Michael Levitt's Blog, page 52

How To Prepare Your Business for Extreme Weather

[image error]

An insurance company in Tornado Alley, a mom-and-pop shop on the East Coast, and a Minnesota construction company don’t have much in common. However, they all need to cope with mother nature and how it can impact employees and business.

Whatever the weather looks like in your region, it’s crucial to know how to prepare your business for extreme weather.

Put Safety Plans in Place

The best offense is a good defense, as the saying goes. And the ideal way to go on the offensive against poor weather is to have a defense plan in place that you have communicated to all your employees. Your plan should include:

Protocols for how managers will communicate updates to employees

Procedures to follow when evacuation is necessary

A way to quickly figure out who is in the building

Assigned roles, such as taking attendance or grabbing vital materials

Designated shelter in nearby locations

Management should have training sessions for emergency weather at least annually, especially at the start of seasons associated with severe weather.

Identify Risk Factors

It’s difficult to prepare against risks when you aren’t aware of them. Part of your planning process should be identifying specific areas of your business that may become particularly threatened in an extreme weather scenario.

For instance, say your construction company is in a flooding-prone area. Make yourself aware of the locations of electric panels that can cause electrocution and how water can cause water contamination in your equipment’s hydraulic fluid. Also, communicate these risk factors in training sessions.

Have an Additional Power Source

Power outages can cause a host of problems for companies during extreme weather. In the case of blizzards, it can cut off valuable heat and leave warehouses full of dangerous equipment in the dark. Investing in a backup generator is one way to prepare your business for extreme weather scenarios like this.

Have Data Backups

Extreme weather can also do irreparable harm to the business itself. Damaged or destroyed computers can lose valuable data and contacts that may set your business back.

Naturally, employee safety is the top priority, and in the case of an emergency evacuation, you should place people above computers. But if you have all files backed up to an external source, you can ensure that your files won’t become lost even when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Signs It Is Time To Replace Your Warehouse Racking

While most racking systems are made explicitly with durability in mind, a racking system will still withstand a lot of damage and stress throughout its lifetime. To ensure that your warehouse continues to be a safe place to work, you and your staff must learn the signs of excessive wear. Here are some of the most major signs it is time to replace your warehouse racking systems.

Inspections Routinely Requiring Repairs

If you find that your racking systems routinely require repairs, it may be time to investigate replacing your warehouse racking. This is because the cost of repairs will often add up to exceed the value of the racking system itself. With enough repairs, it may be more efficient to spend that money on a new racking system that will be cheaper to maintain and provide more stability and safety to your work areas.

Beam Deflection

Even when weight limits are strictly followed, beam deflection (also known as beam sagging) can occur. You have to worry about whether or not the beam will return to its original straight state. If it does not and continues to sag, it means the beam is broken. If you continue to place large amounts of weight on the beam, you are placing yourself at risk of collapsing your racking systems. In order to rectify the situation, you must either replace the entire racking system or replace the damaged beam.

Corrosion

Corrosion of pallet racking is an uncommon but very real danger in warehousing. Often, these problems will present themselves in the form of flaking paint or even rust. When you discover these symptoms, you need to act fast to ensure that there is no collapse. This means taking the loads off of the racking and disassembling the racking immediately. Remember, corrosion is a sign that the metal has weakened and cannot support the appropriate weight. In these situations, you absolutely must replace the entire racking system.

We hope that we have helped you realize the signs it is time to replace your warehouse racking. Remember that warehouse racking is of the utmost importance in safety. If you find any reason to consider your racking systems unsafe, you must act immediately to prevent any mishap that could occur.

The Best Types of Pickup Trucks for Work

If you’re looking for a machine that can move thousands of pounds while remaining a convenient size, then a pickup is the right vehicle for you. However, not every pickup is the same quality, and some will perform better than others. Here’s a list of the best types of pickup trucks for work that you can pick up now.

Toyota Tundra 2022

The Toyota Tundra is capable of towing around over 12000 pounds given the right equipment. The payload it can carry nears almost 2000 pounds, making it great for carrying around whatever equipment you need for your jobs. With various engine options and protective materials along its width, this vehicle will serve you well.

2021 Chevy Colorado Pickup

Another one of the best types of pickup trucks for work is the Chevy Colorado pickup. This mid-size pickup is great for off-road work and can carry your equipment wherever you need. Although the tow load is only 7000 pounds, this truck still has plenty of room. Plus, if you need some basic organization mods for a pickup, this one will serve you well.

Nissan Titan

The Nissan Titan has better handling than the larger Titan XD and is more than capable of handling your needs. It has plenty of storage spaces in the cabin and in the bed. The Titan can handle a lot—it has a towing capacity of 9000 pounds and a payload of 1300 to 1700.

Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is one of the top performers in class for both towing and payload. With the proper equipment and setup, the F-150 can tow a little over 11000 pounds. It has a max payload of a little over 2200. There’s a variety of options for the engine, as well. It’s an amazing vehicle with lots of horsepower.

These trucks are the best options in the market for most work jobs. Each has its benefits. When choosing one for your work fleet, make sure you’re properly considering your equipment and storage needs.

New Boat Owner? What to Know When Purchasing and Using Your First Boat

[image error]

Photo by Roberto H on Unsplash

With the effects of the pandemic, there have been endless reports of people showing a high interest in being on the water. Additionally, there have been reports that marine business conditions have been improving in 2021. Sentiments are high when looking at boating opportunities with the increased outlook on boating participation and the marine industry as a whole. When you consider buying a yacht or boat then you open yourself up to a world of possibilities. You also open yourself up to lucrative markets with the right amount of money backing you. Ensure that you have the right budgeting plan which includes long-term costs. These costs can burn a large hole in your pockets if not planned correctly, especially with business finances. 

The market that you open yourself up to? Luxury cruises, the fishing industry, or the ability to be a part of the water sports sector where you are able to start clubs and organize tournaments to name a few. The possibilities are endless with the right expertise. Though before you look into starting your business in boating there are some things you need to consider to reduce risks. Have a look at what to know before purchasing your boat and the top factors that will impact you as a new boat owner. The top 2 factors that are elaborated on here to best understand first are:

The type of boat that you are purchasing

Boating education 

The type of boat that you are purchasing

The first thing that you should probably think about when you first buy your boat is the type of boat that you want to purchase. When you look at what type of boat makes sense to you and your goals it makes for a step in the right direction. Once you find the vessel that sits right with you and you begin the scouting process find a marine surveyor to provide detailed inspections of the new or pre-owned boat you are eyeing. Everything else will begin to fall into place after you think about the type of boat, like the distance considerations, the size, or whether you will be buying new or pre-owned boats. 

What would follow is the infrastructure, technology solutions, and the engine that will be kitted up with the boat alongside the help of your marine surveyor. The best solutions to drive the experiences you are looking for will come from trusted companies in the manufacturing business like volvo penta. How to maintain your boat is something that you need to learn and find the right expertise on so that you lower any risks and potential problems. Other things that you should look into when buying any type of boat are insurance and any legal aspects.

Boating education 

If you have a boat it is best to find the right training and get a boating license to best know how to operate it. There are legal and safety requirements that you need to understand so that you know the rules of the waterways. It would also help you build a knowledge of the different types of vessels out there and the mechanics behind them. This especially assists you if you want to create a start-up in the boating industry.  

How to Use Packaging to Enhance Your Brand

Image from Pixabay

The marketing process does not stop at the time the customer buys your product. If you want to enhance the customer experience further and guarantee a return visit to your online store, you need to use packaging to seal the deal. Packaging, if used correctly, can increase brand awareness, advance your company values, and ensure you stand out from the crowd. Do not underestimate the power the parcel has on the customer. You want to make this process as enjoyable and ethical as you can.

Think Quality

You clearly want packaging that is going to protect the product adequately, but you also need to consider the aesthetics. Packaging that appears cheap can give off a very bad impression, and it generally is not good enough to sufficiently protect your product from damage. First impressions are absolutely essential, and it is very difficult to get away from a bad first impression. Think creatively and be innovative, as well as ensuring quality. This will reflect on the quality of your brand.

The Competition

You need to give your packaging the same effort you would to any other part of your marketing campaign. It is a chance to showcase your brand and stand out from the competition. Think about having your brand clearly displayed, use creative colors, patterns, develop a packaging theme. Everything you do will enhance the shelf presence of your brand, make it more visible and help strengthen brand awareness.

Brand Identity

As well as considering the quality and standing out from the crowd, you can use your packaging to further promote your company's core values and your ethical standpoint. If you position yourself as an eco-friendly company, then you need to consider ethical packing. You can go for recycled packaging, biodegradable packaging. Some packing can even be planted as it contains seeds. Imagine households with plants that reflect your brand colors. Really try and think outside the box, be innovative and use packaging to have a positive impact on the mind of your customer.

The Cost Benefits

Businesses generally feel that expensive packaging may not be worth the investment. However, this is not true at all. If you have some innovative and creative packing that clearly protects a product and enhances the experience, you will find that customers are happier to pay a little more for the pleasure. Also, the more you sell, the cheaper your alternative packaging solution will be. You can use methods such as shrink wrap to protect the product and come up with attractive solutions to promote your brand.

The Customer Experience 

If you put time and effort into the packaging process, you are going to be creating a way to enhance the customer experience The better the customer experience the more likely they are to remember your brand and buy from you again. Remember, the marketing process should not stop at the time of the sale. You need to make the unwrapping part of the journey just as memorable. It will go a long way, as customers will appreciate the extra effort. 

Is A Career In Healthcare Something You Are Interested In?

Is a career in healthcare something that you are interested in? If the answer is yes then there are multiple options available to you in order to achieve this goal. One of the career choices that you can consider is that of a family nurse practitioner. These are professionals that take care of the health of individuals, specifically looking at preventative care to avoid issues in the first place. However, this is not all that they do, and that’s where things get a little bit complex.

In order to become a family nurse practitioner, you are going to need to be dedicated to completing the correct education. We recommend that you take a look at something like Carson-Newman University FNP programs or the same at a similar university to get your qualification. It’s not going to be an easy process; that we can assure you, but it’s extremely rewarding once you make it through.

Working in healthcare means that you have got to be a particularly caring individual. Helping people has to be something that you are passionate about. Kind, nurturing and patient are three of the traits that you are going to need to have to succeed in this industry.

Family nurse practitioners have a range of roles, responsibilities and duties. Understanding them can be a little tough which is why there are helpful infographics like the one below to help you. Take a look at it to get a better grasp on what family nurse practitioners actually do.

Embed Block Add an embed URL or code. Learn more

Infographic Design By Carson-Newman University FNP Programs

The Future Of Your Packaging

[image error]

Photo: Unsplash

The amount of packaging waste that is produced annually is not only immense, but also contributes to the increase in global environmental pollution. Plastic and non-recyclable materials in particular make this situation worse. Since the production of garbage is increasing year after year, it is all the more important to find a solution. There are now more and more shops that do without packaging. But is that the solution?  

In times when there was no plastic, it was common practice to bring your own containers, weigh the food and transport it home in your own baskets, jugs or bowls. Nowadays, the packaging free stores operate in a similar way. Most of the food is offered unpacked, some in large, reusable containers. The customer determines the exact amount they want to buy by weighing the food and filling it into their own containers but this isn’t always practical. Packaging is vital to the storage of products and to the success and reputation of the business.

Importance of packaging

Packaging protects the food from spoilage and any other loss of quality. For many products, packaging is also an indispensable marketing tool. Packaging can not only be eye-catching, but is also the identifier of the respective brand. After all, consumers recognize a product by its packaging and can thus distinguish it from others. You may want to look at something such as barrier packaging and other types of packaging that may help protect the food. It allows each brand to be recognizable among all by a strong visual signature. As a benchmark for the consumer so to speak.

Packaging as a spokesperson for your brand

As the first contact between the product and the customer, the packaging must appeal to but also be meaningful. It is he who carries the values of your brand and who speaks to consumers on your behalf. In this regard, he must be consistent with your commitments and convey a lot of information by sight. Showcase of your creations, it is a guarantee of quality and supports you through all your strategies. Simplistic or elaborate, the idea is to find what looks like you and not be detached from it. Coca-Cola has changed little in more than 130 years of existence. It shows you what good logos and marketing can really do! 

But packaging, seen and analyzed by marketing strategies, also becomes a communication medium. Since the delivery of these parcels grows a little more each day, why not take advantage of these boxes and other shipping pouches to send a message. The promotional or informative message will then be visible to the final recipient of course. But also to all the players in this logistics chain, an economical way of getting people talking. Marketing and packaging seem to have the same goal. Customer satisfaction and loyalty is vital as is packaging. The commercial documents, inserted in each package, will change according to the customer's profile. And the packaging itself may be available in several colors or several shapes, chosen according to the preferences of each.

Pay attention to your identity

First of all, to choose a quality design, it is essential to take into consideration the values of your business. And the image you want to convey to remain consistent with your activity. As a medium, the packaging must reflect your intentions and enhance your commercial signature. You must consider them as a true spokesperson for your establishment. So, minimalist or rather elaborate, the ideal is to find a packaging that suits you. For example, you can offer interactive packaging using a QR code to modernize your establishment's image. Some companies offer you dessert boxes, pizza packaging or even customizable lunch boxes. They will have a surface large enough to include all the information necessary to enhance your identity and your business. 

Will packaging be gone in the future?

Experts also predict that packaging-free stores will not become a main shopping destination. But rather a promising opportunity to calm your conscience. But if packaging-free supermarkets are not the desired solution to drastically reduce packaging waste, what is the solution? Maybe it is the packaging itself. The main problem these days is that a large amount of packaging materials cannot currently be recycled. A single, commercially available yogurt cup, for example, contains around 600 chemicals. UV stabilizers, antioxidants and other extenders ensure that the mug is both lightweight and heat-resistant. These are important properties, but it is precisely those components that ensure that the packaging is not completely recyclable.

Tips for Industrial Equipment Maintenance

Industrial jobs tend to rely on many workers and labor-intensive knowledge. It is a vital part of construction and requires hands-on tools to complete projects efficiently. However, there are situations where your prized equipment begins to break on you.

From that point, you and your coworkers must make do and stay efficient while you replace the broken tool. Knowing how to prevent situations of being without essential work tools is part of the labor-intensive workforce. So here are a few tips for industrial equipment maintenance so that you don’t become stuck without your precious machines.

Stay Well Informed on Machinery Breakdowns

There are three different types of machinery failure: sudden failure, intermittent failure, and gradual failure. Sudden failure is when machinery breaks down without warning, intermittent failure happens sporadically, and gradual failure is machinery changing and breaking over time.

Machinery failure falls between thermal, mechanical, and erratic failures. So make sure you do your research and contact the manufacturer. One of the best tips for industrial equipment maintenance is to stay informed on preventatives and what to do in case these failures occur.

Know Your Machines Inside and Out

Product knowledge is the most significant part of proper equipment usage. It is an effective preventative maintenance measure, and you can find vital information by simply looking through the machine’s equipment manual.

If you need to know inspection periods for industrial generators, take the time to look through your equipment manual or contact the manufacturer. Understanding your equipment is a core principle for servicing products to use and what the acceptable operating conditions are.

Train Your Employees in Machine Operation

While staying informed on your industrial equipment is beneficial, your employees also need to remain knowledgeable. They are more productive and cause less wear on machinery than untrained workers. They are also safer for themselves and others working nearby.

Because they have become adequately trained in the equipment they use, they are also more respectful of and more likely to look after it before, during, and after construction duties. This will also save you money on repairs and replacement parts.

Before taking on large projects, stay knowledgeable and up to date on your equipment along with safety procedures. Do your research on this equipment and help those around you who are confused.

Challenges To Be Prepared for as a New Business Owner

Starting your own business is an exciting, new occupational path. As exciting as it is, building your own business can have obstacles that you’ll need to be prepared for. Knowing some of the challenges to be prepared for as a new business owner in advance can help you overcome them.

Being Your Own Boss

Getting to be your own boss is a quality that attracts many people to the idea of starting a business. Choosing your own hours and salary are nice benefits, but running your own business isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Being your own boss also comes with its challenges, as you’ll be making all the business decisions in the beginning. Understand what skills you possess as a business owner and what areas you might need help with. You might not have time to wear all the hats in your business, so consider hiring extra hands for areas you may be lacking expertise in.

Building Your Brand Awareness

When you first start a business, marketing is extremely important to get the word out about your new brand. Marketing a new business can take a lot of time and effort in the beginning, so if you don’t have enough hours in the day, consider hiring on a marketer or small team. There are many great ways to spread the word about your business through marketing at little to no cost to you. For example, get more eyes on your business through free social media platforms. You won’t gain a following overnight, though. No matter how many skilled marketers you have on your team, building brand awareness takes time.

Burnout & Work-Life Balance

Another concept of being your own boss that some don’t understand is the difficulty that you can experience in separating your work life and your personal life. Especially when first starting out, many business ventures require a lot of time and effort to get off the ground. This can easily cut into your personal time, and you might find it hard to step away from the computer. Try to assign yourself a schedule and stick to it. If you can afford to, invest in a separate work computer and work phone to keep business notifications to one device. Finally, try to take rest days and practice self-care when you feel overwhelmed or burnt out. You’ll come back refreshed and ready to tackle your business obstacles.

When you first start your new business, there will be some obstacles. These are some of the challenges to be prepared for as a new business owner. Being your own boss comes with its pros and cons but being prepared for the challenges will help you face them head on and your business will be stronger for it.

Top Time Management Tips for Your Small Business

Image credit

Managing a small business has never been easy. From shuffling between administration, employee management, chasing leads, marketing, and caring for your customers: there is barely any time left to follow through with your business goals. With the current challenging economic climate, you can do less about your busy schedule. Until you reach the point where you can employ people to take up other jobs, here are some time management tips to get more productive in your limited time available.

Plan and stick to a schedule

It is counterproductive to show up in your workplace without a well-defined plan or tasks to complete that day. Lack of organization contributes to inefficiencies and time-wasting. Therefore, plan your day based on your current priorities by either organizing them into hourly breakdowns or creating a list of daily tasks. For example, you can schedule your Monday for sales calls, Tuesday for billing, etc., to plan your time effectively. Likewise, you may organize your Monday morning for cold calls and emails, use your afternoon for business strategy, and fulfilling orders. While it is great to have a structure, it’s also essential to stick to it for total time management and productivity. 

Check distractions

Distractions can easily cause you to give up on your daily schedule. It is usual in the business world for every customer, supplier, and employee to want to talk to the business owner or boss. However, it is vital to have proper workplace control to limit access and restrict personal distractions such as answering your calls and responding to emails. It can take a reasonable amount of time to regain your concentration after such breaks. At this point, you should consider turning off your phone or locking your doors. The more you focus on work, the faster you can get things done.

Limit downtimes

You can barely get anything done when you suffer downtime in the workplace. Poorly maintained equipment can easily breakdown, or run inefficiently. This means you have to spend more hours to complete even the simplest tasks. A study has proposed the "lack of work" as the main reason many employees waste time on their jobs. This makes it necessary to prioritize your machines or equipment. While it is vital to ensure proper, regular equipment maintenance to keep your machines running consistently and smoothly, you may have to consider some corrective maintenance services since machines can break down even with the best maintenance service.

Embrace automation

With technology making today's business owners busier, you may wonder how the most successful entrepreneurs get anything done when managing their business. However, technology offers several opportunities to streamline your business activities and make them more manageable. Today, there are many applications and online tools to handle your most time-consuming and challenging tasks.

This way, you can focus on other things like marketing, product development, strategizing, or perhaps taking a vacation. Whatever your business model, there are processes you can automate to take care of your tedious jobs and complete them quickly.