6 Ways to Track Your Competition's Marketing Strategy

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Unlike big brands, small businesses generally do not have the resources to track their competition without spending a lot of money and time. But if you make a regular process of it, there are many ways to track your competitors easily and effectively. Here are six places to start:

1. Sign up for Google Alerts. Getting updates on your competitions' activity online is absolutely free via Google Alerts, and it couldn't be easier to set up. Just insert your competitors' names into the search query and select what results you want to be notified of -- including news, blogs, video and discussion. You can have those notifications sent to you as they happen, every day or weekly.

2. Connect with competitors on social media. "Like" and "follow" your competition on Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels. Make sure you track both the brand and its key leaders to get a sense of what they are doing. For example, as a restaurant owner, you may want to follow the names of restaurants you compete with as well as the chefs and restaurateurs to get a full picture of their activity.

3. Enroll in your competition's mailings and promotions. Sign up for your competitors' e-mail and direct marketing campaigns, commonly known as Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) programs. Become a regular "customer" and you'll quickly see what kind of offers they provide and how they stack up to yours.

4. Become a secret shopper. Conduct shopping trips to try out your competitors' customer experience, both online and in-store. Purchase your competitors' products to see what the process feels like. Take notes on the customer service techniques you are seeing, as well as how the assortment of products are sourced, merchandised and priced.

5. Visit their trade show booths. When you go to trade shows, be sure to pick up your competitor's materials. For example, if you are in the home furnishing industry, attending a local home show is a great place to pick up competitive brochures, pricing and product line information so that you can stay current to industry trends.

6. Monitor your competitors' websites. You can learn a lot about your competition by keeping an eye on their website. Keep up with the new functionalities they add and see what kind of traction they may be getting. If you are in the floral business, for example, being familiar with your competitors' websites will allow you to track what information they are offering customers and what trends in floral design, party planning and flower selection they are following.

The goal here is to make sure all the marketing elements that form your brand experience are better than those of your competitors. If you see something that doesn't seem to be working, could the same be said of your marketing? Adjust accordingly. Determine the most effective ways to engage your customers.

It's very easy to identify those other brands that offer exactly what you do. Look beyond the obvious and follow your indirect competitors as well. Who are the competitors that can draw time, attention and money away from your brand?

For example, if you run a local gift shop, other gift shops are not your only competition. You are competing for shoppers at other local stores, movie theaters, florists and restaurants in the area as well as online gift shoppers. Many small businesses see online brands as their biggest competition, regardless of location.

Looking at your competition more broadly will help you understand all the marketing messages directed at your customers. Only then can you stay on top of your game. 

All content from http://www.brijj.com/group/manager-senior-manager-market-research--link--6-Ways-To-Track-Your-Competition-S-Marketing-Strategy?type=naukri_dom_Marketing&mailerid=20130620&eid=3678792

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Cost Effective Marketing

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•     Pick up the phone and talk to 5 current or past clients a day.
•     Add to the bottom of your email signature “The greatest compliment you can give me is a referral to your family, friends and colleagues.”
•     Record a new, upbeat and original message on your voicemail every day. Try a riddle, joke, tip, quote or short story.
•     Check the local news or internet for a good news story and clip or print the story and send the person who the story is about a personal note saying “well done or congratulations” and include your business card.
•     Video yourself with your best buying or selling tips and post them to YouTube, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter.
•     Video a past client testimonial sharing their experience doing business with you and post it to your website or social media.
•     Wear your company name badge. Don’t be a secret agent.
•     Join or start a networking group like Business Network International (BNI).
•     Post some of your best marketing, buying or selling ideas in Real Estate on your own blog.
•     Submit press releases each week to local media sources.
•     Create joint ventures and partnerships with other businesses and services that fall in line with the real estate industry.
•     Complete a detailed profile of yourself in Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter.
•     Write a short 500 word article each month and email it to your database.
•     Post classified ads on free online websites like Craigslist, Kijiji, Castanet, Oodle.
•     Teach other business owners and service providers how to market with little or no money.
•     Write and send a hand written note to 5 people every day.
•     Email a newsletter, buying and selling tips, video clip, slide shows.
•     Email every month your best bets for buying opportunities. All categories like first time buy, move up buy, foreclosure or rental.
•     Tel 20 – walk around a new listing, recent sale or an upcoming open house and share with 20 neighbors about the property and add them to your database
•     Visit face to face an expired listing owner with a sold topper in hand and say “We have just been notified your home is no longer on the market and I am sure the last person you want to see at your door is another real estate agent. I just have 2 quick questions and will be on my way. First why do you think one of these “sold” signs did not get on your property and second why did you want to sell in the first place?”
•     Hold an open house on a listing any day that only takes a customer no more than 2 open house signs to get to from the main traffic.

all content source from :-http://agentsboost.com

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How to get admission in abroad for study

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If you are planning to study abroad but confused about the exams that you might have to take to join an international school, here’s your directory to the entrance exams you may have to register for given exams:-

GRE

The Graduate Record Examination is a test which is required for a graduate or a business degree worldwide. The test is offered as a computer based exam and aims to evaluate the applicant’s verbal reasoning, analytical writing, quantitative reasoning and critical thinking skills. The exam is not specific to a particular topic and the cost to take the test varies on the country it is taken.

TOEFL

TOEFL or the Test Of English as a Foreign Language is a test which is considered by many universities. This exam is to ensure English language proficiency among students who apply to English-speaking universities, especially for non-native students who wish to study abroad. The test evaluates the reading, listening, speaking and writing ability of the applicant. The exam is administered through an online format and the TOEFL score is valid for two years.

IELTS

IELTS is International English Language Testing System and offers the academic version, which is mostly for students who aspire to complete their higher studies and the general training version which is mostly for non-academic purposes or gain work experience anywhere around the globe. This is a standardized test to assess the English aptitude of the applicant that measures listening, reading, writing and speaking skills. The scores are recognized globally and are valid for two years.

GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test is a standard computer-based assessment criterion among many business schools worldwide. The exam includes quantitative section, verbal section, integrated reasoning and analytical writing assessment. This exam is taken by students who seek to graduate in management programs, including MBA, Master of Accountancy, and Master of Finance programs abroad.

SAT

SAT is an exam taken for college admissions in the United States of America. Writing, mathematics and critical reading are the major topics the applicant will be assessed by the colleges. SAT is offered seven times a year and the main reason for the test is to assess the student’s readiness for college. The test takes about three hours and forty-five minutes to finish and students receive their online score reports approximately three weeks after test is taken.

LSAT

The Law School Admission Test is a half day exam which administered four times each year around the world. The exam is administered by the Law School Admission Council for students with good scores in reading comprehension, logical, and verbal reasoning proficiencies. It is a major part of the admission process in countries like United States, Canada, and Australia and is gaining popularity in other countries as well. The exam has six sections and students cannot take the LSAT more than three times in two years.

OET

The Occupational English Test is an English language test for trained medical and health professionals. This exam is taken by people who are qualified to practice their profession in one country and wish to gain professional experience in another country which has an English speaking context. The test evaluates the language competency and is administered about ten times a year in over 40 locations around the world.

MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test is a computer based exam for prospective medical students worldwide. Apart from scientific concepts and principles, the test is designed to assess problem solving, critical thinking, written analysis and writing skills. Almost all medical schools consider the MCAT scores as a part of the admission process and this exam is offered over 25 times every year.

ACT

The American College Testing is an examination for high school achievement and college admissions in the United States. English, mathematics, reading, science and optional writing test forms the structure of the test. This test is a multiple choice exam and has no negative marking for incorrect answers.

PTE

The Pearson Test of English Academic is an English Language test mostly conducted to assess the proficiency of non-native English speakers. The test focuses on real-life English used in academic surroundings through a computer based examination. The test will take about three hours to complete and students will receive their results within five working days.

source or for more details:-yahoo.com 

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Top 10 World's best Computer Science & Information Sytems Universities

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QS Rank:: 1
School Name: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Country: United States
Overall Score:
96.70

QS Rank:: 2
School Name: Stanford University
Country
: United States
Overall Score:
92.10

QS Rank:: 3
School Name: University of Oxford
Country
: United Kingdom
Overall Score:
92.00

QS Rank:: 4
School Name: Carnegie Mellon University
Country: United States
Overall Score:
90.50
University Website
[(Photo by Tomwsulcer (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons]

QS Rank:: 5
School Name: University of Cambridge
Country: United Kingdom
Overall Score:
89.80

QS Rank:: 6
School Name: Harvard University
Country: United States
Overall Score:
88.40

QS Rank:: 7
School Name: University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
Country: United States
Overall Score:
88.00

QS Rank:: 8
School Name: National University of Singapore (NUS)
Country: Singapore
Overall Score:
87.20

QS Rank:: 9
School Name: ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
Country: Switzerland
Overall Score:
87.10

QS Rank:: 10
School Name: University of Hong Kong
Country: Hong Kong S.A.R., China
Overall Score:
84.00

source :-yahoo.com or more details on yahoo

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most job oriented degrees 2013

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Career Planning for Students, job oriented degrees, job field, jobs and careers in india, jobs in india, most job oriented degree 2013, most job oriented sector 2013, degrees and education In 2013, degrees in the science, healthcare and business sectors are steadily on the rise. This is proof that not all degrees are created equal. Many of these degrees are versatile and can prove integral to a variety of careers. Here is a look at five of the top degrees for 2013 that are in high demand and could net the greatest worth.

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

A bachelor's degree in business administration is a versatile degree that can be applied to a variety of careers due to its diverse core knowledge. Some of the areas that a Bachelor of Business Administration covers include marketing, business law and ethics, and economics. This degree primes you for the business world and provides the skills and knowledge that top employers are seeking right now.

Bachelor's degree in Forensic and Criminal Science

Another degree in high demand is a bachelor's degree in forensic and criminal science. This degree can lead to a number of different career paths including forensic engineer, crime laboratory analyst and more. A degree in forensic and criminal science allows you to investigate crime from behind the scenes. Due to the growing levels of violent crime in North America, which rose 18% in 2011, this is one field that will stay in demand for quite some time.

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

While computers can do many wonderful things, most companies aren't willing to let a computer handle their finances completely. It is for this reason that a bachelor's in accounting will remain in high demand. All companies, from the smaller mom-and-pop stores to the corporate giants, could benefit from the assistance and expertise of an accountant. Accountants are needed in all lines of work and fields, from healthcare to retail, and there are plenty of opportunities available for graduates.

Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration

Another degree that is in increasingly high demand is a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration. This degree will give you the skills you need to succeed as the administrator of a healthcare facility and home in on your leadership potential. There are plenty of roles you can move into with a bachelor's for healthcare administration. Some of the facilities that hire individuals with a bachelor's degree in this field include healthcare facilities such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and urgent care clinics, insurance companies, and state public health agencies. While many jobs are being replaced by today's technology, healthcare is not one of them.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Thanks to the technological boom, the demand for qualified engineers is at high demand. A bachelor's in the field of engineering will provide a strong foundation for a future in various engineering specialties, including chemical engineering, aerospace engineering and Technology Management. A bachelor's degree in engineering is a highly sought-after degree that can be applied to a variety of different positions.

The bottom line

Selecting a degree that is in high demand can help ensure that you will be able to secure a solid position once you have graduated from college. Landing a job in the field of your choice is easier said than done, that is why it is vital to pursue a field that is high in demand, and the degrees listed above will have an edge in helping you find a steady job when you enter the business world.

source:-yahoo.com 

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how can you save income tax?

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What is TDS?

Fist let’s understand what Tax Deducted at Source means. As the name suggests, TDS is the spot deduction of tax from the income source itself, at the time of earning. This is to simplify the taxation procedure for the government and to ensure that the payment making and receiving individual / company is accounting the same without fail.

Where is it applicable?

TDS is applicable for earnings from several financial instruments and business transactions like salary, sale of property, interest income from banks, commissions and incentives, payment received for contracts and services, vendors, dividends and awards or prices earned as money.

What is that rate of tax deduction?

There is no uniform rate for TDS deduction. Depending on the source of earnings, it can range from 1% for sale proceeds to 30% .

Save TDS on Salary

It is mandatory as per Indian Income Tax rules that companies as well as working professionals who earn above the aforementioned figure should deduct tax at source from the payments they make. 

Employers normally will ask employees to fill an investment declaration form. If you have done an early homework to save your TDS deduction by investing in several tax saving instruments under Sections 80C, 80D, or planning to do within that financial year, do declare the details in the form with required proofs to save TDS. If despite all your investments, your salary is still above the exemption limit, TDS will be deducted monthly.

TDS is applicable for payments including commissions, service fees, professional fees and payment via contracts. Here the TDS certificate issued will be Form 16 B which like Form 16 A, can be produced while filing income tax return to get reversed if applicable.

Income generated through bank deposits

TDS is deductable on interest income paid by banks and financial institutions in respect of FDs (exceeding Rs.10000 in a FY) and term deposits (exceeding Rs.5000 in a FY). 

If your income is below the taxable limit, but the interest earned from your deposits is above Rs 10,000, you can request your bank not to deduct tax by submitting form 15 G and 15 H to the bank at the beginning of the financial year.Another effective way is to opt for multiple smaller fixed deposits across various banks. 

Splitting the interest earned across two financial years in such a way that the overall annual interest earned from any of the FD not exceeding Rs 10,000 is another workable option. 

In certain cases, dividing fixed deposits under two different heads can also be useful in avoiding. Individuals can divide deposits in their names and have some under a HUF account to avoid interest generation cross the taxable limit.And never forget to carry your PAN card for all fixed deposits over Rs.50000, because on not receipt of PAN number banks may deduct 20% TDS which is non reversible.

TDS from Property, Awards and Incentives:

TDS is applicable in case of earnings sale of property, rental / lease income, cash prizes, lottery winnings etc. The amount of deduction may vary from 1% in case of sale proceeds to nearly 30% in case of cash awards. 

Individuals seeking TDS refund in the above mentioned situations can submit form 15G/H which is a self deceleration that your income is below taxable limit. This is applicable only for Indian residents including senior citizens and Hindu Undivided Families (HUF’s). Form 15G can be filed by all Indian residents whose total financial income for the designated financial year is below the threshold limit while senior citizens need to avail Form 15H for the same purpose. It is imperative to note that Non resident Indians are not allowed the use of forms 15G and 15H and need to apply separately. 

In case of rental income, TDS will be deducted only if the rent you receive is not less than Rs1.8 lakh a year. In case of joint ownership of rented / leased property, where the specific share of the property is decided, the limit of Rs 1.8 lakh can be claimed separately by each owner.

Reversing TS collected

As you file your tax returns, you will know the tax bracket you are which determines the balance tax to be paid or that can be reversed. So do keep a track of the TDS that you have paid with Form 26AS or annual tax statement. All the taxes deducted on your behalf will be listed in it and it can be availed from the concerned sources along with Form 16. Otherwise missing taxes will be considered unpaid by the income tax authorities.

source:-yahoo.com

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How costs are calculated in PPC ?

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As a Digital marketing Expert with great two year experience, I am sharing my opinion about the importance of PPC or Google AdWords for business promotion.Because i am doing PPC or Google AdWords, so i can understand its importance for business.

Every time someone searches on Google, AdWords runs an auction to determine the ads that show on the search results page, and their rank on the page. To place your ads in this auction, you first have to decide what type of customer action you'd like to pay for.

For example, you might choose to pay for the following actions:

• When someone clicks on your ad (cost-per-click or CPC)
• How frequently we show your ads (cost-per-impression or CPM; available for Display Network campaigns only)
• How many conversions you receive (cost-per-acquisition or CPA)

These are called your bidding options. Most people starting out in AdWords use the basicCPC bidding option, which means they accrue costs based on the number of clicks they get on their ads.

If you use this option, the amount you're charged per click depends in part on themaximum cost-per-click bid you set in your account, also called maximum CPC bid. This represents the highest amount that you'll ever pay for an ad click (unless you're setting bid adjustments, or using Enhanced CPC). In fact, you'll be charged only the amount necessary to keep your ad at its position on the page.

Example

Let's say you've set a maximum CPC bid of $1 for your ads. The most you'll pay when a customer clicks your ad is $1. You'll often pay less than your maximum bid, though, because with the ad auction you pay no more than what's needed to rank higher than the advertiser immediately below you. The amount you pay is called your actual CPC.

AdWords essential

The auction: how Google decides which ads to show and their order

Control your costs

Now that you understand the basics of how costs work in AdWords, let's look at the ways you can control your costs:

Set a daily budget to control how much you spend

Your daily budget specifies the amount you're willing to spend each day, on average, for each ad campaign in your account. The size of your budget is entirely up to you and you can edit this amount whenever you like. Recall that when you set your max CPC bid, the amount you're charged for a click on your ad in a given auction could be less than your max. This means the amount you pay for a click on your ad - your actual CPC - will likely vary from auction to auction. Even though your actual CPCs may vary, your daily budget puts a limit on how much you can accrue in click costs from day to day.

Google may allow up to 20% more clicks in a day than your daily budget specifies. We call this overdelivery. Overdelivery can help make up for days when traffic is slow and your ads don't get as much exposure. However, in a given billing period, you're never charged more than the average number of days in a month (roughly 30.4) times your daily budget.

Example

If the budget for your ad campaign remains at $10 per day throughout an entire month, the maximum amount you would be charged for that campaign for that month is $304 ($10 x 30.4 average days per month).

Fine-tune your bids

If you use the cost-per-click bidding option, you set a maximum CPC bid for your ads. You can always lower your bid amount, but if you do, it may cause your ads to show up in a lower position on the first page of search results, to move from the top to the side or bottom position, or to be removed from the first page search results. In general, a higher maximum CPC bid can allow your ad to show at a higher position on the page.

Tip

You can have your bids automatically updated, based on the daily budget you've set. Then the system will actively seek out the most clicks possible given your budget. This option is called automatic bidding.

Create more relevant ads to get the most for your money

High-quality keywords and ads are an important way to make sure that you're getting the most for your money.

You can raise your maximum CPC bid to try to get your ad to show at a higher position on the page. But you can also raise your ad's position by improving the quality of your ads, keywords, and settings, without increasing costs.

To encourage high-quality ads, Google uses a measurement called Quality Score. The higher the quality of your ad, the less you pay for a given ad position, and vice versa.

Example

Let's say your maximum CPC bid is $2. Meanwhile, your competitor has a maximum CPC bid of $3 but the quality of his ads are below average. Because of the higher quality of your ads, your ad could actually show in a higher spot on the page, even though your bid is lower.

All content and resources from Google 

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