How to Grow Your Network in 2023

Even the most confident businesspeople need help networking. It can be intimidating to enter a room full of strangers and initiate a conversation. If you want to advance in your job, networking is essential. Your ability to network and develop contacts will determine whether you succeed in securing your ideal position or the promotion you’ve been aiming for. Here are some pointers for building a strong network.

DIGITAL BUSINESS CARDS

While in-person networking is a terrific approach, it may be challenging to reach a wider audience without getting lost in a sea of faces. Make a digital business card with your image, contact information, and social media links. Save your digital business card to your phone or tablet for easy distribution and sharing.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Build trust with prospective connections with a solid first impression. Keeping proper posture is crucial at any networking or social event. Even if you are nervous, you’ll become more confident and outgoing if you carry yourself well. As a bonus, your mannerisms will help others feel more at ease, making them want to communicate more. Display self-assurance by firmly shaking people’s hands and conversing with them while standing. Standing tall presents positive body language, which makes you more approachable. When people see you being approached by others, it will spark their interest.

Maintaining eye contact and actively listening when you meet people is crucial. Good business relationships are reciprocal. Ask insightful questions, pay attention to the answers, and avoid interjecting. Never look at your phone or watch while engaging with someone. You will stand out by asking questions and being present.

USE THE INTERNET

Online classes are a fantastic way to meet knowledgeable people about your industry. Enrolling in online courses allows you to interact with individuals from across the globe with similar interests. Interactions with classmates and professors can evolve into lasting friendships and may turn into valuable resources. Additionally, networking possibilities with business executives are often provided through online courses.

FOLLOW-UP

An excellent first impression includes a prompt follow-up. To remain on someone’s mind in a positive way, reference the discussion you had at an event or tell them about a recent industry trend. Many professionals reach out via LinkedIn initially. Mention where you met and what you discussed. If they answer favorably, stay in contact. Building relationships after making a significant connection is always worthwhile since you never know how they could be helpful down the line.

This article was originally published at jameskassouf.co.

How to Launch a New Venture in the New Year

New Year’s resolutions are the perfect time to start working on your goals and dreams for creating a new business. Get a head start by taking the necessary steps to ensure your venture is successful.

The Full Plan

Before starting a business, make sure you have a solid business plan. This should include a financial strategy and an effective marketing plan. You should also research your ideal customer to ensure the delivery of satisfying services.

The Optimal Structure

The type of business structure you choose affects many factors, such as the amount of taxes you pay, your personal liability, and the paperwork you need to file. You’ll need to decide what’s best for you. For example, you might choose a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC). For larger-scale dreams, you may need a corporation or cooperative.

Getting the correct structure for your business is very important to ensure that it can be successful. A good attorney with extensive experience in the formation of businesses will be able to guide you to the proper structure.

The Catchy Name

One of the most important decisions you should make when establishing a new business is the name you’ll use. Be sure to take your time and choose with care and consideration for several reasons. Having the right name can help the company become more successful. To protect your name, you must register it at the federal and state levels. You want to be the only one using your fabulous company name to make you more discoverable.

The Marketing

Even if you have the best idea, how will you market it? The most successful companies use word-of-mouth marketing to sell their goods and services. In today’s fast-paced internet-driven world, you’ll also need to think about internet marketing. Some great options are building a newsletter subscribership and utilizing social media platforms. When starting a business, it is essential to think long-term as you face increasing competition from brick-and-mortar establishments and online retailers.

The Best Help

Getting started with a new business can be very time-consuming and challenging. You will have to deal with many legal issues throughout the process, and making a mistake can cost your company a lot of money. Finding an attorney to help you navigate these issues is a good idea.

This blog was previously published on JamesKassouf.co on December 14, 2022

Workplace Perks to Invest In

With tendencies skewed toward the results of our business activities and customers instead of the employee, it’s vital to pay attention to the employee experience.

One of the most critical factors that can help create a great employee experience is the availability of various perks. Providing a variety of perks can help improve the quality of life for your employees. It can also help boost employee motivation and make your company stand out. Although many companies offer benefits, their perks can make or break a potential candidate’s decision to work for them.

“Companies that invest in employee experience are four times more profitable than those that don’t.” –Blake Morgan, Forbes

The difference between perks and benefits is important to understand. The type of perks and benefits you provide can affect the culture of your company and the employee experience you want to promote. Offering perks and benefits that represent your company’s values is vital.

Benefits are items your employee needs, while perks are those your employee wants. Perks can help boost employee motivation and make your company stand out from the crowd. They can help attract and retain top talent.

Student Loans Assistance

Most employees want to receive student loan assistance. They’ll also benefit from having more money to invest in their retirement accounts by having you match their contributions. Both providing student loan assistance and matching their retirement savings can help your employees establish a solid financial foundation.

Employees likely struggle with their student loan payments, which can negatively affect their performance. To help ease the burden on their shoulders, many companies are now offering financial assistance to their employees.

Flexible Scheduling and Working Remote

Providing employee flexibility can help boost employee morale and show your trust in them.

You can quickly implement this type of flexible work arrangement for your employees. It can help promote personal development and demonstrate your company’s commitment to employee welfare.

Career Development

Most employees want to know that they have career growth and advancement opportunities. Unfortunately, many companies are afraid of training their employees so they can leave with their skills and knowledge. This can happen, but you should give your employees a path to success.

Apart from having the ability to earn more, professional development can also have a significant impact on an employee’s experience. Large or small, providing training or continuing education can make a big difference.

Childcare

If you want to boost the parental leave benefit, consider offering childcare as a perk. Some companies provide a childcare stipend or on-site childcare facilities for their working parents.

Working parents can be more focused at work if they don’t have to worry about child care.

Work/Life Balance

American workers stay late about 2.5 days a week at home or in the office. Working late can affect a person’s work/life balance, as it can prevent them from getting enough sleep and preparing healthy meals.

To help employees feel refreshed and satisfied at work, establish a work-life balance that’s both flexible and consistent. You can monitor your staff members who burn the midnight oil, establish policies that accommodate out-of-office hours, and talk to them about how you can make your company more conducive to a healthy lifestyle.

Wellness Program

A wellness program can help increase the value of your company’s health insurance. It can help fill in the gaps not covered by insurance. In addition to providing healthy snacks, you can offer other perks such as gym membership and standing desks.

Your company’s wellness program should also be inclusive of all employees. It should be designed to help people reach their health goals.

Recognition and Rewards

A great perk is creating an employee recognition program, which can reward your staff members for their hard work. You can provide them with gifts such as basketball tickets or hotel rooms.

A rewards and recognition system that’s easy to implement, then Bonusly is an excellent choice. Each of your staff members receives a monthly allowance that they can spend on small bonuses for their team members. They can write the reasons why they’re giving it. Once they reach a certain amount of points, they can redeem these for various gift cards and donations.

Conclusion

Providing your employees with various perks and benefits is crucial to your company’s success. It can take some time to establish the right package, but it can be worth it.

The needs and wants of your employees will change over time, and as your company grows, you might have to provide different products and services to accommodate your employees’ needs. Regularly survey your staff members about their preferences to keep up with the changes.

Originally published on JamesKassouf.co on December 21, 2022

2022 Books on Commercial Real Estate

Reading the latest books is a fantastic way for any real estate agent or investor to become an expert. It will allow them to stay informed about the latest trends and keep themselves informed about the industry. Having the necessary knowledge of changes in the market is very important for any investor.

To help real estate agents and investors keep up with the latest trends and keep themselves ahead of the competition, here are some books released in 2022.

1. Stop. Think. Invest.: A Behavioral Finance Framework for Optimizing Investment Portfolios

Michael D. Bailey, the head of the research and investment committee for FBB Capital Partners, has written a book released on January 4, 2022. It is a comprehensive guide that will teach investors how to manage their investments and trading in an environment that is more unpredictable than ever. The book features steps to help investors develop strategies and implement behavioral finance concepts.

2. The Bible for Commercial Real Estate

Chris Barker’s book provides a comprehensive overview of the various facets of the commercial real estate industry. It also covers the most profitable investment options available on the market.

3. Harvard Can’t Teach What You Learn from the Streets: The Street Success Guide to Building Wealth through Multi-Family Real Estate

In his first-person story, Sam Liebman, the founder of WealthWay Equity Group, talks about the various steps people can take to succeed in the real estate industry. Although there are many ways to become a successful real estate investor, owning a home, flipping houses, and holding a license are only the beginning.

After building a luxury condominium in New York City that sold for $100 million, Liebman became known as one of the most prominent real estate investors in the country. His style is known as “rubble to ritz.”

4. Marketing That Moves People: How Real Estate Agents Can Build a Brand, Find Fans, Land Leads, and Communicate Convincingly

Shelley Zavitz shares her thoughts on becoming a successful real estate agent. She breaks down the various steps agents can take to build a brand and attract more potential clients. Shelley said, “Most real estate agents struggle with marketing. After all, we sell homes. There’s no reason selling our services should come naturally.”

5. Profit First for Real Estate Agents

In his book, Damon Yudichak talks about the various steps real estate agents can take to become profitable. He also provides a profit system that will help them track their progress.

Elements of a Stellar Business Plan: Part 2

One of the most important reasons a business plan is essential is that it provides a clear outline of the company’s actions to reach its goals. This document can also help an organization establish a clear path to success. It can additionally help an organization promote its success by setting specific steps that it must take to start its business.

A business plan also contains various vital components that help an organization achieve its goals. These include business strategy, financial projection, and marketing and sales techniques.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DESCRIPTION

This section should introduce the company’s products and services. It should also include the necessary information about the products and services that it will provide. This section should include details about how you plan to manufacture the products and how long they will last.

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

A competitive analysis should also be conducted to compare the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors. It should also explore what sets your company apart from other firms in the same industry. It should also look into the various advantages and disadvantages of your business. Doing so will allow you to identify potential issues you might face when entering the market.

OPERATING PLAN

Your company’s operating plan is the document’s section describing how you intend to operate the business. It should also include the locations where the company will be based and how it will handle various operations, such as shipping logistics. It should also include the number of employees you hope to hire in different departments.

FINANCIAL PROJECTION AND NEEDS

Your financial section should include details about how you plan to generate revenue. It should also include information about how you plan to fund the business. You should also analyze the various funding sources and a cash flow projection.

EXHIBITS AND APPENDICES

Your last business plan section should also contain an appendix supporting the details you have outlined in the document. This section should include supporting exhibits and other resources to help investors understand the plan’s viability.

Supporting materials should include resumes, marketing materials, and current and proposed legal documents. Pictures of your product should also be included.

Originally published at JamesKassouf.co

Elements of a Stellar Business Plan: Part 1

A business plan is essential to any company’s growth and success strategy. It provides a vision for the future and a plan for how to expand. Having the necessary information and resources to create a successful business plan can help you make informed decisions and achieve success.

This article will discuss the importance of a business plan and how it can help you succeed. We’ll also discuss the various components of a successful business plan.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

An executive summary is one of the most critical components of a business plan. This section overviews the entire project and briefly explains what the business will cover. Writing the executive summary at the end is essential to summarize it effectively.

Your executive summary should also include the mission statement of the company and the products and services it will offer. It should also have the reasons for starting the business for a new company.

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION

The business description is the next section of the document and provides a comprehensive overview of the company and its goals. It should also include details about the industry that the company plans to serve and the significant competitors that it will face. Your company should additionally have the experience of its team members and the characteristics that differentiate it from the other competitors.

MARKET ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY

A strategy and market analysis section is also included in a business plan to help identify the ideal target audience. This section is focused on conducting a study to determine the various factors that will help the company reach its goals.

A study should look into the various factors that affect the success of the company, such as the geographical locations of its potential customers and the main pain points they experience when choosing products and services. It should also analyze the demographics of its target audience and look into the time they spend on various social media platforms.

This section should also include a target audience analysis to help the company identify the ideal customers. This will allow you to make informed decisions regarding the products and services that you should offer.

MARKETING AND SALES PLAN

Your sales and marketing plan should include details about how you plan to promote and sell your products and services.

The details about how you plan to promote and sell the products and services you offer should also include the pricing plans and strategies to help you make sales. You should also have why your target audience should purchase from you instead of your competitors.

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

This section provides an overview of the company’s management and organizational strategy. It should also introduce the company’s leaders and their responsibilities. It should also include the legal structure of the company and the requirements for its employees.

Originally published at JamesKassouf.co

Becoming a Commercial Real Estate Investor

There are around 3 million real estate professionals in the US. Those who specialize in commercial real estate are called CRE agents, which differs from residential real estate agents who only deal with residential properties. Due to the complexity of commercial transactions, specialization is necessary.

Besides selling and leasing commercial real estate, these professionals represent buyers and sellers. Their brokerage often salaries them. Their scope of work can vary due to the various niches within the industry. For instance, they may be involved in property management or real estate development.

Get Your License

All real estate professionals in the country need a license to represent the buyers and sellers of real estate. This is the same license for both residential and commercial real estate transactions.

In each state, there are specific requirements that real estate professionals need to meet to get their licenses. These include a high school diploma, a minimum age, and a background check. In addition, some states have reciprocal licensing agreements that allow licensed real estate professionals to practice in other states.

The requirements vary depending on the state of content and hours. For instance, in New York, real estate professionals need to complete 75 hours of courses, while in Texas, 180 hours are required. These courses are usually priced at around $150 to $500. Besides national and state-specific topics, these also cover topics such as real estate fundamentals and laws.

The state usually conducts the exams, typically containing around 75 to 150 multiple-choice questions. Since pass rates are generally about 50%, study guides and programs are recommended. After the results are posted, states will issue the licenses the following week.

Connect with a Commercial Brokerage

Once granted a license, you must find a real estate firm specializing in commercial real estate. This will allow you to gain valuable experience in the industry.

Residential transactions are among the most common types of real estate transactions that can benefit a new agent. Since it’s easier to close a deal in this market than in commercial transactions, it’s also easier to find values with little or no experience. However, you must build a client base before you start working as a commercial real estate agent.

One of the most significant disadvantages of working with a commercial real estate firm is that there are usually fewer deals split evenly between residential and commercial real estate. You might not have as much exposure to the retail market.

One of the most significant advantages of working with a commercial real estate firm is that there are usually training programs focused on commercial real estate. These programs can last a year or more, so new agents can focus on CRE instead of residential transactions.

The disadvantage is that training programs are often harder to get into due to the competition in the market. Although trainees earn around $25,000 to $45,000 annually before starting their first deals, some training programs do not pay a salary.

Another way to boost your career in commercial real estate is by working in a retail brokerage. This can allow you to taste the industry before you start working as a licensed agent.

Find Your Niche

Since there are so many types of commercial real estate properties, you must choose a specialization. This will allow you to focus on one market area and develop a deeper understanding of your clients. It can also help you build a more substantial reputation and attract more potential clients.

You can also choose to specialize in different types of commercial real estate properties. This can allow you to focus on office, industrial, and retail properties.

Originally published at JamesKassouf.info

4 Great YouTube Channels To Watch As A Leader

One of the greatest things about being a leader today is the unlimited amount of resources available that can help us sharpen our skills. There are countless podcasts, books, blogs and so many other forms of content out there that can help us become better in our leadership roles, and with so much diversity, we get to learn in a way that works best for us. The biggest problem in this department tends to be that there’s so much content, we aren’t sure where to start! Youtube in particular features many great channels dedicated to helping leaders succeed in their roles. Here are a few great leadership-focused YouTube channels to check out if you’re looking to improve your leadership skills.

Stanford Graduate School of Business

One of the most prominent schools of business in the world, Stanford Graduate School Of Business, has a wide variety of content that can help us improve our leadership skills. This channel is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about leadership and business fundamentals. It features speakers from prominent global brands and academic institutions.

Harvard Business Review

This channel features a mix of videos and teaching sessions that are designed to help business leaders improve their leadership skills. It also has a variety of interactive tools that can help them make quick decisions. The channel covers topics such as making tough decisions, collaborating with remote teams, discussions on big data and so much more. Harvard Business Review is ideal for anyone who is trying to save time and get the answers to their problems quickly.

Hustle

If you’re looking for a channel that will get right down to business, look no further than Hustle. It features speakers who have already started their own businesses, and it has a variety of talks on topics such as how to contact people on LinkedIn and how to start a business. The founders like to compare themselves to TED, but a little more low-key. If you sign up, they’ll send you a daily email with a variety of useful tips and tricks.

Behind The Brand

The Behind The Brand channel is designed to provide inspirational videos that are designed to help people find inspiration. It features videos from prominent individuals such as Tony Hawk and Seth Godin. You’ll find videos that feature insight into business leadership, advice on personal branding, and learn all about how to run a successful business with this channel.

This article was originally published on JamesKassouf.co

4 Questions To Ask Potential Employees During Their Interview

Hiring a new employee can be a stressful time for an entrepreneur. When you bring someone new onto the team, you want to be sure that person is the right fit for the role and the company to avoid wasting time and resources. Bringing on a new hire and realizing shortly afterward that they aren’t cut out for the job is an awful feeling. In order to ensure the person you’re hiring is the right fit, you want to make sure you ask them the right questions during their interview. Here are a few great questions you’ll want to make sure you ask potential hires during the interviewing process.

What Do You Know About The Company/Why Are You Interested In Working Here?

The Internet has made learning about a company easier than ever, so you’d be surprised how many candidates don’t actually do their research when applying and interviewing for roles. When you hire somebody, you want them to understand what it is your company does, and you want them to have a genuine interest in helping your team fulfill their goals. By asking this question, you can get a better idea of which candidates have actually taken the time to research your business and which ones are just throwing applications at anyone who will read them.

Tell Me About A Time You Disagreed With A Manager or Colleague

One of the most effective questions to ask an interviewee is this one, as it will allow you to get a sense of their ability to resolve conflicts. Aside from how they handle the situation, you’ll also want to see how they can relate to the other people in the room. Having emotional intelligence is very important in practically every job, and this question will allow you to gauge how well they can handle situations that involve others.

Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?

One of the most important factors that you’ll want to consider when hiring a new employee is the candidate’s professional drive and career goals. Having someone who is committed to their goals and actively pursuing their advancement is a great way to ensure that they’ll be happy with the company and will be able to reach their goals in the long run. By asking this question, you’ll get a better sense of if this person is a hard worker, and how much they’ll push themselves for not only their own career but for the success of the company.

Do You Have Any Questions For Me?

The interview usually concludes with this question, as most candidates will be prepared with a few questions for the hiring manager. However, in certain cases, candidates might have already asked their questions either at the beginning or during the course of the interview. When candidates ask questions, it means they’re genuinely curious about the company and the role, and those questions can be used to gauge their interest in the position.

This article was originally published on JamesKassouf.co

Great Apps For Entrepreneurs In 2022

One of the most important factors that an entrepreneur must consider when it comes to running a business is the ability to manage their time. There are only 24 hours in a day, and it’s important that you have the necessary tools and resources to get the most out of your time. One of the best ways to keep up with all of the tasks you’ll need to do as you get your business off of the ground is to use some of the many apps that are available to download. These apps cover a variety of things, such as password management, productivity and so much more. Here are a few of the best apps for entrepreneurs to use in 2022.

DropBox

When running a business, you may need one central place where you can store all of your important documents and data. With the help of DropBox, you can easily save photos, videos, and documents onto the cloud, allowing you to view them wherever you have an internet connection as well as share them with any team members. This app is very useful for keeping track of all of the latest versions of your files, allowing you to avoid having to send files back and forth via email.

LastPass

When you run a business, you’re likely going to have to keep track of a variety of accounts you use from day to day. With so many accounts, it wouldn’t be a good look if you suddenly forgot one of your passwords. With LastPass, managing and remembering all of your passwords becomes a thing of the past. You can get a free version on PC and Mac, but there’s also a premium version that costs $12, allowing you to use it on your phone as well.

Flowdock

Flowdock is a great way to keep up with all of the tasks that you’ll need to do as you get your business off of the ground. It combines a variety of tools into one app, allowing you to work with your team members on projects. Flowdock works on Internet browsers and mobile devices, and you’ll be able to see your team’s activity streams, upload projects similar to DropBox, and even message your co-workers! Flowdock is your one-stop shop for most things needed to help you run a business.

Zoom

One of the most effective ways to keep in touch with all of your employees is through Zoom, which has become an office standard for instant communication. With the app version of Zoom available for mobile phones, entrepreneurs can now take advantage of its connectivity wherever they go. Ever since COVID-19, Zoom has become one of the most commonly used apps when it comes to video chatting, and there’s a reason for that.

This article was originally published on JamesKassouf.co