Ideas For Keeping Your Small Business Protected Online

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article | Entrepreneurship | Cybersecurity | Risk Management | Ideas For Keeping Your Small Business Protected Online These days you’re likely doing a lot of business and performing your tasks online. While the Internet can be an extremely beneficial way to run your company, it also comes with its downsides.

One cause for concern is being vulnerable to hackers and those who wish to sabotage your files and business. The following ideas are going to help you learn and understand what you can be doing better at your workplace to protect your small business online. This is one subject matter you want to take seriously and attend to if you wish to keep your company free from any unfortunate situations that will be difficult to clean up later on.

Educate Yourself and Be Current

One idea for keeping your small business protected online is to educate yourself on the topic. Be current about knowing what anti-virus programs to use, what backups to perform and when and getting to know your computers better so you can make sure they’re consistently running smoothly. The more you know about IT maintenance, the less of a chance there will be that your business will fall victim to hackers and wrongdoers. You put yourself at risk for negative consequences when you choose not to learn more about online security and what you can be doing better to improve it at your workplace.

Hire Help

Another great idea is to hire help and pay for the professionals to assist you on the matter such as using a Managed IT service. The reality is there’s a lot of information in this area you’re not going to know and will need assistance with if you want to make sure your business is protected online. You likely have other pressing matters and initiatives to attend to and can’t always be in the know about what’s new in the IT world. Invest in using a third party to help you make sure you’re doing all you can to keep yourselves safe on the Internet.

Use Strong Passwords

Never underestimate the advantages of using strong passwords to protect your computers and files. Keep your small business protected online by committing to using passwords that would make it difficult for someone else to hack into your information. Create ones that are challenging and complex, but also update your current passwords often so that it makes it harder for someone else to guess it or compromise your data.

Provide Best Practices to Your Employees

It’s not only your job to make sure your business is protected online, but also that of your employees. However, they may not be aware of how important this matter is or how to go about doing so unless you inform them. Provide best practices your employees can use to make sure their laptops and files are secure. For example, educate them about not clicking suspicious looking links, following through and complying with computer updates and who to ask or turn to should they have online security questions.

How to Relocate Your Office

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article|Relocation|How to Relocate Your OfficeMoving house is stressful enough, but if you need to relocate your office, multiply the stress levels several times as there are so many more things to think about. It’s often not possible to shut down operations for more than a couple of days, which means you’ve also got to move quickly. You’re going to be moving big and bulky office furniture, electronics and IT, paperwork and plenty of other things. It doesn’t matter how big your office is, be prepared for a lot of hard work. If you’re about to relocate your office here are some tips to help the process go smoothly.

Start Planning Early

If you haven’t already got a relocation plan in place, you need to get your skates on. Ideally, a plan has to be made well in advance of the move. Don’t be tempted to think you’ll be able to wing it as this approach is very likely to end in disaster. Divide up the tasks and make sure everyone is clear about what they have to do and when it has to be done by. Something else that needs to be planned is where everything is going to go in the new office. Also, include the cost of the move in your plan.

Have a Designated Move Manager

Everyone is going to be playing a part in the move, but it still helps if there is someone in overall charge. They’ll be able to facilitate and follow up on each step of the moving plan and ensure things are progressing as they should. There may be someone in the office with previous relocation experience, or you can get your administration assistant involved.

Find the Best Moving Company

When it comes to hiring a moving company, it’s not a case of picking a name out of a hat. You need to do some research and get quotes from at least three professional moving companies before you make a booking. There’s plenty of help online when you’re looking for recommendations. You should have considered another detail before hiring a company. It is if you are heading into a local or an Interstate Removals. Keep in mind that not every professional offers both services, so it is crucial to consider this before making a final decision. For example, visit www.movingcompanyreviews.com if you want quotes from licensed and insured movers.

Get Everyone to Pitch in and Help

You’re probably going to be hiring a moving company for the majority of the larger items, but you can get staff to help by making them responsible for their own desk space. Let them know a timeline and provide packing materials and boxes.

Other Factors to Consider

There are many other factors you need to bear in mind. For example, find out about the building rules around relocating as you may only be allowed to move during non-business hours. Update all your documents as soon as possible with your new address. Label all the moving boxes very carefully, so there’s a better chance of a seamless move. Make sure everything you’re moving is going to fit in your new office space. You might be able to save time and money if you try to move some non-essential items on your own first.

Office relocation is stressful so when it’s done and dusted, spend some time with your employees saying thank you for all their efforts.

Installing A Business Phone System

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Telephone systems|Installing A Business Phone SystemYou can bet your bottom dollar that there are barely any businesses in the UK that do not use digital methods and platforms throughout their practises and procedures. It is simply remarkable to look at how business has developed. This relates to companies as a whole and their general practises. Everyday life in the office is a lot different compared to what it used to be. And, one of the main reasons for this is because of the surge in technology. From marketing to standard data entry – the methods of doing so have changed drastically. One area that has experienced a significant shift is the telephone systems businesses utilise. In this blog post, we will discover everything you need to know about telephone systems today and getting the right one installed.

Telephone systems are indispensable for all businesses. After all, they are needed in order to take orders, to answer customer queries, to refer people to different departments, to contact different departments for information, to order new stock, and so on and so forth. Telephone systems are integral tools in the successful communication and day to day running of any company. However, telephone systems are not what they once were. This means that if you take advantage of telephone engineers in your area then you can take your business to the next level with state of the art technology.

Many years ago a company’s telephone system simply revolved around one phone per every desk. In some advanced companies they may be connected to the receptionist. But this was it. Nowadays things could not be more different. The number of lines, extensions, and other tools available are colossal. Telephone systems no longer stand alone; they are more an integrated tool in the IT department of your business. This is because the most recent systems are actually as much based on computers as they are telephones.

This does not simply relate to the different features the telephones boast, but it also relates to the fact that telephone systems can now be hosted on the internet as well. This means that companies can run all of their phone calls and alike through a desktop computer for example. Why would people do this? Well, in some circumstances this can be a lot cheaper. Another reason is because computers offer a lot more space for saving phone calls and other data.

The features that are available are truly remarkable as well. Read this on how to leave a voicemail without calling and you will find out about one of the many incredible features we are referring to. This enables you to send a voicemail directly to a potential customer’s phone box, rathering than calling them. Customers hate cold calls and they will usually ignore them, and any voicemail that comes with it, and so this is a great way to get around it.

This integration between computers and telephone systems represents the heightened need for companies to have contact with top telephone engineers in your area. You need to have professionals readily available should anything falter with your system. Moreover, you need to seek top quality telephone engineers in the first place in order to reduce the chances of anything unfortunate happening. You simply need to look out for engineers who can offer you on the spot assistance and aid, and those who also have a credible and glistening reputation as well.

How to find the right company for installation

There is no denying the monumental role communication plays in the world of business. Your company’s telephone system is integral to this. Nonetheless, you should not make the mistake that many have before you by thinking that buying a good business telephone system will merely rely on the hardware. Of course it is imperative that you buy a high quality telephone system made by a reputable brand. Nevertheless, finding the right telephone system suppliers in your area is just as important. After all, you need to ensure the system is installed properly. Moreover, it needs to be programmed and tailor made in order to suit your business specifically. And not only that, once everything is up and running you will require an aftercare and maintenance option. At the end of the day, you need the company to be on hand should any problems occur.

First and foremost you need to begin your search by embarking in a bit of research. Ask around and find out what your friends and owners of other businesses are using. They will be able to advise you as to whether the company is a reputable one and whether they live up to their claims or not. Couple this with a quick search of reviews online as well. This will give you a well-rounded view as to whether companies are genuine and of a high quality. Once you have a list of credible businesses you can then begin to narrow down your search for telephone system suppliers in your area further.

When determining the worth of a company you will begin by establishing what they can offer you in terms of different telephone systems and the installation process. Assess all of the different service packages that are available in order to ensure there is one you are happy with. After you have done this you can then work on how this is going to be integrated into your business; how many lines you need, how many extensions you need, what features are going to be of use to you, and so on and so forth. It is recommended that you ask the installers to give you a quick demonstration of the telephone system before they leave so that you are not left to your own devices.

However, whilst the initial installation may be important, it is actually the aftercare that is even more imperative. You need to be certain that the company can fix any problems immediately. If they can do so remotely and if they have an emergency back-up plan in place then this is extremely beneficial. After all, every minute the phone lines are down more and more customers are being lost. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the troubleshooting and repair service they boast. At the end of the day, telephones are like any other gadget, and thus they have the possibility to break from time to time. You need to be prepared for this.

The telephone system suppliers you select are just as important as the hardware, if not more so. Make sure you pay a lot of attention to finding the best telephone system suppliers in your area so that you do not experience any issues in the future.

To conclude, telephone systems are crucial to all businesses today. However, they are not the same as they once were. The possibilities they possess have enhanced dramatically and phone systems are now very much related with computers and internet technology. Therefore you need a great telephone engineer company at hand to ensure everything runs optimally at all times. We hope that the advice that has been provided in this article will assist you when it comes to getting your telephone system right at your business.

Storage Solutions: Getting A Warehouse For Your Business

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article | Storage Solutions: Getting A Warehouse For Your BusinessWhen you’re building your business upwards and outwards, you might consider outsourcing some key components so you can focus on the company from an internal perspective, but you also need to think about accommodating more obvious components on site, or just finding extra space so things can be physically stored. A warehouse is one of those things that can be an absolute lifesaver, but for those businesses that have started in modest surroundings, it can raise a few questions, such as if it is necessary right now, but also, what can you do to help your business? Either way, you’ll have to expand at some point, and looking at possible properties will help you decide whether you need it or not. If you know how to look, you can find an industrial warehouse space with a convenient location for your business at affordable rates

Is It Appropriate For Expansion?

Every business has their own reasons for expanding, and when you are looking to boost the brand value, or you want to get to a new market, or just offer a wider range of products, a warehouse can prove to be a very useful component. But with this, depending on what you need, it could throw up a multitude of options. It all depends on two things, what you want, and how much money you have in the bank. For those businesses that are small in stature, it’s far more cost effective to have the warehouse close in proximity. When you hire a warehouse that’s far away, it can be useful for storage, but that’s only if you are expansive in your operation.

Is It Practical?

It’s not just the location, or even the storage facility, but it’s about the manpower and the facilities on-site. Choosing the right components, whether it is pallet rack storage facilities, various forklifts or transportation vehicles, they all need to come from a place of practicality. Naturally, this goes hand in hand with the objectives and the budget. But if you are looking to establish a new base somewhere, the warehouse can be the first thing to set up, so if you get the staff on board, and get the ball rolling before you start trading in this new area, it can mean you hit the ground running. But also, depending on the labor skills in this new location, you may find you have to pay a bit more money to get the right people. Think about the practicalities.

What Are Your Warehouse Options?

It depends on your budget and your overall goals, but the options consist of three main ones. You can get a private warehouse, and this will be built for the storage of your products. The great thing about these warehouses is that they can be altered according to the products stored inside. For example, if you specialize in foods, this space can be accommodated to refrigerate these products.
A public warehouse is licensed by the state, and comes with a storage fee. Ultimately, for a fee, you have this storage space, but it’s dependent on the regulations of the state, but as a major positive they are set up by convenient transport routes, like railways and main roads.
A bonded warehouse is a more beneficial approach for those who import goods because only duty is required as far as payment is concerned.

A warehouse can be an excellent addition to an expanding business. But it’s all about picking the right components and making it work with your business.

Staging Your Independent Coffee Shop

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article | Business Startup| Staging Your Independent Coffee ShopIn 2018, the US coffee shop market grew to over $45 billion, with over 36,600 stores across the country. While a lot of stores belong to chained brands, such as Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts, more and more independent shops are carving a spot to call their own in a competitive market. Indeed, more and more coffee enthusiasts are looking for a unique experience with their favorite brew. There’s plenty of room for independent business owners to tap into the interests of an educated and savvy audience. But at the same time, it’s essential to provide the same level of service than your customer would get in a branded chain.

Too many independent coffee shop owners forget to prioritize their customer expectations as part of their decor. While an independent shop can be the stage in a more rustic approach, it doesn’t mean that you should miss on some essential factors, such as:

A menu that blows your customers away

Your customers have probably experienced the likes of Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and Tim Hortons before they’ve diversified their search for good coffee to include independent stores. As a result, they’re used to updated and modern visual displays when it comes to the menu. If you want to appeal to coffee amateurs, a digital signage would allow you to capture an image of each type of drinks, which can be useful – not everyone knows the difference between a Cortado and a Ristretto, for instance. Additionally, with the popularity of Veganuary, it’s impossible to ignore the impact of the vegan diet in everyday business. With customers demanding dairy-free alternatives to milk and vegan biscuits, you need to offer a diverse and inclusive selection of drinks and snacks.

Your interior says a lot about you

Your decor is your brand. It goes beyond the choice of furniture or colors. Ultimately, you need to find options that not only fit your budget but that also supports your vision. Creating a style that emphasizes the personality of your coffee while keeping your customers comfortable is significant. Independent shops prefer to focus their attention on reclaimed materials, which gives an eco-friendly finish. Additionally, using specialist materials on the wall, floor and ceiling can help to create a space that isn’t too loud – or that doesn’t sound too echoey which could be creepy for customers. Even though it is fashionable to create an atmospheric shop with dramatic lighting, do try to maximize natural light to make the room feel brighter and friendlier.

Go big online or don’t go at all

Last, but not least, you should seize every occasion to ask your customers how they like their #coffee. Indeed, Instagram is changing the way coffee shop promote their brands, encouraging bold creations and inspiring designs. The account @coffeeoprops, for instance, bring expert together to share their knowledge and passion around coffee, through artistic photos. There’s a lot of exciting ideas for you to learn how to make the most of each shot online by playing with the light, the colors and the contrast.

Independent coffee shops need to build a solid presence, in their premises and online, if they want to appeal to an audience of brew lovers. From offering practical solutions to introducing inclusive designs and menus, you need to make your shop everyone’s cup of tea… or coffee!