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3 Keys in a Better Small Business Outlook for You

January 30, 2019 by Thomas

As you review things at your small business, does most of it make you smile?

For some small business owners, there are things in play that in fact make them cringe.

If your small business is in need of some changes, will you make them in time before it is too late?

Money May Be Your Number One Focus

In looking at how you can have a better outlook for your small business, focus in on these three areas:

Money – How are you doing these days when it comes to your business finances? If things are tight, you may well need to look into a line of credit. When you apply for a line of credit, be sure you have all your business financial info in place. If you do not have all the necessary info available, it can slow down the application process. It could even prevent you from getting a line of credit in the first place. Even with approval, reassess your financial approach to running your business. Are you doing all you can to keep debt down? Have you done a good job up to now of finding good deals? Such deals include when you buy supplies from vendors. Are you getting a good deal on the property you rent for your business if you do not own your grounds where you work out of? By being a good manager of money, your small business has a much better chance of sticking around for the long haul.
Staff – Unless you are able to run your small business on your own, you will need help. Hiring the right employees goes a long way in determining the success or failure of your company. With that in mind, have you done a good job up to now of bringing in the right talent? While you might have the wrong hire now and then, do not make a habit out of this. Not only does it give customers pause to do business with you, but it can impact worker morale in your company. Over time, a revolving door at your company is going to come back to haunt you. That said make a strong effort to get the right people in the first time around.
Promotions – Last, how good of a job are you doing as it relates to promoting your brand? Keep in mind that brand promotions go a long way in determining how much business you will end up doing. If not taking time or spending money when necessary to promote your brand, you could end up missing out on sales. Also take note that not all brand promotions are going to cost you dollars. For instance, you can use social media to spread the word about your brand. If you have been slow to gravitate to social networking, change this up. Social media is one of the best resources out there that your business should be taking advantage of.

In watching out for your business, how do things look?

Photo credit: Pixibay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Six Examples of Solid Facebook Marketing

January 27, 2019 by Jessy Troy

Facebook is a very powerful, extremely viral social networking and micro-blogging platform that has catapulted many businesses to new levels. It has enjoyed a famously popular online exposure and an ever-increasing appeal to corporations, social networkers, and online entrepreneurs.

Some companies who recognize the Facebook effect experience enormous brand recognition and success that accompanies their marketing efforts. These six companies are currently enjoying successful social networking, high traffic to their sites, and a branding experience that they credit to Facebook.

1. Pringles

The famous potato chip snack company is quite popular on Facebook – something to the tune of over 3 million fans! The site’s attraction is more than the snack lover’s interest in their wares, but for their comedic and crafty use of their product videos.

The videos are a mixture of professional, commercial-style shoots and others that were taped possibly using personal video recorders. All of the videos are entertaining and funny, but without fail in each video, Pringles brands themselves very effectively through visual marketing.

2. Dell

If Facebook fans ever needed a reason to love a computer manufacturer, Dell has given them one – if not several. With over 100,000 fans and several niche Facebook pages, Dell is the company who proudly embraces a green campaign and makes a conservation commitment to their Facebook followers.

Each time one of Dell’s fan’s picks a friend, Dell plants a tree on their behalf. This effort is a part of their commitment to creating a healthier planet, additionally making a donation to The Conservation Fund to plant up to 150,000 trees. How’s that for social interaction?

3. LawListings

LawListings has a very engaging Facebook page that is a good example of visual quoting: They put together well-branded visual quotes and engage their Facebook audience with that content.

This Facebook Page is a great example of effective Facebook marketing even in tough niches.

4. Pizza Hut

The pizza chain giant has over one million fans on their page. What makes their site so viral? Their generous interaction with the pizza community. They tag other users on Facebook, make it fun and very sociable by allowing fans to upload various pictures, images, photos and artistry depicting their brand in various ways.

Some of the fan photos are with family, creating a visual imagery of unity, while other photos that are incorporated onto their page are snapshots of different Pizza Hut restaurants or paraphernalia.

5. Harley-Davidson

The motorcycle giant has over 700,000 fans on their Facebook page and use several marketing methods to attract and retain those fans. Much of the information on their site consists of photos and videos, but there is a heavier focus on information and updates about their product and the motor bike industry at large.

Fans flock to their pages to sneak a hopeful peek at what the upcoming bikes will look like and to read about any changes in their current bike line. Harely-Davidson is definitely an industry leader with a proven track record. Facebook has helped their online marketing efforts by reaching a technical aspect of their customer pool.

6. Starbuck’s

With one of the highest number of fans on Facebook, Starbuck’s remains at the top because of their frequent and engaging interaction with coffee lovers everywhere!

They are very involved in the local communities and abroad, and use videos, blog posts, surveys, and coffee giveaways to appeal to their customer base. Starbuck’s takes the time to carefully groom their social networking page to be sure that they effectively reach their customers, making them an outstanding industry leader.

The Discipline of Unpacking Those Boxes that Have Been in Storage Forever

January 27, 2019 by Liz

Your 3 Choices When Unpacking Boxes

To keep an item, I have to be 99% certain that I would use this again.

You need to consider these three choices:

Each item can only be held once and must be acted upon in one of three ways —>

Choice 1.

Decide. . . . Decide whether an item is “a part of some whole,” “a whole with many parts,” or doesn’t belong. This choice will seamlessly establish a sorting system that matches your thinking one choice at a time. Keep these decisions rational. Don’t overvalue or romanticize. Treat every item as if it belongs to someone you don’t know. Avoid the urge to rethink an earlier decision. You can revisit any decision when all the boxes are gone. Then you will know what to do.

Choice 2.

Deposit it or dump it. . . . Put the item where it will stay — file it, put it on a shelf or in a drawer, or put it in the circular file. Resist the temptation to put things in a staging area. That just generates more work, making the task expand in size. Hold fast to the rule that you touch each item only once.

Choice 3.

Direct it (Immediately send it to someone who needs it or can act on it.)

Prepare yourself to work more slowly than you anticipated. The key is to keep an even pace to so that decisions begin to fall into place naturally. It will take longer to empty a box, if you stick to those choices, but each box will be sorted for good.

Do Co-Working Office Spaces Really Help Productivity?

January 17, 2019 by Guest Author

By Kayla Matthews

Co-working office spaces are popping up all over the country and inspiring people to look at office culture in a new way. In the past five years, co-working office spaces have grown 21 percent and are expected to grow two to four percent more each year.

What Is a Co-Working Office Space?

Co-working office spaces are designated workspaces shared among remote and independent workers who want the sense of an office without the competitive corporate atmosphere. In addition to offering desks and work lounges, co-working spaces often provide other office amenities like meeting and conference rooms, coffee machines and kitchens. The goal is to provide a productive working environment with a better culture than the traditional cubicle or home office.

Benefits of Co-Working Office Spaces

With their emphasis on the individual having control over the workplace environment, co-working spaces are drawing more professionals each year. Harvard Business Review says co-working spaces also foster more dedicated employees and new ideas. Business News Wales also sports positive reports of co-working spaces, saying that 89 percent of people who co-work are happier than those who don’t.

Here are some other benefits of co-working office spaces.

Sense of Community

Co-working office spaces provide a sense of community that you could normally get in the typical office environment — without the office politics. Workers who feel alienated and disconnected working from home or in a solitary space can take advantage of a co-working office, connecting with others and the working culture again.

Networking Opportunities

Being with other professionals who are working in different industries and fields offers a prime opportunity to broaden your network. A small chat at the co-working kitchen or sharing a desk with someone you wouldn’t normally interact with could spark a potential partnership and friendship. Plus, you never know what ranks of professionals are sharing your space and can provide referrals and recommendations.

Affordable Space

The average cost of a co-working office space is about $295 a month depending on location. Included are electricity, internet, air, heating and maintenance. Unlike in traditional office spaces, desks, chairs and other office furniture is provided. Some facilities even offer additional amenities, making it a better value than a traditional office.

Flexibility

With a co-working space, you use it when you need it. You’re not obligated to be there from nine to five or any other set of hours like in a traditional office, and you don’t have to be committed to using the space for longer than you want to. Co-working office spaces offer shorter lease and contract periods than typical office spaces.

Drawbacks of Co-Working Office Spaces

Even with all the benefits that co-working office spaces provide, there are drawbacks too, including the following.

Distractions

The best thing you can do to help your productivity is to eliminate distractions. But when you’re working in a space that’s open to everyone, there are ample opportunities to become distracted.

Co-working office spaces are usually open-air and made for individuals who are coming and going. With people constantly moving around, arriving and leaving, your eyes can get drawn away from work. Plus, without walls to block sound, you can hear everyone’s phone calls, cell phone vibrations and music unless you have headphones in.

Lack of a Designated Spot and Privacy

When you become comfortable in a certain place, you assume ownership. Because co-working spaces are shared, the spot you’ve come to be most productive at might be taken the next day, and you can’t personalize your desk without taking pictures and supplies home each day.

Most co-working spaces are also open air, which means everyone sees and hears what you do.

Hidden Fees

Some co-working office spaces aren’t all-inclusive. There may be hidden fees or costs in addition to the amount you pay to rent your space, including:

Commuting or transportation costs
Purchasing food and drinks
Renting a locker or other storage
Printing and copying charges
Reserving a meeting or conference room

Things to Consider

Before you select and lease a co-working or other office space, here are some things to consider:

Location
Length of lease or contract
Workspace layout
Internet speed
Amenities
Security

Choosing Your Office Space

When it comes to considering a traditional office or co-working office space, determine which one fits your productivity style. Changing your environment could be just the move you need to amp up your productivity and get things done.

About the Author: Kayla Matthews writes about communication and workplace productivity on her blog, Productivity Theory. Her work has also appeared on Talent Culture, MakeUseOf, The Muse and Fast Company.

Featured image: Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash

5 Benefits of an Energy-Efficient Office

January 10, 2019 by Guest Author

By Kayla Matthews

Conserving energy has many business benefits that can make your office run more smoothly and bring in profits. If you’re considering implementing energy-efficient practices in your workplace, you might be looking for some specific reasons to make the switch. To give you confidence and change your business for the better, let’s look at five benefits of an energy-efficient office.

1. Healthier Workplace Environment

A sustainable workplace offers many benefits for employees, from improving their health to their happiness. Stress and environmental factors both pose health risks in the workplace, but an improved physical setting can change that. With an energy-efficient office, you might see fewer sick days and turnovers, along with an increase in satisfaction, motivation and productivity.

Air quality and temperature also affect the wellbeing of office workers. Overuse of air conditioning can release toxins and other substances that can have harmful health results into the air. Monitoring the thermal conditions and dampness can make employees feel more at ease, reduce stress levels and lower the spread of illness.

2. Lower Operational Costs

Major businesses and large companies can more readily accept the costs of adopting energy-efficient practices, but in the long run, all businesses can save on costs by choosing sustainable measures. Retrofitting seems expensive while turning a facility green, but once these new features are added, building owners can see a difference in their operating costs.

Less invasive eco-friendly changes are even easier and more cost-effective. Other indirect costs from suppliers and logistics can be reduced by identifying and reducing waste — a pillar of energy efficiency.

3. Reduced Energy Consumption

Business costs such as energy expenses can be cut down with efficient procedures, such as upgrading to LED lights or enhancing ventilation.

Businesses are beginning to recognize the extent and impact of their energy use. A study showed 60 percent of executives expected their energy expenses to rise in the next year. To help keep business booming, they are adopting new practices and cutting back on energy use.

The efforts of using green buildings can produce financial benefits, as owners have seen an average ROI improvement of 19.2 percent for existing building projects. Energy consumption like carbon emissions is dropping, saving businesses substantial money. When you switch to energy efficiency, your sustainable efforts can provide profitable results.

4. Better Public Image

Making environmentally friendly advances gives your company a better reputation in the community and attracts customers or clients. Your brand can appear more responsible and capable to the public once you introduce energy-conserving features. Aiming your campaigns or your company’s values towards eco-friendly principles can communicate care that goes beyond your office’s walls.

5. Higher Market Value for Your Building

Green buildings are becoming more attractive on the market. When you make your building efficient or Energy Star certified, the value goes up. The market demand encourages many building owners to invest in energy-efficient developments.

Occupancy rates climb when businesses give attention to their environment and incorporate sustainable actions. If you decide to sell your building or move locations, a green building can drive your facility’s price up. New commercial real estate is increasingly created with energy considerations in mind.

Energy Efficient Strategies

The following solutions can cut costs and energy use for your company if you’re aiming to pursue green practices.

Switch from desktops to laptops, because they take significantly less energy to power.
Add motion sensors for lights so that no one forgets to turn them off at the end of the day.
Check and replace HVAC filters more often.
Upgrade old office equipment to energy-efficient models.
Use LED lights and signs.
Adjust the thermostat based on the season.

Incorporate Energy-Efficient Habits Into Your Office

While you benefit your workplace by adding sustainable solutions, you’re also helping the environment as a whole. Employees and overall profits can both show positive results when you strive for energy efficiency.

Featured image: Photo by Siarhei Horbach on Unsplash

How to Develop an HR Strategy for Your Startup

December 20, 2018 by Guest Author

By Kayla Matthews

Since startups often have limited resources, you may not think it’s necessary for yours to have a human resources (HR) strategy. However, the people you hire will have a direct impact on the organization’s long-term performance, along with its culture, turnover rate and more, and the HR strategy could affect all those things.

Also, if you only begin forming such a strategy once problems become apparent, it may be too late. Instead, be proactive and ensure there’s an HR strategy in place to promptly deal with issues that arise.

Being Aware of Needs Is Essential

One of the earliest parts of making an HR plan involves being aware of skills gaps that are hindering the startup’s progression. Determining that means meeting with all the decision-makers at the startup and getting input about hiring needs.

Anything you bring up at this stage must also be feasible concerning the company’s budget. Plus, any needs assessment should include company or industry-related forecasts. After all, those projections could cause needs to shift.

Have a Goal-Oriented Mindset

Staying focused on goals is also helpful when creating an HR plan. Looking at the company’s goals and determining how the human resources department or person fits into those aims is a good start. However, it’s also necessary to find out about the individual goals employees have. There are many things for startup companies to know about HR as a whole, but learning about employees is valuable, too.

Perhaps the HR strategy could accommodate some workers’ aspirations through online or night classes, cross-training or mentorship programs. The results of a global survey from PwC found only 33 percent of HR professionals had talent practices in place to drive skill development, but a majority of those polled recognized the connection between skills and the future development of the company.

Startups must realize how skill development ties into overall company prosperity and move beyond that knowledge by actually coming up with actionable programs.

The HR Plan Should Make Dedicated Individuals Responsible Answering Specific Questions

An excellent HR strategy should spell out how human resources professionals are the points of contact for questions employees have. For example, a person might want to learn information about workers’ compensation or know the process for requesting time off from work. HR professionals can handle both of those queries and many others.

When the HR plan outlines the kinds of questions HR professionals will answer, it’ll become clear which topics the HR staff needs to periodically stay abreast of while working at the startup. Plus, when employees know how to get the insights they need, they can avoid frustration.

Designating an HR professional as a point of contact for particular matters also sets professional boundaries by ensuring unqualified people don’t get swamped by questions they can’t or should not answer due to a lack of expertise.

A Hiring Process Offers Uniformity for Job Candidates

Even if your startup isn’t hiring right now, it may soon, and it’s best to prepare. Implementing a hiring process into an HR plan means all candidates applying for jobs have consistent experiences. The hiring process involves factors such as how and when you post positions, the methods you use to contact people for interviews and the steps of the onboarding process.

It’s smart for companies to address the hiring process in an HR strategy to prevent problems. Otherwise, people could make discrimination accusations or become so frustrated because of rampant disorganization at the startup that they have second thoughts about applying for jobs at the company.

Software Can Facilitate Creating or Adhering to a Human Resources Plan

Thinking about employee succession is another aspect of a well-rounded HR plan. That involves thinking ahead and getting people ready to replace leaders who may retire or leave the company due to other opportunities. Specialized software programs can make succession planning simpler by providing insights related to potential candidates within and outside of the startup.

Also, many software titles offer numerous features. That means companies may find options that meet several of their needs simultaneously.

Adapting to Change Should Factor Into Any Strategy

Things such as market developments, unmet needs and profit margins may cause changes in a startup’s direction. When those alterations occur, HR professionals can play crucial roles in managing change and setting expectations. As such, an HR strategy should detail the responsibilities HR professionals must handle, such as informing employees of changes and addressing their concerns.

Your HR Strategy May Evolve as the Company Does

In addition to being mindful of the recommendations here, remember you don’t need to make a plan that’s overly rigid. As your startup makes progress, it may become evident it’s time to make changes to the HR strategy, too.

Featured image: Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash