February 2023 - Page 4 of 12

Boost the Productivity Within Your Business by Using Customer Relationship Management Software

The software is a company device designed to allow you to automate and organise your sales, marketing and customer services. This is undoubtedly an integrated system in which you are allowed to enter customer details once, which in turn is available to all your departments and sales team. As a built-in software system you are able to effectively keep track of buying habits, and analyse the available information to action into your service plans and marketing strategies.

Running an analysis of your information usually provide excellent leads and give you the information you need for existing clients. In the past this tends to take months even years to examine, gather and analyse – nowadays CRM software will do everything for you, even when you sleep!

Small business normally has to outsource its marketing. With CRM software it is possible to save lots of time and money by integrating with social networking websites, blogs and the Internet in general. Let technology do all of the time consuming work for you by producing pertinent information in accordance with your demographics and necessities. More people these days as well as other small companies are investigating online. Companies along with their services or products are mentioned openly and freely and this negative or positive feedback is available. Being in front of your competitors by ‘crowd sourcing’, you’ll be able to use products and techniques that speak instantly to your ideal audience.

When researching for a software vendor or product, you ought to have a clear strategy of what sort of implementation you need and more importantly what your budget allows. For a small company, the price of installing new hardware to support your extra software may be prohibitive. Many vendors are providing a subscription service with Web-based tools, or as is now known as ‘cloud computing’. This service is accessed by using a secure Internet connection. Alternatively, buying pre-designed CRM software and installing on your current network is another financially viable option. You might need the flexibility of starting with your system being hosted off-site and then as your business evolves, bring it on site.

Sustaining an expanding enterprise from small to medium can be tough. What used to be manageable by a few people can turn out to be progressively fragmented as your business evolves. The software may help you handle these concerns by streamlining and automating details. In the past, difficulties and service delivery problems were kept in-house. These days, with information freely available on the Internet and social media websites, one slip in any department could be global news within a few minutes. Creating as well as preserving brand loyalty is a philosophical shift for small business.

If you have assessed your small company needs correctly, you should be able to measure the return on investment (ROI) of your CRM software. On the other hand, all tools have their purpose, if not used properly, the results can be confusing.

Used properly, you will detect significant time and money savings after operating your small business on CRM software. The general purpose is to keep current clients whilst looking for new revenue streams as well as being able to assess customer relationships in real time, which is essential in business development strategies. By implementing CRM software into your business you will obtain the competitive edge in your industry and climb to the next level more quickly.

Is Xzotto a Profitable and Legit Opportunity? – Xzotto Review

I decided to investigate an opportunity called Xzotto due to the number of scams running online, this is what I found out…

Network marketing companies are currently on the rise as hundreds of thousands all over the United States and the world realize the many benefits of the program. You can finally earn a fancy car, get residual income or even go on a luxury vacation by becoming a member. Xzotto is one company that provides you with a business opportunity for success.

About Xzotto

Xzotto provides members the opportunity to gather their resources and share in a cash payout via a lottery. The company believes that by sharing the efforts in a huge pool, the chances of winning are boosted significantly. Several things can be accomplished when shared such as airline travel, mass transit and online purchasing. The same principle applies to lottery pools, providing that there is a sound plan.

You can join the different levels of participation by becoming part of the XzottoLotto Alliance. You get to participate at zero cost. You will need to buy the lottery tickets. The application is internet-based focusing on the software subscription to help you go through the various levels of participation.

The Product

Xzotto provides you with an internet-based platform called Xzotto Desktop or XD to ultimately boost the membership. When you subscribe to the XD, you get the chance to manage a lottery team that will grow into several thousands. You have to observe all features of the lottery participation, such as data regarding the team of lottery players and detailed reports. You also get to manage the whole team and down line. At $25 every month, you can track thousands of lottery chances and players.

Business Opportunity

The best way to boost your chance of winning is by sharing the effort with others. Once you share in the cash value of several lottery tickets, you can win a prize every draw. Xzotto is a better way to join, since you get to add more members to the team via software subscription sales. You get the opportunity to create a team of hundreds or thousands of lottery players.

This seems to be a legit opportunity to pursue, but what is missing?

You need proper marketing knowledge, with proven and guaranteed strategies or you’re going to waste your time and waste a lot of money.

Useful Lead Generation Tips For Small Businesses

Owners of small businesses will always try to find ways to save money on various processes. They would often try to do or handle key business aspects or operations and when they see that they are not capable of doing these, only then would they consider the option of hiring new employees or outsourcing their requirements.

One of the business processes that small business owners can handle or manage is lead generation. This marketing process refers to the practice of getting more queries from potential customers or clients. This can be done by employing different strategies and following useful tips.

If you are the owner of a small business, below are some tips you can follow to achieve success with your lead generation campaign:

Group or divide your market. If you have a business, you would assume that everyone can be a client or customer. This is true. However, you need to know how to gauge the interest and communicate with each group of potential consumers. As such, you need to segment your market into target groups of prospects who share the same qualities and habits and determine what communication will work best with each group. Business experts say that B2B telemarketing is an effective segmentation tool. You can consider outsourcing this job if you want to properly segment your market.

Optimize lead nurturing. One of the most common reasons why many of your leads never convert into paying customers or clients is because you did not do enough to guide prospects through the sales cycle. Lead nurturing is therefore important in turning more leads into clients or customers. Prospects may not convert since there may not be enough contact or communication during the critical decision-making phase of the sales cycle. One popular lead nurturing strategy that is still effective today is sending your leads personalized follow-up emails.

Post only quality content. Lead generation also depends greatly on social media and other online campaigns. As such, it is important to always have outstanding content since this is helpful in capturing sales leads. In addition, in online lead generation, having interesting content on your website, landing pages, and social media sites can spell the difference between a quick glance and a double take or an ignore and subscription.

Lastly, don’t disregard your existing customers or clients. Happy, satisfied customers are always excellent sources of referrals. Business experts say that prospects that are referred to a company by a friend or colleague are four times more likely to make a purchase than those who encounter your business on their own. As such, your existing customers or clients are a valuable pool of leads that you should never neglect or overlook.

Take Your Customer Service Dept From ‘Cost Saving & Cost Reduction’ To High Profit & Business Growth

The more communication I have with people involved in telephone service and sales, such as Contact/Call Centers and Customer Service Departments, the more amazed I become at the reluctance to create more sales and profit opportunities through better interaction with current customers, reactivation of lost accounts and new business acquisition.

Companies are forever seeking ways to cut costs and reduce staff – particularly so in Call/Contact Centers (turning so many into ‘Call ‘n’ Wait’ disaster zones) – they often fail to see what rewards they can achieve by using the following formula:

1 humble telephone + 1 skilled operator + 1 established sales system = HUGE PROFITS!

Here are twelve ideas that can dramatically improve your bottom line RESULTS build greater customer RELATIONSHIPS and earn you (a company of any size and industry) more REVENUE.

1. Build the loyalty of your current customers

A ‘no brainer’ right? Why is that so many customers cannot get through to you, when it suits them?

Why are you constantly offering free incentives and reduced prices to gain new business?

CRM is meant to be the new service elixir. Well it is worth nothing if you don’t listen to your customers.

Here’s an example – in the last six months or so, a metropolitan daily newspaper has offered ten-week subscriptions for $39.90 (I pay more and have subscribed for 20 years), contests (win wine if you subscribe, see a rock group in concert!) and give-aways to induce new subscribers. Me, I get some sort of special club membership with the odd discount or special offer. But hey, so do the new subscribers! Who’s ahead?

2. Gain referrals from current customers

The cost of losing customers is almost incalculable. Add to that the people they tell about their bad experiences and the people they never refer to you.

Instead, offer your current customers a total strategy of satisfaction and benefits. Then, encourage them to tell others.

Don’t reward these referred customers (but do give them total satisfaction and benefits). Do reward your current customer for their referral. Develop a system that will encourage customers to tell friends, family, their customers and associates about you and then say ‘thank you’ or offer them something of value for their efforts.

3. Add VALUE to every sale

Here is a really simple equation: If you give value – you get more sales.

That’s it. If your people are trained to offer advice and information, educate customers, offer them creativity and innovation then your customers will buy more products and services, more often.

Even if your prices are slightly higher. This was the IBM way, back in the 60’s and 70’s with some great lessons to be learned. IBM charged the steepest prices in the industry but their service and support was legendary. The phrase ‘no one ever got fired for buying IBM’ originated way back then.

4. Turn an enquiry into a prospect

Then, turn that prospect into a customer. Then turn that customer into an advocate, one of your company’s ‘raving fans’.

All you need are trained people, a system and a monitoring and measuring plan. Simple? Yes it is, and like all things mentioned in this article, I will bet that some of your people excel at this and a number of them perform basic courtesies with callers – and that’s it.

5. Create an upsell program

One becomes two. Two becomes four. Four becomes … greater than the GDP of Argentina.

It is so simple, easy and effective and so few organisations employ this strategy. Many of your people don’t do this because they think the additional cost will put the customer off. It doesn’t. Not if the customer actually sees the benefit of greater quantity or improved quality.

6. Cross-sell at every opportunity

What can your people add on the original purchase? Extended warranty, on-site service, insurance, a savings if they purchase an additional item(s), a special offer or other options?

If everyone in your organisation upsold and cross-sold at every given opportunity, your sales would soar. I have witnessed increases of between 15-45% in companies where a simple upsell/cross-sell strategy was installed.

7. Negotiate on price

Don’t just offer a discount or ‘best price to you’. Let me reiterate, if you give value – you get more sales. Negotiate price. Train your people that by dropping price, they are giving away margin. So, if you offer a discount negotiate an upsell and/or cross sell. Package or bundle your offer to make it attractive and a genuine customer benefit.

8. Follow up

Every time your people give a quote, send a proposal or brochure out via fax, mail or e.mail, they should record a follow up timeframe.

Between one hour and three days. Everyone who requests information should be followed up by telephone. This leads to a higher close or conversion rate (I have witnessed 20-50%) or, if they have purchased elsewhere – your follow up call may be the commencement of a relationship … or not. But you won’t know if you don’t follow up.

This rule should also be applied to complaint management. Most companies have no follow through with people who have complained.

9. Adopt a ‘keep in touch’ program

What can you do for your customers that will allow you to contact them on a planned, regular basis?

Special offers, new product or service introductions or …? The best forms of ‘keep in touch’ are e.mail combined with a regular phone call.

But be warned – you should have a purpose for every call you make or email you send. Don’t just bombard your customers (and prospects) with garbage.

10. Develop a systematic approach to lost customer reactivation

The longer you fail to make or maintain contact, the likelier you are to lose customers forever.

If you check the most recent contact vs previous contact frequency, you can detect a lost or about to be lost customer. Do something to regain their business.

This is the most costly part of your operation – the lost customer, the lost referral.

Do you have a lost customer reactivation plan?

11. Gain new customers

Why are there so few high quality telemarketing divisions in companies? Certainly, the ‘T’ word is considered dirty and grubby in some quarters and indeed it can be. However, where you have trained professionals, comprehensively developed objectives and strategies why wouldn’t a well run telemarketing campaigns gain new business and new relationships for your organisation?

Quality telemarketing will generate leads, open up new business channels/market segments, build business with small, marginal and distance customers, give you real value (as a follow up) from exhibitions and seminars.

This is one of the most under utilised resources for business acquisition (and reactivation).

12. Develop and work your system

Success will come in all of the previously mentioned guidelines, tips and hints if you adopt a systematic approach. That is:

a) A sales and service oriented contact management system, based on a quality CRM package.

b) Well trained people who consistently add value to and gain value from every call they take or make.

c) Monitoring, Measuring and Reviewing each of the above and seeking continuous improvement both in contact management and people skills.

It is simple and what’s more, it works. Use the power of the humble telephone (and quality people) wisely, and you will gain great RESULTS: Relationships and Revenue.

How Does VoIP Phone Service Work?

For years, businesses have been replacing their analog phone lines with VoIP phone service. In its early years, VoIP picked up its own reputation among users and skeptics who touted it as unreliable; however, throughout its history, this new communication technology has grown in popularity and left its mark as a reliable and practical communication solution for businesses of all sizes.

Today, businesses use VoIP features to stay in touch with customers and colleagues, expand their businesses seamlessly, monitor employee performance, and build customer loyalty. By harnessing the power of the cloud, VoIP also offers a degree of flexibility and simplicity that analog users just can’t experience.

While analog phone service keeps communications fixed in one location, VoIP allows you to make and receive your business calls from any device (office, mobile, or soft phone app) or forward them to external sites and extensions.

The flexibility and convenience of this technology is what most users love about business VoIP providers.

Small businesses and entrepreneurs are also able to use VoIP phone service to create the image of a larger company with features like auto attendant and custom prompt menus.

What can you expect from a VoIP phone service?

VoIP takes analog audio signals and converts them into digital data which can be transmitted over the internet. With less bandwidth required to transmit the data, there is less occurrence of jitter which causes that choppy audio and lackluster call quality that drives everyone crazy.

Call quality, cost savings, and easy setup are the main drivers of VoIP’s success but there are several features and capabilities that set this communication technology apart.

These are few of the standard features you can expect when using a VoIP phone service:

Call forwarding
Voicemail to email
Auto attendant, also known as a digital receptionist or cloud receptionist
Call continuity
Programmable keypads
App integration
Caller ID display
Call blocking
Call conferencing
Mobile capabilities

VoIP phone service can seem like a drastic change to your communications strategy but if you’re willing to speak with consultants, you will see that it’s actually a simple transition.

A Better Business Communication Solution

Convenient set up

Even with more recent, premise-based business phone systems, set up is cumbersome and expensive compared to a cloud-based phone system. It requires users to connect wires and figure out which line pairs with which extension; most busy business owners usually end up either having to hire someone to install it for them or spend hours on the phone with their phone company.

With VoIP, the time it takes to get up and running is minimal and most VoIP service providers offer support to help you every step of the way. Usually, however, it’s as easy as plugging in your IP phone and letting it initialize to your existing network.

There are no wires or lines to worry about since your service provider takes care of most of the set up before you receive your new equipment. When you use VoIP phone service, your settings come pre-configured to your phone so all you have to do is connect your phone to the correct ports and you’re on your way.

The best part?

Since VoIP is cloud-based, your provider is able to take the maintenance of equipment and servers that help power your communications off your hands by managing their own servers and IT staff for your convenience.

This means any business can enjoy using this technology regardless of the size of their location.

Minimize costs

Businesses see significant savings when they switch from traditional phone service. With older PBX systems, you had to hire an IT staff to maintain the equipment housed in your office, pay for long distance charges, and if you wanted to add a line to your office you had to pay the phone company more for the phone number and installation.

Today’s VoIP technology only requires one-time hardware costs and a monthly subscription based on service plan rates. Long distance calling rates vary among providers but many offer unlimited calling along with competitive international rates.

Easy setup, lower costs, and robust features make VoIP a great solution for business communication. It’s no surprise that VoIP is seeing rapid growth with no signs of slowing down in the coming years.

The Magazine Industry

Anyone taking a look at magazines from the 50s or 60s would see a huge difference between them and the magazines of today. Before the advent of computers, many consumers relied on magazines to provide information, recipes, home decorating tip and business information. They read eagerly about the private lives of celebrities and eagerly awaited each issue.

The back to school issues of magazines such as Seventeen could be nearly as thick as many telephone books.Flash forward to 2009 and 2010 and magazines have changed a great deal. They have to compete with other sources of information, with a primary competitor being the computer.

Ad revenues are down in nearly every magazine being published. Some very specialized magazines have managed to stay profitable, however. Question is: how long can they continue to do so? Is the future of the magazine industry in trouble and will magazines soon be collector’s items, becoming as odd a sight as record players, typewriters and similar items?

There are some magazines which seem to buck the trend. Among the most popular are home magazines. Buyers seem to like to collect these and even tear out pages to take to home design stores. The number of home magazines has more than tripled since 2005, with news stands filled with a record number of these type of periodicals.

Even so, with the advent of computers and access to information online, the magazine industry is facing many challenges. Magazines with a long and notable history, including Gourmet and Portfolio magazine, have ceased publication. Newsweek magazine is up for sale, raising questions about how people want to get their news.

Perhaps receiving it weekly is simply too long to wait, especially when the click of a button can allow readers to have access to breaking news. Computers have many wonderful features but can signal the death of magazines which used to offer similar information.

Magazines like Newsweek, also known as newsweeklies, face special challenges. Why do they often get into trouble and face possible doom? Simple. They can’t compete with online news, information which could be breaking on the same day as a weekly news magazine hits the stand. Magazines can’t cover breaking events as quickly as online publishers. However, they can be purchased for recipes, holiday crafts, biographies of celebrities and more.

In order to lure readers, magazines must have a special hook or angle. Mary Englbreit’s Home Companion magazine featured paper dolls in the back of the periodical as well as collector prints suitable for framing and hanging on the wall (so did the old McCalls magazine). Special sports magazines covered the Olympics and featured posters which could be put on the wall. All of these features helped entice readers into buying magazines.Maybe they still will.

There is another challenge facing the magazine industry. It takes paper to fill magazines and paper generally comes from trees. Magazines have been attacked for being wasteful and not good for the environment. When given a choice between buying a magazine or reading similar information online, environmentally conscious consumers often opt for the online experience.

Mostly, it comes down to simple economics. What role do magazines have when it comes to providing information and what will consumers pay for? In order to remain competitive, the magazine industry has to create issues which readers want to buy, collect and keep for more than a day or two. Certain special collector’s editions seem to do well and even fly off the stands. But it is becoming harder and harder for the magazine industry to carve out a unique niche when it comes to providing information.

Also, in order to stay profitable, magazines must have advertisers. Unfortunately, they are competing for advertisers who often prefer to appear online. Ad revenues have been shrinking at many magazines as their usual advertisers decide to cut back on expenses or move to online ads. Advertisers have to stretch the budget as far as possible and that often means cutting particular magazines out of the mix.

5 Benefits of Using a Good Cloud Server

Are you thinking of using a cloud server? If so, you are on the right page. According to predictions, most enterprise files and other activities will be based on the cloud by the end of this year. Today, companies are switching to web-based servers instead of depending on in-house servers. In this article, we are going to take a look at 5 benefits of a cloud server for your business.

1. Higher Security

We know that data security is of paramount importance for any organization. Unlike an in-house server, cloud servers offer a high-level of security through backups and encryption. In other words, your data will be stored on a remote computer in another part of the world. Therefore, even if you lose your computer all of the data on it, you can still get all of your data back from the remote computer in a few minutes.

Apart from this, you can enjoy faster file transfer between your computer and the remote server. All of your important documents remain safe on the server.

2. Centralized Collaboration

Another great benefit of these platforms is that your data is centralized for better collaboration with different employees on the same project. This allows for faster collaboration between employees. Irrespective of the setup you have for your company, all of your employees will access the same files at the same time. In fact, it is also possible to automate the entire process.

3. Access From Everywhere

A cloud server also allows users to sign into their accounts whenever they want to. As long as they are connected to the internet, they will have no problem using their accounts. They can use different devices to perform their jobs. There are no time or location constraints. On the other hand, a dedicated server does not allow this flexibility.

Another problem with dedicated servers is that they have a longer downtime for regular maintenance. On the other hand, servers have almost zero downtime. These systems automatically get upgraded while the users are still using their documents and accounts.

4. Scalability

Scalability is another feature of cloud servers. In other words, cloud servers can be scaled up or down based on the workload. You can apply for more storage or computing power as your business grows. You can also do the same with a dedicated server, but it will cost you a lot more money, time, and effort.

With the cloud server, you have the freedom to pay your subscription on a monthly or annual basis based on your business needs. As your business gets more customers, you can pay for higher subscription plans to enjoy better services.

5. Save Time and Money

Last but not least, a server can save you a lot of money over the long haul. You don’t need to invest in high and equipment to set up your own server. Apart from this, cloud platforms have no requirement for advanced software programs. Plus, you don’t need to buy manpower or expensive IT infrastructure.

Long story short, these are some of the primary benefits of using a good cloud server to meet your business needs.

Learning From Competitive Edge and Resharpening the Skills

Introduction

Although the world economy is trying to come out of wood and awaiting to witness credible growth, demand for competitive skills in IT global world continue to be at high stake and is intensifying day by day, making it difficult or impossible for any IT professional worldwide to stay ahead of it. A wide range of fluctuation in supply and demand of competitive skills is making the recruitment process much difficult for hiring organizations. On the other side those who already work with the IT organization always carry a fear that opportunities may cease at any moment of time or their skills may be obsolete after some time and no more required to the Organization. In current situation it may be likely that a star performer IT professional in the Organization can become suddenly a bench warmer and after sometime subscriber of multiple job portals. The career transitions from one end to other end may be so fast; many times it happens overnight. It is a well known fact that, practically it looks impossible for an average IT professional to get an opportunity to acquire multiple skills by working in multiple projects consecutively, moreover in current trend due to the delayed projects, clients are taking their own time to hire IT professionals that too only after rigorous assessment. More you are idle in the IT organization more you become suspect to hiring organization. Hence it is high time for IT professionals to keep nurturing their existing skills and look for acquiring new skills which market demands. Competitive skills demand changes faster along with changes in technology and business scenario and every time it may not be just technical skill which matters. Clients are increasingly looking at skills of those IT professionals who can deliver business value and virtually eliminate their issues in real time.

What are the competitive skills?

Competitive skills are the oriented skills and are built on combination of any of the basic skills (such as technical, management or behavioral) which on demonstration, enables and accelerates the business outcome of your customer in a positive way. Competitive skills keeps changing as per business, technology and human needs and they largely depend upon the position or role with which you are expected to perform. With these performing skills you need to accomplish the tasks to meet your client’s goal.

There are multiple ways IT professionals can acquire the competitive skills, however choosing, acquiring or enhancing the right set of skills is key to the career advancement. There cannot be a written rule on who should acquire which skills however there is a logical need to synchronize between what competitive skills you are capable of possessing and what market wants you to possess. Hence it is crystal clear that one needs to align his or her competitive skills as per the business environment they are expected to work with.

Managing competitive skills with business focus and what you need to do.

Selecting competitive skills for acquiring or enhancing, in tune with business demand is a tough task and need thorough self assessment. Here are some of the useful aspects to remember

o Scrutinize and Chart career path: It is essential for every IT professional to chart a career path for next 3 years period based on market projections and aspects such as, what technologies are getting introduced, what services are going to be used, what are the clients expectations from their business towards service providers and also from the feedback you receive from client at the end of project if you are already in a project environment.

o Learn the business dynamics: Business dynamics is changing fast due to globalization of services; stiff competition; accelerated time to market; recession; pressure on cost reduction and to do more with less. These aspects have to be clearly factors in our way of working. IT professionals are required to do additional learning to demonstrate quick results and expected value (ROI), cost savings, while rendering services to the client. This is possible by improving traction with your client and keeping sensitivity towards your clients’ immediate needs.

o Synergizing and balancing the skills: Making a skill set, business centric is very important, for example, you may be good in technical skills but lack in soft skills or management skills which may be needed in managing the team by your client. The skills with which you do outstanding work need to continue in the same rigor; however the skills in which you are weak, may have to be strengthen further. Do a SWOT analysis of yourself to confirm the areas you need to have improvement plan. Remember, competitive skills are going to be used as input as well as output for measuring the business performance as well as your own performance.

o Acquire professional certifications: Acquiring Certifications from worldwide recognized organizations on specific competency skills are extremely useful which provides good Weightage and credibility to the career charter and they need to be planned in a systematic manner based on eligibility criteria. Too many certifications from totally different work stream may not be useful. Certification shall help individual professional in building-up the career ladder in related field and improve learning by gaining knowledge. The examples of certifications in each area are Technology (Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Java, Net, Virtualization, agile) Project Management (such as PMP, PRINCE-II), Information security (CISSP), Quality (ITIL, CoBIT, CMMI, ISO). Standard tools (such as Ms Project, Visio, rational tools, presentations tools or excel based tools).

o Improve your knowledge base: Client always looks at you as a solution provider or Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the area of his interest; he may expect you to provide you consultation or professional opinion. You need to possess a thorough knowledge in those related areas which can always be achieved by, attending and participating in seminars, webinars, workshops, conversing with your professional colleagues, reading; searching information, reading; writing articles and white papers and by blogging.

o Prioritization and Reprioritization: There is a need to have a continuous focus on Prioritization and Reprioritization of competitive skills due to business Prioritization and Reprioritization and its complexities. Based on changed business dynamic, IT professionals will have to review periodically those competitive skills which were earlier prioritized; some of them may need to be reprioritized due to market urgently.

o Work on future competencies, tools and technologies: The technologies and tools in IT world are getting upgraded every day and awareness of upgraded versions of related technologies and what they deliver to the business is extremely important. Be aware that, competitive skills in technology area are moving towards mobile computing, cloud computing and virtualization predominantly hence it is essential to understand what they are and what they offer. The business enhancements and solutions are going to be delivered through Virtualization, Innovation and Automation (VIA), hence IT professionals will have to get geared-up in learning and exercising innovative practices, strive for automating business and IT processes at every juncture and finally virtualize them for client’s user and customers globally. Cloud computing is one of the emerging technology which has forced usage of every component of software, hardware and platform on subscription or pay per user basis for economies of scale and optimal utilization for multiple clients globally.

o Learning and De-learning (LDEL): The new challenges posed by world economy, service globalization and competition has forced IT organizations to change the routes and the manner in which business was conducted. There is re-engineering and in some cases reverse engineering of business and IT practices hence IT professional will have to acquire skills for learning new routes and de-learning old routs with which businesses were conducted. E-commerce is best example of LDEL.

o Service focus will be on the top: Focus on acquiring and enhancing skills in the area of service commitment. Every service component and its performance is going to be tied-up with stringent Service Level Agreement (SLA) which will have to be fulfilled by every IT professional.

o Multilingual-Multicultural dilemma: Global business scenario expects every IT professional to walk and talk in Multilingual-Multicultural environment, hence learning, adopting and demonstrating these cultural and multilingual facets is considered as one of the top preferred skill by clients worldwide. Talking and walking in customer language and culture adds to the comfort level of client tremendously.

o Do pilots and internal projects to gain confidence: Pilots and internal projects are the best ways to try out newly learned skills to gain confidence. Many times it may not be feasible to get opportunity to work in live client project, however IT professionals need to treat internal or pilot projects with the same rigor to get thorough experience to build the confidence level.

o Adoption to business environment and competition: There could be impact of environment and people with whom you are collaborating during your engagements. You may be working with clients and vendors in near shoring, off-shoring, on shoring arrangement or in co sourcing environment and with competing vendors. Your competitive skills needs to be at par as compare to the client or vendor organization while delivering the services to create that differentiator.

o Get accustomed to Unified Communication: Since the business process integration will be on the top of agenda for every business conglomerate, the real time communication services will have top preference. IT professionals will have to learn how to make cost effective usage of integrated instant messaging, IP Telephony, Video conferencing, call control speech recognization etc.

o Commitment to CSR and Green Environment: At work, learn the requirements of facilitating green environment and participate in the Organizations initiatives. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is no more optional service and every professional need to contribute his bit towards CSR initiatives. Many governments worldwide have enforced regulations to organizations and their employees with the mandate to demonstrate visible outcome. The selection criteria for some of the top jobs include one of the aspects of contribution towards CSR and green environment by many organizations.

o Improve communication and presentation capabilities: Doing presentations, conducting webinars, podcasts, writing articles and whitepapers Mentoring juniors, Blogging, becoming opinion leader, being a part of social network, provides ample opportunities for IT professionals to improve their written and verbal communication and presentation skills. Many times communication skills supersede the other skills and clients do accept working with professionals who may not be very expert but know their job.

o Be aware of change management issues: Changes in reporting functions, policies within organization and with client organization as well as acquisition and mergers poses lots of challenges and impacts performing skills. Understanding the change management process thoroughly and realigning with new organization structure requires patience, adaptability and lot of flexibility. Sometimes it also creates uncertainty to the profession; this has to be dealt with by demonstrating much better performance in business outcome.

o Improve professionalism and be trusted partner: Professionalism is demonstrable application of qualities and competencies within the framework of business ethics. When you work as an IT professional for your client you are ambassador of your Organization and your professional services shall safe guard interest and expectations of your client. It is necessary to demonstrate professionalism in every task and act which can provide outstanding results from your work to the client, moreover client look at every hired professional as a trusted partner who can delivery solution to his problems.

o Register for national skill database and get your BGRC done: It is desirable for every IT professional to get registered to national database of that country (such as NASSCOM in India) and get certified and cleared in background check (BGRC) by approved agencies. This is specifically check by your client while hiring you for services.

o Referencing and perception: Creating good references about yourself is a key requirement of your profession. If you have good reference base from your senior colleagues, client and professional who can talk about your capabilities and achievements, it provides high level of comfort to the anyone who wants to refer you. Also it is imperative to create honest perception about yourself through performance and achievements to the professional world around you.

In summary

Competitive skills are influenced by market condition, demand for IT services, global view hence it is imperative to take a stock of current and future state of global needs while developing the skills and delivering the outcome. The factors mentioned above will play important role in shaping your future as a successful professional

Helpful Tips on How to Build Your List on the Internet

You may have set endless friend requests in Facebook and Twitter. You may have copied every email address there is in every individual profile. You may have posted endless comments on other people’s blogs with a link to your website. And yet, these methods are still not enough to create that gigantic network you have been trying to build. You need more traffic for your website. You need more contacts. You need more customers.

One technique on how to build your list on the Internet is through subscription. Always grab that chance that your site has been visited by a potential customer. Don’t ever let them leave your site without first signing up to your content or subscribing to an offer. Always offer them the chance to sign up on each and every page they visit on your site, and always remember to place your subscription box in areas where visitors could easily see them. The more they are reminded to sign up, the greater chance that they really would.

Another technique on how to build your list on the Internet is by not asking too much information. Don’t be aggressive in asking for your visitor’s email address to the point that they could only enter your site by giving the information you need. Definitely, they will click away from your site because you’re prompting them to do something that would need too much effort and as a result, you lose potential customers in the process. Don’t ask too much information when asking for subscription or you will frighten your visitors away. A long-page subscription form to be filled out would be a hassle to the customer’s part and they might even question why they need to give out too much information, they might just leave your site in the end. Always keep in mind that the subscription box is not for market research — a name and email address as a requirement would be enough.

Building your network requires a lot of time and patience. Just follow the above techniques and eventually you will see an increase in the number of subscribers!

What Percentage of MLM Companies Are Disreputable?

The key objective of collaborating crowdfunding with DNB MLM software is to catch the attention of a large fraction of individuals towards the MLM business without investing a lot of money.

Crowdfunding primarily focuses on pre-launching an MLM business that is looking to extend its awareness through crowdfunding groups. The upcoming MLM companies are pre-launching with a crowdfunding platform for effective involvement of the public. This is made possible by collaborating crowdfunding with Multi Level Marketing. The collaboration allows all the contributors, no matter how big or small they are, to have a crowdfunding web page of their own.

How crowdfunding works

The process includes three stages:

Venture Plan

In this stage, a basic strategy for the venture is formulated. An elementary plan, the objective and projected cost of the venture are determined during this stage. The majority of the crowdfunding ventures are founded on contributions as it holds better chance to effectively drive additional funds.

Venture launching

In this stage, the designed venture is introduced to the public requesting them to contribute funds. This stage marks the endorsement of the venture on online and offline platforms.

Fundraising

This is an important stage for a fund raising company. Here the essential funds are raised from a group of people or individuals.

Difference between MLM and Crowdfunding

The latest trend combines the two most crucial business structures – MLM software and crowdfunding. Crowdfunding involves registering a new member in side or downline expansion. Unlike MLM, here a downline member (new member) is introduced or added through crowdfunding platforms. In this arrangement, a new entrant is not ‘literally’ added but he/she becomes a part of the crowdfunding venture with his/her share contributed to the venture. Usually, there is no fixed initial cost for a crowdfunding venture, but sometimes, they may ask for 3 to 5 percent of the fund as a fee. The venture managing company raises the finances from the public; therefore, introducing the venture to more number of people increases its probability of success. The success of a crowdfunding platform depends on the genre of the venture. Generally, the ventures involve some charity programs that generate social awareness. The benefit of such ventures is that they get support without any endorsement tools, and a greater number of individuals will be willing to contribute to this charity program thereby, making it bigger and better in terms of profit.

In most of the crowdfunding MLM companies, participants can pay one time or monthly subscription fee to access a ‘special’ platform with an adaptable web page in which to generate their venture. After the venture page is generated, a participant can earn money by referring other individuals to the company. In some crowdfunding MLM companies, you can earn remuneration from successful referrals even if you don’t utilize the platform or raise funds for a specific venture.

DNB combines MLM software with crowdfunding to make MLM businesses more effective and established. Owing to its simple plan and uncomplicated features, it inspires more people to join and become a part of a charity project. DNB MLM software is capable of boosting MLM businesses efficiently.

Crowdfunding requires a bunch of people who want to earn big in a short span of time. Each person donates a few funds to receive lots of money for their efforts. Crowdfunding is completely effective with MLM business plan, where top MLM leaders can begin their independent crowdfunding business with their own set of networkers who donate a small amount to get lots of funds in return from crowdfunding business.

How can crowdfunding impact ventures in a wrong way?

Undeniably, crowdfunding has transformed the way business owners organize and raise funds for ventures. A large number of people are willing to invest in ideas that haven’t been turned into real products yet. Crowdfunding has emerged as a powerful mechanism for business entrepreneurs who want to launch newer consumer products. Some campaigns are quite appealing and are inspirational but raising funds through this mechanism has received so much attention that sometimes, people tend to overlook its harmful effects. In situations when some ventures are able to raise huge funds and fate or career of a large number of people relies on the month-long campaign, not every venture can end up the way people expect. There are many ways in which crowdfunding can negatively impact the venture development landscape. Here are some scenarios worth a mention, where crowdfunding can impact ventures in a wrong way:

First come, first serve

More often than not, crowdfunding obliges the groups who approach first to launch their venture rather than the groups who conduct proper research before developing a quality product. When a team develops a product within a company, it recognizes its potential of reaching a sizeable market, so they undergo a more meticulous design screening procedure. Seeing that the success of crowd funded ventures cannot be confirmed right from the launch, companies can’t do much to equip them for success. Since sponsors invest their funds upfront before the product actually turns into reality, extra design attention is given to grabbing the attention of prospective crowdfunding groups rather them contemplating about the utility of the venture.

Launching too many ventures

Lowering the entry barrier can result in too many ventures racing to be launched one before the other. This implies that there will be just too many ventures awaiting their launched that is crowds the platform, making it difficult for your venture to stand out. There may be different companies or groups working on extremely similar ventures and launching them on the same day, even without knowing about one another. This will result in a big loss for either of the companies who worked hard to turn their ventures into a reality.

Unrealistic ventures may get funds

Unlike feasible ventures that are considered as boring, unrealistic products often get funded as they seem more interesting, just like videos that go viral all over the internet attract more viewers than a practical proposition should. Looking at the list of crowd funded ventures; one may question the applicability of the product. Surprisingly, many industrialists who attempt crowdfunding have discovered that it distorts product development to focus on an affluent section of society who have disposable income to spend on ventures or products that are yet to be launched in the market. Leaving aside a few reasonable and mass market products, crowdfunding emphasizes on sophisticated and expensive ventures.

Potentially hazardous and unlawful venture may get support

When popular companies create a new venture or service, they put in a lot of effort to ensure the safety of the venture before releasing it to customers. Usually, a panel of advocates will verify if the product conforms to all the rules and intellectual property rights. Whenever it seems doubtful that a campaign will succeed, the creators are persuaded to address to all the problems that might crop up later. However, several products that approach the crowdfunding platform with huge funding goals are either unsafe or may attract legal troubles when they come in the market.

Autonomous product development

Sometimes, crowdfunding raises funds to launch non-specific products. Only a handful of entrepreneurs can establish the need of the customers and therefore, use their expertise to come up with a unique solution to a problem by designing a neat venture, distributing it in the market and keep on developing the product. However, customers may ignore these fine distinctions of venture development and go for the gaudiest gadget that happens to resolve the most pressing issue they have. One of the best ways to discover about a new venture is to have it recommended to you by other people who have used the product and loved it too. The probability of such an occurrence is quite bleak with crowdfunding as the majority of ventures are still hypothetical.

Crowdfunding indeed has its benefits, but there are implications that accompany this method that often go unnoticed. The companies should be conscious of the ways these platforms influence how a venture may be developed, targeted, and promoted. DNB MLM new venture development designs and concepts are based on a correct analysis of consumer desires, needs, and expectations. A company launching a new venture concepts and promotion systems must suitably position the venture to create interest among its distributors. The MLM Crowdfunding strategy is gaining popularity among current business scenario across the world. An individual can begin his/her own crowdfunding company and earn millions in a very small period of time. DNB offers the best online crowdfunding MLM software to operate and manage crowdfunding business.