Guest Post: Restoring Pre Owned Longines Watches - Do You Opt For Dial Restoration?

Ive always believed that re-dialling a pre owned Longines watch is only an option when one has no option, but of course the older they get, and the fact that many manufacturers have run out of dials for pre owned Longines watches, means that it will, ultimately, be the only option for corroded or damaged dials.

There are numerous dial re-finishing houses around the world, but judging from the redials Ive seen there are some absolute corkers! (to use a local colloquilism) Many problems arise from redialling, such as badly painted minute markers; smudgy and poorly reproduced script; substandard coatings and paint edges; inappropriate and non-authentic colours and finishes and uneven symmetry of the lettering, to name a few.

Ive been searching around for examples of good rediallers and they are few and far between. A bad re-dial with inaccurate detailing can have the value of your watch dropping quicker than a souffle put in a refrigerator! It's fair to say that there are many more slap-dash, incompetent and inferior refinishing houses than there are high quality re-dialers. So, if you chance upon one, treat him like royalty.

When you are in contact with a dial refinishing house do your homwwork and establish the quality of the work before you commit.

Make sure you ask for examples or high resolution pictures of their work and match them with authentic dials to ascertain how professional their work is. I recommend you adhere to the following procedures when having a dial refinished:

· Have the dial removed or remove it yourself if you have the skill

· Take large close-ups of the dial, case and movement - this will become clear below. Make sure you identify your watch amongst the scans you send to a re-dialler as an estimate will only be as accurate as the information you provide.

· Write out exactly and expressly a set of instructions in respect to what you want done to the dial. Make sure you identify the areas in which you wish special care to be taken. For example, request an exact a replication of the script and the positioning of the script; state expressly that the colour of the dial must be as near to original as possibly. (If you have scans of reference dials or big scans of brochures of your watch include them as examples)

· Give instructions in respect to the logo and markers - if you want them repolished make sure you state that repolishing is required.

· Ask the re-dialler to check the dial posts, and if there any dents or damage to the dial.

· If the dial is corroded beyond recognition, you may have difficulty with some refinishing houses as they may be reluctant to provide you with a dial that indicates the watch is an officially certified Constellation chronometer if you cannot prove it is. This is where the pics of the movement and case, brochures, and pics of reference Constellations may come in handy.

You may have to provide a comparative anaysis of your watch against the specifications of a Constellation. For example, pointing to the rotor bridge and train bridge of the movement showing the correct stamping, and comparing the case style and backcase case numbers that show your watch is authentic. If a re-dialler still wont play ball - choose another who will. Ask for a quotation before giving authority to proceed. When you receive your dial back, examine it closely with a loupe to ensure that it resembles as accurately as possible a genuine Constellation dial. Compare it against reference pictures of authentic dials. You'll never get an 100 percent exact replication of an authentic dial, so the issue here is to get as close as possible - the closer the better and this is the essential difference between a professional re-finishing house and a bodgy operation.

Is YouTube the Right Channel for Your Business?

Studies show that videos are 53 times more likely to make the first page of Google rankings and have a 43 percent higher click-through rate than other types of content. However, the creation and management of video may be intimidating to small business owners (particularly if they have no in-house production people or equipment.) So before you take your first steps, here’s a few things to know about video and YouTube, the top video channel and popular social network, and how they can help increase your exposure and meet your company’s needs.

The power of video

Because videos require no reading, they are often the most engaging form of online content and thereby have the potential to proliferate, go viral, and gain you new followers in ways even the best blog posts or tweets simply can’t. Whenever the key search words relate to a video's title, that video will appear earlier in search rankings, often in the first or second position. This means small business owners gain more value and win the numbers game when posting video content, but again, the process begins with keyword searches relevant to your business.

YouTube in your industry

To understand your company's potential on video channels, go to YouTube and do a keyword search relevant to your business and industry. Now watch some of those videos to see if they are actually relevant and also read the description and look for links in the video content to confirm that they meet the promise of the keyword. If few or non-relevant results are showing up, it means there’s space for your company to make an impact.

In addition to the advantage videos have in search engines, business owners have an advantage in the way YouTube charges for advertising. You only pay the full cost of an ad if the viewer watches the entire 30 second ad, so your business receives free exposure if the viewer clicks through. Ideally, you’d prefer that they view your entire message, but if not, it’s good to know that you’ve at least made an initial impression and it didn’t cost you.

The right video strategy for you

While small business owners may not be able to compete with large brands that hire professional video production crews, with a little time and patience any company can create videos using the Google+ feature called Hangouts on Air. Using this function of Google's social network, business owners (or an individual employee) can interact with customers via live tutorials, product demos, explanations of your brand mission, and more. After recording the piece, you can add keywords and an appropriate title before uploading it to YouTube. Finding the right subject for your video and determining who can best deliver your message will be your biggest concerns, as these types of videos are free but still capable of attracting a great deal of attention to your company.

Finally, you don’t have to be a master of social media marketing to make an impact with your video once it’s ready. Companies like Constant Contact can develop and assist you with your social campaigns on YouTube, Facebook and other channels and help you market your video to gain the brand exposure you’re seeking.

4 Steps To Starting Your Start-Up

Each year, thousands of people attempt to launch their own start-up business. Though many of these entrepreneurs demonstrate commitment and a strong work ethic, many of their businesses never get off the ground due to a failure to properly address the fundamental tasks required before launching any type of business.

1. Conduct thorough market research

Many aspiring entrepreneurs look to start their business without fully identifying and studying the demographics of their target market. In this regard, prospective business owners need to explore current consumer trends and the ability of their proposed business to respond and effectively market their products and services based on those trends. Entrepreneurs should also take the time to study the general state of their given industry and their main competitors. Even if the industry is saturated, a new business could still successfully launch by perhaps identifying and serving a niche market or by carefully investing dollars in an aggressive advertising campaign.

2. Determine size and location

Many successful start-ups begin by launching not in an office environment, but out of the business owner’s home. With today’s technology, many businesses can be founded, operated and managed (at least initially) almost entirely online. This approach could positively impact your required starting budget because you won’t need to pay for office space. Determining the physical size and location of your business also allows you to make better decisions when it comes to funding, such as whether you should consider crowdfunding, angel investors or other financing sources.

3. Establish an identity and construct a business plan

Think of a business plan as a map that helps you evaluate where your business stands and where you want to take it. Before considering all of this, however, you should establish a firm identity that will hopefully last for years. This includes defining your desired company culture, as well as creating and registering a company name, logo and trademarks that properly represent your brand. To optimize your online presence, you’ll also need to register a domain name.

Once this is accomplished, build your business plan. It should detail everything about your start-up that you and potential investors need to know and should include an executive summary, company description, products and services, an overview of your market, revenue estimates, and anticipated expenditures (both one-time and recurring.) Your business plan should also describe the business need for your company and the main problems your business will resolve, along with any major pitfalls that could be encountered.

4. Licensing and legalities

Obtaining and completing legal paperwork, permits and licenses may not be the most glamorous part of the process, but it’s a necessary step towards reaching your goal. Establishing your start-up as a legal entity requires you to choose how it will be structured. For example, businesses can be incorporated as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), as an S or C corporation, or as a sole proprietorship. Each has its own perks, drawbacks, tax implications and licensing requirements. Additionally, remember that the licenses you need to obtain could vary from state to state. Consult a business lawyer to learn the legal requirements for your business type and location.

Launching a business requires strategic planning and a keen eye for detail, and these four steps serve as the building blocks for making it all come together. Consider The Company Corporation's outstanding services for assistance incorporating compliance requirements and other aspects of your start-up

How Your Customers Can Be Your Best Marketers

When you run a small business, you are bound to face some competition, in spite of the promotional strategies you put into place. While innovative marketing methods are often the key to ongoing success, they can be costly. In today's technological world, many small business owners enlist the help of external experts to provide a strong marketing campaign. Oftentimes, however, your customers can be your very best marketers. Here are some ways in which your loyal following can help your business grow and reach new audiences:

Word of mouth is essential

Word of mouth typically travels fast—especially if your customers have large social media followings. By providing innovative offerings and prioritizing service, you can encourage consumers to spread the word about their positive experiences with your business.

People value the opinions of their loved ones

While online reviews may be all the rage, they can also be quite misleading. Some business owners take advantage of a poorly implemented system and get their friends and family members to write favorable reviews for their products or services. Likewise, some companies may pay others in exchange for a good word. This, in turn, has led many consumers to rely on the word of a friend or relative over that of strangers and popular brands.

In the 2015 Nielsen Global Trust in Advertising report, 83% of respondents revealed that they trusted recommendations from friends and family members. In contrast, only 70% of respondents claimed to trust branded online channels. In this way, your patrons can serve as your best marketers.

Cutting expensive marketing costs

Many small businesses can not afford to have extensive marketing budgets in place. Thankfully, your customers can do some outreach for you. Not only can they spread the word about your small business, but they can also answer any questions that new prospects might have. This natural way of marketing can increase your overall reputation, leading to new clientele and higher satisfaction ratings. As a result, it is clear that you can sometimes increase your profits without investing in expensive advertising.

Focusing on customer satisfaction

When small businesses focus too much on external marketing and advertising channels, they may lose sight of what is truly important to their success: ongoing customer satisfaction. While conventional promotion can assist in finding new customers, you will often need the most ingenious marketing plans to stay ahead of the competition.

Thus, your time will be better spent by placing a greater focus on producing quality products and services. This devotion to providing consumers with the best possible experience will encourage your clientele to recommend your business to others. By expanding your audience in this way, you can help your company flourish.

Figuring out what your patrons want

Business 101 dictates that you should find a need and then fulfill it to the best of your ability. This task becomes more manageable when you have a solid understanding of your audience and the types of products and services they want. Once you have this knowledge base, you can develop a powerful marketing road map.

Get to know your consumers by way of surveys, newsletter campaigns, studies of shopping behavior, and analyses of how they react to your newest offerings. This will enable you to attract your desired customers, who will hopefully spread the word to new prospects.

Consumers play a critical role in your business success. As such, you should take every encounter and interaction seriously. By providing optimal service, you can encourage your customers to become your best marketers. Once you earn their trust, many of these consumers will happily introduce you to their circle of friends, family members, and acquaintances, allowing you to increase your overall audience.