What Is Your Business Missing And How Can You Fix That?

Julie Starr • June 5, 2024

When you own a business, there are so many things that you need to think about, and it’s hard to manage. We know this, we understand this, but that doesn’t change facts and facts are that you’ve got to find a way to get it done. One of the most important things that you are going to have to do as a business owner is try to figure out what your business is missing, and then ensure that you get exactly what you need. 


This might not seem like a crucial job, but we assure you that it’s one of the most important that you’ve got. How are you supposed to provide for your customers if you don’t have the necessary things to do this? You can’t. So, in this article, we’re going to be talking about some of the things you might be missing, and what you can do to get this sorted. Let’s go!


Dedicated Employees

First up on the list we’re going to be talking about dedicated employees. Do you have any idea how important it is to have people on your side who want you to succeed? Who wants you to do well and are willing to do whatever it takes to help you get there? It’s going to be one of the most valuable things that you can have as a business, so it’s worth putting the money in to find it. 


The interview process to work for your company doesn’t have to be easy. We know that some people find difficult or testing job interviews too much effort, but these are not the types of people that you want to work for your business anyway. Instead, you want those who are willing to push through because they want this job, as this is showing you the level of dedication that you are looking for.


Strong Marketing

It’s also a good idea to take a look at your marketing as a whole and see what can be done to improve this. If your business is struggling then your marketing may well have something to do with this, and you might need to start stepping up your game a little. There are companies on the market right now who still think that marketing is pointless and a waste of time, but these are the people who are going to fall behind. We are aware that there are some exceptions that prove the rule here, but you are unlikely to be one of them, and that’s why marketing is something you’re going to have to look at. 


Look at your overall marketing strategy, look at your individual marketing plans, look at analytics and decide what is working as well as what isn’t, as well as more. There are so many sources of information that you can look at, and it’s worth looking at them thoroughly to
determine how to move forward. 


Social Media Strategy

Next up on the list, we need to look at your social media strategy. Normally we would put this with the marketing section, but it’s so important that we feel it needs its own section. The reason for this is because social media is one of a business's best friends, and if you are missing out here then you are going to be bringing your whole business down. We’re sure that you don’t live under a rock and have social media yourself, so why does your business not have a strong social media presence?


You need to be posting regular content including photos and videos, not just long text posts. You need to be utilizing all of the tools at your disposal, ensuring that you are making the most of what is on offer. If you’re struggling with this because it’s such a big job, then hire someone who will be responsible for this going forward. This way, you know it’s taken care of, and it gets sorted out properly.


The Right Equipment

Onto equipment! If you do not have the right equipment in your business, how are you supposed to provide for those counting on you for a product or service? You’re not going to be able to, or at least you’re not going to be able to very fast, and this is going to cause you to lose customers. So, you need to put the effort in and get what you need, right?


Make a list of things that you think you need to purchase in order to offer a better service to your customers, and go from there. For example, you might need equipment for your factory or warehouse such as a
baghouse, or you might need something a little more specific to the process. Whatever you need, it needs to be purchased asap so that your business has the best chance.


Reliable Outsourcing Partners

Now let’s look into a little secret that could revolutionize your business operations: finding top-notch outsourcing partners. It’s about more than just offloading tasks; it’s about building relationships with teams who get the job done right. Consider, for instance, how you choose paper shredding companies. You’d want a partner who’s not just reliable and secure but truly gets what your business stands for. 


With the right collaborators, you can streamline your processes, cut down on costs, and free up your energy to focus on growth and innovation. This kind of support is invaluable, helping you tackle more with less stress. Wouldn’t it be great to have that level of trust and efficiency across all areas of your business?


The Right Logistics Company

A logistics company plays an important role in making sure your products arrive on time at customers' homes from warehouse to delivery point. When choosing one as your partner, it is important to carefully consider their reputation, network coverage and reliability before making your choice. Your business demands a logistics company who can efficiently meet its delivery needs. Check their track record in terms of timely deliveries, how they approach challenges like inclement weather, and customer service response times before selecting one. Utilizing technology is key. Be sure they provide up-to-date tracking systems so there is complete transparency at each stage of shipping process. By choosing the appropriate logistics provider, you can improve customer satisfaction by fulfilling orders efficiently and accurately, strengthening your brand's image in the process. Partner wisely for maximum reach while meeting clientele demands.


A New And Exciting Product Or Service

The final thing that we’re going to say is that if you don’t have a new and exciting product or service for people to look at every now and then, your business becomes boring. While reliability is good, you also need to try and retain that wow factor that you had in the beginning. If you take certain stores for example, sometimes they sell mostly the same things, but every now and then they get new stock that they haven’t had before, and that gets people excited. It’s the same principle, and you need to apply it to your business when the time is right.


Hopefully, you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that your business might be missing, as well as what you can do about this. At the end of the day, the only person that can really fix what’s going on is you as the business owner, so you’ve got to do whatever you can to make this happen. Take your time, when it comes to improving your business you just need to get it right, not get it done fast.

By Julie Starr July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.
By Julie Starr July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.