5 Common Business Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Did you know that 90% of businesses online fail in just 4 months? 

Yes, you read that right! It's sad but it's true. 

So, if you are a business owner or if you are aspiring to be one, then let us share with you the Top 5 Common Business Mistakes and Tips on How to Fix Them: 

1. Unable to Establish a Niche or Focus - The online world can be overwhelming. With the endless possibilities and opportunities, one may also fall into the trap of being all over the place which in return, makes the brand easily lose its identity.  

It is important for brands to establish a niche or identify their area of focus in that way, people can easily remember and recall the brand when doing significant consumer decisions. 

TIP: When starting a business, ask the big questions because your answers can help you identify your niche.  

• What is the purpose of my business?
• What problems am I trying to solve?
• What gaps in the market am I trying to fill in? 

2. Targeting a Broad and Large Market - As great as it sounds, targeting a broad and large market might not be the most efficient way to spend your time and your marketing budget. We have to understand that not everyone can be our customers. The market is so diverse with varying needs, interests, and purchasing power.    

TIP: Know your target audience. Identify consumers who are likely to buy your products and services, and customize your digital marketing strategies to use to engage them.  Do not over-stretch your budget just because you want to reach everyone. 

3. Failing to Establish Online Presence - Whether we admit it or not, digital and online marketing is the way to go. According to a recent study by GE Capital Retail Bank, 81% of retail shoppers conduct online research first before making a purchase.

Thus, by failing to establish your online presence, you set your business NOT being considered in a consumer purchasing decision. 

TIP: Maximize the use of social media platforms like Facebook, IG, Tiktok, Linkedin, etc. 

4. Not Having a Blog - Many businesses build their company websites but miss out on the huge opportunity and benefits of including a blog. As business owners, we have to keep in mind that the goal is not simply to put up a business but rather to become an industry leader. 

By keeping an updated blog and publishing relevant articles, you market yourself and your brand as an expert in your industry. Not to mention your blog posts can get indexed which also helps in the SEO of your website. 

5. Unable to Maximize Online Resources - We just talked about creating a blog and yes, we know that content creation may be a bit challenging for some. However, it is not a sufficient excuse that you don't do it. 

If you don't have a blog because writing is not your forte, or you tend to avoid social media because you don't know how to create posters or edit videos, then you are making the biggest mistake in running your business. There are so many available online resources available now that can help you with your content writing or graphic design needs. 

There is even a database of all the popular tools for digital marketing that you can use so, you don't have to search all over. These tools are user-friendly making it possible even for non-tech-savvy individuals to harness the benefits of using these online resources. 

Indeed, running a business is not easy however, by avoiding these simple mistakes we can increase our chance of success by being focused, creative and resourceful. 

A Home that Cares: Home Credit Extends HMO Coverage to Domestic Partners to Strengthen Inclusivity Efforts

As Home Credit Philippines (HCPH) continues to foster inclusivity and support diverse families in the workplace, the leading consumer finance company now includes domestic partners as dependent in its medical benefits program for eligible employees.

Home Credit Philippines Chief People Officer Alpha Omega Aquino noted that this new policy is aligned with the company’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of its employees.

“With this initiative, we hope to create an environment where every employee feels supported and valued. We want to help promote a caring and nurturing work culture that feels like home to empower our employees further,” said Aquino.

With this new policy, qualified employees can now extend their HMO coverage to their domestic partners if they meet certain criteria. The employee and domestic partner should be both single and never married and not related by blood, whether legitimate or illegitimate. The partner must also be of legal age and not more than 65 years old.

If eligible, the employee can enroll the partner by submitting the following requirements for the medical benefits program: barangay certification of co-habitation, the partner’s Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) certified copy of birth certificate, and PSA certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR).

“By extending our medical benefits program to domestic partners, we aim to enable our employees to build strong and healthy families, regardless of marital status. The coverage will encompass inpatient and even outpatient services, including checkups, laboratory tests, rehab, therapy, emergency care, dental, mental health care, and pre-existing conditions,” Aquino added.

As a strong advocate of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), this initiative complements the Same-Sex Partner HMO Coverage that Home Credit started to offer its employees in 2021 to provide medical benefits to LGBTQIA+ partners. Currently, the company already has several employees enjoying this benefit.

“At Home Credit, we believe that our employees are our greatest asset. We remain committed to fostering a workplace that promotes DEI, allowing us to embrace different perspectives and backgrounds to make every employee feel welcome and appreciated. We will continue enhancing our programs for our employees as we believe our success will not be possible without them,” Aquino remarked.

As a testament to Home Credit’s commitment to upholding DEI practice, the company recently received another Gold Stevie® for the Innovative Achievement for Diversity and Inclusion category during the tenth annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards last June.

To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are also encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see what’s new in the Marketplace.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Book Feature: Mga Sulat na Para Sana Sa 'Yo + Exclusive Interview with Author Vanessa Cruz-Zapanta

Regret is one of the hardest emotions to deal with. It is more difficult because of the other negative emotions connected to it such as remorse, sadness, guilt, and the feeling of helplessness. Unfortunately, this happens to many of us. It happens to people from various walks of life and for varied reasons.

These are the things we should have done or the words that we wished we said. These are the feelings that we never got to show or express. Maybe because the circumstances were not favorable or maybe we got so busy and got caught with the daily grind. 

Perhaps we made unfortunate and bad decisions or many times we just don't know how to express ourselves and we simply can't find the right words to say.

Mga Sulat na Para Sana Sa'Yo (MSPSY) is a collection of letters in English and Tagalog left unsent. In this book, the author has given a voice to the people with stories of regret. She wrote letters for them that they could or would have given to their intended recipient. 

Even if these letters may be forever unsent because of certain circumstances like death or lost contact, the author hopes that putting their feelings into words and being able to read them can somehow give closure. 

This book can also help us process our thoughts and feelings for ourselves. It also reminds us that one is not alone. It shows us that there is someone out there who has felt exactly the same love, pain, and regret that we have. Just like how we find songs relatable. 

This 144-page masterpiece is written by Vanessa Cruz-Zapanta, NBDB registered author and writer from Bulacan. She is a Psychology graduate from the University of Santo Tomas and has a certification in interior design from New Zealand. 

She is a former psychometrician and a sales professional in one of the oldest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Today, we are grateful for this chance to have this exclusive interview with her.  

1. Can you share with us something about the book that isn't in the blurb?

No matter how much you have accomplished in life, there are grueling moments in one’s life that can make you quit. But during those falls, it is important to try to stand up and face life head-on. The struggles that we are going through will pass, it will pass out like a kidney stone, but it will.

Also, I am happy to share that MSPSY became LAZADA's top-selling literature and had been recognized as part of the trending and frequently bought books in literature. The book also received recognitions such as Filipino Reader's Choice Award (Top 4) and has been nominated and garnered the highest number of FB votes during the VP Choice Awards. 

2. What inspired the idea for your latest book?

I wrote my book and self-published it to tick it off my bucket list initially. I didn’t realize that a lot of people will be able to relate to it. The stories in the letters were real to them and it hit the right spot. 

Also, I wanted a title that will intrigue and pique the readers' interest and I think the book became as popular as it is because of the title. Many are drawn to the dramatic and the romantic, I guess. 

3. How long did it take you to complete the book?

It took me a year to finish writing, MSPSY.

4. What part of the book was most challenging to write and why?

The most challenging part was looking for the right person to edit the book. I even experienced being rejected but it was part of the process in which I learned. Starting to publish as well as finding the right team to help you are the hardest. It is a lot of hard work.

5. What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

It is never too late to do something that takes your breath away. It is always imperative that we learn to be brave and say what we want before it is too late. 

When I write, I am able to inspire people and instill the attitude of gratitude whatever your present circumstance is to people. This is what happened to my book, MGA SULAT NA PARA SANA SA ‘YO. The English and Filipino letters that I wrote gave closure to most people that read them and many were able to relate to the different situations.

6. If you’re planning a sequel or writing the next book, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?

There is a clamor for BOOK 2. But we’ll see. I will always be guided by my True North. I live it up to Him. "Unsent" or "Letter You Should Have Received" - Another book of letters like MSPSY

7. Where can they buy your books or find out more about you?

The book is now available online via 

Shopee: https://shope.ee/9KEUNGwQ3F

Lazada: https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.7aqs9?cc 

If you are near Manila, it is also available at the Solidaridad Bookshop located at 531 Padre Faura, Ermita. 

It is also available on Google Play or you can order directly from me. You may reach me on my official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and Youtube. 

---------------------------

Thank you, Author Vanessa, for agreeing to this interview. We are happy to get to know you and your book and we look forward to more stories (a.k.a. letters) from you. 

--------------------------

We love supporting authors! Do you want your book to be featured? 

Here's how: https://www.mymetrolifestyle.com/p/do-you-want-to-promote-your-book.html

Fictional Characters and Addresses: Who Lived Where?

Thank you for visiting our blog. Starting today, we will be having weekly fun quizzes or activities to test your knowledge about your favorite books and authors.

So, if you haven't been paying much attention to the small details when reading, then this is the sign you are looking for. 

Can you name the characters who lived in these fictional addresses?

 

Now, check your answers!!!

1. Christian Grey lives at the Escala which is a 31-story luxury apartment building located at 1920 Fourth Avenue Seattle, Washington.

2. The Dursleys were Harry Potter's last living relatives. To ensure Harry's safety, Albus Dumbledore placed him in the Dursleys' care when he was a baby.

3. You can find the Banks family and Mary Poppins at 17 Cherry Tree Lane, London, consisting of Mr. Banks, their children Jane and Michael, and baby twins John and Barbara.

4. The fictional Addams Family have listed their address as 001 Cemetery Lane.

5. Our favorite vampire family, The Cullens doesn't live inside a home with dark and thick walls but instead you can find their sleek glass house at 420 Woodcroft Ave, Forks, Washington. 

Trivia: The address was shown in Bella and Edward's wedding invitation.   

-------------------------

That's it for now! Hope you had fun. :) 

Don't forget to get to go back to our FB post and tell us how many did you get correctly.