5 Data Recovery Planning Tips for Computer Failures

 

Just a generation ago, risk management was a lot less complicated. Many businesses didn’t have to worry about hardware or software failures. Everything was processed manually.

But in this digital age, business is severely disrupted if your system crashes and you haven’t backed up your information. Imagine the ramifications if you lose your records for customers, financial, inventory, payroll and vendors.

At the minimum, it will take you months to reconstruct your records. Also, a system failure can easily drive you out of business. Either way, you probably can’t get insurance coverage for data loss.

Even if the data can be recreated or recovered, it’s very time-consuming to get back up-to-speed. Just as importantly, consider the damage to your company’s reputation. As it is, small businesses already have a weak reputation in the prevention of customer credit card fraud and ID theft.

So it’s important to have a data recovery plan. But many businesses don’t have one.

Here are basic steps for a data recovery plan:

1. Take an inventory of all your hardware that has data. That means all computers in your business.
2. Have a safe storage for your USB drives. Remember, however, they can be easily impaired.
3. On a regular basis back up your data. Everyone in your company should be trained in backing up data. Check on your backup data regularly. You can use the cloud or an external server. Note: A study shows open source technology is preferable to the cloud.
4. Stay current on antivirus software and issuance of patches. Daily update your antivirus software, and scan computers and mobile devices. Segregate your financial records on a separate computer. Software is increasingly vulnerable to bugs. Make sure your business is prepared with a precautions and response philosophy.
5. Budget for a tech who is proficient in security and data recovery.  (See: 6 Tips to Save Time and Money by Hiring the Right Tech Consultant)

From the Coach’s Corner, here are related security and tech tips:

• Small Business Tips to Protect Your Bank Accounts
• Why Your Business Can Avoid the Expense of Microsoft’s Windows 8
• 8 Basic Tips for Selecting the Right Web Hosting Company
• Do BYOD Headaches Outweigh Benefits? Yes
• 19 Tips to Protect Your Core Assets from a Disaster 

“Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards.”
-Aldous Huxley

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

ObamaCare Has Cost Economy $27.6 billion, Eliminated 30,000 Jobs – Study

 

Oct. 10, 2012

If you’re wondering why the U.S. economy seems stagnant, ObamaCare isn’t helping. In fact, a study by a nonprofit issue-advocacy, American Action Forum (AAF), shows the economy has been devastated by $27.6 billion in unnecessary regulatory costs and in 30,000 lost jobs, as a result of ObamaCare.

“This analysis barely scratches the surface of the regulatory impact of this law,” Sam Batkins, AAF’s director of regulatory policy was quoted in a published report. “Not only is there still over a year until the law is fully implemented, but we only looked at data that the Administration itself has made public.”

The economic impact of ObamaCare, which is officially known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), imposes 85 new regulations.

“By looking only at the Administration’s own numbers, they are essentially conceding the fact that the ACA will place billions of dollars in regulatory burdens on the private sector and further strain states’ budgets,” asserted the researcher.

Regulatory Costs

Costing $24.4 billion, the study indicates the 10 most-expensive regulations:

• Operating rules – $5.9 billion
• Community First Choice Option – $5.7 billion
• Establishment of Exchanges –$3.4 billion
• Rules for Health Care Electronic Funds Transfers – $3.3 billion
• Adoption of a Standard Health Plan – $2 billion
• Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP; Transparency – $1.7 billion
• Menu Labeling – $757 million
• Medicaid Program Eligibility Changes – $580 million
• Medicaid Program and Community Based Services – $580 million
• Group Health Plans and Insurance Issuers – $275 million

The study points out that the regulations have also cost more than 60 million hours in paperwork. It also considers 2,000 hours is equal to a 30,000-job loss.

California has been hit the hardest – $3.4 billion in regulatory costs and 2,917 lost jobs.

Texas is second on the hardest-hit list – $1.8 billion in costs and 1,292 lost jobs.

There’s another ominous indicator:

“With still 15 months until full implementation there’s sure to be more regulatory costs,” concluded researcher Batkins.

From the Coach’s Corner, related articles:

• Why Small Business Vows to Continue the Healthcare Fight
• Inefficiency, Fraud in Healthcare and Insurance – How You Can Help
• Fiscal Fact-Check: Deficit, Social Security, and Medicare

 “And the biggest, coldest power play of all in ObamaCare came at the expense of the elderly.”
-Paul Ryan 

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

11 Best Practices to Profit from Writing a Business White Paper

 

When you’re writing a case study for a client or you’re commissioned to write a white paper – there are best practices — then, there are only attempts at shameless promotion of a biased idea. You’ll want readers to perceive the former.

To write with authority and credibility in the 21st century, it’s important to present conclusions after a structured and well-researched thesis sans the appearance of bias and using aggressive emotional verbiage. That means not pushing emotional buttons with inflammatory rhetoric.

Do your best to come across like a book written by Peter Drucker.

In this era of economic upheaval and political chaos, it seems like an opportune time to write a topical paper using acceptable standards and irrefutable logic.

To avoid the run of-the-mill syndrome in a white paper, here are the minimums in best practices:

1. Research by asking lots of open-ended questions. In this way, you’ll learn the whole story about which to write – such as options, challenges, results, benefits and negatives. 

2. Capitalize on time. First, compose your headline – catchier, the better to pique reader interest. This will also help you to stay focused and relevant. Start writing as soon as possible while details are fresh. You’ll also want to be the first to chronicle the subject. 

3. Include full documentation. Add enough details so the reader isn’t left with salient, unanswered questions. That, of course, means hard financial data that lead to efficiency and other results.

4. Use direct quotes. Your paper will be more persuasive with quotes and testimonials of experts and participants.

5. Illustrate with pictures and/or graphs. To maximize visual interest, pictures and graphs are helpful to paint vivid pictures in the minds of the reader.

6. Take the long view. Present a snapshot of the big picture – the question in its entirety. Avoid looking like a writer who can only see what’s at the end of your nose. Your paper should contain interesting, relevant examples – but broad enough with value to satisfy even the most-sophisticated reader.

7. Logically structure your case. Include three sections:

• The beginning to state the problem
• The middle with a discussion of the pros and cons leading to reasonable solutions
• The end summarizing in a conclusion

8. Length. White papers generally consist of 2500 words or more.

9. Proofread your paper. Check for logical arguments and conclusions. Review for errors in grammar and facts. Share with a trusted confidante for a devil’s advocate to challenge your advocacy.

10. Publish in a PDF format. PDFs are easily emailed, if you wish, and they result in less work for the reader so the person can fully appreciate and understand your thesis.

11. Capitalize on your work. Your instincts are important. Assuming the client agrees, target the right readers for your paper and highlight the key elements and values. Use key bullet points or the entire paper as part of sales pitches.

Publish it on your Web site, and be sure to use the right keywords to draw attention. Consider presenting your paper at conferences, or offer to make it available if attendees e-mail a request to you.

And, oh, yes, consider using a sophisticated approach in social media, writing a press release and blogging about it.

Good luck! 

From the Coach’s Corner, here are related resources:

• 25 Best Practices for Better Business Writing 
• Strategic Press Releases Will Help You Beat Your Competition
• SEO: Strategic Primer for a No.1 Rated Blog

“Most of our so-called reasoning consists in finding arguments for going on believing as we already do.”
-James Robinson

 

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is also a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

Acting, Speaking Coach: How to Improve Communication with Others

Do you know when you marginalize others?

 

If you’re having communication problems with someone important in your career or life, chances are one or both of you will profit from tips in honest communication.

This is also true if you want to get a job.

In every profession, employers place a priority on soft skills – a positive attitude and the ability to communicate well. So, even a person with good technical skills doesn’t get hired or a promotion, most often, because of inadequate soft skills.

Savvy employers know poor communication skills hamper efficiency and productivity.

Whatever the situation, it’s important to understand why communication is working or not.

Enter speaking Eric Stone, a former New York City stage and television actor, who operates Speakers and Artists International, Inc. (www.publicspeakingconnection.com) in Beverly Hills, Calif.

He says there are three levels of depth in communication, or what he also calls “levels of truth.”

Level one – tone and meaning

“The first level is what people say or what is heard through voice tone and immediate translation of the tone into meaning,” asserts Mr. Stone. “It is the most simple and, in a sense, most superficial level of interaction.”

How can it be superficial?

“If you actually asked someone to repeat to you what you just said every time you uttered something to them, you’d be very entertained and astounded as to how little was actually understood – and we’re only at level one,” he says.

Level two – attitude

Mr. Stone describes the second level as the mood or attitude with which people speak.

“You could also say the mood that arises from the feelings and emotions that are present while the exchange is happening,” he says. “The mood and attitude is behind the words. Think of it as a frequency or vibration within the tone of voice that emanates from the speaking.”

So, in a disagreement, keep your voice low. Avoid pointing fingers and using labels, which marginalize others.

Level three – judging others

“The third level is the intentions behind the speaking, tone and mood, which act as the fundamental motivation and direction of the communication,” Mr. Stone explains.

He says people begin judging others as soon as they say hello.

“It means we hear the words or general tone someone is using and we start interpreting what we think it means right away,” he notes. “If speakers and listeners alike could focus more on intentions and less on words themselves or the moods behind them, they would improve their effectiveness dramatically.”

Really?

“Once you take the time to see through and past words and moods, you begin to get people’s intentions,” says the coach. “You end up seeing more and hearing more about what is being communicated. It’s a quite comfortable process that will help you relax.”

He says “intentions are the keys to the kingdom of effortless natural communication and expression.”

An example:

“Children, when not stressed out, demonstrate it superbly,” he says. “Even when you play-act with them, they watch your intentions like little hawks and that’s how they figure you out if your play-acting is not seamless.”

Mr. Stone says people run “conscious and unconscious scripts” in their brains.

“Those get revealed through subtle body language, actions, and facial expressions are far less contained in words being spoken,” he says. “Even though unconscious motives are harder to spot, a keen eye, ear and intuitive attunement to frequency focused on intentions behind words and attitudes, will reveal a great deal.”

As an example, he says a touch you receive from a person gives you clues, such as: “I like you, I want to control you, I welcome you, I’m counting on you, and a score of other intentional motives.”

Hmm. When I touch my beloved Alaskan Husky, Theodore, I hope he knows how much I care about him. When he devotedly lays at my feet while I work, he certainly knows my intentions when I head for the small kitchen in my office — dog treats!

From the Coach’s Corner, more from Mr. Stone: Public Speaking Tips – for Speeches in Accepting Awards, Honors

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
-George Bernard Shaw

 

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

Yahoo Shows Good Management in Firing Biased News Manager

 

Yet another media controversy illustrates why millions of Americans are justified in their complaints about liberal news-media bias.

True, Yahoo News showed common sense and assertive management by terminating its Washington bureau chief after he made a controversial comment in the 2012 presidential campaign.

David Chalian was caught implying that Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, were delighted by the misfortune of black citizens in the havoc created by Hurricane Isaac along the Gulf Coast.

“They’re not concerned at all. They’re happy to have a party with black people drowning,” Chalian said during the ABC News/Yahoo News webcast.

Mr. Chalian’s statement was caught by NewsBusters, a media watchdog organization, which posted the audio recording on its Web site. NewsBusters inaccurately indicated Mr. Chalian was an ABC News employee, but ABC quickly pointed out that he had switched employers to Yahoo News.

Yahoo’s response

“David Chalian’s statement was inappropriate and does not represent the views of Yahoo!. He has been terminated effective immediately. We have already reached out to the Romney campaign, and we apologize to Mitt Romney, his staff, their supporters and anyone who was offended.”

Mr. Chalian made his comment just before Yahoo started its live coverage on the second of the Republican national convention in conjunction with ABC News. Ostensibly, he did know his microphone was turned on.

Liberal media bias has long been an issue. Prior to becoming a business-performance consultant, I enjoyed my 20 years as a broadcast journalist. I do recall a few rumblings about the bias, and it didn’t appear to be a widespread problem.

But today, it’s a disturbing trend – see two other 2012 examples:

• Lessons about Trust – 2 Deeply Disturbing Behaviors by Judges, Journalists in Wisconsin
• Is it Too Much to Ask For Civility and Honesty from Mr. Reid and the Press?

Meantime, here’s a Biz Coach tip of the cap for Yahoo’s success in its business and management.

From the Coach’s Corner, you can get news media/PR tips here:

• Getting the Most from Your PR Requires 5 Basic Elements
• Need PR, But No Budget? Here’s How to Leverage News Media
• Public Relations Expert Provides Crisis Management Tips

“Newspapers, television networks, and magazines have sometimes been outrageously abusive, untruthful, arrogant, and hypocritical.”

- Potter Stewart

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

Good Blogs Have Nothing to Fear from Google’s Updates

 

Alarms bells are sounding all over the Internet after Google’s seemingly incessant algorithm updates. The search engine’s changes can be unnerving for bloggers, but there’s no reason to panic. Use patience and tenacity to succeed.

On another page, I’ve written about five factors to get peak Google results.

But you won’t benefit from obsessing about the right strategies, if you don’t focus on these salient tips:

1. Exemplary content with strategic keyword usage is vital. Google has made it clear it wants to highlight the most relevant content. Google places a high value on useful information.

The right keywords will attract users. If you write evergreen pieces, they’re often read two or three years later but will seem like fresh material to your users. Even if there are dated details in a blog, they can be updated and noted as such. Then, it’s advantageous to promote your piece again via your social media.

2. Attract centers of influence. It’s a good day when professionals ask permission to share your content and domain with their B2B customers. Also, it’s great when other bloggers cite your work, or when Twitter followers and LinkedIn connections promote your writing.

So write in a friendly but authoritative style.

3. Make full use of your social media. Share your work on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. If you have enough space, ask your followers to re-tweet your tweets.

If you allow enough time, Twitter doesn’t like it, but you can Tweet your content in other dayparts to reach the maximum number of followers. All good blogs will insert social media buttons so readers can conveniently promote content.

4. Don’t get cute with links. Google is very sensitive to disingenuous link building and sharing. Focus on writing great content to earn backlinks from credible sources.

So be patient but tenacious in pursuing your blogging goals.

From the Coach’s Corner, here are more detailed sources of information:

• Checklist: 14 Strategies to Rock on Google
• Google Insights – 23 Key Questions about Your Web Site
• Download Speed Matters for WordPress Web Sites – 5 Tips

“Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.”
-Louis Pasteur

 

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

18 Tips for Productive Behavior to Win in Office Politics

Most people troubled by office politics are too focused on the behavior of their adversaries. Stop giving away your personal power. Don’t think or act like a victim.  

 

Office politics aren’t fun. Ironically, one of the most entertaining TV shows that’s all about office politics is “Suits.” It’s a fun, engaging and thrilling legal drama on the USA Network.

Gabriel Macht plays the role of New York City corporate attorney Harvey Specter, who will do almost anything to win a case. His assistant is played by Patrick J. Adams as Mike Ross. They frequently find themselves in hot water and office politics. Their foe in the law firm is attorney Rick Hoffman, who portrays Louis Litt. The show usually ends with character Litt eating crow.

None of the characters is a role model for office politics. The show is like a fast-paced soap opera with twists and turns, frequent mean behavior by the players and schemes in office politics. Some of the plots would ordinarily be considered bizarre in real life, but they provide compelling intrigue with humor.

But in real life, office politics aren’t fun adventures. Politics are catalysts for stress and poor performance – to the detriment of the entire organization.

Many people change jobs only to take a geographic – thinking they’ll get away from office politics. But they take their baggage with them – only to find they’ll continue to face challenges in office politics until they learn how to deal with it.

Typically, both shy people lacking in confidence and aggressive co-workers suffer because they think and act like victims. In essence, they unknowingly give away their personal power.

It’s important to develop self-confidence and relationships by learning the tool of detachment. In other words, tools to float like a butterfly over such political situations.

Here are 18 behaviors for success:

1. Develop an image as a great listener. Start listening without interrupting. When someone is ranting or venting, refrain from thinking about what to say in reaction just to win an argument.

2. Ask a lot of questions. You’ll develop relationships by asking questions, not by speaking with finality as though your philosophy is the only way.

3. Even when a co-worker apparently has a ridiculous point-of-view, acknowledge the person. Don’t be dismissive. You’ll lose politically because you’ll appear to be arrogant.

4. Display an attitude of service. Be on the lookout for opportunities to share your expertise without being a know-it-all. Certainly, don’t worry about getting something in return. In other words, don’t keep score.

Be indispensable. But don’t toot your own horn too loudly.

5. Be careful with what you divulge. Keep it professional. Don’t share too many personal details.

Sure, you can talk about your child’s illness. But if your feelings are hurt, don’t let it show. Or, for example, if you’re on an anti-depressant, keep it to yourself.

6. Share the workload and wealth. Avoid being seen as a maverick – be inclusive on projects. Give credit where credit is due. When someone – even someone you don’t particularly like – is successful, be happy for them. Go out of your way to congratulate the person.

If you go it alone or exclude others, believe me, others will treat you the same way.

7. Know your big picture priorities. If you’ve utilized the first six tips, by now you’re ready for some serious reflection. List your top 10 personal goals and priorities that will help your organization.

Ask yourself: “Has my behavior matched my goals?” If you’re like most anyone else, the answer is too frequently, a big no. So, start correcting your attitude and behavior.

8. Forget the two extremes – the fight or flight syndrome. Fighting only exacerbates the situation. Nor does running away help you. You’ll find you’ll continue to encounter such situations until you stop volunteering to be a doormat.

So solve the problem now by making the right decision. You’re not a prisoner. You have choices in deciding how to respond.

9. Keep focusing on your objectives. That also means maintaining your dignity and integrity while striving to do what’s best for the organization. Ignore petty differences and become known as someone who is wise and mature.

10. Focus on solutions when there’s a difference of opinion. Instead of complaining, zero in on how to solve problems. Be understanding and positive. That’s how you’ll earn respect.

11. Stay detached from power struggles. Otherwise, all you’ll do fail to attain your potential for peak performance. So don’t take sides. Strive for transparency, or open communication.

 By remaining objective, you’ll be trusted by the warring personalities and you’ll position yourself to be a catalyst for better achievement by the organization.

12. Focus on principles and not personalities. Don’t fuel the rumor mill. Avoid water-cooler gossip.

Anger isn’t OK. Don’t carry resentments. A bag of resentments becomes a heavy burden. Forget trying to get even if you suffer indignities.

Don’t waste your time and energy. You might win the skirmish but a vindictive person will see to it that you’ll lose the war. When you least expect it, trouble will raise its ugly head. So focus on making friendly associations. Make it easier for your boss to support you when it’s really important.

13. Practice empathy. Your co-workers won’t care what you have to say until they have their say. So listen and do your best to understand their feelings and opinions.

Don’t be too task-oriented. Look for ways to be congenial and collaborative. Work at building trust instead of a mountain of poor communication. That’s successful people do.

14. Seek resolutions. A characteristic of success when there’s a difference of opinion is that all parties win. You have to know what works for both you and the other person. The trick is to develop allies in the office, but someone who has an image of being disagreeable will soon run out of allies.

Don’t speak with finality. You don’t have to always be right. You don’t have to have the last say in every matter.

15. Don’t let politics affect your home life. Leave your career-cares at the office. Don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy the company of your partner and children.

No matter what your politics are, you can learn lessons from the 2012 presidential campaign. When Ann Romney was asked why her husband, Mitt, was so successful in balancing his career with family life and five terrific sons, she said: “He valued my work as being more important than his.” 

In other words, don’t be obsessive about work. Make family your No. 1 priority.

16. Turn your enemies into associates. Early in my career, I was once figuratively stabbed in the back by a colleague, which nearly led to me being fired. It was a shock because there had been no friction between the other person and me. Ultimately, my boss sided with me, but inside I was furious with my co-worker.

Rather than waste time and energy by dragging around a bag of resentments, I worked on my negative attitude. Literally, I prayed good thoughts for my adversary – for all the happiness and success I wanted for myself.

Whenever we ran into each other, I would smile and say “Hello, how are you?” I was met with a scowl or ignored. This continued for three months, but I was determined not to let the person ruin my day. I no longer wanted to give away my power. Then, suddenly, my adversary had a change in attitude, and became a trusted associate.

17. Smile. Prior to my career as a business-performance consultant, a colleague of mine in the broadcasting industry taught me a lesson about office politics vs. his career ambitions. He had an illness that required constant medication. He worked from midnight to 8 a.m., which was detrimental for his health.

When a prestigious slot opened during the daytime, he applied for it. But he faced stiff competition and negative comments from others. The odds were overwhelmingly against him. Rather that fret about the politics, he decided the only thing he could do was to accept his situation – and smile.

So, for weeks, he focused on doing the best job possible without gossiping with a constant, friendly smile on his face. It was perplexing – we all wondered why he was so content. A few weeks later a miracle occurred – he got the job and co-workers were happy with his success.

18. Get a great mentor. Find someone outside of your work who is successful in human relationships, but someone with whom you’re confident you can share intimate details.

From the Coach’s Corner, managers have a responsibility in preventing and minimizing office politics. You will find management tips for your particular situation in human resources and operations.

“Most people treat the office manual the way they treat a software manual. They never look at it.”
-James Levine

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

7 Tips to Tweet Your Way to a Great New Job – Seriously

 

If you play it smart, you can take advantage of the 500-million Twitter account-holders to get a new job or career. Sure, it’s a daunting task, but the potential for success is terrific.

You can tweet to link up with the right people — just as well, if not better, than LinkedIn. But that’s not to say that you shouldn’t use LinkedIn and other social media. You have to make an investment in your time and energy – some research and careful thought.

For the sake of explanation, let’s consider a job search in “advertising,” but you can apply the following principles to your situation. These strategies will work in most professions. Coordinate your footwork with a blog, but more on that later.

Here’s how to tweet your way to a new job in seven ways:

1. Social analytics with Topsy. Geared for marketers and journalists, Topsy can also help professionals develop information to benefit their careers. Topsy Pro Analytics provides data of billions upon billions of tweets and other social posts. It also will help users obtain multi-year posts as well as real-time tweet activity. You can take productive action in your job search – examining hashtags, images, links, subjects, terms, trends and videos.

Access to trends is especially beneficial, especially because the information is current and topical. On a daily basis, Topsy indexes geographic locales, influence, language and social sentiment. This means users can target top influencers and learn the pros and cons about topics, and their impacts.

2. A good job search is all about relevance with relevant people. Firstly, you have to find them after you know what subject matter is relevant for your career goal. For example, advertising professionals should search topics related to advertising and marketing, and then click on “people” in the module on the left side. In this way, you’ll discover a lot of people who are in your profession. If you know which companies for which you want to work, you can search for them, too. You’ll come across the companies’ decision-makers. Follow them and retweet their posts.

3. The value of hashtags. Businesses often use hashtags to categorize their tweets by keywords, e.g. “advertising job” or “job available.” You can, too. (See Twitter’s hashtag explanation.)

4. Twitter lists. To stay organized in your job search, create Twitter lists. So people know you’re not just a spammer, create a list in the hypothetical example, “advertising professional.” Then, tweet in this list the tweets of advertising or marketing professionals. In this way, you’re likely to attract followers. 

5. Using Twitter chats. In real-time, you can tweet about your preferred topics. Use this as an opportunity to start a dialogue by asking questions. To save time and effort by not having to constantly refresh your page, you can solve this by entering the hashtag into TweetChat. You’ll get an automatic refresh.

6. Naturally, only tweet pertinent topics. OK, by now you’ve got access to the right people. So only tweet links for your particular profession. If you have enough space, include your opinion to enhance your reputation.

7. Launch an appropriate blog. On your blog, insert links to your tweets. So when prospective bosses search for your name, you’ll create a favorable impression by demonstrating relevant insights that will be appealing.

From the Coach’s Corner, see these related tips:

• Top 11 Tips for a Great Elevator Pitch
• Stand Out: Get a Job Interview with a Great Resume
• Job Hunting? Tips to Land Your Dream Job with Style, Substance
• Discouraged in Job Hunting? Powerful Tips for the Best Job
• Need a Career Change? 10 Steps for a Career Makeover
• 5 Tips to Shine in Your Online Job Application

“Commitment leads to action. Action brings your dream closer.”

-Marcia Wieder

 

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.

 

8 Strategies When Sales Drop and Costs Cut into Your Profits

 

If your sales are down and costs are hurting your profits, you’re certainly not alone. This is still not a good economy.

Gas prices are hurting business and consumers in many states. The drought has hurt corn production. Prices for peanut butter and coffee have increased. Airlines are adding seats to cut legroom for passengers. Sales are down in some home improvement at major retailers.

So challenges exist everywhere, not just with you. The irony is you can do something about it.

Here are eight strategies:

1. Turn the problem into an advantage. Consider making a bigger product and charging a higher price. If you have products with good margins, use them as loss leaders to entice customers to buy your other products.
2. Use traditional tactics. Determine your break-even point. Reduce the size of your product, if you think your customers won’t care. Your customers might notice but many will still probably buy to avoid paying higher prices.
3. Recycle and reuse. Look for more ways to save money in your operations. Plan better delivery routes to use less gas. Avoid upgrading software. Purchase pre-owned products. Partner with your employees and incentivize them to come up with money-saving/money-making ideas.
4. Negotiate. Business relationships are important. But if you can’t afford your vendors’ prices, try negotiating.
5. Change your vendors. If your vendors aren’t willing to negotiate, look for others with which to do business.
6. Close the office and go home. Work from your home. More and more businesspeople are using technology to telecommute. Talk with your CPA. You’ll avoid paying office rent, and you’ll be able to take a write0ff at tax time if you dedicate space for business.
7. Increase your prices. Hopefully, your branding is strong, and your customer satisfaction ranks high. Warn your customers and explain why you must increase prices, and express empathy and appreciation for their business. Provide more added-value – if it doesn’t hurt your bottom line any further. Fine tune your customer service
8. Expand marketing economically. Bone up on social media, get more opportunities as a guest speaker, find strategic alliances for cross-promotion, write press releases and discuss possible trade-out opportunities with the media. Radio stations are known to give free advertising in exchange for products and services.

If all else fails and you really feel you can’t raise prices – then don’t. Just accept your situation and keep on truckin’.

From the Coach’s Corner, actually, you can find countless strategies on this business portal in the Finance and Marketing/Sales categories.

“The worst crime against working people is a company which fails to operate at a profit.”
-Samuel Gompers

 

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry. 

13 Management Tips to Solve Employee Absenteeism

 

Absenteeism causes migraines for a lot of bosses. Obviously, your company will make healthier profits, if you don’t have an absenteeism problem.

Check your attendance records. Monday is the most-abused day of the week and January is the worst month for absenteeism. For good reason, employers often cringe because they distrust the reasons some employees call in sick.

But it’s crucial to be open-minded and to consider the perspectives of your employees.

Absenteeism is a red flag that your employees aren’t fully engaged in their work. They often feel a lack of support from management, and are frustrated with a lack of tools and resources that limit their performance.

This typically results in inefficiency or minimal productivity, high turnover, increased costs in sick pay and replacement employees, and customer dissatisfaction.

Further, high absenteeism is one of the five prime indicators that your workplace environment is toxic.

The other four indicators:

• Your employees aren’t recommending your company to their friends as a great place to work.
• Employees with the highest absenteeism usually lack friends among their coworkers.
• Workers don’t actively support your customer-service initiatives – usually because they don’t love their jobs.
• Your customers aren’t fans of your company, and customer feedback doesn’t meet your expectations.

Manage the problem

Here are 13 tips to manage absenteeism:

1. Start by making sure your efforts don’t lead to legal problems. In this litigious society, it’s important to avoid EEOC discrimination suits.
2. Train your managers. True, they need to know your legal obligations. But train them in employee engagement, and how to deal with disgruntled workers.
3. Remember the phrase, “Let it begin with me.” It’s important to make certain that you’re perceived as an effective leader, not just a supervisor. Lead by a disciplined example. There are 10 key differences between leaders and managers. Remember leaders continuously upgrade recruitment procedures.
4. Evaluate your culture. It’s not easy to develop a culture in which everyone is on the same page. But you must in order to succeed. (There are six steps to implement a cultural change for profits.)
5. Understand the root causes and the gravity of the problem. Is it with just one employee or is it widespread among your workers? Try to be patient with individuals. Personal problems are often factors, as are long commutes to work. Carefully recruit workers who live fairly close to the workplace.
6. Incentivize fewer days off. It’s not always necessary to pay higher wages. Strangely, less-efficient workers take fewer breaks. So encourage them to take breaks and socialize with one another.
7. Everyone needs a vacation to avoid stress and health problems. Create an annual leave policy and enforce it. That includes not allowing employees to cash out their vacations.
8. Clearly indicate a policy that complies with FMLA. But you can legally take steps to make certain it isn’t abused, for example, require a doctor’s confirmation for any leave.
9. Double-down on efforts for employee engagement. Listen to your staff. Let employees know you care about their welfare, and that you appreciate their dedication to the organization. Generate more profits by partnering with your employees.
10. Discuss operational costs – the link between their attendance and productivity. Explain how their roles affect the success of the organization – from teamwork and morale to customer satisfaction.
11. Make work fun. Reduce boredom with job enrichment, rotation and cross training.
12. Be flexible. Try to accommodate special requests or scheduling.
13. Celebrate business successes with your team. It’s great for team-building.

From the Coach’s Corner, see these related links:

• Small Business – Easy Ways to Boost Your Employees’ Morale
• How You Can Eliminate Destructive Conflict for Better Teamwork
• Workplace Bullies May Hurt Retention of All Employees, Not Just Victims
• How Not to Worry about Keeping Your Top Employees

The leader follows in front.

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry. 

 

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