Category: business coach

How Companies Can Offer Work Life Balance Perks

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Work life balance is a desired state by most (excluding workaholics/those married to their career).

But talking about it versus providing it can be challenging.

As a company, how can you creatively offer this perk?

According to this Forbes article, Millennials crave healthcare benefits which fit under the category of: wellness.

Instead of looking at work life balance as separating your personal from professional life, picture it as one encompassing circle. If you do that offering wellness becomes simple.

Let me explain. Mental health has recently become a priority to workers because it’s preventative. Rather than offering gym membership reimbursements, offer Headspace or a Life Coach as an alternative. As long as it positively affects the company’s bottom line, what difference does it make what “means” helps achieve that goal?

Consider the paradigm shift from a recruitment standpoint. Companies should be looking at ways to enhance worker’s personal lives since that has the biggest impact on performance.

When I work as an external coach my goal is for each employee is for them to leave better than when they came in (to meet with me). That means doing whatever it takes to minimize distractions so workers can get focused. Usually their “issues” have nothing to do with work. If something’s wrong relationally outside of work, it’s brought into the office. That’s what I mean by one encompassing circle.

Most management philosophies emphasize getting workers focused, but in my opinion it’s just the opposite. Hone in on removing distractions and you’re freed up to do your best work.

This translates directly to work life balance because focusing on wellness tactics that actually work matter. Understanding the “why” behind people’s motivations is key to unlocking optimal productivity. Evaluating current programs, gathering employee feedback and ultimately measuring data will reveal the wellness solutions you’re searching for.

Why The Internet Is Good For Business

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Collaborative post – may contain affiliate links

If you’re working online, there’s a good chance you’ve been doing so for a while. Either as your main source of income or as a side hustle, you know how much of a lucrative market the internet can be. But a lot of people don’t realize that! At the same time, a lot of people who are trying to make their way online don’t know the extent of what they could really do to boost their profits, and thus everyone needs a bit of a helping hand. If you’re one of those people, here’s a list of reasons for you to think over.

Easier to Find Jobs

The internet is a great place to find people, as almost everyone has an online presence these days. And that makes it a lot easier to find the kind of people you want to work for, or the people who need your services. Of course it’s still a competitive job market, but with at least 79 job sites out there for freelancers to peruse at their leisure, you’re going to have a lot more freedom to find your niche.

And you can apply to any job at any time from anywhere, meaning you’re going to have a lot more flexibility in your life. So no longer do you have to cope with the daily grind of life; you can immediately change your schedule whenever you want, and even take a plane to another country as long as you have a laptop and a wifi signal to your name!

Plenty of Easy to Find Resources

If you’re using the internet regularly, there’s a really good chance you’ve got a list compiled somewhere of every site or application you could use to make it through a hard time. And from just a few search terms that probably weren’t even spelt correctly! Never before has such a trove of information existed right at our fingertips.

When you’re in business, the principle remains the same. Take the most troubling parts of business: marketing, accounting, or inventory management etc. When you’ve got a quick access portal to a lifeline like Qdos Accounting packages, you’re going to have a much better day at work. Not only that, but you’re going to go from strength to strength.

You Can Reach Anyone, Anytime

There’s a huge pro to not needing to communicate face to face: you can reach anyone no matter what time it is, and pass on urgent messages immediately. Simply leaving someone a text means you’re going to be able to pass on tasks and a to do list that needs completing stat, taking a lot of pressure off of yourself and any employees you might have.

The internet is good for business because you can run internal operations on an international scale, making it a lot easier to take the market by storm. It also means you can compete on the same level as any of the bigger businesses, and take on clients from anywhere in the world.

Brand Intimacy: Loyalty Defined By Millennials

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Brand intimacy is defined as:

“leveraging and strengthening the emotional bond between a person and a brand”

Apple, Disney and You Tube were voted the Top 3 most “intimate” companies by Millennials.

This metric is crucial because branding is about how you make a customer feel. Not to be mistaken by what a company defines its brand as.

In a customer-centric economy the feedback your customers provide shapes your brand. Apple, Disney and You Tube have done the best job in terms of making Millennials feel good about their purchase.

But what these three companies offer is much deeper than financial satisfaction, they provide an excellent experience.

If branding is rooted in how you feel, transactions aren’t good enough. The way someone interacts and associates with your product/service determines whether they’ll become a returning customer or not.

Relevant brands focus on empathy. They try to relate to the customers desires. It’s much more than value, packaging and delivery.

Another note is Apple, Disney and You Tube are not trendy. They’ve established their identity over time and have a strong fanbase that thrives even amidst a recession.

No company is fool proof or indestructible, but in a world that bombards people with marketing the only way to survive is through referrals and devoted brand ambassadors.

Brand intimacy is the new customer loyalty and Millennials are leading the way with “all the feels.”

Quirky Markets That Are Worth Investing In

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Millennials may not be known for being a very rich generation, but that doesn’t mean that they should completely give up any hopes of making worthwhile investments. No matter how little they have got saved up in their savings account, it will still be worth considering putting some of that cash into the investment markets. That’s because investments do a lot more work compared to savings that are left in regular bank accounts, and over time investments can increase considerably in value.

Not too sure what to invest in? Here are some quirky markets that could be worthy of your cash.

Burger Restaurants

The food industry is going through a renaissance at the minute. Thanks to people posting about what they are eating on blogs and Instagram, lots of restaurants and cafes are thriving. And some that specialize in certain foods are doing a lot better than others. Take burgers, for example. They have been one of the most popular foods for decades, and that popularity doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. So, you might want to consider buying some stock in a burger chain.

Self-Driving Cars

AI is no longer restricted to sci-fi movies – in fact, it’s about to become mainstream in the form of self-driving cars. Companies, such as Elon Musk’s Tesla, have been developing these types of cars for quite some time now, and they are almost ready to be used by the public. So, if you want to invest in some space-age tech, then this could be the best option for you. Make sure you buy earlier rather than later so you can get stock at cheap prices before it starts to take off!

Water Companies

Water might seem fairly boring and straight-edge, but there are actually some really cool developments going on in this industry right now. Companies are developing new tech and tools, like oil water separators, that can help protect the environment from any potential contamination. The more nifty tools like this that are created, then water companies’ stocks will be likely to rise by quite a bit!

Streaming Services

Everyone seems to stream their TV shows and movies these days. Now that services like Netflix and Amazon Prime have become so popular, more and more of these kinds of businesses are offering new and exciting streaming services. And as more people switch from traditional TV-viewing to these streaming platforms, they will be a very safe place to put your investments.

Organic Food Companies

There has also been a major increase in the amount of organic food that people are buying and consuming. To keep up with this demand, more companies seem to be opening their doors to customers every month or so. Again, as with the streaming services industry, the organic foods market seems like a good one to watch.

It’s important to remember that your money isn’t always guaranteed to grow when you invest is – it could also drop in value. But, with the right research, you will stand a good chance of picking the best investments for you.

How to Manage Millennials: 8 Ways to Do It Right

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A recruiter must never be tired to read and research about the millennials; the majority of your employees are a part of Generation Y. While some view them in a negative light, they can be pretty productive and over-achieving when handled right.

Millennials believe they are above their jobs. After working from 8-9 hours a day, they will focus on their hobbies and leisure once they step out your office. Allowing your Millennial employees to have a work-life balance will refuel their energy and recharge their productivity battery.

Millennials love to have multiple goals. They spend a lot of money on traveling to focus on themselves then spread that energy to the people around them.

Start by providing a flexible work environment. This means that you trust them enough to manage their time properly and deliver on their tasks with flying colors.

Infographic by Guthrie-Jensen.

Is Your Business Idea Worth Pursuing? Here’s How To Decide

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There are no original ideas anymore, just recycled ones.

But when a potential business venture strikes you, how do you decide whether to pursue it or not?

Imagine on one side of a spectrum lies your idea(s) and on the other side is making money. In order to bridge the gap you need distribution or a system to connect the two.

A business without profit is just a hobby.

Speaking from experience as great as your idea may sound unless there is demand for it, you shouldn’t waste your time or money.

Distribution essentially means marketing. How will customers find you? When they do find you why should they purchase your service/product? Does your value proposition scream urgency?

System means a selling process. We are so enamored with sales we forget it’s a series of steps for a transaction to be made. How easy is it for customers to buy from you? Is the process user-friendly? If they have questions or concerns how do they reach you and do you ease their skepticism?

For me there are rarely a shortage of ideas, but one thing I wished I learned sooner in my career is the power of partners/teammates. As intriguing as it sounds to be in charge and call all the shots it comes with blind spots and skill gaps.

Think of yourself as a company. When you decide to roll solo you are every department. When something can’t be completed it’s your fault. With partners you’re able to go back to being a specialist which everyone, entrepreneur or employee, excels at.

Investors value sales and marketing. You have to show them results and how you intend to uphold or surpass those standards.

Not all businesses benefit from outside investments, but the goal should be the same: sales and growth.

So it really comes back to that “middle phase.”

Clarify a sound distribution system and move forward. If you can’t stop until you can.

What Should Your Business Plan Look Like in 2018?

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The business world is changing year on year – nothing stays the same for too long these days, what with the major advancements in technology and how fast everything is moving overall. Creating a business plan used to be about looking ahead to the next 10 years and deciding what you’d do with your business and where you wanted it to be, but things can change far too quickly these days to project that far into the future. Here are some pointers for entrepreneurs who are yet to start their business and want to create a plan suitable for 2018:

Keep Your Business Plan Short

Your business plan needs to be short and sweet. You’re going to be using this plan in the coming months to stay focused and make decisions, but you may also use it to secure funding. Nobody who could offer you funding is going to want to read through 100 pages of your business plan. They’re likely going to be a very busy person, and they simply won’t have the patience.

 

Suitable For You

Your business plan needs to be written not just to secure funding, but so that it’s suitable for you to use, too. It should help you to grow your business over time, and be something you can refine later on. Your business plan shouldn’t go stale – you should look to update it when appropriate!

Suitable For Your Audience

Your business plan also needs to be written so that it’s suitable for investors to read through and understand where their money will be going. Here’s an idea of what you should include in your business plan:

  • Summary – this is an overview of your business and plan, should be around two pages long.
  • Opportunity – here you should outline what you are selling, who the competition is, who the target market is, and any other relevant information.  
  • Execution – how will you turn your opportunity into a business? Also include your marketing and sales plan.
  • Team and company – describe your current team and who you need to hire to succeed.  
  • Financial plan – include a financial forecast and know your numbers so that investors can feel more confident in what you’re saying to them.
  • Appendix – here you should include product images and additional information.  
  • Executive summary – introduce your company, explain what you do, explain what you’re looking for from your readers. Should be able to stand alone.

Make sure you talk about what you’ll spend money on in your business plan, as well as how investors will get their money back from you. You need to make it attractive. You could even include where you’re going to get equipment and machinery from. Have a look at TruckDealersAustralia.com.au today to get a good idea of prices and what you can include in your plan. You should also include a one sentence overview and summarize the problem you are solving. Knowing your target market is absolutely imperative. This is because your business plan needs to outline what makes you unique and why customers will come to you rather than the competition.

Who are the competition? What will you do differently? Know your exact funding requirements too – you need to know what you’re asking for, even if you expect you will get a counter offer. Remember, you can find templates online if you need one.

Safety Belongs Outside The Office, Not Just Inside

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When you’re creating a safer working environment, like most employers, your focus might be on what goes on between those four walls. But, so long as it’s your property, you’re liable for any injuries or accidents that happen outside the workplace, as well. Here, we’re going to look at how you extend that safety-conscious thinking out to the work beyond the office and how to make sure you’re not putting your team at risk.

Branches, leaves, and other dangers

It might sound insignificant, but the risk of having unkempt trees on your business’s doorstep can be quite legitimate. First of all, branches fall in bad weather can cause serious injuries, including head injuries. Having the work premises covered in tree debris will increase the chances of slips, trips, and falls, too. Arborist services can help you keep things tidy and safe, reducing the chances of injury caused by trees outside the workplace.

All roads lead to work

There’s a good chance that you have some parking spaces in the workplace or that you will fit some if you don’t already. If you have a lot of traffic going in or out or passing by, you need to consider some road safety, too. Installing all types of road safety signage to your entrance can help make access safer and encourage employees to drive safely when leaving the premises. Furthermore, you can reduce their risk by installing speed bumps or extendable barriers at the entrance of the parking space. Of course, these barriers will also help you control who, exactly, has access to your property with their vehicle.

Be extra prepared for winter

If you thought leaves and other tree debris could be a slipping risk, then your first winter is going to be an unpleasant experience. You should be extra conscious of your team’s health and safety during the winter months. Make sure that any outdoor areas are gritted to prevent slipping and hire a snow shoveling service to help keep any parking or pedestrian areas outside the office safe and clear. Be aware of the risks your team faces on the road, too. Be willing to give them some leeway to avoid having to come into the office when the weather is truly terrible.

Employee safety is no joke

It’s not just accidents you should be aware of. Businesses are often a target for crime, and this can include your employees. A mugging or assault on the business’s front doorstep can erode the sense of safety your team has. Keep them safe by investing in more security features for the business. CCTV cameras work not just to capture and record any wrongdoing but also as a visual deterrent. Similarly, keeping any parking spaces or entrances well-lit means they’re less likely to be targeted by criminals.

When you’re carrying out a risk audit of the workplace, don’t make the mistake of neglecting the outdoors. Some of the most dangerous falls, car accidents, and other injuries can happen on the exterior of your property and it could end up costing your business and team morale dearly.

Are Chatbots Destroying Customer Service?

Scott Asai2 Comments

When’s the last time you visited a site and immediately greeted by a chatbot?

We do the majority of our shopping online and prefer not to be bothered by a salesperson.

Chatbots seem very impersonal, but the last thing you want is to be hounded by customer service while you’re browsing.

This is much different than the retail experience where employees usually greet and ask if you’d like any assistance. Since retail has been dying stores have taken a different approach and tend to let shoppers browse on their own now.

The bottom line is: customers are educated and want the freedom to do things themselves; they’ll initiate support if needed. Between reviews and recommendations online platforms such as Amazon and Walmart are self-service e-commerce sites.

There’s evidence that Millennials spearheaded this movement, but with the convenience of home delivery it’s generation-wide accepted.

As a business owner the shift that needs to happen is creating a sales free process. That doesn’t mean eliminate customer service completely, but make the buying transaction as efficient as possible.

For example, with the online SAT/ACT prep company I own, this student profile form collects the same information an initial phone call would. It offers parents the opportunity to input the information on their own time without having to talk to anyone.

Chatbots aren’t destroying customer service, in fact they are enhancing it by allowing the shopper to reach out when they are ready. Self-service is the wave of the present and companies must adapt or die.

Good Branding Is All About Consistency, Consistency And Consistency

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There is a lot of thought that goes into creating a great brand. Having a good knowledge of the target market, the design language of the industry, and a clear message and goal behind the brand are all important. But they are all reinforced by one thing and ruined by a lack of it. In case it wasn’t obvious, we’re talking about consistency, consistency, consistency. Here are a few guiding principles and tools to help you ensure it’s always there for you to rely upon.

Set the ground rules

Before we get into what exactly your branding should be based on and what it should look like, we need to consider the tools you use to ensure that consistency is always a part of it. There’s already a broadly used tool that does exactly that: the brand identity visual style guide. As shown by https://Visme.co, a visual style guide keeps a record of all the different aesthetic elements that go into your brand’s design. Whenever you’re creating new packaging, a new webpage, or any marketing materials, you can refer to it. It can include logos, colors, fonts, and just about every element of design language that comprises the look of the brand.

Use communicative design

That brand consistency goes into any of the products you sell, too. In fact, some of your design choices will, and should, be defined by the products. In particular, when it comes to packaging and designing products, you need to consider design that’s communicative. Using sites like https://Freundcontainer.com as a guide, you can make sure you’re choosing containers that fit the expectations of the market regarding your product. Is it in the shape and style they will readily recognize correctly as the product that it is? Does your branding fit with that product? If not, you might have to think about changing your design guide to better fit your products. After all, your product is what you’re trying to sell, not the aesthetic of the brand.

Keep the focus where it should be

There’s one group of people that matters more than any when it comes to deciding the direction of the brand: your market. You have to make sure that the brand appeals specifically to them, whether you have a certain demographic or a certain niche that you want to appeal to. The best way to make sure you have that basis for your brand is by asking them. Market research to help you get feedback on web design and packaging design often yields results most relevant to the aesthetic over anything else. If it isn’t landing, then it’s time to think up a redesign with that audience in mind.

Without consistency, your message gets confused, your market gets lost, and your brand is much weaker as a result. Make sure you have those rigid principles and design guides that you can rely on time and time again. This doesn’t mean that the brand can’t evolve, it just means that it has to evolve across the board, too.