Business.com

Business.com

How to Make Your Job Posting Stand Out

Posted: 19 Apr 2019 03:00 PM PDT

Job seekers aren't limited to the local classified section anymore. Today, they can go to numerous places online to apply for the job of their dreams. Although this is convenient for job seekers, it creates a problem for your business. With so many job postings floating around the web, it's hard to get noticed.

You need to entice job seekers with a standout career opportunity that makes them want to apply to your company over the rest. Here are some easy ways to improve your job posting.

Show some personality

If you want to get a ton of applicants, your job posting needs to show some personality. If the job description sounds stiff and boring, job seekers will scroll on by. People want to work for companies that match their ideals, preferences and personalities; they want to be excited by a company.

One way to connect with job seekers is to highlight your company culture. For instance, if your company is full of dog lovers and you have a "Bring Your Dog to Work Day" once a month, talk about it in your job posting. It might not seem important to include, but it can attract candidates that appreciate such perks to work for your company. Share your company values and beliefs as well. Not only will it make your job post stand out, but it will help you attract like-minded candidates who will fit in with your team.

Add images and video

Job seekers get tired of reading the same old boring job postings, which are typically walls of text. Adding images and video to your job posting will keep potential applicants engaged and pique their interest in your company. Here are some examples of what you could share:

  • Photos of your team to give applicants an idea of who they'll be working with
  • Images of the products you're proud of creating
  • A video of a product demonstration
  • A virtual tour of your cool office space

Include a detailed job description

People want to know what they'll be doing and what's expected of them before taking the time to fill out your job application. Vague job postings deter candidates from applying to the position. In fact, according to a recent report, job descriptions are the most important job-related content that candidates look for when researching a job, and they also improve the candidate experience.

A detailed job description includes the following elements:

  • Job title
  • Role summary
  • Qualifications and skills required
  • Job duties and responsibilities
  • Special demands (such as travel or the ability to lift heavy objects)

Consider adding the salary to the job description as well so that candidates have a clear idea of what to expect.

Editor's note: Looking for an HR outsourcing firm to handle your business's human resources? Fill out the questionnaire below to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.

 

Make it mobile friendly

As of 2016, 78% of millennials used mobile devices to find jobs, as did 73% of Gen Zers and 57% of baby boomers. If your job posting isn't mobile friendly, you risk losing out on applicants who favor job postings they can view on any device.

First, of course, make sure your website is mobile friendly, and before you add your post to a job listing site, make sure it offers a clean, mobile-friendly experience as well. You should keep titles short (under 50 characters) so they don't get cut off, break up paragraphs with white space, and make sure applicants can upload and submit their resume right from their devices.

Share it on social media

You might have thought that social media wouldn't be an appropriate place to find candidates for your company, but you'd be wrong. Many big companies are turning to social media platforms like Twitter to attract quality candidates. Companies like Disney even have separate Twitter accounts for their job openings.

When you share career opportunities on social media, take advantage of relevant hashtags to widen the reach of your post. For instance, adding the hashtag "remote jobs" is one way to get your post seen by the hordes of job seekers who're interested in working remotely.

Put an end to boring job postings that don't attract the star candidates you're looking for. Instead, use these tips to make your career opportunities stand out from the crowd. Your job post will get clicked on and read many times over, and you'll receive more applications from quality job seekers.

How to Increase Your Restaurant's Profits in 2019

Posted: 19 Apr 2019 12:00 PM PDT

Arguably one of the most competitive business markets today is the restaurant industry. With so many restaurants for people to choose from, finding your niche can be a difficult task. If you're looking to grow your restaurant and increase your profits, not only do you need to offer exceptional service and a wonderful dining experience, you need to master business and management tactics as well. Ready to turn your restaurant into a major success story? Here are several important strategies that can help you increase your profits this year.

Do your research

Owning a restaurant is extremely difficult. From managing employees, balancing finances, implementing marketing campaigns, and pleasing customers, you have to do it all – and no one can be an expert on everything. If you're ready to expand your restaurant, taking time to conduct research will help guide you in the direction you're trying to go.

Regularly reading restaurant management blogs will give you keen insight from industry professionals on best practices for running your restaurant efficiently. With so many resources available at your fingertips, you can educate yourself on restaurant management practices that help you save money on costs and increase your profits.

Cut down on food waste

We're all guilty of it, even at home. America is the leading country in food waste, costing billions of dollars each year. One strategy for increasing your profit margin is to focus on cutting down food waste. Start by investing in a food waste tracker. These devices measure food and have a camera that monitors food waste so you can keep an eye on what's being thrown away (and why). If you still end the day with a surplus of food, you can donate it to food banks to receive a tax break.

Another way to cut down on food waste is to redesign your menu, focusing only on making what you do best. Here are some tips for creating an effective menu:

  • Simplify: Don't bombard your customers with too many options
  • Short and sweet: Provide brief, but detailed descriptions
  • Watch the market: Adjust your prices to include direct, indirect, and volatile costs
  • Consider ingredients: Promote your most profitable items (those that use the least expensive ingredients)

Editor's note: Looking for the right restaurant POS system for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.

 

Use technology

Incorporating modern systems into your restaurant business will increase your profits dramatically. If you're unorganized, lose receipts and have a desk cluttered with paperwork, you may be throwing money out the window. Purchasing a restaurant management system will help you keep track of sales, manage employees and create a rewards program or mailing list for your customers – and that's just for starters.

As previously noted, food waste costs restaurants a ton of money. Restaurant inventory software will help you track of every ingredient you use, whether it's a teaspoon of spices, a diced carrot or an egg. With inventory software, you can also keep a watchful eye out for expiration dates so your bread doesn't get moldy and your milk doesn't spoil.

Market your restaurant

One of the best ways to grow your audience and increase profits is through marketing. There are so many marketing techniques that can help you expand your business and attract the attention of customers you previously couldn't reach.

If you want to increase your restaurant patronage and keep your regulars coming back, form a relationship with them. Social media is a virtually free marketing platform where you can interact with customers and grow your brand. Utilize social media management apps that allow you to schedule when a post will go live and give you insight on the perfect time to upload your #foodpics so you can reach the largest audience.

Consider food delivery options

People love convenience. After a long day at work, the last thing we want to do is prepare a home cooked meal or drive through busy traffic to get a bite to eat. Food delivery services now act as taxis for food, so you don't need to hire drivers or buy company vehicles to send food to hangry customers. With a small commission fee, you can partner with an online ordering company to expand your business and bring home the big bucks.

Bottom line

Increasing your restaurant profits doesn't have to be a daunting task. With so many resources readily available to you, you can soar past the competition and bring in more customers. Technology has saved the day with easy to use and efficient point-of-sale systems, marketing tools, and online delivery services. Take matters into your own hands and utilize these resources to increase your restaurant's profits.

Laid off or Fired? Don't Fret, Better Employment Awaits

Posted: 19 Apr 2019 11:09 AM PDT

It's a scenario that every worker dreads. You've been called into your supervisor's office, and you have a bad feeling about what's coming next. After a few moments, your suspicions are confirmed – you're either fired or laid off. That's that. Pack your stuff and leave.

Getting fired or laid off from a job never feels good. And while something like this could feel like a permanent black mark on your employment record, a newly released study by Airtasker suggests being laid off or fired might end up being a good thing.

The first thing to realize after you lose your job is that you're not alone. Of the 1,400 currently and formerly employed people surveyed in Airtasker's study, just 41.5% said they'd never been laid off. Conversely, 26.3% said they'd been laid off in the past, 15.1% said they'd been fired, and 17.1% said they'd experienced both.

"You're fired."

According to the Airtasker study, most of the more than 800 respondents who reported having been fired before said conflicts in the workplace were mostly to blame. Approximately 30% said they were fired for personality conflicts, 23% said their "boss was a jerk," 19% blamed their firing on office politics, and 12% said upper management just didn't like them.

How respondents performed at their old jobs also played a part. Reasons reported include poor performance (18%), regularly showing up late (15%), making too many errors (6%) or breaking an office policy (6%). Budget issues (15%) and being underqualified (7%) were also cited as reasons.

While the respondents who said they'd been fired listed some of the reasons why they thought they'd been let go, just 42% said they'd deserved it.

Airtasker also surveyed employers and found a disconnect between their reasons for letting someone go and the reasons cited by employees. The top reasons that informed employers' decisions to let someone go were due to attitude issues (57%), personality conflicts (41%) and performance issues (40%).

Warning signs

People often talk about how being laid off or fired was a sudden event. The truth, however, is that there are usually telltale signs that indicate things are not going well at work.

The top three warning signs that people who'd been fired reported seeing in hindsight were that supervisors became more distant, they were given a formal or informal warning, and they weren't given as much work as usual. Other red flags included overhearing office gossip, their peers also became distant, and they were no longer included in meetings and emails.

People who'd been laid off, however, said the top signs of impending unemployment included being told the company was experiencing money problems and was implementing hiring freezes, they didn't receive as much work as usual, and they heard office gossip. An increase in closed-door meetings among supervisors, being given more work than usual and less communication between peers were also cited as potential red flags.

Unemployment is not the end

One of the biggest fears people have when losing a job is that the experience will hinder their careers. Of employees polled, 33% of respondents who'd been laid off and 60% of those who'd been fired feared their experiences would keep them from finding future employment. But does your being fired or let go mean you will start your job hunt on a back foot?

Not necessarily, according to the Airtasker survey. While roughly 80% of employers said they'd fired someone, 48% said they would consider rehiring that same individual. Conversely, only 33% of ex-employees said they would return to a job they'd been fired from in the past.

Furthermore, nearly 80% of employers said they would consider hiring someone who'd been fired from a previous job.

While finding yourself in between jobs is stressful, the survey found that respondents used the time in positive ways. While 68% of people said they relieved stress by searching for new jobs, and 48% said they spent time with their friends and family immediately following a job loss, others said they used their newfound free time to try other things. Approximately 29% of respondents said they started a side gig after being let go. Another 29% reported going back to school, while 21% said they started a business, and 20% said they took some time to travel.

When it came time to find a new job, 95% of people said they were able to do so, with 80% reportedly finding work in the first six months. Respondents also said their forced job hunt resulted in better pay, with 60% reporting bigger paychecks with their next employer. Roughly 21% said they were paid about the same, and 19% said they were paid less.

Looking back, 70% of people said they were grateful that they lost their job in the first place.

How to Implement Video Marketing Without Breaking the Bank

Posted: 19 Apr 2019 10:00 AM PDT

Implementing video marketing into your business strategy is an effective way to grow your brand. People love to consume video. In fact, HubSpot research found that 45% of people watch an hour or more of video a day. We already know the popularity surrounding video is growing without pause, so why not take full advantage of the opportunity to improve lead generation, capture emails, and encourage engagement?

Adding video marketing to your strategy doesn't have to be expensive either. Since people already love to consume short, condensed video content that doesn't take up a lot of their time, there are ways you can streamline your video marketing and stay within your budget. Once your strategy is live, you can watch your ROI soar to new heights.

Here's how your business can get started with video marketing without going broke.

Research your audience and set goals

How will you create content your audience loves if you aren't sure what they want? You can't. That's why it's essential to create buyer personas of your customers. A buyer persona is a customer profile that contains specific information about your target audience, helping you understand who they are and what they want, so you can craft a content plan that meets their needs.

Collect the following information about your target audience:

  • Age
  • Location
  • Interests
  • Job title
  • Biggest challenges or pain points
  • Buying behaviors

To gather the information you need, ask your existing customers to tell you about themselves using a survey or questionnaire. Then, study the audience of your competitors to see what pain points they have during their buyer's journey. Also, take the time to search relevant hashtags and trending topics on social media to find the questions that people in your industry are asking to identify what they're having trouble with. This gives you an opportunity to provide them with the answers they're looking for.

Next, set SMART goals, which stand for objectives that are:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Timebound

It's essential to track your progress as you start your video marketing journey and SMART goals are a great way to do so.

Map out your video content

Now it's time to map out the video content you're going to publish. Conduct keyword research to boost your SEO for higher rankings and create content your audience will eat up. You can use a keyword analytics application to brainstorm topics and see what topics are popular and what users need help with. Pay attention to keywords that have low competition and stick to long-tail keywords since they make up 70% of web searches and have a lower cost per click.

Next, create a content calendar. This will streamline your project management process, so you're organized and know exactly what stage you're at in the video creation process. This can be as simple and cost-effective as creating a spreadsheet listing all the projects you have due and assigning a date to each step of the process.

Create your videos

The good news is that you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to create videos for your marketing strategy. Most viewers prefer short videos, so you don't have to spend thousands of dollars investing in equipment or hiring videographers.

If you're on a budget, you can also take advantage of user-generated content. This adds authenticity to your brand and builds a connection between you and your audience. Repurposing videos made by your audience will make them feel seen and appreciated and sets you apart from competitors who don't use this tactic.

Promote, promote, promote

Video marketing doesn't end once you've hit Publish. You need to promote your content like crazy to get it in front of the right people so you can boost your ROI and see a spike in traffic and user engagement.

Use a social media management application to automate posts promoting your video content. That way you won't have to wonder if you've posted something twice in a row. Marketing automation tools allow you to streamline your strategy so you're posting just enough to get the word out about your video content, but not enough to irritate your followers.

Editor's note: Need a social media management service for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you with free information.

 

Email your subscribers when you post new video content. You can either embed the video straight into the email or provide a link. Your subscribers are already interested in your business if they've handed you their email, so the chances of them checking out your video content are much higher. Encourage them to share, like, and interact with your video if they enjoy it. This will increase your engagement, views and social shares.

From Outsourcing to Outpacing: How SaaS Companies Succeed

Posted: 19 Apr 2019 09:00 AM PDT

I wrote about the benefits of outsourcing before, and how it lowers costs and increases efficiency. For software as a service (SaaS) companies, the competition is increasing, and businesses must find a way to meet market demands. Outsourcing allows them to do this.

SaaS is quickly becoming the single most popular method of software delivery for customers around the globe. According to a report by BetterCloud, 73% of businesses say their applications will be SaaS by 2020. And with the fastest-growing SaaS companies scaling their teams by 56% each year on average, hiring the right talent is very important. But it can also be their biggest hurdle. Finding talent is a challenge. There are many statistics that explain the skills gap in technology, and this gap is only growing in emerging tech industries. Growing, however, means finding talent that can handle new technology and challenges.

In today's globalized world economy, outsourcing is often a common consideration for companies. Software outsourcing to Latin America, for instance, is becoming very popular for businesses in the United States because of the high rate of English proficiency and minimal time zone differences. Companies can work in real time with their outsourcing company, which is a plus for many businesses. As SaaS increases in popularity, outsourcing can indeed be an essential component for long term success. Here are three reasons why SaaS companies should consider outsourcing as an option.

1. Rapid and enhanced growth

Software companies are faced with particularly challenging barriers to success. One of the most pressing challenges they face is the rate at which they must grow to prosper.

Company growth depends on a variety of external factors, including market penetration, product adoption and engagement. It also depends on a variety of internal factors, like product development and cost analysis. For most companies, an annual growth of 20% would certainly be an exciting achievement, but if a software company only grows 20% annually, it has a 92% chance of failing in just a few short years.

Many factors play into a software company's failure to evolve quickly, including startup costs and failed marketing campaigns. Another factor that negatively affects growth, potentially underestimated, is employee motivation and satisfaction. Before that, finding qualified employees is a challenge. For SaaS companies, it can be difficult to determine whether or not a full-time employee is necessary for the project. That mistake can be costly. If a company hires and trains an employee only to not need them months later, the cost to fire them and the cost to keep them on is quite high.

SasS companies often hire local talent to perform certain tasks, but those employees soon find themselves performing other duties that take them away from their core responsibilities. As time goes on, and when pressure for growth and development mounts, employee motivation to complete those peripheral job functions eventually decreases. When employee motivation deteriorates, so does progress.

Outsourcing jumpstarts your project's development and alleviates your hiring challenges by bringing in other teams to take on those peripheral job functions that must be completed while ensuring local employees focus on their core responsibilities. Outsourcing allows team members to focus on growing the business without getting bogged down in menial tasks. Since companies must grow to succeed, outsourcing can help.

2. Quick development and deployment

One primary responsibility for SaaS companies is to apply software updates and patches to their software effectively and efficiently. Businesses must be able to adapt and change their software as needed. But this requires quick change management, a skilled development team and successful deployment phases. If a project is dragging along or a team cannot keep up with the demands for updated software, outsourcing may be a great option.

In addition, SaaS companies may also want to consider nearshore development services for increased market agility. With nearshore outsourcing or outsourcing to countries closer to home, companies do not need to worry about significant time zone differences or high communication costs. Outsourcing to nearshore companies can greatly assist in jump-starting new software and its updates and work to ensure that projects are completed on time. Instead of scaling up an internal team, which is quite expensive, outsourcing provides SaaS companies with an on-demand team.

3. Scalability

As a company grows, several things begin to happen. They will have to start hiring more people, creating new teams and developing new policies and procedures. Also, they will have to begin building out their IT infrastructure. Doing this is timely and costly.

Software companies must keep in mind that SaaS is only as effective as it's pre-existing infrastructure. For instance, if a SaaS company only has enough infrastructure for 1,000 customers, revenues will eventually plateau, and company growth will stagnate. But if the company successfully increases its infrastructure by 30% or more each year, for example, the opportunity for growth can match that increase. The law of diminishing return is relevant here. Profits should not be lower than IT infrastructure investments.

For many companies, especially SaaS companies, scalability is a difficult metric to gauge. By outsourcing, remote teams can quickly build out new IT infrastructure as needed. Once built, they can manage and monitor new infrastructure as other teams continue to gauge growth, sales and customer engagement. The scalability that outsourcing allows is unmatched and provides companies flexibility not afforded when scaling internally.

From outsourcing to outpacing

SaaS companies that have a product they want to share with the world can do so successfully if they have a remarkable product. Long-term success, however, depends on a variety of external and internal factors. Outsourcing can help companies get ahead of the competition. If an SaaS company isn't experiencing growth, its competition probably is.

Beyond the simple cost benefits of outsourcing, SaaS companies can also experience significant growth, quick development life-cycles and accurate scalability. All three of these are critical for company success, and a failure in one of them could result in significant losses. Outsourcing ensures that none of these factors are ignored. As the SaaS industry becomes more competitive, outsourcing provides an option to help with growth. For businesses in this industry, growth is an absolute necessity, because without it, success wanes and the competition overtakes the market.

4 Ways to Turn Your Office Green this Earth Day

Posted: 19 Apr 2019 07:16 AM PDT

On April 22, 192 countries celebrate Earth Day in an annual push to activate the environmental protection movement worldwide. As consumers become more socially driven, corporations are challenged to address ways to make their operations more sustainable and eco-friendly. On Earth Day, companies should evaluate their sustainability efforts and ensure their offices are environmentally conscious. Besides benefiting the environment, many eco-friendly actions are good for business by reducing company spend and fostering office camaraderie and teamwork.

Here are four green tips for celebrating Earth Day:

Ban plastics and paper once and for all

At 25.9%, paper and paperboard products represent the largest portion of all waste, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Eliminate using and purchasing these products. Digitize company operations by electronically sending clients contracts and notices, moving to a digital document management system, and communicate via email. Invest in permanent silverware, cups and plates for the office kitchen, as well as a water cooler, which will be more cost effective in the long run. If you must purchase single-use items, go for biodegradable or compostable options. They don't cost much more than plastic when purchased in bulk – an Amazon search showed compostable cups cost just $45 for 500 cups.

You may be wondering, isn't our recycling program enough? While admirable, recycling programs are a reactionary Band-Aid solution to our dependency on single-use materials, and many experts doubt that the cost is worth the effort. Their usefulness is particularly questioned now that China has been refusing imported recyclables from the U.S. since 2018, meaning a lot of these items head to landfills anyway. A stronger solution is to end the need for recycling.

Host a meatless Earth Day office party

After burning fossil fuels, meat consumption is the second-biggest threat to the environment. Animals raised for food consume more than half of our water usage in the U.S. Host a veggie-centric lunch at the office. The lunch will surely please your vegetarian employees and will raise awareness of the impact meat consumption has on our environment. Take it a step further and host "meatless Monday" lunches once a month to keep the momentum going beyond Earth Day.

Put your employees to work for the environment

Make Earth Day a designated day for Volunteer Time Off (VTO), or paid time off for volunteering, specifically for eco-friendly activities like planting a tree or cleaning up litter. Employees can pursue their preference independently, or the office can organize a group activity. Partner with organizations like Arbor Day Foundation, which has tree-planting programs in urban and rural areas. Research shows that socially conscious companies tend to have better employee engagement and retention. Employees who work for purpose-oriented companies have 20% longer tenure than those that do not.

Add a plant or two to spruce up the office

Foster employees' deeper connection with Mother Nature by adding a few plants to the office – certain types do just fine even in low light. Studies show that spending time near plants makes people happier and healthier, reduces mental fatigue and aids concentration. Plus, the plants will purify the office air, doing a small part in offsetting company's carbon footprint.

Becoming environmentally friendly doesn't need to involve a financial investment or business overhaul. A few minor changes can make a world of a difference and have a positive impact on the atmosphere within companies' offices.

Before You Relocate for Work, Ask Yourself These Questions

Posted: 19 Apr 2019 06:40 AM PDT

Starting a new job is a nerve-wracking endeavor even under the best of circumstances. It's incredibly common to feel a flood of emotions, including excitement, nervousness, relief, regret and even panic. Adding a potential relocation to the mix only heightens these feelings.

Moving is universally cited as one of the most stressful experiences a person can face. It's right up there with divorce, loss of a job and death of a loved one. So, whether you are a seasoned professional considering a promotion or a recent college grad starting out in a new city, it's worth taking the time to determine if moving for a job is the best option for you. 

Candidly asking yourself these key questions before taking the jump can give you some clarity about the value of a potential move.

1. Is this job and company a good fit?

As you should with any opportunity, thoroughly research your prospective employer. It would be devastating to uproot your life and move to a new city only to find on your first day on the job that your boss is a tyrant and the company is on its last leg. Before moving, take the time to look into the company's track record and investigate its potential for growth.

"Remember that what you see on its website and even in your interview may not be the entire truth," said Dr. Toni A. Haley, certified executive coach and CEO of Williams Wellness Group. "The company is trying to sell itself to you as much as you are trying to sell yourself as a candidate."

Glassdoor, Great Places to Work, Comparably and a host of other online resources can provide you with in-depth employer reviews, as well as compensation and company culture information. Haley advises digging even deeper by having dinner with your potential co-workers during the interview process.

"Be friendly in your conversation," she said, "but do not be afraid to ask pointed questions concerning work-life balance, job satisfaction, access to child care and healthcare, and general quality of life in your prospective city."

Even if you are staying with your current employer but transferring to a new location, make sure the local company culture is a good fit. In a new city where you have few to no friends, workplace culture becomes that much more important, said Jonathan Wasserstrum, CEO and co-founder of SquareFoot.

"The people in the office are going to constitute a huge part of your social life," Wasserstrum said. "If you feel at home in the culture and genuinely like the people you work with, that's going to help your quality of life substantially."

2. Will the employer cover relocation expenses?

It's more important than ever to find out if your new employer will help you cover the cost of picking up and moving. Prior to 2018, you could deduct relocation expenses from your federal income tax. That deduction has now been eliminated for everyone except those in the armed forces. This means that whatever salary increase you scored with your new gig may very well be eaten up by the expense of resettling in a new city.

The level of relocation assistance varies widely – with smaller employers less likely to cover it at all – and can include moving expenses, temporary housing, help selling your current home, sponsored house-hunting trips or even a lump sum of cash to be used as needed.

Regardless of the offer, it's important to get it in writing and see if you can negotiate additional coverage, according to Jill Santopietro Panall, owner and chief consultant of 21Oak HR Consulting.

"Trips … to look at the new location can be costly," Panall said. "Employees should be sure that any partner/spouse and any family/kids are allowed to come on at least one of the trips while scouting out the new location."

Pay close attention to the fine print of your relocation contract. Some relocation agreements require you to repay expenses covered by the employer if you leave the company within a certain timeframe. You need to determine in advance if you are ready to reimburse your employer for the move if you decide to walk away from the job for any reason. 

3. What's the job market like in the area?

When considering a move, many people don't think about what they will do if the job does not work out. Cheryl E. Palmer, founder of career coaching firm Call to Career, recommends finding out if your line of work is in high demand in the new area.  

"You should know ahead of time what the job market looks like for people in your field so that you have a reasonable assurance that you can find another job if you ... have to look for new employment in a new geographic location," Palmer said.

Familiarize yourself with the job market in your desired location by checking local job listings for your field, identifying companies that have their corporate or regional headquarters in your area, and visiting websites, such as City-Data.com, that offer detailed information on employers in specific areas.

4. What's the cost of living?

Before moving, compare the cost of living to your current situation and determine if your new salary will adequately cover your expenses.

Timothy Wiedman, retired associate professor of management and human resources at Doane University, has made five job-related relocations over a 41-year career. Wiedman once turned down a promotion because his employer wanted to relocate him from a low-cost location in the Midwest to Washington, D.C., without any allowance for the cost-of-living difference.

"I did enough research to realize that my standard of living would drop quite a bit, unless I could negotiate a raise," Wiedman said. "When those negotiations failed, I had to decline the promotion." 

But even the promise of a higher salary shouldn't automatically sway you to move until you take stock of all of your expenses. If you are relocating to a more expensive area, your money – even if you have more of it – won't go as far. You may have to decide if you are willing to modify or sacrifice some aspects of your current lifestyle for the new job. 

"Remember, $200,000 a year may equal comfortable living in one city but just barely getting by in another, especially when you account for family size or if you are the main breadwinner," Haley said.

While housing will take the biggest bite out of your budget, you will need to consider other expenses, such as groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare and taxes. You can crunch the numbers with free online tools like BestPlaces, which lets you compare the cost of living between locations, and PayScale, which provides salary profiles for positions around the country.

5. How will my quality of life be affected?

Identifying what you can and cannot tolerate is key to making a decision you will not regret.

"Evaluate your current lifestyle, and identify aspects you value most which may be affected by a move," said Lauren Herring, CEO of IMPACT Group.

For example, if you are a person who needs constant cultural stimulation, Herring suggests looking for a community with adequate access to concerts, sports, theater and shopping options.

For people concerned with high gas prices or the length of their commute, a deciding factor may be easy access to public transportation. For a parent, the safety of a neighborhood and the quality of schools and day cares in the area are priorities. Others may have to ask themselves if they will be happy living in an area prone to extreme weather conditions, such as long winters, tornadoes or hurricanes.

Always research and, if possible, visit the potential new city to see if it meets your needs and expectations, advises Wanda Gravett, academic program coordinator for Walden University's Master of Human Resource Management. "Consult people who have lived or are currently living there, and look at what else there is to do besides working.

6. How will this impact my family?

It's necessary to determine if your family is supportive and excited about the potential change or apprehensive about the move.

"The majority of failed moves that I have seen over the years happened because the spouse or family is unhappy in the new location and either don't fit in or can't find work and feel bored and alienated," Panall said. 

Getting a move to work for everyone is messy and does not always leave all parties feeling like they are getting what they want. You will need to have candid conversations with your spouse or partner about how this change will impact their life, career and relationships. Together, you need to decide whether one of you is willing to deviate from your career trajectory for the other. If you have children, you will also need to consider if the move is in their best interests. 

7. Will I have a social support system?

One aspect of relocation that is often overlooked is the role that social networks play in our lives and well-being. While moving closer to family and friends may be a motivating factor for someone looking to relocate, moving away from an existing support system may be a bigger price than some job seekers are willing to pay.

"Some people enjoy moving to an area where they don't have established ties because they enjoy making new friends," Palmer said. "Other people prefer to start with a network of people that they know and branch out from there."

If you are in the latter group and the job is taking you away from friends and family, you need to evaluate if you see yourself thriving in a location without a built-in support system. If you generally have a hard time making new friends, you may feel untethered in a new environment and overwhelmed by homesickness and loneliness.

8. Am I ready for the unknown?

No matter how prepared you are to relocate, there is always a certain level of unpredictability, with factors that you cannot control or even anticipate. Marcia Merrill, a career coach who has served as an assistant director of a college career center, recounted the story of an alumna who, upon deciding to move her family, took the time to research the schools, find the perfect neighborhood, figure out the ideal commuting route and get doctor recommendations from her new co-workers. What she didn't anticipate was the reaction of the family dog.

"A never-misbehaved dog reacted to this move by chewing up the couch, going to the bathroom in the middle of the bed … and growling and barking wildly at all her neighbors," Merrill said. The kids were fine. She found doctors and dentists, but the dog was not happy and everyone knew it.

Relocating is a "complete life disruption," said Sara Boehm Archer, CEO and founder of Essential Engagement Services. Many individuals are surprised at the emotional toll moving can take during those first 6-12 months of settling in, she said.

"It isn't permanent, and most will go on to create a great new life for themselves, but it is still something to know going into a move," Archer said. You need to determine if you are the type of person who can navigate this upheaval and come out fine on the other side.

"Many folks stay in dead-end jobs that provide limited career opportunities – rather than face the (seemingly scary) idea of pulling up roots and moving to a distant city or state," Wiedman said. "But relocation doesn't have to be scary. In fact, it can become an adventure."

Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

Noteworthy Chocolates Finds Success in Unfamiliar Industry

Posted: 19 Apr 2019 05:55 AM PDT

After running a toy company with his wife, Jennifer, for more than a decade, Michael Sauvageau found himself working in management for another organization. He had a realization after six years in the corporate world that sent him looking for new work.

"I recognized that I make a really good boss, but not necessarily a good employee," Michael laughed.

Once he realized he'd rather get back into entrepreneurship, he and Jennifer agreed they'd start looking for new business ideas. Michael decided to attend a conference in search of an idea, and he had high hopes going in – so high, in fact, that he was willing to spend his 45th birthday away from home at the conference.

Unfortunately, the conference didn't spark any inspiration. Without an idea, Michael improvised and tried to find something to tell Jennifer when he got home from the trip. He noticed that many of the vendors at the conference gave out chocolate. A few quick internet searches relating to chocolate showed it was a sizable industry. This, along with his recent conversation with a friend about a new laser engraver, got him thinking.

"I wonder if we could laser-print messages into chocolate," Michael said to Jennifer after the trip.

The idea for Noteworthy Chocolates was born.

Based in Connecticut, the business engraves chocolate with custom messages as long as 522 characters. The chocolates are meant to show appreciation for others and spread positivity through homes or workplaces. Jennifer said that spreading joy with each gift is one of the company's main goals.

It hasn't always been an easy journey for the Sauvageaus to turn their delightful idea into a functional business, but they've laid the following blueprint for entrepreneurs with no prior industry experience to find success.

1. Get ready to research.

Starting a business requires significant research. Starting a business without any knowledge of the industry requires an unbelievable amount of research. The Sauvageaus had their work cut out for them.

"Just one little step at a time," Jennifer said.

The couple worked long hours to learn everything they could about the industry. They took online courses to learn more about lasers. They reached out to experts to learn about the potential health effects of using a laser to write on chocolate. Even the process of finding experts took time. They spent time locating these experts and then reaching out to learn as much as they could. This all helped them understand how to safely and effectively use lasers to engrave high-quality chocolate without damaging the integrity of each piece.

"A lot of it is diving in and doing a ton of research, which I happen to love to do," Jennifer said.

"And she's really good at it," Michael added.

It helps that Jennifer enjoys the research process, but regardless of your level of enjoyment during the research process, it's an important part of starting a business. If you're starting a business without previous industry knowledge, Noteworthy Chocolates is a business worth emulating. Thorough research leads to success and gives your business a better chance to break into an industry.

Jennifer also recommended sifting through your initial research information to find what truly applies to your business. Once you find the most important information from the initial search, take a deeper dive into that valuable information. A few rounds of research can prove beneficial in the long run. Don't stop researching because you found something worth doing. If anything, that's a sign to research more about that topic to develop your understanding.

2. Use lack of knowledge as a strength.

"It's not just the chocolate industry, but we also didn't know anything about lasers," Jennifer said. "We also didn't know anything about food manufacturing, and we also didn't know about appreciation gifting, so we didn't know our market fit either. Really, we knew almost nothing."

The Sauvageaus didn't know anything about their chosen industry, but they were prepared to throw more than 12 hours a day into getting this business off the ground. The duo transformed what seems like a major disadvantage into an exciting challenge, even a benefit. They heard a local hacker space had just gotten a laser, so they decided to go give it a try.

"We started with a couple of store-bought bars," Jennifer said. "If we had known something about lasers, we might never have discovered what we did, which is the very specific way that you can engrave chocolate."

Before trying, the couple was told that, being in both the laser and chocolate industries, there was very little chance this business was possible. Most people cited chocolate melting as the obvious reason for failure. Despite those warnings, the Sauvageaus continued experimenting. One of Michael's original ideas was to create puzzles out of chocolate. These tests first led to failure.

"When you try to cut out chocolate puzzle pieces with a laser, you get chocolate soup on the bottom of your laser bed," Michael laughed. "It doesn't cut chocolate. It's kind of obvious when you think about it."

"It shows how much we did not know about both chocolate and lasers," Jennifer added with a laugh.

Jennifer and Michael Sauvageau look at business obstacles as exciting challenges. Their positive viewpoint helps them overcome times of adversity.

The couple viewed these tests as funny trial runs rather than failures. They continued to learn with each attempt and doubled down on research. The initial lack of knowledge increased the need for research and testing, but it also gave the Sauvageaus a chance to think unconventionally about chocolate and lasers. Further tests required them to explore the viability of the idea. What was keeping other businesses from starting this idea?

Research into health effects and viability eventually led Noteworthy Chocolates to the decision to use a laser specifically for engraving chocolate. Testing included shipping in different types of chocolates to see what worked best with the laser.

"Those were rough times, man," Michael joked. "We had chocolate sent from all over the country, all over the world, and we had to try all these chocolates."

Even though the process was often time-consuming and difficult, Jennifer and Michael enjoyed the ups and downs of the journey. They continued their research and didn't quit when people told them they would fail. They found success by turning a lack of knowledge into curiosity.

"If we had listened to industry experts, we might not be here today," Jennifer said.

3. Continue to learn.

Much of Noteworthy Chocolates' success can be attributed to the founders' willingness to learn. Despite not completely following the advice of detractors, Jennifer and Michael were open to constructive criticism. They made sure to not only hear their supporters, but to also give a platform to those sharing ways to improve the business. This continued desire to learn is something all small businesses should strive to attain.

"People might tell you that they love it and it's great, but listen to the people who have concerns or constructive criticism," Jennifer said. "Really take that into account, and don't be afraid to shift your thinking on your market or your customers or how you can reach your customers and then evolving your product to fit what they want."

Just barely three years from its initial crowdfunding launch on April 14, 2016, Noteworthy Chocolates continues to change frequently. Jennifer and Michael initially believed their business would attract customers wanting to write love letters in chocolate. After a year of running the business, it became clear that most customers didn't want to write that much on the chocolate. Instead, shorter personalized messages became popular.

The Sauvageaus adjusted their strategy after learning that businesses were their primary customers.

Businesses are frequent customers, as the chocolate engravings are ideal for business gifts. The founders also found that a promotional item, chocolate business cards, had the potential to be a bestseller. Customers said they liked the business cards, and Michael took note.

"After the sixth time I heard that, I came home to Jennifer and said, 'Jennifer, we need to start drawing chocolate business cards,'" he said. "As soon as those came out, within a month it was our bestselling item as far as revenue goes."

The founders' willingness to adapt and learn as they go helps Noteworthy Chocolates stay agile. According to Michael, this ability isn't unique to his work. All small businesses can take advantage of a small staff to quickly make decisions and pivot.

"Early on, you're like a Jet Ski as a little company," Michael said. "You're really nimble, and you can kind of move quickly in a bunch of different directions, rather than a big ship that's going to take its time to turn and learn."

The bottom line

Creating a business without knowledge of the industry you're entering requires research, persistence and listening. You won't always feel completely comfortable as an entrepreneur, but building a successful company is about continuing to push through those tough moments and leaning on those around you.

"Bootstrapping any company, if you're not having doubts, I don't think you're being honest," Michael said.
Posted by: at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)