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Managing Millennials: A Crash Course

December 27, 2012

If you are struggling to make the most out of your relationships with Millennial employees, here is a quick guide to turning those born between 1980 and 1992 into some of your biggest fans and assets.

Communicating: Veterans like face-to-face meetings, boomers like phone calls, Generation X prefers email, and Millennials do most of their communicating via cell phone, text messages, and social media. Millenials’ interpersonal skills and presentation skills often need work. But be open to letting them develop relationships through the channels they’re most comfortable with. Their informality can often lead to more frequent contact and faster relationship building.

Recruiting: When you set out to hire younger workers, consider your employer brand. What does your company stand for? What are your values? Young people want to work with those they like and companies they believe in. Also understand that what they learn about your company online—from LinkedIn, your website, or customer reviews on Yelp—will shape their opinions and interests. (more…)

Tapping Into the Great Untapped Online Marketing Tool: Review Websites

December 21, 2012
By BizFilings Business Owner’s Toolkit

It’s time to stop cowering in fear of negative reviews of your business that may lurk in the crevices of cyberspace. With consumers placing such emphasis on reading online reviews before making purchase decisions, entrepreneurs must address review sites head-on. They’re not going anywhere any time soon.

Monitor Review Sites that Matter

Initially, you’ll have to spend a decent amount of time perusing popular review websites (which we’ll list below in a minute). But instead of devoting time to searching these sites weekly for new updates, follow a systematic approach, such as: (more…)

Attract Gen Y Employees with a Great Office Space

December 20, 2012

They’re young, they’re talented, they’re tech-savvy, they’re green. Studies show that by creating an environmentally friendly office, you have a better chance of attracting talented members of Generation Y to your workforce.

According to a MonsterTRAK poll on green employment, 92 percent of young professionals interviewed said they would be more inclined to work for an environmentally-friendly company. The information was confirmed by a Johnson Controls large-scale research project in which more than 3,000 Gen Ys from the United States, the UK, Germany, China, and India were interviewed. Ninety-six percent said they want an “environmentally aware or friendly workplace” and 57 percent said they want their employers to perform well above regulatory compliance.

In short, the younger generations are driven digital innovators, but they want a workplace that is aligned to their core beliefs and is environmentally sensitive. Cubicles with high walls tend to cage their creativity, while flexible and team-focused designed office spaces with fewer barriers allow for the free flow of ideas and information. (more…)

Leveraging social media for your startup or small business

December 19, 2012

The powerful online tools now available for promoting your enterprise and creating awareness of your brand have become indispensable. 

Your website is the world’s window to your business. If you operate a local store or shop, by using social media, your customers and friends can keep in touch with you as your business progresses. If you intend to create an internet-based business, your visibility is largely through social media. Either way, if you’re not using social media to attract and bond with new customers and create brand awareness, you’re leaving money and the possible survival of your business on the table.

Blogs, press releases and white papers

…are useful for generating awareness and traffic. Once set up, non-technical people can easily communicate the latest information in their field and discuss new products or services. Become an expert and communicate your knowledge. Blog posts can take the form of white papers and press releases, drawings, photographs, opinions and gossip. Knowing your target market, adjust information/entertainment ratios accordingly. (more…)

Down Economy? Start a Business Targeting Essential Needs

December 18, 2012

It’s no secret that the economy continues to struggle to recover from the Great Recession of the last several years.  Many feel it’s a dangerous time to start a business of their own due to the economic climate, but if you look for businesses and industries that cater more to “essential needs,” your chance of business success should increase.

Here are four targets to keep in mind as you explore business ownership.

Baby Boomers Are Living Longer: The largest generation in our country’s history is retiring, but they’re living longer and looking for products and services that they can use.  As these boomers age, many are choosing to stay in their homes as long as possible rather than move to an assisted-living facility or in with their adult children.  Businesses that cater to home healthcare services or that help seniors live safely in their homes through home modifications should do well. Common modifications include automatic door openers, ramps, safety bars, bathroom transfer systems, stair lifts, and specialized tubs/showers. (more…)