Author: Igor

  • What We’ve Learnt About Growing A Business Brand

    A successful business relies on a variety of different elements. However, nothing else you do in business will count for anything if people can’t buy into your brand. If you cannot perfect this area, then your company simply isn’t ready.

    Here are five crucial requirements that will help you handle this task like a pro. Incorporate them immediately, and your hopes of success will soar.

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    You Need Passion

    When you’ve interviewed as many entrepreneurs as we have, you quickly pick up on a few shared qualities. A raw passion for business is undoubtedly top of that list. Whether it’s artistic innovations or providing IT support, you must feel strongly about the cause.

    Even the greatest businesses have encountered difficult moment along their journeys. In all honesty, your company will be no different. Without a genuine love for your ideas, overcoming those early obstacles will become impossible. Besides, consumers can tell whether your venture is built on a foundation of passion. If it is, they’ll be far more likely to buy into those concepts.

    You Need A Niche

    It goes without saying that every business needs a customer base. However, the big mistake that many entrepreneurs fall for is trying to please everyone. Sadly, cutting yourself too thin will only alienate the people that may have been interested.

    Trying to appeal to people that aren’t going to buy your products is futile anyway. Find your place in the market at the earliest stage possible, and increasing your conversion rates will become far easier.

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    You Need Character

    Knowing your audience is one thing, but attracting their interest is another altogether. Of course, tailoring products and marketing tools to their preferences will serve you well. But your competitors will be doing the same. You need to do something that sets your business aside from the others.

    Organising a special promotional event is a great way to make your company stand out from the crowd. Hiring a special act through a professional booking agent will spice up any launch event or hosted evening. And when you create those unforgettable experiences, your company becomes unforgettable too. Once customers are thinking about it on a regular basis, the regularity of sales should increase too.

    You Need Presence

    No business can make its mark if people aren’t aware of its existence, though. Visibility is a crucial factor for obvious reasons, but it also verifies the professionalism of the venture too.

    In today’s market, online activities provide the perfect opportunity to pass this test with flying colours. A well-designed website supported by great SEO and social media streams will become one of your greatest marketing tools. Let’s face it; customers are constantly using the internet to research companies before completing a sale. If your online presence paints a positive picture, the overall perceptions will be greatly improved.

    You Need Support

    As an entrepreneur, you should know that you can’t do everything alone. For starters, employees can have a huge influence on productivity while their ideas may also help with branding and marketing. Perhaps the biggest asset at your disposal, however, is the customer.

    Nobody knows what they want better than the customer. Interacting with them will allow you to fine-tune those ideas. It also encourages them to participate in the growth of your business too. Moreover, customer testimonials inject an added sense of trust that can make a big difference to recruiting new clients.

    These five elements won’t suddenly guarantee overnight success, but they will define the brand. If nothing else, that should make the road ahead far less bumpy.

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  • Hidden Gems – Independent Restaurants and Cafes in Liverpool

    Liverpool is a city home to the Baltic Triangle, a world-famous independently-run street food and drink market located at the edge of the city centre. While the Baltic Triangle is a hugely popular area for locals and tourists to enjoy, there are many other hidden gems across the city too. Various restaurants and cafes in Liverpool have been able to create a name for themselves in the industry as unique and delicious. 

    Whether you’re a Liverpool regular, a one-off visitor or someone who is curious, we’ve collated the top hidden gems in Liverpool for you to read over and possibly visit yourself.

    Below is a list of five deliciously unique restaurants and cafes that we love. 

    Down the Hatch

    Also known as Seitan’s Basement, Down the Hatch (DTH) is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant that encourages its customers to fill up their boots and stuff their faces as their portion sizes are enormous. It gets almost all 5-star reviews from foodies who eat there since it offers food that’s a little different to the rest. Primarily, Down the Hatch offers customers veggie and vegan junk food that is sure to impress – plus as the name implies, this hidden gem is located underground. While we can’t promise the food will taste better considering the location – it’s a place not be missed when visiting Liverpool. From pulled-jackfruit burgers to loaded mac and cheese – you ultimately can’t go wrong with a meal from DTH!

    Bar Bodega

    Liverpool’s long-standing and well-loved cocktail basement bar and restaurant is a hit with Liverpool locals and visitors. It’s located beneath a new city centre development from RWinvest, L1 Boutique. The beautifully designed building is home to the unique bar as well as countless apartments that house students and residents of the city. Bar Bodega regularly hosts cocktail masterclasses and can host events too. It’s great to start your night out or go for a late-night party venue. Plus, it’s available for private hire if you want to have your birthday bash here or anniversary get together. 

    Mother Espresso

    Home to some of Liverpool’s best coffee, Mother is a known name across the city since it does yummy lattes and food too. Open seven days a week and offering veggie and vegan options, the café is a great spot for students looking for a quirky place to study or even friends wanting a place to have a chat. Often, small business events and talks are hosted here. If the delicious coffee isn’t enough to convince you to go, their toasties and full English breakfast should. It’s a must-visit if you’re in Liverpool for a few days.

    Yard and Coop

    Chicken lovers unite for Yard and Coop, an underground restaurant dedicated to fried chicken and waffles. Sitting right in the city centre, not too far from your retail therapy, Yard and Coop is a unique yet affordable place to try. The restaurant is a late-night spot offering cocktails and drinks but also offers mouth-watering desserts and meals too. If you’re someone who loves to indulge in junk food, Yard and Coop is the place to be. 

    Lovelocks

    An independently-owned and run coffee shop, Lovelocks offers customers freshly ground coffee, food and various vegan options. They source all of their food from local farmers and certainly know how to bake a beautifully tasting cake. Any chocolate lover would dream of indulging in their chocolate fudge cake. However, there are countless soups, breakfasts and lunches on offer too. It’s the perfect spot after you’ve shopped till you drop, or even for a quick bite to eat with your work friends while on lunch. Don’t pass up the opportunity to visit a real café run by real people that is homely and good value for money!

  • Stay: Tune Hotel Liverpool St London

    Stay: Tune Hotel Liverpool St London

    Last weekend one of the members of the Future Positive team travelled to London to meet some people and find inspiration for the website. Whilst planning the trip and looking for accommodation, Tune Hotels kindly offered us a discounted stay at their Liverpool St hotel. Scroll down to find out more about Igor’s stay at the hotel.

    For those of you who haven’t heard about Tune Hotels before, they are a chain of hotels offering a great night’s sleep at a good price. They have several hotels in Asia and have recently expanded to the UK with hotels in London and Edinburgh.

    Tune Hotel Liverpool Stis located in the heart of London’s East End, just under 5 minutes walk to Brick Lane. Despite its name, the hotel is actually not located on Liverpool St but on Folgate St, just off Commercial St (don’t forget to visit The Commercial Tavern) and 5 minutes away from Liverpool St Station. This is actually an advantage as you can avoid all the noise from the main streets and have a good night’s sleep.

    The room had a really comfortable double bed and didn’t feel tiny as in other budget hotels. That was also the case with the bathroom which had a great shower and enough space to move around. The windows were facing the hotel’s patio which looked great for having an outdoors breakfast if you’re staying during summer.

    The stay was great and it’s hard to find something similar in the area for a better price, considering how close it is to the East End’s main attractions. If you’re planning a trip to London and looking for a good value accommodation, definitely consider having a look at the four Tune hotels in the city!

  • How to organise your toolbox like a professional

    Do you consider yourself handy? With home improvement projects spiking during the recent lockdowns, it’s likely more and more of us do. DIY sales soared over summer – but are you looking after your tools and equipment like a professional would? 

    More than a mere matter of pride, efficient toolbox organisation can keep expensive items in top condition and make every job easier. If yours is currently a frustrating mess or you’re just getting started, read our top tips below on how to introduce some much-needed order.  

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    Have a clearout (and clean-up)

    From our wardrobes to our garages and even fridges and freezers, better organisation often starts with a clearout. Remove every last item and take stock of what can stay, what can go, and what can be grouped together.

    Freeing up space will make rifling through tools less of a time sink. Make sure to clean up drawers and compartments before putting everything back in its rightful spot.   

    Label key sections

    Next up is categorisation. If you have a large toolbox with multiple sections, it’s worth creating a clear labelling system so you’ll know where to find everything at a glance. You’ll also be less likely to put bits back in the wrong place over time that way.

    Possible categories could include hand tools, power tools and accessories, depending on the kit you have available.  

    Use containers for small items 

    What about all those smaller bits and bobs that seem to end up in every drawer and pocket no matter what you do? Much like a kitchen larder for spices, invest in a selection of clear tubs to keep loose items like bolts, nails and screws together. You’ll want to label these too to avoid getting confused and mixing them up.   

    Order tools by weight

    Most larger toolboxes will have multiple layers. If yours does too, it’s logical to store heavier items like power tools at the bottom, medium-sized tools like hammers and wrenches in the middle, and all remaining lighter bits at the top. 

    Organising tools by weight reduces the risk of a toolbox toppling over. You’ll also be less likely to damage lighter tools – or hurt yourself – when putting items in or taking them out. 

    Insert tool foam

    Tool foam sheets are a smart solution for keeping items from sliding around on the move, as well as making them easier to visually distinguish. They’ll reduce bumps and scratches too – though you’ll likely need to custom-cut yours to suit your equipment. This process shouldn’t be too tricky with a good quality utility blade in hand, however.

    They say a tidy desk promotes a tidy mind – and the same goes for your toolbox. Follow the tips above to make every job a breeze and ensure the best possible results.

     

  • 5 Tips for Mastering a Language While You Travel

    Traveling is one of the most eye-opening and memorable experiences that someone can have, but it is also one of the most perfect ways to start learning a language. If you’re going traveling soon but don’t know how to use it to your advantage in terms of progressing your language skills, make sure that you try some of these 5 tips to ensure that you can master your desired language while having the time of your life on vacation.

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    Don’t Be Afraid to Talk to Natives

    One of the worst things that you can do when trying to learn a new language is not having enough practice of speaking to native speakers. It can be embarrassing to try and speak in a language that you aren’t completely used to or confident with, especially to people who are 100% fluent. A good thing to remind yourself of is that you don’t need to be perfect when speaking to natives. They will understand that it is not your first language and will also appreciate that you are making the effort to speak to them, rather than expecting them to speak your language in their own country. By speaking to native speakers, you can practice pronunciation, intonation and possibly even make some new friends to regularly practice speaking with. 

    Avoid Headphones

    A key way of mastering a language while you’re traveling is to avoid wearing your headphones at all costs. By doing this, you will be able to hear constant conversations happening around you and may even pick up on new vocabulary. If you’re always listening to other’s conversations, you can get a good grasp of pronunciation and intonation, as well as providing yourself with free listening exercises. A good way to test your listening comprehension is to listen to conversations and attempt to translate them in your head to test how much you would really understand in a real-life conversation.

    Take Study Books with You

    Just because you’re traveling, it doesn’t mean that you can’t bring your normal study books with you. There are elements of learning a language that are impossible to master with just speaking to natives alone – they require hard studying. A great example of this is grammar and tense. In Spanish, for example, there are different words that carry the same meaning, such as words meaning ‘to be’: ‘ser’ and ‘estar’. The differences between ser vs estar can be confusing – they completely depend on sentence context, and most likely won’t be fully understood by speaking to natives alone. If you’re finding yourself sitting in a hotel room waiting for a restaurant reservation or a taxi to the airport, have a quick look over your study books to make sure that the information stays fresh.

    Immerse Yourself in Media

    There is nothing more overwhelming than going to a different country and finding yourself surrounded by magazines, books, TV shows and movies all in a foreign language. If you want to master a language though, you must try to embrace this scenario rather than hiding away from it. Pick up the magazines and use them as a reading comprehension exercise. If you see words that you don’t understand, it never hurts to ask someone nearby what it means – assuming they can speak English of course! You may also find that movie theaters play English language films but provide subtitles in their language, meaning that you can see a new blockbuster and learn translations at the same time!

    Record Newly Learned Vocabulary

    When you’re in a country that predominantly speaks the language you’re learning, you can be certain that you’re going to learn lots of new vocabulary and cool new sayings that you’ll want to remember for your studies. However, if you learn this new information on a morning while speaking to natives, you most likely won’t remember what the new information was when it comes to the evening of the same day. It is vitally important that you note down new information and new vocabulary as soon as you learn it, either in a journal or in a note app on your phone. 

    Learning a language while you are traveling is arguably one of the best possible ways to master that language quickly. By being constantly surrounded by it, you will be able to learn all sorts of new information and tips and tricks that you never knew existed. Make sure that you make the most out of your travels by following these tips to continue your language studies while on your travels.