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Do You Have a Clue on Finding the Right Temp Worker?

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With many businesses in a quandary these days between hiring more help and cutting back on expenses, the issue of hiring temporary workers oftentimes comes to the forefront.

Should we disperse more of the work among our full-time employees? Should we reach out to a temp agency to bring in people for a period of time? Is it better that we place our own ad looking for temp workers? These are just some of the decisions that come into play for the business man or woman trying to best organize their staff.

Over time, the expense of hiring temp workers is often cheaper than the cost of bringing on permanent employees with benefits.  In the short term, it typically proves to be cost-efficient to hire a temp.  Meantime, for jobs that figure to last six months or longer, it may pay to bring on a full-time employee.

If you find yourself debating this issue, there are a number of things to keep in mind before you pull the trigger on such a decision.

They include:

1. How long will I need the help? – First and foremost, determine how long you will need temporary help. Is it just for a few days to catch up on business? Is one of your full-time staff taking a vacation or longer leave of absence? Could the temp help possibly be part of our team for several months? Knowing the timeline goes a long way in deciding who to hire;

2. What type of temp worker do I want? – Temp workers come in all varieties, so which one will be best for your office? Is your office very conservative, meaning it is mostly all work and no play? If so, you may be looking for a little older employee who has been around for a while and can get right down to business. Then again, if your office is very laid back and even fun to work in, maybe someone a little younger who brings a lot of energy and spirit to the job. There are older workers who are fun to be around, just as there are younger workers who can roll up their sleeves and work hard for you. Knowing your office culture will help you in determining just the right fit. The last thing you want is hiring someone that will throw off the office chemistry, creating more problems than solutions;

3. Will the temp worker need a great degree of training? – One of the other important aspects to the decision is the necessary experience level of the temp worker. Are you planning on bringing them into a challenging situation where skills are of the utmost importance? If so, do you have the time to train them? If you are more in need of general office work, this issue should not really be a problem. While a temp agency should supply you with qualified workers, you do not always get what you ask for;

4. What is our pay scale for temp workers – Since just about no one works for free these days, do you know what you will pay any temps who work for you? While you are likely looking to save money in today’s economy, short-changing a temp worker could also lead to so-so results. Make sure you and the temp agency (if you are working with one) are clear on expected salary for the individual that will be filling in at your business;

5.  Finding the right temp agency – Lastly, locating the right temp agency to work with is critical. In order to improve your chances of finding the right one, take the time to find one that meets your particular needs. Review their websites to find out how long they’ve been in business, their “mission statement” and the kinds of temp employees and services they offer. The last thing you need is getting sent a few “lemons” before finding the right fit for your business.

Photo credit: excelle.monster.com

Dave Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience as a writer, covering news, sports, marketing, SEO, press releases, social media and more. You’ll find Dave at: http://www.examiner.com/news-in-san-diego/dave-thomas

Did You or Washington Build Your Business?

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Unless you have been living under a rock in recent months, you have likely heard the argument coming out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue regarding your small business.

It goes something like: “If you’ve got a business. you didn’t build that.  Somebody else made that happen.  The Internet didn’t get invented on its own.  Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.”

First, let me assure you that I’m not here to discuss politics.

I have gone on the record in recent times as saying that if Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are the two best candidates come November we can find to run for the world’s most powerful job, we’re all in deep trouble. There, that’s my two cents on the politics in Washington, D.C., so onto the more important stuff.

There seems to be this notion out there that small business owners are unable to do anything on their own without the intervention of  government. Be it a loan or other assistance, Washington must somehow be involved in order for the next great small business idea to take flight.

While I was not a straight A student in high school and college history classes, I can assure you that our Founding Fathers wanted government to stay out of our lives as much as possible. Unfortunately, it seems like government is more involved in our lives these days than at any point in recent history. For the small business owner, that is not a good scenario.

Whether you have been running a small business for years, just opened one, or have that notion floating around in your head to do so, YOU are the one who makes it happen. You are also the one who is having to put forth the blood, sweat and tears to realize your dream. Lastly, you are the one that will sink or swim with your small business.

One of the best things about living in the greatest country in the world is the opportunities that are out there for each and everyone of us. Unlike other parts of the world where one can only dream of opening a small business, play your cards right here and you can be that person.

While we do need governmental help from time to time, YOU can start your own business, run it successfully, and even employ others without Washington lifting a finger.

Despite the fact that many small businesses fail, there are many, many more success stories that we see and hear about on a regular basis.

The question is, will you be one of the success stories?

If the answer is yes, tell the politicians in Washington that YOU built that business, not them.

Photo credit: cambridgema.gov

Dave Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience as a writer, covering news, sports marketing, SEO, press releases, social media and more. You’ll find Dave at: http://www.examiner.com/news-in-san-diego/dave-thomas

Is Your Business Getting Regularly Hosed at the Gas Pump?

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They go up and they go down. They impact businesses and consumers alike. They bring out anger and frustration in just about everyone that sets foot inside a vehicle.

Yes, gas prices are one thing that most people despite their political views can agree on. In most cases, people would conclude they are getting hosed by the oil industry.

For the small business owner that is just trying to get by, higher fuel prices can mean added debt, less opportunity to grow their business, and a whole lot of frustration at the end of the day.

So, how can the men and women running small businesses stay on top of their company fuel prices and not be in done in by big oil?

One answer is turning to GPS tracking software.

The bottom line is GPS can tell the employer how far their employee/s went when behind the wheel of company vehicles, if they are properly utilizing their time while on the clock, and whether or not they need to consolidate trips.

In the event your company gas bills are adding up quicker than the U.S. medal count at the Summer Olympics, there are a number of benefits to having GPS software on your company vehicles.

They include:

  • Decreased operating expenses – Watching out for employee activities such as speeding or excessive idling not only saves on fuel expenses, but  also decreases the damage done to company vehicles;
  • Decreased insurance rates by some 35 percent – A large number of insurance companies offer reduced premiums for companies that have vehicles with real-time GPS systems;
  • Eliminating paper logs – When putting in place a digital record, employers can monitor not only fuel costs and vehicle maintenance expenses, but also audits;
  • Discovering unnecessary side trips – Many employees get a little frisky while out there with the company vehicle, perhaps deciding to take a little side trip here and there. As their employer, it is your job to remind them that they are on company business with the vehicle and not out running personal errands. A GPS system can log the mileage and location of the vehicle, making it harder for the employee to explain why it took them three hours to make a customer visit;
  • Better customer response time – Lastly, a GPS system will show you whether or not your employees are meeting the needs of customers in a timely manner. You can also consolidate trips by having the employee meet with several customers in the same geographic area so that you are not making individual trips to each customer over several days, meaning more fuel costs.

With no sign in sight of consistently lower gas prices, it behooves the small business owner who currently does not employ GPS tracking in their company vehicles to consider it.

Remember, your profits are for the business you have been building, not for the oil companies.

Photo credit: customgpstracking.com

Dave Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience as a writer, covering news, sports marketing, SEO, press releases, social media and more. You’ll find Dave at: http://www.examiner.com/news-in-san-diego/dave-thomas

 

Is Your Business Connected to the Right Web Host Provider?

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As a small business owner, having a sizable and sound presence on the Internet can be the difference between an average business and one that is going places.

In order to achieve such a presence, however, one needs to have put together a solid Web site that is free of gaffes, easy to navigate, and offers the consumer something.

Finding the right web hosting provider is not always the easiest thing to do, given you yourself may not be very adept at what you need. If that is the case, even more time and research should be taken so that your choice does not leave you and your Web site down.

When searching for a web hosting provider, keep the following in mind so that you do not go blindly into the search:

* Know the needed capacity – The percentage of storage capacity your business requires will depend on what kind of site you are putting together. If you are constructing an article directory where your required web space will increase rapidly, decide how much the expense will grow for such needs;
* Understand the required bandwidth – Another key factor is to determine what amount of bandwidth your site will most likely need, especially if you figure on providing the public with things like audio, podcasts, streaming video etc. over time;
* Know if you will face a setup fee – As competition among web hosting providers heats up, that should mean savings for your business. That being said, if a web host provider notes it will be charging you a setup charge for its services, shop around;
* Understand the provider’s thoughts on tech support – The idea should always be to locate a hosting provider that is at your service on a 24-hour basis. Given that server issues occur at all hours of the day, don’t settle on a service provider that can’t meet your potential service needs;
* Check out the company’s history – Lastly, do a background check on the service providers you are looking into working with. See if there is any track record of complaints, if their company proves to be financially solvent, and if they have a history of quality service. Issues in any of these three areas should serve as a red flag.

When it comes to finding the right web host provider for your small business, don’t be left disconnected.

Photo credit: http://www.etamhost.com/tag/web-hosting-provider/

Dave Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience as a writer, covering marketing, SEO, press releases, social media and more. You’ll find Dave at BeeMoreSocial

 

Have What it Takes to Run a Small Business?

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In my blog piece last week, I talked about the potential need to turn to family and/or friends for funding for those looking to start their own small business.

Yes, such a move can be tricky on several fronts, most notably potentially upsetting relationships that have formed over decades. But before you possibly go to a loved one or friend with your hand out, consider the pros and cons of starting your own venture in the first place.

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA) as of 2011, there were some 27 million small businesses nationwide, with anywhere from 60 to 80 percent of all new employment created in the U.S. attributable to small business.

So, are you looking to become one of the millions of small businesses nationwide? In the event you are, keep these four factors in mind:

1. Have a mission statement – It is of utmost importance that you clearly define why you are going into business for yourself in the first place. Sit down and put in writing the reasoning behind your business, what your business will do, and what your long-term goals are for the company. Not only does this help you stay on track, but it also gives potential customers an idea of what they can expect from you as far as products and services. If your mission is simply to make a whole lot of money, trust me, you’re already off to a bad start;

2. Learn New Skills
When you take over as your own boss, there are many hats to wear. In many cases, it is too soon for you to hire much help if any at all. That being the case, you need to make sure that you can handle a diverse number of tasks like sales, accounting, marketing, and project management. In today’s world, all of the above-mentioned skills are important to your business having a fighting chance, especially marketing. Long gone are the days where you just hung a shingle out and waited for people to come into your office. In 2012 and going forward, marketing involves things like social media, SEO, email blasts and more. One of the first things I always recommend to someone thinking about going out on their own is that they be social networking savvy. You do not have to live on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc., but you do need to know how to work them, how to market yourself, and how to outshine the competition;

3. Be willing to work long hours – Whether you are running a restaurant, floral shop or your own marketing company, be ready to roll up your sleeves and put in some time. When you are working for someone else, it is normally their job to make the assignments, balance the books and put out the fires, i.e. customer service complaints. When you are the top man or woman, however, you get to make all those wonderful calls. As someone that has been laid off for several weeks now, I have actually found that doing freelance work for this individual and that company, etc. is tougher than I thought it would be on a regular basis. While my freelance work use to consist of evenings and/or Sundays, it now keeps me hopping from early in the morning until the time I go to bed. I find myself spending lots of time doing research and writing most days, along with looking for another full-time position. Given I have some friends that run their own companies, I can tell you first-hand from my chats with them that they are always thinking about the next project, how they can grow, and what it will take to increase their return on investment (ROI). If you are not willing to put the time in, running your own business is not a good call;

4. Appreciate your opportunities – I can’t help but always remind myself on a daily basis of how grateful I am to have been born and raised in the U.S. While there are opportunities to be a successful businessperson in other parts of the world, there are also many regions where the dream of running one’s own business is just that. Even in the event you open a business, give it all you have for a year or years and it fails, appreciate the fact that you had this opportunity in the first place.

I found an interesting Tweet recently (not mine) that said “Success” depends on the second letter of the word. That comment really resonated with me as I explore my options today.

Running a small business is not for everyone; those that choose such a venture should always refer to that Tweet I mentioned a moment ago.

To me, that says it all.

Photo credit: http://www.forbes.com/2010/11/02/retire-early-plan-lifestyle-personal-best-10-saving_slide_2.html

Dave Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience as a writer, covering marketing, SEO, press releases, social media and more. Contact Dave at: http://beemoresocial.wordpress.com/

Should I Borrow Money from Family or Friends to Start a Business?

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With the national unemployment rate still hovering around 8 percent, many individuals have found themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to wanting to start their own businesses.

Whether they are looking to get out of the daily corporate world or have been laid off and are thinking of trying a new means by which to make money, the idea of starting one’s own business comes with many challenges. The most daunting challenge is oftentimes coming up with the money to set out on for what many is the dream of a lifetime.

As someone that has fallen victim to the layoff bug twice in seven years, the dream of owning my own marketing business has always been biting at me. Do I have the time and patience to go out on my own in the business world? Do I have the necessary financial resources or am I better off looking for a regular job with a steady paycheck? Lastly, can I make a go of it when there are so many other people doing exactly what I want to do and be my own boss?

I’ve had to come to terms with those questions recently in light of a company layoff, so now seemed as good a time as ever to consider these things.

While I have a very supportive set of parents, along with some true friends that are there when I need them, I would never once think of asking for financial assistance to start my own business from any of them. My feeling has always been that I would and could do this on my own should I choose to go that route.

Given that I am likely touching on some thoughts that others have had, I would recommend considering the following should you be thinking about reaching out to others for financial assistance in hopes of starting your own small business:

* Get it in writing – If you do come to an agreement with parents, other family members or friends to assist you in getting a small business off the ground, by all means get it in writing. Too many people work out deals where nothing is in writing, then all hell breaks loose when it comes time to start paying the loans back. Whether it is a parent or your best friend, produce a legal document that shows exactly how much will be loaned, when the money is expected to be paid back, and what the terms are regarding any missed payments;

* Are there alternative sources? – While it is easy to turn to family and friends for funds in hopes of opening a small business, are there other sources for the funds? Although the economy is still struggling along, a good credit record and a good mission plan can get you in the door for a bank loan, etc. While bank loans can be scary because of penalties, interest etc. that can accrue, at least you avoid the potential for a family blow out should you fall behind on payments;

* Will this put family or friends in a bad financial spot? – One reason I have always been hesitant to ask family and/or friends for loans for such a business venture is because I know they have bills just as I do. Knowing this,I find it hard to simply reach out for a loan, feeling like I am taking away needed funds from them when emergencies can crop  up at anytime;

* I can do this on my own – We all have streaks of stubbornness in us, myself especially at times. The last thing I’d want to do is ask someone close to me for a business loan when I know that many people  out there, including family and friends, are having just as tough a time as myself  meeting daily financial needs. One of the great things about doing it on your  own, even if that means a number of struggles along the way, is recognizing  that all your sweat and tears were worth it over time. I’m still weighing my business options now some three weeks after a company layoff.

While I have drafted a business site and begun marketing myself to potential clients, I am not at the point yet where I am in need of financial assistance to get things off and running.

When that time comes, you can bet that going to family and friends will be a last option for me. Not because they would not help me, but because I’m one stubborn person at times.

Then again, being a little stubborn never hurt the best of business owners.

Photo credit: theatlantic.com

Dave Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience as a writer, covering marketing, SEO, press releases, social media and more. Contact Dave at: http://beemoresocial.wordpress.com/