Guide

The Importance of Leanness for Financial Advisers

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From simple tools and practices to complete and comprehensive back office systems for IFAs, there are many tools and opportunities that financial advice specialists can use to implement lean processes and boost efficiency in their business. While leanness has some very fundamental and sizable benefits for most businesses, it is especially beneficial for financial advisers.

Leanness

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There are a number of reasons behind this and several areas in which encouraging leanness and efficiency is especially beneficial for financial advisers. Here is a look at a few of them.

Better Regulatory Compliance

Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) are subject to large amounts of strict regulation; this is a necessity when they make their living from helping other people handle their money. Fines for failure to comply with all of these regulations can be large, but it can also be difficult for all advisers in a given firm to remain compliant. There is less room for making mistakes when the processes they have to follow are leaner and simpler and there are fewer manual steps involved. This also means there are fewer distractions from making sure that complex rules are followed.

More Speed and Less Wastage

This is the essence of leanness in any organisation, but its importance cannot really be understated because it is a vital, fundamental principle that underpins many business’ efforts to maximise success. More speed and efficiency with less waste of time, effort and resources means that more business can be handled in the same amount of time by the same team. Often, the best way to boost efficiency and speed up processes is through the implementation of specialist IT solutions such as those offered by http://www.intelliflo.com/.

Better Customer Experience

Lean, efficient processes don’t just provide internal benefits for a business; they also have external benefits for that business’ customers. When processes are as fast and simple as possible, it translates into a better, faster and smoother experience for clients. This is always going to be helpful in attracting potential customers but is especially important in services such as financial advice where customers’ important personal affairs are involved. Providing them with a smooth, fast, efficient, and well-developed experience is a great way to boost their confidence in you as a reliable, professional business that can be trusted to handle their financial affairs. This is one of the most vital principles behind adviser-client relationships.

Guide

Top five qualities of a software tester

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Software flaws can be damaging and costly to repair. Even the most experienced developers make mistakes and there is always the possibility of bugs, security issues and other vulnerabilities. Software testing services will check for defects and errors and ensure that the product is functioning effectively before it is released.

Top five qualities of a software tester

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Working in the technology sector can be rewarding and varied, with high-end salaries, personal development opportunities and great job prospects available to the best candidates.

As technology and app development continues to evolve, there is an increasing demand for good software testers. How do you determine whether a career in software testing is for you? Here we take a look at five key attributes that are essential if you are to become a successful software tester.

Good communication skills

A good software tester must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. Reports and other documents created by the software tester will need to be easy to read and understand. Communicating with clients and software developers will require people skills, including tact and diplomacy.

Analytical skills

A sharp analytical mind will help you to gather and analyse information, solve problems and make decisions.

Attention to detail

The ability to focus on the fine detail is a crucial skill. Being able to do this without losing sight of the bigger picture is a rare talent and one that will help you to succeed.

Technical background

The demand for software testers with a solid technical background is higher than ever, and those with scripting and programming experience will have the upper hand. It is common for software testers to hold a computer science degree and certification in software testing.

Willingness to learn

With technology evolving at a rapid pace, you will need to be ready to adapt and keep up with the latest technology trends.

No matter how technologically advanced we become, there will always be a demand for software testing services. While software testing can be outsourced to companies such as www.mytesters.com, many organisations employ in-house specialists.

More and more companies are starting to recognise that they can actually reduce costs if a program is thoroughly tested before release, which means there are plenty of opportunities for experienced software testers or talented individuals looking to enter the profession.

Guide

Raising Your Game with Digital Marketing

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No business can ignore the impact of digital marketing in today’s increasingly connected age. Before you consider engaging professional support for web design in London, here is a look at some of the opportunities that SMEs should be investigating if they want to retain their competitive advantage.

Raising Your Game with Digital Marketing

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Social Media

Everyone knows about social media – or do they? Many business owners are simply not yet up to speed with the marketing opportunities that await on these social platforms. Whether you decide to have a presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or another platform, you must have a social marketing strategy that forms part of your broader marketing strategy.

The reality is that the majority of your customers will already be using at least one social media channel, and your competitors will be out there engaging with them. This means that you need to consider your own position and get educated about the digital world and the opportunities that it offers you. Many of today’s digital platforms are far cheaper to use than traditional print and other forms of marketing, and the benefits of targeted online advertising can be huge, offering far greater audience segmentation and analysis than ever before to help you refine your campaigns.

Apps

Increasingly, users are engaging with apps – smartphone applications that allow businesses to deliver specific functions or smartphone-enabled content. Apps needn’t be expensive to develop, but they do require a specialist developer. You can find a range of these skills and more by taking advantage of London web design by VizionOnline or an agency in your vicinity that specialises in digital marketing.

Websites

As an absolute essential, every business needs a website. This can be a brochure site or a more complex site that allows direct sales and customer self-service and which integrates with your business CRM and other systems. You’ll need to engage the services of a developer and designer to get started – you’ll find plenty of agencies that specialist in web design and can offer entire teams.

The Next Step

Before you consider your next digital step, consider using the services of a specialist agency. This will give you access to the skills that you need for a successful build and ensure you attain your goals whilst sticking to your budget.

Guide

Is SEO dead?

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If you are considering an online business, you have probably given a lot of thought to what your website should look like. No doubt you have thought about your branding and content, and perhaps you have chewed over the layout a little. More than likely you have also thought at least a little about search engine optimisation (SEO) and perhaps you have even consulted a London web design house; however, understanding what is acceptable and what is not is where things can get a little complex.Continue reading →

Guide

Why Your Business Needs an App

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There are many compelling reasons why your business needs an app. Our guide will help inspire you before you engage a digital agency that specialises in web design in Nottingham.

Why Your Business Needs an App

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Round-the-Clock Visibility

Figures suggest that the average US digital user now spends over two hours daily on a mobile device. Even if that time is typically spent on a few key apps – primarily social media, for example – other business apps have the chance to be seen every time the user swipes to access their apps screen. The human brain records every text, icon or image it sees on a subconscious but powerful level.

Direct Marketing

The beauty of apps is that they can provide a multitude of functions. For example, your business app might exist to provide information, a search tool, a news feed, a purchasing function, a messaging ability or booking forms. This gives you the ability to give your customers the information that you want them to see in a direct accessible way.

Customer Value

Many brands with loyalty schemes are now digitising old cards and making rewards collectible – and spendable – on their phones. This results in more app downloads and more engaged customers. There are even programs to help you create loyalty programs that are delivered by smartphones, such as PunchMe. When you speak to Nottingham web designers Web Fuel, you will find that they can advise on the strategic potential of your business app.

Brand Building

Apps can really help to build brands by being well designed and structured, being on-brand in their appearance and generally providing an experience that the customer will love. The more the end user engages with the app, they more likely they will be to purchase your offer.

Better Engagement

Apps are a powerful means of building user engagement, especially when they contain a messaging function to allow the user and the brand to directly communicate. Modern marketing is complex and busy, with a multitude of channels vying for attention and diluting messages. An app gives a business a chance to have a meaningful and high-value interaction with a customer and engage their loyalty by keeping the user close to the business.

What are your plans for building a business app?

Guide

How Mobile Technology Is Changing the Workplace

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Until very recently, business computing meant a desktop PC or, if you spent time on the road, a laptop. But changes in mobile technology have started to bring big changes. Epic Office Furniture Australia advise that mobile technology has changed the office layout and created the rise of the collaborative office environment. Whereas before there was the typical rigid cubical set-up with a meeting room for communication, mobile technology allows for an open collaborative space where teams can communicate openly and work simultaneously. Thanks to the fact that a smartphone or laptop now has computing power and connectivity to match the PCs of a few years ago, it’s now possible to use mobile devices as a gateway to business systems. Many business packages such as CRM and sales administration systems now offer mobile apps as add-ons. This still requires the use of software testing services to ensure that information can be accessed and records properly updated to reduce potential conflicts.

How Mobile Technology Is Changing the Workplace

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Rise of the Mobile

Many people now use a mobile as their main way of accessing the internet. We’re becoming a ‘mobile first’ society. This naturally has an impact on business, because what people can do at home they also expect to be able to do at work.

IT managers therefore need to cope with increased demand from users for work-supplied mobiles or to implement a bring your own device (BYOD) policy. This has a significant impact in terms of how corporate data is accessed and kept secure.

Network Considerations

Networks come under stress too, as more employees use mobile devices in the office, so there’s increased demand for wireless access. This means extra access points may be needed and also requires attention to network security.

Companies may turn to the likes of Bugfinders specialist software testers to ensure that there are no issues in accessing their information on particular types of device. It also means that admins will need a wider range of knowledge than they would have required in the past to deal with additional operating systems such as Android and iOS. Android is now the most popular mobile operating system, and it’s important that IT staff understand at least the basics surrounding its security.

The other big advantage of mobile devices is that they allow people to work from anywhere. That, of course, brings its own challenges in terms of using hotspots and networks that are outside the company’s control. This may require the use of technologies such as VPN in order to ensure that commercial information isn’t exposed.

One thing is certain: mobile devices aren’t going away.

Guide

A Newbie’s Guide to Building a Website from Scratch

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There are lots of reasons why you might want to build a website. Perhaps you have a small business and you want to expand your marketplace into the online world. Or maybe you are passionate about something and you want an outlet where you can write and post useful information to educate others. Whatever the reason, it isn’t as difficult to build a website as you might think. In fact you don’t even need any specialist knowledge. So if you are thinking about creating a website from scratch, here is a quick guide to get you started.Continue reading →

Guide

Top Web Design Myths Demystified

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Like many other areas, web design is no exception with regard to misleading information circulating about it. Many false notions about effective web design stem from people who know little about the industry or how a website works. Here are some of the top web design myths debunked.

Top Web Design Myths Demystified

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A mobile site isn’t necessary

Even if your website has been profitable for many years, don’t think this automatically means that you needn’t get your website optimised for mobile use. More and more of us are using mobile devices to search for content online. According to the Guardian 61% of users leave a website and look elsewhere if they don’t see what they’re looking for right away. If you’re not mobile friendly, you can expect to get left behind. And in the Spring of 2015 Google have introduced an algorithm that specifically targets sites that do not have

Local businesses don’t need a website

The old-fashioned notion that local businesses don’t need a website is very much outdated. Even if your customer base is centred within the area where you live, many people still like to find out information via a website about a business even if it is just down the road. If you’re a restaurant, for instance, customers might want to check out your menu online before making a visit, or they may check your site out to find directions.

Social media is a waste of time

If you own a website, avoid forming the opinion that social media is restricted to bored teenagers. Social media can have benefits for every business. According to Forbes 92% of marketers claim that social media is important for their business with 80% indicating their efforts boosted traffic to their websites.

Websites designed for free are fine

Although there are templates online that you can use to design a website for free, if you are a professional business looking to create a good impression, this isn’t a recommended option. It’s worth spending time and money investing in a website designed and put together by experts, like the SEO Gloucester agency, digitel.

Looks are everything

You won’t be able to get away with having a website that scores top marks for aesthetic appeal but zero for usability or functionality. A website needs to look good and work well for it to be a success. It should also be easy to navigate and contain information that is useful and relevant to its target audience.

Once you’ve got a website, you don’t need to change it

Technology does not stand still and in age where people are increasingly using different devices to view websites, you cannot rely on keeping your website the same as it was when it was first set up. Successful businesses will need to adapt their websites to make sure they take into account changes in technology, and they should also make sure they react to search engine optimisation methods to make the most of opportunities to boost rankings to their site. Stale content on a website will also not do your site any justice, so keep refreshing what you publish online and do not allow your website to stand still.