2021’s Top Business Trends

When you’re running a business, it’s important to be at the front of the pack if you want to outperform competitors and keep your customers happy. By embracing the latest innovations and working styles, you can even maximize your productivity and boost your profitability. With this in mind, take a look at the top business trends that could transform your business in 2021:

1. Changing Business Models

2020 saw plenty of upheaval for businesses, but not all change was bad. In response to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions, many organizations modified their business models and introduced new operating methods. For many companies, these changes enabled them to acquire new customers and increase lifecycle values. In 2021, we’ll see companies being even more adventurous with their business models as they adapt to a changing landscape.

2. Outsourcing and the Gig Economy

Successful businesses rarely rely solely on in-house staff. Instead, there is an increasing trend towards outsourcing. With payroll software and accounting platforms, for example, you can upload data securely and ensure your accountancy or payroll team can access the information in real-time. As well as streamlining your own workflows, this enables you to access specialist expertise as and when you need them.

With many people eager to generate second incomes, the gig economy is bigger than ever. Whether you work with freelancers or third-party companies, outsourcing critical business functions can reduce your operating costs and increase efficiency within your own organization.

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3. Remote Working

More people worked from home in 2020 than ever before and we’re likely to see a continuance of this trend in 2021. Although this was a change made due to the COVID-19 crisis, millions of people embraced remote working due to the enhanced work-life balance it offered. At the same time, businesses saw just how much they could save when their employees operated remotely.

As a result, a significant number of major corporations have already pledged to make remote working solutions permanent. With more set to follow in upcoming months, 2021 could be the year we see a major shift in working styles.

4. Decentralized Finance

Digital currencies, blockchain technology, including blockchain mining companies, and crowdfunding have been growing more popular in recent years but it’s set to become more mainstream in 2021. With millions of companies struggling to maintain their cash flow due to the pandemic, the need for alternative funding is set to rise.

While there will still be demand for traditional funding, such as bank loans, businesses will rely more heavily on alternative options, such as P2P lending and smart contracts on the blockchain.

Boost Your Business in 2021

As you can see, 2021 is set to be an exciting time for business owners across all industries. As organizations begin to recover from the uncertainty of 2020, we may see an increased willingness to embrace major changes. By identifying the business trends that work for your enterprise and incorporating them into your strategy, you can give your company the best chance of success in 2021.

Revealed: The Top 5 Video Marketing Mistakes To Avoid

Mistakes To Avoid

More businesses and organisations have taken on board just how crucial video marketing is to their brands. Thanks to tech innovations like smartphones and 5G, video marketing is fast gaining pace as the number one way to engage with busy customers.

There’s no getting around the fact that watching a video is more captivating to people on the go than reading several blocks of text on an ad. Sadly, some brands aren’t using video marketing to its full potential and make serious mistakes. Here are the top ones to avoid:

1. Trying to produce the video yourself

There’s nothing wrong with video self-production if you’ve got a personal brand or enjoy creating the odd random YouTube or Facebook video to share with your friends. But, if you’re trying to market a business or organisation, you shouldn’t produce the video yourself.

Most companies recognise the importance of video when marketing their brands, but a surprising amount doesn’t realise that video production is something you should leave to the professionals.

A professional video production team will have the right tools, equipment, software, and skills to create engaging content for your brand.

2. Forgetting your branding

You could make a fantastic video that might get millions of shares on social media. But what’s the point if those viewers don’t remember your brand name, logo, or online contact details?

It’s vital to incorporate your brand name, logo, and other details like a website URL in your videos. Don’t expect that information to accompany the video if someone shares your video or embeds it on their website or a forum, for example.

3. Waffling on too much

As with website content, you have just a few seconds to hook in your audience before they become disinterested and go elsewhere. When you have your viewers hooked, you must also make sure your videos aren’t too long.

If you’re promoting a product or service, and it’s not an in-depth explainer video, consider sticking to a maximum of two minutes. Any longer and your audience is less likely to finish watching your video.

4. Forgetting your call-to-action

Let’s face it: you want your audience to do something after they’ve finished watching your videos. You may hope they’ll visit your website and buy something, give you a call, or even sign up to your email newsletter.

Whatever you want your audience to do, be sure to make it evident at the end of your video. Your call-to-action should be prominent and give clear instructions to your viewers.

5. Forgetting to address your audience

It doesn’t matter what the message is that you want to convey to your audience. What’s essential is you address the people you are targeting in your video. Your video must focus on one problem, and you must talk to your viewers as if they stood in front of you.

The last thing you want to do is try to address ‘everyone’ in your videos. Instead, concentrate on a specific audience. You’ll gain more successful engagement with people by following that approach.

Good luck!

Finding The Best Exhibition Stand Designer For Your Business

One of the best ways to increase profit is through the utilization of exhibition displays at various effective events, such as, conferences, trade shows, fairs, and presentations. Having an attractive, eye-catching and potent exhibition display board, teamed with a concise, confident, and easy to understand pitch, bound together which excellent service and a good number of staff, is a great way to attract potential customers and clientele. 

Exhibitions can be an extremely effective way for a business to employ an advertising and marketing strategy in order to increase their customer base and consequently their profits. Nevertheless, you will not experience a rise in profits if your exhibition design is not an effective one and so when deciding on which exhibition designers you decide to go for you need to consider various factors and elements. To help you make your decision we have compiled a list of the top five things you should look for when deciding on what exhibition designers will suit your needs… 

1. Experience 

This is an industry that requires a great deal of experience. You should try to find a company that has at least ten years of experience because it shows that not only do they have a wealth of industry knowledge but they have been successful throughout their years in operation as they have survived.

1. Portfolio

In addition to this, one of the most important things you need to factor in is the portfolio of a company. Any good exhibition contractors will have the portfolio of their company readily available on the site for potential customers to view as they wish, if they do not then you should seriously consider this as a major red flag.

A company’s portfolio is literally the most important thing because it displays the array of work they are most proud of. When looking at a portfolio you need to consider the array of creativity, designs, styles, and businesses catered for. The more elements incorporated in the portfolio the better as it shows the company is able to deal with an array of wants and needs.

Once you have got inside a company’s portfolio you need to look out for the level of creativity they possess. Make a note of how many different styles, designs, and businesses they have catered for. A good portfolio will have a mass range of differing exhibition stands displaying their capabilities. The portfolio is the most important thing as it is a direct reflection of what the company has produced in the past and what they can do for you.

1. Price range

This is an element that depends more on you and your business as only you know what you can afford to spend on such a campaign. Be realistic; there is no point in spending money that you do not have. However, do not merely go for the cheapest option as this could result in your sacrificing a great amount of quality. 

1. Previous customer reviews 

Search online to see what previous customers have thought of their experience dealing with the company, if the reviews are positive then continue to consider them. Companies like GQ Design have an exceptional reputation for the marketing materials they provide, so search for a business like this.

5. Ability to cater to your needs

Finally, you need a company that thoroughly understands what you want and is willing to be flexible and attentive in order to achieve it.