911 Essay

911 Essay

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What Small Businesses Can Learn From Fast Food Joints

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When you are thinking about opening up a small business, or you’ve already got an existing small business that maybe isn’t progressing and growing as you had hoped, it’s normal to look outside your own goals and operations and see what other businesses are doing. How are they succeeding? How are they making a mark in their industry and managing to meet all the goals they set out to achieve?


While you may be tempted to look at the competition for inspiration and answers, there could be an industry that offers even more answers, and that industry may come as a surprise to you. No matter what kind of small business you own, did you know that you can actually learn a whole lot from fast food joints and how they operate? Sure it may not answer all your questions, but it can certainly shed light on areas that can then help you to succeed.

So what can small businesses learn from fast food joints? Let’s take a closer look.

They Know How to Find Staff and Fast

The employees you have are what help to make or break your company, so with that in mind you don’t have time to sit around and wait for that right candidate to fall into the job. This is where you can look to fast food joints. When they need staff they are proactive and take every measure to make sure they find the right person, and quickly. They understand that means posting their fast food jobs online, in the store, and even in the local newspaper if need be.

Then there is the job ad itself. They are usually specifically laying out what work experience is required, and the skillsand traits that can make a person a good candidate. Again, that can provide you with tips on how to craft your own job postings.

Be Transparent About Your Suppliers

Another thing that fast food joints are known for is using high-quality suppliers and then broadcasting it to the world. They want to be transparent when it comes to the food customers can expect, and show them that it’s better quality, which is therefore healthier. This is another lesson that small businesses can use, as they move to be more transparent about their suppliers and the quality of the products.

Branding is Everything

Fast food joints are pros when it comes to recognising that branding is everything. They know that they need to be aggressive in their marketing, getting the word out, and carving that niche for themselves in a highly competitive industry. Carving a niche and branding is essential for any company, regardless of the size of it or the industry it is in. Building a name for your company takes time, but it’s something that needs to be done.

Be Consistent At All Times

Fast food joints, especially those that are franchises, also need to be consistent. This means consistent in their menu options, the quality of their food, and the quality of their service. Consistency is something that customers appreciate and quite frankly demand, no matter what industry you are looking at.

While it may not seem like your small business has anything in common with fast food joints, as you take a closer look it’s clear that there is a lot you can learn from them.

Check Out This Guide On How to Track, Manage And Protect Business Leads

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Leads are the lifeblood of businesses. It is already an established fact that generating new leads will provide an opportunity to help your business grow. But you have to nurture these leads if they are going to turn into actual customers. However, they can leave faster than they came if you don’t have a working lead management strategy in place.

There are best practices that can be employed to ensure your sales force is effectively retaining and converting leads. From attracting prospects through strategic marketing campaigns to maintaining a working relationship that will keep them doing business with you; tracking, protecting, and managing your leads are activities that cut through your daily business activities that you should take seriously.

Competent Response service

The initial enquiry is an important aspect of sales. If the prospect isn’t impressed with the first response you provide, that relationship will likely end before it even begins. It is important that all incoming calls concerning enquiries are responded to professionally and courteously.

Availability is also an issue when it comes to converting and maintaining leads through calls. You may lose a big potential client by staying away from the phone even for a minute. Existing clients might be facing issues they also need to resolve quickly, and if you’re not available, they may turn to competitors for solutions. As a result, ensure there is always someone beside the telephone to take incoming calls. Your business can also benefit from employing a professional telephone answering service.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software

The days of going through tedious processes such as using excel sheets to keep record of and manually track leads are long gone. The process of tracking and managing leads have been made a lot easier through CRM software. The adoption of CRM is already widespread and your competitors are already likely integrating this systematic approach into their lead campaign strategies. Studies have revealed that overall adoption of CRM software has tremendously increased over the years, with Gartner forecasting that the industry will be worth $40b by 2018. The migration of CRM applications to the cloud has also become a game changer in lead management.

Your CRM software is an automated business tool that tracks everything concerning your existing customers and potential ones. The tool provides data that include the last time the customer contacted, the outcome of your customers’ interactions, and the best move to take based on their feedback.

Online strategies and Social Media

You can track and manage leads through internet strategies such as email and social media marketing. If you have a social media presence, you can track the needs of potential leads, identify what they are interested in, understand their pain points, and maintain a close relationship with them. Through emails, you can also reach out to your prospects and notify them on new products and offers.

Boost your business today through proper lead management procedures

Your leads should be treated specially as customers. Even if there is a chance they will not turn into clients, you shouldn’t take any prospect for granted.

4 Tips For Internet Reputation Repair

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If you’re interested in learning a variety of methods which you can use to help with internet reputation repair, continue reading to find out how you can start fixing your business’ reputation today.

 

4 Tips for internet reputation repair:

 1. Don’t get into petty arguments with individuals on your social media accounts

 If your business boasts a few social media accounts, from time to time your business may attract comments from individuals who wish to complain about your products or services.

 While it may be tempting to get into a war or words, in order to defend your business’ reputation, if you want to avoid tarnishing your business’ reputation, it’s far wiser to politely ask the commenter to contact your help desk for further assistance. As your business’ wall or newsfeed isn’t the appropriate arena for a heated discussion.

 2. If you’re going to apologize make sure that your apology is genuine

 Never apologize for a mistake with an apology that appears forced and insincere as not only will you lose a customer but you’re also highly likely to anger your customer base. Who may look upon your business’ actions unfavorably.

 If your business comes across as being genuine and empathetic you may be able to reach a point of reconciliation with the customers who you may have disappointed or angered as a result of your business’ errors.

 If you do decide to post a public apology on your business’ social media accounts, make sure that your post describes any new efforts which your business may take to ensure that the same mistake won’t be made a second time.

 3. Try to make amends with any customers who may have been adversely affected by your business’ actions

 If you acknowledge that your business was in the wrong, you can try to repair your damaged reputation by offering a voucher to any customers who may have been negatively affected by your business’ mistakes. As that way, the individuals who were affected will be far more likely to forgive your business and to purchase goods or services from your business in the future, as they’ll feel that your business’ apology was sincere and heartfelt.

 Alternatively, you may want to consider sending a handwritten apology to any customers which were affected along with a free product or a gift basket.

 4. Consider hiring a professional reputation management firm, to set things right

 If all of the tips listed above fail, your last option should be to contact a reputation management firm, who should be able to guide you through the process of taking a series of small steps in order to restore your business’ good name. As an added bonus, a reputation management expert should also be able to give you tips on how to avoid getting into similar situations in the future!

 So if your business’ reputation is at risk and you’re looking for a variety of effective ways to repair your business’ reputation as soon as possible, it’s well worth following the four tips listed above.

 

The Best Photo Printing Tips For The Northern Lights

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It’s one of the most spectacular scenes in the world and for that reason alone, the Northern Lights constantly attracts photographers from all over the world. Even though they have been snapped hundreds of thousands of times (if not more), we all want a slice of the action so that we can proudly stare at them on the wall of our house.

Before you get to the photo printing stage, it stands to reason that you need to learn how to take a photo of something of such magnitude though. Suffice to say, this isn’t like a portrait or anything else which is so-called simple. Instead, this is one of the most complex types of photography out there, with the varying degrees of light just adding to the complexity.

Bearing this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best tips to photograph the Northern Lights.

Make sure you keep warm

This first suggestion is anything but technical, but it’s by far and away the most important step you will take.

In short, it’s absolutely freezing once you arrive at the Northern Lights. It’s the sort of cold where you won’t be able to feel your hands and it should go without saying at this point that this can be damaging to the quality of your photographs. You’ll struggle to keep still, your concentration levels will drop and overall, you will have spurned the perfect photo opportunity.

Your hands are naturally one of the main things you should be focusing on. As well as donning a thick pair of mitts, it’s advisable to wear some thinner silk ones underneath so that you can easily adjust your camera.

A tripod is essential

This next point is probably completely expected following the previous section. After all, if your body is cold and shaking, the chances of snapping a still image are pretty much zero.

This is where a tripod enters the equation. Sure, they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but on some occasions they do work very well and this can be one of them.

Furthermore, this is a scene which is notoriously dark. This means that you will need a slower shutter speed, with the upshot of this being that your camera is more susceptible to movement. Again, through a tripod, you can mitigate this risk and keep your image completely still.

It’s not just about the sky

One of the main mistakes a lot of people make when taking a photo of the Northern Lights is to only focus on the sky. In some ways, this is completely understandable, as it’s the vibrant lights that really capture everyone’s attention.

From a photography perspective, you can get more out of the scene though. Don’t just take the sky, take things around it. Bring some context into the photo; bring people standing and gazing into the sky, and all of the other factors of the landscape. This really brings your photo to life – and that should never be underestimated.

Why Furniture Restoration is so Popular

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For many homeowners, certain pieces of furniture hold great sentimental value. Whether it’s a couch you inherited from your parents, or the first piece of furniture you ever bought, there comes a time when it succumbs to old age. Gary G Friedman believes that there is an ever-increasing number of people that are turning to restoration rather than buying new furniture. In addition to preserving the value of such pieces of furniture, there are plenty of other reasons why furniture restoration is so popular these days.

Preservation of Value

One of the greater benefits of furniture restoration is that you can choose to create a whole new style to suit your evolving tastes or restore your furniture to its original glory. Either way, you get to preserve the value of your furniture and give it new life in your home. You will be surprised at how an old piece of furniture can give your home a complete face-lift. For some people, being able to restore high-value memorable pieces matters more than monetary value.

Extended Useful Life

The ability to re-use old furniture through restoration is a benefit in itself. Everyone wants elegant and classy furniture. We meticulously choose the style and design of each piece of furniture because we want them to match the entire home décor. Restoration helps to give old furniture a new look and essence, getting rid of the notion that old pieces of art have no use anymore.

Increasing Value

It holds true that today’s furniture barely meets the high-quality standards of older pieces of furniture. Therefore, restoring old furniture adds to the preserved value of high-quality pieces of furniture that can last a lifetime. It provides a unique opportunity to ensure antique pieces and high-value furniture items maintain their structural integrity and increase in value.

Eco-Friendly

Research has it that furniture restoration reduces our carbon footprint. It is estimated that the process of making new furniture releases about 1000 times more carbon dioxide into the ecosystem than refinishing and restoring existing furniture. Restoring furniture generates no waste, unlike disposing of old furniture which is wasteful. By restoring your old sofa or dining room set, you could be doing your part to protect the environment.

Cost Savings

If you spare some time to check out the prices of new furniture in the market, you will be surprised at the high cost of new furniture. With furniture restoration, you get an opportunity to save money big. Even when the furniture you’re restoring is quite valuable, opting to restore rather than buy new can leave you with more money in your pockets, and who doesn’t want to save more in these tough economic times? This can give you the advantage of being able to restyle your home without having to get a bank loan or borrow from other sources.

When planning for furniture restoration, experts in furniture restoration can provide valuable advice. Seeking expert help and opinion can help you to save the environment, keep our existing furniture in use for longer and save you money.

Finding A Good Fit For Your VPS Needs

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As a business, you will need your own server at some point of time, but you might not be at the point where you want to host your own website, or where it is feasible to do so. Especially when high–quality parts, technical assistance, and security, all add a large amount to the overall cost. This is why so many companies choose to go with virtual private servers or VPS for all of their business needs. But knowing what you need and getting the support that you deserve isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Here are a few things to look for in a VPS company to ensure that you get the best possible results for your business. 

1. High–Quality Hardware

A VPS is only as good as the hardware that it runs on. While everything might go through the cloud, it will only go as fast as the hardware allows it to. This will also control how safe your data is, how easy it is for clients to access things they need, and any number of different variables. Any company that isn’t using high–quality hardware simply isn’t looking out for their customers. 

2. Adjustable Space Plans

Space needs can change rapidly, and if you have an issue that requires more memory space quickly, then you want to have a plan that allows you to adjust for that need on the fly. Any company that makes you wait days or weeks for even the smallest amount of extra space is the one that isn’t going to work well for you. To avoid this, there are like Memset offer options like block storage or storage additions from within your control panel. 

3. Built-in Support and Security

Your data is important, the ability to access it is important, and letting your customers know that they can trust you is important. Any company that doesn’t offer you built-in support and security with your package isn’t looking out for your best interest. This is especially true if you are leasing a smaller VPS, as you are attempting to save money by employing your own security and technical support teams.

4. Fail-Safe Backups

While everyone likes to think that their systems could never fail, there is always the possibility that they will. A good company will have a back-up set up to ensure that all of your data will never be lost. This can’t be kept in the exact same way as the original, but it still needs to be extremely strong and safe. Always choose a company that can offer you fail-safe backups over one that won’t disclose the methods that they use to protect your information. 

Overall, a good VPS will ensure that they are offering the best possible services to all of their customers, going out of their way to keep them safe at all times. If a company isn’t going to ensure that they will meet your needs, then they aren’t a company that you should be doing business with. There are too many options out there to settle for service that is less than perfect. 

How to invest in Bitcoin: The Smart Way

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If you’re highly interested in taking the plunge and investing a small portion of your long-term savings into Bitcoin, it’s well worth learning how to invest in Bitcoin, the smart way. After all, as a new investor, there are a wide variety of traps to look out for, in order to make a decent profit on your investment!

How to invest in Bitcoin: The smart way

1. Choose to make your investments through an online broker, rather than visiting a Bitcoin marketplace

If you’re relatively new to investing, you may find that it’s a far wiser move to purchase your Bitcoin through an accredited online broker, rather than trying your luck at a Bitcoin marketplace. As if you purchase Bitcoin through a website which specializes in buying and selling Bitcoin, you’re almost guaranteed to purchase Bitcoin at a fair rate.

Whereas if you try to negotiate your own deal, directly with a Bitcoin seller, whom you find through a Bitcoin marketplace, you may end up paying a price which is far higher than you’d pay through a Bitcoin broker. Worse yet, there are a lot of cowboy sellers who prey on new investors, who browse Bitcoin marketplaces in the hopes of scoring an incredible deal.

2. Choose to purchase Bitcoin on a regular basis

Contrary to popular belief you don’t have to invest thousands of dollars into Bitcoin, in one go. Instead, if you’re looking to decrease your perceived level of risk you may want to invest a small amount of a few hundred dollars into Bitcoin on a bimonthly basis. If you set yourself a goal of investing in Bitcoin on a bi-monthly basis, you’ll also be surprised at just how quickly your investment will grow.

3. Don’t be put off or alarmed if Bitcoin’s share price drops

If you’re going to invest in Bitcoin, you have to be comfortable with seeing the share price of your Bitcoins drop slightly, from time to time. While you may be tempted to cut your losses and sell all of your Bitcoin as fast as you can, you’ll only sell yourself short and disappoint yourself as in 9 years Bitcoin’s share price has always recovered after taking a slight dip. After all, in order to make money as an investor, it’s crucial to be able to sit tight and wait out a slight drop in market price.

In fact, investment experts predict that Bitcoin will continue to rise in price for a minimum period of two years.

4. If you choose to purchase Bitcoin through a broker, make sure that you’re comfortable with their fees

Most online websites which specialize in brokering Bitcoin feature fees, which you’ll need to factor into the price of your Bitcoin. If possible, try to opt for an accredited, well-established site which offers minimal fees and will allow you to make regular Bitcoin investments on a monthly basis, without having to pay an exorbitant amount in fees.

So if you’re ready to invest in Bitcoin, the smart way, simply remember to keep the 4 tips listed above in mind!

3 Intimate Health Problems And What To Do About Them

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If you or your partner has been experiencing an intimate health problem, it can be tempting to bury your head in the sand. Let’s face it, dealing with these issues can be awkward and embarrassing. However, there’s no reason why you should have to put up with it. Let’s take a look at three wellbeing woes and what you can do about them.

  1. Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to the inability to get or maintain an erection, and while it can be an embarrassing problem to have to deal with, it’s vital that you do something about it. ED can be the first sign of a much more serious health condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or even heart disease, or it could be linked to a psychological issue like anxiety or depression. So, instead of ignoring your ED in the hope that it will go away by itself, it’s crucial that you speak up.

Firstly, you should book an appointment to see your doctor. ED is usually treated by tackling the root of the problem first, so they may suggest making some lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or giving up smoking. Your doctor may also recommend that you try a targeted treatment, such as tadalafil. This medicine works by temporarily increasing blood flow to the penis to enable an erection. To find out more about tadalafil and the other treatment options available to you, you should speak to your doctor or you could carry out your own research online.

  1. Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness is a common problem among women, especially those who are going through the menopause, but it can happen at just about any age. This health issue is also common in women who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding. It can be an extremely uncomfortable problem to experience, especially during sex. But, while you may feel awkward, it’s important to note that you don’t have to put up with it.

The good news is, there are a number of things you can try to relieve your symptoms. For example, you could use a lubricant or vaginal moisturiser. These can be purchased from your local pharmacy. If this doesn’t help, you should speak to your doctor. They will be able to assess your symptoms and suggest further treatment.

  1. Premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) refers to when a man ejaculates too quickly during sex. While there are no rules around how long sex should last for a couple, it can be an upsetting problem to experience. It’s important to note that the odd episode of PE is perfectly normal, but if it you’ve noticed that it’s happening regularly, it’s worth doing something about it. The truth is, PE can be linked to a range of health concerns, such as prostate problems and thyroid issues. It can also be related to stress, anxiety and depression.

There are a number of different ways you can tackle this problem. For example, if your PE is being caused by another health issue, you could resolve it by treating this first. Alternatively, you could try using a treatment such as a numbing cream that is applied to the penis to minimise sensitivity. For more help and advice about the treatment options that are available to you, you should discuss your situation with your doctor.

Your health and wellbeing is important, so regardless of the issue you’re dealing with, it’s worth knowing that there is help available.

How To Become A Travel Blogger: 5 Tips To Help You Get Started

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If you have a talent for writing and are passionate about international travel, you may be able to carve out a career as a professional travel blogger. If you’re curious, simply continue reading to discover 5 tips on how to get started.

How to become a travel blogger: 5 Tips to help you get started

  1. Assess a wide variety of popular travel blogs

Before you publish your travel blog, it’s well worth visiting a wide variety of popular travel blogs. As you scroll through each blog, try to identify why you think each blog is so successful. As an example, a travel blog may stand out from the crowd due it’s writer’s skill for beautifully describing the destinations which they’ve explored. Or a travel blog may be successful due to it’s stunning, photographs.

Once you’ve scrolled through a wide variety of popular travel blogs, you should start to notice trends between popular travel blogs emerge. Which will help you create a travel blog which will attract a sizeable following.

  1. Pick a unique niche for your travel blog

While countless bloggers start their own travel blog, only the creme de la creme of travel blogs attract a profitable audience. So it’s crucial to ensure to start a travel blog which is centered around a unique, memorable niche.

As an example, instead of creating a general travel blog, you may want to focus on writing about destinations which are off the beaten tourist track. Alternatively, you may prefer to write about affordable accommodation options around the world or your adventures exploring bustling marketplaces throughout the world.

If in doubt choose a travel niche that you’re excited about as if you write passionately, your enthusiasm for your blog will inspire your readers.

  1. Describe your travel experiences so that your readers can imagine themselves being in your shoes

In order to become a successful travel writer, it’s crucial to be able to describe your experiences in a way which makes it easy for your readers to imagine themselves standing in your shoes.

As an example, if you write a post about exploring a busy marketplace, make a real effort to describe the noises that you heard and the smells which wafted by as you walked through the marketplace. As well as vividly describing the store owners which you interacted with.

  1. Make sure to take at least 3 photographs to display alongside every post

If you post photographs with each post, your readers will have a far easier time imagining themselves in your shoes. As humans are visual creatures, your blog will also be more successful if you frequently post high-quality travel images, which inspire your readers to travel.

  1. Start reaching out to travel-related companies for sponsorship

Once your blog has gained momentum, you may want to reach out to travel-related companies such as bed and breakfasts, hotels and tour companies, to see whether any companies are interested in giving you free accommodation or a free tour, in exchange for a review or a story posted on your blog.

So if you’d love to work as a professional travel blogger, it’s well worth taking the 5 handy tips listed above to heart and also by checking out sites like, http://wildfreedesign.com. In order to drastically increase your chances of achieving phenomenal success as a travel blogger!

Top Tips For First-Time Homebuyers

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You probably know that buying a home is likely to be the biggest purchase you will ever make. Sure, you may upscale over the years as your income grows and you need space for a family, but that first-time buy can feel like a leap into the unknown.

It doesn’t have to be like that though. It may be nerve-wracking as you move through the buying process, but you can do a lot to make things easier for yourself. The main thing to do is research what has to be done, take advice from friends or acquaintances who have done this before, and listen to impartial professional guidance.

Here are a few tips to help you on the way to your ideal home purchase.

Save early

In the end, it’s all about the money. Sure, the legal side of things is extremely important as well, but without the money and the right mortgage, you’re stuck. So, prepare for your future and save as much as you can for putting a down payment on the table when you’re looking for a mortgage.

It all depends on the lender, and that’s why you need to look into your borrowing options right from the start. Some may want you to put down up to 20% of the price agreed, but you could find a program that will let you, as a first-time buyer, put down a much lower percentage.

Remember that the more you can put down at the beginning the better, because it means that the repayment amounts you’ll be making will be lower. You should also look for a lender offering a low-interest rate, but you should also be aware that a higher rate might kick in after an introductory period ends.

The advice is: always read the small print! Don’t enter into a binding agreement without fully understanding what you are committing yourself to. It’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of your first home purchase but put your business head on and ensure that you are comfortable with what your financial circumstances are going to be in the years ahead.

Know what you can realistically afford

Use an online calculator so you know what you can sensibly afford. Again, it’s easy to get carried away, but you need to know how much you can safely spend. Try to avoid the mindset of “it’ll all work out fine” because if it doesn’t then you could be in real danger of losing your home. Be practical and realistic and draw up a budget for all your income and expenditure. Factor this into your repayment schedule, and you will have put yourself in control.

Don’t rush

You may be desperate to get the particular property you’ve set your heart on but step back a moment and look carefully at your options. Is it relatively close to your work? Are there stores and malls at a convenient distance? If you already have or plan to have a family, where are the nearest schools? Take the time to explore your options and then make a considered judgment as to whether it is right for you and your circumstances.

After all, there are plenty more choices out there.

Consider home warranty options

When you’ve made your decision and are going ahead with your purchase, you should consider what insurance you may need for the future. It’s pretty much essential to insure your home, both the building and the contents. As with everything in life you never know what’s going to happen so suitable insurance is a way of bringing peace of mind just in case something does go wrong.

You should always explore a range of insurance options, and once again it’s essential to read the small print, so you know exactly what you’re buying and what level of protection you will have. You can consider home warranty coverage, an insurance that can give you many possibilities for cover, but when it comes down to a specific, you should always check to see if it’s covered. It could be machine breakdown, accidental damage, heating or air con problems, so make sure you know and understand what a home warranty offers you.

Keep your options open

Nothing’s done until you’ve signed the papers so keep all your options open until you find everything works for you. Examine the financial side, look at the neighborhood, find out about the condition of your proposed home and how much you might have to spend to get it to where you want it to be.

Above all, be happy with your final choice and make your first home the place you genuinely want to be. Happy moving and enjoy your first home, you deserve it!