Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Networking is a critical element of growth and success for many professionals. Whether you're a business owner looking to expand your customer base or find partnerships or a job seeker looking to make a career move, finding and connecting with the right people in your industry can be a huge boost to any professional goals you may have set. The first step in forging these connections is knowing where to look, and often, that means growing the circle of people you have access to through your network. To help you do this, a panel of Forbes Business Council members share some simple ways to expand your network this year—some of which can still be done from the comfort of your office. 1. Create Communities Communities are a great way to expand networks. Creating a community of your customers who come together under one platform to have productive discussions, seek help and help others with their expertise results in … [Read more...] about 14 Simple Ways To Expand Your Business Network In 2023
Led lighting business opportunities
Five simple social media tips to promote your SME business
plan to use a mix of social media platforms to reach out to different segments and learn what works best. Representational image. (Photo: dlxmdeia via Unsplash) In the last edition of Smart Growth, we had outlined the importance of social media marketing for an SME (small and medium enterprise), the starting point for which is a good plan. Plan slow and act fast should be the mantra here. Once the plan is decided, start the execution. Social media is changing by the day, so start small, and learn what works for your company and industry. In order to do so, first identify the right platforms for your business. Should you be using Facebook (FB), Instagram (Insta), Twitter (TW), or TikTok? If your target audience comprises millennials, you may think that they are not on TikTok or Instagram. Do not make such assumptions. Millennials are more than 35 years old today. Apparently, 41 percent of them only use FB, while 68 percent use Instagram and TikTok. On the other hand, if you … [Read more...] about Five simple social media tips to promote your SME business
Six Factors To Consider When Building A Dropshipping Business
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Amit Basu is the founder & CEO of Artisan Furniture , the world’s first artisan marketplace. Dropshipping has one huge upside for business newbies: It offers a wonderful opportunity to "operate from anywhere." Budding entrepreneurs can also start with little to no investment. Here’s how. "Geography neutral" is one way to describe one of the biggest advantages of dropshipping, where you act as an intermediary between a supplier and end consumer in the supply chain. You can dropship from anywhere to almost anywhere, often with a minimum outlay because you never come into contact with any stock. These are important upsides—but there are some catches too. Nevertheless, for entrepreneurs who want to rein in expenditure in the currently tight economy; for full-time workers looking for a useful extra side income or for newly-arrived migrants who need to find their financial feet quickly, dropshipping is one … [Read more...] about Six Factors To Consider When Building A Dropshipping Business
Promoting Business Longevity With Succession Planning
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Founder and principal of Keller Augusta , a national, full-service search and advisory firm specializing in commercial real estate. The United States has long been the land of opportunity, with rumors among early immigrants to Ellis Island that American streets were "paved with gold." For many, making the "American dream" come true meant hard work and an entrepreneurial spirit. Fast forward many years and much of the American workforce has cultivated a feeling of independence. This is partially a result of the pandemic, as we shifted to an extended period of work-from-home and today's hybrid work schedules. I think we've all felt that moment when we were on our own and making decisions while our colleagues couldn't access a Zoom call due to internet issues or a screaming baby had them muted on a call. The American dream realized! All kidding aside, before the pandemic, during the pandemic and as we enter the … [Read more...] about Promoting Business Longevity With Succession Planning
Check your financial bias: How your lending business may be less accessible to women & how to fix that
In 2021-22, 8.59 lakh MSMEs run by women were registered on the Udyam Portal. (File photo of then MSME Minister Kalraj Mishra at an MSME Financing Conference in Kolkata in 2014, via Wikimedia Commons) In India, the percentage of micro, small and medium enterprises ( MSMEs ) run by women in 2021-22 is 17.7 percent, as registered on the Udyam Portal. While 4.9 lakh women-led MSMEs registered on the portal in 2020-21, the number rose to about 8.59 lakh units during 2021-22. While this is substantial growth for women-led businesses post-pandemic, there lies a massive opportunity to spur this growth. Women who run businesses largely point out to access to capital as their biggest constraint, with nearly 70 percent claiming that their financing needs go unmet. There is a global financing gap in access to finance for women-owned businesses, and this is estimated at USD 20 billion in India and USD 1.7 trillion globally. As per information provided to the Parliament The … [Read more...] about Check your financial bias: How your lending business may be less accessible to women & how to fix that
Green Customer Experiences Drive Ongoing Growth For Midsize Businesses
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin By Toni Burke, Global Vice President – Green CX, SAP It's no secret that the ultimate corporate currency is loyalty. Businesses continuously seek to engage in trustworthy practices that give customers a reason to like them and find common ground with shared values. This is certainly the case as we enter a new year and demand for sustainable offerings grow. For midsize companies, creating a green customer experience (CX) can become an effective first step toward building strong relationships with customers who value a mix of eco-conscious behaviors and sustainable consumption practices. Companies can leverage validated environmental and social governance (ESG) data to produce – and prove – a positive impact on the environment and in people’s lives. In an SAP Insights global survey , CX leaders from midmarket companies across 41 markets and 28 industries shared that they're not only hearing this message but also … [Read more...] about Green Customer Experiences Drive Ongoing Growth For Midsize Businesses
Sustainability Trends 2023: Goodbye Greenwashing, Hello Business Results
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin This year’s forecast of sustainability trends looks like the perfect storm (in a good way) of purpose-minded, yet business opportunity-led progress. Although Forrester analysts expected at least 10 companies to incur $5 million or more in greenwashing fines, the longer term outlook for meaningful environmental impact is far brighter. Gartner researchers predicted that political bodies worldwide would support nation-state commitments to invest tens of trillions of dollars in climate mitigation from 2025 to 2035. Prodded by consumer demands and impelled by increasingly stringent regulations, the business sector has taken notice and actions to create a more sustainable future. Here’s a summary of their investment priorities. Getting accurate, quality ESG data Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) standards and regulations are becoming a dominant force in how organizations operate, touching every part of the … [Read more...] about Sustainability Trends 2023: Goodbye Greenwashing, Hello Business Results
Time is running out for CA Business Leaders 40 Under 40 registration! Submit your nomination today
Established by the Parliament in 1949, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India or ICAI is the second-largest professional body of chartered accountants in the world, and has spent decades regulating the profession in the country. It is known for the diligence with which it vets its members, and the high technical and ethical standards it helps establish and maintain. ICAI’s 40 Under 40 awards for CA business leaders brings all that expertise to the fore as it strives to recognise and felicitate the exemplary performances of a new generation of young and inspiring leaders from around the country. If you are a young professional who believes that they have made an outstanding contribution to the field of chartered accountancy, or if you know of someone who has, now is the time to register for time is indeed short! Registrations close on the 31st of January 2023. Be sure to submit your nominations before the deadline expires for a chance to get you, and your work, the … [Read more...] about Time is running out for CA Business Leaders 40 Under 40 registration! Submit your nomination today
Windsor Taps An Evergreen Opportunity Dressing Women For Special Occasions Year Round
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Corrected January 31 @ 1:10 p.m.: Founder Maurice Zekaria’s two sons, Leon and Ike, have jointly led the company since 1997, rather than just Leon as originally stated. The coming year looks to be another challenging one in fashion retail. Year-over-year, women’s specialty fashion retailers grew only 3.8% through November, basically keeping pace with inflation which was running 3.9% at year-end in women’s fashion. “This year will bear challenges for apparel companies, like other discretionary product categories, arising from a mild recession in the U.S. and weaker economic prospects in many parts of the world,” S&P Global reported in an outlook across a wide range of consumer product categories. “Apparel companies will likely resort to promotional pricing to drive sales and clear excess inventory.” The inevitable result of which is to put pressure on profits. However, there is one bright spot for … [Read more...] about Windsor Taps An Evergreen Opportunity Dressing Women For Special Occasions Year Round
7 trends creating unicorn opportunities in India
The next several decades belong to India. Of all the world’s large economies, India is the only one expected to grow at over 6% for multiple years. Also when compared to all other large economies - USA, China, Japan, Germany, UK; India is still a relatively young country that’s yet to reap its demographic dividend. With over 40% of Indians below the age of 25, India is well poised for a period of unprecedented growth and productivity. As India adds another 4-5 trillion USD to its economy over this decade, several opportunities will emerge for startups across industries to innovate and create immense value. Due to this and some phenomenal strides being made in infrastructure and reforms - as of late 2022, India is home to 105+ unicorns with the total market cap of over $340 Billion. And, I am bullish on Indian startups crossing a trillion dollars in cumulative market cap within the next 5 years and over 300 new unicorns emerging within this decade. In the coming sections, I’d like to … [Read more...] about 7 trends creating unicorn opportunities in India