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Sammi Caramela

Business Operations Insider and Senior Writer
Introduction
About Me

Sammi Caramela is a trusted business advisor whose work for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others centers around creating digestible but informative guidance on all things small business. Whether she’s discussing cash flow management or intellectual property, work trends or employer branding, Caramela provides actionable tips designed for small business owners to take their entrepreneurship to the next level.

At Business News Daily, Caramela covers business basics, from choosing the right location for your establishment and what to look for in a business bank account to testing your ideas and connecting with customers.

Caramela, who also lends her expertise to the financial outlet 24/7 Wall St., has business management experience that allows her to provide personal insights on day-to-day operations and the working relationship between managers and independent contractors. Amidst all this, Caramela has found time to publish a young adult novel, develop a poetry collection and contribute short stories to various anthologies.

Experience
AZ Animals Author at Flywheel Publishing
June 2023 - Present
Writer at The Local Girl
May 2023 - Present
Mental Health Blogger at HealthyPlace
May 2023 - Present
Author at Metal Lunchbox Publishing
January 2021 - Present
Assistant Managing Editor, Content Manager at Lightning Media Partners
January 2019 - July 2021
Staff Writer, Freelance Writer at Business.com
April 2016 - February 2017
Education
Rowan University
B.A.
Writing Arts
Sammi's Activity
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Credit card processors have changed and, if you’ve been in business for a while, you might want to upgrade your systems. Here is why.
Updated January 11, 2024
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Here’s everything you should consider when upgrading your credit card terminals.

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Signs you may need to upgrade your POS credit card terminal

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Business owners should be on the lookout if they have had the same POS system for some time. After several years, issues with the system will likely pop up. The following are a few signs that you may need to upgrade and get a better version as a way to streamline payment processing:

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Perhaps you are looking to get an EMV chip reader or want to add near-field-communication (NFC) technologies to your reader for processing mobile phone and wearable tech transactions. Whatever the reason for needing new card readers, there are a few things to keep in mind as you choose a vendor.

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What to consider when upgrading your POS credit card terminal

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This article is focused on adding card readers to an existing POS system. Review our guide on how to accept card payments if you’re looking for a new POS system.

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If you’re in the market for an entirely new POS package, check out our POS system guide.

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POS, credit card and reader compatibility

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Your new card reader must be compatible with your existing setup. You may be able to find lower-priced options online rather than from your merchant service but request a list of compatible card machine models from them to ensure that you purchase the correct versions. If you require assistance, it may benefit you to pay for a technician to help you add the card readers to your existing POS system.

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EMV chip and PIN readers

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Due to EMV compliance and liability reasons, you should upgrade to readers that can process chip debit and credit cards. The liability shift took place in October 2015, which means that now merchants can be deemed liable in a fraud issue if they are not compliant. Compliance involves more than simply having a chip reader, but that is one part of it. Most EMV card readers also include a magnetic card reader as well to accommodate your customers who do not have chip cards yet.

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NFC card readers

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NFC technology can help you process payments from mobile wallets or emerging wearable tech, such as rings, smartwatches, stickers or key chains. Acquiring this tech is reasonably priced and worth considering if you think your customers will want to make payments using this type of technology. This tech is also necessary if you want to process mobile-wallet-type loyalty or gift cards.

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Long-term commitments

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You may feel pressured to enter into a long-term leasing agreement. If you can, avoid it. Online reviews are laden with bad experiences and tales of warning. In the long run, you could save thousands by purchasing the card readers outright, even if you have to use a credit card to do it. Most new EMV chip-card readers are about $200 for a single unit. If you lease the readers, you might pay $50 or more, per month per machine, for three years. That adds up to $3,600, which is significantly more than just buying the readers. Some leasing agreements will even include an automatic contract renewal, so if you are not paying close attention you may find yourself in another three (or more) year agreement that may prove difficult to get out of.

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Payment agreement methods

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There are a variety of technologies available for your customers to consent to payment. The most common way is entering a PIN, so many credit-card machines will have a connected PIN pad. But you may also want to include a signature device for those who need to sign for their credit card purchases. You can choose from one that allows customers to sign on a screen or on a signature pad. As mentioned, you may also want to consider adding NFC technologies for additional options. Biometric technologies are beginning to become available but are not commonly used at this time.

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Ways to connect

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Credit card machines can connect to your payment processor and POS system in a variety of ways, so be sure to choose the type of technology that works best with your system. Some connect by Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, cable or Ethernet connection. The lowest-priced options often physically connect with wires, but if you desire a cleaner sales counter with fewer cords, you may want to consider a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi option.

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If you sell products away from your business’s home base, such as at an outdoor market or a convention center, you may also want a mobile option.

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The best POS credit card terminals

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Here are some of our top picks for the best POS systems for 2024.

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Clover

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Clover is an excellent POS system, as it has durable hardware options that are easy to set up. Its customizable hardware also allows you to integrate seamlessly with third-party software. Additionally, if you are on a limited budget, Clover offers virtual terminals so you don’t have to purchase hardware. [See our Clover review]

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CAKE

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CAKE’s hardware is extremely durable, which means it should last for years — even in hectic environments. Its terminal boasts a touch screen that’s kept safe by its frame and can handle wear and tear. [Learn more with our CAKE review]

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Shopify

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Shopify’s POS system has impressive hardware that can accommodate both online and in-person sales. There are multiple hardware options and accessories like a barcode scanner, receipt printer, cash drawer and label maker. [Read our Shopify review]

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Upgrade your credit card terminal today

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There are many affordable, capable credit card terminals available to help you upgrade your point-of-sale experience. Once you put together your buying list, you can easily find compatible and compliant card machines. You’ll want to consider features like durability, integration opportunities and card reader compatibility. Additionally, factor in expenses and long-term commitments to ensure the terminal fits your budget while meeting your business’s unique needs.

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Pamela S. Stevens contributed to this article.

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Choosing a college major can be a life-altering decision – your future career depends on it. But deciding what industry best suits your skills and aspirations can be a difficult task. There are so many college majors to consider, making the decision daunting if you have multiple career interests. However, it helps to know which specific jobs are available in each field.

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We put together a guide to different career options based on the top popular college degrees listed in USA Today, Forbes and The Princeton Review.

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Biology

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A major in biology is a steppingstone to medical school for many students. Still, biology majors can pursue several different – and even surprising – career paths.

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According to the American Institute of Biological Sciences, biologists can work in many different fields, including research, education, healthcare and environmental conservation. Here are some suggested career choices:

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  • Epidemiologist
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  • Pharmacist
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  • Medical scientist
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  • Veterinarian
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  • Researcher
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  • Dentist
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  • Doctor
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  • Nurse
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  • Zoo or aquarium biologist
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  • Park ranger
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  • Teacher or professor
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  • Biotechnologist
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  • Forensic scientist
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  • Forensic science technician
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  • Science advisor for politicians and lawmakers
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  • Scientific products or pharmaceutical salesperson, publicist, or marketer
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  • Nutritionist
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  • Bioeconomist
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  • Computational, mathematical or theoretical biologist
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  • Science writer or journalist
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  • Artist or illustrator for textbooks and other educational materials
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Business

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Studying business can be the first step in becoming an entrepreneur, but starting a company isn’t the only career path for this major. According to the University of Denver Career Services Department, a major in general business can expose you to a wide range of opportunities, including these options:

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  • Marketing manager
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  • Sales manager
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  • Actuarial analyst
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  • Personal financial advisor
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  • Operations research analyst
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  • Job development specialist
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  • Quality control coordinator
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  • Management analyst
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  • Equal-opportunity representative
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  • Merchandiser
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  • Loan officer
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  • Human resources professional
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  • Customer service manager
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  • Public relations manager
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  • Financial analyst
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  • Stockbroker
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  • Recruiter
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  • Purchaser
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  • Researcher
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You can get information about these business careers on the University of Denver’s website or check out these high-paying jobs for business majors at Indeed.

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Communications

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According to the New Jersey Communication Association, a degree in communications can be highly versatile in the job market. With this major, you could apply to positions in the fields of journalism, business, advertising and marketing, education, media broadcasting, public relations, performing arts, politics, technology, healthcare, international relations, law, social and human services, labor relations, and research.

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Here are some specific career paths to pursue:

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  • Journalist (digital, print or broadcast)
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  • Public relations representative
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  • Events planner
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  • Digital strategist
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  • Product marketing manager
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  • Hospitality manager
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  • Speechwriter
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  • Advertising copywriter
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  • Lobbyist
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  • Media buyer
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  • Drama coach
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  • Speech therapist
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  • Playwright
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  • News writer or director
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  • Copy editor
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  • Campaign director
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  • Political aide
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  • Health educator
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  • Translator
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  • Lawyer
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  • Mediator
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  • Consumer advocate
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  • Recruiter
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  • Social media manager
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You can find a more exhaustive list of communications careers broken down by industry type on the NJCA website.

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Computer science

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Technology is constantly growing, advancing, and evolving, and that means careers for computer science majors are also on the rise. According to the Cawley Career Education Center at Georgetown University, a computer science degree gives students many skills outside of technical knowledge – like critical thinking and communication skills – that are helpful in various occupations.

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Essentially, computer science majors can complete various tasks, such as fixing computers, developing websites and working for the government. Here are the key careers computer science majors can pursue that the Cawley Center recommends:

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  • Software programmer
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  • Technical writer
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  • Software tester
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  • Internet entrepreneur
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  • Teacher or professor
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  • Network administrator
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  • E-commerce developer
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  • Website designer
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  • Computer software trainer
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  • Technical analyst
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  • Consultant
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  • Database administrator
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  • Hardware programmer
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  • FBI or CIA agent
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  • Telecommunications expert
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  • Artificial intelligence quality expert
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Criminal justice

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The most common career aspirations for students in this field are law enforcement and prosecution. However, there are various paths you can take with a degree in criminal justice. Rasmussen University lists these popular job options for criminal justice majors:

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  • Security guard
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  • Private investigator
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  • Probation officer
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  • Correctional officer
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  • Police patrol officer
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  • Security manager
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  • Mental health counselor
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  • First-line police supervisor
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  • Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers
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Economics

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Many economics majors go into their field of study intending to work in banking, business or finance, but that doesn’t mean every aspiring economist will – or even wants to – wind up on Wall Street. There are all sorts of career choices for economics majors, according to the University of Wisconsin Department of Economics. You could pursue these positions:

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  • Consultant
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  • Investment banker
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  • Hedge fund administrator
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  • Equity trader
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  • Financial advisor
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  • Economic analyst
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  • Housing development aide
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  • Urban planning research assistant
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  • Purchasing agent
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  • Public affairs specialist
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  • Market research analyst
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  • International trade specialist
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  • Sales representative
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  • Merchandise analyst
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  • Government relations advisor
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  • Community affairs advisor
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  • Program analyst
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  • Real estate development researcher
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  • Mortgage specialist
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  • Appraiser
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  • Asset manager
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Economists can also find careers in the healthcare industry. They make outstanding entrepreneurs too, as their skills and education provide a solid foundation for starting a business.

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Engineering

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So many career choices fall under the broad engineering umbrella that it’s almost impossible not to find something that fits the skills and interests associated with this major. According to Southern New Hampshire University, there are four main engineering categories: electrical, chemical, civil and mechanical.

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Engineering degree holders often work in aeronautics, electrical industries, mining, government agencies, higher education and transportation. These are some of the top engineering careers:

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  • Acoustical engineer
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  • Nuclear engineer
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  • Aeronautical engineer
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  • Operations engineer
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  • Electronics instructor
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  • Aerospace engineer
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  • Educator
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  • Geologist
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  • Environmental engineer
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  • Chemical engineer
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  • Industrial engineer
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  • Licensing engineer
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  • Safety engineer
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  • Decontamination engineer
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  • Physicist
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  • Ceramic engineer
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  • Quality control engineer
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  • Fire protection engineer
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  • Mechanical engineer
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English

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English and literature may not be topics of study that guarantee a job, but a degree in English can be valuable. English majors have extensive career options; it’s just a matter of finding the right path.

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According to the Stanford University Department of English, these are some of the career opportunities English majors can pursue:

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  • Editor
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  • Journalist
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  • Screenwriter
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  • Critic
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  • Casting director
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  • Television reporter
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  • Public relations assistant
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  • Technical writer
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  • Librarian
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  • Advertising copywriter
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  • Consultant
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  • Lobbyist
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  • Speechwriter
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  • Events coordinator
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  • Teacher or tutor
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Additionally, English majors may consider becoming publishers, literary agents or bloggers.

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Fintech

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The fintech industry combines financial and technological solutions. Fintech is exploding in career opportunities because of startups, mobile pay systems like Venmo and Apple Pay, and cryptocurrencies.

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According to Blumberg Capital, the fintech market is projected to increase 25% annually with over $300 billion in revenue by 2022. Both schools that offer a bachelor’s degree in the United States are located in New Jersey. You can major in fintech at Seton Hall University, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology offers a Bachelor of Science in fintech. You can explore these positions upon receiving the degree:

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  • Data science analyst
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  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning strategist
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  • Cybersecurity specialist
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  • Blockchain and cryptocurrencies specialist
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  • Algorithmic trading programmer
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  • App developer
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  • User experience (UX) designer
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  • Compliance specialist
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  • Automation engineer
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  • Full-stack developer
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  • Salesforce developer
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  • Risk management specialist
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  • Cloud engineer
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History

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While teaching and research are great jobs for history buffs, history students’ skills can be useful in many fields. The American Historical Association notes that students with undergraduate degrees in history can work in communications and information management. Here are other history career ideas from the AHA:

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  • Writer or editor
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  • Journalist
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  • Documentary editor
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  • Producer of multimedia material
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  • Archivist
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  • Records manager
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  • Librarian
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  • Information manager
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  • Lawyer or paralegal
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  • Litigation support staff
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The AHA states that history majors may research for cultural and historical organizations and think tanks, work as historians for big corporations (as an expert on the company’s history) or nonprofit associations, or do advocacy work for nonprofits.

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Mathematics

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Some students think they’ll never use algebra or calculus in real life, but math majors know this just isn’t true. Mathematics majors have some of the most lucrative careers out there, so don’t underestimate the importance of solving for X.

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Temple University suggests that math majors find governmental jobs or civil service positions as a mathematician, oceanographer, operations research analyst, physicist or statistician. These are some other career choices for math majors:

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  • Cryptographer
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  • Fraud investigator
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  • Software tester
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  • Math teacher
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  • Biomathematician
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  • Operations researcher
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  • Computer scientist
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  • Actuarial scientist
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  • Financial advisor
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  • Mathematical modeler
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  • Statistician
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Political science

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There are many career options for political science majors other than being an actual politician. According to the American Political Science Association, poli-sci majors “gain the writing, communication, analytical and data skills that are valued in a wide spectrum of potential careers.”

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The APSA noted that political science graduates could work for federal, state, and local governments or international and nonprofit associations. They can also work in law, business, campaign management, polling, journalism, education, electoral politics and research. These are some political science career paths to explore:

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  • Activist or advocate
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  • Attorney
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  • Political data archivist
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  • City planner
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  • CIA agent or analyst
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  • Corporate public affairs advisor
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  • Journalist or editor
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  • Foreign service officer
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  • Foundation president
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  • Intelligence officer
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  • International research specialist
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  • Mediator
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  • Legislative analyst or coordinator
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  • Policy analyst
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  • Teacher or professor
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  • University administrator
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  • State legislator
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  • Public opinion analyst
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  • Immigration officer
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Psychology

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You could earn your doctorate and become a licensed psychologist or therapist – but many psych majors apply their skills to other careers where understanding people is essential to success, such as customer service and criminal investigation.

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According to the University of Northern Iowa, these are some career options for psychology majors:

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  • Academic counselor
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  • Applied statistician
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  • Art therapist
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  • Caseworker
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  • Child development specialist
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  • Criminal investigator
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  • Customer service representative
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  • Employee relations specialist
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  • Employment interviewer
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  • Financial aid counselor
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  • Personnel recruiter
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  • Polygraph examiner
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  • Public health director
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  • Teacher or professor
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See the University of Northern Iowa’s complete list of psychology career options.

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Sociology

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Sociology is the study of society and human relationships, so it’s no surprise that sociology majors have a wealth of careers to pursue. According to the University of Notre Dame Department of Sociology, possible fields for sociology majors include business management, consulting, corporate administration, medical administration, politics, realty, religious life, social work, teaching and higher education.

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While many sociology majors get advanced degrees and become sociologists, graduates with bachelor’s degrees often obtain jobs outside the discipline that use their interests, experience and skills to their advantage.

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These are some potential jobs for sociology majors:

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  • Human resources manager
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  • Public relations staffer
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  • Market research analyst
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  • Consultant
  • \n
  • Recruiter
  • \n
  • Case manager
  • \n
  • Community aide
  • \n
  • Family planning worker
  • \n
  • Fundraiser
  • \n
  • Housing worker
  • \n
  • Resident planning aide
  • \n
  • Youth outreach worker
  • \n
  • Substance abuse counselor
  • \n
  • Admissions counselor
  • \n
  • Alumni relations worker
  • \n
  • Teacher or professor
  • \n
  • Legislative aide
  • \n
  • Corrections officer
  • \n
  • Parole officer
  • \n
  • Consumer researcher
  • \n
  • Census research assistant
  • \n
  • Interviewer
  • \n
\n

Visual and performing arts

\n

Art majors are more than just painters, illustrators and photographers – the field of visual and performing arts also covers dance, theater, film and music. While many art majors will pursue careers as professional photographers, painters, actors, dancers, singers, and musicians, others will find ways to incorporate their passions into alternative creative jobs.

\n

According to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, visual and performing arts majors pursue many different careers, including these:

\n
    \n
  • Graphic designer
  • \n
  • Webpage designer
  • \n
  • Photographer
  • \n
  • Animator
  • \n
  • Gallery owner or administrator
  • \n
  • Teacher or professor
  • \n
  • Museum technician
  • \n
  • Corporate art consultant
  • \n
  • Reporter or photojournalist
  • \n
  • Auditions coordinator
  • \n
  • Studio manager
  • \n
  • Production assistant or producer
  • \n
  • Stage manager
  • \n
  • Booking agent or manager
  • \n
  • Promotions or publicity assistant
  • \n
  • Recording engineer
  • \n
  • Music or sound editor
  • \n
\n

Julie Thompson andBrittney Morgan contributed to the writing and research in this article.

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Inventory management is a crucial aspect of business profitability. However, many small businesses don’t effectively manage their products or materials. Some stock too little inventory, driving customers away. Other businesses overstock items just in case, causing cash flow issues.

\n

Effective inventory management strikes a balance between these two extremes. We’ll share tips for stocking what your customers need while maintaining a solid financial position for your business.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

Tips for managing your inventory

\n

Smart inventory management techniques can increase a business’s profitability and cash flow. Consider the following 10 tips to improve your inventory management.

\n

1. Prioritize your inventory for better inventory management.

\n

Categorizing your inventory into priority groups can help you understand your ideal ordering quantities and frequencies. You can also determine which items are essential to your business but may cost more and move more slowly.

\n

Experts suggest segregating your inventory into A, B and C groups.

\n
    \n
  • A group: Items in the A group are higher-ticket items. You need fewer of these items.
  • \n
  • C group: Items in the C category are lower-cost items that turn over quickly.
  • \n
  • B group: The B group consists of in-between items. These moderately priced items move more slowly than C items but faster than A items.
  • \n
\n

2. Track all product information to manage inventory better.

\n

Keep product information for all items in your inventory. This information should include the following:

\n
    \n
  • SKUs
  • \n
  • Barcode data
  • \n
  • Suppliers
  • \n
  • Countries of origin
  • \n
  • Lot numbers
  • \n
\n

You might also consider tracking each item’s cost over time so you’re aware of factors that affect pricing, such as scarcity and seasonality.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

3. Audit your inventory for better inventory management.

\n

Some businesses do a comprehensive inventory count once a year. Others do monthly, weekly or even daily spot checks of their hottest items. Many do all of the above.

\n

Regardless of how often you do it, prioritize physically counting your inventory regularly to ensure it matches what you think you have.

\n

4. Analyze supplier performance for better inventory management.

\n

An unreliable supplier can cause problems for your inventory. If you have a supplier that’s habitually late with deliveries, frequently shorts an order or is the source of supply chain delays, it’s time to take action.

\n

Discuss the issues with your supplier and find out what the problem is. Be prepared to switch partners – or deal with uncertain stock levels and the possibility of running out of inventory.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

5. Practice the 80/20 inventory rule for better inventory management.

\n

As a general rule, 80 percent of your profits come from 20 percent of your stock. Prioritize managing this 20 percent of your inventory.

\n

You should understand these items’ complete sales cycles – including how many you sell in a week or a month – and closely monitor them. These items make the most money, so managing them correctly is crucial.

\n

6. Be consistent in how you receive stock for better inventory management.

\n

It may seem like common sense to ensure your team processes incoming inventory. However, do you have a standard process that everyone follows, or does each employee receiving and processing incoming stock do it differently? Minor discrepancies in receiving new stock can leave you scratching your head at the end of the month or year, wondering why your numbers don’t align with your purchase orders.

\n

Use effective employee training tactics so all team members receive stock in precisely the same way. Ensure all boxes are verified, received and unpacked together; counted correctly; and checked for accuracy.

\n

7. Track sales for effective inventory management.

\n

Tracking sales may seem obvious. However, effective sales tracking goes beyond adding up money at the end of the day. You should understand, on a daily basis, what items you sold and how many you sold, and update your inventory totals.

\n

You must also analyze your sales data. For example:

\n
    \n
  • Do you know when specific items sell faster or drop off?
  • \n
  • Do specific items sell according to seasons?
  • \n
  • Is there a specific day of the week when you sell certain items?
  • \n
  • Do some items almost always sell together?
  • \n
\n

Understanding the broader picture of how items sell is essential to controlling your inventory.

\n

8. Order restocks yourself for better inventory management.

\n

Some vendors offer to reorder inventory for you. On the surface, this seems like a plus. Your time – and your team’s time – is freed while someone else manages the restocking process.

\n

However, your vendors don’t always share your priorities. They want to move their items, while you want to stock the most profitable items for your business. Take the time to check inventory and order all restocks yourself.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

9. Invest in inventory management technology.

\n

Very small businesses might be able to handle inventory management efforts with spreadsheets and notebooks. However, as your business grows, you risk spending excessive time on inventory instead of running your company.

\n

Good inventory management software makes inventory tasks easier. Before choosing a solution, ensure you understand your needs and that the product is easy to use with essential analytics features. (We’ll explain more about inventory management software below.)

\n

10. Use inventory management tools that integrate with your other solutions.

\n

Inventory management software isn’t the only technology for managing stock. For example, mobile scanners and POS systems can help you stay on track.

\n

When investing in technology, prioritize systems that work together. For example, the best POS system for your business should communicate with your inventory management software. You won’t have to transfer data from one system to another and risk inaccurate inventory counts.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

The best inventory management software

\n

The best inventory management software for your business depends on various factors, including your budget, business type and specific features like mobile apps and cloud backup.

\n

Here are a few top inventory management solutions to consider:

\n
    \n
  1. QuickBooks Commerce: QuickBooks Commerce, formerly called TradeGecko, is easy to use and has many integration options. You can track inventory across multiple sales channels and locations.
  2. \n
  3. Finale: Finale is designed to help you seamlessly and accurately manage large amounts of inventory data. This program is a cloud-based application with order management, barcoding and analytics features.
  4. \n
  5. Fishbowl: Fishbowl is organized and easy to use, with sales- and order-tracking features. The program has an online mobile version with full access to all product expiration dates, resupply times and shipping dates.
  6. \n
  7. Cin7: Cin7 integrates with multiple programs, including warehouse management tools, POS systems and e-commerce platforms. This service also simplifies inventory reporting and financial decision-making because it can connect with your business’s accounting software.
  8. \n
  9. Lightspeed: Lightspeed is one of the most affordable inventory management systems, offering several options for small businesses. You can track serial numbers across multiple locations and easily reorder items from suppliers. The service also automatically creates purchase orders when stock numbers fall below a certain level.
  10. \n
\n

Putting inventory management best practices in place

\n

Managing the items that enter and leave your business involves crucial steps like tracking, auditing and reordering inventory. With the proper inventory management techniques and tools, you can stay stocked with the products that keep your customers returning. Simultaneously, you can ensure your team is making the most of its time and maximizing your business’s profits.

\n

Shayna Waltower and Dawn Kuczwara contributed to this article.

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You don’t have to work in a traditionally artistic industry to utilize the power of creativity. This in-demand talent can help professionals in any arena spur innovation and strengthen brainstorming. Creativity is often seen as an inherent gift for a lucky few, not a skill that can be honed. However, while many people are naturally creative, anyone can harness and sharpen their innate creativity to enhance their careers and enrich their lives. We’ll explain more about creativity and how anyone can develop and apply this skill.

\n\n\n\n

What is creativity?

\n\n\n\n

When you think of “creativity,” you might immediately consider artistic work or imaginative thinking. However, creativity goes far beyond those narrow concepts.

\n\n\n\n

“Creativity is easily defined — it is the process of generating new ideas,” explained Tina Seelig, faculty director of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program, the entrepreneurship center at the Stanford University School of Engineering.

\n\n\n\n

Generating new ideas is a valuable skill for any industry, especially when brainstorming solutions or innovative ideas that might set your business apart from its competitors. Businesses value creative workforces that can help foster more intentional paths forward.

\n\n\n\n

“[Creativity] is particularly important in industry because the world is changing incredibly quickly and breakthrough ideas are required to stay competitive,” Seelig noted. “Generating fresh ideas is actually quite challenging because most people find it difficult to get beyond obvious, incremental solutions. True creativity requires the ability to break new ground, which requires significant effort.”

\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

Why creativity can be learned

\n\n\n\n

According to Seelig, the biggest myth about creativity is that it’s something you can’t learn. In reality, like many in-demand career skills, creativity can be learned, sharpened and applied. It’s a renewable resource anyone can tap into anytime.

\n\n\n\n

“Creativity is critically important in everything we do, including designing products, growing businesses and building alliances between nations,” Seelig explained. “We are literally inventing the future every moment. These skills can be learned.”

\n\n\n\n

To demonstrate why creativity can be learned, you must move beyond thinking about creativity as artistry and recognize it in the following forms:

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Creativity is a natural skill in everyone: Creativity can be learned because it’s a natural skill in all of us. While it might come easier to some, anyone can foster their ability over time. “We are all naturally creative and, like every other skill, some people have more natural talent than others,” said Seelig. “However, everyone can increase [their] creativity, just as everyone can increase [their] musical or athletic ability, with appropriate training and focused practice. We can all learn tools and techniques that enhance creativity and build environments that foster innovation.”
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Creativity is problem-solving: It’s essential to view creativity not just as artistic talent or wild imagination but as inventiveness and problem-solving skills. You may not think of yourself as innately creative, but you likely have examples of times you’ve made business decisions that solved problematic workplace or life dilemmas. “The human brain evolved over millions of years from a small collection of nerve cells with limited functionality to a fabulously complex organ that is optimized for innovation,” Seelig explained. “Our highly evolved brains are always assessing our ever-changing environment, mixing and matching our responses to fit each situation.”
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Creativity is speaking and thinking: Thinking and speaking are creative reactions and expressions that we can harness for our benefit. For example, we often create narratives about certain people or situations before ever knowing them. This is an instinct bred from our creative abilities. “Every sentence we craft is unique, each interaction we have is distinctive and every decision we make is done with our own free will,” Seelig clarified. “That we have the ability to come up with an endless set of novel responses to the world around us is a constant reminder that we are naturally inventive. These skills can be enhanced with specific tools and techniques.”
  • \n
\n\n\n\n \n\n\n

How to harness the power of creativity

\n

Having someone tell you that you’re innately creative is one thing. Harnessing your inner creativity and applying it to your life is quite another. Here are five concrete ways to build creativity as a skill.

\n

1. Use tech tools to strengthen creativity.

\n

Creativity is a natural and powerful skill, but working with tech tools can help it thrive. Here are some examples:

\n
    \n
  • Creative software tools: Software tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva can help you tap into your creativity, allowing risk-free experimentation when creating social media posts and marketing materials.
  • \n
  • Project management tools: Project management software solutions like Trello and Basecamp can help you organize and visualize your project’s process, spurring new ideas.
  • \n
  • Mind mapping tools: Mind-mapping apps facilitate visual brainstorming, so you can center your thoughts, ideas and concepts clearly. You can uncover connections you may not have seen before and link concepts.
  • \n
  • Collaboration tools: Workplace collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and Slack can help you connect with team members and spark new ideas to solve problems.
  • \n
\n

Any technology that helps you look at problems and projects from fresh perspectives can help spur creativity. And the more you work with them, the more you’ll hone creativity as a skill. “At the core [of creativity] is the ability to look at problems from different angles, to connect and combine concepts and the ability to challenge traditional assumptions,” said Seelig. “These are job skills that look great on a resume but require practice to master.”

\n

2. Merge your internal world with your external environment.

\n

We all have unique life experiences that help create our internal worlds. Furthermore, every one of us is built differently. Some are more sensitive and whimsical, while others are more grounded and analytical. Neither is right or wrong, but who we are at our cores will impact our creativity levels and how we honor them.

\n

“After a dozen years teaching courses on creativity and innovation at Stanford University, I have created a model which I call the Innovation Engine that illustrates how creativity results from the interplay of our internal world and our external environment,” Seelig shared. “Essentially, your knowledge provides the fuel for your imagination, which is the catalyst for the transformation of information into new ideas.”

\n

How we show up in the world — and how the world shows up for us — influences our perceptions and, in turn, our creativity. Pay attention to how your unique perspective influences your imagination and creativity.

\n

“This process is deeply influenced by a myriad of factors in your environment, including the physical space, the teams with which you work and the implicit and explicit rules and rewards,” Seelig continued. “The Innovation Engine is sparked by your attitude, which sets all the parts in motion.”

\n

3. Build an environment that fosters creativity.

\n

Seelig recommended building environments and surroundings that foster your creativity. For example, if you’re more creative during morning hours, wake up earlier to dedicate time to your creative flow. If there’s a more productive day of the week for you, experiment with creativity that day. If you like a group dynamic, host brainstorming sessions with your team and encourage authentic expression. Such routines and efforts can impact how we capitalize on our creativity.

\n

“[Craft] spaces that are conducive to creative problem-solving and instituting rules, rewards and incentives that reinforce creative behavior,” Seelig advised.

\n

4. See problems as opportunities.

\n

Many individuals shut down in the face of conflict and feel creatively stifled. However, if you can shift the narrative and view problems as opportunities, you can accomplish more than you realize.

\n

“With enhanced creativity, instead of problems we see potential, instead of obstacles we see opportunities and, instead of challenges, we see a chance to create solutions,” Seelig explained.

\n

When you see problems as opportunities, you shift your mindset and are more likely to push through roadblocks, look beyond obvious answers and develop creative solutions. “You can look at every situation, every challenge and every opportunity from different angles,” Seelig explained. “Each angle provides a different perspective on the situation and unleashes new insights.”

\n

5. Support experimentation to spur creativity.

\n

Freedom to experiment and think outside the box is crucial to harnessing creativity, especially in the workplace. A positive workplace culture that allows for experimentation — and mistakes — is also essential.

\n

“Without the drive to come up with breakthrough ideas and the confidence that a creative solution exists, it is unlikely that one will be found,” said Seelig. “In addition, we all live and work within communities with cultures that have a powerful impact on how we feel, think and act. If the company culture does not support experimentation and reward the generation of new ideas, then it is unlikely that creativity will flourish.”

\n

Another part of experimenting with creative thinking is questioning how you view life and all its complexities.

\n

“We are creating frames for what we see, hear and experience all day long and those frames both inform and limit the way we think,” Seelig explained. “In most cases, we don’t even think about the frames — we just assume we are looking at the world with the proper set of lenses. However, being able to question and shift your frame of reference is an important key to creative problem-solving.”

\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

Creativity is a superpower

\n\n\n\n

Harnessing creativity enables you to view challenges as opportunities and bring authenticity to your work. Creativity in the workplace is a powerful skill that can be learned, honed and developed, no matter your innate creativity levels. While some believe people are either born with a creative knack or not, this is far from true. We are all naturally creative and can harness this skill through intentional practice, experimentation and supportive routines.

\n\n\n\n

Sean Peek contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article. 

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Engaging your customers is a critical element of running a successful business. Selling products or services isn’t enough to attract and retain loyal customers. It requires ongoing effort to genuinely connect with your audience and build lasting business relationships.

\n\n\n\n

Customer engagement marketing isn’t a one-and-done process or a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll explore tips for creating a unique customer engagement strategy and share tools for building and tracking audience engagement.

\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

What is customer engagement?

\n\n\n\n

Customer engagement means improving the customer experience through positive customer interactions and company efforts. You can engage customers through various channels, including social media business accounts and your company blog. However, engagement extends beyond attracting customers to build your brand; you must continuously maintain and strengthen customer relationships to cultivate a loyal, engaged audience.

\n\n\n\n

Even though they might be the driving factor in the beginning, your products and services shouldn’t be the only value you offer customers. To improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, ensure you develop a content strategy that produces unique, quality materials that customers can freely access.

\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

10 tips to improve customer engagement

\n\n\n\n

Keep these points in mind when you’re developing your customer engagement strategy.

\n\n\n\n

1. Maintain the customer life cycle.

\n\n\n\n

A customer life cycle is the length and nature of a customer’s relationship with a brand or company. Marketers should aim to make the customer’s life cycle as long and prosperous as possible.

\n\n\n\n

To cultivate a healthy customer life cycle, maintain and continuously improve the customer journey. Maintaining the cycle involves the following:

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Acquiring customers.
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Employing customer retention strategies to keep them interested.
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Extending the relationship beyond a single purchase.
  • \n
\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

2. Look beyond purchase data.

\n\n\n\n

Although purchase history is the most prominent marketing campaign insight beyond basic marketing demographics, it doesn’t go far enough. You must also consider the following data:

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Your customers’ channel preferences.
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Propensity scores.
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Household composition.
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Additional metrics, including CRM metrics.
  • \n
\n\n\n\n

This often-overlooked information will yield results because it’s inherently valuable and your competitors likely aren’t considering it.

\n\n\n\n

3. Use all available data.

\n\n\n\n

There is a plethora of information marketers can’t or don’t access when crafting customer communications. For example, behavioral data and online-offline profitability are often overlooked. With the rapid growth in digital channels, the only way for marketers to remain competitive is to use all available customer information.

\n\n\n\n

4. Think like a big business.

\n\n\n\n

Small businesses should think like big businesses and act using available tools. For example, small businesses may analyze data on a smaller scale – for example, in a spreadsheet instead of a custom-built system – but this analysis is still more valuable than hunches or preconceived ideas about your target customer.

\n\n\n\n

If acting on that data means sending individual emails or making one-on-one calls, do it; at least you know you’re targeting your best possible customer.

\n\n\n\n

Small and midsize businesses have an advantage over big companies in that they can quickly act on insights and react to market trends. In contrast, it can be challenging for large businesses to present data and propose ideas that resonate with senior leadership, as well as to overcome institutional habits.

\n\n\n\n

Solopreneurs, entrepreneurs and small business owners don’t face these challenges. Take advantage of your flexibility and experiment intelligently to discover what matters to your customers.

\n\n\n\n

5. See what’s right in front of you.

\n\n\n\n

While many businesses strive to obtain a detailed customer profile, don’t forget to consider easily accessible information. With Facebook analytics and other free tools, it’s easy to gather information about how consumers interact with your brand.

\n\n\n\n

When you’re searching for additional insights, consider asking customers directly. Most will readily offer information in exchange for something of value. For example, customer loyalty programs, social media interactions and customer surveys can be rich data sources.

\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

6. Identify and act on customer triggers.

\n\n\n\n

Go to your customers; don’t wait for them to come to you. An engaged customer is most likely to spend or keep spending. Identify your most important customers, but don’t forget to determine the most valuable time to reach them within their customer life cycles and purchase cycles.

\n\n\n\n

7. Challenge assumptions.

\n\n\n\n

Challenging assumptions is as much a business philosophy as it is a marketing tactic. Don’t assume that methods and practices that have worked well for the past year will be successful in the future.

\n\n\n\n

Consistently reframe your existing data and insights to ensure you have (and, more importantly, act on) the best available data.

\n\n\n\n

8. Build a brand voice.

\n\n\n\n

Your brand’s voice is essentially your business’s personality. You should maintain it in every article you share, blog post you write and interaction you have.

\n\n\n\n

“Build a brand voice with a distinct personality that resonates with both your values and the values of your target audience,” said Gilad Rom, founder of Huan. “This allows you to create a human-to-human connection with your customers. This connection allows your customers to trust you and the products you offer.”

\n\n\n\n

9. Connect with consumers on social media.

\n\n\n\n

Social media networks such as Instagram and Facebook are must-have customer engagement platforms for businesses. Social media will help you attract new customers and reach repeat customers, especially on mobile devices, as mobile and social shopping continues to grow.

\n\n\n\n

“It’s no secret that social media is the obvious go-to choice for customer engagement strategies,” said Chris Brenchley, co-founder of Surehand and Intelirex. “The more likes, shares and comments you receive, the greater feedback you’re essentially receiving from your customers. If your business is not on social media, then you’re missing out on so many opportunities of connecting with your customers.”

\n\n\n\n

Here are some ways to boost social media engagement:

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Encourage followers to tag friends. Tagging is a way to increase each social interaction’s power on platforms such as Instagram for business. “The one actionable tip that I can give you is, post something on your social media accounts that makes people want to tag their friends,” Brenchley said. “Tagging other people creates a chain reaction for your post. Each tag makes its way to another person’s timeline, and the whole process continues.”
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Conduct giveaways. Brenchley recommended doing a small prize giveaway that requires users to tag their friends on your post. More people will arrive at your page, and engagement will skyrocket.
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Repost content. Additionally, consider reposting customer content, like photos or videos of your products or services. For example, if a loyal customer posts a picture of themselves wearing an outfit from your e-commerce shop, ask permission to share it on your Instagram account. Small gestures like this will help you connect with your audience.
  • \n
\n\n\n\n

10. Invest in content marketing.

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Content marketing includes blog posts, webinars, e-books, videos and other channels that position you as an expert in your industry. Your content should be valuable to your target customers and include information they can’t get from anyone else. In other words, cater your content to your audience’s needs while injecting your brand voice.

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If you must choose one form of content marketing to pursue, pick video, recommended Rameez Ghayas Usmani, digital PR and link-building specialist at Thrive Internet Marketing Agency.

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“Written content is undoubtedly useful, but today, videos are outperforming for content marketing purposes, and they will continue to be one of the most frequently used content marketing strategies,” he said. “Because the human brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than text, it is far simpler for people to remember visual information than the same information in a written form. That is why marketing videos are all the rage now for increasing traffic to your website.”

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Benefits of building a customer engagement strategy

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Building a customer engagement marketing strategy is crucial for creating lasting relationships with your audience. Here are some of the benefits of building a customer engagement strategy:

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  • You create deeper customer relationships. A customer engagement strategy helps create dedicated, loyal customers to support your brand. “Customer engagement aims to improve the customer experience to create a deep, personal relationship with the brand,” Rom said. “Customers need to feel appreciated and valued for more than just the money they spend. Brands who show they are dedicated to their customers’ needs will be rewarded with engaged, loyal customers.”
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  • You set your business apart. Additionally, customer engagement helps differentiate your business from others in your industry. “Building a customer engagement strategy is of immense importance because this is what gives your brand the edge over the competitors,” Brenchley said. “You have to remember that your brand has a life of its own, and if it has a positive impact on your customers, then you’re likely to gain more business. For small companies, a positive customer engagement strategy can lead to higher referrals through word of mouth.”
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Customer engagement examples

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Consider the following examples of successful customer engagement campaigns. Use them as inspiration when you’re building your customer engagement strategy.

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  • IKEA Kreativ. IKEA’s mixed-reality Kreativ tool lets customers use their iPhones to scan their living space and insert IKEA pieces into the image at scale. It’s a near-real-life, 3D picture of how IKEA furnishings look anywhere. This tool helps customers achieve a custom look and fit before they purchase an item, haul it home and assemble it. Kreativ can inspire customers to purchase and prevent returns (and ill will) while creating a seamless process for adding items to a cart or shopping list. And, of course, customers will share their results on social media.
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  • Major League Baseball theme nights. MLB teams host Community Nights and Theme Nights, often with themes unrelated to baseball. Community Nights recognize community contributors such as teachers, veterans and first responders. Other Community Nights highlight current or past baseball stars. Theme Nights have included Shakespeare, boy bands, Margaritaville, Star Wars and other themes that draw diverse fans to the ballpark. These promotions often include giveaways that feature the team name and theme. They also sometimes include a postgame concert or other events. MLB’s promotions attract fans who may not otherwise attend a game, and they provide yet another chance for customers to post about a product and an experience.
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  • Share a Coke. Who doesn’t remember #ShareACoke? This campaign replaced logos on Coke bottles with 250 names. Because the campaign felt so personalized to customers, it attracted the attention of people across the country. Customers bought bottles for their friends and loved ones, took photos to share online, and purchased drinks with their names to join the fun.
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Customer engagement tools

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Many channels and tools can help you boost customer engagement, including the following:

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  • Live chat. Utilizing live chat best practices can dramatically improve customer service and engagement. “For online stores, live chat can be a great boon,” Rom said. “Instead of browsing your website in silence, visitors can be invited to chat with a customer service representative, which can start a dialogue where engagement can be nurtured. Customers love live chat because it’s convenient and saves them time.”
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  • Social networks. Social media is an essential customer engagement channel as well as a tool to generate new leads. Your social media presence will keep you relevant and connected to your audience.
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  • Messaging platforms. Apps such as Facebook Messenger, and even SMS (text) messaging, are excellent investments because they ensure customers can reach you if they need assistance.
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  • Chatbots. Chatbots offer guidance when a human customer service representative isn’t available. Offering a chatbot will increase your professionalism and show customers you value their time and concerns.
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  • Website analytics. Monitoring web analytics will help guide your customer engagement tactics, as you’ll gain a better understanding of what’s working and what’s not.
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  • Email. Email is an essential marketing and customer service tool. Check out our reviews of the best email marketing software to evaluate solutions that fit your needs and budget.
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  • Phone system mobile apps. Phone system mobile apps can streamline customer communication by connecting callers directly to employees even if they’re away from their desks.
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Create a plan to get – and keep – customers engaged

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Customer engagement is an essential element of your marketing plan. It means building a loyal base of return customers who will want to share your brand with others. Using these tips, you can create personalized ways to make your customers feel appreciated and invested in your brand enough to engage beyond a single purchase.

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Ross Mudrick and Nicole Fallon contributed to the reporting and writing in this article. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

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In business, many decisions must be taken seriously because they have wide-reaching implications for the company, its employees, its customers or the public. For these decisions, it’s essential for business leaders to examine all of their options. One business decision-making tool is a decision tree.

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Decision trees help professionals and company leaders make more informed choices by allowing them to weigh and visualize various options and outcomes. Here’s how to use a decision tree at your business.

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What is a decision tree?

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A decision tree is a flowchart graph or diagram that explores all potential decisions and their possible outcomes.

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Each “branch” of the tree represents one of the decision’s potential outcomes. The branches can be extended when one alternative outcome leads to another decision you’ll need to make. Incorporated into each branch are the costs associated with each choice and the likelihood of its occurrence.

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Because decision trees require numerous calculations, many businesses use dedicated decision tree software to help them with the process. Decision tree software helps businesses draw their trees, assign values and probabilities to each branch, and analyze each option. There are both free and paid versions of decision tree software available from vendors such as IBM, TreeAge, SmartDraw, Palisade, Angoss and Edraw.

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How to draw a decision tree

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Decision trees help business owners and leaders understand the risks and rewards associated with each decision. These include all possible outcomes, both positive and negative. Here’s how to create a decision tree.

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  1. Start with a square box — representing the decision you must make — on the top or left side of a page.
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  3. From that box, draw out each option — either down, if you’re starting at the top of the page, or to the right, if you’re starting on the left side. On each line, write the option.
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  5. Draw a circle around any uncertain option, and draw a box around any option that requires a further decision, with lines going to additional outcomes.
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  7. Continue this process until you’ve drawn as many possible outcomes and decisions as you believe can come from the original decision.
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Once you’ve drawn the tree, analyze it to determine what each branch and outcome means. Assign values to the possible outcomes, and estimate the probability of each one. With those numbers, you can calculate which option is best.

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The benefits of using a decision tree

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Using a decision tree to explore and compare potential outcomes can provide many advantages.

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  • A decision tree makes it easy to understand and interpret information. A decision tree is easy for people to read, even for those who may not be well versed in statistical analysis.
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  • A decision tree is simple to prepare. As long as you have the information, creating a decision tree is more straightforward than other decision-making techniques.
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  • A decision tree reduces data cleaning. According to the Corporate Finance Institute, because less data cleaning is required after you’ve created the variables for the decision tree, “cases of missing values and outliers have less significance on the decision tree’s data.”
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Examples of how businesses use decision trees

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Decision trees can help companies make informed choices about a wide range of business areas, including the following:

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  • Pricing products or services
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  • Promoting employees
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  • Offering training to employees
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  • Selling the business
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  • Hiring contract workers
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Decision tree examples

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To better understand how decision trees work, consider some examples. For instance, say you’re deciding between hiring a full-time employee and working with a contractor. For this decision tree, separate your two options into different boxes. Then, branch those out into various outcomes, including some benefits or downfalls you might experience from making that particular choice.

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Alternatively, create two separate decision trees — “Should I hire a full-time worker?” and “Should I hire a contract worker?” — and then dive deeper into each choice. Then, break down the question into two boxes: “Yes” and “No.” From there, explore the outcomes by asking further questions, like “Is this necessary for our company’s workload?” Then, add “Yes” and “No” boxes. Continue this until you’ve exhausted all options and solutions and have determined all possible outcomes.

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Using a decision tree in the workplace

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Using a decision tree is a great way to make more informed decisions for your business. No matter how many options you’re weighing, breaking them down into different branches and boxes will allow you to understand any potential outcome that might benefit or harm your company.

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If you have a business idea or question regarding your business operations, consider turning to a decision tree as your solution. You can use a decision tree template or simply create your own decision tree using the above tips and examples.

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Chad Brooks and Sean Peek contributed to this article.

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Do you have an idea for the next big thing? You may think your idea is perfect already, but it’s wise to test it out before you spend too much time and money developing a business or product for which there’s no market. Ensuring your idea is something the world wants before you launch it is vital to business success.

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How to test your business idea

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Here are eight steps to test your business idea and determine its value proposition.

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1. Contemplate your idea.

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Although you’re no doubt excited about your new business idea, you might want to wait a while before fleshing out a potential company, said Greg Isenberg, CEO of product design agency Late Checkout.

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“After I’ve gone through the process of writing down a bunch of ideas, I don’t like to rush into building a business plan or recruiting the team,” Isenberg said. “I like to wait a few weeks [to] see which ideas really stick with me.”

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Isenberg said he only moves forward if he has a burning feeling that the world genuinely needs his idea.

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“Once I’m through that, the best way to test a business idea is to build some prototype and show it to people to get some honest and authentic feedback,” he said.

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2. Build a minimum viable product.

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The lean startup model provides a great way to develop your business or a specific product before going to market. The most important part of that model is to build a minimum viable product (MVP).

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An MVP is “the simplest form of your idea that you can actually sell as a product,” said Eric Ries, a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur and the author of The Lean Startup.

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Using the principles of Lean Six Sigma, Ries’ book advocates having a version of your product to test and market early in the development process so that you can make any tweaks or changes in response to real feedback from your target audience.

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3. Run it by a group of critics.

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When your first prototype or test service is ready, present it to potential target customers.

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“You should talk [to] and/or survey at least 50 potential customers to see if they identify with the problem the same way you do,” said Wayde Gilchrist, a senior technical manager at Amazon. “In other words, you need to find out if this is a real problem for a majority of your target market or just a few.”

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However, to truly put your new business idea to the test, select your 50 potential customers or clients carefully.

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“Identify people in that target [audience] you know to be skeptical and critical,” said Chip Bell, founder of business consultancy firm The Chip Bell Group. “These people could be irate customers from previous encounters or friends who always take the glass-half-empty perspective.”

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Bell advised hand-picking your test group and then asking these people to pick your idea and minimum viable product apart. [Find out how to tell if you have a bad business idea and how to tell if you have a great business idea.]

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4. Tweak it to suit your test market.

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When Isenberg tested 5by, an internet video finder app he developed and has since sold, he and his team went to college campuses and showed mock-ups of what the product was going to look like. Feedback from students was invaluable in fine-tuning the original idea.

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“We were able to quickly gauge that people … were frustrated that they couldn’t open an app and just be able to find the best internet videos in whatever they were interested in with just a tap of a button,” he said.

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Isenberg realized that although his initial business idea and mock-up were a good start, they needed tweaking. Based on the feedback he received, his team made fruitful adjustments.

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“We quickly knew we were on to something and then focused on building out the product, raising money, etc.,” he said.

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5. Create a test website with social media tie-ins.

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Once the word is out about your product or business, your target market needs a place to get more information about it or to show it to their friends. Building a simple website with a landing page specifically for the product and promoting it on social media are great ways to provide information and monitor how many people are interested in what you plan to sell.

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Make sure your site features opportunities for interested people to join a mailing list to receive updates about the product launch date or to sign up for preorders.

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“You’ll be able to tell if the idea will get traction from the number of click-throughs on the ads and the number of people who fill in your form,” Gilchrist said.

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6. Create a marketing plan and use it.

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All of your preparatory work means nothing if you can’t get a response from prospective customers. Once you have a viable product, you need to act on the interest in it. But while you may know your target audience at this point, you’re unlikely to know which marketing strategies have the best chance of converting their interest into future sales. For that reason, your initial marketing plan should cast a wide net.

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Develop strategies to take advantage of different advertising, marketing and PR channels across mediums. As you execute the strategies and monitor the results over time, you’ll be able to sharpen your marketing plan based on what did and didn’t work. This is also another opportunity to gain feedback on what you’re planning to sell.

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7. Adopt an experimentation mindset.

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Too many businesses are afraid to fail, so they don’t put themselves in a position to succeed. Often, this manifests in either avoidance of pursuing new ideas or failure to properly test a product idea before launching it.

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If you adopt an experimentation mindset, you’ll be more willing to make mistakes and test a variety of ideas. Your business model will unlock more long-term value, as you’ll give more ideas a chance to come to fruition. In this case, failure can also be a success, as it allows you to better understand what works and what doesn’t in the ever-changing business world.

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8. Implement design thinking.

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Design thinking involves the cognitive, strategic and practical processes of developing new ideas or products. It helps innovators redefine problems and create better, more creative solutions. In other words, it opens the door to more groundbreaking discoveries and inventions. [Read related article: Innovation Is Key to a Successful Business]

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To incorporate this strategy when developing your potential business, follow the five stages of design thinking: empathize (research/understand customers’ needs), define (state your customers’ problems and needs), ideate (brainstorm unique solutions to their problems), prototype (create the solutions) and, most importantly, test (try them out yourself).

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The importance of testing your business idea

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Testing a business idea is crucial to its success. If you blindly assume an idea will be a big hit, you’ll risk a great deal of time, money and other resources on a leap of faith.

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Entrepreneurs often skip testing because they’re in a rush to launch. The costs of doing so can be significant. Below are a few of the possible drawbacks of forgoing testing.

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  • Poor business plan: Entrepreneurs may struggle to create a solid business plan or a viable roadmap to reach profitability.
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  • No data: A lack of pre-launch feedback makes catering to your target audience’s needs far more difficult.
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  • Misguided marketing: Marketing efforts can fall on deaf ears if they’re misaimed, even if your idea has potential.
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  • Product defects: Product flaws may prevent initial customers from becoming repeat clients and spark bad buzz.
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  • Damaged morale: Business partners may become doubtful and want to pull their investment if the product misses the mark.
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What to do when your business idea tests poorly

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Not every idea is going to wow your inner circle or initial focus groups. Don’t worry — that’s part of the process. Here are two options for what to do if your concept still needs work.

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Iterate until you find an idea that tests well.

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Business is a process of iteration. You figure out what works and then continually try to make it work better. It’s not supposed to be perfect at first, and it’s important you understand that from the beginning. The point of testing an idea is to make it as good as possible before committing substantial time and resources to it.

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Let’s say you want to start a gardening service that specializes in imported plants. Some of these plants need large amounts of water, while others thrive in dry climates. If you’re based in an area under the threat of drought, you might learn from initial testing and market research that your would-be customers are mainly interested in plants and grasses that don’t require much water. The imported plants that need a lot of water won’t serve your customer base.

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By taking into account the feedback you received and adapting your business idea to existing conditions, you can pivot to a business that specializes in the plants sought after in your region. This will then inform your marketing and ordering efforts so you can focus on a specialty that will actually sell.

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This is a great example of taking an idea that won’t work in its original form and adjusting it so it will. In other words, follow the classic mantra: If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

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Develop something new.

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Of course, not every business idea is a winner no matter how much you tweak it. Ideas might not work for any number of reasons. A product or service might be too expensive, face too much competition or not solve a problem customers have. An idea that doesn’t work isn’t a bad reflection on you. Part of being a successful entrepreneur is recognizing what’s not going to work and moving on quickly to something better. It’s part of the process.

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Testing your ideas is the best way to ensure you don’t invest yourself in a concept that won’t succeed. With your newfound knowledge about what doesn’t work, you can use the data you’ve collected to generate a new idea. The time and effort you’ve spent needn’t go to waste if you know how to capitalize on what you’ve already accomplished.

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Trial and error

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A good idea is an essential part of starting a business, but it’s just the beginning. After that, you need to execute by turning your idea into an actual product. Testing and iterating on your idea is a critical step in the process of creating a viable company. If you’re ready to get started, check out our favorite low-cost business ideas and see if they could work in your market.

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Alex Halperin and Marci Martin contributed to this article. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

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Vegan businesses have exploded in prevalence and popularity, with the vegan market now worth roughly $16 billion, according to Statista. So whether you want to buy excellent vegan products or you’re an entrepreneur seeking viable vegan business ideas, options abound.

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We’ll highlight 13 vegan-friendly businesses that will inspire you and explain how to start a business centered on veganism.

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What is veganism?

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Being vegan means much more than eating a meat-free and dairy-free diet. Veganism is a lifestyle committed to eschewing all animal products. Strict vegans don’t wear materials like leather and suede or use any products that have harmed or been tested on animals during the production process. It’s not always easy to find products you love that fit the vegan lifestyle, which is why these 13 businesses have found success in their niche – and you could too.

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10 inspiring vegan businesses

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The 13 businesses we’re highlighting cater to vegans, as well as anyone interested in environmental causes and animal rights. They are excellent options to buy from and could be solid launching pads for your own vegan business ideas.

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Mighty-O Donuts

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Move over, Dunkin’. Mighty-O Donuts knows how to do donuts well (and make them vegan too). What’s the company’s reasoning for serving only vegan donuts? The organization’s website states, “We do not need any extra ingredients [like eggs and dairy] to make a delicious donut everyone can enjoy.”

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Mighty-O Donuts also excludes artificial colors, dyes, additives, and preservatives in its donuts and toppings, so you know exactly what you’re eating when you take a bite. If you visit the company’s shops in Seattle, you’ll see that it also supports the local art community by offering its wall space for monthly exhibitions.

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The Vegg

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Think breakfast can never be the same when you’re vegan? Think again. Thanks to The Vegg, you don’t have to live without eggs – well, sort of. The Vegg makes several vegan egg substitutes so that vegans can still enjoy omelets, breakfast sandwiches and baked goods.

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The Vegg sells a scrambled egg mix made from soy protein and nutritional yeast (among other ingredients) as well as a vegan egg yolk substitute, an egg replacer for baking, and a special French toast mix. All its products boast an authentic egg flavor; you can buy them online via the company’s website. The Vegg also sells a cookbook to make using its products even easier.

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Olsenhaus

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Many fashionable shoes and accessories are made from animal products like leather and suede. While some stores sell alternatives, it’s challenging to find unique and trendy pieces that are vegan and animal-friendly.

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Olsenhaus, based in New York, is dedicated to creating beautiful shoes, bags, and wallets that are 100% vegan while educating people about the leather industry. According to the company’s website, its mission is “to merge passions for design, fashion, function, and being a voice for animals, the environment, transparent business practices and unwavering values in ethical and social responsibilities.”

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You can purchase Olsenhaus vegan shoes from Amazon and other online retailers.

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Lush Cosmetics

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For beauty and skincare enthusiasts, Lush is a dream company. It sells a wide variety of products: soaps, shaving gels, makeup, face cleansers, lip scrubs, shampoo bars, perfumes and bath bombs. Lush products are made with natural ingredients like fruits, vegetables, flowers and oils.

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Everything at Lush is 100% vegetarian, but not every product is vegan. About 20% of its products include lanolin, eggs, milk and honey. According to the company’s website, the other 80% are strictly vegan, and all its vegan products are clearly marked.

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Lush is also dedicated to fighting animal testing, and all its products are fresh and handmade. All Lush packages (which are recyclable) feature a sticker that shows you who made the product, on what date, and by when it should be used.

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Coco & Bubbles

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You may not realize this, but most candles aren’t vegan. Many candles contain stearic acid (usually made from animal fat), and luxury candles are often made from beeswax. However, animal-friendly soy candles are an excellent vegan option.

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Soy candles aren’t hard to find, but if you want a wide variety of scents and candle types to choose from, try buying from the popular internet shop Coco & Bubbles. The shop offers smaller tin candles and larger glass tumbler candles with scents such as basil and herb or banana nut bread.

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The candles are eco-friendly and handmade from 100% soy wax with natural cotton wicks. Their glass tumblers can even be cleaned out and reused as drinking glasses.

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No Cow

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No Cow is a vegan protein bar and protein powder brand known for its gluten-free, kosher, soy-free products. Its protein powder jars are also recyclable and made solely from aluminum (no plastics).

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No Cow’s protein bar wrappers include color variations that reflect the flavor without deviating from No Cow’s usual branding. The company is an excellent example of sticking to a core set of vegan values while prioritizing innovation in its field. [Related content: Why Is Innovation Important?]

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The Worthington Collection

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The Worthington Collection makes vegan candles that eliminate odors. The company prioritizes safe, nontoxic and vegan ingredients in all its candles. Rather than the animal fat and beeswax common found in candles, the company uses apricot and coconut for its candle wax.

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The Worthington Collection groups its candles into five categories: fresh, floral, sweet, woody and clean. You can filter by category to find vegan candles with scents you’re likely to enjoy.

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OSEA Malibu

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While other skincare brands might use toxic, non-vegan products, OSEA Malibu harnesses the power of seaweed. Its vegan cleansers, serums and body care products reflect the company’s four core wellness elements: ocean, sun, earth and atmosphere.

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The brand’s backstory is that the founder’s grandmother healed a serious leg injury by swimming in cold water. The company harnesses that ocean power in its vegan products.

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Axiology

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Axiology sells vegan and cruelty-free makeup. The brand’s mission is to produce fully vegan makeup that doesn’t dry out quickly, as some other vegan makeup brands do.

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Axiology also offers its customers an easy way to recycle its used makeup tubes by mail, among other innovations. For example, its signature product is “balmies,” which can be used as eye, lip or cheek makeup.

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Brinn Bags

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Handbag company Brinn Bags only uses plant-based leather alongside organic and recycled materials. Its ethos is that the process of making its handbags should be as beautiful as the handbags themselves. The company also ensures that the people making its products work in safe conditions. It sells backpacks and clothes in addition to its signature handbags.

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How to develop a great vegan business idea

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If you’re interested in starting your own vegan business, here are some pointers to help you develop an excellent business idea:

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    \n
  1. Identify a vegan niche. What do the vegan brands you love miss with their offerings? Fill that gap with your idea. Alternatively, try identifying a type of animal-based product that hasn’t yet been made vegan and see if you can change that.
  2. \n\n\n\n
  3. Pitch your idea to an expert. Reach out to thought leaders in your corner of the vegan world to introduce yourself and ask if you can share your business idea. Keep things brief and relatively surface-level. As long as you don’t hear back that you have a bad business idea, keep moving forward.
  4. \n\n\n\n
  5. Test your idea. Before fully committing to your new vegan business, test your business idea with a trial run. Build your company-to-be a website and take out some test social media ads. If the reception to this mini-launch works out, you’re probably on to something.
  6. \n\n\n\n
  7. See if investors agree. Try pitching your ideas to angel investors and venture capitalists. If they’re eager to fund you, you’ve probably come up with a great vegan business idea. Likewise, if you start a crowdfunding campaign and it takes off, you’ve undoubtedly come up with a viable vegan venture. Once your funding is in place, business success could be right around the corner.
  8. \n
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Pros and cons of starting a vegan business

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Pros

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    \n
  • Lucrative opportunity. Vegan food is all the rage today, with many consumers searching for healthier or more ethical alternatives to animal products. Many people are pursuing a vegan lifestyle today, whether it’s based on cultural views, personal values, or dietary preferences or restrictions. In fact, the total addressable market for plant-based foods in the U.S. is $8.1 billion.
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  • Corporate social responsibility (CSR) messaging. A vegan business is able to deliver a more compelling CSR message, especially if its supply chain is grounded in sustainable business practices. Vegan products can be positioned as more ethical, since animals are not involved in their creation. For vegan food producers, this means no animals are harmed, but even other vegan products can point to the lack of animal exploitation as part of their business model. Be careful, though! Just because a business is vegan-based doesn’t mean it is always free of exploitative practices — be sure to put your money where your mouth is if you’re going to advertise your CSR efforts.
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Cons

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    \n
  • Limiting. Since you’re only offering (and using) vegan products for your brand, your options might be a bit more limiting. However, this isn’t necessarily a negative thing. It simply means you’ll have to outsource the proper ingredients and materials necessary to keep your business alive. This might be a bit more difficult than it would be for a non-plant-based business.
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Pricier production. Starting and maintaining a vegan business might be on the more expensive side, as you’ll need to invest in higher-quality, more sustainable items that are typically less readily available than other products.
  • \n
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Starting a vegan business

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There are many reasons to start a vegan business. From lucrative opportunities to sustainability, you’ll be investing in a brand that’s full of potential. However, be sure you’re developing a thorough business plan that details your niche and your plans to stay competitive in your market. Additionally, keep in mind the potential drawbacks, such as price and limitations, to ensure it’s the best idea for you.

\n\n\n\n

Sammi Caramela and Brittney Morgan contributed to this article.

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Working from home is a prized employee perk; it can reduce the expenses and hassles of commuting and help employees achieve a better work-life balance. However, along with remote work’s freedom and flexibility comes the risk of cybersecurity issues occurring outside a protected corporate network. Even if a company provides virtual private network (VPN) access, a remote worker’s computer (and the data it stores) could still be at risk.

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We’ll share essential tips and best practices to make working from home as safe as possible for your remote workforce and business.

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Security risks of remote work

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For those accustomed to office work, remote cybersecurity worries can be jarring. However, home networks tend to have far fewer security controls than a work computer within a protected corporate network. While many cyber dangers loom, the following three threats are the most significant when you’re managing a remote workforce.

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Email scams

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Business email compromise scams are particularly effective when home offices have lax cybersecurity controls. These scams trick unsuspecting targets into revealing sensitive information or otherwise assisting in a cyberattack.

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For example, many scammers use phishing emails to steal sensitive information. Phishers take advantage of any newsworthy lure — like humanitarian disasters, elections, or even celebrity gossip — to encourage their victims to click a malicious link or attachment.

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Spear phishers are another threat. These cybercriminals pretend to be someone else, like a trusted company CEO or manager, to get an employee to unwittingly perform an action, such as transferring money or sharing sensitive information.

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Remote workers are easy email-scam targets because they’re not in the office. Hackers are banking on the chance that these employees are less likely to verify the legitimacy of dubious email messages.

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Unsecured Wi-Fi

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Many remote employees use their private home network, which increases the risk of leaked data. Third parties might be able to intercept and access sensitive emails, passwords and messages. There is also the risk that others who live at the employee’s home and use the same internet connection may see valuable company data.

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Personal computers

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The line between work and personal devices is often blurred for remote workers. According to Proofpoint’s 2023 State of the Phish Report, 78 percent of respondents use work devices for personal activities and 72 percent use personal devices for work activities.

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These practices have distinct risks. If an employee obtains sensitive data and stores it on a personal device, their company is at risk, especially if the employee leaves the organization. And when remote workers use personal devices and neglect to download the latest software updates, they become more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

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Additionally, home networks can include other family members’ devices, leading to more attack vectors for cybercriminals. “Home-based workers must be diligent about what types of systems are on their home network that might also provide additional attack vectors,” said Andrew Hay, chief revenue officer at Lares. “I once spoke with an NCIS [Naval Criminal Investigative Service] agent who conducted an investigation where a naval officer’s laptop was compromised by way of infiltrating his daughter’s laptop.”

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Tips for creating a secure home office

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Remote workers must take on some of the duties of a dedicated IT or security team to ensure they keep their data and organization safe.

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“Making sure that sensitive documents and files remain confidential is definitely an issue remote employees need to tackle right from the outset,” said Brian Stark, vice president of merchandising and marketing at The Darr Group, a supply chain solution company. “Of course, ensuring that there is a secure connection to the server is extremely important, but this is ultimately placed in the hands of the homeowner.”

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Consider the following remote work cybersecurity tips and best practices.

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1. Implement multifactor authentication on remote work devices.

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Do your work-related accounts require multifactor authentication (MFA)? MFA restricts access to an account until an employee provides their standard login credentials and another form of identification, such as a one-time password provided through a text message or an authenticator app.

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MFA greatly reduces the potential damage of phishing attacks. Even if attackers manage to steal your password, they’ll have a much harder time stealing your MFA token and accessing the targeted account.

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2. Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts.

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If a hacker tries to access sensitive accounts, you want to make it as difficult as possible for them to log in. Using a password manager is an excellent precaution; these applications ensure that you use unique, strong passwords that include special characters, numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and more.

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3. Use data encryption to protect sensitive information.

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Data encryption helps protect sensitive information by translating it into incomprehensible data unless it is unencrypted with a secret key. Even if scammers intercept your data, they won’t be able to interpret it correctly. This goes for any messages or information you send, receive or store on your devices.

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4. Invest in antivirus software to protect your network.

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Employers often provide remote workers with robust antivirus software and other measures to protect company-issued devices. However, if you use a personal laptop for work, you must ensure the system is protected.

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“Since many internet providers [offer] free antivirus software, we recommend that our employees use them on their personal laptops,” said Venu Gooty, senior vice president of digital strategy and transformation at business management consultancy HGS Digital.

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5. Don’t allow family members to use your work devices.

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Gavin Silver, co-founder and chief technology officer of media gaming company Allstar, emphasized the importance of using work computers for work only. Your work device is not the family computer.

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Hay agreed, noting that it’s crucial not to blur the lines between work and home. “Treat your work-issued laptop, mobile device and sensitive data as if you were sitting in a physical office location,” Hay advised. “This will help you continuously associate your actions with a security-first and data-aware mentality in mind. For example, in a physical office location, your child [couldn’t] use your work-issued mobile device for games or movies.”

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6. Keep your physical workspace secure.

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While virtual security is crucial, it’s equally essential to ensure your home office is physically secure.

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“Home offices often contain expensive equipment or even physical files or documents that contain sensitive information, so it’s imperative to explore security options,” Stark said. “While it’s not possible for all home offices to have a scan-to-enter system or a security guard, it’s important to add whatever elements of traditional physical security you can.”

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7. Follow company policies diligently.

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Your company likely has clear policies for accessing its corporate network outside the office. Those guidelines and rules should always be followed. However, compliance is essential when you’re working remotely.

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“Report any suspicious behavior to IT immediately, and follow basic ‘computer hygiene’ standards, such as up-to-date operating systems, antivirus/malware and regular scanning,” Silver recommended.

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8. Use a centralized, company-approved data storage solution.

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Adhering to company policies also includes using only designated solutions, particularly for data storage and backup. It’s crucial to store all work data in a secure, approved location that your IT team can access. Cloud-based storage platforms are a particularly secure option that many businesses prefer.

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“Ensuring that sensitive data is stored and protected centrally is always a good course of action,” Hay said. “This allows central management and control of all aspects of the data, such as ownership, access, availability, security, etc., with a reduced chance of duplicate copies residing in places beyond the reach of the organization, such as on a personal laptop, mobile device or cloud environment.”

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Security best practices for employers

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Business owners should take the following precautions to limit security risks while employees work from home:

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    \n
  • Establish network password rules. Require employees to use a non-stored password to connect to the corporate network, especially for VPN access.
  • \n
  • Enforce session timeouts. Enforce reasonable session timeouts for sensitive programs or apps. Although a user shouldn’t have to reconnect after walking to the kitchen to pour a cup of coffee, you must guard against the chance that employees forget to log out when they finish their workday.
  • \n
  • Monitor and control access. Limit program and file access to the areas an employee needs to perform their job. Additionally, reserve the right to terminate employee access to any resource at any moment.
  • \n
  • Provide secure file storage. Provide services for remote file storage and other tasks; don’t rely on individuals to use their personal programs and accounts to store your company’s data. “Users will always take the easiest method when it comes to technology, and you can’t always enforce what software people use when they are remote, so it is better to give them the best software in the first place,” Silver said.
  • \n
  • Outline clear policies for remote cybersecurity. Employers should clearly outline policies, procedures and guidelines for workers who use company resources outside the office. “This includes, but is not limited to, access to corporate data, acceptable use of websites, approved applications, etc.,” Hay explained. “The best thing an employee can do is ensure that they adhere to the guidance.”
  • \n
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Becoming security conscious at home

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At first glance, handling cybersecurity for your home office can feel overwhelming. While no shortcuts exist when you’re creating a safe home office, understanding cybersecurity basics and working with your in-office IT team can smooth the process.

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For more tips on keeping company or client data safe when working from home, check out our guide on improving your cybersecurity in an hour, which explains how to conduct a security audit and access essential cybersecurity training.

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Jeremy Bender and Nicole Fallon contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

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If you’re in the market for a laptop for business use, you may wonder if there’s a real difference between devices marketed as “business laptops” and those sold as consumer products.

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If you’re an entrepreneur working from home, a professional who frequently travels, or managing a remote workforce, it’s essential to understand the ins and outs of the computer you’re purchasing. Here are the differences between business laptops and consumer laptops to help you buy the right device for your needs.

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What is a business laptop?

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A business laptop is designed and intended for company use. Manufacturers optimize business laptops for traveling and longer active periods than personal-use laptops.

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Consequently, a business laptop will be more efficient in battery life, speed and power to keep up with a 40-hour workweek. Laptop battery life, speed and power are even more critical when supporting video conferencing demands as organizations pivot to newer technologies.

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Differences between business and consumer laptops

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Here are some of the primary differences between business laptops and consumer notebook computers:

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1. Business laptops last longer.

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When companies design consumer laptops, they assume buyers will want to upgrade frequently to stay on top of the latest trends. They also anticipate consumers are not as tough on their laptops as business users. Both ideas influence the way business and consumer laptops are built.

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Business laptops are created for long-term, all-day usage. Because companies don’t want to constantly upgrade entire fleets of laptops, business designs don’t vary drastically from year to year. Consistent design makes it easier to maintain laptops over time, and features such as swappable batteries extend the overall life span of these devices.

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Additionally, quality business machines are built to be durable: Many are resistant to water and dust, and built to withstand occasional drops and knocks. Consumer laptops are not intended to be used 40 hours a week for years on end.

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2. Consumer laptops offer unique design features.

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Business laptops have become more appealing, but there’s no denying that consumer laptops are much nicer to look at and handle than business computers.

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Consumer laptops tend to have bright, glossy displays and keyboards. Historically, consumer laptops have offered more versatility thanks to roomy touchpads and 360-degree hinges.

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While consumer laptops are flashier, business laptops are finally starting to catch up. You can buy business 2-in-1s – which include features from consumer laptops and tablets – from big names such as Dell and Lenovo.

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The demand for attractive business devices isn’t going away anytime soon, but for now the most eye-catching designs belong to the consumer market. If purchasing a consumer laptop, ensure it’s comfortable to use all day long; glossy screens and shallow keyboards are OK for sporadic use, but they quickly grow tiresome.

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3. Business laptops offer more configuration options.

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Because leaders don’t typically purchase laptops one at a time, manufacturers design business laptop lines with diverse users in mind. Consequently, many business laptops offer various configuration options. While consumer laptops may provide some opportunity for custom specs – including additional storage or a high-quality display – they don’t come close to offering the custom options available for business machines.

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Dell and Lenovo are undoubtedly the industry leaders in customization, allowing shoppers to select processors, batteries, and keyboard backlighting.

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4. Business laptops are built for security.

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Biometric fingerprint scanners are practically standard for business laptops – even entry-level models – but they’re still relatively rare for consumer laptops. Business laptops are also typically built with software that makes managing and securing devices easier.

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While these added functions give devices built for businesses an edge over consumer laptops, the security gap between business and consumer laptops is narrowing. As mobile device management via the cloud becomes more user-friendly and less expensive, it will be progressively easier for companies of all sizes to manage both business and consumer products simultaneously.

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For now, you are better off sticking to business devices for your company. Business laptops often include antivirus software and optional security subscriptions, and many sellers offer tech support for smaller firms.

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5. Consumer laptops include unnecessary software.

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Business laptops have the advantage when it comes to pre-installed software because laptop manufacturers don’t want to aggravate leaders who buy in bulk. Most leaders avoid tying up their IT personnel with evaluating excessive software, and they realize you don’t want to hire technical support for noncritical purposes.

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However, consumer laptops are loaded with pre-installed software, often unnecessary programs that end up being removed.

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6. Business laptops tend to be more expensive.

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With a business laptop’s increased battery life, speed and power, you’ll likely see a higher price tag. The price you’ll pay depends on the features and the model you choose. If you need a notebook computer with extra storage or bandwidth, the price will increase. If your business needs laptops that connect to the internet but don’t require storage, the price will lower.

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But don’t assume an expensive laptop will meet all your business needs. Some consumer laptops – particularly those optimized for gaming – can be quite costly. It’s critical to evaluate the laptop’s features and functionality to ensure it’s a suitable tool for your company.

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While affordable business laptop models are available, resist the urge to go cheap on business laptops and focus on long-term usage. In the end, paying more upfront for the right device can be a wise investment that will save you future stress and repair costs.

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7. Consumer laptops have shorter warranties and different service agreements.

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Business laptops are expected to work longer. While a consumer laptop may come with a one-year warranty, a business laptop may include a warranty up to three years. For example, HP business laptops come with three-year parts and three-year labor warranties.

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Service options also vary between business and consumer laptops. Manufacturers often have separate service channels for business users.

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Choosing a laptop for business work

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There are compelling reasons to consider business-specific laptops rather than consumer devices when purchasing laptops for your company. The most crucial factor is your team’s productivity. Whatever laptop will be most compatible with your workflows, easy for you all to use, and helpful in achieving your tasks is the right choice for your company.

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Sammi Caramela and Bassam Kaado contributed to this article.

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Working remotely has its fair share of benefits, such as saving time and money on commutes and encouraging better work-life balance. However, virtual workplaces do also have some downsides. Because virtual workers are not in the office with their team, they often feel less engaged and connected to their company, which may hurt productivity and performance.

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When managers and company leaders prioritize employee engagement and teamwork, regardless of an employee’s location, the organization as a whole thrives. We’ve outlined six steps businesses can take to help ensure their remote employees stay happy, engaged and productive.

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Ways to keep remote employees engaged

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Here are some ways to maintain your company culture and make your virtual staff feel like they’re truly part of the team.

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1. Encourage health and wellness.

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Your workers’ health should be your priority. At the end of the day, if your employees get sick, they won’t be able to perform at their highest level – or at all. Perhaps you can create an incentive for your team to get outside, cook a decent meal, exercise or create some sort of healthy habit. You could even start a wellness program for your team (30 days of yoga, one month of daily walks, etc.).

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This will not only support your workers’ health, but also bring them closer together and prove to them that you care about their overall well-being. Look for ways to make healthy habits easier to practice, like by allowing a longer midday break for workouts or letting them off early on a nice day to enjoy the sunshine.

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2. Host virtual meetings and casual hangouts.

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Many remote teams maintain regular communication through video calls, instant messaging, email and web conferencing platforms. When the whole team is working, a voice or video conferencing call can go a long way toward encouraging group collaboration. You can also use communication and collaboration tools like Google Chat, Slack and Trello. [Read related article: Choosing a Video Conferencing Service]

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It’s also important to plan out virtual get-togethers for non-work-related chats, said Rachel Williams, content production manager at First Page Strategy. At work, there’s always something stressful to discuss, but you don’t want every conversation to feel tense and dreaded. Make time for work outings or casual video calls to keep employees engaged and excited to be part of the team.

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3. Make sure employees feel heard and valued.

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Your employees deserve to feel appreciated – even from a distance. Since you’re not in the office with them each day to extend a quick thank-you or take them out to lunch for their work anniversary, you should find small ways to celebrate your employees as often as possible.

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Is it someone’s birthday? Send them a virtual gift card. Did a worker go above and beyond on an assignment? Schedule a team call to recognize their efforts. Look for simple acts to show your workers you care about them.

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Additionally, make sure your (virtual) door is always open. Miscommunications are common between remote workers, and the last thing you want is for your employees to feel like they can’t talk to you, ask questions or voice concerns. Make it clear that you are available for one-on-one meetings, and really listen and take action when an employee confides in you.

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4. Foster personal connections.

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While you want to be professional with your team, keep in mind that your workers are still human. They have loved ones, celebrations and bad days like everyone else. As an employer, you need to recognize their strengths, weaknesses and interests to better connect with them.

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“Keep tabs on what your workers do but also what they really love to do,” said Williams. When you know what they enjoy, you can implement it into their work by creating assignments for them or awarding them promotions related to their passions.

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Remote employees will feel more engaged and committed to the company and their role if they know you care about them not only as employees but as people.

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“Remember that engagement is not simply ‘checking up’ but fostering personal connection,” Williams said.

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Even with something as simple as benefits or bonuses, communicating with employees about their own individual experiences in a personalized, relevant way stands out to remote workers.

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“Businesses struggle with one-size-fits-all communication, [because] it doesn’t necessarily work,” said Chris Wakely, executive vice president of international sales for Benify. “Sending information based on the circumstances of the individual is a great way to get a person’s attention.”

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Above all, companies must remember that transparency and honesty are key to cultivating strong employee engagement, both in and out of the office. [Read related article: How to Manage a Remote Workforce]

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“Build stronger relationships with virtual workers,” Wakely said. “Personal, short, direct and honest [communication] is crucial.”

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5. Keep the lines of communication open.

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Remote employees, especially those who work nontraditional hours or are outside the headquarters’ time zone, sometimes feel that their team isn’t around when they are, and vice versa.

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While it’s impossible to expect everyone to be available 24/7, knowing that they can reach out to their colleagues and stay in touch through digital communication helps virtual workers feel more connected.

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“Online communities, social collaboration software and chat clients help bring remote employees inside the cultural conversation,” said Tony Ventrice, senior product manager at Inkitt. “It’s important that not all of these communications are even completely serious. Much of what brings a team together is the shared banter.”

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Williams advises considering everyone’s time zone when setting meeting times or sending emails. For instance, if you want to send a message at noon in your time to a person who is already clocked out for the evening, acknowledge that you don’t expect a response until the following workday.

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“Things like this can go a long way in creating camaraderie and trust among employees when their work schedules are understood and respected,” Williams added.

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6. Gamify your teamwork.

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Gamification, the application of game-playing elements to nongame environments, has become a popular tactic for companies to encourage customer loyalty and engagement in a fun way. The same tactics of encouraging competitions and rewards for everyday activities can be an effective employee engagement strategy.

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“Employees need to feel included, as if they are part of a team,” Ventrice said. “Team-based goals and competitions help build a sense of collaboration and cooperation. Teams can be based on function or location, with the key goal being inclusion in striving towards a common objective.”

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[Read next: 6 Tips for Getting Your Team to Work Together]

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Ventrice also noted that game-based performance management systems can help standardize performance metrics and evaluation criteria. This is especially important for remote employees, who may feel like they are missing out on vital promotion opportunities by not being physically present.

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Why employee engagement matters in a virtual workplace

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Engaging remote employees will ensure your team is still as efficient and productive as they would be in the office, if not more so. However, defining and measuring engagement, as well as finding ways for virtual employees to engage, can present additional challenges to management.

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“Keeping remote workers engaged is a necessary part of leading a remote team, company or employee,” said Williams. “Without the ability to have organic conversations in the break room or at each other’s cubicles, it takes a more concentrated effort for remote workers to engage with others … A lack of engagement can lead to isolation and loneliness, a lack of passion for the company’s vision or goals, and feeling unhappy and unappreciated.”

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Successfully engaging remote employees will help to make them feel valued and involved in the business overall. While it may take additional work to foster employee engagement in a virtual workplace, it is important for businesses to try to achieve this, as working remotely presents additional challenges for many, with distractions like chores, housemates or roommates, social media, and TV at home.

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The best way to gauge your employees’ engagement levels is by simply asking them about their work and their passion levels. You can also monitor their progress on assignments and confront any concerns you might have about their performance.

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Prioritizing worker engagement

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As remote work, hybrid roles and virtual workspaces become increasingly accepted, businesses need to prioritize worker engagement. While it may require additional legwork by managers, it will pay dividends as workers feel increasingly connected and valued. This will lay a strong foundation for workers to feel comfortable approaching managers with their concerns and passions, ultimately allowing remote workers to be as engaged and satisfied as in-office workers.

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Jeremy Bender, Nicole Fallon and Adam C. Uzialko contributed to this article. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

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Your customers drive your business, which is why it’s so important to note how they interact with your brand. Don’t just reach out to them when you want their business; find ways to continuously show them you care. We looked at several businesses to see how they connect with customers and then broke down their methods so you can do the same.

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Effective ways to connect with customers

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Jessica Alba, founder of The Honest Company, believes brands can learn a lot by staying connected and listening to their customers.

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“I think it’s important for brands, especially brands [that] are really consumer-centric, to stay connected,” Alba shared at the American Express OPEN Success Makers Summit for Business Platinum Card Members. “Customers tell you so much from their behavior and how they shop with you.”

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Here are 10 effective ways to connect with your customers and build lasting relationships that can keep them loyal to your brand.

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1. Don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach.

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You want your customers to feel special, and you can achieve this by approaching each one as an individual rather than just another customer. Grouping all your consumers together will only express inauthenticity.

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“In our messaging, we will treat a heavy user of our app differently than a light user,” said Jon Ziglar, CEO of ParkMobile. “We treat a new user differently than a veteran user. We try to make the messages as relevant as possible to that specific person.”

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2. Respond to concerns.

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Don’t just be available when your business is doing well or your customers are satisfied. If you want customers to trust and respect you, you need to earn it by proving your dedication to making them happy.

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For example, ParkMobile received a one-star review from a man who complained that the app was inconvenient and took time away from his date. Instead of ignoring the comment or making excuses, Ziglar said, they contacted the reviewer directly to express their remorse and offered a gift card to the exact restaurant where he had been that day.

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“He really appreciated the gesture and we turned a ‘hater’ into a huge ParkMobile advocate,” said Ziglar. “He even let us feature his story in a social media campaign.”

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3. Go above and beyond.

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Ziglar’s story about his interaction with the unhappy-patron-turned-advocate leads us to our next tip: Go above and beyond for your customers. As a small business owner, you will likely have a close connection to your customers and you can use this to your advantage. Offer special discounts for customer loyalty, recommend specific products based on what you know about a customer’s interests and always remedy an unpleasant experience.

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Some customers will have a negative experience with your brand. However, your job is to ensure your customer or client’s experience ends well. Exceptional customer support will keep them coming back for more.

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“Sometimes, you have to go above and beyond to build raving fans of your business,” Ziglar said.

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4. Follow up.

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Following up is an easy way to earn customers’ appreciation. No one likes to file a complaint or ask a question, only to hear radio silence. Respond to customers throughout their buying journey so they build a connection with you. This is also a great way to keep your business top of mind for your customers.

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If an existing customer purchases a new or unique product, follow up with them to make sure they enjoyed it. Thank customers for doing business with you. Everyone likes to feel acknowledged. Follow-up is also a great way to identify unhappy customers before their unsatisfactory experience ends with a negative review online.

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5. Keep it personal, not transactional.

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Peelu Shivaraju, the owner and operator of a Money Mailer franchise in Michigan, says being more personal with customers strengthens your bonds with them.

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Rather than being aggressive when selling, try to be more consultative and conversational so clients understand your intentions are pure, Shivaraju recommended.

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“Nobody likes a salesperson,” he said. “Don’t go in talking about your product; go in and ask them questions about their business.”

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6. Focus on face-to-face interactions.

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It’s common to experience miscommunications when using technology as the primary source of contact. While emails and telephone calls are convenient, nothing beats face-to-face contact.

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You can understand your customers better in person than over the phone or through a screen. Shivaraju makes it a point to drop in on clients to introduce himself and establish both a professional and personal relationship with them.

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“I like to get to know my clients, what their businesses are all about,” he said. “I do a lot of research about their business and ask them lots of questions to genuinely show interest. I want to learn everything I can to know how best to help their business.”

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It’s easier to learn about a client by talking to them in person. However, some people feel more comfortable speaking to you from a distance. Shivaraju advised asking your clients what their preferred method of communication is and sticking with that.

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7. Be active on social media.

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Companies benefit from having social media accounts; however, simply having a social media account is not enough ― you need to be actively engaged. A 2020 survey found that 40 percent of users expect a brand to respond to them within the first hour of connecting and nearly 80 percent expect a response within the first 24 hours.

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Many shoppers see whether a company has an online presence before they will do business with them. Customers are already using social media platforms to browse new products, leave reviews and share favorite items with their friends and you should meet them where they are. Interacting on social media can help your company’s brand shine, and it is a great way to stay on your customers’ minds and feeds.

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Customers are constantly reviewing and talking about brands on social media, and there is a good chance your company will be the topic of discussion at one point or another. Actively engaging customers on social media and responding to social media comments are great ways to direct the narrative about what is being said about your brand. It can also allow you to resolve negative comments as soon as they arise.

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Your specific platforms will depend on your brand and following, such as X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.

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8. Grow with your current clients in mind.

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If your customers are happy, your business will continue to develop. Shivaraju said not to get too caught up in quick growth, especially if it means giving less attention to clients and jeopardizing your customer service.

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“I understand that business owners are always busy, so I always try to work around their schedules,” he said. “All new clients get a follow-up visit after the first mailing goes out, as well as another in a few months to see how it’s going. As long as [clients] give me a reasonable window of time, I’ll always make myself available at a time and place of their choosing. My clients always come first.”

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9. Show your appreciation.

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Just as you would with supportive friends and family, make sure your customers know you recognize their importance.

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Shivaraju appreciates two important groups of people: “The first is to my clients. They pay me money, so it’s my responsibility to create the best possible ad I can for their business and get them high-quality new leads. The second is to the consumers of my product. I need to have my envelopes filled with quality hyperlocal content, filled with businesses that I and my family are comfortable doing business with so that they get opened and used.”

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Shivaraju mails out envelopes to his consumers, thanking them for purchasing local goods and services. He also recommended sending holiday cards and discounts to show gratitude.

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10. Survey your customers.

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A great way to stay informed about your customers’ wants and needs is by sending out surveys. For example, your business can send out occasional customer surveys to elicit customer feedback on what products they like best, what changes should be made to existing products and what products should be added to your line. When your customers feel like they have input on what you are providing, it can help build loyalty.

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Additionally, surveying your customers can help improve your overall product or service offering and cater to your customers’ wants. This can result in higher sales, which means more money in your pocket.

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Mistakes to avoid when interacting with customers

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Now that you know some ways to connect with your customers, here are some common mistakes to avoid.

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1. Failing to understand your customers.

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Knowing your customers is crucial to connecting with them. If you can’t anticipate their preferences or needs, you won’t be able to deliver the right products or services to meet their expectations.

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Using the best customer relationship management platform can help you personalize your interactions and tailor your offerings to the individual customer. The software develops individual client profiles with detailed data about every customer so that you can better meet their needs.

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2. Not training employees for customer service.

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Your employees are a direct representation of your brand. As a business owner, you should train each employee who interacts with a customer. Not only will this improve your customer service, but it will also ensure customer communications are consistent.

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While you don’t want to stifle your workers’ voices or force them to follow a strict script, you should make sure they’re all on the same page when it comes to communicating with customers. Have them ask the right questions, provide the same answers to common inquiries and respond in a timely manner.

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3. Not practicing active listening.

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Active listening involves observing a speaker as they communicate so you can comprehend what they are saying beyond just their words. For example, a customer might say they were happy with a service, but if their tone was slightly off or they appeared anxious or uncomfortable during the interaction, you might ask them further questions to ensure they are satisfied with your business.

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Active listening requires patience, presence and mindful communication with your customers. Glossing over your customer interactions can lead to resentment, frustration and dissatisfied customers, which can harm your reputation and bottom line. Customers will feel more supported if you take the time to fully hear them.

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4. Under-communicating.

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Today’s customers expect businesses to be available 24/7. While you should have boundaries when it comes to customer communication, make sure you respond to inquiries or concerns in a timely manner — even if it’s through an automated message. For example, you can provide a chatbot option on your website that streamlines customer interaction by collecting data. Then, you can follow up as soon as you have the time.

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Prioritizing customer service shows your customers that you care about them and their experiences with your brand. Don’t just respond to a customer concern — act immediately.

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Customer connection matters

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Connecting with your customers — and not just to secure a transaction — is integral to business success. The more you invest in your customers, the more they will connect with you, leading to higher customer retention and loyalty. Additionally, the better customer experience you deliver, the better your brand reputation will be. This will help you attract new buyers and clients to your business.

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Skye Schooley contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

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Every year, the U.S. celebrates National Small Business Week (NSBW) to honor the vital contributions of small businesses to their local communities. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has sponsored this week since 1963, and year after year, it has proven beneficial for the businesses it celebrates. These benefits are especially easy to experience when you actively participate in your local community.

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This community involvement is beneficial outside of NSBW as well. You can — and should — keep up this involvement throughout the year to bring continued benefits to your business. Here are six simple ways to build community relationships during National Small Business Week — and sustain them long after.

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How to get your business involved with the community

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The below six steps for getting your business involved with your community during National Small Business Week are just the tip of the iceberg. While these steps are the most reliable, you can certainly get creative and try other ways to build and grow community connections.

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1. Offer free services or discounts.

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To benefit your community and its organizations, offer free products and services to schools, libraries or nonprofit organizations, said Desiree Thomson, horticulturist at Gardening Services London.

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“That will help strengthen your public image and more people will learn about you,” said Thomson. “Brand exposure should never be underestimated. Plus, it’s a good way to give something back to your community.”

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You can also offer special discounts for loyal clients via email rather than on social media, Thomson added. This will make your customers feel special and appreciated. For example, UPS regularly runs special promotions and discounts to help small businesses. Once you fill UPS in on certain details about your business, you’ll get a discount designed just for your needs.

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2. Run workshops for local small businesses.

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Marcus Miller, SEO and digital marketing strategist at Bowler Hat, said that his company offers workshops that cover digital marketing subjects for local small businesses. Many people respond positively, saying their advice helps them understand where to spend their time, effort and money.

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“Sometimes this turns into business for us when there is someone we can help,” said Miller. “Our entire focus is helping small businesses with their marketing, so we find if we do what we can to help, then the work we need comes to us.”

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For example, the city of Oakland typically offers a variety of free workshops and events during NSBW. The topics covered have historically included finance, digital promotion and general entrepreneurship matters.

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3. Sponsor local events and charities.

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Every town and city has sports teams, theater productions, parades and other community events that rely on donations from individuals and businesses in the area. Rob Rae, corporate vice president of community and ecosystems at Pax8, said small business owners should consider banding together to sponsor one of these organizations.

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“Offering sponsorships for local groups or events is a great way to show support for the surrounding community,” Rae said. “You can sponsor Little League teams, or support your employees who are involved in marathons, races, etc.”

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You can also get involved with charity organizations, such as your local food bank or shelter, Rae said. Charitable efforts will get your name out to the local community and help a worthy cause.

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4. Get a pulse on your local customer base.

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If small businesses are the backbone of the economy, loyal customers are the backbone of a small business. A survey by Mint found that 70 percent of Americans said they intentionally shop from local businesses in-person or online. Among survey respondents, 57 percent said that their main reason for doing so was to keep money within the local community. Similarly, 38 percent expressed a direct desire to support their community and the creators within it.

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During NSBW, it’s especially important to reach out to the customers who have helped make your business successful, said Allison Checchi, COO of Invisible Universe.

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“Giving consumers an opportunity to share positive stories about their favorite employee or most memorable experience helps grow and foster customer relationships, which are so crucial to long-term success as a business,” Checchi said. “At the same time, it has the added benefit of increasing awareness of your business at the precise moment when people are paying so much attention to small businesses.”

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5. Join your local chamber of commerce.

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If you want to get involved in your small business community in a big, tangible way, Rae recommended joining your local chamber of commerce.

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“Membership offers you an awesome opportunity to network with other small business owners, and will help you build recognition as a local expert in your field,” Rae said.

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John Swanciger, head of business development and strategic alliances at the POS system provider Toast, agreed, noting that getting involved in this type of organization can help you seek out partnerships with complementary businesses near you. Find a local chamber here.

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6. Attend a National Small Business Week event.

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Throughout NSBW, the SBA hosts events in cities across the country. These panels, discussions and webinars cover a wide range of important small business topics, from how to start and grow a business to the business of agriculture.

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“Small Business Week is about creating opportunities … to drive conversations that arm local business owners with insights, tools and resources they need to power their business,” Checchi said. “Local business owners should take advantage of these moments to network and gain knowledge.”

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NSBW events are typically livestreamed from the SBA website or the SBA’s Facebook page, so even if you’re not in the area, you can still tune in and benefit from the expert insights. The SBA often offers a virtual NSBW summit too, with registration usually available in the weeks prior to NSBW. To learn more about participating in National Small Business Week, you can visit the SBA’s landing page, or follow the Twitter hashtag #SmallBusinessWeek.

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The benefits of community involvement

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Getting your business involved with your local community can prove beneficial in all kinds of ways. Here are just a handful of the most exciting reasons to get — and stay — involved.

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Stronger reputation

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Engaging your business in your community automatically increases local awareness of your brand. Through the conversations you have with local folks and the work you do to benefit everyone in the area, more people inevitably encounter your business. And if you’re a charming conversationalist whose efforts yield positive, tangible results for the community, your company’s reputation will blossom.

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This is basically word-of-mouth marketing for your business. As more people come to trust and regularly shop at your business, they’ll naturally tell others about it. You know this from your own personal life — you’ve probably told friends about a nearby business you explored for the first time and loved. When you build community connections, you set up this outcome for your own business too.

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Potential for partnerships with other nearby businesses

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As you build connections within your community, you’ll likely encounter other business owners. Some of these business owners might offer products or services that are complementary to yours.

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For example, you might meet a nearby flower shop’s owner as you interact with the community on behalf of your home decor business. You may find that this business owner is open to a partnership with your business. This could take the shape of customers who shop with you automatically getting a coupon for the flower shop. Or it could mean that when customers shop with the flower shop, they get a coupon for your business. Either way, more sales are likely for both businesses.

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Improved employee recruitment process

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According to Qualtrics data, 56 percent of employees only consider jobs at businesses with values similar to theirs. You can safely assume that most local potential hires value improvements to the community. As such, prioritizing your community can improve your recruitment prospects.

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Keeping up with your community efforts after you’ve hired these employees is key too. In fact, Qualtrics found that 70 percent of employees whose values align with those of their employer would recommend working for the business. This is another key way in which community engagement bolsters your recruiting prospects.

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Improved intern recruitment process

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Although unpaid internships are generally frowned upon, the impulse to save money on interns is nevertheless understandable. Small business budgets are tight, and you might feel that your money is only well-spent on top talent. Staying involved with your community can help you find this talent — you might meet high-school prodigies as you connect more with locals. These students boast the talent to be top-notch interns and lack the degree required to demand a high salary. You’ll get more hands on deck while spending only a modest amount.

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Superior employee collaboration and morale

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The more events you hold within your community, the more chances you give your team to bond outside work. When employees bring these stronger connections back with them to the workplace, improved collaboration results. So too does improved company morale — teams full of people that get along swimmingly enjoy their work more. Streamlined teamwork and strong employee attitudes greatly benefit your business — and, by extension, your community.

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What benefits your community benefits your business

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Taking active steps to participate in and improve your community isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s also a sound business strategy that improves your operations and bolsters your standing with local customers. Plus, getting to know the people in your area and participating in community events can be lots of fun. Sure, business is a serious matter, but enjoying yourself — and engaging with the people around you — is a fast path to success.

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Max Freedman and Jennifer Post contributed to this article. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

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Consumers are constantly bombarded with social alerts from friends, family, work and brands. Because of these disruptions, many people disable notifications for email and social networks, making text messages a more effective way to market in real time.

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Text message marketing isn’t for everyone; brands that use this marketing method must ensure their texts are helpful and relevant, not intrusive and spammy (or worse, illegal). It’s easy to tip the scale and turn people off with your messages. Here’s how to incorporate texting into your digital marketing strategy without annoying customers.

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What is text message marketing?

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Text message marketing is a business texting usage that lets you communicate news, sales, promotions and other relevant information to your customers via SMS (short message service) text messages on their mobile devices. It relies on a database containing your customers’ names, cell phone numbers, demographics and other information (geographic region, customer categories, customer interests) that helps you track the sales process.

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Texting is a small business marketing tool that helps you build brand awareness and reach your sales goals on a more personal level.

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“Because text messages appear on people’s mobile phones, they feel more personal than other kinds of marketing,” explained Luke Wilson, chief revenue officer of Prosites. “Texting allows businesses to do many of the things that traditional media does … without having to invest in extra hardware, labor, printing or media buys.”

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How do you run a successful text message marketing campaign?

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Text message marketing is an effective way to communicate with existing customers and qualified leads, but only if you do it right. Here are some text message marketing best practices to follow for success.

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1. Get customers’ permission to send them texts.

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As with email marketing, consumers must opt in to your messaging before you begin sending them texts. This practice ensures you send messages to a welcoming audience and avoid irritating potential customers.

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According to FCC rules, text spamming consumers is illegal; you must have explicit consent to send them messages. The days of purchasing a mass database of phone numbers and sending out texts are long gone. In fact, doing so could incur hefty fines and other penalties.

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“Only use text messaging as a marketing channel if the customer or potential customer has opted in and supplied you with their phone number,” advised Yoni Ben-Yehuda, head of watches at Audemars Piguet x Material Good. “If you contact users unsolicited, you run the risk of losing your credibility and having them unsubscribe [from] your messages.”

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2. Target your texts to a specific audience.

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Boost the chances of your text marketing campaign’s success by sending bulk messages to specific audience groups or customer segments. Similar to how Facebook ads target people within a specific area, by age and by interests, the best text message marketing is highly customized and geared toward a specific target audience.

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SMS marketing lets you get as specific as possible and meet your customers where they are – on their smartphones. By communicating your marketing messages to a targeted audience, you can cultivate more meaningful connections with users and interactions with qualified leads.

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You can also use personalization to customize the experience further. Text personalization helps you bypass other marketing noise – social media ads, email marketing campaigns, etc. – and go directly to consumers’ phones.

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3. Send concise messages.

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Your texts should be concise and straightforward. Users tend to ignore lengthy messages and may opt out of receiving your messages in the future.

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SMS messaging has a 160-character limit. You want to grab your recipients’ attention, communicate your message and close with a call to action (CTA). For example, if you’re informing customers about mobile coupons, get their attention with an exciting opener, relay the relevant coupon details and then explain how they can access the coupons.

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4. Don’t bombard users with texts.

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While it’s tempting to communicate every piece of news or promotion related to your business, don’t overdo your SMS marketing efforts. Consumers can’t ignore texts as they can billboards or social media advertisements. If they receive an overwhelming influx of messages from your business, they’ll get annoyed and may opt out.

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Instead, schedule texts only when necessary and limit how many you send to a specific and appropriate number of customers.

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5. Send only valuable and helpful content.

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Your content must be helpful and valuable, not annoying or intrusive. Delivering quality content via text can help build brand trust and keep your products and services top of mind among your customers.

\n

“When you’re ready to reach out to your list, think about messages that will please your contacts,” Wilson advised. “Coupons, promotions and sneak peeks are crowd-pleasers that your subscribers should be happy to receive.”

\n

Ben-Yehuda advises marketers to use text marketing to send the following types of content:

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    \n
  • An order’s delivery status
  • \n
  • Secondary messages after a customer downloads a specific mobile app or program
  • \n
  • Purchase receipts
  • \n
  • Exclusive discounts
  • \n
\n

Additionally, text message marketing is effective only for brands with an audience that prefers this form of communication.

\n

“A text is more personal than an email, so if you’re contacting the user and they’ve never heard of you … you’ll likely be considered spam,” explained Ben-Yehuda. “When the brand recognition is present with the user, and they’re familiar with your company or products, offering them content via text can be efficient.”

\n

6. Send texts at appropriate times.

\n

Ensure your consumers don’t feel like they’re flooded with messages at inappropriate hours or trapped in a subscription. Pay close attention to when you schedule your messages (e.g., during the day vs. late at night). Consumers might feel you’re being intrusive, even unprofessional, if you send texts at random hours.

\n

Wilson recommends texting during typical business hours and being transparent about what customers should expect from your program.

\n

7. Offer an unsubscribe option.

\n

While the last thing you want to consider is your audience opting out of your program, making it easy for consumers to do so can make them more willing to sign up for your texts in the first place. Wilson recommends making it easy for users to opt out at any time if they so choose. You can offer this option by providing an unsubscribe link for them to click or by advising them to reply to your message with “STOP” if they no longer wish to receive your texts.

\n

8. Ensure your texts are part of your overall marketing campaign.

\n

Finally, remember that your mobile marketing efforts must be part of an overall marketing strategy. No business should begin text message marketing without knowing how its messaging fits into its overall marketing plan for reaching new customers.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

The best text message marketing services

\n

The best text message marketing services help you reach your audience while abiding by crucial text messaging laws, regulations and best practices. The following platforms are excellent options.

\n

Textedly

\n

Textedly is a great text message marketing tool, with 12 affordable plans and several advanced features. The platform is user-friendly and easily scalable; you can upload your contacts in bulk. Additionally, when using the platform, you receive a dedicated toll-free number from which you can send your marketing messages. Read our in-depth Textedly review to learn more.

\n

EZ Texting

\n

EZ Texting offers advanced features that are hard to find anywhere else. Using this platform, you can utilize the service’s web sign-up forms, link shortener and built-in Shutterstock integration. Additionally, EZ Texting ensures compliance so your business can avoid legal trouble. Our detailed EZ Texting review outlines the service’s features and pricing.

\n

SimpleTexting

\n

SimpleTexting is another great option for text message marketing services. The platform is known for customization options like custom integrations and unlimited keywords. Its interface is also easy to learn and use. Learn more by reading our SimpleTexting review.

\n

Podium

\n

Podium is a user-friendly platform that’s easy to adopt. This text message marketing service collects customer reviews and feedback to improve customer relationship management. You can integrate the platform with Google Business to more easily solicit reviews. Check out our Podium review to learn more about how the platform works.

\n

Who regulates SMS text message marketing?

\n

Understanding text messaging laws and guidelines is crucial. Consider the following groups that regulate SMS text message marketing.

\n

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

\n

Before you send any text messages to customers, you must be aware of the FCC’s strict guidelines on message transmission and customer consent. It’s crucial to understand that text message marketing is not something you set up on a whim to spam would-be customers.

\n

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)

\n

The TCPA protects consumers from mass text messages and is very specific about how you can send bulk messages. Obtaining written consent from every customer is critical.

\n

The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA)

\n

The CTIA is a trade association that provides guidelines and helpful tips on text message marketing, although you won’t find the same level of legal guidelines as you will with the FCC and the TCPA.

\n

Getting started with text message marketing

\n

Text message marketing offers many benefits. It’s a great way for businesses to seamlessly touch base with customers and communicate deals, new products and other announcements. Some companies conduct their text messaging by sending group texts themselves via in-house databases. Others work with SMS text messaging services. Texting platforms offer a wide array of services beyond message transmission while keeping you legally compliant with texting laws and regulations. They can customize your bulk texting according to your customer demographics and segments and boost your chances of success.

"}},{"_index":"wp-index-bnd-prod-content","_type":"content","_id":"2006","_score":2,"_source":{"canonical":"https://vaylees.com/7899-better-job-description.html","displayModified":"2024-07-09T13:12:07Z","docType":"article","editorsPick":false,"href":"7899-better-job-description.html","id":"2006","ID":2006,"isSponsored":false,"published":"2019-06-26T16:30:00Z","site":"bnd","stream":"Learn how to write job descriptions that attract top talent.","subtitle":"Learn how to write job descriptions that attract top talent.","title":"How to Write Better Job Descriptions","author":{"displayName":"Sammi Caramela","email":"scaramela@business.com","thumbnail":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/04/04071942/BIO.jpg","type":"Senior Writer"},"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Grow Your Business","slug":"grow-your-business"},"sub":{"name":"Your Team","slug":"your-team"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"Learn how to write better job descriptions that attract the right talent for your business."},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/04/04075514/Job-candidates_Rawpixel.com_shutterstock.jpg","caption":"Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock","alt":""},"content":"\n

Do you wonder why you’re not getting great job applicants? You might want to take a closer look at how you write your job descriptions. Instead of focusing on getting a large number of applications, you should concentrate on attracting the right types of employees to hire for your business.

\n\n\n\n

Your job listing will be many candidates’ first impression of your company. While you want to avoid keyword stuffing, you also don’t want to fill your listing with cliches or fluff. So how do you create a more effective job description to attract the best candidates? Business owners, recruiters, marketing managers and career experts outlined the basics.

\n\n\n\n

What to include in your job description

\n\n\n\n

When you are writing your job description, you want to include information about the following things:

\n\n\n\n

Company culture

\n\n\n\n

A good job description goes deeper than a typical list of skills, tasks and role requirements. To attract the best applicants to your position, give them a feel for your company culture so you can hire for a cultural fit, said Jean Cook, former business coach for The Alternative Board.

\n\n\n\n

Company values

\n\n\n\n

Rebecca Barnes-Hogg, founder and former CEO of YOLO Insights, shared similar views, stating that quality employees will invest in businesses that reflect their own interests and values.

\n\n\n\n

“They want to understand your products and what you stand for,” she said. “Your ad needs to tell them that. The first few sentences need to capture the candidate’s attention. Like any effective sales pitch, make it about them and their interests.”

\n\n\n\n

Salary information

\n\n\n\n

Jaynine Howard, founder and career strategist at JJ Howard & Associates, recommends being upfront about salary in a job description. Many applicants will turn down an offer at the last minute after being informed of the pay, she added. Clearing this up from the start will prevent you and your applicants from wasting time.

\n\n\n\n

Call to action (CTA)

\n\n\n\n

Michael Lan, senior resume consultant at Resume Writer Direct, recommends including application directions that contain a specific CTA. Whether it’s to email a specific person, leave a phone message or include a code word in their cover letter, asking applicants to do something extra can help you narrow down your interview pool quickly.

\n\n\n\n

A clear CTA like this “serves as a built-in screening process as you will be able to weed out applicants who are not able to follow directions and demonstrate a clear lack of attention to detail,” Lan said.

\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

How to present a job description

\n\n\n\n

When constructing your job description, keep these tips in mind.

\n\n\n\n

Watch your tone

\n\n\n\n

When you write your job description, you’ll want to use a tone that represents your company’s brand, said Joseph Terach, a director at American Express. For instance, if you’re searching for creative employees, make your job post quirky and amusing. Meanwhile, detail-oriented tech employees may do better with concrete lists of necessary skills.

\n\n\n\n

Make it easily digestible

\n\n\n\n

Since many people are distracted and rushed, they will likely respond better to listings that are easy to read or scan, especially on mobile devices. Don’t overwhelm your candidates with useless information or lengthy paragraphs.

\n\n\n\n

Steve Dempsey, Head of People at Aquent, recommends organizing key responsibilities with bullet points and separating sections with descriptive headers.

\n\n\n\n

“Most job seekers are scanning,” he said. “They are on the hunt for the right job and will look at a job post and scan the details before deciding to apply or to ignore it.”

\n\n\n\n

Jan Hudson, COO of Surf Search, agrees. “Most job candidates search job boards on their phones now. Keep it simple and always use bullet points.” She also suggests using the headings “Responsibilities” and “Requirements” before bulleted lists for added clarity.

\n\n\n\n

Use humor

\n\n\n\n

Light humor can make candidates remember your listing and want to apply. Chris Mindel, copywriter at AdsIntelligence Marketing, uses subtle jokes in his job descriptions. “It makes the applicant smile when they think about your company,” he said. “They’re more likely to apply.”

\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

Writing your job description

\n\n\n\n

For your next open position, you can write a better job description by following these two suggestions.

\n\n\n\n

Make it easy to read

\n\n\n\n

Consider using this structure for your job description: a two-sentence opening pitch about your company, followed by two bulleted lists under the headings “Responsibilities” and “Requirements” and a one-sentence CTA asking the applicant to click a link to fill out an application.

\n\n\n\n

Pinpoint important info

\n\n\n\n

For better readability and a higher response rate, make sure to include the important information about job duties, skills, tasks and necessary experience in the “Responsibilities” and “Requirements” lists.

\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

Job description templates

\n\n\n\n

Supplier Quality Manager

\n\n\n\n

Hudson provided the following job description, which attracted candidates with excellent qualifications in the life sciences field:

\n\n\n\n

Global medical devices leader seeks a Supplier Quality Manager to lead a supplier quality team in the development of new Class III medical devices. The Supplier Quality Manager will lead supplier quality initiatives and qualifications as well as provide mentoring and oversight of a supplier quality team. Travel is expected to be around 25 percent, both domestic and international.   

\n\n\n\n

Requirements:

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering required; advanced degree preferred
  • \n\n\n\n
  • 8-plus years of relevant experience in medical devices, preferably Class III
  • \n\n\n\n
  • A background in medical device product development
  • \n\n\n\n
  • 5-plus years of leadership experience
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Strong management and leadership skills to ensure management, growth and development of personnel
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Previous supervisory experience
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Strong statistical and analytical skills
  • \n\n\n\n
  • A track record of accomplishment managing multiple competing projects or programs
  • \n\n\n\n
  • The ability to travel up to 25 percent, both domestic and international
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Quality certifications, such as ASQ CQA, CBA, AQA, RAB and CQE, strongly preferred
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Lead auditor certification preferred
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Strong working knowledge of Quality System regulation (QSR/FDA regulation) and ISO 13485 standards
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Design control and validation experience is a plus
  • \n
\n\n\n\n

Responsibilities:

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Manage investigation nonconformance issues identified for device components
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Ensure compliance of supplier files
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Identify supplier quality engineering resource requirements and manage resources to provide quality coverage for the new product development programs
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives, including quality system and supplier qualification procedures
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Manage supplier quality team
  • \n
\n\n\n\n

Dustin Diehl, former director of strategy and performance at Digital Current, provided this quirky job post aimed at a creative content marketer. Notice the use of headings and humorous tone.

\n\n\n\n

Content Strategist

\n\n\n\n

This is probably, what, the seventh job ad you’ve seen today? 10th? Hey, if it’s your first, we feel lucky! We understand that finding a new job can be tough, so we want to make this as easy as possible.

\n\n\n\n

What are you hiring for?

\n\n\n\n

A content strategist!

\n\n\n\n

What exactly is that?

\n\n\n\n

If you have to ask, you may not be right for the job.

\n\n\n\n

OK, well, what’s Digital Current’s definition of a content strategist?

\n\n\n\n

Fair question! There are lots of different ways to interpret the role of a content strategist, so here’s our take:

\n\n\n\n

At DC (that’s our abbreviation for Digital Current, not the comic book company, although that would be awesome ─ we’ll ask you about your favorite Justice League member during your interview, don’t worry), our content strategists:

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Are digitally savvy
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Understand the roles of content strategy and content marketing in today’s digital marketing landscape
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Have 2-4 years of experience in digital content strategy
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Understand the importance of (and how to develop) personas, buyers’ journey maps and content messaging, including voice, tone and style guidelines
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Can conduct content audits to review existing content performance and quality
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Work with SEO teams to incorporate the latest SEO best practices in their content recommendations and planning
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Are comfortable presenting and speaking with clients
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Can lead creative workshops and editorial planning sessions
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Are always looking for ways to improve and educate themselves, their peers and their clients on the latest happenings in the digital content space
  • \n
\n\n\n\n

Great! Where do I sign up?

\n\n\n\n

Send us your resume and we’ll set up a call! Can’t wait to meet you.

\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

Best job posting sites

\n\n\n\n

Once your job description is complete, you need to get it in front of potential hires. You can do so easily through job posting sites. On these websites, people looking for new positions can search for opportunities that interest them. The hiring sites will then pull up the jobs most relevant to the query. That means you can sit back and relax as candidates come to you rather than the other way around:

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. LinkedIn: The main social media website for professionals, LinkedIn naturally doubles as a popular digital space for posting and finding jobs. You can post a job on LinkedIn in two ways. The first is a traditional job listing. The second is by sharing the listing to your own personal feed for all your followers to see. Then, they can share your listing with their own followers and directly forward it to interested friends.
  2. \n\n\n\n
  3. Indeed: You can also post jobs to Indeed’s base of 250 million monthly users. You can hold virtual interviews directly through Indeed’s platform and add screener questions to your listings to strengthen your hiring prospects. (For a deeper look into potential hires, you can look at our list of background check types.)
  4. \n\n\n\n
  5. Monster: With Monster, you can post a job listing for free before buying into paid services. If you seek new employees often, you can contact Monster to arrange a custom plan for your business. Monster also provides thousands of job listing templates from which you can craft your own version.
  6. \n\n\n\n
  7. Google for Jobs: Through Google for Jobs, you can take steps to rank your listing more highly in job seekers’ Google searches. If you list your jobs on your business’s website, you’ll just need to alter the listing’s HTML to use Google for Jobs. If you use a third party to host your listings, that platform might be integrated with Google for Jobs. If so, you can likely replicate your post on that platform for Google.
  8. \n\n\n\n
  9. ZipRecruiter: ZipRecruiter lets you instantly post the same job listing on thousands of different job sites. ZipRecruiter will then send you a list of highly qualified candidates whom you can invite to apply. The platform places a large emphasis on being mobile-friendly for both employers and job candidates.
  10. \n
\n\n\n\n

How to make job descriptions work for you

\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re hiring a senior engineer or an entry-level marketing specialist, it’s important to write concise job descriptions that showcase the most important parts of the position. Adopt good practices, such as using headings, bullet points and clear CTAs, to increase readability and response rate. Don’t be afraid to make your job listing match your company culture. This way, you’ll attract more candidates who fit your organization.

\n\n\n\n

Max Freedman and Brittney Morgan contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

\n"}},{"_index":"wp-index-bnd-prod-content","_type":"content","_id":"1879","_score":2,"_source":{"canonical":"https://vaylees.com/15256-best-states-for-smbs.html","displayModified":"2024-01-03T00:07:19Z","docType":"article","editorsPick":false,"href":"15256-best-states-for-smbs.html","id":"1879","ID":1879,"isSponsored":false,"published":"2019-08-07T18:26:00Z","site":"bnd","stream":"Business location can be critical to success. Learn about the most business-friendly states in the U.S.","subtitle":"Business location can be critical to success. Learn about the most business-friendly states in the U.S.","title":"The Best States for Small Businesses","author":{"displayName":"Sammi Caramela","email":"scaramela@business.com","thumbnail":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/04/04071942/BIO.jpg","type":"Senior Writer"},"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Start Your Business","slug":"start-your-business"},"sub":{"name":"Startup Basics","slug":"startup-basics"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"Thumbtack's Small Business Friendliness Survey reveals the top states for small businesses. We'll also share the worst states to start a business."},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/04/04075248/Coffee_Bar_mavo.jpg","caption":"mavo/Shutterstock","alt":""},"content":"

If you have a new small or midsize business (SMB), several key factors can immediately impact its success. One of the most critical decisions a fledgling SMB owner can make is where to set up shop. Location matters – and studies show that location can determine how easily you can get your business off the ground.

\n

We’ll explore the results of Thumbtack’s annual Small Business Friendliness Survey and look at how CNBC’s rankings compare.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

Thumbtack’s annual Small Business Friendliness Survey

\n

In its most recent Small Business Friendliness Survey, Thumbtack polled more than 2,800 SMB owners nationwide to determine how easy or challenging it was to start a business and handle operations in their home states and cities. Participants answered questions on topics such as local tax codes, licensing regulations and the ease of finding workers.

\n

Since the last Small Business Friendliness Survey in 2021, many states’ and cities’ ratings have gone from A+ or A- to as low as F. Many small business owners are now worried about the economy, inflation and the future of their businesses.

\n

“Current economic conditions and waning government support from the pandemic are leaving small businesses feeling worried about what the future holds,” explained Marco Zappacosta, co-founder and CEO of Thumbtack. “As inflation continues to impact a majority of industries, it’s crucial that government organizations, at all levels, band together to support small businesses.”

\n

Thankfully, 80 percent of consumers at least consider using small, local businesses in their day-to-day, while 50 percent of that 80 percent say it’s a primary or strong consideration. Unfortunately, however, consumer support can only go so far. In fact, 21 states received an F for small business friendliness, regulations, taxes, training opportunities and more.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

Thumbtack’s best and worst states

\n

The most recent Thumbtack survey’s best- and worst-ranked states differed significantly from the previous year, with many states receiving less support from the government.

\n

According to the Thumbtack survey, here’s what you need to know about the best and worst states for small businesses:

\n

Top three friendliest states for small businesses:

\n
    \n
  • Delaware (A+)
  • \n
  • Idaho (B+)
  • \n
  • Arkansas (B-)
  • \n
\n

Top three SMB-friendly cities:

\n
    \n
  • Boise, Idaho (A-)
  • \n
  • Orlando, Florida (B+)
  • \n
  • Providence, Rhode Island (B-)
  • \n
\n

Worst states for SMB friendliness:

\n
    \n
  • Pennsylvania (F)
  • \n
  • Oregon (F)
  • \n
  • Minnesota (F)
  • \n
  • Michigan (F)
  • \n
  • New Jersey (F)
  • \n
  • Massachusetts (F)
  • \n
  • Connecticut (F)
  • \n
  • New York (F)
  • \n
  • Maryland (F)
  • \n
  • North Carolina (F)
  • \n
  • Tennessee (F)
  • \n
  • Kentucky (F)
  • \n
  • Indiana (F)
  • \n
  • Illinois (F)
  • \n
  • Missouri (F)
  • \n
  • Texas (F)
  • \n
  • Wisconsin (F)
  • \n
  • Nebraska (F)
  • \n
  • Louisiana (F)
  • \n
  • Arizona (F)
  • \n
  • California (F)
  • \n
  • Washington (F)
  • \n
\n

Bottom cities for small businesses:

\n
    \n
  • New York, New York (F)
  • \n
  • New Orleans, Louisiana (F)
  • \n
  • Chicago, Illinois (F)
  • \n
  • Washington, D.C. (F)
  • \n
  • Phoenix, Arizona (F)
  • \n
  • San Francisco, California (F)
  • \n
  • Portland, Oregon (F)
  • \n
\n\n\n \n\n\n

CNBC’s state rankings

\n

The Thumbtack survey asked small business owners their opinions about their states’ and communities’ friendliness. In contrast, CNBC’s poll ranked business-friendliness based on 86 metrics across the following 10 categories:

\n
    \n
  • Workforce
  • \n
  • Infrastructure
  • \n
  • Economy
  • \n
  • Life, health and inclusion
  • \n
  • Cost of doing business
  • \n
  • Tech and innovation
  • \n
  • Business friendliness
  • \n
  • Education
  • \n
  • Access to capital
  • \n
  • Cost of living
  • \n
\n

CNBC’s top 10 states to start a business:

\n
    \n
  1. North Carolina
  2. \n
  3. Virginia
  4. \n
  5. Tennessee
  6. \n
  7. Georgia
  8. \n
  9. Minnesota
  10. \n
  11. Washington
  12. \n
  13. Florida
  14. \n
  15. Utah
  16. \n
  17. Michigan
  18. \n
  19. Colorado
  20. \n
\n

Finding a home for your small business

\n

Both analyses agree that Florida and Texas are favorable environments for business creation. If you’re considering opening a new business and are researching locations, consider the factors most critical to your business and industry before deciding on a home state. For example, if you are self-employed and opening a sole proprietorship or consultancy, labor costs may not be crucial.

\n

When choosing where to open a business, it’s also essential to consider where you’d like to live and prepare for retirement. After all, a positive work-life balance is key to business success.

\n

Andrew Martins contributed to this article. 

"}},{"_index":"wp-index-bnd-prod-content","_type":"content","_id":"2656","_score":2,"_source":{"canonical":"https://vaylees.com/11093-future-of-payroll.html","displayModified":"2023-10-20T15:44:54Z","docType":"article","editorsPick":false,"href":"11093-future-of-payroll.html","id":"2656","ID":2656,"isSponsored":false,"published":"2018-10-11T21:58:00Z","site":"bnd","stream":"Payroll is adapting to the needs of organizations and their employees. ","subtitle":"Payroll is adapting to the needs of organizations and their employees. ","title":"The Future of Payroll: 4 Trends to Watch","author":{"displayName":"Sammi Caramela","email":"scaramela@business.com","thumbnail":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/04/04071942/BIO.jpg","type":"Senior Writer"},"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Lead Your Team","slug":"lead-your-team"},"sub":{"name":"Managing","slug":"managing"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"Payroll systems are evolving to better serve businesses. Payroll trends include a cloud shift, HR integration, adaptation to the gig economy and more."},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://images.vaylees.com/app/uploads/2022/04/04080746/1554238233.jpeg","caption":"Thea Design/Shutterstock","alt":""},"content":"

Payroll is an essential function for any business. Your payroll system ensures accurate compensation for your team while accounting for payroll taxes, company benefits and other deductions.

\n

Payroll hasn’t always been at the forefront of innovation. However, payroll systems are evolving to accommodate changing work patterns and new technologies that enable more seamless payroll processing.

\n

Whether you use a payroll service or you process payroll in-house, it’s essential to keep up with the latest payroll trends. We’ll explore four payroll trends to watch and share top payroll providers that can handle this function for your business.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

Features that are the future of payroll

\n

Here are four key ways payroll software is changing to support the future of work.

\n

1. Payroll is adapting to the gig economy.

\n

With freelance work on the rise, payroll systems must adapt to a broader variety of worker categories, including independent contractors. Among other adjustments, non-salaried workers often expect real-time or on-demand payments rather than waiting two weeks or a month for a traditional pay period. With faster payroll processing, HR and department managers must be able to spot issues and resolve them quickly.

\n

“Instant payments are becoming more and more popular as an option for hourly workers – getting paid immediately, or nearly immediately, after they’ve worked a shift,” said Ravi Dehar, head of marketing for fintech company Plaid.

\n

Businesses can pay workers faster via mobile payments. This feature is available through apps such as PayPal and Venmo, which are increasingly popular. However, especially when calculating taxes and maintaining records of paychecks and cash flow, payroll administrators must be aware of the challenges these arrangements may bring.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

2. Payroll is shifting to the cloud.

\n

Cloud computing enables access to data on any device in any location with an internet connection, revolutionizing how we work. It has facilitated numerous SaaS (software as a service) business models for data storage, backup and enterprise software. According to Gartner, more than half of enterprise IT spending in key market segments will shift to cloud applications by 2025. Payroll is no exception.

\n

“There are payroll companies that already operate in the cloud, and most likely, that will only grow,” Dehar said. “Heading to a bank branch to run payroll will quickly become a thing of the past for most business owners if it hasn’t already.”

\n

Cloud-based payroll processing offers many benefits, especially for small businesses with limited resources. Two advantages, in particular, are cost savings and flexibility, said Angelo Frisina, founder and CEO of Sunlight Media LLC.

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“As an organization grows, it can expand its use of cloud services as needed, without extra hardware purchases and with little or no software,” he said.

\n

Cloud solutions also include automatic and routine software updates and data backups, and cloud-based payroll software helps organizations stay current with tax compliance and other regulations. This is a move that every small business should consider.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

3. Artificial intelligence is affecting payroll.

\n

Although the idea that robots will take over the world someday is a bit far-fetched, artificial intelligence is transforming business, including elements of payroll.

\n

“We’re seeing technology, in general, helping business owners save time when running payroll,” Dehar said. “On Homebase [a worker scheduling tool], for example, business owners can get a text when someone missed a clock-out – and employees will also get notified via Homebase Messenger, along with the option to reply back with their correct clock-in time. Reducing timecard errors is a huge timesaver.”

\n

According to Frisina, AI can classify employees to ensure they’re in the correct tax brackets. If any issues arise, HR departments can then use chatbots to help employees with non-urgent requests. If an issue is urgent, those bots will send the request to human administrators.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

4. Payroll is prioritizing HR integration.

\n

A company’s human resources management system (HRMS) plays a big role in the payroll process. It’s crucial for HR managers to ensure all data is protected, classified and easily accessible. Payroll data that’s integrated into an organization’s HRMS is easier to manage and protect.

\n

“As labor laws get more complex, it’s important for business owners to keep an accurate set of data around payroll,” Dehar said. “So, in addition to reducing payroll errors, you’re also storing historical payroll data securely in the cloud. Likewise, having your different systems talk to each other – like your scheduling app, your timeclock and your payroll provider – reduces errors and saves you time.”

\n

Additionally, when payroll systems and HR are integrated, there’s more opportunity to accommodate employee preferences surrounding payroll. For example, employees may need the following extended payroll capabilities:

\n
    \n
  • More frequent pay periods
  • \n
  • Payroll advances
  • \n
  • Pay cards
  • \n
  • Direct deposit options
  • \n
  • Student loan repayment
  • \n
  • Micro-investing
  • \n
  • Payroll apps
  • \n
  • Mortgage payments
  • \n
\n

Accommodating employees’ payroll preferences and meeting their financial needs with advanced payroll capabilities may help you attract top talent. Payroll flexibility is an appreciated job perk that could be a differentiator when people seek employment.

\n

Top payroll providers with advanced features

\n

Staying on top of payroll trends is effortless when you use a payroll service. The best payroll services ensure employees are paid accurately and on time while offering automated payroll tax preparation, insightful reports and more.

\n

Here are some of the top payroll services to consider:

\n
    \n
  • Paychex: Paychex is our pick for the best payroll service for larger businesses. With more than 50 years of payroll industry experience, Paychex can manage challenging payroll compliance issues and tasks, including local taxes, shift differentials and customized reporting. Read our review of Paychex Payroll to learn more.
  • \n
  • OnPay: OnPay is our choice for the best payroll service for very small businesses. It has a straightforward cost structure, an easy-to-use interface, excellent customer service, and the ability to handle all payroll and payroll tax responsibilities. Read our review of OnPay for more information.
  • \n
  • Gusto: Gusto is our choice for the best payroll service with HR tools. Gusto can handle all of your payroll processing and payroll tax responsibilities while fulfilling numerous HR needs. Read our review of Gusto to learn about features and costs.
  • \n
\n

A more integrated future

\n

Remote work and the gig economy have made the process of paying workers more complex than ever, but cloud computing, AI and other software developments help small companies save money while tracking payments and employee data. Small businesses can save money and time by working with payroll services that embrace the future.

\n

Alex Halperin contributed to the reporting and writing in this article.

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Choosing the best bank for your business is similar to hiring the best job candidate. Your bank must have the right attributes and abilities to help you, the business owner, reach your goals and move your business forward.

\n

When opening a small business bank account, some helpful add-on services may entice you. However, while some features may be included at no extra charge as part of a bank’s business services, others come with additional fees.

\n

We’ll explain the business banking services you may need and share tips for choosing the right banking partner to help you grow your business.

\n

What are business banking services?

\n

To entice new small business owners and entrepreneurs, banks and credit unions offer various services and bonus features with their business bank accounts. Business-specific financial services are the most crucial offerings because they can help business owners manage their money properly.

\n

In addition to essential checking account services that allow business owners to deposit funds and write checks, banks may also allow businesses to transfer money by Automated Clearing House (ACH) and wire. Many provide credit and debit cards, merchant account services, and small business loans.

\n

Here are four services any potential bank you’re considering should offer.

\n

Business checking with interest

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Opening a checking account with a low minimum balance that allows you to earn interest helps you avoid fees and earn interest on your funds. Online banking and mobile apps help you manage your money so you can keep abreast of your account and quickly detect fraudulent activity and a low balance.

\n

Treasury management

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Treasury management helps you balance and manage the funds in your business bank account. It is meant to minimize a company’s financial risk. Through an online platform, it places all of your business’s financial information under one roof.

\n

An online treasury management system provides convenient access to your business’s online banking, wire transfers, remote deposit capture, bill pay, ACH payments and collections. Many have a block-and-filter feature to help you monitor ACH activity on your account.

\n

Money market accounts

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Money market accounts are a great way for small businesses to earn interest on the money they hold in their accounts. Not only are money market accounts Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured, but they earn higher interest rates than checking accounts.

\n

Money market accounts minimize the risk of investing, because you always have access to your money – you can withdraw it at any time without penalty, though there may be some restrictions on the number of transactions you can make each month.

\n

Business credit cards

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A business credit card is convenient for small business owners. Look for one with a low interest rate that helps you earn points and rewards. Business credit cards are beneficial because they help you keep your business expenses separate from your personal purchases, build business credit and reduce reimbursement paperwork.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

What is the difference between commercial and corporate banking?

\n

Most banks have commercial and corporate divisions.

\n
    \n
  • Commercial banking: Commercial banking customers are primarily individuals and small business owners, not large corporations. Commercial banking services typically include merchant services, commercial loans, global trade services and treasury services. Like retail banks, checking and savings accounts are offered.
  • \n
  • Corporate banking: Corporate banking is a specialized division of a commercial bank. It offers credit, cash and asset management, and insures large, small and midsize corporations. Corporate banking usually provides higher profits for banks because of the large amounts of money and interest involved with corporate loans.
  • \n
\n

Sometimes, the two divisions overlap in terms of services; however, the real difference is in the clientele and the profits each banking type earns.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

What is a business banker?

\n

A business banker works closely with clients to determine which banking products and services, such as business checking accounts, credit cards, treasury management, loans and payment processing, best fit their needs. They may be able to reduce or waive fees or offer better terms, such as lower fees or interest rates on loans. They may also offer financial insights and recommendations to help you meet your business goals.

\n

When choosing a bank, small business owners should look for one that gives them access to a business banker with whom they can meet regularly to review their business’s finances. A business banker relationship can provide valuable financial advice and improve your chances of gaining funding and receiving favorable terms.

\n

What small business banking services should your bank offer?

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Small businesses need various business banking services. It’s best to choose a bank that offers a full range of services to support your banking needs as your business grows.

\n

Consider the following valuable business banking services:

\n

Convenient Automated Clearing House access

\n

ACH allows money to be transferred electronically without using paper checks, wire transfers or cash. It can be used for payables and receivables. Businesses often use ACH for payroll, loan payments and business-to-business payments. They also use it to accept customer payments, particularly for large invoices and recurring payments.

\n

ACH costs vary by bank. Some charge a flat fee or a small percentage for each transaction, while others charge a monthly fee for a specific number of transfers. Before you sign up with a bank, ask what it charges to use this service.

\n

Accounting software integration

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Many banks offer integrations with the best accounting software solutions. Ensure your bank integrates with your accounting platform so you can easily track your finances and monitor cash flow daily. An accounting software integration also helps you avoid costly accounting mistakes because your system automatically records money moving in and out of your accounts.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

Payroll services

\n

As your small business hires more employees, a bank-offered payroll service can simplify bookkeeping. “If you don’t quite have the budget for an independent bookkeeper, many financial institutions offer access to payroll software or services to help you get things done,” said Jennifer Martin, a small business coach and owner of Zest Business Consulting.

\n

Independent payroll companies can also provide payroll services. Before signing up for payroll services with your financial institution, compare its features with those of top online payroll platforms. “In the case of bank-offered payroll, one should look at what happens in case of insufficient funds,” advised Rohit Arora, CEO of Biz2Credit. Arora advises business owners to compare fees before deciding on a solution.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

Online banking

\n

Your bank should allow you to transfer money, pay bills and deposit checks from your computer or mobile device.

\n

You may be able to save money on banking services if you choose an online-only bank; fees are often lower because the bank doesn’t maintain a brick-and-mortar location.

\n

Fraud insurance

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As payment fraud becomes more of an issue, fraud insurance coverage is a newer feature popping up in banking packages. “Fraud insurance is provided by the lending institution to prevent any loss in the business checking account because of fraudulent transactions,” Arora explained.

\n

Fraud insurance is particularly essential for business checking accounts that give more than one person account access, especially when the accounts typically have multiple daily transactions.

\n

“It’s important to have fraud insurance included so that it not only prevents any loss of money through fraud, but also prevents any bounced checks by the vendors,” Arora advised. “This can lead to adverse remarks on the business’s credit.”

\n

Retirement accounts and health savings accounts

\n

If you’ve been considering offering employee retirement plans, such as a 401(k) plan or a pension, look beyond your insurance agent to your bank.

\n

More banks are offering retirement account setup and maintenance as a bonus feature for their business customers – an attractive incentive when hiring employees.

\n

“Retirement benefits can be a great way for you to more deeply invest in your staff and may be the difference between a great job applicant choosing you over your competition,” Martin explained.

\n

If you plan to offer health insurance to your staff, using your bank to make deposits into employee health savings accounts (HSAs) simplifies the process. You may even save a little money.

\n

“Some employers will save money on their payroll taxes as a result of making deposits directly to an employee HSA, 401(k) or supplemental insurance program,” Martin noted.

\n

Discounts on business-related items

\n

Money-saving offers from other companies are valuable bonus features available with some small business banking packages. Some banks offer discounts on partner goods and services because of the sheer volume of purchases by bank customers.

\n

Ask your bank for a list of partner companies offering discounts to its small business banking customers. Typical partners include hotels, insurance companies, airlines and office supply stores.

\n

Control over employee spending on company credit cards

\n

One risk of issuing company credit cards is that staff may use them for nonbusiness expenses. A service that gives small business owners control over staff spending can reduce that risk.

\n

“Busy employers are concerned about how much or what their employees are spending on their corporate credit cards,” Martin said. “One of the newest features added to certain banks’ offerings for small business owners is Visa card payment controls.”

\n

This feature lets small business owners set limits on daily spending, the days and times of transactions, and the locations or geographic areas where the cards can be used.

\n\n\n \n\n\n

How to choose the best bank for your business

\n

Finding the right bank for your business requires consideration and research, but finding the right banking partner is well worth the effort. Here’s how to get started:

\n

1. Consider your banking needs and preferences.

\n

Your bank accounting needs might differ from other businesses. Your business type (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.) will dictate many of your specific needs.

\n

Some standard business bank account features you’ll likely need include online and mobile banking access, automatic bill payment services and wire transfers. You might also want to open a business savings account or a business retirement account.

\n

2. Evaluate various bank services.

\n

Evaluate the banking services you need and ensure your bank supports them. Specific services include payroll, software integrations, online banking, wire transfers and bill payment.

\n

3. Compare banking fees and surcharges.

\n

Some business bank accounts come with hefty fees, including maintenance fees, minimum balance fees, overdraft fees, wire transfer fees and surcharges. When vetting your banking options, note their various rates and fees so you can choose the best option.

\n

Additionally, consider daily, weekly and monthly transaction limits. As a business owner, you probably need to make various (often hefty) payments, deposits, withdrawals and transfers; your business bank account must be able to accommodate them.

\n

4. Meet with prospective bankers.

\n

Before deciding on a business bank account, schedule meetings with bankers to discuss your questions and concerns. Supportive customer service is crucial when working with a bank, especially one attached to your business. Ask the banker about online banking options, bank fees, interest rates, rewards and more.

\n

5. Read customer banking reviews.

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Customer reviews will shed light on perks or issues you otherwise may not be aware of. Personal anecdotes from actual customers paint an authentic picture of what it’s like to work with a specific bank. Reviews can help you make a more informed decision when choosing the right bank account for your business.

\n

Choosing your business bank account

\n

Choosing a bank account for your business is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a business owner. It’s crucial to select a bank with the right features to meet your business banking needs, one that won’t limit your transactions. Take the time to vet your options and speak with multiple bankers before committing.

\n

Simone Johnson contributed to this article. 

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All businesses, including small ones, face a risk of cybercrime. This constant state of vulnerability is terrifying, but the reality of a security breach is even worse. Handling the aftermath of a data breach — including dealing with the costs, reputational damage and legal consequences — can be overwhelming, and some businesses don’t survive.

\n\n\n\n

However, preparing for an attack and outlining a data breach recovery plan can help your business mitigate the damage and survive the onslaught. We’ll explain more about data breaches and share tips for assessing the impact and recovering with your reputation and customer base intact.

\n\n\n\n

What is a data breach?

\n\n\n\n

A data breach is an incident in which an unauthorized party bypasses a business’s cybersecurity measures to view or steal confidential information. Data breaches can take many forms, ranging from unintentional access to protected information to the deliberate penetration of a database to copy or steal corporate secrets or intellectual property. Cybercriminals may even try to corrupt an entire system.

\n\n\n\n

While you may not be able to prevent cyberattacks entirely, proper preparation can help you mitigate the damage of a data breach and resume normal operations.

\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, many businesses don’t realize they’ve been attacked until months later, if not longer.

\n\n\n\n

“Often, businesses discover that they have been breached for the first time months after it happened when they are informed by law enforcement, business partners, banks or the media, who themselves discover the businesses’ data being sold on the black market,” said David Zetoony, co-chair of the U.S. data privacy and cybersecurity practice at law firm Greenberg Traurig. “Other businesses may have been breached months or even years ago and still do not know.”

\n\n\n\n

How to identify a data breach

\n\n\n\n

You can’t start recovering from a breach unless you know you’ve been hacked. Keep an eye out for these signs of a security problem or a computer infected with malware:

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Slow or lagging computer response times
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Pop-up windows that users can’t close
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Client reports of spam texts and emails
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Websites or programs asking for your credentials
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Files appearing to change for no apparent reason
  • \n
\n\n\n\n

What to do when a breach occurs

\n\n\n\n

Recovery from a data breach will look different for every business, depending on the attack and its consequences. However, every organization’s first step will be to piece together exactly what happened and determine the extent of the attack and which customers were affected.

\n\n\n\n

Three resources will be essential to handling the crisis and starting your business’s recovery: a response team of data breach specialists, legal counsel, and a communications team. You must contact or activate these parties immediately so they can guide you through the vital next steps.

\n\n\n\n

1. Hire a data breach specialist.

\n\n\n\n

You may have a robust internal IT team or IT manager who’s ready to step in to handle the data breach and its aftermath, or you may need to seek outside help. Consider hiring a forensic expert, who can find, preserve and analyze electronic equipment and data to assess precisely what happened and prevent future network threats and vulnerabilities.

\n\n\n\n

Aside from analyzing the breach’s cause, a data breach specialist will ensure you take these essential steps:

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Stop using any infected equipment. When you discover a breach, you should immediately stop using any compromised devices and physically disconnect any affected technology from the internet. These measures will help preserve evidence for the investigation and prevent further breaches in the short term.
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Back up essential data. Once your machine is disconnected from the internet, you can create redundancy of critical information, like access and activity logs, customer lists, payment information and trade secrets. Protecting this data can help you get back on your feet faster.
  • \n
\n\n\n\n

2. Contact your legal department to guide customer notifications and legalities.

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If you don’t have an internal legal department, seek out a lawyer who specializes in data security breaches to help you handle all of the legalities involved. For example, your legal counsel can guide you through the process of notifying consumers, the public, insurance providers, business partners, vendors, regulators and any other stakeholders.

\n\n\n\n

“Besides the technological aspect, one of the most important ways to recover a company’s reputation and relationship with its customers and clients is to ensure these parties are properly notified and taken care of,” said Michael Bruemmer, head of global data breach resolution at Experian. “Companies should send clear and concise notification letters that help affected parties know what to do and how to protect themselves from identity theft.”

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Your legal counsel will advise you on what you must provide to affected parties. “The breached company should always offer a remedy, such as an identity theft protection product so they receive free monitoring and access to their credit report as well as assistance with resolving fraud,” Bruemmer noted.

\n\n\n\n

3. Put a communications team in place.

\n\n\n\n

Your business may have internal public relations and legal resources you can tap to handle your crisis communications. However, many businesses must patch together a crisis response team with outside help to communicate with customers, the media, stakeholders and more. In any case, a cohesive communications strategy is crucial to withstanding the storm and moving forward.

\n\n\n\n

Nicholas Gaffney, a lawyer and founder of legal media relations firm Zumado, said a response team should be activated immediately to work quickly to preserve and enhance your business’s reputation. A team member or hired representative should serve as the point person for official responses to inquiries about the breach. All communications must be transparent and consistent.

\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

What is the impact of a data breach?

\n\n\n\n

Cyberattacks cost small businesses dearly. In fact, according to an IBM study, the global average cost of a data breach stemming from a cyberattack is $4.45 million. Businesses can suffer devastating financial repercussions, reputational damage and legal consequences.

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Economic costs: A breach can financially devastate a business’s operations. Costs can include legal fees, fines, lawsuit expenses, loss of income, payments to experts who help to repair the breach, and costs to reenter or replace data lost during the breach. You also may have to spend money on advertising and other communications to reassure customers and business associates that such a breach won’t happen again.
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Reputational damage: A data breach can shatter a company’s reputation. Customers may be wary of doing business with you if they’re concerned about data security. Additionally, employees and partners may try to extricate themselves from the situation as quickly as possible.
  • \n\n\n\n
  • Legal consequences: Your business may face legal consequences after a data breach, including lawsuits and fines if employee or customer data is exposed. You may face additional penalties and repercussions if data belonging to other businesses is exposed, especially if that data includes trade secrets or other information protected under nondisclosure agreements. And if you mishandle the situation, your legal woes may be exacerbated. It’s crucial to secure legal representatives early on in the process.
  • \n
\n\n\n\n

How to prepare for and mitigate future breaches

\n\n\n\n

Whether you’ve survived a data breach and want to ensure it doesn’t happen again or you’re being proactive, take these steps to prepare for and mitigate future breaches:

\n\n\n\n

1. Provide cybersecurity training for your staff.

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A highly trained and vigilant staff is vital to minimize the risk and damages of future breaches. Your employees should take extra care when using company equipment and learn to recognize signs of compromised information. If team members telecommute, enact remote cybersecurity measures, like multifactor authentication and secure network access.

\n\n\n\n

2. Audit connected devices regularly.

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Conduct a periodic sweep of your staff’s equipment to catch malware and security holes. If your office has a BYOD policy, you should enact extra security measures, such as installing antivirus software, using firewalls and limiting access.

\n\n\n\n

Auditing connected devices is similar to performing periodic equipment maintenance. Regularly checking for obvious vulnerabilities helps prevent breaches by securing your devices from hackers.

\n\n\n\n

3. Use a VPN.

\n\n\n\n

A virtual private network (VPN) can prevent a targeted attack on your systems. Installing a VPN connection creates a private path to the internet. It acts as a tunnel to prevent anyone outside the network from seeing who you are, what you’re doing and where you’re located.

\n\n\n\n

4. Obtain cyber insurance to help you recover if a breach occurs.

\n\n\n\n

Cyber insurance is a type of business insurance that helps you recover from cybercrimes such as extortion, fraud and data breaches. These policies can reimburse you for data breach expenses while offering a barrier against liability to customers or clients.

\n\n\n\n

When you’re considering cyber insurance providers, ask them how they’ll help you lessen your business’s risk of cyberattacks. Insurance providers can often provide guidance and training to reduce your company’s risk.

\n\n\n\n

5. Install antivirus software and other protective measures.

\n\n\n\n

Antivirus software isn’t fail-safe, but it can help protect businesses from malware, ransomware and other malicious attacks that can lead to a data breach. If your business is budget-conscious, several reputable free antivirus solutions can help protect your systems. Firewalls and intrusion-detection systems are also advised.

\n\n\n\n

To avoid vulnerabilities, it’s crucial to keep all antivirus and other business software platforms updated and compliant with corporate security policies.

\n\n\n\n

6. Set up a data breach response plan.

\n\n\n\n

Adding a data breach response plan to your corporate policies — and practicing it regularly — can help you detect attacks sooner and lessen the damage. Like any business disaster plan, a data breach response plan can help you get back to work faster. Appoint team members to handle IT functions, legal issues, PR responses and customer communications so you can spring into action at the first sign of an attack.

\n\n\n\n

“Since it is really more of a question of when than if, when it comes to data breaches, we always recommend having a detailed and thorough data breach response plan in place,” Bruemmer said. “And not only should that plan be created, but it needs to be practiced and updated on a regular basis to ensure it accounts for the latest threats, including attacks like ransomware.”

\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n

Dealing with data breaches

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Data breaches can be scary, but businesses can take steps to make them less likely and reduce the damage if one occurs. It’s similar to preparing your business for any other kind of emergency or disaster.

\n\n\n\n

Zetoony reminded businesses that although most companies will experience a data security incident at some point or another, they can learn from these experiences.

\n\n\n\n

“If you view each breach as a learning exercise, you won’t be able to stop them necessarily, but you can learn how to respond to them more efficiently, quickly and with less impact to your business and your customers,” Zetoony noted.

\n\n\n\n

Steven Melendez contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

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Etsy is an excellent e-commerce platform where sellers can get creative vintage and handmade items in front of consumers searching for unique gifts and wares. Many collectors and creatives make a living selling their offerings to loyal audiences on the site.

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Etsy sellers’ creativity seems to know no bounds, and some shops can get a little weird. Still, one buyer’s “weird” is another’s treasure.

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If you’re interested in selling online and are curious if Etsy is the right place for you, get inspired by the following strange but successful Etsy shops. You may find that this online sales platform and its vast array of niche audiences resonate with you.

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Strange but successful Etsy shops

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The following 11 Etsy shops have established loyal niche target customers and have found success despite their less-than-mainstream focus.

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1. The Pastel Purgatory

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If you’re smitten with kittens, you might be intrigued by The Pastel Purgatory. This Etsy shop sells accessories that’ll make you feel like a feline, from fuzzy ears to collars and leashes. The concept is strange, but the shop has five stars and respectable sales. Prices range from around $20 to $80 or more.

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2. Wild Things Inc.

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Are you obsessed with all things creepy and crawly? Those passionate about spiders, snakes, bugs, and bones will love Wild Things Inc., an Etsy shop specializing in exotic animal parts and art.

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Whether you’re looking for holiday ornaments filled with snakeskin or want to make your own creations using things like tarantula and cockroach molts, turtle shells, and found animal bones, this shop has everything you could ever dream of – even arachnophobes would consider it a nightmare. The inventory on Wild Things varies, but custom orders and special requests are welcome.

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3. Flavored Toothpicks

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On the surface, Flavored Toothpicks seems like a perfectly normal business idea. People use toothpicks all the time, so why not give them a little flavor? While it’s true that cinnamon, grape, wintergreen, and even bacon toothpicks are intriguing, this shop offers some strange flavors, including baby formula and breast milk.

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The shop offers more than 140 different toothpick flavors that retail for $6.87 and come in a small, sliding metal tin.

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4. Uncanny Creatures

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From faux-zombie parts to strange stuffed animals, Uncanny Creatures has it all. The shop, which has been open since 2011, features eerie-looking yet somehow endearing teddy bears and stuffed animals with piercing acrylic eyes, faux fur, and oddly humanlike mouths, complete with teeth, all handmade to order.

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Uncanny Creatures also offers a custom message-in-a-bottle letter service and sells zombie finger keychains and bookmarks along with “bodily candles,” incredibly realistic vegan wax candles shaped like parts of human heads and faces. Shop updates occur periodically, so check back frequently for current offerings.

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5. Cappy Sue Creations

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You know the old saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”? Cappy Sue Creations is a unique Etsy shop that takes it to a new level. Along with random paintings, jewelry, and art pieces that range from strange and unusual to traditional and beautiful, Cappy Sue Creations will also take your random, unwanted junk; turn it into something new and more interesting; and send it back to you for a fee. Now you know what to do with all those office gift exchange items!

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In addition to custom projects, you can also find some not-so-safe-for-work items in the form of pendants, ornaments, and more. Prices vary by item.

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6. aKNITomy

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According to its Etsy page, aKNITomy is an “icky and cuddly world of knitted anatomy.” The shop sells framed, knit versions of human anatomy and dissected creatures (like frogs, rats, bats, and aliens) that are both strange and, oddly, kind of cute. And if you’re interested in knitting your own science projects, aKNITomy also sells patterns and DIY kits for a small fee. Finished projects sell for anywhere from $75 to around $200.

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7. Funereal Ephemera

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If you’ve always been fascinated by death, you’ll love this Etsy shop. Funereal Ephemerea is a shop specializing in “vintage cemetery, funeral, and postmortem photography,” according to its Etsy page. You can find old photographs – some haunting, some beautiful – of everything from flower-covered cemeteries and bodies in coffins to religious and medical paraphernalia and even taxidermy. Prices vary, but most photographs cost between $10 and $40.

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8. The Curiositeer

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What if you could wear a bat’s skull around your neck or wear a spider like a ring? The Curiositeer makes it possible, offering jewelry and other items made with materials like human teeth, insects, and animal skeletons. Items like frog hearts, scorpions, and bird skulls are preserved in resin and mounted to pendants or rings. For the faint of heart, there’s also a selection of jewelry made with flowers and rocks. Items vary in price, but most of the jewelry falls between $20 and $50.

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9. Digitalsoaps

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What do you do when you can’t put down your video game long enough to take a shower? You take it with you – in the form of soap, thanks to this Etsy shop. Digitalsoaps makes handcrafted soaps in the form of gaming accessories, like Nintendo game cartridges and PlayStation and Xbox controllers. The shop also sells shampoos and body washes in soda bottles (popular brands like Dr Pepper and Mountain Dew) and soap inspired by cartoons and anime.

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10. Terrible Origami

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According to its Etsy page, this shop “puts the OMG in origami.” Some people are talented at origami, the art of paper folding; others, not so much. The sellers behind Terrible Origami are of the latter category. Instead of making beautiful, intricate swans, this shop sells what looks more like crumpled paper.

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These terrible origami items are listed for outrageous prices, many of which are over $100, and it’s clear that the shop is more of a joke than anything. However, the shop also sells Terrible Origami-branded T-shirts for fans to purchase and has even somehow sold a few origami pieces.

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11. Concept Insect

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The Concept Insect Etsy shop, based in Pennsylvania, is focused on making insect hobbies affordable and accessible to all. However, what sets this vendor apart from more conventional Etsy shops is its framed bats. Interested hobbyists can acquire rare and unusual bat species for $50 or less – an absolute steal for any hobbyist or bat enthusiast.

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Pros and cons of starting an Etsy shop

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If this list of funky online vendors inspires you, it may be time to try your hand at e-commerce. Etsy is a way to quickly launch an online business idea. However, before diving in to start an Etsy shop, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of building an online business via the platform.

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Benefits of starting an Etsy shop include the following:

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    \n
  • Starting an Etsy shop is simple and easy. Setting up an Etsy shop is as straightforward as creating an account, uploading some photos and opening your shop to the world. If you follow the company’s online guides, you can quickly and easily get your business up and running. The basic Etsy shop feature is free, while premium subscriptions are available for more robust sellers.
  • \n
  • Etsy is popular. Millions of people visit Etsy daily to browse and purchase handmade items. If you’re an experienced artisan, opening an Etsy shop can give you direct access to a massive customer base. If your products are excellent and you have good customer service skills, you can become a significant player on the site.
  • \n
  • Etsy offers built-in analytics. As you build your shop, Etsy provides tools to help you better understand expanding sales and marketing your business. It’s intuitive and simple to view basic sales analytics, like shop visits, orders received and which items are the most popular.
  • \n
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Downsides to selling on Etsy include the following:

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    \n
  • Etsy charges fees. While creating an Etsy shop is accessible and straightforward, like all e-commerce platforms, Etsy must take a cut. The platform charges fees for listing items and takes a percentage of each sale. It’s crucial to learn about Etsy’s fees and payment policies before getting started.
  • \n
  • It’s hard to stand out on Etsy. Etsy’s accessibility means thousands of online sellers have flocked to the site to try to sell their handmade goods. That means a lot of competition for you and your small business. If your products are good and you connect with a unique community of customers, you can carve out a profitable space on the site. Otherwise, it’s hard to stand out.
  • \n
  • An Etsy shop might take time away from your day job. If you already run a business and crafts are a side hustle, starting an Etsy shop may take time away from your top priority. It’s crucial to define your goals as a business owner or professional first and then use Etsy as an outlet for your passion or an avenue to expand your business’s sales network.
  • \n
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Why Etsy matters

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Nurturing a craft or skill that connects you to your passion is a vital, enriching experience. Whether you’re creating an Etsy shop as a side hustle or trying to integrate it into your small business’s current sales offerings, Etsy is an excellent option for anyone looking to sell handmade items.

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Matt D’Angelo and Brittney Morgan contributed to this article. 

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