Author: digitalmaya
Tips to Further Grow Your Business
Just because you’ve gotten your start-up company off the ground and kept your doors open for a year now, doesn’t mean all the hard work is done. Even if you’re in the black and constantly turning a profit, there are still practical steps and strategies you can employ to further optimize the performance of your employees, yourself and your business as a whole.
- Celebrate your victories – The up and down nature of the economy can be a rollercoaster ride for any business owner, but when you do finally achieve stable, consistent growth and hit one of the milestones you’ve been working towards, take the time to celebrate it. This doesn’t mean puff a Cuban cigar in the privacy of your corner office; celebrate it with all the hard working people who made it possible. Give out public recognition and rewards for those who have helped achieve your sustained success so that to share the sense of accomplishment and will continue to work hard in promoting your company’s growth.
- Let employees think for themselves – Give the people who work with you the freedom to implement their own ideas and actions within your business model. If they take ownership of their own ideas they will be more deeply invested in driving those ideas to flourish. This will also allow employees to take pride in their own work and hold themselves more personally accountable for the success of their own work and the company at large.
- Take Smart Risks – Sometimes business owners work so hard to see initial results that once they actually have something worth losing they are too terrified to make any tough decisions. Bold entrepreneurial spirit is what got you where you are in the first place; don’t let success change the way you think. This is not an endorsement to fly out to Vegas for the weekend and bet the employee pension fund on black, but when a venture comes along that has the potential to change the face of your company in a good way, don’t be afraid to roll the dice.
The Big Idea
Every successful small company and major corporation started with one feature in common: a great idea. Without a compelling and inspiring central idea, your company is doomed to a limited lifespan, no matter how much capital you can crank into it. This basic idea is generally very simple in and of itself, addressing a specific need in the local or global community and answering it with a plausible, implementable solution. It is not enough, however, to simply have a great idea. After all, plenty of people have million dollar ideas every day but are unable to get their concept off the ground.
In order to achieve success, this idea must be clearly communicated, so that the company itself stands for exactly what it claims to offer. Especially at the onset of a new business venture, it is essential for employees, clients and business owners alike to have a firm grasp what the business is all about, so that its product or service is not misrepresented, intentionally or unintentionally. When the big idea either cannot withstand the test of time or is not clearly communicated through all channels, the company is plagued by unreasonable expectations across an evolving business landscape. To steal from an old proverb, your business should not be a house made of sand, in other words, a loosely integrated stream of thoughts, products and theories. Instead, make sure the concept is clearly thought out from a variety of angles and all ideas that stem from the base concept are clearly integrated to promote the same identity. If your business rests on a firm foundation, in the form of a concrete idea, from there you can continue to build upwards, expanding in a way that is consistent with the company’s established codes and values. This allows for on-strategy innovation while limiting the unexpected surprises that spring up all too often when the central concept is not clearly communicated.
Creative Incentives to Keep Employees Happy
Keeping employees happy is a struggle for employers every single day. It brings a challenge to businesses looking for creative ways to keep people happy and staying around longer to work. The key to keeping employees happy may be in some creative and simple incentives.
One way to keep employees happy is by allowing them to have a flexible work schedule. Family time for special functions or just being home at the dinner table together can mean a lot to an employee. Allowing employees time off when needed, working on flexed time schedules, and being creative with their work time will make them want to give something back to the company.
Another simple way of keeping employees happy is the simple gift of coffee and teas. It’s been a proven fact that those who are given unlimited benefits of free coffee and tea are much more effective and happy employees.
Work function and events that involve family members are fun ways to allow personal and business to mix and as well gives the employee a free way to entertain the family. These small rewards are very appreciated by employees.
Incentives that allow employees to pay less money into insurance programs can be a great benefit to an employee and keep them around longer. A 401K program where the employer matches up to a certain percent of what you put in is a great benefit to an employee. Health clubs and gym memberships being waived or paid by an employer can be another great incentive to keep an employee happy.
Another simple way of keeping employees happy is the simple gift of coffee and teas. It’s been a proven fact that those who are given unlimited benefits of free coffee and tea are much more effective and happy employees.
It’s also important to ensure employees feel comfortable and confident while at work. Allowing for self expression and individuality through office decorations and uniform can support this. Click here to view customisable uniform options for staff.
Work function and events that involve family members are fun ways to allow personal and business to mix and as well gives the employee a free way to entertain the family. These small rewards are very appreciated by employees.
POTLUCK LUNCHES: ENJOYING DIFFERENT DISHES, DISCOVERING INTERESTING CULTURES
By definition, a potluck is a gathering of people in which each person or group prepares a food to be shared to others. A potluck is also known as Jacob’s join/Jacob’s supper, pitch-in, and dish-to-pass, among others. The word ‘pot-luck’ dates back during the 16th century; however until today, we can still see a lot of people organizing potluck lunches within the neighbourhood, in churches, and even in offices.
The Essence of Potluck Lunch
A potluck lunch is not merely the act of preparing and sharing foods to other people and consuming the foods other people have prepared in return. Aside from having the chance to taste the dishes that your new friends have been boasting of, a potluck lunch is also a great chance to learn where they came from and discover their interesting cultures.
Perhaps, your neighbours, church mates, and office mates are not all of the same race. Some are white, some are black, and each comes from different corners of the globe. This diversity should not be something that would cause issues; instead, this should be a means for all of you to unite. But how can potluck lunches make this possible?
Planning a Potluck with Neighbors
Let’s take your neighbourhood as an example. Plan a date where every neighbour is free, weekends perhaps. To add a twist to the potluck lunch, ask each
neighbour/family to bring a dish that is native to their country of origin and require them to wear their national costume. Wearing a costume during a potluck lunch may sound odd but if only everyone will participate, then you will realize how fun and memorable it could be.
Ok, the date for the potluck lunch is set. Now, your next problem is the foods you will bring to the table. For this matter, making use of the internet would be a great help. Typing ‘potluck recipes’ in Google will give you more than ten pages of search results. From sweet treats like cookies, cupcakes, and salads to appetizers, side dishes, soups, and the main course; you will realize there are countless of recipes for you to choose from.
A potluck lunch does not only gather people together. It also opens doors of meeting new people and makes way for new friendship. In your area, do you have a lot of neighbours but only know them by name? Or, are you getting too busy with work that you could not find a time to say hello to the people living next door? If your answer to these questions is yes, then it is about time to plan a potluck lunch.
SMART TIPS FOR AVOIDING WINTER FLIGHT PROBLEMS!
Winter can be a fickle mistress. You’ve bought your tickets to travel home for the holidays or to a sunny local, and BOOM, snowmageddon happens. Suddenly, your world goes into a tailspin as you scramble to fix the problem mother nature started. Don’t fret, we’re going to make sure you little get to your destination with these helpful tips for Avoiding Winter Flight Problems!
When I was still a call center agent in a travel company, the call volume is usually high starting from the last few weeks of November until the first few weeks of January. Why? Well, the traffic is not all because of Christmas and New Year itinerary bookings; but also because during these times, bulks of customers call to change and/or cancel their flights due to heavy flurries and some other issues related to the winter season.
As a customer, regardless if you booked your flight directly from the airline’s website or a travel agency, keep in mind that speaking to a customer service representative to make changes or perhaps cancel your flight due to weather-related reasons will not only take one minute of your time. Therefore, to avoid waiting for an hour for someone to answer you and another hour for your concern to be resolved, take note of these tips on how to avoid distress when travelling amidst the inconvenient winter snow.
#1: Be vigilant.
Preparing for a future travel does not end after booking your flight. Especially when travelling during winter, it is your responsibility to always be knowledgeable regarding weather updates and the current status of your flight. Remember that heavy flurries mean low visibility, which most of the time leads to flight delays and/or cancellations. Hence, if you are not the type of person who loves to sit at the airport for hours (who would want it, anyway?), then follow the next tip.
#2: Either rebook your flight for free or ask for a full refund.
If you think travelling on an earlier or later date is a good option, then call the airline/travel agency immediately to have your flight changed without paying additional fees. However, there’s a catch. Rebooking your flight for free is only possible when the airline has already issued a travel advisory. Sometimes, even if the news already says it is not good to travel at a particular date but the airline did not issue a travel advisory yet, then making changes to your itinerary will be at your own expense. Furthermore, the ‘change’ in your flight only means changes in the date and time, and not to the origin or destination, even if it’s a nearby airport.
Otherwise, if you decide not to go at all, then ask if a full refund is possible. If yes, then that’s good news. But do not be too confident; not all airlines are generous when it comes to processing a refund. Most of them will just give you a flight credit. Meaning, in cases of full cancellation, the amount you have paid can be used for another flight within a year from the original date you have booked the cancelled flight.
Sounds tricky? To put it simply, say you have booked your original flight on December, but decide to cancel; you will be given the chance to book another flight using the amount you have paid (credit) and you must travel on or before December. Of course, you are required to pay any difference in the rate of the new fare.
#3: The Power of Void!
I will tell you a secret. For instance, you have booked your flight on December. You are given roughly 23 hours to cancel your flight for ANY REASON and have a full refund even if your flight is non-refundable. In the airline industry, this is called void. Meaning, you have to call the airline/travel agency before midnight the following day you have booked the flight to cancel it. But then again, there are qualifications. The flight should not have commenced yet and the cancellation must be at least two hours before the flight.
In addition to the tips mentioned above, you must also arrive at the airport at least two hours before the flight (for domestic travel) and three hours before for international travel. This is true especially when travelling during winter. Lastly, it is not advisable to have an online check-in if you are flying on a snowy day. If you have checked-in online but found out, upon arriving at the airport, that your flight is delayed or cancelled, then the process of asking for a free flight change or cancellation gets even lengthier.
So now, like He-Man, YOU HAVE THE POWER! Remember, nothing is more important than the health and safety of you and others, so please review your plans with this in mind before travelling. Also, the people that you speak to at these travel providers are humans, similar to you, so please treat them as you would want to be treated. As my Dad used to say, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”
Hiring the Right People
You may be an astute and savvy businessman, but when it comes to starting and growing a new business, it is not something you can do completely on your own. At some point in the early stages of your company’s development you are going to have to start surrounding yourself with the right kind of people to help your goals come to fruition. Most business owners and founders have been employees themselves at some point or another, but this does not necessarily mean they know what to look for when they’re on the other side of the interview table. Here are a few qualities most crucial in early stages of employee hiring:
- Trustworthy – Sometimes in the early stages it is best to go into battle with someone you already know you can trust. Friends and old business associates who are good for their word should be the first people you turn to. The umbrella of trustworthiness also includes confidentiality and reliability. You need someone you know you can count on to put in extra work and not leak the new ideas and innovations that will ultimately make your business successful.
- Manageable – A new business is no place for multiple egos. In moving forward, you will want to make sure that the entire company is on the same page, including yourself, so that you can present a united front when promoting your company. There will also be a lot of paper work, cold calling and other undesirable tasks at the onset, which is made increasingly difficult with employees who do not take direction or do what they’re told.
- Diverse in Thinking – Just because a new business isn’t a place for multiple egos doesn’t mean it can’t be a melting pot of ideas. One mistake a lot of employers make is hiring only likeminded people. This doesn’t necessarily promote a united front, instead often leaning towards a one-dimensional platform. Hiring people who think differently than yourself will help to solve problems that arise in ways you may never have considered and enable your business to be more well-rounded as a whole.
HOW TO DEAL WITH THE RAIN, AND EVEN ENJOY IT, WHEN TRAVELLING
So, you’ve packed your bags and checked the weather in your destination. The forecast says the temperature is between 60 to 65 °F and you know it means the sun is up. However, upon touchdown, you’ve noticed that it’s raining – cats and dogs – heavy enough for you to cancel your pre-booked itineraries. Will you let the rain ruin your entire travel? What can you do to still enjoy your trip behind the ‘unexpected’ change of the weather? Let’s talk about ‘How to Deal with the Rain, and even Enjoy it, when Travelling’
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BUY AN UMBRELLA OR RAIN COAT.
Upon getting your things in the baggage claim counter, head directly to a store at the airport and get yourself an umbrella or a pocket-size raincoat. And yes, do not forget a pair of slippers, too. These are the essentials when travelling on a rainy season. If stores at the airport do not have these items, then allocate time to go to the mall after you have secured your luggage at the hotel.
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DARE TO GO OUTSIDE THE HOTEL AFTER CHECK-IN.
Except for business travels, some people just prefer to stay at their hotel room after check-in when it is raining. Do not be like these people! Remember, you have planned and saved for this vacation for months; do not let the rain stop you from discovering great places and activities your destination offers.
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FOLLOW THE SUN OR VISIT PLACES WHICH ARE ‘STILL’ BEAUTIFUL EVEN DURING RAINY SEASON.
It does not mean that it’s raining in one place then it is raining in the rest of the country. Make use of your tablet or smart phone and look for places that are still sunny; somewhere that is just few miles away from where you currently are. Otherwise, if it is raining in the entire region, then rather visit places which are still beautiful even during rainy season. Examples of these places are falls, nature parks, and zoos. Keep in mind that nature does not conceal its beauty when raining.
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GO TO A BAR. MEET NEW PEOPLE. HAVE FUN.
Of course, bars have roofs so they can keep you dry even when it is raining heavily outside; unless you prefer to party in the rooftop? You are in a new place, so take time to meet new people. Enjoy your vacation, but always know your limits. After all, you are travelling because you want to have fun.
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TAKE PICTURES, AND POSSIBLY, DANCE OR RUN IN THE RAIN.
A nice quote goes, “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain.” This is true even if you read between the lines or take the quote literally. Guess there’s no explaining needed for this last tip. It’s plain and simple! Even when the sun is hiding during your travel, still do enjoyable and worthwhile things.
True enough, life is full of uncertainties. However, not because it’s raining outside then you have to hide inside your hotel room during your vacation. Remember, life is too short to be alone and sleep all day, especially when you’re in other parts of the world.
Did we miss out some tips? Let us know by dropping your comments below.
What You Need To Know About Web Hosting
It is pretty incredible how much of a difference web hosting can have, of course you have to consider certain factors.
If you are looking for a web hosting solution that offers unique alternative packages, Web Hosting may be what you’re looking for. The unique and versatile web hosting packages offered by Hosting have made them very popular in the last few years. If you are going for a simple website or blog, and need hosting for that, you probably won’t care about what they have to offer. Although Hosting is used by those with needs like streaming content and large online websites that sell lots of products, they might also have options that you will like.
If you’re not sure whether or not Hosting is right for you, they do offer a 30 day money back guarantee. Although the guarantee does cover almost every package, it does not guarantee the dedicated servers. Other companies might offer this. The guarantee is specifically for their shared, reseller, VPS and hybrid options that they sell on their website. More than likely you will not have to use this guarantee. It really Is a hassle when changing web hosts, something you know all about. However, it provides you with a safeguard and shows that the company has confidence in its services. Basically, all new customers get this guarantee. If you take them for a test drive, and don’t like what they have to offer, your money will be returned to you no questions asked.
The most advanced solution that Hosting has to offer are their Managed Dedicated Servers. This is the best of their many hosting levels offered. When you have a business that is doing very well, and traffic is coming to your site in exponential amounts, you need a server like this to handle the sheer volume, plus be flexible as well. At just $200 a month, or less, you can get dedicated hosting (there are actually three levels available).
You can actually upgrade whenever you need to, in case your business really starts to take off. In case you are wondering, Managed Dedicated Servers are Linux based with a cPanel control panel to make things easier. This is not a level of hosting that everyone needs, so if you want something almost as powerful but cheaper you should look into Hosting’s hybrid or VPS hosting options.
It is trusted what you’ve learned to date concerning top web hosting companies, plus also the info to do with website business, is going to be useful to you. Please do keep reading even more to receive supplemental insights related to these topics.
The website had Hosting has a technical, complicated appearance, something that techies will appreciate, but newbies may not find that interesting. Not experienced individuals, but do not have a technical background, may get confused upon arriving at their website. If you are new to the net, or you have never built a website before, there are great deals that Hosting house for newbies, despite the technical appearance of the website itself. A great way to find out if they have something for you is to chat with them on their website. You can learn about their web hosting options from the sales staff that will chat with you when you contact them. The sales staff can also tell you the difference between the many options and help you choose one right for you.
Searching for a web host requires you to know a few things. You need to know exactly what features you are looking for. This way, you will be able to narrow down exactly which one to choose. There’s no point in buying a web hosting package that’s made for a larger site than you ever plan to build. There are so many ways that Hosting can help with its many hosting packages. Regardless of your traffic volume, or the size of your site, they will have the perfect package for you.
WHERE TO TRAVEL EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR
Here’s the continuation of the very recent article we have posted. Read on and find out our choices for where your best choices for travel are from July to December this year. We hope you enjoy
JULY: MEXICO
There are dozens of events and festivals in Mexico every July. These includes the World Surfing Championship (surf open) in Acapulco during the first week; the International Guitar Festival in Taxco; the Wine and Food Festival in Capella Pedregal; the International Chamber Music Festival; the International Folklore Festival in Zacatecas, and so much more.
AUGUST: MALDIVES
We have already talked about Maldives in our previous post entitled ‘Three Best Countries to Travel in Asia’. Now, we will talk about this small island again as an ideal destination for the month of August. Maldives is perfect for couples who want to spend their honeymoon in white, sugary beaches and serene resorts. During daytime, water sports activities such as diving, kayaking, and snorkeling are recommended.
SEPTEMBER: FLORIDA’S EMERALD COAST
Florida’s Emerald Coast offers a scenic view of the Gulf of Mexico. When in this part of the world, expect to soak up the sun all day. However do not worry; the fun does not stop after the sun sets. Get the party started and dance the night away in famous Emerald Coast bars and restaurants.
OCTOBER: TORONTO
The most populous city in Canada boasts of a beautiful weather every October. The weather is not too hot or too cold. Festivals during this month include the Chinese Lantern Festival and the International Festival of Authors. So, can we say the festivals in Toronto are a fusion of beauty and brain?
NOVEMBER: SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
There are many reasons why you should visit Savannah this November. Two of them are:
1) To join the Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon & Half Marathon on November 7
2) To experience the annual Savannah Food and Wine Festival. Mark your calendars from the 9th to the 15th of November this year.
DECEMBER: MADRID, SPAIN
People always say, “Save the best for last.” I guess this means preparing for your grandest travel on the last month of the year. Well, spending Christmas in Madrid is not a bad idea. In fact, it would be a great thing to do so. Madrid has a wild winter unlike other countries in Europe. Meaning, you can still go out on the streets, shop at night markets, and do other outdoor activities during the holidays.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the best places to travel every month of the year. Have some of your own? Let us know in the comments.
FIVE QUALITIES OF THE BEST HOTELS
Travelling to a new place, especially overseas, is never easy. You have to deal with the weather, the language, the culture, and the attitude of locals. To somehow ease home sickness, you certainly want to stay in a hotel that you can consider your ‘home away from home’. However, a lot of travelers end up in bad or perhaps, worst hotels because of rush bookings. To avoid being stuck in a low-rate hotel and pay for terrible services, every traveler should keep these qualities in mind when booking a hotel stay.
#1 Honest Information
When I was still working as a travel agent, many people call to cancel their hotel reservation and ask for a full refund. Processing a refund is not an issue if the reservation is fully refundable; however, not all reservations are.
To attract customers, it is a common propaganda of some hotels to advertise low rates, give one free night for a three-night stay, and to promise that the reservation is fully-refundable in times of cancellation. But, not all hotels live up to what they are advertising.
Some hotels would hardly process a refund even for extenuating circumstances (ex: death of a family member), even if you talk to the manager or supervisor directly. To avoid being deceived, ALWAYS read and understand the full cancellation policy of the hotel so won’t put your hard-earned money to waste.
#2 Homey Ambiance
What do you expect when staying in a hotel? Perhaps, a comfortable queen or king size bed and big, soft pillows that would make you think you are sleeping in your own bedroom. And of course, elegant shower, fully-furnished room, breakfast in bed, and complementary newspaper.
Almost all hotels in the world promise these things but only some of them offer these in reality. Do not be fooled by pictures hotels posts on their official website. Instead, search for them in travel websites such as TripAdvisor and read reviews from previous clients.
#3 Clean, Serene, and Secure
Good hotels are always clean. Better hotels are both clean and serene. The best hotels are clean, serene and secure.
#4 Excellent Service
Some four to five-star hotels are exceptional because of their modern and intricate architectural design. However, some hotels are ‘unforgettable’ because of their excellent service.
Excellent service means that the hotel employees think outside the box and anticipate your possible needs just to provide you with great satisfaction.
#5 Extra Assistance for NO Additional Cost
For instance, you need to extend your stay for one night because the schedule of your business meeting was moved to a later day or because you simply want to stay a little longer. The best hotel should be willing to change your reservation without charging you a change fee. And if the rate of the additional night is way more expensive than the rate you had for the original nights, the hotel should be willing to go an extra mile and charge you the same rate as with the other nights. Yes, ‘business is business’; however, if a hotel values their clients enough, then they will do this without hesitation.
The best hotels in the world do not mean the most expensive. Most of them are those that offer services beyond compared.
Have you stayed in a hotel that you can consider the best? Or perhaps, have you slept in a hotel that only gave you a nightmare? We want to hear your story.
