 Image credit: Bram Naus from Unsplash There are a lot of qualities that will stand you in good stead when trying to secure one of the best work from home sales jobs. This includes the following:
Education There are many different avenues you can go down education-wise to secure one of the sales jobs you can do from home. You could start at the bottom and work your way up, take an apprenticeship, or complete a university course. If you decide to go for the latter, a degree in a subject that is related to your area of sales is going to help you. For example, if you are interested in remote hotel sales manager jobs, a degree in hospitality would be beneficial. A degree is not a necessity, though, so don’t be disheartened if you have not completed a university program. If you do a bit of digging, you will see that there are some jobs that enable you to work your way from the bottom up. It is not uncommon for entry-level remote sales jobs to be entirely commission-based, though, so do keep this in mind. Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations There are plenty of different certifications for anyone looking to secure a sales job. Some examples are as follows:
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 Image credit: Christin Hume from Unsplash Remote jobs have become more popular in recent years, and one area worth considering is remote sales jobs. To understand these jobs, you first need to understand what working in sales is like, and then what it means to work remotely.
A job in sales means that you are going to be working as a representative for a company, either upfront or behind the scenes. You will be spreading the word about services and products, and your main aim is to secure as many sales as possible. So, what about remote sales roles? Remote work is a style of work that enables people to work away from the conventional office environment. It is based on the idea that tasks do not need to be carried out in a specific place in order to be done effectively. Think of it like this: instead of commuting to an office every day, those in a remote sales position can execute their projects and achieve their goals anywhere that is suited to them. This gives people the flexibility to plan their professional day as they please, and this can lead to them ultimately achieving better results. What Do Remote Sales Jobs Entail? Remote sales involve finding leads, engaging with prospects, and securing deals. This could be online, over the telephone, or via instant messaging. From selling for electrical wholesalers to trying to secure clients for a new fitness camp, there are many opportunities. In order to understand how these jobs work, we’re going to look at some of the benefits of these roles, as well as some of the challenges that are faced by remote sales reps. One of the main problems with sales jobs from home is that it is difficult to connect with prospective customers on a personal level. This Is becoming easier, though, thanks to the video calling software that is around today, making it possible for you to see the person you’re connecting with and read their body language. Some people also find it more challenging to say motivated when it comes to online sales jobs from home. This is because most salespeople are extroverts, and so they are energized by interacting with others. However, this does mean that more introverts can get involved in sales roles, as they may feel more comfortable making sales from the comfort of their own home. One of the fantastic things about remote sales jobs is that you can use your time much more efficiently, which can be great news in terms of bolstering that commission! Imagine your first day in a sales role in the office; from walking in and out of meeting rooms to waiting in lobbies, a lot of time is wasted! You don’t have this problem when working from home; you can make much better use of your time. Duties A remote sales representative will have a number of different duties. This includes the likes of:
 Image credit: Jason Strull from Unsplash Recent data suggest that two-thirds of British employees are unhappy with their work-life balance, despite what appears to be a constant attempt to achieve the optimal work-life balance. Work-life balance isn't simple to attain, but it isn't a myth.
As the workplace gets more competitive and the financial strains of city living become more prevalent, more people are finding themselves working additional hours. This takes away from what should be (much-needed) downtime. Recognize when it's OK to say no This one maybe a little more difficult for some. If you have a hard time saying no to your boss or coworkers when they ask for assistance, you'll discover that your plate is frequently overflowing. When someone asks for assistance with a task, you don't have to react right away. Tell them you'll get back to them, and then check your schedule to see whether you have time. They won't be offended if you say no if you don't. Remember that it's preferable to do a few things well than to try to cram too much into a short time. Keep your work at work Our smartphones have simultaneously made us more productive and less productive. Despite all of the distractions smartphones provide, they also allow us to work from almost anywhere. However, this isn't always a good thing. At 11.30 p.m., you should not be looking at business emails. Writing a to-do list for the next day is a fantastic technique to switch your thoughts off when you leave work. Then turn off your computer and try to leave any work-related stress at the office. So, instead of checking your emails why not have some downtime and check the cricket scores here https://sportnews.in/Cricket instead? Learn to work In a 'smart' manner You must master your focus and learn how to work smarter in an age of meaningless email threads and meetings about meetings. It's simple to subconsciously spend time at work, resulting in a backlog of work at the end of the day. Prioritization is the most important skill to learn if you want to be efficient and effective at work. This relates to the first point concerning the ability to say no. If your presence isn't required, don't be scared to decline meeting invitations.
Quality time to yourself, according to a recent study, can make you a better employee. It is, of course, beneficial to your health. So, how do you know if you've got it? Consider the following: Schedule self-care time in your calendar and give it the same priority as your work. Make a clear distinction between your professional and personal hours, and don't allow the two to overlap. If you're a workaholic, consider this: focusing on your well-being will make you a more engaged employee who performs better at work. It's a win-win situation. Pay attention to your body and thoughts Not only does a bad work-life balance harm your mental health, but it also harms your physical health. Exercise is essential for de-stressing both your body and mind, thanks to the amazing endorphins it produces. Try to get a half-hour of exercise every day — even a short walk will help you relax and re-energize. Meditation and other sorts of soothing activities can also help you disengage from stressful work thoughts before or after work. Even if it's only for a short time. This guide should help you to look after yourself when you work from home. Is there anything else that could be added to the list? Please share some in the comments below.  Image credit: Burst from Pexels Home offices, when they are designed properly, can give you an ample working space that will support creativity and productivity. If you feel as though your space is somewhat lacklustre then you have to know that you are not alone. So many people are in the same situation as you are, but there are things that you can do to try and make your space work for you. Take a look below to find out more.
Natural Light It’s so important that your office is located where there is a lot of natural light. This is the best way for you to make sure that you are way more active and energised. Natural lighting is great for your wellbeing, and it can also help you to maintain very high levels of Vitamin D. This is a critical nutrient as it will help you to improve your sleep. It will also help you to stay in a good mood as well. Having a home office that gets a lot of natural light will also reduce the amount of energy that you consume because you won’t have to worry about turning on the lights as often. Find a Nice Quiet Spot If you want to be able to truly focus when you are working at home, then you need to make sure that your home office is in a quiet spot. If you don’t live alone, then you may find that there are certain parts of your home where you are interrupted less. If you can make sure that your office is in the right place then this is half the battle won, so make sure that you keep this in mind if you possibly can. The Right Colour Scheme Colours can have a huge impact on your mental health. If you do not choose the right colours for your home office, then you may find that your productivity is impacted more than you realise. After all, you really don’t want to be falling asleep every time you sit down at your desk. Different colours will of course, elicit different emotional responses as well. If you want to choose the right colours then try and opt for earthy tones or natural hues. This can include greens, off-whites and even blues. Choose Furniture that is Ergonomic Choosing furniture that is ergonomic is so important. You will be spending a lot of time in your office, so make sure that it is well-designed and comfortable. In addition to supporting your health, you should know that ergonomic furniture will help you to be more comfortable and it will also help you to support your focus too. Keep in mind that ergonomic doesn’t mean “so comfortable that it will make you fall asleep”. It means supporting your neck and back while also giving you the right design to do your job. Personal Touches Adding a personal touch to your home will help it to stop feeling as though it is just a workspace. It will help you to boost your productivity and it will also make it easier for you to be comfortable. You have to make sure that you surround yourself with personal items and you also need to make sure that you stay motivated as much as possible. If you can do this well, then you may find that it puts you in the right mood for work and it also helps you to overcome some of the challenges that are associated with working out of an office at home. If you want to make something for your office, it is wise to check out Glue Guns Direct. Focus on your Needs The ideal workspace is not the same for everyone. Before you even think about designing your workspace, or before you contact a professional, you have to set some clear expectations. You need to know what you want from your space as this will help you to make the process way easier. Remember that the needs you have will depend on the job that you do, so make sure that you are giving this enough thought if possible. Eliminate Distractions One of the downfalls that comes with working out of your home is the amount of distractions that you have to deal with. Even though you do have distractions in a working environment, they are nothing compared to what you have to deal with at home. Try and avoid making things too cluttered, and also make sure that you take a break when you need to. Having a space where you can do this is crucial, so make sure that you keep this in mind if you can. It’ll make things a lot easier for you.  Image credit: Anna Shvets from Pexels If you’ve integrated remote working options that have been used since March or April of 2020, it’s amazing to think we may have been using those systems for almost a year now.
Of course, in some respects this might become the norm for your business from here on out, ensuring that you always have a possible approach to keeping flexible and always online if necessary. That said, some form of normality will return in the future, and that can mean in the long run, we are given the chance to consider what needs improving in our office, what workflow we should curate to make this daily process easier to handle, and what lessons we have learned. It would take many deep investigations and reports to figure out just what changes have been made and what effects have been felt thanks to this change in our working capacity, so we’re going to stick with the most pertinent advice, and show how it’s useful in order to inspire you to action: Integrating Communication Platforms It’s overwhelmingly likely that your business has been using a range of programs that are external to your business, in order to make sure your staff can communicate with one another. It could be that fully integrating better and more prominent services based on what you have used and what you haven’t could be important. For instance, it may be that upgrading to a VPN with unlimited plans and the means to log in securely with a security key can offset those that require you to keep updating staff with numbered logins that they forget and keep having to respect. Integrating a VOIP phone system can work wonders when returning to the office. In this context, we become better at helping our team collaborate with one another. The Format Of Your Office Now could be a great time to sell your office furniture and pick up newer, more health-conscious ergonomic models. Why is this? Well, many businesses are downsizing at the moment, or shutting up shop. That’s a very sad state of affairs, but it also points to the fact that we can make use of many of these sales, even if it’s just in the form of a large meeting desk, by scouring these sales and helping those businesses liquidate their stock. IT equipment, office furnishings, it can all make a difference when upgrading your utility and helping the office space seem new upon a return. Dedication To Your Values Remember that now is the time for visionary leaders to collaborate with their team, but also to inspire them. In this mindset, it can be important to remind your staff of your values and just what company history they are contributing to. Setting up training that helps you understand these measures once more can help you refocus and reorient your vision. It sounds unnecessary, but you’d be surprised how inclusion to this degree can inspire your staff to renewed effort, and can refocus your dedication to them. With this advice, we hope you can make the most of your business and level up, despite the inconsistent working expectations of the last year.  Image credit: Chris Montgomery from Unsplash Back in March 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of people around the world began commuting to their kitchen tables and makeshift home office nooks, few believed they'd still be there now, nearly a year later. And yet, here we are.
The big question looming in many employees' and leaders' minds alike is, what does it all mean for the future of work? Some argue that the great work-from-home experiment of 2020 will lead to the end of offices forever. Others say the last year, in fact, proved we need offices for the collaboration, the creativity, and simply the excuse to get out of the house they provide. You can find the five top tips we learnt about remote working over at Inc...  Image credit: Scott Graham from Unsplash The new year has officially begun which means it's time to think about your business year ahead. We have declared 2021 to be the year businesses make a comeback and and thrive, businesses all over the globe have struggled to keep going, if you are one of the lucky ones that have managed to stay open over the last year then well done, it's now time to start planning to grow and run your business successfully throughout the year ahead.
Make Or Revise Your Business Plan Every business should have a business plan in place, if yours hasn't been updated or reviewed in a while then take the time to check in and see if you are still on plan. If you are a new business looking to start writing your plan then there are many templates online that you can use. When writing your plan have a time period in mind, whether it be a 1 year, 5 year or 10 year goal this will be helpful to keep you on track to achieving your aims and objectives. Keep reviewing your plan every 6 months to see if your values or end goal has altered. Grow Your Online Presence It is essential for any successful business to have an online presence in 2021, so if you don't already it's time to think about creating a website and / or social media pages for your business. If you already have a website then you might want to consider rebranding or upgrading. Ensure your website is optimised for all device types and is easy for customers to navigate. If you are planning to optimise your site, then you need to make sure that you are using the right SEO service. For instance, if you are running a software business, then you need to explore SEO for SaaS companies. A service like this will guarantee that you don’t slip into any negative tactics. Once your website is up to scratch, it's time to set up your social media accounts. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are the leading social media platforms. Choose one or two main platforms to focus on, having too many accounts running at once can be overwhelming and hard to keep track of. When your social media accounts are up and running you can start using the advertising tools they offer. They allow you to target specific, ages, genders and areas, which will help guide the right customer to your site. Think About Location When running you business location is key, if you are a physical business then you might want to be positioned within a busy highstreet so you get organic walk in traffic. If you are located down a side street it might be hard for your customers to find you so ensure you are somewhere more prominent. If your business is online you might not think that location is important, however people have preconceived ideas about the status of a business based on their location. If you are looking to expand where you conduct business you should get a CBD virtual office to help you grow your business outside your usual area. By setting up a few virtual offices will help you gain customers from all over the world. Set up a warehouse. As your company begins to grow, so will the demand for the products you have on offer. As a result, it's important that you are able to meet this increase in demand as swiftly as possible, as customers are much more likely to complain should they have to wait weeks on end for delivery. One way in which you can combat this issue is by investing in a warehouse. By having a warehouse storage space at your disposal, you can stock up on products ahead of time, especially when you are anticipating an increase in sales (such as during the festive period). This will help you to easily cater to customer demand. They can also be useful in storing scrupulous products or materials that you might not need right away but could come in handy further down the line. In short, while you may have started by storing your products in a small space within your offices - as your company grows, it's far better to have (or invest in) your own company warehouse. Now it's time for you to apply these tips to your business and make it a successful year. While you are here check out Three ways you can reduce your workload in your small business.  Image credit: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels The point of conversion is one that gets a lot of attention, and rightly so. It’s the moment where you have the best chance to turn a lead into a customer or client. However, that doesn’t mean that you should be rushing to that stage. If you spend a little more time preparing your lead before the pitch, then you can maximise your chances of succeeding with it. Here are a few ways to do that.
Learn about your customer First of all, you should make sure that you know who you’re talking about. Make use of things like lead capture forms like Leadformly on your website that can hopefully help get you a little more detail on the people that will become your customers and clients. This way, you can adjust your pitch to better suit their own needs and circumstances. You don’t want to be talking to them as if they’re just a part of a target market, you want to be able to individualise your pitch to them as best as possible. Have answers for the tough questions Before you get in touch, make sure that you have considered the potentials problems and barriers between your customers/clients and your products/services. Unless you’ve done a world first and created the perfect product or service, these are going to exist. You can also look at barriers and problems with competitors. It’s likely that your leads are going to have tough questions about exactly these and going in without any research or answers prepared is not going to look good on your end. Set the tone A little showmanship can make all the difference. This is, in effect, what’s at the heart of branding. With the help of teams like the brand design agency - Naked Ideas, you can make sure that your website and any marketing materials you have can carry across the tone and the voice of the brand that you want. A strong brand identity can help potential customers and clients feel like they know what your business is about before you get in touch. It establishes a level of trust and credibility that makes it much easier to make your pitch without as much scepticism. Be generous You can’t exactly bribe someone into becoming a client, no-one is going to be hoodwinked by a gift. However, free samples or souvenirs can help to establish a friendly and giving tone. If you show your potential clients that you’re willing to meet their needs in little ways, then they are more likely to believe that you’re willing to do it through your products and services, as well. Bringing a free gift can definitely improve your chances of winning new clients or, at the very least, keeping them around long enough for you to wow them with your pitch. Don’t rush into a pitch until you’ve had the time to make sure your potential customer or client can warm up to it. Lay the groundwork for your future success.  Image credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons People who hate their jobs tend to move on and look for something else. Some even change their careers when they’re feeling unfulfilled by work.
But what do you do if you love your career, but need a new challenge? The good news is that there are a lot of ways you can turn things around and inject some excitement into your job. Here is some useful advice for taking on a new challenge, without changing your career. Move to a new location f you’re starting to outgrow your current workplace, moving to a new location could help keep things fresh for you. A change in location not only helps you realise new career opportunities but opportunities for your personal life too. Perhaps you want to move closer to home to be with family, or even move to an exciting new city or country? Wherever you decide to relocate, you’re going to need to get on the job hunt. Check out cmr.com.au for some exciting opportunities that could invigorate your career. A change of scenery brings all kinds of changes, and could be just what you need to shake things up. Start chasing that promotion Perhaps a part of your frustration comes from outgrowing your role? When your job starts becoming routine and easy, it could be a sign that you’re ready for more. Start preparing for a promotion so that you’re ready to go for it when the opportunities come your way. Volunteer your time and skills to help others If you’ve always felt like you could do more with your skills and expertise, why not use what you have to do some good for others? If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, tit’s that community values are more important than ever. There are several ways you can use your skills to help others, including mentoring, pro bono work and volunteering to help charities and good causes. This can bring a lot of fulfilment to your role, and could even help you discover new opportunities that could help you choose a different path for your career. Take on a side hustle Side hustles are a great way to develop other interests that you have, without sacrificing your career. There are inspiring stories of people who’ve embarked on incredible new ventures, from starting fitness businesses to their own pizza brand! It’s possible to be passionate about more than one thing at a time, so why not give it a try so that you can get more out of your career. If you’re dissatisfied with your current situation, then it’s time to make a change. Even if you love your career, it doesn’t mean you have to stay exactly where you are - there are ways you can develop and grow tbring exciting change to both your career and your life outside work. There are all kinds of challenges out there waiting for you, so which one will you take on first?  Image credit: Joshua Miranda on Pixabay When lockdown started in March, workers across the UK packed up their office equipment and set up work stations in their own homes. Bedrooms, kitchen counter-tops and dining tables became the new way of working for millions of people. According to the ONS, 30% of adults in the UK were exclusively working from home at the start of July. BBC News has the info...
 Image credit: Victoria Heath on Unsplash Financial uncertainty has prompted many to start thinking about a Plan B to help supplement their existing income, while others have spent lockdown pondering whether the career they thought they wanted is right for their long-term future. Entrepreneur Europe caught up with one CEO to find out how she runs her business in 3 hours at night!
 Image credit: stokpic on Pixabay Business relocations can occur for a wide range of reasons. Perhaps you're upsizing to a bigger store. Maybe you're downsizing in response to COVID-19 and an increased reliance on remote working. Or it might be that you're starting a whole new life in a new city or country. Whatever the reasons, it's imperative that the transition runs. Otherwise, the business dream could turn into a nightmare. You've probably never completed this assignment before, which is why it's easy to forget key features. Here are five that you must not ignore, #1. You Don't Have To Replace All Items When making a fresh beginning, there is a temptation to start over. However, it would be a little counterproductive to spend money needlessly. After all, the whole purpose of the relocation is to boost your bottom line. Even when dealing with huge items, expert machine movers can transfer equipment to new locations. The moving costs are a fraction of replacing the items. Moreover, any employees following your business to the new setting will be familiar with the products too. It also removes fears of delayed deliveries, allowing you to maintain productivity throughout.  Image credit: geralt on Pixabay #2. You Can Still Leverage Success From The Old Location In addition to carrying over physical items from the old venue, you can look to leverage online success from the previous chapter. Rather than designing a brand new website, editing existing pages is quicker, cheaper, and more effective. Service pages, blog posts, and site features are already indexed for SEO. So, adding the new geographic keywords should give you far quicker results. The fact you can make good use of your testimonials and reviews is a bonus. #3. You Have To Create Positive Surroundings After moving into the new business premises, you will have to accept that it can take time to achieve the perfect surroundings. However, creating a positive vibe is an immediate priority. From improving the design of your office to creating a reception area that sets the right tone, you will see a big impact. It can influence productivity and employee-client interactions. If you want the next chapter of your business journey to start on the right foot, you must not ignore this. Furthermore, you should stamp out any source of wasted capital.  Image credit: 089photoshootings #4. You Only Have To Replace A Percentage Of The Workforce
Employees will continue to provide the backbone of your business in this new era. Once again, you don't have to forget everything that went before. Depending on the distances involved, it may be convenient for staff members to follow you to the new setting. Even if this isn't possible, many jobs from admin to customer care can be completed remotely. Managing a remote team takes some getting used to, but can transform the future of the company. However, if this is entirely possible, you should consider hiring a few employees from the new location your business is settling in. This is an added advantage as local employees have a vast knowledge of what customers want, how stiff the competition is, how to build a positive brand image effectively, what trends are currently taking place and many others. To ensure that you hire the right employees in a new locale, you should give an in-depth job description and advertise various openings. Secondly, interview as many potential employees as possible and ensure you select the right ones based on qualifications. Additionally, don't forget to perform pre employment assessment to identify potential risk factors that may limit a worker from performing the job effectively. Go the extra mile and contact the candidates' references to come up with reliable decisions. Many employers tend to skimp on this part and always select the wrong workforce, which can have adverse effects on the business's operations. #5. You Have To Be Organized Good organizational skills are essential at all stages of the business journey. Still, the need to maintain control is even greater at this time. Aside from updating your website and arranging movers, you'll want to find printers for new business cards and letterheads. Likewise, all utilities, including issues like internet and data management should be done in advance. Otherwise, increased stress levels could lead to very serious consequences. You've got this, but only if you put the right preparations in place. Now is the time to do it.  Image credit: Aymanejed on Pixabay As a business owner, it’s crucial to retain existing clients, but it’s also beneficial to look for ways to attract new customers. If you’re looking to secure new commercial contracts or reach out to new sectors, here are some effective strategies to try. Targeted marketing
Conducting business with other companies is very different to offering products and services to consumers, and your marketing strategy should reflect this. Outline your key objectives and tailor your campaigns to reach the target market. Think about the kinds of clients you want to attract, the way you want to sell your brand and the types of products and services you’re offering. Conduct market research and utilise feedback. Up-sell your USP and highlight the value your business offers to others. Use examples and case studies to support claims about specific products and make your marketing more impactful. For ponds and water features, for example, don’t just speak about the benefits of butyl tape. Provide prospective clients with images of finished articles, testimonials from previous clients and facts and figures that back up quality, durability and performance-related claims. For technological gadgets, send out prototypes and share video clips of the invention in action. Creating the right first impression First impressions count in business, and it’s estimated that you have around 7 seconds to set the right tone. When meeting clients or discussing potential deals, partnerships or orders, use your own experiences to ensure you get off on the right foot. Be punctual and professional, make the most of the time you have to sell your brand without being overly aggressive or persistent and encourage follow-up conversations. Build on reviews and feedback Reviews can be extremely valuable for businesses looking to improve customer service, attract new clients and build an excellent reputation. Use reviews you receive from commercial clients to make improvements and don’t be afraid to shout it from the rooftops if you have got brilliant feedback, which could help to persuade other businesses to choose you. Take both negative and positive feedback on board, address any concerns promptly and use reviews as a means of promoting the products and services you offer and separating your business from rivals that may be on the shortlist of clients you’re hoping to work with in the future. Encourage referrals Most of us feel more confident when buying from a company that has been recommended by others. This applies to customers visiting shops or using a website to buy products, as well as B2B clients. Referrals can be incredibly influential. If you have happy clients, encourage them to share their experiences and recommend you to other businesses they may already work with or contacts that might be interested in the products or services you offer. Competition for new clients is fierce. As a business owner looking to secure new deals and impress new clients, it’s crucial to implement targeted ways to market and promote your brand, to utilise reviews and feedback to encourage referrals and to ensure you create the right first impression.  Image credit: Pixabay on Pexels For your business to thrive, your office space must be a hub of creativity and hard work. The problem is, it’s impossible to achieve greatness without the right environment! If you want productivity levels to soar, think about how you might improve the functionality and design of your office. In many cases, improving your office is rather a case of health and safety.
1. Consider lighting According to a study in PR Newswire, ‘workers in daylit office environments reported an 84 percent drop in symptoms of eyestrain, headaches and blurred vision.’ The study concluded that improving natural light in an office environment resulted in improved productivity and wellness levels. To improve your office environment, it’s advisable to optimize natural light as much as possible. Perhaps your office doesn’t get much sunlight during the day? In this case, daylight bulbs or full-spectrum daylight bulbs are a worthwhile investment. Daylight bulbs are designed to mimic natural night, while full-spectrum bulbs are often used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder. 2. Create more space The coronavirus pandemic means that social distancing is now a necessity. To improve your office design in a post-COVID world, you need to create more space. Of course, that’s easier said than done, but here are a few viable options! Declutter to make room: Start by decluttering your office, get rid of any items you don’t need. Whether you sell things or donate them, you’d be surprised how much space you have after a clear out. When you are disposing of your items, ensure that you recycle as much as possible. With a little more floor space, you’ll be able to create more distance between your staff workstations. Invest in a storage solution: Another option is to invest in a storage solution. There are plenty of storage containers you can hire at affordable prices. By using a storage solution, you’ll free up space on site, and you won’t need to get rid of anything. 3. Ergonomic seating Modern office designs simply must involve ergonomic seating; it’s essential to keep your staff safe and healthy as they work. Ergonomic chairs support the spine and prevent injuries. While you’re at it, it’s also a good idea to purchase ergonomic keyboards. These keyboards help the user to place their hands in a natural position; this means less straining and less chance of typing related ailments. 4. Quality renovations Working conditions have a direct impact on the productivity of your staff. Staff are far more likely to produce creative work in an attractive and comfortable environment. With this in mind, consider whether your office space is in need of a renovation? When you are choosing your contractors, it’s essential to choose a quality service. Many businesses prefer companies who prioritize sustainable building methods and materials. For a quality ceiling renovation, rockfon.co.uk have plenty of great options. 5. Consider color schemes The colors that we are surrounded by influence our mood, emotions and energy levels. Due to this, it’s important to choose the right colors when designing an office space. For a few ideas to get you started, consider these options: Blue: Blue is generally seen as an ‘intellectual’ color. It is often associated with communication, logic and trust. All of these associations make blue the perfect color for an office environment. Yellow: Yellow represents positivity, creativity and energy. We need all of these things to create a productive office, (so get painting those walls yellow)! 6. Apps to support your design Need a little help to get your design ideas flowing? Several apps can help you there! Room Sketcher: RoomSketcher is a floor planning and design app, perfect for helping you plan out your office. Using this application, you can make 3D floor plans and virtually decorate your office. RoomSketcher is ideal if you want to try out a few design ideas before making any purchases. Planner 5D: Planner 5D is another top floor plan tool, here you can create any type of interior layout you wish. Whether you want to create a 2D or 3D plan, planner 5D has the tools you need. It’s simple to create realistic images and play around with texture and lighting. Hopefully, a few of these ideas will be easy to implement at your office. You might find that it takes a little time to redesign your office to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions. If your staff are still working from home, now is the perfect time to get those renovations sorted before they return!  Image credit: Mohamed Hassan on Pexels Staff productivity levels should be a priority for all business owners. Sadly, the vast majority of companies continue to suffer from insufficient results in this key area of daily operations. Whether those lulls in production have been caused as a direct result of Covid-19 or existed long before the pandemic doesn't matter. Either way, it's vital that you stamp out those problems ASAP. The first step to overcoming those problems is to identify the root causes. Here are some of the most common issues to consider, along with the easiest ways to battle them. The road to restored productivity starts here. Inadequate Recruitment & Training It's impossible to achieve the desired levels of productivity if you have failed to assemble a strong team. Therefore, successful recruitment drives should be the top item on your agenda. If you want employees to perform well, it's important to recognise the human elements too. In truth, analysing the right personality traits is perhaps even more crucial than before as teams include remote workers. When employees don't have the attitude and drive to back up their skills, unlocking their full potential is impossible. Worse still, their lacklustre performances can spread to others. Building a quality team that's built to perform is one thing. However, you must also ensure that staff members continue to grow and develop. Investing in the best staff training modules to learn new techniques or familiarise themselves with new software is key. Inferior Tech Facilities They say that a bad worker blames their tools. However, even the best employees will struggle to produce the goods if they aren't supported by the right equipment. From machinery to POS terminals, or office computers to vehicles, only the best will do. If your employees blame the vehicle they use as an excuse for inefficiency, you should install GPS Tracking in the work vehicle to monitor the progress of their shift. GPS tracking is accurate and simple, providing you with real-time locations and movement detection. It's not only about possessing the right assets and infrastructure, though. It's equally important to ensure that all facilities are maintained to optimal health and reliability. Visit https://www.concise.co.uk to learn about how managed IT can transform your approach. It's great news for the firm and its staff. Aside from cutting out various tech-related disruptions, it aids the team's ability to stay on task. There's nothing worse than spending time trying to troubleshoot and correct issues. When those issues are handled in an automated manner, your team can focus solely on the tasks at hand.  Image credit: Joshua Woroniecki on Pexels Poor Teamwork & Collaboration Teamwork makes the dream work. When individual success isn't met with collective triumphs, it will show. As an employer, it's your job to ensure that all team members are on the same page. Team building sessions and group activities are a great way to promote camaraderie. Meanwhile, it's important to build a working environment that is conducive of good collaboration from all times. Whether it's in-house team meetings or video conferencing, short and sweet discussions are for the best. Moreover, tech features like team messaging Apps can serve you very well. Perhaps most importantly, you must stamp out any potential issues, such as workplace bullying. Meanwhile, using the right tech to support collaboration is key. Cloud computing is one key feature. But the ability to track client interactions and let colleagues pick up the conversation is equally crucial. Unsatisfactory Leadership As well as good working relations with colleagues, workers deserve a positive employer-employee bond. So, developing your leadership skills through improved body language and communication is a must. If you cannot express messages well, you can't expect teams to perform. The reality of the situation is that you are unlikely to handle many of the interactions personally. Supporting yourself with great team leaders that can maintain productivity in tough situations will make life a whole lot easier. Be sure to give them the authority needed to complete their work too. When supported by regular reporting and analysis, productivity should remain at the highest level. And when it does drop below the desired levels, you'll be in a position to spot and rectify the situation at the earliest stage. In truth, that preparation is as significant as taking the right precautions.  Image credit: Free-Photos on Pexels Inadequate Safety As already mentioned, human responsibilities are a crucial ingredient in the recipe for success. If employees are worried about any aspect of their health and safety, it'll affect their work ethic. So, for the sake of productivity and profitability, as well as human care, you must get this right. Conducting a full and thorough risk assessment of workspaces is vital. Check out https://www.thsp.co.uk to learn more. Meanwhile, security systems and emergency protocols should be in place too. Even when they aren't needed, their presence can make a significant difference. In today's climate, safety and security aren't limited to the physical world. All data and cybersecurity features must satisfy the latest demands. After all, almost half of all recorded attacks target SMEs. You cannot afford to let your employees fall victim. No Incentives Motivation is a very powerful tool in business. Frankly, you'd be very naive to think that employees will work to their full capacity without an incentive. Engaging work and achieving greatness for the company do have a positive impact. However, personal incentives will always be top of the agenda. The most obvious incentives are financially inspired. Creating a clear path to promotion will spur ambitious workers to want and achieve more. Additional steps may include bonuses or sales commissions. Likewise, perks relating to travel or lifestyle elements can have a big impact on the mood. If you can inspire staff members to actively want to work harder, they will. Better still, hard work is contagious and will inspire colleagues to follow in their footsteps. The benefits for the entire team and, therefore, your bottom line cannot be ignored.  Image credit: Geralt on Pixabay The Final Word
A hardworking team won't guarantee business success, but it'll certainly give you a better shot at success. So, taking the necessary steps to cut out the sources of poor productivity levels is something that all employers should want to do. Whether you're working from home or commercial spaces, paying attention to this part of the kob should pave the way to productivity. What more could any entrepreneur ask for?  Image credit: Kaboompics.com on Pexels Creating a new business can be such a rewarding experience, but a large amount of time, money and energy can go to waste if you fail to introduce your brand in the most effective manner. You can’t simply expect the customers to pour in as soon as you open your doors for trading if you haven’t done anything to spread the message about your products or services. Luckily it needn’t be a difficult task to hit the ground running when you open your new business, as there are a few brilliant ideas and concepts that will work perfectly to attract an audience. So, if you would like to find out more, then read on to uncover some of the best top tips and tricks that you can make the most of today! Take Your Message To Social Media
Social media is one of the very best places for a new brand to market their products and services, as you can build a huge following in preparation for the big opening day to ensure there are queues around the block. Social media users often spend around 2-3 hours each and every day scrolling through the various popular sites, so you’d be a fool not to cash in on such an expansive advertising opportunity. Whether you choose to use organic growth methods through making connections and networking, or opt to delve into the world of algorithms and cookies to utilise specific social media marketing techniques, there’s no time like the present to get online and spread the word about your new brand. You can even create a daily countdown post to signal how long is left before your business opens, as this can build up a huge amount of suspense amongst your followers and friends! Meet Potential Customers Face To Face Taking your brand to the streets to actually market your ethos in purpose might just be the perfect way to generate a buzz, as there are many effective ideas that you can make the most of which involve meeting potential customers face to face. Arranging an event that can attract a great crowd such as a dance performance, food festival or even a fancy dress competition could be the ideal solution, as you can get your brand name out there in a fun and eye catching way. People are bound to take photographs at your event when they are enjoying themselves, so be sure to feature your logo all around to get a little more publicity even after the event has finished. If you’re unsure about what might work, contact an event agency to go through your options - their team of creatives is bound to come up with some amazing ideas to fit your needs. Introducing your new business to the world has never been so simple when you are able to make the most of the top tips and tricks detailed above. Experiment with social media marketing and plan a fun event to meet your potential customers face to face before opening your store!  Image credit: Burst on Pexels Right now, increasing numbers of people are deciding to set up their own small businesses. This is understandable. The coronavirus pandemic has seen hundreds of thousands lose their day to day jobs and the job market isn’t exactly bustling with new options for us to apply to. Many of us are looking for ways to make money in order to pay our bills and keep our lives on track. Nowadays, setting up a small business is easier than ever. All you have to have is something to sell and a website to sell it from. So, people are getting innovative. From selling face masks, hand sanitiser and other products that are in high demand right now to make some money until things get back to normal, to starting a small business with intentions for things to be longer term, setting up a company of your own could be the best thing you can do right now. Of course, if you’re going to set up a company, you’re going to have to really focus on security now. People are more desperate than ever, or simply recognise that new companies are cropping up and they’re more vulnerable, and this has led to an increase in crime, theft and more recently. So, here are a few ways to protect your new startup!
Physical Security First things first, let’s focus on physical security. Chances are you’re operating your business from home right now. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re completely free from risk of theft or attack. If you have stock in your home, you’re going to have to protect it. There are a couple of ways you can protect yourself from theft of stock. First, you may want to invest in security solutions from Securafit. There are multiple options you might want to consider. First, you should consider having some sort of CCTV system installed. Not only will this deter criminals from attempting to steal any of your stock with the threat of evidence of what they’re doing, but it will capture evidence of any crime that anyone does attempt to commit. Nowadays, you can get high quality systems at a really reasonable price. It’s definitely more than worth the investment. Plus, it protects your home from other domestic issues, such as burglary too! Next, you mighty want to invest in intruder alarms. This way, if someone does enter your property, an alarm will be triggered, alerting you to the issue and encouraging criminals to scarper before they’re caught. Digital Security Digital security is at the forefront of most business’ minds right now. Cyber criminals are aware that more and more businesses are operating from home and that new start ups are emerging on a remote basis. They are also aware that this means many businesses are vulnerable, as people are often working on insecure networks and may be prone to falling for phishing and other scams. Make sure to work with a competent IT solutions team to keep all of your data, documents and files secure! Keeping your remote business secure really is important, whether you’re planning on operating for the short term or the long term. Hopefully, some of this information will help you to achieve this and protect your profits!  Image credit: Fauxels on Pexels Good, or mediocre or great, all of these terms can be so hard to quantify when it comes to measuring a business’ success. Of course, we may consider that a business making wild profits to be great, but what if those profits come at the behest of an unhappy and unmotivated workforce? The video game industry is a good example to use here, as the largest entertainment industry in the world, vastly bigger than Hollywood itself. Video game companies known for huge, acclaimed video games, such as Rockstar and their Red Dead Redemption western series, make upwards of billions of dollars from monetizing their games and drawing large crowds again and again.
However - they are also met with continual complaints about working conditions and crunch culture. Their reputation is regularly damaged by testers going public about the difficulties they endured and the lack of respect they were given. This isn’t just a set of allegations against one company, but much of the industry. Is it right to grade these hugely profitable businesses ‘great’ if this is the cost? It’s worth thinking about. With our following metrics, we believe even a small business can become ‘great’. Here’s what that might look like: Excellent Branding Excellent branding is a worthwhile use of your time. It helps you stand out among your competition, presents your business clearly and effectively to members of your audience, and also helps you celebrate your presence. Video production services are becoming more and more popular when it comes to great branding, as being able to promote your products using excellent short films or instruct your consumers through the same measure can be a phenomenal tool. Not a bad place to start, we’d say: Workplace Satisfaction Workplace satisfaction means something. It’s not something you curate for an award. It’s not something you develop to hire more desirable staff (although this can be a natural consequence). Instead, workplace satisfaction is a tool you can use to more easily celebrate your culture, enhance productivity, enjoy running your firm, and live through the ethical guidelines you promote. It’s really not hard to see how following this kind of approach will help you become more and more interesting to conscious consumers, as well as helping your workplace culture thrive. Golden Customer Support Customer support is more than simply something you have to ensure in order to make your customer engagement relatively simple and smooth. It can help you learn more about your clients, their needs, and also will help you generate goodwill. If you find it important enough to care for your clients in the best manner, word will spread. You can win awards for your excellent treatment. And, moreover, customers will be more interested in coming back and interfacing with your systems. That in itself is an extra utility you can use to benefit your brand, and you’ll achieve this by being helpful. Not a bad improvement to make, we’d say. With this advice, we hope you can more easily understand that which makes a good business great.  Image credit: markusspiske on Pixabay Working from home is quickly becoming the new normal, and that makes it more important than ever to create a working space that’ll help you do your best work. Whether you’re working from home for your employer or even running your own business, a good work space can make all the difference when it comes to finding success. Here’s how to create the best possible space and ensure it serves you well for years to come. Read on to find out more. Find the Right Desk and Consider a Standing Desk First of all, you’re going to need a great desk. This is what you’ll be doing your best work on so it needs to be up to the standards you set for yourself. The right desk will depend on your personal needs and preferences. But if you want a desk that’s going to aid your health while you work, you should definitely consider a standing desk. They’re becoming more and more popular. Set Up a Two Monitor System If you want to be efficient and productive in your office, you should consider setting up a two monitor system. Doing so allows you to use screens for different purposes and reduces the need to be switching in and out of windows and tabs all the time. If you think that’s something you might benefit from, be sure to set your computer up this way. Have High Speed Internet Installed
The last thing you want in your home office when you’re trying to conduct business is for your internet connection to let you down. That’s why you should push the boat out and have a high speed internet setup installed. Even if you have to pay a little extra for that high speed internet connection, it’ll be worth it because we all rely on the internet when working each day. Deck it Out with the Right Office Furniture It’s obviously very important that your office has all the necessary furniture. First and foremost, you’ll need a very comfortable chair; you’ll be spending a lot of time sitting there so invest in a great one. Places like Civic Australia supply all the furniture you need, so find what you’re looking for and make your setup as comfortable as it can be. Add Some Plants Finally, you should think about adding some plants to your home office. That will bring some life and vitality to your office. And simply having some greenery around you can make a big difference to your environment. It’ll also act as a nice form of decoration in your home office which is never a bad thing. A good home office will provide you with the foundations you need to find success in your career or with your business. If you follow the guidelines set out above, you’ll be able to provide yourself with a home working space that works for you and delivers everything you need it to.  Image credit: StartupStockPhotos on Pixabay You have to take steps as a business to help you improve things moving forward, and this means thinking about the important elements of the business. There are a lot of things you can do that will make a big difference here, whether it’s enhancing productivity or marketing better, and it is essential that you make the most of this right now. As a modern company, there are a lot of factors you need to account for when running a business. It is important to ensure that your company is perfectly equipped to handle changes and that you can make the right decisions to stay successful. So, this means you are going to need to think about the right ways of being able to do this right now. Make sure you focus on doing what you can to make the most of this, and try to make sure these are the steps you take.
Keeping up with the Times It is really important that your business does as much as possible to keep up with the times, and there are some amazing ways you can go about achieving this. Try to think about what your competitors are doing well, and look at whether you can improve this moving forward. You have to make sure you factor this in right now, as well as doing what you can to keep up with the times. You are going to need to work on making your business as modern and relevant as possible. Listening to Your Staff You also need to make sure you do your best to pay attention to your staff and make sure you listen to the feedback they give you. Employee engagement is absolutely essential for helping your business grow, and this is something you need to make sure you get right as much as you can. Try to do as much as possible to listen to what your staff have to say, and use their feedback to make the business better. Staying On-Brand If you are serious about achieving success as a business, then it is important to ensure you stay on-brand. You are going to need to do as much as possible to focus on the best ways of doing this, and it is important to ensure your business is always looking to stay focused. You develop a brand over a long time, and it ties into your business reputation, so this is something you are going to need to get right as much as possible. Being Ethical An ethical business is a successful business in 2020 because people are constantly looking for things your company is doing well. Your reputation is everything, and this is something you are going to need to focus on as much as possible. Try to think about what it takes to get this right, and there are so many steps you can take to be a more ethical business and build a brighter future. There is a lot involved in being a successful business owner, and you are going to need to think about the best ways of achieving this moving forward. There are a lot of elements that are going to play a part in helping you to make the most of this, and it is so important to do as much as you can for the future. Do what it takes to put your company in the driving seat, and work on this as much as possible.  Image credit: StockSnap on Pixabay As a modern business, you need to understand what brings you success, as well as how important it is to run the company more effectively. In 2020 and beyond, there are so many ideas for things you can do to help your business get better. And this means you are going to need to think about the things you have to change to help make your business better.
The key to think about when it comes to improving the way you run your business is to make connectivity a priority. There are a lot of things that you need to keep in mind if you want to achieve this, and making the right business decisions moving forward is crucial. Here are some of the best things you can do that are going to allow you to boost connectivity and make the best business decisions. Embrace Social Media Social media is the best tool your business has these days when it comes to marketing and connecting as a business, and this is something you need to make sure you get right. Try to make sure you utilise social media as much as you can, and use this opportunity to try to expand your business overseas where possible too. Social media allows anyone, anywhere to connect and communicate with your business, and this is something you need to make sure you get right. Make sure you think about what it takes to get this right, and there are so many advantages to achieving this as much as possible. Go Mobile As a business, you need to look at some of the best ways in which you can go mobile and try to make the best decisions as a business. There are so many great things you can do to make the business more mobile-oriented and achieve better connectivity as a brand. One of the key things you need to make sure you get right here is to use a QR code maker for faster and quicker connectivity to the business and your website. Be Reachable As a modern business, it is important to make sure you do as much as possible to improve how reachable your business is. This is something that all companies need to get right, and it is vital that you enhance your customer service skills, and allow plenty of ways for customers to communicate and connect with your brand. The more you can do to achieve this, the better your connectivity will be, and there are so many things that play a massive part in the process, and you need to do as much as you can to make the most of this right now. The more you can do to make the right business changes and achieve greater connectivity, the better it will be for the company. You need to think about the best ways of running a business effectively, and the different ways in which you are able to take your business to the next level. This is something that can make a huge difference to the process moving forward, and you could well get the best result out of your company as a result of this.  Image credit: Picography on Pixabay Running a business from home certainly has its advantages but without the credibility that larger businesses possess, it can sometimes be difficult to get taken seriously.
Still, this doesn't mean a home business owner can't find success, and this doesn't mean the business won't have the capacity to grow. Just look at Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos, for example, two entrepreneurial luminaries who eventually grew out of their homes and into (for want of better words) the big leagues! So, if you're working from home, in whatever capacity, here are some tips to help you get taken seriously. You might then experience the growth that those now running multi-million companies have attained or, at the very least, make yourself a tidy income from whatever type of business you are running. #1: Benefit from a virtual office address If you are using your home address on your mailouts, your clients and customers might fail to take you seriously. Especially if you are trying to convey a professional image, it will be a direct giveaway that you are probably working from home in your pj's. This is where a virtual address comes in handy as it can give the impression that your business is bigger than it actually is. You can also benefit from a telephone answering service with the services of a virtual office provider, and again, this will do much to convey a more professional image. Follow the previous link for one example, and consider the benefits for you. #2: Be careful with your video calls If you're speaking to clients through Skype or any other type of video communication tech, be sure to dress well before making a call. While working from home can give you the opportunity to wear your pj's or slacks, your dress sense will reflect poorly on your image. Dress smartly then, and consider wearing a suit for those you are really trying to impress. Be sure to make your calls in your home office too. This is far more professional than chatting with your clients in your living room, and it can also convey the image that you're not working from your home. We have some tips on designing a successful home office, so have a read of our article. And finally, take note of this BBC news interview that was conducted with one esteemed professional. If you want your clients to take you seriously, be sure not to let your children interrupt you when you're having a serious business conversation! #3: Brush up your brand image Enlist the help of the professionals if you need help with this regard. A web designer will give you a professional-looking website, a photographer will give you the quality photos you need for your website and other promotional materials, and a copywriter will provide with you the written content you need to give that excellent first impression. Be sure to ask your customers and clients for testimonials for your website, and ask them to leave reviews on business review sites as well. And have a separate social media account for your home business because your personal account just won't do if you want to be taken seriously, especially if some of the content is for friends eyes only! By taking these steps, you will improve your brand image and improve your credibility. We wish you every success with your home business!  Image credit: Burst on Pexels If you are in a position where you are starting to think about working from home, that is a great opportunity that you are going to want to make the most of. It could be that you have started a business which you will run from home, or that you are trying to work from home more as a result of covid. Whatever it is, part of the process is going to be designing and building a home office which you can use and which you are likely to enjoy. Let’s take a look at what might be involved in that process. Find Your Spot First up, you need to find the spot in the home where you are going to have your office. Ideally, this will be somewhere that you don’t use for anything else. If you have a spare room, a basement, or even a garden shed, any of those could be ideal for a home office. It should be somewhere away from the general hubbub of the home, and where you are not going to be disturbed - or disturb anyone else in the home either. It also needs to be of a decent size, so that you can comfortably work there. Build A Desk Chances are, you are going to want a desk to work at. You can build one yourself easily enough. Anyone with even a basic understanding of woodworking can achieve this, and it is one of the easier projects you can hope to complete. Or you might decide that you want to get hold of one premade and simply install it, which can work just as well. In either case, you will then want to make sure that it is ready to work at, which might include fitting out electrics like a mains neon indicator, ensuring that everything is in its right place, and so on.  Image credit: Visually Us on Pexels Decorate
Although it might not be completely necessary, there is something wonderful about decorating the home office. It helps to make it a more enjoyable place to work, and it generally means that you are going to have a much better time of making the most of that spot. You can of course decorate it however you wish, but it might be worth bearing in mind just how different colours affect your productivity. Do your research on this and you should find that you can make the right decision. Stock It Up Finally, you now need to stock up your home office with everything that you will need to do your job well. As long as you have a place for everything, it is going to be much more the kind of place you hope to work, and you should find that it makes a huge difference to how the office feels to work in. All in all, building your own home office is simple enough, so consider doing it if you are thinking about working from home or starting a business to run from home as soon as possible.  Image credit: Josh Hild from Pexels Every business is looking to improve its stance in the world. Ultimately, there's so much competition out there these days that we have to find unique approaches to stand out from the crowd. But when we start to look at the most common approaches such as improving our digital content or reconfiguring the product it seems that everybody has a hand in these approaches. This is why you've got to think differently. But what does standing out from the crowd really entail?
Changing Your Partnerships You will always be judged by the people you align yourself with. When it comes to ensuring that you have a business that is perceived in the way that you want it to be, it's not just about what you put out there, but it's who you align your beliefs and practices with. It could be to do with finding the right clients or stakeholders but it can also be about the marketing gurus you work with. When it comes to being a niche or someone that stands out from the crowd, it's crucial to ensure that you are working with people that understand what you want to achieve. Companies like Elitelawyermanagement.com could help when you are looking for a very unique way to push forward a unique brand. But ultimately, everybody is pushing their uniqueness these days. This means that the difference between you and the next business is all about the relationships you cultivate, not just in terms of your business partnerships but also in terms of the people you hire. To look different you've got to be different. Change Your Views When you work with specific people it's because you align your thoughts with theirs and vice versa. When you alter your views this will guarantee the right calibre of people but it will also ensure that these relationships work towards something that everybody is happy with. But when you change how you view yourself and focus on creating mutually beneficial relationships, this can benefit the company in so many ways. So many businesses are looking out for themselves in order to make themselves look different when, in fact, the best solution might very well be teaming up with people. But when you start to work with the right clients this is because you have altered your perception of things. In order to get the right people on board, you've got to look at what you really want to achieve first. This doesn't mean becoming insular and selfish but getting an understanding of what you really want to achieve as a professional entity. Don't Sell “Products” Every business appears all about the profit or the bottom line but there are so many companies out there that need to reconfigure their focus. It's not about selling “products” but it's about selling “solutions.” This very insightful article on Medium.com may prove to be quite inspiring but you have to remember that when a customer approaches you about a product it's about fulfilling their needs, not yours. This is the very definition of great customer service and will truly differentiate you from your competitors. In order to win the spotlight, it's not about fighting everybody else but it's about going back and looking up what you can achieve without being inherently selfish and conniving. Image credit: Scott Graham on Unsplash Having a disaster-proof business means you can keep things running smoothly in the face of problems of all kinds, from data leaks to the current pandemic. With proper crisis planning, you’ll be able to keep serving customers, helping clients, and most importantly, keep your business going. Step One: Determine The Scope Of The Business Continuity Plan
Business continuity scope includes identifying what areas of your business could be hit, how badly it will be hit, and the right plans to address the risks. For example, you should consider how you’ll manage payroll, communicate with customers, and keep services going. Being proactive means doing everything you can to protect the business from adverse impacts, instead of reacting to recover. Your plan should include a communication plan, budget, timeline, and roles and responsibilities. Your communication plan should include what you will tell customers, employees, the public, and stakeholders in your business. Step Two: Identify The Business Functions At Risk What functions of your business would be most at risk in a disaster? This could include your network, data, and communications devices (a Managed IT service could help with these areas). Your overall operations could be hit by disasters that affect your physical office or storefront. If you know what is at risk, you can plan to protect it. Make a list of all your hardware and software. Include all the serial numbers, license keys, passwords and technical manuals so you can restore systems. This also helps to process insurance claims faster. Keep these details on the cloud. Step Three: Define The Disaster Risks Disaster risk varies by location. For example, if you’re based in California, you’re more likely to be hit by an earthquake than an office in Illinois. What local risk is there of wildfires, hurricanes, floods, or other extreme weather? Plan around those risks. Risk like fires, electricity outages and hacking can hit any business, anywhere. Step Four: Develop And Test Tactical Components Find an alternative place for your employees to work. If you have the infrastructure for remote workers, make sure they can keep doing this and take over more business functions. Find co-working spaces and costs that you could use if you needed to. Backup your data in the cloud. Make sure key business processes are on digital and cloud services, including payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable, customer service, customer relationship management, and others. What equipment might you need? Do you need a backup generator, for example? Where you will get this equipment if you need it? For cybersecurity risks, undertake a security assessment to review your processes and network to find any weaknesses. Step Five: Assess, Refine, And Test Share the recovery plan with your team. They might have ideas to improve it or spot areas that you’ve missed. If they know the plan, they’ll be ready to go to work if a disaster does occur. The faster the team can react, the less downtime you will have. Use testing the plan as a training session. Test the plan a couple of times a year to make sure it is still relevant and keep everyone’s memory of the plan fresh. |
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