Category: Office

Even though sales are not laughing matters, it is surprising how much humor can do to a business when used during a sales presentation. Some of the advantages of using humor in sales presentations and product advertisements are as discussed below:-

Humor improves product differentiation for the company

The use of humor results in product differentiation and makes it more attractive to the target market. Product differentiation is one strategy in marketing, that enables a company to achieve competitive advantage from other companies producing similar products. Further, by promoting product differentiation through humor, the company develops uniqueness in their services or products. Therefore humor is an essential factor in a sales presentation.

Humor facilitates the demand for the product

In the course of a sales presentation, humor improves the products demand. in other words, humor helps the company and the salesperson to improve the brand image of the products by being friendly and human. Most consumers like to be influenced by appropriate humor since it indicates the level of humanity in the salesperson. For that reason, many customers will demand the products that are appropriately advertised with appropriate humor.

Humor enhances consumer-company relationships

Using humor leads to the development of a personal relationship between the consumer and producer. During the presentation, humor impacts the message and communicaion in general. As such, humor creates a positive consumer-producer relationship. However, it is also important to note that people have differences in what impresses them. Therefore, the salesperson should be careful with the kind of humor he/she is using in the sales presentation. Positive impact promotes a positive relationship between the company and the consumer.

Humor facilitates positive attitude in consumers

The use of humor is the best way to develop customer’s positive attitude towards the product. In this case, humor facilitates customers intention to purchasee the product. Lack of humor during a sales presentation, casues a negative influence on the customer’s intention of purchasing the product. Therefore, using humor during sales presentations decreases the intrusive nature of the communication, hence leading optimal marketing outcomes.

In conclusion, the use of humor in advertisements and sales presentations is a good strategy for promoting the product and improving marketing skills by a company. Therefore, any company with an aim of increasing profitability should employ the use of humor in its advertisements.

Recommendations

For a serious business transaction, one needs to avoid compromising topics such as racism, sexism, tribalism and so on while using humor. Such topics normally develop critics of the product and the company, hence reducing its performance.

Focusing on the business objectives when using humor during advertisements and presentation improves its positive impact on the business.

Do you sometimes feel like luck has closed its doors on you and your once flourishing business is slowly shriveling? And finding out what the trouble is, is also proving to be an arduous task? At most times, it is usually you who is not playing your cards right. The following are some ideas that as a businessperson, you should put into consideration.

Learn new business gimmicks

New tricks will ensure that customers will flock your business premises. Tricks such as; treating your customers better, and appreciating them if you have not been doing so in the past. Start paying attention to those clients; they are the reason for the existence of your business. Also make sure that your business is usually open early enough, and closes late evening, to meet the needs of those customers who go to work early and come back late.

Reputable customer care services

You can provide the customer care services yourself, especially if your business is still growing; or rather, you can employ adept customer care personnel. Ensure you have a toll-free line that is reachable 24 hours a day, for your clients to give their compliments and complains, if any occur. Also take customers’ criticisms positively and appreciate the criticizers; it makes them feel valued. Make sure that complains are dealt with, within the shortest time possible. However, you should let your customers know that complains should be launched within a stipulated period of time, after which, there will be no compensation. This is so, to protect your business.

Learn your rival’s weakness and capitalize on it

In an ideal business world, you will never lack rivals. Knowing how those contenders run their businesses, will give you an opportunity to identify the gaps that exist, in running that kind of business. Work on those gaps and make them your strongest points. For example, if they do not have a cashless system of payment of goods, you can introduce that service at your store, and you will be sure to pull your rival’s clients your way.

Always have enough and variety of stock

This is one of the things that will make your customers love shopping at you store. Always order for new stock before your current one is depleted. If you run a general merchandise store, make sure that you have most items that your customers are likely to buy. This way, they will have everything they need under one roof. This is to avoid disappointing the buyers when they cannot find just one item out of the many on their lists.

Discounts for loyal customers

Although this should not be frequent, you should try to appreciate your loyal customers through random and surprise discounts. They will always come to your store expecting that someday soon, you are going to throw that discount again.

Redeemable card points

If you do not have this already, consider starting it; giving redeemable points to your customers when they shop. Later, when they have sufficient points on their card, and depending on how much a point values, they can use the points to shop. In any case, who would not love to be rewarded just for spending some cash on shopping?

Good advertising

Invest in good advertisement strategies for your products. You can use those magazines that sell like a hot cake, or embrace the use of technology and internet traffic. Use of face book, twitter and a website blog will ensure you reach many potential clients.

Delivery services

Provide free delivery services to the customers around your area, and those that are far, you can charge a small fee. Customers will always come shopping at your outlet in bulk, because they will not have to worry about how their items will reach home. You can also include a dial-an-item service whereby, clients make a call to your store, make orders for the items they need, and you deliver the orders to their addresses. They pay up on delivery.

When one starts a business, they do so with the hope that it will soon pick up and run smoothly. They have high expectations. But without the correct strategies put in place, the business will be bound to fail at some point. However, with tactics such as those mentioned above, one can start and run a business successfully, or salvage an otherwise declining business.

Do you feel like your life has become monotonous and meaningless? Want to recapture that enthusiasm and fire in the belly you need to accomplish your goals? No need to worry, here are 10 things you need to do to stay inspired and productive all day:

1. Drink a glass of water ever morning

Water is great for your body, so start your day by drinking a glass of water. Drinking a glass of water first thing when you wake up will kick start your system and give your day a fresh start.

2. Reflect

Most people live their entire lives without examining their actions, decisions and consequences. If you intend to live a life of purpose and accomplish much in your lifetime, always take about 10 minutes to reflect on your life.

3. Exercise

Exercise boosts your energy and, helps in managing stress and improves your mood. Simple but effective exercise you can engage in daily include biking around the block, walking to work rather than taking a cab and swimming.

4. Keep learning

Knowledge is power, so keep increasing your knowledge. To increase your knowledge easily, make use of handy resources such as the internet and public libraries.

5. Plan your day

Planning your day will help you to stay focused on accomplishing the important things you need to accomplish in your life. Before you step out and get caught up in the daily hustle and bustle of things, sit down and make a list of the things you intend to do before the day ends.

6. Engage in a renewal habit

Renewal habits help you to unwind and relax, so set aside some time to enjoy favorite activities such as hitting the tracks on your bike or playing with your pet. If you love music, bring your favorite music to work or gym.

7. Count your blessings

The modern world has become highly competitive which make people concentrate on chasing what they do not have rather than be grateful for what they already have. To help you rewrite that script, take time every morning to think about 10 or more things you are grateful for .Being thankful will inspire and energize you throughout the day.

8. Tidy your desk

A clean working environment has a way of de-cluttering your mind and helping you to focus on the real issues that needs to be accomplished.

9. Get enough shuteye time

Getting enough sleep helps you stay focused, fresh and optimistic. It also gives you a fresh perspective and energy to accomplish the things that will help you to accomplish your goals.

10. 50/10 rule

To keep up your energies and help you to concentrate on your tasks, work on an important task for 50 minutes and take a break for ten minutes.

With the rapid expansion of different industries, the movement to eCommerce, and the advancements of technology, there are a lot of factors for change in our society. The need for change can be both internal and external. Changes in society will impact the way we do business and influence the way our business is run. Both small companies and large corporate companies have struggled with the idea of change, and when they fail to adapt they often get left in the dust. When change is necessary, do not be afraid to try new things! Change is a natural part of working for and owning a business. It is how you react to change that will decide whether you can be successful in the long-run.

Changes can occur at different speeds, from incremental change to rapid change. Technology, Globalization, Workforce diversity, Legal environment, Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility – changing expectations for businesses, Cultural changes and changing consumer demographics all influence change. There are many different ways to manage change and promote change within your organization and even within yourself. Using the ADKAR model we can see the different parts of the change process. You first need to have a general awareness of the need for change. Know that change is necessary and even beneficial. Start growing a desire to change, and start wanting change to occur. Be knowledgeable on how to change, and what it will take to change. Have the ability and the resources necessary to change, make sure change is practical. Lastly, reinforce to sustain change. While undergoing change you may go through a range of emotions starting from shock to integration by the end of your transformation.

As a leader of an organization you must provide a sense of clarity and direction for your company and those who work within your organization. Leaders should understand that resistance is typically associated with the first stage of change. However, while pursuing any type of change, both in a business setting and on an emotional level make sure you stay true to your values, beliefs, and mission. If you’re curious about initiating change you may also want to follow Kotter’s 8-step model. First create a sense of urgency, form a coalition, create a vision for change, communicate this vision, empower action, create quick wins, build on the change, and lastly make the change stick. Change is a natural part of personal and company growth, the key is to be adaptable, open minded, and patient.

If you are thinking of setting up or have already set up a home based business then you need to read on. So many people ignore or are unaware of the legal requirements involved in setting up a business from home. There will be many questions to ask yourself and an enormous amount of paperwork for you to complete.

There are some tips for businesses, for those who are starting life on a small budget but have very big ideas for their growth. Is running a home business right for you? This is a huge decision for anyone. Whether you are keeping the security of your full time employment when you build your business or client base, you have to be sure that you can commit your time and resources to growing your business. You have to ask yourself about motivation to start it, organize your time well and ignore home distractions. Think about earning money from something you enjoy. If you have trained as a computer programmer, but always hated it then setting up in business in the same industry will be very hard work for you and unlikely to succeed.

Market research

Market research isn’t expensive or fancy and you can carry it out yourself.

Once you have a couple of ideas do some market research. Don’t be tempted to just ask friends and family as they will want to encourage your new venture and you need objective data. Get the hard facts and figures on your future business: by whom and what exactly are producing within the current market. Lack of market research which involves doing some serious competitor research (viewing accounts etc) shows up in business survival statistics time and time again. Whatever you forecast as potential sales will be realized into actual earnings over time so bear this in mind when you are looking at retiring in the next year. Keep it real and modest in your start up phase. There are some back bedroom enterprises earning hundreds of thousands but they did not do it in year one or two.

Start up costs

Don’t underestimate these. It will cost something to set up in your own home even the most modest enterprise. You will have to inform your insurers. Potentially take out special insurance to cover you, your business and the equipment you buy and you will also have costs incurred in getting your business online.

Do you sometimes wake up dreading to go back to your office because of some issues like job fulfillment and feeling like everything around your office is out to get you, from your disarranged desk to your tiny office. Well, you are not alone, most people have similar feelings due to varying reasons.

To ease you up and make your office life a little easier, below are some 10 office hacks that will make your boss think you are a genius.

1). Using a small or medium sized spice holder to hold your office supplies like pins and staples. This clears off your desk making it appear tidy and organized.

2). Hang a small basket underneath your desk so as to keep extra paperwork off your working station on your office desk.

3). If your office requires key card access, you can always keep your card under your phone case ensuring you always have it.

4). If you have an old cassette case, you can invert it inside out and use it as a stand for your mobile device or even iPod.

5). Organize how your codes appear in your workspace by color coding them.

6). At the office you can use google as a timer clock by simply typing ‘set a timer for……’.

7). During late night working hours, you can illuminate your computer keyboard using LED rope lights.

8). When you have been working over long periods of time and you are having a sour neck, You can insert a soaked sponge inside a sealable paper bag to act as an ice pack.

9). Place strong magnets under you desk so as to act as a holder for magnetic materials like scissors or pins.

10). Whenever you are having an office lunch and you have a drink that needs to be opened, you can use the side of a Mac book charger to open it.