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The Top 4 Small to MediumSized Business Trends in 2019

The Top 4 Small to MediumSized Business Trends in 2019

25
Feb 2019
24
Jan 2025

Every new year brings new tools, techniques, and strategies that help small and medium-sized businesses succeed in an increasingly competitive world. Here are the top four business trends you need to look out for in 2019.

Cybersecurity

Cyber attacks are going to become a more common threat to small and medium-sized businesses. Everyone is a vulnerable target. Whereas many companies are actively preventing attacks, there will be a shift to proactive detection and response in the year to come.

Personalization

The personal touch is going to rein in 2019. Personalized marketing campaigns, transparency, and personal calls-to-action are going to be the ways to connect with potential customers.

Go Remote

The remote office is becoming increasingly a part of today’s business trends world. Small and mid-sized businesses can now reduce operating costs by rethinking their staffing strategies with the use of a remote workforce. With so many low-cost telecommunications platforms available, the days of the cubicle are now on the decline.

Reviews Are Key

Some business leaders resist social media use in the office, but social posting is a great way to connect with your local audience and get valuable reviews. Nearly 95 percent of shoppers read online reviews before making a purchase. It’s worth taking the time to gather testimonials and write case studies more now than ever.If you are looking to grow your business in 2019, there are alternatives to a traditional bank loan you should consider. For details on how you can get approved for a merchant cash advance, speak to one of our experts today.

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March 4, 2020
January 24, 2025

5 Ways to Build Engaging Relationships with Your Clients

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that you need to build trust with your clients to drive sales. People buy from companies they trust, and you have to earn that trust. For most companies, that means building engaging relationships with clients over time. The more you interact with the client, the more opportunities you have to convince them to trust you.Building relationships is easier said than done. These five methods could help you engage with your clients on a deeper level.

Ask Questions and Get Answers

When was the last time you took a customer survey? Companies shouldn’t shy away from getting feedback from their clients. Ask the people you work with what you do well and where you can improve. It’s important to put that feedback into action. When your clients see you’re listening, they’ll feel their input really matters.

Go Above and Beyond

When you receive exceptional service, it stands out in your mind. You should aim to exceed your clients’ expectations at every turn. By doing so, you show how important the client is to you.

Communicate and Connect to Build Engaging Relationships

Have you ever watched a video or read an article, and thought, “This client needs to see this”? You should attend to clients’ needs this way. It’s part of communicating and connecting with people on a human level. By sharing content or sending an email to check-in, you can more easily build engaging relationships with your clients.

Show Appreciation

Everyone likes to feel important, and your clients are important to you. Show your appreciation by providing a loyalty program or a special offer.

Remember Patience is a Virtue

Today’s customers don’t like being pitched to, so cultivate patience instead. A client may not be ready to buy today. They may need more information. That’s okay. You can support them by answering questions and sharing information. By being helpful, not pushy, you’ll build trust and relationships with your clients.

Finance Your Relationship-Building Program

Building relationships drives sales and company growth. Conducting a survey or starting a loyalty program can cost though. Learn how a merchant cash advance could help you build better relationships.

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March 15, 2021
January 27, 2025

How to prepare your business for capital raised

You have worked hard to start up your business. After perfecting your presentation, you have been able to raise some capital. Congratulations! Now what do you do? Make sure you don’t waste this opportunity to launch your business right. Here are five ways to prepare your business for capital raised.

1) Know your “runway”

Your business’s “runaway” is the amount of time your business has before it runs out of cash. First, you should look at your business’s monthly expenses and your capital raised and then, determine how much time you need in order to gain a steady stream of income. Ideally, you will want your business to have a six-month “runaway.” With six months’ worth of operating capital, you can deal with various disruptions that will come with operating a new business.

2) Use a budget management tool

One of the best ways to manage your business is to use a budget management tool, and with the right budget tool, you will be able to manage your expenses and identify opportunities to save money and run leaner. There are a number of top budget management tools that are designed around start-ups. Some of the top budget management tools include the following: Quicken - Quicken is great for smaller starter-ups with its easy-to-use software and interface. Centage - If you have more complex operations, then Centage is an ideal budget management software system. Lola - Lola is a great budget management tool if you are dealing with a number of expense report.

3) Secure the best prices from vendors

You want to make sure that your capital goes as far as it can possibly go. Therefore, you will want to control your costs. One of the best ways to control cost is to be able to get the best prices from your vendors. Be sure to get multiple quotes from as many vendors as possible. Also, if you are planning to use a vendor for the long term, try to negotiate better prices to help you stretch your capital.

4) Have a business plan

It’s a good idea to have a business plan. In fact, a business plan is like a road map that shows everyone in your company, as well as your investors, what is your plan to grow income and become profitable. If you have no experience writing up a business plan, don’t worry. There are a number of business plan templates that you can use to help you get started. Here are a couple of places where you can find business plan templates:

5) Have an emergency or contingency plan

You want to make sure that your business has a plan for the unexpected. In fact, situations such as natural disasters or disruptions in manufacturing or inventory can spell disaster for your business. The best way to plan for an emergency is to set aside a portion of your capital raised and set it aside for emergency situations. That emergency money can save you in situations where you need money fast and you may not be able to raise further capital.

Getting your capital for your business going

Now that you have the capital that you need for your business, it is time to get going. Be sure to have a plan, set a budget, and watch your spending. Also, spend your business capital the right way and you will be well on your way to start-up success. If you require a merchant cash advance for your business, 2M7 Financial Solutions are here to help you out. Request a quote, we will be happy to assist you.

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December 20, 2019
January 27, 2025

Securing Your Business: 5 Practices to Secure Your Business Online

Almost three quarters of business leaders say they aren’t prepared for a cyberattack. As breaches become more common, business owners and IT experts must protect their businesses. These five best practices make securing your business online easier.

1. Educate Your Employees


One of the best things that helps securing your business online is to train and educate your employees. With the right training, they’ll be able to use the right security techniques.

2. Stay Up to Date


Another important step you can take towards online security is updating your software. Software developers are always testing and patching potential problems. These patches and updates help keep your business more secure.

3. Firewalls Secure Your Business


A firewall protects your internal networks from outside threats. If you let employees bring their own devices, these security measures are even more important.

4. Limit Access to Your Network


Another important step is limiting who has access to the Internet through your networks.Secure access by creating accounts and monitoring privileges. If you have a public network, be sure to change the password regularly. That way, cybercriminals can’t gain access through hijacked devices that have stored login information.

5. Invest in Website Security


The last step to creating online security for your business is to secure your website. Invest in an SSL certificate. Make sure you’re compliant with standards such as those for the payment cards industry.If you’re not sure what security measures you can take, ask your host. Online security isn’t just your responsibility. The partners you work with should also take steps to protect your information and your business.If you require quick access to cash to support your business online – a merchant cash advance is the fastest and easiest way of getting the necessary funds. Talk to us to discover options on how we can help you secure and grow your business.

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