Category: Tips

Starting a small business from your cell phone can easily work… for a while. But as your business takes off, you will see that your flashy smartphone may not have all the bells and whistles you’ll need for the growing demand. If you’re in this position, it may be time to upgrade to a system that can manage your phone calls in an efficient manner. Not only will your business appear to be more professional, having more reliable options to handle the increase of calls may be a welcome relief. Here is what to do when your business outgrows your cell phone.

Set Up A Voicemail Box

Changing your personal voicemail to a professional voicemail is the first step in making your business more professional. A personal voicemail isn’t the best way to greet customers, and it may even confuse them into believing that they have dialed the wrong number. There are many ways that you can go about creating a professional voicemail greeting. But even as your daily calls increase, even your smartphone’s mailbox won’t be able to handle all the incoming callers.

Be Sure That You Aren’t Missing Any Calls

Once your business has begun to grow, you’ll notice that you’re getting a lot more callers, from loyal customers, and new prospective buyers. It is crucial that your business has a high response to these callers. If you’re on the phone with one customer and another customer calls, it will go to voicemail. If another customer calls at that exact moment, the call is going to receive a busy signal. A busy signal is the worst thing that your customer can get. It shows them that you’re not available and that their call is not important to you. If your call volume has increased to the point where it is possible for three callers to be calling simultaneously, it is probably the right time to get a phone system that can handle multiple phone calls so no one gets lost in the abyss.

Get a Virtual Phone Number

Now that you’ve realized that even the most polished voicemail greeting won’t suffice in every situation, it’s time to think about other options. A lot of business people have an extra cell phone that they use only when emailing or speaking to clients. But having an extra cell phone can feel clunky. Not to mention overwhelming, when you finally look over at your second smartphone to see that you’ve missed 1,000 emails. Getting a virtual phone number allows you to have a second phone line without having to purchase another device. Also, most virtual phone numbers can be set up to your tablet, smartphone, and computer. Which means that you can have access to your customers from more than one device, with total convenience.

Getting a virtual number is a simple process that offers many benefits to business owners. Virtual phone numbers come with a variety of fantastic features that will help you connect with your consumers more easily while making your business look even more professional. Some features that are available with virtual phone numbers include personalized voicemail greetings, local ringback tones, and time of day routing. If your workday is from 9-5, then you can easily set up your virtual phone number to forward over to voicemail or your email account so that way you can spend more time enjoying life. Instead of answering constant calls from customers during your son’s soccer game, you can actually be there! If you have a business that employs more than one person, then you’ll have the option of transferring the call to another member of staff who is better prepared to answer a customer’s particular questions. For example, if you are the CEO of your company and your only employee is the head of sales, then you have the option to forward any calls to his line if they pertain to his particular line of knowledge.

There are several options available for choosing a call forwarding company, but none stand out more than Global Call Forwarding. You can even try a virtual phone number risk-free at GlobalCallForwarding.com. They are currently offering a 7-day free trial for prospective customers. If your business is ready to expand, take the next step and contact Global Call Forwarding today.

Imagine if the monotony of a work day could be lessened by bringing along your favorite furry friends. It is becoming increasingly more common to allow dogs and other pets into the workplace. Huge companies such as Etsy, Google, and Amazon allow their employees to bring their pets to work. Many pet-centric companies, such as Purina, have been doing this for years as well. If you’re thinking about working for a company that allows pets in the office or if you are thinking about adding a pet policy to your business, first you should check out this list of pros and cons of bringing pets to the office. While the affection of our furry friends is pretty much the best thing ever, there are some considerations to keep in mind.

Pro: Pets remind us that we need to take breaks sometimes.

When you’re caring for a dog, you become very aware of their needs for food and bathroom breaks, and this can lead to great perks like regularly-scheduled walks around the block. Often employees will ignore their basic needs in order to continue working. Having a pet to feed and nurture, reminds workers that they may need a snack and a break, too. Employees who listen to their bodies and take regular time to stretch out and care for themselves are able to perform better at their jobs, too.

Con: Distraction

On the other side of the coin, you may be working on a problem and nearing a solution when Fido starts to paw at you and turn around in circles, letting you know he has to go out. To leave your projects sitting around and then not being able to remember where you left off when you return can be a real problem. You may begin missing deadlines or leaving out important details that you would have otherwise included if you hadn’t been interrupted.

Pro: Improvements in employee satisfaction and morale

Employees are more relaxed when there are animals around. This 2012 study found that employees who brought their animals with them to the workplace had decreased levels of stress hormones compared to people who did not bring their pets. People who did not bring their pets experienced higher levels of stress at work. Not only do animals decrease stress at work for people, but allowing employees to bring their dogs to work also eliminates costs for the employees who may be paying for doggie daycare or a dog walking business.

Con: Hiring people with allergies or who are afraid of animals.

There could be a lot of legal trouble that happens if you refuse to hire a person because they’re severely allergic to cats or who are afraid of dogs. If there are people in your office that have severe allergies to animals and/ or have phobias of certain animals, then it will be necessary to create a safe area to prevent them from interacting with the animals. That may become a hassle over time, and you may risk losing employees with great talent who do not want to work in the presence of animals all day.

Pro: Employee turnover and performance

Companies that allow pets into the workplace often have lower levels of employee turnover. In addition, people want to show up for work! There are fewer absences reported and people are even more willing to work longer hours. Since the dogs are already running around the office, no employee is rushing home to let their dogs out.

Con: Potential for damage and legal issues

There are some legal issues that you will have to worry about as well. In the event a dog bites or trips an employee or customer, you could be dealing with a liability lawsuit. It is also possible that a pet may cause permanent damage, by breaking important items or having an accident somewhere that is potentially dangerous.

Bringing pets to work comes down to each individual’s preference. As the owner of a company, these pros and cons should be something you factor into making the decision to allow pets or not. As an employee who wants to work in an environment with animals, it is a definite yes. However, if you have found your dream job but you’re afraid of dogs, then you must first discuss options with your employer that will allow you to work safely away from the office terrier.

Thinking of starting your own business? Becoming an entrepreneur takes a lot more than just a great idea. You have to map out a plan of action, assemble the perfect team, and then you have to put in the work. It’s not easy to start your own business, but it is not impossible, either. The hardest part is deciding where to start. Check out these 5 tips for entrepreneurs before starting your journey.

Choose Something That You Care About

If there’s a problem that you have, solve it for yourself. If something didn’t work for you, then there are probably a lot of people out there that need your solution too. You create your own life and your own path. Following your heart and things you’re passionate about is the best path towards success because you won’t give up if you have a stake in it. Energy has a limit in monotonous work, but when you’re really passionate about something, it’s as if the energy comes out of nowhere and helps you to reach your goal. Satisfaction in life comes from going after what you want, after all.

Do The Research / Know Your Client

Do plenty of research before launching a new brand. It is especially important to understand what your client’s wants and needs are. Once you have launched, it is still very important to keep listening to the customer. If they don’t like something, listen to them. When they do like something about your product, listen then too. You always want to have the best product available, but you also need a solid customer base to sell that great product. Let your consumers know that they’re important by delivering the solutions they’ve asked for.

Surround Yourself With The Right People

Always grab opportunities to network with others. Finding a mentor or coach is very helpful when it comes to starting out as an entrepreneur. Along with researching tips like the ones found here, to hear advice straight from other successful entrepreneurs is very advantageous. If you know that you have cultivated a strong team, be kind to them. Show your appreciation every chance that you get. If there are some people who are falling behind, don’t be afraid to give them the opportunity to work somewhere else. This is your dream and you need the strongest team you can create by your side.

Know Your Finances

Being able to balance a budget is key to being successful. You can get yourself into a lot of financial trouble if balancing a checkbook is hard for you. A successful business turns out a profit; it is important to recognize key details that don’t work for your business and even more important to recognize the things that do work. Any cash flow problems need to be addressed immediately, always. Also, plan ahead with finances because you cannot expect to see returns immediately; making money takes time. A business does not become highly profitable right away, so be sure to map out a plan for repaying debts on time.

Don’t Give Up

Above all: keep hustling for your dream and never give up. If you fail, then you can always try again. Failure is never the last option. No matter what happens, as long as you keep your vision alive in your brain you can keep working on it in the physical world. Whenever you see something that seems to be an overnight success, it most likely took a lot longer than you think. If you’re willing to put in the work and keep chasing after those goals, then you’ve got what it takes to succeed. Keep persevering, because after hearing 100 people say “no,” you really only need one to say “yes.”

Getting to the level of success that you want as an entrepreneur will take time. It is important to never lose sight of your original vision and to never stop working towards your goals. These 5 tips, will hopefully help you cultivate your own path to success in your entrepreneurial business.

Growing a small business is no easy task, especially when most consumers trust names that have been around for a while. Luckily there are easy ways to make any business seem like a large corporation that has been around for years. If you’re looking to grow your small business right away but are unsure of how to do that, check out our 8 ways to Fake It Till You Make It.

Get a P.O. Box

If you’re working from home or a shared space, it is a good idea to use a P.O. Box for your business. It can be dangerous to give out your home address, so this separates your business life from your personal life. You will know that packages will always be safe when using a P.O. Box. There are other options than the USPS, too. UPS offers a street address, that way you can receive mail from anywhere – not just from the USPS.

Amp Up Your Website

Your website should look professional and always be up to date. If you want your business to be taken seriously then a quality website should be at the top of your to-do list. Luckily there are several platforms out there like WordPress, Squarespace and GoDaddy that can offer you your own domain name, hosting, and a premade theme for your site for just a few hundred dollars. If you’re on a budget, which you probably are if you are a small business, then using one of these sites is a great way to have an excellent website to showcase your products and stay in the green.

Get a Toll-Free Number With Extensions

Consider setting up a toll-free number that your consumers can easily reach you at. With a toll-free number from providers like Global Call Forwarding, you can add unlimited extensions. For example, “Press 1 for sales” and so on. The more extensions that you have set up, the bigger your business looks. Even if there is only one person working in each of these departments, and that person is you, it still gives off the perception that the consumer is dealing with a large business.

Add LLC To Your Business Name

This will take a bit of an investment on your part, but in the end will be worth it. With an LLC you can keep your business separated from your personal life. If your business goes into debt it won’t affect your personal assets. An LLC turns your small business into a corporation and it requires a separate tax return from your personal taxes. Plus, it is a lot easier to register as an LLC than an S-Corporation or C-Corporation.

Buy Virtual Phone Numbers in Multiple Locations

Consumers are more likely to trust local businesses. If a potential customer finds that they will be able to reach your business from their local area code, they will be more likely to want to do business with you. If you do not have the means to expand your business to other states or countries you can always claim a virtual presence by using VoIP. This is especially helpful if you already have several customers in a different country or state. Businesses make their money from loyal customers and if you are easily able to stay in contact with them by providing them with a no-fee telephone number they are more likely to stay loyal.

Focus On Social Media

Growing your social media presence is a great way to find new customers and market for free. Small businesses should stay focused on social media since it is a great way to stay in contact with consumers, too. Figure out which social media site will be the best for your particular business and invest time into your page. Restaurants benefit from using Instagram because they can show off pictures of their beautiful food or their lively scene to about 2.3 billion active users. Many businesses also benefit from paying influencers to advertise their products to their thousands or millions of followers. If you are not sure how to go about managing your social media, hire someone to do it for you. There are many marketing companies that specialize in social media, or you can find a freelancer if you want something more personal. If you are trying to grow your social media on your own, then there are several websites that make it simple to follow up on social media statistics, like followers and growth. These sites will usually have the ability to post content for you on a continuous basis, too. That way you can load up on content at one time and the site will post it each day or at different intervals in the day.

Set Up A Separate Business Email

No one is going to take you seriously if your email address ends in @yahoo.com or @gmail.com. Creating an email address with your business’ name looks more professional and will be better for your brand since your business’ name will be constantly displayed in your customers’ inboxes. There are plenty of email providers to choose from and they all have very great features for a low price.

Invest Time and Money Into Good Marketing

If you want your small business to become a big business then you should model your company after them. Large corporations spend a huge amount of their budget on good marketing. You probably won’t be able to spend millions or billions on marketing when you’re just starting out, but investing a chunk of your profits into consistent marketing is a great avenue for creating more revenue. Not only will your products or services get seen by more people, your products and services will be advertised in a professional manner. Plan out your budget and choose marketing strategies that are right for your particular business. If you’re not selling Doritos then you don’t need a 60-second commercial spot during the Super Bowl. However, you may benefit from a direct mail campaign.

Remember that winning in business means being able to compete with the competition. Making it appear that your business is bigger than it actually is is not unethical if you know that your product or service is good. In order to compete sometimes, you gotta fake it till you make it.

If you have the kind of job where you’re sitting at your desk all day, you could be putting your health at risk. Research suggests that spending a large amount of time sitting can increase your risk of cancer by over 60%. Fortunately, spending most you’re your day at the office doesn’t mean you have to be sedentary all the time. You can deskercise.

So, let’s get physical. Here are some workouts you can do at (or near) your desk.

• • Arm stretches: Reach as high as you can above your head, keeping your arms straight and your elbows locked. Stretch up to the ceiling as far as you can and hold for ten seconds. Then stretch your right arm higher, then your left arm.
  • TMJ exercise: One of the most common complaints resulting from work stress is TMJ or jaw pain. If it persists, it can expand to your ears, temples, and neck. As soon as you begin to notice your jaws tightening, do these exercises to relieve the tension. Move your jaw from side to side five times. Open your mouth as wide as you can. Repeat these exercises several times throughout the day.
  • Hip flexions: You can do this exercise while you are sitting at your desk. Simply raise your right foot six inches from the floor. Keep your knee bent at a 90-degree angle and hold the position for one minute. Repeat with the left foot. Do this exercise several times throughout the day.
  • Neck and shoulder stretches: Sit with your back straight, facing forwards. Turn your head to the right, at the same time, turn your body to the left. Hold for ten seconds then repeat the other way. Repeat the move throughout the day to prevent stiffness.
  • Back stretch: Pain in the lower back is a common complaint for people who spend much of the day sitting. To prevent this, sit up straight and shrug your shoulders until they are up near your ears. Hold for six seconds then release. Repeat five or six times.
  • Plie squats: Stand by the side of your desk, spread your legs about two feet apart, and point your toes outward. Slowly bend your knees to a squatting position then straighten. Repeat ten times.

• Bicycle pedal: This is a good workout for your abs. Sit on the edge of your chair and hold onto the armrests. Raise your right knee to your chest then the left, alternating as though you are riding a bicycle. Pedal at a steady pace for five minutes.
• Shakedown: If you’re working on a computer for hours at a time, you’ll need to loosen up your wrists to prevent stiffness. All you need to do is shake your hands, as though you just washed them and you’re shaking them dry.
• Wrist stretches: Stretch both arms out in front of you at shoulder height with your palms facing upwards. Flex your wrist so that your right hand is pointing fingers-up. At the same time stretch your left hand so that its pointing fingers-down. Alternate and repeat ten times.
• Buttock crunches: While you are working clench your gluteus maximus as you sit so that you raise up about an inch. Repeat this ten times.
• Calf stretches: Stretch your legs out in front of you. Point your toes forward then pull them up towards your knees and hold for three seconds. Repeat ten times.
• Jumping jacks: Stand away from your desk with your feet apart, and your arms stretched out to the side. Jump and bring your feet together. Jump again and spread your feet apart. Repeat for five minutes. You could also pretend to be jumping a rope. This will get your heart rate up, so you can burn more calories.
• Shadow boxing: If you don’t have your own office, you can always do this in the bathroom or an empty conference room. Try shadow boxing, or box with an imaginary partner, for five minutes, to increase your heart rate and to relieve stress.
• Triceps dip: place your feet firmly on the floor, shoulder-width apart. Place your palms on the seat of your chair, fingers pointing forwards. Raise and lower yourself to the ground using your arms to control the movement.
• Flap your wings: Stretch both of your arms out in front of you with your palms together. Keeping your arms at shoulder height, stretch them back as far as you can then back in front of you. Repeat ten times.
• Football drill: While you’re sitting, pump both arms over your head for 30 seconds. Then tap your feet rapidly on the floor for 30 seconds, repeat five times.
• Stairobics: Take to the stairs and rapidly run up and down two steps for five minutes.
• One-legged squats: Stand up and hold on to your desk for support. Raise one foot slightly from the floor and do a one-legged squat. Repeat with alternate legs ten times.
• Leg raises: A good exercise for lower abs is leg raises. Sit on your chair with your arms by your side, and your legs stretched out straight. Keeping your legs straight, raise them about a foot off the floor, hold for three seconds then lower them. Repeat ten times.

Remember, even if you work out at the gym every day, that still doesn’t make up for the fact that you’ve been sitting at your desk all day. Even small changes in your sedentary routine can make a big difference. For example, standing to take a phone call, holding standing meetings, walking instead of taking the lift, and taking a walk on your lunch break can improve your posture, circulation and help to reduce the risk of major diseases. But working out at work is not only good for your health, it also changes your attitude towards work and your colleagues. Exercise at work makes you feel more positive and it increases your productivity, by increasing your focus and level of concentration. It will also keep your stress levels low and make you feel happier overall.