Archives for June 2018

Getting The Most Out Of Your Working Day When You Work From Home

June 21, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Working from home, whether that is with your own business or working freelance can mean that you find it difficult to get as much out of your day as perhaps you might in an office environment or being employed. This tends to be because you are the master of your time, and at home, it can be quite easy to be distracted by other aspects such as household chores or other distractions like the TV. So how do you make the most out of your working day at home? I wanted to share with you some of the tips you could try.

Working from Home

Figuring out the times that you work best

One of the first things you might want to start doing is figuring out the best times that you work best. Everyone has a point in the day or even at night where they are most productive. You might be at you most creative first thing in the morning, or it might be that you are a night owl and can really work better in the evening or late into the night. You also need to decide on whether there are moments in the day where you struggle to work. Some people have the Afternoon Crash where they feel tired and lethargic in the afternoon. Whatever the situation might be, working this out can help you to plan you day better and make the most of the hours you have to work.

Trying out different forms of time management

The next thing you might want to think about would be how best to manage the time you have to work. If you only have a few hours before you need to be doing something in your home how best can you utilise it? Ids it ideal to get up earlier before everyone else and get some work done then? Other things to think about would be time blocking where you dedicate a certain amount of time in your day for certain tasks. It can help you to try and avoid distractions at home by having that one focus.

Having a dedicated space to work

You do need a dedicated space to work if you can create one. Getting the most out of working from home is no easy task when you can easily be distracted by household chores or things like the TV. Working in a living room or kitchen can mean that you could be easily distracted so having a dedicated space to work in can help you to be more productive and to also differentiate between working and enjoying home life.

Taking care of yourself during your working time

Finally, at work you were more likely to get a lunch break and time to rest and have a break, but for some reason, working for yourself or from home can mean you don’t give yourself the same courtesy. It is just as important for you to have regular breaks and take time to have a lunch when working at home as it can help to keep your focus, concentration and energy levels high.

I hope that these tips help you when it comes to getting the most from your working day at home.

Every Business Needs A Safety Net. Have You Built Yours?

June 20, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Small businesses all over the world are some of the highest at risk. Beginning as a very simple idea that rapidly grows into something successful is the aim for most small to medium businesses, but many forget how important it is to protect their business as much as possible. The more successful you are, the more vulnerable you are, which is a very unfortunate truth! Being prepared to defend your business as best you can the bigger you get should be something that you include in your business plan. It’s not just the technological and financial threats that loom ahead for your business, it’s the threats to your reputation that you have to watch out for. As long as you are armed well and prepared, you can manage any hits to your business with a calm exterior and grace.

Business Security

Financial Threats

A small business often doesn’t have or make as much money as a large business, but it’s not always about cash. Trust and estate planning is so important for your business future, because you need to take care of your assets. Entrusting your assets to the right company to manage for you can keep them safe and sound from being stolen. Lawsuits are a huge financial threat for your business, so you should ensure that your staff are conducting themselves in a manner befitting of your company when online on social media. They should also receive training on how to speak to customers, so that no lawsuits can be filed against your business.

Technological Threats

Cybercrime is a big deal, and if you’re not investing in the strongest firewalls and the right security programmes for your business, you are going to be bringing any threats on yourself. Small businesses are a favourite target of hackers, because they often aren’t as secure as the larger corporations. If you’re not taking care of your data security right now, then you need to shut down operations until you can protect your data, your customers data and avoid having your lax security being exploited. Your staff that work remotely should also be briefed on how to access a VPN instead of using public internet connections. The more you prepare everyone, the more secure your business tech can be.

Reputation Threats

It’s not like the school playground, with all the ‘he says/she says’, but you still need to maintain a good image. Your staff should be careful with how their social media is used, and you should ensure that you have a PR professional on your staffing so that if there are any scandals, you can manage them correctly. If you don’t want to hire one full time, you can hire one on a case by case basis to work with you if things go wrong. You need to have a strong brand that can withstand threats to your good name, so keep your business squeaky clean to avoid the rumour mill being spun. There’s nothing good about losing face in a business.

The ABCs Of Helping Your Business Gain Online Sales

June 20, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

The exponential growth of online business has been nothing short of phenomenal. Whether it’s migrating a traditional operation to the world wide web or starting a new company from scratch doesn’t matter. Enjoying a slice of that online action will undoubtedly sound very attractive.

It’s a very competitive playground, and you need to ensure that the venture is powered by good production and suitable pricing. As far as the quest for online customers is concerned, though, success can be achieved in just three easy steps.

Here’s all you need to know.

Appearance

First impressions count for everything. Your online business may only get a few seconds to create a positive impact, so it’s imperative that you grab this opportunity with both hands. Otherwise, your hopes of winning their custom may be dead in the water.

The branding essentials of a logo and catchy name are just the start. Hiring a professional web design company to create a clean, bold, and easily navigated website may be the smartest decision of all. When the content and layout are right, this will become your most powerful asset by a distance.

Consumers have huge expectations, which is why you must also consider the load times and other features. When those elements are in place and supported by a strong SEO and social media strategy, your brand will instantly stand out from the crowd.

Bond

Visibility and professionalism are essential factors. Nevertheless, the key to creating an audience revolves around establishing a bond. It may sound a little alien, but accepting that you cannot please everyone is arguably the most significant breakthrough of all.

Billions of online transactions are completed each day, so even niche brands can build huge audience numbers. Knowing your place in the market influences everything. Those elements can range from the tone of your ads to choosing which social platforms deserve your attention. Those winning interactions can soon edge prospective clients to their first purchases.

People buy people, and the significance of strong relationships cannot be emphasized enough. Creating the type of business that generates the most success is ultimately what will leave you smiling. Make the most of those interactions and insights, and this should become an easier task.

Credentials

Trust is one of the most important words in business, not least when dealing with online operations. If a prospective client has any reason to doubt the quality of your products or service, they will take their custom elsewhere. Therefore, putting those concerns to bed is crucial.

Customer reviews and testimonials can go a long way to getting conversions over the line. However, it’s equally important to ensure that the business is secured. A breach of data could quickly destroy your reputation, and rebuilding it may prove to be impossible. Prevention is always the best form of protection.

Transactions need to be completed using encrypted payment gateways. Meanwhile, clear contact details and a responsive customer care team will help win new clients and keep the old ones happy. Once you’ve built that solid fanbase, the company’s future will look brighter than ever.

Great Business Ideas For Aspiring And Creative Freelancers

June 20, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

If you’re a creative person then it can often feel as if there aren’t many job opportunities out there for you. But that’s not the case – you just need to rethink your approach to your career. Freelancing can really open the door for you if you’re struggling to find work that allows you to utilize your skills. Here are some great business ideas for aspiring and creative freelancers.

Blogging

There’s a lot of money to be made in blogging. We mentioned this in another post, but it’s all about creating the right content or selling the right product. Any and every blog can be monetized. And if you love the idea of writing about your favorite topics or posting pictures of your travels then this could be the perfect business idea for you. This is definitely one of the most popular outlets for freelance writers, but you need to work hard to turn it into a profitable source of income.

Building a following is the route to success. Not only will you stand a better chance of earning money from adverts if you increase your website traffic but you’ll also stand a better chance of getting noticed by the right people. Companies sponsor relevant blogs with big followings because it’s an opportunity to sell their products. If you’re a popular beauty blogger then you might be offered a sponsorship deal by a business that sells makeup, for example. The point is that there are many ways to earn money from blogging if you’re passionate about the idea of creating your own personal writing space.

Crafting

Another great business for aspiring and artistic freelancers is crafting. If you love to craft homemade things such as jewelry and vases then there’s a market that’s dying to buy your incredible creations. Thanks to the influx of crafting marketplaces such as Etsy and Bonanza, people selling their own handmade fashion pieces and quirky home decor can make a lot of money online. Perhaps you even love to craft (or want to craft) something a little more ambitious, such as furnishings. Of course, you might want to check out https://www.weldingoutfitter.com/collections/welding-jackets for welding jackets if your home business is going to involve woodwork and machinery. It’s important that you prioritize safety and professionalism if you’re creating a crafting business. You need to prove that your unique creations are more valuable than store-bought alternatives. If you can do that then you’ll make a lot of money from what is simply a creative outlet.

Web developing

As mentioned at https://theworkathomewife.com/72-ideas-for-freelance-jobs-from-home/, designing websites is a great option for freelancers. Not only is it one of the most profitable industries for freelancers in the modern age but it’s also a highly creative career to pursue. If you can code and design a professional website then you’ll also have clients knocking at your door to buy your services. There are always new individuals and businesses who need websites to be made for them. It’s a well-paid job that you can do from the comfort of your own home, and it gives you the opportunity to design some very creative (as long as you meet the requirements of the client).

Factors That Affect The Productivity Of Your Employees

June 20, 2018 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Every successful business owner understands the importance of productivity in the workplace. It helps to keep your customers happy, which generally leads to an increase in sales, it saves you money, because you’re getting more done in less time, and it keeps morale high, as your employees benefit from the increased profits and you have less to be stressed about. Your employees are human beings, so it’s natural for them to feel unproductive now and then, but you should still do all you can to prevent it. Here are four factors you should take into account if you want to improve employee productivity.

1) The Tools

If you want your employees to be as productive as possible, then you need to make sure that they have the proper tools to get the job done. If they don’t, then they’re going to struggle, which, of course, means that the tasks they have will take a lot longer to complete. You should also ensure that you maintain and upgrade tech tools, like computers and smartphones, when needed. Many companies fail to do this in a bid to save money, but slow devices will slow down your employees, which means you end up wasting money anyway.

2) The Workload

Delegating work to your employees is part of being the boss, but that doesn’t mean that they should have to handle every task you don’t want or need to complete. Giving your staff a huge pile of work to do each day is only ever going to cause stress, which will have a negative impact on the productivity of the entire team. Instead, you should consider which tasks aren’t as important, and outsource these tasks to freelancers and other companies. This will free up time for your employees to focus on the more essential work.

3) The Workspace

You might think that your office is a great place to work, but, chances are, there is something wrong with it that affects the productivity of your employees. You should speak to your team and see what they have to say. Once you have some insight, you can find ways to address the issues. This could mean changing something as small as the colour of the walls, or it could mean finding a new space and carrying out a complete commercial fit out. This, of course, would be a lot of work, but it’s worth it if it improves your working environment.

4) The Attitudes

If your employees view you or your company in a negative way, then they’re not going to be as productive as those who love their job and are completely happy. This means that it’s important for you to do what you can to improve your employees’ attitudes towards work. You should take an interest in their lives, offer praise and rewards for meeting targets, and just generally show that you care about them, rather than just what they can do for you. All of this takes very little time and effort, but can really give your team a boost.

If you want to improve the productivity of your employees, then make sure that you address the four factors listed above.

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