Mindset of the millennials

 News
Jun 142017
 
Mindset of the millennials

Armando Bartolome Millennials refer to those who were born between 1980 and 2000. The businesses which are profitable then may not satisfy their taste which is why business owners are more focused on how they can attract this age group which comprises bulk of the market today. Millennials are not simply sitting back; they are more attuned to jumping into franchising to start their entrepreneurial journey. Due to the low employment rate that matches their skills, starting up a business has been their ultimate choice. So what drives a millennial into franchising? Knowing that having their own business would mean having control over their working hours. Businesses should be visible on social media since millennials comprise the biggest chunk of smartphone users. They should make sure that they are able to reach their customers with a single tap or click. How many of you stop your friends from grabbing a piece of chicken from a plate that has been recently served only to have a picture taken and shared on Instagram? Or showcasing your #OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) as soon as you have unwrapped your newly bought top and jeans? Knowing how much social media has become part of our everyday lives gives businesses a new way to connect with customers. What can be more appealing than making use of eye-catching graphics? Think of how some successful companies are enjoying the spotlight. Millennials want things done instantly. By having apps for different businesses, it enables one to instantly purchase Read More …

How to Attract Customers

 News
Jun 072017
 
How to Attract Customers

Armando Bartolome As a business owner, you need to widen your perspective while focusing on three things — your employees, your product or service and your customers. Most business owners, especially the new ones, may feel at a loss on how to encourage people to check out their products and services. You know that the lifeblood of your business is having a large client base, which will help your business grow and be able to fulfill your vision for your company. Hiring the right people who can generate sales is crucial to a business. Marketing plays a very significant role. And there is more to it than simply relying on word of mouth. Let me share with you some points on how you can increase your client base. Identify your customers. When planning a business, you should have a clear vision on what your target market will be. Will it be people from middle-class families or from the upper class? Will you be focusing on a specific age group or base on gender? It is not enough to just put up any kind of business without thinking if what you will offer is something that the people will truly purchase. You must identify who they are and what motivates them so that you can have a clear understanding of their needs. Know your business inside and out. One of the factors that can help you succeed in any kind of business is by having a firm knowledge of the products Read More …

Generating excellent ‘Brand Awareness’

 News
May 222017
 
Generating excellent ‘Brand Awareness’

Armando Bartolome There are so many brands out there vying for the public’s attention. Because of this, it can be challenging to get your voice heard, especially if you are a new company trying to compete with more established brands.  It is important that you have a unique brand/concept that easily sticks to the public's mind. Brand awareness means your brand is recognized within your target market.  The company name, logo, symbols and slogans make up your brand. Technology also plays a very significant role as it helps get your brand more exposure.  Here are a few tips on how to generate brand awareness. Create a powerful marketing and advertising campaign You may think that the products and services you provide are better than your competitors. But it is not enough to just rely on walk-in clients and word-of- mouth. You need to spend on advertising.  Ad campaigns don't need to be costly. With social media, you can promote your brand by constantly posting updates on what you offer. This allows people to compare your product with products from other companies.  Repetitive exposure is an extremely powerful tool in building brand awareness. People will have a better recall of your brand if they see your ads often.  From the logo itself, customers should instantly be aware of what your company is about. The logo is not just a symbol. It is the visual foundation of a company’s brand. Along with your company’s name, the logo should help people remember your Read More …

When can entrepreneurs claim success?

 News
May 102017
 
When can entrepreneurs claim success?

Armando Bartolome Success takes time and lots of effort. All businesses involve many challenges and only a small percentage of startups survive their first year. So, how do we measure success? It’s unfortunate that some view success as merely an overflowing of material possession. Having been in the business for more than twenty years, I feel that I have become successful because I have seen how people rise up from where they have started. And looking beyond financial gratification, I feel blessed that in my own small way, I am able to continuously guide them on how to make their dreams a reality. People naturally dream of becoming successful. Some become very ambitious and it would only result to two possible situations:  The goal has been reached through patience and perseverance or Failure Dreams without action remain as such. And to expect something big to happen in our lives without doing anything is absolutely impossible. You may see yourself to be falling short in some aspect which you should find out yourself. To make someone as your basis in measuring success is not bad at all. In fact, if it can make you push yourself harder, then it’s good. But make sure that you are doing these things in a positive way. UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENCE OF SUCCESS It may be hard not to see people owning big houses, new cars and being able to travel often as unsuccessful people. In their own way, they might be. And there would be Read More …

Is power dressing necessary?

 News
May 032017
 
Is power dressing necessary?

Armando Bartolome Entrepreneurs who thrive locally may feel it's time to go to the next level — enter the global market. Going global is like starting any kind of business. It entails many things which you, as an entrepreneur should be able to identify to make your expansion easier. Not all businesses may be cut for it. Here are a few tips on how a company can find success in the international scene. Be ready to go to the next level. Study if there is a market for your product or service. Your appeal in the local scene may not be the same internationally. Do a thorough research on potential foreign markets. Make several trips to places where you plan to put up your business. It would also be wise to experience their culture and social norms. Choose a place where it is almost similar to your local environment. It may be impossible to have the perfect match, but at least choose a place where you are able to target the right people. Create a team that will focus on the expansion. It is truly difficult to work on expanding a business with only a handful of staff. And with that, you will not be able to sustain your growth internationally. You have two options: You can train new people in your home country and become part of the international team. You can hire people from where you are planning to build your business as this would cost you much Read More …

Is power dressing necessary?

 News
Apr 252017
 
Is power dressing necessary?

Armando Bartolome Power dressing can help you make a good first impression. You should always be clean and neat but not too flashy. Some people think power dressing means having to dress up in designer clothes. If you happen to see someone in designer clothes from head to toe, what would be your first impression?  Others may be in awe at how much the whole ensemble costs. But as a professional or a businessman, it may be speaking too loud that the real person is ignored. Simply put, power dressing should not be measured by the cost of the clothes, but by its ability to evoke authority, competence, and confidence. People can judge others based on their clothes. How can you trust or respect a boss who comes to work like he just came from a basketball game? Dressing appropriately invites respect. TIPS ON HOW TO DRESS FOR SUCCESS Choose formal wear especially when attending business meetings. Nothing much can go wrong when a man in business suit comes in. It spells power and authority. Women can dress themselves in more ways compared to men. But they also need to tone down their style, no deep v-necks, or too sheer blouses. Feel comfortable in what you wear. You may be tempted to wear something fashionable. But if you really are not into the kind of style, it might make you feel uneasy. It can affect your confidence, thus it can resonate inside the room. When we speak of power dressing, Read More …

11 easy steps to have an entrepreneurial mindset

 News
Apr 192017
 
11 easy steps to have an entrepreneurial mindset

Armando Bartolome What is an entrepreneurial mindset? This refers to the specific state of one's mind in creating and focusing or harnessing to the best of one’s ability successful factors related to entrepreneurship. In today’s world, what matters most is how one can develop the ability to think beyond what can be perceived. It is never too late to neither start nor revitalize. All it takes is a strong desire to change or improve. As the saying goes, “If there is a will, there is a way.” These tips are meant for the serious people who like to embrace change and success: Create your new entrepreneurial mindset. Before you can become successful, you have to create a new mindset to achieve the things you want in your life. Examine your current mindset, and how that way of thinking has gotten you to where you're at right now. Be honest with yourself when looking over your current results, because this will give you an accurate measure of the choices that you have made over the years. Only then will you begin to see for yourself that it is time for you to work on your new mindset in order to start living the life you want to experience, regardless of your current circumstances. Once your new entrepreneurial mindset is in motion, you will start making very creative choices to move you faster to your desired goals. Find three to four successful entrepreneurs that have the lifestyle that you want, and ask Read More …

5 great things to be thankful for

 News
Apr 102017
 
5 great things to be thankful for

Armando Bartolome Let me enumerate a couple of things we all have to be grateful for.  Thankful for life.  There may be instances when we feel sorry or even regret the kind of life we may have now. Yet if we see those who were born with deficiencies like no arms, and legs, like the YouTube sensation Nicholas James Vujicic, a stronger and deeper appreciation of our life becomes evident. When he came to Manila, he touched so many people from all walks of life. Yet he never felt sorry for what happened to him, and still managed to inspire others. Thankful for the country we have.  Every time I open the television, newspapers or radio, I cannot help but always get turned off. Listening to commentators, they always complain and complain. It seems endless.  Come on, can we for one moment identify good things happening in our country? There are commentators who are former lawmakers. They were on the other side, but have they contributed anything to our country.  If we look around our neighbors and even out there in Middle East and Europe, the Philippines is so blessed. Just the weather, so many foreigners are thrilled. See the influx of retirees from other countries. The other week I was in Hong Kong and while watching to catch news on CNN, I had goose pimples seeing the advertisement for “It’s More Fun In The Philippines”. Every waking up moment, I say thank you for giving this country. I feel Read More …

How businessmen can tap digital technology

 News
Mar 312017
 
How businessmen can tap digital technology

Armando Bartolome Smartphone technology has made the world more interconnected, providing businessmen opportunities to reach their market. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter have evolved from mere social networks to powerful advertising tools. How does a company connect to the right people in this digital world? A website is the company's digital home. It should allow customers to interact with the company aside from providing photos and corporate information. About 80 percent of consumers now rely on online information before buying want they want. They search for the following: A good review about the service of a store. The price of products with a clear description alongside a good quality of the image of the product The proximity of the store to where the consumer is. A 24/7 customer service is helpful as this will allow the company to extend their services anytime of the day. Just take a look at the success of eBay, Alibaba and Lazada. Since their businesses are based online, they are able to serve people anytime, anywhere. There are, however, businesses that manipulate how they are seen in the virtual world through "backlinking." Thanks to the Google’s Panda update, sites are now regularly monitored and instantly blocked if caught making use of illegal activities. With the help of the social media sites, companies are able to reach their audience more efficiently. All they need to do is designate an employee to handle all their social media accounts. Providing great customer service is one of the key Read More …

Saving your business through rebranding

 News
Mar 162017
 
Saving your business through rebranding

Armando Bartolome Businesses may go through difficulties, but giving up should not be an option. When thinking of ways on how to salvage a business, a company may either diversify or rebrand. Either way, that would mean additional expenses. What is rebranding? The goal of rebranding is to influence its customers’ appreciation and understanding of a product or service or the company itself by enhancing it and goes with the latest trends that are relevant to customers. Rebranding may be in the form of changing the name of the company, re-styling the logo or symbol, changing the company’s slogan, or the marketing and advertising approach. It is brought about by a number of reasons: Change in business ownership following mergers and acquisitions. Change in strategy, human resource policy, corporate identity Penetrating the global market. To meet the changing and increasing demand in the market. To get away from a negative image that lead to a decrease in popularity and affected the company’s revenue. To boost relevance. Diversification of the business. To put up a fresh look. Conflict with stakeholders. Change in products and services. Improvement of corporate identity. Questions you need to ask prior to making a change When things get tough, a business owner cannot just completely delete everything without a plan on how to start over. Here are some guide questions: What initiated the thought of rebranding? What are the existing problems that need to be resolved? Are the existing products no longeras competitive compared to others? Are Read More …

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