Michael Levitt's Blog, page 104

Here’s how you Could Manage your Logistics Much More Efficiently

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The more steps you have in your logistical plan, the more efficient your process will be. If you know that you need to supply materials to a certain business at a certain time, then you have to make sure that your supply chain is efficient, and you also need to make sure that you are able to respond to problems as and when they arise. The bigger your operation is, the harder this becomes, so you have to make sure that you do everything you can to organize things right now, so you can go on to benefit in the future.

Make a Solid Plan

Efficient logistics is all about planning. The less decisions you need to make off-the-cuff, the better. Even though a solid plan will not cover you for every circumstance, it will help you to keep your choices to a minimum. A good manager will be able to help you plan ahead so that you can eliminate as many delays in the supply chain as possible. Hiring a truck accident lawyer is also a very good idea.

Have a Contingency Plan

It doesn’t matter how foolproof you think your plan is because it is nearly impossible for you to prepare for everything. A good manager will know that their job is not over after the plan has been made. They will follow up on the supply chain at every point and they will also put out fires as and when they crop up. If you want to do this properly then it’s vital that you have a contingency plan for every part of your logistical journey. It’s also important for you to learn when to stick it out with your plan and when you should be switching it up.

Hiring a Logistical Manager

When your plans go awry, you have to make sure that the person who is sorting out the problem has a lot of interpersonal skills. This is because they need to re-arrange things with the business and they will also need to be good with people. If you can hire someone with strong industry contacts then this will go on to benefit you far more than you realize.

Automate your Systems

We live in a very digital age, and there are a number of ways that you can easily automate your logistical process. This includes tracking and monitoring your deliveries. These systems can take a lot of the guesswork out of your supply chain as raw data is used without any kind of bias. This will ensure that your business is way better off and you may even find that you are able to stay on top of things more. If you can, try and use inventory management software as this will give you the chance to refine your process.

Learn from your Mistakes

Not having a good logistical program in place will cost your company thousands every year. The most important thing that you can do right now is to try and optimize your supply chain so that you can avoid making the same mistakes over and over again.

Why Earn a DNP?

Source: Marymount University

If you’re considering becoming a nurse or you already are one but want to further your career, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is one of the highest positions you can hold. Earning this type of degree might seem like a lot of effort and extra time, but there are many benefits to consider. 

So, why should you earn a DNP? 

First, it can provide you with leadership opportunities that weren’t there before. You can serve as a Chief Nursing Officer, become a director of patient services, or even evaluate research to apply best practices. 

Of course, with higher positions comes a higher salary. Most DNPs make over $100,000 per year, compared to the median salary of an RN at just over $73,000. 

As a DNP, you can also enjoy more job security, because there are fewer nurses with that degree. So, you’ll be in higher demand no matter where you choose to work. 

Finally, it’s important to take a look at the future when it comes to earning a DNP. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioners Faculties is encouraging all Nurse Practitioners to hold a DNP by 2025. So, now is the time to jump on board and earn your degree, keeping yourself in high demand before thousands of others start to compete with you. 

Between more leadership opportunities, a higher salary, and the ability to connect more directly with patients in need, becoming a DNP has plenty of advantages that will make going back to school for the degree beyond worth it. At Marymount University, you can earn your DNP with a value-based education dedicated to serving others. 

How To Form A Positive Attitude To Work

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How To Form A Positive Attitude To Work

Work – negative connotations surround the word. So how can we begin to find joy and positivity in tasks we would rather not be doing? The simple answer is a change in perspective, but this will take time and practise. To help, here are some tips to start forming a positive mental attitude to your work.

Create a morning routine

Always start your day right if you can. If this means prepping breakfast the night before and going to bed early to maximize your rest, do it. Here are some breakfast ideas that you can make the night before. This will mean you’re not in a rush to get going. 

You could even add mindfulness to your routine with the extra time, like a 10-minute meditation or stretch, or sit-down with a cup of tea. Plus, keeping to your routine will prevent lateness and better your focus.

Block out the negativity

Even if you are kind and cheerful to everyone, a few coworkers will still lower your mood. If that’s the case, try to keep contact minimal, and if you are assigned to work with them on something, focus your energy on the task rather than them, and take time out to breathe if necessary.

Similarly, bad reviews from ex-employees can be draining. To fix this, Glassdoor review removal using Removify takes down unfair reviews and rids your business of unwanted negativity.

Ensure a comfortable working environment

If you are working remotely, like so many of us these days, it may seem impossible to create a perfect workspace. But small improvements can go a long way. Firstly, make sure your desk is tidy; paper trays and folders can help with this. 

Also, a houseplant could brighten up your area and create a calming atmosphere. Succulent plants, for example, remove toxins from the air and improve your focus, plus they require minimum care, so you need not worry about them. If plants aren’t your thing, try a candle, or a framed photo of something that brings you joy. All of these ideas will work in an office space as well.

Make the best use of your breaks

Sitting at your desk, eating a sandwich, still staring at your computer screen is not a break. If you’re granted an hour off, use it wisely. A short walk can provide a fresh perspective while increasing your physical fitness. Studies show that walking for 30 minutes in your break increases workers’ enthusiasm and sense of calm. For food, if your workplace lacks a decent cafeteria or local cafe, pre-prepare a nutritious lunch. It’s the same concept as prepping breakfasts, eating a balanced, tasty meal will better your attitude when returning to work.

Be realistic about your productivity

Long, uncompleted to-do lists will not increase positivity. Start by creating a reasonable action plan each day, and reward yourself each time you complete a task with a short break. 

4 Ways to Reduce Your Business Shipping Costs

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For many small businesses, shipping is one of the most significant costs. Whether you deliver goods internationally or ship your products locally, there are major costs associated with things like freight, transport, fuel, packaging, and postage.

If you're not careful, these expenses can become overwhelming and threaten to eat up your profits. But by being resourceful and employing some clever strategies, there are several ways to save money. To get you started, here are four effective ways to reduce your business shipping costs.

Talk to multiple shipping carriers

If you transport large quantities of goods a long way, you will no doubt need to employ the services of a shipping company to get your cargo where it needs to be at the right time. There are so many different carriers available worldwide to meet a variety of different needs. And it’s worth negotiating with multiple carriers to find the best deal for your business. If shipping internationally, an air freight company might be quicker and more efficient, but it comes at a price. Ocean freight shipping is simple and a lot more cost-effective, as long as you can handle the longer shipping time. Ask each carrier for quotes and don’t be afraid to walk away if they can’t provide you with the deal you’re looking for. Make sure you closely scrutinize the contracts to ensure there are no hidden charges or loopholes.

Be more fuel-efficient

If your company has a fleet of transportation and delivery vehicles, fuel is no doubt one of your biggest expenses. While there’s no getting away from the fact that you need it to get your goods to their destination, there are ways you can reduce the amount you need. Purchasing a fleet of more fuel-efficient vehicles might be an extreme expense, but it will save you money in the long run. In the short term, another option would be to train your drivers in more fuel-efficient driving techniques to reduce their gasoline consumption over long journeys. There are numerous ways to achieve this, such as accelerating gently, coasting to decelerate, and refraining from idling while stationary.

Buy postage supplies in bulk

Individually, postage supplies such as cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and other packing materials don’t cost a lot, but in large quantities, they can eat a tremendous chunk out of your budget. By buying these supplies in bulk you’ll be able to negotiate a much better deal and spend less money each month. Some shipping companies will provide postage supplies to companies at a discount, so it is worth doing some research to see if you can find a good deal.

Insure with a third-party

When shipping valuable goods, taking out insurance is a no-brainer, and most shipping companies provide this service as an add-on. Yet there is a good chance they are ramping up their prices for the added convenience. You may be able to save a great deal of money by taking out a policy with a third-party shipping insurance provider. In some cases, it might be nearly half the price.

Where Do Businesses Lose The Most Money?

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There are many expenses that companies face, and that’s just the way that it has to be. Hopefully, those expenses will be considered an investment, and will eventually help to bring in more cash to your venture. Alas, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, there are costs that don’t do anything for the business other than bring it down. And in some cases, those expenses can have an extremely negative impact on the business, to the point where they may need to consider winding up for good. In this blog, we’re going to look at a few areas that cost companies money, as well as offer advice on how to overcome them.

High-Grade Tech

It’s easy to get lost in the pit of technology when you’re investing in your business. There’s just so much out there, and it’s easy to trick yourself into thinking that while you don’t need all the tech right now, there could well come a day when you do need it. When you’re investing in the hardware for your venture, it’s important to stay realistic, and to just think about what you genuinely need, rather than want. You can reduce the bill further by looking at refurbished options, which can be just as good as new products, yet a fraction of the cost. 

Expensive Office Space

It used to be that you couldn’t really run a company, especially one with employees, without having an office space. Yet times have changed -- today, it is absolutely possible to run a business without having an expensive headquarters. The old mindset remains, though, perhaps to do with prestige. But is the slight increase in prestige worth the expensive office space cost? Probably not. Instead, work from home, and put the money you save to better use. If you can’t or don’t want to work from home, then look at getting yourself and your staff into a coworking space, which offers all the benefits of an office at the fraction of a cost. 

Non- or Late-Paying Customers

In an ideal world, you’d provide a product or service to a customer, and they’d pay at the time of purchase. But this is not an ideal world. Sometimes, customers can be very lax when it comes to payment, and that can have a negative impact on your cash-flow situation. Even worse, some customers can avoid paying altogether. There are things you can to combat these matters. If you can’t get a hold of a non-paying customer, then use skip tracer software to track them down. If a customer is repeatedly paying late, then you could offer an incentive to motivate them to pay early -- or add a penalty for late payment.

Employee Turnover

It pays to take care of your employees. It costs a lot of money to hire and train a new employee, and if all your employees leave after six months, then you’ll spend a lot more than necessary on employees. The best way to combat this? Treat your employees well -- don’t give them an excuse to leave. 

Three Security Tips All Businesses Should Know

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Whether you have a small office, a multi-floor building that is only part of your business or has several warehouses, it is essential that you keep them safe and secure. Not only will keeping them secure provide a great working environment, but it will also help you to minimize any costs related to theft. Let’s have a look a some of the ways you can keep your business secure below:

Use Security 

Not all businesses will have the need ot use a security service, however, if you have big office blocks, a large warehouse, or high-value stock and products then using security can give you a bit of peace of mind. There are numerous different ways you can use a security service. They can monitor the people who enter the site and hand out visitor passes, conduct regular site walkabouts, and remove possible threats. They can also act on any alarms and reviews and CCTV footage. You could hire in-house or outsource for this role. 

Install Surveillance Cameras

A really great way to secure your business premises is to use something such as a commercial security service. Not only will they deter potential thieves, but it can also help to watch who is on the premises at any time, and reduce insurance costs. This sort of system can protect your stock, equipment and on-site holdings, as well as offer some protection and reassurance to your employees. You may not like to think about internal theft happening, however, it does. Cameras can be a good deterrent for this happening too. You may even be able to view live footage on your devices at home, so when you are away from the office, you can still keep a watchful eye, or react to any triggers. 

Think About Security Training 

It is best if you have security training in place in any business, so, if you don’t now is the time to start thinking about providing it. You should have a clearly defined section in your company handbook, and make sure everyone has received training, it’s documented, and it is familiarised. I anything changes, provide an update. The training can include anything rom making sure your ID badge is visible at all times, dealing with visitors on-site, and clocking in and out thought to follow the company procedures and rules on a mobile phone, cybersecurity, and how ot deal with a fire drill. 

If you ensure your staff receive and understand the relevant security training you are helping ot keep your business premises safe and secure. As well as providing relevant and updated training for any employees, it’s a good idea to make sure it is documented, and that there are procedures in place for safety hazards such as fire exits being blocked, or door being left unlocked at night. 

These are just three of the top ways ot keep your business safe and secure. Do you have any other safety tips that you could share in the comments, that could help a small business? 

Take Your Business Eco-Friendly For 2021

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According to various economic studies, today companies achieve favorable results when applying ecological practices in their activities. It is not about selling organic products, but about changing the paradigms of how work is done in a company. When a company advertises that its products or services are made with clean energy, for example, positive sales results are achieved. According to Entrepreneur, when the main objective of a company is not the commercialization of products, it is a challenge to preserve non-renewable resources. 

In order for your business to optimize its environmental footprint, it is necessary for all company employees to be aware of the importance of the ecological factor, not only for the good of the planet, but for better impressions with the client. Although it sounds a bit moralistic, it is not consistent for a company to promote its good environmental practices if its employees do not follow them. For the work team of a company to follow these principles, we recommend, for example, encouraging the recycling of paper, plastic and batteries by running internal contests. You can also promote not using disposable containers for coffee or water or having vegetarianism one day of the week. It should be an obligation that all electronic equipment not in use is turned off when offices are closed. If you use product packaging, then opt for eco-friendly packaging. 

Get active!

It is advisable to invite customers to be an active part of the company's ecological campaigns or events. It is suggested to teach them how the company carries out its tasks, because this brings confidence and security. In addition, these campaigns promote good practices from customers and the community. By being transparent with customers, you show that the company is not part of some companies that do misleading or false green marketing, which is also known as “Greenwashing”. The idea is to convince the public that good practices are not only intended for acceptance and good corporate image. 

Many customers do not want to buy products or services made with green practices because their cost is higher. That's why your company needs to do a good job strategizing so that customers know the benefits of choosing the green alternative. It is important to include in all commercial information, the ecological responsibility that one has, including business cards, electronic signatures, business letters, etc.

Build a network with other companies

Strategic alliances with other companies that have an ecological ideology will help you to enhance the results and the relationship with your customers. Doing joint activities for the environment can serve to expand the coverage of your business and find support for certain tasks. Also, the experience of other companies can help guide your own ecological experience. The future of green is coming and 2021 will see even more changes within the world, to combat global warming and to start on a new journey towards better resources and a healthier world for all. It is time to start creating a better future and it all starts with sustainability. 

Aligning New Year's Goals with Your Purpose

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With the start of each new year, we turn to think about our hopes, dreams, and goals for the coming year. Many people make a list of resolutions or goals at the beginning of each year, but then quickly forget about them or stop working towards them.

There are many reasons why this might be the case, but one of the biggest reasons is that you are picking goals that are haphazard and random instead of aligning them with your purpose. When you align your goals with a bigger purpose, then it becomes easier to incorporate them into your life and not allow them to fall out of existence as easily.

Whether you are making personal goals, business goals, or both, there are some things you can do to choose goals that align with your purpose and then take steps to make sure you reach those goals. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Find Your Purpose

Before you start to make goals, you should decide what your purpose is at its very center. While you may already have a vague idea of your purpose, you may be surprised to realize that it is hard to articulate. If you can not succinctly say what your purpose is, then you are not ready to start making goals.

One way you can find your purpose for the year is to do a brain dump. Take a piece of paper and set a timer for five minutes. During those five minutes, write without thinking about all the things you want to accomplish this year.

Write the way you want to feel, characteristics you want to develop, and the person you would like to be at the end of the year. This should be done as it flows into your mind with no judgment and no stopping to think before you write. The goal is to just unload anything that comes into your mind unguarded.

After the timer goes off, then you can start to go over everything you wrote and to start looking for patterns. Group things together that seem like they would support each other. Notice any outliers that are not congruent with the general feel of the list.

Doing a brain dump will help you notice what is actually most important to you and where your heart is when it comes to the coming year. Finding ways that the items on your list correspond with each other should give you a general direction to start moving.

It may even help to title each group of items with a single word that encapsulates the feeling or motivation around those goals. Narrowing down your desires to a single word can give you more focus and direction as you move forward into the goal making stage.

Outline Goals

Once you have narrowed down your purpose to a word or phrase, you are ready to start formulating goals that will help you work towards that purpose. You must come up with goals that are going to help you work towards your purpose and support you in becoming the person you want to be instead of distracting you.

Because you have the bigger picture and purpose in mind, you can create goals that matter to you. You can formulate goals that are important and that have relevance to your life. These are important things you need to consider with each goal you make. You might come up with a good goal, but if it is not the right time for that specific goal, then you need to be okay letting it go in preference for other, more relevant goals.

Goals also need to have certain characteristics to be helpful. A goal needs to be specific. Goals like, “lose weight” or “increase social media following” are not helpful goals. Specificity is what is going to motivate you to reach your goal. A specific goal enables you to know how far away you are from reaching the goal and when you have actually done it.

While goals need to stretch your abilities and take you out of your comfort zone a little bit, they also need to be possible for you to reach. We all have limitations on our time, finances, and other resources. Your goal should require work, but if it is not possible, all you will find is frustration.

The goals that you make also need to have a built-in time-frame. If you want to be qualified to apply for a job or promotion, what training or experience will you need to gain to be considered and when is that deadline? Not having a deadline or time-frame for each goal will leave you unfocused and make it easier to push the goal to the background instead of making it a priority.

Break Down Goals into Steps

You may think that once you have settled into what your goals are that you are done, but that is not the case. Even if you make your goals specific and attainable and time-sensitive, they are most likely an end goal and not the process that it will take to get to the end.

In order to reach your goal, you will need to break your goal down into smaller steps to create a path towards success. It can be overwhelming to look at the end goal, and those feelings of overwhelm and anxiety are some reasons why people avoid working on their goals. Breaking them down into smaller steps helps with progress.

In order to break a goal down into steps, you need to know where you are currently and where you want to be. Once you have that figured out, you can fill in the blanks in the middle of the steps to get to where you want to be.

You should treat each step in your breakdown as a small goal by making it specific and time-sensitive. Doing this will help you to keep moving forward and stay on your current timeline. Manageable small tasks will help you be able to stay motivated in the pursuit of your goal instead of giving up due to frustration.

Some goals may be bigger than others. Some might be small, but it is important not to skip them. You may have a goal to reach out to a contact in order to network. You may need to check out dickies scrubs from Uniform Advantage to update your work uniform. You may need to delete a time-wasting app. The size of the goal doesn’t matter, just that it is moving you in the right direction. 

Check-ins

Another reason that people don’t follow through with their goals is that they forget about them. One way that you can stay focused and motivated is by having regular check-ins with yourself and touch base with your goals and progress.

The frequency with which you have these check-ins entirely depends on your goal and timeline. It may make sense to have a weekly check-in to see your progress and plan your coming week. If your goal is a long-term goal, then you may not need to check-in as frequently. You should at least check-in each month if you are not doing it more frequently than that.

During each check-in, be sure to evaluate the tasks you’ve completed so far on your goal, track the progress you are making, and set the next steps in motion. Progress doesn’t happen on its own, so tracking progress and making short-term plans to take more steps towards your goal is essential.

Give Yourself Grace

It is also important to give yourself some grace when you are working towards your goals. It is very unlikely that in pursuit of a goal you are going to do everything perfectly and on your established timeline.

Life happens, and it is important to be flexible and give yourself some room to make mistakes. Some people let a slip up derail their entire goal and they give up based on a small failure. You should expect these failures to happen and instead of letting them derail your entire plan, just make the necessary adjustments and keep moving forward.

Celebrating Success

With each task you complete as you move towards your goal, you need to celebrate your success. Celebrating your successes will help you stay motivated to keep working and will give you the necessary confidence in your abilities to keep stretching yourself.

Each celebration doesn’t have to be a big thing. It can be sharing with a friend the progress you made. It can be as simple as taking a moment just to feel the happiness that comes with making progress.

When you finally do reach your end goal, it is important to celebrate that in a more meaningful way. Take time to celebrate in the way that feels best to you. When you take time to celebrate the end of a goal, you are more likely to complete the other goals you make.

Of course, when you complete a goal, it is important to also not lose that momentum and set another goal to work towards once your celebration is over. Life is not meant to be stagnant and forward motion is important to help businesses grow and to see personal development.

The next goals you make can be related to the one you just completed or it can be completely different. You may need to start this process all over to find new goals. The important thing is that you keep your goals aligned with your purpose and don’t stop making progress.

How to Boost Customer Loyalty

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Did you know that trying to attract a new customer costs five times more than trying to retain an existing one? The primary goal of most businesses is to attract new customers. However, focusing your efforts on keeping hold of the existing ones may be a far more cost-effective strategy.

Taking your customers for granted is always a big mistake. There is little point in trying to attract new customers if as soon as you convert them they are forgotten, and you repeat the cycle over and again. This is a waste of both time and money. Attracting new customers is essential, but so is maintaining your existing customer base, as a loyal customer base is what is needed for the long term success of your business. If you are wondering how to retain your existing customers and earn their loyalty these tips should help you to get started:

Rewards

All too often, businesses use incentives to attract new customers while their loyal customers continue to pay the regular price. While this may help to attract new customers, it may also cost you existing ones. There is no incentive for a customer to be loyal to your brand if all the best deals go to new customers.

Offering incentives to new customers is fine and can be effective. But you also need to ensure that loyal customers receive an equally attractive deal to encourage them to stay with your business.

Customer Service

Poor customer service is something that everyone dislikes, so if yours is not of the highest standard, chances are you could lose customers as a result. To offer exemplary customer service, your team needs to be trained to meet the needs of your customers.

You can enhance the customer experience and encourage loyalty by offering additional services that help your business stand out from your competitors. Using a bilingual answering service will ensure that each of your customers receives excellent service over the telephone and that their needs are understood and met by your team. These types of enhancements to your customer service are an excellent way to both attract new customers and encourage loyalty from existing ones.

Gain Feedback

Gaining insight into your customers’ opinions of your service, products, and brand will provide you with plenty of useful information. Listening to feedback and then acting on it to improve your offering shows customers that you listen to them and care about their opinions. Using customer feedback, and responding by making the changes they have suggested will not only improve their experience but will also make them want to continue using your services.

Build Your Brand

As well as working on improving customer service, it is also essential to consider your brand. Your branding needs to be effective to appeal to your target market and attract them to your products in the first place. Consumers like to be associated with brands that resonate with them, so if your brand achieves this it is guaranteed to build customer loyalty.

Business Lessons From The Pros

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Whether starting a business in 2021 or trying to inject some spark into a company that has struggled in the pandemic, education is the key. And one of the best ways to learn lessons is to take inspiration from others.

Valuable lessons can be gained from analyzing global giants and startup successes alike. Here are just four that you should appreciate and try to implement into your business journey.

Power of people

Everyone knows that a team of empowered employees will give the business a better chance of success. Even the likes of Richard Branson champion this with the “teach them so they can leave, treat them so they won’t” mantra. Disney, American Airlines, and a host of major companies get this right too.

So, when employees are allowed to show their initiative, it allows the brand to provide better client experiences. In an era where emotional feelings are an important ingredient in the consumer’s mind, the rewards are huge.

You can start small and not spend big 

A lot of businesses fail because they overspend before the ventures can grow to a point where they turn a profit. When starting out, you do not need to worry about vanity projects. Instead, you should keep the operations as cheap as possible. Invest money into stock and building customer relations

The GymShark model is a great example. The UK-based startup grew from a bedroom to a proper HQ with dozens of staff via industrial units. No thrills on the manufacturing projects, but bigger risks on getting the brand out to the people. Perfect.

A distinct vibe is key

Virtually all industries are saturated with companies all competing for the same audience. There will be many ventures that offer perfectly good products and services. They say that marketing is the most valuable art form of the last 100 years. Building a clear brand is certainly one of the most significant steps.

Expert Dee Agarwal explains how a distinct personality played a big role for No More Rack. In truth, virtually any brand that has succeeded has done so due to smart marketing and a passionate client base. When people spread the word for you, success is assured.

Prevention is the best form of protection

Good lessons aren’t always learned from success stories. As Code Spaces discovered the hard way, security breaches can completely ruin a business. The combination of financial and reputational damage makes it very hard to bounce back, especially for an SME. Therefore, you must take the right precautions.

After all, 40% of all cyberattacks target SMEs. As such, you must react with the best digital protocols, physical security, and intellectual protection. Only then will you have a genuine shot at keeping the business on track.