How To Create Happy and Motivated Employees and Make Them Stay

For businesses, it is important to value your employees, next to your customers. Why? Because without them, you would not have enough manpower to operate your company and the other duties and responsibilities that are needed to be focused on, that is why proper treatment to your personnel is your task too as an owner of the business. Say for example, you are an owner or head of management of an SEO consulting services firm, which employs quite a number of staff, or any kind of business whatsoever, it should be the management’s task to satisfy your employees in return for the hard work they have invested on your company.

Below are some tidbits a company’s management should know, no matter how many employees you have at the moment:

Define Vision

As the ‘leader’ of the company, the vision should come from you. But in order for this to be realized, you have to let your employees know what your vision and mission is, so they could also embody this within themselves. Aside from that, be an inspiring leader who, not only withholds what good trait a true leader should have but also, motivates his employees of their tasks.

Give Them What They Want and Need

Give your employees the proper training and equipment they need in order to deliver the work you are expecting them to do. Remember that you should not always assume that each and every one of your employees has all the tools and knowledge. As a supervisor, you should know their strengths and weaknesses to be able to know which area they needed to improve on and hone.

Communicate Well and Often

Communication is important. And by communication, it would mean having training sessions, sending out memos, newsletters, and regular meetings or simply allowing them to give you a message whenever an information sent to them turns out to be something they are confused about. Redesign the way the information reaches them if you have to. There has to be an amicable and two-way interaction between you and your employees, so in the long run you would not have the difficulty of engaging with them.

Get Everyone Engaged

Figure out how you could keep your employees engaged in planning and decision-making; something they would be willing to fight for. Whenever possible, make it a point that they’re input and ideas are being asked. This way, they have a vested interest in seeing the project succeed and can empower and motivate themselves.

Coach Success

Give them feedbacks as much as possible. Be a mentor and keep them motivated, not only by you, but also by themselves as well. Don’t wait for periodic reviews; instead, offer feedback as often as possible. Constructive criticisms are all right as long as you explain to them why you have given them such feedback and that they can have the opportunity to discuss ongoing projects and issues. These meetings won’t take a lot of time and they can build strong relationships.

Respect and Act Fairly

As a leader, use your judgment, wisdom and experience to create a supportive judgment. Respect and trust your team and you will get the same in return. Admit that you are wrong whenever your make mistakes and apologize. This way, your employees will gain trust and appreciate your honesty.

Discipline Yet Keep The Fun

It is important to have fun especially if the workload becomes too tough. At the same time, you can keep the discipline among your employees when you practice this with them. There are always a time for duty and pleasure so keep the work-life balance a stable one.

Implement Incentive Programs

This is a perk you can give to your employees based on their actual performance and paid out only after an employee has reached the desired goal. No matter what kind of business you are in, it is important to look into incentive programs. This will make a positive impact on the company as a whole, having your employees strive harder to meet the target needed.

How about you? What kind of work ethics and employee-employer relations can you share? The comment section is always welcome to have your thoughts.

Source: triplepundit.com

For Startups, Are You Ready to Rent an Office of Your Own?

A lot of start-up companies are slowly emerging in the business scene because, why not? A lot of opportunities are coming up for the most determined companies. Most start-up businesses always start from scratch, say for example you are an SEO company from the Philippines, and you believe that there is much effort done to be able to have the longevity that you need to keep the boat sailing. However, to make this more realistic, you would need your own office space especially if you are gloriously expanding.

Finding the right office space can be a challenge because landlords generally prefer leasing terms of at least 5 years, which can be a bit hard for a young growing company. Yet you should know better. As a starting company, fortunately there are several options available, but the key is finding the most tailored office to your specific situation.

Here are a few things to consider on why and how you should need one, more importantly if you are on this line of business:

First things first, you should know why and no one knows better than you. There will always be questions about your company and its growth, and you need to be ready to make sure your office needs align to your business strategy.

Time. One thing to consider is this. Notes that for newer and smaller companies, it is important to make sure that you do not get locked into a lease that is longer than you need. You need to know how to measure in terms of the number of your employees and how long you look forward your company to keep sailing. In short, never sign a lease that does not work for your long-term business plan. Ask questions.

Layout. It depends on the nature of your company. Say for example you are a technology or creative company, such as an SEO consulting services firm, this would mean, but not at all times, needing an open space, as ideas grow from collaborations. On the other hand, if you are a small time start-up law firm, chances are, you might want to have an office-focused kind of location. As you know, your clients discuss sensitive matters on closed doors.

Also, make sure it’s a conducive space to work onto. Explore options where you can also share conference rooms or kitchens. Sometimes there are like-minded companies who share the same values or work on complementary initiatives, ideas and they don’t really mind of the sharing stuff, as per space is concerned.

Amenities. However, there are amenities that a company needs to be able to get things done. Workspaces, conference rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and the like should be considered. Make sure that employees will also have the comfort of using these amenities whenever they want to especially if there are client meetings and stuff to decide on with the team. These things should be top of your list.

Price. This one matters the most. If you are decided enough to willingly spend for your company, focus on the things that would benefit you for getting such decision. Focus on how much you are willing to spend monthly, all-in, for your team. Aside from that, do not forget to estimate the hidden costs like the utilities that you need, furniture, workspace stuff and other office fees. Also take note that when you are starting from scratch, keep in mind that things may eventually add up so you have to brace yourself.

Moreover, you have to consider a number of factors—particularly the price, availability and variety of spaces on the market, because they will vary depending on the location in which you are searching. However, no matter the location and just to test the waters too, you might want to start planning at least three-to-four months before you are ready enough to make a move.

Finding a place for your business is no easy task, it would take you time to get things done because these things do not go over night. It takes quite a few guts too to make this particular move because it is another phase for you and your company. After all, the last thing any start-up wants is to sign a five-year lease, only to find out 12 months after that the space does not actually meet your company’s needs.

Valuable thoughts and comments are very much welcome! Drop them off at the comment section below!

7 Tips on How To Take Advantage of Instagram as a Marketing Strategy for Your Business

People who are into taking photos are very much keen about how Instagram works. Or whether you are a normal person who just wants to take selfies and post them on your online profile, that’s also one way how Instagram works. However, if you are an entrepreneur and you have been wondering how this social media app can help you market your business, and then here are a few tips I can share to you. And if you want to know whether it’s true or not, trust me, every digital marketing agency in the Philippines, among others, know that. It’s just a matter of taking a big leap of faith and of course, intense strategy.

Take professional photos

It is important that the photos you are taking are clear and crisp. And to achieve that goal, take professional photos. You can make use of your iPhone (since it has features as that of the DSLR) yet there are times where the iPhone is also often limited (such that in taking photos at night time), that’s why there is a need to use a more fancy camera.

You can take the photos by yourself if you think you are confident enough on how to get the best angles for your products, but on the other hand, you can hire a professional photographer to do it for you. In that case, you can still reuse the photos taken for some other collaterals, either for your website and other social media accounts.

Conceptualize concepts

To make your photos and posts interesting, you need to conceptualize what and how you want your photos, your profile and your brand will look like. Ask yourself, “What kind of concepts will suit best for my product?” or “Would I want to make it look too dynamic, vibrant and full of colors? Or just the plain and simple type?” Again, asking questions will matter since after all, you are the one who is going to benefit from it. Let your creativity shine!

Make sure you are not in the photo

We want to be vain sometimes; it is not entirely a bad problem. But since you are creating an Instagram account to showcase your business and your products, then make sure you are in the photos. However in some cases, there are feature stories that you wanted to include, just to stir more interest about who’s behind the company, but to make things more in perspective, avoid posting photos of people. Focus on your goal and that is to showcase your products.

Hashtags, forget them not

Do not be afraid to use hashtags in order to gain followers and likes. It would really not matter how many they are. However, it is important to know which hashtags to use and how to use them in such a way that the likers or viewers will understand why you are putting them up in the first place. Sometimes, hashtags can be annoying too if every #word #in #a #sentence #you #make #has #one. See? With that, you can brainstorm what relevant words to use and make them into hashtags. Start with the most common ones and eventually, you can make your own so people can follow your thread of photos!

Use applications to enhance your photos

There are a lot of editing apps that you can use to enhance the view of your photos. Cropping, resizing or filtering apps are available on app stores that you can freely download or purchase at a valuable amount. Just make sure not to overdo it since what you are really focusing on is the clarity of your photos and how you would want them to be viewed by your potential clients and viewers and in real life.

Use videos

With Instagram’s video feature, you can upload 15-second clips about your products. Perhaps a very short ad that can easily be understood by your viewers is fine. Or you can run them through some short details as back up to your posts. Either way, as long as it works, it should definitely work. The key again is conceptualizing.

Link with your other social media accounts

To make your posts more visible and shareable, you can link your Instagram account to your other social media accounts such as Twitter and Facebook or to your website. With this, it would not only limit those who are only users of Instagram, but will expand the shareability of your posts across other forms of media.

With these following tips, you should have already an idea on how Instagram works. All you need is to explore more on it and perhaps you will get enough hits and likes in no time!

If you have any thoughts in mind, feel free to post them up on the comment section below!

10 Ways to Think Like a Successful Entrepreneur

Starting a business is not for everyone—it needs a more forcible drive to make one stand out. And becoming an entrepreneur is not just any other ordinary thing a man could think of. It needs guts and yes—glory. More so, a lot of startup businesses are sprouting nowadays; from digital marketing agencies such that in the Philippines, to the most sophisticated real estate stints one would adapt himself with.

Now, you might be wondering how entrepreneurs are surviving this very hectic play of marketing and services.  For you to know how and to be able to expand more of the knowledge that you have here are some simple yet powerful tips an aspiring entrepreneur should think.

1. Get inspired by books

Read. It really helps a lot. Without reading, you won’t be knowledgeable enough of what the updates and trends are in your industry. Besides, it is what entrepreneurs should and always do. Nothing beats reading and the endless possibilities and ideas one can grasp from books.

2. Be passionate

Passion is such a big word. But that big word can reach you to heights you would never realize you just reached. Or will continue to be reaching. They say passion is just for creative artists, well, that is not always the case. And when it comes to being an artist, every one is. You are bound to have that flaming passion inside you. Say if you are passionate about computers and you know about the inside scoops about it—from software to hardware stuff—or you might be passionate about creating abstract designs, then that would actually be a good start. Remember, entrepreneurship needs one to have the guts. And having enough guts would mean you have that passion in you.

3. Surround yourself with experts

 For you to be able to think like how a successful entrepreneur should be, never underestimate the power of conversation. This would mean surrounding yourself with the most awesome people you could think of. If you are in your locality of these people, try to hangout with them and exchange ideas. Use the power of social media to get connected to these inspiring people. It will challenge you to improve more in your skills, perhaps, your speaking skills as well.

4. Employment is not an option

Being an entrepreneur means to create and not to be bossed around. It would also mean that you are starting the change because you have this bright idea that you wanted to share to the universe. It should not be a back-up plan. You have to be the master of your own art and it is your mission to create, influence and lead.

5. No place for discouragement

Motivate yourself to do more and be the best in your field. It would help if you ask some feedback from your friends or colleagues and perhaps assess yourself, constructively, about your achievements and plans. Discouragement has no room for a person who is striving to be successful. Mind over matter, indeed.

6. Take more risks

Every risk is an opportunity to win or lose. Use that as a way for you to grow. Every loss is learning and every win is a surefire assurance that you can do what you wanted to do.

7. Your relationships define your level of success

They are often the fruits of your labor. Gaining strong relationship ties with people brings one to the lane of success. Even people you are with help you to become successful and purposeful as a person, which is a good thing. Being an entrepreneur as well is not as competitive as you are supposed to be cooperative. Value relationships as much as you value your idea of success.

8. Hone that brilliant idea

Having that seed of an idea is already something to begin with. And in order for it to grow more, you have to hone that idea and attract positivity around you for it to be nourished. Remember, a seed when taken cared of properly can reach its full potential and be used in a more successful way. Take those ideas into nurturing and who knows; those ideas might be one lifesaver.

9. Don’t limit your dreams

Dreaming is good. It helps you navigate your ideas and think of ways on how to make them into reality. Dreaming big is even more excellent, as what people say, nothing can be harmed if you dream big. Just make sure to at least make steps—perhaps baby steps the least, for you to be able to realize those dreams.

10. Brainstorm more

Ideas. Ideas. Plans. And many more. By brainstorming, this would help you think of many more ways on how to make an idea become a success. And as an entrepreneur, don’t limit yourself into ideas because of constraints. Make it to a point that you can shed out all your ideas and from there, pick out those which you think could benefit much on your initial idea on hand. Going back, writing is essential. So go, pick up a pen and a notebook and jot down all those ideas away!