business ownership

Guest Post: 4 Signs Your Office Building Isn’t the Right Fit for Your Company

The office building in which your company is located says a lot about your business. If the space isn’t right for you, though, you’ll lose more than a sense of comfort. Below are four signs that your office building isn’t quite right for your company.

Constant Work-Arounds

There are certain issues that plague offices, most of which become part of the daily life of the employees. If you notice that your employees are constantly having to work around the faults of your building, though, that’s not a good sign. If employees know the bathrooms back-up, that they can’t use two microwaves at one time, or that the heating only works on the north side of the building, for example, there’s a chance that there’s something very wrong with your current space.

A Lack of Space

Your office building may have been right for your company a few years ago, but now it’s getting a little too crowded. When you do building and construction research, you need to ensure that you’re planning for your future needs and not just those of today. When you start to notice that you’re running out of space for new employees or that you never have enough conference rooms for all your meetings, it might be time to move.

Client Reactions

The way your clients react to your space might show you that your building isn’t right for you. If your clients never want to meet you at your office or if they express surprise that your company operates out a specific space, you’re experiencing an issue that’s causing you to lose potential profits. You need to ensure that your space represents your company in the way you want it represented.

Restrictive Rules

Finally, restrictive rules on how your business can operate can often be a sign that you’re in the wrong place. If you can’t make use of all of your space, if you aren’t able to secure adequate parking for special events, or if you have to follow specific rules that stop your business from operating efficiently, moving makes sense. Restrictions, whether from a landlord or from your community, can have a huge impact on the utility of your space and thus must be examined to determine if they’re worth dealing with.

Your office building should help and not hinder your business. If it’s causing you problems, it may be time to move. Remember, your location can have a huge impact on your business so make sure that your location is the right one.

 

Anica is a professional content and copywriter from San Francisco, California. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.

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Guest Post: Moves to Make when Stepping into Entrepreneurship

We live in an entrepreneurial world, a world where technology has made it possible for everyone with an interesting idea and a sound growth plan to become a successful leader in the industry, and pave the road to long-term success and solvency. However, even though this opportune environment opens many doors for professional prosperity, that doesn’t mean that the road to entrepreneurial superstardom is not laden with obstacles and possibly crippling challenges.

Assuming that you have already developed an idea for your brand that will catch the eye of the consumer market, now is the time to tend to some crucial steps that will define the future of your company. Here are the key moves every aspiring entrepreneur should make.

It all starts with a business plan

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the most successful CEOs and entrepreneurs in the world started out with nothing more but a dream and a broken-down garage, because the fact of the matter is that they would never achieve the success they enjoy today if they didn’t have comprehensive business plan on their side. Because without it, your idea has no foundation and no reason to become anything more than a dream that never saw the light of day.

This exhaustive document should hold within its pages everything you and your team members need to know about your own brand, the market, the competition, and most importantly, the financial management methods needed to keep the ship afloat and even reach solvency. It might not sound like a lot of fun, spending weeks and months crafting such a document, but it will nonetheless be a crucial step that will define your future.

Building your network and client pool

A business that doesn’t have a pool of potential clients in its pocket is bound to have a difficult time getting off the ground, or reaching solvency within the first three years. In fact, you should not only have a pool of potential clients at the ready before you launch, but you should also secure clients for your company well-before you step into the competitive market. Networking and client acquisition is a difficult and time-consuming task, though, even for an established business.

The first thing you need to do is to find adequate help in terms of staff and software that will allow you to automate and outsource menial tasks so that you can focus on acquiring clients for your business. Next, you’ll need to get the word out that an amazing new brand is about to hit the market. You can visit networking events and get potential clients on the line to discuss your business and get them on your side before you launch. When you finally open the doors, you will already have established a stable income stream.

Ensure longevity in the entrepreneurial world

In all the chaos and stress of entrepreneurial life, many aspiring business leaders forget about the most important element of a successful career – their health and longevity. This point cannot be stressed enough: you need to get your personal life in order and ensure long-term health if you are to stay in the game for the long haul, and build the success you deserve.

The most important steps for an entrepreneur are eating healthy, banishing stress, and obtaining adequate coverage. Acquiring a comprehensive better life insurance is an important element of success, for instance, as it allows you to prepare for all contingencies, and ensure your loved ones, team members, and business are taken care of. There is no telling what could happen on the road to business success, and a real entrepreneur will plan for every scenario in order to prevent it or manage the situation as best as they can.

Invest in education and specialization

There is no greater education than one that is self-driven. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the leading astrophysicists of the modern era said that, and no other aphorism could better portray the importance of constant education for a modern entrepreneur. As a future business leader, you should have the thirst for never-ending growth and knowledge that will fuel your passion, drive innovation, and allow you to always stay one step ahead of the competition.

Not only should you learn how to manage your cash flow better, and how to market your business for maximum engagement, but you should also learn how to be a leader in order to inspire your employees and elevate their productivity as well. Under the wings of a devoted and passionate workforce, your business will have nowhere to go but up.

A parting word or two

The time is better than ever to put your business idea out there and transform it into a lucrative business the customers will love, and the rest of the business world will envy. However, there are several crucial steps you should take beforehand in order to ensure your success and pave the road to a long, thriving future as a 21st-century entrepreneur.

 

Emma Worden is a startup funding consultant from Sydney. She enjoys reading and writing on different aspects of entrepreneurship, usually finance and marketing. If you want to read more of her work, you can find it at https://bizzmarkblog.com/

Guest Post: How to Maintain a Professional Business Aesthetic

Every public business should maintain a professional image in its physical appearance. Prospective customers often judge a book by its cover, so to speak, and are likelier to do business with an attractive building than one that appears neglected or poorly maintained. Here are four tips for projecting a professional appearance.

Exterior Cleanliness

No matter the company building size, it can and should be kept clean through annual pressure washing, window cleaning, and debris removal. Sidewalks and parking areas should be weed-free and kept in serviceable condition, with cracks periodically repaired. The parking lot may need occasional resealing, depending on the type of surface it is.

Curb Appeal

At a glance during a drive-by or for customers’ first visits, the building should be inviting and attractive. Seasonal potted plants add a decorative touch. Window blinds, if any, should be kept open or closed uniformly, and broken blinds should be replaced. Visitors appreciate seeing a neat and well-kept parking area as well as walkways to the building. The overall effect should be polished. Anti-graffiti paint helps to deter defacing of exterior walls, fencing, and ancillary structures, such as stairs and porticos. A brick building can be sandblasted if it becomes dusty or sooty from pollution.

Well Maintained Facilities

The entrance needs to be aesthetically appealing, with clean doors, updated signage, tidy flooring, and a fragrant odor. Indoor or outdoor trash cans and recycling containers should not overflow or impede foot traffic. Reception areas and waiting areas can offer tasteful décor to make guests or customers feel welcome. Wall hangings, floral arrangements, and reading material or informational signs need to be neat and functional rather than overbearing. Even the mailbox, if visible, can be updated and kept clean to project a positive image.

Furnishings

Outdoor tables, chairs, or displays ought to be stylish and in good working order. Avoid displaying anything that has chipped or scratched paint or rust. Indoor furniture is expected to be clean, comfortable, and suitable to the business. A small company that boasts expensive furniture may seem to be operating over its budget, which can be alarming to some customers. Conversely, a large organize with cheap furnishings may cause visitors to question whether the company’s money is being managed effectively. The overall image should suggest quality without being ostentatious.

Maintaining a business structure does not have to be expensive or time consuming. Thoughtful planning, a methodical approach, and a low-cost budget can do wonders to keep the company looking its best.

 

 

Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009221637700

Guest Post: How Maintaining Your Business Can Make You Feel More Responsible

When you operate a business, you have to make sure that your place stands out for the right reasons. When you have a problem with flickering lights or toilets that overflow, then your patrons may leave you for the competition and your employees have to struggle in a poor work environment. To feel more responsible, and know that your company is ready to serve customers, you need a few key service specialists to offer routine maintenance and provide emergency services when necessary

Using a cleaning service

To keep your property in great shape, it might be best to hire a janitorial company to come in once a day in the evenings or once a week. This service prevents clutter that can build up over the course of a work day or week, and can make your work environment healthier by preventing the spread of bacteria or viral infections. Plus, you know the place is always ready for customers and investors when the cleaning service comes in overnight. 

Pest control is a must

No matter whether you see pests as large as mice or as small as ants, it is still a good practice to use a pest control company. Pests of all kinds can spread disease, leave messes, and even cause damage to your wiring or building structure. By hiring a firm to spray your property regularly, you can prevent an infestation from being able to establish and spread, and keep out the stragglers, as well. Nothing turns off clients more than a business with an infestation.

Hiring a commercial electrician

Your wiring is at the heart of your company. When you want to make sure that everyone feels welcome, then make them feel safe with good lighting. A property that is well-lit and has no dark corners looks cleaner and more professional, and it serves as a hostile environment for wandering pests looking for a place to hide. If you use high-voltage equipment, then it is necessary to have routine inspections done by a professional commercial electrician to make sure that your system is running safely and efficiently. A short in this equipment can get blow up the machine or send an electrical surge throughout the entire building, and loose or frayed wiring can still carry a charge, heating up the area around it and potentially starting a fire.

A plumber on call is a welcome team member

A plumbing expert is another person you need to have on call. When a pipe bursts or a welder spews water, then you need an immediate fix before the whole place floods. Water damage can be hard to track, leading to damp places that grow mold, attract pests, or even cause damage to the structure of the building. A good relationship with a plumbing company can ensure that you get a fix right away.

Whether it is bugs or fuses blowing, any setback can cost your business money. By taking care of these problems sooner rather than later, you can provide a safe and welcoming structure for your guests or employees. Being responsible will go a long way for your self-confidence as a business owner, and it will make your business cleaner and safer for both staff and customers.

 

Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009221637700