Workiz just released a new chatbot to help service-based small businesses with field service management to book appointments and more. Small Business Trends contacted Aviv Canaani, VP of Marketing at Workiz, to learn more. Workiz Field Service Management He explained how this product fills a gap. “Field service jobs start out with a phone call. Customers want information, estimates and to book services,” he writes. “Workiz Calls allows field service professionals to manage phone calls. That gets overlooked by competitors.” It provides call recording, call masking and performance tracking. Furthermore, it’s powered by advanced AI and machine-learning. Scheduling Service Appointments “Workiz released the Service Chatbot to schedule service appointments. It works directly from websites. Just like ordering a pizza… [Read More...]
Pricing Strategies for a Strong Bottom Line
A price strategy is every bit as important as what you’ve got to sell. After all, they dictate what you will charge for the goods and services you have on the market. In the end, getting these pricing strategies right is a bit of a balancing act. You’ll need to find that sweet spot between market demand and maximum profits. Here’s what you will need to consider to put together a good strategic pricing model. What is Pricing? Pricing is what you decide to charge for what you’re selling. Sounds easy but there is a little more to it than meets the eye. Any small business that wants to get this right needs to have a plan. Remember, finding the sweet spot is… [Read More...]
How to Start a Business Using Your Unemployment Money
Many Americans are, unfortunately, receiving unemployment compensation right now. But that could be an opportunity for would-be entrepreneurs. Have you considered starting a business with that unemployment money? And there’s a real need for innovation.Unemployment rose in the U.S. in April with the biggest monthly spike since 1948. Small Business Trends contacted Mike Nunez, Chief Communications Officer at Incfile, to find out how to get your business up and running this way. How to Start a Business with Unemployment Money “With unemployment on the rise, more and more Americans are applying for government assistance,” he writes. “The job market has significantly contracted, and the chances of finding new opportunities for employment are few and far between.” Drop The Job Search… [Read More...]
Small Business Loan Approval Rates Drop to Record Lows in April
According to a new index, small businesses are having a hard time getting the non government money they need from banks to stay open. This at a time when they need it the most. Specifically, the small business loan approval rate dropped to 8.9% in April from an all time high (28.3%) in February. That’s the lowest approval rating for SMB’s applying to big banks since The Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index™ began the report in January 2011. The news is no better with small banks. That approval rate has plummeted to 11.8% in April, down from 50.3% in February. The same goes for other lenders and even credit unions. Biz2Credit Lending Index April 2020 “Institutional lenders may be shying away from lending… [Read More...]
5 Ways to Encourage Employees to Come Back to Work
Are you worried your employees may not come back to work post pandemic? Some may fear for their safety. Others could be enjoying temporarily enhanced unemployment benefits. Either way, getting some employees back to work may be tougher than you originally thought. Small Business Trends contacted Arran Stewart, CVO and co-founder of Job.com who shared some helpful tips designed to encourage your employees to return. He supplied five ways small business owners can encourage their employees to come back to work. Encourage Employees Back to Work Post Pandemic He started out highlighting some of the obstacles left. “Fear will be the biggest hurdle for business owners,” Stewart writes. “We need a suitable vaccine or medical treatment. Until then, there will be continuous… [Read More...]
11 Types of Business Insurance You May Need
Getting the right kind of business insurance is important. It can help you to safeguard against a drop in sales, natural disasters and even unforeseen crises. Small Business Trends contacted Keith Moore of CyberPolicy to find out the types of business insurance your operation needs. Having the right type of insurance coverage is just as important as the goods and services you sell. He told us what’s important to get. Choosing the right type of insurance requires knowing exactly what you need. Types of Business Insurance your Operation Needs Below is a list of the different types of insurances for a business you’ll need. It’s a good starting point when you’re looking to find the right policy to insure your business. Having an… [Read More...]