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4-Surprising Ways to Get Your First Few Sales Online

I’m going to give you some advice I wish someone had given me when starting out, about making your first few sales online.

The first and very most important thing for any startup business is to focus ALL your energy on getting your first few sales, because those first sales will start bringing in cash. You need that cash flow as soon as possible.

Here’s why you should go after the money first: Most people focus on all the wrong things when they’re getting started. When they start running out of money, they panic and a few months later, they usually just quit the whole business.

For example, a friend of mine started an online business. He started writing on his blog every day, but one day I noticed it had been a few months since I had seen his blog, so I asked him what happened.

Without fully realizing it, he was spending all his time creating a fancy logo. He was getting all the latest plug-ins. He was busy, so it felt like he was getting something done.

A week went by, then a month went by, and after three months he had not made a single dollar. After a while of continuing to have nothing coming in, while you’re spending all this time doing all of these things, that really starts to almost get depressing.

You know, a lot of people they go through this same exact situation. After half a year they’ve spent all this time doing all of this stuff they thought would bring them money, but no cash is actually showed up in their bank account.

February 16, 2019ZONEZI No commentsMarketing|News, News

According to Juniper Research, the global ride sharing market is estimated to grow to $6.5 billion by 2020 from $3.3 billion in 2015. North America is the biggest region in the industry and is expected to account for a third of the market share. Western Europe and Asia-Pacific, excluding Far East and China, are estimated to be the next big regions. While Uber maybe the biggest known brand worldwide, other local services are making a big impact in their respective regions. Billion Dollar Unicorn club member Careem is leading the market in the Middle East.

Careem’s Offerings

Dubai-based Careem was founded in 2012 by McKinsey alumni Mudassir Sheikha and Magnus Olsson. The service was initially set up as a web-based service for corporate car bookings. But as the market evolved, it transitioned to becoming an app that would allow individuals to book a car for hire. The company has expanded its geographic presence outside of Dubai as well. Today, its service is available in 11 countries and more than 52 cities in the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan regions. It claims that it has 150,000 drivers in these countries and helps transport more than 6 million cab riders.

Careem’s Regulatory Concerns

Like Uber, Careem is also no stranger to regulatory controversies. Last year, local taxi drivers in Egypt claimed that Careem was operating without official taxi licenses and demanded government intervention. Luckily for the companies, the Egyptian government ruled in favour of Careem and Uber, thus allowing them to operate legally in the country.

However, things are not so rosy in Abu Dhabi. Ride sharing services of both Careem and Uber were suspended in August without indicating the reason. Earlier this month, Careem announced plans to relaunch its services in Abu Dhabi. It is also adding a new service called Careem Limo to operate under the regulations for limo services in Abu Dhabi. This will make Careem the only ride-hailing app service in the city.

Even in its home town Dubai, Careem has had to revisit its pricing options. Last month, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced a rule to impose some new charges on ride-hailing services. The Authority will be charging a surcharge of AED3 (~$0.82) per trip on Careem users. The surcharge is part of planned new regulations for transport services to deal with app-based ride-hailing platforms. Careem had earlier tied up with RTA in Dubai to allow users to book RTA taxis through the Careem app. The service is expected to be launched soon and will not be charged the surcharge.

February 16, 2019ZONEZI No commentsBusiness, News

The smartphones that sit uncomfortably inside our pocket are now more powerful than the large desktop computers from 10 years ago. However, many people will tell you that these fantastic advances in technology are not always a sign of progress.

For example, anyone that remembers the days when the tank like Nokia 3310 ruled the world will scoff at our unusual modern ways. Back in simpler times, you didn’t have to worry about dropping your phone or constantly searching for a power socket to charge your phone, and it even fit in your pocket.

You didn’t feel the need to have to search for a game that you somehow buried on page 7 of your phone apps because the only game you played was called Snake. This was an era where reliability and resilience were rated much higher than shiny new gimmickry.

Sure, there was a reversal of fortune when the iPhone appeared on the scene, and we fell in love with mobile apps and screens that shatter just by looking at concrete. Eventually, Microsoft infamously acquired Nokia’s mobile phone business in 2014 for a whopping $7.17 billion in a move that would eventually be the kiss of death for the Nokia phone as we knew it.

According to Evan Blass, HMD Global Oy, the Finnish manufacturer with exclusive rights to market phones under the Nokia brand have an interesting announcement on the horizon. It appears there are plans to announce four handsets at Mobile World Congress later this month including the much loved Nokia 3310 that many still remember as the first phone they fell in love with.

February 16, 2019ZONEZI No commentsBusiness, News

The Condominium Act of 1979 is restrictive of foreign ownership of condominiums in Thailand, but generally allows it for foreigners who permanent residents, or those who have entered the country on an investment promotion visa, or for those who have fulfilled certain requirements related to the transfer or withdrawal of foreign currency. In regards to those foreign currency requirements, the Land Department Regulation Re: Foreign Ownership of Condominium Units of 2004 defines the foreign currency requirements below.

The foreign purchaser must provide evidence of either (1) remitting foreign currency into Thailand, or (2) withdrawing Thai baht from the bank account of a person who is domiciled outside of Thailand, or (3) withdrawing money from a foreign currency account in an amount no less than the purchase price of the condominium unit that is intended to be purchased.

February 16, 2019ZONEZI No commentsNews, Real Estate

Setting Up Company Partnerships under Thai Law

Siam Legal International | October 10, 2016 | Business in Thailand, Civil and Commercial Law, Company Law, Company Registration

The Civil and Commercial Code of Thailand provides for the formation of partnerships as is found in the laws of other countries. However, partnerships are normally not formed by foreign investors due to particular difficulties that arise due to the Foreign Business Act of 1999. Generally speaking, the formation of a limited company is more advantageous to foreign investors since majority Thai-owned companies with foreign directors are still considered “Thai nationals” for the purposes of the Foreign Business Act. In contrast, partnerships, even if formed with majority Thai capital investment, are still considered “foreign nationals” if the managing partner is a foreign national. Nevertheless, it is possible for foreign nationals to operate business in Thailand as a partnership in certain cases, such as if they are operating a business that is unrestricted by the Foreign Business Act, or if they have obtained a Foreign Business License or a Foreign Business Certificate under the Thai-U.S. Treaty of Amity. A few of the notable points regarding the operation of a partnership is as follows:

There are three forms of partnerships: an unregistered ordinary partnership, a registered ordinary partnership, and a limited partnership.
As for the unregistered ordinary partnership, it refers to a business partnership arising from a contract and does not constitute a juristic person. The partners are jointly and unlimitedly liable for the obligations of the partnership and are bound to each other by the terms of their partnership agreement. If an ordinary partnership is then registered, it will have the status of being a juristic person. Nevertheless the partners are still personally liable to third parties.

February 16, 2019ZONEZI No commentsNews, Real Estate

Shareholder meetings play an important role in the governance of Thai limited companies since the Civil and Commercial Code require that limited companies be managed by the directors under the control of meetings of the shareholders (called “general meetings” in the Code). The primary instrument used by the general meetings to govern the company are shareholder meeting resolutions which are passed by a majority vote of the shareholders attending the meetings. However, an important legal issue that arises in regards to shareholder meeting resolutions concerns the withdrawal of resolutions after they have been passed by a meeting. Section 1195 of the Civil and Commercial Code provide for the withdrawal of company resolutions. According to that section, a resolution must be withdrawn by court order. Furthermore, only a shareholder or director has standing to challenge a resolution and may make such an application to the Court.

February 16, 2019ZONEZI No commentsNews, Real Estate

The requirements and legal procedures involved in buying land in Thailand as a company (particularly with foreign shareholders) is quite complex. Siam Legal has therefore compiled this reference guide to help its corporate clients prepare the necessary documents and evidence required in order to avoid needless mistakes and costly delays when appearing before the Land Official for the transfer of ownership. The guide below can also generally apply to condominium transactions, except that foreign companies are not restricted from owning condominium units outright.

February 16, 2019ZONEZI No commentsNews, Real Estate

The acquisition of land or a condominium unit in Thailand by a foreign government for official use, such as for use as an embassy or consulate, is not covered by any specific legislation. Therefore, assuming that a foreign government intended to acquire land or other immovable property in Thailand for official use, such an acquisition must be done by reciprocal agreement between nations, although not falling under the terms of Section 86 of the Land Code (as stated in Land Department Announcement No. 0610.4/893 issued on 2 August 1994). Furthermore, the Thai Cabinet has issued a number of resolutions on this matter which can be summarized as follows:

19 February 1958: According to this resolution where a foreign government wishes to purchase land for official use or for the use as a residence for their officials in an area not exceeding 15 rai, regardless of whether it is one plot or several, then the Land Department may proceed to allow the acquisition. If the amount to be purchased is more than the amount specified, then permission may sought from the Cabinet on a case by case basis.
1 April 1997: This resolution addressed the acquisition of land by social countires. Since the acquisition of land in Thailand by foreign governments had to follow the principle of reciprocity and since socialist governments do not allow foreign governments to acquire land in their countries, then accordingly Thailand could not allow socialist countries to purchase land in Thailand, but could only allow them to lease the land. However, due to the interest of maintaining stable relations with foreign countries, the Thai government would have to purchase the land from the private owner first and then enter into the lease agreement with the foreign socialist government.
An interesting issue arose when the Taiwan Economic and Trade Office in Thailand wished to purchase a land and building for official purposes. The Land Department considered the matter and concluded that the acquisition of land in Thailand by foreign government had to be done on the basis of reciprocity. However, since the Thai government had not recognized the sovereignty of Taiwan, the Thai government could not enter into any such reciprocal agreement with the Taiwanese government. Therefore, on 5 February 2000, the Cabinet allowed the Thai Economic and Trade Office to enter into an agreement with the Taiwan Economic and Trade Office regarding reciprocity in the purchase and acquisition of land for both parties.

The acquisition of land by foreigners is a complex legal subject in Thailand. Foreigners seeking to acquire land in Thailand are advised to consult with competent Thai legal counsel before proceeding.

February 16, 2019ZONEZI No commentsNews, Real Estate

Cold Calling is, by some distance, the most controversial topic in the sales community right now.

There’s been a lot of articles written about it and everyone has strong opinions. Most people are talking from personal experience and some with the benefit of having run a team.

I work for a company that makes more than 40,000 cold calls per week, to all parts of the globe. Does that give me more insight than most? I’m not sure, but here’s my tuppence worth to add to the debate, tell me what you think once you’ve read about what we’ve learned.

First the good news – it does still work – no matter what anyone tries to tell you.

Now the bad; cold calling isn’t easy and never will be…period. But the worst thing about it? The time it takes.

Does that time make it a viable way for an expensive BDM to spend their time? Again, things aren’t as black and white as most arguments I’ve seen and read. The genuine answer is; it depends.

On what?

Geography is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the biggest variables. Both where you are calling to and from. Brand recognition is huge. Having an engaging story is way more important than your product. Saturation plays a part – we know this more than most as a telemarketing agency – I’m not sure there’s a marketing or sales director (our usual KDM’s) who hasn’t been called a thousand times by telemarketing agencies. Timing is more important than people give it credit for. Data is the essential fuel required for cold calling. Ability is important, experience less so. What you say isn’t nearly as important as how you say it (despite the endless articles about what words to use). But attitude is, by some distance, the biggest single determinant of a successful outcome.

Before I go any further – we need to define what I’m talking about when I say cold call.

I went to see Joanne Black give a talk this morning (thanks John Smibert and Tony Hughes for inviting her Down Under) and I agree with Joanne’s definition as; someone who I have never spoken to, who doesn’t know me and whom I’m now calling out of the blue.

Everything else has caveats.

Talking of caveats or perhaps disclaimers – I had better cover some of those before I go any further. These are my personal observations made from watching, hearing and getting results on the more than 40,000 cold calls we, as in the company I work for, make every week to various parts of the world. What I’m sharing are generalisations. But I won’t share data, as my boss wouldn’t dream of letting me, and I doubt our clients would be very happy if I did. I see exceptions to everything I’m about to say… every single day.

February 16, 2019ZONEZI No commentsBusiness, News

Revenue strategies for boutique hotels

It’s no surprise that millennials now make up the largest share of traveler demographics and are the biggest factor in why independent hoteliers will work to perform better than in previous years. Having a full grasp where and who your business comes from is the first step in building proper revenue management.

Millennials, in general, have remained neutral with their opinions on branded hotels, and prefer seeking out a unique experience to staying loyal to one particular chain. Factors that attract a millennial traveler include urban renewals and adaptive reuse for that one-of-a-kind stay.

Remember that technology also plays an important role in their day-to-day lives, so ensure your Wi-Fi systems have enough bandwidth to meet their demands. This technology is not only required in each guestroom, but also in any large social gathering area that promotes a work/play environment.

Here are some other factors to consider in revenue managing for boutique hotels.

Distribution of rooms
With an established buyer persona, we can now look at your ideal revenue mix.

Direct bookings are by far the most cost-effective business for boutique hotels so it is always the goal to drive business to our own booking channels. Identifying what percent of business you need from group sales, global distribution systems and online travel agencies is important to a successful revenue strategy. Understanding the cost of all of your booking channels allows for you to properly layer in business by evaluating the effective average daily rate and adjusting your available rates accordingly.

Set occupancy thresholds for your hotel as key indicators of when to increase your rates. The further out a guest books a stay, the better deal they should obtain—in most cases. The worst thing you can do is to train your guests to book last minute by reducing rates or making last-minute deals available.

Without the power of a brand sales team and the tools that they provide, your independent hotel’s sales efforts need to ensure that they are utilizing the right channels to be effective.

Identify your hotel’s ideal rooms-to-space ratio to maximize profits on any piece of group business and to ensure your revenue manager and sales team are on the same page.

February 16, 2019ZONEZI No commentsBusiness, News