Secret Business Tips

Archive for the ‘Business News’ Category

Swinton Commercial has issued a warning with regards to commercial fleet insurance quotes. They have put any driver on notice that vehicle modifications must be declared to the insurance company. HGV insurance cannot cover a vehicle properly if the owner is not straightforward regarding their vehicle. Swinton is the largest van insurance dealer in the UK. They have issued the warning stating any owner may find their policy invalid if they did not declare the modifications to their vehicle.

This warning was provided after they saw a 10 per cent increase in van modifications within the last three months. Swinton completed a survey using 1,200 online van drivers. Fifteen per cent of these drivers stated they had modifications to their vans, but did not inform the insurance company.

The modifications are usually on vehicle suspension, increasing engine size, or using alloy wheels. Frails is another popular option for modifications. Even simple modifications can affect one’s insurance payout. When using a van insurance comparison site to examine policies it is imperative to check if the company has rules about modifications and validity of the insurance policy. It is a good idea even if they do not state such a policy to inform an insurance company of changes.

Are you just starting to open up your first business? Whether it is a restaurant or a hardware store, you definitely need something that would help people know that your name exists. The first thing that you might think of is to create a flyer and have it photocopied. But if you really want something effective and would not annoy your potential customers, you might want to consider getting marketing pens instead.

Marketing or advertising pens can give away these promotional items without thinking twice. It would only cost you a small amount just to get dozens of marketing pens. This would be a great help especially if you are still starting in you chosen industry. Surely, you do not want to shell out huge amount of money for TV commercials and radio jingles if you just opened your business. Thus, advertising pens can be one of the most cost-effective ways to tell your target customers that you are now open for business.

Marketing pens are also effective because people can pass it from one person to another. Even without saying anything, your advertising pens would already do its job. And that is to effectively promote your brand name and logo.
You don’t have to spend so much time and effort just to publicize your business if you would use the marketing pens to broadcast that your company is now open!

Resumes are used to secure employment. Normally, it contains an outline of applicant’s job experiences, educational background, achievements and skills. Once an applicant gave his resume to a potential employer, it will be used in the first stage of candidate selection and after having resumes screened, applicants are either excluded or included in the initial stage of selection process.

Bob Gerberg shared tips on how to make impressive resumes with the right format and content. Below is a summarized advice from Bob Gerberg (these advice is originally posted on Robert  Gerberg‘s site):

Your resumes and the important “preselling” role

People face immense competition at every stage of their search. This competition will not only affect your ability to get your credentials viewed… but when you are invited for an interview, there are likely to be five to ten other qualified people under consideration.

So, your resumes need to be written with an eye toward reducing interview pressure… by preselling you. The ideal reaction when you meet someone should be “Paul, I was really looking forward to meeting you. I have the feeling you can really help.”

Handwritten memos

Handwritten memos are fast and easy to send off, plus executives are used to them. If your resume is on target for your audience, attaching such notes can work very well. Notes that emphasize what you can do, as well as the results you can bring, are ideal. The opening should demonstrate interest (knowledge of the firm, its industry, etc.) and explain why you are writing. The body should deal with your best selling points and convey benefits. The closing should restate interest, confirm your desire for an interview, and say when you will follow up. Keep it simple. Letters are skimmed, not analyzed.

Customized marketing letters

Cover letters should be interesting and brief. The key rule here is to get to the point and make sure it’s good

Customized marketing letters

Certain people who must avoid revealing liabilities should use personalized letters, but they need to be focused and motivating. Custom letters, tailored to the needs of organizations, can be highly effective. The letters people may require can include the following 12 letters for different occasions:

- For responding to openings
- For contacting recruiters
- For contacting venture capitalists
- For responding to emerging jobs
- For direct contact with employers
- For third-party letters to employers
- For contacting directors of associations
- For networking associates and friends
- For networking alumni
- For networking influential people
- For setting up potential references
- For following up your interviews

An executive biography

An executive biography is a 3 to 5 page narrative document, written in a third-person style.

Decision makers often forward resumes to others to get consensus. And sometimes, you never meet the top people, but nevertheless they will often review your resume. The offer depends on a thumbs upfrom the resume presentation.

An interviewresume

An interview resume is 2 to 3 pages. It is for presentation during or after interviews when employers want to know more and reveals more about you. If you have an executive biography, you would not need this resume.

Other guidelines

- Highly marketable achievers should have a resume that sets them apart from average performers, convincingly.

- Anyone unemployed should have a resume that emphasizes achievements over dates& shows momentum, how they made contributions and why they can be a key solution.

- Those whose achievements are less than stellar, need to show how they can contribute in specific ways, in a dramatic manner, while emphasizing personal factors and transferable skills.

- Those whose employers have not fared well, despite their individual contributions, need to tell compelling stories that will separate their value from the fortunes of their employer.

- Those with a checkered career, or too many jobs, or who have age concerns, need to find a way to minimize liabilities, while emphasizing selected positives.

- Leave-behind resumes.