Some entrepreneurs set out to corner a market in certain regions or areas of a country, while others set their eyes on a bigger prize — the international market. In the digital age, providing valuable products and services to overseas locations is no longer the enormous hurdle that it once was.
Michael Chasen originally co-founded the education software provider Blackboard Inc. back in 1997. Ingenuity and critical planning helped Blackboard survive the recent recession when many of its competitors burst alongside the tech bubble. Part of Blackboard’s survival has been contributed to the company’s subscription model, which functions on an annual basis.
But, is there really any room left in the digital and software education front in the United States? For new and innovative products, of course there is, but for existing ones, there may be little more than wiggle room. With a solid percentage of the market in the United States squared away, Blackboard has turned its sight overseas to previously untouched markets.
Schools are using Blackboard’s software in thousands of places, like the Middle East and China. With a less-saturated market in some overseas areas, the company plans to move forward on a more international-oriented scale. Global opportunities are at the fingertips of not just a privileged few but to anyone who is able to foresee what the international market has to offer in the world of online startups.
Want to draw in customers who have similar values and a focus on doing well? Most consumers choose to spend their money wisely, and products that are purpose-driven tend to top their lists. Make it obvious what benefits your products provide and customers may find their own purposes fulfilled.
Virtually no one likes working at a job where they feel as though they are doing little more than bringing home a paycheck. Like most consumers, employees typically like to clock out of work with a feeling that they have made a difference. Employee purpose should be communicated as clearly and concisely as possible, and when done correctly, everyone at the business will probably aim toward the same goal.
When stacked on a faulty or weak foundation, a business does not stand much of a fighting chance against unexpected adversities, such as a dip in the economy or an issue with product suppliers. Even minor bumps in the road can be enough to bring the whole thing tumbling down.
It’s realistic. The foundation of a business should be structured on the owner’s capabilities, market information, available capital and all available resources.
Schedule breaks. Long gone are the days of a boss or manager reminding you to step away from the computer for a few minutes, and in all likelihood, there are no nearby colleagues to chat with while stretching your legs. Set an alarm three to four times a day as a reminder to stretch your legs and maybe grab another glass of water.
Take a walk. Make a quick loop around the street on one of your breaks. Sunshine is great for Vitamin D production, and the act of just strolling around outside can do wonders for both physical and mental health.
Put on real clothes. Okay, so one of the undeniable perks of working from a home office is the ability to wear pretty much what you would like. However, are you really going to be more productive if you lounge around in your pajamas all day? Getting dressed in the morning can provide a barrier between home and work time and can give a little extra boost of motivation. Plus, do you really want to sport your fuzzy slippers on your walk?
Judgment is one thing that most people will never truly escape. Love your new shoes? Well, the lady on the bus thinks they look awful. Ready for that new haircut? Your boss might not like it. And you know what? That is okay! Living your purpose means living for your own sense of self-worth, so go ahead and get those bangs.
A quick aside, please continue to stop at red lights and look both ways before crossing the road. After all, you know it can be somewhat difficult to start taking new chances if you are not around anymore to take them. Instead of always avoiding risk taking, push forward in life and dare to take new chances! Accept a new job offer or finally get the process rolling for that business you have been dreaming about for years.
Remember the first day before starting a new school or job? Chances are you were probably fraught with nerves the night, or even hours, before stepping foot inside. Thoughts of “What if no one likes me?” or “What if I’m not good enough?” might have been bouncing around in your head. There is no guarantee that those worries will ever vanish, but to truly succeed at finding your purpose, you will have to learn how to have enough confidence to do new things and engage in new experiences.
1.The Low Range: Keep in mind that low ≠ cheap. What kind of products should be listed in the low price range? Consider these the kind of products that can be manufactured or created at relatively low costs that customers need or want, but might not be willing to invest too much to purchase them. The final goal of a low price range product should always be to encourage your customers to consider making future purchases.
Products in the high price range might be out of reach for some individuals in a customer base, but it is important to understand that this is normal. It can be tempting to simply lower the price of products to rake in a few extra sales, but there is little to be gained from giving away something of true worth and value.
All of the marketing and branding in the world is not enough to convince customers that a business stands for one thing if they refuse to act on it. Want customers to believe your brand? Make sure they feel and experience it during every interaction.
Video backgrounds: These can be a great way to capture the attention and imagination of your customer. Video backgrounds can add an element of excitement to an otherwise straightforward website.