Workplace Stress
November 24, 2008
Accordiing to Northwestern National Life, “One-fourth of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives.” The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) summarize job stress as “…when the requirements of the job do not match capabilities, resources or needs of the worker”. Stress solutions are numerous, however the NIOSH has been able to concisely summarize those solutions. Teleworking solutions are fast becoming a viable choice to reduce stress for both employer and employee.
Here are some fundamental stress solutions as outlined by NIOSH:
Strive to create balance in between work life and family life
A support system that includes co-workers as well as friends
Striving to maintain a relaxed and positive outlook
NIOSH also lists the early warning signs of stress as being:
Headaches
Sleep problems
Having trouble concentrating
Short temper
Upset stomach
Dissatisfied with job
Morale that’s Low
NIOSH has listed a summary of items to help Prevent Job Stress:
Building awareness of Job stress, such as the causes, the costs, and possible solutions Having top management committed to supporting programs that solve stress issues
Allowing the employee to be involved in stress solution programs
Using Job Stress Consultants or hold in-office training
Solving the work related stress issues of today must involve thinking outside the box. Some companies have already started seeking solutions by implementing flexible work programs for their employees, such as teleworking options. As per the Telework Coalition, more than 22.2 million americans Teleworked in 2005, meaning they worked at home or other location away from the office.
According to “Commuting in America” a study for the National Academies, based mostly on census data, telecommuting, or working from home, is one of the fastest growing trends. The author of the report believes it will only increase in the future.
Fascinating statistics from the July 2006 Hudson Highland Group:
23% of workers work at home or are given the choice
59% believe “part-time” teleworking is an appealing work situation
(includes 38% who think having the choice to come into to the office or work from home is ideal, and 21% who say the best option is working at home)
73% rarely or never get work done during their commute
(despite technology permitting employees to work when heading
to and from work)
Productivity tools such as implementing Remote PC Access, Online Meetings, or Computer Phone Calling, are practical options available to employers and employees so who want to structure optional work-at-home programs. Companies must then learn to manage virtual workforces and utilize technology tools necessary for employees to stay connected. To summarize, in 2005 44% of US Companies offered some type of telecommuting option, which was up from 32% in 2001. The International Telework Association and Council (ITAC), estimates that there will be over 40 million teleworkers in the US by 2010. It’s safe to say that practical job solutions for work stress will involve the use of teleworking tools.
A Secret For Finding Professional Freelance Copywriters
November 24, 2008
Are you looking to hire a professional freelance copywriter who can take your business to the next level?
Are you, in any way, stuck–don’t know where to begin or what to do next?
Don’t despair! Just give me a few minutes of your time, and I’ll share with you one of the most important secrets you want to know when looking for a copywriter. A lot of people don’t know that they should be looking for this trait when they want to secure the services of a copywriter. And what makes it more of a secret is that the more amateurish copywriters usually don’t make this distinguishing trait as apparent as they should.
So what is this secret?
The secret is this: You don’t want someone who’s “just a copywriter.”
In other words, you want someone who’s more than a copywriter.
What do I mean by that?
From my experience, I know that online or offline (primarily online), there’s a lot more that goes into the success of any marketing campaign than just the web copy. Most other copywriters think that the sales copy alone is the magic key. That’s not 100% true. While the traditional role of a copywriter is important, it’s only a piece of a larger puzzle, and not the whole puzzle in and of itself. What I would encourage you to look for is to find a freelance copywriter who understands marketing, and can develop an entire marketing strategy that meets your objectives.
This is the reason why top copywriters use some of the following titles:
Marketing consultant and direct-response copywriter
Marketing strategist and professional freelance copywriter
Business strategist and direct-response copywriter
The title combinations are many, but the message is the same: These copywriters don’t just provide copywriting; they also provide marketing plans and customer aquisition models that make sure the work they do for you is put in all the right places.
Again, the promise of all this is that if you pick a true professional to work with, you’ll either be handed a strategy that they think will work for you, or they’ll be able to take your marketing plan and create copy that fits perfectly into that plan.
That’s why you need a professional copywriter who’s also a marketing strategist.
In conclusion, I hope that what was introduced as a “secret” just a few minutes ago is now an apparent necessity. Working with someone who really understands you, your market, and what you’re trying to accomplish will dramatically increase the chances of your project’s success.
Do Franchises Really Increase Your Chances Of Business Success?
November 24, 2008
Franchise opportunities in the UK are on the up and every day as awareness of the market grows and more people choose to opt out of the traditional 9-5 work routine and work for themselves. Being employed seems less secure year on year so developing your own stable income seems more attractive.
Due to this expansion, there is now a broad range of franchise business ventures becoming available on the market and profitable opportunities with realistic and provable income opportunities are in high demand as eager potential business owner look for the right Franchise opportunity.
But a question often asked will be is the franchise business right for me?
Suddenly putting your life savings or even your property on the line in the form of collateral or initial franchise deposit can seem like the edge of a massive abyss for some budding business people, especially if they are not endowed with a reap and sow mentality right from the outset. But this is the beginning of the path one must go down if they are to change from employee to employer.
When deciding on a business franchise, select the type of business that fits your interests, skills and financial needs. Everyone has a different lifetime skill set so it is far easier to slot into what you are comfortable doing or a business that you can adapt your existing skill set to meet the needs of the franchise.
An often asked question is will I be successful running a business if I have no previous business experience? Whilst nobody can really guarantee business success franchises do have the advantage here in that they are often grown out of existing successful businesses and quite often the franchisor will have a vested interest in your success as well.
As with any pursuit in life your mental attitude will separate you from the masses so if you have an “it always happens to me” mentality or are easily knocked down and take a while to get back up again, then in reality you need to ask yourself if you should even begin to consider running a business. A positive attitude will always prevail.
As to what types of franchise to choose in a recession? Well, choosing a franchise will depend on you, but in difficult climates often personel franchises do well as both partners may need to work to meet the monthly bills.
Reading About Creative Bussiness Communications
November 20, 2008
Communication lies at the heart of any business. In fact I would even go so far as to say that without communication there can be no business. This did not mean believing they were stupid (something business people often wrongly assume about those who read their communications) but that they just knew nothing about what I was trying to get across. Believe me if it is possible to misunderstand something then people will.
You should never write as though you were having a conversation. When you have a conversation it usually means that part of the message is assumed. You should be conversational (e.g. write using the kind of words you might use if you were having a conversation) but not as though you were having a conversation. Writing is far more complex than this.
A little while ago I was involved in a project where we had to redevelop part of a web site. I had assumed from the beginning that we were working on one part of the site (the part I thought needed the most work) but the person employing me thought it was another part of the site. This continued for about two weeks. This is not an uncommon problem in business.
The real trick is to write in such a way that you communicate your message without overdoing the detail. This is a problem about 90% of web site suffer with. Many entrepreneurs and leaders will admit that some information needs to be available on a need to know basis to prevent that information from slipping into the hands of the media, competition or enemy. Any communication expert who studies business communication will tell you that such things need to be handled very carefully to keep employees and team members fully engaged.
Is it true that not everyone can be trusted with information? Many people would agree, some would go so far as to say that humans cannot be trusted with information, but why? For instance, many folks have a lot of knowledge, experience, observations, insight and original thoughts.
But, like water it does flow, information, like living organisms want to be free. Sometimes, even the folks who have the information do not even trust themselves with the information they have because it’s too easy to make a mistake. As the saying goes; lose lips sink ships.
There is little doubt that the business world locally, nationally and globally has been forever changed by the information age. The future of communication will show us more of the same, just as “The Road Ahead” predicted over a decade ago. But, what will these new technologies be that increase business communication speed of transmission and bandwidth be like? Remember it was not long ago you were chugging along on your dial-up access on your 286 IBM Clone computer and you were quite amazed at its abilities when it first came out.
Soon, we will have super small devices that operate by voice and eventually by thought. So, I guess the question you should be asking since all this is coming fast is; Have you considered how you will use this technology to do all you do better in your business? Well, think about it for a second, you can collaborate on designs. You will be able to see a miniature of whoever you are talking too, watch the body language and get a much better feel for the conversation.
Tips on Job Application Procedures: Creating Resumes and Company Hunting
November 20, 2008
Nowadays, online resources make it much easier for college graduates to search for jobs and start working on a career that will enable them to achieve their dreams in life. The World Wide Web gives easy and convenient access to various job search sites and online career advices. With the technology we have today, it is much more easy and quick to get hired and paid. By just entering keywords in search engines, you are being exposed to hundreds and thousands of possible employers and with just a click of a button, you are on your way to getting the job you desire.
But even with all the information that can be obtained online, some college students still find it hard to begin a career after graduation. There may be several explanations here but the major reason why some graduates still find it hard is because they do not know where to begin. If you are a college graduate seeking a job, then you have probably asked yourself these questions - What do I want to do for a living? What type of company do I want to work for? Am I willing to relocate?
Tough questions? Perhaps. But every journey starts with a first step, which in our case would be to make a first impression through writing a perfect resume. Here are some great tips on how to write your perfect resume.
- Before writing your resume, you have to take into consideration the type of job you are applying for. Think of specific keywords that your employer might search for in your resume. Here are some examples:
- Ability to (uphold, delegate, supervise, etc.)
- Analytical ability
- Detail oriented
- Problem solving skills
- Result driven
- Communication skills
- Team leader
- Personalize your resume:
- Create a positive first impression. Showcase your communication skills and make sure your resume is easy to read. In most cases you won’t get a second chance to impress the employer so you better do it right the first time.
- Tell who you are. Inform the reader about your most prominent qualifications and why they should hire you for the job. There’s no need to lie though. Most, if not all, of the employers out there prefer an honest resume to keep them from setting expectations far greater than what you are capable of.
- Describe what you have learned. It is undertandable that fresh graduates such as yourself do not have any work experience. In this case, it is best to highlight the courses, seminars and projects that you have conducted, participated in and attended.
- List your achievements. Do not be modest at this point. Show your employer the achievements and awards you have acquired in the past and list them down accordingly.
- After writing your resume make sure to:
- Adjust and edit as needed.
- Print out the resume you composed and see how it would actually look like.
- Always bring your resume to a job interview so you can leave a copy if needed.
Once you have finished creating your resume, do not confine yourself in just one job opening. Give yourself options. It’s a big wide world and there are plenty of places to start your career. UK, for one, offers many opportunities for fresh graduate students to begin their career. It is best to choose an environment that suits you and colleagues that you see yourself working well with at the early stages of your career to avoid regrets later on. It is quite vital that you get on track right from the start.
Whether it is Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, Industrial and Engineering, Banking and Finance, Technology or any other sector, graduate jobs in the UK prove to be the best starting point for one’s career. The UK provides the best job openings from top employers even for fresh graduates who do not have any work experiences. Why settle for unpaid experiences when you can get hired and paid by top companies, adding up work experience as you travel down the road of your chosen career?
Whatever sector you choose in the UK; from graduate sales jobs, graduate jobs in retail, graduate management jobs, graduate consultancy jobs or graduate leisure and travel jobs, you got to choose the ultimate resource for discovering your future. It is imperative to gain knowledge about leading companies, industry news, emerging sectors, salary terms and much more, so you can make an educated decision.
Warehouse Management and Order Picking
November 20, 2008
Order picking is usually the most demanding process of a warehouse management system. Of the transactions involved in distribution and fulfillment, outbound transactions are mostly greater and labour intensive than inbound ones. Therefore the outbound transactions require a larger portion of the total labour budget for the warehouse. Also related to order picking process is customer satisfaction which increases the importance of this area. The speed and accuracy of processing order is an extremely important part of business.
There are a variety of methods for order picking
There are many differences and it is important to choose the best method for your company’s operations. To decide the best order picking method for your company should be based on the number of transactions, the number of picks for each order, quantity of items for each pick, number of orders, product being handled, number of SKUs, number of picks for each SKU. And other factors as well, for instance, private labeling, and whether you are picking pieces, cases, or pallets. Often, all picking methods may be necessary in order to deal with a wide variety of orders and products.
To measure productivity, you must rely on the order pick rate. Piece pick operations usually measure the pick rate in terms of line items picked per hour while case pick operations will probably measure in cases per hour and line items per hour. When concerning pallet pick operations it is actually best to look at the number of total pallets processed per hour. Because the amount of time spent physically removing the actual product from a location is usually fixed without regard to the picking method used, productivity gains can be found by reducing the time spent on travel. Another aspect of time which must be monitored for an efficient operation is cycle time.
No matter what type of operation you run, accuracy will be an important objective. Nearly every decision made in configuring a warehouse will have an impact on accuracy. From the design of product labeling to the product numbering scheme, packaging, and even the design of picking documents, accuracy should be a main goal. The location numbering scheme, storage equipment, lighting conditions, and picking method used also affect accuracy. Technologies which improve picking accuracy include pick-to-light systems, bar code scanners and counting scales. After considering the design aspect of an order picking operation, employee conditioning, tracking accuracy, and maintaining accountability all lead to higher levels of accuracy. Using these three objectives as a guideline, order picking methods can be selected as they best fit your warehouse operation.
Five Unfortunate Things You Need to Acknowledge Before Setting Out Your Computer Mending Business
November 13, 2008
It is a bold step going out on your own to become a local computer repair person. You’ll be in competition with others like you, computer shops and bigger companies who cater for your market.
Some of the most sizable challenges you’ll face notwithstanding will be when you are actually on the task. Different to what many may believe, supporting domestic and small business enterprise users is quite a great deal tougher than working in a large scale corporate environment. Here are some of the reasons why, so you can be preconditioned and be more capable - building up you a sound reputation and more word of mouth referrals.
Home and small business users can be the most problematic customers you’ll ever deal with. They will expect immense value from you and will challenge their bills unless they are 150% satisfied.
1. They will expect you to know what a problem is and how to mend it the same way they would a plumber who came round to unfreeze a drainpipe. It won’t happen all the time but once in a while expect for them to refuse to pay up for whatever time you spend ’solving what the trouble is’.
2. They don’t have the luxury of being able to trade out their computer with one from the stock room or to work on someone else’s while you work on theirs. And So when they are dead in the water, unable to work and losing money because of it - the squeeze will be on you. You will unquestionably need to be able to manage with this and get used to someone standing over your shoulder harassing you to speed up.
3. They will expect you to look at all varieties of different things aside from what you’ve booked in to see them about. If you have apportioned them a particular amount of time to do a certain task then you have to be clear at the beginning of the call. See if there is adequate time left over at the close of the call or schedule another one. The most all important thing is to state at the beginning of your call that you are there to perform a particular task. A professional looking work order will aid a great deal here.
4. They do not have standard desktop set ups with effective antivirus and policies that keep them from downloading and installing whatever they wish. This is what makes this kind of work so fascinating, and obstructive. Just think spyware, spyware spyware, be equipped for it and anticipate to see it everywhere you go.
5. They will fault you for things that have gone wrong that aren’t your error. Ever heard this phrase before?
“Well it was fine until the IT person came and today it doesn’t work (I’m not paying this account!)”
Expect this to take place a great deal. Over Again professional looking work orders and good documentation of all work carried out will be the proof you need to establish precisely what you have and haven’t done. A customer at one time phoned up and screamed at my boss right after a visit because his printer stopped working just after I left. Turns out he switched off the computer it was connected to.
Offering computer repair services to small business enterprise and home users can be a hugely rewardful experience. And of course being your own boss is as good as it gets. I trust the above points haven’t put you off, the purpose is to condition you for some of the most negative parts of the occupation.
You can protect yourself and be equipped simply by setting up an effective system of rules for work orders, call documentation and routines for certain situations. Do this and you’ll become acknowledged in your area as the go-to person and have too much work to handle.
Now go get ‘em!
Peter Webber is a freelancer IT advisor and contractor to large and small business organisations. His internet site concentrates on numerous facets of working in the IT industry in particular how to set up your home computer fixing business
Wringing every dollar out of your Computer
November 13, 2008
Times are tough
The news is depressing, your budget is shot, and your computers are younger than dirt but not by alot. So, what are you gonna do when you need new systems?When your computers get slower and slower while the fear of them dying (and killing your budget with it) grows daily?
There is an answer and it costs little but pays huge dividends.Do basic maintenance on a routine schedule along with backing up your data.It’s just that simple.And the upside is huge.
Think about it.And you save a ton of money if you can keep your computer running, and running longer.Your ROI increases with every day you get additional work out of your existing computers (with a little maintenance assist). The downtime for changeover of systems is reduced saving labor cost. Just build a schedule of simple and quick tasks to keep your computers running longer and faster along with having the “insurance policy” of a quality offsite backup and your money ahead.
So here’s what you need to do:
Keep your Antivirus up to date
Updating your virus scanner is the most important thing you can do for your computer. New viruses are discovered daily. If you don’t update your antivirus program, you are taking a big risk.A virus scanner can’t prevent what it doesn’t know about. Daily updating is the only way to keep damaging viruses at bay. Most virus scanners will automatically update themselves with no intervention on your part. Having a antivirus program with this capability is a must.
Keep your Operating System Up to Date
You not only need to keep your antivirus updated, but also your Operating System (Windows,Linux, MAC). Windows update center for your Windows machines. YUM, DEB, or APT for Linux. And Apple has the aptly named Software Update. You should set whichever system you have to update itself at least weekly. Folks who neglect this are leaving their computers vulnerable for hackers and other attacks.
Do a Little, Save a Lot
If you have a car, you follow a maintenance schedule. You should do the same for your computer. Once a week delete your Temporary Internet files.Check for updates to your antivirus software daily. Keep your computer safe from spills (soda is NOT good for keyboards).And don’t be afraid to get the vacume cleaner out and get all the dust off your computer and keyboard. Dirt makes computers run hotter and that shortens the life of your computer.Just follow this schedule and your computer should last longer.
Back up your Data
Even with all the preventative maintenance in the world the inevitable will occur.Your computer will fail. The fear of this is the number one reason people buy new computers even if their current system is perfectly good.But take a moment to think about this. You can invest a small amount of money for remote online backup of your data and large part of that fear can be elimenated. The newer Internet Attached Storage services are much like antivirus software. Inexpensive, easy to use, and they update your backups automatically.
How much longer can you keep a computer running fast and efficiently with a little maintenance and prevention? I have a system built in 1996 that I’m writing this article on right now. Every day I look to make sure the virus scanner is up and running. I make sure the icon for my remote online backup software is there. I keep the keyboard clean, and clean the computer itself every week.I’ve only upgraded the hard disk and replaced a power supply. That’s it. Now that’s what I call ROI.
Waste Care Business: Convert Your Waste into Creating Revenues
November 12, 2008
Many companies now find it expensive to manage the waste, as landfills tax raises. As a result, they search for convenient strategies to reduce, recycle and reuse waste. Thus, there are many business openings for waste handling and recycling .
This piece of writing is about the advantages behind recycling businesses. You can ease the waste disposal and reduce the associated costs using recycling equipment, like waste balers and compactors.
Handling Waste: Recycle, Compact and Reuse
It is not straightforward to get rid of waste. If you transport heaps of disorganized waste, it will cost much and will also affect your profits. Nevertheless , there are many alternatives for you to avoid enormous expenditure for waste disposal . You can have the best approch for avoid huge expenditure that goes behind waste removal by recycling, reducing and reusing waste materials.
Reduce the Level of Waste: Making Wire-bound Stacks for Recycling Purpose
While packaging, a considerable amount of commercial waste is involved. What you can do in such case is to condense the amount of packaging . It is also useful to you, if you prefer getting in mass or using refillable containers .
When it comes to reducing the level of waste, compactors and cardboard balers are helpful. You can also crush materials like plastic, paper or card into neat bales. So you can save space around 85% smaller than it’s original. This is how, you can make neat, and wire-bound stacks usable for recycling.
You may come across the waste that cannot be recycles and baled. Compactors can do a great job for such task. By using compactors, you can squash the waste and reduce the level of waste which helps you in saving space . This is how, you can evade the chances for having costly bins and collections.
Turn Your Waste into Revenues
Using recycling equipments, you can transform your waste into revenue generation . You can purchase equipments if you afford to and manage your waste in proper way. Since many companies offer recycling tools like compactors and balers on rents, go for the right ones as per your recycling requirements. Look for reliable resources that offer the equipments and services so that you can make the most of your waste.
Searching For Creative Bussiness Communications
November 12, 2008
Communication lies at the heart of any business. There is a simple thing that can be done to improve any businesses communications and yet few businesses ever pay any attention to it. This simple thing is to never assume anyone knows anything. Believe me if it is possible to misunderstand something then people will.
You should never write as though you were having a conversation. When so much of communication is usually down to visual clues in a conversation when those visual clues are not available communication becomes much harder. I’ve often read in books about writing that you should think of yourself having a conversation. Writing is a tool of communication; it is not simply a way of conveying a conversation.
A little while ago I was involved in a project where we had to redevelop part of a web site. We were both very clear in our minds about which part this was and so never bothered to clear this up. This continued for about two weeks. This is not an uncommon problem in business.
The real trick is to write in such a way that you communicate your message without overdoing the detail. There is nothing more annoying than having to read a simple message with a lot of other words in the way. Many entrepreneurs and leaders will admit that some information needs to be available on a need to know basis to prevent that information from slipping into the hands of the media, competition or enemy. Indeed, this can be a catch-22.
Is it true that not everyone can be trusted with information? Well, information is power and if you power-up those who cannot control their integrity levels or choose not to, then in a way giving them the information makes you an accessory to their actions. For instance, many folks have a lot of knowledge, experience, observations, insight and original thoughts.
But, like water it does flow, information, like living organisms want to be free. Thus, the information just like water stopped in the river by beavers, well, eventually it will find a way, it always does. As the saying goes; lose lips sink ships.
There is little doubt that the business world locally, nationally and globally has been forever changed by the information age. Today, the world is closer together than ever before and an economic crisis in any one country has far-reaching effects elsewhere around the world. But, what will these new technologies be that increase business communications speed of transmission and bandwidth be like? Remember it was not long ago you were chugging along on your dial-up access on your 286 IBM Clone computer and you were quite amazed at its abilities when it first came out.
Soon, we will have super small devices that operate by voice and eventually by thought. The storage capacity will be better than the library of congress even for a device the size of a mini-cell phone. Well, think about it for a second, you can collaborate on designs. You will be able to see a miniature of whoever you are talking too, watch the body language and get a much better feel for the conversation.