Michael Levitt's Blog, page 40

Tips To Improve Remote Work Communication

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Many businesses have plans to continue with remote work moving forward or at least to adopt a hybrid work model. In addition to health and safety, this can bring a range of benefits to both the business and employees. Many organizations have reported an increase in productivity and employee wellbeing thanks to remote working. There are certain benefits that can be enjoyed, but there are also challenges, particularly when it comes to business communications. Communication is key to success in any organization, but this is made much harder when you have staff working remotely. With this in mind, here are a few tips for improving remote worker communication.

Invest In Remote Work Tools

First, you need to make sure that your team has access to the best and latest remote work tools. There have been many great strides made in this area since the start of the pandemic that can allow communication and collaboration to be much easier. A few basic tools that you should provide include:

Videoconferencing software

Group chat platforms

Screen recording software

Screen sharing software

Use The Right Communication Channels

Another important piece of advice is to consider what the right communication channel is for each message. You do not always need to host a video call for basic information, and this could be a waste of everyone’s time and energy. This is why you need to decide on the best communication channel for each message, whether this is a video call, phone conversation, online message, or email.

Use Automated Messaging Services

Leading on from this, when you have a team of remote workers it is important that you are able to communicate quickly and effectively. Messaging services such as boomerangmessaging.com can provide a fully digital suite of communication platforms that can streamline internal comms and make it easy for you to get your message out there to those that need to receive it.

Check-In

One of the drawbacks of remote work is that it can be easy for staff to become isolated and feel disconnected from the business. This can lower morale, impact performance, and could lead to high staff turnover. This is why it is so important for management to check in on staff on a regular basis to see how they are doing and if there is anything that they can do to help.

Find Ways To Unite Your Team

Following on from this, it is also important to find ways to unite your team to keep morale high, to improve communication, and to create a team-based mentality. You can host fun online and informal events, create a weekly newsletter and organize in-person social events to unite your team and improve communication.

Hopefully, these tips will help to improve communication in a time when remote work is the norm. There are many benefits to remote work, and many companies note an increase in productivity, but communication can suffer if you are not careful. Fortunately, there are ways to tackle this problem that will ensure that communication does not become an issue for your team.

Tips for Operating a Cold Storage Facility

Managing a cold storage warehouse is no easy feat. Working in freezing temperatures with heavy machinery can quickly become a recipe for disaster without the right tools. The good news is that there are ways to run these operations efficiently without compromising safety or quality. If you’re in a leadership role and want to know more about the best warehouse practices, here are some tips for operating a cold storage facility.

Always Control Temperatures

In the cold storage industry, temperatures are everything. Most of the products you’re holding must stay at a specific temperature to remain in good condition. For example, many cold storage warehouses store perishable items that rot quickly at the wrong temperature, creating a health hazard. Managers should install temperature alarms and thoroughly train employees to monitor and maintain levels adequately.

Prioritize Employee Comfort

In any industry, the comfort and contentment of your employees is a huge factor in their productivity. This is especially true for warehouse employees working in harsh, chilly conditions. Low temperatures slow down reaction times, impacting speed, safety, and efficiency. Make sure your employees stay comfortable by providing gloves, coats, and warm break rooms to keep everyone operating at their highest standard.

Use Appropriate Equipment

Cold storage warehouses are unique facilities that require specific types of tools to operate efficiently. As such, it’s essential to provide your staff with appropriate equipment so they can get their jobs done right. It’s easy for condensation to accumulate on floors, racks, and machines, so make sure your establishment uses sealed tools, high-voltage batteries, and equipment that can withstand these conditions. This is a crucial tip for operating a cold storage facility that will extend the life of your expensive supplies.

Take Advantage of Automation

Humans are prone to error, leaving room for mistakes that are inconvenient at best and life-threatening at worst. Managers looking to increase efficiency and reduce liabilities should take advantage of automation and other new technologies. Automated storage and retrieval systems allow specialized software and machinery to sort, pick, and store products and materials. Cold storage racks suffer damage easily, so leadership should do everything in their power to limit possible harm.

Operating a specialized facility like a cold storage warehouse requires a specific type of know-how to be successful. Implementing these practices into your work environment will bring your cold storage operation to the next level.

Be an Effective Leader in Your Business

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To be an effective leader in your business, you need to understand what it means to be a leader and put that into practice. Leaders are not born; they are made. And the best way to become a great leader is through continuous learning and development. So let's discuss some of the critical characteristics of effective leaders and provide tips on improving your leadership skills.

Open Communication

One of the most important aspects of being an effective leader is open communication. This means communicating effectively with your employees, clients, and other stakeholders. It's essential to be clear and concise in your communications and ensure that everyone involved understands what you're saying. It would help if you also were willing to listen to others and be open to feedback. This will help you build trust and credibility with your team.

Teach Rather Than Demand

It would be best if you learned how to teach those around you. Demanding that employees do things your way will only lead to frustration and lack of productivity. Instead, take the time to explain why a specific task needs to be done and how it can benefit the company as a whole. When employees feel like they are a part of the decision-making process, they are more likely to be invested in their work.

Create a Positive Atmosphere

A positive atmosphere is vital for any business. When employees feel good about coming into work and collaborating with their colleagues, the company benefits. This can be accomplished by establishing clear goals, being supportive and communicative, and celebrating successes.

Set Clear Goals

When you set clear goals for employees, it gives them a sense of direction. They know what is expected of them and can better focus on the tasks at hand. Furthermore, if employees can see how their work contributes to the company's overall goal, they will be more motivated to do their best.

Lead by Example

One of the most important things you can do as a leader is to set an example for your team. Be hardworking and put in the effort, even when no one else is watching. If you want your team to be productive, you need to be productive yourself. Showing that you can complete tasks and meet deadlines will motivate your team to do the same.

Focus on What is Important

It is essential to stay focused on what is important as a leader. This means that you need to delegate tasks and prioritise goals to achieve the most impactful results. Outsource what can be outsourced, and focus on the areas of your business that need the most attention. Perks is a company that specialises in Accounting services and can help your business grow and prosper. By doing this, you will efficiently manage your time and resources.

Build Meaningful Relationships

Effective leaders can connect with their employees on a personal level, which builds trust and creates a positive work environment. As a result, the employees are more productive and happy. If you want to be an effective leader in your business, start by creating meaningful connections with your employees and showing that you care about them as individuals.

Effective leadership is key to a successful business. By being emotionally present and connected with your team, you create an environment of trust and respect. This allows for open communication and collaboration, which leads to better ideas and solutions. When you put the needs of your team first, everyone benefits. So be an effective leader in your business and watch your team thrive!

Making Smart Decisions For Your Business

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Making decisions for your business can be difficult. Sometimes, it seems like there are too many options and not enough time to make a decision. You might feel like you're stuck in analysis paralysis, unable to move forward because you're not sure which option is the best one. This blog post will discuss some tips for making smart decisions for your business. It will help you figure out what factors to consider when making a decision, and it will give you some advice on how to avoid analysis paralysis. When it comes time to decide for your business, these tips will help you make the best choice possible!

1) Define The Problem

When you're trying to make a decision, it's important to define the problem that you're trying to solve. What are you hoping to achieve? What needs to change for you to be happy with the outcome of the decision? Defining the problem will help you narrow down your options and make it easier to find a solution.

For example, let's say that you own a small business and hire a new employee. The first step is to define the problem: what specific tasks does this new employee need to be able to do? Once you've defined the problem, you can start looking for candidates who have experience doing those specific tasks. Another example may be how do you solve the problem if your business has been the victim of Carding?

If you don't take the time to define the problem, you might end up with a solution that doesn't actually solve the problem. 

2) Consider Your Goals

What are you hoping to achieve with this decision? What are your long-term goals for your business? It's essential to consider your goals when deciding because the wrong decision can prevent you from reaching your goals.

For example, let's say that you're considering starting a new business venture. The goal of this new venture is to make more money, but you're not sure if it's the right decision. You need to ask yourself whether this new venture will help you reach your long-term financial goals. If the answer is no, it might not be the best decision for you and your business.

It's also important to consider how each potential decision will affect other areas of your business. For example, if you're considering expanding your business, you need to think about how the expansion will impact your resources (money, time, staff, etc.).

When making a decision, it's important to keep your long-term goals in mind. The wrong decision can actually prevent you from reaching your goals, so it's crucial to make a decision to help you achieve them.

3) Weigh The Pros And Cons

One of the best ways to make a smart decision is to weigh the pros and cons of each option. This will help you see the potential benefits and drawbacks of each choice, which can make it easier to decide which option is best for you.

For example, let's say that you're considering starting a new business venture. The pros of this decision are that you could make more money, but the cons are that it could be risky and you might not make any profit at all. By weighing the pros and cons, you can see that there are both benefits and risks associated with this choice. You can then decide whether or not those benefits and risks are worth taking on board.

4) Consider The Risks

When making a decision, it's important to consider the risks involved in each option. This will help you make an informed decision, and it will also help you plan for potential problems down the road.

For example, let's say that you're considering starting a new business venture. The risk of this decision is that you could lose money, but the potential benefits are that you could make more money. By considering the risks and benefits involved in this choice, you can see that there are both pros and cons to starting this new business. You can then decide whether or not the potential benefits are worth taking on board.

It's also important to think about how each risk might affect your business. For example, if you're hiring a new employee and the risk is that they might not be a good fit for the job, you need to think about how that could impact your business. Will this new employee be able to do the tasks required of them? Will they have a positive impact on company culture? By considering the risks involved in each decision, you can help minimize potential problems down the road.

Making smart decisions for your business can be difficult, but by following these tips, you can make an informed choice that's best for your company. Keep these tips in mind when making future decisions, and remember to always weigh the pros and cons of each option!

How Restaurants Can Increase Revenue

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It’s unlikely that the restaurant industry will ever truly die, despite what some commentators say. After all, people will always want to go out for a delicious meal. However, it is true that sometimes the industry goes through tough times, as is the case at the moment. The coronavirus pandemic hit many industries pretty hard, but none quite as hard as restaurants. The good news is that things are beginning to bounce back. And there are also plenty of things that restaurants can do to try to make up some of that lost income. We’ll take a look at some of the most effective methods in this blog.

Get Smart About Supplies 

You’ll be spending a lot of money on your ingredients and other supplies. The question is, are you ordering your essential items in a smart way? If you end up throwing away food because it’s turned rotten, or you have to take things off the menu because you’ve run out of ingredients, then there’s probably no. Rather than just taking a casual approach towards your ordering, use special software to stay on top of your inventory. Remember, every penny counts!

Stop Giving Money to Third-Party Software Suppliers

It’s an excellent idea to make your dishes available for takeaway. Not everyone will want to get dressed up and go to a restaurant all the time. But they still may want to enjoy your delicious meals! The problem with this is that the large companies end up taking a large percentage of the total order cost. So rather than working with one of the giants, look at using a digital ordering system for restaurants that doesn’t take 30% of the order. Just by switching the system you use, you could greatly increase the amount of money that you’re making. 

Sell Products On The Side 

Your dishes will make up the bulk of your orders. But they don’t have to make up all of your orders. It’s possible to sell products on the side; this can be a highly useful way to push your revenue in the right direction. What types of products you sell will depend on your restaurant. You could sell photographs taken of your customers, branded t-shirts, or even things like specialty hot sauce if that’s something you make in-house. 

Outsource Your Marketing 

The more people there are that know about your restaurant, the more customers you’ll have. Even people who have been to and enjoyed your restaurant before can forget about you if they’re not reminded from time to time. This is why your marketing is so important. If you don’t have time to manage this side of your business yourself, then look at outsourcing the job to a marketing company. They’ll be able to ensure that there are plenty of eyeballs on your business!

Hosting Events

Finally, could you host events, such as weddings, birthday parties, and other celebrations? This isn’t just a moneymaker -- it can also be a lot of fun, for you and your staff.

What You Need To Do To Progress In Your Career

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Your career is important because it is the means by which you make your dreams come true. It's the opportunity to express yourself, to be creative and have a sense of purpose. It’s something that you dedicate a lot of time and attention to because it gives you the chance to explore your passions, create new things, and live life on your own terms. It defines who you are and what you can do. It helps define your identity and your purpose in life. It is also a way to contribute to society.

So, in this post, we’re going to take a look at some of the things that you can do to really flourish and progress in your career.

How To Break Through The Employee Grind And Get Ahead In Your Career

If you are stuck in your career, it is not too late to change it. If you are just starting out on your career, the following tips will help you to break through the grind and get ahead in your career.

The first step in breaking through the grind is having a clear vision for where you want to go. You should ask yourself questions like: What do I want my life to look like? What kind of work do I enjoy doing? How can I make myself more valuable and advance my career?

The second step is taking action. You need to be proactive about finding opportunities that will help you advance your career. This includes networking with people that might be able to offer assistance or advice on how to progress in your career, asking for feedback from managers and coworkers, and reaching out to experts too.

The Best Ways to Make an Impression & Get Yourself Noticed at Work

It's not easy to get noticed at work and make a good impression. But it can be an important thing to do when you want to get ahead. Here are some tips on how to get noticed at work:

- Be yourself, don't try to be somebody else
- Use your voice and personality
- Get out of your comfort zone

How to Get to The Next Level in Your Career

There are many ways to get ahead in your career, but the most important thing is to be proactive. The only way to climb the career ladder is by being proactive and following up with your boss. Another way to get ahead at work is by taking on a leadership role. If you have a good track record of showing leadership and getting things done, it will be easier for your boss to promote you.

If you're struggling with how to get ahead at work, try looking outside of your company for opportunities and connections. Look for firms that might be interested in hiring someone like you, or reach out and set up informational interviews with people who are doing interesting things in their field. There are many ways to get to the next level in your career, but it all starts with how you approach your job.

In order to climb the career ladder, you need to be able to take risks and be open-minded. You should also have a good work-life balance and be willing to learn new skills outside of your job description.

The Importance Of Hiring A Mentor To Guide Your Career

The mentor is a person who helps you change your career today. They help you transform your career, change your job, make the process easier for you, and help you build the confidence you need to believe in yourself.

Mentors can be your friends or family members who are already working in their field of expertise or they could be professionals in the field that you want to enter. Mentors can also be people that have achieved success in their career and want to share their knowledge with others. It is important to find a mentor because they help guide your career. They offer advice on how to make changes, which will help set up a successful path for yourself as well as others around you.

How to Get Inspiration for Progressing In Your Career & Achieving Your Goals

So, you want to know how to feel inspired in your career and achieve your goals? There are many ways to find inspiration for progressing in your career. Often, it’s as simple as looking up to someone and mirroring their actions. This is one of the most common ways people find motivation. If you have someone who inspires you, such as Jonathan Tuttle, then it's easy to get motivated and work harder. Find a role model or a person that has achieved what you want and see if they have any advice or tips on how they got there. You can also find people with similar goals as yours and discuss your ideas with them, as well as ask them for advice on how to achieve them.

How to Manage Your Time Better & Be More Productive At Work

Managing your time is the key to being more productive in your career. You should be able to prioritize what matters most and focus on it. Here are some time management tips that you can use to help you achieve your goals:

- Prioritize what matters most and focus on it
- Schedule time for planning, breaks, and tasks that require less energy or focus
- Take a break every 90 minutes
- Use "Do Not Disturb" mode when you need peace and quiet
- Create a list of tasks for the day, week, month, etc.

The Importance of Taking Care of Yourself to Boost Your Career

Despite the fact that we live in a society where there is an increasing pressure to be constantly on, it is important for us to take care of ourselves. Self-care can help you not only maintain your health, but also improve your performance at work and keep your stress levels down.

The importance of taking care of yourself is becoming more and more apparent as people are realizing that they need to take time for themselves in order to thrive in their careers. Taking care of yourself can be difficult because it requires us to put our own needs before others’ needs, which can be difficult if you have children or a family who need you.

Best Methods of Keeping a Workshop Dust-Free

After a session, it's common for woodworking workshops to become dusty. If you want to get rid of a lot of dust, you'll need to spend some time cleaning up the workshop after you've finished your project. Here are some of the best methods of keeping a workshop dust-free!

Use an Air Cleaner

When the air in a woodworking workshop is clean and dust-free, it is at its best. However, because you work with wood on a regular basis, bits of dust will naturally settle in the air around you. You won't have to worry about this problem as much if you use an air cleaner. Simply place it in your workspace and breathe fresh air whenever you go to work. However, the cost of these units is well-known. If you can't afford one, attaching a furnace filter to a box fan and hanging it from the ceiling is a cheaper alternative. Make sure the filter is attached to the air intake so it can draw in the dirty air. When you're finished working, turn it on and see what happens.

Get a Vacuum Cleaner

If you want to get rid of all the dust, you'll have no choice but to clean up the workshop yourself. Even if you go to work with a damp rag and some disinfectant, it would be difficult to cover all the surfaces on your own. Finally, you may not be able to clean the space thoroughly enough to make a difference. You can make this job much easier and faster by using a vacuum cleaner. With a single pass, you can get rid of all the dust and dirt that has accumulated in the workplace. We recommend obtaining an in-the-bag shop vacuum since it will allow you to quickly dispose of the debris once you are finished cleaning.

Ensure Proper Lighting

Any workshop owner will tell you that lighting is extremely vital to their setup. We're not talking about ambient LED work lights here; we're talking about useful bright lights that don't hide the state of your desk. You'll be able to spot dust problems in your workshop if you have enough light. To get rid of dust, you must first be able to recognize it. Without sufficient lighting, you may not even notice an issue until it becomes too tough to manage. Make sure there are no dark corners in the room and that there are enough bulbs to keep the room well-lit so that no dust escapes your sight.

We hope this article has helped you realize some of the best methods of keeping a workshop dust-free! However, your journey is just the beginning. Now is the time to upgrade your power tools to ensure that every project is a masterpiece! The only question is, which essential power tools will you buy first?

4 of the Best Ideas and Concepts for a Pop-Up Bar

Are you a restaurant/bar owner looking for a fun way to try out new ideas? A pop-up bar will provide just that. It’s a temporary bar that you can set up anywhere, from trade shows, other restaurants, clubs, and more. The fun isn’t limited to your location, either. A pop-up bar allows you to explore outside-the-box ideas, such as experimental cocktails.

If you’re not sure what you’d like to do with a pop-up bar, we’re here to help you out. Here are four of the best ideas and concepts for a pop-up bar to awaken your creativity.

Storage Container Bar

Have you been searching for something to do with an old storage container? If so, why not create a pop-up bar out of it?

A storage container is a blank canvas for a pop-up bar. If you have more than one, you can create a fun maze-style set-up by connecting them and stacking them. Or you can modify a single container to transform it into a standalone bar. It’s straightforward enough, and they allow you a lot of freedom.

Floating Bar

If you’re near a large body of water, you can build a pop-up bar on the water. You can either work with an existing boat or build one from scratch.

Make sure you include unique cocktails for the occasion. Lake-themed or tropical-themed drinks are a must, as is seafood.

Pop-Up Culture Bar

Are you a massive fan of Game of Thrones or another popular culture franchise? Embrace it when coming up with your pop-up bar. Going with the Game of Thrones example, why not fashion a medieval or castle-themed bar? Your staff can dress up as the characters, and of course, serve themed cocktails and food.

Wildlife Pop-Up Bar

People love animals and alcohol, so combining the two is an excellent idea for a pop-up bar. There are lots of ways you can bring animals into the mix here. Cats, dogs, and other small animals are popular choices. You can also start a pet-themed pop-up bar where customers bring their animals to socialize with others. Add pet-safe treats to the menu so that guests can watch their animals enjoy the fun.

There are various ways to create an unforgettable evening with a pop-up bar. These four of the best ideas and concepts for a pop-up bar will help your pop-up succeed. Remember, the goal is to use these concepts to spark your original ideas. Don’t limit yourself to an existing idea but expand on it uniquely.

Decisions That Have To Be Made Before You Run A Small Business

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When you decide that you are going to open a business, there are certain things that have got to be thought about. Some of these choices can be made a little further down the line when things are already up and running, but there are other things that will need to be taken care of before anything else can happen. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the decisions that have to be made before you run a small business, so keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

Remote VS Office

The first thing that we are going to look at is whether you are going to be working remotely or whether you are going to have a business office. Each has its own benefits and each has its own downsides, so you have to think about what is going to be best for you. There are some businesses that cannot be conducted online, and if this is the area that you are going to be looking to get involved with then the decision has already been made for you.

Working at home is probably going to be more convenient for you, but it also has some unfair prejudices attached to it. If you don’t have a business address and only have your home one, some people might think that your business is somehow less legitimate than others on the market. Of course, it’s not true, but it won’t stop the thoughts. 

Supplier

You’re also going to have to sort out all of your suppliers before you can even think about launching your business. You need someone who is reliable, who knows what they are doing and who can do you a good deal. Getting ripped off is going to be a nightmare, especially when you are new on the market. Take a look around and see who is the most reliable and who other companies in your industry use. Use their reviews to make a choice.

Postage

The final thing that we are going to say is that you should be looking at things like postage. If you are going to be spending out your items and there isn’t enough for a massive order, then you need to look into your options. For example, looking at things like Post Center International and understanding the process is going to help you massively. Make sure you are checking all prices and delivery times etc before you decide how best to post the items.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the decisions that have got to be made before you run a small business. Now that you know what these are, you can start taking the right steps to get everything in place before the business launches. Taking care of things like this now is going to save you a lot of time in the long run, and you’re going to be thankful that you have done this. We wish you the very best of luck.

What Strengths Should Your Team Have?

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As a team leader, whether you’re acting like one for the first time or not, you’ve got to put together an effective team. You need to know what skills you'll need at your disposal, and ultimately, you need to be sure the team you lead is capable of operating in a group capacity. 

After all, it’s possible to pair together incompatible people, and that can reflect back harshly on you. However, as long as you’re aware of what your employees or junior members of staff can do, or you’re able to get a good measure of someone in an interview, you’ll do just fine here. As such, let’s go through the top three skills you need to look out for below.

Organization 

Staying organized is the number one thing your team should be able to do. You’ve got an entire project to manage, which involves a lot of tasks to get to the final stage, and there’s going to be a lot of hands involved. And if those hands can’t communicate effectively, you’ve already lost at being a good manager! 

So it’s key to implement this attitude within your team. Everyone is going to bring their own kind of organizational skills to the table, but you’ve got to bind them together. Maybe some is better planner than others, maybe someone else has excellent time management skills - work out what each individual strength is in this category and then sort them accordingly. 

Problem Solving

Problem-solving is one of the best skills to have in the working world. As such, it needs to be at the top of your team skills list. After all, how are you going to work together effectively if no one knows how to shuffle the details and look for ways around obstacles? A person with a problem-solving, lateral thinking brain will always be one of the strongest links on your company chain. 

You could even foster the development of this skill even further. For example, it might be worth it to have a member of your team go through something like Lean Certification Training; in doing so, they’ll be able to more thoroughly pinpoint wasteful areas of your project process, and come up with ways to eliminate them. 

Taking Initiative 

You’re not going to be around every step of the way, seeing as you’ve got your own tasks to get on with. However, your team needs to be able to take this in their stride - they need to know what they’re doing, and how to proceed to the next step independently. 

On your own part, try not to be a micromanager here; the more you can delegate, and allow your team members to use their initiative, the better you’ll all get along as a group. Let one or two people take charge, and see how the group functions as a result. 

Your team should have many strengths, but the most important is usually the soft skills we take for granted.