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Category: TED JAMES

Your Complete Sustainable Business Launch Guide 

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Written By Ted Jameswww.tedknowsmoney.com 12/05/23

Your Complete Sustainable Business Launch Guide 

Today, lots of entrepreneurs are interested in running sustainable businesses to protect our planet’s future. But even if you’d love to operate your company in an environmentally-friendly manner, you might not know where to begin. That’s why Cymru Marketing Journal has assembled some tips and resources to help you identify sustainable opportunities, advertise your progress, and more!  

Research Opportunities 

Have you already launched your business? Do some research on sustainable operations and consider how you could reduce your utilities usage or waste, switch to eco-friendly packaging or paper supplies, or cut down on business travel. If you’re opening a new business, you could offer products or services like plant delivery, farm-to-table dining, energy-efficient appliances, composting, or items made from recycled materials. 

Protect Against Risks 

It’s important to prepare for potential risks and roadblocks when you’re focusing on sustainability in your business. You might face higher costs for materials, negative reactions from certain customer segments, or lose profits initially as you implement these changes. Leave extra wiggle room in your budget to account for possible issues so that you can ride out the adjustment period. That way, you won’t need to make decisions out of financial desperation. 

Put Your Ideas Into Action 

Now, you’re ready to create a brand new business plan for your idea or start adjusting your existing business plan to accommodate the sustainable changes you want to see. Launching a new business or even making sweeping changes within your existing business can be nerve-wracking, but courageous leadership can help us preserve our environment for future generations.  

Remember that your efforts are contributing to a larger goal! Keeping this in mind can give you the courage to move forward with big ideas. If you need more encouragement, connect with other entrepreneurs who manage sustainable businesses. They can give you sound advice to help you along your journey. 

Marketing Strategy 

Highlighting your progress towards sustainability in your marketing materials can draw in eco-conscious customers. One Day Agency recommends being honest and specific when you advertise your brand’s efforts and promoting three distinct sustainable changes in your public marketing materials.  

If you’re working with marketing contractors or an outside agency to execute your strategy, you’ll have to send lots of files and materials back and forth during the process. When you’re including images in your materials, you might assume that you should compress JPG files to simplify email transfers, but this can degrade the file quality. Instead, try this tool to preserve the image’s quality by converting several files into one PDF so that you only need to email one file. 

Implement Operational Changes 

Coming up with ideas for sustainable process improvements is easy, but implementing these changes can be tough! How can you introduce process improvements without disrupting your typical workflows? If you’re running your business as a solo entrepreneur, this is relatively easy – but if you’re overseeing a team, you need a strategy. Monday recommends creating a process map and breaking down each task involved within a given process. Identify exactly where you’ll be making changes, and walk your team through the changes, providing additional training and resources where necessary. Then, make sure to track your team’s progress to ensure that everyone is adapting to the changes. 

Running a sustainable business is more achievable than you might assume. Yes, it might come with some risks and increased expenses, but you can overcome these obstacles. By following these tips, you’ll be ready to take action, shrink your carbon footprint, and shine a light on these changes in your marketing strategy! 

Cymru Marketing Journal offers a variety of marketing assistance. Reach out today to get started! 

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#startups #training #expenses #workflows #entrepreneur #business #sustainablebusiness #merketingstrategy #marketingmaterials #marketingcontractors #businessplan #potentialrisks #roadblocks #ecofriendly #packaging #environment

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How to Get the Most Out of Your Small Business



How to Get the Most Out of Your Small Business

Written By: Ted James.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, thanks to their unique and personal ties to the neighborhoods they serve. However, that doesn’t mean that business practices used by larger companies should be ignored. In fact, many skills can help small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive! Here are some tips and resources worth checking out, courtesy of Cymru Marketing Journal.

Self-care Equals Business Maintenance

Business expenses typically include maintenance on a property, but aren’t you part of your business? You’re a small business owner and entrepreneur in London, and taking care of yourself is just as important as maintaining your office space. There are ways to practice self-care that won’t break the bank.

  • Create and enforce boundaries. It’s important not to overextend your energy, which is limited. Setting boundaries helps because they create more free time if you say no to doing too much.
  • Allow yourself “me time. Remember to do one thing that makes you happy as many times as you can fit into your schedule.
  • Mix up the routine. People are creatures of habit, but falling into a monotonous routine makes daily life feel too predictable. If you add fun to your life, it will revitalize you.

Business Sense. One of the largest tools for businesses and people is effective communication. Lack of communication causes misunderstandings and resentments because no one feels heard. People from employees to vendors become frustrated, and morale reaches an all-time low.

  • Use active listening. If you listen to understand and ask the right questions, you’re practicing active listening. Limiting distractions allow you to focus on the person speaking to you, and it will help them focus on you when you talk.
  • Utilize more than one communication method. Combining email with Zoom calls eliminates confusion because it gives the person you’re communicating with another outlet to clarify any concerns.
  • Emotional intelligence. Being in tune with another’s feelings and watching nonverbal cues shows others that you’re paying attention to their needs. Everyone feels better when they’ve been acknowledged if they’ve had a bad day.

Learning Is Life

If you question businesses about what they think is the most valuable skill, some would tell you innovation is the most desired. Innovative people are creative and never stop learning. You’d be pleasantly surprised at how much you’d learn from your vendors and employees if you listen to their ideas. Thinking outside the box is often key to finding a solution that fits your current problem. You never know when you need another person to look at a problematic situation from a different perspective.

Marketing Tips

Entrepreneurs can also use marketing strategies like social media and search engine optimization (SEO). Marketing via social media is a great way to reach a huge potential audience, as well. Beyond that, though, don’t neglect more traditional methods, like flyers and business cards. Those can be especially effective with neighborhood businesses!

Your Business, Your Choices

Being a business owner is a test of life and work management. You are challenged daily to get as much done as you can. Practicing self-care, using communication skills, and educating yourself about your business are keys to success.

Cymru Marketing Journal offers Local, National & International Digital Marketing, including outbound marketing, blog posts, and social media advertising. We’d love to hear from you!



#smallbusiness #flyers #seo #vendors #employees #emotions #communication #settingboundaries #practicingselfcare

5 Tips to Help You Create a Killer Mobile or Web App for Your Business 

Image: Pexels 



5 Tips to Help You Create a Killer Mobile or Web App for Your Business 

Written By Ted James.

According to statistics, people downloaded 88 billion apps in 2021. Building an app for your business can be a great way to attract customers, improve customer engagement and build brand loyalty. These tips from Cymru Digital Marketing Business Journal will help you get started. 

1. Think of Problem Your App Can Solve 

Your app needs to serve a useful purpose. Before you start building, you need a problem that your app can solve. For example, if your problem is that customers can’t find what they need in your store, you could build an app that lets customers look up products and find out which aisle they are located in. 

2. Pick a Platform 

The platform you choose will affect how many people can use your app. For most businesses, it is best to include at least Android and iOS, because these are the two most common platforms. Other platforms to consider include React Native and Windows. The more platforms your app works on the more customers will be able to use it; however, if you have to develop multiple versions of the app, your costs may increase. If you are dealing with a tight budget, a web app may make sense because it can be used on multiple platforms. 

3. Research Potential Benefits 

Before you begin development, make sure that the app will benefit your business in some way. Mobile apps can increase sales. Customers like to research products before they buy them, and many make purchases from their mobile phones. An app that allows customers to do these things could generate more sales. 

A mobile app can help you compete with larger businesses by offering the same or better experience. For example, customers who prefer to place orders online may choose a company that offers a mobile shopping app over one that does not. 

Mobile apps also make it easier to communicate with customers through functions such as push notifications. Mobile apps are a good way to build brand loyalty by offering rewards programs

4. Find the Right Developer

Unless you have app development experience, a do-it-yourself solution isn’t likely to produce a professional result. Look for developers with an experienced team, solid design talent, and a track record of developing successful apps for businesses. 

Read reviews online to find out what past customers think of their work. Ask them what apps they have created and for who, and download those apps to see whether you like them. Select a developer who is familiar with your industry and interested in your business. Choose a development team you feel comfortable working with throughout the development process. 

5. Make Collaboration Easy 

Effective communication with your app development team is one of the keys to building a successful app. Scrum is an Agile framework that can be used to develop complex projects. Consider taking an online professional development course to learn more about how you can use Scrum to manage your app development projects. Discover the best Scrum master course by reading reviews. Look for a course that lets you test your skills at the end of the course by taking an assessment test. 

Creating a mobile or web app for your business can be a big undertaking. However, the benefits may make the effort and expense worthwhile. Taking steps, such as facilitating communication and collaboration with your team and taking a Scrum course, can help you ensure that your app is a success. 



#communication #collaboration #developers #rewardprograms #tightbudget #mobilesales #88billionapps #appdevelopment

5 Tips for Marketing Your Company as a Senior Entrepreneur

Keep your business moving forward
Image: Pexels

Written By: Ted James.

Cymru Marketing Journal offers local, national, and international digital marketing, including outbound marketing, blog posts, and social media advertising. Read more informative articles today!

5 Tips for Marketing Your Company as a Senior Entrepreneur

You have more free time than ever before once you reach retirement. If you want to make the most of your golden years and earn some additional income, you can start a business as a senior entrepreneur. Learning how to market your business is crucial for success. Use these five tips from Cymru Marketing Journal to develop an effective advertising strategy for your startup.

1. Learn How to Network

As The Total Entrepreneurs explains, networking is a way to form working relationships with like-minded companies in your industry. It can help you draw in new customers and retain existing ones. Cultivating a business network allows you to cross-promote your products and services to grow your target audience. As a senior entrepreneur, it’s vital to find a network that enhances your startup and improves the return on investment of your marketing strategy.

2. Create a Dynamic Website

According to one study cited on sweor.com, 46 percent of people are more likely to buy products and services from companies that have appealing websites. This statistic shows that developing an attractive and user-friendly website is one of the most important aspects of marketing a business. Create an effective website that will draw traffic and leads by ensuring it meets the following criteria:

  • Has an attractive color scheme that is eye-catching but not distracting.
  • Features user-friendly navigation so that customers can quickly locate the information they need.
  • Provides all of the information clients need to make decisions about their purchases.
  • Contains relevant content that keeps users engaged with your company brand.

While you can save on web design by using a free website builder, hiring capable web design professionals is the way to go if you want a dynamic site for your business.

3. Develop High-Quality Content

An effective marketing campaign uses a variety of content types to draw awareness to your brand voice. While you can use any combination of content types, including email marketing, social media advertising, and print campaigns, you must ensure that each piece of content you produce is high-quality.

All of the content you publish should be relevant, informative, fresh, and engaging. Any piece of content that meets these criteria is likely to rank highly on search engines, which drives traffic to your website and increases sales. The quality of your content is often more important than the quantity you produce, so work on creating dynamic content if you want to make the most of your marketing strategy.

4. Harness the Power of Social Media

Social media is a powerful advertising tool that can reach a broad audience with minimal cost and effort. Expanding your company’s presence on popular social media platforms is a great way to promote your brand. Spend time exploring each platform you use so that you know how to leverage its power to grow your business.

Advertising on social media is also a low-cost way to get the word out about your products and services. To create a memorable Facebook ad, this tool creates Facebook ads. Choose a template and then add in your own text, images, fonts, and design elements.

5. Stay Aware of New Trends

Because technology is constantly evolving, new marketing trends emerge each year. You must be aware of these new tools and techniques if you want to stay relevant in the competitive business industry. One way to do this is by enrolling in an online business program. You’ll learn valuable knowledge that can help you pilot your startup successfully, and you’ll also have a better understanding of current marketing strategies. Any degree linked to business, including marketing and leadership courses, can be an asset.

Becoming a senior entrepreneur can be rewarding but poses a few unique challenges. Creating a strong marketing campaign is one task that many entrepreneurs struggle with, but if you use these tips, you can develop an advertising strategy that takes your startup to the next level.

Keep your business moving forward

#seniorentrepreneur #entrepreneur #marketingtips #dynamicwebsite #content

Here’s How You Can Get Out of Business Debt.

Here’s How You Can Get Out of Business Debt.

Written By: Ted James – https://www.tedknowsmoney.com/

A healthy bottom line is integral to the success of any business, and good debt management plays a big role in achieving this goal. As a small business, you may not always have an abundance of funds available for business needs, this is where debt can help fuel your expansion plans, increasing business production, product development, and more. But, facing an excessive debt burden can prove to be a huge challenge that threatens the success and survival of the business. To help keep this burden in check, this article by https://www.tedknowsmoney.com/ explores four effective strategies you can implement starting today.

Review Your Finances

Reviewing your financial statements will provide a clear picture of the strong and weak areas of the business, this can include credit card bills, bank statements, and more dating back at least a year. On review, you’ll identify where you need to curb spending and assets which can be liquidated to increase your repayment capacity.

Next, create a new budget for the coming six months that prioritizes repaying debt, while ensuring you maintain enough cash to afford business expenses. This will provide two benefits – first, each month the debt burden will reduce, second, you’ll protect your business from undertaking additional debt.

If you’re struggling in the budgeting process, consider hiring an accountant who can help review statements, curb expenses, and create a financial plan for the business.

Reduce Expenses

While this is an obvious solution, it’s not the easiest to execute. But, a review of your financial statements will provide clarity regarding areas of business where spending should be curbed.

To further simplify this process, divide your expenses into categories such as:

  • Essential Expenses: This includes taxes, utilities, rent, salaries, and other expenses which cannot be eliminated. Your new budget will need to have provisions to cover these each month.
  • Negotiable Expenses: According to the US Chamber of CommerceIf you have good relations with suppliers, try to negotiate an altered repayment schedule. This can include making payments in installments, or a lump sum on a mutually agreed future date.

Beyond these, you’ll have expenses that you will be compelled to reduce, such as selling expensive office space, getting rid of unused assets, or reducing the number of employees. None of these decisions will be easy to make, but they will help repay debt and secure the future of your business.

Consolidate Debt

As reported by Debt.org, debt consolidation is the act of taking a new loan to pay off existing debt. The process is straightforward, you visit a lender and provide the details about all your current debts and business finances. If they approve your request, they’ll undertake the responsibility of repaying your existing creditors. Going forward, you will be liable to pay your new lender the amount equivalent to your debt, but you’ll enjoy lower interest rates and affordable monthly payments.

Debt consolidation does not erase your debt, but it can make repayment easier. Lenders such as banks will often issue secured loans i.e. the loan will need to be backed by an asset such as your home, car, etc. If you choose to utilize this option, invest time towards creating a repayment plan to avoid taking on any additional debt.

Establish an LLC

Running a business as a sole proprietor puts your personal assets and finances in jeopardy as you and the business are considered a single entity. By registering your business as a Limited Liability Company, it will become a separate legal entity, safeguarding you as the owner from business-related debts and liabilities. For instance, with an LLC, a creditor will not be able to seize your home in case of non-repayment and only use business-registered assets.

Additionally, an LLC allows you to use business expenses as tax write-offs which can help save thousands of dollars a year and be used towards debt payments. As LLC requirements differ based on state, it’s best to delegate this task to a formation service.

Through these strategies, you’ll gain greater control over business debt, resulting in inefficient utilization of resources, healthier cash flow, and securing the long-term success of the business.

#businessdebt #financialdifficulty #financialproblems #debtfree

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