Tag: business

Networking to Make Your Freelance Businesses Successful

Posted on by Feedni Admin

With the lifestyle possibilities, the freedom of working hours, and no longer being considered a side-hustle, the freelance route is more popular than ever before, but the unpredictability of the market, not to mention the recent disturbances, makes freelancer life challenging, some months having a surplus of customers, to suddenly having non and not knowing when you will receive your next payment.

If you are amongst the collective, offering services such as graphic design, marketing, blogging, or PR to name a few, you may be sitting on all the skills required but without a consistent stream of bookings, you may find yourself in a dilemma to remain financially comfortable. As a freelancer, acquiring customers is one of the biggest challenges you will face, your greatest means for generating customers is to network, network, network!

Networking

Although a great amount of work is available through various platforms and websites, there are also a plethora of freelancers ready to pounce immediately, therefore, you need to be proactive and find alternative sources.

With the reduced reach and budgets of freelance businesses, networking is your biggest customer-generator in addition to word-of-mouth referrals, this is where you can capitalise on networking possibilities designed to connect like-minded individuals in your geographic location, forming business relationships with those who can book your service, refer you to their peers, put your name out there amongst their networks, or mutually create business opportunities and ventures.

Freelancers can connect potential customers through various websites for example InterNations, the largest online expat community.

Another valuable gateway to a diverse range of potential customers is to attend business and even social networking events, it could be as simple as a local sports group or the community service clubs, where you can make connections with individuals based in your locality, building a pipeline of contacts in various organisations, who may not require your service immediately, but may do the following month, or know somebody else who does.

Networking can be made even easier if you have companions with you, acting as an icebreaker, consider taking along other freelancers who can also benefit from networking for their specialist fields, making the entire process more enjoyable and rewarding for all, they, in turn, would invite you to other events you may not have otherwise known of.

Benefits of Networking

Customer acquisition is the primary objective, however, networking provides much more than just your revenue stream, it is an opportunity to get a feel for what others are doing and to learn how to adapt the knowledge into your own business, including:

– Discovery of gaps you may have in your business. Taking the newfound knowledge and incorporating it into your own business to fill spaces you were not aware of.

– Understand how your approach is unique to others, taking this information and emphasising your contrasting stance to others in your field.

– Learn new trends in the market from the real world and in real-time, so you can act upon them simultaneously as others, rather than reacting to them afterwards.

– Identify best practices to align your service accordingly.

– Gaining credibility in the market by meeting and discussing topics with people, sharing your valuable insight.

– Grow your social network and enjoy the reason you became a freelancer in the first place, to give yourself an improved work/life balance.

Conclusion

For any business, one of the biggest concerns stems from a lack of customers, this is increased for freelancers who have no retail space for organic foot flow, but as discussed in this article, your ability to generate customers simply takes a different form, the power of networking. Yes, there are social media channels and various digital marketing tools, but never underestimate the power of networking for business growth, making genuine connections, without a torrent of similar freelancers standing in your way.

You may already be doing great, which is wonderful, but hopefully, you may have picked up a few additional points in this article to assist you further on your journey.

An article by Gautam Gajjar.

Credits: https://www.internations.org

2020, The Year Interrupted by the Unexpected. What Lessons Did We Learn Which Can Prepare our Business for Future Disruptions?

Posted on by Feedni Admin
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What an unexacted year, full of uncertainty and a real wake-up call for us all.


Starting like any other, easing into the highly anticipated year of Expo 2020, Euro 2020, and the Tokyo Olympics. Then it happened… the Coronavirus outbreak. Who could have known it was going to become the largest global pandemic since the Spanish Flu Pandemic 100 years before? 

There was continuing uncertainty unfolding about our health, business, and future.

As the days turned to weeks, the realisation was clear, we are all in this for the long run, we need to re-evaluate the way we work in this unfamiliar territory forced upon. Then before we knew it, we were in 2021! So let us look at ways to potentially future proof ourselves for future turmoil.

Actions to incorporate

The hybrid business model has shown great promise for businesses returning to regular routines, working flexibly between home and office, emerging back into office life with adjustments for improved health and safety procedures such as lower capacity offices. 

Hybrid business models have also given rise to dynamic roles as opposed to traditional single-focused positions. The new working life demands adaptable and fluid positions to pick up the slack caused by disruptions, whether it is somebody away sick, reduced staff due to financial cutbacks, or simply expanding responsibilities of existing employees, to step up when required. 

Embrace digital technology because there is no avoiding it in today’s market, the expanding functionality of digital devices and resources, requires businesses to conform to these advances if they plan to remain competitive. Appoint digital marketing as your primary communication tool, it is your safest option to remain active regardless of external influences. 

Migrating to cloud-based servers or offering online services through video calling software both bypass the need for a physical presence, so take advantage of such tools to support the flexibility of conducting your business.

Create a systematic structure to maintain operational workflow, buffering against any external influences which would ordinarily create an unbalance to productivity. This comes down to self-management from each employee, but it must be initiated as a collective workforce, so individuals are aligned to the expected structure. 

Management plays a pivotal part in the preparation, both line management and personal management. If you are efficiently trained by motivated by supervisory management, you gain the knowledge and skillset required to execute your role. Personal management is just as important, being accountable for your workload and remaining composed during unstable times. 

Become innovative, thinking outside the box and identifying alternative solutions. When most were put on the spot during the pandemic, it took a long time to find solutions because they were not prepared. It is best to put innovative thinking into practice in everyday situations, training this skill just as any other.

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Conclusion

The world is unpredictable, so take action to prepare for further unexpected disruptions. Make sure you establish a secure footing, geared towards the forward progressions discussed. A structured workflow, coupled with an opportune outlook will provide the mental and physical grounding required to overcome potential unrest. 

An article by Gautam Gajjar.

The Service Industry Challenges when Transitioning to Digital

Posted on by Feedni Admin

Although there are a plethora of digital possibilities now available at our fingertips, it is not always an easy passage to transition from your existing process, especially when faced with technical language, unfamiliar practices, and potentially costly expenditure. 

Going digital in simple terms is the journey of recreating your business model, using digital technology to aid your everyday tasks, streamlining, and improving various aspects of your business, including: 

  • Productivity
  • Sustainability
  • Profitability
  • Future adaptability
  • Customer satisfaction/retention

Let us examine some of the major challenges involved in the transformation process and how to overcome these obstacles…

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Basic I.T. capabilities

We are currently living in the computer age, the fortunate ones who were schooled in Information Technology are now fairly tech-savvy, those who were educated pre-I.T class are more likely to possess only basic computer skills, making the transition of your business from paper-based to digital much more complicated. 

Outsourcing becomes the go-to option in most cases, however, to become holistically digital requires a full digital vision and plan, it would be a grave mistake to assign the task to an external or even internal I.T. department alone and expect the business to just work. 

The ideal solution to overcome this obstacle is to implement software catered to your computer skill range, additionally, something which is primarily autonomous and reduces human interaction to prevent becoming overwhelmed. If budget allows, you can consider hiring digital specialists or outsource to consultants to support your in-house team. 

Lacking a digital vision/plan

As they say, failing to plan is planning to fail, and planning is a major challenge when trying to transition into an unknown capacity such as a digital business when your limited knowledge continuously creates hesitation. It is not uncommon for businesses to generate an idea, settle on a rough timeframe, and then poorly execute the partially-formed plan without a clear vision of their destination such as using their existing organisational structure which is aligned to the present workflow, eventually realising that it does not function the same way.

Your organisational structure and workflows will all require an overhaul to account for the differences digital advances will provide. It is recommended to consult a specialist in the field who has experience handling your business niche. 

Neglecting risk assessment

The process of change produces countless barriers throughout the process, many of which are overlooked or worse, disregarded. Throughout the planning stage of a business reorganisation, it is common to only account for the typical risks known for the existing process, not the proposed digital model. 

Your digital plan should include a risk assessment to a digital organisation, which account for relevant dangers when transitioning to a digital formation you are not mindful of. The expertise of external risk consultants are worth investing in, it can potentially save you vast amounts of time and resources.

Narrow mindset

A big drawback during times of change is maintaining a fixed mindset, shutting down fresh ideas and suggestions. Tenacious leadership and a problematic stance will cause a hindrance to progression, especially when dealing with a field you have little experience in. 

For the sake of succeeding in your endeavor, you must be open and flexible, with a clear vision of the goal to create the least resistance possible throughout the shift.

Change of management

The sudden arrival of the recent pandemic made it evidently apparent, and unfortunate, that the existing management was far too rigid in times of necessary change. It is never an easy change to replace staff, especially in smaller businesses considering the service and dedication given over the years, however, a conversion from analogue to digital requires a drastic shakeup, so you need to eliminate barriers who may stubbornly be set in their ways and are not supportive in the transition for long-term success. 

A similar notion applies to employees who present the human factor of reluctance, possible due to the threat of redundancy. 

The ideal solution, for both small and large organisations, would be to show your loyalty by providing training and support for those who are keen and committed to the prosperity of the business, to secure their employment within the company. 

Volumes of physical documents to process 

Capturing customer data on paper was standard procedure for a very long time, but with the industry progressing around you with electronic data capture and cloud-based storage, you are now disadvantaged in your stagnant position. Now facing the monumental task of trying to convert your paper records into digital information. 

For businesses with large volumes of hand-written data, unique organisations such as Ant.Works can digitise your documents, using cognitive machine reading to support your shift to a digital future, opening the possibility of cloud-based storage with zero physical space required and remote accessibility. 

Budgetary constraints

Especially a concern for smaller businesses, financial limitations cause a hindrance when trying to go digital, escalating into greater concerns when poor planning causes miscalculation and misallocation of funds. 

The best approach to allocating funds is extensive research and alignment to your digitisation plan. Understanding exactly what tools and technology you intend to have, based on your individual tactics to fulfil your customer’s requirements. This action plan will identify long-term objectives to structure your transition, allowing a clear alignment of your financials.

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Conclusion

Putting aside the daunting prospect of change, the benefits of discarding your existing legacy systems, to unlock potential advantages through an updated model relevant for today’s market warrants the journey to a digital transition. The possibilities and capabilities will expand exponentially, even if you transition at a steady pace at your comfort level. So, take some time to develop a digital plan, address the hurdles discuss, and transform your business into a competitive force for the market.   

An article by Gautam Gajjar.

Credits: 

https://www.ant.works/brochure/cognitive-machine-reading-plus

Dubai’s Service Market, Spoiled for Choice or Still Room for More?

Posted on by Feedni Admin

With Dubai’s surge in freelancers and SME’s, the city is booming with service-orientated companies, offering a plethora of service’s ranging from coaching, photography, even pet-grooming. So, is Dubai’s service market already maxed out, or are there still opportunities for new entrants into the market?

Spoiled for choice…

Whether you have a simple food craving, or suddenly remember you need to send flowers for your anniversary, you can be assured that somebody can accommodate your needs if you have the persistence to browse through, what sometimes feels like endless service providers for the same product, this is where things become a mini-adventure.

Now, options are great, providing the ability to compare, haggle, or even try alternatives, but does Dubai have too many choices? 

It is safe to say, Dubai’s demand for service providers is immense, catering for a melting-pot of diverse cultures and trying to satisfy countless preferences. Whilst some enlist services for their household chores such as maids, others will outsource their dry-cleaning, these two services alone, combined with the volume of demand, justifies the endless companies in Dubai offering these services. 

With so many providers in the market, competition intensifies, playing directly into the hands of the consumers, benefiting from favourable prices and alternative options. However, competition can also be the downfall of service providers, sometimes to the extent of closing down, this is naturally followed by new players entering the market, and this cycle goes on.

Love it or hate it, there are a lot of service options available, but is that really a bad thing? It gives us the reassurance that we are never short of choices at our disposal to meet our requirements… now we just need a way to filter them more efficiently. 

Room for more…

As mentioned, Dubai is home to such diversity, with constantly shifting demands, this month’s sought-after services may not be the same as the next, so there will always be a window of opportunity for new entrants into the market. 

The service market, just as any other, constantly evolves, with technological and innovative advances, making services more efficient, cheaper, environmentally friendly, or simply improves the user experience.

The great thing about Dubai is the inclusion of influences from around the world and the forward-think stance to bring fresh and exciting new services to the city, continuously launching new additions to the service market, you never know what’s around the corner.

Somewhere in-between

So, to put it simply, yes, we are spoiled for choice in Dubai, but it is absolutely justifiable. With so many individual needs, there can never be a generic service catering for all, everybody exercises their demand for a tailored service, and if there is a profit to be had, then service providers are sure to accommodate that need.

Feedni has heard your frustrations over browsing endlessly through service providers, we have understood your dilemma, and we have taken action to simplify your service needs. We are already underway in developing the next-generation service market platform, we will overcome existing obstacles and take the sting out of lengthy provider lists, offering only the best providers, with full transparency through genuine customer reviews, and an innovative CRM to manage your services. 

Not long to wait now, in the meantime, you can browse our market insight articles and follow us on Instagram @feedni_app for updates and news on our upcoming platform. 

An article by Gautam Gajjar.

The Biggest Obstacle for Photographers RIGHT NOW

Posted on by Feedni Admin

With the easy gateway to learning and becoming a photographer, the market is saturated with trigger-happy photographers ready to take a snap. The recent downtime during the lockdown has provided professional photographers time to reinvest in their business, honing their skills, creating home studios, and learning new techniques, this window of opportunity also created many budding new entrants into the market, so there is far from a shortage of providers for this trade.

But what is the biggest obstacle facing all these photographers right now? Well, this can include many things, such as reduced social events, social distancing, reduced gatherings, and the spiralling cost of equipment, however, the biggest obstacle remains the lack of genuine customers.

A snapshot of the obstacle 

In a bid to flatten the covid-19 infection curve, covenantal photoshoots were withdrawn practically overnight resulting from implemented restrictions, impacting the demand for photographers. The only saving grace for this industry is the low-overhead costs, so they were primarily affected by their lack of revenue from photoshoots.

With the recent advances in reinstating events, the photography demand has once again been on the rise with a re-found need to capture your special moment, but these photographers are struggling to find work due to the dated method of capturing customers through word of mouth and with so many competitors in the market, it is difficult to stand out amongst the crowd.

The fortunate photographers, aligned with niches including wildlife and product photography were blessed with the restrictions put in place, a greater presence of natural wildlife and the freedom to photograph products from home-studios, but they also faced the same downfall of customers, in this instance, due to budget restrictions or regular customers going out of business.

A heart-warming story that emerged from the pandemic was reported by Reuters, which identified a unique approach taken by a Dubai photographer, when her wedding photography business was impacted, she turned to capturing family portraits of families who were leaving Dubai due to unemployment. 

Developing the findings

One of the biggest game-changers for photographers in recent years has been social media, this offered photographers a platform to showcase work and attract new customers. Just as many others during the lockdown, photographers began to document and spread awareness of the pandemic through social channels, expanding their outreach and priming their audience for when things pick up again. 

The downside to social media, however, is the oversaturation of photographers and the lack of authenticity, are the images simply ‘lucky shots’ by hobbyists, trying to enter the industry, or are they experienced professionals who can consistently deliver the same quality? Granted, some individuals possessing natural talent are given a platform to shine, but in most cases, professionals are mixed amongst the part-timers or chancers, and lose the customer engagement they require for their primary profession to survive.  

The output

Despite the drawbacks mentioned, social media channels are still currently one of the most impactful methods to reach customers, so unfortunately photographers are currently without many options except to continue using this method until the next game-changer enters the market that is. Through consistent quality and persistence, photographers can only rise in line with the returning industry demands. 

An article by Gautam Gajjar.

Credits: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-emirates-jobs-idUSKBN24120T 

The Service Market: Not Quite a Level Playing Field

Posted on by Feedni Admin

The service market plays a large role in the economy, Dubai Statistics Center identified services contributed a healthy portion of UAE’s GDP in the first quarter of 2020, before the pandemic hit us. Since then, the service market has faced challenges just like other industries, some were prepared, but others not so much… 

Pockets of the tertiary industry have implemented radical game-changing developments in the past 3 years, some entities moved paperless for efficiency, accuracy, and environmental sustainability, whilst some FinTech and Telecoms forewent retail branches so no more standing in line, thank you Liv. by Emirates NBD and Virgin Mobile, what a result!

But, despite all the AI and automation advances, many niches face service-level challenges and stay stagnant, will they remain relevant and competitive post-crisis? 

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”

In part, outdated tools are the cause, many businesses remain in their comfort zone, using traditional processes, which now are ineffective, often require additional ‘workarounds’, consuming time and money, lacking real-time operations, and unable to handle multiple moving parts. Then you have the age-old “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach, which yes, maybe the system works, but could be drastically revolutionised to remain viable in this age. 

Since the basic Excel CRMs days, cutting-edge tech has innovated the process tenfold, reducing time, improving UX, and consolidating tasks to meet end-to-end experiences. We are beyond the juncture where the traditional remains effective, nowadays competitive means progressive adaption.

One such severely affected service niches was photography. Whilst photography equipment constantly developed, the client sourcing method remains as it did 20 years ago, through word-of-mouth, recently supported somewhat by social media. Those lenses don’t come cheap, so finding quality clientele is critical for this market. 

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On the other end of the spectrum, Apple in the I.T. sector is storming ahead, reimagining the way technology is used, always staying ahead of the curve, and setting new benchmarks. This has been achieved through ingenuity and forward-thinking, creating a solution that customers want, through elaborate consumer insights. 

Now, the service market consists of many functions and trades, so cannot conform to a definite benchmark, but regardless of your business goals, some points remain consistent for all service market niches to step up their game which includes:

  • As fitness fanatics say, “Core is king”, and rightly so, a solid foundation stabilises a stronger frame, so if your existing CRM is not up to scratch, replace it!
  • There is a plethora of automation tech available, capable of heavily reducing many manual tasks, use this efficiency to improve workflow and fulfil demands.
  • Cloud-based platforms have revolutionised the accessibility of data, so incorporate this breakthrough with accurate, real-time functionality on smartphone devices.
  • Exploit consumer insights, analytics work so make it count, period! Understand their real needs and values to fully deliver the quality service they want.
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To sum it up

For the suffering service market segments, radical rejuvenation and industry ‘catch-up’ are fundamental for survival. The stragglers in question require the incorporation of readily available tech of CRM and cloud platforms to remain competitive, sustainable, and profitable, otherwise, risk becoming obsolete. Exploit the digital tools at your disposal, provide intelligent and evolving solutions.

Do you believe the future will steer into another direction? Perhaps something which already exists but nobody has considered yet? I will gladly discuss your insights on the topic, just reach out with your thoughts. 

An article by Gautam Gajjar.

Credits: https://www.dsc.gov.ae/Report/Gross%20Domestic%20Product%20at%20Constant%20Price%20Q1%202020.pdf