Bellafricana published in Articles, Business Tips

8 Things To Do For Your Creative Business Before The Year Ends

8 things to do for your creative business before the year ends that will position you for success

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect opportunity for creative business owners to set the stage for success, taking strategic steps before the year ends can significantly impact the trajectory of your business. In this article, let’s explore 8 essential actions to ensure that your creative business enters the new year with momentum, innovation, and a solid foundation for growth.

Let’s dive into the 8 key things to do that will position your business for a thriving and prosperous year ahead.

1. Inventory Management

As the business year wraps up, it’s time to evaluate your inventory. Take a closer look at slow-moving items that may be tying up resources and affecting your cash flow. To proactively address this, consider running targeted promotions or sales. This not only helps in reducing excess stock but also paves the way for a fresh start in the upcoming year. By optimizing your inventory before the year ends, you set the stage for a more agile and profitable operation moving forward.

Inventory Management: 8 things to do for your creative business before the year ends that will position you for success

2. Set Year-End Goals

As we approach the end of the year, now is the ideal moment to strategically shape the future of your creative business. Consider setting clear and achievable goals that align with your vision whether it’s surpassing sales targets, enhancing customer engagement, or organizing impactful product launches. This precision also helps in providing a roadmap for the final weeks but also lays the groundwork for the upcoming year.

Set year-end goals: 8 things to do for your creative business before the year ends that will position you for success

3. Financial Checkup

A periodic financial checkup is vital for business health. Take time to review your financial records, scrutinizing income, expenses, and profits. This not only ensures financial order but also lays the groundwork for a robust plan for the upcoming year. By understanding your financial landscape, you gain insights to make informed decisions, identify areas for improvement, and set realistic goals for sustained success. 

Set year-end goals: 8 things to do for your creative business before the year ends that will position you for success
4. Tax Planning

Approaching the end of the year, businesses must engage in strategic tax planning. Optimize your tax situation by considering actions like making essential purchases before year-end to leverage tax deductions and setting aside funds for upcoming tax payments. This proactive approach not only ensures compliance but also maximizes potential savings, contributing to the overall financial health of your business. 

Set year-end goals: 8 things to do for your creative business before the year ends that will position you for success

5. Customer Appreciation

As the year concludes, take a moment to express sincere gratitude to your customers for their ongoing support. Consider running special promotions, sending personalized thank-you notes, or offering exclusive discounts. These gestures not only show appreciation but also strengthen customer relationships. Acknowledging their loyalty fosters a positive connection, enhancing brand loyalty and setting the stage for continued collaboration in the upcoming year.

Set year-end goals: 8 things to do for your creative business before the year ends that will position you for success
6. Update your website and Social Media

As the year concludes, it’s time to ensure that your business’s digital face remains fresh and engaging. Conduct a thorough update of your website and social media profiles, ensuring information accuracy, refreshing content, and making any necessary adjustments to align with your evolving business. An up-to-date online presence not only reflects professionalism but also captures the attention of your audience. 

Set year-end goals: 8 things to do for your creative business before the year ends that will position you for success

7. Evaluate Marketing Strategies

As the year ends, take a critical look at your marketing strategies. Evaluate their effectiveness, identifying what resonated and what didn’t. This introspection is key to refining your plan for the coming year. By learning from past successes and challenges, you can strategically optimize your marketing approach, ensuring a more targeted and impactful strategy. 

Set year-end goals: 8 things to do for your creative business before the year ends that will position you for success

8. Reflect and Plan

Before the year ends, take a moment to reflect on the highs and lows of your business journey. Acknowledge successes and confront challenges with a discerning eye. Transform these insights into a strategic plan for the upcoming year, laying the foundation for informed decision-making and continued growth.

Set year-end goals: 8 things to do for your creative business before the year ends that will position you for success
In conclusion

The creative business landscape awaits, and with these strategies in hand, the stage is set for your unique masterpiece to unfold. May these insights inspire and empower you to not only weather the challenges of today but to shape a tomorrow filled with creativity, growth, and enduring success.

  • no reactions
0
Share
MaryBarbara published in Bellafricana ACE Awards

ACE Awards nominations have begun!

ACE AWARDS BANNER

The 3rd Edition of the African Creative Exhibition and Awards (ACE Awards) is back and the nominations have begun! ACE Awards, which brings together the best creative minds in the fields of Arts and Crafts, Fashion, Beauty, Food produce and snacks. This ceremony is organized yearly to recognize creative entrepreneurs in the aforementioned categories; with this year’s theme being “Creativity and Innovation in Nation Building”. 

ACE NOMINATION BEGINS
ACE AWARDS NOMINATION BEGINS

Creative Entrepreneurs and consumers of their products can now send in their nominations. The categories are listed below.

CATEGORIES
  1. Best Indigenous Textile Designer
  2. Best Beauty Brand
  3. Best Fashion Brand (Clothing, Shoes)
  4. Best Startup of the Year
  5. Best Accessories Brand (Jewellery, Bags)
  6. Best Eco-friendly Product Innovation
  7. Best Innovative Product of the Year
  8. Best Pioneer Craftsman/woman of the Year (Over 10 years)
  9. Best Food Produce Innovation
  10. Best Creative Children’s Brand 
  11. Best Creative Child Entrepreneur
  12. Best Creative Social Enterprise of the Year
  13. Best Arts & Crafts Person
  14. Best Home & Lifestyle Brand
  15. Best emerging African Brand

In showing our support and in accordance with what we do at Bellafricana, we would be granting 3 lucky Creative Entrepreneurs with the sum of ₦300,000 naira to help support their businesses.

Grant Eligibility Requirements
  1. The candidate must be a Creative Entrepreneur.
  2. Candidates must be nominated for the ACE Awards.
  3. The candidate must have a valid business that falls within one of the following niches:
  • Fashion, 
  • Arts & craft, 
  • Health & Beauty, 
  • Home & living, 
  • Food produces & snacks industry.
Steps to Participate/How to apply
  1. Follow @bell_africana on Instagram
  2. Repost this flyer on your page, tag us as well as your friends
  3. Fill out the form on our website – www.aceawardsafrica.com/nominate
  4. When posting, use the hashtags: #ACE2021 #ACEAwards2021 and #Bellafricana
Benefit

Creative Entrepreneurs will stand to gain $2,500

What are you waiting for? Starting voting!

 

  • no reactions
0
Share
Jemimah Iwok published in Articles, Events

Bukky Asehinde to speak at The Bridge Leadership Foundation Career Day 2020 Conference

Bukky Asehinde, founder of Bellafricana will be speaking at this year’s edition of The Bridge Leadership Foundation Career Day  Conference.

This year’s theme: “Adapting to the New Normal” will “border on the need for a global transformation and mind shift required for nations, businesses and individuals to function sustainably in a Post-COVID-19 world” (The Bridge Leadership Foundation).

The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th (by 11am), and will virtual hold virtually due to the covid-19 situation.

Three years ago, Bukky Asehinde was opportuned to be one of the speakers at the 7th annual conference in Calabar, an experience she described as unforgettable, and enriching (Read about it here).

 

Among the line up of speakers and moderators are: Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli – Founder, LEAP Africa and Managing Partner, Sahel Consulting; Fela Durotoye – CEO, GEMSTONE Group; Peter Obi Former Governor, Anambra State; Mitchell Elegbe Founder/Group Managing Director, Interswitch; Tonye Cole – Cofounder, Sahara Group; Thelma Ekiyor – Managing Partner, SME.NG; Atunyota Alleluya (Alibaba) – CEO, Alibaba Hiccupuray 3rd Ltd; Hamzat Lawal – Founder, Connected Development (CODE); Ubong King – CEO, Protection Plus Services LTD; others include Naadiya Moosajee – Co-founder/CEO, WomEng (Women in Engineering); Yomi Williams – Founder, Gartner Callaway Group of Companies; Saudat Salami – CEO, Easyshop Easycook; and Babajide Ipaye – Founder, KEEXS Services;

Those moderating the event are Arit Okpo Creative Director, Menoword Media and J.J. Omojuwa, Founder/Chief Strategist, The Alpha Reach. ( Source: Tblf and Bella Naija)

 

You can’t afford to miss this event. To register for this event, simply click on this link.

 

 

  • no reactions
0
Share
Jemimah Iwok published in Entrepreneurship

How your Business can stay relevant during the Corona Virus Pandemic

The widespread impact of the Corona Virus on the world has been nothing short of utterly devastating. The planetary scale pandemic since its outbreak about a few weeks ago, has caused an unprecedented plummeting of business and economic activities.

Due to the alarming spread-rate, a lot of countries have been forced to shut down all non-essential business exchanges and this has left a lot of business owners reeling in uncertainty as to how to mitigate risk, protect employees and still retain the customers’ attention.

If you are a business owner in this class and you have really not planned out ways you can mitigate risks, cut down on losses and get your business to stay relevant amidst the lock-downs and curfews, here are a few things you can implement right away:

  1. Go Remote
Go remote 1
Unsplash

You should really comply with any physical business activity restrictions placed by the government and shift your work base to the safety of your houses.

If you have several employees working under you then you want to avoid organizational loopholes by ensuring that there is an optimal (digital) means of communication set up so as to enforce cooperation and also monitor progress on all fronts as you would on a normal business-on-site day.

2. Shift all Marketing Strategies Online

The goal is to ensure that your business makes it through the pandemic without suffering any long-term damage to your brand or your customer base. If you have paid little or no attention to online marketing strategies for your business before now, then now is the time you really want to leverage on digital platforms to break through the noise, keep brand to consumer engagement, increase your online customer base and even pool in profit.

https://cloudinary.hbscdn.org https://images.unsplash.com/
Multiscreen 

Anything from hosting online events and webinars to email marketing could prove to be the most effective way to make the most out of the situation and give your brand a popularity boost.

3. Communicate transparently with your Audience

It is really important to recognize that your clients understand that you are also affected by the Corona Virus situation. Hence, you should be open and transparent about what your business is facing at the moment.

communicate
Shuttershock

Now is the time you want to let them know what you are doing about it, steps you are taking to mitigate risk and how you are involved with helping the community. This act alone is sure to bring a more favorable perception about your brand and distinguish you as an industry leader.

4. Drive Social Media Engagement

It is a fact that at this time, the bulk of the world populace (somewhere between 65% – 70%) turn to social media in order to have access to trending news and fresh content. It then becomes extremely important that you reach out to your audience regularly by creating content pieces around the situation. But be careful here, you want to make sure you don’t come off as “Unempathic” to your clients by being so aggressive with marketing your products, they are also as badly hit as you are. It’s a delicate balance you want to keep.

 

Bellafricana creatives challenge

That’s why Bellafricana came up with a 30-day Challenge for Creative Business owners. This Challenge has presented the perfect solution to tactical marketing and a deeper sense of connection with the audience as a way of saying:” Take that Corona Virus! You’ve got nothing on us!”  Read more about the Bellafricana Creatives challenge here

Which of these Tactics will you try? I can’t wait to hear from you.

  • no reactions
0
Share
Bellafricana published in Entrepreneurship

5 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read

It’s a known fact that Entrepreneurs have to cultivate the habit of reading, here are 5 books every entrepreneur should read.⁣ You will agree with me that reading is important to everyone. Well except, those who are content with remaining in the same spot forever.

Joseph Addison says :“Reading does to the mind what exercise does to the body”

If you’re an Entrepreneur or with an entrepreneurial mindset, you must have read a couple of books that have proved invaluable to you and your business.⁣

Haven’t started reading any books and don’t know where to start? Or you need to add more to your stash?

I would be glad to suggest a couple of books that come recommended (and written) by renowned Business strategists and successful Entrepreneurs.

PS: This List is not Exhaustive. Feel Free to add to the list.

Let’s get to it…

1. Lost and Founder by Rand Fishkin

This book will help you see why keeping your existing customers satisfied is a very important obligation to fulfill, before you consider expanding. It also shows the “not so rosy” side of starting up, and venture Capitalism. If you’re afraid of the truth, don’t read this book. 

5 books every entrepreneur should read, Lost and Founder by Rand Fishkin
Lost and Founder by Rand Fishkin
⁣2. Rework by Jason Fried and Heinemeier Hansson

This book emphasizes the importance of Time management, Spending less time on competition, and being flexible with set plans.

 

5 books every entrepreneur should read,Rework by Jason Fried a must read book
Rework by Jason Fried a must read book
3. The 7 habits of Highly Effective People

This book just had to be on the List. It’s a self improvement book that helps you develop qualities that  can help you build better relationships, and grow your business exponentially.

5 books every entrepreneur should read, the 7 habits of highly effective people read book
The 7 habits of highly effective people read book
⁣
4. The Culture Blue Print by Robert Richman⁣

This book is a systematic guide to how a workplace can help people grow, inspire amazing service, and ultimately drive revenue through amazing culture.

5 books every entrepreneur should read, The culture blue print book to read
The culture blue print book to read
5. Leadership and Self- Deception by the Arbinger Institute.⁣

This book captures you by using an entertaining story about an executive facing challenges at work and at home to expose the precise psychological processes that conceal true motivations, intentions and trap you in a “box” of endless self-justification.

Leadership and self deception book to read
Leadership and self deception book to read

⁣
Did you find these books useful? Have you read any of these books? What other impactful book would you recommend for Entrepreneurs or Startups? ⁣Please share in the comment section below.

Images source: Amazon & Microsoft Bing

  • no reactions
0
Share
Bellafricana published in Trainings

Development Bank of Nigeria Entrepreneurship Training Programme

The Development Bank of Nigeria Entrepreneurship Training Programme is an initiative by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) aimed at equipping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the skills and competencies to defend sound and viable business proposals, improve their access to available credit, and improve their capacity for efficient funds utilization, trade, investments and access to markets.

This programme is said to help address the Entrepreneurship and Business Management skill gaps of Nigerian MSMEs.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the programme you must satisfy the following criteria:

  • The applicant must be a Nigerian
  • The applicant must be 18 years and above
  • The applicant must have a viable business that is registered and operated in Nigeria
  • The applicant’s business must be for profit from any sector
  • The applicant must possess a minimum educational qualification of Senior Secondary School Certificate
  • The applicant must be able to carry out the application process online
  • The applicant must be available to commit to the training schedule once accepted

Training Format

Well developed curriculum customized to fit the needs of the MSMEs and Experienced Faculty

Delivery Method: A blended format of face-to-face and online training

Duration: Over a 2 month period for SMEs and over a 1 month period for Micro-Enterprises

Voluntary Advisory Sessions by Industry Experts as soon as training is completed and 5 months after training is completed

Cost: This training programme is free for all selected applicants. However selected applicants will be responsible for transporting themselves to the training venue

Facilitating Partners: Enterprise Development Center (EDC), Pan Atlantic University and Wider Perspective Limited

Location: Abuja and Lagos

For more information, click to visit website

  • no reactions
0
Share
Bellafricana published in Articles, bellafricana

17 Social Media Mistakes That Are Killing Your Brand

[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Social media marketing is one of the most effectual ways a brand can use to build awareness, interact with customers and find potential clients so it’s no wonder why many businesses are adapting to it. Besides, it does seem rather easy enough – Post, like, share, comment. Right? [/dropcap]
Wrong.
Social media is a tool and like most tools, if used carelessly can do your business more harm than good. You wouldn’t want to chase your existing customers away and repel potential ones would you?
I think not.
Without further ado, below are lists of social media marketing faux pas that can ruin or are already ruining your brand.Continue reading

  • no reactions
0
Share
Bellafricana published in Events

Connect Nigeria E-Business fair 2017

[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Connect Nigeria has announced the 2017 edition of its annual E-Business fair, Africa’s largest business fair that connects micro, small and medium enterprises on the biggest scale the continent has ever seen. The fair will be taking place on Saturday the 18th of February, 2017 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos…. [/dropcap] Continue reading

  • no reactions
0
Share
Subscribe to our newsletter Now!

Join the Bellafricana Community of audacious, driven and courageous creative entrepreneurs

BELLafricana logo yellow gold

At Bellafricana our aim is to help you connect with creative, unique and quality African owned businesses.

We believe that every creative entrepreneur has a potential to grow sustainable global businesses. Bellafricana understands the challenges and is honored to be a part of the Creatives’ dream. Their dream is our dream

This is Home to creative entrepreneurs

Facebook-f Twitter Youtube Instagram Linkedin

Explore

quick links

Contact

STEPS TO MAKING

Massive Progress in your Business

Subscribe to get the free guide and learn step-by-step exactly what you need to achieve your goals.