Mike McRitchie | Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writer | Telecom Marketing Content Writer

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Archives for August 2018

Are Pubs A Dying Trade Or A Viable Business Opportunity?

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Pubs have been staple business acquisitions in the UK for centuries. In fact, the first pubs date back an impressive 2,000 years. It wasn’t so long ago that every British street had pubs of all varieties. But, the tides, they are a’ changin’. Vast swathes of public houses now close on a weekly basis. In fact, during 2017, an average of 18 pubs closed each week up and down the country. This is for various reasons, predominantly high alcohol duty and smoking bans. But, whatever the reason; it’s been evident for a while now that British pub culture is in pretty big trouble.

Still, some entrepreneurs seek to start out in this industry. And, if you’re one of them, you deserve a pat on the back. It’s thanks to people like you that sectors manage to grow and survive. The chances are that there’s already a few ‘to let’ pubs in your local vicinity for you for you to choose from. Or, you may wish to head to sites like Proplist to see more options across the country. Either way; it shouldn’t take you long to find a premises in which you can start building your dreams. There are certainly enough derelict pubs right now to give you good footing.

The issue is, where will you go when you get that foot in the door? Let’s be honest; pubs are closing down for good reasons. And, if you aren’t careful, yours could go the same way. To make sure it doesn’t happen, consider the following ways you could keep your public house thriving.

Focus on food

Pub Food

Any modern publican will emphasise the need to focus on food rather than alcohol. The simple fact is, high duty means you won’t make much on pints. Not to mention that we’re all drinking less than we used to. In fact, more than a quarter of millennials don’t drink at all. So, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that an alcohol-focused pub will struggle. Still, the whole nation is eating out a lot more. And, good pub grub still has a weighty reputation. As such, pubs which offer decent and reasonable food still stand to do a bustling trade. So, instead of bartering with breweries, set about finding yourself a chef with the best credentials.

A family affair

It’s also worth noting that pubs who focus on families over heavy drinkers survive a lot longer in the current climate. This is tied up with the fact that we’re drinking less. On top of which, low pay rates and the increased costs of days out mean families are forever looking for cheap places to play. By installing a play park outside and offering kids drinks and menus, you can really hone in on that niche. This is fantastic news for you and your customers, and could be the one thing which protects your business. After all, unlike typical drinkers, families are liable to stick around all afternoon. They save money that way, and you get more in your till. Win, win, win.

Pubs for Families

Diversify

While there are obvious factors behind the pub demise, you could also say this industry is its own undoing. After all, every other business out there has changed and diversified in recent years to keep on top. The pub industry, however, is pretty much the same as ever. Is it any wonder, then, that so many businesses here are struggling to keep on top? Admittedly, food is the most significant change publicans have seen, but is that a large enough leap? We don’t think so, and it seems customers don’t either. As such, any new pub could do with finding new ways to diversify. How you do this is up to you, but you need to find ways to grow what you’ve got. It may be that you introduce a takeaway service, for instance, which gets your food out into the world. Or, perhaps you could overcome drink driving laws by offering bed and breakfast. You could even open up your grounds as a campsite, and make this a weekend affair. One thing’s sure; those campsite guests will likely pop in for at least a few while they’re with you. Some pubs are even opening delis and butchers onsite, so why not develop your own shop? You may well find that sidelines like these are just what you need to make this business work. Over time, you could even become a front-runner in the changing face of Britain’s pub business!

Returning to Your Career After Maternity Leave

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Returning to work after maternity leave

When you become a new mother, your life instantly changes. Much of your focus and energy is placed on protecting, loving and providing for your child. Having the option to take maternity leave can be extremely helpful to a woman’s recovery postpartum. However, in a recent study, it was concluded that one-quarter of all working mothers return to work within just two weeks. This transition can be extremely difficult, particularly within such a short period of time. Yet, many women still receive criticism from their peers for making this decision.

Whether working for fulfillment or for financial needs, no woman should ever have to defend herself to anyone on this matter. All moms feel guilt, whether they’re working in an office or from home. Shifting their priorities to part of full-time work causes a lot of emotions. However, there are ways to make this transition easier.

Sort Out the Details

Creating a game plan for your return is an important first step in making sure that you are fully prepared to return back to work. Planning out your schedule with your significant other’s and that of your employer will help to give you an overview of how everything is going to look moving forward.

There may be limitations or times when you are unavailable to dedicate your full attention to your career. Having a discussion with your employer about this not only gives them a heads up but allows you to breathe easier. Inquire with them about any flexible work arrangements they may have available. It’s also important to ask if they will be providing a private room in your office for you to pump in, should you need one.

Show your employer that you are going to be dedicated to your job by staying up to date on what’s been happening while you were away. Take the time to sit down with each staff member who has been covering for you to arrange details in shifting the workload back to you.

Ask for Help

Going into this alone or thinking that you can, is near to impossible. Many women want to be supermom, but the truth is we need help to get there. When something comes up at work just as your child happens to spike a fever at daycare, you’ll need an emergency contact who can help you until you’re able to get there. Choosing the best fit for you in terms of a nanny or daycare is important in helping you know your child is in good hands while you are away. It’s smart, not crazy to run background checks and go with your gut instinct when choosing the right provider for you and your child.

Inevitably, many working mothers will become overwhelmed by trying to balance work and home life. Having someone in your corner who understands what you’re going through can be extremely helpful. Reach out to other working moms to set up playdates or more adult-friendly activities like grabbing a cup of coffee. If you want to get out and meet other like-minded individuals, meetup.com is a fun way to get involved in activities that you enjoy with others who enjoy it as well.

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Stepping back into your role with confidence requires a bit of preparatory work. Expecting your business attire pre-pregnancy to fit again might not be realistic. However, dressing appropriately for the position is important. Rather than spending your entire first paycheck back on a whole new wardrobe, invest in a few essential pieces that you can make several outfits out of. A high-quality nursing bra that works well under your work attire is one of the most important working mom essentials.

Bring in items from home, that give your desk a cozier vibe such as photos of your child or treasured items are great. It’s also fun to show your newborn off to coworkers. Office snacks can be a real culprit in derailing your efforts to stay healthy or shed the baby weight. Instead, stock your desk with healthy snack options that will keep you energized and on track throughout the day.

Ignore The Critics

It’s important for any working mother to remember that it’s okay to love your children AND love your job. People will always have something to say about your decision to work, even your own coworkers sometimes. Don’t let them get you down. At the end of the day, you’re doing what is best for you and your family. Although your perspective on life might change, your dreams are your still your dreams. Don’t give up on pursuing them. Your children will look up to you for setting an example of being determined and hardworking.

The Negative Side Of Fighting For Your Country

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Military Career

Aside from the fact that you have to put yourself at risk, working in a military role is often a very desirable position. The pay is very fair, you can often retire early, and you will gain the respect of those around you, all while getting to travel the world. With all of this on the table, this could be the perfect career choice for a lot of people. Of course, though, there is always a negative side to something like this, and the military comes with quite a big one. To give you an idea of what could be bad about a role like this, this post will be exploring some of the key elements which will put people off.

Freedom: It’s not really possible to work for the military while working for yourself. You will be told where you have to live, when you have to work, and the contracts can last for decades, making it hard for a lot of people to be happy with it. As an alternative, working for a security company could provide you with a similar sort of job, while still enabling you to handle it like a normal job, rather than a lifestyle choice.

Rights: When you’re working overseas, you won’t always be covered by the same rights which you have at home. Instead, the country you’re in could dictate what you are entitled to, and this could leave the doors open to a lot of trouble. Defense Base Act attorneys can help with the issues which come with this. Of course, though, losing your rights isn’t something most people will be happy with, even if you’re able to fight to get them back, and this makes the whole career into a write off.

Payments: While you will earn a good wage when you’re in the military compared to other jobs, you probably won’t be paid fairly for the actual time you have to spend working. Given that you have to go to another country to do this work, you will often spend extremely long stretches doing solid work. You will be paid on a daily basis, though, making the hours which you do insignificant.

Risk: It was mentioned at the start, but it’s worth considering the fact that you may have to fight a little bit more. Any job which puts your life at risk is something which you have to think seriously about. There are loads of jobs out there which won’t put you under any sort of jeopardy, while still providing similar benefits. It’s important to consider how much working for this sort of organisation really means to you.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start looking down other routes to satisfy you need for an exciting career. There are loads of jobs out there, and most of them don’t come with the problems which a military job will provide, making it worth shopping around to see what you can find. You need to love your job, but you also need to get enough from it.

Is Your Office In Desperate Need Of An Update?

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Update Your Office

It does not matter what sort of business you run, whether you have an office for legal services or you run a consultancy firm, the importance of having an effective office space cannot be ignored. This needs to be somewhere that gives your workers the ability to think freely and work in the most productive manner. So, let’s take a look at five clear signs your office is in desperate need of an update.

You are not using the space you have to full effect – Maximising office space is important because it improves efficiency, both in terms of your workforce and your expenditure. If you have pockets of your office that are not used, and other areas that are awkward or frustrating, this is a clear sign that you need to redesign your offices.

No ergonomics – Ergonomic furniture is a necessity, providing employees with the ability to work efficiently and maintain high levels of health and safety. If you have not embraced ergonomics in the workplace, you need to.

Your office does not reflect your business brand – Your office needs to be an expression of your business’ personality. When someone walks through the door, it should be evident that you are housed in this office space. From livening up a logo to incorporating corporate colours, there are many different ways you can give your office a branded makeover.

Dated and old carpets – When have you ever seen a dull, old-fashioned carpet that enhances an office space? Never! There is something about carpet that screams dated, especially in environments whereby people are going to be walking around a lot, as the carpet can be impossible to maintain. Opt for something sleek and stylish. Not only will this style of floor look amazing and professional, but also it is durable and easy to maintain too – the perfect recipe.

Your workers are always complaining – Last but not least, there is no clearer sign that your offices need updating than workers who are complaining about it. Rather than getting frustrated with your workforce, listen to them! It may even be a sign that now is the time to look into a commercial mortgage so you can upgrade properly. They need to work in this environment day in, day out, after all, and so if it is uninspiring and outdated, their work will suffer, which is bad news for your business. Good working conditions will enable your staff to thrive.

If you have noticed any of the signs that have been mentioned above, your office needs an upgrade, and it needs one sooner rather than later. You will be surprised by how much of a difference this can have on the way your employees feel and work, as well as the way people view your business. If you often welcome customers and clients through the doors, the importance of a modern office that represents your brand well cannot be ignored.

Managing a Mobile Workforce

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Managing Remote Workers

Today, more and more people are working from home or out in the field, as employees, whilst many business owners today are managing their business on the go, perhaps embracing the remote working lifestyle – sipping a cocktail whilst swaying in their hammock on some tropical island… yet, whilst this lifestyle sounds idyllic, there are plenty of challenges to managing a mobile workforce.  

In this article we’re going to look at a number of tools, technologies and strategies that can make life a lot easier in terms of managing a mobile workforce.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

As a manager or business owner it’s your job to keep employees in the loop, and whilst in an office environment it’s very easy to schedule meetings or just have a brief and informal chat by the photocopier, when you have a mobile workforce, life can be made a lot more challenging; particularly if you’re dealing with an international workforce where people are all working in different time zones.

If you’re team are working “deskless” then there’s a fear on both ends of the employment equation that things become “out of sight, out of mind” in the sense that you don’t always know what your employees are getting up to, in the real world, and similarly your employees don’t know whether their demands are being actioned back at head office… meaning, a lot of times people can feel quite isolated and unheard.

Just like with anything in life, communication is key, and when it comes to communication with a mobile workforce, technology is required.  A Zogby Analytics study demonstrated that remote workers stated a lack of information from management and the timeliness of said information to be the biggest obstacles in terms of working from home (39 percent and 38 percent respectively).

In that vein, let’s look at two ways of improving communication in order to manage employee requirements.

USE VIDEO

There are companies such as Librestream that offer video enabled services for rapid response (see: http://librestream.com/solutions/video-enabled-service/) which are particularly useful for empowering your team out in the field, or even having live interaction with customers that can impact customer experience in a very positive way.

Similarly, when it comes to training, it’s very simple to create an online hub of learning materials that are facilitated by on-demand video training.  You could, of course, employ a professional company to take care of filming, but for the majority of use cases, a decent iPhone with a wireless microphone, a simple backdrop, and some decent lighting is enough to create professional quality educational videos that can be used by both your team and your employees.

SCHEDULE 1:1 MENTORING SESSIONS

It’s important to touch base with your team, and therefore, scheduling consistent 1:1 mentoring sessions via video conferencing, or perhaps a phone call if technologically necessary, is a good idea.

The technology is simple, as you can use services such as Zoom.us or Skype.com, both of which are free or very low cost – and ubiquitous in terms of employee engagement.  The consistency of contact is key, as if your team know that every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11am, for instance, there will be a team call, it meets the emotional need for certainty and seriously helps people to feel more connected and nurtured.

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