Business Improvements Start With You

As a successful business owner, you are always looking to take your venture to the next level. While you regularly look for external opportunities, the truth of the matter is that the transformation should start with you. After all, it's your actions that will ultimately direct the company to success or failure. 

Your first challenge, then, is to build a winning strategy that focuses on the aspects of the business that will generate the biggest upgrades. Here's all you need to know.

Team Productivity

A successful team of employees is the most valuable asset you'll ever possess. However, it's your job to unlock their full potential. It's a process that starts with smart recruitment processes.

Productivity also relies heavily on motivation and engagement. You can take proactive steps by completing leadership development programs. A better understanding of how to communicate with different teams on their level will spark an upturn across the business.

On a separate note, you should also introduce the best communication and collaboration systems. When teams can work together, their hopes of achieving optimal output are greatly increased. Perfect.

Marketing

The business has very little chance of succeeding if its branding and marketing aspects aren't under control. You'll probably have a team to do most of the work. But the process still starts with you.

Nobody knows the company better than you do. Moreover, you have the best understanding of its audience and history. This information should be made clear in a brand booklet. This information will go a long way to directing marketing teams (in-house or outsourced) to success.

Most importantly, your active role in overseeing things ensures that consistency is used across all ad campaigns. It also extends to future customer interactions.

Financial Control

Sales revenue is the lifeblood of any business. However, profit is a two-way street that is equally dependent on the company's overhead. Only you can ensure that they will stay under control.

It's true that you may hire an accountant or use accounting software. Nonetheless, it's your role to implement the analytical tools that will identify whether money is being wasted. Only then can your company learn to trim the fat and make its capital work harder on supplies, stock, and order fulfillment.

The employees will look towards your direction for inspiration. So, if you are guilty of wasting money on major investments or in daily activities, now is the time to make a change.

Protection

Building a profitable business in the modern era is hard work. Therefore, any entrepreneur that achieves this goal must go the extra mile to protect it. Only 360° coverage will work.

The need for CCTV cameras and digital protection is well known. But, you should also think about copyright infringement and the use of non-disclosure agreements. Intellectual property is more valuable than a few boxes of stock. For the sake of your reputation and appeal to clients, get this right.

Even with basic ideas like using advanced password protection, it's your job to put staff guidelines in place. If you do not guide people to the right answers, you can't expect them to succeed.

5 Ways Your Business Could Go More Green

If you're trying to restructure your company to become more focused on green practices, then you'll want to spend some time considering your daily habits and regular expenditures. Most likely, there are several ways that you could minimize your waste, becoming a more efficient office space. Therefore, dedicate some time to thinking about the following five areas.

1. Invest in Environmentally Friendly Supplies

When you purchase your stock cleaning items, chances are you are putting a lot out on things that simply get tossed in the end. You may want to switch gears, avoiding consumables and, instead, focusing on reusable products. For instance, don't purchase soap containers each time, have refill stations. In addition, paper towels, while functional, add up over time. While the immediate cost could be small buying recycled cleaning rags may be a better option. They'll often absorb messes better. They can then be washed and used again.

2. Have Your Utility's Assessed

Don't hesitate to audit the overall system. Your local utility company often does this for free, determining where you can cut back on electricity and water. In addition, plumbers and electricians can come in, recommending any changes to lighting or pipes. Sometimes the switch could save you from using excess.

3. Go Paperless

In today's world, there isn't much need to print everything. In fact, the papers are often lost, crumpled, and dismissed. Technology makes it easier to store, organize, and locate what you need. Encourage customers and employees to do whatever they can on the computer. Have receipts emailed out? Send contracts online. It's less hassle and helps the environment.

4. Establish Recycle Programs

Next to each trash receptacle place a recycling bin. Clearly label what can be put inside. In some states, places can't reuse anything that is contaminated with food or liquid. In fact, you may need to have separate ones for paper versus plastic. When it's easy to deposit in the appropriate spot, habits can form faster. 

5. Assess Your Packaging Materials

What are you using to mail out or wrap up your stock? Investigate alternatives. For example, can you switch to something that is reusable? Perhaps you could biodegradable filler? Styrofoam peanuts were previously dismissed because they take so long to break down. Newer versions, however, are crafted with corn, helping them turn into compost sooner.

Think about the Earth and your establishment. Select one or two methods that may help you and your staff make the planet a bit cleaner.

3 Ways to Improve Your Administrative Skills

As a business owner, you spend lots of time working out your company’s long-term plans and leading your employees to be successful. While it’s important to focus on your business and the people you work with, you also need to focus on yourself. Follow these tips to improve your leadership skills so that you can better expand your business.

Continue Your Education

Some people claim that you do not need an education beyond high school to run a business. While this might be true, a bachelor’s degree in business does not hurt. If you have already completed a four-year degree, consider getting a master’s degree in business administration, information sciences, or another relevant field. Your studies will help you to learn more about your industry and how you can best address issues. Additionally, getting a new degree or certificate is an excellent way to improve your resume in case you eventually want to switch career paths.

Listen to Your Employees

You have important knowledge about your vision and the big-picture aspects of your company. However, your employees are more knowledgeable about the day-to-day operations of the business. They interact with customers frequently and implement and experience your ideas in action.

To hear their perspective, host town hall meetings where your employees give you feedback and explain their ideas for improvements. Send out anonymous surveys asking for their opinions on your plans. Not only will their perspective help you to better understand your company, but it will also help you to understand your managerial style. Listening to your employees also helps build trust and loyalty.

Investigate New Technology

New technology that streamlines businesses’ functions is constantly being produced. Some people are paranoid about these developments, worrying that robots will take over humans’ jobs. In reality, most of these inventions simply make you and your employees’ jobs easier.

Attend business technology conventions to learn about new methods for clocking in and out, tracking productivity, and increasing efficiency. Volunteer to test new apps or machines for developers as most new technology offers beta testing. Usually, if you participate in such studies, you receive a discount or another form of compensation. Not every invention is beneficial, but you should keep an open mind and regularly try new technological solutions. In fact, at FemFounder.co, we test out every piece of technology and tool before we make a purchase to ensure it will serve our business well.

Take Breaks

Most entrepreneurs struggle to separate themselves from their work. This makes sense; you created your company, and you want to ensure that it flourishes. However, one of the best things that you can do for yourself, your employees, and your business is to take regular breaks.

Allow yourself as many vacation days as you give your employees and use them all. When you go on vacations or take days off, do not answer work emails or calls. Let your employees know that you will be unavailable and set an automatic reply on your email account that states when you will return and who people can contact if they need help immediately. After stepping away from your company for a few days, you can better analyze and respond to its needs.

Don’t be afraid to try new things years into your career as an entrepreneur. By continually educating yourself, trying new technology, and giving yourself breaks, you can increase your leadership skills and make your company even better.