How retailers can meet millennials in the middle

Millennials are trendsetters, carrying the clout to significantly impact retail, influencing everything from shopping preferences to advertising choices. Take this habit, for example: in a recent Accenture survey, 41 percent of respondents said they'll seek out an item in-store, but then try to find it cheaper online — a practice known as 'showrooming.' Millennial behaviors like this — utilizing digital services to get the best bang for buck — are resetting retailer expectations. Experiences are important to consumers of all ages, but particularly millennials. Keep this in mind when training your sales team to cater toward your younger patrons. They not only expect you to have the answers, but to also be able to deliver them in a way that feels warm and personal. And you should make it a point to meet them where they are. (Hint: it's probably on their smartphones). From Twitter, to Snapchat, to Instagram, there are multiple ways to creatively capture their attention while building awareness for your brand.

Spotlight

Austin Fraser Ltd

Expert consultants in technical engineering recruitment, IT recruitment and Life Sciences recruitment.Austin Fraser is an established international recruitment consultancy that actually consults. We’re here to listen and advise, and ultimately, to help organisations perform better. We believe in being open and transparent with clients and candidates, only putting the right people forward for the right job, saving everyone concerned time, hassle and money.

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Small Business Trends

Bridging B2B Gaps: MyTradeZone's Innovative Approach to Business Networking

Article | May 29, 2023

Become a member of MyTradeZone.com and build your permanent online booth showcasing your company profile, products, and services at the always-open networking event – it only takes minutes – the site is free to join. While social media demonstrates its prowess as a potent instrument for establishing connections with prospective clients and bolstering lead generation within the B2B sector, one vital challenge remains - the absence of a dedicated platform exclusively tailored for B2B enterprises. MyTradeZone has emerged as a guiding light within this domain, presenting a comprehensive solution customized to cater to the needs of B2B professionals and leaders. MyTradeZone's intelligent B2B search engine is your gateway to connect with other businesses to promote your products and services and to source products and services from suppliers. According to Forbes, 91% of small businesses used social media as a way of connecting with their market in 2021. A Gartner report also revealed that approximately 40% of B2B buyers use social media to help inform their purchasing decisions. Meanwhile, around 84% of C-level and VP-level buyers are influenced by social media when purchasing, according to International Data Group. However, despite the variegated benefits of social media, B2B players face significant hurdles when they lack a unified platform to conduct their operations. They lack a trade and social networking site for businesses. Without such a platform, they struggle to access the benefits that come with it, including: Difficulty in reaching niche audiences of professionals and businesses. Limited access to industry-specific products and services with insights and content. Struggles in fostering networking connections that actually count. Inability to personalize business content for improved and direct engagement. Challenges in utilizing specialized tools for effective lead generation. Concerns regarding data privacy and security. Dealing with overcrowded and chaotic digital spaces. Struggles in achieving measurable returns on investment directly aligned with business goals. Cost-effectively promoting their products & services, and generating leads. Taking advantage of emerging AI technology to do smart match-making. Furthermore, the costs and limitations of physical events exacerbate these challenges, such as: Participating in multiple physical trade shows and events at different locations is costly and often not feasible. This leads to missed opportunities for companies to reach potential prospects effectively. Networking opportunities at physical events are limited to the event's duration. The lack of a B2B creator ecosystem with monetization tools compounds these challenges. To address these challenges, B2B marketers often seek alternative approaches, such as an extensive exploration of various social media channels to reach and engage their target audience. Unfortunately, these efforts frequently fall short of achieving their desired results. In such a scenario, imagine the ease and convenience of having an innovative all-in-one solution readily available! MyTradeZone has emerged as a beacon in this space, offering a comprehensive solution tailored to B2B professionals. Here’s why it stands out: Targeted B2B Networking and Lead Generation MyTradeZone addresses the primary challenge of reaching a precise audience in the B2B sector. With its tailored approach, businesses can engage directly with other professionals, bypassing the clutter typically found on generic social media platforms. This precision in networking leads to more effective lead generation and relationship building. A Social Network Dedicated to Business One of the platform's strengths is its ability to provide users with access to social networking and collaboration tools specialized for B2B networking. Customizable and Intelligent Matchmaking The platform's AI-driven algorithms offer intelligent matchmaking and recommendations, aligning businesses with potential clients and partners who share similar interests and needs. This results in highly efficient and relevant connections. Monetization Opportunities for Creators MyTradeZone recognizes the importance of content creation in the B2B space. It empowers creators to monetize their work through peer-to-peer payments, creating a vibrant ecosystem for sharing valuable industry knowledge. Event and Trade Show Integration For trade associations and event organizers, MyTradeZone presents a unique opportunity to enhance their offerings. By integrating their events and trade shows into the platform, they can offer additional value to members and sponsors, extending networking opportunities beyond the limitations of physical event dates. Enhanced Data Privacy and Security In a world where data privacy and security are paramount, MyTradeZone places a strong emphasis on protecting its users' information. This commitment to security builds trust and credibility among its users. It enables users to exercise control over their privacy settings, allowing them to determine both the content that is displayed and the audience with whom it is shared. User-Friendly Interface and Tools The platform is designed with user-friendliness in mind. Businesses can easily establish a permanent profile, engage in discussions, manage groups, and utilize various tools for content sharing and collaboration. Provides a Unique Platform for Advertisers and Marketers MyTradeZone’s B2B search engine offers highly targeted – and – cost-effective advertisements to both buyers and sellers. Also, it provides a highly targeted audience with measurable metrics. Visionary Leadership Under the guidance of CEO and Chairman, Bachir Kassir, MyTradeZone leverages his extensive experience in the software and B2B industry to provide a platform that truly understands and meets the needs of its users. MyTradeZone.com also offers paid premium plans. You can see the details at https://mytradezone.com/pricing. For example, you can upgrade your listing from a free to Business Essential plan, and you can automatically have up to 10 keyword phrases of your choice where you company appear on the top of a search results. This alone worth trying the premium edition. MyTradeZone offers more than just a B2B social network; it provides a holistic solution for businesses looking to master the intricacies of the digital realm. With its focused approach, innovative features, and commitment to user experience, it stands as an indispensable tool for any B2B professional looking to make a mark in today's competitive environment. For additional inquiries, reach out to contact@mytradezone.com. Meanwhile, to stay updated on future platform improvements and promotions, connect with us at MyTradeZone.com. Scan the QR for more details.

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Small Business Trends

5 Tax-Related Resolutions for Smarter Small Business Accounting in 2020

Article | July 18, 2023

Accountants working with small businesses often play the role of business advisors, especially when it comes to educating their clients about tax regulations and reducing their tax bill by taking all legitimate factors into account. We’ve gathered four tips that accounting professionals can use as a check-list to give to their small and mid-size business owner clients looking to make better financial decisions this year.

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SMALL BUSINESS ADVICE, BUSINESS STRATEGY

7 BIGGEST ENTREPRENEURIAL MISTAKES

Article | July 20, 2023

This is the first post in a seven-part-series detailing the biggest entrepreneurial mistakes business owners make. The series will run over the next few weeks so check back to learn more. These are the 7 Biggest Mistakes I have seen entrepreneurs and companies make that can devalue their Intellectual Property (“IP”) portfolio, damage their brand, or sink a deal. If you are considering turning your idea into a business, read this carefully first. There are other mistakes you can make, but these are the deal-breakers. Any one of these can cost you big bucks, credibility in the eyes of investors and potential partners, and ultimately lead to evaporation of the value of your idea.

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How to Report Revenue on a Small-Business Credit Card Application

Article | February 10, 2020

When filling out the “revenue” portion of a small-business credit card application, you want to make your small business or side hustle look its very best without stretching the truth. But revenue can swing dramatically from year to year, and credit card applications often don’t spell out what you should or shouldn’t include when reporting it. So what counts as an honest, just-the-facts answer? Generally, in credit card applications, issuers want to know your verifiable gross revenue from the previous year.

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Spotlight

Austin Fraser Ltd

Expert consultants in technical engineering recruitment, IT recruitment and Life Sciences recruitment.Austin Fraser is an established international recruitment consultancy that actually consults. We’re here to listen and advise, and ultimately, to help organisations perform better. We believe in being open and transparent with clients and candidates, only putting the right people forward for the right job, saving everyone concerned time, hassle and money.

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Small Business Advice

Qurate Retail Group and NRF Expands to Support Small Businesses in 2021

Qurate Retail Group | January 21, 2021

Qurate Retail Group and the National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation are growing their profoundly effective Small Business Spotlight activity to help 100 business people of different foundations in 2021. Through this program, Qurate Retail Group will furnish the chose businesses with live or potentially advanced openness and different other free in-kind administrations. The program expands on Qurate Retail Group's longstanding foundation of supporting small businesses and mirrors the organization's and NRF Foundation's obligation to expanding openings for underrepresented groups. Throughout the long term, Qurate Retail Group has helped various pioneering brands become public and even global examples of overcoming adversity through the force of live video narrating, revelation driven shopping encounters, and steadfast client local area building. "Our brands' reach across traditional linear TV, digital platforms, and social media-based livestreaming is unrivalled and gives us an extraordinary ability to bring together large communities of highly engaged shoppers around shared interests," said Mike George, President and CEO, Qurate Retail, Inc. "Through the Small Business Spotlight, we are extending our impact far beyond the many entrepreneurial businesses in our vendor base. We're proud to offer special support to local small businesses and their communities." All through 2021, QVC US, HSN, and Zulily – which arrive at in excess of 90 million homes in the U.S. through transmission channels and millions more by means of computerized and social stages – will advance chosen small businesses during legacy and acknowledgment months, including Black History Month (February), Women's History Month (March), National Military Appreciation Month (May), Pride Month (June), National Hispanic Heritage Month (September), and National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October). All partaking businesses will be profiled on QVC.com and HSN.com and will get PR uphold. What's more: • Businesses selected for on-air exposure will be featured in several 2-4-minute live segments on QVC and HSN, with the repackaged video also shared on QVC's and HSN's social pages and streaming service. These businesses will also have an opportunity to participate in a virtual mentorship program with Qurate Retail Group team members. • Businesses selected for digital exposure will receive social tools and resources to promote their participation. • The Small Business Spotlight will also be amplified on Zulily's digital channels. The application period opens today and closes February 26. To qualify, a business must meet the program's eligibility requirements, including: • employing 100 or fewer workers, • being 51 percent owned by an entrepreneur of a diverse background, and • having an ecommerce capability and social media presence. Due to planning and production requirements, featured small businesses for Black History Month and Women's History Month have already been selected. Qurate Retail Group and the NRF Foundation dispatched the Small Business Spotlight in May 2020 to help small businesses tested by COVID-19. The initial 20 partaking businesses got live meeting sections, repackaged video on QVC and HSN web-based features, email advertising, social posts, and site openness. In a subsequent study, over 80% of businesses saw increments in online deals and new clients. The second period of the Small Business Spotlight, led from August through October, included 40 Black-claimed businesses. The greater part of all small businesses included in the 2020 Small Business Spotlight additionally picked in to partake in virtual tutoring. "Given the many challenges posed by 2020, the Small Business Spotlight program created a lifeline for small businesses like mine," said April McClung, owner of Emily's Heirloom Poundcakes in Birmingham, Ala. "We were able to reach millions of customers across the country, who would have never known about us, with our unique brand story. The exposure and support generated increased sales and engagement that turned our year around. During a period of so many unknowns and hardships for the small business community, it was truly inspiring to experience this support and encouragement firsthand." "In 2020, we were inspired by the stories of small business owners across America who continue to serve as the backbone of their communities despite challenges brought on by the pandemic," said Matthew Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation. "NRF and the NRF Foundation are proud to expand our partnership with Qurate Retail Group to help even more small businesses break down the barriers to growth with the program and platform that will allow them to reach new customers in 2021." About Qurate Retail Group Qurate Retail GroupSM comprises seven leading retail brands – QVC®, HSN®, Zulily®, Ballard Designs®, Frontgate®, Garnet Hill®, and Grandin Road® – all dedicated to providing a Third Way to Shop®, beyond transactional ecommerce or traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Qurate Retail GroupSM is a world leader in video commerce, among the top 10 ecommerce retailers in North America (according to Digital Commerce 360), and a leader in mobile commerce and social commerce. The retailer reaches approximately 380 million homes worldwide via 15 television networks, attracts 2.4 billion digital sessions per year across its ecommerce sites and mobile apps, and engages customers via social pages, print catalogs, and in-store destinations. About NRF The National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 52 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF and its educational arm, the NRF Foundation, have been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.

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Mastercard Furthers Resources For Small Business Owners with Salesforce Essentials

thechestnutpost | August 05, 2019

Small businesses are often powered by passionate teams behind the scenes, and in today’s digital world, having savvy technology resources can help them achieve their goals. Salesforce joins Intuit in the U.S. Mastercard small business program, as additional world-class partners delivering critical solutions to the small business space. Whether it’s accelerating revenue by finding new customers or better managing customer engagement, these new Salesforce benefits now available across Mastercard Business and Mastercard Business World Elite offerings in the U.S.

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After Banning US Businesses, Alibaba lets US Small, Medium Businesses to Sell on Platform

indianweb2 | July 24, 2019

China’s e-commerce juggernaut Alibaba will allow small and medium-sized US businesses to sell on Alibaba.com. US businesses, until Tuesday, were only able to buy merchandise on the platform. Alibaba is looking to juice its growth, which has been held in check by Amazon and threatened by trade tensions between the US and China. Alibaba says the platform has 10 million active business buyers in more than 190 countries and regions. One third of the order volume is from US businesses, says John Caplan, president of North America B2B and globalisation at Alibaba Group. Sellers will have to pay an annual registration fee of about USD 2,000, but it won’t charge commission for each sale, unlike Amazon, Caplan said.

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Small Business Advice

Qurate Retail Group and NRF Expands to Support Small Businesses in 2021

Qurate Retail Group | January 21, 2021

Qurate Retail Group and the National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation are growing their profoundly effective Small Business Spotlight activity to help 100 business people of different foundations in 2021. Through this program, Qurate Retail Group will furnish the chose businesses with live or potentially advanced openness and different other free in-kind administrations. The program expands on Qurate Retail Group's longstanding foundation of supporting small businesses and mirrors the organization's and NRF Foundation's obligation to expanding openings for underrepresented groups. Throughout the long term, Qurate Retail Group has helped various pioneering brands become public and even global examples of overcoming adversity through the force of live video narrating, revelation driven shopping encounters, and steadfast client local area building. "Our brands' reach across traditional linear TV, digital platforms, and social media-based livestreaming is unrivalled and gives us an extraordinary ability to bring together large communities of highly engaged shoppers around shared interests," said Mike George, President and CEO, Qurate Retail, Inc. "Through the Small Business Spotlight, we are extending our impact far beyond the many entrepreneurial businesses in our vendor base. We're proud to offer special support to local small businesses and their communities." All through 2021, QVC US, HSN, and Zulily – which arrive at in excess of 90 million homes in the U.S. through transmission channels and millions more by means of computerized and social stages – will advance chosen small businesses during legacy and acknowledgment months, including Black History Month (February), Women's History Month (March), National Military Appreciation Month (May), Pride Month (June), National Hispanic Heritage Month (September), and National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October). All partaking businesses will be profiled on QVC.com and HSN.com and will get PR uphold. What's more: • Businesses selected for on-air exposure will be featured in several 2-4-minute live segments on QVC and HSN, with the repackaged video also shared on QVC's and HSN's social pages and streaming service. These businesses will also have an opportunity to participate in a virtual mentorship program with Qurate Retail Group team members. • Businesses selected for digital exposure will receive social tools and resources to promote their participation. • The Small Business Spotlight will also be amplified on Zulily's digital channels. The application period opens today and closes February 26. To qualify, a business must meet the program's eligibility requirements, including: • employing 100 or fewer workers, • being 51 percent owned by an entrepreneur of a diverse background, and • having an ecommerce capability and social media presence. Due to planning and production requirements, featured small businesses for Black History Month and Women's History Month have already been selected. Qurate Retail Group and the NRF Foundation dispatched the Small Business Spotlight in May 2020 to help small businesses tested by COVID-19. The initial 20 partaking businesses got live meeting sections, repackaged video on QVC and HSN web-based features, email advertising, social posts, and site openness. In a subsequent study, over 80% of businesses saw increments in online deals and new clients. The second period of the Small Business Spotlight, led from August through October, included 40 Black-claimed businesses. The greater part of all small businesses included in the 2020 Small Business Spotlight additionally picked in to partake in virtual tutoring. "Given the many challenges posed by 2020, the Small Business Spotlight program created a lifeline for small businesses like mine," said April McClung, owner of Emily's Heirloom Poundcakes in Birmingham, Ala. "We were able to reach millions of customers across the country, who would have never known about us, with our unique brand story. The exposure and support generated increased sales and engagement that turned our year around. During a period of so many unknowns and hardships for the small business community, it was truly inspiring to experience this support and encouragement firsthand." "In 2020, we were inspired by the stories of small business owners across America who continue to serve as the backbone of their communities despite challenges brought on by the pandemic," said Matthew Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation. "NRF and the NRF Foundation are proud to expand our partnership with Qurate Retail Group to help even more small businesses break down the barriers to growth with the program and platform that will allow them to reach new customers in 2021." About Qurate Retail Group Qurate Retail GroupSM comprises seven leading retail brands – QVC®, HSN®, Zulily®, Ballard Designs®, Frontgate®, Garnet Hill®, and Grandin Road® – all dedicated to providing a Third Way to Shop®, beyond transactional ecommerce or traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Qurate Retail GroupSM is a world leader in video commerce, among the top 10 ecommerce retailers in North America (according to Digital Commerce 360), and a leader in mobile commerce and social commerce. The retailer reaches approximately 380 million homes worldwide via 15 television networks, attracts 2.4 billion digital sessions per year across its ecommerce sites and mobile apps, and engages customers via social pages, print catalogs, and in-store destinations. About NRF The National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 52 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF and its educational arm, the NRF Foundation, have been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.

Read More

Mastercard Furthers Resources For Small Business Owners with Salesforce Essentials

thechestnutpost | August 05, 2019

Small businesses are often powered by passionate teams behind the scenes, and in today’s digital world, having savvy technology resources can help them achieve their goals. Salesforce joins Intuit in the U.S. Mastercard small business program, as additional world-class partners delivering critical solutions to the small business space. Whether it’s accelerating revenue by finding new customers or better managing customer engagement, these new Salesforce benefits now available across Mastercard Business and Mastercard Business World Elite offerings in the U.S.

Read More

After Banning US Businesses, Alibaba lets US Small, Medium Businesses to Sell on Platform

indianweb2 | July 24, 2019

China’s e-commerce juggernaut Alibaba will allow small and medium-sized US businesses to sell on Alibaba.com. US businesses, until Tuesday, were only able to buy merchandise on the platform. Alibaba is looking to juice its growth, which has been held in check by Amazon and threatened by trade tensions between the US and China. Alibaba says the platform has 10 million active business buyers in more than 190 countries and regions. One third of the order volume is from US businesses, says John Caplan, president of North America B2B and globalisation at Alibaba Group. Sellers will have to pay an annual registration fee of about USD 2,000, but it won’t charge commission for each sale, unlike Amazon, Caplan said.

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Events