The 34 New Residential Estate Property Management RegulationsThere have been a staggering 34 new regulation changes introduced by the government in just 6 years affecting residential freehold and leasehold management agents and their estate management property services. And this list excludes any changes to employment law covering property services companies in employing their own staff.The main regulatory and statutory changes impacting on landlords, freeholders, resident property estate management companies and their agents are set out below.Whilst this list is not intended to be exhaustive, the extent of government interference in this sector is clear to see. It is granted that much of this legislation brings with it undoubted improvements however the scale and pace of the introduction of change is staggering.There must be few industry sectors which have been subjected to such radical and wholesale statutory amendment in such a short time frame. It is little wonder why so many freehold and leasehold management companies, landlords and their leaseholders have been turning to residential property block management agents for professional help and advice regarding service charges.Many residential freeholds, leaseholds, resident management companies, Right to Manage (RTM) and property management organisations are run by volunteers and others who may be relatively inexperienced in the property estate management field. It is understandable that these organizations along with landlords will wish to know that their freeholds and residential block management firms are professionally run, ensuring suitable protection under both new and existing legislation.There are 34 headings set out below which have been recently affected. This list concerns property agents, landlord service charges and lease management of freehold and leasehold property. Some or all of these changes will have a significant impact on property companies and the maintenance and running of leasehold and freehold estates:-1. Ground rent notices for landlord and freehold companies2. Changes to consultation procedures for property services and major works3. Consultation on long term agreements for landlords and freeholders4. Service Charge Demands for block management agents, leaseholders and freeholders5. Administration charges for landlord property agents6. Forfeiture for leaseholders7. Breaches of Covenant affecting the landlord and leaseholders8. Asbestos property services legislation9. Working at height10. Risk Assessments and property services health and safety11. Regulation of residential block insurance by the F S A12. Taxation of Trusts for Service Charge Monies for managing agents and residential estate property management companies13. Digital Switchover14. Licensing of wheel clamping and other security staff for freehold and leasehold companies15. Separate bank accounts for each residential property scheme16. Prescribed statements of account for property service changes17. Independent certification of all service charge scheme accounts18. Licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)19. Home Information Packs20. Fire safety for leasehold or freehold estate property management companies21. Disability Discrimination and property block management22. Electrical Safety Testing for blocks of flats and freeholds23. Water testing and legionella for common and shared estate property services24. Gas Safety for common and shared property services25. Hazardous Substances in the common areas and the workplace26. Rules for appointment of contractors for property and estate management organisations27. Lifts, elevators and their regulation and block maintenance28. Health and safety planning for all freehold and leasehold maintenance work29. Data Protection for managing agents and residential property estate management30. Money Laundering for estate managing agents and residential property landlord businesses31. No smoking rules in blocks of flats and common facilities32. Disposal of electrical items affecting estate managing agents and residential property33. Health and Safety Offences Act 2008 affecting management agents and residential property estate management34. Administration services for residents leasehold blocks of flats and apartmentsIn view of the above extensive list it is clear that professional guidance should be sought to help leaseholders and freeholders begin to understand the effects of the above recent changes affecting the running of estates and lease arrangements.When it comes to service charges, maintaining and ensuring the smooth running of freeholds for blocks of flats or apartments, few things are more essential than securing the services of a professional property block management agent. Professional expertise in the field of block management service charges and property services have proven immensely popular with time pressed landlords, directors and leaseholders of freehold property management companies. Please refer to the details below to find out more.

A lot of small businesses and especially franchises struggle with marketing. This is especially true when the time comes to decide where and how to invest a limited budget. With the wide variety of marketing tools and techniques out there, it can be tough to be a marketer. One needs to be adept at choosing effective and easy digital marketing for franchises.Sure, you can go out and research all the different digital marketing ideas for franchises. You can spend a few years trying to implement all the conflicting advice and eventually get results. Alternatively, you can hire a small business marketing consultant to save you years of trial & error.Whatever option you choose, you still need to understand the commonalities behind any successful marketing strategy. Getting your basics in order will help you choose effective and easy digital marketing for franchises.The crucial point in marketing is to take some time to research trends in your industry, and discover your customer needs and behaviors. Based on the information you gather you will be able to make a plan and develop a strategy for effective and easy digital marketing for franchises. This way, you can make the most of any budget you dedicate to promoting your business.You have the opportunity to use numerous digital marketing campaigns for franchises, for a small amount of money. Word of mouth and referral marketing are practically free, but at the same time they are some of the most powerful marketing strategies.It’s important to remember that whatever you do to spread the word about your business, it has to touch your customers on an emotional level. It’s the secret of effective and easy digital marketing for franchises. Some of the most successful companies in the world have achieved their best results when they’ve used experiential marketing. It’s because they managed to reach deep into people’s emotions.Give your customers an outstanding brand experience and you’ll make them your ambassadors.EFFECTIVE AND EASY DIGITAL MARKETING FOR FRANCHISES1. DEVELOP AN AWESOME WEBSITERegardless of the type of business you run, good online presence is a must. The hectic modern lifestyle leads people to search for products and services online and make their purchasing decisions on the go. Moreover, studies show that more than 70% of internet users do their shopping through mobile devices, so you need to make sure that your website is mobile-friendly.Another crucial point that you need to take into consideration is the optimization of your website. SEO is one of the most powerful tools for a successful online marketing strategy. Taking your place on the first search engine results page will wipe out your competition in no time. It will improve your image and bring the customers to you.Look at your website as a place where customers can find solutions for their needs. Provide as much helpful information as you can, and do it in a language that your customers will understand. Assure them that you are there to help, not sell.2. DEMONSTRATE PERSONALITY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIASocial media can be your greatest asset if you know how to use it. It gives you the opportunity to show some personality regardless of how serious your products or services are. It enables you to get to know your customers and connect with them on an emotional level. With social media, your brand can easily become your customer’s trusted friend.Memes, comics, and infographics are some of the most powerful social media tools. They are visually appealing, aren’t time-consuming, and allow for people to get the message at a quick glance. Find a way to incorporate them into your brand tone and entertain your customers. People like and share this type of content, so it will drive up good referral traffic.Real time marketing is another insanely powerful technique to grab your customers’ attention and go viral on social media. Choose an event that can be somehow related to your business and use it for promotion; it’s great local digital marketing for franchises. Just be careful with this and make sure that you won’t insult anyone with your witty marketing move. Otherwise, you may end up with tons of negative publicity.3. SHOW YOUR EXPERTISEIf you want to convince people that you are a leader in your industry, you need to demonstrate your expertise. The easiest way to do this is to start a blog and share your blog posts through social media. Use catchy headlines and write on trending topics related to your industry to show that you’re in the know.You can also use an opportunity to be a guest speaker at an event or a class, or host your own event. This will boost both your personal credibility and your company’s credibility. Just remember to direct your online and offline demonstration of expertise to your key audiences. Address their pain points and offer your expert solutions.4. LISTEN WHAT CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAYYou can’t develop a real connection with your customers with one-way communication. Use every opportunity to listen to what your customers have to say. Encourage reviews on your website and comments on your social media profiles. This will eliminate the anxiety of the unknown for the prospective customers, and show your current customers that you really care.Develop a strong customer service. It’s one of the best and the most overlooked ways to ensure spreading a good word about your business. Try to provide customer service through every possible channel – live chat, Skype calls, phone calls, and emails. Ensure your customers that you are there at any time.5. BE KIND AND GENEROUSStart a loyalty program and use it to show your kindness. Treat your loyal customers as if they are your closest friends. Send them handwritten thank-you notes, seasonal greetings, birthday cards, and small surprise gifts. These small and kind gestures will make them your loyal and active ambassadors. You’ll have their families and friends as your customers in no time.Show kindness to people who are not your customers, too. Give them the opportunity to experience your product or service and the chances are they will want to purchase it. You can also produce creative, branded items and use them as giveaways.Give something back to society and your company will be associated with these good deeds. You will surely feel good while doing it and people will appreciate it. Donate some of your product or services to a non-profit organization sponsoring a charity live auction. You can also sponsor other charity events such as marathons, or sponsor a little league in your neighborhood.DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER IDEAS FOR EFFECTIVE AND EASY DIGITAL MARKETING FOR FRANCHISES? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS!

For many years the term Home Business has been considered an oxymoron. Too many people didn’t understand how a business could be run from home. Some still don’t see how home based businesses can be successful.The ability to earn a respectful income from home has never been easier. With the availability of broadband internet reaching even the most rural areas, some of the best home business ideas are beginning to surface.Home Based TypistsThanks to e-mail, home based typists and clerical jobs are being outsourced now more than ever. Small home based businesses are hiring freelancers who work from home. Freelancers and contract workers are beginning to form business opportunities that allow others the opportunity to work from home or start similar businesses.Home Based Call CentersHome based businesses don’t have to end with selling products or recruiting people to work for you. Home based call centers are on the rise, especially in the United States. Many of today’s hotlines and order lines are being answered by contractors who work from home. Some of those contractors are looking to start their own home based call center to employ others like them.Home Based Virtual AssistantsVirtual assistants are becoming very popular among growing businesses and start-up companies. These assistants work for a fraction of the cost of full-time employees. This doesn’t mean they’re inexperienced in their field. It simply means they work when you need them, otherwise they’re working for someone else.Home Based CounselorsCounseling is one of the best home business ideas to date. These professionals are highly educated leaders in their field of expertise and are readily available at your fingertips; simply a phone call, text message or email away. These professionals generally make themselves available to you 24 hours a day 7 days per week. They could be professionals in virtually any field in which you might require assistance: Network Administrators, Legal Advisors, Tax Advisors or Tutors, for example.Home Based Hotline WorkersHome based hotline workers are similar to home based call center agents. These professionals are trained to assist in times of crisis and usually have real-world experience with difficult decisions their callers are facing.These may sound like home based jobs; and they are. That’s how any great business opportunities are born. Someone takes their job expertise and creates a business that allows them to help others achieve similar goals. That’s the beauty of some of the best home business opportunities of this decade; the ability to capitalize on what you do best.Finding your niche – the best business opportunity to fit your needs – isn’t a simple task. You have to give it a lot of thought and decide what you want to do. Research several before making your final decision which one best fits you needs and personality.If your dream is to own your own business, you’re going to have to work hard to make that dream come true. Success isn’t achieved over night. Don’t fall for any of the scams that say it is.