Business Intelligence

Building a loyal customer base is difficult when there are too many businesses competing for the same market. This is especially true for small businesses. Whether you own a dry cleaning shop, a hair saloon, a boutique, sell pizza, clothing or electronics to name a few, you know that out there, it’s plagued with businesses that do the same thing you do. To stand out of the crowd you need to either have a killer product that you competition cannot lay hands on (best -recognized- pizza in town), being located in a hot area (shopping mall) or have lots of good luck.

If you don’t see yourself in any of these three groups then it’s most likely that you will not be able to differentiate and gain an edge over the competition. And even if you do, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do what I’m about to tell you. Unlike almost everything in the business world, this has no associated cost and it’s full of potential.

Aside from not counting with the financial resources that big companies have, the problem with small businesses is that they usually don’t think big. This doesn’t mean that they don’t have high aspirations. It means that small business owners sometimes forget to think beyond those four walls that they call their shop. There’s no rule that says that small companies can’t think as big corporations. read more »

Hong Kong is a popular hub for international firms keen on setting up businesses in Asia. Its’ physical and political proximity to China coupled with modern infrastructure, internationally accepted and transparent legal system based on English law and lower tariff structure have rendered it into one of the world’s leading financial and business centres.

According to an annual survey conducted by Invest Hong Kong and the Census and Statistics Department, the region situated on the southern coast of China is sought after by multinationals and inland companies looking to expand their business operations in East Asia. The survey identifies new investment trends wherein international firms have made Hong Kong a focal point for their, both regional and worldwide operations while inland companies from China have relocated here to benefit from numerous business opportunities.

A versatile work culture adept in both English and Mandarin languages makes for easier transactions saving companies time and translation costs in the process. Besides, the free floating currency of Hong Kong dollar, the absence of good and services tax, and a flat profit tax rate of 17.5 percent for company operations based in Hong Kong translate into hefty financial gains for multinational corporations. Also, the Hong Kong based companies gain from the provision of re-invoicing. read more »

Many women and quite a few men as well like to have spa based treatments, but sadly, there are many who cannot afford to do so anymore. That would be where your business would benefit, as the host of spa parties that teaches techniques, gives sample treatments and sells related products in the comfort of each person’s home. There are many options available with this particular idea, starting with a possible franchise in this niche. Many companies are selling their spa treatments and products through home-based sales using demonstrators who set up the parties and the products and take orders for a portion of the profits based on the amount that they sell and the number of additional parties that they book each time.

It is important to compare these franchise opportunities carefully, especially since they each have their own requirements for who represents their products and company name.

In addition to becoming part of a franchised business, there is the opportunity to teach these techniques and sell items on your own. However, it is important to keep in mind the laws regarding these types of services and products that may differ from place to place. read more »