company Archives - A Million Lives

July 28, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Anju Vallabhaneni – Why Outsourcing Your Company’s IT Makes So Much Sense

If you are a small business owner then you will no doubt ave considered outsourcing various aspects of your business. The problem in many cases with outsourcing however is that there is rarely a guarantee that in doing so, you can save the money that you would like to or indeed increase the dynamism of your company. My colleague Anju Vallabhaneni and I work with many small businesses here in Ohio on this matter, and the one aspect which we would always recommend that businesses outsource, is their IT department. IT is something which we all depend on greatly and outsourcing it is a very smart decision, and here is why.

Better Output

Because of the fact that we rely so heavily on IT for our computing and our storage, we need it to be firing on all cylinders at all times win order for the business to be at its most productive. In many companies around the world however, they are operating with IT that is full of technical issues, bugs and slow machines. This not only has a directly negative impact on the productivity of the workplace, but it can also have negative impact on the morale of your employees. Outsourcing IT means that you will never have a problem for very long and that the equipment that you have will be operating at the max, meaning that your business can too.

Modern Tech

IT companies use the very cutting edge of computing and software technology which means that when you outsource, you will too. Given that computer tech moves at such incredible speed, it won’t take long for your company to be behind others in terms of the equipment and the software which you are using. Outsource your IT however, and you will have access to the very latest software and hardware, which can help to increase output and productivity for your business.

Saving Money

Not all outsourcing options will save you money, some in fact can do the opposite, but when it comes to outsourcing IT, this is guaranteed to save your business cash. This is evidence based and even between my colleague and I , the businesses that we have worked with who have decided to outsource their IT, have saved up to 40% in costs which they normally would have spent. You will not have to pay engineers to fix issues, you won’t have to pay for updates and management and you will also be able to plan your spending ahead of time, rather than being stung when an IT issue arises.

Experts

The IT companies which you would look to for outsourcing are absolute masters in their field and you can be safe in the knowledge that when you outsource this aspect of your business, that it will be dealt with experts. These experts have a wealth of experience and access to the very newest tech on the market, you’d be foolish not to at least consider using them.

May 30, 2018 by Greg Underwood

5 UNETHICAL PRACTICES THAT SHOULDN’T BE ENCOURAGED IN A WORKPLACE

While most businesses focus on protecting themselves against large scale fraudulent practices that can bring the business to halt, small unethical practices deserve equal attention as well. First, what may seem to have no impact on the business can affect productivity and in turn profits. It can also lead to loss of business opportunities. If unhandled at an early stage, what is mostly considered small grows into a huge monster that eats up the business. Such forms of misconduct shouldn’t be left just because they seem to bear no impact. Here are five unethical practices that you shouldn’t let creep into your business;

Time mismanagement

Showing up late once in a while with a valid reason for being late is excusable. Constantly showing up late, no matter your position, is bad for the business. Not only does it make you look like you don’t value your work and business goals, it demoralizes your colleagues. Mismanaging business time also includes using office time for personal errands. Handle your side hustles when you are out of office and only call home when you have to, not to find out if the lastborn has taken a bath.

Cyberslacking

Cyberslacking refers to using the company internet for personal reasons such as downloading movies and browsing through social media. Most business have laid down policies on the use of internet at the workplace. Even if you don’t, it doesn’t mean you can spend the whole day on Twitter and taking endless selfies for Instagram. It counts as time mismanagement. Besides, you could end up infecting work computers with viruses and malware.

Internal theft

Employees more often than not steal from the employers. It is not something new. It is not something you would want to turn a blind eye to though. A few missing office stationery turn to missing equipment, and before you know it, funds are getting siphoned off the organization’s accounts. Letting the small stuff go will make staff think they can get away with anything. Nip employee theft in the bud while you still can. Encourage a culture of openness and honesty where employees don’t have to hide things. Also, watch out on employees stealing from each other. View Site on how to handle such cases.

Aggressive behavior

Physical or verbal aggressiveness is not something you would want to take to the workplace. While you will encounter frustrations here and there once in a while, do not take them out on your colleagues. It brings you out as being disrespectful to others, especially if you are in a position of power. Do not bully or mistreat people you share a workplace with. It makes it difficult to bring the team together towards a common goal.

Managerial lies

It is said that the truth eventually comes out. It is pointless feeding lies to your employees. They will eventually get to know the real state of matters. It also makes them feel unvalued and demoralizes them. You will their trust and it won’t be easy getting it back. Always be honest and truthful to your employees, no matter how unpleasant the truth is. If you want honesty in your team, practice it first.

January 23, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Helpful Hacks To Get Your New Business Off To A Smooth Start

Launching a new business is a huge milestone for you. It’s likely been a long and rocky road to get to where you are, and you’re probably basking in the fact that you’re finally open for business. While it’s good to be proud of yourself and happy about all you’ve accomplished, this is the beginning of a new chapter.

You have to be prepared to dedicate the majority of your time and energy to making sure your company sees a smooth start. These handy hacks are going to help point you in the right direction and allow you to build a successful business. It’s a good idea to put a few priorities in place and focus your efforts there while you get going.

Invest in Technology

It’s never too early to invest in technology. It helps you with your daily tasks, to innovate and stay connected with employees who work remotely. Once you have it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Keep in mind that part of the investment includes security and data retrieval. You’ll want to hire help, and you should use a company like Secure Data Recovery Services if you should ever find yourself in a bind. They’ll get your information back to you quickly, and you can go on with running your business.

Find A Good Mentor

You don’t have to run your business all on your own. Be willing to reach out to others who’ve been in your place before and have come out profitable. Use mentors to discuss issues in your mind, bounce ideas off of them and help keep you focused on what matters most. You’ll thank yourself later when you come to a crossroads and aren’t sure where to turn. You can call up your mentor and get some sound advice.

Secure New Customers

You’ll be busy with a lot of different tasks, but don’t forget to start building your book of business as soon as possible. You need to get your company and products out there, so people know who you are and what you’re selling. Use a mix of different channels to find new customers like social media, your website and in person events. It’s a good idea to hire a business development and marketing person to tackle this initiative so that you can work on other high priority projects.

Work Hard & Take Care of You

Running a business is going to require a lot of your time and energy. There’s no way around it, especially when you’re just starting out. You have to be willing to put in long hours and work hard if you want to take your business to new levels. This also means you’re going to be tired and probably forget to take care of yourself. Do whatever it takes to put yourself first. Adjust your schedule to hit the gym in the morning, bring a healthy lunch to work and set limits on your hours.

January 15, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Simple ways to boost productivity in the workplace

For a lot of us going to work can be a struggle, especially in the winter months when it feels like we go to work and come home in the dark. Setting an early alarm and commuting to work is something most of us dread but once we arrive at our place of work, we all like to make the most of the day and be as productive as possible.

A large portion of the working population call an office their place of work and many people aren’t aware that the design and appearance of your work space has a big impact on productivity. Although most employees wouldn’t consider office design as a key factor for working at a particular company, statistics show that the well-designed office can increase productivity by around 20%.

So, what does make for a well-designed office environment?

Have a sort out

Working in an overcrowded environment can be a big distraction so having a declutter every now and again is a must. As well as making you feel a lot better, a cluttered office won’t look particularly good for potential clients. Any bits of scrap paper or unwanted documents need to be disposed of but for any important documents you can always file them away. Investing in cupboards or filing cabinets from companies such as Furniture At Work means all of your important documents are organised and the office looks tidier.

Choose the correct lighting

We may think lighting is obvious because the majority of us want to work in a dark room. Working in a badly lit room can cause headaches, eyestrain and has been known to cause depression. Making sure the room is well lit is really important, not only for your health but also productivity.

Introduce a scent into the office

This may not go down very well in most places of work but certain scents can affect our mood and productivity. For anyone who has a home office or works in a smaller office you may want to research what scents can affect your mood and introduce them into the working environment. For example, studies have shown that peppermint can lift your mood, lavender can help you relax and cinnamon can improve focus.

We can increase productivity in a number of ways; the above points are just some of them. For any of us who work in an office it’s worth researching some others ideas and hopefully boost not only your mood and productivity, but your colleagues’ as well.

December 18, 2017 by Greg Underwood

Office Chairs with Arms vs. Office Chairs without Arms

When it comes to office chairs, there are many different types available. From super comfortable executive chairs that look as good as they feel through to colourful stackable office chairs that are ideal for small workplaces, there are many different options for people to choose from. However, all of these chair types can be divided into two distinct groups: office chairs with arms and office chairs without arms. Whether you choose to select a model with arms or without will come down to a number of factors. This article will discuss the pros and cons of arm equipped and armless chairs so you have the knowledge necessary to make the right choice when it comes time to buy new office chairs.

Office Chairs without Arms

The majority of office workers around the world use office chairs without arms, and the main reason for this is money. Office chairs without arms require less material to make and therefore cost less to manufacture. These manufacturing savings are passed onto the consumer, resulting in office chairs that are very affordable. But while serious savings are the main benefit offered by office chairs without arms, you shouldn’t discount the fact that some people simply prefer to sit in an armless chair. Aesthetics should also be taken into account. Armless office chairs are much sleeker looking in appearance and may better suit an office with a minimalist aesthetic.

Due to the fact that they cost less than their arm equipped counterparts, armless chairs are a great choice for offices and workplaces that are on a tight budget. One more factor to take into account is the size of the chair. Office chairs without arms take up less space than those that have arms, and this can be very important, especially if your office is low on space and you need the furniture to take up as little room as possible. Armless office chairs are also great for use with desks, as there won’t be armrests getting in the way.

Office Chairs with Arms

Office chairs with arms are comfortable and provide users with a place to rest their arms when they’re not typing or carrying out other tasks. More expensive chair types such as executive chairs and ergonomic chairs often feature arms and are usually favoured by businesses that have a little more to spend on office furniture.

Office chairs with arms come in a range of styles, sizes and colours, and most are able to have their arms removed if needed. This can be beneficial if you’re new to the world of arm equipped chairs and decide that you prefer not to have them after all.

In Conclusion

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong choice when it comes to choosing between armed and armless chairs. Office chairs with arms have a list of benefits just as office chairs without arms do, so the choice will come down to personal preference and the amount of money you have available to spend.

December 5, 2017 by Greg Underwood

Online Reputation Management Company, How Your Business Can Benefit

Whether your business operates online or not, it is vital that you are investing in boosting your company’s online presence. The internet is fast becoming the new high street and consumers all over the world are heading online to discover products, services and companies who can offer them in their local area. This means that you have a great opportunity for additional exposure for your business when you invest in creating a strong online presence. There are many areas of investment when doing this such as digital marketing and online practices, and there is also the important aspect of hiring an online reputation management company to ensure that your online rep is positive and truthful. Let’s take a look at how your company can benefit from hiring such a service.

Understanding Your Reputation

I’m sure that if you asked most businesses what their online reputation was like, they either wouldn’t be able to tell you or they would guess that it is in good shape. Very often however, there are negative stories and comments floating about the internet about your company, and the majority may not even be true. When you enlist the support of a reputation management company, you will instantly be able to understand what kind of reputation you have online, and how you can go about protecting or repairing it.

Removing Links

If your company has had links or partnerships with individuals or businesses who have been found to be doing things in an unlawful or unethical way, it is very possible that your company has been tarred with the same brush because of these links. In such a situation, your reputation management company will be able to get to work on severing ties with the people in question, and ensuring that your company is not considered in the same bracket. It would be unfair for your company to be treated negatively simply because of the mistakes of another, and so investing in reputation management for this kind of situation is really the best bet.

Avoiding Attacks

Because of the freedom of the internet, it is not uncommon for an ex-employee or a competitor to leave nasty reviews, or write negative comments across social media about who you are and what you do. IF you don’t have a reputation management company on your side during these times, you may not even know what is being said about you and so that is the first reason why you should hire a firm like that. The second reason in these situations is so that they can remove, hide or bury the kinds of falsehoods which are said about your business, and ensure that people don’t see a negative picture which has been inaccurately painted about your business.

Ultimately the idea of a reputation management company is protecting and preserving you positive reputation, so that you can find more customers, and ultimately make more sales.

November 26, 2017 by Greg Underwood

Application of Business License & Employer Identification Number

Setting up a new business, even a small business on your own is no small matter. There are so many things to look into and to get ready before you can start your business. Things like the types of products you want to sell, whether you are selling online or whether you will need a shop for your business. If you want a shop business, then you will have to look for a good location for your business. Finding a shop to rent may not be easy in a good location and very likely, the rent will be very high in a good business area. The list is endless and it can be very stressful at the preparation stage.

There are some legal matters that you will need to take care of before you can set up your business. You will have to apply for a business license and a Taxpayer Identification Number, also known as Employer Identification Number (EIN). These are two most important things that you will have to take care of.

A business license is a permit issued by government agencies which allows an individual or a company to run a business. A business license is used for registering for business tax collection, for generating revenues, and etc. Depending on the city your business is located, filing for a business license might require the Social Security Number of the owner or owners, directors and officers of the business entity. The same applies for foreign corporations or Limited Liability Company for the government to track the individuals responsible for the business. In some cities, application for the business license will require the applicant to provide the Tax Identification number or the EIN.

A tax identification number or Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a 9 digit number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. If you intend to have employees working for you, you will need to apply for an EIN. As a business owner, you can easily apply online for tax id number on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.

A tax identification number or the employer identification number will be not required for the application of a proprietorship or a partnership business. You will only need to provide your personal social security number. But, if later in the future, you may decide to take in employees, then you will need to apply for an EIN. The EIN is a one-time permanent number and does not expire. It is used for tax administration purposes.

November 9, 2017 by Greg Underwood

Should I Set Up a Trust for My Business?

When you put your business assets into a trust, you protect them from legal proceeding, which is highly beneficial if your own a family-run company. This option is a smart one, but it doesn’t come without its own obstacle. To answer the question once and for all, we take a look into the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a business trust, looking into the legal jargon that often overcomplicates things.

What Makes a Trust?

Different to a limited company set up, a business trust isn’t a separate legal entity in itself. When broken down, it is a business structure where the trustee – often a registered company – conducts business for the benefit of the trust’s members. The trustee responsibility is then to distribute the trust’s income out to its beneficiaries, whilst safeguarding its overall financial health. This can sometimes incorporate larger business decisions such as the sale of assets or money lending. A trust will also come with an appointee, who has the power (as laid out in the trust deed) to remove the trustee and appoint someone else in their place.

What Trust Type Will You Need?

For businesses, a company typically acts as the trustee, with each beneficiary being designated a certain number of ‘units’ in the trust. It is these units that outline how much income that member will actually receive. In addition to this, discretionary trusts can also be created for businesses. More often than not, this will be family trust, where the trustee has full power over the funds that are dished out to the beneficiaries. You can also look to embark upon a hybrid trust that combines units and discretionary trusts depending on your set up and preference.

What Is the Downside?

In contrast to a partnership or sole trader set up, a trust can often be expensive to put in place with required fees from trust solicitors on an ongoing basis. The initial installation fee can typically be reduced if a pro-forma trust deed is used but this can be complicated so it is best to seek professional insight from trust solicitors in Manchester. If you opt to be more private than what you’d see of a company, the legal and compliance trust requirements become a lot more difficult and stricter. Something worth noting is that a trust comes with a limited life span, which is commonly a total of 99 years.

Trusts can be highly beneficial for family run businesses as they offer tax advantages and flexibility in regards to how profits are distributed to beneficiaries. It simply depends on your situation but whenever making a decision that is of such importance, it is always best to seek legal advice to highlight if a trust is the correct path for your business. Whether you choose to go with a trust, partnership, company or sole-trader arrangement, it is vital that you understand your specific needs before signing on the dotted line to avoid an unneeded costs and headaches.