Jason Obrien

The world may be starting to get back on its feet, but the disruption brought about by the pandemic is far from over. Businesses of all sorts were heavily impacted. As the new normal settles in, marketers are compelled to reinvent different elements of the Business-to-Business (B2B) landscape. They must do so to withstand a post-pandemic era moving forward.

It’s no secret that companies, regardless of industry or nature of business, are in for yet again another challenge. They must know how to keep the organization afloat amidst the new normal. B2B firms, in particular, find it tricky to maintain their clients. They know that most of them have been struggling to remain in business.

While everyone may have been affected by the catastrophe, there’ll be businesses that’ll emerge better than the others. This is simply because they took the challenge as a driving force to learn. It all boils down to how you can effectively adapt to the evolving B2B landscape, especially in the age of the new normal.

Reevaluating Your Marketing Strategy

Despite the disruption, marketing remains an integral key in surviving a cutthroat competition. As your business enters a new era, your B2B marketing strategy should involve a reevaluation and reinvention. This is to ensure you continue to be relevant as a brand. There are different elements involved in marketing, this includes online or offline. You can choose to utilize either or both, as long as you know the other tactics that can be more effective in helping you attain your marketing goals.

For example, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), is one critical component that had proven its effectiveness even before the pandemic struck the industry. As such, you might want to consider diverting your marketing efforts to different b2b SEO services that can give you a much-needed boost in search engine rankings and online presence.

The Role Of SEO In The New Normal

SEO may still seem trivial for the most parts, but only if you’re not prepared to take the plunge into the role of digital marketing and how it can significantly impact your B2B strategy. Also. consumers rely heavily on internet usage for almost everything they need. Thus, SEO is something that deserves a critical spot in your marketing approach. Optimizing your website can help increase brand awareness, search presence, and even lead generation. 

But since this is the new normal, your old SEO strategies may not work as effectively as before. To help you navigate such unknown territory, here are some tips and tricks you might find helpful in utilizing search engine optimization for your B2B strategy:

• Make sure you’re mobile-friendly. 
• Offer informative and valuable content.
• Be original.
• Stay updated with the latest SEO trends.
• Use tools and automation to make your SEO journey more convenient and efficient.

When done right, SEO can make a difference in attracting organic traffic to your website and other digital platforms. Higher traffic translates to more interested visitors that can potentially turn into sales and loyal customers.

Social Media Is The Now And The Future

You can’t possibly reinvent your B2B strategy without including social media into play. It’s undeniable how this platform has changed the way consumers shop and support businesses. The social media landscape may have evolved in more ways than one, but there’s no doubt it’ll continue to be a critical element in adapting to the new normal.

Perhaps the first rule of thumb when utilizing this platform is to engage with customers and fans on a more personal level. You may do so by making sure your posts and content are relevant and valuable enough to attract your target audience. Be responsive and interactive, so social media users can feel your desire to reach out and build a good relationship with them. You can also utilize paid ads tools and features to make the most out of what a good social media strategy has to offer.

The Essence Of Monitoring Brand Feedback

The pandemic may have somehow put your regular operations to a halt, but now that you’re regaining your momentum, it’s time to get back to your old but best practices. Among these practices is consistent monitoring of feedback from your customers and clients. Doing so will let you identify any need for changes and redevelopment.

As B2B organizations are more service-focused, you need to ensure your clients are steadily satisfied with the kind of service they’re getting. One effective and convenient way to do that is by getting their feedback through surveys, among other tactics. To make them more interested in participating, you can add other elements such as rewards programs, discounts, and exclusive deals. 

You could also get feedback and survey answers via email, text messaging, social media polls, and product reviews. Use the data you’ll gather from these techniques so you can improve your brand and know if your marketing efforts have been effective so far in attaining your objectives.

Empowering Your People Can Go A Long Way

As mentioned, B2B businesses are service-focused, which also goes without saying that you have a team of skilled people behind the brand. Your employees have patiently and productively stayed with the organization during the most challenging times. Now that things are starting to get better, you shouldn’t forget to give them the appreciation and empowerment they deserve.

From your salespeople to the administrative staff, letting them know that you see their hard work can already make a big difference. Your B2B strategy can never be successful enough if you don’t have a pool of employees who collaborate and work with you so you can withstand the new normal together.

Wrapping Up

There’s no telling if the new normal is here to stay. Regardless, creating a B2B strategy that can withstand any unforeseen event is something that you should include in your business objectives and priorities. It may take time, effort, and even money to do so. Although in the long run, you’ll realize that it’s a decision that’ll benefit your organization in ways you never thought of.

Running a business involves endless strategizing and reinventing. If you want to remain afloat, try your best to keep up and invest in the right strategies. This could allow you to ride out the new normal and even anything that comes afterward.

Businesses, especially small ones, usually have the misapprehension that they’re not making that big of an impact on the environment. But have you ever thought of how customers see it from their perspective? You might be surprised to know that most consumers nowadays are becoming more and more conscious of the brands they support. This is perhaps the reason why sustainable businesses are all the rage right now—and for good reasons.

The decision to go green isn’t only a good move for the benefit of the environment. You’re also making your company a desirable target among consumers who support environmental and social causes. If you’re ready to make the switch, here are some initiatives and ideas you can try to make your business more sustainable:

Tap into Renewable Energy Sources

It’s already a given that your business will use energy for almost everything. From manufacturing to administrative tasks, you can’t do anything without electricity. Aside from ensuring you have energy-efficient equipment, tools, and appliances in the workplace, you can also tap into renewable energy sources to create a more significant impact on the environment. Several solar companies in Miami or in the area where you operate can help you make this happen.

While tapping into renewable energy sources may seem like a big expenditure on your end, it’s a business investment that can reap benefits in the long run. Your monthly electric bills will significantly go down, and you may also be eligible for tax exemptions and deductions. Thus, you won’t only be saving money, but, more importantly, you’ll be able to minimize your carbon footprint.

Other renewable energies you can tap into for a sustainable business operation are wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass. As the reality of finite sources sinks in, there’s all the more a pressing reason to consider cleaner and greener energy alternatives that can help lessen energy problems.

Reduce Energy Consumption

Aside from tapping into renewable energy sources, you can also develop ways to reduce energy consumption in your workplace. Make it a point to constantly remind employees to turn off their equipment and other appliances when not in use, such as computers, televisions, and lights. You can also utilize natural lighting when possible. Doing so won’t just lower energy bills, but it can also help boost productivity.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

The benefits of recycling can’t be emphasized enough. If the goal is to reduce waste going to landfills, then the best way to do so is to make sure you don’t send scraps there in the first place. The key is to recycle as much as you can ruthlessly. In every aspect of running your business, reusing and recycling supplies are of high importance.

For instance, in your cafeteria, you and your employees could use ceramic and real glass cups, plates, and other kitchen utensils instead of opting for disposable ones. If you can’t fully implement paperless processes, encourage staff to print on both sides of the paper. Make sure you have enough recycling bins all over the building to motivate everyone to recycle when possible.

Turn To Sustainable Packaging

If your business heavily relies on packaging materials for your products, it’s an excellent idea to turn to sustainable packaging when selling and shipping your items. You can choose cost-efficient materials that won’t negatively impact the environment when discarded or thrown away, including recycled cardboards, plant-based plastics, and corrugated bubble wraps.

This approach is actually more attractive to consumers who support brands that offer compostable and sustainable packaging. You can also encourage your customers to switch to reusable shopping bags and other recyclable materials that can help lessen the use of plastic bags.

Use Sustainably-Sourced Goods And Services

Another way to make your business more environmentally friendly is by reviewing and amending how you procure your goods and services. Whether food supplies for employees or the selection of contractors for your projects, being more conscious of the sourcing process is an excellent way to stay in the zone of your sustainability goal. 

An excellent way to start is by looking for a local supplier instead of getting your goods and services from faraway locations. Make sure the products are manufactured in a responsible, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Also, there are goods produced using renewable materials and don’t contain ozone-depleting or toxic substances. It’s recommended to be educated on the subject to know more ways to utilize green procurement for your business.

Lower Your Water Consumption

Becoming a sustainable business also means being responsible for how you use water in your facilities. Even when you’re not located in a drought-stricken area, you still need to make sure your enterprise utilizes different ways to help lower water consumption. 

Dripping or broken taps, for example, should be fixed. You can also install faucet aerators and low-flow toilets in restrooms or washrooms to ensure water usage is kept at a minimum requirement. To add, cleaning or janitorial tasks in the building can be done using pressure washers that feature high-efficiency specifications.

Partner With Other Green Businesses

Sustainability isn’t all about going green in your facilities. You can also practice the advocacy by supporting other companies with the same vision and mission as yours. From shipping carriers to software businesses you partner with, you can choose those that are just as sustainable as you are. 

You can also think of ways to work with groups that advocate environmentally-friendly causes. It could be a government agency that can help you grow your business or a non-profit organization to make your donations and other contributions when necessary.

Takeaway: Creating A Culture Of Sustainability

Aside from all the tips mentioned above, it’s worth noting that you should include your staff and colleagues in every step of your sustainability switch. This means encouraging them to participate and instill the values even when they’re already out of the office. These initiatives could go a long way in helping the planet and minimizing carbon footprint.

Now more than ever, it’s essential that your business has a clear insight into how to conduct your operations. With sustainability as one of your core principles, you can make a more positive impact while also reducing operational costs. To add, you can expect customers and clients to continue supporting your brand when they know you’re doing your share in making this world a better place to live in.

We’re all used to abiding by the law on a daily basis. Obeying traffic signals, wearing our seatbelts, picking up after our pets, and not trading a company’s stock with individuals who have access to non-public information about the corporation are some examples.

But wait a minute. The last example doesn’t look like something that would occur daily in the life of an average person (unless they work in a business where they have to abide by corporate law). Right?

And if you’re confused about what that even means, don’t worry. This article will explain everything about corporations and corporate law.

Let’s begin!

Corporate Law 101

Corporate law can be defined as all the rules, regulations, laws, and practices that concern corporations.

These laws regulate the obligations and rights concerned with an existing company’s activities such as formations, operations, and management.

What’s the difference between business and corporate law?

There’s often a fair bit of confusion when it comes to differentiating between corporate and business law.

While corporate law handles the legal aspects of sales, buying decisions, and distribution of goods, business law covers other important aspects such as acquisitions, mergers, and the rights of shareholders.

It’s also important to note that corporations are unique in the sense that they are seen and treated as a single entity by the law despite being made up of large groups of individuals (owners, employees, investors).

This means the law deals directly with the business rather than the individuals within it. Essentially, the entire corporation is treated as a single person.

What is a corporation?

To really understand corporate law, you must understand what a “corporation” is.

A corporation is a group of individuals or a company that acts as a single legal entity to run a  business.

When an individual owns a share of a corporation, they have limited liability. This means they are only accountable for the money they invested in the business.

If the corporation fails, they only lose the invested amount and are not held liable for the firm’s debts.

Here’s more information on the different types of corporations.

How does a business gain corporation status?

A business becomes a corporation when it “incorporates”, which is essentially a legal process that separates the company’s assets from the personal assets of its investors and owners.

Many businesses choose to incorporate because it helps protect their assets, makes transfers of ownership easier, lowers tax rates, and makes raising capital significantly easier.

The five legal characteristics that make up a corporation

All corporations are companies, but not every company is a corporation. The thing that makes corporations unique is their independence from owners and shareholders.

To qualify as a corporation, a company needs to have all of the following characteristics.

1.    Legal personality

All resources from owners and investors are placed in a separate legal entity, which can then use these assets to perform business activities.

2.    Limited liability

Owners and investors have limited liability and are only responsible for the money they invested in the corporation.

If the business has legal action taken against it, the investors and owners are not held personally liable — the business is treated as a separate entity.

3.    Transferable shares

If investors or owners no longer wish to be a part of a corporation, they can simply transfer their business shares to someone else with little to no effect on the corporation.

4.    Delegated management

The make-up of a corporation includes officers and a board of directors. The board employs and monitors the officers while the officers take charge of day to day activities.

5.    Investor ownership

Investors may help make certain decisions for the corporation, but they are not directly involved in running the company.

The Importance of Corporate Laws

Corporate laws may seem as if they’re only in place to serve as hoops for big corporations to jump through to conduct business. But in reality, it is quite the opposite.

Corporate laws were made and enforced to help maintain a fair market and allow new businesses to enter and compete.

They help keep all corporations on a level playing field by prohibiting unpredictable and unfair business practices and behaviors.

Just like individuals struggle to move up the corporate ladder during their careers, corporations struggle to dominate other businesses.

For example, certain big corporations are notorious for raking in vast amounts of money and holding a great deal of power in a particular market.

If these corporations are not held in check, they may start monopolizing markets, meaning they may become the exclusive providers of a specific trade, service, or product.

But fortunately, corporate antitrust laws prevent large monopolies from forming and help protect consumers from such predatory business practices.

Corporate Crimes

In criminology, corporate crime refers to any crime committed by either a corporation or individuals acting on behalf of a company.

Because of the substantial influence corporations can have on the national economy, the laws that dictate the way they function (corporate laws) are taken very seriously.

The worst corporate crimes can even lead to judicial dissolution — also known as the “corporate death penalty” — which is the legal process of dissolving a corporation.

Here are a few examples of corporate crimes:

Antitrust violations: Abusive trade and commerce practices such as price-fixing, price discrimination, restraints, and monopolisation efforts.

Insider trading: Illegal practice of trading stocks for one’s own advantage through the use of non-public and confidential information.

Bribery: Offering valuable items as a means of gaining favors from an individual holding a legal or public duty.

Corporate fraud: Illegal activities (undertaken by a corporation or individual) done in an immoral and fraudulent manner. This kind of fraud is often designed to benefit the perpetrating corporation or individual. It is also important to note that fraud doesn’t always have to be of a corporate nature, as outlined by LY Lawyers.

False claims: When an individual knowingly presents false or fraudulent information to the government in an effort to get money or property in return. Basically, individuals who seek to cheat the government out of its money often make use of false claims.

If all of that sounds interesting to you and you want to study corporate law, here are the top 20 law schools in the US.