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Use Labeling to Organize Your Entire Office

Use Labeling to Organize Your Entire Office

Even though most companies have been placing an emphasis on reducing the amount of paper that they print and store, there is always going to be a need to keep hard copies of certain documents on-site. However, without the proper filing system, it can become very difficult to access the necessary paperwork in a timely manner. Therefore, it is essential for your business to invest in a proper storage solution, and you will also need to ensure that everything is properly labeled. Additionally, there are several other components of a busy office that should also be labeled to increase productivity.

Easy Labeling Solutions

If you look around your office, you will see a long list of items that would benefit from being labeled, including files, binders, cables, shelving and supplies. After all, any well-organized office will be designed so that a new person could step in without any training and instantly have at least a basic idea of where everything is located. By labeling everything, you can ensure that your employees will be able to complete their daily tasks more quickly, and you will also be providing a more welcoming environment for the newest members of your staff.

In order to make the labeling process go more smoothly, it is a good idea to purchase at least one label maker. Although some companies choose to print labels from a computer or even fill them out by hand, it is much more efficient to utilize the proper tool. Using Image Supply specials on the web, you can have your own multipurpose label maker on-site, where you can easily produce new labels at any time.

Upgrading a Filing System

Most businesses could greatly benefit from a newly organized filing system, and a label maker will be a vital piece of this project. Placing a fresh label on all of your files will make it easy for everyone to select the right one without spending time digging through paperwork to verify their selection. This will also make it easier to comply whenever your company’s files are audited. After all, if the person who conducts the audit is unable to quickly determine which file they are pulling, they are going to need to spend a lot more time on-site, and they are also likely to be influenced by feelings of frustration. Therefore, by making the files more accessible, you will increase your chances of getting a favorable review.

Labeling the Rest of the Office

Although your filing system is the most obvious place to utilize a label maker, there are actually dozens of practical purposes for the item within your office. As previously mentioned, you use your label maker to organize your supply closet by labeling the shelves and even the individual supplies. This is also a good way to make sure that your employees do not take your company’s supplies home with them. Even though they could remove the label, most people will be much less inclined to take that extra step.

If you are not currently using a label maker in your office, it is a good idea to purchase one today. After all, you can use them as part of an overall office upgrade, and they can also be utilized to provide more cohesiveness in your filing cabinet. As an added bonus, this simple organizational tool can produce each label within a few seconds.

Jonathan Billings is a blogging entrepreneur who has created several businesses from his own home office, and consistently streamlines his systems to make them more manageable. There are Image Supply specials online daily, featuring affordable brand name label makers (both guns and printers) to help you get your office under control.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trec_lit/135640056/

Smart Scheduling: Tips for Keeping Shift Workers Happy

The workday world is a challenge for nearly everyone. Savvy businesses have learned that the key component to a productive and successful workplace is workers that are content. For instance, a high turnover is a sign that some changes need to take place. What makes the situation even more taxing for businesses is how to deal with multiple shifts that workers are often required to accommodate.

Organization

The person responsible for shift coverage should take the time to organize the employee schedule efficiently. This includes being aware of work loads and tweaking them as necessary. An already over-worked employee is less likely to be interested in covering certain shifts than those who are well rested and have adequate support while working.

Research competitive benefits to offer in terms of time off. For example, if the company requires that major holidays are covered, provide ways for the employees who volunteer or agree to work to have that time off on other days. Including an extra day off is another tactic that can increase motivation to work those shifts.

Flexibility

Whenever possible, give workers some flexibility. When employees are offered some choices as to which shifts they will work, they can feel more in control of their lives in general. Have discussions with workers to determine what their preferences are. Doing this creates a sense of mutual respect. Therefore, when it is necessary to ask a worker to stay longer or work a different shift, they will more than likely remember how they were accommodated in the past and be more receptive and cooperative.

Incentives

The best way to get shifts covered in workplaces is to offer incentives. There is a reason that swing shift workers and those working extended hours and on holidays get paid more. Capitalize on this and offer more reasons that may make working these shifts more appealing to workers. For example, in addition to the extra pay, offer the chance to accrue time toward a paid day off. For some workers, the extra pay associated with working undesirable hours is not enough, especially when taxes are factored in. This is where other perks can go a long way for businesses. Below are some other inducements to consider:

a. Ending the workday earlier with full pay
b. Catering lunch, snacks or other meals
c. Special awards for good attitudes
d. Gift cards

Holiday Shifts

Few workers enjoy working over a major holiday. However, for many businesses, those shifts need to be covered in any case. The service industry is one that often needs round the clock shift coverage. Doing something special for those who work on those holidays is easy to do. For instance, drop by the office on that day with a tray full of treats or arrange to take them out to lunch or cater in. This not only gives you a chance to thank workers in person, but it shows that you are thinking about them and want to make it easier for them to get through their work.

Above all, remember that making a connection with workers is what matters most. Companies that take the time to do this find that their workers are far more receptive to change when they know that their hard work and willingness to go the extra mile is being recognized.

Ann Bailey provides these suggestions for any small business shift scheduler. Wheniwork(dot)com is an online vendor of a comprehensive employee schedule program, and brings all of the benefits of a full scheduling department to small businesses with just the click of a mouse.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/huffstutterrobertl/3731977453/

Include Social Media Marketing Strategy to Boost your Business Visibility

Social media is a viable means of promoting business. Having a social media marketing strategy is the need of the hour if one is to successfully promote any business idea or concept. An inexpensive way of promoting ones endeavors, social media marketing strategy can be incorporated through various social media websites as Facebook, Twitter. LinkedIn, You Tube and Google plus.

Below are listed the ways through which one can use these social media websites to promote their product or service.

Promoting social media marketing strategy through Facebook

Facebook has increased in popularity over the past few years. Use the same to your advantage and set up a business page on Facebook. This way you can not only promote your venture but will be able to communicate with increasing number of people.

Alternatively to give your social media marketing strategy a cutting edge treatment, you can post polls in form of questions on Facebook. As a reference, if your website deals with clothes, you can post questions on the color and texture of the cloth that the customers would want to see in beginning of summers or winters. This way you will be able to connect with the customers on a personal level and increase your professional reach. Connecting with customers is a multi layered step and you need to engage the customers too. Ask them to share pictures of your range of clothes on the Facebook page.

Try the above innovations and you will find it an easy task to incorporate your social media marketing strategy on Facebook.

Promoting social media marketing strategy through Twitter

Your social media marketing strategy will receive a boost if you decide to use Twitter for the same. You can use Twitter to tweet interesting facts on your business venture. Do not forget to provide link to the product page on your website.

You can also use Twitter to send some short tips on how to use the service or product. Alternatively, you can tweet some pictures that relate to your business venture to people who follow you on Twitter.

Promoting social media marketing strategy through You Tube

You Tube is a social video site that is immensely popular with users. Incorporate your social media marketing strategy creatively in this medium too. You can start by creating a You Tube video for your business venture and update the same regularly. Share the same with friends and family and increase its reach.

You can launch a video contest on You Tube. Ask customers to post videos on the way they use your service or product range. This way you will be able to increase the reach of your service . Ask your customers to vote on the best video thus generated. Your social media marketing strategy will receive a big boost if you follow the above listed measures while promoting your ideas on You Tube.

Promoting social media marketing strategy through LinkedIn

Social media marketing strategy can be promoted through LinkedIn. You can start by creating a LinkedIn profile and adding links to your website. You will need to update the profile with new links or information that is of use for your customers. Alternatively, you can join LinkedIn groups that are popular with your customers. You can post comments or some contests on this social media platform and derive benefits from the same.

You can ask your customers and other business associates to refer some recommendations in the related sectors that you are dealing in. Some of your customers might be having business links and the same can be explored for commercial purpose too. Incorporating your social media marketing strategy creatively in LinkedIn will have great advantage for your professional prospects. Try the measures listed above and reap the benefits.

Promoting social media marketing strategy through Google plus

Google plus is a new addition in the social media circle and the same can be used Innovatively to promote your business endeavors. For a start you can create circles in your personal Google plus profile. The same may be created for your customers, vendors or people who have interest in any of your business venture.

You will need to post interesting content on the Google plus profile to connect with your customers in an engaging manner. You can include blog posts, articles, product reviews and announcements about any new endeavors. Alternatively, you can start a Hangout to solicit some feedback from your customers. The same can be used to discuss some new launches or products that might be in the offering.

Make use of these social media websites to promote social media marketing strategy and boost your business interests.

About The Author: Alyssa is a writer/blogger. She loves writing travelling and reading books. She contributes to Social Cloud.

Your Business Website: Will Clients Like What They Find?

The purpose of a business website is to promote a company in some fashion. Whether a company is selling products or providing services, the site needs to incorporate all of the technical aspects that make it both web-visitor and search-engine friendly. The ability to do this is no small feat. That’s why serious businesses utilize professional web builder and SEO services to ensure that they can receive the best possible results.

Everyone has heard, time and again, that the customer is always right. The way that this is applied to web design is that when people arrive at the site, they need to feel welcomed. If not, just like in a brick and mortar store, they will leave. Added to the challenge is that web visitors are impatient – they simply are not going to stick around if there is nothing worth looking at on the site. Because there is so little time to engage them, every second counts when visitors arrive at a website.

What are Customers Expecting?

First, what are they not expecting? There is nothing more annoying to a web visitor than a poorly designed website. An ugly or outdated site is not fun and it wastes time. Therefore, your website simply must be designed properly – and that is best done by an expert web builder. Secondly, the site must be user friendly. The layout should be clean and simple, with links that make sense and work properly.

Who’s Looking Anyway?

There are generally three types of people who could arrive at a website for any given reason:

1) Random strangers – People who know nothing about the business have landed on the page due to a related search. Theoretically, they could still be converted to customers or refer the site to others they believe would find it useful. Therefore, the site should contain something of value to the average person, if possible, such as current and relevant articles that solve a problem.

2) Friends of Yours – They like your cause or business. These are people who probably know your URL and may visit on a regular basis. To keep these people engaged, there should always be fresh content to lure them in. One great way to accomplish this is by encouraging people to visit the site through a newsletter or membership.

3) Fans – These are more avid web visitors who regularly come to the site for — you guessed it – the same thing that friends come there for and more. These are often consumers who make regular purchases, so it is very important to ensure that they stay loyal.

Do You Have Fresh Content?

The one thing that all three of these types of web visitors have in common is that they want great, fresh content to be inspired for repeat visits. One added bonus about fresh content is that it also makes the website more search engine friendly. So it’s a win-win for everyone! Customers get something of value, the site stays at the top of the search engines and you have far more potential to:
-Keep customers engaged
-Engage new prospects
-Attract new customers
-Make more sales

Because websites are on the Internet and available for most everyone to see, it is important for serious business owners to ensure that their sites present the most accurate and relevant picture of their offerings possible. When a site is is visually appealing and constructed well by a professional SEO company, such as www.eversparkinteractive.com, it is more likely to attract, and keep, all kinds of visitors.

Since there is only one chance to make a first impression – a site really must make those clicks count! Professional web design is the only way that businesses can ensure that their sites will include both technical and marketing best practice techniques. This is absolutely critical in order to consistently gain and keep a loyal following and attract target markets.

As a writer in the arts and business fields, Ann Bailey sees the beneficial effects of good web design daily. The professional web and SEO builders at www.eversparkinteractive.com put every client’s web design on the cutting edge of internet business presence.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chasingdaisy/5843303770/

5 Reasons Your Small Business Needs A YouTube Channel

YouTube has exploded over the last few years, with its increasing amount of users; it has some amazing opportunities for small businesses. YouTube can help increase conversion rates, increase quality traffic, improve branding, and plenty more.

Reason Number One – Increase Your Quality Traffic

Traffic to your website is one of the most important things to focus on when starting a new business. The more people that ends up on your site will ultimately determine the success of your online sales and successful customer transactions. With YouTube, you can place a video that explains your products and services then attach a link for people to click on. If they click on the link, this is going to be a high quality visit because they are already aware of what you offer and are interested in more information on how to obtain it. This benefit can’t be stressed enough because if you can create high quality videos that will keep people interested, then you have a potential market place with millions of people at your fingertips.

Reason Number Two – Might Go Viral

Other people who then share it with their friends can sometimes pick up creating a high quality video. This can be very beneficial because the people that are watching your video already trust the person who provided it, allowing them to already have a good first impression about your business. This also allows your video to be presented to a large amount of other audiences thus increasing your chance at success.

Reason Number Three – Help Your Branding

The way your business is viewed by the public eye is a very important aspect to always be thinking about. If people don’t know your brand, or respect it, then why would they do business with it? By submitting videos to YouTube, you have a chance to present your business the exact way you want your customers to view you as. Even if you make a video that doesn’t include trying to sell your services, you will still be able to have people want to do business with you based off what your video includes.

Reason Number Four – Non-Stop Marketing

Marketing can be a costly and time consuming part of doing business. With YouTube, all you have to do is create a video people will want to watch, and let the side do the rest of the work. It’s an excellent way to get free, non-stop marketing services that doesn’t require much maintenance. Buy YouTube views to ensure that your channel gets its regular dose of viewers.

Reason Number Five – It’s Global as well as Local

Whether your business can cater to global clients or just local ones, YouTube can target an exact audience. Videos that are submitted can be search engine optimized and marketed as well. So if you want to target a certain area of people, then that won’t be too hard to do. YouTube is one of the most used websites in the world, so you have access to an unlimited amount of potential customers. It’s up to you to take advantage and convert them into sales.

About the Author: Karen T. Kelch works as a freelance blogger. She has a passion for blogging and making friends online.