Atricle Dump - Business

Branding Blunder—Creative Technology's Mistakes
Recently I was interviewed by Marketing Magazine, a local magazine in Singapore that keeps close tabs on the marketing strategies companies of all sizes use to reach out to their consumers. I thought that this is an excellent case study of how important positioning, branding and marketing are for your business.For their feature story on Branding, the magazine

If You're a Struggling Scientist, a Shortcut to a Lucrative Career in Patent Law Awaits You
An article at CNN lists academic research scientists as one of the top three “Big jobs that pay badly”. The article states that this career track has “one of the most disproportionate ratios of training to pay”.I believe it.As a one-time research scientist myself, I experienced the low pay first-hand. In all honesty, it was barely enough to support my modest

What do your customers experience when they interact with your business? As a mystery shopper, I help businesses see themselves through the eyes of their customers by posing as a typical customer and evaluating their service, quality and cleanliness. Was it easy to find what I needed? Were the employees polite and helpful? Was everything neat and clean? Was I thanked for my business? What happened when I made a return?

Whether your business is an international retailer or a small one-person shop, what you don't know about your customers' perceptions of your quality and service can hurt you. Put yourself in your customers' shoes and test your business. Depending on the characteristics of your business, you may conduct the evaluation of your business yourself, enlist the help of a few friends, or hire a mystery shopping company to implement a formal, ongoing program. You might be surprised (pleasantly or not) by what you learn.

Call your office. How long does it take to get an answer? Is there a professional greeting? What do you hear when you are put on hold? Go through the voice menus. Are any of them dead ends? How long does it take to get to a human, or at least a place where you can leave a message?

Call your order line and place an order. How long does it take to get the item? Was it packaged well and did it arrive safely? What else was in the package (e.g., a catalog, thank you note, extra gift)? Inquire about returning an item. Is the service you receive as good as that you got when you ordered? Does the customer service person try to save the sale by offering alternatives to meet your needs?

Walk through your retail location. Is merchandise attractively presented? Is everything clearly priced? Are the aisles clear so you can walk comfortably? Can a shopping cart fit? Is the rest room clean and stocked with supplies?

Go to your web site and place an order. Does your site load quickly? Is it easy to find specific products? Does the order form work? What communication does a customer receive when they place an order (e.g., an email confirmation)? Submit a question via email and see what response you receive. Are the links on your web site (internal and external) working? You also want to know if proper sales techniques are being followed. Although a customer will never complain because your staff didn’t attempt to upsell them, your bottom line can suffer when this important step is missed. Plus, helping customers get everything they

How Long Can I Consider a Job Offer?
A few weeks ago, a young man I was representing almost lost a job. He had interviewed with the firm on Thursday afternoon and received a job offer that day. He wanted to consider the offer until the close of business the following Friday . . . and almost lost the opportunity he ultimately accepted by insisting that he had “a right” to “consider it” until then.From my

is an international retailer or a small one-person shop, what you don't know about your customers' perceptions of your quality and service can hurt you. Put yourself in your customers' shoes and test your business. Depending on the characteristics of your business, you may conduct the evaluation of your business yourself, enlist the help of a few friends, or hire a mystery shopping company to implement a formal, ongoing program. You might be surprised (pleasantly or not) by what you learn.

Most Common Questions Asked By Aspiring Mortgage Brokers
I wanted to take a few minutes to address some of the most common questions asked by individuals looking to start a new career in the mortgage industry. These are some of the same questions that I asked myself when I was curious about obtaining a position as a Mortgage Broker. Although I had many questions here were the top ones.Do I Need A License?ce. How long does it take to get an answer? Is there a professional greeting? What do you hear when you are put on hold? Go through the voice menus. Are any of them dead ends? How long does it take to get to a human, or at least a place where you can leave a message?

Smell It - Buy It!
I always knew lemon scent reminded me of something and I am not thinking about lemon :) There is much deeper understanding in scents (and flavors)– they take back to the past and dig deep into your brain. Remember Marcel Proust ritual consumption of tea and biscuits?It is just too bad (?) we can't smell though screen ;)Researches say smells can affect a shoppe

service you receive as good as that you got when you ordered? Does the customer service person try to save the sale by offering alternatives to meet your needs?

EFT Payment Instructions
Electronic fund transfers is an innovative technique used to transfer money between concerned parties. This is relatively secure and efficient system that supports electronic payments and collections via electronic signals transmitted by wire. Electronic fund transfers eliminate the physical exchange of money and provides prompt service. For these transactions to be valid,

he order form work? What communication does a customer receive when they place an order (e.g., an email confirmation)? Submit a question via email and see what response you receive. Are the links on your web site (internal and external) working? You also want to know if proper sales techniques are being followed. Although a customer will never complain because your staff didn’t attempt to upsell them, your bottom line can suffer when this important step is missed. Plus, helping customers get everything they need in one stop can increase their satisfaction and loyalty. Are sales people recommending additional products and telling customers about optional services, such as a maintenance agreement? If they are not, your business is losing revenue and profit.

When you see yourself as your customers do, you can identify problems that may be costing you sales. Make it easy to do business with you and watch your profits increase!

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Risk Assessment in the Workplace - Part 3

As a small business owner you need to be concerned about hazards and the risk assessment requirements, within your workplace. This is now a legal requirement.

The Benefits of Hand-held Metal Detectors

Hand-held Metal Detectors are designed to safeguard security-sensitive areas like schools, courtrooms, corrections facilities, sports events, businesses, nightclubs, bars and other public areas and events.

What Not to Do at an Interview

Want eight sure fire ways to guarantee that you won't succeed at an interview? This research will help - or you could just use it to know what pitfalls to avoid!

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Atricle Dump - Be the Customer: See Yourself as Your Customers Do

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