A Fashion Plan: Finding Funding

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It’s a greeting of contrasts: fashion is inspired by inspiration, the Technicolor intentions. Industry, however, is defined by profits. Brilliance battles with logic, and the aftermath is often tangled. Mastering the differences is essential, however, if you wish to begin a clothing line.

Conquering couture isn’t an easy task. It’s an exercise in patience and projections – both of which must be charted in a business plan. Trying to impress potential investors requires more than striking designs; it instead demands a detailed explanation of the most vital points:

Branding

The world is shaped by trademarks, with success gained by logos and the public’s perception of them. Fashion is no exception. Individuals seeking to create their own line (inspired by Dereon clothes and similar companies) must be able to present a name that’s easy to pronounce and easier to trust. Complicated symbols will only confuse.

Marketing

The quest for fashion domination is difficult – requiring bold patterns, accessible styles and unforgettable marketing campaigns. Victories are often earned through advertisements; and individuals wishing to form a brand must be able to provide ways to stimulate interest and sales. No business plan should be without these techniques.

Production

Creation is a tedious process. It demands time, effort and endless dollars (which makes it feared by potential backers). Examining the production rates and requirements of any line is essential. The amount of workers, machinery, hours and more must be detailed within the plan. This is to offer security and ensure that the process is streamlined.

Fashion plans must offer solutions to these problems – promising investors that there is good sense to match the good designs.

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Filed Under: investment

It’s Not Enough for Your Business to be on Facebook or Twitter

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So you’ve finally bit the bullet and gave your business a Facebook page. You’ve signed up for a Twitter account. You’ve made your first tweet and you’ve filled out all of your Facebook information page details. You’re done, right?

Wrong.

It’s not enough to just have a Facebook page or Twitter account. You’ve got to be active. Your customers now want many more ways to connect with you than a phone number or a website. Here are some ways to use social media to the max.

  1. Respond to Your Customers.
    This seems so obvious, but it’s a mistake many businesses make. If someone complains about a bad experience, apologize. If someone praises your business, thank them humbly. Other customers see that you’re an active participant in your customer relationships.
  2. Post Specials, Sales, or Deals.
    Host contests. Advertise a Facebook-only deal. Stay active with your clientele, and they’ll have a reason to visit your page–and when they visit your page, they’ll think of your business. It’s all about staying present in your customers’ minds.
  3. Don’t Spam.
    While you do need to stay present, you can’t nag. Refrain from tweeting twenty times a day– you’ll bleed followers.
  4. Post Related Articles, Videos, Podcasts, or Pictures.
    Social media lets you share information at the push of a button. If you’re running an organic food store, tweet a link to a pro-organic article or organization. Find related content on viral content like Cracked or Mental Floss. It’s especially great if you find a funny (but non-offensive) post that relates to your business. You’ll make your customers laugh…but you’ll also make them think about your business.
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How a Blog can Help Your Business

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A blog can be an intensely helpful marketing tool. When web browsers take to the internet looking for information on a certain topic, they often need that “next step” — a place to purchase materials or a related service, just to name a few.

What’s an Example of an Effective Blog?

Let’s say you’ve got a party supply business. If you maintain a blog about party planning tips and tricks, web browsers searching for “1950′s party ideas” can visit your blog, get some great tips and tricks, and then have an attached venue to purchase record-shaped plates or poodle skirt napkins.

How Much Work is a Blog?

It depends on how often you want to bring visitors to your business site. Three times a week is a pretty good strategy, but some extremely successful blogs post several times a day. Is writing not your thing? Consider hiring a freelancer to come up with blog ideas and posts.

What Are Some Other Benefits of Having a Blog?

Blogging is a great way to keep frequent customers or interested parties up-to-date on your business. Got a big announcement? Post it on the blog. Hosting an upcoming sale or community event? Tell people about it on your blog. Launching a new service or package? Talk about it on your blog.

Blogging is also an easy, excellent way to get people to link to your business. If you’re a photographer and you post some Photoshop tips and tricks, your link can get shared on Facebook or Twitter to hundreds or thousands of clients. If you interest them, web browsers can then check out your business or your portfolio.

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Filed Under: business, Human Resources, investment Tagged With: , ,

Do you Need a Degree to Work in Human Resources?

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Naturally, every HR department runs differently and not every Human Resources leader will have a degree. However, with the increasingly competitive market, a degree does make you stand out from the crowd. Here are some reasons to consider getting a higher education degree if you’re interested in a career or career advancement in Human Resources.

Think About the People You’re Leading and Advising

The people you’ll be advising and managing will most likely have their degrees already. Higher education, especially Bachelor’s Degrees, are becoming the equivalent of what a high school degree was 20 years ago. If you’ve been working for a few years in Human Resources, think about going back for your MBA– it’ll show leadership skills and dedication to the field.

Think About the Possibilities for Promotion

If you don’t have your degree, you’ll need more years of experience to compete with your co-workers that have their degree already. Higher education can give you a boost in salary and your promotional chances. You can also use the outside skills you learned in college to enhance your resume. Don’t forget to include foreign language skills or computer training (or anything else you may have learned).

What Kind of Degrees are Available?

The lowest “rung” on the HR education ladder is HR certification courses. Associate’s degrees are also available. Bachelor’s degrees often are available with specialties or minors in Human Resources. For Master’s degrees, you’re going to be looking at MBA programs with emphases in HR or organizational development. Finally, it’s not unusual to see HR leaders with a Ph.D. or a J.D., so dream big!

 

 

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Filed Under: Human Resources, investment Tagged With: , ,