Growth Hack

Growth Hack: Form Strategic Partnerships

/in , /by

Looking to sell more of your products? Form strategic partnerships.

Imagine. Your downtown restaurant has competition on each side. But, the theater on the corner opened a new show last week. There’s a line out the door nightly. You approach them with an idea. For every ticket purchased at the theater, patrons receive a discount on your food. In return, your restaurant hosts a ticket giveaway and puts a poster in the waiting area.

And just like that, everyone wins – including the customer.

Wondering how to pick a partner? The best results come when both parties get equal benefits from the deal. Think of what needs your customers have that your business does not meet. Then find someone that provides complimentary services..

The restaurant in the above example serves, well, food. But when planning an evening, people don’t usually stop at dinner. Enter the theater. Providing customers a deal on dinner and a show will help both the restaurant and the theater get more business. Why? Because people with tickets to the play will want to take advantage of the discount on food, and those already frequenting the restaurant will want to win tickets to the show.

Once you have a list of potential partners, start outreach. Write them a quick, friendly email to set up a time to talk. Get a mutual connection to make an introduction. Find them on LinkedIn. Whatever you do, make sure that you clearly illustrate how their business will benefit from the relationship. Try proposing package deals, partner marketing, kickbacks for referrals, or other ways to boost both businesses.

The success of a partnership will depend on the amount of trust and communication between you and your partner. This can take some work, but will be worth it for both businesses and your customers.

The I-85 Bridge Outage and Atlanta Businesses How to Prevent Revenue Loss

The I-85 Bridge Outage and Atlanta Businesses: How to Prevent Revenue Loss

/in /by

Beginning with the collapse of an overpass on I-85 in late March, the Atlanta area has seen multiple roadway disruptions. While road crews work to repair damage, major streets in the area are closed until repairs are complete. For businesses that rely on downtown traffic, the closures could mean a decline in revenue due to decreased traffic and rerouting traffic around the downtown area.

Tourists may stay away from the area, hurting the attractions and restaurants that rely on their patronage. Employees may choose to work from home, reducing spending at restaurants, dry cleaners, shops, and other businesses in the downtown area.

If your business fears road closures or recounting may impact your earnings, here are a few options to consider.

Go Where the Customers Are

If customers can’t get to you, go to them.

  • Consider increasing online promotion and advertising for e-commerce offerings.
  • Explore local trade shows, festivals, craft fairs and similar events that can help you showcase your products to customers who wouldn’t see them otherwise.
  • Expand restaurant offerings such as mobile food trucks and delivery.
  • If you’re a service-based business, consider a sweepstakes promotion to reach local customers.

Use Technology

When foot traffic is low, the internet can be your best friend. If you don’t have an existing online presence, consider an online marketplace like Amazon or Shopify to get started. Use social media to get the word out about your unique products.

Let Employees Work Remotely

This may be a good time to rethink your telecommuting policy. Instead of sitting in traffic, arriving late or trying to leave early to beat the rush, employees can put those extra hours each day toward work. If you have workers who don’t need to be in the office 40 hours a week, consider allowing them to work from home part of the time.

Reach Out to Locals

For businesses that rely on foot traffic, the workers and residents within your immediate vicinity won’t want to leave the area any more than customers want to battle traffic to get to your location. Reach out to local residents with special offers. If you sell food or other consumables, take samples to local businesses or offer free delivery for orders above a certain amount. If you still see foot traffic during peak hours of the day, station someone outside with samples to lure people in.

Temporary road closures can create gridlock, especially during peak travel times. By doing your best to accommodate workers and coming up with ways to reach customers, you can combat potential dips in revenue. You may even find you’ve added new, loyal customers.

Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

6 Top Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

/in , , /by

When faced with the question of how to market a small business, there is no shortage of possibilities. At a loss for where to start? Check out the six top marketing strategies for small businesses.

Website

Your online presence dictates how potential customers view your business. So, it’s essential to have quality website design and content. Websites need to be aesthetically pleasing, consistent, user-friendly, and fast. They also need to quickly showcase a company and its products. This can be easier said than done.

Think that your site could use an update? Check out these seven tools to improve your web design.

Email

Email marketing allows a business to provide regular updates to their fan base. This can include promotions, business updates, and other exclusive offers.

Before getting started, make sure to know the basics. There are laws governing how to set up campaigns to prevent spam and phishing schemes, so gain a complete understanding of them before sending any emails. Even small mistakes can send a campaign right to the spam folder.

Social Media

Social media allows a company to create an online community and engage their target market. The best kind of content engages customers and is relevant to the product or industry.

To get started, think about your brand and your customers. How can you translate your other marketing efforts to social media? Where does your audience hang out online? Consider these questions to choose which social media channels are right for your business. Check out these five free photo editing apps to help develop your brand on social media. Also, encourage your employees to share your updates to improve your reach.

Word of Mouth

The best thing that a small business can do to gain exposure is to get people talking about the business. In the US, 90% of people believe brand recommendations when they receive them from friends. They are also 70% likely to believe consumer opinions, such as online reviews, meaning that they will trust a stranger over an advertisement.

In order to harness this power for your company, put a word of mouth strategy in place. Provide incentives for customers to leave a review on your site or post about you on social media. Find influencers that appeal to your target market and create a relationship with them.

For this channel, the most important thing that you can do is provide quality goods and services with a quality customer experience. People will not want to recommend or promote a business that has a bad product or poor customer service. People are putting their reputation on the line with their endorsement.

Print Collateral

Though the world has gone digital, print marketing still gets results. Four-fifths (79%) of consumers will act on direct mail immediately upon receiving it. Consumers also trust a print ad 34% more than a search engine ad for purchasing decisions. Print also leads to better retention, reading comprehension, and helps consumers retain your other forms of advertising. Take advantage of these benefits by creating direct mailers, catalogues, brochures, or flyers.

Internet Ads

Internet advertising is fairly simple to get begin because many options do not require a minimum spend or set timeline. But, before you dive in, make sure that you know what options are available and how they work. This could include banner ads, search engine ads like Google AdWords, or paid social media. Have a clear goal in mind of what each campaign should accomplish.

Before starting any ads, decide how to track the results. Use A/B testing to decide what copy and design works the best. Test different audiences to see who is the most receptive. Constantly track and optimize advertisements in order to get the best results.

There are benefits to each type of small business marketing strategy. Test a variety of combinations of options to see what works best for your small business.

Small Business Inspirations Walt Disney

Small Business Inspirations: Walt Disney

/in , /by

Born in 1901, Walt Disney co-founded Walt Disney productions, won 22 Academy Awards during his lifetime, and founded the Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks.

Raised on a farm, Disney began drawing and selling art when he was seven years old. In high school, he contributed art and photography to his school paper while attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago at night. He began his careers in Kansas City, where he created his first animated cartoons.

After a series of setbacks, including bankruptcy and having the rights to his characters stolen, Walt Disney introduced the first Mickey Mouse cartoons. This spring-boarded Disney into the spotlight and was followed by the creation of his other iconic films.

Walt Disney did not wait for the perfect conditions to reach his goals. Rather, he kept working for them in spite of opposition.

To make your business goals a reality, you have to be willing to work. And when setbacks come, you have to keep going. Will DeJesus is a modern day example of this kind of business owner, managing three stand-alone companies in Queens, New York. Check out his story here.

Best Small Business Resources by State

Best Small Business Resources by State

/in , /by

In the United States, small businesses employ 57% of the country’s private workforce. And, no matter where you are in the country, the impact that small businesses have on a state is growing. In order to give local businesses the best chance of success, each state provides its own unique resources to small business owners. From the Carolina Small Business Development Fund to the California Business Portal, we’ve got you covered from “Sea to Shining Sea”!

See what organizations are available in your state to help your business succeed:

Alabama

Atlas Alabama: Atlas Alabama serves small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to grow or start their business. The website provides links to locate requirements, tips, news, and contact information for resource centers. While Atlas Alabama includes national agencies, more specialized local opportunities are listed by county.

 Alaska

Small Business Economic Development Loan Program: In order to support private sector employment growth, the State of Alaska runs a loan program for small businesses. Funds are primarily for communities of 30,000 or less, but more are available for companies in larger cities on a limited basis. Visit their website to view full requirements and to fill out an application.

Arizona

Arizona STEP Program: AZ STEP assists Arizona small businesses to enter exports or expand into new markets for the first time. With funding from the Small Business Administration and the Arizona Commerce Authority, STEP works to enable businesses to create more jobs and spur economic growth in Arizona.

In addition to financing, the program offers a variety of services and tools to help small businesses go global.

Arkansas

Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center offers help with business creation, management, and operation. Headquartered at the University of Arkansas Little Rock College of Business, the center has seven offices around the state.

Not only does the center provides services, they provide results. Over the last decade, ASBTDC clients have 13.2% higher than average sales growth and 14.8% higher employment growth than the average business in the state. Their services are either affordable or completely free in order to make them accessible to all.

California

California Business Portal: The California Business Portal provides easy access to all government-provided small business assistance. Whether you have questions about permits, financing, or expanding your business, the portal has the answers. And, if you don’t see what you need on their website, you can submit your question to the help desk to get a response.

Colorado

Choose Colorado – Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade: Choose Colorado provides a small business resource guide for everyone looking to grow or start a business in the state. They also provide information on different financing options throughout the state, including the CDBG Business Loan Funds.

Connecticut

Connecticut Small Business Express Program: Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development provides loans and grants to small businesses through the Small Business Express Program. Funding is provided in order to spur job creation and growth within the state. The Program provides a Project Manager to all potential applicants in order to help them throughout the process.

Delaware

Delaware Small Business Chamber: This independent chamber of commerce works with local small businesses with 0-100 employees as well as larger companies that support the small business community. The chamber offers networking and educational opportunities to help businesses succeed. Membership is required to take advantage of their resources.

Florida

Visit Florida Small Business Grant Program: Visit Florida’s goal is to establish the state as the number 1 travel destination in the world. In order to achieve this goal, they provide small business grants for partners to promote the destination. Full requirements and funding information is provided on their website.

Georgia

Georgia USA Small Business Directory: The Small Business Directory provides information for people wanting to start, grow, or finance their business. The website provides answers to frequently asked questions in these categories as well as links to applicable information. They also provide access to mentoring and education, certifications, and business research opportunities.

Hawaii

HTDC: HTDC provides funding programs to support research & development, manufacturing growth, and technology community activities in order to stimulate the creation of high-paying jobs. Originally only providing matching grants to companies that received Federal Small Business Innovation Research Grants, the organization expanded in 2016 to help companies moving technology products from research into the market.

Idaho

Idaho Commerce Business Resources: Idaho Commerce offers expert guidance, hands-on assistance, and financial tools to help Idaho businesses achieve their goals. This includes no-cost consulting, technical assistance to improve products and processes, employee training and recruitment, as well as financial options.

The agency’s website provides information on tax incentives for small businesses in the state. There are also external financing options and State of Idaho grants to help fund research, market access, infrastructure improvements, and more.

Illinois

Illinois Finance Authority: The Illinois Finance Authority’s purpose is to foster economic development, create and retain jobs, and improve the quality of life for Illinois residents. They provides access to low-cost capital to public and private institutions that strive to reach these goals.

Indiana

Indiana Economic Development Corporation: The IEDC is Indiana’s lead economic development agency. The organization is committed to supporting business investment and creating new jobs. They offer a variety of programs and initiatives to serve small business owners. This includes the Capital Access Program State Small Business Credit Initiative, which is a credit enhancement program for small businesses in the state.

Iowa

IA Source Link: IA Source Link’s mission is to help small businesses in Iowa grow and succeed. In order to accomplish this goal, they provide firms with free, easy access to the help that they need.

The organization has a network of over 360 nonprofits that provide business services for Iowa’s small business owners. They also provide access to the Resource Navigator, which is a directory of public organizations that provide business services at little to no cost throughout the state, and host monthly webinars on business topics.

Kansas

Kansas Department of Commerce: The Kansas Department of Commerce provides small business services through the Business & Community Development Division.

The organization provides Small Business Innovation Resources, as well as the PIPELINE program for those needing a crash-course in business ownership. The Community Development Assistance Program assists businesses looking to reach the next level by developing incentive proposals and creating strategic plans for growth.

Kentucky

Think Kentucky – Cabinet for Economic Development: The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development has placed a special focus on the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses in the state. In order to do so, they created Think Kentucky. Their services include mentoring, access to capital, business advocacy, and expansion into new markets.

Louisiana

Louisiana Economic Development – Grow A Business: Working with a variety of programs and partners throughout the state, Louisiana Economic Development provides the expertise needed to fuel the growth of any small business. Whether you’re looking for a program to work on honing technical skills or access to financing and capital, LED can help.

Maine

SCORE Maine: SCORE offers free and low-cost business education workshops on a wide range of topics. 121 mentors provide free services across the state. Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, but all are experienced business executives and owners who want to help others grow their businesses. The organization helped to create 578 jobs in 2017.

Maryland

Open Maryland: Maryland is investing in small business and providing resources to help you expand yours. Their website provides information on incentives offered by the Department of Commerce, links to benefits for small, minority, and women-owned businesses, as well as resources for veteran-owned businesses.

 Massachusetts

MassDevelopment: MassDevelopment is the Commonwealth’s economic development and finance authority. They aim to stimulate business, drive economic growth, and help communities thrive across Massachusetts. In order to help small businesses grow, MassDevelopment provides a variety of financing options and specialty programs.

Michigan

Michipreneur: Michipreneur provides a list of resources, websites, and assistance available to the small business and startup communities in Michigan. This includes links to government programs, business incubators, financing opportunities, and informational articles on relevant topics.

Minnesota

Minnesota Employment and Economic Development – Small Business Assistance Office: The state’s Small Business Assistance Office places a special emphasis on providing in-depth information that might otherwise be too expensive for small business owners to access. The office provides individual consultations as well as a series of comprehensive guidebooks.

Mississippi

Mississippi Development Authority: The MDA is Mississippi’s lead economic and community development agency. They work to expand Mississippi industry and business. In order to do so, they provide technical and financial assistance to small business owners, as well as to minority and women-owned businesses.

Missouri

Missouri FIRST Small Business Program: This initiative was founded with the goal to expand the Missouri economy and strengthen communities statewide. The Missouri Linked Deposit Program for Small Business provides the state’s small businesses with low interest loans. In order to be eligible, a business must have between 25 and 100 full-time employees.

Montana

Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development: The Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development’s goal is to sustain and enhance the quality of life for all Montanans and their communities. They support businesses through technical assistance, research, and access to grants and loans. Check out their Business Assistance Bureau for small business counseling and assistance in marketing and exports. They also provide a list of specialized financing options for small businesses in different industries.

Nebraska

Center for Rural Affairs – REAP Program: The Rural Enterprise Assistance Program (REAP) is committed to strengthening rural communities. They offer assistance for all aspects of running a small business. So whether you’re looking to strategize, network, need some technical help, or are looking for funds to expand, REAP can help.

Nevada

NevadaSmallBusiness.com: NevadaSmallBusiness.com is a one-stop digital resource for business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs. Hosted by Nevada State Bank, the website provides informational articles on different aspects of running a business. The organization also hosts webinars and provides a newsletter to keep Nevada business owners up to date on the state’s business climate.

New Hampshire

Center for Women & Enterprise: The Center for Women & Enterprise has worked with more than 37,300 people to start and grow their companies. They offer affordable courses on growing a business that help you learn while networking with other business owners. They also operate the Veterans Business Outreach Center to work with veteran-owned businesses.

New Jersey

New Jersey Economic Development Authority: The New Jersey EDA provides creative and versatile loan solutions to small and mid-size businesses. In addition to financing, they also partner with several organizations to provide an array of services to New Jersey small businesses and entrepreneurs.

New Mexico

Grow It!: Grow It! Is an economic development initiative created by the New Mexico Municipal League in partnership with Finance New Mexico. Their website has resources for starting and growing a business, as well as a Municipal Index which shows what business resources are available in your area.

New York

Empire State Development: Empire State Development’s Small Business Division supports the development and expansion of businesses with under 100 employees. The Division directs an array of programs and initiatives to support and grow your business while helping maximize opportunities for success.

Enter information about your business into New York Business Express to find programs and services catered towards your needs. Check out the small business programs directory and business guide to find assistance for your business questions. You can also find more information on becoming a state contractor to produce a new stream of revenue.

North Carolina

Carolina Small Business Development Fund: The CSBDF is a non-profit and certified CDFI. Their mission is to foster economic development in underserved communities by providing capital, business services, and policy research to support small businesses in the state.

North Dakota

Center for Technology & Business:  The Center helps small business owners succeed through training, technology, and business development. Business advising is available to small businesses in all stages of growth. The Center also provides resources specifically for women and veteran owned businesses. The IDEA Center helps early-stage businesses take a product from idea to market.

Ohio

JobsOhio – Incentives: Ohio offers incentives to businesses in the state based on performance. This includes the Economic Development Grant, the Growth Fund, and more. Tax credits are also available to those who qualify.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Department of Commerce: The Oklahoma Department of Commerce provides resources for small business owners. The website provides online guides and resource directories, while team members are available around the state to provide one-on-one business counseling in person. Businesses looking to expand can learn more about available incentives. Resources for minority and women-owned businesses are also available.

Oregon

Oregon Business Xpress: Provided by the state of Oregon, Business Xpress connects small business owners with resources that will help business run smoothly. They provide resources to help Oregon’s small businesses contract with ODOT, information on the Lewis & Clark Law School’s Small Business Legal Clinic, as well as resources for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development: Pennsylvania’s governor created the Business One-Stop Shop to support small businesses at all stages of development. The website includes online guides to navigate common business questions, as well as contact information to for the Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance (PREP). The PREP network includes experts from different fields who can offer assistance and resources to business owners. Use the interactive map to find contact information for your region.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Commerce Corporation: The official economic development organization for the state of Rhode Island aims to promote the state’s long-term economic health and prosperity. They offer business assistance, access to funding, and red tape reduction to all sizes of companies.

For small businesses, they offer a team of business advisors to help you meet your goals. The Commerce Corporation also has an extensive list of partners that can help with any of your business needs.

South Carolina

Business Development Corporation of SC: The BDC was established as a non-bank commercial lending company by the South Carolina State Legislature. They lead development lending and job creation in South Carolina, having approved over 2,745 loans.

South Dakota

South Dakota Business Help: South Dakota Business Help provides online guides to running a business as well as links to financing options within the state. They link business owners in the state with programs that help small businesses and partners with organizations that provide a variety of resources.

Tennessee

Tennessee SmartStart: Tennessee SmartStart matches your business to the resources that can help you. Simply create an account, enter some information about your business, and you’re good to go! The tool can connect you with a mentor, networking, and other resources statewide. Tennessee SmartStart is run by the Department of Economic & Community Development.

Texas

Central Texas Business Resource Center: The Central Texas Business Resource Center (BRC) assists small business owners through business counseling and trainings. They also host a variety of community events for learning and networking opportunities.

Utah

Miller Business Resource Center: The MBRC offers a range of services and support to Utah’s small businesses. Community and industry partners provide valuable networking and learning opportunities. The MBRC is also home to the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, which provides small businesses with the tools and professional support to create a customized growth plan.

Vermont

Vermont Economic Development Authority: VEDA’s Vermont Small Business Loan Program assists growing small businesses with access to capital. Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their project proposals with a staff member before applying.

Virginia

Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity: Nearly 95% of businesses in Virginia are small businesses, and the state’s Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) is dedicated to helping them. This government website provides resources for businesses in all stages, including those looking to expand or searching for financing.

Washington

Washington BusinessHub:  Washington BusinessHub provides resources for small businesses in any stage. Whether you’re focused on improving your internal processes or looking to expand your business, the website has resources to help. Run by the government, this site provides extensive information on taxes. They also provide links to funding organizations and market information.

West Virginia

West Virginia Small Business Development Center: The West Virginia SBDC provides services and assistance to small businesses in any stage of growth. The organization provides business coaches with certifications in everything from finance to exporting. Check out their website for a training calendar, resources, and a small business blog.

Wisconsin

Forward Wisconsin: Run by the Wisconsin Economic Development Institute, Forward Wisconsin provides resources for Wisconsin business. They assist businesses looking to open a new location, expand, or start a new venture. The Business Toolkit provides a list of business assistance and economic development organizations that can help with everything from business counseling to resources for funding.

Wyoming

Wyoming Business Council – State of Wyoming’s Economic Development Agency: This organization provides resources for  businesses to enter new markets, receive financing, and other specialized opportunities.

Wyoming Women’s Business Center: Established to help, encourage, and support women in starting and running a small business. They offer in-person business training opportunities as well as monthly roundtables to help Wyoming’s business women network and learn from each other. They also run a micro-loan program to help start or expand small businesses across the state.

Free Photo Editing Apps

Top 5 Free Photo Editing Apps

/in , /by

Win on Social Media with these Top 5 Free Photo Editing Apps

One of the best ways to have a successful social media presence is to use high quality images with a consistent look. However, nice cameras, photographers, and photo editing software can get costly.  Want to get the look without the price tag? Check out these free photo editing apps that can make your phone camera perform at a whole new level and improve your company’s social media presence.

Snapseed

This free photo editor from Google has 29 tools and filters. Once you find a combination that you like, you can save the settings to use on new photos later. Though it can make any picture from your phone look like professional quality, it can also edit RAW files and save them non-destructively or export as a JPG.

Flickr

Created in 2004, Flickr has existed as an online photo sharing platform for over a decade. People can upload albums to their profile and share them with friends or the online Flickr community.

What are the main benefits of the app? In addition to photo sharing, users can edit their pictures as well as store them in the cloud (each account comes with 1000 GB free). So, create as much content as you want. You won’t have to worry about running out of storage on your device.

Photoshop Express

A staple of Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop provides users with the ability to do just about anything with photo editing. With Photoshop Express, you can access some of the basic features of this program for free.

Photoshop Express provides the basics – such as cropping and filters. In addition, auto-fix features allow you to adjust contrast, exposure, and white balance with one-touch adjustment. The app also supports TIFF formatted images and raw image files.

VSCO

VSCO is a community for creators. Users can create their own VSCO page with pictures that they upload. In order to create a personal aesthetic, the VSCO app provides filters as well as photo editing capabilities. Don’t want to share your pictures through the platform? No problem. Users can edit and save images in the app and then save them directly to their camera roll.

ColorStory

From a relatively new company founded in 2016, ColorStory has been featured in Forbes, Domino, Real Simple, Apple’s ‘Best New App,’ as well as other publications. This free photo editing app has millions of users attracted to the easy-to-use interface and superior features. ColorStory provides 100+ filters, 40+ effects, and 20+ tools to edit your photos. You can also share them with the ColorStory community to get featured.

How to Achieve Effective Business Communication

How to Achieve Effective Business Communication

/in , /by

It might be a cliché to say that having processes in place for effective business communication is the key to success for many small businesses. But, it’s true.

You don’t need a complex organizational structure, multiple departments or a network of diverse vendors to know just how important it is to have effective business communication systems and policies in place.

There are many communication policies and procedures that you, as a business owner, can choose from.   To simplify the selection process for you, we are giving you five best practices that can act as your starting point on the road to improving how your business communicates.

1. Structure your meetings

We know that meetings can be a black hole, sucking up time, energy and accomplishing a whole lot of nothing. It’s not necessarily anyone’s fault; rather, it’s because meetings often have a loose structure that can stall ideas. A well-structured meeting should have an agenda, strict time limits and end with an actionable plan. For every issue, limit the discussion to five to 10 minutes. This helps streamline discussions and helps to avoid team members getting stuck talking in circles. As the time comes to an end for each point, you need to create an action plan to move forward. Talk is great, but action is better.

2. Remember that email is the best and worst thing ever

Everyone is inundated by emails. In fact, a mini industry has grown around the ability to manage and reduce emails. And still, many struggle with managing the onslaught of email they receive on a daily basis. On your end, you can encourage employees to actually get up and talk to one another.  Or challenge them to use another, more direct, form of communication like chat tools or the phone. This can reduce the stress of being overwhelmed by emails and promote a more personable culture.

3. Increase transparency

One area that leadership can look into improving is employee involvement with the over-arching company strategy. This is particularly important in a small business setting where employees  often feel a more personal connection to the success and growth of the company. Leadership should institute an open-door policy and hold quarterly sessions with all employees to go over the company’s successes, budget goals, big projects and upcoming events. This is a surprisingly simple step to take and makes a big difference in company morale, creating a culture of open communication from the top down.

4. Invest in the right technology.

As you’re probably aware, there are no shortages of cutting-edge communications technology out on the market right now. You likely get a few calls a day about a communications software branded as “revolutionary” or “game changing.”

The truth is, there is no magical piece of technology that will solve all of your communication woes. That’s why we’ve put an emphasis on changing your company’s culture and approach to communication rather than on any digital silver bullet.

That being said, the right piece of technology can help to further enhance your company’s communication strategies.

Each company is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all platform. And the technology that works best for you and your team will depend on a lot of factors including, but not limited to the industry you’re in and your business model.

5. Get out there!

Good communications practices must go beyond how employees communicate with one another. You need to extend your communication efforts so that you reach the wider public.  You need to do this regardless of the type of business you are in. Even if you’re B2B, establishing a position in the community is a big part of what it means to be a small business owner. Social media is a great way to communicate and start conversations, but you should also participate in local events, sponsor a sports team or show up at block parties. Be open with the public, just as you are open with your employees!

Improving your communication improves how you work with customers and your employees, which can make your business not only more efficient, but more profitable as well.

National Donut Day

10 Local Donut Shops Across the Country

/in , /by

National Donut Day is a celebration you don’t want to miss!

Craving a sweet treat? Well, you deserve a donut! This National Donut Day, check out some local favorites. The donut shops on this list are known for their great taste, unique flavors, creativity – almost as important – for being an awesome small business and a staple in their neighborhoods!

Donut Trail – Butler County, Ohio

(Image Source: Butler County Website)

If one donut is just not going to cut it for you, try visiting these 12 shops on the Butler County Donut Trail. Download a map and a passport on the Butler County website to get started. Once you visit all the shops on the list and receive a stamp, mail in your passport to win a t-shirt to prove your accomplishments. But, make sure to get an early start! These shops are so popular that some can sell out by 10 AM.

Banbury Cross Donuts – Salt Lake City, Utah

Banbury Cross has served some of Salt Lake’s best donuts since 1986. Treats are made fresh in-house every morning. Their signature donut is a coffee cake-hybrid that is fried and dipped in a cinnamon sugar glaze. In a hurry? They also have a drive-thru window.

The Donuttery – Huntington Beach, CA

(Image Source: The Donuttery Website)

This Southern California favorite serves up their famous donuts 24/7. So, treat yourself to one of their simple glazed or fancy crème brulee donuts after a long day at the beach.

Mojo Donuts – Miami, FL

(Image Source: Mojo Donuts on Facebook)

Mojo offers a variety of flavors ranging from sweet, salty, to everything in between. Opening its doors in 2013, Mojo became popular for the quality and creativity of their menu. In addition to buying these delicious donuts at their store, you can also have them cater special events.

The Doughnut Project – New York, New York

(Image Source: The Doughnut Project on Facebook)

This Manhattan favorite has a location in the West Village and one near Central Park. Donuts are made in small batches with fun flavors including Prosecco and Coffee Salted Toffee. Already a fan? The Doughnut Project has a variety of t-shirts in their online shop.

Welcome Chicken + Donuts – Phoenix, AZ

(Image Source: Welcome Chicken + Waffles on Facebook)

What started as a pop-up event serving coffee and donuts now has a permanent home in Phoenix. The shop provides some of the city’s best donuts and fried chicken, which can be ordered separately or in a combo meal. The store has a comfortable atmosphere and prides themselves in using fresh and fine ingredients.

Glazed Donut Works – Dallas, Texas

(Image Source: Glazed Donut Works on Facebook)

The owners of Glazed Donut Works opened with the goal to do one thing, and do it well. And they succeeded. Donuts, toppings, and fillings are made fresh daily in-house and prepared in small batches in order to ensure quality. Want to try one of their specialty items? Go for the donut grilled cheese with bacon.

Federal Donuts – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

(Image Source: Federal Donuts on Facebook)

The owners of Federal Donuts admit themselves that when they started out, they had no idea what they were doing. After the used “donut robot” they purchased from a stranger on Craigslist didn’t work out, they realized it was time to get serious. They worked out the kinks in production and now offer mouth-watering flavors including Strawberry Lavender and S’mores. Can’t make it to Philly? You can also order their cookbook.

District Doughnut – Washington, D.C.

(Image Source: District Doughnut on Facebook)

In a city famous for food, District Donut stands out.  Opened in 2012, the bakery aims to infuse their pastries with the history and creative spirit of Washington. And their story does the same. The donuts were originally sold through social media, catering, and event pop-ups. After gaining popularity for their signature flavors like Brown Butter and Dulce de Leche, the first storefront opened in 2014.

Frost – Mill Creek, Washington

(Image Source: Frost on Facebook)

Frost first opened its doors in 2009 at the Mill Creek Town Center, and has since spread to other locations across Seattle. True fans make sure to participate in the yearly Frost Donut Eating Contest, this year being held on National Donut Day. Contestants from each age category have a chance to win a year supply of free donuts!

About Us

Products

Contact Us