Things You Need to Know Before Opening a Business

1.You Need a Plan

The need for a plan might sound vague, but your plan shouldn’t be vague at all. Have a detailed business strategy outlining the exact steps you need to successfully launch and maintain your business. This formal document includes your mission statement, operational goals, market analysis, and more. As a significant component of your plan, you’ll need a detailed financial plan reflecting how much money you currently have invested in the business plus projected earnings.

2.You Need Market Research

Know exactly who you’re serving through market research. Because if you don’t know who your target audience is, it’ll be not only challenging to open your business, but you won’t have a chance at succeeding. Also, perform competitive analysis and look at businesses within your niche. What are they doing right? What could they improve? Use this research to allow your business to fill the gaps.

3.You Need a Strong Team

Even before your business blows up, you’ll need a strong team of employees and specialized professionals to support you. Don’t just look for qualified candidates—seek team members who share your vision and values. Confirm that you have a solid employee onboarding plan even before you hire your first staff member.

4.You Need a Business Coach

Even the most successful business owners need coaches. In fact, why do you think they became so successful? A business coach can help you start your business on the right foot and set you up for a long prosperous business journey. Your business coach will help you map out SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) then develop actionable steps you can take to achieve them. They’ll also provide the accountability element, so many people need to ensure they follow through with their business plan.

5.You Need a Network

Learning from other business owners is invaluable. Before you launch your business, find a network of like-minded business owners. Use social media platforms like Clubhouse or Instagram to find groups of supportive business owners like yourself. The ability to learn from each other and support one another’s wins will help give you the momentum you need to thrive.

6.You Need to Put Yourself Out There

It might feel scary at first, but you’ll need to put yourself out there in order to let potential customers know what you have to offer. Create a website, establish social media accounts, and advertise your business with engaging ads. In today’s online culture, Digital Marketing is more important than ever to create a successful business.

Don’t Just Go—Grow

You can and will open a successful business with the right tools and strategy. If you need support in developing your business plan or executing it, SiMar Inc is here for you. Find out more about our professional services designed to help you open the growing business you’ve always dreamed of.

Isn’t it every business owner’s dream to convert their online audience into paying customers?  Most entrepreneurs understand the value of a good sales funnel.  And if you don’t, no worries, just know that it will increase lead conversions.  The value of lead conversions is more than just a purchase.

• It’s those long term followers who want to align with the brand and believe in it.
• It’s the social media follower who thought your timeline was great and then realized they actually needed your services.
• It’s the passer-by who heard your coffee chat and searched for your on the internet.

Sales Prospecting at A Glance 

But what is sales prospecting and how does it relate to business productivity? Sales prospecting is the process of searching for your next customer in order to create a business relationship.  To begin the process, a business team member will conduct outreach in the form of calls and emails to convert leads.  Leads are often converted to loyal followers or ambassadors to the business. It’s a great way to nurture leads with interest in your product, service or brand. 

The sales aspect in a business, requires varying strategies to achieve the goal.  Unlike other processes, sales prospecting takes a deep dive into the customer’s journey and identifies winning customer personas.  For these reasons, outbound prospecting and inbound prospecting  includes face-to-face, email, call, letter or a digital experience.  Advance technology like instant messaging is also a key performers medium to achieve prospecting results. 

Sales Prospecting Funnel 

A good sales prospecting process works like a funnel. It begins with a ton of information that you narrow done to the relevant facts and take action. This includes identifying leads and opportunities that qualify the buyer’s experience. buying preference, diverse behavior, market movement, demographics, needs and wants, and other aspects that dictate the customer’s buyer experience.  All of this leads to sifts positive leads, financial capabilities and pertinent information affecting purchasing power of customers. 

Many believe that the end-game of sales prospecting is converting customers.  However, a closer look will tell entrepreneurs, and their teams, that the Internet negates such assumptions.   With the evolving market today, sales prospecting no longer stops at acquiring new customers or clients but focuses more on creating personalized, flexible and sustainable relationships. And like a proverbial movement in a funnel, it can be painstakingly slow.  However, the time investment will prove to increase business productivity.

Addressing Sales Concerns 

How do you ensure you have an effective sales prospecting process?  Amid competition, business development must include the art of diplomacy and compromise. Negotiations are built upon the two. One does not have to focus so much on increasing the bottom line but more so on instilling mutual trust and respect. To do this, you have to cultivate strong core values in the company, sharp analysis of market movement, and robust relationship with both internal and external stakeholders of the company. Proposals to be done must be dynamic allowing ample time to integrate a customized approach in addressing needs and wants. Bottom line is, sales prospecting is all about consistency and constancy in applying strategic mindset– and a dash of optimism to motivate and inspire. With this, your business can be one step ahead of everyone else. 

Do you need help increasing your business sales and business productivity? SiMar Inc., Atlanta’s premier business consultancy and digital marketing firm, offers comprehensive services to address unique business needs.  Schedule for a consultation now!

One of the silent killers in business and life is insecurity.  It’s an emotional aspect that molds self-image and influences human behavior. Some people, indeed, feel insecure in their own skin.  As entrepreneurs or employees, insecurity can easily be hidden behind huge smiles and large cloaks of anonymity. However, such underlying hurtful and self-critical thoughts will continue to create more thoughts and emotion.  Even if you know it’s coming, you want to do all you can to manage it.  Don’t let insecurity drown your success.

Here are some common signs of insecurity: 

1. You change your mind a lot.  If you find yourself unable to figure out what you really want thus, your goals and objectives continually fluctuate like the market interest rate, you change your mind a lot. One moment, you are all for re-branding and the next moment, you want to stick to current strategies. It’s a dilemma that breeds disaster. 
2. Decision-making is a constant struggle. Is everything a challenge from deciding what to eat to major business decisions?  Do you find it hard to take a stand? Better yet, if you consult friends and colleagues over and over again but still don’t trust their opinions and can’t make a decision on your own, then decision making is a constant struggle. 
3. Validation from others comes highly regarded. You want every action, every decision, or even the way you dress, move, or speak to be acceptable to others. You scream for approval in everything you do. 
4. You have the tendency to be over-controlling and demanding.   Do you know someone who takes offense when others do not share their ideas or methods–and they take it as a personal attack?  If constructive criticism is not in their vocabulary, controlling may be a part of their personality.

More signs of insecurity: 

1. People who are insecure constantly talk about themselves. They sing praises not to impress others but more to appease their own insatiable desire for approval. This is also part of the reason why they have a hard time recognizing the efforts or worth of others–because they are too busy talking and thinking about themselves. 
2. Being defensive is like a reflex. You easily take offense, even on things that do not matter. As previously mentioned, criticism is not your cup of tea. 
3. An insecure person finds it easy to pick on another person’s faults. This is either to hide an inner affliction or a way to feel a superficial superiority. Often, these acts are done by either starting or spreading gossip. 

This is serious business.  Read more on this topic: How Self Esteem Shape Up Life and Business Decisions

Next Steps & Solutions

It is important to know where your insecurities stem from and the influence it has on your life. A business coach is an optimum choice when one’s insecurities become so intense that it prevents progress.  One way to divorce your insecurities is to start by accepting that you have strengths and you have weaknesses, we all do. 

The process is not going to be easy because it is really a struggle within your own self. The moment you start poking on those critical inner voices, expect screams of retaliation in return. Push your hardest and do not back down! If you want to be successful in your business or personal goals, do not listen to the taunts that entice you to hold back on your greatness! 

Want to break the walls of insecurity and create bridges of confidence? A coach or mentor is your solution.  SiMar Inc. founder Allison Todd is a professional coach who develops high performance capabilities in people. Schedule a consultation now! 

Technology has never been this dynamic; but large corporations, small businesses, startups, or even government agencies aren’t safe from the threat of hackers (if only they’d use their powers for good instead of evil).  

Unlike larger corporate entities, small businesses have one primary weakness–inadequate cyber security–which makes them vulnerable to even the simplest of threats. Yet according to a CNBC/SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey, only 2 percent of small businesses across a variety of industries viewed the threat of a cyber-attack as the most critical issue they face. But the truth is with all the other expenses small business owners face, cyberspace security is easy to push aside–until you get hacked. 

When thinking of how to improve cyber security without spending money, it is imperative to setup your company’s daily online best practices. Here are 3 tips that can help your business steer clear of online predators: 

1. Keep a layered approach in your cyber security processes. Daily ongoing tests for possible vulnerabilities as well as infiltration of hackers must be done. You can install current security software that performs routine checks on certain spikes in web traffic as well as block any log ins from portals outside the company. Real time authentication of online activities by device and data feeds from known fraud sites must be in place. All of these MUST be completed on a daily basis, either manually by you or electronically by your security software. 

1. Be in control. Administrator privileges must be continually managed by a focused group in your company. Access and utilization of the company’s pages via personal devices must also be limited to prevent unguarded penetration from the outside. By picking reliable people to serve as admins, you can minimize data loss or data corruption.  

1. Have a cyber insurance policy that’s tailored to your small business needs. There is no one-size-fits-all policy hence, the need to carefully outline what type of protection your business needs in terms of securing credit card information, customer directory, and other sensitive data. Remember, cyber risks are not covered by general liability insurance. 

Cyber security is a growing concern no matter what size the business. Small enterprises, however, must take necessary actions to ensure their safety and that of their customers. When done diligently, the steps listed above are only the first line of defense against hackers. In the end, an antivirus protection program can best help keep your business safe online. Check out The Best Antivirus Protection of 2018 at PCMag.org for more information. 

What steps has your business taken to keep hackers at bay? SiMar Inc. can help improve your online security strategy! To give you an idea on how to transform your life and business, check out Allison Todd and her business portfolio at www.simarinc.com or schedule a 15-minute initial consultation today! 

Would you ever book a vacation without making any plans whatsoever? Traveling with a plan allows you to at least have an idea of where to go, what to wear and eat, and what to see in order to get your money’s worth. Just like in life, a vacation is even more fulfilling when you have a detailed plan in place. 

A personal development plan, as the term implies, allows you to organize your thoughts and actions so as to cohesively deliver the results you need. It’s a set of guidelines you methodically create to help make better decisions or even make the worst of scenarios work to your advantage. At its core is good preparation to mitigate, lessen, and hopefully eliminate any risks which can pull you down on the journey to greatness. 

Where and When to Start a Sound Personal Development Plan 

It is important to note that nothing great happens overnight, and your efforts require solid commitment from you. To achieve your goals, you will need to create detailed action plans along with contingencies and alternatives. You will also need patience, perseverance, and a strong sense of conviction to be able to bounce back when the situation warrants it. 

While there are many ways to write your personal development plan, start by creating a strategy which can be improved upon as you move forward. Cut/paste/print the sample template below created by SiMar, my premier business consultancy and digital media management firm in Atlanta. Then check off tasks as you accomplish them: 

• Define your goals 
• Create your micro goals 
• Prioritize action plans 
• Set a timetable complete with deadlines 
• Identify strengths and opportunities 
• Recognize weakness and threats 
• Identify skills and build new ones 
• Seek out a professional coach (you officially already have one–me!) 
• Implement action plans, monitor progress, and measure results 
• Optimize your plan and continue moving forward 

Now, go and start building your 2018 personal development plan! Let SiMar’s template be your guide, and don’t forget to share your feedback! 

Having trouble creating your personal development plan? Allison Todd, Founder of SiMar Inc., offers professional coaching services to aid you and your business’s needs. Schedule a consultation now! 

Top Online Business Ideas For 2018.  In 2018, technological innovations will allow a more robust way of conducting business. This will bring a new wave of spending, leading consumers to rely on online shopping as a way to acquire products or services. If you’re considering starting your own business in 2018, consider the following ideas to help shape your profit-savvy success goals online. 

Retail Sales: Start your e-commerce future by selling apparel online! From clothes to shoes, belts, berets, and tights, stockings, or hosiery, the fashion industry simply never goes out of style. It’s a vibrant industry that consistently attracts money. Look for reliable suppliers to ensure building a good reputation. Your inventory can include accessories such as jewelry, an item people see as investments rather than as enhancers. Both men and women have become keen on wearing a necklace or bracelet, multiple earrings, rings, and so on. Start by selling to your circle of family, friends, and coworkers via social media. Let the online “word of mouth” give credence to your trustworthiness and make sure to be transparent in all transactions. 

Social Media Solutions. Social media will continue to reign supreme in the year 2018. Monetize your social media skills and offer effective solutions. You can offer consultancy or third-party services but must know your audience and create compelling, content that draws readers in. Offer something useful for free or for a trial period as a motivation for users to return and spend money once they know and like your product.  Sign up for a SiMar Social Media Laser Review, today. 

Skills/Service-Oriented Businesses. There are many ways to sell services online. Consider promoting events by selling tickets and making reservations, offer rental services to real estate properties in various vacation points across the globe, grocery deliveries, professional online shoppers, virtual stylists and personal assistants, and so on. Online tutorials spanning a wide variety of subjects are also thriving. Find your niche, then make good use of your skills and showcase it by delivering topnotch performance all the time. 

Consumer dependency on online resources equals high demand that can earn lucrative returns for startups and existing businesses alike. You can use these online business ideas as the first step to shaping–or reshaping–your entrepreneurial aspirations, and reach your goals in no time. 

 Are you looking for lucrative online business opportunities? Or does your existing business need a reboot? Let startup expert SiMar Inc., Atlanta Georgia’s top-rated business consultancy firm, help you get started. Schedule a consultation with Allison now to get started! 

Automate Your Business Systems

SiMar Makes Automation Simple! 

Technology continues to WOW us at SiMar, as its constant evolution has paved the way for advanced automation.

If you started a business in 2017–or planned to and are still working out the details–  it’s important to be ready for new tech ideas that can help propel you to success in 2018! 

Our upcoming blog on Gearing for a Tech Savvy Small Business will cover this in more detail but in the meantime, here are a few major business trends that owners and consumers alike cannot ignore: 

Business On-Demand: Without a doubt, this is the era of everything on-demand. People are dependent on phone apps for most everything they do. From taxi rides to shopping, travel, entertainment, and more, the tech industry will be even more accommodating in 2018. Which leads to . . .  

Digital Consumerism. Brick and mortar retail is declining at a steady pace. As more people prefer shopping online, businesses will be left with no choice but to jump into the digitalization of consumerism. With this, the need for businesses to learn the highly aggressive and volatile nature of digital media must be carefully studied and implemented. Check out some startup possibilities in this week’s blog, Top Online Business Ideas For 2018. 

Business Analytics. The ways that information is gathered and communicated globally is evolving. New developments are constantly being pursued by experts to find gadgets that not only fit in your pockets or purse, but also deliver astounding solutions to make our lives easier. And how are our needs being determined, you ask? Using the same technology that tracks the way you spend, how/where you like to spend, and all things information. In 2018, most software programs handling econometrics, auditing, financial analyses, operations, marketing research, and feasibility studies will become more refined. 

Digital Security. One of the biggest occupational hazards in business is digital security, and there will be an even greater need in 2018. Security issues have permeated the wireless sector, manufacturing and automation, data management, and other cutting-edge business arenas. Any business using digital media in its overall operations will need to tighten its cybersecurity skills. This week’s blog, Small Business Tips to Ramp Up Cyber Security, will help you get a handle on some DIY tasks that can keep your business safe online. 

Without a doubt, tech trends are being designed to address consumers and cater to the core needs of businesses across industries. The tech industry will be even more aggressive in 2018, so entrepreneurs and career-driven individuals alike must be ready. 

Want to learn how your business can take advantage of the latest tech trends? SiMar Inc., Atlanta’s premier business consultancy, and digital media management firm, offers comprehensive digital marketing and management services. Call Allison Todd for a consultation now! 

It’s great to have a good idea but it’s even better to have a working idea.  Take a look at these entrepreneurs ideas that have proven to be a success.  Here’s a list of the series on Business Startup Idea for Less Than $100 to inspire your entrance into the entrepreneurial world.

• Consultancy. If you have the expert level knowledge, that’s expert level advice.  Your business startup can be your own consultancy. You can provide advice, management and project tasks.  Got a new method for eco-gardening, a superstar on social media or the best-organized assistant, ever?  YOU are ready to begin.  All you need to do is set-up your digital space, create your social media accounts and start sharing your content.  This is where you market your expertise.  Join a freelancer site like Upwork or Elance and earn while you grow.
• Direct Sales. Be your own boss and work at home.  Go into direct selling for established companies like Mary Kay, Rodan + Fields, IT Works! Global and more. You may also set up an online website and organize your own direct sales party.
• Professional Organizer. From organizing events to putting things in order in a home, you can monetize your skills and earn.  With a 1-page website, active social media accounts and a couple of social media ads – YOU are ready to go!  Begin with your network, you’d be surprised how many need to be organized.  Don’t forget to ask for referrals.
• Homemade Foodie. Do you have a penchant for homemade gourmet foods? You can create your signature chocolates, cakes and pastries and soup mixes to name a few.  All you need is access to the food, preferably a farmer’s market, shop local! Oh and cooking skills, of course!
• Life Coach.  People hire coaches to give them sound, unbiased advice.  People want to be led to their success and reminded what assets they possess.  This special skill doesn’t require certification but its absolutely preferred.  You want something that sets you apart from the rest.  You also need to build a strong reputation and work on getting a solid following in the market.  When done correctly, this can be a profitable business.
• Decorator. The holidays are coming up.  People want their homes and tables decorated and more.  This is a profitable season for professional decorators.  Start taking pictures of everything you do and post those on your social media accounts.  Write blogs about your experience and your love of creativity.   Let your client referrals be your best marketers.  Take note: the whole year is filled with anniversaries and holidays!
• Home Companion/Caregiving Services. Help families connect with the right caregivers and companions to a family member in need.  With a simple website, some social media and a great network, you can spread the word fast.  Sign up with agencies looking for contractors to refer clients.  Call other agencies and position yourself as the person they call during overflow.
• Rental Services & Sales. Got equipment and stuff lying around at home? Monetize these by renting them or letting go.  From lawnmowers to chocolate fountain machine you may be on to something.  If you don’t have the equipment, I guarantee you have clothes and clutter that you can post on sites like Letgo, Poshmark, and Facebook (yes you can sell things on FB).