Michael Levitt's Blog, page 32

How Outsourcing These Departments in Your Online Business Can Create More Sustainability

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It's no secret that running an online business can be challenging. Between customer service, shipping, and maintaining a website, there are a lot of tasks to juggle. And if you're trying to do it all yourself, it can be challenging to maintain sustainability. That's where outsourcing comes in. By outsourcing specific departments in your business, you can create more sustainability and free up time for other important tasks. In this blog post, we'll discuss the benefits of outsourcing various departments in your online business. We'll also provide tips on finding the right outsourcing partner for your company. So read on to learn more!

1) Customer service

One of the most important aspects of any business is providing excellent customer service. But if you're trying to do it all yourself, it can be tough to keep up with customer inquiries. That's where outsourcing comes in. By outsourcing your customer service, you can free up time to focus on other areas of your business. And when you find a suitable outsourcing partner, they'll be able to provide the same high level of customer service that you would expect from your team. Outsourcing your customer service can also have some financial benefits. For example, if you outsource to a company specializing in customer service, they may offer discounts on their services.

2) Fulfillment and shipping

Another area of your business that can be outsourced is fulfillment and shipping. It can be tough to keep up with inventory and shipping if you're selling physical products. But when you outsource these tasks, you can free up time to focus on other aspects of your business. And if you find a suitable outsourcing partner like this 3pl company, they can help you save money on shipping and fulfillment costs. In addition, outsourcing specific departments in your online business can create more sustainability and free up time for other essential tasks. In this blog post, we've discussed the benefits of outsourcing customer service and fulfillment/shipping.

3) Website maintenance

If you have an eCommerce website, it's essential to keep it up-to-date and run smoothly. But if you're trying to do it all yourself, it can be tough to find the time to maintain your website. That's where outsourcing comes in. By outsourcing your website maintenance, you can free up time to focus on other areas of your business. And when you find a suitable outsourcing partner, they can help you keep your website up-to-date and running smoothly.

4) Accounting and bookkeeping

Another essential task in any business is accounting and bookkeeping. But if you're trying to do it all yourself, it can be tough to keep up with your finances. That's where outsourcing comes in. By outsourcing your accounting and bookkeeping, you can free up time to focus on other areas of your business. And when you find a suitable outsourcing partner, they can help you save money on your accounting and bookkeeping costs.

Outsourcing is a great way to improve the efficiency and productivity of your online business. When done correctly, it can also help you save money. So if you're looking to create more sustainability in your business, consider outsourcing some of your departments.

Signs That Real Estate Investment May Be Bad News

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Investing in real estate is one of the best ways to see your money grow over time. Real estate investments tend to be lower risk than many other forms of investments, and far easier to understand than stocks and shares. 

Not only that but there is so much variety from investing in commercial real estate with McGraw Commercial to investing in a run-down residential property, fixing it up, and flipping it for profit that there is sure to be an investment to suit everyone.

So it is only natural that you may want to invest in real estate right now, but with so much property available for sale, how do you know where to put your money and which investments are probably best avoided?

To help you make the right choices below you will find some common signs that the real estate investment you're looking at may be bad news:

The person selling is being really pushy

If your broker or real estate agent, as the case may be, is being really pushy with you, they could just be using pressure selling techniques to make a sale, but it could equally be the case that they really want to offload this particular property, So, at the very least, you should take a closer look at the details before handing over any of your money.

It’s been on the market for a long time

If you're thinking of investing in a property, but it has been on the market for a long time, then you have to ask yourself why. Either it is priced too high, it’s in an area where no one is buying, or there is something up with the building itself., Again, due diligence is a really good idea.

It’s not tax-efficient

If buying a property at any particular time is likely to have a negative impact upon your taxation burden, i.e. if it will mean you need to pay more tax during that year, then it may be worth holding off and thinking about other investments that will not have the same burden. 

It needs a lot of work

If you are investing in a doer-upper to hopefully sell on and make a profit one day, then you will want to look for a property that is not perfect so you can buy at the right price and actually make that profit. However, if it needs too much done to it if there are lots of structural problems, for example, it could be that it is not worth the time, money or effort required. Take some time to think carefully about what needs to be done and how much it will really cost before you even think of investing.

Spot any of these signs and you may want to reevaluate whether that investment opportunity really is a good idea! Real estate investment is a great way to make money, but only if you invest wisely and know when to turn down the wrong opportunity at the wrong time.

Tips for Keeping Your Office Clean and Professional

Does your office hygiene need some help? If you’re feeling distracted by your dirty workplace, then you need these tips for keeping your office clean and professional.

Encourage Employee Participation

The first thing to do to keep an office environment clean is to set some ground rules. Create guidelines and encourage employee participation in keeping the office clean for everyone. Whether you post signs as reminders throughout the office or send email updates for new organization policies, you must ensure everyone is on the same page.

Keep Food to One Area

Designate a room for food and lunch breaks. Keeping food in a specific room or area in the office will help prevent messes. Eating in the office space can lead to unwanted smells, crumbs, and food residue, which create a messy workspace. Additionally, food crumbs and residue may attract pests, which can be a headache to get rid of.

Regularly Empty Trash and Recycling Bins

Another cause of a smelly office is an overflowing trash receptacle. Make sure that you have trash taken out of the office often regularly. This way, it won’t sit and cause an unpleasant odor. Whether you enlist the help of a cleaning service or have your employees take trash rotations, you should ensure that trash doesn’t sit for long periods.

Hire a Professional Cleaning Service

Hiring a professional cleaning service can help with much more than just taking the trash out. Professional cleaning services will keep your office nice and clean for employees, who won’t feel distracted by the cleaning tasks themselves. You should also consider the benefits of carpet cleaning, which will make the office look and feel much neater. Most offices are large enough that DIY carpet cleaning is out of the question, so call a professional service.

We hope these tips for keeping your office clean and professional help you tidy up your office in the future. An immaculate office leads to more productivity and better employee morale, so never cut corners when it comes to office cleanliness.

10 Tips for Starting a Food Truck Business

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The popularity of food trucks has skyrocketed over the past decade or so. They have always been a staple of large scale events like festivals and tradeshows, but now they are becoming more prevalent in more intimate gatherings like weddings and birthday parties. Walk through any city center and you will often see a parade of food trucks selling all kinds of delicious cuisines from burgers and nachos to falafel and vegan fried chicken.

Street food is a competitive industry, but there is a huge market for it, as it is still rising in popularity. Consumers appreciate the convenience it affords, as they can enjoy delicious, high-quality, Instagrammable food that is good value for money and ready in minutes.

If you are wondering how to start your own food truck business, you’ve come to the right place. Here are ten tips to help you get your gourmet venture off the ground and avoid the common industry mistakes.

Do your research

You need to have full knowledge of the industry and your competition before you roll out your business, so you will need to conduct some market research. Find out what else is out there, as well as identifying your ideal demographic and opportunities for success in your target location.

Choose a concept

The most successful food truck businesses have a clear theme, so your customers will know what they are getting when they see you on the street. If you try to be too many different things, you will fail to attract as much interest, and you may also struggle to maintain the quality of each dish. Pick a speciality, such as South African cuisine, or vegan pizza. . 

Create a business plan

You need to know the details of your venture before you can start investing your time and money into it. Drawing up a business plan will enable you to identify your objectives as well as a strategy for hitting the targets you;ve set yourself.  You may also need to present this document to potential investors, so make sure it is thorough and accurate. 

Raise the funding

Starting up a business of any kind requires some capital, and a food truck is no different. You will need to raise sufficient funding in advance to cover the cost of the truck, the food, staff, and any other ongoing expenses. You may be able to raise the money yourself through earnings and savings, but there’s a good chance you might need to request a business loan. Other options that many entrepreneurs have successfully used included crowdfunding projects, personal investors, and community sponsors. 

Handle the paperwork

There are all kinds of licenses and permits that are essential for running a food truck business. These can vary from location to location, so you need to figure out your particular pre-requirements to avoid getting into trouble and having your business closed down. These may include a business license, a food hygiene certificate, and parking permits. 

Buy your food truck

Now that you have planned your business, secured funding, and ticked all the boxes, it’s time to make the most important investment: your food truck. This will be the cornerstone of your venture, so you need to be sure it will serve you well. Although you will want to save as much money as possible, you can’t afford to skimp on quality. Decide whether you want to lease or buy your truck, and whether you have the budget for a new one rather than secondhand.

Purchase equipment and supplies

There are plenty of additional things you will need in order to get your venture up and running, including cooking equipment, utensils, fridges, and the food itself. Picking the right cooking fuel is essential, so click here to find out more. Some of these will be one-time expenses, but for consumables you will need to find a supplier with whom you will make regular transactions. Shop around when finding your ideal suppliers, to ensure the one you choose is reliable and offers good value for money.

Choose a payment system

How will your customers pay for their food? It might be more simple for you to only accept cash, but in the modern world this is not a wise way to go. Few people carry cash around with them, so unless you can set up your truck right next to an ATM, you will lose out on a lot of customers. A mobile point of sale system will enable you to take payments quickly and easily from contactless cards or mobile phones.

Promote your business

You now need to spread the world about your business and start building a customer base. There are so many ways you can do this. A website is the best place to start, as it will contain all the necessary information about your business including location, menu, nutritional details and more. Use the social media platforms that your target demographic are using and with which you think you will gain the most traction, whether it be Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook.. Food is an incredibly visual medium, so there is plenty of opportunity to create mouthwatering content with photos and videos that will draw a large audience. You could also run competitions to win free food, which will help increase your following and raise brand awareness.

Monitor and adapt

Running a business is a learning curve, and it’s unlikely that every single thing will go according to plan. You will no doubt make plenty of mistakes along the way that might set you back. The most important thing to remember is that these errors of judgment always present an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and improve your performance going forward. Keep track of the crucial metrics like sales figures and well as online engagement and constantly adapt your strategy to boost the numbers going forward. Success will take a lot of hard work and commitment, but if you are driven and passionate about your food truck business, there is no reason why you can’t reach the top.

Why Your Business Building Matters As Much As The Office

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You may assume that business building and business office are interchangeable terms, and in reality, they refer to slightly different elements of your workplace. Indeed, the business office is the desk and reception area where you welcome your staff and your visitors. On the other hand, the building contains the office. Still, it is also a significant factor when it comes to the architecture, the structure, and the overall size of your business premises. 

Brands focus on creating a productive and inspiring office that can support their team. Facilities such as a canteen and coffee machines are popular on-site additions to attract the best talent. An accessible location with a reliable broadband connection and plenty of flexible space for team growth are essential must-haves in the office. 

But if you own the building where you set your office, it's time to consider the essential improvements you can make to the premises. Indeed, here is why you want to focus on your business building too.

Reduce energy costs

Have you ever considered how much energy businesses consume? The U.S. wastes almost 60% of the energy it produces; approximately 20% of it is caused by commercial buildings. Indeed, lack of insulation and inadequate building maintenance can make it hard to heat your premises. Businesses can lose heat through old windows, old roofs, and ineffective insulation in the walls and in the basement area. As the building owner, you can reach out to professional contractors and discuss corporate prices to get new windows, new insulation, and reliable sheet metal roofing installed. This could help keep your energy bills under control and reduce your environmental footprint. 

Keep indoor pollution down

Indoor pollution is a silent killer. It can have long-lasting consequences on your team's health, increasing the risks of:

heart attack and stroke

respiratory disease

chronic discomfort

the overall weakened immune system

Additionally, the presence of toxic particles in the air often leads to sick building syndrome, headaches, nausea, and other health issues. Yet, indoor pollution is frequently ignored because it can't be seen with the naked eye. Yet, in y our premises, you can introduce indoor air filters to reduce the presence of toxins. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the HVAC system and replacement of potentially hazardous materials could make a big difference! 

Sustainable building

Unlike residential buildings, a commercial building has a unique advantage when it comes to making green improvements to the structure. Indeed, commercial buildings have a greater impact on the environment due to their size and nature. As a result, they can benefit from significantly more advantageous financial support when making big structural improvements. Comparatively, commercial improvement projects can get better access to financing and recover their costs more rapidly. Some of the preferred sustainability projects for commercial buildings include: 

Natural ventilation to reduce heating costs and renew the indoor air

Build or repair using sustainable materials

Addition of new openings/windows solutions to maximize natural light

Renewable energy system installation

Etc. 

In conclusion, as a building owner, you can make considerable improvements to your structure in order to reduce your environmental footprint, reduce your bills, and prevent health risks for your staff. A productive and inspiring office belongs in a forward-thinking building setting! 

How Can You Raise Money For Real Estate Investment?

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The US Census Bureau estimates that about 63% of Americans own real estate. Real estate investing can be pretty profitable, but you need a lot of capital to enjoy these benefits. You need significant cash to purchase that foreclosure, invest in multifamily properties, and pay your latest fix-and-flip property contractors. Fortunately, raising money for your real estate investing isn't as challenging as it appears, even for newbie investors. Here are four great ways to raise money for real estate investing.

Bank loans

Bank loans are an excellent starting point when seeking to fund your real estate investments. This option is particularly worth considering because its interest rates are fairly reasonable than other alternatives. However, there's a catch to bank loans you should know about despite their low-interest rate appeal. Banks often require a fixed percentage as a down payment of about 20% on the property. In addition, they will check your credit score and debt-to-income ratio before offering you this loan. 

Partnering up

A partner is your best bet to get capital for real estate investing if you have only a fraction of the full amount you need to get started. You and your partner(s) will each contribute a fraction of the funds to invest in the project together, solving the capital issues and giving you someone to split the work with. A real estate syndication is a great example of a partnership you can enter into for collective fundraising towards a real estate project. This arrangement simply involves a team of investors pooling their resources together to buy and rehab or renovate a property and rent or sell for a profit. Real estate syndications can be quite beneficial for all involved, but several legalities are involved in structuring your company and other agreements. Thankfully, lawyers such as https://syndicationattorneys.com/ can help you and your partners establish profitable syndication, so keep this in mind.

Real estate crowdfunding sites

Real estate crowdfunding has become popular in recent times, evident by the increasing amount of websites and projects related to property investing. These real estate crowdfunding sites offer several options to individuals who wish to invest in real estate. Still, they lack the necessary credit score or down payment required by several banks and traditional lenders. These websites also eliminate a lot of the legwork inherent in the borrowing process. Some of the best real estate crowdfunding sites to consider in 2022 include CrowdStreet and DiversyFund.

Home equity products

Home equity products are excellent options to consider if you already own a building or two. A home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) are the two popular products you can use to tap into your existing properties' equity. Then, you can use the cash obtained to fund your next real estate project or the expenses associated with rehabilitating it. A cash-out refinance works in the same way. You just refinance the mortgage on an existing building, go in for a higher-balance loan, and direct the difference toward your new venture.

Jobs That Will Make You Feel More Than Rewarded

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Life is all about making sure you do your bit while feeling satisfied at the same time. We have responsibilities and jobs to do, but we have to feel content while they’re happening. You cannot go through life feeling useless, miserable, or empty. You have to make sure that you and your fellow people have a spring in your step whenever you do most things in life.

 

When it comes to a career, you have to find something that you’ll be good at and that you’ll love. That rewarding feeling is unrivaled and allows you to make the most of your days. If you want to feel rewarded by helping out others, then that’s entirely possible. There are so many jobs out there for your benevolent side to love. Here are a few examples: 

 

Teaching 

 

People always need to be taught in order to become more competent in life. Sure, they can teach themselves sometimes with experience or with online videos, but they need that 1 on 1 session a lot more. You could be the person to do that. Whether it’s something pretty basic like life skills or something mathematical and challenging. It’s a reward either way. 

 

Working In Charitable And Non-Profit Organizations

 

Charities and non-profits will always be needed. Whether you think that’s a good thing or a bad thing, to begin with, is up to you. Helping out those in need and those who would be in a very awkward position without help makes anyone feel rewarded. Doing things for others and literally increasing their quality of life – priceless!

 

Health Care And Home Care

 

Doing things for others in terms of making their quality of life better is one of the best things you can do. You start to feel rewarded very early on and you know you’re doing something great. Be it home care franchising or working as a nurse in a hospital, you could be making the lives of so many people that much better.

 

Lawyers For Those In Need

 

The world of law is very awkward at the best of times. There are so many things that can go wrong and the most undeserving of people can be put in precarious positions through no fault of their own. Doing services for the public and pro bono jobs are always positive. Lawyers can sometimes be known as pretty shady, but if your heart’s in the right place, then you could make this into an extremely wonderful living. 

 

Policing And Public Safety

 

The police often get a lot of negative words – especially in recent times due to a lot of controversy surrounding them. They are fundamentally there to make sure everyone is okay, however. If you are passionate about keeping people safe and helping those in need, then perhaps this is something that you could take part in. You’d need a few months of training, and then you’re good to go.

Why Your Business Office Space Matters

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Most small businesses will aim to transition to a building that can house all of the staff, operations, and sometimes even stock. The inside and outside of your office building become a part of your brand and identity. You must make sure your build represents who you are and what you do. 

In shared buildings, this can be more difficult, but if you are in a position to choose things like the outside aesthetics and work with an architectural metal panel fabricator, you can create a building that makes an impact. 

Both the inside and the outside matter, so what can you do to make sure your office space is the best place for your team to achieve their best work?

Location

While the idea of having an office building surrounded by greenery and nature can be a goal, you’ll need to consider how your team can get there. Not everyone drives, and if you’re not near good public transport lines, you might be missing out on amazing team members. 

Look for the balance between convenience and location, and it is even worth considering if having a bike scheme could help you choose somewhere outside of the main city. 

As part of considering the location, if you would prefer an inner-city building, consider how much parking you are going to need - an account for the cost of that too.  

Internet

Almost all businesses run online, and if your building doesn’t have the best internet, you’re going to have to configure your building to ensure you have the best connection. 

In shared buildings, you might only need to request to be connected, but if you buy the building, you’ll need to arrange it all. 

Flexible space

Opting for an interior space that is easy to move around can work wonders as you grow your business. Initially, you might move in with a small team, and the space might seem a little too big. But as you scale, you’ll add new desks and new people. 

Opt for a space that is just a little bit larger than what you need so that you can add in more as you need to. 

Open plan space is often better than choosing a building that has pre-built offices. While offices for the CEO and some other upper management are a good idea, it is better if they can be added later. 

Facilities

If you want to follow the greats like Apple, Facebook, Spotify, and Google, then having on-site facilities is a must. Somewhere that your team can get a fresh and delicious lunch, good coffee machines, plenty of WC space. 

The facilities you have in-house will mean that your staff has access to everything they need to have a productive and comfortable day. 

Everything about your office space should be designed - both inside and out - to ensure that your team and you get the most productive hours and that it speaks to your brand as a whole. 

In the last few years, an office building posed more than a few challenges, and if you are still navigating that, this post can help: It's Time To Bring People Back To The Office. 

The Different Types Of Investments You Can Make With Your Money

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When it comes to investing, there are a variety of options available to you. You can invest in stocks, bonds, real estate, and a variety of other options. This blog post will discuss the different types of investments you can make with your money and provide some information on each one. By the end of this post, you should have a good understanding of the different investment options available to you and be able to make an informed decision about which option is best for you!

1) Stocks

A stock is a type of investment that represents part ownership in a company. When you buy stocks, you become a shareholder in the company and are entitled to vote on important matters, such as who should be elected to the board of directors. Stocks can be bought through a brokerage firm or online trading account.

There are two main types of stocks: common stock and preferred stock. Common stock is the most common type of stock and gives shareholders the right to vote on company matters and receive dividends. Preferred stock does not come with voting rights but typically pays higher dividends than common stock.

Investing in stocks can be a great way to grow your wealth over time, but it is essential to remember that stocks are a risky investment and can go up or down in value. It is also necessary to do your research before investing in any stock, as not all stocks are created equal.

2) Citizenship By Investment

Citizenship by investment (CBI) is a program offered in a number of countries that allows you to become a citizen of that country in exchange for investing money in a government-approved project or fund. The benefits of citizenship by investment vary from country to country but typically include visa-free travel, the ability to work and live in the country, and access to government services.

CBI programs are typically only available to high net worth individuals, as the investment required generally is quite considerable. However, citizenship by investment can be a great way to get citizenship in a country that you otherwise would not be able to obtain. Before investing in any Grenada CBI Programs, it is essential to do your research and make sure that the program is legitimate. 

3) Real Estate

Real estate is another option for investing your money. When you invest in real estate, you are essentially buying a property that can be used for rent or resale. Real estate can be a great investment option, as it typically provides a stable return on investment.

There are a variety of ways to invest in real estate, including buying a property outright, investing in a real estate fund, or purchasing shares in a real estate company. It is essential to do your research before investing in real estate, as there are a number of risks involved.

Real estate is a long-term investment, so it is essential to have patience when investing in this asset class. However, if done correctly, real estate can provide you with a steady stream of income and the potential for capital appreciation over time.

In conclusion, there are a number of different types of investments you can make with your money. Each option has its own risks and rewards, so it is essential to do your research before investing. By understanding the different types of investments available to you, you can make an informed decision about which option is best for you!

Tips To Help Your Businesses Remote Team To Excel

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In the modern-day, it is more and more common for businesses to offer remote working opportunities. Some companies aren’t ready to bring people back to the office while others perform better with remote workers. Although this can be great for employees’ well-being and business costs, it can sometimes cause a lack of team collaboration or individual employee participation. 

If you are running a business with remote positions and you want to know how to help your remote workers excel, here’s more. 

Virtual team collaborations

It is important to ensure that you stay up to date with your employees, their workload, and any issues they are facing. Doing so via email can be effective but not ideal if you want an honest and open conversation. 

Moreover, it is useful to use virtual calls and chats so that team members physically chat with their colleagues and not just write emails to one another. 

Using SharePoint consulting services, your business can boost virtual team collaboration, which is ideal for remote businesses. No longer will you have hard time managing projects and getting everyone together and up to date. With a single tool and expert help, you can improve the teamwork of your remote workers.

Daily conversations

Just like in the physical workspace, it can help to keep up daily conversations when you work with remote team members. Doing so will ensure that everyone is on the same track and knows that there is help as and when they need it. 

It will allow anyone to share concerns or appraisals, which is essential to help people move forward and feel happy at work. 

Likewise, these daily conversations can ensure that your remote workers know what you expect of them, which will push them to perform better. 

Daily conversations do not have to be virtual team calls, they can be messages or emails. So long as there is a frequent conversation, it should help employees to excel. 

Share work

It is common practice to share and show your own work to other colleagues when working in a physical space together. Hence, this practice is stripped away when colleagues work remotely. 

Keeping up this practice will do employees a lot of good, as it helps people learn from one another and also provide feedback so that their team can improve. 

Through sharing work, team members can collaborate better and understand each part of the work process. 

Offer rewards

Another common practice that works well in the physical working environment is to offer rewards. When an employee performs well and hits their targets, offering a reward is a way to congratulate and thank them. It can be a small financial gift or an offering of some kind. 

Using this tip, you can share gifts with your remote workers. Simply giving them a bonus or sending them some chocolates is a great way to show them that you appreciate their hard efforts. Plus, it will push them to perform just as well - if not better - to attain more rewards in the future.