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Business – Page 164 – Reginald Chan

Category: Business

  • 7 Ways You Can Keep Track of Your Remote Workforce

    7 Ways You Can Keep Track of Your Remote Workforce

    The best way to work with your team is to ensure there is a culture of trust, transparency, and communication. As with all teams, you want to be able to monitor workload, quality, and productivity. Now that many of our work lives have changed dramatically in the last year, we are facing new challenges and experiences. One of those is learning how to track your remote workforce. It can be difficult to do this in a way that promotes positivity and trust among your team. Here are 7 ways you can keep track of your remote workforce.

    Deadlines

    When setting your team tasks, set them with a deadline. This gives them the motivation to complete the task on time and can deal with any moments of procrastination they might be feeling coming on. Setting a task without a deadline can give them the room to take their time even if they can get the task done fairly quickly. By setting an expectation from the start, they are more likely to complete the task within the set time frame.

    Set Rules And Precedents

    Putting together a set of rules and working with your team to do this, can be helpful. Coming up with ways for them to organize their time and increase productivity can help you ensure they are meeting deadlines and have the right mindset and space to work properly.

    One strategy to employ is to ensure that everyone is online at the same time during a certain period of work. This could be to attend meetings, check-ins, or to collaborate effectively with their team. If your team’s productivity begins to decline, you can then think about bringing in stricter measures. If their productivity is not affected or is even increasing, it’s probably a sign that having their own autonomy is helpful for them.

    Time Tracking

    One way to ensure tasks, projects, and workload is completed on time is to use a time tracker. You don’t necessarily need to monitor every aspect of their working day. Monitoring your workforce productivity using a time tracker to track their progress on a project or their working hours can help you get a clearer sense of how well they are working. If they appear to need further support or help, you can offer this before it gets too late.

    Honesty

    Everyone has a different home life, in comparison to the office, some might have children, live with extended family members, or have duties they need to attend to. By encouraging them to be open and honest about their situation, you can come up with working procedures and schedules that work for both of you. A collaborative effort is beneficial for both you and your team.

    Daily Report

    At the end of each working day, you can have your team offer a summary of their day. They can highlight their wins, losses, and progress. This is an easy way for you to track their work and gives them an opportunity to reflect and see how they can do better.

    Accountability

    Set clear expectations with your employees. They will be more likely to deliver high-quality work on time if they know what is expected of them. If you have been clear with them and they continually fail to meet the set expectations, you can hold them accountable. Holding them accountable will mean different things for each workplace, but it is important in order for your employees to stay on track.

    Transparency

    When your workforce is remote it can be hard to figure out the line between what is considered intrusive and what is simply management. A workforce that feels heard, understood, and appreciated is more likely to produce great work compared to a workforce that feels they are being spied on. That’s why fostering a culture of transparency is key.

    Ensure your team is involved in and well aware of any changes. They can be involved in planning, awareness, and even coming up with new ways to keep themselves accountable. It should be clear to your workforce that your aim is to ensure that all the work gets done on time, and to a high standard. The more involved and the more transparent they are, the more motivated they will be.

    Use these 7 ways of tracking your remote workforce to cultivate a culture of honesty and transparency. A workforce that collaborates and understands the expectations laid out for them, is a much more productive workforce. Encouraging individuality within the context of a team and achieving common and individual goals will ensure a workforce that’s productive and healthy. 

  • Five Things to Know Before You Start Hiring Employees

    Five Things to Know Before You Start Hiring Employees

    Is your business now at the stage where you need to start hiring employees? If so, here are five crucial things you need to know.

    1. You Need an EIN

    First off, if you are hiring employees for the very first time, you need to obtain an Employer Identification Number. The nine-digit number is unique to your business. You can obtain it from the IRS. Basically, your EIN is used for reporting information about your employees to state agencies and reporting taxes to the IRS.

    2. Providing Your Employees with Their W-2 Forms

    The W2 Form is used to report wages, compensation, and taxes annually for each of your employees to the federal government. Copy A of the form needs to be sent to the Social Security Administration. And employers must send employees their W2 forms before January 31, for wages and taxes paid the previous year. The W2 Form is pretty simple to complete and there is HR software that can help you with the process. You will enter information that is already available in your payroll records and need some additional information like your State ID Number and EIN. Check out this insightful guide on how to complete a W2 to make sure you get it right. You will also need to complete Form W4, which is used for federal income tax withholding.

    3. How Much to Pay?

    Before you start hiring employees, you need to know how much you can afford to pay them. If you are working in an industry with clearly defined pay scales, then you should stick to those rates. Otherwise, the amount you pay needs to be calculated in relation to your other business finances. You also need to decide what benefits and insurance packages you want to provide. Hiring employees can be a lot more costly than you think, so make sure you work out the costs and create a budget before you start advertising for roles.

    4. Defining the Position and Writing a Job Description

    Once all of the background nuts and bolts of hiring someone are out of the way, you can focus on finding the right employees. Quite simply, to find the right workers, you need to clearly define what you are looking for.

    Begin by clearly defining the available position and break it down into the tasks and duties the role involves. Next, make a list of the skills the ideal employee should have for your available position, and consider whether the applicant should have experience and/or qualifications. You also need to consider other attributes. For instance, if the role involves customer service, you will need to ensure the candidate is friendly, outgoing, and can handle angry customers in a calm manner. When you know precisely what you want out of your employee, you will be much better placed to find the right person. You will also better know what questions to focus on during the interview process. But before you get to that, you need to write a job description. Use all of the above information about the role to create a job description and do not forget to include a little about your company so you can ensure the right candidates apply.

    5. Background Checks Are Crucial

    You could find an applicant who seems to be the ideal person for your role after reviewing his or her resume and meeting the candidate in person at the interview. But unless you perform a background check, you cannot be sure that the person is right for the job. An effective background check is one of the most important steps when considering who to hire. You should check work references, educational credentials, and criminal history (learn more here). If you do not, you could regret it.

  • Local Search Engine Optimization Benefits for Small Business Owners

    Local Search Engine Optimization Benefits for Small Business Owners

    Customers nowadays heavily rely on the internet to find specific products or services near them. More than half of Americans search for a local business every day. Hence, it is a great time to invest in your website and enhance its visibility through local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) practices.

    Local SEO helps in making your business visible to customers located geographically near you. If you are a small business owner, consider the third-party SEO consulting services and improve your visibility. You can gain the following benefits with local SEO services:

    Cost-Effective Alternative

    The traditional form of marketing like television ads, radio ads and newspaper ads can cause a big hole in your pocket. While it does land you with a better reach and audience, it is not for small businesses. Through local SEO, you will easily reach an audience that resides near your business.

    When locals search for your kind of business, local SEO will help them find you. Customers will learn more about the products and services you offer. Hence, you will be putting yourself out for customers in need of your services.

    Increases Visibility

    Local SEO helps in increasing your visibility among potential customers. It helps to convey information about your business to prospects. For instance, if a customer searches for an ‘Italian Cafe near me,’ local SEO displays your cafe on top. They might not choose to eat at your eatery at that point. But they might visit it on some other day.

    Go Beyond Google

    Local SEO is not just limited to Google. If a competitor is ranking on top of you, then you can choose other websites. Websites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, Apple Maps, Yellow pages and Waze are great alternatives for local business listings. After creating a listing, customers can easily message, book an appointment or check your menu.

    Voice Search

    As a small business, you need to keep pace with the changing times. You do not have to depend on word of mouth for your sales entirely. Use Yelp or Waze to make it easier for customers around you to contact or know your business.

    Many small businesses are also not aware of the increase in voice searches. People use Alexa, Google Home or voice search on their phone to search the nearest local dentist, restaurant or pharmacy.

    Adopt voice searches and gain the upper hand over your competitors. You can take the help of an agency offering specialized SEO consulting services to help you perform better than others.

    Build Trust with Your Audience 

    Local SEO helps in creating a niche audience. The search engine will be aware of your geographical focus. Hence, when people around your area search for your type of business, they will come across you. It helps in gathering more information about your business.

    Soon, it would result in establishing trust and security. A significant number of good reviews also help customers in making a favorable decision towards your business. If customers have a positive experience with you, there is a higher chance of retaining them as regular customers.  

    Many small businesses may soon remain behind because they fail to grab opportunities. Local SEO is the right opportunity that will put you on top and the rest far away. Get in touch with SEO consulting services to create the best SEO practices for your website and be more accessible to local customers.

  • The Reasons Why The Security Industry Is Growing Rapidly

    The Reasons Why The Security Industry Is Growing Rapidly

    In this modern and growing world where everything is unpredictable, security is more important than ever. That is why the security industry is growing so quickly in recent years. More importantly, the term ‘hire a bodyguard‘ had been trending on Google for several months now.

    Sense of security and protection is a great blessing whether it is for an individual, family, property, business, or workplace. In our society where the crime rate is increasing at a very fast rate, the security system is in high demand. Furthermore, this industry provides a lot of job opportunities as well. 

    The whole industry has not developed to this point at once. It has grown and expanded with time. Given below is a summary of how the security industry has developed all its way till present:

    The Evolution Of Private Security

    Since the development of civilization, the risk to people’s life, property, and belongings started. Those security risks continue to increase and result in the formation of the private security system. Some major issues that support the evolution of the security system in society are as follows:

    • World wars

    World wars used the majority of soldiers, weapons, and guards for defense against the opposition. Then came the trend of many forms of security system like property guards, personal guards, and private investigators, etc. Nowadays, the security industry has grown so much that we have a proper network of investigation firms and security guards.

    • The Formation of governments

    With the formation and development of the government, the security sector and departments were established properly. With further modification in the official matters of government, distinct security departments are formed.

    The police force, intelligence department, and FBI started working under the government. With the further rejuvenation of the system, it became difficult for the government to manage alone on its own. There started the private security system that further resulted in the growth of the security industry.

    • Modernization

    With the advancement in time and technology, the security industry is also upgraded. As the digital world is growing, many new forms of crime have started prevailing. These include cybercrime, hacking, crime communication, and pedophilia, etc. 

    In this way, private security is further grown to different forms. Now there are many branches of security systems like cybersecurity, investigation firms, intelligence agencies, and many more.

    The Reason Behind The Growth Of the Security Industry

    There are multiple reasons behind the growth and success of the security industry. Its success is beneficial not only at the individual level as job opportunities are increased in this way. But also for the safety and protection of mankind. Given below are some of the major reasons behind this development:

    High Employment Rate

    There are numerous jobs for security guards and private investigators every year. This can reduce the rising rate of unemployment in our society. Job opportunities are open as security guards and personal bodyguards at different buildings, business firms, schools, colleges, and hospitals. 

    Good Option As A Part-time Job

    If you are a single earning person in your family and have to support a big family, you can work as a security officer as a part-time job. This flexibility of the job timing makes you able to provide your security services at any time when you are available. 

    You can work as a caretaker of a building at night time while giving time to your job and family in day time hours. Or you can sell your services at a school building in just school hours. Thus security-related jobs are a good option as a way of part-time earning.

    Offers Variety Of Jobs

    As a security officer, you have various job options. This is because every company has a working environment that is distinct from others. Some offer a stationary post as a guard while others need a patrol service. Also, you can choose whether you want a day duty or peaceful night hours to serve.

    Maintenance Of Safety

    The safety of human lives is above all other matters. Being a part of the security industry, you get a chance to []. You can protect their lives, property, and other belongings by all your means. 

    Crisis Management 

    A security professional can help to save from crises like fire, flood, and other emergencies. He is the one who is well equipped with weapons and possesses special skills to cope with every kind of emergency efficiently. For this, he should be watchful and vigilant enough to detect any danger quickly to protect the folks from the risk of damage.

    Prevention Of Crimes

    Another most important and major reason behind the growth of the security industry is its role in preventing crimes. For example, Armorous Security and Protection provide the best possible security services at different levels. Their highly trained security guards and investigators save people from loss of lives and damages to their property due to shitty acts of criminals.

    Satisfaction & Sense Of Purpose

    There are many people in our society that are not satisfied with the job they have. At the end of the day, they don’t feel content with what they are doing. They only work for the salary they get in reward.

    If you choose the security industry to sell your services, you have to protect humanity and their belongings by your best means. This gives you a sense of purpose to serve and you end up being satisfied with your duty.

    Improve Customer Service

    Being a security guard, you have to save people as they are your customer and you are here to serve them by your servings. Customer service and security go hand in hand. You work your very best to save your customer as part of your business. In this way, your abilities as a customer service provider improve and help you if you apply for other jobs in the future.

    The first and foremost thing is security whether it’s of person, family, or businesses. That is one of the prime reasons for the growth of the security industry. It is evolving with time and expected to develop further in the future. This growth of the security system has not only reduced the crime rate but also increased employment opportunities in society.

  • How To Deal With Your Tenants And Manage Your Rental Properties?

    How To Deal With Your Tenants And Manage Your Rental Properties?

    Renting out your property is a great way of generating some extra income without the need of investing too much time or effort. However, it does come with its own set of hassles. When you rent out your properties, you need to manage your properties properly and also deal with your tenants. While renting out to some tenants can be an absolute pleasure and you can often end up making some great friends, the same does not apply to all the tenants you would come across. Some tenants can be very difficult to deal with and you might even have to get after some to get your rent in time. 

    Managing your rental properties and dealing with your tenants can often become more complicated than it’s worth. However, if you take the right approach, the process can become quite straightforward. Read on to find out how you should deal with your tenants and manage your rental properties.

    Choose The Right Real Estate Agent

    Whether you are entering the real estate market to rent out properties as a full-time business or simply looking at developing a passive source of income, the first thing you need to do is invest in the right properties. This point obviously becomes redundant for those who are looking at simply renting out an existing property, but for those who are looking at investing in property with the intention of renting it out, consulting an experienced local realtor would be a good idea. This becomes even more important if you aim at benefiting from the rental business that focuses on tourists and vacationers. Local realtors can provide a lot of insight into what kind of properties vacationers seem to prefer and can provide a lot of information regarding the industry. Their assistance can prove to be very beneficial during the initial stages of setting up your business.

    Fix An Annual Budget For Reinvestment

    If you wish to repeatedly rent out your property for short-term periods or even for the long term, it is safe to assume that it would require frequent maintenance and remodeling. This would be required not just to keep your existing tenant happy and satisfied, but to also make the property enticing to a prospective tenant. A good approach is to set aside a percentage of your rental income specifically for this purpose. This allows you to reinvest in your property without losing track or control of your finances.

    Don’t Settle For the First Tenant

    It is important for you to properly screen your tenants. Establishing their financial ability to meet the monthly rent on time when signing the contract itself can save you a lot of trouble in the future. When signing an agreement with your tenant, you should discuss your policy on pets. It is common for a lot of buildings to ban pets, although there are always some exceptions,  and if that is also the case with your apartment building, it is something that must be clearly mentioned to your tenant. On the other hand, if your apartment complex does allow pets, being open to tenants with pets can offer you quite an advantage. If the pet is well behaved and friendly, there isn’t much cause to worry. Renters with pets often find it quite difficult to find suitable apartments and are often willing to pay extra.

    Consider Taking Professional Assistance

    Hiring a professional property manager can significantly reduce the amount of effort you need to put into managing your rentals. In fact, it can even make the entire process autonomous, with little or no interference required from your end. The experienced rental managers at Faranesh point out that rental and property management companies can not only help ensure timely payment of rent but also ensure that your property does not sit vacant for too long. They also help prevent any damage from being inflicted on your property by the tenants and make sure that you receive the correct rent for your apartment. While the service does come at a cost, it pays for itself in the long run.

    Enforce Timely Payments

    Collection rent is probably your most important responsibility as a landlord, it is after all the very reason you are renting out your property. While there is no harm in providing your tenants some leeway in terms of the deadline to pay the rent, repeated defaulters must be discouraged. While there are various steps you can take to ensure this, the most straightforward way of doing this is to establish a penalty for repeated defaulters while providing the contract. This helps ensure that they are well aware of the penalty and agree to respect it. There are different ways to collect rent. You could collect your rent electronically or by cheque, however, collecting rent in the form of cash should be avoided.

    Maintaining Accounts

    Any revenue that you generate from renting out your properties is a form of income and as with any other source of income, tax has to be paid. Calculating your taxes, however, can become increasingly complicated. This is because there are various tax deductions that you need to take into consideration. To make sure that you save as much as is legally possible, it is important to keep a record of all your business expenses. These include maintenance, realtor cost, and even the amount paid to your property management company. While all this may seem alien and complicated to you, it would be something any accountant would be familiar with. That said, hiring an accountant to maintain your finances, especially taxes, would be a good idea. This is something even your property management company can help out with.

    Properly managing your properties can help boost your profit. However, the process can become quite complicated, especially as the number of properties to manage and the number of tenants to deal with increases. Hiring a property management company can rid you of all your responsibilities and can make managing your property a walk in the park. However, even if you decide to go about it by yourself, take a few deep breaths and don’t get overwhelmed with the number of aspects to consider. With a little experience and by keeping these tips in mind you should be able to comfortably manage your rental properties and deal with your clients.

  • Microlearning: How To Use It To Skyrocket Employee Performance

    Microlearning: How To Use It To Skyrocket Employee Performance

    Businesses spent a huge amount on designing employee L&D programs that enhance employee skillsets without making employees compromise on their work. This means structuring training content in an easily digestible way that can be consumed in less time. This is where microlearning emerges as the top solution.

    The concept of microlearning entails the breakdown of complex information into small bite-sized chunks that are easy to absorb. These short bits are targeted for quick learning which has transformed the L&D training initiatives. The best part is, the microlearning approach is responsible for improving employee performance and productivity.

    This is why it is touted as the future of employee training. Here’s how you can use microlearning to skyrocket employee performance:

    Address areas of improvement:

    For any business to be successful, a skilled workforce is a must. But not every employee comes in with the perfect set of skills. Some may lack certain skills that are crucial for them to be able to perform their duties well. Such skill gaps can be addressed easily with micro modules. 

    With short modules focused on only one topic at a time, employee learning needs can be easily taken care of. You can provide custom learning solutions with micro modules targeted to help employees work on their areas of improvement. This will help in reducing mistakes and improving their performance.

    Make training content more engaging:

    Learning becomes effortless when employees enjoy learning and have fun engaging with the content. This allows them to make the most of their learnings and produce better results. With training content built using the microlearning concept, the training content becomes engaging and easy to understand.

    Engagement is crucial to help employees retain information and apply it in their everyday work. It is also important that the content be engaging so employees actually go through the entire course without feeling bored. Boredom can prevent them from learning, which means the entire investment to create a training program goes to waste.

    Reduce time spent on learning:

    If employees spend long hours learning, it reduces their mental capacity to work. After all, our brain can only deal with so much in a day. This makes it essential to have training content that is designed to deliver more in less time. This is possible with microlearning.

    When L&D pros use microlearning, they ensure complex topics are broken to be explained in the simplest possible way. This helps employees learn new skills faster and reduces time spent on learning. It also makes learning more flexible since it is easy to log in to a course and learn a topic quickly.  

    Improves employee morale:

    Employees feel valued when an organization invests in providing them L&D opportunities. They feel more committed to the organization since such opportunities contribute to their growth. Microlearning makes learning new skills a cakewalk and encourages employees to make the most of their learning.

    When employees enjoy learning and it translates into their work, they are able to perform better. With knowledge of new skills and better performance, they feel more confident about themselves. This increases employee morale and motivates them to keep delivering greater results. Eventually, this increases employee satisfaction and reduces employee turnover. 

    Conclusion:

    Training employees is now easier than ever with powerful training tools like Bridge LMS. But the training becomes effective only when the training content is well-structured. Microlearning helps in presenting information in a way that encourages employees to learn. Moreover, it is mobile-friendly so employees can learn from anywhere at any time. Because of its multitude of benefits, microlearning helps enhance employee performance.