Whatever your business, one of your biggest priorities is cutting costs. You have to find areas where expenses can be kept low. This is specially true when there is an economic downturn. But even when the economy is doing well and your business seems to be on the upswing, it is wise to keep costs as low as possible to maintain your margins and build up a contingency fund. A big chunk of expenditure goes on leasing workspace. The rental itself eats up a good percentage of what you are earning. And when you lease space, you still have to […]
More and more employees are not working in the office nine-to-five. In fact, they are not working from office but ‘remotely’, usually from home. While this arrangement has several advantages for both employer and employee, it has its challenges too. Traditionally, management is used to seeing employees at their desks. There is a face-to-face interaction. But when employees work ‘remotely’, how does one keep track of what they are doing? Self-reported data is usually sent in by employees but this is bound to be inaccurate. Not many people are able to keep an hourly account of time spent on work, […]
You can be more productive at work and be rewarded with more leisure-time and, of course, more money. Here are some proven secrets of making the most of the 24 hours we all have. Be a clock watcher Track and limit the time you’re spending on tasks. Then see if you can cut it down. One way to do this is to have all the notes and reference you need at hand before you start. While working double-check facts and spellings. It will save you time fact-checking later and will make for greater efficiency. Take regular breaks This might sound […]
Spin the globe and you will find an opportunity to sell something, somewhere. The world is your market today. Taking your business global makes dollars and sense! There are tremendous advantages of going global. You can extend the sale life of products and services by finding new markets and thus reduce your dependence on local markets. You can learn how to compete against foreign companies which will make you take your product offering to an entirely new level. Before plunging in, you need to ask yourself some serious questions: Will your product sell in the targeted culture? Investment in market […]
For many people, making friends at work isn’t easy. It can be intimidating. But even a shy introvert can learn to become a good friend or buddy at work. Remember, more than 50% of a person’s lifetime is spent working, so it’s worth investing the time and effort to invest in friendships at work. How do you go about it? Take a deep breath. Be the first to smile and say “hello”. That’s still the best icebreaker, specially a genuinely friendly smile. Soon you will be saying “hi” and “bye” to your co-workers and most will do the same. Another […]
Every company has them. People who are difficult to work with. Some who just talk and don’t listen. Some who criticise everything they did not have anything to do with. Some who steal credit. Some who undermine others to put themselves in the spotlight. Some who are obnoxious or just plain bullies. As a colleague, or even the boss, how do you deal with this problem? Because the behaviour of such people can be detrimental to the morale of others in the office and can impact productivity and efficiency. It may even drive good people to leave the company because […]
Your office makes a statement about you. Customers and prospects form an impression when they see your office and that reflects on you. How attractive and appealing the office space is also makes a difference to employees. Does it make them want to go to the office every day? Does it keep them motivated and productive? More and more businesses are opting for serviced offices that are both functional and appealing. How do you decide which one to choose? Here are some considerations that will help you make the right choice. Location : This is a key consideration. Where is […]
So you are in business now and actually have your own office. Congratulations! Now’s the time to think of the basic office supplies you need to get your business running smoothly from Day One. Set aside a reasonable budget for these essentials. It will pay off in time and bother saved. Let’s start with your desk. You need a functional desk and a comfortable office chair for the long hours you will be working. Shop around and get the best you can afford. If you have the space, a small couch and side table for visitors is a thoughtful addition. […]
Shared offices or co-working spaces are trending across the world. In India, too, entrepreneurs are drawn to the cost-saving benefits of a shared rather than private office. It also allows tremendous flexibility: work when you want, where you want, without any overheads and without the hassles of running an office. And there’s a very attractive hidden benefit as well. Sharing an office with others has the potential of leading to valuable future business relations. The open environment is conducive to the ebb and flow of a wide and varied canvas of professionals during a working day. Start-ups, creative professionals, lawyers, […]
“The Times They Are A-Changin’,” sang Bob Dylan (who recently won the Nobel Prize for Literature). This holds true as much today as it did when he wrote the iconic song more than fifty years ago. It holds specially true for businesses. These are dynamic times. A business that wants to keep pace with the times needs one thing most of all: flexibility. That’s why when it comes to finding an office from which to operate, businesses are choosing a serviced office over a conventional office. A serviced office is the inspirational solution for modern businesses that need to adapt […]
