Image from Pixabay - CC0 Licence Many people working in trades have excellent practical skills but aren't necessarily as experienced when it comes to running a business. Starting your own trade business can be an excellent way to make money and move upward in your career. However, it's easy to forget that running a business is a skill in itself. You might be a whizz at plumbing a toilet or wiring a light fixture, but do you know how to handle your calendar or provide good customer service? And what about handling your accounts? If you want your business to survive, you need to know how to be a good business person. Get Help from Others People working in trades are often operating as a one-man band. They might have connections with other tradespeople and perhaps an apprentice or workmate, but running the business is usually left up to them alone. If you want to avoid feeling at sea with so much to do, it's definitely worth considering what outside help you can get. For example, hiring a virtual assistant can help you tackle tasks such as managing enquiries or creating quotes. An accountant can help you manage your finances and taxes so you don't have to spend hours poring over them yourself. Grow a Great List of Contacts and Suppliers Whenever you need to order a part or get in touch with someone to help you with a job, you don't want to waste time trying to find the right contact. One of the most valuable things anyone working in a trade can have is a good network. If you have a good electrical wholesaler you can use as your go-to or you know who you can call when you need to consult someone on a job, you can save yourself a lot of time. You'll also be able to provide a better service to your customers if you always know who to call.

Unsplash - CC0 License Improving your business’s security can be challenging. There’s always a lot to think about, and you never know whether you are doing everything you can to protect your people, equipment, network, and premises. Fortunately, this post is here to help. We explore some of the methods you can use to boost business security and ensure that you get your company on the right path. Here’s everything you need to know. Conduct A Risk Assessment The first step is to conduct a risk assessment . This provides you with an opportunity to learn more about what you’re doing well right now, and where you need to improve. Concentrate on the weaknesses in your security. These are the areas where breaches are most likely to occur. Get specialists on your team to search for potential areas where you might have problems and fix them. Control Access You also want to focus more on controlling access and ensure that people can only gain entry to sensitive areas on a “need to” basis. This approach restricts the number of personnel who could potentially be implicated in various parts of your business. To achieve this, use a combination of security fencing , keycard access points, and signage. Try to avoid anyone who isn’t authorized from accessing specific areas unless they need to use them for their work. Invest In CCTV It’s also a good idea to invest in CCTV. Videoing select entry points discourages criminals and ensures that you can monitor all your access points and prevent breaches. Most modern CCTV systems are inexpensive and connect to your central security hub. You can also get systems that will alert you if they detect a breach or see any motion on the images. Maintain Security Awareness Maintaining security awareness is also critical. Staying up to date with the latest threats lets you respond more rapidly to issues and ensure that your staff and networks remain safe during attacks or more widespread events. Fortunately, there are plenty of feeds you can use to stay up to date with the latest happenings in the field and get advice on what to do next. Be sure to regularly check cybersecurity websites to ensure that there are no ongoing events. You can also sign up for security providers’ X feeds to get the latest updates from people in the industry. Conduct Regular Security Audits In addition to the initial risk assessment, you also want to conduct regular security audits. These will give you a better picture of the overall health of your business and its capacity to deflect attacks. Security audits are an opportunity to see where your company’s weaknesses are and find security gaps. Often you will discover glaring breaches and find quick fixes to put them right. Use Two-Factor Authentication Finally, you want to use two-factor authentication on your business network, particularly if staff take their work devices home with them. Putting in this extra layer of security prevents criminals from accessing your network resources, even if they have a password.

Do you want to become a social media influencer? If so then you have come to the right place. Here you will find out what steps you can take to get where you need to be. Choose a Solid Niche The first thing you need to do is choose a solid niche. This step is so important and if you do not take it then you will not be able to build a solid foundation of engaged people who have an interest in your brand. Every marketing influencer who you see on YouTube, Facebook or even Twitter will have their own audience. Without a niche, you will soon find that you have to compete for the attention of your audience and this is the last thing you need. If you want to come up with a niche then first ask yourself what you have and what you are actually good at. Give some thought to what it is you are passionate about, and what interests you have. If you can do this then you will soon see a huge benefit. If you want a great influencer to follow then be sure to check out Chris Roebuck .

What To Do When You Move Into A New Office Building Most business owners will want their businesses to grow and expand, and if you have an office space, that will eventually mean finding somewhere new to work as you outgrow your old one. That’s a good thing, even if moving is quite stressful - it shows that you’re reaching your goals and you’re successful. Once you do move and you find yourself in the new office, it’s a good idea to know what things you need to do first so you can minimize the disruption to your business as much as possible. With that in mind, here are some jobs to put on your to-do list.

Image Credit. Have you just started a catering business, or are you considering doing so? If so, congratulations. But you should be prepared for a lot of work. Running any kind of business involves a great deal of work and sometimes monetary investment. This is especially true of a catering business. But the good news is that catering is one of those ever-expanding industries. Here are some tips to get you started. Your Business Plan First things first, you need a plan for your catering business. Catering is a massive industry, so a plan will narrow down your focus and improve your ability to succeed. Catering businesses can take on all shapes and sizes, so decide early what your catering business will provide to your customers. Do you specialise in party food? A specific cuisine or theme? Are you catering for weddings, business events, or kid’s parties? Do you just deliver the food or do you serve it as well? What’s on the menu? These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself before you can even start cooking. Rules and Licensing One of the most important things to tackle when considering opening a catering business is to make sure that your paperwork is on point. This is true for any business, but when you’re prepping food for people, there are a few extra licenses to explore. Health and safety is the big one. You will need to be licensed to serve food and your kitchen will likely be inspected. Keep a hygienic kitchen to ensure that your business stays solvent and, most importantly, that you don't make anyone sick with your cooking. Equipping Your Kitchen A well-equipped kitchen is the only way to have a successful business in the food industry. It makes sense, as you need to prepare, cook, and deliver all this food and keep it in a safe temperature. So, make sure that you have the catering equipment your business needs in order to succeed and meet your customer’s expectations. The Great Employee Debate As your catering business grows, you will reach the point where you need to consider hiring employees. Dedicated delivery drivers can be helpful, as can extra hands in the kitchen and when serving food. The kind of staff you need depends on your business and your skills. Employees are great for shoring up gaps in skill and helping you to get more work done efficiently. But they are also an added layer of complexity and responsibility. You need to make sure your employees are trained and, ideally, qualified to work in the kitchen. You can train them yourself but, you guessed it, this will take work. The best way to get the most out of your employees is to first hire the right people for the job. From there, make sure that you look after their needs and protect them whenever necessary. If you look after your employees, they will look after you.

Let's talk about the insightful world of onboarding. Think of it as more than a stack of forms and a round of handshakes. It's about seamlessly integrating your new employees into the heartbeat of your company. In this post, we'll delve into what really makes onboarding work. We're not just adding people to the office; we're preparing them to become integral, contributing members of the team.

Source: Pixabay CC0 Licence As an employer, appreciating the fact that employees are your greatest asset is essential. Richard Branson famously said: “ If you look after your staff, they’ll look after your customers. It’s that simple ”. However, going the extra mile to take care of them doesn’t only boost the client experience. It also translates to increased productivity and profitability. Here are some of the simple steps that can be taken to unlock the desired results. Make Them Aware Of Digital Dangers In today’s business landscape, many of the dangers facing your business are in the digital space. Therefore, it’s important to teach your employees how to avoid PayPal scams , phishing, ransomware, and other threats. The harsh reality is that over 90% of all cyber breaches are attributed to human error. Worse still, enabling scammers to take advantage of vulnerabilities harms the employee as well as the company. Protecting your business and its personnel online should also extend to remote-based workers. Whether they are freelancers or employees using WFH models, they need protection. If nothing else, it will promote a united atmosphere. Invest In The Layout Of Your Workspace Sadly, many businesses overlook health and safety for a variety of reasons. Unsafe working environments are a real danger to your business. The hazards could potentially cause injuries to employees, which can also lead to lawsuits. Moreover, seeing that the area isn’t 100% safe may also distract employees and leave them feeling undervalued by the company. Ensuring that walkways are wide enough is a great first step. Following this, you must ensure that all potential electrical hazards are covered. When combined with accessibility features for any employees who may need them, you won’t go far wrong. Crucially, though, all workspaces must be kept clean. Ensure That All Equipment Is Checked Workers will use multiple types of equipment throughout the day. Tools, machinery, computers, stock checking devices, and telecoms facilities are just some examples. All could pose a threat if they are not maintained. Meanwhile, any safety harnesses must be checked at the start of a shift. You must also confirm that electrical safety rescue hooks , fire extinguishers, and other tools are available. Being prepared for all situations is crucial. When equipment is monitored through the OEE method or other strategies, you can stay on top of the situation. On a side note, it’ll allow you to keep downtime to a minimum. So, your company will see a host of financial benefits in the long run. Talk Protecting your employees isn’t just about physical safety. Knowing how to spot signs that they aren’t in a good place mentally is vital. This will allow you to identify and respond to issues ASAP. Your proactive approach should extend to creating feedback loops so that employees can come to you with any problems. Aside from allowing you to support them individually, it can be a key step to cutting out workplace bullying. It also shows employees that you care. Making them feel valued in this way won’t only prevent problems. It’ll also give them an incentive to work harder while simultaneously reducing your staff turnover rate.

https://unsplash.com/photos/aWf7mjwwJJo While B2B marketing has become a popular approach for many companies, some businesses still struggle to identify the best opportunities that require them to work with another firm. You might feel you can do it all yourself, whether talking about finances or marketing, but that won’t remain true forever. Instead, you need to learn how to identify better B2B opportunities to ensure you find the right company for any job. Go By Referrals Although you might consider similar businesses in your industry competitors, there is professional respect among you. So you can reach out to your network to go by referrals for B2B options that can benefit your business. Typically, there are one or two firms that work with many companies in your niche and industry. There are no worries regarding conflicting interests because this is just what the company does. Therefore, you can research marketing firms or graphic designers to help your business, especially if you have heard great things about their work and results. Research Specialist Companies There could be several tasks and projects where you need a specialist company, and you might not be able to retrieve referrals because no one has worked with them before. However, just because others haven’t worked with them doesn’t mean you don’t still require their services. Instead, you’ll need to research businesses that can provide what you need in your area. Searching CNC Steel Cutting along with your location should give you a list of companies that can fulfil the project or work you have in mind. It is worth collecting quotes and seeing work examples from various businesses before choosing a company to work with. Attend B2B Conferences You can attend conferences all over the world in-person and virtually that can give you an idea of how to find companies that could help you when necessary. This approach allows you to identify up-and-coming businesses which could be useful for helping them get off the ground or save your bacon if your first choice is busy for the foreseeable future. Even if you don’t need to work with specific companies immediately, you can introduce yourself and collect contact details for various businesses that appeal to you and that you might need to work with at a later date. It’s always better to have these details saved now so you’re not panicking and settling for a lower-quality option later. Consider Outsourcing Firms The many outsourcing benefits should convince you to consider using an outsourcing firm for various business needs. This is cheaper and sometimes more convenient making it ideal for smaller businesses trying to remain within their budget. These firms provide tailored services as and when you need them, meaning you can request work once a month (especially for financial needs) or even less, depending on your upcoming projects. Partnerships There are some jobs and projects you can’t fulfil yourself, whether because of the available materials, equipment, or even your expertise. Knowing how to find businesses that can plug the gaps in your knowledge and abilities can help you deliver precisely what you need without being too arrogant to do it all yourself.

Flexibility is key when you're growing your business. You need to be prepared to make changes in a number of different ways. As you grow your business, you can come up against a range of challenges that might mean you have to make some quick changes to how you do things. By staying flexible, you can ensure you're prepared to pivot and make the right choices to keep your business going. You can use a range of methods to keep your business as flexible as possible and be ready to make changes when they're needed the most. Use Outsourced Services If you want to keep your business prepared to bend to whatever comes its way, outsourcing some key tasks and processes is a smart idea. Outsourcing can make it easier to scale things up and down. It's generally more affordable than doing things in-house and you still get the services you need. You can use outsourced SEO services and other marketing, outsourced admin, accounting, fulfilment, and much more. You'll save money when you don't have to invest in your own resources and you can usually easily increase or decrease the level of the services you're receiving to meet the needs of your business and budget.