Michael Levitt's Blog, page 2
October 24, 2022
Five things you should be doing to support your team

As the owner of a company, you place all of your faith in the ability of your employees to complete the tasks you've delegated to them in order that your company can function in the manner that you deem most appropriate. However, have you ever stopped to consider how much the team actually accomplishes for you? In many cases, business owners ignore this reality, which might leave them short-staffed since employees are looking for greener pastures. Examine the things you should be doing for your staff to ensure that they are content and can perform to the greatest of their skills to forestall the possibility of this happening to both you and your company. You can enforce yourself in a leadership development program.
One of the most frequent mistakes made by managers and business owners is failing to recognize their employees' efforts or accomplishments. It can be really discouraging when you work hard to solve a problem or finish a project on time but receive no appreciation or recognition. It's important to keep tabs on your team's efforts so that you may recognize and reward them for the progress they've made in a short period of time. Making your staff feel appreciated by doing this can encourage them to work more diligently and passionately.
Admit fault
Bosses also commit serious faux pas by refusing to accept responsibility for errors that were caused by them. Just because your function is more important than theirs does not absolve you of responsibility. Being able to own up to mistakes you've made or contributed to demonstrates excellent leadership and will inspire others to do the same when they make a mistake. We're all human and make errors, so taking responsibility for them shows courage.
To maintain their reputation, several workplaces don't allow food or alcohol on the premises. Even if you don't want your workers chowing down on food or chugging cups of coffee on the factory floor, they nevertheless deserve a break once in a while. Provide a staff lounge with a vending machine so that employees may refresh with a snack and a drink during their breaks. A well-fed and hydrated employee will work harder.
Back them up
If you work in retail or any business that interacts with customers face-to-face or over the phone, you're likely to encounter dissatisfied customers who come in or call to complain. Many workers struggle because their manager doesn't stand by them when they're in a pickle. Train your team to handle these clients, and make sure you are there to assist them if necessary. Many managers err by breaking their word to the consumer and saying anything else they think they can get away with. Don't make the error of contradicting the instruction you provided to your team.
Everybody will occasionally experience personal problems, and while you don't want any drama to spill over into the office, there are some situations that simply cannot be avoided. The loss of a loved one, the illness of a family member, or even an employee's accident are all situations in which compassion is required, especially if the employee in question is a devoted team member. Maintaining a happy and productive team requires being able to tell when people are being sincere and when they are just attempting to grab a day or two off.
October 23, 2022
How to Buy and Save Money on Your Business Premises

Photo by Marc Mueller: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-sitt...
You may have dreamed of running your own business and being your own boss, with all the perks that come with it. First, though, you need a good business plan and a plan for how to make money. You should also keep in mind that business purchases can be deducted from your taxes at the end of the year, so make sure you have all the information you need for your books. How do you begin?
Business ConnectionsBuilding a successful business requires a lot of networking. Making connections with people who are interested in business will help you build relationships and learn about things like available offices, wholesale equipment, and utilities that are affordable. Ask questions, get together for lunch, and set up events to talk about ideas and help each other. Most businesses that have been around for a long time will remember the beginning and be willing to help out where they can.
Planning and Getting TogetherIf you've chosen a property to invest in, make sure you hire a real estate agent with a good reputation. Agents who are professional and have a lot of experience will try to get you a good deal on the property. Choosing the right one can save you money. Find out everything you need to know about buying business property so that everyone is on the same page. If you own your building, you can use and change it however you want. Before you start trading, you should think about any ongoing costs and structural changes you want to make.
You should also look into different gas, electric, water, internet, and phone service providers. Providers often offer deals to new businesses, so talk to them about your options before you sign a contract. Utilities with fixed costs are best because they save you money in the long run. But if your budget allows, you could use smart options like programmable thermostats that change automatically based on the weather. These can save money and are easy to use. You can also use bulbs that use less energy and are better for the environment.
What does your office need? Equipment like desks, chairs, sofas, whiteboards, water coolers, and office supplies can be bought at trade prices. If you can, open an account with a local company and buy in bulk. You should also arrange for a Top Rated Paving service to ensure your walkways are safe and welcoming.
Staff comfort is important and affects how well they do their jobs. If you live in a place where the weather is always changing, you should buy a high-quality air conditioner that can also heat your home. With so many on the market that do different things, it can be hard to find the right one. Here, you can find out more about how to choose the right type of heat for your PTAC. Also, learning how a unit works will help you use it in the best way so that it works well and saves you money on energy costs in the long run.
You may find that sometimes things break, the power goes out, or there are leaks, and you have to fix them quickly to avoid getting big bills. Having the right business contents insurance will give you peace of mind that you will be taken care of if something bad happens. But if you acted quickly enough, it would help. Power outages can hurt productivity and cost the company money, so always have a plan. If losing power would have a big impact on your business, you might want to think about installing a generator as a backup power source to lessen the effects.
A real entrepreneur is organized, optimistic, and smart. If you plan and work hard, you'll have a successful business up and running in no time.
7 Ways To Improve Your Business Profits

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If you own a business, you probably are always looking for ways to make more money. After all, making money is what keeps a business going. There are a number of things you can do to improve your bottom line, which is good news. It doesn't have to be hard to make more money with your business. Small things can sometimes make the biggest difference. Here are seven of the best ways to make more money with your business.
Think About Increasing Your PricesThis might seem like a simple way to make more money, but it's often missed. If you haven't raised your prices recently, now might be a good time to do so. You don't want to price yourself out of the market, but even a small increase in price can have a big effect on your profit. Just make sure to keep an eye on your competitors so you don't lose too much market share.
Reduce Your CostsGetting your costs down is another great way to boost your profits. Look at your expenses closely and see where you can save money. Try using better software to help you make a budget or figure out how much your labour costs. Cost cuts, no matter how small, can add up to big savings over time. Just be careful not to cut your budget too much, or the quality of your product or service could suffer.
Improve Your MarketingMarketing is one of the most crucial pieces of any business, but when times are tough, it's often one of the first things that gets cut. But if you want to make more money, you have to put money into marketing. Find new and innovative ways to reach your target audience and get them to take an interest in what you have to offer. It will take time and work, but in the end, it will be well worth it. SOAP Media can help you to do this.
Improve Your SkillsOne of the best ways to make more money is to make your business more efficient. You can do this in a number of ways, such as by automating some tasks or making your business run more smoothly. The key is to find ways to save time without sacrificing quality or service to customers. Once you've found these problems, fix them and watch your profits go through the roof.
Enter New MarketsGetting into new markets is another great way to make more money. If you only sell to customers in one area, you're limiting how much money you could make. But if you move into new markets, you can reach a whole new group of people who want to buy what you're selling and are ready to do so. Just make sure to carefully look into each new market before jumping in so that you don't lose money instead of making it.
If all of your money comes from one source, you need to find other ways to make money. Having multiple sources of income will protect you from downturns in any one sector and help make sure that your business stays profitable no matter what happens to the economy as a whole. So start thinking about what other products or services you could sell that would appeal to new groups of customers.
Focus On Customer LoyaltyLastly, one of the best ways to increase profits is to focus on keeping customers instead of getting new ones. In other words, keeping customers happy is cheaper and easier than getting new ones. So make sure you do everything you can to keep your current customers coming back for more. Give them discounts for being loyal customers, provide great customer service, and keep in touch with them even after they've bought something. Focusing on keeping customers will help you make more money and improve your chances of long-term success.
Putting It All TogetherHere are just a few ways that businesses can make more money. Find out which ones will work best for you by doing some research. And don't forget that making money is important for any business, so don't be afraid to spend time and money to make yours as successful as it can be! In order to make money, a business needs to be as lean and mean as possible these days. By using these easy tips, you can give your business the boost it needs to make more money without having to work too hard. Even if you only use a few of these tips, your business will be on its way to being more successful and making more money.
October 22, 2022
4 Ways You Can Stay Cyber-Safe At Work

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The Internet is really cool. People all over the world can now talk to each other, and information is easy to find. Most people keep their whole lives on their phones, computers, and other devices. This is why it's important to make sure these devices are safe, and there are 4 things you can do to stay cyber-safe.
Look At All Your OptionsNo matter what software you choose or which security programs you use together, it's important to compare each subtype and the options you have for it. You can rest easy knowing that your devices are safe if you look into the best cybersecurity software, whether that's an antivirus program, a VPN, or something else. You should read in-depth reviews, look at detailed guides, and compare prices. You should also look up the company that made the software to see if their security has ever been broken before. This may seem like a lot of work to do on your own, and in some ways, it is. That's why it might be a good idea to look at websites and platforms that are already set up for this kind of thing, so you can save some time when making your decision. Once you've narrowed it down to two choices, you can do more research on your own if you think it's necessary. Adding cyber security services and solutions to your business is certainly advisable.
Antivirus ProgramsAntivirus software is typically recommended as a good place to begin when considering the various programmes that you might want to use. An antivirus is a piece of software that aids in preventing viruses from infecting your computer or another electronic device in the first place. Sometimes they operate in real-time, which means that if you try to access malware or other potentially harmful content, they will prevent you from doing so immediately. On occasion, they perform their function by scanning your computer at predetermined intervals while on the lookout for potential dangers. If you have a good antivirus programme, you should also make sure that it is always up to date and running on your computer. This is especially important if you have recently downloaded any new software. Using this method will prevent even the most recently discovered viruses from entering your system in the first place.
Two-Factor AuthenticationIf you enable multi-factor authentication, even if someone steals your password, they won't be able to access your account or see any of your personal information unless they also have the second factor, which is typically a code sent via text message, a chipped card, or a special app. If you enable multi-factor authentication, even if someone steals your password, they won't be able to access your account or see any of your personal information. Especially if you use your account for online banking, this is a very important step that you need to make sure you take. The addition of a second factor makes it substantially more difficult for cybercriminals to break into your accounts. However, you could put it to use for virtually anything, from creating profiles on social media websites to conducting online shopping. Your sensitive information would remain secure even if a hacker gained access to it because they could not possibly know the second factor.
Access To DevicesIf you leave your devices unattended, unlocked, or unprotected, it won't make much of a difference what software solution you go with because it won't be very helpful. It is essential to always protect your mobile devices, such as your phone and laptop, by securing them with a strong PIN-based account lock. Even in that case, it is never a good idea to leave your device in a location where it can be easily accessed by other people without being monitored. No matter how risk-free a location may appear to be, there are always opportunities for danger. These days, the majority of people store a significant amount of personal information on their electronic devices, which makes it even more essential to take every precaution against potential danger.
To keep yourself safe while using the internet, you should be familiar with the following fundamental concepts. There are a great many other things you could do, such as removing files from your computer that you no longer require and checking each of your social media profiles to ensure that the privacy settings are accurate. It is possible that at first it will appear to be a lot to do. However, once you become accustomed to it, you will see that it does not detract in any way from your experience and helps to keep you safe.
Why It’s Important To Be Patient When Creating A Business

Starting a business is no easy feat and while many hope they can get it off the ground with few complications, that’s not always the case. There are so many trials and tribulations that come with creating a business, which is why it’s important to have patience.
Here are a few reasons why patience can be helpful in creating a business from scratch this year.
Businesses don’t just succeed with a few weeks' worth of work and a bit of money thrown at it. There’s much more to it than that and a lot of time and preparation can go into the development of a business.
Market research needs to be conducted to figure out if there’s a market for the business to make money and that can be a lengthy process in itself. Naturally, many businesses will often take up to a year to get ready for launch. That means there needs to be plenty of time and effort invested beforehand before it even gets off the ground, let alone succeeding.
The same attitude for every business can be said for every person following their own path in life. Everyone has success, along with their ups and downs, at different points in life.
For a new business, its moment to shine may not come from the first year of its existence. It could be several years later that the company actually achieves what is considered enough success to sustain itself for years to come.
Nothing ever really goes right the first time around. There will likely be plenty of objectives and goals set by the business and many of them aren’t met. There’s nothing wrong with that because every failure is an opportunity to find success.
However, with objectives and goals being unsuccessful, it means patience is needed. Eventually, those goals will have a big green tick next to them.
In a digital age where going viral is desired, it’s not always going to happen. In fact, it’s fairly rare nowadays that a business will go viral overnight. It’s often down to luck and being in the moment with the right product or service required.
As viral stardom is rare, it means new businesses need to bide their time and hope that eventually, there will be a success. Anton Kalafati BSide Construction will attest that finding success can take time, in any industry for that matter.
With patience, fewer mistakes are made. A lot of businesses can trip themselves up by trying to do everything too quickly and getting it wrong in the process. Be patient and the business is more likely to be successful as a result.
Creating a business isn’t a process that works for everyone but it can be a possibility for anyone who has the patience to take on such a project in life.
October 21, 2022
How a Shipping Container Can Improve Your Office Space

Shipping containers have become useful for more than just shipping. Businesses of all kinds have used containers to their advantage, including business offices. We’ll explain how a shipping container can improve your office space as a storage unit, break room, and more!
Expanding Office SpaceIs your business outgrowing your physical office space? Do your employees feel like they’re working on top of each other? If that’s the case, you should consider expanding your office with the help of a shipping container!
Many businesses have set up shipping container offices to expand their offices and give their employees more breathing room at work. Setting up a shipping container office is a breeze—you can even customize it to your exact specifications and have it delivered right to your door so that it’s ready from the jump!
Additional Meeting RoomsInstead of additional office space, you can add a meeting room or two to your business with a shipping container. Every office needs space for employees to congregate and discuss, strategize, and present ideas. A shipping container adds more room for employees to gather without having to construct new meeting rooms.
Employers can easily turn a 20-foot shipping container into a large meeting room or install a wall and doors in the middle to create multiple conference rooms. Shipping containers are an affordable and easy way to grow your business’s physical space!
On-Site StorageShipping containers are also practical solutions as storage units! Is your office’s storage overflowing with cabinets, papers, and archives? Put them in a safe but accessible storage unit with a shipping container.
The beauty of a shipping container as on-site storage is that you can keep it anywhere to easily access it when needed while keeping your important things stored securely. Shipping containers are built to thwart cargo thieves, so you can trust them to keep your documents safe!
Employee Break RoomAnother way to use a shipping container to improve your office space is by using it as an employee break room. With the new reality of remote work being the norm and not the exception, more offices are trying to make their spaces comfortable and attractive to employees so that they want to come in every day.
Pro Tip: You can even install plumbing into a shipping container to add a kitchen and bathroom to the new employee break room!
An employee break room made from a shipping container would be an inventive and unique idea to make your employees more comfortable! It can be a room for employees to relax, have lunch, or get some work done away from their desks.
October 20, 2022
Customized Solutions Tailored to Your Specific IT Needs

There's no question that customized solutions tailored to your specific IT needs are the best way to go. But with so many different options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. This blog post will discuss the benefits of customized solutions and provide tips on how to find the right provider for your business; and also take a look at some case studies to see how customized solutions have helped other businesses achieve their goals. So if you're looking for a better way to manage your IT infrastructure, read on!
Customized solutions are precisely what they sound like: IT solutions tailored to your business's specific needs. This means that rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, you can get an IT solution that's been designed specifically for your company's unique requirements.
In addition, customized solutions are typically more flexible than off-the-shelf solutions, meaning that they can be easily adapted to changing needs. This makes them ideal for businesses that are growing or evolving rapidly.
There are many benefits to using customized solutions, including:
Improved efficiency: By having an IT solution that's been designed specifically for your company's needs, you can be sure that it will be much more efficient than a generic solution. This will save you time and money in the long run, as you won't need to waste time and resources trying to make a generic solution work for your business.
Increased productivity: Customized solutions can help boost productivity by giving employees the tools they need to do their jobs more effectively. This can lead to happier, more productive employees and a more successful business overall.
Better security: With customized solutions, you can have greater control over security, ensuring that your data is better protected. This is particularly important for businesses that handle sensitive data or are at risk of cyber attacks.
Improved customer service: By providing employees with the tools they need to serve customers better, customized solutions can help improve customer service. This can lead to increased sales and loyal customers who are more likely to recommend your business to others.
When looking for a provider of customized solutions, it's important to choose one that has experience in working with businesses like yours. They should understand your industry and your specific needs and be able to provide a solution that meets those needs.
It's also important to make sure that the provider you choose is reputable and has a good track record. For instance, you could look to a company like integrateditsolutions.com. Checking online reviews or asking other businesses for recommendations is also an option. Once you've found a few potential providers, be sure to get in touch and ask them about their services and prices.
4) Case studies: How have businesses benefited from customized solutions?Customized solutions have helped many businesses improve their efficiency and productivity and save money. Here are some examples of businesses that have benefited from using customized solutions:
A large retail chain used customized solutions to streamline its operations and reduce costs. The chain was able to save millions of dollars annually as a result.
A manufacturing company used customized solutions to improve its communication and collaboration between employees. This led to increased productivity and improved customer service.
In conclusion, customized solutions can offer many benefits to businesses, including improved efficiency, increased productivity, better security, and improved customer service. However, if you're looking for a better way to manage your IT infrastructure, be sure to choose a reputable provider with experience in working with businesses like yours.
Election 2022 - Podcast Interview with Andrew Heaton
Andrew and Michael discuss elections, and how most Americans are actually down the middle when it comes to their political tastes.
Andrew is the Host of the Political Orphanage. Andrew is a comedian, political satirist, and policy analyst coming from a very anti-partisan perspective.
Social Media Links: @MightyHeaton on Twitter
Breakfast Leadership Show Interview with Andrew Heaton
How To Attract More Customers to Your Bakery

Bakeries enhance a local community, from producing potential tourist attractions to feeding the population with delicious bites. One of the many bonuses of running a patisserie is seeing the faces of others light up when savoring the baked delights. Share your decadent creations with more people and spread the joys of tasty treats with these tips for attracting more customers to your bakery business.
Tempting Window DisplaysPeople often associate window shopping with clothing boutiques. However, it also applies to other businesses. Curating a tempting window display featuring a myriad of your baked creations catches the attention of those passing by. It reminds those with empty stomachs that they’re low on fuel, making them picture themselves savoring your pastries. Eventually, they’ll feel tempted enough to make those dreams a reality and enter your shop to satisfy their needs.
Aromatic AttractionsAppealing to the senses immerses people in a glimpse of the experiences in your shop. Like fishing bait, it gives them a taste that then reels them in through your doors. Along with attracting people with a scrumptious visual display of baked bites, engaging potential customers with some aromatic scents further entices them into your shop. Opening your doors and windows to allow the aromas of your fresh baked bread or melted chocolate croissants to waft onto the street attracts those nearby. It’ll surely spark people’s curiosity as they try to find the gold at the end of the fragrant lure.
Diverse Menu SelectionThe ideal menu features a balance of popular comfort items and unique finds. Serving both classic bakery goods—like bread, croissants, and brownies—with some one-of-a-kind selections unique to your shop makes a menu that appeals to all. Adding drinks to your bakery list of delights further diversifies your inventory with more options and enhances customer experience as they get to relish their meal with a drink. Implementing a couple of irresistible hot beverages boosts your profits in various ways, broadening your menu to appeal to more people.
Attracting more customers to your bakery involves curating an alluring experience. Appealing to various senses and offering diverse menu selections enhances people’s interaction with your shop. It creates positive associations, making them want to enter your store. Providing a glimpse of the experience one gets while indulging in your business and ensuring it’ll be worth their while sets your bakery up for success.
October 19, 2022
Live GPS Trackers For Cars

Source: @tobiash
Have you ever wondered how companies can manage fleets, keep labor costs low, and reduce fuel consumption? The answer comes in GPS vehicle trackers, and this article will demystify how real time GPS locators work, as well as some of the most commonly used GPS fleet tracking devices one the market today.
Real-time vehicle tracking systems rely on both the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and a cellular system. A GPS tracking module continuously picks up the vehicle's precise coordinates, which determines the real-time location of the vehicle that's being tracked. Using a cellular data service such as GPRS, the tracking coordinates are immediately transmitted onto a secured server by pinging the device.
Users can then access the real-time GPS data from an internet-enable device, such as a computer, laptop or smartphone. The vehicle tracking information can be viewed by logging in through a website, or through a web-based mapping interface such as Google Maps. With live GPS trackers, users will be able to see precisely where their vehicles are in real-time.
This provides individual consumers and small to large businesses, such fleet management operators, delivery and logistics services and law enforcement agencies, the ability to track their fleet of vehicles and view the live GPS location data without having to physically retrieve the GPS tracking device. Personal GPS trackers that provide real time GPS also provide an ideal and affordable solution to help reduce fuel costs by improving the overall efficiency for fleet businesses.
Business Fleet Management (Wireless GPS trackers or hardwired GPS devices)
Car Dealerships (GPS tracker with kill switch if repo is necessary)
Parents Of Teen Drivers (OBD2 GPS trackers for teen driving safety)
People Who Suspect Cheating (Hidden GPS tracker to catch a cheating husband)
Vehicle Owners Worried About Theft (GPS tracker with magnet for anti-theft recovery)
The SpaceHawk real-time GPS tracker is a white label version of the popular LandAirSea GPS 54. With over 17,000 verified purchases on Amazon and a 4+ star rating according to Amazon reviews, this GPS locator is widely considered as one of the most advanced real-time GPS car trackers on the market today. The mini GPS with magnet features the fastest real-time GPS location updates, with the ability to update a vehicle's precise location every 3 seconds on an up-to-date and user-friendly online mapping interface powered by Google Maps.
This online feature allows fleet managers and law enforcement agencies the ability to monitor and track their assets remotely on multiple computers from a web-browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Safari or Firefox) without having to install any software. However, the reason we like the GPS device is because it is under $100, has no contracts, and the monthly subscription fee is very affordable.
The Spark Nano 7 real-time GPS tracker is Brickhouse Security’s most popular real-time GPS vehicle tracker. It features a waterproof case with strong exterior magnetic mount, and the ability to update a vehicle's precise location every 30 seconds on an up-to-date and user-friendly online mapping interface powered by Google Maps.
The Spark Nano 7 has a larger battery than the SpyTec GL300, Tracki mini GPS, Trak4, and Invoxia vehicle trackers combined! In fact, the wireless GPS locator will give you an average of 140 hours drive-time on one charge.
The SpyTec STI GL300 GPS tracker is a compact, pocket-sized, live GPS tracker that can be utilized for various personal tracking applications. The ultra-portable size, allows users to place it virtually anywhere - inside of a purse, briefcase, backpack or the glove compartment of a car. However, the device does have a short battery life so it really is not a good solution for GPS fleet management applications.
The LandAirSea Sync OBD2 GPS is a plug and play real-time GPS. It is powered by the vehicle's OBD-II port, which is usually located underneath the driver's side dash. Along with the ability to provide the live location of the vehicle, the LandAirSea Sync OBDii provides on-board diagnostic reports and alerts, such as rapid acceleration, excessive RPM and harsh breaking.
The Sync OBD2 GPS tracker is the ideal solution for fleet management applications, and services that oversee multiple vehicles. The user-friendly web-based mapping software gives users the ability to monitor their entire fleet from a computer, laptop or mobile device. What we love most about this device is the $29 price point, making it one of the most affordable vehicle fleet trackers on the market!
The Connect OBD2 fleet tracker is a real-time GPS tracker designed specifically for heavy duty vehicles. It receives power from the vehicle via the included 6-Pin (J1708) or 9-Pin (J1939) Deutsch Adapter Cable. This plug and play tracking device requires no additional software installations. Just plug it in and it's ready to go. What we love most about this truck GPS tracker is that it has no monthly subscription fees for an entire year!
The Connect GPS provides live location tracking for businesses and logistics services that use large, industrial, heavy duty vehicles. The web-based mapping software gives fleet managers the ability to monitor their vehicles remotely from a computer, laptop or mobile device.
With the real time GPS tracker online interface, logistics and transportation services can share the location of their fleet on their company's website through a ShareSpot option. This innovative feature allows companies, such as fleet transport services or mobile food industries, the ability to share their vehicles' real-time locations by sending a web-link or embedding the HTML code directly on their company's website. This can be especially helpful for food trucks or ice cream trucks who want to share their location.
Whether it is for catching an employee who is using company vehicle without authorization or a cheating spouse, if you want to learn more about how to secretly track someone’s car without them knowing we would encourage you to check out the helpful video below:
Additional sources for this article were gathered from the following webpages:
https://www.trackingsystemdirect.com/best-car-gps-tracker/
https://www.mixtelematics.com/us/resources/blog/11-tips-for-improving-truck-fleet-management