Category Archives: Management Studies

Why Digital Strategy is the Secret to Small Businesses Success

Digitization is no longer a myth. All businesses are operating online particularly in the post-Covid-19 era. With virtualization becoming the real-deal, competition is hitting hard. The online space offer a neutral ground for all businesses to compete regardless of their sizes. Every entrepreneur understands this reality.

Many small businesses have some form of digitization. You will come across their social media pages, websites, and channels. However, a large percentage does not have a digital strategy. Your business might also be following suit. You believe that being online is all you need.

While it’s necessary, reliable digital strategy consultants will tell you that you are on the way to failing if you lack a digital marketing plan. Here is why a digital strategy is your small business’s success mantra:

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It creates focus and direction for your venture

Success means different to many business. However, one thing is common: the achievement of the desired goals. You will realize success if you know what you are seeking to achieve and define it clearly. This aspect enables you to focus your energy on that goal until you achieve it.

A digital strategy delivers direction and focus for any business. You will know where you are going with your online marketing pursuits. It helps your small business pick the right marketing tools that will hasten the realization of the target goals. Also, you can use it to assess whether you are on the right direction. This way, you can be sure of success.

Defines your online value proposition

How can customers or target audience differentiate your venture form other players in your niche? Being unique is the secret of success and it does not change in the digital space. With every venture existing on the virtual space, it is becoming hard to become noticeable. You will struggle to get clicks and leads online.

The good news is that you can resolve this challenge through having a digital strategy. A strategy helps you to define your online value proposition. You can easily determine how you want online audience to perceive your small business. It enables you to create a unique identity that differentiates your brand with those of your competitors.

With this, you will attract clicks and leads and guarantee success. So, having a digital strategy is crucial when being noticeable is a challenge. 

Presents the key performance indicators (KPI)

You cannot know whether you are taking the right or wrong strides unless you have a way to measure your performance. The aspect is not different in the digital space. You will need to assess your online efforts and campaigns performance.

However, many small businesses lack KPIs for their online marketing. They do not assess how their brands are performing.  They believe they are on the right track since they are driving some sales and leads in their online stores.

If you are in the above group, you are on the track to failure. A digital strategy offers tenets for assessing your brand performance online. You can know which platforms are doing better and ones lagging behind. Also, you will see the result of every action. This means that you will have a mantra for continuous improvements and assessment of your online efforts.

Harness marketing budget planning

Marketing is the heart of business success. But it is not a free affair. You will need to spend money on marketing campaigns and programs. Despite big marketing budgets, your efforts might not be paying as expected. Money is not the only thing required in marketing. You need to have right personnel and systems that can deliver results.

This aspect is important in the online space. Your marketing efforts determines your returns. A digital strategy helps you to understand what you need to achieve certain business goals. You will know the skills and experience required. You will have a clear idea of the tools and platforms to utilize. With this information, you can easily budget for your marketing programs efficiently.   

You can assess your ROI

When you invest you money, you expect it to offer a great return. This applies to the digital marketing programs. You want to get a coin or two for every coin you spend on marketing your venture. But you can only determine whether this is the case if you can measure your return on investment.

A good digital strategy presents you with opportunities to assess ROI for each effort. For instance, you can tell how many sales and leads a Facebook ad campaign brought to your business. It will help you determine where your sales are coming from. This way, you can make informed decisions that will move your business to the next level. 

In a word, having a digital strategy can make a difference for your business. You will outperform even the big players in your industry and niche. So, consider crafting one and involve experts if success is your main objective as a small business owner. 

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Professional Development Advice for Accountants 

Accountants are the backbone of any successful business. They keep track of the company’s financial health, make sure taxes are paid on time, and provide valuable insight into how a business can be more profitable.

It’s important that they keep their skills sharp and up-to-date. That’s why professional development is so important. Here are some tips on how accountants can make the most of their professional development opportunities.

Become Accredited 

Many companies will be willing to invest in their employees’ professional development. This might include funding forprofessional development courses for accountants or conferences, or allowing them to take on additional responsibilities. 

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Professional development accreditation will show potential employers that they’re serious about their careers and are committed to keeping up with the latest changes in the industry, as well as enabling them to maintain a competitive advantage over other prospective job candidates in a highly competitive and tough industry. 

Stay Up-to-Date on Changes in Technology

Accountants must be comfortable with technology. This will help them automate tasks, improve efficiency, and make better decisions. With the help of AI and software development, it will help automate decisions for the C-suite and make long-term decisions based on value rather than return on investment. 

Soft Skills Are Vital

Besides being technically proficient, it’s important that soft skills such as verbal and written communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking are developed. These skills will help them better communicate with clients, collaborate with colleagues, and handle difficult situations.

Time management is an integral aspect because accountants need to be strict with their time and meet deadlines and complete tasks ahead of schedule. They need to have the awareness and plan things ahead of time because common processes can take a while to be sorted out. 

Network With People

This means that people get involved in professional organisations and attend industry events. This is a great way to meet other professionals in the accountancy and finance field and stay up-to-date on changes in the industry. Networking can also lead to new opportunities, such as job openings or speaking engagements. 

Staying Organised

The most important thing accountants can do to be successful is to stay organised and keep track of deadlines, appointments, and meetings. They can do this by using a planner or calendar to keep track of their tasks and responsibilities. This will help them stay on top of their work and avoid missing important deadlines.

Conclusion

Every accountant will have different needs and priorities, and it is important that they follow some key advice and principles. They need to make sure they should make sure they stay up-to-date on the latest technological changes in the accountancy and finance field.  

Attending conferences and reading industry publications are both great ways to do this. Another is to find a mentor or networking group that can help them grow professionally. By following some of the key principles mentioned above, accountants can go a long way to further develop their careers and become successful.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: The Transformative Effect on Performance Management

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a transformative effect on almost every aspect of our lives. The way in which we work, how we live, and how we engage with one another have all undergone significant transformations.

And one area that has been dramatically affected is performance management. There are several effects of COVID19 on performance management. Some of which include:

Modification of organisations’ strategies

Businesses have had to rapidly adapt to this new landscape by introducing more flexible and sophisticatedperformance management systems that provide ongoing support and development for employees. 

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The pandemic has been a catalyst for change in ‌performance management and has forced organisations to reevaluate their processes and procedures. The new normal will require organisations to be more agile and adaptable in order to survive and thrive in the future.

Many companies are taking a more agile approach to goal setting in response to these problems. This approach considers the context, sometimes measurability of the goal, which will determine its importance, and in other situations, the need for innovation and inspiration will be vital.

The shift to remote working

The traditional top-down approach to performance management, where objectives are set by managers and cascaded down through the organisation, is no longer appropriate in a world where work is increasingly done remotely and flexibly. 

The pandemic has forced organisations to re-think their approach to performance management and to put employee wellbeing and engagement at the heart of their strategy.

The shift to remote working has made it more difficult for managers to monitor and assess employee performance. This has led to a move away from traditional methods of performance appraisal, such as annual reviews, towards more continuous and informal feedback.

The role of technology

The role of technology has increased exponentially. The pandemic has illuminated for us the critical role that technology plays in ensuring that businesses can continue to function efficiently despite ‌adverse conditions.

Performance management systems have had to make use of technology, for example, the use of video conferencing and other virtual tools has allowed managers to continue to monitor employee performance and provide feedback in a timely manner. In addition, the use of data analytics has helped organisations to identify trends and areas for improvement more quickly.

Focus on employees’ wellbeing

There has been a significant impact on people’s mental health because of the breakout of the virus and the ensuing lockdown. As a result, many employees are having trouble coping with anxiety and stress.

This has led to a renewed focus on employee wellbeing, with businesses and HR departments placing greater emphasis on supporting staff members through these difficult times.

Conclusion

Because of the pandemic, several organisations have been required to alter their methods of operation. The shift to remote working, the shift to an agile approach to goal setting and the role of technology are just a few examples. While these changes can be difficult, they also present opportunities for employees and organisations alike. 

Organisations may become more responsive to a fast changing world while providing their employees with the chance to advance their careers and gain new skills. It is important that we all stay focused on our goals during this time of transformation and remember that our wellbeing is essential for success.

Boosting Employee and Customer Morale at Your Restaurant

Boosting a restaurant’s morale can significantly impact employee and customer satisfaction. Happy employees are more productive, and they provide better customer service. There are several ways to boost morale. In this article, we’ll look at some simple steps you can take to increase employee and customer morale at your restaurant. Keep reading to find out more.

Have Quality Equipment and Décor

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Having great equipment at your restaurant can help boost employee and customer morale. Quality kitchen equipment can help your employees cook faster and more efficiently. This means that they will have more time to spend with the customers. A pizza prep table is an excellent example of quality kitchen equipment. Pizza prep tables come in various sizes and styles, and many of them include features like built-in warming shelves and slide-out trays.

You can also add fresh flowers and plants to your restaurant to boost employee and customer morale. Plants add a touch of nature to any environment and can brighten up even the dreariest day. They also have numerous psychological benefits, such as reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Adding live plants to your restaurant is an easy way to show your employees and customers that you care about their well-being. Not only will they appreciate the gesture, but they’ll also enjoy the added greenery in their surroundings. You can show that you care about supporting local businesses by purchasing from a local shop with live plants for sale.

Celebrate Achievements Together

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Employees are more likely to be productive and provide good customer service when they are happy and feel appreciated. Another way to boost employee morale is to celebrate achievements together. This can include winning an award, getting a new customer, or reaching a sales goal. One way to celebrate achievements together is to have a special lunch or dinner for employees only. This allows them to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate their successes.


Another way to celebrate achievements together is by sharing stories about positive customer experiences. This helps employees see how their hard work positively impacts the customers they serve every day. It can also help build team spirit and encourage employees to go the extra mile for customers.

Deliver Excellent Customer Service

The main goal of any restaurant should be to provide excellent customer service to keep customers coming back. This means that employees need to be happy and motivated to provide the best possible experience for customers. It’s essential to make sure that the customer experience is top-notch. This includes ensuring the restaurant is clean and organized, providing friendly and helpful service, and having accurate menus and prices. By following these tips, you can create a positive atmosphere for both employees and customers alike, which will help your restaurant thrive.

Create Positive Work Environment

positive work environment is one that is a safe and supportive space where employees can be themselves and feel comfortable taking risks. Creating a positive work environment is extremely important for a number of reasons. When employees are happy and productive, it leads to better work outcomes and a more positive work atmosphere. In addition, happy and productive employees are less likely to leave their jobs, which saves the company time and money on recruitment and training.

A positive work environment can also help to attract new employees. Potential employees will be more likely to want to work for a company that has a positive, upbeat atmosphere. This is especially important in today’s competitive job market. Furthermore, a positive work environment can improve team morale and cooperation. When employees feel good about their work environment, they are more likely to be cooperative and supportive of one another.