Top 6 Business Trends Of 2017

Looking ahead into 2017, it’s important to not only be on top of new trends in the business world, but to incorporate them. Adopting trends is important for small business owners and entrepreneurs to be able to compete with big companies. You’re at an advantage because you can change your practices quicker than a large organization. Here’s what you can expect of small business trends in 2017:

1. Experts will be driving sales, not order-takers or salespeople

 

With widespread Internet access, consumers are now seeking out experts’ opinions before making a purchase. Gone are the days of trusting in-store salespeople to provide details on product performance or longevity.
Consumers are looking for experts who can provide information based on their personal experience and their professional opinion without being pushy to make the sale. Experts allow for greater customer experiences, providing deeper connections on relevant topics, increased trust and a superior identification of needs.

2. Crowdfunding over venture capital

 

This isn’t just for crazy ideas and millennials. Crowdfunding for startups is beginning to take off in the business world as companies begin to recognize its value. Not only are you raising money, the people who support you are validating your ideas and products before you put money into them.
Opening up about the products or services you want to offer can also lead to traction in your community, opening up a line of two-way communication between you and customers, and engaging them to provide feedback. If you’re looking to get started, or just curious, check out Kickstarter and Indiegogo for inspiration.

3. Customer interest will be harder to capture

 

This is the age of information overload. With the entire Internet in the palms of our hands and constant emails flooding in, more commonplace marketing techniques are becoming obsolete. This means traditional email marketing blasts to all your subscribers just won’t generate as much interest as they have in the past.
Try to personalize their experiences. Look to social media to open up a dialogue with consumers and share more interesting content like videos, which are proven to hold attention longer than other media. Listening to someone speak about the risks and challenges they may face with your product also seems a lot more friendly and unique than a generalized FAQ post.

4. Personalization is the new mass market

 

If you’re going to the doctor, you want a diagnosis that is right for all of the symptoms you have, not based on what the majority has, right? Think of your marketing and sales efforts in the same way. With more messages coming from other sources than ever before, it’s important to capture people’s attention for longer.
For example, Netflix and Amazon’s success is made from personalized offers and suggestions based on your history. Get to know your customers by tracking their shopping habits and create personalized marketing materials based on large segments of people who follow similar trends (i.e. shop on weekends).

5. Brick and mortar stores are losing their lustre

 

Retail isn’t just becoming crowded – it’s moving. Mall-style browsing is done with a mouse and keyboard, as outlets like Amazon provide such a large variety of products they could never all be offered in one store. You just can’t compete with that scale as a small business. As a result, the stores that stay alive are now highly specialized and provide excellent customer service.
Think about what you do better than everyone else in your community and focus on it so customers think of you as soon as they need that product or service. Plus, make sure you’re online so your customers can find you while Googling what they need. Get online and add your business to 411.ca for free.

6. Recurring revenue

 

Major companies are going with a new pricing model and it’s likely here to stay. Instead of offering products at a fixed price, these large organizations are offering services for a recurring fee. Monthly Netflix subscriptions have replaced movie rentals and purchases, Apple Music and Spotify have replaced iTunes and CDs, and Amazon Prime is replacing express shipping fees and other types of media. There’s a reason for this.
Recurring revenues with a high renewal rate are more efficient in maintaining customers. This saves costs as it’s way more expensive to bring in new customers than it is to keep existing ones. You can also keep your finger on the pulse of the market. Look at when and why people are signing up or leaving month after month. If possible, look for ways to turn your business into a recurring revenue generating service, like offering unlimited tool rentals in a month for a flat fee. It’ll lead to greater profits in the long run based on current industry trends.
When looking ahead, keep these emerging business trends in mind. If you can, find ways to incorporate them into your business plan. Although they may just be taking off this year, they’re primed to stick around for the foreseeable future.

SOURCE:  http://www.asianentrepreneur.org/7-business-trends-2017/

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OCAL IT, WEB MARKETING, DESIGN SERVICES COMPANIES JOINING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE ONE-STOP ONLINE BUSINESS SOLUTION TO SMES







Tuesday 04/07/2017

Photo from left is Alan, Lukas Tan and Li Shin during The Rainmakers, new joint-venture agreement signing ceremony on 25 June 2017 at 7323, 2nd Floor Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia








KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Bernama) -- In this era of advent communication and information technology, Internet business will be the pinnacle for most promising enterprises. Following success of the ‘online revolution’ started together by major e-commerce players in Malaysia Lazada, Zalora, Foodpanda and recently Alibaba, local IT, web design and marketing companies, Operion E-Commerce & Software Sdn Bhd, Veecotech Enterprise and OneStudio Graphics respectively have come together to provide the much needed online business solution and support in IT, web design and marketing to local SMEs in the country.

With twenty two years of combined experience in IT, design and web marketing these companies have realized and deeply understand the challenges in capacity and intricacies such as scalability and legacy issues affecting the SME’s performance in online and digital market. According to Lukas Tan, the owner of Operion E-Commerce & Software, “Online business is not confined to IT, computer, Internet communication, online advertising and sales to merely support existing business but they are ultimately an integral part of almost every successful business globally”. Lukas Tan, has 12 years of experience in IT services, software automation and database system development. While Veecotech, leads by Alan works with a team of dedicated IT engineers providing web design and ecommerce website development services already more than six years and Li Shin specialises in digital branding and video animations in OneStudio Graphics over the last four years.

Hence, these companies have identified the importance of combine effort and recently signed an official agreement to form a new joint-venture company under the name of Rainmakers. Moreover, Rainmakers has successfully helped a couple of business clients solve and enhance their IT and online marketing operations prior to signing of the agreement on 25 June 2017. Rainmakers also has appropriately aim to devote their resources to develop and support other eight potential companies in Penang this year.

To find out more about the companies, please visit

www.operion.com.my

www.veecotech.com.my

www.onestudiographics.com

SOURCE : http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=29503
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Email account setup in MacMail OS X Yosemite


This tutorial will show you how to set cPanel email account in MacMail OS X Yosemite.
We will use test email account [email protected]. Check this article to find out what server your account is hosted on.

1. Select Preferences in Mail menu:



2. Go to Accounts tab, and click on + icon:



3. Select Add Other Mail Account option:



4. In Add a Mail Account window enter your full name, email address and email account password, then click on Create:



5. Application will try to detect the settings automatically. Disregard the result, click on Next:



6. In the Incoming Mail Server screen select POP or IMAP protocol for Account Type, and enter your account details:

Mail Server: server your account is hosted on
Username: full email address
Password: password for your email account

Click on Next once the details are filled:



7. Mac Mail may require specifying additional settings at this point:

IMAP Path Prefix: leave this field empty
Port: 993 with SSL enabled or 143 without SSL for IMAP protocol
          995 with SSL enabled or 110 without SSL for POP3 protocol
Authentication: set to Password



8. In Outgoing Mail Server window, fill out the details as follows:

SMTP Server: server your account is hosted on
User Name: full email address
Password: password for your email account



9. You might be prompted to configure additional settings on this stage. Details are to be as follows:

Port: 465 with SSL enabled
         25 or 587 with SSL disabled
Authentication: set to Password



10. One last step is to configure Advanced Server Settings. Go to Accounts and select the account in question. Then select Account Information tab and go to Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP) section, click on Edit SMTP Server List option:



Verify that your settings are as follows:

Automatically detect and maintain account settings: should be switched off
Port: 465 with SSL enabled
          25 or 587 with SSL disabled
Authentication: set to Password
Allow insecure authentication: should be switched on
User Name: full email address
Password: password for your email account

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Advance your WeChat Marketing Strategic with an Expert











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