Monthly Archives: October 2016

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Motivating Your Employees Means Putting Them First

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Actively Listen

 

A great habit for any entrepreneur to adopt is that of active listening. When business owners get into the routine of things, it can be all too easy to forget these little things. Yet, it is these little things which, in business, are all about the people. As long as the employees of an organisation feel that they are being taken care of, it is much more likely that everything else will fall into place. It is also true that well looked after employees are more likely to be highly motivated at work. Higher levels of motivation means more work is getting done, and that the work is of higher quality. But how does a business owner ensure that their employees feel genuinely cared for? There is considerable debate surrounding this topic. But following these four pieces of advice is likely to be a good place to start.

 

Be Fair

 

One of the easiest ways to upset people is by treating them unfairly. Whether it’s calculating holidays or the way in which you delegate, you need to make sure you are giving everyone an equal chance. Most of the time, a lack of fairness is a genuine accident. These accidents can easily be avoided by using the right hr system software. This kind of software makes it easier to see the actual data on all these issues. That means that the business owner can see if there is anything untoward going on. Remaining fair is one of the staples of looking after the employees in any line of business.

 

Really make the difference in terms of how the employees feel. If you have a business of your own, always remember that your employees probably have some good ideas to share. It is definitely worth keeping an open door policy for anyone who has an idea on how to improve the company. Beyond that, you should be paying attention to any feedback you are getting about how the business currently operates. As a general rule of thumb, it is sensible to assume that your employees know what they are talking about.

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Allow Freedom Of Choices

 

All entrepreneurs are looking for that one golden solution to fix all of the business’ problems. These are hard to come by, if they exist at all. But there is one simple act which will rapidly improve the state of the business immediately: giving people more choices in their daily work. While it might be tempting to have rigid routines in place across the board, this is not often the best solution for your employees. What is much more effective is to allow them more choices in their work. This will enable a feeling of responsibility and empowerment across the business. It goes without saying that this will cause huge positive changes in your business.

 

Give A Helping Hand With Healthcare

 

Your employees’ well-being is centrally important to the business as a whole. After all, if they are not able to work, then you are going to struggle. With that in mind, make sure you are one of those employers who gives a little back when it comes to healthcare. Even something as simple as a free flu jab every year can make a big difference.

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Home Business Got You Seeing Red? Try Going Green

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We all know that running a home business can be stressful from time to time. For starters, it’s hard to separate work from pleasure when you’re constantly wedded to your place of work. But could going green help, if only in a small way? Check out these green ideas for your home office.

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Pixabay

 

Use Biodegradable Cleaners

 

Did you know that the majority of cleaners you use around your home contain toxic chemicals? These chemicals aren’t just bad for your health, they’re bad for your mood too. Some cleaners contain chemicals, like phthalates. These chemicals then wind up in your body, disrupting your hormones, and generally messing with your mood. What’s more, they’re bad for the environment, as many of them contain other chemicals that don’t break down in landfill.

 

Here’s a green idea that’ll help: use biodegradable cleaners. These cleaners skip a lot of the harmful chemicals ordinarily found in regular cleaning products. And they are okay for the environment to boot. Next time you run out of detergent or surface spray, opt for the environmentally friendly alternative.

 

Get Rid Of Paper

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Pixabay

 

There’s nothing more annoying in the home office than out of control piles of paper littering all your surfaces. Is there anything you can do about it?

 

Well, if you’re a paper-based business, you might think that there isn’t. Sure, there’s lots of software out there that will do the job just as well as a pen and paper. But that software can’t replace your paper-based archive, can it?

 

Well, the software that you’re using right now probably can’t. But today, there are document conversion services that are very clever. Here, you simply scan all your archived documents. Then the software will automatically categorise them for you using learning algorithms. This means that you can transfer your archives out of your office and into the cloud. That means less paper, less mess, and arguably, less rage when you come to find old documents. After all, they’ll be just as searchable as everything else online.

 

Replace Your Lightbulbs

 

Nobody who runs a home business likes getting whacked with a big electricity bill at the end of the month. According to the department of energy, about 20 percent of the energy we use at home is wasted. But something as simple as changing your light bulbs can change all that. Get rid of your old light bulbs and switch to LEDs. These use significantly less power, and they last up to ten times as long. Remember, you don’t have to opt for LED with harsh blue lights. Most LED bulbs come with shrouds that modify the light to make it appear more natural.

 

Go Green For Web Hosting

Green Web Hosting.

Green Web Hosting.

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Web hosting is a small, but annoying cost for most small businesses. But you could save a bit of money by switching to a hosting service with green credentials. Thanks to the plummeting cost of solar, many green web hosting services are cheaper than their fossil fuel competitors. This means that you can save a bit of money, and look after the environment by switching. Why not give it a go?

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The Essentials Of Being A Corporate Dad From Home

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A lot of people might think that it would be difficult to start up a business when you’ve got a full family life. They’re not wrong. But some things are worth going through hardship for. Starting a business and being in control of your own ability to make money is part of that. So if you’re becoming a corporate dad from home, you need to make sure you do it right.

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Photo sourced by Unsplash

Setting up an office

You might imagine that one of the perks of working from home is being able to do in bed in your underwear. The allure quickly wears off when you realise both how uncomfortable and unproductive it is. You need to list your needs and create an actual office out of them. Even if it’s just a corner of the room, you need a real space where you can focus on writing. Keep yourself supplied and organised.

Building real presence

If you’re starting a business, you can’t make do with just a Facebook or LinkedIn profile. People need to be able to find you and see what you’re all about. That means setting up your own website. There are tools like Squarespace that can easily help you create a site that truly looks professional. However, you shouldn’t use a generic web address hosted on another site. Completing that professional look means hunting for a fitting web address through services like PAC Web Hosting. You need your own server and your own address. Make sure the address is easy to memorize, too.

Building real visibility

The site is just one arm of how you’re going to build the visibility of your business and your ‘brand’ as a businessman. One of the most effective ways of showing that you really know what you’re talking about is by writing about it. Content marketing can be a way of delivering content that informs and educates readers. You can even slip in a few offers that big up your own business while you’re at it. When you’re building your website, seriously consider attaching a blog to it. The better your content, the more people it will attract to your business site.

Finding your balance

When you start a business, it can be easy to get a little over excited. To get all gung-ho and throw all your time into it. However, you need to make sure you don’t overwork yourself. First, it’s not good for your health or your family. Secondly, it can really damage your long-term motivation with the business. Get the ball rolling, yes, but take it easy and make sure you’re setting boundaries. You need ‘in-office’ hours even when you’re at home. Similarly, you need to make sure your family respects your office space when you’re ‘in-office’. You can’t be dealing with distractions every two minutes.

These steps are only the beginning of starting to grow a home-based business. From here on out, it’s about marketing and networking, as well as delivering the best services you can. There’s nothing to stop you from starting a truly successful business from home. Go out there and get ‘em.

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Protecting Yourself Against High Insurance Fees

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Car insurance, eh? Not exactly the most fun thing car enthusiasts have to deal with. But it’s extremely important and helps keep us safe. Of course, our need for it can make high costs sting even more. Here are the things that affect insurance rates the most.

 

The laws of your state

 

Where you are in the country will have an effect on certain areas of insurance policy. There may be vehicular laws in your state that place a different amount of blame on particular parties when compared to other states. And liability is pretty much everything when it comes to insurance! The laws will also dictate exactly what kind of car insurance you need. These are the minimum car insurance laws. One state may require you to cover things that another state doesn’t. This is why it’s important that you look into affordable auto insurance!

Car Insurance.

Car Insurance.

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DUI

 

If you’ve ever been caught driving under the influence, then you’re going to be hit with higher insurance costs. But it’s not just a flat rate for having been caught. The rate at which car insurance costs will increase depends on how your particular situation panned out. And I’m not just talking about damage to the car, the property of others, or even other people. (Though, of course, those things won’t help.) The extent to which you were punished by the law will also be taken into account. If you were sent to jail, for example, you’ll be paying higher premiums than someone who didn’t for a similar offence.

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DUI

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Reckless driving

 

The typical rate of car insurance increase for someone caught drink-driving is in the 15-19% area. What may surprise you is that reckless driving can push it up even higher, to the 20-25% range. Of course, this isn’t too surprising when you consider what reckless driving can describe. You may have been driving without a license, or racing in the streets, or even trying to escape the police. Reckless driving, as defined by the law, will always be considered a major traffic violation.

 

A history of fraud

 

Here’s a question you may consider odd. Have you ever committed insurance fraud? Well, I doubt you would tell me even if you had. But if you have, then your insurance company are going to find out. Insurance companies aren’t exactly keen on working with people who’ve, y’know, defrauded insurance companies. If you’ve ever had a legal dispute with an insurance company, this could very well affect your premiums.

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Wikimedia

 

Speeding
You would think that speeding would be classed under reckless driving. But as I implied earlier, reckless driving generally refers to very specific violations of law. Speeding, of course, can’t always be referred to as reckless in the same way. You may have been going a few miles per hour over the speed limit. This will be seen as minor, and won’t increase your car insurance rates too much. (Unless you do it repeatedly!) If you’ve been caught going ten miles or so over the speed limit, then that can cause higher increases. And if you were doing something like 60 in a 30 because you wanted to test your car’s speed? Then you’ll probably want to go back up to “Reckless driving”.

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Strange Tricks For Being More Financially Stable

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It can be difficult to keep on top of your finances, no matter what your situation is. If you have ever found yourself unable to get through the month, then you will know the kind of stress that financial difficulty can lead to. This can hit anyone at any time, but there are things you can do to make it less likely. As long as you adopt certain habits and tricks, you will find that your finances take much better care of themselves. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what some of those habits and attitudes might be.

 

Carefully Consider Big Purchases

 

When it is time to make a big purchase, you need to be sure that you are going for the right one. There is nothing worse than finding yourself regretting something of this size. For purchases such as a house or a car, you should always take your time. Taking it slow ensures that you do not make any decisions which you might later regret. The same also applies to smaller purchases, particularly anything which has a recurring cost, such as a contract. Car insurance is a good example of something that you want to be particularly careful with. When you are looking for car insurance, make sure you take your time in comparing them before you hand any money over. There are many websites to help you with this, such as https://www.comparaencasa.com/.
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Don’t Be Afraid To Haggle

 

Haggling used to be much more of an everyday thing, but these days it is much less common. However, there are still some areas where it might prove to be particularly effective. And you might be surprised to learn in just how many things it can be applied. If you find yourself with a troublesome phone contract, then you should consider haggling as a viable option. All you need to do is contact your contract provider and see if they can offer you a better deal than you might find elsewhere. You might be surprised at how effective this really is.

 

Make A Budget & Stick To It

 

To ensure ongoing financial stability, it helps to know exactly how much you have to spend. To that end, it is highly advisable to make a budget which you can stick to. It needs to be something that you believe you can actually go along with. Otherwise, there is little use in having it at all. If you do decide to make a budget, you should remember that they are most effective when they are as detailed as possible. It might be tempting to leave out one or two things, but this doesn’t work in practice. You need to be as detailed as possible and carefully consider every expenditure and outgoing in your life. For more on making an effective budget, take a look at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/chat-tips-gold.
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Only Spend What You Have
Finally, a note to say that one of the most sensible decisions you can make is to only spend money that you actually have. This might sound elementary, but it is hugely important. The moment you start spending money you don’t really have, you begin getting into debt. Debt is much harder to get out of than to get into, so be careful.

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Make Your Life Work For You: Keeping A Balance Between Work Life And Home Life

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Work Life Balance

 

Are you running a business? When it comes to running an organization, it’s a full-time job, especially businesses that are new. Trying to get your dream project off the ground from nothing into a fully functional organization is stressful. There could be working weeks of 60 hours or more. In addition to this, the sleepless nights and the worries they are linked with it could consume a lot more time than you think it might. And did you stop to think about how it is affecting your home life? You might have missed school recitals, birthdays or important anniversaries. So what is the best way to take back the work-life balance that you so desperately need?

 

Understand When You Work Best!

By this I mean what time of day are you most functional. If you’re running a business you need to make sure that you are doing all the tasks the best you can. A lot of people find that they function better in the morning, so if that is the case then take on the more difficult tasks at a time of day. Understanding your energy levels will help you prepare better for your work day. So the inevitable mid-afternoon energy slump can be factored into your day so you can do the most mundane tasks at that point as they don’t require as much attention as applying for a business loan. Companies such as Frosch Learning can assist when it comes to helping you understand your working practices better.

 

Leaving The Work Phone In Work!

This might be the most difficult one for many business owners. As we are so reliant on checking our phones then leaving the phone and the laptop in the office will do you good! Set up an answer phone message or an out of office email. Then you can enjoy time away from the office. It will go a long way to help maintain the boundaries between work and home life.

 

Go Far Away!

In running a business, if you can’t be sure the company will survive without you being there then you need to delegate duties to other members of staff. Sometimes the only way to test if the business will survive is for you to go far away. It may cause you a bout of separation anxiety. But getting away for a period of time will help you gain a new perspective on the organization while also reducing your duties.

 

Stress and sleep.

Stress and sleep.

Image from Flickr

Relax!

Those that run businesses have difficulty in switching off and it’s not surprising when we all have difficulty in switching off at night. Smartphones and tablets are contributing to increased stress due to the blue light being emitted from the devices,  which causes problems with our circadian rhythm and so contribute to a lack of quality sleep, which leaves this feeling stressed or anxious or makes us take up habits that are not good for our health. We all have different triggers when it comes to stress so understanding what those triggers are for you will be a good way for you to overcome them. Finding a pursuit that relaxes you, such as meditation or yoga or spending time relaxing with your family will go some way to reverse damage from stress.

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Your Home Away from Home: A Quick Guide to Building Vacation Property

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The idea of owning a vacation home has always been popular. It’s been getting even more popular in recent years. Many people will look into buying property overseas. But what if you want to actually build a vacation home?

 

Get started now

 

A lot of people build vacation homes because… Well, because they want somewhere nice to stay when they’re on vacation in their favorite destination! But you should think about the long-term. A lot of people also end up using these homes as their retirement destinations. In fact, that’s the plan for many when they begin this endeavor. And if you plan to use a vacation home as a retirement destination, then you should start before you retire!

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A lot of people make the mistake of building a retirement retreat once they’ve retired. But then you just add stress to years you don’t need stress in. Plus, you’ll lose out on plenty of valuable winter-years relaxation time! Find out more about smart retirement planning at www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/.

 

Choose your destination!

 

So what makes a good place for a vacation home? For most people, it will be in their favorite vacation location. But you’ll need to consider the implications of actually living in this country. You’ll need to know more about the laws that surround the ownership of property there. It could turn out that building a vacation home in your favorite destination might not be that smart an idea. Think carefully of the reasons you love this destination. There will be other places that meet these specifications!

Jeda Villa Bali. Frontview. 3 BR villa. 1/28/2011

Jeda Villa Bali. Frontview. 3 BR villa. 1/28/2011

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Picking the land

 

Most people don’t really know that much about the earth on which their own country is based. When you’re travelling to new lands, you’re even less likely to know much about the land there! It’s worth asking for assistance when it comes to purchasing land that’s the size and build you need. You should also consider the environmental implications of the land you’ve purchased and the property you want to build on it. You’ll want to work with local environmental consultants. Let’s say you’re going to Australia, for example. You’ll want to work with a company like SESL. You can find their website at www.sesl.com.au/environmental-consulting/.

 

Actually getting the thing built

 

So how are you planning on doing this? There are two ways to go about it. If you want to oversee the building, and perhaps even do some of it yourself, then things will be more complex. You’d probably have to have a temporary residence available in this country so you can be there when required. You could, of course, work with local architects to design a home that others will then build. (To be honest, this is probably the smarter option! After all, you do want this vacation home to be perfect…) Read more about building a home at www.newhomesource.com.

Wikipedia

 

In the meantime…
One of the great things about vacation homes is that you can rent them out when you’re not using them. That way, you can earn a pretty good passive income with them! It’s unlikely that the money you make from these rentals will cause the property to pay for itself, that’s true. But extra money in your pocket should never be sniffed at!

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To Lease Or Not To Lease? That Is The Question

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Which is better; leasing or buying? Getting a car lease is becoming more and more popular in the US. So it’s certainly a relevant question.

 

Just a decade ago, leasing was a minor, but emerging player in the US market. Today, more than 1 in 4 cars in the US are leased.

 

The reason for its growing popularity seems to be down to the fact that younger people just expect to pay for stuff on a monthly basis. After all, gym memberships, phone bills, and credit cards are all paid off at the end of the month. Why not cars too?

 

The idea of saving up for a car seems antiquated. And many people don’t want to take on more debt than they already owe. Instead, they’d just rather use their car as collateral and have it taken away if they don’t make the payments.

 

So that brings us to the question; which is better?

Buying Versus Leasing

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Wikimedia Commons

 

One of the big advantages of leasing is that you can drive a car that you would never ordinarily have been able to afford. Mercedes lease rates on models like the CLA, a currently running for as little as $319 a month. What’s more, lease rates are typically far lower than the rates you’d pay on car loans, with interest included. And so using the car as collateral has significant events.

 

Moreover, leases are often far easier to obtain. To get a loan for a car, you have to apply to the bank, convince them that you’ll repay the loan and then buy the car outright. In the process, you’ll have to convince lenders that you’re a worthy borrower who will pay them back. But are you? If your credit rating is low, it’s unlikely you’ll ever receive a loan for a car. And that can be the end of it. Not so with a lease. Leases are usually available to people even if they have a terrible credit history.

 

Leasing also mean that buyers get covered for maintenance costs. Almost always, leases are on brand new cars. The leases themselves usually only last for a period of around three years. Then there’s the option of paying a balloon payment or start a new contract with a new car. Most people opt for the latter, preferring to pay a monthly fee to avoid depreciation expenses.

 

There is, however, a darker side to leasing. One of the problems is that buyers often have to pay higher insurance rates to cover gap insurance. In other words, if you get hit by another car, you need insurance that will cover what you still owe to the car dealer.

 

There are also often fees charged when you change your old car for a new car. Plus, you’ve got to be really careful with your vehicle while you are leasing it. If there is any damage to the interior or the paint work, you could be charged for this at the exchange.

 

To lease or not to lease? That is the question. If your car depreciates quickly, you’re probably better off leasing. If not, then you’re better off buying instead.

 

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Sunny And Sandy With Sparkling Seas – Vacation Heaven! Find Out Where To Get It

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Never before has the world been so accessible. Vacation prices haven’t soared as much as previously feared. This means that you might be able to budget for a little indulgence somewhere sunny and warm. Traveling overseas can be quite a commitment, so you want to know that you’re getting the best of everything while you are there. And if it’s warm seas and sandy beaches that you love, then read on for a round-up of the best there is:

 

Mauritius – Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean that boasts some of the loveliest beaches in the world. As a small island, it can take quite a chunk of your budget just getting here. Is it worth the expense? Those comparing Mauritius beaches vs Goa beaches tend to err toward the little island thanks to its pristine sands and laid back nature. There are times when you might even feel like it’s your own private island! You might even prefer this to the South of France too.

 

Mauritius Beach Boat. 11/20/2014

Mauritius Beach Boat. 11/20/2014

Picture source

 

Shoal Bay, Antigua – For a taste of paradise, you might be convinced to visit Antigua. What makes this beach extra special is the coral reef just offshore. Snorkeling is a wonderful way to spend an hour or two. There are plenty of bars and restaurants for refreshments too. Some say it is the place you could spend your entire week of vacation. But if you get easily bored on the beach, try the museum, or check out some of the cute stalls.

 

Beach at Green Island Antigua. 2/21/2015

Beach at Green Island Antigua. 2/21/2015

Picture source

 

Fakistra, Greece – If it’s seclusion and quiet you’re looking for, this little cove could be it. Warm and sunny most of the year round, yet hardly used outside of July and August. It’s quite sheltered all around too so you don’t need to worry about packing bulky windbreakers. There might not be much here for the younger members of the family. But couples love the time they can spend together in private on this beautiful little beach.

 

Koh Kradan, Thailand – Most beaches in Thailand are pretty busy, and nearly all of them are lovely. One that might be a little quieter for you is Koh Kradan. The sand is thick and warm, and the waters are calm enough for a spot of kayaking. This makes it the ideal beach for discovering the wonders of this lovely area. Lazy days or active days can be had when you’re based near this beach.

Rio de Janeiro - Copacabana Beach. 1/25/1974

Rio de Janeiro – Copacabana Beach. 1/25/1974

 

Picture source

 

Arpoador, Rio de Janeiro – Arpoador has become a very popular beach to visit when you’re staying in the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro. It is quite family friendly and being in the center of all the city’s festivities makes for a fabulous vacation destination. You can find plenty of interesting features beyond the warm sands and waters. There is plenty to do here thanks to its popularity, but you may not find any peace and quiet.

 

There are so many different beaches around the world that it can be quite hard to choose. These are just a few of the better ones you might be tempted by. Perhaps you prefer one near your home? Where is your favorite beach?

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