A personal assistant is a key member of a thriving company or organisation. They will often work with senior members of management, managing diaries, fielding phone calls and requests for work, as well as general and sometimes, industry-specific enquiries.

You need to be reliable and organised but above all, multi -skilled across many different areas. Thus, many students of online personal assistant courses choose a course that ensures they have the skills and the knowledge needed to be an effective PA.

The changing world of the PA
You may think that the PA does everything from buy the milk and pick up the dry cleaning, to typing letters and answering the phone. The reality is that a well-organised and effective PA can often be head-hunted by firms and corporations, all of whom know one thing – an effective PA makes for an effective business.

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With online courses, you can pay in convenient and affordable monthly instalments.

Qualified, skilled and experienced PAs can be hard to find which is why studying for a qualification in being a personal assistant is key to success. Showing a potential employer that you can make the leap into this career, and for it to be successful, starts with showing that you can successfully complete a qualification.

This qualification needs to be of value. It needs to be composed of all the elements that employers are currently looking for, and those that they possibly need and want – but are unaware of! For example, diary management is not just about booking appointments when the boss is free. It is about understanding that wall-to-wall meetings leave little time for work to be done or that some meetings are best grouped together or, that some meetings are not needed at all.

Get qualified and skilled!
Every business and every manager will look for something different in a PA which can make it hard to produce a CV that answers all ‘PA position vacant’ adverts. There is one commonality, however, and that is a PA who boasts a qualification that has broad base to it, and shows the wide range of skills and knowledge that the person has in such an important position.

Many people choose to study courses online and when you consider the benefits, you will understand why;

Develop self-management
Learning a new skill, whether that is customer service as part of online personal assistant courses or learning how to bake the perfect cake, can be daunting – it takes commitment, it takes ability but more importantly, it takes self-discipline and management.

In other words, when others are enjoying a night on the town, you are at home, studying a module or writing an assignment. It is understanding that in order to gain this qualification, you need to make a real commitment to it.

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For many employers, successfully completing an online course speaks volumes about the nature of the person sat in front of them. Don’t dismiss online courses as being of little or no value because to do so, is to do such courses and providers a disservice.

More affordable
Taking a new career path used to mean giving up your old job and re-training. This meant expense at a time when you had little income to spend on it. It can also mean student debt.

But with online courses, you can pay in convenient and affordable monthly instalments. There is no need to borrow money and you can continue working in your current role whilst gaining a valuable qualification.

Convenient
Learning should be accessible and enjoyable. It should also mould to your lifestyle; course materials should be easy to access and of high quality. You should be able to study in a way that suits you – this may be with on paper or online.

Studying from home is convenient because, you can access the course in the way that you choose. There is no need to spend hours in a classroom when you can work through a qualification at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home.

Your pace, your course, your qualification
Online personal assistant courses are perfect for anyone wanting to become a PA or to expand on their current knowledge and skill set. You study at your own pace, working through the modules and gaining feedback from your expert tutor every step of the way.

Why become a PA?
More and more companies are realising the value of well-qualified PAs. For many people, it is the career that takes them all over the world, working for some of the most senior figures in global companies and corporations.

Is the varied role of PA something that would suit you?

Genealogy, the practice of tracing family history and ancestry through the centuries, has piqued the curiosity of the British public.

Satisfying our curiosity and the need to know where we have come from, it is a process that fun and informative, as well as being one that throws the odd surprise into the mix too.

For many people, it is a hobby. It is something they do of an evening or a weekend, spending time researching online archives for traces of ancestors and stories.

But it can be much more than that. It can be the means by which people lay claim to land, property and estate.

Therefore, in looking at how to become a genealogist and filling in the gaps of a family tree, you need to be aware that it could lead you places you never thought, including a new career.Genealogy can be more than just creating a family tree…

Start your genealogy journey online
And by this, we don’t just mean typing in your surname to see what it means or where it came from. Online genealogy courses are the perfect way to start your journey, acquiring the basic Genealogy-picture-350x350skills you need to start researching your own family history, as well as possibly leading to a new career.

Studying online has many benefits;

Take the first step today – Enrol!
Every journey starts with a single step. How to become a genealogist who is knowledge, expert and experienced starts with acquiring the basic of skills. Enrol with NCC Home Learning and never look back.

It’s not just businesses and large corporations that have a carbon footprint.

 

It’s not just businesses and large corporations that have a carbon footprint. Every person in the world also has their own personal carbon footprint that is dependent on wealth, lifestyle and energy availability and usage.

The global carbon footprint is huge, but the fact that spending on housing, products, travel and services, pays for two thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions, shows that personal footprints could be reduced significantly.

Eat!

In wealthy countries around 100 kg of food is wasted per person, every year. This 100 kg accounts for around 20% of total food supply. By eating more of the food you buy, you’ll not only cut your carbon footprint but your bills and rubbish production too.

Eat nature

Foods like cheese and red meat have a carbon intensity more than ten times that of fruit and grains. Making an effort to eat more low carbon foods will not only help reduce your footprint but will also help improve your diet too.

Comfort

Cut your heating bills, make yourself more comfortable and lower your home’s emissions in the process, by improving insulation and air-tightness in your home. The relatively new Passive House concept uses just one tenth of the heating energy of a similar modern house.

Cool down

If you drop your heating by a mere 1⁰C you’ll reduce your usage by about 10% and by turning off the radiators in any rooms you’re not using, you’ll lessen your emissions and heating bills even further.

Be cycle-friendly

Bicycles are obviously the best form of low carbon transport and they’re a great way to get around. However, they’re not always practical, especially if you’re facing a particularly long commute. Electric public transport and even hopping onto a full bus, is another way to reduce your carbon emissions.

If the use of a car is something you rely upon heavily, then opt for an electric or hybrid as these models can reduce your driving emissions by more than 50%.

Love what’s around you

Flying is a major contributor to the size of your carbon footprint and any flight you manage to avoid will reduce it significantly. Although stopping flying altogether is pretty tough and probably not at all practical, limiting your flights is usually much easier.

Buy quality

Whether it’s second hand, made from low carbon materials or is just something that’ll last for years. Quality over quantity is the way forward if you’re looking to significantly reduce product emissions.

If protecting the environment is something you take a keen interest in then check out our online Environmental Awareness course and maybe start a new qualification with us today.

A CV is designed for one purpose – to get you an interview. However, on average a recruiter will spend between 20 to 30 seconds looking at your CV. Therefore, you need to make a good impression quickly.

It is important that your CV stands out, is relevant, accurate and interesting as you are selling yourself. To achieve this a good CV should include:

1: Personal details – contact numbers, email address, postal address.

2: Personal Statement 
- This is your chance to make a good impression. If you don’t achieve this at the start of your CV the recruiter may not read any further which will affect your chances of getting an interview.

Employers will want to know what you can offer the business, what you will do for them. Personal statements are often very self-orientated but employers will not be interested in what you want from a career. Statements such as career orientated, looking for a challenge do not present the right impression. Statements such as “results orientated” tell an employer what the benefit of employing you would be.

3: Employment History – Employers will focus on this aspect of the CV. Therefore, this is an opportunity to convince the recruiter of your suitability for the job and answer these questions: Why should they hire you? What value would you add to the business? What is unique about you and how can you meet and exceed their needs?

During this section you need to tell the recruiter your career history without making it mechanical and boring. Always give your career history in chronological order giving the most recent jobs the most detail as it is most likely that the skills and experience gained in these posts that will determine your suitability for the role. Always give start and end dates for jobs. Although this section will normally remain fairly static, it is worthwhile ensuring that your have listed duties, skills experience which is relevant to the job you are applying for. This may mean adding extra information to ensure you have given full details needed to demonstrate your suitability for the job. However, do not tell lies or exaggerate, as a good recruiter will be able to establish this at some stage during the recruitment process.

If there is a gap in your employment history explain why – i.e. some time was taken out to travel.

4: Education 
- If you graduated/have recently graduated from a highly regarded university, obtained excellent academic results or are currently studying towards a professional qualification relating to your chosen career, then position this section near the top of your CV. However, if your career history is your strongest selling point then place the Education section towards the end of your CV.

5: Skills
- After Employment History, this is arguably the most important part of your CV because it highlights your unique selling points as a prospective employee. Make it easy for employers to spot your talents and be clear about what you are offering.

You need to sell yourself and demonstrate your skills and achievements and show how you are going to be a positive addition to their workforce. Be deliberate with your choice of skills. If you are unclear about what skills the job requires because the job advert gives little information, then search similar job titles and note what those positions are looking for.

Once you have done that, create a list of your matching competencies in terms of transferable, job-related and adaptive skills such as communication, technical or problem solving skills.

Always remember your audience
- Employers will quickly scan a number of CV’s and they do not want to be reading a list of skills or an employment history that is unfocused. So keep it clear and uncluttered. Keep your list short and tailored to the position that you are applying for. Remember your CV is designed to market you to a potential employer.

Generally we would not recommend including a hobbies section as employers are rarely interested in this. The only time it is useful is for young people with no or limited employment history where they can demonstrate their outside interests are relevant to the post, or adds to their skills. i.e. any voluntary work etc.

We do not recommend including a photo on a CV. If photos are included they are generally removed once received before passing to a manager for review (for equality reasons).

CV’s, the key thing is to keep relevant, accurate and waffle free – how many pages to include very much depends on how much a story needs to be told, which could be two pages or three or four pages for some people.

Do not mention social media unless it is a in skills or part of appropriate employment history and only if it is relevant to the post. For example a marketing person would put this in their skills and also mention it as part of their employment history to say they use it as a marketing tool. For a class room assistant it is unlikely to be relevant.

NCC Home Learning offer over 350 Distance Learning Courses that will help bolster your CV, also available is an Effective Personal Development Diploma to ensure the positive expansion of your skill set.

What are A Levels?

If you are considering taking an A Level you may be wondering exactly what your options are. In this article we will tell you everything you need to know about online a levels.

A Levels, or Advanced Level Qualifications, are usually taken by college level students in England before attending University.  They are also useful for those who would like to go straight into paid work and those who are following an alternative route of learning such as an apprenticeship.

A Levels are graded from A-E and carry UCAS Points which are required to be accepted into university.  An A Level carries different points depending on the grade achieved.

A full A Level typically takes two years to achieve and is comprised of two parts, the AS and A2 Level.  However the option of a Fast Track A Level allows you to work through the course at a quicker rate completing the full A Level in just one year which is a more convenient option for many!

How a distance learning A Level Works

Choosing Your Course

Firstly you need to choose your subject area and whether you would like to complete a standard or fast track A Level based on your needs and how quickly you would like to complete your course.  If you need any guidance speak with a course advisor!

Course Materials

When you receive your course you should make yourself familiar with your learning materials.  You may be required to purchase some additional recommended reading material.  Your course materials will be written around the appropriate specification for the subject area and awarding body.

Tutor Support

Many distance learning providers offer full tutor support during your course. You will be assigned a dedicated tutor who will be available to answer any questions you may have and provide you with any advice you may need throughout your studies.

Assignments

There are a number of tutor marked assignments which your tutor will review, mark and provide you with valuable personalised feedback for, which will help you track your progress.

Mock Exams

The majority of A Level courses contain mock exams which are an excellent way to prepare for your real examinations.  Ensure you leave enough time to revise and complete these mock exams so you are fully prepared for your Awarding Body exams which are held in June each year.

Examinations

When it comes to the exams, students are required to contact an examination centre directly to make the necessary arrangements.  Your home learning provider will not be liable for this as it is the full responsibility of the learner to ensure they have organised a suitable test centre.  Many distance learning companies and Awarding Bodies do provide a listing of exam centres for you to contact that will help with your arrangements.

Why Choose a Distance learning Fast Track A Level?

There are many advantages of studying a Fast Track A-Level.  Choosing to study a distance learning A-Level will provide students with a flexible and convenient way of learning.  Whether you are working full or part time, or have a busy lifestyle, these courses give you the freedom to learn when it best suits you.

Such courses provide students with the chance to complete a full A-Level in just one year.  This is perfect for those of you who simply do not have the time to allocate two years to complete the standard A-Level.

It typically takes learners 12 months to complete the full Fast Track A-Level.   However this is just a guideline and learners will have the freedom to study at their own pace, so you can relax and take your time to ensure you grasp all the necessary learning materials.

There are a variety of Fast Track A Level subjects available to choose from, with courses available in core subject areas such as Mathematics and English and more vocational areas such as Accounting and Business Studies.  You are sure to find something to suit every need!

Who are Fast Track A Levels suitable for?

According to Ofqual an A Level course is benchmarked as a Level 3 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework. It is recommended that learners wishing to complete an A Level have completed the previous level of course, for example GCSEs or an equivalent Level 2 course.

Although A Levels are typically taken by school leavers aged from 16-18, distance learning A Levels can be completed by learners of any age.  They are ideal for those who have already attended college who maybe didn’t get the grades they were hoping for and do not want to stay on at college.

They are also suitable for adult learners who would like to brush up on their skills and understanding in a certain area, either to progress within a career or to meet the requirements to revisit traditional education routes such as University.

If you would like to gain a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3, a distance learning Fast Track A Level may be for you!

Thinking of taking a vacation? There are a number of steps that you can take to keep your home safe whilst you’re away. It is important that you take the necessary steps to protect your property. Sufficient planning and installation of security systems, will enable you to prevent and reduce the risk of intruders. Below are some tips which will prove useful in protecting your home.

Make your home looked lived in

It is very important that you make your home look like its being lived in. Everyday your lights go on and off and cars will come and go from your property. You may find it a good idea to invest in timers that turn on your interior lights on for a couple of hours each evening. Anything you can do to make your home look like it’s lived in on a daily basis is a good idea. You may also choose to fit an external security light.

Lock up

This may sound like an obvious tip, but locking windows and doors can be an easy thing to forget, especially if you’re in a rush to leave. Ensure you take the time to ensure you have secured your properly. For your own peace of mind, why don’t you ask someone else to double check your home is locked? This will help to reduce the risk of burglars breaking in to your home. Don’t make it easy for intruders to enter. If you want to come home to your house in the same condition you left it in, take note of some of these tips.

Install added security features

Installing a home security system or exterior lights that are running on timers, are the ideal way to boost the security around your home. Such features are highly beneficial as they work whether you are home or not. They will make your home seem less attractive to burglars. You could even ask one of your neighbours to put your rubbish bin out, as this is a sign of you being home.

Gardens

You will find it worthwhile taking the time to keep your garden tidy which can be a way of deterring intruders. You should also make sure you lock your garden gate. An unkempt garden will leave intruders with the impression that you haven’t occupied the home for a while.

Windows and doors

Windows are often an entry/ exit for intruders. If you fail to lock all your windows and doors, you are providing burglars with the perfect opportunity to enter and they are most likely to target your home. Doors are the primary route of access. The back door is the most vulnerable part of the home. It is a good idea to fit a deadbolt on your front door when you are out of the house to prevent intruders entering your home.

Days prior to departing

It is often a good idea to stop any mail or newspapers being delivered whilst your away. If a burglar was to see a pile of mail mounting up, they are likely to click on that you’re away. It is also important that you don’t broadcast your plans on social media such as Facebook, as this will inform people about when it is you’re going away and how long for. This is just asking for trouble!

The day you depart

Make sure you set your interior light timers to go off at times when they would usually. It is also a good idea to turn down the telephone ringer volume. Set your security alarms to go off when activated.

As you can see there several ways in which you can keep your home safe. Think like a burglar! See if there are any areas of your home that you could break into without making a disturbance. You need to cover these weak spots. Remember to secure your home before leaving. For peace of mind you could ask a neighbour to call the police if they notice any unusual activity whilst you are away.

Remember a secure home is a safe home!

What is Home Learning?

Home Learning provides students with a more flexible option of study away from the classroom environment that allows learners to complete a course from the comfort of their own home. Learners are able to work through their course materials, carry out additional research and complete assignments in their own time and at their own pace.  Distance learning allows learners to develop their knowledge and further their education by completing a course around a busy lifestyle.

The Benefits of Home Learning

Home learning is becoming an increasingly popular choice over more traditional educational routes and there are many positives as to why an individual may choose to study via distance learning.

Cost

Due to the increase in university tuition fees in 2012, institutions are now able to charge up to £9000 per student per year.  As a result of this, distance Learning is becoming an increasingly popular method of study over the more traditional routes.  As home learning courses now tend to be in a more reasonable price range than classroom taught sessions, this has become an affordable learning method and is extremely cost-effective.   The flexibility of home learning allows you to study around work if you are in employment and also eliminates the need to commute to and from classes.  Many distance learning providers also offer affordable instalment plans which make the option of education a realistic possibility for everyone!

Choice

There are an impressive selection of distance learning courses available that can be applied to a great number of interests and industries.  Courses are available for all levels and abilities with types of courses including IGCSEs, A Levels, QCF Qualifications, Diplomas, and even Degree level courses.

The range of subject area can also vary with courses spanning both interest and employment related topics.  Some of the most popular subject areas include Child care and Teaching Assistant, Criminology and Forensics, Business and Genealogy.  With the choice available you are sure to find a home learning course to suit your needs!

Flexibility

With home learning you are not bound by the constraints of the classroom as there is no need to attend taught classes and meet strict deadlines.  You can work through a distance learning programme in your own time and create your own deadlines to work to, within the timeframe of the course.  Home Learning means that you are truly in control of your own learning as you are easily able to plan your studies around your own schedule.

A distance learning course allows you to study where you want when you want which with today’s fast paced lifestyle is an appealing option to many!

Social Interaction

Learners may be wary that with a home learning course you do not have the face to face interaction with the teacher and fellow students that is usually attached to learning.  However many distance learning providers also offer student forums which allows for learners to share their experiences and discuss topics!  With the steady increase in online networking there is the option for online social interaction with other distance learners from different locations across the UK, whilst maintaining a busy lifestyle.

You can feel confident that you will receive all the support you need while completing your course.  Many courses have dedicated tutors available by email at any time, so you are not restricted to waiting for your next class to receive guidance and support.

Is Home Learning Suitable for me?

Completing a course via distance learning can be a suitable option for all due to the range of courses available.  A home learning course can be the ideal solution for many individuals of all ages, from working mums, to school and college leavers who maybe did not get the results they were hoping for or who do not do not want to follow the typical educational routes.  Home Learning is also perfect for those who are looking to fit completing a course into a busy lifestyle but cannot find the time to attend traditional classes.  Many distance learning students are in full or part time employment and are looking to progress within their current job role or change careers completely.  A home learning course makes the option of furthering your education easily accessible to everyone!

Helpful Tips

The first step when considering a distance learning course is to decide what type of programme you are looking for, for example, whether you looking for a course purely for interest or for one that is connected to your career.  Home Learning providers often have a full course listing available through their website.

Many different distance learning providers offer a wide variety of courses at different levels and in a range of subject areas.  If you are unsure of any of the information speak with a course advisor for further guidance before choosing your course.

When you have decided on a course and are ready to start work create an action plan to follow to keep yourself motivated and on track.

If you find you are struggling with your work, utilise your tutor support.  Most distance learning courses include tutor support by email and sometimes phone, so there is no need to feel isolated during your studies.

Finally, remember to enjoy your learning experience!

Still not sure if Home Learning is for you?

Many people may feel a little daunted at the prospect of completing a course from home with remote tutor support.  If you’re still not convinced whether home learning is suitable for you, review sites such as Review Centre and Trustpilot can give you a great insight into other students’ experience of distance learning and the service offered from different distance learning providers.

 

 

Ever considered using social media to attract and source talent? Use of social media can be the ideal way for employers to select and recruit new staff. Social media offers users a place where people can connect, share experiences, opinions, and network with other people. It can be used as a platform for getting a new job or if you are looking for career tips. When recruiting new staff it can be hard to find the right person for the job. Social media has the potential to provide you with a large number of talented candidates to sift through.

Remember, where possible to interact through private messages once you have gained the candidates interest. This will ensure the safety of the individual’s personal information. When recruiting, many employers choose to use their own website to advertise vacancies. Social media can advertise to people who may not even be looking for a new job. If an individual notices a job vacancy they may be tempted to apply. It can enable you, as a business to access passive candidates. Social media can be seen as another method of traditional recruitment. It can allow you to hire staff using the same processes including:

Referrals

Generally, recruiters utilise social networks to gain candidate referrals. It may be the case that an individual may not be looking for a job, but after noticing a vacancy have been tempted to apply. If a friend or relative tells you about a position available you are likely to look into it out of curiosity. A tweet can also be effective when it comes to referrals.

Job Posting

If your business has a page on Facebook, this will enable you to boost your traffic to your website. Facebook can be used to promote live vacancies, this can be done through posting the vacancy on your profile page. On LinkedIn, you will also have the opportunity to add a discussion in a relevant group, or on Twitter you can tweet the vacancy. Many of the people who will view your vacancy will be passive candidates who will just stumble upon it. It is what they do with the information that matters. Some will apply themselves, pass the details on to friends or family, or simply overlook it.

Sourcing

Any social networking site can provide you with the opportunity to source talented candidates. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can all attract people who are interested in a specific topic area who are experts in that field. When seeking new employees, it is important that you start early. This will enable you to plan in advance and take your time to find the most suitable person for the position. It is vital that you reach the types of people you would like to target. You should outline the key skills and personal qualities that are needed to successfully fulfil the role. This will help you to attract people with the relevant skills and knowledge needed.

Which will you choose?

Facebook

You will find Facebook a great way to entice people to look at your job postings through including links to interesting articles. You may choose to allow your staff to use Facebook in the workplace for building relationships and making connections on a professional level. Facebook is free for all members, and as a business you should make the most of it. Posting job vacancies will enable you to reach a large number of people. When building a page for your business, it is important that you create a continual flow of content used to engage with your target audience, and attract the people you want to reach. You may decide you would like to upload photos of what it is like to work for your business. This will give people an idea of what your working environment is like and the staff employed there. You could ask your network of contacts to share your content. This is an ideal way of helping you to build a relationship with your fans, and in this case candidates. It is crucial that you keep your fans interested e.g. through the use of unusual quotes etc. Try to be as create as possible, to grab the attention of your fans. When responding to comments it is important that you are helpful in your responses.

LinkedIn

You may decide to create a company profile. It is important that when creating your page you make it as interesting as possible. This will enable you to really grab the attention of the user. Include an impressive headline to summarise your company. Use of keywords will enable the user to find you much more easily, and make you much more noticeable when people are using a search engine. Your business will then appear in the results from the search when candidates are looking. It is important that you include a description of your business, including its culture. You should try to really grab the attention of potential candidates. You could take photos of your achievement and awards.

Twitter

You may already have a Twitter account set up, this is a good way for you to share content. You won’t receive any attention if you don’t create content that stands out and grabs the interest of users. A good way to build a relationship with your followers is through responding to their messages. Sharing other people’s tweets through retweeting posts that will be of the interest of your followers. Hopefully your followers will do this in return for you. Remembers to always thank your followers when they do, this will make them feel appreciated. Make sure your tweets are interesting and encouraging for user which will persuade them to take action. Due to the fast pace of the Twitter stream, you may find it beneficial to retweet your posts for people who didn’t catch it the first time round.

So which social media will you choose? You may choose to use multiple networking sites or just stick to one. As you have read, they can all have a positive impact on gaining awareness of your business and your vacancies available. Social media enables its users to join relevant groups, which boosts your potential to network with employees. It gives you the opportunity to contribute to discussions. It can also give you the opportunity to encourage your followers to like, share and also comment on your posts. If your followers where to share your posts, this means it will then be shared within each of your followers groups of contacts. This will give your company increased exposure.

Time for a change?

Some companies may decide to move away from move traditional methods of recruitment and selection. You may find social media as an ideal method of recruiting new staff in your business. Use of social media is a cost effective way of advertising jobs to potential candidates in a more targeted way. Whereas other businesses use such networks to search and advertise. Often, employers will use social media as a means of building long term strategies in regards to investing in interactive online talent pools. So when recruiting new staff you may decide you would like to change your strategy of your hiring process. Advertising your job vacancies on social media, can reduce the time taken to hire new staff and improve the quality of your candidates. Many employers will use such networks to actively search for candidates. Some businesses tend to favour the use of LinkedIn when networking with other professional businesses, and recruiting staff. Using social media to recruit new staff can save money, but it will require further capital to build a sustainable talent pool. It’s a good idea to explore all avenues which provide free advertising. Ensure you monitor the results and identify which is the most suitable for you.

 

Customers play a crucial part in your business and provide you with the profits you need to survive. This article will explore the ways in which to gain and retain customers

It is your customers that provide you with your reputation, which can either make or break you as a company. Many businesses find it a difficult task to retain customers and repeat their purchases. So make sure you figure out what it is your customers want and strive to meet their needs.

Remember your customers are at the heart of your business, so it really is essential that you treat them with the highest standard of care to gain their loyalty. There are a range of things that will have an impact on whether your customers return. It is just as important that you gain new customers whilst maintaining your existing customer base. This is vital when it comes to maintaining and boosting your businesses profits.

Key points to follow:

– Greet your customers
– Keep your existing customers satisfied
– Go above and beyond your customer’s expectations
– Train your staff to treat customers as well as you do
– Provide your customers with the opportunity to give feedback
– Ensure you always settle problems with customers in a timely fashion

As a business owner or a manager, you should be aware that to be successful in achieving your goals and objectives, you are required to keep a loyal customer base. Once you have managed to gain the loyalty of your customers, they will be more likely to go out of their way to purchase that particular product or service you offer. This is regardless of whether or not they have to pay a higher cost, or travel a little bit further.

There are a range of different methods you can use to attract and retain customers:

– Website – this is the ideal method of reaching a mass audience. A professional website has the potential to attract new customers. They are SEO optimised which is essential when it comes to people looking up your company on a search engine. The more people you can reach, the more potential sales you will gain.
– Advertisements – There are a range of different types of advertisements, all of which are essential when it comes to gaining new customers. This can include broadcasting, and outdoor advertising through banners etc.
– Blogs – You can engage with clients through blogging. Blogs are a great way to communicate with your clients. The comment section is the ideal way to really engage with your customers, and possibly attract new ones.
– Email – Emailing newsletters is a good way of reaching a large number of people, and making them aware of what you have to offer. What better way of targeting your customers other than email? It is a direct way of contacting them.
– Surveys – This is one of the best ways to retain old customers. Surveys are the ideal way to engage with clients, as they welcome feedback. Asking your customers for feedback will allow customers to talk about their experiences whether they are good or bad. This shows that you value your customers and what they think. With regards to customer service, this makes customers feel appreciated. Always remember the customer is always right and their needs must come first. If they’ve had a bad experience, it is important that businesses deal with it swiftly. Offering compensation is a good way to apologise and can maintain the relationship with the client, and so will benefit both parties. It is important that you engage with your customers. So build that special rapport with your clients today that can last a lifetime.

 

Many people instantly associate the word “education” with school, but the amount of options for further education and training outside of traditional College or University hours are growing. With the emergence of Distance Learning, Open University and Virtual Learning environments there are more options available for adult learners than ever before. We aim to guide you to personal development heaven, ensuring you find the perfect way to broaden your horizons in 2014.
1: Be clear on your Aims
People embark on further education courses for a wide variety of reasons, whether it be career change, clinching a promotion or simply just an interest course that has taken your fancy. Before you start your search be clear on your motive for starting the course and your expectations after completion. Interest courses are the perfect way to brush up on your knowledge and also an enjoyable way to spend your spare time. The level to which you complete an interest course should not be the priority, content is key as your motivation will be generated from how stimulating you find the materials. A course for career development must have more focus on course level and awarding bodies that are relevant to your particular line of work.
2: Shop Around
Shopping around is essential when making any purchase, but becomes particularly important when choosing which provider you would most like to learn with. Any respectable education and training provider will be represented on some form of review site such as Trustpilot or Reviewcentre, this is a great tool to read about other students experiences and will aid you in your final decision making process. The current economic status dictates the price sensitivity of the consumer, but don’t always be tempted by the cheapest, reviews will help you determine a good price vs quality ratio.
3: Awarding Bodies are Key
Awarding bodies can be confusing, and there a wide variety that apply for different types of courses. Some providers may not even have accreditation from an awarding body and ensuring that they do should be your first port of call. Essentially, awarding bodies ensure that the quality of materials offered by an education provider are of satisfactory quality. External verifiers will often be sent from the awarding bodies to the providers to create reports on the quality of service and materials provided, these reports can in most cases be requested by consumers. Some of the main awarding bodies include, AQA, NCFE, Ascentis and CIEH.
4: Ask for samples
The majority of providers will have samples of their courses that are available for viewing by potential learners. This will not only give you an idea of the quality of the content but will also help you gauge the format of the course.
5: Pre plan your time management
The amount of time needed to complete a course will depend on a number of variables such as learning speed of the individual and course level. Ask a provider for an estimate on the amount of hours needed to complete the course, this will make it easy for you to assess whether you will have sufficient time to complete the course. An example of this would be a 200 hour level 3 diploma, which may initially sound daunting but when broken down, would only require 4 hours per week over a 12 month period.
The number of courses available out there is growing daily, and there is something for every individual. Spending some time researching and evaluating your options will be beneficial to you once embarking on your learning experience. Best of luck with your search!

Many people instantly associate the word “education” with school, but the amount of options for further education and training outside of traditional College or University hours are growing. With the emergence of Distance Learning, Open University and Virtual Learning environments there are more options available for adult learners than ever before. We aim to guide you to personal development heaven, ensuring you find the perfect way to broaden your horizons in 2014.

1: Be clear on your aims

People embark on further education courses for a wide variety of reasons, whether it be career change, clinching a promotion or simply just an interest course that has taken your fancy. Before you start your search be clear on your motive for starting the course and your expectations after completion. Interest courses are the perfect way to brush up on your knowledge and also an enjoyable way to spend your spare time. The level to which you complete an interest course should not be the priority, content is key as your motivation will be generated from how stimulating you find the materials. A course for career development must have more focus on course level and awarding bodies that are relevant to your particular line of work.

2: Shop around

Shopping around is essential when making any purchase, but becomes particularly important when choosing which provider you would most like to learn with. Any respectable education and training provider will be represented on some form of review site such as Trustpilot or Reviewcentre, this is a great tool to read about other students experiences and will aid you in your final decision making process. The current economic status dictates the price sensitivity of the consumer, but don’t always be tempted by the cheapest, reviews will help you determine a good price vs quality ratio.

3: Awarding Bodies are key

Awarding bodies can be confusing, and there a wide variety that apply for different types of courses. Some providers may not even have accreditation from an awarding body and ensuring that they do should be your first port of call. Essentially, awarding bodies ensure that the quality of materials offered by an education provider are of satisfactory quality. External verifiers will often be sent from the awarding bodies to the providers to create reports on the quality of service and materials provided, these reports can in most cases be requested by consumers. Some of the main awarding bodies include, AQA, NCFE, Ascentis and CIEH.

4: Ask for samples

The majority of providers will have samples of their courses that are available for viewing by potential learners. This will not only give you an idea of the quality of the content but will also help you gauge the format of the course.

5: Pre plan your time management

The amount of time needed to complete a course will depend on a number of variables such as learning speed of the individual and course level. Ask a provider for an estimate on the amount of hours needed to complete the course, this will make it easy for you to assess whether you will have sufficient time to complete the course. An example of this would be a 200 hour level 3 diploma, which may initially sound daunting but when broken down, would only require 4 hours per week over a 12 month period.

The number of courses available out there is growing daily, and there is something for every individual. Spending some time researching and evaluating your options will be beneficial to you once embarking on your learning experience. Best of luck with your search!

 

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