Are you a female entrepreneur trying to make it big in the field or a fresh graduate or stay at home mom looking to start your own business?
If yes, I am pretty sure you are worried and have a lot of questions running through your mind wondering if the business plan going to work? Are you on the right track?
What strategies would work for you and so on? To answer these questions, I sat down with Ms Joanne Chew, the CEO OF ABC Ideal Partners.
Before going into the article let me brief you through about Ms Joanne and what she does.
So, Ms Joanne along with her husband is the founder of ABC Ideal Partners Sdn Bhd a company that disturb and supply corporate and premium gifts around Malaysia.
The company’s main goal is to provide top notch products and services to our customers.
Since starting small in 1999, they are now the top supplier and distributor of corporate gifts in Malaysia and the region with over 1,500 clients.
Adding on her company is certified as ISO 14001:2004 company, which means they are a firm believer in sustainability to protecting the environment by investing in technologies and products that are eco-friendly and share this vision with our clients.
Their products are free from toxins, pollutants and any other substances that may be harmful to the environment.
Wanna surprise your partner with a customized gift, or need a bulk of trophies for office annual event? Check out ABC Ideal Partners for more all these gifts you need.
So, now let’s see what you Ms Joanne has got to share:
1) Tell us more about yourself and why you choose this field?
Hi, I am Joanne and I am the co-owner of ABC Ideal Partners along with my husband.
We are in this business for more than a decade now and took us some time to be where we are now but the journey was a good learning experience for us.
To answer why this niche market is simply because I like to see people get surprised and happy when receiving gifts I believe most people will be happy when receiving gifts so why not turn that emotion in business and that has been working well for us.
The success of my clients what drives me to be honest.
Seeing the services we are providing has helped our client in their event of the campaign and achieve their sales or marketing target drives us to do better and be better. The secret is success leads to success so work for progression.
3) What are the key qualities for a leader in business?
Hard work is the first and also you need patience.
You also need to show some compassion towards everyone around you and always be open to criticism because without it there is no room for improvement.
Also always avoid gossiping and have the passion to keep learning.
4) What are you advise for the young entrepreneur?
Be patient and keep trying and keep learning. Stay in a healthy lifestyle. Great health leads to a great mind.
Apart from personal questions, we also discussed a lot on the market, business and sales strategies as well.
I believe Ms Joanne’s vast experience and kowledege will be really helpful for start-ups.
Below is the interview:
1) Based on your observation and experience, what are the marketing strategies that you think would work in the business?
Word of mouth from clients. The more people that talks about you the better. Get the words out there.
Secondly, repeating sales from clients. In other words, build trust with clients is a key strategy in maintaining a good reputation of the company and increase more client.
Lastly, and the most important to date is social media. It is a NEED now.
You can’t run a business without a proper social media page to support you. Digitalization has opened up a lot of new windows so use it wisely.
2) The biggest struggle in business is to survive and be ahead of your competitors. How do you handle that?
As said, just be hardworking and keep trying.
Look out for new competition and what their moves but no need to replicate them instead focus on your own business and try to make it stand out by working hard.
3) Lastly, what are your business goals?
My personal goal would be to build and grow together.
For example, my staffs to be in a better stage in their life, just growing successful with your staff, colleagues together. And also to improve self values and career values.
Love Note To All My Fellow Ladies Out There.
Love yourself, choose the right path and let your dreams take you high.
Are you a woman who wants to start your own business and become an entrepreneur?
Let us know in the comment section below. We will equip with exclusive wealth resources and knowledge that will definitely take your business to the next level.
We at WMA would help you attain your goal by empowering people with the right skills in order for individuals to attain financial freedom.
Over the years, WMA has coached thousands of individuals from all walks of life and have guided them with powerful knowledge and proven skills and strategies towards the path of financial freedom.
WMA will continue to grow and remain committed with our aim to assist people towards their dreams.
For more information on comprehensive business plans by WMA, check out our main page, call us at +60 10-234 4913 or chat with us via Facebook or Whatsapp.
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One of the best thing about being an entrepreneur is the ability to call the shots in your business. It is solely driven on your shoulder. You have control over your decisions and choice but, that’s also one of the greatest risk which means you’re responsible for all the decisions. This is where you need some ‘black magic’ to step up and be ahead of your competitions.The ‘black magic’ here is Feng Shui (though Feng Shui isn’t really black or magic).
So, what is Feng Shui?
Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement. It teaches how the placement of objects can balance the flow of positive energy around you so that you can be at the most productive and prosperous. The literal translation for the Chinese words “feng” and “shui” are “wind” and “water.” It is through wind and water that chi flows through nature and the universe. Chi should not be impeded but balanced so that any negative forms (sha chi or “poisoned arrows”) may be offset with positive adjustment.
Yin and Yang is both a symbol and belief of natural opposing yet complementary forces that allows a harmonious universe to exist. Nothing can be totally yin or yang; there will always be at the least a miniscule amount of one in the other. Yin, the black side, is characterized as weak, passive, dark, cold, winter and female; Yang, the white side, is characterized as strong, active, bright, warm.
So, now ask yourself: Do you want your business to be more prosperous? Want your workplace to be also be more harmonious? How would you like to think more clearly and be more productive? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you might want to consider the use of Feng Shui.
But how can you put feng shui to work as an entrepreneur?
Worry not. I’ve put together A list of ways that feng shui can help generate more flow and that means more success and more sales for you.
Play with Red – Want more clients? Use red folders. Chinese belief red to be a symbol pride and wealth. Plus, red in general is a very sexy and attractive color. So, when you get a client, label the file and add a Chinese coin to energize the folder for wealth theirs and yours!
Clear the Clutter– According to feng shui, work performance and business wealth can be increased by decluttering and establishing order on your desk. Productive chi cannot flow if all the stuff on your desk is blocking its movement and cluttering up your mind. So, take everything off your desk and clean up any cluttered areas around it. Put back only items that are used everyday, and papers on your desk must be limited to those for one project only. Other items and papers should be placed elsewhere like in drawers, racks and so on.
Surround Yourself With the Greens – Live plants and flowers bring many positive elements into the workplace. Aside from their natural beauty, they improve air quality, unite us with the natural world outside, and their green color encourages personal and business growth. Avoid any cactus or plants with sharp-looking leaves as these as can cause fear or stress .To bring their positive influences, plants and flowers must be healthy and flourishing. If a plant dies, remove it and replace it with another. Keep in mind it better to have a silk plant than none at all. Just be sure to keep it dusted and vibrant-looking.
Aim at the East- In the practice of feng shui, the happiness, success and prosperity you have in your business life is greatly influenced by the position of your desk. The optimal position is one in which your desk is very the sunrise, which is the east side. The eastern side of your room is where your health and wealth grow so position your desk there.
Water brings the cashflow –Water is the most powerful symbol of money in feng shui. Its sparkling chi energy is beneficial for your health and prosperity but care must be taken to keep water fresh and clean. Scaled-down fountains that are designed for a desk or small table are a good choice if space is limited. Another great choice is either a fish tank or aquarium. Consider including goldfish in your tank as gold is a Chinese symbol for money and is thought to attract it. Another great way to incorporate water into your business is the use of any artifact that depicts water
Home is Office too- Feng shui promotes the importance of keeping business and personal life separate when you have a home office. An outside separate entrance to your office is optimal. If not possible, a room near the front or back door of the house or apartment is best.Flat ceilings promote the flow of chi and are best; otherwise hang wind chimes from cathedral or sloped ceilings to offset sha chi. Enhance your personal chi and your professional appeal by dressing well and taking care of your overall health, hygiene and appearance. Resist the urge to work at home while unshowered or adorned in your sweats or pajamas.
Feng Shui your website- Yes, feng shui can even be applied to bytes and pixels! If often see businesses that have websites whose colors conflict, such as red and silver, green and beige, or green and yellow. These are color combinations that fatigue visitors, meaning the website is less sticky and more likely to be abandoned and with fewer repeat visitors. That’s because these color combinations make your website work against itself and that gets you nowhere. Select feng shui compatible color combinations like blue, black, and white or yellow.
Beauty pays you– If you’re a work at home entrepreneur, chances are you may have a less than inspiring work area. Invest in your office and make it attractive, organized, and functional. Having a beautiful work space is motivating and encourages creativity. When you are surrounded by beauty and inspiring views, objects, or artwork, you are more likely to think creatively, come up with new approaches to your business, and be more productive and that makes you more money.
Believe in the Power of One- One is the number of opportunity and money iin feng shui. There is probably one thing that you could do to instantly make a difference in your business. What is it? For some, it would be to create that first product, for others it would mean publishing your book, and for others it might be making sales calls. But, chances are you know the one thing that’s standing in the way of your success. Get to work on just that one thing.
Understand the Bagua Map- The feng shui bagua map is one of the main tools to analyze the energy of a certain space. Bagua is the feng shui energy map of your environment that shows you which areas your office, desk or home are connected to specific areas of your life. Stand inside your office with your back to the front door. Now look straight in front of you. The section of your house in the far right corner is the relationship zone. The part in the far left corner is the money sector. And work yourself around the map. This works the same with your desk.
In conclusion, to truly obtain a full and deep education and understanding of feng shui can take years. Visit your local bookstore or library to learn more about this age-old practice that has been enjoyed by faithful followers for thousands of years. Whether you are a novice or a master, there are many applications you can effect to encourage good “feng shui” and in turn affect your work environment, workers and wealth in a beneficial way.
You can use the principles of this ancient technique to help you draw more clients to you, create a harmonious business that attracts business, and builds a financial foundation for your life that gives you more control, greater freedom and feeling of personal achievement.
Time is one of the most dimension that exists in our universe because it just can’t be manipulated. It can go forward, but never back. It always moves you forward. So why try to change the fact by complaining “You have got not time” , when all that time does is take you a step further.
Why is time so important in our life?
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” the late Steve Jobs.
Scheduling different types of tasks at work, from getting a response to your email to asking for a raise everything takes and need the right time.
How though, do I use time to my advantage you may ask? Here is in an expert advice on when is the best time to send an email, schedule a meeting, make a decision, and more. This is really helpful in utilizing time in the right way and indeed turning the quote ‘time is money’ to practise. So, grab your pen and paper and take note!
1)When is the best time to send an email?
The biggest struggle that most people at work faces is never getting an email response on time. But, the root of the problem is not the other party is not replying you on time, it is you that did not email at the right time. The traditional workweek might be Monday to Friday is generally the best to send an email and skip the weekends is what we are taught, but if you want your email to be read, consider sending it on a weekend morning. According to a study by Yesware, a email tracking software, email-open rates are higher on the weekends. That’s because significantly less email is sent on weekends and you have less competition for clicks. You don’t have to work weekends so that to the advantage and consider apps like Boomerang or Letter Me Later that allows you to schedule when you want your email to be sent. So, you can write up the email first and save it to be sent over the weekend. Never send emails on public holiday!
2) How to get a proper response on time?
IF sending an email is a struggle, getting a quick response for it, is another. So, if you want to get a reply to your email, consider sending it early in the morning between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. In fact, make sure to do that the first thing in the morning. Again according to Yesware, reply rates are highest in the morning about 45% more than the rest of the day. This is because early morning is the time that people are on phone and mood would be good plus fewer emails are sent during these time slots which again lowers your competition. The days does not really matter in term of getting responses. So don’t worry about the day. Focus on the mornings, instead.
3) When is the best time to ask for pay raise?
Looking for a increment in your pay? Ask your boss in the mid morning around 10-11 am, when he or she is more open to the idea. Researchers from Harvard University, found that people are more likely to operate at a higher level of moral awareness and self-control in the morning. They call it as the “morning morality effect.” This could work in your favor when asking for a raise. Assuming you deserve it, your boss might be more likely to look at the merits of your request, Don’t ask for it or bring it up towards the end of the day as he or she will get mentally tired and tend to be less fair.
4) When is the best time for meetings and group discussions?
Monday-morning meetings are a staple at many companies, but have you notice involvement and participation during this time is low. This is because, according to a study by an online scheduling service WhenIsGood.net: if you have a meeting at 9 a.m. on a Monday morning employees will need to prepare the day before which most people do not hence they turn up underprepared and if they’re not prepared, they won’t come up. Instead, hold in the meeting on Tuesday after lunch break at around 3pm- 4pm to get more participation and involvement because Tuesday that is the furthest you can get from the deadlines at the end of the week without bumping into the missed deadlines from the week before and after lunch is works best because are fuel up and have more energy to engage and work their brain.
5) When is the best time for brainstorming?
If you’re a morning person, you might think you do your best work first thing in the day, but a study from Michigan State University found that when it comes to being creative, waiting until later in the day. Nights yields better results. Asking students to solve six different problems at various hours over the course of the day, the researchers found the best creative thinking was done when students were tired. So, if you are a night owl, you are very lucky. This is because physiological, creative thinking requires people to approach problems from a different angle. So, If you’re clear-headed, your mind will jump to the most logical solution. While it’s important to use your time of best focus for tasks that require concentration, a distracted and fatigued brain comes up with the most innovative ideas.
Lastly, Don’t Waste Your Time!
Every moment is precious whether at work or in personal life use time wisely! We still waste time because we’re creatures of habit. We’d rather not deal with the pain associated with taking massive action for fear of failure. What will everyone think? What will they say when they see you try and not reach whatever goal you’re trying to reach?
At the end of the day, results matter more than other people’s opinions. Life is short. Don’t waste it. Pursue your passions. Wake up feeling energetic and go out into the world and do something great. Add value. Give. Help. Contribute. Learn from others. And grow in the process. Become a better human, willing to serve your fellow man, giving to others even when you feel like you have nothing to give.
But even if you don’t contribute your time to others, don’t waste it. There is so much that we need to accomplish and so much that we need to achieve that wasting time doesn’t serve you. Anything that will zap your energy, will take away your time. So don’t engage in things that’ll make you feel depleted. Instead, direct the time towards good endeavors that will help you and others.
Entrepreneurship is an a very ‘fancy’ word and a cool job many would say. In fact, it is. It is a word filled with optimism and the prospect of joy and riches. Millennials and veteran careerists view the world of entrepreneurship with strong enthusiasm, hope and energy. It’s their path to freedom and success. You know how it works. Just dream up an idea, package your product, sell it to your target customers and then wait beside the ATM for the torrent of cash to land in your corporate account. Especially, with today’s social media facilities and the world at your tip, entrepreneurship is a dream job.
But it is that easy though? Well, entrepreneurship is a worthy career but it’s a tough career. All the successful entrepreneurs you meet are smart, hard-working people. They toiled to get where they are today. It’s not that getting started is all that hard. In today’s Internet-empowered world, it’s easier to launch a startup than to do a five-minute workout. With few clicks from your bed, you can start your online business. You can run it on the go, with your smartphone. Launching a business is not the problem. Building it into a successful empire is.
Here are a some habits that you can incorporate in your daily life to be better at entrepreneurship:
1.Create a Routine
When we have a routine that we follow daily, it reduces the need to make decisions each day. It enables us to know exactly what tasks we need to do each day without having to contemplate, decide or think too much. When we are finished with one task, we know what comes next without much thought. Activities become standardized and we become more efficient as a result.
2.Keep the mornings for the tough works
Scientifically speaking, people are more likely to operate at a higher level of moral awareness and self-control in the morning. Hence, it is better to get hands on the work in that time of the day for more productive results.
3.Show some self love
This will resolve Mental health issues and most importantly Self-love can keep you from getting lost in your own head and going down a path toward negative thoughts and feelings. It will also reduce Stress and Increase in Performance. Without those last minute doubts about yourself, you can complete projects with all of your energy, rather than wasting some on procrastination and setting yourself up for failure.
4.Plan ahead
Give yourself a head start for tomorrow, Track your progress these are all part of planning. Planning helps you to chart a course for the achievement your personal goals. It helps you in reviewing the current operations of the organization and identifying what needs to be improved operationally. Planning involves envisioning the results that you want to achieve, and helps you to determine the steps necessary to arrive at the intended destination which is success, whether that is measured in financial terms, or goals or customer satisfaction.
5.Discuss solutions rather than problems
Nobody likes a person who cribs about problems all the time instead of focusing on finding a solution. Try cultivating a solution-oriented approach towards everything at work and be adaptable to change. You can overcome any problem, be it with work or colleagues or yourself with a positive attitude.
6. Continue learning
Keeping your brain engaged by learning new tasks and skills is one of the best ways to keep your memory sharp and your mind agile. When you’re accustomed to learning new things you’re also becoming more adaptable to change, meaning you can easily take any changes in the organisation or your function in your stride.Not only will you be able to discuss thoughts and ideas more confidently because you can back them up with new information you have learned, but adding “smarty-pants” to your list of qualities is sure to make you shine.