Business
Best Five Money Saving Tips for Online Shopping in India

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Nowadays, no one is away from the growing influence of the world of Internet shopping. Every one of us is impressed by the ease of shopping online and getting the product delivered right at our home. We do not have to face the hassle of closed stores, unfriendly shopkeepers and non-availability of product in the local market. We can order almost everything online now using our credit cards, debit cards or cash on delivery for products. In India this trend is slowly picking up pace. Companies like Flipkart and Snapdeal have changed the Indian shopping landscape entirely. Most stores have extended their presence to internet and hence they provide great convenience to the consumers, while also making money for themselves by extending their sales beyond physical boundaries.
However, there are many chances that the product you purchased from your favourite online store is costlier than the price you could get if you purchased it from another online store or a conventional offline real store. Usually online stores also charge some shipping costs, which end up making the product purchase a non-profitable scenario for you.
In our previous articles, we talked about how to setup an ecommerce company in India and how an Indian startup is helping you shop better with personalization solutions, in this article we will discuss how you can save money shopping online with personalized coupons and some other smart methods.
1. Use coupons – Coupons are one of the easiest ways to save money. Most e-stores issue discount coupons for items. These coupons can provide you with free shipping and/or great discounts. These discount coupons are also easy to use and one just needs to enter the code while checkout. However, the hard part is finding these coupons. Nevertheless, there are many such websites in the market, which consolidate these coupons. Flipit is one such website, which I personally favour. Flipit is a multinational company and its major plus point is their wide range of coupons and the way users can personalize their member account through preferences. Once you select your favourite online store in the preferences, the portal will always show you the best and latest working coupons from that store. Becoming a member is free of cost and in return, you get access to the exclusive member-only coupon codes, which provide higher discounts. The portal currently offers around 1,100 live working coupons! What excites me about this company is their ambitious plan of developing a geo-based couponing App for Google Glass, and a postal service that delivers customized coupons to your door. They also have many exclusive deals with the Indian shopping websites. They have a clean layout, which does not contain popup ads. User interface and searching for coupons is very easy too.
2. Use debit card/credit card more often– Many online stores provide discounts to the credit/debit cardholders of certain banks. Now you do not necessarily have to have bank account in all the banks. If you have a bank account in major banks such as ICICI, SBI and Citibank then there are many chances to easily avail up to 20% exclusive discounts. Some credit/debit card schemes also give you great deals such as buy one pizza get another free, or buy one movie ticket, get another free. If you do not have a bank account yet, check which one provides better deals. If you already have a bank account then keep an eye on the stores who provide exclusive deals for debit/credit card holders of your bank.
3. Use Comparison Websites – There are many websites in the market, which provide a basic level price comparison of the product you intend to buy. Using such websites like Junglee.com , you can pick the store which is offering the required product at cheapest costs. It might take a little longer time, but in the end, you will save lots of money. Once you find out the website, which is offering the item at cheapest cost, go back to Flipit, find the coupon code for that store and save even more!
4. Availing Cashback/Points redeeming schemes – Many websites in India offer instant cashback on certain products. It will lower the cost of the product and ultimately you end up in saving lots of money. Some services like Payback require you to register with them, they track your purchases everywhere by providing you a Payback account number that you can enter during checkout or swipe a Payback card while making purchases in the offline stores. Your every purchase earn you some points, which you can redeem at various online shopping portals such as eBay. You can also buy some products directly from Payback portal.
5. Smart Shopping – It cannot be stressed upon enough. Most shoppers end up purchasing the products they want at much higher cost if they are not smart and they bought the product at wrong time. Certain products like mobile phones and electronics lose value very fast because newer products arrive in market every day. Their cost is highest when they are just launched; slowly they reach a saturation point. The idea of smart shopping is to buy when the price is lowest. If one has some experience in online shopping one can easily guess the behaviour of cost of product with time.
Business
Do’s and Don’t’s of Firing People

As a business leader one of the hardest things that you could do is fire an employee. Of course, it sounds like an easy thing to do if the employee is rightfully deserving of being fired, but it is a lot easier said than done. Is a decision that many managers actually lose a lot of sleep over, because it’s such a difficult undertaking.
No matter what you do though, whether you are firing somebody because they are just not the right fit for your business, or you are dismissing an employee for gross misconduct, legal issues can arise that could do damage to your business. HR professionals across the country will tell you that there are many different ways of gracefully terminating an employee’s contract, but there are some do’s and don’ts that you could do to make it an easier process that can help you deal with it. Let’s take a look at a few of those below.
- Do get everything in order before you fire them. From evidence as to the reason they are fired, to the paperwork for them to leave the business, get everything in order so that there are no loose ends. For a firing to go smoothly this needs to be prepared in advance. Before you terminate the employee, you need to be able to prevent any misunderstandings or even accusations of illegal activity going on. Follow the policies and procedures in place of your organization and if necessary, consult a lawyer. Secure computer files, make sure you pull together all in performance appraisals and written warnings as any other correspondence that you might need. You should also make sure that you have all of the payroll information in place so that you can reassure the person being fired that they will be paid according to the law.
- Do choose a private space. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to be fired from their job. It leaves a bad taste, it’s nothing to be proud of, and it can be embarrassing for the employee. When you are dismissing somebody, you need to choose the right time and place and make sure that there are no eavesdroppers. It’s always a good idea to do it as early in the week as possible at the end of the day so that you minimize impact to your business. If an employee depends on the company or their colleagues to get home, it just makes good sense to ensure that they are not going to be left stranded.
- Don’t fire somebody with an audience around. As we mentioned before, anybody in your business has a right to privacy. Doing it in front of an audience will be poor behavior on your part as an employer. It also won’t help people in the office to feel comforted by the idea that they may not be next. Use an official meeting space, as it’s a private and neutral location that is free from any disruption.
- Don’t forget to toe the line. If you terminate an employee on parental or medical leave, or you terminate an employee who is pregnant, you are going to open yourself up to a lawsuit. Toe the line when it comes to the law and make sure that you are firing somebody with all of your ducks in a row in advance.
Terminating an employee’s contract is not easy, but sometimes it needs to be done.
Business
Best Strategies to Create an Comfortable Atmosphere in Your Restaurant

Creating an inviting and comfortable atmosphere in any restaurant is essential for success. Customers often form their first impression of the restaurant based on its ambiance, and if it isn’t pleasant or enjoyable, they are less likely to come back. It’s important to consider all aspects that can make up a positive dining experience — from the decor to the music playing in your establishment to the service you provide. Here are some strategies that will help you create an atmosphere that customers won’t forget.
Decor:
The key to creating a cozy environment is by designing decor that reflects your restaurant’s style and promotes relaxation. Think about what kind of mood you want customers to feel when they enter your restaurant — from the lighting to the art on the walls to the decorations that adorn your tables. Depending on the cuisine you serve and the atmosphere you want to create, consider investing in muted tones or warm colors for a calming effect or bright and vibrant shades for an energetic vibe.
Music:
The music playing in your restaurant can make all the difference. Too loud music can be overwhelming and uncomfortable, while music that’s too quiet won’t create an inviting atmosphere at all. Consider investing in a music player for restaurant so you can control what music is played and when it starts and stops. You should also consider whether you want to provide live or recorded music. Live music will usually give customers a sense of authenticity and provide them with something to enjoy during their meal, while pre-recorded songs can help set the background without being distracting.
Service:
Your service can be just as important as the ambiance in creating a memorable experience. Make sure your staff is well-trained, friendly, and attentive to guests’ needs. Ensure they understand your restaurant’s standards and expectations — from proper table setting etiquette to how glasses should be filled. Customers greatly appreciate being treated with respect and kindness, so make sure your waitstaff is not only efficient but also shows genuine care for their customer’s satisfaction.
Atmosphere:
Creating the perfect atmosphere requires more than just the decor, music, and service — it also includes small touches that will make your restaurant stand out. For instance, consider offering complimentary snacks or appetizers to customers while they wait for their meals to arrive. You can also provide warm towels after meals as a sign of endearment and appreciation. Additionally, choosing linens with exquisite patterns or using fresh flowers on each table will add even more charm to your restaurant’s atmosphere.
Business
Turn Your Passion into a Career: How to Make Money Doing What You Love

Many dreams of turning their hobby, passion, or creative outlet into a career. It’s a beautiful idea, but it can take time to figure out where to start. Here’s a guide on successfully turning your hobby into a career.
Do Your Research
Before you turn your hobby into a business, please research and find out what the industry looks like, your potential customers and their needs. Next, consider your strengths, skills, and knowledge and decide how to use them in this new venture. Finally, consider what makes you unique in the industry and how you can market yourself.
Take A Strong Career Test
A Strong Career Test can help you identify your ideal job and the type of environment you would flourish in. In addition, knowing this information can give you an idea of what kind of business to start and whether it’s something you’d be passionate about.
Think About Finances and Legalities
Once you have an idea of what you want to do, consider the financial aspect – are there any costs associated with getting started? What sort of budget will you need? Will there be any tax implications? It’s also essential to think about the legal side of things – if necessary, consult with a lawyer specializing in business law so that you understand all the regulations associated with starting up and protecting your intellectual property rights.
Create a Business Plan
Now that you have researched and considered the legalities and finances involved, create a business plan that outlines all this information. Make sure it includes short-term and long-term objectives to keep track of your progress over time. Be realistic when setting targets for yourself – don’t aim too high at first because this could set you up for failure if it doesn’t pan out. Also, consider whether or not there is potential for growth or expansion once your business gets off the ground. This may include marketing strategies such as social media campaigns or investing in advertising materials such as brochures or flyers.
Start Networking
Networking is essential when launching any new business; it’s about building relationships with people who may be interested in your offer. Start by reaching out to family, friends, and acquaintances who may already know about your business or service offering; they may even be willing to share it with others! Additionally, join online groups related to your area of expertise – these are great places for exchanging ideas with like-minded people and potentially finding potential customers/collaborators/mentors/partners, etc. Finally, attend events such as trade shows or conferences where relevant topics are discussed – these are ideal opportunities for making connections within the industry that could prove beneficial down the line!
Turning your hobby into a career is no small task, but it can be approached thoughtfully and strategically! Please research the industry thoroughly before beginning to understand its nuances; familiarize yourself with the legalities of running a business; create a viable yet ambitious business plan; network extensively (both online & offline). And never give up! With dedication & hard work, anything is possible.
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