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Chris Au | Key Small Business Tips for Success

Chris Au - Small business tips for starting your own business can put you on the path to financial success.

Chris Au - The SBA says that the term small business includes concerns that are organized to make a profit and have fewer than 500 employees. In this post, small business includes work at home, affiliate marketing, network marketing, and online home-based businesses, and I will explore small business tips to help you achieve your business goals. These tips will help you get customers and generate more sales quickly.

Here are key small business tips and questions to consider:

1. Why do you want to start a small business? Starting your own business requires commitment. So, don't do so unless it prepared you for long hours and frustration while you are establishing your business. For many, enduring this is well worth the potential of financial security.

2. Will you market a product or service? A service business is one where you offer your expertise to clients. For a product business, you will need to offer a tangible product. Typically, a product business is more expensive to launch than a service business.

3. Do you have a simplified business plan? The thought of writing a business plan is intimidating to most aspiring entrepreneurs. However, it is possible to write a one-page plan that tells the what, who, how, and where of your business. You should keep it simple. You can add details as you go. Just get it started.

4. Who is your customer? Describe your target customer in as much detail as possible. Know their needs and wants. Know how you can provide a solution to their problem. This profile will help you create a targeted marketing message and save you time and money in reaching prospects.

5. What is your pricing? Pricing is an art and a science. You need to cover your costs and generate a reasonable profit. Researching to see what your competitors are charging can help.

6. Are you watching your costs? Many entrepreneurs underestimate how long it will take for their small business to turn a profit. Don't burden your business with too many costs too quickly. To keep costs to a minimum, hire interns and outsource or barter for services.

7. What's your plan for getting customers? One of my coaches says the secret to business success is spending 85% of your time doing things that will lead to sales and 15% of your time doing everything else. You'll need a marketing plan. How do you plan on attracting prospects and converting them to paying customers? Design your advertising to generate sales. Your advertising should always include an offer and a simple way for prospects to respond.

8. Are you using social media? More and more businesses are moving to social media because their prospects are on social media. Only about 25% of small businesses are using social media to build their business. So, creating a presence on social media will give you an edge. This typically means building a fan page on Facebook. There are many resources you can use to build a fan page.

Here are some small business tips to attract more customers online:

1. Be sure to add local content targeted for your specific area. 2. Make sure prospects can find you online and offline. 3. Be very clear about what your business offers. 4. Take part on social media consistently. 5. Watch what your competitors are doing. See what is working and what is not working.

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Chris Au | Online Business Tips for Beginners

Chris Au - Making yourself successful in your online business requires effort, knowledge, (Chris Au) time, and technique. Being a successful entrepreneur in today's online business world is getting tough. It is growing highly competitive because of the unlimited involvement of people in the business and it is increasing day by day in this sector. So, it is crucial for anyone starting to follow some effective online business tips to gain pleasant success within the shortest possible time. Here are some online business tips to follow:

• First you have to choose an online business strategy you like, brainstorm first.

• Focus on your goals, make a list of 10 goals, and write them down, return to your list often.

• Don't work on over one idea at a time, you'll get overwhelmed, stay focused.

• Decide on how much investment money you have and will spend now and in the future.

• Get settled on your work /life balance and make mindful efforts to sustain it.

• Get to know your customers and what they want, provide it.

• Don't be afraid of diversity in your online business, it's online; It connected you to the world!

• Websites are the primary mediums for online businesses, so make your site unique as search engines look for quality text-based content that is pertinent to the search term entered.

• Make hot deals famous for your site!

• Let the world know of your Internet existence, do not hide behind the Internet.

• Learn and correct your mistakes quickly to develop your business.

• Try to give full effort to customers to boost up your business profits.

• A well-established online home business depends on your use of time, make plans, and do your groundwork.

• Being concerned about customer's demands will help you move forward with your online home business. If you are concerned about them, they will be loyal customers because they will know, like, and trust you!

If you are confused about starting an online home business, take a deep breath and clear your mind. It can confuse at first, but it will get better. Start preparing your mind for becoming an entrepreneur. Stay online and research more tips to starting an online business and find online businesses you can establish relationships with early. Regular online presence is a mandatory prerequisite for a successful online home business. It is a powerful communication and marketing tool, a symbol of professionalism. Once your business opens, spend time online and be available to customers. Having consistent customer service and support areas will also promote consumer confidence in your business. To keep customers coming back, they need to know, like, and trust you.

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Chris Au | Small Business Tips - Chris Au

Chris Au - Every small business has the potential to grow and expand. [Chris Au] This is every business owners' dream come true. Sometimes, small businesses need a sense of direction or advice from sources more experienced than them. When looking for small business tips, you can always get some from experienced entrepreneurs. These are individuals who have been in business for a long time and have overcome many challenges.

Small business forums are another excellent choice when you need small business tips. You get to socialize and exchange ideas with other business owners. If you have a question, people are willing to help and give you answers. You also get to know other individuals who are in a similar business as you are. They can give you support if your business is going through some challenges and even help you overcome them. Everyone has their definition of small business tips. Learn to differentiate between what can work for your business and what may not apply.

However, there are general business tips that many successful businesses have used over the years. When you are starting or already have a small business in existence, one thing that is a requirement is that you have to know yourself, your product or service, and your business. Have a clear vision and direction. Know how to merge your strengths with your target market. Knowledge of your product or service is an assurance to the customer that you have confidence in whatever you are doing.

The mechanics of running the business should be at your fingertips. If for example, all your employees were to go on strike, be able to do and manage what it employed them to do. Know your business in and out. Keep an open mind and learn how to use technology for the advancement of your business. Also be consistent, honest, and always do exceptional work.

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Chris Au | How To Start A Restaurant Business

Chris Au - Starting a restaurant business is an alluring dream for many but a reality for (Chris Au) only a select few. The restaurant business is like the start of the New York marathon. Thousands of people start the race but only a fraction of those people finish and an even smaller percentage meet their goal for the race. Why? Well, it simply isn't as easy as most people think and there are key skills and attributes that the entrepreneur must consider when thinking about how to start a restaurant business. The National Restaurant Association ("NRA") claims that over 42,000 new licenses are issued each year in the US. These are lofty numbers and I would forgive you for thinking this is a positive.

Restaurants have the highest attrition rate of any business type. The attrition rates in the sector vary wildly, ranging from 90% failing in the first year, to as low as 20% in the first year of trading. A recent academic survey conducted by researchers at (Chris Au) Michigan State University found that 27% of start up's failed in the first year; after three years 50% of those restaurants were no longer in business; after five years 60% had fallen away and before the end of the decade 70% of restaurants were no longer trading. While these may seem like scary statistics, a subsequent study at Cornell University in 2005 revealed that 81.4% of small business failures result from factors within the owner's control. Despite these damning metrics, failure is not inevitable. So how can restaurateurs evade this landmine? Here are our top tips on how to start a restaurant business.

Top Tips For A Successful Restaurant Business

Most people dream of having a buzzing little establishment with the perfect ambiance, a hoard of adoring, loyal customers, and a cash register that is brimming with money every night. Nice dream, but it takes a special person to make that a reality.

Key Personal Traits that typify a successful restaurateur.

1. Unwavering Tenacity | Chris Au

It characterizes the restaurant business by long hours, customer complaints, and an endless list of tasks to perform, and that's before we even get into the strategy! This is not an easy ride and to succeed you will need all the determination at your disposal to get through each week. Ask any chef, restaurant owner, or hospitality worker. It is hard to succeed and only the strong survive. You need to stay the course and remain positive in the face of adversity. Most restaurateurs lament about the hard start but also revel in the "tipping point" when their business took off. Maintaining the momentum is the trick, and tenacity is pivotal in achieving this.

2. Attention to detail

Everything comes down to the detail in this game. You are providing an experience for your customer base and if you concentrate on getting the detail right, you increase your chances of making that experience meet the customer needs. This trait is so important, not just in terms of the quality control of each dish that is served but also in terms of the kitchen cleanliness, ensuring licenses are up to date, that the booking system works, the list goes on... If you have a "devil may care" attitude then you won't last five minutes. Being meticulous about all aspects of your business, from the product to the business strategy, is critical.

3. Managing People | Chris Au

You can't run the place yourself. You must recruit and recruit well. You must possess the ability to place trust in your brigade to get the job done in line with your values and strategy. Getting the right chef (assuming you are not one), the right waiting staff, and the front of the house are critical and you have to communicate effectively to motivate and delegate responsibility. When thinking about how to start a restaurant, think about starting a winning team? Managing that team is critical to your success. Teamwork and communication are pivotal skills to ensure success. Empathy and leadership qualities are outstanding traits for the restaurant business.

Key Business Success Factors

1. Do a Restaurant Business Plan | Chris Au

The best advice you can receive when thinking about how to start a restaurant business is to do a business plan. It is pivotal. The restaurant business is so customer focussed that doing your homework is the difference between success and failure. Market and customer research will enable you to plan your business model effectively to ensure you continually meet the needs of your customers. It will also help you plan your finances to ensure you run an effective operation and don't run out of cash. It's all about selling an experience in the restaurant game and you need all the right information at hand to ensure you hit the mark and have a strategic plan to explain to a bank or investor to attract the funding you need to open the restaurant. Opening your doors without a business plan is suicide because planning retrospectively while running the business is almost impossible. Prevention is better than cure.

2. Be flexible

Make sure your business strategy is flexible. It will need to be to continually meet the needs of those customers. Everything from menu construction, wine list, decor, and your marketing strategy must be nimble and react instantly to changes in demand. Most businesses keep monthly financial records but in the restaurant game, weekly financials help you keep your finger on the pulse and provide an opportunity to cater to changing customer demands to maximize sales. This is where the business plan becomes valuable. It should develop with your operation. It is not just a static document used for getting funding. Restaurants with nimble business models are the ones that succeed.

3. Focus On The Customer | Chris Au

This flows directly from the initial research you will have done on your market and customer demographic but the focus on the customer should be foremost in your mind. Talk to your customers and ask questions about what they like and what they would like to see changed. Rotate your menu and keep it simple. Long convoluted menus breed confusion and make delivering the meals so much harder for the staff. Your customer will guide you in presenting the best menu and setting to maximize sales. They are the source of your success.

Build a Sustainable Business

If you want to make it to the end of the race you have to never give up. This sounds obvious, but running a restaurant will test your patience and resilience. To get the basics right you have to rely on your research to make sure your business is providing people what they "want" rather than what you think they "need". The most successful restaurants do simple things well and have a definite strategy to evolve and engage customers. They provide a level of service that meets the customer's needs and a (Chris Au) atmosphere that appeals to the customer's requirements. It may seem like a difficult balance to achieve but if you are committed, creative, and base your business model on solid research your chances of being one of the few who do survive will improve significantly.

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Chris Au - Healthy Food Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle

Chris Au - As we go about our daily hectic and busy lives, eating sensibly and healthily is (Chris Au) getting more difficult as we get less time to prepare our meals. To add to that, convenient food outlets like fast-food restaurants make it easy for people today to just "outsource" their nutrition responsibilities to the restaurant. Unfortunately, these foods are far from healthy, often laden with a high content of salt, sugar, and fat.

If you want to live healthily, you need to put health as a priority, and that means changing the way you eat.

Many people think that preparing healthy meals takes a lot of time, but that is rarely the case. Here are some ways for you to get healthy food on your plate quickly and easily.

#1. Go grocery shopping twice a week to stock up on your fresh meats and vegetables

Making sure it stocked your refrigerator up with the right foods is the first step to a better healthier life. Stop buying those frozen pizzas and opt for green leafy vegetables and raw meat. Even the leafy vegetables can last 2 to 3 days when stored in refrigeration, so you don't have to go to the market daily.

If you spend a lot of time in the supermarkets or wet market, you can do with a shopping list. Go in, get the stuff you need, and check out!

#2. Marinate meats before freezing

Meats like chicken or pork often require marinating before cooking - and that takes time, especially if you need to wait for the frozen food to thaw before you marinate. So as you purchase your fresh meats, get them marinated before you put them into the freezer. That way, all you need to get an excellent dish is to thaw it, and put it into your pan!

#3. Get wholemeal bread for breakfast

Instead of pancakes and oily sausages and hash browns, consider simple wholemeal bread, butter, and jam for breakfast. They are much easier to prepare and have much better food value since they packed wholemeal bread with good fiber.

#4. Use a water bottle for your water

Instead of reaching for the fizzy drink each time you crave for a drink, reach for your bottle of water instead. If you would just replace your sweet soft drink with water for each meal, you can reduce your calorie intake by 450 calories a day easily! If you need some flavor in your drink, try unsweetened teas - the 5 calories drink way better than the 150 calories in that can.

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Chris Au | Restaurant Staffing Tips For New Restaurants

Chris Au - Getting a new restaurant to open up is a grand thing to do. (Chris Au) This is a type of business that can be very profitable if they run properly it. However, it can be a real challenge to get this type of business to work properly. Here are a few tips to use regarding getting restaurant staffing to work for one's needs.

First, it will help to consider restaurant staffing with experience in mind. It will help to consider all the prior experiences that people have had to deal with getting staff to work outright. For example, chefs that are experienced with handling foods will be more likely to be successful than others.

Another thing to do is to consider who is going to work with managerial duties at the restaurant. Each part of the restaurant will need to work with individual managers and supervisors. These will work to make it easier to where people will have an easier time knowing what they will have to do for their needs. This is a good thing for anyone to look at when staffing a restaurant.

Sometimes getting people who specialize in different things can work. For example, it should hire people who can specialize in getting drinks prepared along with someone who can specialize in soups and salads. A person who can specialize in communicating with any children at the restaurant can work as well. Specialists can work best in many situations to make it easier for a person to have a better time with getting a plan handled.

Even though it can help to get many people who are properly trained to work at a restaurant, it will help to offer ongoing training. The ongoing training that should be provided will need to work for all employees. This can work to make sure that employees know about how to handle many new processes in the workplace. Restaurant staffing should involve working to make sure that they hire the right trainers alongside the right people for their jobs.

The last thing to do is to consider acknowledging how open people are with their schedules. Having a chart that can show what times people can work within their schedules is a good thing for anyone to look at.

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Chris Au Business Person & Entrepreneur Of Singapore

Sharing Spain with the world Chief among entrepreneur Chris Au’s portfolio of businesses is Catalunya, a Spanish restaurant in The Fullerton Pavilion, a floating dome structure in Singapore’s bustling Marina Bay. After traveling around the Iberian peninsula, Au employed the best chefs in the region and brought Spanish flavor to Asia. And he isn’t finished yet: he’s considering opening a branch of Catalunya as part of a planned Las Vegas Sands project in Madrid.

What first attracted you to Spain?

The history, the culture, the people. Spain conjures up images of flamboyant, energetic Spaniards; exuberant, gothic buildings and architecture; rolling vistas of hills; and crystal-blue coves of Oceanfront. A dazzling rainbow of all imaginable colors, tastes, and sounds: the matadors, the flamenco dancers, the festivals.

What has been your favorite experience in Spain so far?

The simplest yet most poignant one meandering through the La Boquería market in Barcelona. Stepping into the place, they regaled one with a visual rainbow and the aromatic scent of fresh food—and, of course, the warm, bustling the cacophony of the locals in their alluring language.

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Chris Au | Local ingredients for success

Chris Au – Known for applying scientific methods to cookery and raising the bar in the world

wide restaurant scene, Ferran Adrià’s name is set in stone in the annals of culinary history as the brains behind molecular cuisine. Although most of the time he’s busy revamping and modernising Spanish gastronomy from behind the kitchen coun ters of his restaurants in Barcelona and his research centre, the El Bulli Foundation in Roses, Adrià takes every opportunity to relax and travel around Spain. Here we quiz him on two of his specialist subjects: cookery and his country.

How has the Spanish culinary scene changed since your career began in 1980? Back then Spain had an extraordinary regional cuisine thanks to its history and various climates but it wasn’t known by many people. At the beginning of the 1990s, as a result of an avantgarde cooking style developing here, a great number of journalists and gourmets from around the world started coming to discover this new concept, a mix between tradition and modernity.

What sort of developments can we expect to see from the El Bulli Foundation? The centre should hopefully be a catalyst and a vehicle for creativity. Our aim is to help the culinary world to continue evolving

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