Perhaps the single most obvious and visible impact that COVID-19 infections are having in the world of nonprofit organisations is related to the first quarter events season. Spring is always a great time to hold fundraisers and various types of events that help increase the overall budget that organisations will have to work with for the remainder of the fiscal year. Unfortunately, many of these events have been canceled or pushed back for months.

Considering that more than a few MPs have stated that people have to remain at home at all times, there’s literally no way for most of these groups to raise money in person. Several organizations have stepped up their fundraising game, however, and are now starting to find alternative ways of doing things.

In many cases, these events won’t raise anywhere near as much money as traditional ones might have. However, they represent a path for smaller charities to weather the storm and survive in an increasingly volatile market.

Virtual Fundraising Events

Fine dining and even more casual cookouts have long been a mainstay of so many fundraising programs. Recently, people have started to put together something called dinner with a twist, where people in black ties deliver meals to local holders who wouldn’t otherwise be able to visit a physical event. This has become particularly popular with those who care for seniors.

While these events won’t ever be quite as popular as traditional ones, those who use an online donation platform like Donorbox are going to be able to collect donations from those who participate even if they can’t do so in person. Creative organisers are starting to put together some pretty amazing remote events using this kind of technology.

Major record labels have started to host concerts from a remote location. They sell tickets online through a donation widget and the proceeds then go to help those who have been impacted by the virus. Since the economic damage caused by taking certain steps to prevent continued infection have begun to hurt people’s financial status, there’s a good chance that many of these events can directly benefit those who have been dealing with challenges as a result of what’s going on.

In fact, some pundits are saying that charity organisers should expect to see increases in the amount of people they see applying for aid.

Increased Demand on Charity Funds

Due to the fact that so many people are out of work across the entire industralised world, many of these individuals have started to turn to charities in order to try and improve their own situation. While this is exactly why these organisations exist in the first place, it’s clearly putting quite a strain on groups that were already beleaguered by other events not directly related to the coronavirus.

For instance, recently unemployed persons have started to ask for an increased amount of financial assistance during these times. Payroll problems from the previous year have impacted the economy as it was, so these groups have had to work harder than normal for a number of months now.

Specialists have invented some interesting ways to deal with the sudden increase in demands. The so-called flash fundraiser is among the most common.

An organisation using this scheme will announce that their normal plans have been cancelled so they have to hold a fast emergency fundraising that will last only one or two days. The most successful ones so far have leveraged a matched gift that’s helped to encourage additional donations even if they run into cash shortages.

Others have turned to virtual auctions. Some people livestream their auctions through social media to give the same experience that those attending a charity gala would have otherwise had. Some have elected to forego the entire experience and merely sell on eBay or another popular online auction site. In either case, this can also help to drastically reduce the amount of money it costs to put on one of these shows. Top online sellers in the past could make up to £17 million annually, so it’s likely that those today could make even more

More recently, nonprofits have been working to develop even more ways of dealing with the fundraising slump related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Creative Ways of Dealing with a Serious Problem

Sharable content is important in any situation, but quite a few groups have refocused their effort on it. Creating content that shows off fundraising highlights can help to increase generosity in givers. As people learn more about what these groups need, it’s likely that they’ll continue to support them in droves.

With more than £11
billion in annual sales, the UK’s packing market is booming, meaning you’ve
got a vast array of suppliers to choose from when you’re searching for someone
to create the packing that will make your product stand out.

The market looks set to go from strength to strength in the
future, with consumers increasingly demanding convenient, innovative, but at
the same sustainable packaging solutions.

If you’re looking for a new packaging supplier, be it for your start-up company, a new product or just because your existing supplier isn’t giving you what you need, then check out our top tips.

Think About What You Need

Before you even begin scouring the market for a new
supplier, you should consider what you need from them. If you’ve already got an
idea of the design of your packaging in mind, then you’ll only need to find a
manufacturer, but if you need design support then you’ll probably require a
full-service packaging firm. Take the time to consider what you need your
packaging supplier to do for you, so that you can find a company that will
provide the support and services you require.

Ask For Recommendations

When you first start searching for a new packaging supplier,
you should ask your industry peers for recommendations. Professional social
media sites such as LinkedIn, tradeshows and even networking events can help
you to find fellow producers in your market and learn about the packing
suppliers they like working with, and the ones that they avoid. Use the benefit
of their experience to guide you towards the packaging supply firms that are
worth your time and attention.

Don’t Overlook Labels

As well as the outer packaging of your product, you also
need to make sure that you get quality labels printed that contain all the
details your clients need to know.  Experienced
label printer label.co.uk, who’ve worked
with a wide range of brands and businesses, can help you to create a custom
label solution that meets your needs. They offer a wide range of styles and can
give you samples, so you can find the perfect label for your product.

Ask For Samples

As with your labels, you should also ask for samples of the
packaging you’re going to be purchasing, so that you can find a quality
solution that meets your needs. It’s important that you test its durability,
appearance and overall quality, so that you can find a product that enhance
your firm’s brand identity and meet the expectations of your customers.

Check Out Their Service Offering

Many packaging suppliers offer multiple services, such as
distribution and marketing, so check out their full service offering to see if
you can work with one supplier for multiple services. If you find the right
supplier, then this can be a cost-effective way to manage your business. You
should also check out the options that they provide in the packaging area, as
trends in this industry are constantly evolving. If you need to change your
packaging for any reason, it’s better that you’re able to do it with the same
supplier, so try to find a provider that offers multiple different types of
packaging.

Never Choose Based Exclusively On Price

Price is always an important factor, as the cost of your
packaging will affect your product’s mark-up and your business revenue.
However, this should never be the only factor that you consider. You also need
to think about logistics, quality and customer service. If the company you’re
working with doesn’t provide the service you need, then it could be very hard
to work with them. Be wary of any early signs that their customer service might
not be as good as you need it to be, such as ignoring queries, taking a long
time to respond or being curt in their responses. Any of these issues should be
a red flag and lead you to consider looking elsewhere for a packaging
provider. 

Read Reviews

Once you’ve found a supplier you like, you should read
reviews to check that they will definitely provide you with the quality service
and products that you need. Check out a variety of review
sites to see what real customers have to say about the packaging supplier
you’re looking to work with. Be objective, as it’s important to remember that
some reviewers might be biased for or against the company. The important to
look out for is consistency; if you notice several different reviewers making
the same comments, then this could be a sign that this is true.

Finding a new packaging supplier can be a challenge, but by
using these tips and taking the time to review the options you have available,
you can find a supplier that will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Starting and running a business is far from
straightforward. There will be times where you aren’t too sure what to do, but
you give it a go anyway, and it works. However, quite often, there will be
times where this isn’t the case. If you want to try and minimise the number of
things that could go wrong, you first need to know what those common mistakes
are so you can avoid them. Here is a list of the four most common mistakes to
avoid along the way.

Not setting clear goals

It is easy to enter into a business venture with the
goal of simply ‘being successful’. However, it is impossible to measure
progress in relation to this goal if you have not set out clear metrics. What
does success mean to you? Do you want to generate a specific amount of profit
within a specific amount of time? Do you want to service a certain number of
clients within a certain time period? Do you want to have moved into a larger
office by a certain time? Highlight these
goals
clearly from the get-go and constantly refer back to them whenever it is time
to assess your progress.

Choosing the wrong office space

Are you aware that there are many different types of
office spaces available to you? Along with small and large offices, there are
also leased offices, serviced offices, and co-working offices, each of which
have their own unique pros and cons.

If you are looking for a permanent office space and
you are 100% sure of the location in which you’ll be operating, conventional
offices could be your best bet. However, if you are in search of a more
flexible lease because your business is still new or because you are testing
out the waters in terms of location, then serviced offices might be the solution
for you.

If you want to limit costs and only pay for the space
that you need, then it may be worthwhile considering co-working offices.

Ultimately, if you’re in search of the best office
space London has to offer, be sure to get in touch with commercial property
experts who specialise in London offices, in particular. These
experts will also be able to advise you in terms of which type of office space
would best suit your business and its requirements.

Not using technology to your
advantage

In most instances, technology equals improved
productivity, and improved productivity often equals a more impressive bottom
line. While it is possible to perform the necessary tasks and duties within
your business manually, you can be almost certain that it is also possible to
either automate these tasks and duties, or to speed them up significantly, with
the help of the right technology. If you do not have much experience in this
realm, it is definitely worthwhile to consider meeting with an advisor who can
recommend solutions in line with your business and its offering.

Under-spending on marketing

The key to getting a good, solid start is to spend wisely with regard to all aspects of your business. However, one aspect that you definitely do not want to skimp on is that of marketing. Marketing is what will help to maximise your brand awareness, increase your following, and improve overall interest in your offering. Digital marketing is a great place to start as it allows for targeted advertising to fit in with your budget, whatever it may be. It also promises a greater reach, allowing you to advertise to a higher number of people who might be interested in ordering your products and services online. Public relations (PR) is another important component of marketing to consider. By reaching out to journalists and bloggers, you can gain valuable publicity for your business. 

Avoid making these costly mistakes, and your business
will already be well on its way to achieving success and longevity.

Single & Multichannel Retail: From Obvious to Obsolete

Historically speaking, single-channel retail has been the predominant form of customer experience. Shoppers can either buy products directly in-store, or more recently, purchase items online and have them delivered to their homes. In both cases, the company only offers one method of communication, sales, and shopping experience. Though this has worked and continues to work for many, it severely limits consumers in terms of how and when they shop and also constrains the methods in which they can access customer services. 

As eCommerce grew, multichannel retail became more common. Brick-and-mortar retailers made online stores, companies created social media accounts, and customers now had more than one way of viewing products, ordering, and interacting with a business. Though this is a remarkable improvement compared to single-channel retail, it has one major limitation: Customers cannot have a single experience. 

Though multiple channels are available, they aren’t connected in any way. For example, a customer cannot use a previously created online shopping cart to purchase in-store, or their history of liked social media posts doesn’t allow them to purchase any differently on an online catalogue. Though having access to more than one channel is undoubtedly an improvement for consumers, each channel is working more or less independently, which can end up having a negative impact on a business as they unintentionally are pitted against each other competing for customer interactions and sales.

How Omnichannel Changed the Retail Game

Omnichannel retail came in and changed the entire retail game in this regard. It takes a consumer-first approach in how a customer interacts with a company in all forms from marketing to sales and service. Customer experience is optimized in every channel from in-store to social media and designed to provide a seamless customer experience. With omnichannel retail, there is no preferred method of interaction with the customer from the company’s point of view; it all comes down to the consumer’s preference. 

This has several obvious advantages from the customer’s point of view. The majority of customers are already using multiple channels to interact with a store, so having these channels being able to synergize with each other instead of working independently gives customers more flexible shopping options. For example, they can shop online and pick up in-store, while asking questions about products on a company’s social media account simultaneously. Customer experience is of utmost priority for omnichannel retailers, so it’s no surprise that customers find omnichannel stores advantageous. 

For retailers, putting customers and their shopping preferences first leads to better sales and revenue. It removes the roadblocks that multichannel or single-channel retail inevitably has due to its restricted and rigid shopping structure, and expanding these options for customers leads to them being more willing to shop with a given company. As these channels are no longer pitted against each other, retailers can start using a more competitive pricing strategy, which further maximizes sales and revenue and bolsters customer loyalty. 

For primarily brick-and-mortar retailers, adopting an omnichannel strategy allows them to compete better with eCommerce by using their in-store option to their advantage, obtaining the same engagement rates as online stores do whilst using physical store layouts to entice customers to return or purchase more items. ECommerce retailers also find their own businesses performing better when they utilize omnichannel communications and shopping options. Creating physical pick-up points for shoppers, for example, allows more frugal customers to avoid shipping fees and makes them more willing to shop without limiting other customers’ ability to have items delivered. 

Conclusion

In all cases, an omnichannel, customer-first approach equips retailers from all corners of the industry with the right tools to maximize sales and revenue. This allows any company to start winning the retail war no matter which channel they started out with. The future has spoken; customers are using multiple channels to interact with companies, and they expect a seamless experience. Only omnichannel retailers can provide this for them, so it’s no surprise that more retailers are making the switch from single or multichannel to omnichannel retail strategies. The advantages this provides the customer are undeniable, and the benefits omnichannel has for the businesses themselves are also becoming more evident in the form of sales and revenue.