Gender pay gap persists: Men earn 26% more than women in search marketing

In (not) a shocking twist, men earn an average of 26% more than women in search marketing, according to a new Search Engine Land survey.

In particular, men earn significantly more than women in senior positions. 

Additionally, the data revealed that women were more likely to have changed jobs or received promotions more recently than men, highlighting the ongoing churn in the job market. 

This article will dive deeper into the survey’s key findings, examining the implications for professionals and organizations in the surveyed regions.

Overall, men earned 26% more than women. Despite advances in gender equality and the growing number of highly competent and qualified female marketing professionals, it remains a pervasive problem. 

Men earn 26% more than women
  • Men: $105,250
  • Women: $83,265 

These results, based on a sample size of 267 individuals, suggest that gender pay inequality remains a persistent issue in the surveyed regions.

This pay gap can be attributed to a combination of factors, including:

  • Systemic biases.
  • A lack of transparency in compensation policies.
  • The underrepresentation of women in senior leadership roles.

Men in senior positions earn nearly 30% more than women. Continuing on the last result, we found that men in senior positions earn nearly 30% more than women in similar roles. 

Men in senior positions earn nearly 30% more than women.

For senior and management positions, the average salary for men was 7% more than women, the data revealed:

  • Men: $81,032
  • Women: $75,793

However, the gap widened significantly in the average salary for VP/C-level positions:

  • Men: $154,905
  • Women: $121,305

That’s a 28% difference. 

Why the disparity? These findings, based on a sample size of 128 individuals, highlight that income inequality often stems from deep-rooted systemic biases, workplace discrimination, and entrenched cultural norms that favor men in leadership roles. 

It can also be exacerbated by the “glass ceiling” effect, where women face invisible barriers to advancement and are consequently underrepresented in top management positions. 

As a result, the gender pay gap in senior roles perpetuates the gender power imbalance within organizations, undermining the principles of fairness and equal opportunity.

55% of women were promoted or changed jobs in the last 12 months, vs. 47% of men. The survey results indicate that women were more likely to have changed jobs or received promotions more recently than men.

Women changed jobs / promoted more recently than men.

The data showed that among the respondents, 55% of women had received a promotion or switched jobs within the last year, compared to 47% of men. 

Specifically, 20% of women had done so within the last 6 months, while 33% had done so within the last 6-12 months. In contrast, only 19% of men had done so within the last 6 months, and 28% had done so within the last 6-12 months. 

These results are based on a sample size of 267 individuals and suggest that women may be more proactive in seeking career growth opportunities or may be experiencing turnover at a higher rate than men. 

However, there are also several reasons that could support women changing jobs at a faster rate than men. 

  • Work-life balance: Women often bear a disproportionate share of caregiving responsibilities for children and elderly family members. As a result, they may need to leave jobs in search of more flexible working conditions or to focus on their families.
  • The gender pay gap: Women may become frustrated by the persistent wage gap and leave their jobs to pursue better, more equitable opportunities elsewhere.
  • Lack of advancement opportunities: The “glass ceiling” effect can limit women’s career progression, leading to frustration and a decision to seek better prospects in other companies or industries.
  • Workplace discrimination and harassment: Experiences of gender-based discrimination, bias, or harassment can create a hostile work environment, prompting women to leave their jobs in search of more inclusive and supportive workplaces.
  • Career breaks: Women are more likely to take career breaks for family reasons, such as maternity leave, which can impact their long-term job stability and tenure.
  • Insufficient support systems: Many workplaces lack adequate policies and support systems that address the unique challenges faced by women, such as maternity leave, childcare assistance, and flexible working arrangements.

Men are slightly more satisfied with their current roles. Both women and men reported high levels of satisfaction with their current roles, according to the survey results. However, women reported slightly higher when it came to “extreme satisfaction” levels compared to men:

  • Extremely satisfied in their roles: 27% of women; 24% of men.
  • Somewhat satisfied: 45% of women; 56% of men.

The proportion of women and men who were neutral or somewhat unsatisfied was similar: 

  • Women: 11% and 14%, respectively.
  • Men: 10% and 9%, respectively. 

Only a small percentage of both men and women reported being not satisfied with their current roles. 

Women and men are satisfied with their current roles, men slightly more so.

These results, based on a sample size of 267 individuals, suggest that overall, professionals in the surveyed regions are content with their current positions, although there may be some slight differences between genders.

Why men may be more satisfied. A few possible reasons:

  • Higher pay: Men tend to earn more than women on average due to the existing gender pay gap. This financial advantage can lead to increased job satisfaction, as they may feel fairly compensated for their work.
  • Career advancement opportunities: Men are often more likely to be promoted and hold leadership positions within organizations, which can lead to increased job satisfaction due to greater decision-making power, autonomy, and a sense of accomplishment.
  • Lower caregiving responsibilities: In many societies, men have traditionally had fewer caregiving responsibilities, allowing them to focus more on their careers. This can lead to a greater sense of professional achievement and satisfaction.
  • Greater representation: Men often see more representation in their respective industries, which can contribute to a sense of belonging and validation, thus enhancing job satisfaction.
  • Workplace culture: Men may experience fewer instances of gender-based discrimination or harassment in the workplace, which can create a more comfortable and supportive environment, leading to increased job satisfaction.
  • Societal expectations: Men may experience less pressure to balance work and family life, as societal norms have historically assigned primary caregiving roles to women. This may allow them to focus more on their careers, leading to higher job satisfaction.

About the data. The data was collected between Jan. 11 and 23:

  • 510 total responses – most did not answer all questions.
  • 65% from North America, 20% from Western Europe and 13% from elsewhere.
  • All salary results were based on data from individuals in North America/Western Europe.

The post Gender pay gap persists: Men earn 26% more than women in search marketing appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/gender-pay-gap-search-marketing-394861

7 Residential Solar Maintenance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Home Business Magazine Online

Did you know that the space industry was the first to use solar energy to power spaceships?

Residential solar energy systems are environmentally friendly and have become increasingly popular over the years, to the point that they are even tax-free in some states. Solar systems are pretty durable, but when problems with maintenance are ignored, it can threaten the reliability of the system.

If you don’t want to risk everything going bad, you’re going to have to learn about the preventative maintenance needed for your system. Keep reading to learn more about the residential solar maintenance mistakes you should avoid and find out how you can maintain your solar system properly.

1. Not Cleaning Your Solar Panels

Do you know what solar panels do? They absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity that we can use in our homes. But when dust, dirt, or debris gets stuck on their surface, they can’t absorb as much sunlight as they should. This means that they won’t be able to make as much electricity as they could if they were clean.

You don’t need any special equipment, just a hose, a soft brush, and some soapy water. You should be gentle when cleaning solar panels, though, so you don’t scratch their surface.

2. Not Trimming Nearby Trees

Trees are great for providing shade and keeping your house cool, but they can also block the sun’s rays from reaching your solar panels. If a tree is blocking the sun from hitting your solar panels, they won’t be able to generate as much electricity as they should.

It’s like trying to read a book in a dark room — it’s really hard to see what’s on the pages! That’s why it’s important to trim any trees that are near your solar panel system.

If you’re not sure how to trim trees safely, it’s best to call a professional to do it for you. That way, you can be sure that the trees are being trimmed in a way that won’t harm them or your solar panel system.

3. Not Monitoring Your Energy Usage

If you’re not monitoring your energy usage, you might be using more electricity than you need to, and that means you might not be taking full advantage of the electricity your solar panels are generating. For example, if you leave the lights on all the time or you leave your TV on when you’re not watching it, you’re using more electricity than you need to.

That’s why it’s important to monitor your energy usage. You can do this by keeping track of how much electricity you’re using each day, either by looking at your electricity bill or by using a special device called an energy monitor.

4. Ignoring the Inverter

The inverter is a really important part of your solar panel system because it converts the electricity that’s generated by your solar panels into a form that can be used by your home.

If something goes wrong with the inverter, your solar panel system won’t be able to make electricity that you can use. That’s why it’s really important to check on the inverter regularly and make sure it’s working properly.

If you notice any issues with your solar panel system, like a sudden drop in the amount of electricity it’s generating, it could be a sign that there’s a problem with the inverter. It’s important to get it checked out by a professional as soon as possible so they can fix it before it causes bigger problems.

Ignoring the inverter is like ignoring a warning light on your car’s dashboard. If you ignore it for too long, it could lead to bigger and more expensive problems down the road. So, make sure you keep an eye on your solar panel system’s inverter and get it checked out if you notice any issues.

5. Not Protecting Your Solar Panels from Weather Damage

Solar panels are designed to withstand a lot of different weather conditions, like rain, wind, and snow. However, if they’re not protected properly, they can still be damaged.

That’s why it’s important to protect your solar panels from weather damage. One way to do this is to make sure that they’re installed properly in the first place. This means that they should be mounted securely and at the right angle so that they can withstand different types of weather conditions.

If you live in a place like Virginia, where the weather can be unpredictable, it’s important to take extra precautions to protect your solar panels from damage. Click for more info about how to care for your solar panels in your specific location. Also, you can reach out to your local solar panel installation company or do some research online.

6. Not Checking for Bird Nests

Birds are great creatures and they like to build their nests in cozy and safe places, and solar panels can be one of their favorite spots. While it’s great to have birds around, it’s important to make sure that their nests aren’t interfering with the efficiency of your solar panels.

If you do find a bird’s nest near your solar panels, it’s important to take action to remove it. This can be done in a safe and humane way, like by hiring a professional to remove it or by gently moving the nest to a nearby tree.

7. Not Scheduling Regular Maintenance Checks

Just like any other piece of equipment, solar panels need regular maintenance to keep them working properly. When you schedule a maintenance check for your solar panels, a technician will come and inspect them to make sure that everything is working as it should be. This includes checking the wiring, inverter, and other components to make sure that they’re all in good condition.

Solar maintenance routine checks are important because they can help you catch any potential problems early on before they become bigger and more expensive to fix. For example, if the technician notices that there’s a loose wire or a damaged panel, they can fix it right away before it causes any further problems.

Don’t Make the Same Residential Solar Maintenance Mistakes

Taking care of your solar panel system is important to ensure that it is always working at its best. Strive to avoid these common residential solar maintenance mistakes.

By following these tips, you can keep your solar panels in good condition and enjoy the benefits of clean, renewable energy for years to come. Act now to take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits solar power offers.

Looking for more great content like this one? Please browse the rest of our site for more!

The post 7 Residential Solar Maintenance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/go-green/7-residential-solar-maintenance-mistakes-avoid-them/

Google Maps can detect fake phone numbers in photos and remove them

Did you know Google can now detect if scammers are overlaying fake phone numbers in user-contributed photos within Google Maps and automatically detect and block those photos from displaying on business listings within the local search results?

Google has released some information on its efforts to combat fake content and reviews in Google Maps and local search. Here is some of the figures Google shared of those efforts, but was it enough?

Google Maps spam fighting. Here are some of the statistics Google shared on how it fought Google Maps spam in 2022:

  • Blocked or removed over 115 million policy-violating reviews (20% more than last year)
  • Blocked or removed over 200 million photos
  • Blocked or removed over 7 million videos
  • Prevented 20 million attempts at creating fake Google Business Profiles

Machine learning. Google also added two new machine learning-based techniques to help detect and prevent spam in Google Maps.

(1) Google said they released a new “machine learning model” that helped them “identify novel abuse trends many times faster than previous years.” This helped them find a sudden uptick in Business Profiles with websites that have .design or .top TLDs and quickly acted on those.

(2) Google also added a new machine learning model to detect scammers who overlayed inaccurate phone numbers on top of user-contributed photos to scam searchers to call the numbers in the phone number and not the official business phone number.

Is it enough. Just the other day, Jason Brown how hotels are being spammed with fake positive reviews and the hotel managers are nervous what this might result in. He also recently reported how review spammers are using ChatGPT to generate fake reviews for Google Maps.

Google did say, “While we’ve made a lot of progress in this area, we know that scammers continue to evolve — and we will too.”

Why we care. Spam and fake information in search is a hassle we all see and have to deal with as marketers. None of us like to be hit with spam, and none of us like to have fake reviews left on our businesses or clients’ business listings. Google is trying to reduce spam efforts but as you can imagine, it is a cat-and-mouse game.

As Google comes up with more ways and techniques to prevent and/or reduce spam, spammers find other ways around those efforts. You can see Google’s efforts last year, over here.

The post Google Maps can detect fake phone numbers in photos and remove them appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-maps-can-detect-fake-phone-numbers-in-photos-and-remove-them-395098

Google updates Bard to improve math, logic responses

Google Bard just got an upgrade. By incorporating Google’s PaLM language models, Bard is now better at math and logic responses.

“Today I wanted to share that we’ve improved Bard’s capabilities in math and logic by incorporating some of the advances we’ve developed in PaLM,” Jack Krawczyk, the Google executive leading up Bard and Google’s AI efforts, said on Twitter.

What improved. Bard can now better understand and respond to your prompts and questions when they are in a multi-step word and multi-step math problems format, Krawczyk said.

Math improvements coming. Coding is coming soon to Bard, Krawczyk added.

The tweets. Here are his tweets with this announcement:

Google PaLM. PaLM stands for Pathways Language Model. It is a large language model developed by Google with 540 billion parameters. Researchers also trained smaller versions of PaLM (8 billion and 62 billion parameter models) to test the effects of model scale.

More on Bard. As a reminder, Google announced Bard was coming the day before Bing Chat launched but Bard did not open to general users until 10 days ago. The response Google received from Bard has been somewhat disappointing and underwhelming compared to that of Bing Chat and ChatGPT’s efforts. Even inside Google, employees urged the company to improve Bard.

But Google promises more is to come and Bard will get better.

Google intentionally launched a lightweight version of Bard and it will continue to get better over time, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in a New York Times interview published today.

Why we care. Mostly, it is fun and exciting to see how these AI assistants and tools improve and are improving rapidly in such a short period of time. Be it ChatGPT, Bing Chat, Google Bard or others, following this space is a lot of fun.

So give Bard another try and see if you find it to be any better today than it was yesterday.

The post Google updates Bard to improve math, logic responses appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-says-bard-was-updated-to-improve-math-and-logic-responses-395127

How to claim money back if you hit a pothole

Reading Time: 3 mins

Can you claim money if you hit a pothole?

Hit a bump in the road? Potholes can be a nuisance to drivers and pedestrians alike. They can result in accidents, make roads difficult to navigate, and worse still, cause damage to your car.

Yet pothole damage is at a ten-year high in the U.K with thirteen million cars damaged by last year, costing a total of £1.7bn to repair, according to Kwik Fit Repairs.

This common problem on many UK roads costs approximately £40 to fix each one but as well as causing damage to vehicles, it can pose a safety risk to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel if you have experienced damage to your vehicle due to a pothole, you may be entitled to compensation.

are you eligible for compensation?

Firstly, it is important to note that not all potholes will be eligible for compensation. The local authority is responsible for the road but must have had prior notice of the pothole and have failed to take reasonable steps to repair it.

Therefore, if you hit a pothole that has only just formed and there was no prior notice, you may not be eligible for compensation.

If you believe you are entitled, the first step is to gather evidence of the damage caused.

gather evidence

Take photographs of the pothole if you can do so as safely as possible, and also include damage to your vehicle, including any tyre damage, wheel damage, or suspension damage. It is also a good idea to get a quote from a reputable garage for the cost of repairs as this can be used as trusted evidence.

Next, you should report the pothole to the relevant local authority as soon as possible. This can usually be done online via the council’s website or by calling their customer service team. You will need to provide details of the location of the pothole and the damage it caused. If you have photos this can really help.

After reporting the pothole, you should receive a reference number and the council will begin an investigation. If they agree that the pothole was a hazard and that they failed to take reasonable steps to repair it, they will likely offer you compensation to cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle.

what if your claim is denied?

If the council denies your claim, you can escalate the matter by submitting a formal complaint. This should be done in writing and should include all of the evidence you have gathered, including photographs and the garage repair quote. You should also include any correspondence you have had with the council regarding the matter.

If your complaint is still not resolved, you can take legal action against the local authority. However, this can be a lengthy and expensive process, so it is advisable to seek legal advice before pursuing this option.

There are some lawyers that will offer a no-win no-fee agreement for a claim but it is best to find out all terms and conditions prior to embarking on legal action as there may be some clauses depending on the law firm you use.

You could also make a claim on your comprehensive car insurance if all else fails but check that the claim is larger than the excess and you may lose some of your no-claims bonus.

Kwik Fit recommend keeping your car in tip-top condition and ensuring your tyres are correctly inflated which will act as protection should you hit a pothole or rock in the road and have regular checks on your car throughout the year.

The post How to claim money back if you hit a pothole appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/how-to-claim-money-back-if-you-hit-a-pothole

Make money by listening to music

Reading Time: 6 mins

Here at MoneyMagpie we like to share good news and the fact there are ways that you can make money by listening to music is definitely good news.

Music is everywhere and part of our everyday lives. We listen while we work, play, drive, walk, exercise, clean, cook… you name it! These days we can access music wherever we are, create and share playlists instantly, discover new artists and book gigs whenever we want.

As the great Jimi Hendrix said, “Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.”

Nicely put, Jimi. But did you know you can earn a little extra money on the side just by listening to music? Yes, really!  There are apps and websites out there that let you do just this. Some take a bit of effort on your part, others take a lot of effort but for a bigger reward.

Read on to find out how you can make money by listening to music…

Slicethepie

learning online

When we say music scout, we don’t mean a boy in shorts with his trusty Swiss army knife, warbling next to a campfire.

It’s simply what Slicethepie calls a music reviewer. They pay you to share your opinion on new songs before they’re released.

Luckily, you don’t need to know anything about music to write a good review! Explaining how it makes you feel and comparing it to the other artists and songs is enough to be useful. If you still feel a bit daunted, you can find some handy tips via this link.

  1. To review a piece of music, you need to listen to at least 90 seconds of the track before you can start writing. The more in-depth and specific your opinion, the better. However, you will need a minimum of 45 words in your review
  2. Next, you rate the track from 1-10
  3. Then, fill in a checklist for how you would describe the song if it was a person. For example, is the music funky? Playful? Sexy?

And you’re done! Just click ‘Submit’ to move onto your next review.

Getting paid…

The tricky bit is getting the maximum amount of money out of your review.

Rather than a flat rate, Slicethepie pays you depending on your star rating. This, in turn, depends on the quality of your reviews. Reviews are judged on the following criteria:

  • How close your rating of the track is to the average score the track has received from other reviewers. For example, you will have a low accuracy if you think a track deserves a 9 when most of the other scouts only gave it a 3.
  • Whether your feedback is detailed and meaningful, and will actually benefit the artist.
  • How active you are as a scout is also a consideration. The more reviews you do, the higher your rating. However, this doesn’t apply if you aren’t taking the time to correctly review the tracks.

Based on our tests, your rating goes up one star for every 30 tracks you review. That’s assuming that you listen to enough of the song and put effort into your reviews.

When you first register with Slicethepie, they’ll ask for your email address. This is important, because you must make sure it’s the same one as your PayPal account, which is how you get paid. (For some reason, despite it being a UK company, Slicethepie pays everyone in US dollars. But not to worry: you can convert it back easily with your PayPal account.)

Although it’ll be a little while before it starts mounting up, as soon as you hit $10, you can make a withdrawal and access your cash. Just remember to keep an eye on that star rating.

To sign up to Slicethepie, click here.

PLAYLIST PUSH

creating theme tunes

Spotify is pretty ubiquitous these days. According to Statista, over 30% of music streaming subscribers worldwide have a subscription to Spotify. That’s a lot of listeners.

You can’t actually earn money listening to music directly via Spotify itself, but for those of you with a big enough following on Spotify or TikTok, there are ways and means to earn money as a music curator by submitting reviews via Playlist Push.

On Spotify you need to meet these criteria:

Minimum of 1000 followers per playlist as well as playlists that are focused on genre or a specific band or artist; playlists with ‘follow me’ in the title; and a minimum of 30 active Monthly Listeners per playlist.

If you meet these criteria Playlist Push give you songs to review and include in your playlist. If they like your review you can earn up to $12 per track, paid weekly via bank transfer.

On TikTok you need to meet these criteria:

Be a TikTok video creator – Playlist Push will give you songs to use in your videos. You must have at least 30,000 followers to qualify as a creator.

This way you can earn up to $10 per TikTok video you make. Earnings have to reach a minimum amount of $20 before payments are made.

We won’t lie, it isn’t easy to earn money this way and it really is for the dedicated music aficionados amongst you – there is some serious effort involved to just get set up and maintain your listeners – but once you do there is the chance to make a decent amount.

Click here to find out more.

HitPredictor

Woman listening to music on a mobile phone

On this site, you can choose the music genres you want to listen to rather than getting a mix of anything and everything. Although this means that sometimes there won’t be much for you to review.

Whatever you write will be going to the artists, producers and record labels. So your opinions will be shaping the future of music.

Earn 3 points for every piece of music you listen to. Once you reach 500 points you can enter raffles for $50-$100 iTunes gift cards or free DVDs and CDs at 1,250 points. There’re also loads of contests to enter and other prizes you can win daily.

Hit it at this link.

Music xray

Man relaxing at home listening to music

As well as picking preferred genres, you can also tell Music Xray your favourite artists, so the site can use fancy software to pick music as similar as possible to what you love. This means that sometimes there’ll be lots of songs, other times – none. It depends on what the artists are uploading.

Music Xray helps connect potential success stories to record labels and producers, as well as set up fan bases for when the artists start solidifying their position in the music industry.

You’ll be paid a few cents to listen to 30 seconds of a song. You can withdraw the money from a PayPal account similarly to the way Slicethepie manages it.

Get jamming at this link here.

Earnably

Girl listening to music and writing

Earnably is an established online reward site that pays you to do things like complete surveys, review podcasts, download apps or play games, amongst others. It will also pay you to listen to music (often via radio stations) or watch music videos.

It’s quick and easy (and free!) to sign up to – you just need to fill out a quick demographics survey to get started.

Once you’re in you can scroll through and select whatever you want to do to earn. You will never make enough to live off, but it’s a nice little earner with payments made in points and then converted into cash either via a Paypal account or gift cards, such as an Amazon voucher.

Let us know how you get in the comments below!

 

The post Make money by listening to music appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/make-money-listening-to-music

Twitter could grant free verification to its top 500 advertisers and 10k most-followed organizations

Twitter intends to impose a $1,000 monthly verification fee on organizations but will exempt its top 500 advertisers and the 10,000 most-followed organizations with prior verification, as per an internal document acquired by The Times.

The document also indicates that all accounts purchasing verification will undergo a review to ensure they are not engaging in impersonation.

Why we care. Musk’s plans to charge organizations for verification could potentially impact their social media marketing strategy. A verification badge would typically be a valuable tool for businesses as it helps to establish their legitimacy and credibility on the platform. It indicates that their account is authentic, and helps to build trust with their audience.

If Twitter is now charging for verification, it may make it more difficult for smaller or emerging businesses to obtain the badge, which could affect their ability to attract and retain followers. Additionally, the fact that Twitter is making exceptions for its top advertisers may create an uneven playing field, with larger organizations having an advantage over smaller ones.

The Twitstorm Timeline. Announcements from Twitter have been relatively quiet as of late. But here are some of the biggest changes (and reversal of said changes) since Musk took over:

  • CoTweets are being sunsetted.
  • In a beta available to all advertisers, Twitter launched a new Search Keyword Ads campaign objective.
  • Roll-Out Plan for Alternative Feeds, Updated Bookmarks UI and Long-Form Tweets is announced
  • Advanced Search filters could soon be coming for mobile.
  • Have an idea for a new Twitter account, but the username is taken? You may still be able to get it.
  • Musk announces that Twitter is rolling out View Count, so you can see how many times your video is seen. Once we have official confirmation and more info, we’ll let you know.
  • Musk creates a poll asking users If he should step aside as CEO. Final results: 57.5% say yes; 42.5% say no.

The post Twitter could grant free verification to its top 500 advertisers and 10k most-followed organizations appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/twitter-could-grant-free-verification-to-its-top-500-advertisers-and-10k-most-followed-organizations-395106

Tips for Growing a Successful Business

Home Business Magazine Online

Starting a business is no easy feat. Growing it into a successful enterprise can be even more challenging. According to the Small Business Administration, only about half of all small businesses survive beyond five years, and a mere one-third make it past a decade.

So, what sets successful businesses apart? It’s not just luck. It’s about having the right strategies and approaches.

So, if you aren’t ready to throw in the towel yet and want your business to be a success, here are some tips you can implement:

Equip Yourself with Business Acumen

Did your business take birth in your attic with your closest friend? Or was it a late-night conversation with your partner?

Most businesses start as a side hustle, but what must you do when the waters become choppy? How will you balance the books, manage cash flow and handle your finances?

Enter, Business Acumen: The ability to effectively use your business knowledge and skills. Being proficient in the principles of running a business will get you far.

However, if you’re engrossed in the day-to-day operations of your business, the idea of pursuing a full-time degree might seem impractical. But you can always go for an online business degree that offers flexibility and convenience

Reevaluate the Foundation for Your Business

Businesses that spin their wheels without direction or purpose tend to fail. Thus, it is essential to lay a strong foundation for your business and create a roadmap that outlines the steps you’ll take to reach your goals. Here’s how to get started:

Understand the Changing Dynamics of the Market

Needs change over time, and so do customer preferences. Like pet rock frizzled out of the market, so can other products and services. You must stay aware of the changing dynamics if you belong to a hot industry.

Map Out Your Ideal Future

Dreaming is not a crime! Close your eyes and picture the future you want for your business. What do you see? Do you see yourself launching a new product line or expanding to international markets? Now, draw up a plan that can get you there.

Make Changes to Your Team

It’s not a one-man show. Plus, you need fresh ideas and new talent to fill the gaps and propel your business forward. Ensure you have access to the right people, whether hiring new employees or collaborating with freelancers.

Take Advantage of Technology

If the most you use in your business is MS Office, you must take a step back and assess the situation. There are automated software tools and cloud-based applications that can help streamline your processes. Let’s look at the possibilities:

Intelligent Data Analysis

Make informed decisions with the help of data analytics tools that crunch numbers and deliver insights. No more guessing games or gut feelings.

Automate Processes

You can automate repetitive tasks such as customer onboarding, data entry, invoicing, and more. It saves time and reduces the number of errors in your system. Say goodbye to awkward follow-up emails.

Adopt Cloud-Based Solutions

The cloud offers a secure platform with 24/7 access. Whether storing your data or communicating with customers, the cloud offers a secure, reliable, and cost-effective way to manage your business.

Mobile Workforce Management

Manage your team from anywhere with mobile workforce management tools that allow you to track time, assign tasks, and communicate with team members on the go. You no longer have to wait until you’re back in the office to get things done.

Expand Your Business Without Losing Your Identity

You have a small business, but you’re ambitious. You want to expand and serve more customers, but you don’t want to lose your identity in the process. You can still achieve growth without compromising your brand identity.

Let Your Brand Voice Be Heard (and Remembered)

Your brand voice should remain true to your core mission and values. Ensure that it comes across in all your marketing materials, from blogs to social media posts. Work with a professional copywriter to craft compelling and engaging content.

Also, don’t let your old logo be the ex that keeps hanging around. It’s time to move on and swipe right on a fresh new design. Hire a professional designer to create a logo that resonates with your target audience.

Develop Strategic Partnerships

Finding the right strategic partner is like finding a needle in a haystack. But when done right, it can have a huge positive impact on your business. With the right partnership, you can gain access to new customer segments and markets, not to mention the valuable resources your partner can bring to the table.

Focus on Building Relationships

You can’t expand your business without the help of others. Network with thought leaders in your industry, attend events, and join online groups to build relationships with potential customers, partners, or investors.

Don’t forget about your existing network, either. Keep in touch with friends and family who can provide valuable advice and support.

Put Customer Experience at the Forefront

When it comes to growing a successful business, customer experience should be your number one priority. You can make sure your customers have a pleasant experience and leave feeling happy in several ways.

Understand the Pain Point

Start by understanding their needs and providing solutions that meet those needs. For instance, if you’re a restaurant owner, you can provide online ordering and delivery services to make it easier for customers.

Show That You Care

You can also use customer feedback to improve your products or services. Collecting feedback and responding promptly will show your customers that you care about their experience and value their opinions.

Train Employees for Better Experience

Consider investing in training your employees. They are the ones who will be interacting with customers, so make sure they have the necessary skills to provide excellent customer service.

Give Your Customer a Reason to Come Back

You must show appreciation by rewarding loyal customers with discounts or freebies. For instance, you can create a loyalty program that rewards loyal customers with discounts when purchasing. It encourages them to come back and purchase again.

Work on Your Digital Presence

Since most customers interact with a business digitally, you must ensure your website offers a seamless experience. Have an intuitive design, fast loading speed, and easy-to-use navigation.

Final Thoughts

An entrepreneurial journey has its ups and down. You might have made some regretful decisions, like investing in a project that didn’t pan out or spending too much on advertising without seeing any returns. But don’t give up. The most haunting mistakes a business owner can make are the ones that are repeated. Learn from your past and move forward with a fresh perspective.

Remember to invest in the right people, tools, and processes to create a solid foundation for success. Invest in yourself by reading books, attending seminars, and surrounding yourself with the right people who will motivate you to push forward even when times get tough.You started a business with a dream and are now ready to take it to the next level. Grow intelligently!

The post Tips for Growing a Successful Business appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/success-tips/tips-growing-successful-business/

The Quattro Development Philosophy on Corporate Philanthropy

Home Business Magazine Online

As the public demands more accountability from businesses, many corporations find themselves giving to charity or starting philanthropic campaigns almost as an afterthought. But for the co-founders of Quattro Development, one of the premier small-shop developers in the United States, philanthropy is a core value of their business.

Whether it’s sponsoring Little League teams, assisting at homeless shelters, or offering a leg up to people who want to get started in real estate, Rob Walters and Mike Liyeos believe giving back is a smart way to conduct life and business.

“I spent half of my honeymoon in Prague with some kids from the west side of Chicago that I had met at a YMCA, where I did a Big Brother program. I met my wife at a women’s shelter. Personally, I’ve been involved in quite a bit of different types of philanthropy,” Rob Walters says.

Walters and Liyeos share some of the most recent philanthropic projects they’ve supported through Quattro Development, as well as the impact these initiatives have had on a national scale.

The Quattro Impact Fund

It’s difficult for Walters and Liyeos to invest in philanthropy as much as they would like, but the duo does their best to put charity work at the top of their list. Before founding Quattro Development, Walters got a taste of philanthropy by establishing the nonprofit First Chance.

‘“I had co-foundedthis nonprofit out of college called First Chance to raise money for kids who just don’t get the opportunities to study abroad or volunteer abroad to be able to do that as juniors in high school,” Rob Walters explains. Eventually the nonprofit wound down as Walters and his co-founder moved into different phases of their lives, but Walters always wanted to try philanthropy again.

When Quattro Development got on its feet, Walters and Liyeos knew that giving back was something they were eager to pursue, so they set up the Quattro Impact Fund.

They didn’t necessarily have a goal for the fund, but they knew they wanted to use the cash when there was a cause that needed their help. “The whole point was to set up a fund where we could set aside money for giving away,” Walters says. “Over a few years, we ended up giving well into the six figures.” The pair gave away to multiple deserving causes, ranging from donating to food pantries, to helping fund a documentary that an army veteran suffering from PTSD was creating to paying for the funeral of a friend that was made at a homeless shelter.

The Quattro Impact Fund lapsed as Quattro grew because it complicated the company’s tax filings. But the co-owners have plans to restart a similar initiative in the future. “It’s still the goal to continue to do things like that and be able to share in the profits of our company with things that we find valuable outside of business,” Rob Walters explains.

Little League Team Sponsorships and Giving Back

Rob Walters and Mike Liyeos also believe that it’s important to get kids involved in charitable actions.

“When my son was 12 years old, his baseball team was going to an out-of-town tournament in Cooperstown, New York, which is where the Baseball Hall of Fame is. It’s expensive to go and not all families could afford to go,” Mike Liyeos explains. “ I thought it’d be great if Quattro Development could sponsor part of that to allow that trip to happen. Rather than just put up the money, I thought it’d be more rewarding for each of the kids to know that they were working and contributing to the world to earn this sponsorship.”

In exchange for paying the team’s way to Cooperstown, Quattro Development asked the athletes to volunteer once a month at a homeless shelter. The experience was a home run for everyone. The homeless shelter got a team of eager volunteers, and the athletes were able to attend the game without worrying about finances.

One-on-One Outreach

Walters and Liyeos have also done personal outreach to those in need. One year, while attending the International Council of Shopping Centers in Las Vegas, they met a man on the street who was experiencing homelessness. “He ended up telling us his life story and explained how he was trying to find a job, but he didn’t have a driver’s license because he didn’t have a home address. If he could get a driver’s license, that would just be the first step to getting a job and changing his life,” Mike Liyeos says.

Liyeos and Walters drove the man four hours to meet with a family member who could give him a place to stay. “We took him to Walmart and we bought him clothes and lunch at Subway and heard more about his life story,” Liyeos says. “I’ll get a call from him once or twice a year. He reminds us every time we talk to him how he was able to change his life because we had faith in him, and he totally believes that us taking that chance on him redirected his life to move in a more positive direction.”

Building a Brighter Future Through Corporate Philanthropy

Walters and Liyeos give back through Quattro Development because they feel it’s the right thing to do. But giving back has permanently changed how the two-approach business as well.

They believe it’s added more humility and fairness to how they conduct business. “I think we try to be humble,” Liyeos says. “We’re probably fair to a fault,” Walters chimes in.

For example, because of their unique perspective, the two haven’t taken developer fees on their deals in recent years. “I think a lot of developers think that’s crazy,” Walters says. Instead, Quattro earns a living by doing profitable projects. “If a project works out then we’ll get paid. If it doesn’t, then we should have done a better job,” Walters concludes. Quattro has yet to lose money on any of its projects.

Whether it’s through philanthropy or their humble approach to business, the co-owners of Quattro Development believe that treating people well will bring something good back to the firm. “If we service their needs, then the business will take care of itself,” Mike Liyeos concludes.

The post The Quattro Development Philosophy on Corporate Philanthropy appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/success-tips/quattro-development-philosophy-corporate-philanthropy/

Make money from the local elections – be a poll clerk

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The local elections will be held on Thursday, May 4th this year. Many people don’t realise that local elections are more than a chance to cast your vote — they are an opportunity to make money.

When you vote in any election, you’ll almost certainly have noticed the poll clerks overseeing everything.

However, have you ever considered making a bit of extra cash as a poll clerk yourself? Can you make yourself free for the whole day?

If so, you can earn around £250 for a day’s work in a polling station.

It’s a quick and easy money-making idea and ideal if you are retired or a student.

In this article, we explain how to become a poll clerk. Read on to learn how you can be a part of political history — and get paid for it.

Who can become a poll clerk?

Make money from elections - be a poll clerk

Anyone is eligible to act as a poll clerk, providing they are over 18, literate and numerate and not a member of a political party participating in the election.

The only other requirement is that applicants must be on the electoral roll – if you’re not, you really should be. Not being on the electoral roll can damage your credit rating!

If you’re not on the electoral roll you can register to vote on the Government’s official website. You can also find your local Electoral Registration Office by clicking here. Alternatively, give your local authority a call. 

What’s involved?

As a poll clerk, you are there to set-up the polling station and make sure correct procedure is followed throughout the day, including after voting closes.

Your duties include checking people are eligible to vote, checking and marking electoral numbers, stamping and issuing ballot papers, and, crucially, making certain that votes are cast in secret and put into the ballot box. 

You answer to the  Presiding Officer, who is the official in charge of a polling station.

It’s a long day, usually from early morning (before 7am) till at least 10pm when the voting finishes.

You can also apply to help count the ballot papers in the evening, but be aware that this is, as you can probably imagine, pretty frantic work.

For more information on the duties of a poll clerk, and the requirements to become one, things are summarised well by Croydon Council or you can look at the Handbook for Polling Station Staff here.

Make money from elections - be a poll clerk

 

How much can I make?

The amount you earn varies from council to council so it depends on where you apply.

You should be getting at least £100 for the day and councils who pay the most will offer £250 or more.

To find out how much your local council pays, simply visit their website and search ‘poll clerk’. For a list of local authorities in England and Wales, click here.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you have worked at a polling station on at least two other occasions, you can apply to become a Presiding Officer, which means more money!

Leeds City Council gives a good summary of the duties of a Presiding Officer and what you must have to become one.

How do I apply?

Usually, poll clerks have worked for their local council, but this experience is not a prerequisite.

Most councils and local authorities have information on how to become a poll clerk on their website. 

Either visit their website and search ‘poll clerk’, or simply Google ‘become a poll clerk’ followed by your town, city, or council. For a list of council websites, click here. 

Alternatively, you can call your local authority and ask for the Elections and Registration Office, or send them an email telling them that you’re interested. They’ll send you a form if they need clerks.

Don’t leave it until a week before an election to apply because the positions will probably already be filled – it’s better to apply sooner rather than later.

Some local authorities recruit all year round so you can keep applying and be put on a waiting list for the next election.

If you are selected as a poll clerk you will attend a training/briefing session and then be sworn in the day before the election.

On Election Day, a Presiding Officer oversees the whole station and will supervise and instruct you.

Have you ever made money as a polling clerk? Do you have any other good money making ideas? Let us know in the comments section below – we love to hear from you!

The post Make money from the local elections – be a poll clerk appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/poll-clerk-make-money-from-the-local-elections