Wednesday, 31 August 2022

Nextiva Appoints 2 to Board of Directors

newly appointed nextiva board of directors

Nextiva has announced that Alan Black, former CFO of Zendesk and founder of Surfspray Capital, and Robert (Bob) Beauchamp, former chairman and CEO of BMC Software have been appointed to the company’s board of directors.

According to the cloud communications company, the appointment of the two new board members will bring decades of financial and enterprise software leadership to their roles at Nextiva.

Black and Beauchamp Bring Over 65 Years of Experience in Private and Public Spheres

Black and Beauchamp bring over 65 years of combined experience and leadership from the corporate world. Alan Black joins Nextiva with more than 35 years of experience as an executive leading both public and private enterprise software companies. Black founded Surfspray Capital, LLC in 2017 through which he has advised over a dozen companies, including Looker Data Sciences, Inc., Bill.com Holdings, and HashiCorp. Prior to founding Surfspray Capital, Black was CFO of Zendesk, CEO of Intelliden, and CFO of Phone.com.

For his part, Robert Beauchamp comes to Nextiva with more than 30 years of experience in enterprise software, as well as over two decades of experience gained serving as a board member of various large and small companies across multiple industries.

Most recently, Beauchamp served as chairman of BMC Software, after serving as its CEO for more than 16 years. He also served on the boards of two Fortune 500 companies — Raytheon and National Oilwell Varco — as well as other outstanding public and private companies and not-for-profit organizations. This includes TransUnion, Anaplan, Forcepoint, ThoughtTrace, Baylor University, and Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems.

“The knowledge they bring after such storied careers in tech is invaluable to our future growth. Their strategic guidance will serve Nextiva well as we continue to build on our vision of powering human connections and further disrupt the market”, said Tomas Gorny, CEO and co-founder of Nextiva.

Nextiva helps businesses manage their communications, productivity, and customer relationships on a unified platform. It comes with built-in messaging, voice, and video tools. It also offers dozens of features that include toll-free minutes, unlimited internet fax, VoIP, sales, hosted PBX, business analytics, service CRM, SaaS, business surveys, and more.

Image: nextiva

This article, "Nextiva Appoints 2 to Board of Directors" was first published on Small Business Trends



15 Health Food Franchise Opportunities

health food franchise

When most people think about a food franchise, they picture greasy burgers and fattening fries. But food franchises also can appeal to those seeking a healthy lifestyle, and many health food franchises offer options like nutritious fruits and vegetables, meal replacement shakes, and even nutritional supplements. It’s true that health-conscious individuals can start a food franchise that fits their lifestyles.

What is a Health Food Franchise?

A health food restaurant becomes a franchise when its owner licenses the brand, successful business model and proven concept to other entrepreneurs for an initial investment that includes a franchise fee and other costs. Popular health food franchises serve their customers fare such as fresh fruit, vegetables, meal replacement shakes and other healthy options. A health food franchise might take the form of a juice bar, a salad franchise or even a fast food joint.

 

 

The Healthy Food Industry in 2022

In the wake of the global pandemic, the health food industry is thriving as people grow more conscious of what they put into their bodies. In 2022, the global health and wellness food market size was estimated to be valued at almost $114 billion, and at its current rate of growth, it’s expected to reach $177 billion by 2027.

The health food industry is a varied market and includes traditional fast food venues using healthy ingredients, specialty shops selling healthy products, juice and smoothie franchises and even health clubs and retail stores selling nutritional supplements.

Why You Should Consider a Health Food Franchise

Starting a franchise in the health food industry can be a rewarding and lucrative opportunity for many factors, including:

  • Financial success – Health food franchisees have the opportunity to invest in themselves and the future success of their families by entering a growing market that is thriving around the world.
  • Community support – Health food franchise owners help support wellness in their communities by offering healthy options that otherwise might not be available.
  • Independence – A health food franchise owner gets to be their own boss, offering the chance for financial independence and lifestyle flexibility.
  • Personal satisfaction – Opening a health food franchise can be a satisfying business opportunity for entrepreneurs who love creating delicious foods with organic ingredients and other healthy products, thereby offering nutritious foods that customers will love to eat.

Top Health Food Franchises

A plethora of health food franchise opportunities are available, delivering appetizing options like fresh food, vitamin supplements, and other healthy meal options. Unsure what health food franchise is the right business opportunity for you? Check out the following top health food franchises:

1. Smoothie King

When small business owners start a Smoothie King franchise, they become a part of a smoothie and juice bar franchise that offers customers healthy ingredients at an affordable price. Cash required to open a Smoothie King franchise includes a $30,000 franchise fee, as well as other variable costs.

2. Nrgize Lifestyle Cafe

The Nrgize Lifestyle Cafe specializes in healthy smoothies, sports beverages and meal replacement shakes. Often located near health clubs, the high-demand health food provider is owned by parent company Kahalsa, which also owns popular spots like Cold Stone Creamery. Nrgize Lifestyle Cafes advises that building the cafe could cost between $103,900 and $394,300, depending on the size and type of location. It also suggests a cash reserve of $15,000-$30,000 for operating expenses until the business is up and running.

3. Wholesome Tummies

Wholesome Tummies founder Debbie Blacher wanted to bring organic, healthy foods made with only fresh ingredients to kids in school, and her success allowed her to expand her business through franchising. To start a Wholesome Tummies franchise, entrepreneurs need an initial investment ranging from $77,900 to $185,500.

4. Smoothie Factory

Another popular smoothie and juice bar, Smoothie Factory offers a variety of healthy beverage options, including fruit smoothies, freshly squeezed juices and frozen yogurt. Entrepreneurs can start a franchise with this internationally-popular brand for a franchise fee ranging from $90,000 to $150,000, depending on the size of the territory.

5. Rush Bowls

The Colorado-based Rush Bowls specializes in acai bowls and other menu items consisting of fresh fruit, granola and other healthy ingredients. The company has already achieved strong brand recognition in select markets, making it a sound investment opportunity. According to Rush Bowls, now is the time to start a franchise with the company since lease terms are more negotiable and low-rate SBA loans make it a low-cost investment.

6. Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh

A leader in serving fresh Mediterranean cuisine, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh is a popular fast-casual restaurant franchise. To open your own health food franchise with Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, the cash required ranges from $386,636 to $786,499, including a minimum $500,000 net worth and a minimum of $250,000 in liquid assets.

7. Panera Bread

Panera Bread boasts a strong, nationwide brand recognition as customers love its fresh, natural ingredients in a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads and other fares. In fact, Panera Bread is one of the top healthy food franchise opportunities. Panera seeks franchisees with experience as multi-unit restaurant operators, net worths of at least $7.5 million and liquid assets of at least $3 million.

8. The Green District

Popular for its salads and wraps, The Green District features nearly 50 ingredients and toppings, including fruits, vegetables, and lean protein options. Interested Green District franchisees need to pay a $30,000 franchise fee for their first store, and they typically will spend from $150,000 to $200,000 for the buildout of their health food restaurants.

9. Taco Del Mar

The popular Mexican restaurant franchise specializes in tacos and similar foods made with fresh ingredients. The healthy restaurant is popular for its premium ingredients and unique products that satisfy customers who crave Baja Mexican, coastal flavors in a laid-back atmosphere. Health-minded entrepreneurs can purchase a Taco Del Mar franchise for an affordable $15,000 franchise fee, although they need at least $100,000 in liquid capital.

10. UFood Grill

For a $35,000 franchise fee, entrepreneurs can start their own health food franchise with UFood Grill, which specializes in fresh, grilled, low-calorie food options. Customers appreciate that the menu consists of dishes that are fresh-baked and never fried, as well as low in calories and sodium. Interested entrepreneurs are required to pay a $35,000 franchise fee, and the company promises to offer support with establishing the restaurant.

11. Naturals 2 Go

Considered among the best health food providers, Naturals 2 Go features vending machines full of healthy food options. The healthy snacks and drinks offered by Naturals 2 Go vending machines include a total of 85 bottled or canned drinks and 217 snacks, including energy bars. Potential franchisees can start a Naturals 2 Go vending franchise for a $26,000 franchise fee in addition to other costs.

12. GNC

Established in 1935, GNC is one of the best-known health food and supplement brands in the United States. Entrepreneurs who want to start a health food franchise with an established brand can open a GNC franchise location for a $20,000 franchise fee and $240,000 liquid cash to earn the chance to take part in the No. 1 vitamin retail franchises.

13. Edible Arrangements

Want to start a franchise in which you brighten people’s days by delivering gifts of beautiful bouquets made with fresh fruit and other delicious decors? Edible Arrangements has expanded its product offerings, and now it also offers miniature fruit-topped cheesecakes, delicious cookies, popcorn and edible hemp CBD. Entrepreneurs looking for health food franchise opportunities can consider opening an Edible Arrangments franchise with a $30,000 franchise fee and other costs.

14. Dream Dinners Inc.

Dream Dinners is a healthy meal preparation service that provides assembled dinners that customers can take home, freeze and serve to their families at a later date. While freeing customers from the hassles of planning and preparing meals, Dream Dinners also provides healthy alternatives to other prepared meal choices. The initial investment to own a new Dream Dinners store ranges from $352,350 to $610,000.

15. Chicken Salad Chick

When an entrepreneur opens a Chicken Salad Chick franchise, they are able to satisfy customers with what’s been called the perfect chicken salad. Voted a Top 50 franchise by the Franchise Business Review’s owner’s survey, Chicken Salad Chick has surpassed the 100-store milestone and prides itself on the ongoing support it provides its franchisees. Opening a Chicken Salad Chick franchise requires a $50,000 franchise fee, as well as other costs.

How to Choose the Best Franchise to Set Up Your Health Food Business

So, you know you want to start a health food franchise and serve quality food to your customers. But how do you choose which franchise is the best opportunity for you? A variety of factors must be considered, including the following four important considerations in starting a health food business:

Cost

What are the costs to purchase each franchise opportunity? All franchises have a franchise fee of varying amounts, but other costs include the capital needed to build a physical restaurant or store location, as well as other investment costs associated with joining the franchise. Some companies even require the franchisee to have achieved a specific net worth with plenty of liquid capital on hand.

Location

Does the health food company have franchise opportunities in your local area, or would you need to relocate to start your business with the particular brand? Many franchises are divided into territories, and only available territories are available for expansion to new franchisees. It’s even possible you could be assigned territory by some health food brands.

Reputation

What is the health food company’s reputation? Consider factors such as its sales record, how quickly it’s expanding, and its regional, national, or even international footprint. You want to start a franchise that already had brand recognition and a solid record of sales growth.

Interest

What types of health food do you want to sell? Are you looking to start a restaurant, and if so, in what types of foods do you want to specialize? Salads? Chicken? Grilled meats? Perhaps you’d rather start a premier juice bar or a vending machine franchise? You even can specialize in health foods by establishing a retail store. Before choosing a franchise, it’s vital to determine the specialty that most interests you.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Health Food Franchise?

How much does it cost to open a health food franchise? There’s no specific answer since the costs vary from one company to another. However, the average total investment to open a health food franchise is about $200,000, which includes the franchise fee, building costs, royalties, and other initial investments.

Are Health Food Franchises Profitable?

Health food franchises are big business in 2022. The health food industry is an extremely popular one as consumers continue to demand healthier options at restaurants and other food vendors. Healthier food promotes nutrition and boosts energy levels, so it’s unlikely its popularity will wane in the near future.

What Franchises Appeal to Health Conscious Consumers?

Health-conscious customers seeking nutritious food options have a lot of franchises from which to choose, but some certainly are more popular than others. When TopFranchise.com ranked its Top 10 Healthy Food Franchise Businesses, multiple franchises on this list made the cut, including UFood Grill at No. 1 and Smoothie King.

READ MORE: 

Image: Envato Elements

This article, "15 Health Food Franchise Opportunities" was first published on Small Business Trends



SEO Courses

seo courses

Search engine optimization is a process for boosting the quality and quantity of traffic to your website. It’s also what makes your website stand out and appear at the top of a search engine. Currently, SEO plays a gigantic role in the performance of a business as almost every business has taken to digital platforms.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) courses are without doubt one of the most popular courses trending right now. What better way is there to learn about Search engines than online? So, the question is do I need SEO training? The following is a list of a selected few of the best online SEO courses available.

SEO Courses

Local SEO 2022 Made Simple & Fun + Google Maps & TripAdvisor

Local SEO 2022 Made Simple & Fun + Google Maps & TripAdvisor course offers proven SEO and copywriting strategies to boost your business. It also guides you to become a content creator. Furthermore, you will get persuasive influencer and blogger outreach templates to have content influencers promoting your business for free. The course has 9.5 hours of video lectures and 13 downloadable resources. This kit is made up of 53 lectures over 10 sections including:

  • Step 1 – Learn Local SEO & Quiz
  • Step 2 – Setup Google My Business
  • Step 3 – Setup TripAdvisor
  • Step 4 – Study local SEO in depth
  • Step 5 – Do Keywords Research

 

Complete SEO Training 2022: Rank in Google with SEO 2022

This Complete SEO Training 2022: Rank in Google with SEO 2022 course explains why SEO is important for organic traffic. You will learn SEO audit, Google E.A.T, building authority of your website, and decrease your website visitor bounce rate. The course is specially prepared to suit webmasters, business owners, bloggers, and SEO beginners as well as experts. The class contains 9.5 hours of video lessons, 39 downloadable resources, and 5 articles. There are a total of 71 lectures in 8 sections such as:

  • SEO Niche selection and Keyword Research
  • Step-by-step on-page SEO
  • Step-by-step off-page SEO
  • Website speed optimization
  • Link Building: Creating Quality Backlinks

 

Google My Business: Optimize Your Google Maps Listing

Google My Business: Optimize Your Google Maps Listing is a step-by-step guide to adding your business to Google My Business (Google Maps).  Advanced marketing tricks and tips for increasing conversion rates and ranking higher are given. The class is made up of 1.5 hours of videos withn11 lectures distributed across 5 sections, namely:

  • Why you want to be on Google My Business
  • Getting Started – The Essentials
  • Adding some Power Boost Techniques
  • Extra tips that will Rank You Higher
  • Farewell and Success wishes

 

2022 Complete SEO Guide to Ranking Local Business Websites

Updated weekly, 2022 Complete SEO Guide to Ranking Local Business Websites has lessons that help you understand the SEO process and rank a local website on the first page of Google.  By the end of this course, you will be able to build quality citations for fast ranking and find and obtain high-quality backlinks. There are more than 6 hours of video lectures, 1 downloadable resource, and 17 articles in the bundle. It is organized into 120 lectures over 18 sections including:

  • SEO audit and Keeping Current Rankings During Redesign
  • Keyword research and Competition
  • Developing Website Content
  • Tracking the impact of a Website Redesign
  • Ranking your Google My Business Listing

 

Keyword Research: The Complete Pro Guide A to Z + Free Tools

Keyword Research class will teach you how to navigate and use the Google Keyword planner tool, long tail pro, and other free keyword tools. You will know how to find low competition keywords you can rank and find profitable keywords for traffic with a high conversion rate. The class packs 4 hours of video lectures and 2 downloadable resources. The lessons are prepared in 34 lectures over 9 sections including:

  • Keyword Research Basics
  • SEO & Keywords
  • Finding Keywords
  • Keyword research DEMO
  • Keyword competition & preparing Keyword Research for Sorting

 

Local SEO: A Definitive Guide To Local Business Marketing

Local SEO: A Definitive Guide To Local Business Marketing offers a brief tested and true guide to optimization used by the creator of the course in real-time. This course shows you how to build powerful backlinks, generate reviews of your business, and set up a local SEO agency. The lessons contain 5 hours of video lectures, 17 downloadable resources, and 27 articles. The course packs more than 10 hours of video resources and 122 lectures over 19 sections such as:

  • Keyword Research
  • Creating Content For Your Website
  • Google My Business
  • CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization)
  • Page Speed & Hosting

 

SEO Training: Get Free Traffic to Your Website With SEO

Whether you are aiming at a career in marketing or trying to optimize your business, SEO Training: Get Free Traffic to Your Website with SEO will go through everything you need to know step by step. you will learn to perform a full SEO audit, gain access to free SEO tools, and avoid major SEO pitfalls. In this kit, there are 2.5 hours of video lectures and 2 articles. The lessons are prepared in 36 lectures over 9 sections including:

  • Keyword Research: How to find Low-Competition, High-Converting Keywords
  • On-Page Optimization: How to Optimize Your Content Around Your Keyword
  • Off-Page Optimization: How to Build Authority with Backlinks
  • 8 Smarter Ways Proven to Earn Quality Backlinks
  • Find Your SEO Score for free

 

YouTube SEO SECRETS Course – 2022 Beginner to Advanced Guide

Updated for 2022, YouTube SEO SECRETS Course teaches various proven YouTube titles and description formulas, and keywords to rank high. You will see how to gain more subscribers, and create an attractive YouTube banner. This online class has 4.5 hours of video lectures, 3 articles, and 5 downloadable resources. The 51 lectures are distributed over 12 sections such as:

  • YouTube Channel SEO
  • Planning – Content SEO
  • Post Production – Content SEO
  • Drive Even More YouTube Traffic
  • YouTube Channel Monetization

 

The Ultimate SEO Training 2022 + SEO For WordPress Websites

The Ultimate SEO Training 2022 + SEO For WordPress Websites is a 14-hour program prepared by an SEO agency owner. It shows how to design and optimize your website to rank on the first page, build quality backlinks, and manage negative SEO attacks. You will also see internal links used that ranked on page 1 for a big keyword. This bundle is made up of 7.5 hours of video lectures, 17 downloadable resources, and 27 articles. This brief class contains 136 lectures over 18 sections.

  • SEO – The Fundamental Principles
  • Keyword research
  • Creating Content for Your Website
  • Off-Page SEO – Link Building
  • Technical SEO

 

Voice Search SEO For Local Business & Ecommerce Products

Voice Search SEO For Local Business & Ecommerce Products shows you how to get the most out of smart home device searches. You will learn types of searches, content strategies, structured data and microdata. The course contains1-hour video lectures, 3 downloadable resources, and one article. The lessons are broken down into 17 lectures over 5 sections.

  • Voice SEO Course, Introduction Section
  • Implementing Your Voice Search SEO
  • Position Zero
  • Exercises
  • Conclusion

SEO is proving more valuable by the day, and possessing its skills will be a distinguishing factor for businessmen and professionals in their respective fields. Presently 68% of all online activities start with a search engine. Search engines are continuously improving their services leading to increased use of the engines. Since April 2022 Google held more than 90% of the search engine market.in the United States, Google holds a slightly higher market share followed by Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo.

Large companies like NASDAQ, Volkswagen, and NetApp have offered these courses to their employees.

How much does an SEO course cost?

Search Engine Optimization courses cost an average of $75. Udemy’s courses are usually on discounts and special offers, so there is a chance you will land a better deal. When you purchase the course, you’ll receive lifetime access (including updates) and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Are there certifications for social media marketing?

Upon completion, you will be awarded a verifiable certificate of completion.

More Lessons to Upgrade your Skills:

Image: Envato Elements

This article, "SEO Courses" was first published on Small Business Trends



25 Cash Flow Business Ideas

cash flow business ideas

Are you looking to start your entrepreneurial journey and need some ideas? Here are 25 cash flow business ideas you can start. These small businesses are easy to start, require little up-front investment, and generate a consistent flow of income. Let’s get started!

What are the Characteristics of a Good Cash Flow Business?

Having a steady cash flow business with recurring income is important for small business owners. Here are five characteristics of a good cash flow business:

  • Low overhead costs: This means you won’t have to spend a lot of money on things like inventory, office space, or equipment.
  • Scalable: You’ll be able to grow the business without having to pour lots of money into it.
  • Recurring revenue: Meaning you’ll be able to generate income on a consistent basis.
  • High-profit margins: You’ll be able to keep more of the money you make.
  • Simple to operate: You won’t have to spend a lot of time on things like marketing or customer service.

 

 

25 Amazing Business Ideas with High Cash Flow Potential

If you’re looking for the best cash flow businesses, we have some amazing ideas and business models below. Many of which are businesses that make money right away.

1. eCommerce Store

Starting an eCommerce store to sell online is a great way to get started in the business world.

Not only do you have low startup costs, but you can also reach a global audience with your products.

2. Consulting Services

A consulting business is a great way to earn money while helping others.

You can offer your services to businesses or individuals, and you’ll be able to set your own rates.

3. Local Businesses

Having a local business is a great way to build a steady flow of cash. You can offer services or products that people in your community need, and you’ll have a loyal customer base.

 

 

4. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of those businesses that make money fast, it helps you make a great passive income, doesn’t require a down payment like real estate, and requires a low initial investment.

Successful affiliate marketers know to promote quality products in a popular niche like weight loss to increase the chances they make a lot of money quickly.

5. Freelancing Writing and Editing

Being a freelance writer and editor can provide you with steady cash flows. You can offer your services to businesses or individuals, and you can set your own rates.

6. Dropshipping

With dropshipping, you sell products that are shipped directly to the customer from the supplier. It’s a low-cost way to start a business and create a steady, positive cash flow.

7. Food Truck Business

Food trucks are a great way to start a business with low overhead costs. You can offer a variety of food options to customers, and you can operate in multiple locations.

8. Niche Franchise

Niche franchises can be a great way to start a business with high cash flow potential. Because these high cash flow businesses are focused on a specific area or market, they tend to be more successful than general franchises.

9. Dog Walking and Pet Sitting

Starting a Dog Walking and Pet Sitting business can be a great way to earn money with low upfront investment. Not only do you have low costs to get started, but you can also set your own rates and hours.

10. Graphic Design Services

As a graphic designer, you can earn an income working with businesses or individuals by offering your services to design logos, business cards, websites, and more.

11. Vending Machines

Starting a vending machine business can be a lucrative endeavor with healthy cash flow potential. You can easily buy a vending machine online which could pay for itself in less than a year if you place your vending machines in high foot traffic locations.

12. Social Media Management

Being a social media manager could be the perfect way to turn your passion for social media into a career while doing social media marketing on various social media channels for other business owners.

13. Digital Course Creator

As a digital course creator, you can create online courses and sell them on sites like Udemy or Skillshare. You can create an online course on pretty much any topic.

14. Create a Blog

Creating your own website or blog can be a great way to extra cash while sharing your passion with the world. You can offer content that is helpful, informative, or entertaining while earning ad revenue.

15. Starting an App or SaaS Product

Starting an app or SaaS (software as a service) business is a great way to earn an income while creating awesome apps people can use daily in their personal or professional lives.

16. Piggyback off another Business idea

If have a small business that’s using a successful business model and already generating a positive cash flow, then you can piggyback off of it to generate another revenue source.

For example, if you have a brick-and-mortar store that sells products and an internet connection, you can begin selling those same products online.

17. Invest in Dividend Paying Stocks

When it comes to generating passive income, dividend stocks are a great option. Not only do they offer the potential for capital gains like real estate investing, but they also provide an annual cash flow.

18. Landscaping and Lawn Business

Landscaping business owners are responsible for providing all of the services their customers need, including lawn care, planting and maintenance, snow removal, and more.

19. Photography Business

If you’re an amazing photographer and know how to use photo editing software, then starting your own business in photography could be a great way to earn an income.

20. Event Planning

Planning events involves organizing and coordinating resources to ensure that an event is successful. Project management is a critical skill for event planners.

21. Finance and Insurance

Not only is there the potential to make a great deal of money in finance and insurance, but this type of business can also provide a much-needed service to people and businesses.

22. Real Estate Rental Property

Owning rental properties is an amazing way to make more money and build wealth. It’s a business that can be very passive, yet still provide a steady stream of income.

23. Social Assistance and Health Services

A social assistance and health services business can be a very profitable and very rewarding way to make a difference in people’s lives.

24. Makeup Artist

Being a makeup artist is a very creative and lucrative business. It’s a business that can be very portable, so you can take it with you wherever you go.

25. Child Care Services

Starting a Child Care Services business can be a very rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of children and families. It can also provide you with a consistent income stream.

 

 

What is the Best Passive Income Idea?

The best idea to create a passive income stream yourself really depends on your personal skill set and interests. However, some of the best ideas include being a service provider, creating digital courses, investing in stocks that pay dividends, or starting a blog.

What is the Most Profitable Business on the Cash Flow List?

While buying a dividend stock, dropshipping, consulting, and other businesses on the list are great ways to earn money consistently, real estate is the most profitable and best business idea.

Real estate has made 90% of the world’s millionaires. So it’s a great way to generate a high income.

Image: Envato Elements

This article, "25 Cash Flow Business Ideas" was first published on Small Business Trends



Spotlight: Craggy Games Transforms a Favorite Activity Into a Viral Success

Fun games don’t need to be complicated. That’s exactly the philosophy that has made Craggy Games so successful. The viral hit games are gaining lots of attention online. Read about the company’s journey in this week’s Small Business Spotlight.

What the Business Does

Offers unique, handcrafted games.

Owner Kyle Czarnecki told Small Business Trends, “Craggy Games creates the highest quality, handcrafted hook and ring games to play with friends. Bring your next game night, tailgate or party to a new level with the viral HOOKS! ring toss game.”

Business Niche

Built in the U.S. using quality materials from a family owned business.

Czarnecki says, “Each game is 100% handcrafted from real Southern yellow pine. Hand cut, hand-sanded and hand-burned using an ancient wood preserving burning technique known as shou sugi ban.”

How the Business Got Started

By two friends brainstorming.

Czarnecki explains, “The idea of Craggy was created by two lifelong friends looking for an excuse to spend more time together. As is the case with so many small businesses, our original HOOKS! game started as a simple Etsy listing and it wasn’t until Day 96 that the Craggy roller coaster began.

“With the power of social media and one viral TikTok video later, we realized that the workshop in our one-car garage was going to need a serious upgrade. With the amazing interest and support of our fans, we now have HOOKS! in stock at a warehouse and are reaching for the stars to grow Craggy Games!”

Biggest Win

Clearing a backlog of initial orders.

Czarnecki says, “When our videos went viral we were flooded with orders as the only company in the market offering our unique game. All around the world people wanted HOOKS! We were originally building the games by hand out of the owner’s one-car garage, sourcing the materials from local Home Depots. Constantly running out of materials and running 18-hr days to build the games and ship out, we knew we had to bring on a partner to get the games out (the important thing was that we maintained the high quality, handcrafted feel of the game while also being built in the US).

“We found a partner that shared our values, dove into the process together and created a working agreement with them. Having a partner that cared as much about the quality as we did was very big for the longevity of the business/brand. We were able to focus on building other core components of the business now that we were no longer in the garage building.”

Biggest Challenge

Filling orders after viral success.

Czarnecki adds, “If I had a crystal ball and knew how wildly successful this was going to be early on, I would have had 50,000 games ready to ship when the video went viral. We were pushing customers away from buying in the beginning while we built the backend of the business.”

How They’d Spend an Extra $100,000

Producing more games.

Team Tradition

Unplugging.

Czarnecki explains, “We host quarterly ‘Disconnect Meetings’ where the team gets together and enjoys each other’s company – away from social media, away from electronics, worry free and good-time hangouts. This refuels our internal purpose for why we work to grow Craggy and keeps our work light-hearted and fun. We started this company as best friends, we will be successful as best friends, and one day maybe we will leave this company as best friends.”

* * * * *

Find out more about the Small Biz Spotlight program

Image: Craggy Games

This article, "Spotlight: Craggy Games Transforms a Favorite Activity Into a Viral Success" was first published on Small Business Trends



Tuesday, 30 August 2022

SBA Opens Program to Get Women Owned Businesses Federal Contracts

sba government contracting education initiative for women entrepreneurs

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the return of ChallengeHer to help women-owned small businesses gain access to federal contracts.

SBA Opens Program to Get Women Owned Businesses Federal Contracts

ChallengeHer is a government contracting education initiative that hosts events to provide networking opportunities between women-owned businesses and government contractors. ChallengeHer also provides world-class programming and training by experts on getting started and succeeding in the public sector supply chain.

Encouragement for Women-Owned Small Businesses

The ChallengeHer programming and training sessions can be experienced in-person or online in a virtual environment, while the initiative also aims to encourage participation in the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program.

The WOSB program has already hosted one event in Maryland, with others coming soon to Texas and California. The events will see contributions from Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and American Express.

The Road to Success and Sustainability

SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman spoke about the impact of the ChallengeHer initiative, saying:  “Throughout the past decade, ChallengeHer has helped tens of thousands of women-owned small businesses break glass ceilings and grow their revenue by selling to the world’s largest buyer: the U.S. government.

“ChallengeHer continues to level the playing field in the federal marketplace by investing in and empowering more women-owned firms, connecting federal buyers directly with women entrepreneurs via matchmaking, and providing continued advocacy on behalf of WOSBs in every sector of the economy and every corner of the nation – and we are committed to ensuring it continues to open doors to revenue for women entrepreneurs for decades to come.”

The President and CEO of WIPP, Candace Waterman, added: “WIPP is honored to co-sponsor this much-needed and well-respected program, now in its 10th year, as we provide women-owned small businesses with the education and resources needed to navigate the road to success and sustainability during these historical times.”

Upcoming ChallengerHer Events

The Maryland event was held in Silver Spring on August 25, with the next event happening in San Antonio, Texas on October 5. The event in San Diego, California, has yet to have a date confirmed.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "SBA Opens Program to Get Women Owned Businesses Federal Contracts" was first published on Small Business Trends



What is a CRM System and What Can It Do for Small Businesses?

For those that are unfamiliar and want to know what a CRM system is, the acronym stands for customer relationship management. A CRM system is software that automates and accelerates many mundane processes.

If you would like to know more about it overall and the benefits it can bring before diving into today’s content, be sure to check out our article, 15 Reasons Your Small Business Needs CRM.

Recently, Small Business in: 15 on location traveled to Austin, Texas for Zoho Day 2022 to learn more about CRM software and how it can be used successfully by small businesses to elevate them to the next level.

What Does a CRM Do?

In this two-part interview, Shawn Hessinger, the Executive Editor of Small Biz Trends, first talks to Dilip Nagarajan, product manager of Zoho CRM, about what CRM does and why your business needs it.

Shawn: What does a CRM do? Why do you need it?

Dilip: A CRM increases productivity, and it increases the value you are giving to the customer. So, it’s something that saves you time and money. A CRM system offers so many ways to do this.

Take any mundane activities you have, for instance. A CRM can reduce human intervention through automation. Then, the activities can be accelerated, and the relationship is so much better.

Shawn: CRM programs aren’t that hard for the average person to manage, are they?

Dilip: You can tell small business owners that we are getting rid of most of mundane tasks, variables, lists etc. they are tracking in Excel spreadsheets. For example, the list of customers they are tracking and interacting with during their daily activities, e.g., their list of customers and so on—that kind of thing can be managed by the software instead.

We tell them that the transformation from spreadsheet to CRM can happen in no time, too, and that they don’t have much of a learning curve at all; they can just go inside and get in touch with who they have to stay in contact with. All of these things are now much simpler and faster to do with CRM.

How a CRM System Helps Your Business Grow

Next, we spoke with Vibhav Vankayala, head of product marketing for Zoho CRM, about how CRM helps your business manage customers while you scale.

Shawn: How does CRM help you manage your relationship with your customers? I mean, it’s one thing to say it, but how does it do it?

Vibhav: The first thing is when you are a very small business you don’t have too many customers. In those cases, you know their names. However, as you grow, that gets harder to do.

To improve overall efficiency, you need to get a system in place to remember all those customers, along with knowing who wants what, what they are thinking, etc. So, underneath there’s obviously a whole lot going on with the customer like:

    • What are their preferences?
    • What would they like?
    • When do they want you to reach them?
    • What are the products that they want?

That is where automation comes in via CRM. In fact, having the ability to send an email at a time that is best for the customer and individually for each of them is part of the beauty of having this kind of system.

So, those are some of the points that aren’t obvious, but once you start taking a few steps, once you start exploring, soon it’ll be like “how did I ever function without a CRM?”

Shawn: I want to drill down on that, especially for small businesses, maybe as small as a solopreneur or something. The alternative is keeping track of all your customers, remembering all this, keeping it all down, and then maybe they’re in different time zones and they’re different, whatever. When you are sending an email, did you remember to send an email to that guy? Did you remember to get back in touch with him in a month when he told you to get back in touch? How does CRM smooth this out specifically? Imagine I have 200 customers in three different time zones. With a CRM, I can program the system to keep track of these guys. But how?

Vibhav: The first thing is, if the action is initiated by you as a business on, say, a couple of days on a Black Friday sales coming up, and this is what we’ve got. So, number one, you have three different time zones in three different countries. Therefore, the product catalog in the U.K. may possibly look slightly different from that of the U.S.

Also, it’s not just the states. We’re looking at different kinds of content, which are automated to go out at those respective times. There’s another angle to it: can this action be initiated by a previous customer in action? If they’ve gone onto your website, now is possibly the right time to trigger that email.

And if they have spent more than a few minutes on your website. Maybe politely ask what are they waiting for without being annoying? Say through the chat agent that should be with them, “You’ve been on our website for around for a few minutes… maybe you’re not finding what you looking for…can I help?” Otherwise, the entire journey would be completely opaque to the business owner. So that’s an example, especially with digital businesses.

Shawn: You said something interesting there that I just thought about, which is if the relationship is initiated by the business owner, that really it could also be initiated by the customer. It also could be based on what they look at, or whether they asked for something. Can you talk a little bit about that, about how CRM helps you with the relationship that the customer wants to initiate?

Vibhav: That boils down to the foundation of CRM, which is giving the customer what they want. Now, to understand what they want when they tell you is one thing but understanding what they want before they tell you is better. And when you understand that and their intent, you can process it and deliver.

So, it could be simple signals like spending a few minutes on your website or dialing your toll-free number. Additionally, they would have gone to your pricing page specifically or maybe added something specific into the cart.

Now, all these actions, each of them says something. What is important is getting to understand what each of those actions says, and second, you make a preemptive move. And you do it before they ask for it. And when you do that, they’re not going to look at the competition because nobody knows them better than you.

Join Us for the Rest of the Episode: What Does a CRM Do?

Be sure to catch the rest of the episode where we discuss all that a CRM system can do for your company. **Spoilers** It can help you a lot.

Meanwhile, the main thing you can take away here is that CRM software can help automate your customer relations saving you time and money as your list of customers grows.

If you enjoyed learning about CRM Systems and want to learn more about tools to scale your business, be sure to watch Small Biz Trend’s informative video Using Heat Maps to Build Your Business.

 

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This article, "What is a CRM System and What Can It Do for Small Businesses?" was first published on Small Business Trends



What is a Cybersecurity Policy and How to Create One?

cybersecurity policy

Humans are the weakest link in building a robust defense against cyber threats. According to the latest report, 82% of data breach incidents are caused due to the human element. A strict cybersecurity policy can help you protect confidential data and technology infrastructure from cyber threats.

What Is a Cybersecurity Policy?

A cybersecurity policy offers guidelines for employees to access company data and use organizational IT assets in a way to minimize security risks. The policy often includes behavioral and technical instructions for employees to ensure maximum protection from cybersecurity incidents, such as virus infection, ransomware attacks, etc.

Also, a cybersecurity policy can offer countermeasures to limit damage in the event of any security incident.

Here are common examples of security policies:

  • Remote access policy – offers guidelines for remote access to an organization’s network
  • Access control policy – explains standards for network access, user access, and system software controls
  • Data protection policy – provides guidelines for handling confidential data so as to avoid security breaches
  • Acceptable use policy – sets standards for using the company’s IT infrastructure

The Purpose of Cybersecurity Policies

The primary purpose of cybersecurity policy is to enforce security standards and procedures to protect company systems, prevent a security breach, and safeguard private networks.

Security Threats Can Harm Business Continuity

Security threats can harm business continuity. In fact, 60% of small businesses become defunct within six months of a cyber attack. And needless to say, data theft can cost a company dearly. According to IBM research, the average cost of a ransomware breach is $4.62m.

So creating security policies has become the need of hours for small businesses to spread awareness and protect data and company devices.

 

READ MORE: What Is Cybersecurity?

 

What Should a Cybersecurity Policy Include?

Here are crucial elements you should include in your cybersecurity policy:

1. Intro

The intro section introduces users to the threat landscape your company is navigating. It tells your employees about the danger of data theft, malicious software, and other cyber crimes.

2. Purpose

This section explains the purpose of the cybersecurity policy. Why has the company created the cybersecurity policy?

The purposes of the cybersecurity policy often are:

  • Protect the company’s data and IT infrastructure
  • Defines rules for using the company and personal devices in the office
  • Let employees know disciplinary actions for policy violation

3. Scope

In this section, you will explain to whom your policy applies. Is it applicable to remote workers and on-site employees only? Do vendors have to follow the policy?

4. Confidential Data

This section of the policy defines what confidential data is. The company’s IT department comes with a list of items that could be classified as confidential.

5. Company Device Security

Whether mobile devices or computer systems, make sure that you set clear usage guidelines to ensure security. Every system should have good antivirus software to avoid virus infection. And all devices should be password-protected to prevent any unauthorized access.

6. Keeping Emails Secure

Infected emails are a leading cause of ransomware attacks. Therefore, your cybersecurity policy must include guidelines for keeping emails secure. And to spread security awareness, your policy should also have a provision for security training from time to time.

7. Transfer of Data

Your cybersecurity policy must include policies and procedures for transferring data. Ensure that users transfer data only on secure and private networks. And customer information and other essential data should be stored using strong data encryption.

8. Disciplinary Measures

This section outlines the disciplinary process in the event of a violation of the cybersecurity policy. The severity of disciplinary action is established based on the gravity of the violation – It could be from a verbal warning to termination.

Additional Resources for Cybersecurity Policy Templates

There is no one-size-fits-all cybersecurity policy. There are several types of cybersecurity policies for different applications. So you should first understand your threat landscape. And then, prepare a security policy with appropriate security measures.

You can use a cyber security policy template to save time while creating a security policy. You can download a cybersecurity policy templates form herehere, and here.

Steps for Developing a Cybersecurity Policy

The following steps will help you develop a cybersecurity policy quickly:

Set Requirements for Passwords

You should enforce a strong password policy, as weak passwords cause 30% of data breaches. The cybersecurity policy in your company should have guidelines for creating strong passwords, storing passwords safely, and using unique passwords for different accounts.

Also, it should discourage employees from exchanging credentials over instant messengers.

Communicate Email Security Protocol

Email phishing is the leading cause of ransomware attacks. So make sure your security policy explains guidelines for opening email attachments, identifying suspicious emails, and deleting phishing emails.

Train on How to Handle Sensitive Data

Your security policy should clearly explain how to handle sensitive data, which includes:

  • How to identify sensitive data
  • How to store and share data securely with other team members
  • How to delete/destroy data once there is no use for it

Also, your policy should prohibit employees from saving sensitive data on their personal devices.

Set Guidelines for Using Technology Infrastructure

You should set clear guidelines for using the technology infrastructure of your business, such as:

  • Employees must scan all removable media before connecting to the company’s systems
  • Employees should not connect to the company’s server from personal devices
  • Employees should always lock their systems when they’re not around
  • Employees should install the latest security updates on computers and mobile devices
  • Restrict the use of removable media to avoid malware infection

Make Guidelines for Social Media and Internet Access

Your policy should include what business information employees should not share on social media. Make guidelines for which social media apps should be used/or not used during working hours.

Your security policy should also dictate that employees should always use VPN to access the Internet for an extra security layer.

Without having a good firewall and antivirus software, no system in the company should be allowed to be connected to the Internet.

Make an Incident Response Plan

A cybersecurity policy should let your employees know the proper security controls to mitigate security risks.

All the employees should be clear about their roles to maintain a strong defense against cyberattacks.

Update Your Cybersecurity Policy Regularly

Cybersecurity policy is not something carved in stone. The cyber threat landscape is constantly changing, and the latest cybersecurity statistics prove it.

So you should review your cybersecurity policy regularly to check if it has appropriate security measures to address the present security risks and regulatory requirements.

Is there Software for Creating a Cybersecurity Policy?

You don’t need a specialized software program to create a cybersecurity policy. You can use any document creation tool to write a security policy.

You can also download a cybersecurity policy template and customize it according to your needs to save time.

Next Steps

Now that you know what a cybersecurity policy is and how to create one, the next step is preparing a cybersecurity policy for your business and enforcing it.

Image: Envato Elements

This article, "What is a Cybersecurity Policy and How to Create One?" was first published on Small Business Trends



Best Gifts for Accountants

Best Gifts for Accountants in 2022

You don’t have to wait for the holidays (or tax season) to treat the accountant in your life to something special. But ideas for gifts for accountants may be a little sparse – we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up our picks for the best gifts for accountants in 2022. The list includes gifts of all kinds – professional, quirky, stress-relieving – and for all budgets. After all, a gift should show you care about and appreciate a person and you certainly don’t have to spend a lot of money to do that. 

Whether they’re a CPA, auditor, bookkeeper, controller, or recent graduate, find the best gifts for the accounting professional in your life with our helpful list:

Accountant Necktie

Accountant Necktie

A tie with a ledger sheet design will make them the most stylish number cruncher around. The tie is microfiber and printed with nontoxic, water-based ink. The tie comes in several “paper” colors like cream and light yellow for an authentic look, or you can choose from a variety of other colors.

Accountant Necktie

Buy on Amazon

 

Accounting Scarf

Accounting Scarf

From the same creator of the Accounting Tie above is this pashmina scarf with the same ledger print. Again, the cream, light yellow, and white colors make the scarf look like paper, but there are a lot of other colors available as well. 

Accounting Scarf

Buy on Amazon

 

Accountant Definition Poster

Accountant Definition Poster

This acrylic framed “definition” for the word accountant will remind them that they are, in fact, magic workers. This one is available in five sizes. 

Accountant Definition Poster

Buy on Amazon

 

No Crying During Tax Season Clock

No Crying During Tax Season Clock

This hilarious clock is sure to get a laugh out of any accounting professional, even during their busiest times. This clock is black and white acrylic and about 12″ x 12.”

No Crying During Tax Season Clock

Buy on Amazon

 

CPA Stickers

CPA Stickers

A set of 10 accounting-themed stickers will liven up their workspace, car, phone or laptop. They have clever accounting related phrases and are vinyl, so they can stick just about anywhere.

CPA Stickers

Buy on Amazon

 

Tax Accountant Mug

Tax Accountant Mug

Coffee and taxes go hand-in-hand, so a coffee mug is a great gift idea. Choosing a mug with a funny picture or saying, when appropriate, is also generally a well-received gift.

Tax Accountant Mug

Buy on Amazon

 

Personalized Docking Station

Personalized Docking Station

Help them keep all their stuff together with a docking station. It has a base to hold their phone while it charges and compartments for change, keys, or anything else. This one is available in three different wood finishes and can be personalized with a name, initials or logo. 

Personalized Docking Station

Buy on Amazon

 

Accounting Pencils

Accounting Pencils

A set of 13 pencils with witty sayings would make a great gift for the accountant on your list. These come with a small box and would be a memorable gift. 

Accounting Pencils

Buy on Amazon

 

Fisher Space Pen

fisher SPACE PEN 400B Space Bullet Space Pen - Matte Black

Not just any pen – this one writes at all angles, even upside down! The Space pen has been delighting recipients for year – it’ll be their new favorite pen. It is also refillable. 

Fisher Space Pen

Buy on Amazon

 

Personalized Pen Set Box

Personalized Pen Set Box

For a more traditional approach to pens, this personalized box set of two pens is a thoughtful and meaningful gift. You can either have the box engraved, the pens, or both and it comes in rosewood or maple wood. 

Personalized Pen Set Box

Buy on Amazon

 

Personalized Leather Mousepad

Personalized Leather Mousepad

A full grain leather mousepad will certainly class up their desk. You can have this one monogrammed for a personalized touch.

Personalized Leather Mousepad

Buy on Amazon

 

Custom Engraved Desk Sign

Custom Engraved Desk Sign

A nameplate will make their desk feel more “official,” which they’ll appreciate. This one offers six color options for a gift that’s special yet inexpensive.

Custom Engraved Desk Sign

Buy on Amazon

 

Desk Décor Set

Desk Décor Set

These little figures will get a smile from everyone who sees them sitting on top of computer screens, climbing up the wall, or laying on the windowsill. Choose from a pack of 4 or 8 multicolored or single colored 3D printed figures for a fun and unique gift. 

Desk Décor Set

Buy on Amazon

 

Accounting Adult Coloring Book

Accounting Adult Coloring Book

When it’s time to unwind, your accounting friend may enjoy some adult coloring fun. This book features humorous picture and witty sayings about taxes, deductions, and other accounting jokes. 

Accounting Adult Coloring Book

Buy on Amazon

 

Accounting T-Shirt

Accounting T-Shirt

A clever, minimalist design lets everyone know the wearer is a numbers genius. This unisex t-shirt is available in 5 colors and sizes small – 3XL. 

Accounting T-Shirt

Buy on Amazon

 

Things to Consider When Buying Gifts for Accountants

  • Personalization – A personalized gift is extra special and truly unique.
  • Budget – You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a special gift. As our list shows, Amazon and Etsy have tons of great gift ideas to fit any budget.
  • Shipping Times – Make sure your gift will arrive with time to spare, in case something goes wrong. A good rule of thumb is to allow yourself at least a week between the time your gift arrives and the desired gifting date. This is especially important when buying a personalized gift, since personalization can sometimes take longer.
  • Make it Meaningful – The best gifts are those that show the giver put thought into them. Whatever you gift you choose, it should show you care about and apprGet an AddGet an Adding MachiGet an Adding Machine for Your Small Business Business/ul>

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    Image: amazon

This article, "Best Gifts for Accountants" was first published on Small Business Trends