Small Business Tips and Ideas - BizSieve.com

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/

What A Difference A Corporate Coach Can Make

In fields where an extremely high level of performance is expected, it is totally normal and accepted for individuals to have coaches. Perhaps the most obvious example is in the arena of sport. Even the most talented men and women in sport trust a coach to guide their progress in the unforgiving international arena. The best opera stars in the world, who perform night after night for critics and audiences, spend on average of fifteen years developing their art and skill with a vocal teacher and coach.

The truth is that in the sporting and music arena, coaches are not just there to teach and develop the skills needed to play tennis or sing Mozart; they actively help the individual to grow and learn how to set achievable short- and long-term goals, as well as how to deal with the disappointment when they fail.

So, why a corporate coach?

Perhaps you think that only an Olympic athlete really needs a coach, but have you thought of the potential that could be unlocked in the individuals who work in your business or team if they approached their jobs and the development of the company as a high-performance exercise? It is important to note that coaches do not fulfil the same role as a mentor, as they do not advise on the specifics of the job.

It is thought that it takes longer for powerful people in the business world (which is still male dominated) to admit they needed help. In the past it was seen as a sign of weakness, but perhaps the growing public awareness of personal growth and maybe even the presence of more women in the workplace have made it more acceptable. In any case, receiving coaching should not be seen as a remedy, but a way to make a good thing even better.

It is a way for your business to grow optimally rather than simply well or acceptably. Coaching is not just a fad that will blow over. Crawford Associates (seminar organisers) in the UK conducted a survey in which it was found that 75% of the largest companies use coaching as a way to train staff in some shape or form.

So what is it exactly that a corporate coach does?

Corporate coaches are highly intuitive and adaptable people who aim to help you unlock your creative and intellectual potential in the workplace. They build a trusting relationship with an individual and use a non-directive approach in their relationship with clients. They are trained to use techniques like skilful questioning to help the individual come up with their own solutions. Some companies make use of internal staff as coaches, but most companies prefer external coaches as it is easier to build up trust with someone who is not directly or indirectly involved in determining your salary, or possible promotion outcome.

Corporate coaching has developed mostly as a one-on-one relationship, but more and more companies are starting to use it in group and team context, which shifts the focus from personal development to team performance.

It is important to make sure that whoever you employ as a corporate coach is well suited to do so, because, as with any other industry, there are a lot of scammers out there. Always look for a company or individual with a proven track record and good references.

About the Author: Louisa Theart writes for a South African-based company that offers corporate, executive, and business coaching services.

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/

The Top 4 Most Effective Ways To Improve Your Facebook Advertising Results

Looking to improve your Facebook page and become more popular? If you are, this article will get you going. Read on!

There’s one simple reason why Facebook is one of the best online mediums for advertising: its wide spectrum of active users (just over 960 million as of March 2013). From all corners of the earth, people long on to Facebook daily to socialize and for various other reasons, and more and more marketers realize how powerful the world’s largest social network can become when used to its fullest.

If you want to take your Facebook presence to the next level, here are 4 tips you can use to improve your advertising results:
• Improve your SEO. Facebook is very SEO-friendly, giving you all the features needed to turn your page into a traffic driving machine and reap the benefits directly. Use these 3 SEO ‘secrets’ for Facebook to beef up your efforts:
1. Choose the best name for your Facebook Page and stick with it. Changing the name will cost you SEO points, especially if you give in to the temptation to stuff the title with keywords. Avoid doing this!
2. Choose the best URL. Facebook offers the ability to select a custom URL for your page, which is an important SEO opportunity for Facebook you can explore. Make the URL simple and relevant to your business.
3. Place your keywords in the “About” text-box. It’s always a good idea SEO-wise to place keyword-dense content as close to the top as possible, and Facebook allows you to do this in the “About” section.

• Get professional designed graphics. This is optional, but remember: Facebook is a place where potential clients come to interact with your business — just like every other place on the Internet where your brand is attached. If you want your Facebook page to look professional, have it designed by a professional.

• Create interaction. Facebook users seldom find a page with no activity to report on. Facebook also uses an algorithm to determine what’s newsworthy based on interaction (i.e. the number of likes an updates that a page receives). Be likable, ask questions to start up conversations and you will be more and more visible each day.

• Buy Facebook likes. Here’s why buying Facebook likes is important: it makes the hard job of getting likes easy. Have you ever wondered why many Facebook marketers give up? In most cases, it’s because growing a Facebook page naturally is time consuming and hard work. Do it right and there’s no downside to buying traffic. If you’re not sure how to buy Facebook fans, there’s no absolute guide to follow, but it’s important to buy them from a company that gives you real users.

So, to recap, what you need to do to improve your Facebook advertising results is: (1) work on your SEO, (2) look professional (use a high quality design), (3) create interaction and engagement on your page, and (4) scale up your business with quality traffic. Add these tips to your arsenal if you don’t want to miss out. If done right, your advertising efforts will help you tap into a powerful source of traffic and an opportunity with serious potential for business.

About the Author: Roman Sahakov is the co-founder of Followershop, a company which provides Twitter followers and other social media metrics to musicians, entrepreneurs, businessmen and others for the growth of their campaign. Followershop agency is notorious for its duly delivery and professionalism in fulfilling the orders. The company also provides the opportunity to buy twitter followers.

Guidelines For Choosing A Payroll Service

The function of payroll for any business goes much further than keeping the books. Every year the IRS penalizes numerous businesses for errors and non-compliance with the set regulations. The best way to save yourself the headache, avoid any penalties and save time and money therefore is by getting a professional service to handle your payroll. You can concentrate on making money whilst leaving the payroll function to an external service provider. Additionally, the cost of hiring this service is much lower than the cost of trying to do the job internally. Below are several tips that will help you to choose the best service provider for your business:

1. Online research

An online search will help you to get information on different payroll service providers in the market. There are many options to choose from but you need to carry out research so that you can get the company best suited to your specific business needs. Be sure to read reviews and get recommendations from people you can trust if you have any business connections for example have used a similar service themselves.

2. Expert advice

Talk to an accountant, attorney or someone who has experience in the industry so that you can get the information you need to enquire about how to get the best service provider. Getting references from similar businesses in your industry can also help you to make an informed decision. You can find out the various packages available from the different service providers and compare quotes too.

3. Determine your needs

Before you talk to any service provider, you need to determine exactly what you need. If you are unsure about your needs, you might end up with a costly package that has additional services that do not benefit you. Establish your requirements for the year and be wary of a provider who tries to talk you into paying for services above what is necessary and adequate. Make sure that you consider any growth projections or new employees that you plan to hire within the year into your specification too.

4. Your budget

You need to know how much you can afford to pay for the service so that you can get a firm that will offer a package that is within this. Most companies have packages that are tailor made for different clients and you can get something that is affordable. The cost will often be determined by the package you choose and the number of employees you have.

5. The features

Establish the features that you need. Some packages come with extra services such as human resources services so determine how often you want to pay your employees or issue paychecks. You need to ensure that you get a provider who can handle your particular industry and the kinds of employees in your business. This is especially important if you have unique business requirements like union rules or you are in the hospitality industry where tips and other bonuses are included – a service that is familiar with your line of work will offer all the features that you need.

To conclude, before you hire a service, carry out research to ensure that there are no complaints filed against the company. Contact the Better Business Bureau and other bodies to get all the information that you need then give yourself a few options before making a final decision.

About the Author: Lucy is working with a number of expanding businesses that have benefitted from outsourcing their payroll. She suggests going to Ceridian for a quality service.