What Are the 5 Areas of Personal Finance You Need To Improve On?

One of the major reasons we fail to secure a financially stable life is because we are unaware of the things that we need to put in place to make it right. Having the basic personal financial skills is one of the most important things we can do to live a healthy and happy life. It is also important to know what the key areas of our personal finance is so that we can keep focus on while creating a road map for our financial well being.

In this article we will look at different aspects of personal finance to give an idea about how your complete financial picture should look like. The height at which you understand these basic will greatly impact your life. This article covers all you need to know about personal finance and all that relates to the subject.

Before deep delving into the topic, it is important to note that there are 5 areas of personal finance.  There are saving, investing, financial protection, tax planning and retirement planning, but in no particular order. 

What are the 5 areas of personal finance? The areas of personal finances are 5. 

• Savings: You need to keep money aside as savings to cover any sudden financial need. 

• Investing: Investing is important to grow money so that you can achieve what you aspire.

• Financial protection: Now, financial protection through insurance ensures you and your family are able to sail through during the hard times.

• Tax planning: With proper tax planning, i.e. making adequate expenditure/investment, you can bring down your taxable income, eventually saving a lot of money every year.

• Retirement planning: Finally, retirement planning is crucial to ensure that you have a big bank balance meant solely for your needs during the twilight years.

These are the important aspects of a complete financial picture and we will discuss each of the 5 areas in full further detail: 

1. Savings: 

The need for sudden money can come at anytime. That is why saving money is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it helps you to manage your expenses and avoid overspending. By setting aside a certain amount of money each month, you can ensure that you have enough money to cover your basic needs, such as food, rent, and bills.

Secondly, personal savings can provide a safety net in case of emergencies. It is essential to have some money saved up for unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or car repairs. By having a savings account, you can avoid going into debt or relying on credit cards to cover such expenses. It also provides peace of mind and reduces financial stress.

Thirdly, savings can help you to achieve your long-term financial goals, such as buying a house, starting a business, or retiring comfortably. When you set aside money regularly, you can accumulate a significant amount over time and use it to achieve your goals. 

However, such emergency events can be dealt with if we have enough savings to cover the need. As a thumb rule, the fund for your emergency needs should be three to six month of your expenses. 

2. Investing: 

The majority of people consider investment and savings to be synonymous. The point is they are different. Savings as we have earlier stated are excesses from your income after all expenses. While investment involves purchasing assets such as mutual funds, real estate, stocks, bonds, etc. with your money with the expectation to generate a rate of return. Investment comes with a lot of risks. This is because not all assets actually end up yielding ROI. 

Now talking in terms of investment, mutual funds are an excellent investment option if it is done right. However, while investing in mutual funds it is essential to be mindful about choosing the right fund for your investment, otherwise it might turn counterproductive.

Now what funds should one pick as per their financial goals?

Short term goals: The goals that need to be achieved within three years are short term goals. From saving for a trip to saving for a phone, there are multiple things for which one needs to arrange funds within this timeframe.

Mid-term goals: If you have set a goal for yourself that needs to be achieved within three to five years, for example downpayment for a house, it can be termed as mid term goals.

Long term goals: Milestone events like retirement, children education, their marriage, i.e. the goals for which the timeframe is minimum of 5 years are termed as long term goals.

3. Financial protection: We might have different dreams in life and create investment plans to turn those dreams into reality. But unless we protect them with a safety net, the same can turn into a liability. That safety net is insurance.  This is a wide array of products that you can use to guide against unforeseen occurrences. In the case of finances this is generally purchasing some type of insurance. Insurance is a means of protection from financial loss. It is a form of risk management, and it can be used to prevent the risk of a contingent or uncertain loss. There are 4 kinds of insurance we all need which I will discuss  below.

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created to provide some financial education assistance and financial tools to consumers that desire to have the facts about financial matters. For more information visit, www.cfpb.gov.

1. Term insurance

It is a kind of life insurance that ensures that your family or dependents do not have to go through financial hardship if you die early. As compared to other health insurance products, the sum assured for term insurance is higher as against the premium amount. Now if you calculate it correctly, then you can account for day-to-day expenses of your family, a retirement corpus for your spouse, cover for your liabilities like – home loan, and children’s education in the sum assured.

2. Health insurance and Critical Illness insurance

Having health insurance ensures that you do not have to pay from your pocket in case you or any of your family members have taken ill. Health insurance covers all costs for treatment of the insured like hospitalisation, medication, pre and post hospitalisation expenses etc. Meanwhile you can opt for critical insurance along with your basic health policy. In case you are diagnosed with one of the critical illnesses mentioned in your policy, the insurance company will pay you the sum assured.

3. Mortgage Protection insurance

Mortgage protection insurance pays off your mortgage if you die during the term of the mortgage. It ensures the loan or mortgage for home, car, property etc. does not become a liability for your family, in case you die early.

4. Personal Accidental insurance

In case you meet with an accident and get seriously injured, or become partially or fully injured, the insurance company will pay the sum assured to cover the expenses for treatment and also loss of income. Meanwhile, if you die during the accident, the lumpsum amount will be paid to your family. The payable amount, however, is dependent on the fatality of the accident.

Having financial goals is very important to provide you and your family with financial freedom and security. The earlier you start having a financial plan, the better.

5. Retirement planning

Retirement is one of the most crucial stages our life, and it can be as blissful or as miserable depending upon how we have planned for it. It holds true for financial planning too. 

There are two aspect to consider when planning for retirement. First, is saving for retirement and second is, generating income from your assets during retirement. And, here are the two steps:–

1. Building a retirement corpus: Saving for retirement is crucial for two reasons majorly – loss of income and increased life expectancy. Let’s assume that you retire at 60 and live up to 85. How do you plan to fund your expenses for 25 years after retirement, at a time when you do not have any steady income? 

Plus, considering inflation, i.e. the rise in prices of goods and services for regular use, your expenses will be much higher after retirement than it is today. For example, if your monthly expenses are Rs 35,000 right now, it would be Rs 80,000 per month in 20 years, considering you would want to maintain similar living standards.

Now, building a fund as large as a retirement corpus is a lifelong process. So, the earlier you start saving, the better it is.

2. Generating income during retirement: As much as it is important to ensure that you are saving enough for your retirement while you are working, it is equally important that you channel that corpus correctly after retirement. Making the right investments will ensure that you have a steady income as long as you live.

Investment options for generating income during retirement: STP withdrawal/transfer from Mutual Funds, life insurance annuity, and rental income. 

Saving money is an important part of personal finance and can provide financial stability and independence. According to a rule of thumb, don’t spend more than you earn. The instant this starts happening, debt is imminent. Although going into debt can be very helpful. But this is when you borrow to secure an asset with the expectation of a return. 

The process by which you manages your personal finances is usually summarized in your financial plan or a budget. Having all the aspects of a complete financial picture in one frame ensures that your financial future is just picture-perfect.

How to Get Out of Debt Faster in 6 Months Strategies that Work

The road to debt freedom can be tough. But remember, your future is worth the work you put in today. There are a lot of things you can do to get out of debt fast. But without the right plan, it’s hard to make progress and even harder to keep yourself from going back into debt later.

One of the quickest way to be debt-free is committing to filing bankruptcy, but you need to understand your options and the consequences that come with having a bankruptcy on your credit report. Read to the end to find out everything you need to know about bankruptcy.

Learn Budgeting

Your first step to be debt free is to build a budget to pay off  existing debts. It’s easy to lose control of debt when you’re not tracking your spending. Budgeting is a big part of staying out of debt, but it can also help you pay off debt faster.

You need to create a budget that gives you a clear idea of how you spend and save your money. If you have excess credit card debt, budgeting can give you valuable insight into where your income goes each month. Use a budgeting spreadsheet can also help track your spending habit for a month and to see where you can allocate more income toward repaying debt.

• You can try to also incorporate a 50/30/20 budget: Meaning, you split your income into three categories: 50% goes toward your needs, 30% goes toward “wants” and 20% goes toward savings and debt repayment.

• Zero-based budget: At the end of each month, your income minus your expenses should equal zero. This helps you account for every dollar earned, including debt repayment and savings.

• Envelope budget: Categorize your spending into virtual “envelopes,” such as food, utilities and housing. Allocate your budget at the beginning of the month to cut down on superfluous spending.

• Minimalist lifestyle: Cut regular but unnecessary expenses, such as eating out or gratuitous shopping trips, to maximize savings. Dedicate any remaining income to debt repayment.

You can also utilize an online debt payoff calculator to determine how much you should allocate toward your debt in order to pay it off within a certain time. This gives you a clearer image of how much you’ll pay every month and how much you’ll pay in interest in the long run. You can customize your strategy to pay off debt based on how much you can put aside each month.

You may able to reduce the cost of your borrowing, this will make repaying your debts cheaper and free up more money to pay off what you already owe.

Credit cards

You could also look at your credit card statement to see what you’re being charged in interest. Reducing the interest rate and amount owing on your credit cards will also help reduce your debt.

Improving your credit score can also help you get out of debt quick. When you have a low score, you almost always pay higher interest rates on everything from credit cards to personal loans.

If your credit score is high enough, you can make significant savings by transferring your debt onto a balance transfer card with a 0% credit period. This will enable you to focus on repaying your debt without interest charges boosting it further. You may have to pay a fee, but the savings normally outweigh this cost.

If you’ve previously missed credit card payments or have a lower credit score, you may not be eligible for a 0% balance transfer card. However, you may still be able to find a card with a lower rate than your current one.

With any balance transfer card, it’s important to remember that its purpose is debt repayment - that means you need to be disciplined and not purchase anything with the new card.

You should also look at how long your interest-free or discount period lasts and ensure you repay your debt before it runs out. Otherwise, you’ll start paying interest again, and simply paying the card’s minimum repayment is unlikely to be enough to clear your debt.

Loans

If you have a fixed rate secured or unsecured loan, you’ll probably have to pay to move to a cheaper option. However, it’s always worth checking.

Work out whether you could save money by moving your loan and then ask your lender how many monthly payments you have left and the outstanding balance. You should also check whether there are any penalties if you repay the loan early.

Increase your debt repayments

One of the easiest way to take control of your finances is to know exactly how much you owe, how much money you have coming in and, with luck, your outgoings are lower.

That means you should be ready to start focusing on your debts and using the money you have freed up to repay them.  

Pay off as much as you can each month. Not only will this speed up your debt repayment, but it will also save you money in interest too. Setting up debt repayments by direct debit can make sticking to your plan easier.

Stop taking on new debt

If you borrow money from one source to pay another, you’re shuffling debt around instead of paying it off. Sometimes this can be beneficial, like opening a new balance transfer credit card to take advantage of a 0% APR introductory period or consolidating your debt into a personal loan with a lower interest rate. 

When you are trying to pay down debt, you must stop taking on new loan. Don’t open new credit cards or apply for loans unless you have strategic reasons, and freeze all unnecessary spending.

Mortgages

A mortgage is likely to be your most considerable monthly expense, so if you can save money on your mortgage, it could make a big difference to the amount of money you have to tackle other debts.

If you’re currently on a standard variable rate mortgage, you could be paying more than you need, and remortgaging could be a simple way to reduce your monthly bills.

Remortgaging with your existing lender can be a good option because you don’t have all the costs of switching to another bank or building society.

An independent mortgage adviser will be able to explain your options and help you work out the exact cost of moving your mortgage. Remember, remortgaging is only worthwhile if it saves you money.

In all likelihood, you won’t be able to save money by remortgaging if you are on a fixed deal. This is because the penalty fees are likely to outweigh the benefits of a better rate.

However, you should still make a note in your diary so that you’re ready when your rate does run out. Then you can switch straight away and start making savings.

Make a grocery shopping list.

One of the easiest ways to save money at the grocery store  is to make a list. Whether you like to write down your grocery needs on a piece of paper or you prefer using a grocery list app. 

But here’s the thing about making a list: You have to stick to it. Especially if you're shopping with kids.

Once you’re debt-free: Learn how to stay out of debt

Becoming debt-free is a difficult task, so it’s important to build better habits going forward so you don’t find yourself in the same situation again. Stay out of debt by monitoring your budget, building your savings and working on increasing your income. 

It’s important that you don’t sacrifice your emergency savings for debt repayment. You should always be saving at least some money in an emergency fund. That way, when you’re hit with a big, unexpected expense, you don’t need to resort to taking out debt again.

Many professionals advise that you have between three and six months’ worth of expenses saved up in case of emergency. If that seems like a lot, start small; create your emergency fund by saving up one week’s worth of expenses, then one month, and build from there. Here are a few traps to avoid as you step your way to debt freedom:

1. Debt Consolidation

You’ve probably heard of it. And maybe you’ve even fallen prey to it. But hear us out: Debt consolidation is a bad idea.

With consolidation, combining your debts for a lower interest rate will make you feel like you’ve done something to help your situation. In reality, though, it’s only going to keep you in debt longer—because debt consolidation often means a longer repayment term.

The only form of debt consolidation we can get behind is for student loans. And that’s only if you consolidate your student loans the right way.

2. Credit Card Balance Transfers

Just like debt consolidation, credit card balance transfers will only offer you a temporary solution. Sure, it might give you a little extra breathing room in your paycheck, but it’ll keep you in debt for longer.

Why? Because you’ll be tempted to spend those “extra” dollars on something other than your debt. Remember, the only way to get out of debt fast is by throwing everything you have at it—until it’s gone.

3. Filing for Bankruptcy

When you don’t have enough money to pay the light bill or buy food, it’s beyond terrifying. But bankruptcy is rarely the answer. If you feel like bankruptcy is your only option, it’s time to slow down, take a deep breath, and remember there’s hope.

Bankruptcy is the last thing you should consider. Before you go there, do everything you can to avoid it. If you’re feeling like you have no other choice, please talk with a Ramsey Preferred Coach first. They can offer hope by walking you through other options.

Conclusion 

If you  are a low income earner, getting out of debt doesn’t have to be far-fetched. Follow these strategies will help in your journey of become a debt-free by eliminating those pesky balances. You could consider a debt consolidation loan if you have several debts with high interest rates to help you get out of debt faster. 

Taking action sooner than later will help you improve your credit score and get one step closer to attaining financial freedom.

10 Best Sales Strategies to Increase Sales Fast | Most Effective for Success

A sales strategy is defined as a documented plan for positioning and selling your product or service to qualified buyers in a way that differentiates your solution from your competitors. A sales strategy is also a set of decisions, actions, and goals that inform how your sales team positions the organization and its products to close new customers. 

Sales strategies are meant to provide clear objectives and guidance to your sales organization. They typically include key information like growth goals, KPIs, buyer personas, sales processes, team structure, competitive analysis, product positioning, and specific selling methodologies.

Most of these guidelines are helpful for communicating goals and keeping your sales reps on the same page. Where most sales strategies fall short, however, is that they’re too focused on the internal workings of your organization. The actual skills needed to have winning conversations with buyers—along with the messages reps need to be successful—are merely an afterthought.

When you boil it down, the goal of every sales strategy is to make sure your salespeople hit their quota, right? And it’s the messaging element—what salespeople say, do, and write in order to create perceived value—that wins or loses the deal.

To truly be effective, your organization’s sales strategy needs to focus on customer conversations. These skillfully delivered conversations are what creates a distinctive purchase experience, demonstrates value for your buyers, and separates your company from the competition.

How do you create the best and most effective sales strategy? You can’t just hope someone will stumble upon your product and purchase it, though. But the only way a business succeeds is by earning customers and growing sales from that service, product, or information.

The problem is, most sales strategies are too internally focused. They succeed in documenting internal procedures but lose sight of the messages and skills your reps need to communicate value to your prospects and customers.

Consider the following insights when creating a sales strategy:

• Research from SiriusDecisions shows that the number-one inhibitor to sales achieving quota is an “inability to communicate a value message.”

• In corresponding research in which SiriusDecisions asked executive customers about the quality of interactions with salespeople, only 10 percent said sales calls provide enough value to warrant the time they spent on them.

• A Forrester Research study revealed that only 15 percent of sales calls add enough value, according to executives surveyed.

• The Forrester study also showed that just seven percent of surveyed executives say they would probably schedule a follow-up.

In this guide, we'll dig into some sales strategies and initiatives that can help you generate more leads and close more deals. If you can improve every step of your sales process by even a little, you can increase sales by a lot.

1. Clearly Define Your Customer

First, you need to know who you’re targeting. Who is the person who would most likely buy your product and buy it immediately?

Create an avatar of that customer. Ask yourself specific questions about them:How old are they?

• Are they male or female?
• Do they have children?
• How much money do they make?
• What are they interested in?
• What are their priorities?

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you create more accurate messaging around your product and target the right audience in your marketing efforts.

Identify The Problem You’re Trying To Solve

When you’re sure you have a clear understanding of your ideal customer, their pain points, and their desires, then you can understand how you can help. This is commonly referred to as consultative selling, where you consult with the customer and find out what they need.

What problem does your product or service solve? How does it address the pain point of your customer?

If you have identified your customer correctly, and know how your product helps solve their problem, they’ll buy it from you. If, however, the customer you have defined doesn’t have this problem, they won’t buy your product.

All great success and all great fortunes come from serving people with what they want and are willing to pay for better than someone else. By adopting a “help” rather than “sell” mindset, you can understand how to serve people better and provide incredible customer service.

Try The 100-Calls Method

If fear of rejection is what’s keeping you from starting sales conversations, I have an exercise that will help you gain more confidence and generate more leads called the 100-call method. Reach out to 100 customers as fast as possible, either by phone call or personalized email.

The goal is to practice talking to people, not necessarily to see results — though that may happen!

When you do this, you’ll not only become fearless of picking up the phone but you’ll also learn how people respond to your pitch and become a better salesperson because of it. Just be sure not to sacrifice the quality of the call just to check it off your list.

You never know who could turn into a paying customer.

 
Utilize Ads

Sometimes it makes sense to spend money in order to make money, but it doesn’t have to take a lot. With the right ad, even a small budget can be effective and increase leads. You just have to know who your audience is, where you want to reach them, and for how long. Consider Google, Facebook, and Instagram ads, depending on where your customer is at.

When utilizing ads as part of your strategy to increase sales, it’s a good idea to run tests. Ad tests will help you learn the process of creating ads, help you better understand your audience, and ensure your budget is put to good use.

2. Speak to the customer deciding journey, not your sales process

A sales process is a set of repeatable steps that a salesperson uses to lead a prospect to purchase. Typically, the sales process involves several steps like prospecting, qualifying, discovering needs, negotiating, and closing. This would be an ideal checklist to follow if all your buyers were robots being taken through an assembly line. But that’s just not the reality.

Selling today isn’t a predictable progression that you’ve decided is how your prospects and customers should buy. What you’re really up against today is a Customer Deciding Journey—a series of key questions your buyers are asking as they look to address specific business goals.

Instead of being “program-centric” with a one-size-fits-all sales strategy, you need to be problem-centric, addressing the specific needs of your buyers as they arise with situationally relevant messages, content, and the skills to deliver them.

3. Implement a free trial.

Offering a free trial or freemium version of your product is a highly effective way to convert prospects. HubSpot’s sales strategy report found that free trials were 76% effective followed by a freemium option with 69% effective in turning prospects into paying customers.

Free trials give potential customers the opportunity to test your product out before committing. You can place restrictions on your free version like limited features or usage caps. In addition to providing prospects a risk-free chance to try your product, free trials also help build brand loyalty and expand your customer base. Prospects that have a positive experience using the free version will be more likely to convert to the paid version.

4. Increase Sales By Presenting The Product Effectively

Presenting your product effectively will help you increase sales by increasing conversion rates, the rate at which you convert leads into paying customers.

Your conversion rate is the measure of the effectiveness of your sales efforts. In order to help drive conversion rates, you need to work on developing your pitch in a clear, effective way. Here’s how to do that.

 
Develop Your Competitive Advantage

The odds are good that you’re not the only one selling your specific product or service. So it’s critical to be able to explain the benefits or results your customers will receive from purchasing your product or service that they will not get when purchasing the product or service of your competitor.

In order to develop your competitive advantage, you need to know what else is out there.

What are your competitors’ claims? What are the benefits they’re selling? How is what you’re offering different?

You should be able to express why people should choose your product or service over others on the market if you want to be growing sales.

 
Pick The Right Price

The price you set for your product or service is important. Not only does it affect your profits, but it also affects the perceived value of what you’re offering.

Before you determine it, you need to fully understand the costs associated with producing the product and get a feel for what your ideal customer would be willing to pay for it. You also need to know what your competitors are charging for similar products or services.

One of the best sales strategies is to beat your competitor’s price, however, you also have to make money. If you can make your product seem superior to your competitors, you may be able to charge a higher price. Keep this in mind and use it to help you set the perfect price.

 
Make Sure Your Messaging Is Clear

When it comes to learning how to market a product or service, clarity is critical. Pick one to two key benefits that your product offers and state them clearly in all the content that is part of your sales and marketing strategy. This will ensure the story you’re telling about your product is aligned across all of your marketing channels and your customers know exactly what it is you’re selling.

 
Market Content On Multiple Channels

As part of your ongoing strategy to increase sales, you should be continually seeking creative ways to improve your advertising and promotional efforts to reach new customers.

There are so many mediums out there including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Youtube, email, blogs, podcasts — even traditional print materials such as magazines and newspapers — that can get your message and product out to the right audience.

5. Provide a personalized, clear end result.

When customers come to your business, they aren’t necessarily looking for a product or service, they’re looking for their desired end result. These customers want to purchase a means to improve their own operation, or simply improve their strategies with the help of your offering.

After you explain your product or service offering, you have to personalize the benefits to each client in a way that’s valuable to them. If you’re selling customer service software to a small business that has no experience with one, it’s your job to educate them on its use in the setting of a small business, not to manage hundreds of employees in larger ones. By doing so they will have an easier time seeing how they can use it and spend less time debating what they’ll use it for.

By painting a clear picture of the end result, your customer will be able to see the value of the purchase and feel more inclined to accept the offer.

6. Be willing to adapt your offering.

In sales conversations, you should expect to come across clients with unique demands. It’s only natural when working with companies of different structures and needs.

Instead of saying “you won’t” or “you can’t” — make sure your sales strategy is adaptable to accommodate the customer’s desire.

7. Tailor your sales strategy for customer expansion

Most sales and marketing teams spend the majority of their budgets and effort on customer acquisition and demand generation. Meanwhile, the majority of your annual revenue likely comes from your existing customers, through renewals and upsells.

Nearly half of the companies surveyed by Corporate Visions invest less than 10 percent of their marketing budgets in customer retention and expansion. Clearly, your customers are highly underrated yet powerful growth engines within your company. And you shouldn’t overlook the potential of this untapped revenue stream.

The challenge is, retention and expansion require a distinct messaging and customer conversation approach. Existing customers are in a different position than your prospects—one that carries a unique buying psychology.

While customer acquisition is all about challenging the status quo to highlight the benefits of switching to your solution, customer retention and expansion require you to reinforce your position as their status quo. In fact, research shows that using a provocative, challenging message when you’re trying to renew or expand business with your customers will increase the likelihood that they’ll shop around by at least 10-16 percent.

8. Increase Sales By Investing In Yourself

Improving your ability to sell and convert interested prospects into paying customers is one of the most important things you can do to boost sales. There are many parts of the selling process and improving in even one of them can have a dramatic impact on your results.

Attend Sales Trainings

Some people are naturally good at selling; they can easily connect with a customer, find common ground, understand their desires, and persuade them to purchase their product. These skills don’t come easily to everyone, though.

In fact, the majority of salespeople have to learn, practice, and hone these skills over time to become successful. Even if you’ve worked hard to become the salesperson you are today, you’re never done learning.

Sales training can open your mind to new opportunities others have seen success with, allow you a chance to network with other creative salespeople, and even generate new leads or partnerships.

Learn How To Negotiate

At some point in your sales journey, you’re going to run into someone who wants a lower price or additional benefit, or a situation where you’ll have to compromise.

Learning how to negotiate can not only help you improve your relationship with your customers but can also help you drive more sales. The best negotiators look out for their customer’s best interests and find a solution that works for both parties.

 
Develop A Prospecting Strategy

The best salespeople have a plan to develop the highest quality and quantity of prospects that can and will buy within a reasonable period of time.

Prospecting is an essential part of successful sales strategies and something you need to prioritize if you want to increase sales.

If your sales strategy is lacking this critical component, or your prospecting tactics are falling short, I’ve created an essential prospecting checklist that will help you focus your attention on the prospects that will have the maximum return.

 
9. Enable ongoing situational training

Most training and learning efforts are based on a collection of competencies, supported by a curriculum and catalog that gets scheduled on calendar-based interest and availability. But what does that have to do with helping the company’s business strategy, responding to shifting market demands, and intervening to fix emergent needs when they arise?

To be as effective and efficient as you need to be today, your sales training has to rise to a new level of flexibility, customization, and situational relevance. Using a flexible, on-demand training model enables you to deploy it at a moment’s notice to solve problems as they occur, and tackle initiatives as they arise. Training your sales team for situational agility equips them with the messaging and skills they need relative to the customer conversations they’re having.

10. Increase Sales By Connecting With Your Customers

Establishing trust with your customers is key to ultimately persuading them to purchase what you’re selling. Even in an increasingly virtual world, there are many ways to connect with your customers, establish trust, and gain influence.

Here are three ways to improve sales by connecting with your customers.

Utilize Social Media

Social media is a free space where you can connect with your customers daily. If your customer is using social media, you need to be using social media. This will keep you top of mind when they consider what they want or need to buy.

As you use social media posts, such as photos, videos, and captions, be sure to provide valuable information; avoid talking “at” your customers and instead try to teach them or explain something to them that is in line with what your product or service is all about.

You can also use social media as a space to show proof that your product or service actually works, such as before and after stats, photos, or testimonials as well as videos of the product or service at work.

Don’t forget to respond to comments and answer questions. This is an amazing way to help sell to new leads.

Remember to be friendly and conversational as you approach your customers and potential customers in this space. If you use it correctly, you can establish trust and increase your leads.

Promote “Insider Information”

Everyone loves a good deal, and when they feel like they have the inside scoop on an upcoming sale, or receive early access, your customers will develop greater trust in and loyalty to your business. They may even buy more because of it.

This doesn’t only go for sales and special offers. Keep current and repeat customers in the loop with upcoming launches and business news too, and soon, they’ll develop a vested interest in the business.

Maintain Relationships

“Once a customer, always a customer” — this should be your motto if you want to learn how to increase sales in business.

Once a customer has purchased your product, it should not be the end of your interaction with them.

Focus on maintaining a strong relationship with your customer by making them feel valued so that they stick around, and get others to become customers as well. A forever customer will do more for your business than 10 one-time customers.

 
Implement A Referral Program

Everyone wants to feel appreciated, and a great way to make your customers feel valued is to reward them for referring their friends and family members.

Use future discounts, rewards points, freebies, special access, etc. to incentivize current customers to hold the flag for you.

Not only will this help maintain your relationship with your customers but it will also help you gain new leads who are more likely to purchase because they received a direct referral, all without any additional effort on your part.

Maintain a high-quality pipeline by eliminating unqualified leads.

Shopify uses the 4/5 Threshold to filter out unqualified leads, thereby allowing its sales reps to focus on selling to leads who have a higher probability of becoming customers.

When evaluating whether a lead is qualified, a rep must have a concrete answer to four of the following five variables:

Pain: Is the prospective customer experiencing a prominent business issue or challenge that requires them to make a change?

Power: Is the prospective customer directly involved with the decision-making process? If not, who is?

Money: Does our offering fall within their budget constraints?

Process: What's their buying process?

Timeline: What stage are they in the buyer’s journey? Will they purchase within a reasonable time frame?

With these  sales strategies, you will be well on your way to growing sales and increasing profits. Let me know what you think and what your best sales strategy is in the comments below. 

The 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in the World | BLUNTADVENTURE

Dangerous jobs are those that carry a higher risk of injury or death compared to other occupations. Workers in these jobs often work with hazardous materials or equipment, in dangerous environments or in situations where accidents are more likely to occur.

The importance of knowing the most dangerous jobs is to identify the risks involved in particular occupations and take measures to prevent or mitigate those risks.

In 2021, there were 5,190 fatal work injuries recorded in the US alone, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It was an 8.9 percent increase from the previous year, which recorded 4,764 fatalities. Out of the total fatal injuries in all sectors, 1,253 were due to roadway incidents, 850 were caused by slips, trips, and falls, and 481 were from homicides. In addition, there were 2.6 million non-fatal injury cases in private industries in 2021 alone.

On-the-job deaths have been rising in recent years, rising from 4,821 in 2014 to 5,250 deaths in 2018, an increase of 9% over the 5-year period. However, the rate of deaths adjusted for employment has only risen approximately 2.2% over the same period, as an improving economy has led to additional employment. In 2018, the average fatality rate among all jobs was 3.4 per 100,000 workers.

In this article, we'll explore the top 10 most dangerous professions in the world, the common hazards faced by workers, the fatal injury rate, most common causes of injury or death, plus safety tips to help mitigate the risks.

1. Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers are considered to have one of the most dangerous professions. They are responsible for the safe operation of aircraft. They are responsible for flying and navigating airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. They must be able to interpret flight data, weather reports, and air traffic control instructions to make decisions during flight. They also perform pre-flight checks and ensure that all safety protocols are followed.

Pilots and flight engineers are exposed to various hazards and risks, including:

• High altitude and low oxygen levels
• Turbulence and severe weather conditions
• Mechanical failure of aircraft parts
• Fatigue and stress from long hours of flying
• Exposure to radiation during flight
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals and gases in the aircraft cabin
• Risk of collision with other aircraft
• Terrorism and hijacking threats

Most common causes of injury or death: The most common causes of injury and death for aircraft pilots and flight engineers include aircraft crashes, in-flight medical emergencies, exposure to hazardous chemicals and gases, collision with other aircraft, pilot error, mechanical failure of aircraft parts, weather-related incidents, and terrorism and hijacking.

2. Roofers

Fatal injury rate: 41 per 100,000 workers
Total deaths (2018): 96
Salary: $42,100
Most common fatal accidents: Falls, slips, trips

Roofers are responsible for installing, repairing, and replacing roofs on homes and buildings. Their work involves taking roofing materials such as shingles, metal, or other materials onto roofs and securing them. Roofers generally must use ladders or other equipment to climb on top of buildings. The most common cause of fatal work injury for roofers is falling off roofs or ladders.

Most common causes of injury or death: The most common causes of injury and death for roofers include falls from heights, electrocution from overhead power lines, heat exhaustion and dehydration, musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive motions and heavy lifting, exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials, eye injuries from flying debris and dust, and burns from hot tar and other roofing materials.

3. Iron and Steel Workers

BLS Category: Structural iron and steel workers
Fatal injury rate: 29 per 100,000 workers
Total deaths (2018): 15
Salary: $53,650
Most common fatal accidents: Falls, slips, trips

Ironworkers are responsible for installing iron and steel on buildings, bridges, and roads. Their work often consists of climbing up on large structures, unloading iron and steel, and signaling to crane operators. They also use equipment to cut, bend, and weld iron and steel. Steel and iron are some of the primary reinforcing materials for large scale buildings.

Falls are the most common fatal occupational accident for structural iron and steel workers.

Iron and steel workers face a range of hazards and risks on the job, including falls from heights, electrocution, being struck by falling objects, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. They may also be at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders from performing repetitive motions or working in awkward positions.

Most common causes of injury or death: The most common causes of injury and death among iron and steel workers include falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, and being caught in or between equipment or machinery.

4. Truck Drivers

Truck drivers, along with driver or sales workers, are responsible for transporting goods across long distances, often across state lines or even across the country. They operate commercial trucks, which may include tractor-trailers, tankers, or flatbeds. Truck drivers must have a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) and comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, including limits on driving hours and weight restrictions.

Truck drivers face a range of hazards and risks on the job, including:

• Fatigue and sleep deprivation: Long hours on the road can lead to fatigue, which can impair driving ability and increase the risk of accidents.
• Accidents: Truck drivers are at risk of accidents due to a range of factors, including poor road conditions, weather, and other drivers on the road.
• Repetitive motion injuries: The physical demands of driving for long periods can lead to repetitive motion injuries, such as back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Exposure to hazardous materials: Drivers of tanker trucks or other vehicles carrying hazardous materials are at risk of exposure to toxic chemicals or gases.
• Mental health issues: Isolation, long periods away from home, and high levels of stress can contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Most Common Causes of Injury or Death:

• Accidents: Traffic accidents are a leading cause of injury and death for truck drivers.
• Overexertion: The physical demands of loading and unloading cargo, as well as the long hours spent driving, can lead to overexertion injuries.
• Repetitive motion injuries: As mentioned earlier, driving for long periods can lead to repetitive motion injuries such as back pain.
• Exposure to hazardous materials: Drivers of tanker trucks or other vehicles carrying hazardous materials are at risk of exposure to toxic chemicals or gases.
• Assaults: Truck drivers may be at risk of assaults or robberies while on the job, particularly if they are carrying valuable cargo.

5. Garbage/Waste Collectors

It may be hard to believe, but garbage or waste collectors have one of the most dangerous jobs. They are responsible for collecting, transporting, and disposing of waste materials from residential, commercial, and industrial areas. They typically operate garbage trucks or other specialized vehicles to pick up and transport waste to designated disposal sites.

Garbage/waste collectors face a range of hazards and risks on the job, including exposure to hazardous materials, being struck by passing vehicles, lifting and carrying heavy loads, and musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive motions.

Most common causes of injury or death: The most common causes of injury and death among garbage/waste collectors include being struck by vehicles, falls from trucks or other equipment, and musculoskeletal injuries from heavy lifting.

5 Safety tips for Garbage/Waste Collectors:

1. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, boots, and reflective vests, to protect yourself from hazardous materials and other hazards.
2. Follow all safety procedures and protocols established by your employer, including proper use and maintenance of garbage trucks and other equipment.
3. Keep your work area clean and free of clutter to prevent slips, trips, and falls.
4. Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially when working in residential or high-traffic areas.
5. Practice safe lifting techniques and use mechanical aids, such as dollies and lift gates, to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries from heavy lifting.

6. Construction helpers

Construction workers provide physical labor for construction tasks at building sites. These workers are responsible for tasks such as unloading building materials, building scaffolding, digging trenches, and operating other construction machinery. They may also spend time cleaning construction sites either in preparation for or after the completion of construction. The most common cause of death for construction workers is falls.

BLS Category: Helpers, construction trades
Fatal injury rate: 18 per 100,000 workers
Total deaths (2018): 11
Salary: $31,830
Most common fatal accidents: Falls, slips, trips

Construction helpers are construction workers who assist trade workers in the course of construction. These workers can include building equipment contractors, building finishing contractors, foundation and exterior contractors, and others. The most common cause of death for these workers are falls and trips on construction sites.

Construction workers face a range of hazards and risks on the job, including falls, electrocution, and being struck by falling objects.

Most Common Causes of Injury or death:

• Falls: Falls from heights, such as from scaffolding or ladders, are a leading cause of injury and death for construction workers.
• Electrocution: Exposure to live electrical wires or power lines can result in electrocution.
• Struck-by accidents: Workers may be hit by falling objects or struck by vehicles or heavy equipment on the construction site.
• Caught-in or between accidents: Workers may become caught in machinery or between objects, such as in a trench collapse.
• Exposure to hazardous materials: Exposure to hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead, or silica dust can lead to respiratory problems or other health issues.

7. Miners

It is no surprise that miners have one of the most dangerous jobs; they work in underground or surface mines, extracting minerals such as coal, metals, and other resources. The job may involve operating heavy machinery, drilling, blasting, and transporting materials to the surface.

Miners face a range of hazards and risks on the job, including:

• Respiratory hazards: Miners may be exposed to harmful dusts, gases, and fumes, which can lead to respiratory problems.
• Falls: Working at heights or on uneven terrain can pose a risk of falls.
• Entanglement hazards: Workers may become entangled in machinery or other equipment.
• Explosions and fires: Explosives and flammable materials are used in mining operations, which can lead to explosions and fires.
• Noise exposure: Mining equipment can generate high levels of noise, which can lead to hearing loss.

8. Farmers and Agricultural Workers

Farmers and agricultural workers face a range of hazards and risks on the job, including exposure to hazardous chemicals, animal attacks, machinery accidents, and working in extreme weather conditions. They may also be at risk of developing respiratory and skin diseases from prolonged exposure to pesticides and other chemicals.

Most common causes of injury or death: The most common causes of injury and death among farmers and agricultural workers include tractor overturns, falls from heights, being struck by farm machinery, and being attacked by livestock.

BLS Category: Miscellaneous agricultural workers
Fatal injury rate: 20 per 100,000 workers
Total deaths (2018): 157
Salary: $25,840
Most common fatal accidents: Transportation incidents

Agricultural workers are responsible for tending crops and livestock. They may be tasked with planting, harvesting, and watering crops, along with maintaining irrigation systems and ditches. These workers can also use farm tools or equipment, as well as apply pesticides and fertilizers. For agricultural workers who work with livestock, they may be responsible for feeding animals and keeping animal living areas clean. Transportation incidents are the most common fatal accidents for agricultural workers, which can occur while these workers are moving between or to and from worksites

9. Garbage/Waste Collectors

Also known as garbage collectors, refuse and recyclable material collectors collect our trash and recycling. Generally, these workers will drive a truck through neighborhoods and empty garbage bins and dumpsters into the trucks. Many bins are loaded by hand while some trucks have mechanical lifters. They then drive the trucks to a landfill or waste transfer station where the waste is unloaded from the truck.

It may be hard to believe, but garbage or waste collectors have one of the most dangerous jobs. They are responsible for collecting, transporting, and disposing of waste materials from residential, commercial, and industrial areas. They typically operate garbage trucks or other specialized vehicles to pick up and transport waste to designated disposal sites.

Garbage/waste collectors face a range of hazards and risks on the job, including exposure to hazardous materials, being struck by passing vehicles, lifting and carrying heavy loads, and musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive motions.

Most common causes of injury or death: The most common causes of injury and death among garbage/waste collectors include being struck by vehicles, falls from trucks or other equipment, and musculoskeletal injuries from heavy lifting.

10. Fishing Workers

Fishing workers are responsible for harvesting fish and other marine life from the ocean or freshwater bodies. They work in a variety of settings, including commercial fishing vessels, fish farms, and processing plants.

Fishing workers face a range of hazards and risks on the job, including drowning, falls overboard, entanglement in fishing gear, exposure to hazardous weather conditions, and musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive motions.

Most common causes of injury or death: The most common causes of injury and death among fishing workers include drowning, being struck by fishing gear or equipment, and falls overboard.

Wrapping Up...

Information on the most common fatal accidents was drawn from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, and salary data came from the Occupational Employment Statistics Survey.

In conclusion, while the jobs on this list are among the most dangerous, appropriate steps can be taken to reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities. It is important that employers prioritize safety and take the right measures to protect their workers.

How to Start a VTU Business and Earn a Passive income in Nigeria

Finding work can be a huge challenge these days especially if you don't have connection. One of the best ways you can raise that extra income is to start a side hustle. What better business to start than a VTU business in Nigeria? This isn’t the first time you are hearing about this.

Explaining VTU and how it works

What exactly is VTU? VTU is an acronym that stands for Virtual Top Up. Many people also know this business as Recharge and get paid. It is one of the most famous businesses among young individuals in Nigeria.

So how does this business work? It involves a dealer recharging the line of the service subscriber through the dealer’s account number. This process doesn’t require the use of a recharge card or USSD code.

Some of us have become so accustomed to VTU that we scarcely remember the existence of the “recharge card” era. In those times, if you needed to make a call or browse the internet, you had to visit a shop or outlet to buy recharge cards and load them onto your device.

VTU encompasses more than just data and airtime. Essentially, any online top-up transaction falls under the umbrella of virtual top-up. This includes recharging your cable subscription, paying your electricity bills, and even topping up your betting accounts. The possibilities are vast.

Nowadays, VTU has revolutionized the lives of the average Nigerian, making things more convenient and efficient. So, when was the last time you physically handled, purchased, or loaded a recharge card? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

So What Exactly is VTU Business All About?

Good, you now know what VTU is, but what then is VTU business? Nigerians are very lucrative citizens, we know how to monetize and make the most of virtually anything. From the moment VTU came to existence, Nigerians have made a solid business out of it and of course we would! Nigerians spend billions and yes you heard me, “billions” on data and airtime usage every month.

VTU business is all about selling or vending as we love to put it everything VTU has to offer. This includes but is not limited to:

• Data
• Airtime
• Recharge Card pins
• Cable Subscription
• Electricity Bills
• Exam Scratch cards (Waec, Neco, Nabteb etc)
• Bulk SMS
• Sports Betting

These are the services an average VTU vendor can render to you. Although there are lots more, nut from research and experience, I can say these are the most profitable and the most in demand.

How Do I Earn Money from VTU in Nigeria?

This is one of the most important aspects that confuses a lot of people. How exactly do i make money from the business? Well, the answer is quite simple.

You face VTU business the same way you face literally any other business, look for and buy at an affordable rate, add your desired profit, find many customers to patronize you and enjoy your profit.

For instance, let’s say you have a place or VTU website you buy MTN SME data at ₦230/gb, you can choose to add a profit of ₦100 and sell ₦330/gb to your customers. Now imagine selling just 10gb every day, that’s a neat effortless ₦1000 profit every single day. I’m sure you can do the match and check how much you’ll make if you sold 50-100gb every day. And this calculation was just for MTN data.

Just as i suggested earlier, VTU business is very lucrative and can make you a lot of money if you play your cards correctly.

There are two major ways of making money in VTU business:

• Fixed Commission Sales
• Dynamic Profit based Sales

Let me explain what they both mean. In aspects like Subscribing people’s cable TV and paying electricity bills for customers you work with commission based sales. If a user or customer wanted you to subscribe her DStv Premium for a month, you make profit by adding a fixed charge for every subscription or bill payment maybe ₦50-₦100 commission.

If DStv subscription cost is ₦21000, you can charge the customer ₦21050 or ₦21100 and make an easy profit.

Most platforms like cyber data hub offer 0.5%-2% discount on their cable subscriptions and electricity bill payments so you can even sell to your customers at flat rate and still make a profit.

Dynamic Profit Sales can be easily increased or reduced at any time based on whatever reason you have as a seller. You can add as much profit as you want when selling data bundles for all networks but don’t forget to compare prices with others so you won’t be kicked out by competition. Dynamic profit sales mostly cover data bundles where you get at a certain price and add your required profit.

Fixed profit sales covers exam pins, cable, electricity and even airtime because let’s face it, you can’t add any profit you want when selling these services, if you don’t add a small commission or sell at flat rate, no one will patronize you.

How Can I Optimize Profit in the VTU Industry?

This aspect can be a bit challenging, yet it is crucial and demands careful attention. How can you maximize your profits? Here are a few essential steps to consider:

Understand Your Competition: The number of data sellers and individuals involved in the VTU business in Nigeria is rapidly increasing. It is crucial to closely monitor your competitors and stay informed about their strategies.

Online or Offline Presence: This decision holds significant importance. Some sellers target customers online, while others focus on offline channels. Each approach has its pros and cons, and the ideal choice depends on your unique circumstances. Analyze your situation and determine whether physical sales from a shop, collecting cash, or online sales through platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, with payments made via bank transfers would be more advantageous for you. Can you handle both simultaneously?

Avoid Mistakes and Beware of Fraudsters: There are numerous scammers who pose as VTU dealers and individuals looking to exploit your services without paying. Remain vigilant and stay alert for such fraudulent individuals. Additionally, strive to avoid costly errors like incorrect transactions or double sending.

How Can I Boost Sales and Expand My Customer Base in the VTU Business?
This phase revolves around growth. Once your business is established and sales have begun, the primary goal is to expand further. How can you achieve this and increase sales? Consider the following tips:

Maintain Communication: Never neglect your existing customer base in pursuit of acquiring new customers. Encourage your customers to save your contact information and vice versa after each transaction. Establish this practice to ensure they can easily reach out to you for future services. Occasionally send broadcast messages, extend greetings during holidays or special occasions, and request referrals from satisfied customers.

Invest in Advertising: Allocate a portion of your budget to advertising. Utilize platforms such as Facebook, blogs, and WhatsApp groups for online sellers, while physical sellers can opt for eye-catching banners and flyers. This approach serves as one of the fastest ways to attract new customers and increase sales.

Monitor the Competition: It’s important to stay informed about your competitors’ activities. Regularly compare your prices with others in the market. Avoid selling too low to the point of generating minimal profit or pricing too high that it hampers sales.

Promotions and Giveaways: Although implementing this aspect can be challenging, especially for newcomers with limited profits, consider running periodic promotions to slash prices for a few days or even a single day to attract customers. Conduct giveaways to raise awareness and expand your contact list. After all, we all know that Nigerians love a good deal.

Cheapest VTU Platform in Nigeria

For now, the cheapest VTU platform in Nigeria is Jumia. It presents you with an app known as the Jumia One app. Once you register on this platform, you can start running your VTU business. the steps below should make the process easy:

Step 1 – Go to the Jumia official website to register. If you have been looking for how to register as a VTU agent, that’s your clue. Within a few minutes, you should be done.

Step 2 – Download Jumia One to your smartphone.

Step 3 – Log in using your registration details on Jumia (from step 1).

Step 4 – Pick the service you need. There is a wide range including airtime recharge, cable TV subscription, and electricity bills. In this case, we will work with airtime recharge.

After doing these, you are ready to begin your VTU business. Now, let’s show you how to start selling.

Step 1 – Select Airtime from the options on Jumia One.

Step 2 – Choose the service provider that you want to top up.

Step 3 – Provide the phone number of the customer and enter the amount of airtime they need.

Step 4 – You’ll see a confirmation page that requires you to provide your ATM card details. This page also requires you to approve the transaction. After confirming, click/tap on “Pay Now.”

Step 5 – Provide the OTP sent to your mobile phone via SMS to affirm that you initiated the transaction.

Step 6 – The transaction is done and both you and the customer receive a notification.

Do you know that you can make between 3% and 5% of the amount you recharge depending on the amount?

After all the interesting gist about starting a VTU business in Nigeria, you must be wondering about the profitability of the idea. We already told you that you can make between 3% and 5% on each recharge.

If you sell N1000 daily and earn 3% (worst case scenario), you’ll get N30 daily. This means that in a month (30 days), you’d make up to 90% profit. Of course, you should be selling a lot more after your first week. See how profitable this business is?

Conclusion
The VTU business, also known as the data business, remains a lucrative and profitable venture in Nigeria. Whether utilized as a side hustle or primary source of income, it offers substantial earning potential.