Tags |
|
|
Links |
|
|
Hub You - Hot Business Trends for 2004... And Beyond: Maybe One Will Turn Into a Creative Business Idea for Yo
A school brand can start off as an intangible positive image that attracts the public to enrol their children there. An example is the perceived high teaching standards or an impressive list of sporting achievements. Many school administrators do not take a structured approach in developing the school brand and assume that through word of mouth, the school brand will prevail.This view is erroneous and arrogant. This article will provide relevant tips about developing a school brand.Alumni FeedbackThe best way to start is to conduct a feedback session with the Alumni who are presumed to have experienced the unique culture of the school for a number of years. They can be asked about what they perceived are the strengths of their alma mater.Teachers’ ExpertiseMany school administrators are ignorant that their school’s unique teaching materials and techniques can be legally protected as intellectual property of the school. This is to prevent competitor schools from using these as their own. However, it is also important to develop a culture of exchange and mutual research with other schools.School WebsiteAnother cost effective way is to develop the brand from the school website. This can be easily achieved by hosting online forums which discuss about various aspects of the school. Teachers, current students and alumni can use these online forums to interact and bring out new ideas an
Now let’s look at two of Entrepreneur’s picks for hot trends in 2004…
HOT TREND: Outdoor Living Spaces
Into gardening or design? According to Joanne Kostecky of the American Nursery & Landscape Association, and president of her own garden design company, the concept of outdoor living rooms that is so popular in the south and some urban areas is beginning to reach the rest of the country. The fact that more consumers are investing in courtyards and elaborate gardens means the gardening and outdoor design businesses are bound to grow!
HOT TREND: Fast-Casual Food
Health and taste conscious consumers on the go are turning to fast- casual restaurants and chains. In my own small town of Northampton, two of the more popular joints are benefiting from the fast-casual boom. One serves upscale burritos (my favorite is the Thai burritos) and the other is a hip soup, salad, and sandwich joint that opened in a greatly remodeled fo
English teachers with a few years experience under their belts often face a career crisis. To continue as an ordinary classroom teacher seems like stagnation so choices have to be made about how develop both professionally and personally. Specializing in English for business can be a fruitful move if the teacher is able to transfer existing skills to the business context.Let me deal with the prospects first. Teaching business people is recognized as a specialist field and the teacher often has to be a program planner and materials developer as well, so salaries are generally higher. The training can take place in dedicated centers, often residential, in-company or as a special program offered at a traditional language school, but wherever it takes place, the teacher will have to be able to deal with the people who are sponsoring the training and is thus answerable to a wider range of stakeholders. But by engaging in the corporate world, the trainer may find many opportunities to widen his or her range of training skills: interpersonal communications, written communications, cross-cultural communications and ultimately consultancy work in the communications field.However, the prospects will only open out to the kind of teacher who can adapt from the world of pedagogy to the corporate world. The clients are usually highly motivated and work in small groups or as individuals hence the te
I always look forward to the December issue of Entrepreneur magazine. That’s the issue that features the publisher’s annual pick of hot businesses, markets, and trends for smart entrepreneurs – or those who aspire to be.
Some of the high tech businesses cited like mobile gaming or online learning tend to require six and seven figure start up costs. This can seem daunting (although not impossible) for the person just venturing into self-employment. So I’ve decided to focus on the markets, trends, and businesses that speak to someone operating on a somewhat more limited budget. Let’s start with hot markets:
HOT MARKET: Middle-Aged Women
Since I’ve recently entered my last year in my 40s, I thought it only appropriate to start with this group (although like most boomers, I still have a hard time thinking of myself as anything close to “middle aged”). Not surprisingly, products and services for women in their 40s and 50s that center around anti-aging and menopause are hot. The magazine cites such promising areas as counseling, exercise spas, yoga, smoking cessation programs… any product or service that helps women stay healthy and feel good about themselves – both inside and out.
The reference to smoking cessation got me thinking… Residential treatment facilities for other forms of substance abuse are common- place, but I’ve personally never seen a retreat, spa, or other residential-type place specifically aimed at people who need help quitting smoking, and who would benefit from doing so outside their home environment. I’m picturing morning walks, meditation, massage, support groups, good food, and of course, lots and lots of punching bags!
HOT MARKET: Toddlers/Tweens/Teens
According to market research firm Packaged Facts, last year 5 to 14 year olds spent $10 billion on food and beverages. Other favorite product areas for kids are sports, fashion, music, and technology.
And apparently home d?cor and remodeling isn’t just for adults anymore (who knew?). Stores like IKEA and Pottery Barn are starting to selling home furnishing products aimed at teens.
With baby boomers having more discretionary income with which to spoil their grandchildren, babies and toddlers have also become hot markets. Online start-up ELittle Luxuries offers designer baby furniture and more than 600 other upscale baby items. (http://www.eLittleLuxuries.com)
HOT MARKET: Overweight People
After reading how much kids spend on food and beverages, it’s no surprise that 15% of children and teens are overweight. But we adults have them beat. A whopping 64% of Americans are considered obese or overweight. Businesses that offer products and services to help people slim down and develop more healthy habits are the most obvious. But entrepreneurs willing to think outside the “solve the problem” box by looking for ways to make overweight people’s lives easier verses trying to fix them, will also do well.
HOT MARKET: Metrosexuals
With the enormous appeal of stylish soccer super star David Beckham and shows like Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy where gay men help straight men with fashion, grooming, home d?cor, and social skills, a growing number of heterosexual men are allowing themselves to tap into their fashionable side.
One enterprising guy who jumped into the metrosexual market early has seen phenomenal growth. With $20,000 and a dream, Tom Granese launched Regiments, an online store that sells high-end grooming products for men. Less than two years later, Tom opened his first storefront in Dallas with a projected $210,000 in first year in-store sales.
HOT MARKET: Hispanics
The Hispanic market is certainly nothing new – in fact it’s made Entrepreneur’s list for many years now. The magazine cites opportunities in anything from food and entertainment, to financial services and Web services.
Now let’s look at two of Entrepreneur’s picks for hot trends in 2004…
HOT TREND: Outdoor Living Spaces
Into gardening or design? According to Joanne Kostecky of the American Nursery & Landscape Association, and president of her own garden design company, the concept of outdoor living rooms that is so popular in the south and some urban areas is beginning to reach the rest of the country. The fact that more consumers are investing in courtyards and elaborate gardens means the gardening and outdoor design businesses are bound to grow!
HOT TREND: Fast-Casual Food
Health and taste conscious consumers on the go are turning to fast- casual restaurants and chains. In my own small town of Northampton, two of the more popular joints are benefiting from the fast-casual boom. One serves upscale burritos (my favorite is the Thai burritos) and the other is a hip soup, salad, and sandwich joint that opened in a greatly remodeled for
The aim of every business owner, whether he is established or an aspiring entrepreneur is to generate maximum returns from his business venture. In the current times, advertising is the most important marketing tool. The options available for consumers are innumerable and only if a brand or a product can find a place in the customers' memory would it finally sell. And the only way of doing so is by advertising. Internet marketing advertising is gaining momentum and online advertising is one of the most effective means of getting across the USP of a company, product or a service, to consumers.Ideally an entrepreneur should hire a service provider who specializes in creating effective online advertising campaigns. This would help you understand your marketing goals, identify the challenges in achieving these goals, establish metrics for measuring success in achieving these goals, and following that implement an effective online marketing campaign that is custom made to suit your needs. Incase you don't intend doing so then you must make it a point to study other Internet marketing advertising campaigns. After a thorough understanding and research of existing campaigns of Internet marketing online advertising, you should take the decision and required steps towards designing an Internet marketing advertising campaign that can work effectively for your product or service. Even if you are considering free Internet advertising
The reference to smoking cessation got me thinking… Residential treatment facilities for other forms of substance abuse are common- place, but I’ve personally never seen a retreat, spa, or other residential-type place specifically aimed at people who need help quitting smoking, and who would benefit from doing so outside their home environment. I’m picturing morning walks, meditation, massage, support groups, good food, and of course, lots and lots of punching bags!
HOT MARKET: Toddlers/Tweens/Teens
According to market research firm Packaged Facts, last year 5 to 14 year olds spent $10 billion on food and beverages. Other favorite product areas for kids are sports, fashion, music, and technology.
And apparently home d?cor and remodeling isn’t just for adults anymore (who knew?). Stores like IKEA and Pottery Barn are starting to selling home furnishing products aimed at teens.
With baby boomers having more discretionary income with which to spoil their grandchildren, babies and toddlers have also become hot markets. Online start-up ELittle Luxuries offers designer baby furniture and more than 600 other upscale baby items. (http://www.eLittleLuxuries.com)
HOT MARKET: Overweight People
After reading how much kids spend on food and beverages, it’s no surprise that 15% of children and teens are overweight. But we adults have them beat. A whopping 64% of Americans are considered obese or overweight. Businesses that offer products and services to help people slim down and develop more healthy habits are the most obvious. But entrepreneurs willing to think outside the “solve the problem” box by looking for ways to make overweight people’s lives easier verses trying to fix them, will also do well.
HOT MARKET: Metrosexuals
With the enormous appeal of stylish soccer super star David Beckham and shows like Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy where gay men help straight men with fashion, grooming, home d?cor, and social skills, a growing number of heterosexual men are allowing themselves to tap into their fashionable side.
One enterprising guy who jumped into the metrosexual market early has seen phenomenal growth. With $20,000 and a dream, Tom Granese launched Regiments, an online store that sells high-end grooming products for men. Less than two years later, Tom opened his first storefront in Dallas with a projected $210,000 in first year in-store sales.
HOT MARKET: Hispanics
The Hispanic market is certainly nothing new – in fact it’s made Entrepreneur’s list for many years now. The magazine cites opportunities in anything from food and entertainment, to financial services and Web services.
Now let’s look at two of Entrepreneur’s picks for hot trends in 2004…
HOT TREND: Outdoor Living Spaces
Into gardening or design? According to Joanne Kostecky of the American Nursery & Landscape Association, and president of her own garden design company, the concept of outdoor living rooms that is so popular in the south and some urban areas is beginning to reach the rest of the country. The fact that more consumers are investing in courtyards and elaborate gardens means the gardening and outdoor design businesses are bound to grow!
HOT TREND: Fast-Casual Food
Health and taste conscious consumers on the go are turning to fast- casual restaurants and chains. In my own small town of Northampton, two of the more popular joints are benefiting from the fast-casual boom. One serves upscale burritos (my favorite is the Thai burritos) and the other is a hip soup, salad, and sandwich joint that opened in a greatly remodeled fo
A nice letter head logo design can be the best way to make a business known so clients and customers realize it is a company in which they can trust. This could not seem too important for a large and well-known company, but a logo could actually have a lot of influence on how the business it stands for fares in its market. Whether it is a big or small business, a logo can have a considerable impact to make people accept a company. That is why most companies give a lot of importance to this little symbol.If you are starting a new business, a letter head logo design must be at the top of your priority list, it must be a logo that represents correctly the ideas and interests of your company. Also it is of great help to give a good first impression of a business to their potential customers. That is why a logo design letterhead is a key element to get brand recognition for a business. It advertises a product and makes it look good to customers. The marketing of a brand can be successful if it includes a well designed letter head logo.But, what can make a logo design look good? There are several factors, one of the main factors is originality. A good letter head logo must be one of a kind and be able to stand on its own. It must not be similar to the logo design of other brands. All you need is some creativity and not to copy parts of other logos. If you think you are not able to design professional logo by yourself o
With baby boomers having more discretionary income with which to spoil their grandchildren, babies and toddlers have also become hot markets. Online start-up ELittle Luxuries offers designer baby furniture and more than 600 other upscale baby items. (http://www.eLittleLuxuries.com)
HOT MARKET: Overweight People
After reading how much kids spend on food and beverages, it’s no surprise that 15% of children and teens are overweight. But we adults have them beat. A whopping 64% of Americans are considered obese or overweight. Businesses that offer products and services to help people slim down and develop more healthy habits are the most obvious. But entrepreneurs willing to think outside the “solve the problem” box by looking for ways to make overweight people’s lives easier verses trying to fix them, will also do well.
HOT MARKET: Metrosexuals
With the enormous appeal of stylish soccer super star David Beckham and shows like Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy where gay men help straight men with fashion, grooming, home d?cor, and social skills, a growing number of heterosexual men are allowing themselves to tap into their fashionable side.
One enterprising guy who jumped into the metrosexual market early has seen phenomenal growth. With $20,000 and a dream, Tom Granese launched Regiments, an online store that sells high-end grooming products for men. Less than two years later, Tom opened his first storefront in Dallas with a projected $210,000 in first year in-store sales.
HOT MARKET: Hispanics
The Hispanic market is certainly nothing new – in fact it’s made Entrepreneur’s list for many years now. The magazine cites opportunities in anything from food and entertainment, to financial services and Web services.
Now let’s look at two of Entrepreneur’s picks for hot trends in 2004…
HOT TREND: Outdoor Living Spaces
Into gardening or design? According to Joanne Kostecky of the American Nursery & Landscape Association, and president of her own garden design company, the concept of outdoor living rooms that is so popular in the south and some urban areas is beginning to reach the rest of the country. The fact that more consumers are investing in courtyards and elaborate gardens means the gardening and outdoor design businesses are bound to grow!
HOT TREND: Fast-Casual Food
Health and taste conscious consumers on the go are turning to fast- casual restaurants and chains. In my own small town of Northampton, two of the more popular joints are benefiting from the fast-casual boom. One serves upscale burritos (my favorite is the Thai burritos) and the other is a hip soup, salad, and sandwich joint that opened in a greatly remodeled fo
The U.S. market has seen an upsurge in the demand for imported vehicles in recent years. The main consumer of imported vehicles is the average American working class. Many people find that certain car models combine space, power and safety. Figures from the automobile market provide ample evidence of increased usage of imported vehicles. The registration of imported vehicles has shown an increase of nearly 57%, whereas that of domestic vehicles shows a growth of only about 9%. The growing trend can also be seen in the sales figures of different domestic cars in comparison with their imported equivalents. Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have sold more cars than Ford, Buick, Cadillac and Lincoln respectively.Besides passenger cars, it the sports vehicles that make up a considerable portion of imported vehicles. Reasons for this may vary, from pure fancy to exacting technical specifications that give a reliable performance in the racing arena. Drag racing enthusiasts in the U.S. are the main consumers for cars that perform well on maximum speed in minimum time.Another popular segment of the import car market is the sports utility vehicles or SUVs. They combine power, safety and speed, and the target consumers of these vehicles are adventurers and off-roaders.The top segment of the import market is occupied by luxury cars meant for those who can afford to indulge themselves in purchasing unique vehicl
HOT MARKET: Metrosexuals
With the enormous appeal of stylish soccer super star David Beckham and shows like Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy where gay men help straight men with fashion, grooming, home d?cor, and social skills, a growing number of heterosexual men are allowing themselves to tap into their fashionable side.
One enterprising guy who jumped into the metrosexual market early has seen phenomenal growth. With $20,000 and a dream, Tom Granese launched Regiments, an online store that sells high-end grooming products for men. Less than two years later, Tom opened his first storefront in Dallas with a projected $210,000 in first year in-store sales.
HOT MARKET: Hispanics
The Hispanic market is certainly nothing new – in fact it’s made Entrepreneur’s list for many years now. The magazine cites opportunities in anything from food and entertainment, to financial services and Web services.
Now let’s look at two of Entrepreneur’s picks for hot trends in 2004…
HOT TREND: Outdoor Living Spaces
Into gardening or design? According to Joanne Kostecky of the American Nursery & Landscape Association, and president of her own garden design company, the concept of outdoor living rooms that is so popular in the south and some urban areas is beginning to reach the rest of the country. The fact that more consumers are investing in courtyards and elaborate gardens means the gardening and outdoor design businesses are bound to grow!
HOT TREND: Fast-Casual Food
Health and taste conscious consumers on the go are turning to fast- casual restaurants and chains. In my own small town of Northampton, two of the more popular joints are benefiting from the fast-casual boom. One serves upscale burritos (my favorite is the Thai burritos) and the other is a hip soup, salad, and sandwich joint that opened in a greatly remodeled fo
Many companies find payroll to be monotonous and taxing. This is so because of the many government authorities– federal, state and local-- who tax payrolls in America, plus the numerous unions, banks and credit unions, and health insurance plans that people can barely keep up with. Online payroll services help eliminate the stress and confusion related to payroll processing. One of the best benefits of submitting payroll online is the speed, precision and safety of the process.Submitting payroll was never made easier or, in some instances, even fun. Welcome to the world of online accounting!Completing your payroll online is quick and economical. Checks, previews and reports can be printed from anybody’s desktop. The company on the other side of this online payroll interface will provide the customer with hard copies or reports and paychecks, which if asked for can be personally delivered. The final payroll reports will be sent to the company via email within two hours or less of entering the relevant data.Online payroll processing resolves the issue surrounding storage space and paper wastage. Besides, a password-protected website will assure the customer of total professional confidentiality. These online payroll services also include 401(K) administration.What exactly is a 401(K)? It is a type of retirement plan offered by the employer. The idea is to let the employee decide what amount from the
Now let’s look at two of Entrepreneur’s picks for hot trends in 2004…
HOT TREND: Outdoor Living Spaces
Into gardening or design? According to Joanne Kostecky of the American Nursery & Landscape Association, and president of her own garden design company, the concept of outdoor living rooms that is so popular in the south and some urban areas is beginning to reach the rest of the country. The fact that more consumers are investing in courtyards and elaborate gardens means the gardening and outdoor design businesses are bound to grow!
HOT TREND: Fast-Casual Food
Health and taste conscious consumers on the go are turning to fast- casual restaurants and chains. In my own small town of Northampton, two of the more popular joints are benefiting from the fast-casual boom. One serves upscale burritos (my favorite is the Thai burritos) and the other is a hip soup, salad, and sandwich joint that opened in a greatly remodeled former Taco Bell restaurant.
Idea: Back in my old softball days I always wished someone would cater to all those hungry players and fans by starting a high quality food wagon.
Other Hot Trends… Boating and water sports, the hunger for low- carb foods (a trend being taken seriously by restaurants, grocery stores, and food manufacturers), oils and sauces, and multiculturalism which includes the gay and lesbian markets.
Hot markets and hot trends lead to hot businesses. Here are some of Entrepreneur’s picks…
HOT BUSINESS: Children’s Enrichment Programs
With so many parents in the workforce, more kids than ever before are engaged in extracurricular and after school activities. If you like the idea of working with kids, you can opt to open a physical location like a gym, dance or art studio, or camp, take your program into the schools, or provide private lessons.
If you think opening your own place is financially out of reach, think again. While $12,000 is no small sum of money, it’s a lot less than a lot of people might expect they’d need to shell out to start their own dance studio. But that’s how much former dance student turned instructor Archer Alstaettter dug up in cash and credit cards to found Dance Emotion in Irvine, California. That was five years ago. Today Archer’s studio has 500 clients and expects 600-plus to be enrolled by spring. You go Archer!
HOT BUSINESS: Home Improvement
Remodeling, refurbishing, and redecorating are all the rage. There are some 30 cable shows on home improvement alone. And home improvement isn’t all about d?cor. Worth noting are businesses that help home owners maximize the space they have as well as those making homes more accessible to an aging population. (To read about a unique, highly successful, and legitimate home business opportunity that matches home owners with reputable home repair contractors go to http://www.ChangingCourse.com/hrnsuccess.htm)
HOT BUSINESS: Yoga & Pilates
According to Entrepreneur, companies are bending over backwards to cater to the growing market of people practicing yoga. Clothes, mats, DVDs, music, and classes aimed at seniors, pregnant women and children as young as three are just a few products and services aimed at this growing market.
And with a reported 47 million Americans taking Pilates, a work out that builds abdominal muscles, opportunities abound for gym owners and instructors alike. If you like the idea of teaching Pilates, studio owner Maria Leone recommends starting out by keeping overhead low. She suggests renting space for one-on-one sessions from a small gym or chiropractic office. Fees for a typical Pilates session range from $50 to $70 an hour. Meditate on that!
HOT BUSINESS: Upscale Pet Services
According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, Americans spent an estimated $31 billion on pets in 2003. A few of the luxury services cited include pet hotels complete with heated floors, limousine rides, day cruises, and personal shoppers. And apparently the spa trend has extended to the pet world with exfoliating treatments, aromatherapy, liposuction (I kid you not), and chiropractic services.
HOT BUSINESS: Outsourcing
Outsourcing is one of those good new-bad news things. If your job is being eliminated because it’s cheaper for your company to outsource functions like HR, accounting, and network security, then outsourcing is a bad thing. Outsourcing is particularly hot in IT – and when it comes to outsourcing jobs overseas, it’s also controversial. The good news for freelancers is the federal government plans to open 850,000 jobs to outsourcing, with $85 billion in federal IT contracts to be awarded over the next three years
Other Hot Businesses: Spas, organic foods, online matchmaking, senior care, wireless, tech security, and voice
HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
<a href="http://www.iadvice.info/article/13746/iadvice-Hot-Business-Trends-for-2004-And-Beyond-Maybe-One-Will-Turn-Into-a-Creative-Business-Idea-for-Yo.html">Hot Business Trends for 2004... And Beyond: Maybe One Will Turn Into a Creative Business Idea for Yo</a>
BB link (for phorums):
[url=http://www.iadvice.info/article/13746/iadvice-Hot-Business-Trends-for-2004-And-Beyond-Maybe-One-Will-Turn-Into-a-Creative-Business-Idea-for-Yo.html]Hot Business Trends for 2004... And Beyond: Maybe One Will Turn Into a Creative Business Idea for Yo[/url]
Related Articles:
The Fundamentals of Motivation
How to Job Search Without Losing Your Job - Keep Discrete So You Leave When You Want To
Bookmark it:
|