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If you’re a new business startup or even a pre-existing or long-term veteran business, you’ve undoubtadly noticed that the times are most certainly NOT what they’ve used to be. Traditional ways of doing business are being tossed out the window or thrown into the fire. What many businesses have thought worked for them in the past no longer works.

It’s nothing out of the norm to see veteran businesses lose clients, clientele and/or customers to new business start-ups who have all of the bells and whistles in modern day society. In saying that (we speak the truth and that’s why we’re here in the first place as a Human Resources company), each and every business in modern day society must be diverse, lenient and willing to mould with the current trends.

A marketing firm we deal with in our city of St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador has communicated with countless businesses via surveys and questionnaires throughout North America. It’s startling to see many businesses feel it’s okay to have zero or even minimal business presence online. No website, no social media business pages (the WORLD’S largest marketing resource), no business listings, no photos, videos or anything of the sort. The norm for any business who may be having a hard time in the industry these days have a difficult time grasping the fact that they 100% require an online presence as over 85% of individuals use their cell phones (and another alternatives to search online) to search for the businesses or services they’re seeking. If they don’t find your business, you’ve guessed it… you’re not going to gain from them. This begs the question of how long has a business been absent in the online world.

We no longer work on the premise of having a business name phone number in the Yellow Pages. We no longer rely on cable access television in rural areas to bring ideas, concepts and events to the crowd. We no longer rely heavily on newsprint and radio ads. Without the proper online mechanics in 2019 one might as well be flipping a sign in outer space hoping someone will see their business. It might sound funny to say that, but it’s the reality in 2019.

Let’s get into some of the things you’ll be needing to climb the online mountain before you so you can see the beautiful, glorious view from the top!

1. Does your business have a logo?
– Is it a logo or is it just ‘words’?
– Is it professionally designed? Is it recognizable?
– Are there too many colours?
– Is it ‘too detailed’?
– Does the logo pertain to quality standards?
– Is the logo available in Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator files for editing purposes?

2. Does your business have professional business photos?
– Are the photos cell phone photos?
– Are the photos of good quality?
– Are the photos professionally edited?
– Is the metadata correct for search engines? Are they tagged correctly?
– Do the photos pertain to your business or do they miss the point?
– Does your business use the photos for marketing? For flyers? For posters? For pamphlets, bi-folds and tri-folds?

3. Does your business have professional business video(s)/commercial(s)?
– Are the videos of good, viewable quality? (not pixelated)
– Are the videos cell phone videos?
– Are the videos stabilized?
– Are the videos professionally edited?
– Do the videos have professional graphic designed labels and text?
– Do the videos contain proper, professional audio?
– Is the audio professionally edited?
– Do the videos pertain to their brand and message?
– Are the videos at the proper viewing length to engage and retain audience members?
– Do the videos up-sell a service?
– Do the videos offer information regarding where to read more about the businesses services?
– Does the client have the original files for the videos so they can be edited?

4. Does your business have graphic designed vectors and files for your branding?
– Does your business have the Adobe Photoshop files?
– Doesyour business have the Adobe Illustrator files?
– Does your business own the rights to use these files? (copyright from original artist)

5. Does your business have a website?
– Is it professional?
– Do you upload new content to your website, or do you fall victim to “my website is finished, so that’s that! People will find me now!” – a very dangerous situation for a business who spent mega dollars on their website build!)
– Does it pertain to your business branding?
– Do you have the best domain name (.com, .ca, etc) for their business?
– Do you have a professional email (ex. info@blueskybusinessconsuting.com) associated with it?
– Are there hyperlinks and buttons leading back to other pages with your content i.e. to your social media? Do the hyperlinks/buttons work?
– Does your business have professional graphic design that makes sense for their brand?
– Do you have professional photos, videos, and content writing?
– Are your photos tagged correctly in the metadata to ensure people can find their photos, videos and graphics online in search engines?
– Do you have enough information on your website to ensure your point gets across regarding what you offer?
– Do you have the proper amount of pages for Google to scrub for keywords and S.E.O.?
– Do you have the proper amount of text-per-page for Google to scrub for keywords and S.E.O.?
– Is your website designed and maintained for Search Engine Optimization (S.E.O.)?

We can go on forever, but we’ve knocked our refined methods down to the ones listed above so you have a simple understanding.

6. Do your business have professional social media pages? Are they maintained properly? Are they maintained?
– Do you have a professionally maintained Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn accounts?
– If you have any of these accounts (you should have all 5 of them), are they maintained properly?
– Do you post 3-4 times a week at the proper times at high-peak hours when people utilize each social media platform the most?
– Are your posts gaining any traction with viewers?
– Are you posting professional content (professional photos, videos, ads, content writing, etc)?
– Do your social media pages pertain to their branding correctly?
– Is all of your information on each account filled out?
– Are your social media accounts linked to one another to ensure cross-posting or cross-ads between the platforms?
– Are the platforms linked to your website(s)?
– Are you using proper hashtags and communication symbols?
– Do your posts reflect professional quality that people can read and view?
– Are you avoiding ‘cell phone screen shot’ uploads? You know, the ones with those atrocious black bars on the top and bottom?
– Is your business interacting with other people, businesses and profiles on the respective social media pages to build their network? Are you following your followers back and keeping them engaged in the business conversation?

7. Does your business have a Google Business Listings? Is it maintained?
– Do you own their listings? Is a listings even present?
– Do you have any old Google Business Listings hovering around taking up space collecting cobwebs?
– Is it filled out? Have you made proper use of the metadata in their photos and videos (if present)?
– Is there content writing? Is it clean, concise and to the point?
– Have you filled in all of the required sections? Services? Hours of operation? Amenities?
– Have you taken advantage of ratings and reviews?
– Have you responded to reviews? Do you have negative reviews left unanswered?
– Do people know where to go to leave a review for their business?

8. Does your business have a blog? Is it maintained? (You clicked our blog post to get here through social media by the way! – it’s powerful stuff!)
– Is the blog part of your website or an external source?
– Does your blog pertain to your business?
– Is the blog something that will catch the interest of your clients, future clients, readers and viewers?
– Is the content of the blog of good quality or professionally written?
– Does your blog use the businesses keywords?
– Is it easy to read? Easy to navigate?
– Does your blog up-sell the businesses services?
– Does your blog use hyperlinks? Are they working?
– Does your blog use photos?
– Does your blog use video(s)?
– Do photos and videos have correctly tagged metadata?
– Does your blog have a properly proportionate display photo?
– Does the display photo appear correctly when posting the blog link as a social media post to refer visitors to their website to generate traffic and/or retain client interest?

9. Does your business have a business plan? How about a marketing plan?

Every business absolutely requires a business plan. Imagine setting up a business and not having a plan set in place for the immediate future and distant future. Okay, maybe you have a good idea, but you’re going to need a solid business plan to view for your businesses start-up, and future well-being. Did you know that many funding, loan and granting agencies and organizations alike require you to send them your business plan in order to see if you’re eligible for funding? Think about it this way, no single agency or organization will simply hand someone over a money for a business. They simply want to see where their investment is going as they want to make sure the proposed business has a solid grasp on what they’re about to undertake.

Your business plan is your guide to business success! It gets your foot in the door for start-up funding and ensures there’s no loose ends or holes. Here’s an idea of some of the areas you’ll have to cover. Here at Bluesky Business Consulting we have professionals who take care of this for you!

– Cover pages for every section, plan table of contents, plan pricing/services guide + photos, maps and branding graphic design (graphs, tables, charts, etc)
– Executive Summary
– Business Purpose
– Contact information (for owner and staff)
– Business Description
– Project Costs and Financing
– Industry and Market Analysis
– Promotion and Marketing
– Management and Personnel
– Operations
– Financial Projections and Analysis (for 3 years)
– Risks and Mitigation
– Supporting Documents (reference letters, office contract, resumes, licenses, incorporation number, business name certification, HST/GST forms, etc)

10. Human Resources

Did you know that businesses who invest into a Human Resources manager have a 70% higher chance of hiring the right employees for the job with long-lasting retention when compared to not having a Human Resources Manager? In the long run an estimate 75% of employees are more likely to stay when a business has a professional Human Resources manager who listens to their views and concerns. On the other hand when a business does not develop a proper Human Resources strategy, the business is twice as likely to lose their employees causing a higher in and out employee traffic pace in the workplace which disrupts not only the workplace atmosphere but the business overall.

The following is a list of fine points to consider when planning your Human Relations campaign. In the following cases it’s best to consult with a professional Human Relations Manager to keep the workplace safe and sound the way you need it to be.

– Recruitment and hiring plan
– Training and development plan
– Payroll and benefits plan
– Employee retention plan
– Creating a safe, healthy, and productive environment
– Communication plan across the organization