Making Sure Your Employees Succeed: 5 Things You Can Do To Stay On Top Of Production

Being a business owner or manager in charge of a team of employees can be hard, even if they are among some of the brightest people you know. All people, no matter how intelligent and skilled, need a little bit of nudging in the right direction so that they stay on track and continue to progress in their careers.

As a boss, there is a bit of pressure on you to motivate these folks by maintaining a working environment that is nurturing, supportive, constructive, and which encourages individual growth in addition to company success. If you are looking for some ways to stay on top of production in your business, here are five great tips.

Foster a Culture of Clear Communication.

A huge tip if you’re looking to motivate people to increase their efficiency and output is to make sure you foster a culture of clear and honest communication and feedback in your workplace. Being a boss that is open to constructive feedback and who actually implements that feedback is huge for your team’s morale, and will motivate them to do better work for you. While this type of office space is typically attributed to a startup office, you can implement a culture shift no matter where you are in your business’s growth.

Do a Group or Individual Goal Setting Session, and Keep Track.

Having your employees set goals for themselves individually and as a team gives them something clear to work toward, which will guide their work forward. If in recent years you have been feeling that your team is slacking or feels stagnated, getting them to brainstorm some OKRs, or Objectives and Key Results, is a great way to carve a path that is fresh and encourages progression. As always, every positive change like this in your company should be systematized and tracked to make sure it works, which is why Profit creates software to track business activity and progress toward these OKRs.

Prioritize Work/Life Balance.

Your employees have more in their lives than working for you. While it seems obvious, some business owners and managers forget this fact all the time when they are designating workloads. Make sure you have a rich benefits package and offer your employees enough personal time off, sick leave, family sick leave, parental leave, and vacation time. It may also help to implement a work-from-home policy to create a culture of trust and understanding and to allow your team to operate on their personal schedules if something comes up in their home life.

Make Your Space Match the Ideal of Collaboration.

Many business owners taut that they love to collaborate and have their employees brainstorm together to solve problems and tackle projects, but if you are still working in a segmented office with little common space for collaboration, you are not putting your money where your mouth is. Uneebo designs office spaces that match that culture of collaboration for office spaces of all shapes and sizes. Your project manager will thank you if you implement a floor plan that is open and allows for them to easily converse with all members of their teams to work on a new contract or project.

Consistent Check-Ins.

Once you have created company and individual team member goals, it is important that you frequently check in with all members of your staff to make sure that everything is going smoothly. Having frequent chats with staff will also help you deduce what you need to change in order to make it easier for your employees to meet or exceed their goals.

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Side Hustling… Which Kind Should You Have: Hobby Hustle, Side Ride, Or Gateway Gig?

by Dr. Todd Saxton and Dr. Kim Saxton, co-authors of “The Titanic Effect: Successfully Navigating the Uncertainties that Sink Most Startups“ 

Side hustles are quite the rage right now, in part enabled by technology and the gig economy. Surveys suggest that as many as 45% of American workers have a side hustle. Among them, 30% say they need the side hustle to cover their expenses, while 34% use it to generate disposable income. Millennials are more likely to have a side hustle than older workers. And people earning higher incomes are more likely to have a side hustle — in part, as some side hustles require capital to start.

What exactly is a side hustle? Generally, side hustles are work someone does outside of their full-time job – maybe to earn extra money on the side. It’s not a typical part-time job, though — e.g., working at the fast food restaurant 12 hours a week for some extra bucks. People with side hustles tend to generate income doing activities they are passionate about via freelancing, contracting, on-call work, or even starting their own part-time business. Think Lyft driving on the side, running a seasonal baked goods booth at the holiday mart, sharing your handiwork crafts via Etsy or even helping a company with their digital marketing content. We group side hustles into three categories:

The Hobby Hustle. You have a passion that is a craft or hobby that you can do for more than yourself, and even earn a little extra money — like your guitar repair business.

The Side Ride. You have a need and/or opportunity to make some extra bucks doing something you enjoy, like Lyft/Uber driving. It is meaningful and provides extra income, but not exactly a passion.

The Gateway Gig. You are doing one of the above for now, but hope that it — or a related opportunity — will become your full-time gig someday. For now, it is a means to explore a possible change.

People can make a surprising amount of money through their side hustles. The average income is more than $1000 per month. But, the majority of side hustles generate less than $500 per month. There is a wide range of outcomes—and as noted, objectives run the gamut from a temporary source of fun or funding, to working on a hobby or even to an exploration into something that could be bigger.

So if you are so inclined, when should you turn a side hustle into a full-time gig? There are no hard and fast rules, but here are some guidelines as to when to pull the trigger to a gateway gig:

1. It is or could generate enough profit to support you.

It seems obvious, but you need to pay attention to the profit. Hopefully, the side hustle is generating a profit. If not, that should be the first focus. If so, can that profit replace your full-time job? Or, if you were to put more effort into the side hustle, could the profit be increased enough to do that? It is not infrequent that people doing side hustles think their business is making money, but do not factor in their own time and opportunity cost. Make sure to invest your time where you can get the biggest payoff — whether that is financial or through intrinsic rewards. That might be a side hustle or it might be by investing more effort at your employer.

2. It would growth quickly if you worked on it full-time.

Once you have paying customers, you likely need a dedicated resource to service them. You can’t disappoint your customers! Growing a business takes work. You can get it started on a part-time basis. But, it will likely need you going full-time to really take off. When your full-time job interferes with getting necessary work done on the startup or former side gig, it’s time to make a switch.

3. It has enough traction that others might want to invest in it.

If your side hustle is growing rapidly, it might become a fundable startup. So, consider if it’s time to actively seek investment. Here are some key factors investors are looking for:  1) A reasonably large market, 2) a strong product that can differentiate itself, and 3) a team that can make the product successful. Want to know if your side hustle is fundable? Check out this blogpost.

You should not feel pressure to make your side hustle into something more. You might not like your Hobby Hustle if you try to make it a full-time source of income. If you are in it for fun, make sure it stays fun. A Side Ride might not sustainable as a sole means of income. Even worse, doing it full-time might actually be annoying as what were minor inconveniences interfere with making money. But if you have the itch to try converting your side hustle to your main Gig, maybe now is the time to start planning. Start to consider what events or success indicate that you are hitting the kind of milestones that make a side hustle actually a fundable startup. Whichever route you choose, hustle on!

 

Todd Saxton is associate professor of strategy and entrepreneurship and M. Kim Saxton is clinical professor of marketing at the IU Kelley School of Business at IUPUI. The Saxtons are co-authors of “The Titanic Effect: Successfully Navigating the Uncertainties that Sink Most Startups”.

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Consider Instant Online Payday Loans To Raise Emergency Funds

Now, there are many people who are losing their jobs and have to use instant online payday loans. It may be as a result of being laid off. The reason most people get these loans is because of their income.

It may be tough to keep a job. However, if you can come up with the cash and meet the loan payments that you need, it can be easier. Instant online payday loans allow you to get the money you need.

There are times when all you have is the salary that you get. Many times you may not even have any other way to get the money you need. However, if you get payday loans you will find that the cash you need will be in front of you in just a few hours.

Make sure that you find a company that you trust.

When you are looking to get payday loans, you should always be sure to find out what you need. Then, make sure that you find a company that you trust. There are companies that do not offer the best service and that can end up costing you more money. This is why you need to shop around and find the best payday loan provider.

There are many reasons to get instant online payday loans. However, the main reason is for those that are just out of work and have nothing to help them get by. These types of loans can give them the cash they need in a matter of hours.

This is especially useful for those that have a job and no where else to go. If youare just out of work, you may have some extra money saved up for emergencies. However, when this money gets put in an account, it is gone in a matter of days.

However, with payday loans, you will find that the money that you need will be available for you. You will never have to pay them back. There are no hidden fees and you do not have to pay a lot of money up front.

You can either apply for one online or you can contact a company near you.

When you get instant online payday loans, you can either apply for one online or you can contact a company near you. When you find a payday loan company that you trust, you can sign up for the loan. The money will be processed in a short amount of time.

In a matter of hours, you will know if you need to pay off a debt or not. You will never have to worry about interest rates on your loans. In addition, you will never have to wait for the money.

Payday loans are easy to get. You will never have to fill out too many paperwork forms. You can get your loans to go to a lender and have them sent to you within the day.

Once you are approved, you will never have to provide a credit check or fax documents. There are many different lenders and you can choose from a list of companies. This is how you can get the money you need and without having to get through a lot of red tape.

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5 Business Security Tips To Protect Your IT Systems

The global average cost of a security breach is $3.92 million. If your business isn’t ready to spend that type of money cleaning up a mess, you need to work on your business security.

Increasing your business security will boost your ability to confidently and confidentially serve customers. Continue reading to learn what to do to protect your IT systems.

1. Get Your Employees on the Right Page.

Don’t assume your employees understand basic cybersecurity best practices. Employee training can save your company thousands of dollars. The time and money you put into helping your employees learn how to avoid phishing schemes and other types of attacks will help you avoid disasters you’ll never know about.

2. Always Update Software.

It’s easy to forget to update software. As long as the software is running properly or isn’t causing too many problems, everyone keeps using it. Instead of ignoring software updates, your business should check for software updates regularly. As soon as an update is available, it needs to be applied.

3. Enforce Secure Passwords.

Another simple fix that many people still ignore is secure passwords. If you or your employees are still using birthdays or pet names as passwords — you need to cut it out right away.

Having a specific set of requirements for secure passwords will help keep your company safe from attacks. There are password generators you and your employees can use if you need help keeping it random.

If people are worried they won’t be able to remember their passwords, you can look into using a password manager for your company.

4. Use Security Software.

Hackers are always looking for companies that have security issues. If you don’t have security software running on all your devices, you might find yourself in a sticky situation.

Using quality security software will help you avoid downtime and security breaches. This software usually doesn’t cost a great deal of money and can keep you from losing thousands of dollars to resolve what happens due to the attack.

5. Outsource Your Security.

If you don’t feel confident in your ability to implement these important security measures, you may need some additional help. You might even be confident in your ability to do the things above, but you don’t have time.

Investing in cybersecurity services to help you take care of important issues while you focus on your core business could be a good move for your business. Review a few options for your business and see what works best for your needs.

6. Increasing Your Business Security.

Now you know more about how to increase your business security. Small and large businesses have problems with security breaches and now you know how to protect yourself no matter how small or big your business is.

Do you need more help with security and other important issues? Our site is full of articles to help you as you’re growing your business.

Browse our website, find a section that interests you, bookmark it, and visit us again soon.

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The Glow Up: 13 Sources Of Alternative Financing For Startup Businesses

Are you having trouble getting financing for your business through your bank or credit union? If so, don’t give up; you still have options.

If you can’t get a traditional loan through your financial institution, you should consider alternative financing. Alternative financing is usually easier to obtain than traditional loans and can easily be applied for online in a few minutes. To see what alternative financing options you have, keep reading below.

First Things First: What Is Alternative Financing?

Alternative financing can be defined as the means of obtaining capital outside of the traditional banking system. Most of these alternative options are available online and the applicant will never need to step foot inside of a bank to obtain these financing means.

Alternative financing can be obtained through places such as crowdfunding platforms, online loan marketplaces, third-party payment providers such as PayPal, and cryptocurrencies. Usually, when it comes to alternative financing for your business, it means that you will be applying online for a loan of some sort.

As for the reasons you may choose alternative financing over traditional financing, it’s that it can be easier to maintain than a traditional loan at a bank and it can be faster and more convenient. There are a few options when it comes to alternative financing, and below we have outlined a few to help you find the best option for you and your business.

1. Short-Term Loans.

Short-term loans are a great alternative way to finance your business and the best part is it can all be done online. This loan is a type of term loan that has a shorter repayment time than traditional loans that’s usually within a year or just a few months.

Short-term loans also offer other benefits, such as a factor rate fee structure instead of a traditional interest rate. The lender will care less about your credit score when applying and more about your business’s revenue, which makes getting a short-term loan a breeze.

Another upside to short-term loans is that they are usually processed in just a few business days, which is great for when you need a loan fast. Just beware when applying for short-term loans online. Do some research and make sure the site you’re applying through is legit.

2. Project Financing.

If you’re looking to fund a non-traditional project or a complex one, then getting funds through project finance is the best decision for you and your business. Project financing is a long-term loan that will give you the funds to complete a project in any stage of the development process.

3. Merchant Cash Advances.

Merchant cash advances are similar to short-term loans in the sense that they are easy to obtain, can have a factor rate interest fee, and can be more expensive than a loan you can get through your bank or credit union.

When looking at a merchant cash advance, it’s important to point out that it isn’t a loan. In fact, a merchant cash advance is an advance on your future earnings.

The lender you choose will front you a sum of money that you both agree upon. Then, they will start recouping the advance with interest.

The collection will be in line with your daily sales, meaning they will take a percentage of them until the advance is paid back in full. Merchant cash advances should only be considered if you can’t get any other funding for your business.

4. Business Credit Cards.

If you’re looking for a useful way to pay your business expenses without taking out a loan, then getting a business credit card is the right route to go. These credit cards can be used to pay items that have a large price tag or even ones that have a smaller bill.

The best part is that as you put bills on your credit card, you will also be earning points or credit through your credit card institution to help with future bills. When selecting your business credit card, make sure to get the one that will give you the most cash back on the items you will be buying the most.

5. Microloans.

When a loan is less than $35,000, it’s considered a microloan. They have a low interest rate and are usually given to newer businesses and start-ups that need working capital. They are ideal for groups that are under-represented such as veterans, women and minority-owned businesses, and those with bad credit.

To get a microloan, you will have to venture online. Usually, banks are not interested in lending out these small loans. So if you’re looking to get a loan face-to-face, you’re out of luck here.

6. Lines of Credit Through Online Lenders.

A line of credit is a lending option that can be obtained from an online lender or a traditional bank. When it comes to loans for your business, usually, lines of credit are easier to obtain online than a regular bank.

A line of credit is a safety net in a way. It’s a source of working capital for businesses, which means you are granted a specific amount of money that you can withdraw at any time. A line of credit can be compared to a credit card, but you are only charged interest on the amount you take out.

Getting an online line of credit for your business is a great alternative financing choice because it won’t require you to have a specific amount of money to open it. It will help you get the money you need in tight times, such as paying payroll.

7. Online Crowdfunding.

If you’re looking to raise money from affiliates and peers and not take out a loan, then you should consider crowdfunding. When it comes to crowdfunding, there are 4 different types. They are debt, equity, rewards, and charity.

When using rewards crowdfunding, you will not be required to pay the money back, but you will have to give those who donate something in return. Equity-based crowdfunding is when someone invests in your business in exchange for products or a share.

For some businesses and start-ups, crowdfunding is the only option for them to receive funds. There are multiple crowdfunding sites online. All you have to do is set up an account and then distribute your link to those who are interested in helping you out.

8. Small Business Administration Loans.

The United States backed organization known as the Small Business Administration (SBA) has loans that are a great alternative to traditional bank loans. SBA loans can be given through online lenders and provide you with the safeguard of knowing that if you default on the loan, the SBA will repay a portion of the debt left behind.

SBA loans usually come at a lower interest rate since there is less risk for the bank or lender. The SBA offers a few different loan programs, so you should look to see which one fits you and your business the best.

9. Online Loans.

When it comes to obtaining loans online, you will find a multitude of online lenders that are offering financing products very similar to a traditional bank’s term loans and lines of credit. The way that online loans differ from ones you can get down the street is that they come with less strict requirements, so it’s easy for almost any business owner to obtain them.

Online loans are also easier to apply for than the latter and are usually funded in record time. The only downside to these loans is that they will have a higher interest rate than the ones you can obtain through your credit union or local bank.

We suggest getting an online loan if you’ve been declined for a loan at your bank or credit union. Since these loans have a bit more leeway in the requirements, you’re bound to be approved in no time.

10. Invoice Factoring.

Invoice factoring is financing that will free up cash from outstanding invoices. You will go through an invoice factoring company that will buy all your unpaid invoices for a percentage of what they are actually worth.

Then, the company will collect payments from the customers that have outstanding invoices. Once they’ve received the money, they will send you the remaining amount of the invoice and keep a small service fee.

If your business has a number of unpaid invoices that lead to cash flow issues, then this is the best decision for you. You will get your cash one way or another and bad credit isn’t an issue for the factoring companies.

11. Term Loans.

A term loan is also known as an installment loan. This financing option is a traditional form of business financing that is usually obtained from a local bank or credit union. The designation of term loan means that over a set amount of time, the loan is repaid with your choice of a fixed or variable interest rate.

The structure of term loans is very similar to that of traditional loans. The only difference is that there are many choices online for term loans. Term loans can be applied for directly online through your selected lender’s marketplace or even over a crowdfunding platform.

Usually, these modern term loans are more customizable and user-friendly when compared to traditional loans from banks. These loans have flexibility and transparency built in, which allows you to receive funds and send payments online without any confusion or hassles.

12. Invoice Financing.

You may be thinking that invoice financing sounds pretty similar to invoice factoring. The truth is that they are two different things.

When it comes to invoicing financing, the company you choose will give you a line of credit, using your unpaid invoices as collateral. The amount of the line of credit will depend upon your outstanding invoices. Unline invoice factoring, the company will not buy your invoices, so it’s on you to call and collect from your customers.

If your business has a decent amount of unpaid invoices but doesn’t need cash right away, this is the perfect option. It has lower fees than invoice factoring, which means more money in your pocket.

13. Business Grants.

Even though grants are the most difficult type of financing on our list to get, they are worth it if you think you’re eligible. Before going to take out a loan, look to see what grants are up for grabs and what their requirements are.

You have nothing to lose by applying and seeing if you can get some free money. Most business grants are funded by the government and even some privately held businesses will offer them.

The best part about grants is that you will not be required to pay them back and there will be no interest involved. When it comes to needing money without interest or fees, grants are the best way to do so.

14. Now You Know What Alternative Financing Options You Have for Your Business.

Figuring out the best way to finance your business can be a hassle, especially if you’ve been declined for a traditional loan through your bank or credit union. We’re here to help you get over this rough patch by listing out the top 13 alternative financing options you have for you and your business.

From financing that uses unpaid invoices to ones that don’t care about your credit score, you’re bound to find the best financing to get your business up and running.

For more information and tips on business start-ups, be sure to check out the rest of our website.

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Does Your Small Business Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

by Veronica Baxter

Perhaps. Statutory workers’ compensation laws are particular to each state, but in general, businesses having employees that are not large enough to self-insure must carry workers’ comp insurance. The number and type of employees triggering the workers’ compensation insurance requirement varies, and each state has different exceptions to that requirement.

The Number of Employees You Have Matters.

In most states, if you have just one employee you must carry workers’ compensation insurance. These include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida (for construction businesses), Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri (if a construction business), Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee (if construction, coal mining, or trades), Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming,

In Virginia, if an employer has two (2) or more employees it is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

In a handful of states, if you have three (3) or more employees you must carry workers’ compensation insurance. These include Arkansas, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.

In Rhode Island and South Carolina, if you have four (4) or more employees you must carry workers’ compensation insurance.

In a handful of states, if you have five (5) or more employees you must carry workers’ compensation insurance. These include Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri (all businesses except construction), Tennessee (if not construction, coal mining, or trades), West Virginia (if agriculture),

In Florida, if you have an agricultural business and have six (6) or more employees and twelve (12) or more seasonal employees, you must carry workers’ compensation insurance.

In Texas, workers’ compensation insurance is optional unless the business is a construction company on contract for the government.

The Size of Your Business Might Matter.

In Kansas, workers comp insurance is required for all businesses with employees and with gross payroll over $20,000 a year.

The Type of Employees You Have Might Matter.

Most states provide an exception for household and domestic employees, such as Alabama, Arizona, Colorado (when part-time), D.C (when working less than 240 during a calendar quarter), Hawaii (when earning less than $225 per quarter), Idaho, Iowa (if making less than $1500/year), Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi (if less than five workers), Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota (if working less than 20 hrs/week and less than 6 weeks in any 13-week period), Utah, Washington (unless there are two or more employees at 40 hrs/week or more),

Most states provide an exception for farm laborers and harvest or transient help, such as Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois (if less than 400 days of labor a year), Iowa (if farm pays less than $2500/year), Kansas (if gross payroll under $20K), Kentucky, Maine, Maryland (if less than 3 FT employees or less than $15K annual payroll), Mississippi (if less than five workers), Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina (if less than ten workers), Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont (if annual payroll is less than $10K), Washington (if minors working on the family farm),

Some states exempt real estate agents and other brokers paid by commission from workers’ compensation.  These include Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah.

Alaska provides an exception for commercial fishermen.

Large National Businesses May Self-Insure.

Most states allow large businesses to self-insure except North Dakota and Ohio, which require businesses to purchase workers comp insurance from a state-administered fund.

Inquire as to the Specific Requirements Where You Do Business.

Every state has a specific definition of “employee” for the purposes of workers’ comp. Many states include part-time workers, and several states include family members, minors, and illegal aliens as employees. Every state also specifies whether sole proprietors, single member LLCs, partners, and family farms are considered employees and may opt-out or into workers’ comp.

The bottom line is, look carefully at your state’s workers’ comp requirements and if doing business in more than one state, look at every state’s requirements.

 

Veronica Baxter is a blogger and legal assistant living and working in the great city of Philadelphia. She frequently works with Larry Pitt, Esq., a busy Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer.

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The Benefits Of Alternative Education For At-Risk Students

There is significant data to illustrate the importance of providing the right kind of educational opportunities to at-risk and special needs children. Sadly, students from lower income families are often less likely to have adequate access to nutritional food, safe housing and suitable healthcare.

It’s never been more important to work towards a positive educational future for children who are considered at-risk or have special needs. In this article, we look at some of the huge benefits to be had from high-quality early childhood, youth empowerment and alternative education programs.

Positive Outcomes from Alternative Education.

There is a big correlation between early childhood programs and boosts in real income later on in life. Children who have been exposed to a high quality start can expect 3.5% in income improvements upon reaching adulthood.

Additionally, a youth empowerment program has been shown to boost countless personality attributes such as behavior, self-esteem, better social skills and far better academic results.

One of the biggest benefits of alternative education programs for at risk youth comes from engaging with the positive environment. Negative peer pressure and influence can play a part in amplifying risk-taking behavior, but spending time around more positive influences not only reduces the opportunity to take a misstep, but also promotes an environment in which poor decision making is reduced. This is an important factor as they transition from childhood, through teenage years and into adulthood.

This isn’t just exclusively the responsibility of the educational environment, of course, and a supportive family, social and community network plays a huge role in boosting these benefits.

There is a big correlation between low income families and children developing obesity (around 45% of children living in poverty are considered overweight or even obese). This contrasts sharply with children from wealthier families who tend not be overweight or obese.

However, despite the negative effect of low income backgrounds on obesity rates in children, this youth development program in Brooklyn, New York, focuses heavily on nutritional guidance while incorporating meaningful exercise into their daily routines. The outcome was extremely positive with engaged students losing an average of 20lbs in weight and moving into a healthy BMI range.

An education support program in the US called 4-H has had some fantastic results in children across a variety of age groups. Simply by being involved in the program, students doubled their likelihood of taking part in extra-curricular information technology, engineering or science courses. 10th and 12th grade girls specifically seemed to respond well, and their participation in the program led to doubling and tripling their likelihood of engaging with science based subjects.

Without people training, developing and learning new skills in this sector, particularly in their ability to identify students who are struggling in a traditional classroom environment, children would not have these increasing number of opportunities to engage in alternative education. With a joined-up approach to alternative education, children can benefit from early years education through to graduating with a diploma and, more importantly, getting a significant head start in life.

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