Small/Home Business
- Nanny Cams for Businesses
- Get Answers to Business Concerns
- Tips for Energy Conservation
- Stocking Up on Office Supplies
- Find the Right Business Location
- Firing a Bad Employee
- Are Your Employees Well Trained?
- Keep Track of Supply Expenses
- Uses For Old Business Cards
- Organize Your Home Office Space
Posted by
Katelyn Thomas
Katelyn Thomas
Sometimes, a nanny cam is the only option for catching staff in the act.
I hate reality shows, but I watch Flipping Out. I don't know why. Those people put the D in dysfunctional. However, during all of the drama, Jeff Lewis did do one smart thing - he installed a nanny cam when he was uneasy about what an employee was doing when he was in the home unsupervised.
As a small business owner, you probably have mixed feelings about spying on employees. When a business isn't very big, owners often become attached to employees and treat them more like family members than staff. Spying with a nanny cam seems almost dishonest and sneaky. You may see a staff member adjusting clothing or scratching an itch when he or she thought there was privacy. You will most likely see some minor work related issues. After all, noone is perfect. Should you do something this drastic?
If you are having theft problems or work isn't getting done while you are gone, a nanny cam can show you which employees are abusing your trust. It is up to you how you handle all the things you see. If you notice minor infractions, you may just want to ignore them and be thankful your suspicions about bigger problems are wrong. If you see serious problems, you may opt to try to rehabilitate your employee or you may decide to fire him or her.
Nanny cams - they may smack of "Big Brother" but they can protect your business.
As a small business owner, you probably have mixed feelings about spying on employees. When a business isn't very big, owners often become attached to employees and treat them more like family members than staff. Spying with a nanny cam seems almost dishonest and sneaky. You may see a staff member adjusting clothing or scratching an itch when he or she thought there was privacy. You will most likely see some minor work related issues. After all, noone is perfect. Should you do something this drastic?
If you are having theft problems or work isn't getting done while you are gone, a nanny cam can show you which employees are abusing your trust. It is up to you how you handle all the things you see. If you notice minor infractions, you may just want to ignore them and be thankful your suspicions about bigger problems are wrong. If you see serious problems, you may opt to try to rehabilitate your employee or you may decide to fire him or her.
Nanny cams - they may smack of "Big Brother" but they can protect your business.
Get Answers to Business Concerns
Posted by
Katelyn Thomas
Katelyn Thomas
Find the home business information you need.
Sometimes, it can be hard for a small business owner to find the information he or she needs. Limited time to do research and make calls can make it really tough to get help. If you have a small business or home business related question, from how to deal with an employee issue to how to start a specific business, ask me. I'll do my best to find you an answer.
If you're a died in the wool DIYer and want to look for answers yourself, check out your local SBA office or your local library. Both of these organizations love helping people find answers.
If you're a died in the wool DIYer and want to look for answers yourself, check out your local SBA office or your local library. Both of these organizations love helping people find answers.
Posted by
Katelyn Thomas
Katelyn Thomas
Energy costs can eat up a small business budget during the hot summer months. Keep costs down with these tips.
Your energy bill is shooting up along with the hot summer temperatures and you need to try some energy saving tips. However, you don't want to make your employees cranky from working in a warm office. How can you save energy without leaving your staff to sweat out the summer?
Turning the thermostat up just a few degrees can save money and help reduce environmental pollution. Most electric companies and government agencies recommend setting the thermostat at seventy eight degrees.
Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs in all light fixtures. These bulbs don't generate a lot of excess heat, which helps keep the temperatures in the building down. As a bonus, you're saving a lot on energy costs - as much as thirty dollars per bulb per year.
Allow employees to bring in a fan to keep at desks or work stations. Fans circulate the air and make temperatures seem lower. Even though they do use some energy, several fans will still use less than a central air unit that is set several degrees lower than the optimal seventy eight degrees.
Consider letting employees dress down. It is amazing how cool people feel in short sleeves and collarless shirts. Allowing tasteful shorts similar to those that UPS employees wear will also boost morale and help the staff feel cooler.
Turning the thermostat up just a few degrees can save money and help reduce environmental pollution. Most electric companies and government agencies recommend setting the thermostat at seventy eight degrees.
Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs in all light fixtures. These bulbs don't generate a lot of excess heat, which helps keep the temperatures in the building down. As a bonus, you're saving a lot on energy costs - as much as thirty dollars per bulb per year.
Allow employees to bring in a fan to keep at desks or work stations. Fans circulate the air and make temperatures seem lower. Even though they do use some energy, several fans will still use less than a central air unit that is set several degrees lower than the optimal seventy eight degrees.
Consider letting employees dress down. It is amazing how cool people feel in short sleeves and collarless shirts. Allowing tasteful shorts similar to those that UPS employees wear will also boost morale and help the staff feel cooler.
Stocking Up on Office Supplies
Posted by
Katelyn Thomas
Katelyn Thomas
When kids head back to school, many basic office supplies go on sale.
As we move into mid-July, keep a close eye on office supply and big box store sales flyers. Traditionally, these stores have some great deals on paper, presentation folders, glue and other school supplies that are commonly used in the office.
So far, I've seen paper for four dollars, glue for eighteen cents and Purell for five cents. Stocking up now on supplies like these means you can save big later in the year, when they will cost much more.
By the way, if you have a family friendly business, don't overlook other cheap school supplies, like crayons and pencils. They serve two purposes - you can set up a kid's area so they can color and draw while their parents shop and you can put together inexpensive back to school goodie bags (with your company information on them, of course) to donate to local schools that have students from low income families.
So far, I've seen paper for four dollars, glue for eighteen cents and Purell for five cents. Stocking up now on supplies like these means you can save big later in the year, when they will cost much more.
By the way, if you have a family friendly business, don't overlook other cheap school supplies, like crayons and pencils. They serve two purposes - you can set up a kid's area so they can color and draw while their parents shop and you can put together inexpensive back to school goodie bags (with your company information on them, of course) to donate to local schools that have students from low income families.
Find the Right Business Location
Posted by
Katelyn Thomas
Katelyn Thomas
As gas prices rise, consumers are hesitant to drive long distances.
You have the chance to move your business to an awesome new space. You'll save on rent and be able to expand. It is outside of town, but that shouldn't be a problem, right? Actually, with the rising cost of fuel and the struggling economy, that move may kill your business.
Choosing the right location for a small business has never been so important. People are not willing to drive as far as they used to drive and they try to combine several errands into one trip. Unless your area has a very efficient and consumer friendly mass transit system available, you should look for a space that is very centrally located.
Choosing the right location for a small business has never been so important. People are not willing to drive as far as they used to drive and they try to combine several errands into one trip. Unless your area has a very efficient and consumer friendly mass transit system available, you should look for a space that is very centrally located.
Posted by
Katelyn Thomas
Katelyn Thomas
It can really be hard to deal with a problem employee. Sometimes, the only solution is to fire him or her.
This week I talked about dealing with problem employees. However, sometimes you simply can't get an employee to change. Perhaps he or she has addiction problems or perhaps you have employed someone who is determined to win the lotto instead of working. Whatever the reason, he or she is not willing to make the necessary adjustments to become a good employee. So, now you need to fire your employee, but how?
Document Everything
When you realize you are having problems, start making a record of them. Lateness, rudeness, theft, or other bad behaviors should be written down, along with the date and time. This way, you have a record of why you fired the employee to back you up in case he or she decides to file a suit for wrongful termination. You can show that you fired the employee because of behavior, not whatever he or she sues for.
Don't Do It Alone
Firing someone alone just isn't sensible. Another person in the room can testify that things were done properly and can help defuse anger.
Spell Out Severence Agreements
Make sure any severence information is clearly stated and is put in writing, as well. Be clear on Cobra, severence pay and other behefits.
Document Everything
When you realize you are having problems, start making a record of them. Lateness, rudeness, theft, or other bad behaviors should be written down, along with the date and time. This way, you have a record of why you fired the employee to back you up in case he or she decides to file a suit for wrongful termination. You can show that you fired the employee because of behavior, not whatever he or she sues for.
Don't Do It Alone
Firing someone alone just isn't sensible. Another person in the room can testify that things were done properly and can help defuse anger.
Spell Out Severence Agreements
Make sure any severence information is clearly stated and is put in writing, as well. Be clear on Cobra, severence pay and other behefits.
Are Your Employees Well Trained?
Posted by
Katelyn Thomas
Katelyn Thomas
Making sure customers get the service they deserve helps you keep your business in good shape.
When I worked for a veterinary office right out of college, my boss used to have the office manager call up on her days off and ask us about different services. He had a good idea, although it probably would have worked better if he had someone call who we didn't talk to every day! Her voice was pretty recognizable.
There is no better way to find out how well trained and customer friendly employees are than to have someone ask the same questions a customer would ask and then give you feedback on the employees' responses. If the employee doesn't do a good job, you can institute some training sessions to help him or her learn the skills that are missing. For employees that answer the phone incorrectly or don't seem to know how to deal with an unhappy caller, perhaps some classes in customer service through an outside organization would be a good idea.
If you'd like to set up a regular schedule of employee check ups, you may want to consider using a secret shopper company.
There is no better way to find out how well trained and customer friendly employees are than to have someone ask the same questions a customer would ask and then give you feedback on the employees' responses. If the employee doesn't do a good job, you can institute some training sessions to help him or her learn the skills that are missing. For employees that answer the phone incorrectly or don't seem to know how to deal with an unhappy caller, perhaps some classes in customer service through an outside organization would be a good idea.
If you'd like to set up a regular schedule of employee check ups, you may want to consider using a secret shopper company.
Posted by
Katelyn Thomas
Katelyn Thomas
Keep your budget under control when buying office supplies.
For most small business owners, a trip to one of the big box office supply stores is the equivalent of letting a child loose in the toy store. "Oooh, green post it notes. Wow, look at that desk blotter. Check out the new business software." Although it is tempting to buy every new gadget and supply you see, overspending on office supplies can wreck the business budget.
- Using an inventory sheet to buy supplies from is a great way to avoid impulse buys.
- Set a spending limit for extras and stick to it. The reality is that we don't end up using most of those must have new office supplies or only pull them out a few times.
- Take advantage of reward programs and coupons. These discounts can really add up.
Posted by
Katelyn Thomas
Katelyn Thomas
There are many things you can do with unwanted business cards.
You just got a new batch of 250 business cards before you decided to leave the rat race for your own business. Now, you have a little problem. Actually, you have 248 problems, because you gave two entire people your card before you resigned your job. What can you do with 248 useless business cards?
- The most obvious solution is to build a card tower. Just think, without the 52 card limit of a standard playing card deck, you aren't limited by anything but your ability to balance bits of cardboard.
- If you flip cards over, you can use them for quite a few collage related crafts. Cut one end to form a peaked roof and decorate a whole neighborhood of houses. You could also glue them onto dark colored cardstock and stamp sentiments on them or use them to mask off areas on a piece of art while you are working on it.
- Staple a group of cards together to make a little book and illustrate the blank backs to turn it into a flipbook.
- Glue them to a wall and paint over them to create an unusual textured effect.
- Use them as easy to carry kindling pieces for starting campfires.
- Count out 52 cards and use the backs to make a beautiful set of custom miniature playing cards.
Organize Your Home Office Space
Posted by
Katelyn Thomas
Katelyn Thomas
FlyLady helps people organize their homes, but the same tips can help you get rid of the disaster in your home office.
Are you overwhelmed by so much clutter in your home office that you think professionals would throw up their hands and run screaming out the door? Would The Leaning Tower of Pisa be put to shame by your piles? As astonishing as it seems, you can organize your office space all by yourself and it will only take you 15 minutes a day.
FlyLady is known by busy moms everywhere as the woman who gave them back their homes. She has created some great methods for taming clutter and mess in increments of 15 minutes a day and many of those tips work well for the home office, too. You can handle 15 minutes, right?
So, set your egg timer or your watch alarm and grab one of those paper towers, a recycling bin, your shredder and that fantastic empty file drawer you set up when you designed your home office. Sort and shred until the timer goes off. Repeat the whole process tomorrow and then continue repeating it until that clutter has disappeared.
FlyLady is known by busy moms everywhere as the woman who gave them back their homes. She has created some great methods for taming clutter and mess in increments of 15 minutes a day and many of those tips work well for the home office, too. You can handle 15 minutes, right?
So, set your egg timer or your watch alarm and grab one of those paper towers, a recycling bin, your shredder and that fantastic empty file drawer you set up when you designed your home office. Sort and shred until the timer goes off. Repeat the whole process tomorrow and then continue repeating it until that clutter has disappeared.
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