

A lot of people lack confidence and optimism in their life. The main reason is they don’t have a proper plan in place and an idea to believe in.

A proper goal-oriented professional development plan will give you the confidence that you require to be successful in your career.

When you know what to do, how to act on it, when to take the next step, what to choose and more importantly what not to, you will be confident of the fact that you have all your bases covered. You will be ready to encounter any big hurdle on your path to success.

CONCLUSION

In order to achieve success in your career, you need constructive planning, strong determination, and unfragmented focus. The more efficient you are in your planning, better are your chances of success. So, put everything down on a paper, evaluate the pros and cons of every possible situation, work hard and be disciplined. Do these and professional success will come knocking at your door.