3 Effective Strategies for Keeping Employees Focused on the Task at Hand

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The reason you worked so hard to complete an executive masters in business administration program is that you wanted to make a difference. Over time, you saw areas which could have been handled more efficiently and at lower costs within your organization. Although you were already in a position of authority, you felt you needed better skills to keep things flowing smoother in accordance with best practices, as outlined in the company manual.

The one issue you kept running up against daily was keeping employees focused on the task at hand. You’ve finally gotten that online executive MBA degree and it’s time to put it to use building strategies to keep your team on task.

1. Complete an Assessment of Why and How Employees Become Distracted

The first step in building any strategy is to determine what it is you’d like to accomplish. The end goal sets the stage for any strategy because, by its very nature, a strategy is a roadmap to success. In this case, you are using your MBA to define common causes for distractions, in order to facilitate a more focused approach to the jobs at hand.

2. Create New Policies to Avoid Distractions

One of the best strategies is one in which you set new rules. In the course of assessing the source of distractions, you’ve discovered that altogether too much talking is going on about things totally unrelated to what they are currently working on. While you don’t want to be a hard taskmaster, you do want to keep things moving along to increase productivity. Why not set a rule that talking is allowed only in terms of job-related issues and all other conversation is best left to the break room.

3. Keep Peripheral Distractions to a Minimum

As you studied for your executive masters in business administration online, you knew that you needed to be in a place where there were minimal distractions. As a result, you set aside one room in your home where you couldn’t hear the television and noises from the playroom couldn’t filter in. You can use the same strategy on the job! Reroute foot traffic through areas where employees aren’t sitting at desks or working on the line and try to keep announcements over loudspeakers to a minimum.

Research indicates that distractions on the job cost employers over $10,000 per person per year!

In the End – You’re the Boss

You can clearly see that distractions are costing your company a ton of money each and every year. Not only do distractions cut profits, but they also increase the risk of inferior quality of work. In fact, you may even want to open the floor for discussion among the very employees you’ve found to be most distracted while on the job. Their input could be invaluable. They might define a whole new set of issues they find distracting, after which you can devise strategies to reduce those as well.

Your job as an administrator is to devise and implement strategies. Reducing distractions is a great place to test your newfound skills. Don’t let it be your last.

How You Can Make Your Blog a Business While Traveling the World

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Traveling is hard enough, without trying to run a business as you go! Arranging transportation, accommodation, trips and looking after your money is difficult to juggle – without the added pressure of blogging. A common problem is finding internet connection when you have important emails to attend to!

Thankfully, it’s clear to see nowadays that people CAN do it. Travel blogging is a huge industry, and we’ve got some tips to help you join in the action. After you’ve booked your tickets and sorted your passport and visas, use this guide to find internet fame and make money as your own online traveling show.

1. Start with the Essentials

To get going, you’ll need…

  • A blog (of course!) – easily create one with WordPress, make it look pro, link it up to your social media, and gain a following in no time.
  • A smartphone – a must-have for sending and answering messages on the go. You can’t conduct business without one!
  • A tablet or laptop – this is a risky one, because it’s large, easily breakable, and a target for thieves. Leave it in your hotel or hostel’s safe and never take it out of your room. If you can take one, it’s invaluable for working on your website and writing, otherwise you’ll be working from a tiny phone screen or internet café.
  • Internet dongle – so you’ll never be without wi-fi. How else will you post Instagram pictures from a mountain or the jungle?
  • A camera – again, this is tricky, because good cameras are expensive and could get stolen. But, unless your phone has a great camera, you won’t be able to take
    amazing pictures and entice people to read your blog.

2. Get Sponsored

Now you have your blogger kit, you’ll need to gain the attention of brands to partner with. They can send you free products to endorse, offer you experiences and even pay you to stay in hotels, in exchange for good reviews on your social media.

You then post affiliate links on your blog, pages and channels, and get paid some commission when customers buy the company’s products or services through your link. This is easy, passive income as you travel.

As your audience and engagement grows, companies will want to advertise on your blog – they’ll pay you to be exposed to your large readership. This of ten requires no input from you (e.g. you don’t have to make a video endorsing their product), but a banner is posted on your website sidebar.

3. Look After Your Finances

Whilst you’re traveling, the last thing you want is to run out of money, or worry about paying taxes and chasing invoices. This is where hiring an accountant would be an amazing idea (if you’re making enough money).

Luckily, you can find trained accountants all over the world – as far and wide as accounting services in Malaysia. As a professional blogger, you should consider yourself a small business – all of which need good accountants. This takes all the financial paperwork out of your hands, and leaves you free to enjoy yourself (while working hard)!

4. Make Money by Writing

As your blog grows, often magazines, newspapers, news websites and other blogs will pay you to write for them. You could write articles about traveling, reviews of places you’ve stayed or your personal journey of making money while traveling.

Pitch your stories to publications as a freelance writer for some extra cash. (As a freelancer you need to pay special attention to tax and invoicing – where an accountant comes in very handy!)

5. Blogger Meetups

Build a worldwide readership with meetups. Blog readers LOVE blogger meetups, either in the form of meeting with your fans or other bloggers.

Organizing meetups with other travel bloggers is a clever way of expanding your audience. Make a video together, and get exposure to their entire audience too. Send them a message when you’re both in the same country and suggest collaborating.

Meeting with fans is a nice way to build networks and connections, and get tagged in their social media posts too. As explained in point 2 of this guide, followers = money!

What Does It Take to Create a Good Design Team?

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A great design team is only as good as the staff within it. The team itself includes the personnel, all of their assigned roles within the team, personal objectives, their methodologies and software (like the new Altium designer 18 package), and the framework they use. When any of the above component parts of a team are missing or misaligned, things tend to go wrong or are placed at opposing sides which leads to difficulties completing tasks on time, if at all.

Multiple Roles or Single Roles

Depending on the person and the size of the team, it may be necessary for team members to perform multiple roles on a project. When mixing too many roles for a single employee, this can create difficulties as it’s both difficult for them to embrace collaborators for each of their distinctive roles, but more so when two or more of their roles conflict with each other with no one to act as a referee.

Some roles also don’t mix well with others. The person funding the project shouldn’t usually also be a designer on the project because their motivations may get muddled. Is it more important to create a better designed circuit board or website, or to keep to the development costs within the budget set by upper management? Where is the line drawn?

Every Team Member Has Professional Advancement

With advancement, we don’t necessarily mean a promotion. It’s important beyond position and money that an employee feels invested in the project and its outcome. It’s also useful when they feel that the project adds something new to their cache in the industry and is something that can go on their resume as a selling point.

When a project lacks that special something that’s different to what they’ve done before, or they’re not being allowed to advance in their knowledge and involvement, they begin to feel stagnant. In some senses, it doesn’t matter if they been given access to the cutting-edge Altium designer 18 software ahead of its release or been responsible for new areas of a design project, there must be something there to spike their interest and sustain it throughout completion of the project.

Successful Teams Are Often an Eclectic Mix

When looking at any design team, you’re unlikely to see a herd that all dress alike, talk alike and look somewhat similar. Diversity across the team is a good thing in many cases as is the previous project experience they bring to the table. New blood brings fresh perspectives and ideas on how to do things differently, more efficiently, or simply better. It’s important that the team leader embraces diversity in the ranks and does not see a culture developing where people who are different get hammered down until they conform. Conformity is usually the death of the type of creativity that’s badly needed in great design execution.

Great design teams are carefully put together and managed. Every team is likely to be quite different to the next one. Embracing those differences rather than citing them as reasons why a previous failure occurred, encourages the best creatives to work in a team environment that they might otherwise find too stifling.

How to Use Social Media to Market Your Interior Design Business

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Social media is a powerful marketing tool for individuals and small businesses.  You can use it to spread the word about your company, release new products, share promotions, and to interact with your customers.  However marketing an interior design business is slightly different to marketing other kinds of industries, as there are certain things you can do to increase conversions.  We’re going to explain some of the best ways to use social media in this article.

1. Use Platforms with Pictures

A picture can tell a thousand words, and this is definitely true in the interior design business.  Interior designers showcase their designs to people online, and you can’t do this on social media without making use of photos or video.  So, focus on platforms like Pinterest and Instagram where photos are more important than text.  Show your customers your personal style, and how well your designs are put together.  Most consumers will want to connect with their interior designers before hiring them, so this is a great first step.

2. Create Visual Advertisements

Text ads may work for software businesses and IT services, but interior designers need to create visual advertisements to stand out.  Most of the top social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, allow you to publish visual ads so now is the time to create something brilliant.  Maybe you’ve just designed a new, luxury bedroom for a client containing luxury bedding, a plush new décor, and a four poster bed.  Why not take a photo of this and include it in your advertisement?  Customers who like the look of your design will contact you for further information, or be encouraged to visit your website to find out more.

3. Hold Contests

Social media users love contests and this can be a great way to drum up new customers.  You could, if you wanted to, hold a contest to win a free design, however most interior design companies will offer a homeware item instead.  Make sure to include hashtags like #giveaway #freebiefriday and #contest to get the word out, and ask people to share or comment on your contest in order to enter.  You’d be surprised how many people will follow you on social media if there’s a chance they could win something.

4. Target Other Businesses

A lot of interior design companies purely focus on targeting consumers.  However, if you want to make some serious money, you might want to consider targeting other businesses as well.  B2B customers tend to have a lot more money to spend, and may also be willing to pay a higher price for your services.  Social media platforms like LinkedIn and Google+ are ideal for this, although Facebook also shouldn’t be discounted as a great place to find new clients.

Social media is a really cost effective marketing tool, but it’s one that often isn’t used to its full potential.  Keep these tips in mind and get your name out there!

Top 10 Wearable Payment Devices

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Innovators are coming up with all types of new ways to pay for things. The days of keeping your checkbook in your purse are long gone.

From paper checks to plastic credit cards, we always try to find new and convenient ways to pay for items. Cards have had their reign, but it seems like the public wants something even more convenient.

Wearable payment devices are the next big thing. Just ask all the new inventors and entrepreneurs who are pushing their brand of payment devices you can wear.

Ahead of the game are 10 devices we think are the absolute best.

Fitbit

Most people are aware of Fitbit and the fitness tracker craze. The thing is, Fitbit doesn’t just count your daily steps.

Fitbit Pay is your credit or debit card worn on your wrist. No more pulling your card out or counting cash. Fitbit Pay lets you pay right then and there at participating establishments.

They insist on their security, so you won’t have to worry about fraud or identity theft.

Your rewards and miles won’t be affected when you switch over to Fitbit Pay. You will still earn, you’re just changing to an easier device.

Fitbit is top of the line, but there are ways to find discounts and promo codes online if you know where to look!

Apple Watch

Everyone’s favorite cell phone company has made it super easy to pay from your device. If you’re a Apple Watch wearer, you got it made easy.

Apple Pay is growing in popularity and more and more places are accepting that way of payment. Apple is making deals with banks and settling into becoming one of the biggest payment giants.

Setting up Apple Pay is easy. What’s challenging is running into retailers who don’t use it. However, the future is wearable payment devices, so they’ll eventually come around. While also a hefty price tag, there usually aren’t too many Apple promo codes out there. However, there are sometimes deals where you might be able to get a free watch with the purchase of a Macbook Pro.

Amazfit

Another useful wearable payment device is the Amazfit. Alipay is the third-party mobile payment service that Amazfit uses, so you can pay for anything anywhere.

Look stylish and pay easily with this cutting-edge watch. Amazfit watches are sold at a ton of retailers like Amazon, Gearbest, etc. We did some scouting, and the best place to purchase an Amazfit is FastTech, since they often offer a ton of promo codes.

Kerv Ring

With convenience in mind, Kerv Ring was created to replace a purse or wallet when it’s not practical to carry those items around. If you don’t want to lug around a bag or keep your credit cards in your pocket, the Kerv ring is for you.

This ring is considered a “contactless” payment device, so that means it uses RFID technology and the user can simply tap their ring on the sensor.

Kerv is a fantastic choice for those looking for a sleek look. Just look at this awesome interior colors you can choose from!

Infineon

Touted as the first NFC payment ring, Infineon offers a wearable payment ring that works great and looks simple.

Show off this wearable technology as a perfect conversation piece. Infineon has partnered with Visa, so you know it’s supported by a reputable brand.

This band is waterproof, so you can wear it when you’re swimming or showering.

Token

With it’s cute name, Token is another smart ring leading the way of payment innovation. It works the same as other smart rings and supports Visa or Mastercard. You can also use the key as your transit or access card.

A very interesting element of this ring is that it has a home security system offered with it. All you have to do is tap this device below that you set up in your house, and that locks up your home safely.

Not only that, you can use it as your car key.

With all these services in one little ring, it really is “one ring to rule them all.”

Samsung Gear S2

Samsung is throwing a hat in the ring with their Gear S2 Smart Watch. This wearable payment device uses Samsung pay to let the wearer make quick and easy transactions. You can find this watch on Groupon, and you’ll likely be able to find a Groupon promo code as well if you’re browsing the web!

Unlike newer brands, Samsung is a trusted mobile brand that has been around for a long time. Going with Samsung, you’ll know you’re getting quality backed by a major corporation.

If you’re a watch person, you might as well own a watch that lets you pay for things easily instead of carrying all your credits cards, cash, and coins around with you.

Store your credit/debit card information into your watch, and you’re good to go!

bPay

Another contactless payment device is the bPay. You can pay for anything $30 and under if you see the “contactless” symbol at the counter.

The idea is that it’s a prepaid account that you load up and pay with, sort of like a debit card. This is perfect for fun-spending like a quick coffee or cocktails with friends.

It’s easy and you can either wear your bPay or keep it on a keychain. If you’re worried about running out of funds, don’t be! You can add funds to your account anytime, anywhere from your mobile device.

You can’t make big payments, but it’s a fun way to add a little convenient luxury to your life!

Jawbone UP4

Are you an American Express person? The Jawbone UP4 may be the watch for you.

The Jawbone is your standard fitness tracker, but you can actually pay with American Express. It isn’t always easy to find payment options compatible with American Express, so this is exciting for AMEX users!

Luckily, the watch looks cool, so although your choices are limited as an AMEX user, you do have awesome choices!

MyKronoz ZeCircle2

Finally, the MyKronoz ZeCircle2 bracelet is another super stylish way to make contactless payments.

You can also receive calls, calendar reminders, emails, etc. all from a little watch on your wrist. No more worrying about dropping your phone!

The MyKronoz is technically still an activity tracker, so you can still track your sleep and physical activity just like every other wearable payment device on the list.

Pay for Convenience

Cards have had their run, but now it’s time to let new technology step in. The credit card chip situation hasn’t been a smooth ride for cards, so it may be necessary to count their losses and give into the future.

Whether it’s a ring, watch, keychain, or something else, make sure to add innovation to your wardrobe.