Emails are a necessary part of everyday business communication. They can also be a major distraction that eats up your time and negatively affects your productivity. With emails now on your phone, it’s even easier for your attention to be hijacked by the ‘ping’ of every notification, losing valuable time that should be spent growing your business and getting more customers.
Read MoreTopics: business strategies, Workplace productivity, small business, business blog, business needs
A business cycle is the natural rise and fall of economic growth over a period of time. The cycle is a useful tool for analysing the wider economy, as the upward and downward fluctuations show variations in production, employment, wages, and investment. Understanding the cycle allows you as a business owner to make better financial decisions with the goal of helping your business increase profit despite the downturns. Today we discuss the five main phases of a business cycle: expansion, peak, recession, trough, and recovery.
Read MoreTopics: small business owner, bartercard, attract new customers, business blog, increase sales, barter, business needs, trade dollars
It’s not surprising to see a significant shift of practices when it comes to business networking. The world has adopted new ways to network that are no longer limited to face-to-face interactions. For a long time, business owners have attended meetings, events, and Trade Shows to expand their contact base. Today, thanks to fast-paced technology, online networking sites have become common in the realm of making business connections. You can connect with countless individuals in the click of a button. However, the question is, are these virtual connections as valuable as personal interactions? Could they even be more valuable? Read on to find out more about the difference between online networking and in-person networking, and how you can use both to your advantage.
Read MoreTopics: small business, attract new customers, save cash, build business networks, business blog, increase sales, business needs, networking, trade dollars
When you first started your business, you had a plan. It may have been something roughly scratched out on an A4 sheet of paper, or a complex business plan you presented to your bank manager, or maybe something in between. Your business plan provided you with a mission, a path for your business to help keep things moving in a positive, forward direction.
Read MoreTopics: starting up your business, small business, save cash, build business networks, business blog, succession planning, trade dollars
Being in business usually means opening your doors to everyone, welcoming them in, building relationships and ultimately agreeing to do business together. Sounds simple, right? It can and should be. However, there are situations that can test you and one of the big tests is being able to say ‘No’ when you need to.
Read MoreTopics: bartercard, strategy, small business, business blog, unrealised potential, business needs
Understanding the financial health of your business can be an extremely overwhelming task to get your head around. Unless you have a passion for figures then it’s an area that can cause a lot of frustration and stress. You may have a handle on your profit and loss statement, but are you able to look deeper and really see how your business is going?
Read MoreTopics: attract new customers, save cash, build business networks, business blog, increase sales, trade dollars
Advances in technology have enabled us to extend our reach in both our business and personal lives. These advances have allowed businesses far more flexibility, empowering them to operate 24/7. Additionally, with social media and the likes of Skype and Zoom, it’s now much easier to stay in touch with friends, family and business colleagues around the world. In your business life, online solutions like the Bartercard mobile app can greatly expand your business network, helping you move old stock and increase profits.
Read MoreTopics: business strategies, Productivity, improve lifestyle, small business, business blog, business needs
Very few businesses in the world would willingly say “no” to more sales. After all, businesses exist to increase profit, and business owners and employees are working to earn a living and support their families. However, generating those additional sales can be a major challenge. Clients don’t just fall into our laps. Often, you have to invest a lot of time and effort in marketing before you see any results.
Read MoreTopics: growing your business, small business owner, increase cash flow, small business, attract new customers, save cash, build business networks, business blog, increase sales, barter, networking
The following is a testimonial from Bartercard member Stuart Evans of Evanco Mechanical.
We are a family owned and operated business, my daughter runs the office and is also a mechanic apprentice in the workshop, and my wife, Natasha also works within the business. Evanco Mechanical started off in my back shed in 2004 where I was a mobile mechanic. We then expanded and moved to Strickland Street, Bunbury in 2006 and have been operating in these premises ever since.
Topics: increase profit, increase cash flow, small business, attract new customers, trade exchange, business blog
Content marketing is essential for any business wanting to connect with their customers. Chances are you’re already sharing content in your business. Every time you pop up a blog, video, podcast, or social media post you’re using content marketing to attract people to your products and services.
Read MoreTopics: small business owner, attracting new customers, posting on social media, social media, strategy, attract new customers, build business networks, SEO, business blog, content marketing, Search engine optimisation
