The Benefits of a 360 Degree Employee Survey

Let's face it, you don't always like getting feedback about your job performance. Even when you know it's coming, it can be hard to face the truth from your fellow employees. Add the process of taking a survey and it becomes even less appealing. You would think that great leaders are the best people at getting feedback, but this is definitely not the case.

Think about who gets told the most what they are doing wrong at your company. If it's anything like most other businesses, the higher you go up the totem pole, the less feedback you are going to get. Thanks to all of this, a 360 degree employee survey can be a huge benefit to your company. Here are just a few of the reasons why.

1.  Puts how over what - Just because an employee is getting all of their work on time doesn't necessarily make them a great employee. They need to be doing it in a way that benefits both them and the company without cutting corners or taking the easy way out. One thing this type of survey does is ensure that each employee is following protocol correctly in their daily tasks because an organized company is a healthy company. 



2.  Accountability - Everyone at a company should be held accountable for their job in the same way. Just because you have been promoted and advanced to a higher level in the company doesn't mean that you aren't held to the same high standard that you were when you were new.
    



3.   Performance Enhancing - One great thing that a survey does is remind people of what the job requires, especially helpful for long-time employees at the business that may have grown stagnant and bored with their job. The survey can act as a refresher course that inspires them and makes them perform better in the future.
   
    
4.  Improves Intra-office Relationships - Employees that are open and honest with each other build trust and the best way to do this is through an open dialogue.
    

These are just some the reasons that a 360 employee survey can be beneficial to both a company's leadership and lower-level personnel. Those looking into having a survey done at their place of business should contact a professional consulting group like Key Group Consulting. They have the knowledge and facilities to complete a survey for a company of any size.

Three Ways To Make Your Small Business More Profitable

Small business owners typically find their minds dominated by an important question: How can I make my company more profitable? If you're looking for answers to this question, you'll be happy to note that there are many strategies you can utilize to ensure that your small business becomes a money-making machine. Here are three strategies to try:

1. Enhance Your Meetings.

Meetings are the medium through which you and your business partners strategize regarding how you're going to move the company forward. When you optimize and expedite your meetings to facilitate this purpose, you can get more done in less time. In understanding that time is money, you should recognize the role that meeting enhancement can play in generating more revenue for your company. Businesses like Meeting Metrics specialize in providing business owners with the techniques and tools necessary to keep their companies moving forward and making money. Learn more about all of the business-building services that Meeting Metrics has to offer when you click here.

2. Market Online.

Online marketing has become one of the most expedient and effective advertising methodologies available to small business owners. These days, the phrase "growth hacking" has come to define the process in which small business owners use online marketing strategies to build their audience, convert prospective customers, and generate brand loyalty. One of the great things about growth hacking strategies is that they are cost-effective, meaning that using them can help you generate wealth without necessitating that you invest a lot in the marketing process. Some of the more prevalent growth hacking strategies available to you include:

• website analytics 
• search engine optimization 
• A/B testing 
• content marketing

3. Network.

The key to generating more wealth for your small business is constantly building your network of loyal clients and business partners. This process is realized through consistent, effective networking. If you are not already in the habit of networking in a very systematic, strategic way, you need to put this objective at the very top of your priority list. As you begin, remember that networking can transpire in both formal and informal settings. Formal modes of networking include attending lectures, conferences, and other events related to your field. Informal modes of networking include things such as attending baby showers, football games, and other social events where you're likely to meet new clients.

Conclusion 

If your primary goal is to ensure that your small business becomes as profitable as possible, implementing the strategies above can help. By optimizing your meetings, investing in growth hacking methodologies, and networking regularly, you'll likely find that your small business starts obtaining absolutely amazing conversion rates!

Will The Eurozone Inflation Lower The Deflation Concerns?

According to the EU statistics agency, “Eurostat”, they made a first estimate that in the month of September, there was an increase of annual inflation of 0.3% when compared to 4% last month. This was very close to the target set by the European Central Bank of about target marking of 2%. This inflation was actually pushed by the increasing service sector prices, higher prices for food, tobacco products and alcohol prices. There was a marginal decrease in the energy prices when we compare the October month to that of September.

Decrease in the core inflation: 

When it came to core inflation, which has a higher effect on the food and energy prices saw a fall in the percentage, the core inflation came down from 0.8% to 0.7% in October. Eurozone inflation saw a slight increase in the month of October but the market economists have already raised an alarm that this will only help the policymakers slightly to defend themselves against the single currency bloc deflation.

According to Martin van Vliet, an economist at ING, even a slight increase in the core inflation will definitely take off a bit of pressure of the policymakers who are working at the European Central Bank (ECB). Deflation risks in Eurozone might see issues with the decrease in the core inflation during the month of October. This will force the ECB to take preventive measures as they will see increased pressure.

Actions from the ECB: 

According to Martin, depending on the recent decrease in the commodity prices they are not anticipating an increase in pressure in terms of energy and food prices in the coming couple of months. However, they are certainly expecting a decrease in the pressure down the line.

Depending on the current scenario and the Eurozone economic growth losing its charm, pressure is sure to stay over the European Central Bank. The ECB has taken precautionary measures to tackle the sudden changes in the Eurozone economy and to prevent any further damage from the deflation to both consumers and businesses. There are chances where people might want to hold on to their purchase hoping for a decrease in price.

According to a senior economist at Berenberg, Christian Schulz, the current situation of the economy can further impact the change in the inflation. Berenberg is planning to discuss further methods of easing the pain in their upcoming meetings.

Unemployment: 

According to the reports published by Eurostat, the unemployment rate in the Eurozone remained at 11.5% in the month of September. As per the chief European and UK economist Howard Archer working at IHS Global Insight; even though there was a decrease in the number of unemployed people, the employment rate in the 3rd quarter of October 2014, was lower than September. The employment rate was dropping continuously in the month of September and this was credited to the current state of the economy and also the decreasing in the confidence of the businesses.

According to report there was a decrease of 0.2% in the German GDP as well as the slow growth rate of the Eurozone, and the recession was indicating prospects of growth. The current economical situation indicates that the Germans and Western continental Europe will have a pretty bad moment

While on one side Eurozone is lessening the monetary policy to battle against the deflation; the central bank of Russia has raised their key interest rates from 8% to 9.5% to fight against the inflation.

New Regulatory Guidelines for UK Banks on Risk Assessment

According to the reports the Banks in Britain are getting prepared for one of the most anticipated news at present. With the declaration of new regulatory guidelines from the Bank of England, all the banks are expecting that they might have to raise any extra capital to meet these guidelines.

This can have serious negative impact on the customers in terms of their cost of borrowing from the banks. Thread needle Street is expected to give out the details on the methods for setting leverage ratio and this will be given on Friday around 2PM GMT.

Leverage ratio is the method which measures the financial stability and strength of a particular brand, but this doesn’t allow the banks to carry out any assessments of the potential risks that they might face in the future.

Sir John Vickers, who chaired the independent commission on banking, in the year 2011 had recommended that having a 4% leverage ratio will allow the banks to able to borrow nearly 25 times more than the value of their assets.

This recommendation was not readily acceptable to the Government as they were looking for a more convenient ratio of around 3%. But still the Bank of England consulted others to determine the different means to measure the leverage ratio, they have analyzed if the bank need bigger lenders to hold their capital or they can rely on the smaller lenders as well.

They consulted as to how the banks can gain the ability to additional amounts depending on the market conditions. Although this is expected to take complete coverage in the next couple of years, but the lenders are pretty much ready to the leverage ratio of 4%. While the regulators United States of America have set the level as high as 6%, Switzerland has set a ratio of 4 percent for their banks.

According to George Culmer, the finance director at Lloyds’, he is expecting the leverage ratio is to start with 4% itself. At present Lloyds Banking Group has reached the leverage at 4.7% when compared to the 3.8% last year.

On the other hand Barclays Banks have managed to reach 3.5% and the Royal bank of Scotland is at 3.9%. All the high street banks are taking possible measures to reach the set leverage ratio. With the leverage ratio starting at 4%, one needs to worry about the pricing factor.

According to the British Bankers’ Association, they fear that this change might impact the banks first as they might be dealing with businesses having large mortgages.

This will have the impact in such a way that the banks might be forced to either increase the cost of new mortgages as well the risk taking ability of the banks. This seems to be going in exact opposite direction to what the makers of the policy have in mind.

This was the main reason which attributed to the change of high end societies to bank in the past couple of decades.

Establish the Effective Business Condition in the Recent Times

Sometimes, the businesspersons suffer a huge destruction due to market crash that results to significant fall in economy. However, the skilled persons do not get afraid of such circumstances.


Whatever be the condition of the market, the particular investor would not face any intricacies due to the innovative strategies he/she implements. Such investors carry out a complete research work knowing how to perform the entire system to avoid the negative impacts of the market.

In this respect, they need to seek the help of the experienced persons who acknowledge the brilliant options. Implementing the strategies accordingly,you can recognize the optimistic results irrespective of the market condition.

Analyze the Overall Market

Initially, you need to evaluate the overall market demands understanding the real time situation. Understand the market risks and accordingly implement the solutions that would help you to overcome the restrictions.

You can even browse the previous information from where you can collect suitable data regarding the market crashes. Also, you can get the user reviews divulging the effective ways implementing which you can manage the entire situation.

In addition, you need to understand the real time facts related to the market crashes. So, you can gain adequate knowledge on the particular topic that would help you to sustain the positive results. Realize the true information that give rise to the market falls accompanied with the economic crisis.

In the US history, you can explore manifold stories regarding the specific topic. Therefore, you can easily get access to the relevant information going online that helps you to achieve the successful position.

Know the Value of Money

Once, you decide to establish the strong monetary condition you need to get familiar with the original value of money all over the world. After you understand the complete system, incorporate the constructive features according to the necessities.

Also, you need to ignore the false rumors and other stories that do not possess a strong base. Listen to the true information from the trusted sources where you can even get access to the useful ideas. In this direction, you can reach the destination that gives you the real successful position.

Carry out the suitable estimate that would reveal the original monetary information. Moreover, you can recognize the effective ways utilizing which you can develop the successful position for your business.

Eradicate the Crisis

Finally, you are able to eliminate the monetary crisis helping you to construct the estimable position amid the crowd. Acknowledge the suitable destination to make the investment that even allows you to receive the services without any risk factors.

However, you need to know certain additional features that help you to understand the real time condition related to the market risks. Gradually, move towards your success becoming the true investors without worrying for the economic shortfalls.

Give your business the glorifying outlook that signifies the positive approaches you implement. So, all over the world your business can earn the significant recognition overcoming the negative impacts.

The Private Equity, a market with strong growth driver

Private Equity market has been experiencing four to five years an unprecedented dynamism. The figures for 2006 speak for themselves:

* 71% growth in business volume in 2006

* 71 billion of funds raised in 2006 or 22% over 2005

* 208 LBOs carried out in France in 2006, with two thirds of companies less than 100M € turnover,

* 1.5 million people now work for a company in France came under LBO, 9 to 10% of private sector employees,

Private equity is one of the five main areas of activity of the market says private equity (intervention in the capital of unlisted companies generally to achieve horizon 3-10 years of strong capital gains), other activities are:

* Seed capital (or seed money) which represents the first stage since it is for investment projects still in its infancy, funded in order to develop a technology still in R & D to enable to go forward to a potential market,

* Venture Capital, also known as the Venture Capital (VC), which translates into a capital in innovative companies, being in the early stages of development and which have a high growth potential but also a very high risk,

* Capital development which is a capital contribution in companies with strong growth but at a more advanced level of development that target companies for venture capital, they are usually companies who have strong financing needs through equity,

* Capital reversal of investing in troubled companies to put in place a recovery plan.

The Business Plan Part. II

Starting a business is of three main stages, each having a dimension iterative

• The first step is, according to the objectives and motivations that have led to a project to refine its knowledge of the environment in which the company operates, with an approach also known as SWOT EMOFF (Environment / Strengths / Weaknesses / Threats / Opportunities) and requires gathering information about clients, competitors, suppliers, regulators, and the key skills and resources available to the company or must have.

• The second step is to refine the project in terms of Key Success Factors (CSF) and variables or fields of Strategic Actions (VAS).

• The third focuses on the means (technical, human and financial) necessary and action plans from which the Business Plan is the subject of a valuation, and financial economic quantification.

The document that materializes this research, this reflection, the choices that result, the main actions and associated resources is called Business Plan. It has 2 parts:

• The first part, called pitch, is devoted to the arguments needed to validate and sell his project. This part of nature "literary", must be rigorously prepared to highlight the economic consistency of the project.

• The second part corresponds to a financial overview of the measures and Covering the project's economic viability.

The business plan

Starting a business is not only starting a business alone,  it involves raising  funds, developing  an business activity, diversifying it, transmitting , merging, adjusting, developing, negotiating and  communicating your dream business. There are many reasons for embarking on the adventure of developing a business plan.

Creating a project is not only the record of business plan alone but it also includes a financial component and a pitch.

As for investment, in financial terms, it can be defined as "sacrifice resources in hopes to draw more in the future," which indicates three key concepts: duration, cost and risk. Aspects profitability and financial flexibility are at the heart of the case. They underlie substantive issues such as: How to appreciate and take into account the reversibility of a project? Is there a business model in the business plan?

The financial calculations do not remain a simple decision support, and that beyond the virtues and pitfalls, advice and methodology presented in the Business Plan has many facets. And above all the business is a script of a wonderful story and which should be directed by the creator himself. It is the expression of a chosen strategy to be shared more or less detail, among its shareholders, bankers, employees and other stakeholders of the company if necessary.

Why is Building a Brand Important?

 

The main aim of any small business or a corporate company is to build a brand. Building a brand is of prime importance than making money in the business. Of course, everybody in the business is here to take profit from the business. But before taking a profit one should build the brand for their products. Without building a brand, taking out the profits will surely sustain for short term.

If you want to be in the business for long term, first build the brand and get the confidence and loyalty of the customers. Coco Cola and Pepsi, when they entered the Indian Market, for the first five years they spent lot of money in building the brand image. They never broke even for the first five years. Think of a Company which invested lot of money in one company and they never get paid for the investments for the first five years.

It may look ridiculous initially, but they have built a brand image in every household in India. From urban population to rural population in India, everybody knows these two brands. Initially, they started with their core business of beverages. But after having built the brand name, they have started introducing other food products also.

They have slowly entered the snacks market in India. First they penetrated the urban market and they slowly penetrated rural market also. Now the traditional snacks in india is being replaced by these snacks. Such was their brand image, which could even change the way of life in one country.

What Coke and Pepsi did in India is brand building. They did for the first five years and now they are reaping the benefit of brand building. You too, if you are interested in starting business, build the brand first, and then make profit out of it.

Share this post :