Just Like The Rooms You Design, Your Business Needs A Plan

Your interior design skills are not based on sheer talent alone. Instead, you map out each room by taking precise measurements, considering the budget, and looking ahead at the possible impact your design will have on the local market. You must put the same care into writing your business plan.

 

What Is A Business Plan?

A business plan is simply a document that contains information about events and processes you put into motion in the early days of your business. It is an opportunity to map out where you are, where you want to be, and what you have to do to reach your goals.

What’s Included?

There are five key elements in a business plan: an executive summary, description/structure, marketing, management, and finances.

According to the University of Alabama, an executive summary is basically a list of bullet points that highlight what’s included in your report. The description should be a thorough rundown of the type of business you are as well as whatever structure (LLC, Corporation, etc.) you plan to pursue.

The marketing portion of your business plan should contain how you plan to reach your customers. This is where Oevae can step in and help refine your brand.  up is management. Whether you are a team of one or have hundreds of employees, the management part of your business plan should outline these roles. Finally, in the financial section, you’ll need to outline income, cash flow, balance sheets, and more.

The Startup Phase

Your business plan should also include how you plan to get started. Starting this type of business requires work, and you will need to know where you’ll get your startup funds, how much you charge for your services, and where you’ll work. It’s also beneficial to know the demographic you’re targeting as well as the average income of your potential clientele.

Yes, You Really Do Need A Business Plan

While some people fall into a career with little more than luck and talent, if you want to truly grow as an entrepreneur, a business plan is a must. Chase bank explains that your plan will not only prove the viability of your idea, but it will also help you reduce risk and, importantly, secure the trust of potential future investors.

Marketing Matters

Of all the reasons to draft a business plan, marketing may be perhaps the most important. Your business plan will help you determine what you do, and that will have a significant influence on how you sell your services. With the right marketing partner on your side, you won’t have to worry about your message missing the people who want to hear it most. Your marketing and branding strategies will also help you better engage with your customers and showcase the best of your business so that you instill customer loyalty.

There is a huge demand for interior designers across the globe. You might work with homeowners, realtors, or developers looking to make their properties stand out from the rest. But it’s not enough to simply be good at what you do. If you want to start an interior design business, you have to follow the steps, which begin with a business plan. From your executive summary to your marketing strategies, your business plan will be your silent partner throughout your business growth endeavors.

Make a brand difference.™

Why an External Hire Might Benefit Your Company

Many hiring managers and business owners prefer to hire from within their company. Internal hires are perceived as having additional company insight and dedication. While this is true, it doesn't mean that external hires should be underestimated.

Hiring an external full-time staff member or freelancer has many benefits, including a fresh perspective, new ideas and mindsets, and additional niche skills. 

If you're considering new personnel, but you're unsure whether an internal or external hire is best for your company, this guide could benefit you.

Types of External Hires

The best type of external hire for your company depends on the type of work you have planned. Many businesses choose to hire freelancers when they have a very specific one-off project that needs to be completed.

For example, to boost your promotional output during your business's peak season, you might choose to hire a freelance video editor to complete the project. As the work is not ongoing, a freelance external hire may be the best option as it's a time and cost-effective method. You can find video editors through online job platforms. Other types of freelance external hires include:

• Photographers
• Copywriters
• Website developers

You may also want to consider hiring a permanent member of staff externally. Full-time external hires can add a new dimension to your company and can even help progression. If your team has fallen into a rut, a new external staff member could be the perfect solution.

Pros and Cons of an External Hire

One thing all types of external hires have in common is a fresh perspective on your company. It can be hard to accept that your team isn't performing at its optimal capacity; however, accepting this and responding accordingly is the most beneficial approach to prevent your business from becoming myopic, which may lead to failing marketing initiatives. That's where an external hire can help you.

Oevae Marketing Consultants, for example, can help put your marketing efforts on the right track. They can help you attract and retain customers via a host of marketing strategies and channels.

Whether it's a freelancer or a full-time employee, an external hire can help your growth, as it sometimes takes a fresh perspective to see the shortcomings of your strategy.

However, external hires don't come without drawbacks. External freelance and full-time staff don't have pre-existing knowledge about and dedication to your company, which is something to consider when hiring a new team member. 

Also, sometimes it makes sense to take advantage of off-the-shelf services for your business instead of hiring an employee or freelancer. For example, if you wanted to change your business structure, you could work with a formation service instead of paying up for an attorney. Or you could utilize accounting software like Sage or QuickBooks instead of bringing on an accountant.

Another option is to use a Facebook ad template, for instance, to jump-start your marketing efforts. This makes it easy to generate great-looking ad graphics quickly.

How to Hire an External Team Member that Suits Your Company

One of the most important things to look for in an external hire is differentiation. If there are already people in your company with all of the skills that your external hire possesses, why hire them? Find someone who has additional skills or experience from those who already work for you.

Other advice for hiring a new employee includes:

• Assess their critical judgment
• Determine if they have a genuine interest in the company
• Unearth their leadership potential

Hire Outside the Company Today

No company is perfect, and every business needs a fresh set of eyes every once in a while. That's why choosing to hire externally is sometimes the best route for growing firms.

Oevae Marketing Consultants can empower your business by clarifying the best business marketing and branding solutions with the potential to attract prospects and get them interested about your brand experience – loyal customers who look for relevant problem-solving information, services, and products. For more information about our services, please visit our website oevae.com

Make a brand difference.™

Asking Customers for Google Reviews

Updated MON JUL 31 2023

One of the best marketing strategies for growing your business is to get customers to spread the word about your business and recommend your products and services at will aka word of mouth.  And it turns out that asking a customer for a Google Review while they are present is probably the best opportunity for you to receive a review from them. In order for this strategy to work, rehearse and tailor the phrases for asking customers for Google reviews below. Then use your customized "Asking Customers for Google Reviews" phrase when the moment is right. Making this simple adjustment to your Google Reviews marketing strategy, and making it a staple of your natural commentary with customers and clients can be extremely effective when adhered to.

Realistically speaking, customer review aggregation is no easy feat – without your prompting, a happy customer has no incentive to leave a positive review for prospective customers to see. Meanwhile, unsatisfied customers might leave a bad review, scaring off a potential customer.

Ideas for getting Google reviews from your customers

Asking at the right time is vital. Clients may rave about you in person, providing a natural momentum for you or your employees to ask:

"Do you mind taking a minute to share your feedback on Google reviews right now?"

"Will you help us offer the same service you received by leaving us a Google review online right now?"

"Since you had such a great experience, would you mind taking some time to leave us a review on Google? We've made it super easy for you. Just scan this QR code."

"Your opinion matters to us. Would you take a minute to review your experience during your visit? Just scan this QR code."

"We're glad to be of help. We strive to [what the customer is praising you for]. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on Google reviews."

"How did we do? Review your experience with us at Google Reviews!"

Getting a customer review whenever they have already left?

Adding a post-purchase/post-transaction follow-up via email as part of the "Customer Review aggregation," which we can send to customers along with the "thank you for your business." All we need is the customer's email address.  

But you won't get more positive reviews unless you ask for them. However, a 2019 BrightLocal study indicated that 76% of consumers asked to leave feedback did it.

Mobile searches for "best" and "reviews" have increased by 80% and 35%, respectively, in the past few years. And according to recent research, asking for reviews produces higher average review scores of 4.34 out of 5. In contrast, unprompted reviews average 3.89 out of 5.

Prove to consumers that what you're offering is worth it.

Unless you're spending advertising dollars to tell consumers how great your brand is, people won't know if what you're offering is worth their time and money. Google reviews solve this problem because customers share their experiences for free, which according to our research, is very affordable.

Consumers' sudden reliance on online shopping coupled with a decrease in people's trust in advertising (83% don't trust advertisements) means brands can't afford to not be in control of their reviews and those reviews' value to marketing. Review data shows brands what consumers are saying in their own words, without lag time. Those insights directly and accurately inform marketers to craft a customized online environment tailored to engage consumers, raise conversions, and increase sales.

Customers regard brands as more than product or service providers: they form value-based and emotional relationships with each one. Customer feedback is an integral part of that relationship, with hundreds of thousands of customers sharing their thoughts in Google reviews, Facebook, Yelp, and other websites.

The FTC (The Federal Trade Commission) proposed a new rule to stop marketers from using illicit review and endorsement practices such as using fake reviews, suppressing honest negative reviews, and paying for positive reviews, which deceive consumers looking for real feedback on a product or service and undercut honest businesses. Examples of clearly deceptive practices involving consumer reviews and testimonials from its past cases, and noted the widespread emergence of generative AI, which is likely to make it easier for bad actors to write fake reviews.

Customers who post Google reviews don’t only talk about products, they talk about how these products fit into their lives. In essence, they talk about who they are—from simple likes and dislikes to lifestyle preferences.

Prepare your POS for asking customers for a Google Review, and stay on the forefront of technology with a QR Code table tent seen below.

• 91% of people regularly or occasionally read online reviews, while 84% trust reviews as much as a personal recommendation.

• Online reviews influence 95% of consumers for their purchases.

• 73% of consumers think written reviews are more important than star and number ratings.

Isn't it time to put your Google review skit into practice? You've likely perused Google reviews before you purchase, so it's logical to assume consumers do the same as you before buying.

Once you have accrued a few Google reviews, Oevae.com can help you integrate your reviews on your website, email, and other marketing communications like QR codes. 

Make a brand difference.™

References

Online Reviews Statistics and Trends: A 2022 Report by ReviewTrackers
https://www.reviewtrackers.com/reports/online-reviews-survey/

How Much Are Online Reviews Actually Worth?
https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2020/04/how-much-are-online-reviews-actually-worth/

Small Business vs The Retail Giant

If you run a small business, chances are you’ve realized how tough it can be to compete with giants like Amazon. After all, customers who shop through major retailers can often find lower prices on a huge variety of products and have them at their door in no time. In that sense, it can feel like an uphill battle to attract new customers and retain the ones you have. 

However, your small business has an advantage that most retail behemoths don’t have: You can discover your niche and provide world-class products and customer service. If you embrace your brand personality and focus on catering to your niche in these ways, you don’t have to worry about offering the most products at the cheapest price. 

No matter what kind of products you sell, here are some practical tips to help you embrace your company identity and shine among the competition.

Use a Staffing Agency 

First of all, if you have a warehouse that isn’t running efficiently, you stand no chance of competing with companies like Amazon. Fortunately, you can fill positions by going through a staffing agency. If you need immediate help, consider using on-demand labor through a temp agency to keep your warehouse running well.  Finding quality labor can be done with an on-demand staffing app which gives businesses the power to find temp workers within minutes; this will buy you some time to find and hire the right full-time employees. Plus, another major perk of going through a staffing agency is that they can take care of payroll responsibilities. 

Provide Purpose

Many customers prefer to support companies that operate under a purpose that goes deeper than money. The purpose can be anything as long as it helps people. For instance, eyeglass manufacturer Warby Parker donates a pair of eyeglasses to someone in need for every pair they sell. If you already have a purpose, or once you find it, be sure to make it clear to customers (and potential customers) through your website, marketing, and product packaging. 

Focus on Product Quality

Customers won’t forget quality. While developing top-notch products can be one of the most challenging aspects of running a business, it can also carry some of the most weight in regard to solidifying your company’s reputation and sustaining long-term growth. Whether you make boutique light fixtures or dropship accessory items, make sure your customers are getting the best they can buy. They’ll definitely remember this trait going forward.

Inspire Customer Loyalty

If you want to retain customers, you must prioritize customer service. It’s now easier than ever for customers to quickly find another source to purchase an item if they’re unhappy with the customer service and support they receive from your company. Make sure your website clearly lays out your company’s contact information, and try to respond to customer inquiries and feedback — both positive and negative — as promptly as possible. 

Add Shipping Incentives

These days, shipping matters — a lot. If you don’t want a customer leaving your website because your shipping costs more and takes much longer than Amazon Prime’s two-day shipping, you need to revisit your shipping strategy. It may require an upfront investment, but it can ultimately make you more money. For instance, look at your budget and see if you can afford to offer free or discounted shipping on all products, or at least offer free shipping on purchases over a certain amount (e.g., $50, $100, etc.). 

It’s not easy to compete with Amazon and the like, but it’s possible if you use your small business format to your advantage. Consider going through a staffing agency if you’re experiencing warehouse problems. Make sure your company has a purpose that people can believe in, and focus on the quality of your products. 

Finally, prioritize customer service, and figure out a shipping strategy that appeals to customers. If you give customers a reason to choose your company over major competitors, they will. 

References

Andreanna McKee, Graphic Designer and Content Marketing Manager

The Right Way To Do Temp Hiring