Michael Levitt's Blog, page 14

How Can We Stop Our Fear of Failure? 4 Actionable Tools

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Averting a crisis is something that we've all got to understand is part of our inherent DNA as business leaders or entrepreneurs. Ultimately, if we fail to prepare for disaster or have any form of backup plan, we are not going to be able to deal with the fallout, not just in terms of our business but in terms of our personal preparedness. And when we fail to prepare, there is something much deeper we have to deal with. Our fear of failure is something that can drive many entrepreneurs, but we have to overcome this fear. How do we do this?

Understand What Failure Is for You

We are all scared of the unknown in one way or another, but in business, failure can take numerous forms that we’ve already seen. If you look at the structure of any corporate crisis communication plan, you will see that most of the common culprits are things most entrepreneurs have an understanding of already, such as system outages. It's more the fact that the sheer volume of disasters can prove to be overwhelming. 

Understanding what failure is for you and your business means that you need to to prepare yourself for those failures. So many entrepreneurs fail to prepare and as a result, they end up kicking themselves when something happens that is easily foreseeable. There is no need to be scared of the unknown, because the fact is that any business has trodden paths that have been layed prior. Understand what the common failures are within your type of business or your type of industry, and you have a blueprint for what you need to prepare for.

Navigating Problems With the Right Tools

We all have a variety of resources at our disposal these days to ensure that we can navigate whatever problem we experience. When you are creating a disaster preparation plan, you need to write down everything and each permutation so you can map out what is needed for each task. It's not just about preparing for disasters, it's also about having a robust approach to project management. Many people fear failure because they are flying without a safety net. 

Many entrepreneurs will argue that they do not have the opportunities or the finances to create the framework to navigate projects effectively, especially at the outset. But anyone who has an understanding of how they should organize a project will automatically have a tool or a structure in place. You need to map out the time needed for each task, you need to compartmentalize or break projects down into chunks, but you also need to visualize what these problems are. When you start to picture what a specific problem is, you are going to have the ability to deal with it better because you've already prepared it in your mind's eye.

Accept What You Can and Cannot Control

Many people go into business wanting to be in charge of an operation, and therefore they believe they are going to fare better in any given situation because of the sheer amount of control they have over something. When we talk about fear of failure, you need to accept that you cannot control everything, but you need to focus on what you can control. Having complete control over something in a world is unrealistic, and a big waste of energy and time on your part. 

There is no situation where you will have full control over every part of your work but you can control how you react to these situations. You can start to practice this frame of mind by starting with small situations. When you start to address how you react to a situation and you gradually accumulate the stresses, you can learn how to react but you can also beat the fear that being in these situations brings.

Reframing Your Perspective

You may know a number of entrepreneurs that seem to go through their business dealings with minimal problems. But the reality is that these people are not immune from bad luck, it's more about how they perceive these problems. And this is something that we can all change within ourselves. It just requires practice. And while something like positive thinking is a notion that many people look upon with a raised eyebrow, thinking it's a distant cousin of mindfulness and other hippy-dippy practices, the fact is that if you really want to overcome the fear of failure in any part of your life you've got to start thinking in a more positive sense. 

All you need to do is stop and focus on what is going well rather than what is going badly. When you start to practice this notion of positive thinking you can start to encompass some of the following in your life:

Expressing gratitude. This helps you to build upon positive thinking by focusing on what has gone well on any given day but also on what you are truly grateful for. 

Spending time with positive people. We’ve all got people who just drain us of our energy. Like negative self-talk can make you feel negative in outlook, the same applies to the people that you spend time with.

Proving your progress. The fact is that you can start to practice positive thinking, but if it doesn't have actionable results, it's not worth anything. Therefore, you need to keep your challenges small and manageable and realize that it is a long journey to rewire your brain. But when you start to work towards your goals for example, via a SMART goal structure, you are going to create a feedback loop that will give you a far better understanding of the journey you come on.

Fear of failure is something that drives many people, but if you are constantly living in fear of failure, it is not good for your abilities and mindset as an entrepreneur. Think about some of these practices and it can change your outlook and your business dealings for the better.

Ways To Use Recycled Paper in the Workplace

Companies can practice sustainability in a variety of valuable ways. Many choose to implement recycling initiatives to reduce their environmental impact. But, what should businesses do with all of their recycled paper products?

If you’ve got mountains or scraps that you don’t know what to do with, don’t panic! There are several ways to use recycled paper in the workplace. Utilize these tips and tricks to repurpose materials and reduce your company’s carbon footprint.

Make Scrap Paper

Most eco-friendly businesses choose to go digital. Using technology to take notes and distribute memos reduces your overall resource consumption. However, completely eradicating paper use is nearly impossible.

Instead of creating more waste, reuse your materials by creating scrap paper. Write or print on sheets with blank sides to pass along internal messages. While you don’t want to use these materials for clients, reusing scraps in the office will ensure that all of your trash has a purpose.

Replace Packing Materials

If you ship products to customers, you probably generate tons of waste through packaging. Reduce this excess by reusing office paper in your packing process. Paper acts as an excellent protective barrier for items; you can even shred your materials as a replacement for foam peanuts.

Don’t stop there when improving your shipping and storage practices. Did you know that paper pallets have a history of sustainability? Professionals make corrugated pallets out of recyclable materials for businesses to transport, store, and display their products.

Purchase Recycled Supplies

Companies use paper for a wide variety of purposes. Whether it’s making policy signs or purchasing disposable cups and straws for employee lunches, we use paper every day. Many don’t realize that you can buy recycled versions of these products.

Using brand new paper products contributes to deforestation. It also adds to the global waste problem and increases manufacturer energy consumption. Typically, recycled paper products look and function just as well as fresh items and don’t promote wasteful business practices.

Learning how to use recycled paper in the workplace is the first step to developing sustainable policies. Making these changes will allow your business to flourish in a society that prioritizes eco-friendly initiatives.

Top 5 Benefits of Pre-Employment Testing for Your Business

It’s critical to hire the best candidate for your business, but the strategy for recruiting them can end up costing more than your business can afford. The best way to ensure you’re onboarding the most qualified individuals is to optimize your pre-employment process. Implementing pre-employment testing for your business can help your recruiting team effectively gauge a candidate’s aptitude and skill level so that they can narrow down the search to the most qualified applicants for the position.

If you’re looking to optimize the strategies of your hiring process, consider these major benefits of pre-employment testing for your business.

1. Boost in Productivity

Pre-employment screenings help rule out candidates that don’t have the skills and aptitude to fulfill a job role. The criteria provided from these results can help your business recruit the most productive and efficient team members, which results in a higher rate of productivity across the department.

2. Streamlined Hiring Process

The hiring process requires time and energy from your HR department. It’s also difficult to thoroughly review an excess number of candidates without straining the managerial resources on your staff. Requiring applicants to take a pre-employment test helps narrow the pool of applicants and streamlines the hiring process.

3. Higher Employee Retention

Using pre-employment testing can help your hiring team identify a candidate with the right skills and the appropriate personality. Pre-employment testing can measure the communication skills and problem-solving abilities of a candidate.

Understanding the temperament and team building skills of an applicant allows your business to hire a candidate with a lower chance of poor performance or quitting because the role does not suit them. An increase in retention rates contributes to saving your business time and money in the future.

4. Objective Hiring Assessment

Pre-employment testing provides unbiased feedback to assess if a candidate has what’s required for the role. The objectivity of pre-employment testing allows your hiring team to predict a candidate’s work performance while measuring a broader range of skills such as leadership, reliability, and authenticity.

5. Lowered Turnover Rates

A long-term benefit of pre-employment testing for your business is it lowers your turnover rates. Pre-employment testing increases the chance of hiring candidates that feel satisfied in their roles. Lowering the turnover rate of your business boosts employee morale, builds a stronger business reputation, and is likely to help your business recruit more qualified candidates for future roles.

Important Marketing Strategies You Might Have Neglected

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Most businesses spend a fair amount of time and money on marketing. After all, attracting as many customers as possible is really important if you want your company to be successful.

Despite, though, the resources put into marketing, there are still a number of aspects of marketing that remain neglected by many, and which could prove to be a valuable addition to any marketing campaign.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most important marketing strategies that are often neglected:

Hosting events

Hosting an event is a really underrated way to boost your business profile. When you run an event, you can put your branding up everywhere in the event space, which is an easy win, but more than that you can showcase what your company is about and what you asr capable of doing while giving the attendees a fun experience -all things that will make them more positively disposed to your company in the end.

Local SEO

Local SEO is often neglected, especially by global and national businesses but it really should not be. Why? Because often, when people are searching for the products and services they require, they will include a local keyword. If you do too, then it is more likely they will find your company ahead of the competition. It really is that simple.

Identify your USP

If you have not identified your unique selling proposition as a company, it is something you need to do as soon as possible. Having a clearly defined USP will make it easier for you to relay to your customers exactly why they need whatever it is you are selling. It will almost certainly enable you to focus your marketing energies and convince more people to become customers.

Humor

One o the simplest, but most effective marketing strategies that is overlooked by so many businesses is humor. Yes, the simple act of being funny, quirky, and having a laugh at yourself and the world around you in your marketing campaigns can be hugely effective. Think about it, people love to laugh; they love to be entertained, so if you can illicit that response in them, they will love your business too. Try adding more humor to your marketing campaigns and I guarantee that you will see better results than you are at the moment.

Write

Writing a column in a local newspaper, niche magazine, or even on a blog, is a great way to market your business., If people like the stuff you're writing, and they get to know you through your columns, they will naturally become more intrigued about your company, and it will be much easier for you to convince them to give your products and services a try. They will trust you more than the next person, which will give you a definite edge.

If you have neglected any of these effective marketing strategies, make plans to implement them as soon as possible and they will almost certainly give your business a boost.

3 Reasons You Should Keep Your Salon Clean

As a salon owner, you want to do everything in your power to improve your business and its overall reputation. Proper cleaning procedures are an essential element of running a successful business. Here are three reasons you should keep your salon clean.

Promote a Professional Appearance

The first reason that you should keep your salon clean and organized is to promote a professional appearance. Maintaining a feeling of professionalism for your business is essential if you want to be successful. In addition, you want to give clients and business partners a good first impression when they arrive at your salon, and cleanliness is a huge part of that. Therefore, making sure that your space is free of unnecessary clutter, trash, and debris should always be a priority.

Improve Overall Client Experience

Improving overall client experience is another reason that you should regularly clean your salon. Clients are more likely to return to your business if it is a clean and organized space. No client wants to see trash and clutter all over the place when they are coming in for an appointment. You should ensure that employees sweep their stations after each client appointment, so no remaining hair or debris is left on the floor. Doing everything you can to improve customer service and overall experience is necessary to keep your clients happy and returning for more appointments.

Ensure Proper Hygiene and Safety

The third reason why it’s important to keep your salon clean is to ensure proper hygiene and safety standards. In certain states, there are laws in place to regulate the sanitation of salon spaces. It helps to have a salon cleaning checklist to make sure your business is meeting these specific standards and regulations. You should sweep your floors, wipe down chairs, sanitize all styling tools and equipment, and wash any other tools that you use after each appointment. Following these cleaning procedures and protocols will help you avoid passing any germs or bacteria from client to client and keep your business looking good every day.

Now that you know three reasons that your salon should always be clean, you can implement the proper strategies to keep your business looking professional at all times. Clients will be happy to walk into your salon when it is clean and well organized!

The Importance of Security at Your Investment Property: How to Keep your Tenants and Property Safe

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As a property investor, ensuring that your tenants and property are kept safe is essential. Burglaries and other crimes can devastate your business, not to mention the safety and security of those living in or around your investment. However, simple precautions can help reduce the crime risk at your property and keep your tenants happy. This blog post will discuss some key ways to improve security at your investment property.

Installing Adequate Lighting Around Your Building

Ensure adequate lighting around your building is one of the most important things you can do to deter crime and make your property feel more secure. This means ensuring all common areas, parking lots, and entryways are well-lit, so potential criminals have nowhere to hide. Not only will this help to keep your tenants safe, but it will also make your property more attractive to potential tenants.

Install Security Camera In Common Areas

Most importantly, you should have security cameras installed in all common areas of your property. This includes the lobby, hallways, parking garage, and other shared spaces. This will deter criminals from targeting your property and provide invaluable footage if an incident occurs. Cameras can also be a great way to monitor the comings and goings of your tenants and can help you resolve any disputes that may arise. Be sure to post signs informing your tenants of the camera surveillance and get their consent before installing any cameras in private areas like apartments or offices.

In addition to security cameras, you should consider installing other security features like alarms, motion-sensor lights, and locks. These will further deter criminals and give you peace of mind knowing that your property is well-protected. Your tenants will also appreciate the extra security, and it may even help you attract new tenants.

Installing A Proper Intercom

As a property owner, it's essential to take steps to ensure the safety of your tenants and your investment. There are several ways you can do this, but one of the most important is to install an apartment intercom system.

An apartment intercom system allows you to screen visitors before entering the building. This can be a valuable tool in deterring potential criminals and keeping your tenants safe.

Hiring A Security Guard Service

For most investment property owners, the thought of hiring a security guard service may seem like an unnecessary expense. However, when you consider the potential risks and liabilities associated with inadequate security measures, the cost of hiring a professional security service is well worth it. 

The presence of a security guard is often enough to deter would-be criminals from targeting your property. However, if a crime does occur, security guards are trained to handle the situation quickly and efficiently.

As a property owner, you are responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for your tenants. Taking the necessary precautions can help ensure that your tenants feel safe and comfortable in their homes. Additionally, by working with a professional security company, you can help to protect your investment property from theft or vandalism.

How to stay connected when working from home

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If you want to be a successful home worker there are a few basics you need to get right. Having a good, reliable broadband service is one of them.

As well as making sure you can rely on fast and glitch-free internet, you need to think about the backup plans in place should you have any connection issues. Here are a few tips on how to get your home office set up for a stress-free workday.

Do I need fibre broadband to work from home?

For even the most basic of home uses, an entry-level fibre broadband connection of 30Mbps+ is the recommended minimum. ADSL can handle video calls, emails and downloading small files, but it doesn’t take much for things to grind to a halt, especially if you’re sharing the connection with other members of your family.

When you’re working from home, and if you have multiple users on the account, it’s worth getting a faster 50Mbps+ connection. This is particularly important if you regularly download or upload large files.

What can I do if I can't get a Wi-Fi signal in my office?

If you’re struggling to get a decent speed in your home office, you’ll need to consider extending your network. There are a few options available to fix this issue:

Extending your network wires - It’s a fast and reliable method but does involve a fair bit of DIY, so you may need to pay for specialist assistance.

Getting a Wi-Fi booster - It’s the cheapest option but won’t provide much of a speed boost. If your walls are thick, or you work in a garden office away from the house, you may need to rely on an external, outdoor-rated booster.

Installing Mesh Wi-Fi - This is an expensive solution but it’s a very effective way to spread Wi-Fi through the home. As with a booster, you might require an outdoor mesh node to receive a good signal in your office. 

Opting for a Powerline Network Adapter - This is an easy way to create a wired network, but the results can be unreliable. It’s unlikely to work if your office is on a separate power circuit.

Get your office its own broadband using 4G or 5G - If you can make use of an unlimited data plan this is a quick solution, plus you’ll have your own dedicated connection. You can get speedy results providing you have a good mobile signal.

What should I do if my broadband goes down?

Broadband connection issues can happen without warning, but the key thing is to be prepared and have a backup plan in place.

Your first task is to report the outage to your service provider. They might be able to give you more information and they usually have a system in place for this. You could even be awarded compensation.

Tethering your smartphone is handy in an emergency. You may not be able to carry out data-intensive tasks if you’re not on an unlimited contract, but you’ll be able to browse and email easily.

You could also invest in a backup option using mobile broadband and a dongle. Some providers, including BT and Vodafone, offer deals with bundled broadband backup included. 

Failing all of that, unless you’re very rural, it’s likely there’s a public Wi-Fi hotspot close by (even if you do have to pay for a coffee for the privilege).

Take the time today to think about your home set-up, whether it can be improved and if you have a good back-up strategy in place. When it comes to working from home time is money. A bit of research now could save you a lot of stress when you least need it.

Written in collaboration with Broadband.co.uk.

Marketing Tools: 5 Types & Why Your Business Needs Them

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There are many different marketing tools available to businesses today. Some are more popular than others, but all of them have their own unique benefits and purposes. It can be challenging to decide which tools to use for your business, but it's important to understand the different types and how they can help you reach your marketing goals. So let's discuss five of the most common marketing tools and why your business needs them.

1) Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are excellent ways to connect with potential and current customers. These platforms allow you to share updates, promotions, and content with a wide audience quickly and easily. Social media also provides an opportunity for customers to engage with your brand and give you feedback. For example, you can use Facebook and Instagram ads to target potential customers in your area.

2) Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility and ranking of your website in search engines like Google. This is important because it can help you attract more visitors to your site, leading to more sales and conversions. SEO involves optimizing your website content, structure, and code so that search engines can easily find and index your site. For example, you can use keyword-rich titles and descriptions to help your site rank higher for relevant searches. Additionally, backlinks from high-quality websites can also boost your SEO.

3) Pay-Per-Click Advertising

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is a form of online marketing that allows you to place ads on search engines and other websites. When someone clicks on your ad, you will pay a fee to the advertising platform. For example, if you're in the hotel industry, a hotel advertising agency can help you set a daily budget for your PPC campaign and track your results to adjust your strategy as needed. PPC is a great way to reach potential customers actively searching for products or services like yours, but managing your campaign carefully is essential to avoid overspending.

4) Email Marketing

Email marketing is a great way to stay in touch with your customers and promote your business. You can use email to send newsletters, updates, coupons, and other information to your subscribers. Email marketing can effectively build relationships with customers and keep them informed about your business. For example, if you are considering running an email marketing campaign, you can use a platform such as Mailchimp to create and manage your campaign.

5) Content Marketing

Content marketing is a type of marketing that focuses on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience. Content marketing can take many forms, such as blog posts, e-books, infographics, videos, and more. For example, if you sell products on your website, you can use content marketing to write helpful product reviews or create informational videos that show potential customers how to use your products. Content marketing aims to provide customers with useful information to help them make a purchase decision.

Each marketing tool has its own unique benefits and can be used to achieve different marketing goals. Therefore, when deciding which tools to use for your business, it's important to consider your needs and objectives.

Engaging Virtual Teambuilding Activities

With so many of us working from home, it is easy to forget that connection and communication must be fostered. Workplace wellness is crucial, and these engaging virtual teambuilding activities are sure to help your team connect and lower their stress at the same time.  

Virtual Icebreaker 

Virtual icebreakers are a great way to help team members get to know each other, and they're also an effective way for your team to learn more about each other, both personally and professionally. Virtual icebreakers are fun, but they also help boost team morale and even increase productivity. 

Some of our favorite virtual teambuilding activities including: 

Virtual Show and Tell 

Virtual show and tell is a great way to create friendly relationships between coworkers. Team members get to share interesting facts or new skills they've learned, but they also get to see a little bit of the world that their coworkers live in. 

Choose a topic for team members to share, such as pets, family, hobbies, vacations, etc. Explain that each person should prepare one item from home that relates to that topic and be prepared to tell the story behind it. 

Encourage each person to speak for 30 seconds about their item, and give themselves a chance for questions from coworkers after finishing their presentation. 

Virtual Dance Break 

Here’s a challenge for your team: put on your favorite song, turn up the volume, and host a dance party! This activity is designed to get your blood flowing and relieve stress. For those who think you can't dance: that's not true! Everyone who can move, can participate. It's a fun way to be expressive without words. 

For those of you who are confident dancers, be sure to have fun and show off! Dance as big or small as you want.  

Virtual Minute to Win It Challenge  

We're tired of our average gameshow format challenges. Sometimes, the rules are too tricky for our team to grasp fully, and some teams don't have a leader. Virtual Minute to Win It challenges are full of fun, engaging challenges. Your goal is to beat two other teams to be named the winner of the challenge series—people with competitive spirits really enjoy these types of activities.  

Virtual Game Night 

Nothing beats a good game night. You can relax, laugh, and get to know your colleagues in a casual setting. Here are some of the best virtual games that you can use: 

Gartic Phone 

A virtual version of telephone, the one where you pass along information and watch how it evolves from person to person. It is easy to play virtually with no log in required or separate account required. Additionally, people are probably familiar with the basic rules, so it's easy enough for people who might be less tech-savvy. 

Taboo  

Like the game above, people only need their devices to play! The main activity is guessing words but with the added restriction of words that cannot be used. This one can take some prep time to create the slides, but it is a hit every time! 

Kahoot! 

This quiz game has infinite possibilities. Participants use a code to log in and answer random questions from predesigned games or you can take a moment to create a themed quiz such as #1 hits from the 90s or take the time to make company specific games that could be used to award prizes.  

Creativity and Flexibility 

The activity needs to have a clear purpose. Is the goal of the activity to build trust, foster communication, or reduce stress? Next, there should be an element of fun. If people find the exercise boring or too difficult, they will stop paying attention. Make sure that the activity you choose is engaging. 

Finally, engaging virtual teambuilding activities must also be relevant to your work environment and help accomplish your overall objective as a remote team—better communication or more focused collaboration on specific projects. 

3 Top Tips To Declutter Your Office Space

Decluttering your office space isn’t the most fun task in the world, but it’s certainly necessary. When you’re knee-deep in a pile of junk on and around your desk, it’s probably time to revamp your space. Read our top tips to declutter your office space here.

Take Inventory

More often than not, your desk is probably strewn with papers and other objects. Because of this, you’re going to need to take inventory. Put all your supplies in three piles: important, trash, and unsure. If anything is in the trash pile, dump it. If it’s important, neatly place it in a dedicated space. Items you’re unsure about should be put away somewhere else—neatly—until you can give them a second once over. If you remain unsure after that second pass, they should likely go in the trash bin. Paper and other knickknacks can make quite a mess, so you’ll notice an immediate change when your desk isn’t covered in them. When your desk is finally clean, you’ll find that your stress goes down tremendously—decluttering has many psychological benefits.

Create a Storage System

Once you’ve identified your stack of personal papers, put them in a filing system. Get a plastic box or filing box to place all your physical items in ways that are important to you. It might also be wise to scan any important documents onto a hard drive. This way, you won’t need as many physical documents handy. Take any items you’ve acquired and perhaps put them away neatly, storing them in a designated area.

Clean Section by Section

Consider beginning the organizing process little by little. Looking at a big pile of disorganized papers, pens, and other random objects can be incredibly intimidating. You might be wondering, where do I even start? You should start wherever you feel most comfortable and work toward the trouble spots. Alternately you can “eat the frog” and clean the spots with the most mess first. Whatever you decide to do, it’ll be for your betterment. Cleaning methodically is one of the best tips to declutter your office space. 

In short, organization can only begin when you take the first step. It’s not an easy task, but it takes a day—or a series of days—to start. Using the tips found here, you can orient yourself to the task effectively.