Michael Levitt's Blog, page 114

Seven Signs Of A Good Franchise Opportunity

Thanks to Tyler Nix for sharing their work on Unsplash.

A franchise business can be a great opportunity and a chance to run a business with expert support. Whether you’re already an entrepreneur or looking for a career change, a franchise can be the right choice. But how do you know if you have found the right franchise for you. A food opportunity will have these signs.

Industry growth. What is the potential for growth in the industry that you’re thinking about? Some franchisors will provide market research on their industry, but don’t rely only on this information. Do your own research as well. It’s just as crucial to know about the growth potential in your local area too. For example, frozen yogurt might be the most significant trend in franchising, but if your neighbourhood already has several frozen yogurt shops, this won’t be a good opportunity for you. 

Unit growth. Look for an ongoing increase in the number of franchise units, which shows that a franchise is thriving. One significant benefit of buying a franchise over starting a business of your own from scratch is that you have the franchisor’s name and brand recognition to help you. The more units that are open, the more brand awareness consumers will already have. 

Strong support from the franchisors. What kind of training and assistance will you get to help you get your franchise up and running? What help will you get to keep it running? Do they use any franchise management software? Even a small franchise system can be a good opportunity for you if the support level is strong. 

Good management. Find out about the people who are behind the company and their experience in franchising. Running one successful coffee shop is one thing, but it’s another to grow a coffee franchise. How long has the company been franchising? Try to meet with the management team, and the franchisee support staff to get an idea for what it might be like to work with them every day. 

Marketing and advertising support. What kind of marketing and advertising programs does the franchisor have in place? Are they taking advantage of new trends that others in the industry use, like online marketing or social media? You will probably have to pay a monthly royalty, so make sure you’re actually getting your money’s worth for what you pay. 

Satisfied franchisees. Meet and talk with both current and former franchisees to try to get honest feedback of the franchise system. If all the franchisees are unhappy, or even worse, they are suing the company, this is of course a very bad sign. But if you find that the franchisees you talk with love what they’re doing, then this is a bonus. 

Adequate earnings. Can you realistically make a living from the franchise? To find out if you can, you will need to estimate your potential earnings. Some franchisors will provide information on average earnings, which can be helpful. For others, you will need to work out an estimate for yourself by talking to other franchisees.

Creating An Ultra-High Vacuum And Their Common Applications

Photo by Burst

UHV vacuums are utilized in both commerce and industry for the likes of suction, drying, packaging, and pick-and-place. The low-pressure environment provided by a vacuum is ideal for products that are temperature-sensitive. Moreover, azeotropic mixes can even be split into a vacuum column. But, before we reveal more about the uses of vacuums today, let’s first take a look at how you create one. Read on to discover everything you need to know about ultra-high vacuums.

Creating A UHV Vacuum And Finding A Supplier

There is only one place to begin, and this is with creating a vacuum, which is where your UHV components come into play. The manner in which the vacuum is generated and controlled will impact the quality, speed, performance capability, and rapidity of processes. This is why you need to look for vacuum components suppliers with an extensive product range, as they can cater to all requirements and all desired outcomes. SMC Pneumatics products are a great example.

One of the most important purchases you need to make is the pump. The pumps you choose will depend on the type of vacuum you want to create. For ultra-high and high vacuums, turbomolecular pumps are employed. However, for medium and rough applications, dry, roots, and rotary vane pumps are used. 

Once you have decided on the type of pump you require, you then need to consider other important factors, for example, brand and the suction capacity. For instance, a large 3000 l pump would be perfect for the semiconductor and coating sector, however, for the analytics industry, you would be looking at something much smaller, i.e. something with a suction capacity of 11 l/s. 

The best thing to do is align yourself with a high-quality manufacturer and they will be able to point you in the direction of the vacuum system components you require. Look for a firm that has been established for a considerable number of years, and has the necessary experience, and make sure they have a good reputation in the industry as well. Read reviews to be certain of their credibility.

Industrial Applications For Vacuum Components

Vacuum technology has been used for many years now, but with every year that passes, its role becomes more and more significant. Therefore, we are going to take a look at some of the most interesting applications for vacuum components. 

Vacuum pumps are used in complex industrial type environments to assist with a diverse array of applications, including leak testing machines, drying equipment, heat treatment, and steel degassing. In the automotive and aviation sectors, modern components must fulfill exceptional standards, and this can only be reached by vacuum heat treatment. High costs can arise if there is unanticipated furnace downtime, as schedules regarding production are just in time with the production steps that come before and after. 

Vacuum pumps are also beneficial in terms of energy storage, and they are utilized in numerous steps of the production of Li-Ion batteries. Steel degassing is another area whereby vacuum technology has proved to be of vital importance, including vacuum oxygen decarburizing for stainless steel, and for alloy steels, vacuum degassing. 

This merely scratches the surface of the applications whereby vacuum technology has become irreplaceable. If you require UHV vacuum components, it is essential to align yourself with a high-quality manufacturer that can give you the parts required to generate a chamber that provides you with the performance you need. 

Why A Standing Desk Should Be Your New Office Furniture

Standing Desk Infographic

Finding the time to look after your health and wellbeing as a busy entrepreneur can be challenging. After all, you are constantly on the go moving from one project to the next and looking for ways to build your brand to become more successful and keep on climbing the ladder.

However, this way of living can easily lead you to become burnt out sooner rather than later. You need to be making sure you are taking the time to look after your health and wellbeing.

Eating a varied and well-balanced diet on the go isn’t easy but taking the time to make sure you are getting your essential vitamins and minerals is vital to help your body keep up with you as is drinking enough water, getting adequate sleep each and every night and making sure you are physically active - not just running from meeting to meeting and client to client!

Investing in a standing desk for your office or home workspace will help you to keep active and mobile during your working hours. Being sedentary isn’t good for anyone and making sure your heart is fit and healthy will go a long way to making sure you don’t risk burnout.

Standing burns more calories than sitting as it encourages you to move more, something you may not do if you are sat in a chair for hours on end.

This handy infographic highlights all the benefits of making the change to a standing desk and why working like this is the way forward for many office workers and entrepreneurs too!

Infographic Design By Autonomous.ai

Look At The Necessary Skills For A Great Career

Photo by Windows on Unsplash

It is understood that the modern business environment is continually changing and complex, with the challenges increasing. At the same time, competition in the business environment is inevitable and fierce, with entrepreneurs being called upon to adapt and react quickly to change and constant developments. This is so important in order to have a successful mindset.

Any entrepreneur today, in particular, needs to have strong business skills to be able to cope with the difficulties and obstacles they will face. Bear in mind that every single job that we apply for has its set of skills and needs. Even a job that is not considered a higher level still needs someone to be active and educated to an extent and have a mindset that will help them work more effectively. For example, if you are looking to work within the retail sector or perhaps you are looking to find work as a courier. Each of these jobs requires specific attributes. It is time that you start to realize your potential and what you are capable of achieving. 

Management skills and leadership skills

Young entrepreneurs consider the management and administration of business significant. In particular, a young entrepreneur today should be able to plan the activities that take place within their business, to organize, direct, coordinate, and motivate the human resources of their team, to accurately manage their time, to develops a spirit of cooperation, communicates their vision, inspires and controls all the actions and activities of their business.

Networking and communication skills

Communication plays a vital role for an entrepreneur today. It helps to express their ideas in a clear and effective way, to persuade, influence, encourage, negotiate, and develop interpersonal relationships with people both at home and abroad. Look at the environment of the business and be able to communicate effectively.

Business plan design and access to finance 

According to the entrepreneurs, it is imperative to know the design of a business plan that will provide a clear and understandable presentation of the goals and activities that the company is going to develop. At the same time, young entrepreneurs believe that access to finance and finding financial resources are crucial factors to be able to maintain the viability of their business. Understanding finances and how they work is vital in order to be able to help you budget in your personal life. Therefore it’s great to start thinking about what you are capable of and what areas you may need to brush upon. 

Digital marketing skills

All entrepreneurs see digital skills as crucial to boosting competitiveness, productivity, innovation, and professionalism. It is understood that knowledge of handling digital tools and technology is vital for an entrepreneur and the promotion and development of their business. In any business environment now, the need for digital skills is critical. We all use some type of digital marketing within any job, even within the world of medicine. Having some knowledge or even skills within their area could prove hugely beneficial when moving forwards in any career. 

What Does Your Business Need To Know About SEM?

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What is SEM, and why does your business need to know about it? 

To begin, this term is often used interchangeably with other terms - most notably, SEO. However, these two things are not technically the same. SEO is actually a type of SEM, but you'll learn more about that throughout this post. Alongside this, you'll also understand why your business should care about SEM and use it to your advantage.

What is SEM?

Some of you might be able to guess what SEM stands for based on what SEO stands for. It means search engine marketing, which basically encompasses all the different marketing methods through search engines. Mainly, this includes SEO and PPC. 

What is SEO?

We won't go into too much detail on this topic as it has been covered in a previous post. Effectively, search engine optimization refers to different tactics used to boost your organic search engine performance. In short, good SEO means a high ranking in the search results. 

What is PPC?

PPC marketing is a form of paid advertising on search engines. In essence, you bid on keywords to get your website to appear in the sponsored results. These results are usually advertised at the top of the search engine pages above the organic ones. Therefore, it has a lot of potential because people will see these results first, meaning they might click them before seeing the organic results. PPC stands for pay-per-click, and this links to how you pay for the adverts. Once your bid has been accepted, you will pay a set price for every click your advert gets. So, if nobody clicks on your website, you don't pay any money.

Why is SEM important?

Search engine marketing is arguably the most critical aspect of every marketing strategy. The majority of consumers begging their buyer's journey on search engines; it's how they find businesses. A quick Google search gives them all the results they need. By using SEO and PPC, you boost your visibility on search engines. Your website starts to come up higher in the results, increasing the chances it gets clicked on. Therefore, you can generate more leads and more sales!

How should you compose an SEM strategy?

This is where things get tricky, as SEM is relatively complex. Trying to get to grips with both SEO and PPC is a challenge for many small business owners. Instead, it's best to get professional help in this domain. Consider looking on freelance websites, like Snupit, which can provide you with SEM experts. From here, you work with these experts to formulate goals and aims for an SEM strategy. Then, implementations are made to ensure your website performs excellently in the results. 

Overall, search engine marketing is an important term that every business owner should understand. You don't need an in-depth knowledge of it as you will likely hire a freelancer/agency to make your strategy. Still, it helps to know the basics, such as what SEM is and why it's essential.

11 Reasons Your Business Should Give More Things Away

Photo by Giftpundits.com from Pexels

The idea of giving things away might make you fear for your business. If you give things away, why would people need to buy from you in the first place? If you give things away, won’t you lose a lot of money that you’ll struggle to get back? Your fears are valid, but there are too many benefits of giving more things away than downsides. Here, we’ll go through 11 reasons your business should give more things away - take a look and you might just be convinced. 

People Will Think Of You Whenever They Use or See Their Freebie

If you give people something they can keep and use, they will likely think of you whenever they use or see the freebie. Better still, if somebody else sees them using it, it’s free marketing for you! For this, you should think about which of your products are most likely to be used. Many businesses like to have things like mugs, pens, and t-shirts made especially to give away - however, there are a few different approaches. It all depends on your goals. 

It Leave A Lasting Impression

When you give people something unexpected that makes them smile, it can leave a lasting impression on them. If somebody purchases a product from you, they won’t expect to receive something for free. Unwrapping that free gift will definitely make them feel good and you’ll achieve positive brand association. They’ll definitely make a note to purchase from you again in future. 

You’ll Get Great Reviews

People often don’t leave reviews unless they are asked to, and it still won’t hurt you to have a strategy to ask for reviews. However, by giving something away for free, people are far more likely to leave positive reviews off their own back. You may want to give away a smaller version of another product, for instance - something that complements what they have already bought can work. It allows them to try it risk free, too. 

You’ll Build Stronger Relationships With Your Audience

Building strong relationships with your audience is always important. It isn't just about selling to them and trying to sell to new customers constantly. Making sure you build strong relationships with the people who have already purchased from you will ensure you have a sturdy customer base. It’s easier to entice previous customers back than it is to gain new ones! You could provide useful items like branded socks from a place like Custom Sock Lab - people always need these items, and they will think of you when they wear them. Simple things like a handwritten note and a discount can also go a long way to build relationships and bring people back. 

You’ll Encourage Loyalty

People will be loyal to your business when you provide amazing customer service. You need to make sure everything is on point, from the packaging to the aftercare. Delivery should be fast, communication should be clear, and you should treat every customer like your best customer! 

You’ll Teach People More About Other Things You Offer

People will become more aware of your other products and will be more likely to consider purchasing them again when you send out things for free. Around 7 out of 10 people purchase a product from receiving free samples, so you could stand to benefit in a big way if you develop a strategy! 

It’ll Help You To Build Your Reputation

Building your reputation is so important, especially in the beginning. If you’re looking to gain traction on social media and even develop a great local reputation, giving things away could be the key. If you package products and free gifts nicely you may get a social media post or two. If you give things away at your premises, even free drinks and cake, it’ll help people to create a positive association with your business and tell others about you. 

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You’ll Make People Feel Special

Making your audience feel special is one of the best things you can do if you want them to come back to you time and time again. Wrapping up a little gift, even a small one, can make them smile and make them feel important. Personalising your interactions can also work well - which is why handwritten thank-you cards can be so powerful! 

You Get Their Trust

Gaining a customer’s trust can be tough, but when you are consistent and provide value, it’s a lot easier. This is an ongoing thing, but you shouldn’t wait to start. 

You’ll Create a Buzz

Getting free stuff creates a buzz, both online and in the community. News travels fast! People may see facebook posts and tweets, or they may tell their friends. Word of mouth recommendations are one of the most powerful marketing techniques, as you just can’t buy it. 

It’ll Create A Buying Habit

Giving free things away helps to create a buying habit. When you offer something for free, people will likely give your business a try, assuming they have had a positive experience with you. If they like that interaction, then they will come back. This is why it’s so important to put an emphasis on consistency, as each positive interaction encourages the customer to come back again. 

So, how can your business start giving things away? You’re not limited to your options! Giving things away at a workshop or event can be a great way to entice people over, but you don’t have to wait for special occasions to give things away. Here are a few ideas:

Send smaller free samples out with every order so that people can try products risk free. 

Send items people can use, like pens and tote bags. 

Give away things like hot drinks when it’s cold. 

Do monthly competitions.

Team up with other well known brands to give things away.

Refund somebody’s order in full just to be nice. 

It may sound risky, but there are so many benefits. Try it for yourself and you’ll see!

Relationship Talk: When You Catch Feelings

Photo by @evertonvila

Relationships make up all of our lives. Without relationships, none of us would be here! Part of living and leading a life that is meaningful, you need relationships with others. Some start off as friendships, but then lead into something more. This article covers some concepts of when your feelings for another person approach a new level.

When You Catch Feelings

No-strings-attached relationships can sound great initially, but, sometimes after spending extra time together, these relationships can become more complicated than expected – especially if sex is introduced into the dynamic. Developing feelings for someone you are intimate with is normal, but if you went into this relationship with other expectations, what happens next?

In a new study, Superdrug Online Doctor surveyed 1,023 Americans and Britons who had experience with friends-with-benefits relationships. They revealed whether the relationship ended and what happened along the way. Here are some of the highlights from the study. 

Entering a Friends-With-Benefits Relationship

Friends-with-benefits situations can begin in many different ways. Whether two people were friends or strangers beforehand, there is usually a discussion about expectations before the relationship starts. 

The survey revealed that people had an average of 2.5 friends-with-benefits experiences. The average duration of participants’ most recent friends-with-benefits relationship was 8.5 months, but women (9 months) reported slightly longer coupling than men (8.1 months).

Slightly more than 3 in 4 people were platonic friends when entering their friends-with-benefits relationship. Nearly half (47.9%) of women entered these relationships with hopes of it becoming more, while just 34.5% of men had the same aspirations. 

Sex Between Friends

How often were people having sex in mutually beneficial relationships? On average, respondents reported having intercourse 6.5 times per month with their most recent partner. Over 40% of both men (45.7%) and women (44.5%) agreed that the quality of sex with a friend with benefits was equally as good as having intercourse with a committed partner. Approximately 1 in 4 men and 22.3% of women said that sex with a friend was actually better than sex in a committed relationship. 

According to the study, women were about 10 percentage points more likely than men to practice safe sex with a friend with benefits than with a committed partner. Both men and women said the perceived chemistry with their friend with benefits was moderately strong. 

Catching Feelings

Did people develop feelings for their friend while partaking in a friends-with-benefits relationship? Approximately 3 in 5 people admitted to catching feelings. Just 39.8% of people said they did not develop romantic feelings. Women (65.3%) were more likely than men (56%) to find themselves in this situation. 

Once someone realized their feelings, what happened next? About half of men (49.2%) and women (51.5%) ignored their feelings and continued with the agreed-upon relationship. Men (40.8%) were more likely than women (36.9%) to confess their feelings. And women (11.6%) were slightly more likely than men (10%) to end the relationship because of new feelings coming to light. 

Among those who confessed their feelings, 61.9% said the person admitted to developing feelings for them also. 

Emotional Aftermath

Have people spent time with their “beneficial partner” without having sex? About 75% of people said they did. If the relationship included time spent together without sex, 35.6% of those sexual relationships fizzled out on their own. But if people solely spent one-on-one time together to have sex, 44.5% of those entanglements ended naturally. 

Nearly 1 in 3 friends-with-benefits relationships exclusively for sex ended because one of the participants decided to call it quits. Less than 1% of people who went into a partnership like this ended up being engaged or married, compared to the 2.5% of those who got engaged to or married the person they spent time with outside from having sex.

Overall, 17.1% of people reported their most recent friends-with-benefits relationship became a committed one. 

Navigating these relationships can be difficult, but with honesty, open discussions, and self-reflection, they can work. Most people who had partnered with a “beneficial friend” enjoyed it enough to do it more than once. And many who confessed feelings were ultimately rewarded. We never really know where we will find love, so sometimes looking to a friend could be worth trying.

Here's Why You Shouldn't Go It Alone In Business

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

When starting a new business, your innovations and enthusiasm will play a central role in the business journey. Despite the natural desire to do it all alone, learning to seek support is arguably the most critical step en route to success. Here's why:

There aren't enough hours in the day

Even if you had the skills to complete every business assignment, it wouldn't make sense. Time constraints mean that it is counterproductive to handle basic admin or field calls. You could spend your time doing something more productive. Hiring a personal assistant and a receptionist or using call redirection services can work wonders. 

Spreading yourself too thinly won't allow you to master every challenge. On the contrary, it will probably dilute the quality and harm your enthusiasm. Customer interactions will suffer.

You need relevant guidance

As an enthusiastic business owner, you probably boast a solid understanding of most aspects. However, that's not good enough if you want the company to thrive. One clear example is IT. You know how to use it, but you don't know how to unlock its full potential. Working with experts at Athens Micro will put you on a smoother path to success. It can additionally save time in the process.

Whether it's IT or other areas of the business, persisting with your outdated knowledge and strategies will hold you back. Opening your eyes to the benefits of using outside help will transform everything.

A new perspective makes all the difference

Nobody knows the business better than you do. But that doesn't mean you're always the best person to identify what changes are needed. The blindspots will by their very definition go unnoticed by you. Whether it's an employee finding a way to improve a product or a marketing expert knowing how to promote your USPs doesn't matter. That support is priceless.

Better still, their ideas can often spark new ideas from you. Keeping things fresh can only serve the business well. Financially, logistically, and with regards to your engagement with the work.

It's a waste of money

Every business decision is a financial one. It's probably the reason for your reluctance to pay others for their help. However, a Sage accountant, for example, will directly save you money. Meanwhile, many contractors can complete building projects that pay for themselves in the long run. The key is to ensure that every employee is worth their salary.

If you don't need someone for the long haul, the gig economy enables you to connect with freelancers that can complete the temporary tasks. This is a great way to manage your cash flow.

Going It Alone Is Too Stressful

Starting a business is supposed to be challenging. However, it shouldn't completely destroy your sanity. When going it alone, the dozens of struggles faced on a daily basis can take over. Not least because you won't have anyone to share the burden with. Moreover, it prevents you from ever taking a break or vacation. This is detrimental to your health as well as the business.

The business is designed to improve your life as a whole, not just your career. If that doesn't encourage you to embrace outside help, perhaps nothing will.

Career Myths You Shouldn't Believe If You Want To Be Successful

Image by Fathromi Ramdlon from Pixabay 

A career is a mythical thing in many ways. It’s something you dream about and don’t realize you have it even when you’re established. Only once somebody points it out do you feel validated to say, “I have a career.”

Of course, the idea that other peoples’ perceptions drive your career is a myth. Strangers have no bearing on your success. Unfortunately, this isn’t the anomaly that proves the rule. There are tons of falsehoods that people starting or stuck in a rut believe, encouraging them to make costly mistakes.

If you don’t want to be that person, here are four big myths to stop believing right now.

“X” Is Innate

“X” usually stands for leadership, but it’s interchangeable for a host of different words. The reality is that you can learn pretty much any skill you want to, including leadership. Yes, some people are naturally good at organizing projects and delegating jobs to others while maintaining a high level of charisma. You may not have it now, but an online project management graduate certificate or business management degree will teach you the core principles and best practices. As long as you are willing to soak up the information and act on it, you will grow as a leader.

“I Can’t Take A Pay Cut”

Why not? Putting money first is tempting, especially if you have a lifestyle that you’ve worked hard for and must provide for a family. However, your salary may stay at the same rate for the next ten years if you don’t make a change. By that time, inflation and career burnout will make you reflect on missed opportunities and leave you suffering from guilt. You have to consider money when making a career move, yet if the amount is small, it probably won’t make a massive difference. Of course, a pay cut could leave you happier and offer perspective.

“I Need A Steady Job”

A steady job is a lot of things, and they’re not all bad. Yet, it’s a one-size-fits-all term that may not be suitable for your career goals or personality type. Many people can’t stand an office environment, but they do it anyway because they assume it’s the right move. It isn’t. Freelancing or being self-employed may be challenging at times since your salary isn’t guaranteed, but it will be suitable to your lifestyle, and it’ll open doors to different opportunities while teaching you the importance of grafting.

“I Have To Make $ By X”

Finally, there is the myth that you need to make a certain amount of money by the time you’re thirty. Not only is it harmful as people move at different speeds, but it’s an unhealthy amount of pressure to put on your shoulders. Experiencing stress is inevitable if your goal is to boost your income by a figure that may not be realistic. Plus, it convinces you to place your wage over everything else, which is unhealthy.

Set career targets, yet be careful of prioritizing money and creating a timeline.

How Ignoring Burnout In Your Company Will Cost You In the Long Run

Photo by @john_sekutowski

Employees are burning out at alarming rates.  People feel constant demand to deliver, so they're either burning out or they're leaving their jobs, due to high stress and burnout.   With COVID-19, this is becoming more prevalent and amplified, due to all the demands from working from home (WFH). 

A recent Monster.com survey found that 69% of employees identify as being burned out.  

Many organizations are slow to address this epidemic (burnout) within a pandemic (COVID), because they don’t see a direct correlation between employee burnout and the bottom line.

However, these costs are becoming more clear as we look deeper into the performance of companies and their employees.

When you have a work environment that is more stressful than typical, companies will see absenteeism of employees rising.  Absent employees cannot do their jobs, so the productivity of your company will be lower.  This lower productivity means less output, which means diminishing returns on your investments, sales, etc.  

Mental health problems and illnesses account for approximately 30% of short – and long-term disability claims every year, and this number is increasing.  Increased insurance claims will result in higher premiums your company will pay, which often leads to companies cutting back on the insurance benefits they provide to employees.  These cuts impact morale and potentially the physical and mental wellbeing of employees.  

Higher insurance, higher turnover, higher HR-related recruitment costs all impact your bottom line.  While many organizations focus on increasing their revenues for profits, the agile companies focus on keeping their employees happy and productive, which keeps expenses lower than those companies that ignore the employee burnout situation they are facing.

Reducing and preventing burnout in your company is the right thing to do, and it will make your organization successful in the short and long term.

How to reduce burnout in your company

Companies can reduce burnout by implementing new behaviors in the workplace.  Some examples include:

Establish workload and time boundaries

Humans are not supposed to work long hours and be expected to produce high-quality work.  With the WFH environment, we find ourselves working some abnormal schedules, countless Zoom calls, and all the nuances of working from home with others (spouses/partners, and children.)

Instead of focusing on the archaic “time clock” 8-hour shift mentality, organizations should assign manageable tasks to their employees without a time constraint associated with those tasks.  Yes, establish the parameters around the work, as well as when the company needs the task to be completed, but after that let the employee perform the task without you or your management team micromanaging the process.  

Do you trust your employees to do their jobs?  Then let them.  If you don’t trust the employees, why did you hire them?  

Coupled with the time challenge burned-out employees are facing, is the unreasonable workloads that are being delegated down to them.  Companies that lack vision and focus often try (and fail) to do too much and this bad behavior is killing your employees.  A wise individual that was a board director for a company I worked for years ago, stood up in a board meeting, and asked the board “Who are we?  What does our organization do?  We need to focus on our core products and stop coveting every shiny object we think is nice.”  

All of those “shiny objects” can overload your employees.  Focus on what your company does best and do that.

Walk the Walk

Management and senior leadership need to stop emailing/texting/communicating with their employees outside of work hours.  With smartphones and access anywhere opportunities, companies are burning out their employees by being constantly connected to work.  

Unions were formed because of the unhealthy work conditions that employees were facing.  Constant emailing/texting/communicating all day, night and weekends are creating unhealthy work environments.  Those that don’t understand history are doomed to repeat it.

As a manager or leader, you can control when people are working and when they’re “off the clock.”  Do not send messages after 5pm or on weekends, unless it’s a dire emergency.  If your workloads require working outside of those times, you better be crystal clear on the work you’re doing, to make sure it’s work you actually should be doing. 

Treat Vacations As The Ultimate Do Not Disturb Sign

Employees need to take their vacations, as do senior leaders.  Leaders lead by example, so the C-Suite right down to the front lines need to take their vacation time.  When on vacation, you are to vacate work, so that means not working.  Again with smartphones this has become a boundary challenge, but one that companies can correct, with strong policies and behaviors that allow employees to take a vacation without work interuptions.  

Without employees, your business will fail.  Even if you’re a company of one, if you don’t take care of yourself and your employees, the burnout will take a toll, and you could lose your employees to health concerns, or simply by forcing them to leave because of the insane workloads and pressures on them.  Employers can do better.