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May 20, 2013 Leave a comment
That’s right the latest edition of the Industry Resource Pipeline is in. It includes great articles on the European Unions decision on the Canadian oilsands, the impact of falling gas prices, Tata steel and so much more. Connect to it through innovationsinpiping.com by clicking here or on the graphic below
May 17, 2013 Leave a comment
Business owners planning a move want to minimize downtime. One way to do this is to break down a move step-by-step. This is a good way to keep customers happy and to cut down on the stress that is often associated with moving a business.
Moving costs money. Having a budget will cut down on the amount spent. You might want to include the cost of new supplies and equipment, transportation, storage units and payroll.
Time spent moving usually takes away from business operations. Your goal, of course, is to decrease this as much as possible. One way of doing so is by designating employees to be in charge of different aspects of the move.
Some folks assume if the move is small a plan is not necessary. However, drawing up a moving plan is always a good idea. Having a plan will cut down on last minute running around, which is what often leads to increased spending.
Make your moving plan as early as possible, but don’t set it in stone. If changes are made, add an addendum and let the people affected know.
If you have different departments to move, get input from employees that work in each department. A quick meeting should suffice. They will bring to your attention something that could be overlooked by managers and directors who are not involved in specific departments on a day-to-day basis.
If you are moving a retail business, notify your customers as soon as the move becomes a reality. It is usually never too early to begin this process. If you have a small retail establishment, you can post ‘we’re moving’ signs in your shop and at the registers.
Cashiers and customer service personnel should be briefed with as much information about the move as possible. Customers will have questions, and keeping them updated with valid information will keep them satisfied.
Do not forget to notify your service providers. Make a list of every provider or vendor that must be alerted, and note when they were notified and what changes need to take place.
If it’s possible to plan the time of year for your move, you will want to do it when your business is less busy. This applies to seasons as well as to days of the week.
Renting storage units for the move is a good idea. This is especially true if you are unable to begin moving items into the new space ahead of time. According to Fairfield NJ self storage, make an inventory list so you can easily keep track of what is in each unit.
Moving a business might seem stressful, especially if you have never done it before. Breaking the move down step-by-step, and planning ahead of time will make it as easy as possible.
Author Bio: Annette Hazard is a freelance blogger and moved many times in her life. She is promoting http://www.extraspace.com/Storage/Facilities/US/Florida/North_Lauderdale/300158/Facility.aspx.
May 3, 2013 Leave a comment
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April 14, 2013 Leave a comment
The United Kingdom is proving to be an excellent business environment for small businesses and their owners. Its diverse economy and extensive domestic and international trade connections make the nation an ideal site for individuals seeking to develop new products and services, whether they are expected to appeal to a large population or are primarily focused on niche markets.
One example of the rise of small and independent businesses is the Oily Rag brand, currently being marketed across the UK by the John Lewis department store chain. Developed by Julia Hunter, this brand demonstrates the importance of creating and marketing unique ideas in the small business environment.
In the case of Oily Rag, the genesis came from Hunter’s inability to find cushions that could be left outside without becoming damaged or mouldy due to outside moisture. This would lead to the destruction of outdoor furniture, unless the owners undertook to move it inside every night, which was a time consuming and annoying chore. Covering the fabric with protective covers was also difficult and would still expose the fabric to the potential for damage if the covers were damaged or improperly used.
By developing a cushion that included water proof oil and PVC components, in addition to a valve designed to let air in while excluding water, they were able to achieve their goal. The cushions produced by Oily Rag were both comfortable to use and completely resistant to the mould and moisture that had plagued other designs. Furthermore, by filling a currently unmet need in the market, these products had little in the way of competition.
Eventually, Julia and her husband Philip were able to interest John Lewis in their design, enabling them to enter the UK furniture market and expand their business to the size it currently enjoys. This demonstrates the importance of not simply having an idea, but understanding how it must be marketed in today’s economy.
The success of Oily Rag should make other small businesses confident about their chance to compete in the modern economy. However, it should also show how important it is to have a clearly defined goal and business plan. By understanding the market and finding a clear need to fill, Julia and Philip Hunter were able to produce a product that was immediately marketable to the public.
Another factor in the success of Oily Rag was the ability to immediately scale up production to meet the demand of retailers. By keeping all production within the United Kingdom, the Oily Rag brand was able to benefit from public preference for domestically produced items. This also allowed them to take advantage of employment solicitors in order to ensure that the addition of extra staff could be effectively managed.
That is an important point for small businesses seeking to emulate the Hunter’s success. If demand increases, the company’s owners must be able to grow along with their demand. For this reason, advance plans for expanding the workforce and any production facilities must be made in advance of any expansion. The owners should discuss the implications of expanding their company with their employment solicitors as scaling up production can cause legal as well as logistical problems, in addition to discussing the initial financial burden with any co-owners or financial backers.
Julia and Philip Hunter have demonstrated that the field of small business remains a vibrant one in the UK. By creating a business plan, identifying a need and being prepared to take advantage of good fortune, other small business owners can emulate the Hunter’s achievements.
Author Bio
John Fegan is a freelance copywriter who writes for a variety of websites, including a number of child custody solicitors in Manchester.
