March 15, 2024

Point of sale (POS) refers to the payment counter in a retail store where customers pay for their purchased goods. When a customer picks out a product and wants to check them out, a culmination of hardware and software helps businesses make those sales. It helps customer management be easier and the time taken is the bare minimum What Is a POS? A POS or point of sale is a device that is used to process transactions by retail customers. A cash register is a type of POS. The cash register has largely been replaced by electronic POS terminals that can be used to process credit cards and debit cards as well as cash. A POS may be a physical device in a brick-and-mortar store or a checkout point in a web-based store.The software for POS devices is growing increasingly elaborate, with features that allow retailers to monitor inventory and buying trends, track pricing accuracy, and collect marketing data, Points of sale (POSs) are an important focus for marketers because consumers tend to make purchasing decisions on high-margin products or services at these strategic locations. Traditionally, businesses set up POSs near store exits to increase the rate of impulse purchases as customers leave. However, varying POS locations can give retailers more opportunities to micro-market specific product categories and influence consumers at earlier points in the sales funnel. For example, department stores often have POSs for individual product groups, such as appliances, electronics, and apparel. The designated staff can actively promote products and guide consumers through purchase decisions rather than simply processing transactions. Similarly, the format of a POS can affect profit or buying behavior, as this gives consumers flexible options for making a purchase. Features A business generates data on sales, returns, regular customers, high-selling products, seasonal preferences, low-selling products, reorder points, low inventory, top employees, returning customers, etc. An efficient POS system will help compile this data to help the management make crucial decisions regarding inventory, marketing, employees, and customer relationship. The POS database and software integrate all the data of a business. For example, a brand with its stores across different cities can compile all the data from its stores and warehouses using an efficient POS system or software. The POS terminal comprises a server, a desktop, a credit/debit card swiper, a drawer for cash, and a printer for bills. One may choose a barcode scanner or other specific customizations based on the business type. The POS installation company sets up your system, including all hardware and software. The staff usually undergoes training to be able to handle the system. POS transactions occur in retail stores, restaurants, hospitals, hotels, online shopping, etc. There are different POS systems such as counter POS, mobile POS, online POS, tablet POS, etc. Depending on whether one runs an online store, has a physical store, or both, one can decide upon the type of POS system. A mobile or tablet POS will reflect that one can pay for purchase anywhere in the store or the restaurant without the need for wires. This portability is the result of a cloud-based POS system. The cloud-based POS systems are advantageous over other POS systems as they process and store sales data online instead of locally on a computer server. They are often referred to as point-of-sale applications (apps) since they often find they’re used on mobile devices. Alternately, it is mentioned as an electronic point of sale (EPOS). The market is full of different POS systems enabled with varying features. Apart from the basics of sales and inventory records, many are designed to help with report generation, customer relationship management, loyalty program, automation, reorder point, employee performance data, cost-cutting, and profit generation. It is imperative to find one that suits your business. Although, experts have warned businesses and customers of POS fraud as card transactions are a magnet for cyber-attacks. In 2019, VISA discussed how malware tried to gather card details from a gas station POS system. As such, merchants must ensure a system that ensures data safety. How does the POS System Work? Point of sale systems enable a business to accept payments from customers and track sales. It keeps track of different data related to a business. Think of a payment checkout counter at a store. The counter displays a point of sale system and terminal. The POS system refers to the place where the customer makes the payment. The system allows processing payment transactions, recording transactions, inventory updates, and various other things depending on the POS software features. A POS terminal is usually a desktop, POS software, cash register, scanner, debit/credit card machine, and printer to facilitate a transaction. There are various layers to the concept of POS; let us start by taking a simple example. A customer decides to buy a product or service in a physical store. A sales associate now initiates the billing. The associate uses a barcode scanner to know the product’s price. When customers have completed adding items to their cart and click the checkout icon during online shopping, this step happens. The item’s price, inclusive of the sales tax, is calculated by the POS system. And then, the inventory count is updated, indicating that the item has been sold. After that, the customer pays using a means of payment. Apart from cash, a customer can pay using a credit card, tap card, or debit card. Some stores offer payments using PayPal, loyalty points, and gift cards. Once the customer’s bank authorizes the transaction, the store receives the money. With this, the POS transaction gets completed. A digital or a printed receipt arrives as the payment goes through. After that, the customer is free to leave with the purchases. Benefits of POS Systems Electronic POS software systems streamline retail operations by automating the transaction process and tracking important sales data. Basic systems include an electronic cash register and software to coordinate data collected from daily purchases. Retailers can increase functionality by installing a network of data-capture devices, including card readers and barcode scanners.Depending on

India has always been viewed as a market with enormous opportunities. Being an era of digitisation, many tech start-ups enter the market to capture the online audience. The hyper-growth of online restaurant discovery and food ordering system has paved the way for a lot of food tech startups to emerge in the industry. Zomato, India’s leading restaurant search and food delivery platform has changed the way consumers dine in recent years. The advent of this food delivery application has helped the users save time, effort, and money while improving the business for their restaurant partners. The company also gives the users, access to recommendations and reviews. Zomato Business Zomato is a global company that operates throughout 24 countries. The primary business model of Zomato is based on hyperlocal advertising on its website and mobile apps. The company serves the restaurant partners by offering them greater reach to consumers and helps their businesses to expand faster. Therefore, Zomato Registration with Zomato association can enable restaurants to gain more customers and grow a restaurant business by delivering more demands to a greater pool of customers. Eligibility Before applying for Zomato restaurant registration or to partner with Zomato, the restaurant should acquire the following. To be deemed as a business entity in India, Private Limited Registration, Partnership or LLP Registration is required. An FSSAI Registration or License According to the business turnover or business size and nature. Shop act License and GST Registration in India Registering a Restaurant on Zomato The process for Zomato restaurant registration involves the following: Adding the restaurant to Zomato Restaurant listing Acquiring a Registration on Zomato for Business app To Add Restaurant on Zomato: If any restaurant is not found in the Zomato Listing, the owner or the user can intimate by performing the given steps. Step 1: To add a restaurant in Zomato, visit the Add Restaurant Link and fill the registration form with restaurant name, phone number, city etc. Step 2: Then click on Add Restaurant to add the restaurant to the Zomato Listing. Once submitting the form, a Zomato executive will visit and collect documents such as PAN Card, Aadhar card, Copy of FSSAI registration, take pictures of restaurant etc. On successfully completing the restaurant verification, your restaurant will be added. Register the Restaurant in Zomato: Step 1: To obtain Zomato restaurant registration for Business app, visit the Zomato for Business App Link Step 2: Search your restaurant in the search bar to check whether the restaurant is listed on Zomato or not. If the restaurant is found in the Zomato listing then click on claim the listing. In other case, (if a restaurant is not available on Zomato) then Add your Restaurant to Zomato business listings by following the steps mentioned in the ‘To Add Restaurant on Zomato’ section. Step 3: When adding or claiming the restaurant on Zomato is done, scroll down below on Zomato for Business page where you will find a simple registration form. Step 4: Fill out the form mentioning the restaurant name, your name, phone number, e-mail address and city. The click on Submit. You can also contact Zomato for Business by giving a call  Step 5: After submitting the form to partner with Zomato, an executive from Zomato will contact you to verify the details provided. On verifying the account, your account on Zomato for business will be activated. Zomato Business App Before you use the Zomato for Business App, you need to claim your listing. Claim Now Download the app and login using the same credentials that are used to claim your listing. Start managing your restaurant directly from your smart phone. The registered partner can do the following with the Business App. Get real time notifications and reviews, and can easily answer reviews. Manage and your update your listing’s information online directly through your Smartphone or Computer. Promote your business by promos to existing and potential customers on Zomato Upload your special menu directly from the app Promote events such as musical events, food festivals etc. that are hosted in your establishment. Commission Charges for Zomato Registration Zomato currently charges a commission fee of 7% of the total orders from the restaurants under its food ordering business. This does not include delivery and payment gateway charges. For those restaurants that regulate less than 50 orders per week, a commission of 2.99% along with a platform fee of Rs 99 will be levied. No Commission Charges- To strengthen its hold in the food-tech space and to bring in high orders, no commission fees will be levied for restaurants that cross the weekly 50-order mark. For restaurants crossing the 500 order, the platform fees charged will be inversely proportional to the number of orders ranging down from Rs 799 to Rs 199. Guidelines for Restaurants Restaurant Name Users search for and identify places to eat or order from using Restaurant names. Restaurant names on Zomato must be written as they appear on the board outside the restaurant. Restaurant establishment types and taglines (unless the restaurant name is registered with the tagline) must not be mentioned in the name of the restaurant on Zomato. Restaurant abbreviations in the restaurant name is not accepted on Zomato. Restaurant Address The restaurant address guides diners to the restaurant. The address needs to be in a standardized format for easy understanding for users and for consistency. Do not add more than one landmark, and do not use abbreviations. Do not add other restaurant names as landmarks as it affects the searching results for other restaurants. Add the floor number along with name of the building if the restaurant is located above the ground floor for easy locating. Restaurant Features A diner is looks for these facilities when deciding about where to dine. These are called attribute tags on Zomato. The Pure Veg (no meat and egg)tag is used for restaurants that serve only vegetarian food Smoking Areatag is marked only for restaurants that have a separate smoking area as well as a non-smoking section. Happy Hoursare exclusively for restaurants that serve alcohol and that offer special offers or discounted rates during a period

“DIY” everywhere, and you probably already know what it stands for: “do it yourself.” It’s a pretty straightforward-sounding concept. But “DIY” might conjure up totally different images for different people, because really, it can be about so many things. Basically, DIY means that, instead of hiring a professional to do a particular task — or, instead of buying goods from a store or an artisan — you’re choosing to do that task or create those products yourself with no direct help from an expert. That doesn’t mean you can’t turn to resources for help — if you use a YouTube tutorial, or a book or blog post to find directions or get your project on the right track, it still counts as doing it yourself. DIY is really about you seeking out the knowledge and developing the skills you need to do something that you would normally pay someone else to do for you. What is DIY? DIY is short for Do-It-Yourself. It means carrying out home repairs, maintenance, and improvements yourself instead of hiring a professional. Interest in DIY took off after the Second World War. Changes such as growth in home ownership and the arrival of TV programs about home improvement helped to fuel the DIY movement. Why DIY in Business? Empowerment: DIY empowers entrepreneurs to take control of their own success and create opportunities where others see obstacles. Cost-effectiveness: DIY strategies often require minimal investment, making them ideal for bootstrapped startups and small businesses. Innovation: Embracing a DIY mindset encourages innovative thinking and out-of-the-box solutions to business challenges. Flexibility: DIY strategies can be customized to fit the unique needs and goals of your business, allowing for greater flexibility and adaptability. Getting Started with DIY in Business Identify areas for improvement: Take a critical look at your business and identify areas where DIY strategies could make a significant impact, such as marketing, product development, or customer service. Embrace experimentation: Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different DIY approaches. Failure is often the first step toward success. Seek inspiration: Look to successful entrepreneurs and businesses for inspiration and ideas on how to incorporate DIY into your own business practices. Stay resourceful: Use the resources and tools available to you – whether it’s online tutorials, networking opportunities, or community support – to fuel your DIY endeavors. DIY Marketing Strategies 1. Social Media DIY DIY in Action: Take a hands-on approach to managing your social media presence by creating engaging content, responding to comments and messages, and building relationships with your followers. Benefits: DIY social media allows you to showcase your brand’s personality, connect with your audience on a personal level, and drive engagement without relying on expensive agencies or consultants. 2. Content Creation DIY in Action: Create your own blog posts, videos, or podcasts to share valuable insights, tips, and information related to your industry. Use DIY tools and resources to produce high-quality content that resonates with your target audience. Benefits: DIY content creation establishes you as a thought leader in your industry, attracts organic traffic to your website, and provides valuable resources for your audience. 3. Guerrilla Marketing DIY in Action: Get creative with guerrilla marketing tactics such as street art, flash mobs, or viral stunts to generate buzz and capture the attention of your target market. Benefits: DIY guerrilla marketing is cost-effective, memorable, and can generate significant media coverage and social media buzz for your business. DIY Problem-Solving Techniques In business, challenges are inevitable, but with a DIY mindset, you can turn obstacles into opportunities. Here are some DIY problem-solving techniques to help you overcome common business challenges: 1. Bootstrapping DIY in Action: Bootstrap your business by relying on your own resources and creativity to fund your operations, rather than seeking outside investors or loans. Benefits: DIY bootstrapping allows you to maintain control of your business, avoid debt, and develop resourcefulness and resilience as an entrepreneur. 2. DIY Customer Service DIY in Action: Take a proactive approach to customer service by personally addressing customer inquiries, feedback, and complaints. Use DIY tools and techniques to streamline communication and provide exceptional customer experiences. Benefits: DIY customer service builds trust and loyalty with your customers, fosters positive word-of-mouth referrals, and helps you gain valuable insights into customer needs and preferences. 3. Problem-Solving Workshops DIY in Action: Host problem-solving workshops or brainstorming sessions with your team to tackle business challenges collaboratively. Use DIY techniques such as mind mapping, role-playing, or rapid prototyping to generate innovative solutions. Benefits: DIY problem-solving workshops foster creativity, teamwork, and a culture of innovation within your organization, leading to more effective and sustainable solutions to business challenges. FAQs Is DIY in business suitable for all types of businesses? DIY in business can be beneficial for businesses of all sizes and industries, but it may be especially well-suited for startups and small businesses with limited resources. How can I convince my team to embrace a DIY mindset? Lead by example and demonstrate the value of DIY strategies through tangible results and success stories. Encourage experimentation, creativity, and a willingness to take calculated risks. What if I don’t have experience with DIY or specific business skills? Don’t let lack of experience hold you back! Embrace a growth mindset and be willing to learn new skills and techniques. There are plenty of resources available – both online and offline – to help you develop your DIY skills and business acumen. 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