Business Management: Anchored on Ethical Values

 How to Manage a Business

The internet has brought many benefits to mankind, but it has also brought with it a whole lot of problems. The internet has given the world the ability to connect with one another on a global scale. There is an abundance of information, entertainment, and knowledge that can be obtained with just few clicks. The internet has also made it very easy for companies to take advantage of people. Some may steal personal information, give false information and false hope and use some tactics in order to get you to buy on something. Now that the internet is the world, businesses with high focus on human resources could get into a more sustainable and stable place in their own niches. It is really very important for business owners to be ethical, honest and fair at all times. If you are a business owner and would want to thrive, focus on how you treat people fairly and you will see growth unstoppable, otherwise, self-centeredness leads to ineffectiveness and useless efforts.

What is an ethical company?

An ethical company is a company that is committed to the social and environmental responsibility, and also takes care of their employees. A company that is ethical does not run on greed, but rather on the best interests of the business and the people in it, as well as the people who are willing to join the human resource or workforce. A company that is ethical will listen to their employees and respond to their needs. An ethical business will be committed to the social and environmental responsibility geared toward their clients, their workforce, and those they mingle with whether online or offline.

How to make ethical decisions?

The main goal of a business is to make profits, but the company should also have a strong ethical culture, which can help to keep the company in line with its values. There are a few methods that can be used to help make ethical decisions, but the best one is to have high value ethics at all times in any point regardless of any unstable situations the company or business is experiencing. Ethical decisions works best when fairness is not taken for granted. In order to have a company culture that is focused on making ethical decisions, it is important to have a set of values that are shared amongst and around the workforce.

How to deal with unethical companies?

The best way to deal with an unethical business is to report them to the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau is a place where consumers can file a complaint about companies that are not following the law. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, the BBB will help you to find a resolution. They will also help you to file a complaint about any unethical practices. The BBB keeps a close eye on companies and will contact them if there are any irregularities. In addition to the BBB, you should also contact the company's Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the company and they will be able to help you with any complaints.

Conclusion

Managing a business can be a daunting task, but it is also one of the most rewarding task. If you have ever been a manager, you know that there is a lot of work involved. You have to make sure that your workforce are doing their job to the best of their abilities. You also have to ensure that your they are doing their work in a timely manner and that they are working as a team. You also have to make sure that your company is running smoothly and that the business is making profits. Business management then, should be founded with high ethical and strong core values such as fairness, integrity, commitment, honesty and excellence.

"You can measure a man by the opposition it takes to discourage him." - Robert C. Savage

"A certain amount of opposition is of great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with the wind." - John Neal

Content Marketing: How to Drive High Quality Traffic to Your Website

The internet is a great place to market products and services.  In this article, we will discuss about content marketing and why content marketing is an effective way to generate high quality traffic to your website. I will also provide some tips on how to drive high quality traffic to your products or services.

1. What is content marketing?

Content marketing is a powerful marketing strategy that allows you to create and distribute content that is relevant to your niche. The content can be about anything, but focuses mainly within your niche. The contents can be in the form of articles, videos, audio files, or any other type of media. With content marketing, you have the ability to build a large audience that is interested in what you have to say through written texts, audios, infographics and videos or a combination of these. The content will then be shared across social media platforms and other websites. This sharing will help drive traffic to your website or blog, channels and pages and ultimately to your products or services.

2. Why content marketing is effective

A lot of people are turning to content marketing specifically video marketing because it is one of the most effective way to generate traffic to their products or services. There are many different types of content marketing – it can be organic or paid. Why content marketing is effective? The most important thing to remember is that the goal of content marketing is to help people find solutions to their problems thus giving them value. Providing a solution like explaining in the “How to…” in a videos can be compelling. Even providing solution through infographics in a “Steps on how to…” can give audience a high-value creative and time-saving descriptive images through simplified content solution. Another content is through texts or articles.  Article marketing cannot be undermined because of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Quality articles drive great traffic to blogs and websites if these articles are SEO optimized at all angles – meta descriptions, alt texts, keywords on-page or off-page links, etc. Writing articles with a combination of other media like graphics, videos and audios will give a fantastic result. For example, people are searching video content for a certain niche, the videos in your content may show up in Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube, etc. When they are looking for audio, there is also a big chance that the podcast will be shown to your targeted audience. And when they are looking for graphics or illustrated content, your infographic content may be shown through Pinterest as well.

3. How to drive high quality traffic to your website

The best way to drive high quality traffic to your website is to put a lot of effort into your SEO. It would also be best if you put a lot of effort into your content like putting keywords into the right places – titles, tags, headlines, meta descriptions, etc. The content should be unique and not just copied from other websites. You should also put a few links to your best content pages where it makes sense. When you include your keywords in the web pages' title tags, posts and meta descriptions, be sure to use a combination of low competition and long tail keywords. This helps the search engines find your pages much more effortless. You should also include your keywords in the content images and video titles. Avoid too much links pointing outside your website if necessary. If you cannot avoid putting links for your affiliate products or services, make a pillar page or pillar post within your blog or website dedicated for this purpose, where you can use this page to put all the necessary links. Be sure to set to a  “nofollow” attribute for best result.

Share your contents to social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. Use paid advertising if you would like to optimize and scale. I will make a separate post about paid advertising soon.

4. Conclusion.

The best way to drive high-quality traffic to your products and services is to create a blog, a page or pages, channels, boards or a combination of all of these. Then use them to promote your products and services. Once you have created your blog, pages, channels and boards, you should make sure that it is optimized for search engines. SEO optimized contents will surely find a “sweet spot” in the search engines' algorithms. So be sure to name your images, videos and audios with the right keywords. Contents with the right meta descriptions, titles and headlines will rank higher in the search engines. I hope this article helped you understand much better about content marketing and gave you solutions on how to drive high quality traffic to your products and services. If you apply these techniques, then you will surely find and see to yourself that content marketing is indeed, easy and not difficult at all.

"Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitable bring about right results." - James Allen

"We go where our vision is." - Joseph Edward Murphy

 

Affiliate Marketing: The Online Education Niche

The Online Education Niche 

The Shift

The situation of the world where we are in right now (as of this time) allows many of us to adapt to so many changes – from traditional business stores to opening online shops; from commute lifestyle jobs to home-based jobs; from classroom set- up to home schooling; from mall shopping to online shopping, and the like. These shifts made many excited while these also made others anxious and bored. What about you? Life must go on… And, it must be in a deeper, higher and wider perspective no matter what. Now, learn to adapt and adjust. 

Online Education

Over the past three months, I was not able to write articles or blog posts for this site because we (my family) were busy in digital product creation for one of our online shops in the education niche. My husband and I are not teachers but while we are helping our child to understand some of her lessons, some Google ads are popping up while we search for subject areas related to the lessons which we hardly remember. This has led us to create digital product(s) that have now been posted in an online education digital platform where it is now making some few sales. I will post our online shop link in the “SHOP” page when we reach our 100^th product milestone.

The online education niche is rising these days especially in the South-East Asia. Entrepreneurs, designers, influencers, business owners specially the affiliate marketers and coaches are looking into the potential of online education platforms. For marketers, target audience is easy to identify and this makes marketing worthwhile products and services easy, as well.

Products and services you can promote:

1.       Educational Games

2.       E-books / Books

3.       Planners / Journals

4.       Courses

5.       Training

6.       Membership sites

7.       Tutoring sites

Micro niches:

1.       Instrumental Music

2.       Graphic Arts

3.       Music Composition

4.       Visual Arts

5.       Creative Writing

6.       Informational Texts

7.       Expository Writing

8.       Classroom Management

9.       Critical Thinking

10.   Life Skills

11.   All subjects – including but not limited to: English, Science, Math, etc.

Types of Products and Services:

1.       Physical Products

2.       Online Services

3.       Digital Products

4.       Combination of physical and digital products

The Need

Educational resources are almost everywhere. Yes, this is true. But you will see how many more quality materials and resources are so much needed this time. If you can find or create worthwhile educational resources or materials for learners, please do so and share. It will help a lot improve students’ engagement in learning and studying and inspiring other educators do the same.

21^st Century Educational Technology

With the help of advanced technology, dissemination of ideas and resources can now be made real-time in places where internet is available. Teachers or educators who are adapting and adjusting to this so called “technology-enriched environment” are clambering and scrambling to meet the demand.

Product Creation

You can share your knowledge and ideas in the educational environment even if you are not a teacher/tutor/educator by creating products and services for them to use in their teaching – whether teaching online or in a classroom setting. How to do that? Well, you can make resources which can be printed for distribution or resources that can be used digitally without the need for printing. You may give them for free or you can sell them in online marketplaces of educational materials.

Printable Products vs Digital Products

Not all learners and teachers are comfortable in using some applications available online. They need printed resources so they can focus and not disturbed with popping ads or not tempted in clicking almost every button to satisfy their curiosity. As a product creator, you can make both versions and make it compatible with what they need whether printable or digital materials.

Types of E-learning Platforms

1.       Student Management System (SMS)

2.       Assessment Software

3.       Virtual Classroom Software

4.       Video Conference Software

5.       Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)

6.       Learning Management System (LMS)

7.       Online Tutoring Platforms

8.       Online Marketplaces

Think of how you can contribute to the online education community – it’s worthwhile, indeed!

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” -Abigail Adams

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” -Henry Ford 

Affiliate Marketing: Shopee Shops with Trending Products

Shopee Shops with Trending Products for Affiliate Marketers and Shoppers

If you are an affiliate marketer in the Philippines or Southeast Asia who is looking for an affiliate marketing programs and products to advertise, then continue reading. This article was written to give you an idea about the Top 10 evergreen niches that you can tap in the affiliate marketing world. And yes, these are Shopee shops with trending products.

So, here we go. This list is classified according to Product Category.

Shopee Shops: Food and Beverages 

Staple needs are now being prioritized by those who have kids and senior citizens in their houses and even those who are working and studying at home. The new normal compels most people to give priority and importance of having healthy food and beverages always available. This product category does not need heavy marketing at all because the products are very in demand yet consumable.

 

Shopee Shops: Vitamins and Minerals:

Vitamins and minerals make our bodies strong and these help boost our immune systems fight diseases. Today, there is a big demand on food supplements. People are now becoming more aware about the importance of healthy lifestyle and diet. While some are researching for healthy recipes to cook for their families and love ones including their selves, some people would like to supplement those lacking vitamins in their recipes with food supplements readily available anytime. Do not just promote, be sure to take your vitamins and minerals as well.

     Shopee Shops: Mobile Gadgets, Laptops, Computers

     The shift from commuting to and from offices to working at home have made more people set up their home offices and study areas for their children thereby increasing the demand for gadgets, laptops, computers, printers and the like. Some started blogging and vlogging in order to build their income streams. As an affiliate marketer, we must see to it that the products we promote are of high quality and durable. Aim to help customers find their needs or best suit their needs and solve their needs.

     Shopee Shops: Furniture 

     To complete the set of home offices and study rooms, the demand for furniture like office tables, office chairs, study tables, study chairs, file cabinets, etc. have also increased. Although furniture is hard to market before the pandemic started, the ease of marketing this category is now unfolding. I have seen some who are buying such products through my affiliate links without even marketing them. So I have included this category in this list.

     Shopee Shops: Home Appliances 

     Some people were laid off from their jobs (and if you are one of them, take heart!) while many have chosen to leave the city life and chose to resign from their jobs and moved to their provinces to start small businesses. Many have set up food business lines, food packaging, food delivery and franchises, etc. These have increased the demands for more freezers, refrigerators, cooking utensils, food storages and food packaging and the like. And if you are good in cooking and baking, why not plan to start this kind of business to add up to your income. As the saying goes, “Love what you do, do what you love.”

      Shopee Shops: Garments and Textiles

     Since the rise of online shopping in the Philippines, manufacturing and selling or reselling of “ready-to-wear” products have also increased since people from the corporate world also have shifted using casual wears instead of wearing their coats and ties. Garments and textiles industry is one of the largest categories where ages 0 to100s can be targeted as your market. If you choose this niche, or if you are in this niche, make sure to buy and try the products first or get some samples first before selling them. This way, you can figure out how to best describe them to your own customers if you are selling them online. But if you are selling them with some stocks on hand, you don’t need to.

     Shopee Shops: Farm Products

     Farm products are some of the untapped demand industry yet is now beginning to unfold especially in the Philippines. Today, people in the urban areas are now setting up their urban farms, vertical gardens, container gardens, etc. So, the demand for farm products like seeds, plant cuttings, animal feeds, plant containers, soil enhancers, fertilizers and other planting materials and farm inputs are now becoming popular. For me and my family, this is our favorite product category because it is very easy to identify the market and the market needs or market demand and so it is very easy to grow customers from anywhere in the Philippines.

   Shopee Shops: Digital Products 

     Do you know that online shoppers also look for discount vouchers for future use? Yes, digital products has unlimited potential and will write a separate article on this. 

    Shopee Shops: Pet products

     Nowadays, in order to fight boredom people get busy with pets just like being busy in their gardens. They like to have some pets with them – as their emotional challenger or they simply love taking care of pets. . The pet grooming products, dog foods, cat foods, etc. have increased with a huge percentage as compared few years ago.

      Shopee Shops: Educational products and office supplies 

     Do you wonder why the demand for office supplies has increased which is ironic with many offices closing temporarily? The shift from work commute to work at home lifestyle including online classes for students, have made the demand for papers, bond papers, pens, ball pens, coloring booklets, printing materials, etc. increased tremendously and that is one of the reason. Another is, most local stores buy office supplies on wholesale for them to sell these office supplies at retail. 

     BONUS

     Shopee Shops: Electronics

     You can browse anything and you will see electronic products pop up anywhere and anytime in your screen at any time.

The list above is the most trending product categories in evergreen niches. As an affiliate marketer you must identify your advertisers (affiliate marketing program owners) as well as know more of your target audience in order to be successful in the affiliate marketing world. If you will notice, these shops have a high credibility score as well as product ratings. Some are new while others have spring forth ages ago.

“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.” -Francis Bacon

“It's choice - not chance - that determines your destiny.” -Jean Nidetch

“Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.” -Tom Landry

 

 

 

Affiliate Marketing: Top Ten Shopee Mall Shops (Lazada Shops) to Promote

List of Top Ten Shopee and Lazada Mall Shops to Promote

This is a list of most recommended Shopee Mall Shops to promote. These shops have strong credibility and have gained customers’ trust over the past few months, years and decades.

So if you are an affiliate marketer in the Philippines looking for affiliate products to promote, check out these shops with their links to Shopee and Lazada:

1. The SM Store - The SM Store is owned by Mr Henry Sy, Sr., it started as a shoemart in Carriedo, Manila, Philippines in 1958 and expanded as store chain nationwide, now is one of the most successful businesses in the Philippines. It has expanded from shoe store to almost all lines of businesses – banking, investments, holdings, land development, etc.
   
   
2. Watsons – Watsons is a health care supply chain store in some parts of Asia and Europe. It has almost 8000 stores and 1500 pharmacies in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, mainland China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Russia and Vietnam. Its headquarters is located in Hong Kong.  Watsons is one of the best choice to promote as an affiliate marketer because of its credibility.
   
   
3. Human Nature – Human Nature is a health and beauty product manufacturer.  Human Nature sells their products through membership and dealership packages. Its advocate is to promote Philippine natural products and aims to help the masses by selling their quality products at very affordable prices.  As an affiliate marketer, you have two options, you can promote their products displayed in Shopee or Lazada or become a dealer and have your own online dealer store.  Whichever you prefer, best results come by willingness to succeed – apply your talents and put extra efforts to reach your goals.
   
   
4. Belo Essentials –Belo Essentials is a very well known brand of beauty products. Belo Essentials is owned by Maria Victoria "Vicki" Gonzalez Belo-Kho, a Filipina dermatologist and television personality. She is the founder, CEO, and medical director of Belo Medical Group. Belo Essentials products are some of the most sought brands by Filipino men and women, as well as some foreign nationals who come to visit the Philippines.
   
   
5. Puritan’s Pride Philippines- Puritan’s Pride Philippines is a one of the most recommended brands of health and wellness products. Puritan’s Pride’s headquarter is located in New York, U.S.A. Puritan’s Pride carries lines of vitamins, minerals and food supplements for adults. Their products is very easy to market and promote because the company is trustworthy and has strong credibility not just in the Philippines but around the world.
   
   
6. Oppo – Oppo Philippines is one of the most trusted brands of mobile phones in the country. Their products are of high quality, user-friendly and budget-friendly. Aside from these, their products are trendy and very durable. Most millenials are using this brand because the features fit well in this digital age. If you are an affiliate marketer who is very picky in promoting products, this brand will not fail you.  Oppo Philippines has proven its worth in the country as well as across the globe.
   
   
7. Vivo – Vivo products are user friendly and budget-friendly just like Oppo. Vivo has taken the lead in their X, V, and Y series.  Their products have a very high market demand and most get easily sold out. So if you are the kind of an affiliate marketer who promotes and describes all details in your product promotion, try to shift to a better strategy of promoting the store as a whole than by promoting individual products. OR, try to promote individual products with a countdown timer just not to fail customers who wishes to take more time before purchasing the product(s). Vivo is an excellent brand for on-the-go customers.
   
   
8. Zeus ph  - Zeus ph offers the latest curations from Nike, Vans, New Balance, Puma and today's top sports brands sourced from their official Philippine partners of well known brands. ZeusPH caters high quality products and customers service with utmost level. Zeus ph is a booming avenue of various trusted brands known across the globe.
   
   
9. Unilever Home Care – Unilever Home Care is a company that carries different well known brands worldwide. The business give high value to their advocacies to raise standards of living, protect and regenerate nature, to promote positive nutrition, wellness and health, etc. Unilever Home Care brands are very easy to promote and advertise because the reputation of their brand partners have been proven ages ago until today. So, if you want to aim for a long-term customers keep promoting their products. Why? Their products are mostly consumables. When loyalty and trust of customers to the brands they carry have been established, it is very easy to earn commissions repeatedly.
   
   
10. Quaker Philippines – Buy and taste then advertise -it is included in my TOP TEN!

The Need to Plan Your Advertising Strategy

Affiliate marketers who would like to build their online presence, credibility and authority do not act in haste – they plan their strategies.  If you heard this: “A/B Testing”, that is commonly used in order to save time and costs, it is what I am emphasizing with much details. A/B tests are best recommended when you use paid advertising. It is good to analyze statistics or data in order for you to optimize your profits and minimize your costs to the lowest level possible. 

You may be asking why I have listed these top ten shopee mall shops for marketing and then in the last part of this article jumps to A/B testing? The reason is this: choosing products to promote is very easy, choosing the right audience is easy, choosing potential customers from your audience is never easy – so you have to test which ads will work best. I remember what my former professor said (or asked), “What is the difference between Chinese businessmen and Filipino businessmen?” There was silence in our class since more than half of our class are Filipino-Chinese, some are full-blooded Filipinos while more than one-fourth are full-blooded Chinese but are Filipino citizens! Then, the silence was broken when one of my classmates raise his hand and answered, "It depends, Miss." 

Now, whether you belong to the class or not, you must be in the right place to see the best perspective.

"In business, you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate." - Chester L. Karrass