Three Small Business Tech Trends

The professionals at Global Resources utilize expertise and knowledge to access the information necessary for small business growth.  We know that there’s always something new on the horizon, especially when it comes to the world of business.  We expect to see many new trends and technologies throughout the next year. Below are three tech advancements small business owners should be aware of: 

1. Machine Learning - Machine learning has taken some massive strides forward in the past few years, even emerging to assist and enhance Google’s core search engine algorithm. Throughout 2017, experts expect to see machine learning updates emerge across the board, entering almost any type of consumer application you can think of, from offering better recommended products based on prior purchase history to gradually improving the user experience of an analytics app. 
2. AR and VR – The industry has seen some major steps forward for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology in 2016. Oculus Rift was released, to positive reception, and thousands of VR apps and games followed, including Pokémon Go, an AR game that exploded with over 100 million downloads. The market is ready for AR and VR but it’s going to be next year before we see things really take off. Once they do, you’ll need to be ready for AR and VR versions of practically everything—and ample marketing opportunities to follow.
3. On-Demand- Thanks to brands like Uber, consumers are now accustomed to having everything on demand via phone apps. In 2017, experts expect this to see this develop even further. We have thousands of apps available to us to get rides, food deliveries and even a place to stay for the night but soon we’ll see this evolve into a larger territory.

If you do not have a corporate community program, now is the time to start! To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business consultants at Global Resources LLC, call us at 855-338-0266. 

Business Goals for 2017

Global Resources is a business development group and general management consulting firm that utilizes education and experience to assist the owners of small and medium-size businesses in achieving success. 

Many small businesses are interested in the SMART approach. The SMART approach to setting goals is more effective than conventional goal settings as it is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-based. When you run your business resolutions through a SMART list, you can figure out if they are actually feasible and sustainable. Without a SMART approach, you may be chasing an impossible goal and wasting your energy in the process.

Here are some SMART goals you should set for your business in 2017:

Manage My Cash Flow More Effectively - Cash flow is the lifeblood of every small business. Many businesses go broke without being able to manage their cash flow wisely. Make a resolution to learn the cash flow best practices for small businesses and stick to them. Here is some quick advice on how you should get started:

• Invoice Promptly
• Tighten Employee Spending Controls With New Technology
• Give a Reward For Quick Payment
• Go After Receivables
• Pay Bills Only When They’re Due

Improve My Digital Presence - Having a decent digital presence is a must for small business success. With an increasing number of people turning to Google Search for local business information, you could be missing out on potential business opportunities if you don’t have a website. If you already have a website but it hasn’t been updated in a year or longer, make a resolution to update it and boost your online presence. From building a mobile-friendly website to starting a content marketing campaign, there is a wide range of best practices for small business websites you could follow in the New Year.  

Build a Social Media Presence for My Business - Apart from updating your website, improving your presence on social networks is equally imperative. If you’re still in doubt whether it’s worth creating a Facebook Page or Google My Business profile, you’re potentially behind the competitive curve. With a whopping 78% of US population frequenting social media networks, investing in social media marketing is a crucial step to your success in 2017. 

Reduce Costs in My Business- Poor expense management skills are one of the most common reasons why small businesses struggle to improve their revenues. Whether you’re a seasoned business or a small start-up, reducing costs is incredibly important in order to boost your bottom line.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business consultants at Global Resources LLC, call us at 855-338-0266. 

Corporate Giving in the New Year

The professionals at Global Resources utilize expertise and knowledge to access the information necessary for small business growth.   We can help the owners of small and medium – size businesses incorporate charitable giving into their corporate practices. In our modern society, more and more small businesses are supporting causes they care about by establishing their own charitable funds. As we enter the New Year, we expect to see many new businesses, small and large, incorporate charitable practices into their plan.

A corporate community charitable fund provides a variety of benefits including adding value to your corporate social responsibility program and increasing employee engagement, by giving your people the chance to feel good by doing good.

There are several benefits of establishing a corporate fund or workplace giving arrangement:

• acknowledgement as an employer of choice
• improved workplace culture
• enhanced ability to attract and retain quality staff
• increased workplace morale and engagement
• build support from your local community and customer base
• add value to your company’s reputation and brand.

 If you’re interested in workplace giving, here are some additional details: 

• Workplace giving is a simple and effective way for staff to regularly donate to charitable organizations.
• It operates under a pre-tax system, which results in an automatic tax deduction for employees, without the need for staff to keep and claim receipts. There is no tax payable on the amount employees forego, and no liability for fringe benefits tax.
• Employees pledge a nominated amount to the company’s sub-fund and the donation is automatically deducted from their pay and sent to the sub-fund.

If you do not have a corporate community program, now is the time to start! To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business consultants at Global Resources LLC, call us at 855-338-0266.