lost in translation!
Q: hi there,
I have started my business. but I am not really sure where to start looking for potential customers, its a translations business.
A: Hi there, thanks for your question.
To get some ideas on how you can get
customers, grab yourself a sheet of A4 paper and a pen and then get ready to be creative. Now, put yourself in your customer's
shoes and on the paper, write down as many places as you can where you would go if you were looking for translation services
- it doesn't matter if these ideas are wacky or different or completely mad, just get them all down on the paper.
Try not to filter your ideas either
- it's easy to think "well that's not going to work" and not write the idea down. Try to get all the ideas you can down on
paper. Do this exercise with a friend and you'll get even more ideas. Try not to stop writing ideas until you have at least
20 things on that piece of paper. This exercise should give you a really good insight into where your potential customers
are likely to go when they're looking for translation services and then I would recommend you start using your ideas to look
for customers. Hope this all makes sense.
Best of luck.
The
art of delegation
Q: I have a hard time deciding which
projects to delegate to my staff and which ones to tackle myself. What's the best way to delegate without losing control?
A: Any projects you work on consistently and already know how to approach and complete, can be
delegated to others. The best way to do this is to come up with written checklists for these types of projects. A written
checklist, along with verbal instructions, will help you train the assigned person properly.
Of course, you're still responsible for the work getting done, so it is highly
recommended that you meet with the assigned person regularly to be sure he or she is meeting the deadlines you've assigned,
so the project keeps moving ahead.
If you have a brand new project that you're not exactly sure how to tackle, it
is generally advised that you work on it yourself independently, or along with another staff member. This way, potential problems
can be resolved and a training checklist can be developed for the next similar project.
Is recycled paper worth the extra money?
Q: Is it really worth the extra money to purchase paper
that has been made from recycled material?
A: Would you use paper made entirely out of waste paper from your company's recycling bin? What
if I told you it was greatly benefiting the environment and still extremely high quality?
Buying recycled paper, made
of 100% post–consumer recycled content, may cost a bit more (sometimes not), but the benefits can be truly worthwhile.
Here are four reasons to buy recycled:
- Recycled papers of comparable quality to virgin–made papers are becoming increasingly easy to find, especially in
large office supply stores such as Staples.
- When your company buys recycled paper, it demonstrates concern for the environment. This is an excellent message to pass
on to employees and your customers.
- Making recycled paper creates less air and water pollution than making new paper.
- The fewer trees that must be cut down to make paper, the less chance that valuable wildlife habitats and ecosystems will
be lost.
I think it's well worth it, simply for the facts listed above. Plus, it gives you the benefit of knowing
that you're doing something good for the environment.
Get your business
organized for less
Q: What are some cost–efficient ways for businesses
to get organised, especially during these difficult economic times?
A: Here are my top–5 favorite ways:
1. Use email, read reports and manuals on the
screen in PDF format, and don’t print unnecessarily. Doing so will reduce your company’s paper consumption —
which will result in less paper needing to be purchased.
2. Before purchasing something new, be sure you don’t
already have something in your office that can do the trick.
3. Confirm business appointments BEFORE you leave the
office. You’ll reduce wasted time and wasted fuel.
4. Don’t disregard inexpensive storage options such
as simple shelves. Whether you get wood, steel or wire shelving, shelving will help you make excellent use of all the wall
space that typically goes to waste.
5. Need more filing space, but can’t afford filing cabinets? Cardboard file
storage boxes and banker’s boxes are awesome for paperwork that can be archived, especially since they stack so beautifully!
Some
issues discussed in the expert forum are complex and continually changing. We recommend you consult a professional advisor
about your specific circumstances, needs, and applicable laws.
