Entrepreneurialism can sound like a frightening word (and that's not just getting the spelling right!) The trouble is that many people assume that entrepreneurs are go-getters of the modern world, the high flying successes with bank balances bursting at the seams, and the Midas touch that turns ideas into gold overnight; they're the people whose bank managers call them up asking for a loan.
The truth is very different. Ask any entrepreneur and they'll gladly put you right, and assure you that nothing could be further from the truth.
Many of the common assumptions people associate with independent business owners, or sole traders, are woefully inaccurate, often gleaned from the media's obsession with personal individual success and the American Dream.
Let's look at what being an entrepreneur really means, and who these people really are.
Most entrepreneurs are ordinary people like you or me. They are very rarely the high flying successes, flung skywards through their success in the city; in fact, those who already have a successful city career, in what one might term a 'traditional' or 'normal' job are the least likely to step from behind the security of their desk, and brave the world alone.
Generally those who do take the initiative are those who are either fed up with the monotony or sheer frustration which can come with many jobs these days, or who have a burning personal desire or passion, a dream they feel compelled to follow.
We all have dreams, hopes and ambitions; entrepreneurs are, in the main, simply those people who have got up from their comfortable office chair with lumbar support and arm rests and stepped outside to do something about those dreams, ambitions and desires. They are, largely speaking, passionate people, with self belief and determination.
But let's consider the next assumption that tends to walk into such a
discussion: risk. Most people, at least, most people who have never tried, will happily tell you that starting out on your own, becoming your own boss, and starting up your own business idea is incredibly risky, and that it is likely to cost you a fortune, and that you'll see very little income for years, and even that is assuming you survive long enough to earn anything.
Most of this scaremongering is meant well, but generally comes from those who could never become entrepreneurs because they have no self belief, no courage, and have packaged away their dreams and ambition in a small cardboard box which has been locked away in a filing cabinet in the basement of the office block in which they have willingly becoming imprisoned until released back into society when they retire.
There is risk in anything, as we can readily see today, with the stock market looking gloomy, traders panicking, businesses crashing, and increasing number of people finding themselves out of work. There is no longer such a thing as job security, or a job for life - in any business.
Entrepreneurialism is a way of protecting yourself, to a certain degree, by taking greater control over your finances, job and future.
You become the boss, aware of all aspects of your business, and able to make sensible decisions both within your business and your personal life, in full knowledge of the situation, and all relevant factors. Who can honestly say that, while working for a company or business, your boss keeps you fully informed of every possible risk and problem occurring which could potentially jeopardize the future of your job, income or even the company?
Very few!
Entrepreneurialism is not risk free - that would be absurd to suggest, but the risks are known, and manageable. You're in control, and that alone can make a world of difference to your peace of mind. Stress is largely down to a feeling that you are not in control; no matter how much needs doing, or whatever the pressure, stress only becomes an issue when we feel over burdened with worries and pressure, and unable to control where we are and what we are expected to do.
If you have a business idea, a hobby you'd like to turn into a home business, a work from home opportunity you'd like to pursue, or a ground breaking product or service you'd like to launch, then running your own business may well be for you, giving you the opportunity to follow your dreams, lower stress, feel in control, and be positive about your future.
All you need is a plan, and a dream and, of course, belief in yourself.
Naz Daud is founder of CityLocal. Naz can help you to make your entrepreneur dreams come true with many different ideas on his website.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Shopping Tricks of the Online Retail Trade
Not that many years ago the words retail and shopping would tend to conjure up images of crowded high streets, busy shops stuffed full of shoppers frantically squeezing past each other towards the sale items at the back, long queues at the checkout and weary staff trying to keep a smile on their faces. Towards Christmas this happy and carefree image could deteriorate into something more like a cattle market when the barbecue has just been uncovered.
Today, retailers are turning to the web and to internet technology more and more, and as those in the retail sector turn increasingly to the internet, so do shoppers and consumers. It's been a hard journey for some shops and companies, whilst others have embraced the online world of shopping. It's a similar story for consumers, with an increasing number turning to websites for their shopping needs rather than the high street.
There are a number of obvious benefits in terms of online shopping, both for the customer and for the retailer; some of these are obvious, but others are less so. Perhaps the most obvious advantage from the point of view of both customers and retailers is that there are no crowds. As a customer I much prefer being able to sit in a comfy chair with a cup of tea, browsing at my leisure. It allows me to compare products easily, without having to rush up and down the high street darting in to half a dozen shops just to compare prices and offers. It also allows me to save and bookmark items or products conveniently, so that I can come back to them a little later, at my complete convenience.
But the world of online shopping isn't as simple as just taking a high street shop, and building a website which closely resembles the business image with which customers are familiar. Those retailers who have taken the simplistic approach are not only likely to be missing out on a significant portion of sales, but are missing a number of tricks.
Take the idea of music, for example. Thankfully retailers haven't seen the need to stream background music through our speakers whilst we browse their website, whereas we are often forced to tolerate such music when in the shops. Most of us are aware that this piped music is designed to make us feel good, to relax us, and to make us want to hang around a little more, possibly buying a little more.
But when it comes to online retailing, this isn't as necessary. Generally consumers are comfortable, and relaxed, perhaps with a drink, or a snack with them. They'll have logged on at a time that is convenient to them, and so as a retailer you have at least a temporarily captive audience. They're already within your domain, and relaxed, so what do you do about that next?
In a high street outlet you're more likely to try to entice customers with the geographical layout of your shop. These are old tricks of course, but ones which invariably still work. Have the sale sign on the front window, but the actual sale items at the back of the shop, encouraging people in, but presenting full price, latest fashion items all the way there and back.
This is a tried and tested way of enticing customers in to your shop, and getting them deeply involved, right to the back, at which point your impressive displays, helpful staff and relaxing music will all help.
But what about your website? Online retail needs to employ tricks as well.
It simply isn't a virtual catalogue, and those companies who do present nothing less than a version of their catalogue in digital form are missing out on many opportunities. So, you've worked hard optimizing your website for the search engines, and promoting the address through offline and online advertising, but what will you do to encourage your customers to explore more deeply into your website - to metaphorically dig all the way to the back?
There's no single right answer to this, but there are plenty of ways in which it can be achieved. Having large banners on the front page advertising sale items, but linking to pages which contain both sale items and full price items is just one, rather basic way in which this can be achieved. Depending on the nature of your business, you'll need to think carefully about what tactics you can use to encourage visitors right to the back of your virtual store. But please, don't start streaming piped music.
Naz Daud is the founder of CityLocal. This Franchise Opportunity is for people who would like to work from home and be their own boss.
Today, retailers are turning to the web and to internet technology more and more, and as those in the retail sector turn increasingly to the internet, so do shoppers and consumers. It's been a hard journey for some shops and companies, whilst others have embraced the online world of shopping. It's a similar story for consumers, with an increasing number turning to websites for their shopping needs rather than the high street.
There are a number of obvious benefits in terms of online shopping, both for the customer and for the retailer; some of these are obvious, but others are less so. Perhaps the most obvious advantage from the point of view of both customers and retailers is that there are no crowds. As a customer I much prefer being able to sit in a comfy chair with a cup of tea, browsing at my leisure. It allows me to compare products easily, without having to rush up and down the high street darting in to half a dozen shops just to compare prices and offers. It also allows me to save and bookmark items or products conveniently, so that I can come back to them a little later, at my complete convenience.
But the world of online shopping isn't as simple as just taking a high street shop, and building a website which closely resembles the business image with which customers are familiar. Those retailers who have taken the simplistic approach are not only likely to be missing out on a significant portion of sales, but are missing a number of tricks.
Take the idea of music, for example. Thankfully retailers haven't seen the need to stream background music through our speakers whilst we browse their website, whereas we are often forced to tolerate such music when in the shops. Most of us are aware that this piped music is designed to make us feel good, to relax us, and to make us want to hang around a little more, possibly buying a little more.
But when it comes to online retailing, this isn't as necessary. Generally consumers are comfortable, and relaxed, perhaps with a drink, or a snack with them. They'll have logged on at a time that is convenient to them, and so as a retailer you have at least a temporarily captive audience. They're already within your domain, and relaxed, so what do you do about that next?
In a high street outlet you're more likely to try to entice customers with the geographical layout of your shop. These are old tricks of course, but ones which invariably still work. Have the sale sign on the front window, but the actual sale items at the back of the shop, encouraging people in, but presenting full price, latest fashion items all the way there and back.
This is a tried and tested way of enticing customers in to your shop, and getting them deeply involved, right to the back, at which point your impressive displays, helpful staff and relaxing music will all help.
But what about your website? Online retail needs to employ tricks as well.
It simply isn't a virtual catalogue, and those companies who do present nothing less than a version of their catalogue in digital form are missing out on many opportunities. So, you've worked hard optimizing your website for the search engines, and promoting the address through offline and online advertising, but what will you do to encourage your customers to explore more deeply into your website - to metaphorically dig all the way to the back?
There's no single right answer to this, but there are plenty of ways in which it can be achieved. Having large banners on the front page advertising sale items, but linking to pages which contain both sale items and full price items is just one, rather basic way in which this can be achieved. Depending on the nature of your business, you'll need to think carefully about what tactics you can use to encourage visitors right to the back of your virtual store. But please, don't start streaming piped music.
Naz Daud is the founder of CityLocal. This Franchise Opportunity is for people who would like to work from home and be their own boss.
Friday, 3 July 2009
The Apprentice
SDM Productions international joins the government backed apprentice scheme. Managing Director Stuart Mundy said "I am really pleased that SDM has joined the new apprentice scheme, we are delighted to be working closely with Hampshire's Learning Skills Council in finding work placements within our organisation". SDM plan over the course of the next few months bring in 2 new apprentices to join under its graphic design, web & property lettings department.
Indoor Golf City Launches in Canada
SDM Productions International are proud to announce the expansion of Indoor Golf City in Canada - this is an extermly exciting time for indoor Golf City and its planned global expansion.
July Printing Offers Of The Month
Why not take up some of our fantastic printing offers of the month - for a full list of July's Printing.com offers please visit our website www.sdmproductionsuk.co.uk and click on offer!
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