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Key Considerations For Business Technology Post-COVID

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The global pandemic has forever changed the business landscape. It’s been a precarious time for many industries, but as the world begins to move forward, it’s time for businesses to think about their future too. 

Technology is at the heart of many businesses, and even more so since the pandemic. As part of your strategy to future-proof your business, you will need to ensure your business’ technology keeps your business strong and resilient.

Here are some key considerations for your business’ technology following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Technology that’s relevant for the times

While some businesses were quick to adopt digital transformation before the pandemic, COVID-19 has seen digital transformation increase rapidly. This has not only been vital to ensure businesses can continue to operate during the pandemic, with home-working and cloud technology necessary to maintain operations but it’s also become important for businesses catering to customers who are moving more and more towards online services. 

Your business will need to consider how technology will fuel its future, bringing in new equipment, software, and processes to ensure it can adapt to new ways of working, while also future-proofing the business. 

Improved security 

Security has been an increasing concern for businesses, even before the pandemic. But the pandemic has provided further opportunities for cybercriminals to expose business vulnerabilities. With phishing, ransomware, and other cybercrimes on the rise, it’s important that businesses up their online security efforts to protect their data.

Working with expert IT support, your business will need to ensure safeguards are in place to mitigate the increased security risks from working remotely. It’s also vital that you provide your employees with the right training to help them identify and respond to risks.

A business continuity plan that strengthens your business 

The events of COVID-19 would have been difficult for many businesses to predict. But moving forward, you’re going to need a strong business continuity plan to help protect your business as it navigates the new normal, and into the future too.

Your business continuity plan needs to consider responses to different elements, including interruptions in the supply chain, disruptions to services and more. Regular reviews of your plans and risk assessments can help your business manage operations at different levels in response to different events. 

Improved communications to keep employees engaged

While technology can keep your business running, it’s also an important tool for communicating while your teams are dispersed. Supporting your employees in the workplace will require them to have the right equipment to do their jobs, but you’ll also need systems in place to maintain communications and retain engagement. Cloud technology has made it easier for teams to work collaboratively, and could be used to help employees work even more productively than before.

The effects of the global pandemic will continue to be seen, with changing approaches to work meaning businesses will be constantly learning and adapting their technology to meet their ongoing needs. Consider your business’s ongoing technology strategy to help it thrive in a post-COVID world.  

4 Ways to Boost the Success Rate of Your Small Business

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Every entrepreneur needs to make consistent improvements to ensure the sustainability and success of their business’. Irrespective of how old your business is, you need to formulate strategies to keep it thriving and set it apart from your competition. A CBNC survey revealed that approximately 7.5 million small businesses risk permanent closure due to the COVID-19 effects. What can you do to ensure your business success? You may consider the following ways. 

Monitor business trends

Certain events and changes in the local and global landscape can either impact your business positively or negatively. For this reason, it’s vital to regularly look out for emerging business trends to adapt to them for continued business success. For instance, COVID-19 lockdown restrictions caused many people to adopt social media as a communication tool. Many business owners also capitalized on this change and adopted digital marketing. This trend shows that you must be ready to adapt to any change to succeed. 

Set business goals

Although having a business idea is important, your goals give you a clear picture of the successful strategies to adopt for the desired outcome. Besides, they help you track your progress while keeping you accountable. They also motivate you during challenging times and help you overcome mental obstacles. Fortunately, setting goals isn’t a complicated process, as you can adopt the SMART model to help you out. It’s prudent to stick to specific and well-defined goals while ensuring that they’re measurable. You may also determine how achievable and relevant they are and put a time constraint on them. By doing these things, you'd ensure your business’ success and sustainability. 

Prioritize quality over quantity

Your products and services set you apart from your competition, which is why you should improve their quality regularly. Your customers will be positive if they’re satisfied with what you offer them. It’s best to tailor your products to their needs, as they build customer trust and produce a higher return on investments (ROI). Product improvements provide your customers with variety, which helps arrest sales decline. You can conduct a consumer survey of your products or services, as their feedback may help you determine and improve upon your weaknesses. You may also map out a prioritization framework to ascertain what product features would appeal to your target market.   

Prioritize customer service

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Your customers don't only patronize your brand but also share their experiences with others. 90% of Americans use customer service as a deciding factor for supporting a brand, while 58% of them ditch those with poor customer care. These statistics reveal how crucial it is to keep your clients happy. Fortunately, you can adopt inexpensive but effective strategies to please them. For instance, you may offer a warm welcome when customers visit and thank them when they leave. It’s also present to empathize with them when they express grievances and solve them immediately. A lovely birthday wish also shows that you value them and will keep them loyal to your brand.

Ensuring your brand’s sustainability might not be a day's work, but your diligence will pay off. Hopefully, you'll employ these strategies to ensure your business success.

Common Health Hazards of Auto Repair Shops

In an auto body repair shop, you regularly encounter heavy-duty machinery and equipment, cumbersome objects, and hazardous materials. Careers in car repairs full of occupational risks. To ensure personal and staff safety, get familiar with the common health hazards of auto repair shops and preventative measures to stop injuries from occurring in your shop.

Eye Injuries

Eye injuries are unfortunately very common in automotive repair work. Staff may get their eyes injured from flying sparks, chemicals, and other debris that’s regularly inside car repair facilities. Though common, eye injuries are almost always preventable.

Preventative Measures: When management enforces PPE as a part of the shop’s uniform, they prioritize the safety of their employees. Goggles or safety glasses are essential to help workers avoid becoming visually impaired by accidents involving workshop debris or chemicals.

Chemical Wounds

In the automotive repair industry, workers often deal with hazardous vehicular liquids, and some are more dangerous than others. Poor product handling can cause ghastly chemical burns and, in some cases, workshop fires. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides straightforward guidelines on how to adequately work with chemicals in your shop.

Preventative Measures: In addition to being clearly labeled, containers holding chemical fluids must have well-fitting lids. Perform routine checks on all shop containers to ensure new and old products maintain proper labeling and sealing.

Strains

Some of the essential auto repair shop equipment can be physically demanding to operate. Improper operation of heavy-duty machinery and material handling can result in serious muscle strains, tears, or joint sprains.

Preventative Measures: At the beginning of the workday, promote a comprehensive stretching routine to all employees to reduce the likelihood of strains and tears. Offer employees routine breaks throughout their days so they can stretch and rest. You can also relay information on supportive apparel, such as lower back braces.

Falls

Falls are common health hazards of auto repair shops and are usually a case of poor facility maintenance. Spilled liquids, misplaced equipment, and incorrect material handling are all things that increase the odds of a bad fall in the auto shop.

Preventative Measures: All employees should wear non-slip and close-toed shoes to prevent tripping and slipping as a result of inadequate footwear. Perform regular maintenance checks to ensure your shop’s space remains well-kempt.

The Best Safe Investments for 2021

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The last couple of years had trading and investing as their keywords, so to speak. This was mainly due to the situation created by the pandemic. 

People realized that the monthly paycheck or the money in their bank account was pretty much static – meaning that they couldn’t increase/change their value. Given how many of them lost their jobs and ate through their savings, it’s clear why investments are now more popular than ever.

After all, anyone who works a nine to five job would also like to own an asset that could buy them a car or house one day, right? As such, we’ve gathered right here a list of the best and most safe investments for 2021!

Gold

As you might already know, gold will never deprecate/decrease in value. It is considered by many to be the ultimate investment in terms of safety. Even though it is moderately volatile, experts say that gold will forever hold its value.

At the same time, this particular asset is also safe from the disastrous effects of inflation. While it has to be managed yearly, it is still a very safe investment.

Real Estate

Moving on, real estate is clearly under constant development. The population grows throughout the world and decent real estate becomes more and more expensive. As such, an investment in a certain property would be both wise and safe at pretty much any moment.

Obviously, if you invest in an up-and-coming and reputed area, that makes it all the better. People generally look for rent on the outskirts of big cities or for homes in family-friendly areas.

Corporate Bonds

Thanks to multinational companies that pretty much can’t go bankrupt, investing in corporate bonds is also a safe investment. Moreover, plenty of corporations out there have an investment-safe grade – namely, AAA, AA, and A. 

On top of that, corporate bonds in the form of EFTs and mutual funds can also have you paying less fees and even decrease potential risks. 

Certificates of Deposit

Such certificates are basically savings accounts that allow you to earn a bit on top of what you already have. If you don’t mind having a certain sum locked in such an account, you can consider this a safe investment.

Keep in mind that certificates of deposit are seen as long-term investments. They come with low rates in the early years, according to analysts but, usually, the longer the term, the higher the returns.

What is important to remember is the fact that withdrawing funds from a CD before the expiry term comes with penalties in the form of fees.

The Bottom Line

Naturally, cryptocurrencies and Forex are usually not considered safe investments. However, seeing how the majority of cryptocurrencies have evolved in the past couple of years, they could be regarded as a surprisingly wise way of investing.

Nevertheless, if you want to enjoy certain returns/profits, then the investments mentioned above are the safest ones you can choose from at the moment!

Smart Tips For A More Engaging Workplace Environment

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The workplace should be engaging, inviting, and motivating atmosphere. Without the right surroundings, employees can easily lose focus and lack motivation. If you feel disconnected from your surroundings, it can be difficult to complete your work and feel inspired whilst working. Thus, making the workplace more engaging will benefit your business as well as the staff. Here’s how to achieve that.

Think about the furniture

Although the furniture may not seem like the problem for a lack of motivation and focus, it can play a huge role. If your furniture lacks comfort or organization, it can impact the staff’s focus and engagement. 

For instance, think of how long a person can sit comfortably at home on soft chairs. You could utilize the homely feel and add new furnishings to the office to add comfort and enhance its look. You may work in a lab, so adding softer chairs for long experiments or medication carts that look like furniture could enhance the comfort and the aesthetic, which can make the space more inviting and engaging.

Have a social space

A workplace that lacks a social space is hindering employee relationships. Apart from their desks, where is the place they work, where else are employees supposed to socialize if there is not a dedicated space?

The kitchen is commonplace to gather. Yet, this can hinder its main purpose of being used to make food and drink. Thus, a small social area where meetings or lunch discussions can take place will encourage employees to improve their communication and build relationships in the office. It is important for employees to socialize to increase the support network amongst employees in the office and also better relationships will improve staff’s overall happiness. 

Offer rewards and surprises

Your staff can easily become demotivated if every day is the same. You can easily increase engagement and excitement with random rewards and surprises. If all staff has completed tasks for the week by Friday lunchtime, why not throw a small party and offer the afternoon off?

This will increase staff interaction and improve relationships. Additionally, it may make staff feel respected and show that you recognize their efforts. This should help increase staff attentiveness and motivation as they will know that hard work and engaging with their tasks will pay off with a reward.

Encourage team activities

Encouraging your team to work together will help them collaborate more during office hours. Working together on projects can maximize the outcome and speed up the task time completion. 

A lack of communication in the workplace can often leave people in the dark when they have questions. Whereas team activities will encourage that and improve workplace friendships. 

Team activities could include games in the office or days out. You could reward staff with the afternoon off and go out for an afternoon of sport or adventure. There are many team activities that you can offer your staff, or be involved in yourself, which will boost team spirit and make the workplace more engaging.

Determining The Right Roles For Your Employees

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Is it time you reassessed the roles that you give your employees? While your employees may have specific job titles, such a job title may involve a variety of duties. Some of these duties could be better delegated to certain employees than others. For instance, in a restaurant, you may have employees that are better suited to running food to customers and others that are better at serving drinks. By delegating roles to the right people, you could create a more efficient and happier team. Below are just a few tips on matching roles to your employees. 

Assess what your employees are good at

Different employees are likely to have different skills and maybe they’re better at certain roles as a result. Some employees may be better at communicating with people than others and maybe better in customer-facing roles. Others may have more practical skills and may be better at handling the jobs behind the scenes. There may even be specific tasks that employees are good at which you can take advantage of. At a marketing firm, for instance, you may find that one employee is very good at writing press releases and that another employee is really good at coming up with social media content ideas. Take advantage of your employees’ strengths in order to make your business as successful as it can be. 

Find out which tasks your employees enjoy

You should also consider the tasks that employees want to do. In many cases, the tasks that we are good at are the tasks we want to do, but this is not always the case. Just because one of your chefs is very fast at washing dishes doesn’t necessarily mean that they enjoy this task - make sure that less desirable tasks are fairly shared out among your employees. As for the tasks that all of your employees want to do, try to share these out too - especially if they were part of an employee’s job description when applying (so long as they’re not completely hopeless at that role, in which case you may have to arrange a serious discussion with them in which you discuss what is best for the company). 

Ask your employees to take a personality test

A career assessment test could help to reveal your employees’ personality types and the roles that are suited to these types. It could also teach you skills on how to better manage individual employees by understanding what motivates individual employees and keeps them productive. You can find these tests online. Consider asking your employees to take a test.

Consider cross-training employees

Sometimes it could be worth cross-training employees if you feel that their skills could be better used elsewhere. For instance, you may have an employee working in HR who shows great persuasive skills that could be better suited to a sales role. When doing this, you need to be sure that this is what your employees actually want to do - some employees may have no desire to train in another area if it was not part of their job description when applying. In some cases, it could be worth training employees in multiple areas just so that you can cover certain roles when people are away. When training up a manager, cross-training could also sometimes have advantages.

The Different Types of Office Layouts

When it comes to employee efficiency and general productivity, nothing is more impactful than the environment they’re working in. This aspect can be critical to keeping them focused during the busiest of times and can greatly contribute to the generation of new ideas. But there’s more than one way to design an office space, and not just any method will work with your specific team. These are the different types of office layouts and how they each can affect your workplace.

Traditional Layout

A traditional layout is characterized by its array of defined rooms and meeting spaces. These create smaller, more isolated work areas. Sometimes, employees may share these offices. However, they will most often be working individually on their designated projects—meaning that collaboration can be compromised. Contrary to this, though, traditional layouts tend to have larger reception areas to welcome clients.

Cubicle Layout

Cubicle office designs offer a few more opportunities for interpersonal communication by shortening the walls employees have between them. They’re typically liked for the privacy they provide while making it easier to stand up and communicate with neighbors. On the downside though, cubicle units tend to be large, encasing the entirety of a person’s workstation. This can cause them to take up the bulk of your office and leave little room for moving things around.

Open-Plan Layout

Another of the different types of office layouts to know is the open-plan layout. This type of layout takes down all barriers between employees, opting instead for group workstations and a lounge-type aesthetic. This allows workers to communicate with one another without the blockage of cubicles. This style is particularly beneficial for those whose roles require a lot of collaboration.

Blended Layout

In recent times, blended layouts have quickly risen in popularity. These office spaces accommodate a combined workforce of commuters and those who work remotely by providing the necessary resources for both parties. Even part-time remote workers are still given desk spaces to ensure they have what they need should they decide to come in for the day. Transitioning into blended offices has greatly improved the lives of those still working from home, and has established order for individuals in the physical workplace.

Things You Can Do To Speed Up Hires

As a company or business grows, there will be a need to hire new people. This is an important step in your growth, but you do not want to take too long to bring in these new people. The faster that you can bring in a necessary new employee, the better it will be. That is why you should implement these things you can do to speed up hires.

Use Your Employees

It can be hard to find potential employees. That is why you should use the employees you already have to find and screen for potential hires. Tell your workers to invite their friends and people they know. Have them share it on social media, if they are willing, to spread your name.

Clearly Describe the Job

One way to speed up the process is to clearly state the job responsibilities and what you expect. Unclear descriptions will only confuse people. This confusion leads to missed opportunities and a waste of time. To avoid this, be sure to state exactly what the job requirements are.

Set the Bar High

One way to weed out unqualified people is to adjust your requirements for the position. If it is an important job, require some higher learning, like college, or specific knowledge or experience.

Outsource

Outsourcing some of the steps in the hiring process can really speed it up. A good example would be employee verification and background checks. Although it is true that you can do these yourself, it is a difficult thing to do quickly, especially if you are hiring for multiple positions. Having a professional business run these can save you a lot of time.

Potential Delays

There is always the potential for a loss of time that no one can control. That is why it is important that you keep them in mind and plan around them. One common delay is in employment verification, where any number of things can slow down the whole process. Just give time for these delays and you should be good.

Now, these are the best things you can do to speed up the hiring process. Spreading the word amongst your trusted employees and outsourcing some of the longer steps can save you a lot of time. Limiting the first round of interviews is also a good step.

12 Killer Questions That Every SME Owner Must Ask Themselves In 2021

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Whether starting a new business or managing an established venture doesn’t matter. Business in the post-pandemic era will look a little different to how it did before Covid struck. In truth, only the most efficient companies will survive and thrive in the modern era. 

Even if yours has overcome the initial challenges of the past 12-18 months, the journey isn't over. It will be necessary to develop a comprehensive strategy for these testing times. Ask yourself the following 12 questions for guidance, and you won’t go far wrong.

#1. Do You Have Enough Capital?

The harsh reality is that your business won’t get very far without a good level of capital behind it. So, it’s imperative that you conduct a full audit of the company. This will help to ensure that the cash reserves are of the necessary level to complete the intended tasks. Otherwise, financial problems will haunt you at some stage.

When the financial calculations don’t look good, there are always ways to cut costs without reducing your quality. Ideas range from changing energy suppliers or web hosts to embracing remote workers instead of having huge offices. Of course, looking at fundraising options is crucial too.

#2. Are You Surrounded By The Right People?

It’s impossible to run a successful business with just one pair of hands. Even if you have the skills needed to thrive, there aren’t enough hours in the day. Therefore, assembling the right team of employees should be at the top of your agenda. When you get this step right, they won’t simply spearhead success. Crucially, they’ll allow you to work without distractions.

Finding the best candidates for the company isn’t always easy. You will need to analyze personality traits as much as their experience and education. A reliable worker who is also willing to learn will reflect the business in a far better way. In turn, this will translate to more sales and increased loyalty.

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#3. Are Digital Strategies Designed For This Moment?

Following the pandemic, virtually all consumers are now open to shopping online. Even those that prefer offline transactions will conduct their research using online tools. Using an Ecommerce consultant to check that your ideas are aligned with the latest trends and tech capabilities is key. This is not an area where outdated moves can work. 

The experts can devise, design, and implement a plan that is tailored specifically to your brand. This means telling your story and engaging your audience in a meaningful way. It is easy to get caught up by monitoring the wrong metrics. But when the strategy uses data-driven decisions from issues that matter, the results are telling.

#4. Does The Company Have Enough Protection?

Protecting your business is crucial for many reasons. Aside from protecting your assets and finances, it is vital for safeguarding employees and consumers alike. Similarly, it will go a long way to maintaining your strong reputation. With around 40% of all cyberattacks targeting small businesses, cybersecurity is vital.

This can be achieved through outsourced IT teams and teaching employees about the latest malware and scams. You should also consider the on-site security by fitting alarms and using entry ID systems. For the very best results, however, you will also need to think about your intellectual property. Copyrights and non-disclosure agreements are key.

#5. Do You Know Who The Customer Is?

If starting a new business or trying to hit the online market for the first time, you will want to reach the biggest audience. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that some demographics simply won’t respond to your products. Only a minute percentage of products boast a global appeal. So, you must find your place in the market.

The best way to do this is to build a target consumer profile. When you know the exact background and buying habits of the user, every aspect of the venture can be adapted to this. Of course, you will still pick up customers from secondary groups but this will aid the speed and cost-efficiency of plans.

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#6. Have You Adapted The Customer Care Processes?

Customer care has taken on an even greater role in recent times due to the lack of face-to-face interactions. On-site staff can still provide a winning serve. But it should be noted that a growing percentage of interactions will be handled through other methods. Therefore, investing in the technology and workers is vital.

VoIP tech and web chat facilities are likely to play a significant role in the future of your client care game. However, a virtual receptionist and call redirection service can be equally crucial. This allows you to maintain a responsive and professional brand image without major disruption. It also reduces the investment needs.

#7. Are Products Priced Correctly?

The success of your company will be determined by far more than just the product pricing model. Nonetheless, nobody will pay crazy money for products that are offered cheaper elsewhere. At least not when using a new company for the first time. Therefore, you need to find the right balance between value for the customer and profits for you.

With this in mind, conducting research into the market will be just as important as knowing the audience. This will allow you to place yourself in an appropriate position and work out the best pricing model. When selling to consumers from varying countries, you may need to implement zonal pricing too. m

#8. Are Workspaces Safe & Clean?

The need for workplace safety is nothing new. However, the pandemic has resulted in a far greater demand for good hygiene. Even once people have been vaccines, sanitation stations will be vital for employees and clients alike. Meanwhile, regular office or store floor cleaning must be implemented.

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Safety will naturally extend to safety workwear in the appropriate places. You must also ensure that all risk assessments include suitable contingencies. This could mean having an electric safety hook or an evacuation procedure. Finally, you must consider accessibility in the parking lot and entrances, especially for those who need it.

#9. Does The Company Inspire Trust?

Without trust, consumers simply won’t purchase your goods. However, it’s not simply a case of avoiding intrusions or data theft. You also need to prove to customers that your products and services are the best on the market and will deliver the desired results. Frankly, your in-house methods can only do so much.

Consequently, then, you will need to look for outside help, This can come from various sources, such as past clients who are happy to leave a review. Meanwhile, they may be happy to become affiliates as it offers the chance for them to earn a little money. In the current market, teaming up with social influencers can boost your reach and appeal.

#10. Has Technology Been Used To Its Full Potential

As the Ecommerce and customer care points show, tech is a key feature of running a business in 2021 and beyond. However, it should be utilized in all aspects of the venture. The fact is that machines can complete a wide range of tasks at greater speeds and with increased efficiency. Do not ignore them.

Whether it’s a manufacturing factory, order fulfillment, or stock replenishment doesn’t matter. Humans will still be needed to manage the systems but labor and admin are often best left to the equipment. When computers and advanced tech are used to support people, your business will outperform its competitors.

#11. Is Everyone On The Same Page?

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The value of good recruitment has already been discussed. Sadly, it counts for very little if the team does not show a sense of consistency. As such, clear communication should be a priority at all times. This must extend to on-site staff, remote workers, ad-hoc contractors, and outsourced teams.

Thankfully, you no longer have to waste hours in team meetings. Sending an email or using team messaging apps can deliver the message efficiently and with clarity. Video conferencing is another great tool that can remove the need for business travel. This is another major bonus in these testing times. 

#12. Do I Have The Passion?

A lot has changed over the past 18 months. As such, it has probably changed your outlook on life., For some, this will underline the desire to achieve something with the business. For others, though, investing so much time into the company may no longer appeal. Similarly, the enjoyment may have been lost, meaning that a new chapter is needed.

When this happens, it may be best to sell the business or hire a manager to take over the daily operations while you do something else. If you are starting a new venture at this time, you must accept that simply chasing money won’t suffice. When you have passion for the business, it will shine through and win customers over.

The Final Word

The worst of the pandemic is hopefully over. Nonetheless, these will remain testing times for at least the next year. If your business is not prepared, the struggles will continue. Get things right, though, and you can achieve anything.