Posted by on Mar 10, 2010 in
Uncategorized It’s hard to tell just what the market has planned for you and your business. Even the best industry analysts didn’t see the mortgage meltdown coming — nor did they imagine that the housing market would be stabilizing itself so soon in 2009. As you know, many businesses are still struggling — monolithic businesses, at that! If you own a company or corporation, you’re likely wondering how you can stay afloat when so many others are sinking. Here are some practical recession tips to help you swim.
One of the first recession tips you often hear is to switch your offline marketing to online marketing campaigns. “Content marketing is becoming the ONLY marketing,” remarks Julie Wisdom, Executive Creative Director for Babcock & Jenkins. She says that your first step is to order and organize web content — whether it is articles, blogs, press releases, home page content, ad copy or videos. All this content can then be repackaged and recycled. For instance, a white-paper can be translated into a video or ten different mini-articles; blogs can be reworked into a Q&A section or a press release. Look for a wide variety of channels and audiences, she adds.
While you consider these recession tips, it’s important that you keep your chin up and look for new ways to connect with shoppers. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of online shoppers who “abandon” their shopping carts will return in 1-2 days to actually purchase, found security firm McAfee in a recent study. Moreover, their study found that businesses with better brand recognition saw shorter turn around times. Veteran shoppers will buy sooner than newcomers. Merchants selling unique merchandise see quicker turnarounds, compared to highly competitive offerings. Novel products and services that are suspected to be overpriced will sit on the e-shelf for longer as well. Lower priced items also move much more quickly, the study found. Therefore, it’s important to create your marketing campaigns with these ideas in mind.
Do not waste any more minute moping around and trying to wait for the agent to come along. Check the internet and contact Rene Lacape now. He is one of the best agents in the insurance industry. Be one of the many satisfied clients of his.
Tags: 2009 recession, anti-recession tactics, business recession, offline marketing campaigns, recession
Posted by on Jan 25, 2010 in
Uncategorized Growing business during a downturn is easy — if you’ve got the right products. According to a report from the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops (NARTS), 64.1% of thrift stores surveyed reported an increase in sales. On average, these small businesses sold 31% more merchandise in 2009 than in 2008. “I think people are okay with buying used … it is also part of the growing culture of recycling,” said Kathy Doyle Thomas, executive VP of marketing at Half Price Books. As big retailers take hits, these smaller enterprises seem to be doing better than ever — thanks to filling a niche, weakened competition and corporate cutbacks that level the playing field. Of course, not every company vision can work out so well. The truth is that regular retailers can still grow their businesses during hard times if they devise a clever enough strategy.
It was the year 2000. Silicon Valley was launching a new high-tech startup everyday. Business parks sprung up and it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that something transformative was taking place. Meanwhile, two buddies — Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan — were making market plans as well… only theirs had investors laughing, rather than shelling out cash. Even though no one was biting on the concept of neatly-packaged, environmentally-conscious soap and hygiene products, they knew they could appeal to a younger, hipper audience with their products and give giants like Proctor and Gamble a run for their money. For Lowry and Ryan, growing business is about doing it yourself to save precious cash (like mixing soaps in bathtubs and bottling it themselves); it’s about continuously selling your concept to your vendors and other venture capitalists; it’s about constantly fundraising. As Ryan says, “The hungriest wolves hunt best.”
Google is perhaps the most famous success story of growing business during a fragile economy. The company’s developers garnered a large following by researching and delivering what people wanted — a simple design, helpful search results and zero annoying banner ads. Once their first big angel investor was on board, many others looked to join — hence the saying, “It’s always easier to make money when you have money.” They aggressively pursued both online and offline marketing, selling radio, newspaper and TV ads. The company was also unafraid to make acquisitions — buying out competitors like Keyhole Inc, MeasureMap, Youtube, DoubleClick, GrandCentral, Postini and On2 Technologies. They’ve also partnered up with Nasa, Microsoft, Nokia, Ericsson, Myspace, Fox, Life Magazine, Sun Microsystems and AOL/Time Warner.
Of course there are many other stories about growing business during recessions. Consider that a 26-year-old Prussian immigrant Adolph Coors began his legendary brewery near Denver back in 1873, despite fierce competition. Beginning with just $32 and a dream, 29-year-old William Wrigley Jr. began manufacturing soap, baking soda and chewing gum until he finally got his market plans right. In 1907, James Casey borrowed $100 to start up the first United Postal Service in Seattle promising gold rushers that his mail would be on-time and delivered by tidily dressed employees who were courteous at all times. Hopefully, these stories will inspire you to pursue your own aspirations one day.
Jeremy Larson is a foremost expert in the natural acid reflux remedy. He has had extensive experience and conducted countless experiments in finding natural remedy for acid reflux. He is also a highly acclaimed writer in the medical field.
Tags: 2009 recession, anti-recession tactics, business recession, offline marketing campaigns, recession
Posted by on Jan 23, 2010 in
Uncategorized Hindsight is 20/20. There are so many times we wished we would have just asked someone for their business tips and advice. When you’re starting a small business, you’ll want to read as much as you can about the process from seasoned veterans who’ve been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale. One common theme you’ll hear time and time again is; get the funds. Regardless of what your idea is or what strategies you hope to employ, the bottom line is that you’ve got to have money to survive any business plan. Here are some other suggestions from successful recession startups.
Sometimes it’s hard to predict where you’ll find your niche, so it’s a good idea to create a small business startup that encompasses a couple of different areas. For example, Dan Wiley, a 48-year-old first time entrepreneur, started a Los Angeles based firm that provides a range of services from public relations and advertising to branding and internet design. “I never expected we would be doing as much website designing as we have been, and that so few customers would be looking for our public relations services,” Wiley admits. His advice to aspiring innovators is to save up a year’s worth of operating capital to cushion the blow, should things not work out as anticipated.
“It’s been harder to find quality investors,” admits Charisse McAuliffe, the 31-year-old head of GenGreen, a database of over 45,000 green businesses and organizations. She finally made her dreams come true with her $250,000 in savings and an additional $750,000 from angel and private investors. “Now that we’re up and running, I’m getting as many as 10 solicitations per day, but for the most part they’re not viable options,” she says. With National Geographic and News Corp purchasing some of her content, this home based business is really soaring! She recommends that you check out tools like www.angelsoft.net, a social networking site for aspiring entrepreneurs and angel investors.
Most small business startup tips seem to center on finances. Taylor Spellman, a 25-year-old who began a NY interior design shop, admitted that his vision was not fortuitously timed. Just as he was pitching to young professionals in the finance industry, “many of them lost their jobs, or never got those bonuses,” Spellman explains. As a result, he had to cut his fees from $100 down to $50. “Be sure to have some money in the bank as a cushion,” he advises. “If you’re not willing to go into debt, this probably isn’t the right time to start your own business.” Perhaps this is the cautionary tale many eager entrepreneurs skip over with their market plans. With 3/5 of small businesses failing within the first few years, the statistics certainly aren’t in your favor; but with enough capital and enough patience, you can still realize your dreams.
As a leading expert in the field of anxiety disorders and panic attacks, Beth Kaminski is always on the lookout for how to treat anxiety attacks. Visit her site for more information on her anxiety treatment center and much more.
Tags: 2009 recession, anti-recession tactics, business recession, offline marketing campaigns, recession
Posted by on Jan 22, 2010 in
Uncategorized Many individuals hit by the economic downturn are considering starting their own business from home. The first step for starting an internet business should be a thorough soul-searching and investigation into the risks and rewards associated with entrepreneurship. Nearly every community offers marketing training courses at local colleges, as well as marketing symposiums and workshops, and media buying seminars. Of course, there is really no substitute for being hip with today’s news, no matter what industry you’re in. You can also look for ebook downloads, internet design tutorials and read AFP business articles to prepare yourself for the big leap from corporate worker to entrepreneur.
There are many different types of internet business ventures to consider. Some people prefer to go with what they know. Brent Bouchez, David Page and Nancy McNally all worked for top-tier ad agencies before forming their own marketing company targeting consumers 50 and older. Michelle DeAngelis worked at Bank of America for 15 years before branching off to do her own private consulting. By contrast, some internet business entrepreneurs decided to forego their past identities and follow a particular pursuit or passion. Ali Galgano transitioned from a corporate recruiter at Goldman Sachs to a seller of unique costume jewelry. Kelly Elvin went from being a corporate lawyer to a dog trainer. What matters most is that your home based business is something about which you are knowledgeable and passionate.
Working with an internet business from home can be a huge culture shock for some entrepreneurs. First of all, there are no more perks — paid days off, vacations, automatic raises, corporate credit cards, 401ks, employee luncheons, cushy offices or company cars. Secondly, it can be downright lonely at times if you go from being the head gossiper at the office water cooler to the sole proprietor of a home business. Thirdly, you will need to harness all the self-motivation you can. It’s much more difficult to get your work done when you can sack out on the couch for a few hours at will or turn on the TV. Lastly, you have to deal with all the accountability. If your marketing campaigns prove to be flops, you have no one to blame but yourself, which can be a tough pill to swallow.
Even if you don’t want to run an internet business, you will need to learn about how IT and business complement each other. To get started, try to come up with a sensible plan that is based on what you already know. If you were a cook or baker, then open your own catering company or bakery. If you worked for a law firm, you can secure your own clients and start your only legal practice or outsource yourself to other law firms. If you worked in retail, start your own clothing design company. If you were an engineer, consider a startup or become a manufacturing consultant. If you love sports, become a personal trainer. If you love animals, start a doggie daycare, a grooming business or pet training service. There are many opportunities for advancement, despite the recession, so check out the Small Business Association resources and learn about how to proceed.
Jeremy Larson is a foremost expert in the natural acid reflux home remedies. He has had extensive experience and conducted countless experiments in finding natural remedy for acid reflux. He is also a highly acclaimed writer in the medical field.
Tags: 2009 recession, anti-recession tactics, business recession, offline marketing campaigns, recession
Posted by on Jan 21, 2010 in
Uncategorized GM may very well be the prime example of a company who chose all the wrong anti-recession tactics. Instead of adapting to the new times and emphasizing smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles in customized colors — they stubbornly pursued their current course of dishing out truck after truck and SUV after SUV. They believed this was the true American spirit — bigger, more rugged and, undeniably, more expensive. The top executives failed to realize that the money market was tightening up for consumers and that this new environmentalism tidal wave was already moving the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic to the head of the queue. Instead of following the pathway to bankruptcy and bail-outs, here are some smart moves during the recession.
The most important of all anti-recession tactics is to understand the new problems your customers face and offer them innovative solutions. The most successful businesses are ones that can save customers money, make their lives less stressful and offer more value. For instance, one company developed a fast-curing resin to maximize productivity for injection-molding machines; yet, when the recession happened and greater output was no longer needed, the company switched gears and developed a less expensive, slower-curing resin, which was ultimately profitable. “We can’t add meat to a burger anymore,” admits CKE marketing chief Brad Haley, who oversees the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr franchises. When times are tough, executives need to be more creative. He adds, “Carl’s Jr. is promoting a guacamole bacon cheeseburger. Avocados are a less expensive topping.”
Some managers remain purse-lipped and hunker down in their bunkers as their primal anti-recession tactics. Yet tips from the most successful CEOs focus on creating a balance between realism and optimism. No matter what the situation may be, a good management team must always be communicating with the rest of the employees. No climate is worse for productivity than employees who worry about being fired, suppliers who fear they won’t get paid and customers who have no confidence. Julia Stewart, CEO of DineEquity (parent company of Applebee’s and IHOP) says, “It’s important to assure your employees by making clear your vision, making sure they know that you care, and making sure that you’re direct and honest. They just want the truth.” During a recession, it’s important to be realistic but also to emphasize what’s working to instill confidence in the workforce.
One of the common anti-recession tactics is to slash prices to move inventory. However, this does not always equate with profits. According to McKinsey Research, the average company that cuts prices by 5% would need to sell 19% more to pay for itself. Yet the price decrease decision also depends upon what customers are doing. In the gasoline industry, once gas hit $4 a gallon, US consumers cut back significantly on their purchases. This season the Wii and Playstation consoles will come down in price to reach a greater audience. “These past few years the game consoles, PlayStation 3 especially, have been a little bit out of price range for a Christmas present,” said Eiji Maeda, a JPMorgan Chase & Co. analyst from Tokyo, Japan. “The reductions make the PS3 and Wii within reach for more people and should spur sales.” Of course, expert tips indicate that innovation must also accompany their moves because no one will buy the console if new game titles are lacking.
Jeremy Larson is a foremost expert in acid reflux remedy. He has had extensive experience and conducted countless experiments in finding natural remedy. He is also a highly acclaimed writer in the medical field and you can find out more at remedyforacidreflux.com.
Tags: 2009 recession, anti-recession tactics, business recession, offline marketing campaigns, recession
Posted by on Jan 10, 2010 in
Uncategorized Today’s news is certainly gloomy, with talks of unemployment, decreasing home values, family business closures and low consumer confidence. Americans are tuning in to shows like Suze Orman, Mad Money and the Clark Howard Show for advice and money saving tips that can help them weather the storm. The silver lining is that there are many areas to save and these strategies will help big spenders get ahead when their situations improve too.
“Getting organized” tops the list of money saving tips because, without organization, you can’t get anywhere. Many consumers end up paying late fees, reactivation charges, interest and penalties all because they missed a due date when their papers got shuffled into a pile. Not surprisingly, “Getting Organized” was right up there with “Losing Weight” for Top New Year’s Resolutions in 2009. A quick stop at Office Depot to buy a $30 filing cabinet is a great way to get started. You might want to have hanging files of different bills (credit card, car loan, taxes, utilities, mortgage, etc) and you might want to demarcate a section for “unpaid bills.” Next, invest in accounting software like Myelopes, Quicken or Microsoft Money. Why test out your amateur mathematician skills when you can use a computer’s expert accuracy every time to ensure no mistakes are made on your annual budget? You’ll find all your financial information is neatly filed and printable for your convenience. These programs can even remind you to pay bills, allow you to check your finances online, track your purchases and lets you know how much you have left to spend in each category based on the initial budget you set up!
The next batch of money saving tips revolves around saving. This realm is much easier said than done and it requires a bit of honesty to proceed. While you may say, “I don’t spend that much going out,” you might need to crunch those numbers to be sure. Even though you feel you “deserve” that dinner out, you’ve got to be realistic about how many times a month you can afford that sort of luxury. Look at your habits. Are you getting enough hours at work? Could your wage be higher? Are you saddled with credit card debt? Are you paying over 38% of your income on your living space? Are your utilities bills higher than your neighbors’? Are you a compulsive shopper or fast food junkie? Do you spend lavishly on your lover, even when you really don’t have the money? Look out for these trouble areas.
Following these money saving tips, and especially during the current recession, may feel like a culture shock at first. You might instinctively want to rebel against the plan the moment it’s written. The best way to adhere to your plan is to leave in some allowances for fun. Instead of seeing the $10 movies, you can opt for the $1.50 cheap shows, for instance. Or you can dine out once a week — but at lunch time, instead of dinner time. After a while, you’ll find that saving money can be quite liberating, actually. As former US President Calvin Coolidge once said, “There is no dignity quite so impressive and no independence so important as living within your means.”
Rene Lacape is a well trained insurance broker. He has been handling many kinds of insurances for the past many years. He still does well in his chosen field and is sure to help more people who will need his expert advice. Contact him now.
Tags: 2009 recession, anti-recession tactics, business recession, offline marketing campaigns, recession
Posted by on Jan 6, 2010 in
Uncategorized When you are in your forties or fifties and suddenly find yourself out of a job, what is an experienced professional to do? You hate that feeling of helplessness and insecurity. It’s horrible to know that your fate was resting in some corporate bureaucrat’s hands — and that he could just let you go so easily, crushing your world. Where will you get health insurance? How will you pay the mortgage or save for the kids’ tuition? Where will you find a new, recession-proof job? It’s no surprise that many professionals decide to take their years of experience and start up supporting businesses that assist larger corporations in a specific area where they are lacking. If you worked at a law firm, then become a legal consultant. If you worked for an ad agency, start your own! If you wrote for the local news, get into web copy! If you worked as an accountant as a bank, offer your own tax and accounting services independently. Here’s a guide to some of the startup successes.
Hiring a supporting businesses firm to cover your marketing campaigns can be a real money-saver in some cases too. Many company leaders want to take their offline advertising efforts and put them online but don’t know the first thing about pay-per-click, affiliate marketing, keyword optimization, social networking and e-commerce marketing. An outside firm can provide you with all these services, with tips on how to move forward, or will even come to your business and present training workshops for your staff members to bring them up to speed. With today’s competitive environment, there’s no room for dinosaurs!
Search engine optimization (SEO) is another area where supporting businesses thrive. Every homepage internet design should have searchable keywords, image tags and web copy that attracts visitors to the site. Professional SEO experts use a variety of analytic programs that let them know what industry-related terms people are looking up, what the most competitive search terms are and what words are best incorporated into a business’s homepage. By effectively designing your homepage with these factors in mind, your site will become a magnet for web traffic, thus increasing sales. Of course, some webpages have fundamental problems that send prospective clients fleeing. An SEO expert can let you know how many people are visiting, what pages they’re looking at, how long they’re browsing, which pages are sending clients elsewhere and where these dissatisfied visitors are going next. This research can be invaluable to a business.
It can be easy to feel downtrodden, but remember that innovation is at the forefront of American enterprise. Supporting businesses can alleviate the suffering of laid-off workers, giving them new reasons to get out of bed each morning — and feel more valued and rewarded than ever before. These new startups can also help bigger corporations focus on the finer details that may be undermining their operations, giving adequate care and expertise to important areas of marketing, media planning, social networking, web design and writing.
Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed treatment for anxiety attacks as well as tips on the various panic disorder medications available at anxietydisordercure.com.
Tags: 2009 recession, anti-recession tactics, business recession, offline marketing campaigns, recession
Posted by on Jan 1, 2010 in
Uncategorized The ailing economy has many small business owners reassessing their position within their industries. When every dollar counts, CEOs can no longer throw money at this idea and that; they must focus on what’s working and correct what’s not. Stu Richards, CEO of Bredin Business Information, says that 56% of newsletter recipients said they received information relevant to their industries, so now is a good time to do a little research to find out if you’re delivering what people want. Similarly, Bob Johnson, VP of IDG Connect, found that only 42% of buyers said that educational and promotional content they received was relevant to their needs. Small business owners need to look at their homepage statistics as well and see if there are any “conversion killers.” Read on for more recession tips that can help you reach success in any economy.
One of the first recession tips you often hear is to switch your offline marketing to online marketing campaigns. “Content marketing is becoming the ONLY marketing,” remarks Julie Wisdom, Executive Creative Director for Babcock & Jenkins. She says that your first step is to order and organize web content — whether it is articles, blogs, press releases, home page content, ad copy or videos. All this content can then be repackaged and recycled. For instance, a white-paper can be translated into a video or ten different mini-articles; blogs can be reworked into a Q&A section or a press release. Look for a wide variety of channels and audiences, she adds.
One of the more unconventional recession tips is to change your company over to a home based business. With a computer, a telephone and a quiet room, many businesses can move to the home. The good news about this bold move is that you’ll cut out on commuting costs and rent — not to mention, you’ll be able to write off a portion of your heating/cooling/electric/mortgage bills on your taxes as an expense. If you can’t run your company alone and rely on many other workers to get the job done, then you may want to consider how they can work from home as well.
If it is insurance that you need, Rene Lacape is the person to look for. He has been in this field for many years and is still in counting. He has dealt with many clients and is proud to say that all of them are very satisfied. If you need him, check his website so you can call him now.
Tags: 2009 recession, anti-recession tactics, business recession, offline marketing campaigns, recession