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HOW TO GET FUNDING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS

Having a business idea/being enterpreneural is really great, however the dreams can become dead with lack of funding.

You probably need a website, you need to get your business registered, you need some office space- whether shared , full or virtual, a social media/tech team, at least enough cash to start production. All this means, you need money, regardless of what you are going into, most businesses and most entrepreneurs require at least a little bit of funding to really get off the ground in their early days.

During our live session with @lindaochugbua on “The Possibilities & Challenges of Accessing Funds for Small Businesses”, the highlights in this post were stated as the sure places for help in finding funding. Thus, check through for a first-time founder’s guide to where to look for funding, and choose which type might be right for you.

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much of local business is still done on a handshake basis and the best way to network with other local business owners and entrepreneurs is through face to face meetings and local business groups

Hey ladies, this week we will like to discuss one key important tip of growing your business through Business Networking. They say, your network determines your Wealth.

Business networking is the process of establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with other business people and potential clients or customers. Business networking benefits are the huge gains made by communicating with other professionals in or relating to your business industry.

It is important to note that it is the networking efforts of a business owner that yields the most results in small businesses. There are many other advantages to networking—of the several advantagesl to be made, the sharing of knowledge is the most beneficial.

To reap the rewards of a network, it is important to understand what business networking benefits you can gain and how they can help your business to boost sales, increase efficiency and morale, and build awareness of your brand.

Join us tomorrow as we share more benefits of making use of your business network.

Keep winning…

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“When you meet someone, be sure to exchange business cards, and follow up later discussing points or topics brought up in conversations you may have had with them”

Hey ladies, still on the importance of growing your business through networking, in this post is one major way to utilize the meeting of another entrepreneur, business owner or even prospect.

After a few conversations, you may be able to bring up the issues you are facing. If they open up discussions first, you might be able to begin exchanging information, seeking knowledge, or exchanging business contacts.

Most business people are optimistic and positive. Regular association with people like this can be a great morale boost, particularly in the difficult early phases of a new business. You’ll find that many, if not all, business owners have experienced similar trials of ownership.

Remember to note that you should not only attend the meetings of your networking group regularly but go prepared to offer something of value to the group. Choose the networking medium or channel that’s best for you.

We remain your #numberone#businesssupport community.

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WHAT IS YOUR “USP”

A unique selling proposition (USP), or a unique selling position, is a statement that clearly/effectively outlines how your business, product, or service is different from that of your competition. It identifies what makes your business the better choice, and why your target clients should choose you over your competitor.

Your USP can be an effective tool that helps you focus your marketing goals and verifies that every piece of marketing collateral you create successfully sets you apart from the competition. Your USP can also be an important part of your branding that makes your business memorable.

Have you identified your unique selling position? This week, stay tuned as we address & redefine our sales processes using effective unique selling points.

Do have a great week.

We remain your #numberone#businesssupport community.

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DO YOUR RESEARCH

Hey ladies, welcome to a great new week.

As we go all out to sell , especially considering the time of the year, it is important to be reminded of a key part of our business success ;– customer satisfaction.

Customer engagement has at times turned into a form of war game with many small businesses. Not in the sense that you and your customer attempt to browbeat or trick each other into ceding territories, but more like a psychological-based war wherein you imagine what it feels like wearing your customer’s shoes when making important decisions. Unlike a real battle, the relationship between business owners and their customers are based in the assumption that transactions between them are mutually beneficial.

In this post, we have identified seven steps to make customer engagement a win-win for both you and your clients , while we will go into details of each point throughout the week.

1. Do Your Research. Spend extra time researching about your client, probing their lifestyle, identifying their needs and managing their expectations.

2. Sound the Bugle. Show your client that you know their business and care about their goals by drawing up a roadmap that will help them succeed in the particular aspect of their business you want to be involved in.

Stay with us for the rest of the week as we take up the other points.

Keep winning!

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Using customer engagement to get your client your way

Discuss Tactics

Hey ladies, good morning.

From our end , we hope your week has started off as planned.

Still on ensuring we get our customers on our side this season, we will consider point 3 in our previous post for customer engagement.

Point 3: Discuss Tactics

Help clients understand how your strategy (i.e. process, work parameters, etc.) will help them achieve their goals. Use action language in your correspondences and documents, while exuding an aura of confidence that assures your clients that you know your craft well.

Remember we remain your #numberone#businesssupport community and it is always great to hear your from you.

Keep winning!

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Book-keeping for small business

Bookkeeping in a business firm is the basis of the firm’s accounting system. Bookkeepers are responsible for recording and classifying the accounting transactions of the business firm and techniques involving recording these transactions.

As a small business owner, you either have to set up your own accounting system or you have to hire someone to set it up for you. As a self-employed or one-person business, you will do it yourself.

If you are hiring staff and anticipate a lot of growth, you may hire a controller to handle your financial management and accounting.

If your business is going to grow but you anticipate slow growth, you may simply hire an accountant or bookkeeper to handle the accounting system.

The accountant, bookkeeper and controller all have different roles. In all of it, proper bookkeeping is very important for your business growth..

Remember, we remain your #numberone#businesssupport community.

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using customer engagement to get the client your way

Hey ladies … Happy Friday.

This week has been a great one , indeed November may just be that magical month and so we must do all it takes to make the most of it.

We will be wrapping up on our customer relationship discussion via emphasis on the points below(you can see other points in previous post):

*Determine Your Rules of Engagement: Put in place rules for how high and low you’re willing to go when it comes to closing contracts with your clients. Don’t over-sell yourself, but don’t undervalue what you’re doing for each client.

*Know Your Buyers Types:
Understand that there are three kinds of buyers, each requiring a different approach that taps into their respective priorities. Leo classifies clients into:

Spendthrifts (15% of customers): Understandably, these are the most preferred clients by every business owner and freelancer. Keep them engaged and regularly updated on the progress of the project you are handling as well as the value you help generate. Offer them all the appropriate premium services you can deliver.

Tightwads (25%): Because this group prioritizes budget, be sure to offer clever service bundles and to reframe your prizes to make rates more acceptable to them.

Average Spenders (60%): These customers occupy the middle ground and will likely comprise a large part of your portfolio. Keep them motivated by using language that emphasizes results and success. 

*Move at Doable Time: Establish a sense of urgency when setting milestones, deadlines and other time-frames. This includes the period of time (usually one to two weeks) you’re giving clients within which to respond to a proposal.

Fight for Something Good: Differentiate your brand by showing that you care about something greater than yourself. Maybe an idea, an advocacy or an organization you truly care about. This works like magic when you and your client share the same values or advocacies. In addition to work, you can also cite charities and community service projects.

Keep winning.

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sample debt reminder/collection letter

Hey ladies, it is time to start balancing our accounts and we should consider debt collection.

Collection starts when you send the invoice, which should have a due date for payment. When that date passes, it’s time to start thinking about following up with a collection letter. Don’t wait too long.

It is better to send a reminder notice sooner rather than later. Remember, this is money owed to you. The longer you put off collecting it, the more strain it can put on your business.

If you’re not sure what to write, you can use the sample below. Remember these letters are to be short, precise and end with a thank you.

January 8, 2020

Linked Group
123 Lekki Road
Anywhere, Nigeria

Account# or Invoice #:123
Balance due or Past Due Balance:
100,000 Naira

Dear Kola,

This is a reminder that your account balance of One hundred thousand Naira was overdue as of November 28, 2010.

Please pay this amount today, I have enclosed a stamped payment envelope for your convenience.

Thank you for your payment.

Sincerely,

Shade Smith
Linked Group

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How to ensure you get paid when a customer misses a payment

Hi ladies, we love to see your business bloom & so we will share some more tips on how to handle debt collection for your small business.

As a small business owner, the temptation is great to have the salespeople handle their own accounts receivables, but it’s much better to assign one person to the task of debt collection. Designate your debt collection lead and provide proper support, training, and incentive to do the job right.

Also endeavour to have the sales person handling debt collection send invoice emails for your business through a specified email address… E.g account@aytfarms.ng or aytfarmsaccount@gmail.com.

This way, you can actually process all invoices separately.

Have a great Wednesday & remember you can reach out if you have any questions.

Keep winning !!!