Results for: content marketing

Pros & Cons of Outsourcing Your Support

on April 5, 2018

Many businesses choose to outsource various aspects of their business to third-party specialist companies that are able to provide a one-off or ongoing service at a fraction of the cost of having an in-house employee to handle everything. Common tasks to outsource include marketing, website development, graphic design, recruitment, customer support, and even the entire IT infrastructure.

Advantages of Outsourcing IT Support

  • A local IT support company can meet with you on a regular basis and keep you up to date with recent advancements and competition, as well as collect any faulty equipment or hardware for quick repair or replacement.
  • You have someone to turn to or hold accountable for any IT issues.
  • Having “pay as you go” support can be more cost-efficient for smaller companies that do not require constant maintenance of their IT systems. Instead, you can have a company that is familiar with your systems but only actively carries out tasks when needed.
  • You may be blessed with a particularly tech-savvy individual in your employ, but outsourcing your support gives you access to specialist IT professionals, rather than relying on an employee’s limited expertise whose role isn’t in that specific field.
  • Your company is able to focus on the products or services that you provide, strengthening your core process and reducing unnecessary management time, rather than being impeded by the technicalities of things like maintaining your equipment or software.
  • Reduces operational costs where the service vendor can provide their own equipment, resources or specialist software, without you having to pay for these technologies yourself.

Disadvantages of Outsourcing IT Support

  • When shopping around for IT support solutions, it can be tempting to go with a cheap company based in another country. Though they may be able to help you with remote assistance, an IT support company in London isn’t going to be able to provide you with deskside assistance if your company is based in Lisbon. There is a very real disadvantage to choosing an overseas IT company, that may result in you paying out even more for additional onsite support when a single local company can handle everything for you.
  • Third-party service providers have no pure loyalty to your company beyond wanting to provide a good service to uphold their own company’s reputation. This doesn’t mean that they will cut corners or swindle you in any way, but their time and focus will be divided among their clients, customers or accounts that they are responsible for.
  • As with anything that you may outsource to an external organisation, there is always a risk of exposing confidential company data. Even when you use cloud-based applications, such as Google Drive, you are entrusting your confidential data to Google. Though the likelihood of any negative outcome may be unlikely, data security is still something that you need to be aware of. The irony, of course, is that you may be outsourcing your cybersecurity to a third-party, when they themselves may be the weak link in the chain.
  • Due to the service vendor’s own time commitments, there may be a delay in handling any issues that require immediate attention when compared to an in-house employee.
  • You are essentially surrendering some of your control to a different business, and have to place an amount of trust to outsiders.

Whichever direction you choose to take your IT strategy, it is imperative that you find a solution that works for your particular business. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to IT, and you may find that an internal department suits your business better. Smaller businesses, however, may prefer the flexibility of a monthly fixed fee or, alternatively, a “pay as you go” pricing model.

For these businesses with tighter budgets, such as startup tech companies, outsourcing your IT support will probably be the best way to go as you reap all the benefits of ongoing IT support and advanced strategy, without the hassle of managing it yourself.

Local Branding

MBA Application Deadlines Are Fast Approaching

on February 23, 2018

The holiday season allowed many working professionals to take some much-needed time away from the office to focus on their personal lives, create resolutions, and restructure their goals in time for the new year. Part of hitting the ground running in 2018 means getting organized and creating practical plans that will take business people to the levels they’re aspiring to. If career advancement is one of the goals, or finding a better paying position with a greater amount of responsibility, then emerging professionals might consider pursuing MBA degrees to help them qualify for these roles faster. It’s important to bear in mind however that deadlines are fast approaching!

Before applying, prospective candidates should make a list of schools they feel would be a good fit along with deadlines, application requirements, and all the important supporting documentation they must collect. Deadlines for consideration into the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics, for example, start as early as February 1st for the part-time program in downtown Toronto, however admissions are also awarded on a rolling basis for the 2019 deadline. Fortunately, those intending to pursue the full-time MBA program in Waterloo this coming September have until April 6, 2018, to get their applications in; this gives prospective students plenty of time to prepare.

The key to sending off a strong application lies in careful planning. To begin with, all MBA programs demand that applicants receive an accomplished score on the GMAT test which is designed to assess certain reading, writing, verbal and analytical skills; most programs require a score of 600 or higher. Candidates can achieve top scores on the GMAT by taking practice tests, and there are a variety programs and services offering comprehensive GMAT coaching.

As well, it is recommended that those interested in applying set aside time to devise a strong statement of intent; this is what will help them stand out from all the other applicants by allowing them to share their own unique experiences and the goals they have going into the program. A solid statement will be strategic and selective about what it includes, incorporating keywords the admissions council is looking for. Those applying should also consider receiving feedback for their writing from current students or alumni of the program they’re hoping to get accepted into.

Many schools will also ask their applicants to choose an area of specialization right from the get-go; candidates should choose a stream they’re passionate about and speak to the reasons for their selection in their statements. The program above offers ten different options including accounting, marketing, finance, strategic management, operations management, supply chain management, entrepreneurship and more.

It’s never too early to get a leg up on the competition and to bring plans for the future to fruition, especially when there is much preparation to be done, including external testing or requesting letters of reference that can take applicants time to gather. With newly found purpose after ringing in 2018, and MBA admission deadlines coming up soon, there’s never been a better time to start prepping for desired career success.

Guest Posting Guidelines

on May 3, 2016

We welcome guest posts from contributors. That said we expect certain standards when it comes to content that appears on this site.

Here is how we assess potential guest posts:

1. Target audience.

Please keep in mind that our readership is largely comprised of small business owners, marketers, public relations folk as well as professionals mainly in the fields of technology, education, social media and marketing.

Our site is fortunate to cater to many different types of industries so we prefer to have posts that are specific for a certain industry in order to provide the most actionable tips, although we’re also open to and will review posts that are general in nature.

2. Article length.

We like short yet punchy articles.

Word count between 600-800 is best, although we do accept articles that go up to 2,000 words in length if they are very well written and have excellent insight.

3. Professional representation.

While we allow contributors to mention their affiliations and professional capacities, posts must be largely non self-promotional in nature. Mentions of products and services are to be avoided, unless they are directly relevant and appropriate for the subject on hand.

4. Credibility.

We assess and accept guest posts from those who are contributing based on their professional capacities. That is, the byline writer must have the relevant background and expertise in the spaces they are writing about. So do include a full bio and a profile picture (no cartoon avatars) in any guest post submission, and include a link to the contributor’s LinkedIn profile.

Note that where we once accepted contributions from business writers, freelance contributors and similarly other content creators, we no longer prefer to do so. Our readers have indicated that they prefer to read from subject matter experts, not generic material by an imaginary person from a content mill (no offense to skilled freelance writers of any stripe). And no ghostwriters please.

5. Attribution and links.

We will provide full attribution to any contributor, and allow one single link within the article as long as they are relevant. Links are also subject to review – we don’t promote questionable services including but not limited to gambling, pornography, dating services, etc.

We reserve all right to edit any contributed content for brevity, accuracy, house style and to correct grammar/spelling errors without changing meaning and coherence. We also reserve the right to remove any contributed posts that are later found to contravene the above guidelines.

Articles that do not fulfill the above requirements may qualify as paid post options. Please email us for a media kit.

Brand Authority eBook

on May 3, 2016

“Discover How To Be Everywhere, Stand Out From Your Competition And Build An Incredible Brand People Will Remember…”

Find Out The Exact Steps To Gaining Trust And Authority In The Market Using The Power of Branding!
To succeed in today’s fierce market (no matter what industry you’re in), you need to build a brand.

Take a look at some of the biggest brands in the world:

  • Apple
  • Alibaba
  • McDonald’s
  • Nike
  • Walmart

Don’t they all ring a bell?

When you think of a company like Apple, what do you think of?

Here’s what I can think of:

– Simple yet sophisticated

– High-tech/innovative

– Great designs

And what about McDonald’s?

– The golden arches

– Consistent taste and service no matter which McDonald’s you go to

The bottom line is, these are companies that have stuck with consumers.

That’s exactly how you want to build your brand, even if you’re trying to build a small business or personal brand.

Why Is Branding So Important?

A brand is your identity. It’s what you stand for.

Without a clear sense of identity and a clear mission statement, why would people consider following you?

Did you know that 76% of US consumers interact with brands or products before arriving at its store?

It shows just how important building a good brand is.

What Are The Benefits of Building of Branding?

Here are a few big reasons why you need to build a brand:

  • Increased exposure to your product/service/cause/company
  • Memorability. A brand is a sign of good will. It’s your reputation that people will remember.
  • It creates loyalty. It creates an emotional bond.
  • It enables you to set a price premium. Loyal consumers will pay the premium since they believe in it so much.
  • It differentiates you from the market.
  • It creates greater company equity. You’ll attract investors and growth.

With that said, how can you get started building your brand?

Where do you even start?

The good news is, I’ve put together a course that you can follow so that you can start building an incredible brand.

Allow me to introduce you to…

Brand Authority

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You discover how to be everywhere, stand out from your competition and build an incredible brand!

This is THE essential course on branding. If you’re just starting out, this is the perfect companion.
Here’s exactly what you’ll get inside the Brand Authority course:

The Brand Authority Guide

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What you’ll discover in this eBook:

  • What is a brand and what aspects make a brand?
  • How to come up with a mission statement, create company values and putting it all together.
  • How to choose a company or website name.
    • What makes a good logo? We’ll take a look at some of the top brand names and show you exactly what makes them stand out.
    • How to come up with a concept for your logo. From idea to creation.
    • Creating your logo. Should you create it yourself or get it designed professionally?
    • Protecting your trademark and how to go abouts doing it.
    • Using your logo in your marketing and being everywhere. This part will show you how to expose your brand to the market.
    • Creating a personal brand. Are you an individual who wants to build a reputation and become a leader in your field? Read this section.
    • How to build trust in the marketplace.
    • How to increase brand loyalty.
    • How to market your brand. Once you have all the pieces together, it’s time to market your brand. You’ll find a few top ways to do it.
  • How to manage your brand and reputation.
  • …and much, much more!

How Can I Use This Powerful Guide Right Now?

You can own Brand Authority together for a mere $7.00.

That is a truly incredible deal, especially considering the significant difference it’ll make to your success.
Did I mention this eBook is only $7.00? It’s definitely a point worth repeating. You will be hard-pressed to find a more valuable resource.

We're Working on the Second Edition

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