Business : Testing, Certification & Business Tools News

7 Creative Ways To Market Your Next Project

So, you got this nice project planned out that will take your business to new heights. Whether it’s launching a new product or hosting an event for brand awareness, you need to promote your next project or it will be a flop. But getting your project in front of customers

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Student Accommodations and Why They Matter to Your Success

Success, stress, and comfort go hand-in-hand. If you aren’t happy with your surroundings, it’s more stressful, and your academic achievements can decline. The grades you achieved throughout high school came with the comforts of home. To maintain the same level of success, you need to match the coziness of home

Read More »

Why Does Buying a House take So Long?

Most house selling experts estimate that selling a house should only take three months. But does this take into account the time taken to get your dream home? Others unexpected delays include hurdles of the mortgage application, survey complications, among others. Also, the revenue authority has given a temporary reduction

Read More »

Startup property firm tips

Building a property firm from scratch is going to take all of your energy. Property isn’t easy. Every property is big and cumbersome and they all want to fail on you. Every single last constituent piece of property – from the windows to the door handles – is constructed from

Read More »

PAGABO AND SYPRO GAIN ISO 9001 AND ISO 27001 CERTIFICATION

FOLLOWING an assessment process that has taken just over 12 months, Hull-based companies Pagabo and Sypro have announced that the two organisations have successfully become ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified. ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised Quality Management System (QMS) standard that can be accredited to any size organisation.

Read More »

Five Benefits of Buying Used Items for Your Business

There’s no denying that buying new comes with plenty of benefits. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for your business. There are plenty of benefits of buying used too! Whether you are interested in equipment restoration and want to know exactly how to restore items on your own,

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5 Marketing Trends In The Construction Industry

If you want your construction business to stand out from its competitors, consider making a shift to digital marketing. For several years, online marketing campaigns are on a steady rise. And for a good reason, digital marketing provides leverage to small businesses and startups but at lower costs.   Whether you’re

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Latest Issue
Issue 326 : Mar 2025

Business : Testing, Certification & Business Tools News

7 Creative Ways To Market Your Next Project

So, you got this nice project planned out that will take your business to new heights. Whether it’s launching a new product or hosting an event for brand awareness, you need to promote your next project or it will be a flop. But getting your project in front of customers is not always easy. Lucky for you, this article compiles seven lists of creative marketing methods for you to try. 1. Offer Exclusive Previews Exclusive previews mean showing your most loyal customers a sneak peek. Not only are they the most likely to buy your product, but they will most likely share the promos to their social circle as well. Exclusive previews can be in the form of in-person, private, or virtual pre-launch parties like an online demo, preview, or tour. Also, it can be a special invitation to test out a new product or service and give feedback. Such exclusive offerings to your loyal customers can reinforce how much you value them, strengthening their loyalty. 2. Spread The Word With Email About 4 billion people around the globe use email. Also, 82% of consumers are said to open emails from businesses and have made purchases from an email marketing message. As you can see, email is an excellent channel for spreading the word about your new project. Not only that, but it also makes a nice incentive to grow your subscribers. You can run a specific email campaign about your new project—perhaps through a series of emails building up to the day of your project launch. You can also use email and platforms like Greenvelope to send professional invitations for your general audience, or in line with the previous tip, for your exclusive promotions.  3. Special Introductory Offer If you’re launching a new product or service, then consider making it available with a special introductory deal. Such deals can take many forms like: Buy 1, Get 1 Deal Discounted Prices Reduced-Price Package or Bundle Coupon or Voucher with Every Purchase Free Gift for Every Referral Loyalty Programs with a Points System Whatever promotion tactic you use, you must emphasize a sense of urgency. Make sure your customers know that it will not last forever. That way, your prospective customers will take action immediately—either by buying or reserving an item. 4. Partner With An Influencer It is not easy to promote your next project if you have a limited reach. If that’s the case, you can always tap people who have a much larger audience. Influencers are authoritative figures who are well-respected in their target market. They have lots of subscribers, followers, and fans who quickly follow any recommendations or endorsements they offer. Reviews and promotions from influencers in your niche can significantly improve your reach and generate instant social proof with your audience. Getting promoted by an influencer will help increase the awareness and recognition of your brand. It will create a lot of hype for your next project too! 5. Forge Partnerships With Other Businesses As a starting or small business, you may have limited marketing resources and budget. So, it only makes sense to try and reach out to other complementary businesses including vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers. Not only is this a win-win situation but there’s also the added credibility when another company recommends you. For instance, you can suggest exchanging customer lists and offering to pay your partner company a commission for every sale that you make. However, this requires access to data, and your business partner must request permission from their customers first if they agree to have their details shared. If the company you’re partnering with maintains a blog or podcast, you can ask to get featured in their content. All you need is to plug your brand name or link in the content, and you can gain exposure to an established base of customers. And if your partner business has a physical retail space, then you can also ask them to put up some of your promotional ads or place your business cards in their lounge or waiting area. In addition, you can also make your customers your business partners. You can create a referral rewards program that offers rewards to customers who refer your business to friends or family. After all, word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of marketing. 6. Create Project Inserts If you are already shipping and selling products, then you have the opportunity to promote your new project with every sale. You can do so by creating project inserts to ship with every other product that you sell. These do not have to be intricately designed or complex. A simple card can already have a big impact on your receiving customer. You can pair the new project promotion with a thank you note so that your customer feels appreciated while you bring awareness for your new project simultaneously. You can also include a promo code so that your customer is more likely to consider your new project. You can include a custom landing page URL or QR code to minimize the size of your project insert. This also helps provide effective tracking for your campaign. 7. Generate Social Engagement The goal of every social marketing post is to get your followers to act. It can be making comments, clicking a link to engage with the post, or sharing the content with others. The more engagement the post receives, the more visible it will in social media feeds. This can lead to new followers and greater exposure for your new project. So, if you created a social marketing post, then make it actionable with open-ended CTAs. You can include a question or ask followers to weigh in with their opinion. Post a poll or pop quiz. Also, make sure to reply to all comments, positive and negative alike. Whenever possible, reshare stories and posts from customers so you can use such as social proof for other prospects. Conclusion Regardless of how good your next project

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3 Major Factors To Consider To Keep Up With the Construction Industry Latest Trends

The construction industry is an ever-changing field that requires constant updates and improvements for better service delivery. Being in the construction industry requires skills, dedication, and the hunger to learn to produce impeccable results. The numerous efforts to improve quality and precision always result in enhanced techniques, skills, or innovations that aim to bridge the gap in the industry.  It would help if you worked on the different aspects of your construction company to ensure you remain relevant in the market. Make the extra effort to research, analyse, utilise, and integrate current and future trends to get the best results. Primarily, technology is what affects the changes in the construction industry. There is a pressing urge by entrepreneurs and business owners to align their services with the latest trends in the market.  There are also additional factors such as economic and management factors that significantly impact the types of construction practices in each firm. Internal factors such as hiring, vending, tendering, and storage factors may also affect the nature of service delivery. Therefore, you need to plan and organize your company for effective services carefully.  Technology The impact technology has on the construction industry is unquestionable. Its uncontainable nature increases the opportunities, especially in the construction industry, whose focus is on minimal energy usage, improved efficiency, data security, and environmental friendliness.  Innovations  Primarily, innovations should give the user an easier time working while maintaining or improving the quality of services. Scientists and professional experts work round the clock to ensure new and improved products in the market. It would help if you took a keen interest in developing issues and current trends in the markets to ensure you are at par with your competitors.  It will also help if you have a team of professionals who can seek and fix to improve your current tools and equipment to restore your competitive edge. Do not overly depend on these innovations. Consider the financial impact of the changes and decide wisely on which actions to take.  Change in Practices As a result of innovation, there will be a general change in construction practices. The government will also adopt some of these practices to improve the available quality and safety in the industry. Consequently, you will have to adjust your firm’s procedures to align with the set regulations.  It is also prudent for you to understand the effects and requirements of these new practices to have a clear idea of how you can incorporate the practices for excellent results. Investigate the pricing, training, involvement, and financial impact before you make your decision.  Equipment and Tools Besides information and knowledge, tools and equipment come close to how technology can impact the construction industry. You need to check on the type of tools you use in your construction works. Using outdated tools can compromise your quality and pose a risk in negatively affecting your market ratings.  Data Storage and Security You need to secure the data recorded and stored in construction processes. Despite it being valuable data that can be a basis for future trends and innovations, it is a crucial assessment tool for productivity and success. Additionally, you should secure the financial and procurement data against any cyberattacks that may arise. Keep your top secrets within small circles to avoid duplication and copyright infringements. Utilise cybersecurity techniques to secure your data and information.  Environmental Impact The latest techniques in the construction industry chiefly consider the practices’ effect on the environment. The concern around the green city influences the nature of innovations. Thus, you also need to align your practices with environmental rules and requirements.  Employees It would be best if you also had an able and skilled workforce to keep your momentum and maintain quality results in the industry. Your employees will determine the quality of products and the completion of projects successfully. Apart from hiring skilled and knowledgeable employees, consider their willingness to learn and explore new techniques.  You need to provide and promote a learning platform for your employees. Please encourage them to explore different learning options by taking various courses, seminars, and pieces of training. Educate them on additional measures like environmental, health, safety practices, data compliance training, and current trends to ensure they are adept at what is required.  It is also essential for you to have a dedicated quality and assurance team that will ensure your practices follow the government and industry requirements.  Keeping up with modern trends in the construction industry can be challenging. It would be best if you had your finger on every aspect of the company to succeed. Take a keen interest and understand what your firm needs the most. 

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TN International gains BBA certification for its Börner roof waterproofing systems

Global roofing specialist TN International has won BBA approval for its specification range of Börner bituminous roofing systems. Agrément Certificate No: 21/5879 is the first in a series of BBA certificates that cover the manufacturer’s key specification systems, focusing on torch-safe roofing options for both flat and pitched applications as well as zero-fall protected roofs such as green roofs. Fire performance and roof safety were key considerations in awarding this certification. For fire resistance, the BBA testing found that, when classified to EN 13501-5: 2016, the Börner systems achieved BROOF(t4) for roof slopes below 10°, the highest fire standard possible in Europe. Fire performance figures are laid out in a clear and concise matrix table to help designers identify BROOF T4-accredited systems. Other key factors assessed for each system included weathertightness, condensation risk, resistance to wind uplift and mechanical damage, and durability, with the anticipated service life certified as being in excess of 35 years. The certificates cover both stone wool and PIR insulations, with a comprehensive range of thicknesses covered to allow architects and specifiers complete design flexibility in achieving the latest U-values. In addition, in the BBA’s opinion, the Börner roof waterproofing systems, if installed, used and maintained in accordance with their individual certificates, satisfy or contribute to satisfying the relevant requirements in relation to NHBC Standards 7.1 Flat roofs, terraces and balconies. The comprehensive certification process included several factors relating to compliance with Building Regulations, as well as other non-regulatory requirements. It also incorporated evidence from independently verified technical specification, assessment criteria and technical investigations, along with design considerations and installation guidance. Environmental considerations were also taken into account during the certification process. Börner membranes are manufactured from bitumen and polyester, both of which can be recycled to help meet specifiers’ and contractors’ sustainability targets. TN International business development director Craig Smith commented: “To have won BBA approval for our key Börner specification systems is testament to the quality of the products and our innovative approach to developing market-leading self-adhesive bituminous technology. We also have further BBA accreditations in the pipeline, so it really is exciting times for our roofing team.” Börner is part of TN International, one of the largest manufacturers of roofing, waterproofing and insulation materials in the world.

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Student Accommodations and Why They Matter to Your Success

Success, stress, and comfort go hand-in-hand. If you aren’t happy with your surroundings, it’s more stressful, and your academic achievements can decline. The grades you achieved throughout high school came with the comforts of home. To maintain the same level of success, you need to match the coziness of home to your new location.  All-Inclusive Student Accommodation  Moving away from home is stressful. Add in separate bills for the first time in your life, and the stress will increase. When it rises, so does anxiety, which in return, reduces sleep. As you guess, stress, anxiety, and less than seven to nine hours of sleep can easily result in failing grades.  With all-inclusive housing, you don’t worry about paying utility bills, gas, or water on time. The buildings also have central heating. There’s no need to concern yourself with too much or too little temperature control. Additionally, if something breaks, student housing includes 24/7 maintenance to make fast repairs.  No matter how far you’re traveling for school, bringing furniture isn’t fun. It’s bulky, hard to move, and you’ll be missing it on home visits. While most accommodations won’t offer bedding, such as sheets, blankets, and a comforter, they provide the basics—a bed, mattress, mattress cover, and some other basics. Students have access to a shared kitchen, and private studios have more in-room advantages. Distraction-Free Single-Living Many student housing options offer private studios. Yes, some of the fun of going to the university is having a roommate to confide in and be your friend while you’re away from home. However, not everyone is compatible with the person they’re paired with, and it can cause friction. Additionally, not everyone wants a roommate. Having one forced on them can be frustrating and stressful. A private studio affords some benefits, such as skipping the hassle of a roommate that distracts you from your goals. Release Energy with Nearby Entertainment & Social Options All work and no play isn’t a healthy situation. Everyone needs a break. Living in student housing affords plenty of nearby locations to unwind and de-stress. Regular walks on the beach, time in a beautifully landscaped courtyard, or a few-mile bike ride can clear your head and help you get back to work with a better mood and a body that feels great.  Most locations offer secure indoor bike storage. Physical fitness is essential to maintaining low-stress levels and sleeping better at night. In addition to on-site recreational activities, there are plenty of nearby areas to enjoy nature and have a great time in the town with friends to blow off steam. With student accommodation in Bournemouth, you don’t need to worry about a thing. Hop on your bed and complete your class’s reading assignments or sit at your desk, pop open your laptop, and finish up that coursework due in a few days. With less stress from your surroundings, success is within your reach.

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Why Does Buying a House take So Long?

Most house selling experts estimate that selling a house should only take three months. But does this take into account the time taken to get your dream home? Others unexpected delays include hurdles of the mortgage application, survey complications, among others. Also, the revenue authority has given a temporary reduction on stamp duty, making eager buyers try to move before the deadline. This is expected to course further delays before you get keys to your dream home. Here you will learn the process of buying a house and what you can do to speed up the process. Please continue reading to learn more. 1. Start By Finding your Dream Home This is one of the complicated stages of owning a new home. Generally, most people take 8-12 weeks to locate their new homes, depending on the type of property that you need. The timescale also depends on your search area and the local property market. To avoid this delay, you can seek the services of chartered surveyors, conveyancers, or local estate agents. They have details of different home categories and where to find them, and therefore they will be able to fix you with your dream home quickly. 2. Make The Offer Some people experience difficulties before agreeing on the best price of the house with the house vendor. In most cases, other buyers are also interested in the same house, and therefore, the buyer takes long before deciding the preferred buyer. Always ask the vendor to offer the best price to avoid hurdles. This way, you can quickly move to the house that you can afford. 3. Get A Mortgage Very few people complete the process of owning a home without getting a mortgage. What can I do to speed up the process of getting a mortgage? Simple! Get the paperwork done before starting the house searching process. Yes, it is possible since you already know the price of the house you need. You can browse online to see different mortgage lenders and their calculators. You can consult the services of a mortgage broker if you are dealing with a complex purchase. However, it is better to wait until you settle for a certain house before applying for a mortgage principle since it will be valid for only six months. If you miss the six-month timeframe, you will get a credit check which will significantly affect your credit score. You will be surprised that your mortgage application will not go past 40 days if you have a good credit rating. 4. Exchange Contracts You need to get information about your vendor and the property you want to purchase before exchanging any contracts. Your conveyancer, together with your vendor’s conveyancer, should initiate the process by conducting local searches and seeking information from relevant authorities such as local councils, Land Registry, and other external parties. If you do not get any complications, the process will not take more than four weeks. To speed up the process, answer all the queries asked promptly and provide as much information as possible. 5. Complete the Sale It is the final stage of buying a property. By now, you have already paid the property deposit, exchange of contracts cost, and any other necessary cost. Thus, this stage involves paying the remaining property fee and any other outstanding fees. However, the process can be affected by the vendor’s timescale and if they are able to move out quickly. You will have to wait longer if there are chin of vendors. In normal cases, this process takes between one to four weeks. You can do everything correctly, but you won’t have an easy transition if you fail in planning. Thus, get the best removal company to assist you in moving before completing the buying process. Thus, you will save time and money. Also, the removal company will assist in moving delicate stuff that you might end up destroying if you move on your own. Don’t wait until the last minute since the best removal companies usually get booked in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you may end up with a company that might end up doing a shoddy job. If you follow the above steps, you will end up getting your dream home quickly. However, if it takes longer to sell a house in your location, you will get delays in owning one. This is particularly if you want to sell your house to get your dream house. You have to wait to get a buyer in order to buy another property. It is therefore important to contact an agent to help in the selling and buying of property. You will save both money and time. But never plan to move without allowing yourself plenty of time.

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Startup property firm tips

Building a property firm from scratch is going to take all of your energy. Property isn’t easy. Every property is big and cumbersome and they all want to fail on you. Every single last constituent piece of property – from the windows to the door handles – is constructed from materials that will serve a purpose for an amount of time before they will need to be replaced. As nice as it would be to replace everything at once and know that your renovations are complete for a decade, it doesn’t work like that. Things fail at different times, and your property business must be awake to the very real issues, lest your company will fail as fast as you started it. Starting a company can in itself be stormy waters, regardless of the industry. For example, if you don’t keep track of your outgoings by using expense tracking software, you could find yourself unable to survive year one simply due to poor expenses management.  Let’s look at what else you need to cover. Stick to what you know Buying property is fraught with hidden woes. Not to boggle your mind, but issues with plumbing, electrics, subsidence, and dampness can all ruin your plans. Then there’s the issue of how local developments could affect property prices. Your homework is never complete when it comes to property ownership. In short, stick to what you know. If you have knowledge of owning and renting out medical properties, keep doing that (at least for now). If you suddenly switch and decide to expand into properties befitting the leisure and tourism industries, for example, you will soon find that you are out of your depth. Property is much easier to conquer when you level the playing field with an in-depth knowledge of maintenance in relation to the building’s purpose. Invest as a group Group investments aren’t for everybody. Some people want to take all of the glory. And that is fair enough. Your property startup is your baby, and you have to do what you think is best. If sharing the decision-making element of property ownership isn’t something you can abide by, group investments are a non-starter. However, never say never. Group investments can minimise risk and bring in expert knowledge. You can put very little money down, learn from others, and still benefit from a revenue stream. Now, that doesn’t sound too bad, does it? Especially for a startup brand that is eager to learn the trade and minimise any losses. Patience – learn to spot value and act fast When you bought your first house (assuming you are a homeowner), you probably fell into the same trap as everyone else when viewing properties. Which is to say, you shopped around for too long without really knowing what you were doing, only to eventually find out your first-choice house was snapped up by someone else. The property business is brutally fast and fair – whoever puts the money down first and signs the contracts will get what they paid for. Make sure you learn to ask the right questions and don’t be afraid to act when the chips fall in your favour.

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How to Choose Architect Designers for a New Project: 3 Tips

Choosing an architect designer is about the same as choosing a doctor. You will spend more than one month together (or even a couple of years if the object is large and not urgent), the designer learns a lot of facts about you, including very personal ones (from who you work to, and ending with how you sleep and take bathroom), and he will also be aware of your financial affairs. Therefore, it is so important to find not just a professional architect designer, but your person with whom you will be comfortable working and communicating. Where to Begin Therefore, before looking for an architect designer, leaf through magazines on interior themes, take a look at Pinterest, or at least search Google and save your favorite options in a separate folder. According to Building Guide, this step will help you understand what style of interior you prefer to see in your apartment in principle: minimalism, classics, hi-tech, Scandinavia, pop art, boho, or some other. This, in turn, will help narrow down your search for the right designer. After all, good designers tend to like to work within multiple styles. And those who perfectly succeed in, say, minimalism, may not be so good at creating an interior design in the Art Nouveau or Art Nouveau style. Determine the Budget Before you start looking for a designer, it is advisable to understand how much money you are willing to spend on paying for his services. Of course, the range of prices for interior design services on the market is great: you can order a design project from the “draw and sell” series for a fixed cost of “$ 99 per project”, or you can invest in developing the appearance of a future apartment for almost all the money of the world. But if we operate with averaged figures, then, in general, the development of a design in a basic format (stylistics, selection of colors, a set of drawings and explications) will cost about $500-600 per square meter, depending on the renown of the designer. A more complete package, including a plan of floors, ceilings, and walls with a layout of materials, will cost about $700-1000 per square meter, and if you ask the designer to also indicate the specification of finishing materials and equipment (model, article, store, cost), then the project will cost at least $1000-1500 per sq.m. A separate line will go to “field supervision” – this is when the architect-designer periodically visits the object and controls the correctness of the implementation of the project. The cost of such a service can be calculated based on the area of the premises, the finishing of which is to be “supervised.” Moreover, such prices may include infrastructure solutions. For a general understanding of the order of expenses for paying for the services of a designer, you can use the following proportion: 8-15% of the cost of repairs, which, in turn, make up about 20-30% of the cost of an apartment in a new building. That is, if your apartment is conventionally worth $ 50 thousand, then you can safely pledge at least $ 10 thousand for its renovation, and at least $ 1,000 for designer services. At the same time, a professional architect designer could help save budget on construction projects. Explore the Portfolio Specialists with a small portfolio have much less development experience. Besides, they do not have a large team, thanks to which any project can be done in the shortest possible time. Now let’s talk about how to choose an architect-designer designer using a portfolio. First of all, it is important to look not only at the quantity but also at the types of projects that the specialist does most often. So, if the portfolio is dominated by the interiors of cafes, fitness centers, and beauty salons, then the designer specializes in the development of public projects. If the portfolio contains many more residential buildings and apartments, then he is an expert in this particular area. There are situations when a designer’s portfolio is approximately equally filled with different types of interiors. This suggests that a person is open to everything and has a lot of experience and talent. It is better to choose either him or a specialist in the field of residential development. The best way to find a needed specialist is to appeal to architectural design companies & solutions at Engre.co. It is also important to pay attention to the completed objects. It will be great if you have the opportunity to see photos of finished projects or visit the facility during the renovation phase.

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PAGABO AND SYPRO GAIN ISO 9001 AND ISO 27001 CERTIFICATION

FOLLOWING an assessment process that has taken just over 12 months, Hull-based companies Pagabo and Sypro have announced that the two organisations have successfully become ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified. ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised Quality Management System (QMS) standard that can be accredited to any size organisation. Designed to be a powerful business improvement tool, this certification allows businesses to continually improve, streamline operations and reduce costs. Similarly, ISO 27001 is the specification for an information security management system (ISMS). Its aim is to provide a framework of standards for how a modern organisation should manage its information and data. Risk management is a key component of this accreditation, ensuring that an organisation understand where their strengths and weaknesses lie. Pagabo and Sypro’s services are closely related, with interconnecting teams providing services within the built environment. Simon Toplass, chief executive at Pagabo, which is a national framework provider working primarily within the construction sector, said: “ISO accreditations are a trusted symbol of quality and are woven into our everyday life – from credit card numbers to road signs. We spend a great deal of time and energy on our processes to ensure we remain wholly compliant to the processes required for our business function and provide our clients with the excellent expertise they know us for. “Gaining these accreditations was the next step in demonstrating the commitment to quality that our current and potential customers and staff deserve. The certification process has been just over 12 months and has helped us to further improve our service offering – even in those areas we felt our delivery was already solid.” Simon Hunt, chief executive at Sypro, which is a software solutions company providing compliance, project and contract management tools, said: “We’re of course really pleased to have gained these certifications to further cement our credibility both to customers and the sector as a whole. Both of our companies – especially Sypro – are deeply rooted in software and technology to provide our clients with the excellent services and solutions to help them do their jobs better. “This of course means that data protection and privacy need to be rooted at the heart of our organisations and having a clear set of information security management procedures in place will keep all contacts and information safe. Knowing that we now have additional certifications to cement our compliance with top-quality business standards will further increase the level of trust our customers can have in us as service providers – and create pride within our teams for this achievement too.” For more information, please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/ or https://www.sypro.co.uk/

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Five Benefits of Buying Used Items for Your Business

There’s no denying that buying new comes with plenty of benefits. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for your business. There are plenty of benefits of buying used too! Whether you are interested in equipment restoration and want to know exactly how to restore items on your own, or you are interested in buying used items that have already been restored by a professional, there are plenty of reasons why this might be the best choice for you and your business. Save Money There are tons of ways you can save money for your business. Chances are, you have tried quite a few of them. One of the best is buying used items. Used items always cost less money than buying brand new. Depending on what you’re buying, you could save thousands off of the list price, which is money you can reinvest into your business in other ways. Worried that the quality of the items will reflect their price? Make sure you turn to reputable restorers, and you should ask if the item comes with a warranty or a guarantee. Quality sellers will always back their items with some kind of policy that enables you to get your money back or have the item fixed. Another tip is to buy used—but barely. Many items are returned almost immediately after they were sold because the buyer decided it wasn’t right for them, or a small defect was present that was easy to fix by the supplier. You can save a lot of money on something that is essentially new anyway! Get More Features Sometimes, it isn’t a matter of saving money. You’ll end up spending the same amount whether you buy new or used, but what you buy may be completely different. Because new items always cost more, you may have to make some sacrifices on the model and features you want. That’s not the case if you decide to buy used. Because used is always cheaper than new, you are more likely to afford all of the features you want. You may spend the same amount of money, but you’ll end up buying a higher quality product that provides you with all the functionality you need. Reduce Depreciation If you’re interested in buying machinery or technology that you eventually want to resell yourself in the future, you may want to consider buying used from the very beginning. Many items depreciate in value the second they are purchased. Cars are the most well-known example. They depreciate in value over 10 percent just because they are driven off the lot! You will get more bang for your buck when you purchase a used car, and you’ll get more money back compared to what you spent when you’re ready to sell it. The same is true of equipment and other items that are used in business. Buy the team slightly used tablets and invest in high-quality, used manufacturing equipment. When you’re ready to upgrade, you won’t lose as much money when it’s time to sell. No Waiting Buying new can be exciting, but it can also be frustrating to wait. Certain items and equipment can’t just be picked up at the store. Instead, you have a place an order and wait for it to be manufactured and shipped. That’s not something you have to worry about when you buy used. Inventory for used items is in-stock and ready to be purchased. That means you can get what you need in a matter of minutes if the item is in town. If it’s being shipped, you’ll get it in a matter of days instead of waiting weeks, or even months. Smaller Carbon Footprint Another benefit of buying used is a smaller carbon footprint. Not only will it make you feel better about operating your business, it’s also something consumers are looking for. When you buy used, there are multiple ways you can reduce your carbon footprint: New resources weren’t used to manufacture the item There is no additional pollution generated in their creation They don’t come with excess packaging They prevent perfectly usable items from entering the landfill It’s okay to have some reservations about buying used. You don’t want to waste your money on an item that won’t work shortly after you buy it! However, when you do your research and choose the used items that you buy wisely, you can save money, get more features, go green, and much more.

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5 Marketing Trends In The Construction Industry

If you want your construction business to stand out from its competitors, consider making a shift to digital marketing. For several years, online marketing campaigns are on a steady rise. And for a good reason, digital marketing provides leverage to small businesses and startups but at lower costs.   Whether you’re already harnessing digital marketing techniques or are still planning to start your campaign, here’s how you can work smart and integrate the best marketing trends in the construction industry today and for years to come. 1. Content marketing Content marketing is a long-term marketing campaign that can be used in either the initial or current stages of your business. At the onset, it can be used to create brand awareness. Done continuously, it can be helpful in slowly building your brand, and later, improve brand reputation and trust.     Blogs, graphics, video blogs, social media posts, and any informative post online, as long as it’s high-value, can be beneficial in cementing your place in the industry. A good strategy is to make everything user-centric, meaning you have come up with content that your audience will take an interest in and share with their peers.       2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) SEO is a set of techniques that allow a construction company to boost its search rankings, helping raise awareness about the brand. A company that appears high in search engines receives more site clicks and visits and conveys trustworthiness.  Put simply, SEO methods include understanding search algorithms to know how they rank and adjusting your content based on these factors. This may mean changing your content to accommodate these criteria. One good strategy is to conduct a simple web search based on specific keywords that apply to you. For instance, type ‘best new construction companies near me,’ and see if your company appears.   Also, analyze how your competitors use their strategies to rank high in search engines. Practicing effective SEO techniques requires the help of a digital marketing specialist team, like Caffeine Cheltenham, to work efficiently. 3. Paid digital ads In pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, a construction company, or any business organization for that matter, will only pay once a user clicks on the ad and visits their website. When availing of this ad service, a company’s ad will be placed on top of search results or on another site to increase traffic on the advertiser’s website.  The construction company’s ad will appear on the search results based on the keywords typed by the user.   Display ads appear ubiquitously on the various parts of the site’s content. It’s said that these types of ads effectively reach more than 90% of internet users.  The popularity of social media platforms has made ads an emerging marketing trend. And these popular platforms are using it to their advantage. These sites harness artificial intelligence to program advertisements to specific users based on their interests, age, gender, and hobbies, among other factors.    4. Video marketing  Video marketing is another emerging strategy for most businesses, including the infrastructure sector. This strategy is beneficial for companies because it allows the marketing team to produce videos to market products and services more effectively.  According to a survey done by HubSpot, a top sales and marketing software company, a brand’s marketing video convinced 81% of customers to avail of a product or service after watching it. Additionally, 76% of the marketers were under the impression that a marketing video was vital in increasing sales and traffic.  Of all the various content forms, videos are the most engaging, where brand recall was also highest, according to ‘Media Equivalence Study: Video,’ done by Mediaplus Group, SevenOne Media, and Google Germany. Whether introducing a new product, creating an exciting story about the company’s origins, client testimonials, or expounding the benefits of your goods and services, consider producing a video for more appealing content. 5. Email marketing Email distribution is one of the most cost-effective digital marketing strategies you can use these days. These can come from information emails, digital newsletters, product updates, and welcome emails. These email blasts can help increase your client base, look for potential leads, and promote customer retention.   As a construction company, you can send newsletters to your customers and promotional updates on deals and discounts for existing clients. New customers may also be offered helpful content, whether informational blogs, videos, links to webinars, and more, just to keep sparking their interest in your brand.    What about traditional marketing? Traditional marketing such as television, event hosting, billboards, and other forms of print advertising are still needed but will command lesser attention than digital marketing campaigns. The Bottom Line  Whether a newly-established business or an industry veteran, organizations, especially construction companies, should shift to digital marketing in 2021 and beyond. SEO, content, and video marketing, and digital paid ads are the most popular marketing strategies. They’re not only practical but budget-friendly and offer measurable results, as well.   

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