How We Prioritize at Sticker Mule

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article | How We Prioritize at Sticker MuleOrganizations are the sum of their decisions. Those that prioritize well prosper and those that don’t falter. At Sticker Mule, prioritization is the most important thing we do. Our growth accelerates as we prioritized better, but there’s always room to improve.

What prioritization is not

Most literature on prioritization is terrible. It leads you to believe prioritization is about time management or how to use to-do lists. This way of thinking neglects that priorities are what make or break businesses.

Consider that Amazon started as a bookstore in 1994 and grew to $147 million within 3 years. Today they employ 500,000 people who handle $200 billion in revenue. They picked the right projects and grew at an extraordinary pace.

Other retailers had different priorities and either failed or are much smaller. Walmart could be Amazon, but they did not prioritize the Internet and now they are worth half as much.

What prioritization is

Prioritization is picking the right tasks to maximize impact. That means finding high impact tasks and avoiding low impact ones. Usually the highest impact tasks are elusive. We don’t know the highest impact projects we could pursue right now.

Prioritization might sound stressful, but it’s not. Most tasks won’t affect us. Consequently, we shouldn’t stress about the backlog of tasks we “need” to do. We need to keep our minds free to pursue high impact ideas, when they present themselves, by neglecting low impact ones.

Prioritization categories

It’s unproductive to precisely categorize every task, but it’s useful to roughly classify them in your mind. Prioritization improves with practice and thinking about these categories helps us improve.

  • Growth vs. costs – It’s generally better to use our time to grow revenue than reduce costs. Time is finite. Cash isn’t.
  • High vs. low impact – High impact is better, but completing lots of low impact tasks can be worthwhile if we complete them quickly.
  • Enduring vs. temporary – Tasks that provide enduring value are preferable to those that deliver value temporarily.
  • Definite vs. potential – It’s better to pursue improvements with definite benefits than those with potential.
  • Short vs. long term results – Quick wins are preferable, but you can build competitive advantage pursuing ideas that yield results in the long term since others tend to neglect them.
  • Related vs. unrelated tasks – Sometimes related tasks are completed more efficiently when grouped together. For this reason, we often do low impact tasks that pair well with high impact ones.
  • Estimated time to complete – All else equal, tasks that can be completed faster are preferable.

Questions

Ask yourself these questions periodically to improve your ability to prioritize:

  1. What’s the most impactful thing you can work on?
  2. Did you correctly identify the problems you are facing?
  3. Do you know the most important problem to solve next?
  4. Can you replace any planned tasks with better ones?
  5. Can you delete any especially low impact tasks entirely?

Conclusion

We aim to embed a passion for prioritization into our culture. If you think similarly and want to join our global team, we are hiring.

About the Author

Anthony Constantino is the cofounder and CEO of Sticker Mule. A factory guy at heart, Anthony oversees an operation that spans 16 countries in 4 continents with customers including Google, Facebook, Twitter and many of the world’s best brands. He’s determined to make Sticker Mule, already the Internet’s favorite printing company, the absolute best place to work and shop.

A Guide to Use a Scaffold Safely

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Use Scaffold Safely|A Guide to Use a Scaffold SafelyYou can find scaffold everywhere, even around an under-construction small building or substantial triple-story buildings. The scaffold can ideally be used in a great variety of inspection, construction, repair, and maintenance projects. As per the recent survey of OSHA, around 65% of the workers in the construction industry work on a scaffolding recurrently and one of the most reliable is Bayside scaffolding.

But before we proceed further, let us explain what is the concept of scaffolding safety.

What is the concept of Scaffolding Safety?

Three things should be kept in mind about scaffolding safety, i.e. it must be built according to the proper well-competent person. Moreover, workers must be appropriately trained before they start working and using the scaffold, and all the components of the scaffold must be viewed properly by an expert. One of the most important things that require proper consideration is that the safety check must be ensured properly and tag well before the shifts start working on it. It will help in guaranteeing the integrity and safety of the scaffold, and thus forth, the fear of unpleasant happening reduces this way.

Unfortunately, around 60 percent of the construction industries have experienced injuries as well as deaths due to the absence of knowledge with the use of the scaffold. That is why your require proper care and a complete guide to use it without any fear of injury.

This article is also a practical attempt to let different industries know the importance of using the scaffold efficiently. This is why you are strongly recommended to pay complete attention and grab the most crucial detail. It will help you in avoiding unforeseen happening in your next construction project.

But before we proceed further, we would like to explain some of the significant Dos and Don’ts of a scaffold that must be kept in mind.

Some Major Dos and Don’ts of Scaffolding

We are presenting you with the basic and comprehensive guidelines to avoid scaffolding hazards.

Dos

  • Properly inspect the scaffolding by using the mobile inspection app. You can do it by properly maintaining the checklist as well.
  • Make sure your checklists have been appropriately checked before the shifts have started working on the scaffolding.
  • Properly train the employees on how to tackle the possible hazards.
  • Before you initiate the work, keep the toolbox with you and don’t ignore it at any cost.
  • Make sure you have appropriately worn the PPE.
  • If you don’t check the inspection bag habitually, then start checking them too.
  • It would be best if you had the idea about what is the weight capacity of the scaffold.
    You must have the support above the scaffold podium.
  • Make sure that you haven’t extended the adjusted leg screw more than 12 inches. If you have done this, then change it in the first place.
  • Keep the lanyard and attach it with the person who is on the scaffold.
  • Properly wear the belt if you are working on a higher altitude.
  • To access the scaffold, properly use the ladder.
  • Your feet must be on the decking else it can be dangerous for you.
  • Must check that the planking is secure enough for the movement.
  • Must take the instructor’s instruction seriously, because the direction of well-competent person makes the scaffolding less severe and dangerous for you.
  • Your mind must be active, and you should have a decent idea about who else is working with you. The co-workers above and below must be focused equally as it can guarantee better and secure work.
  • The debris chutes must be used with the help of your hands.
  • Make sure that the scaffold’s wheels are working correctly, and for this purpose, you can utilize the wheel blocks as well.
  • The wheel-lock should also be appropriately depressed before you start using the scaffold.
  • Netting should be used to catch anything that falls.

Don’ts

The following are the different don’ts that must be in your mind while using the scaffold.

  • Leave anything before the shift ends.
  • Always refrain from overloading the scaffold structures.
  • Also install some unbalanced objects including loose bricks, boxes, barrels, and the blocks to provide support to the scaffold, or to increase the height of the planks.
  • Working on the scaffolds if they have not been planked fully.
  • Working on the scaffolding without ensuring if the flooring and guardrails are not at their place has a hazardous potential.
  • Stand on the extensions, tiles, or guardrails.
  • If you are working on the already damaged scaffold or using the scaffold with the damaged parts or some of the significant components of a scaffold, including canopies, guardrails, planking, or toeboards, you are inviting disasters.
  • Working on the scaffold without checking the checklist or without consulting the experienced or well-competent individual is a perfect recipe for disaster.
  • Start walking on the scaffold that is covered with the mud, ice or snow.
  • Don’t use the scaffold in the unpleasant weather, including snowfall, rain, wind, or hail.
  • Using the strictly prohibited or dangerous portion of the scaffold for climbing it up.
  • Don’t climb up the scaffold by holding any tool or material in your hand; they must be hoisted up disjointedly.
  • Jump as of, to or among scaffolding.
  • Exceed your limit or bend over the guardrails.
  • Swing the scaffold.
  • Hurl everything overboard if the spotter is not available.
  • Shaking the scaffold if someone else is standing on the scaffold.

Guidelines before you start tagging the scaffold

The core purpose of the scaffold tag is to protect the life of the worker against any danger. It also helps in the identification of whether the scaffold is well-protected, can it be used or not.

The following are different guidelines that require consideration while tagging the scaffold.

  • A well-experienced or a competent person must be hired to inspect the tagging of the scaffold properly. The individual should be well-experienced in the erection of the scaffold.
  • While tagging the scaffold tracking process, the unique tags must be assigned to maintain a unique identity properly.
  • Soon after erecting the scaffold, they must be adequately inspected as per the pre-requisite standards.
  • You must identify the scaffold tagging by using different shades including red, blue, green or yellow color with the black labels.
  • The front informational details must be completed for all the tags.
  • Use can use a better color scheme as per the requirements.
  • The templates must be created to ensure that all the core points have been appropriately mentioned on the scaffold, and the checklist must be checked multiple times.
  • Make sure that you have provided enough training to the workers and they can efficiently manage the scaffolding and can act well in any unforeseen happening.

The Final Words

Every human life is precious and valuable. This is why it the responsibility of all the organizations to take the best care of their workers who put their lives at risk while working on the scaffolding structures. However, creating awareness is equally important, and it all can be done by adequately organizing the training programs.

4 Signs Your Business Needs a Storage Service

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Storage Service|4 Signs Your Business Needs a Storage ServiceThere comes a time when every commercial retail or wholesale business requires a space that is more than their current capacity. The first go-to in this case that strikes the minds of the owners is to consider additional space on rent, which can prove very expensive and can double the cost especially when you are already running your primary office on a rented space.

Also, business owners have to carter seasonal demands when they have to hold extra merchandise so that they can meet the market demand. This is why renting a commercial storage unit for your business can offer an affordable and furnished shelving space to meet with their space requirements, seasonal or long-term.

There are a tremendous number of potential benefits of opting for commercial storage units for your business in a very cost-effective manner. Let’s see why;

1.Compact and Organized Accumulation of Material

In industries, when things are spread all over the place, workers and other labors are easily vulnerable to getting hurt and receive a serious injury. Such incidents are common in the businesses that deal with mechanical tools that include, drill machines, hammers, wedges, saws, glass, and other sharp objects.

Hiring an industrial storage unit for your business will help you ensure the health and security of your workers and prevent any related danger. This will allow you to store all the excess tools and materials in an organized manner, without having to worry about the safety of your labor.

Particularly in medium to large scale industries, often there are heavy tools and machinery that are only required to perform specific tasks. So, when such things are un-interacted, they need a suitable storage space that must not bother the working ease in one way or the other. This way you can maintain a clean and tidy workplace while keeping your essentials intact.

2. Cost-Effective Durable Security

If you have small or medium scale business than accommodation expenses can be a real burden and can prohibit your growth. With an industrial storage unit, you can reduce the cost of space you need by not having to pay high rentals. Such spaces are secure and very organized so you can rest assured that your material will neither break nor spoil. This is what makes these storages attractive as they offer a very flexible, inexpensive and secure solution to all kinds of enterprises.

Especially, if you are running a small business then it is challenging to keep a constant watch over the items and other important records. This is why it is always suggested to find a better alternative in this regard and transfer this responsibility to a more secure and efficient facility. Industrial storage units consist of a reliable surveillance system, security managers and durable looking systems.

3. Document or Paper Storage

After the advent of cloud computing, most of the offices aspire to go paperless yet the necessity and importance of keeping the records of hard copy cannot be undermined. Legal documentation, academic records, and other documents related to accounts and commerce of any industry are less likely to be replaced with digital formats, sooner or later. But this happens to occupy plenty of office space and require safe handling to protect vital information in them.

Creating a separate storage space for a large amount of paper can be expensive and at the same time requires regular attention and care. Cabinets and shelves take up too much integral portion of the office that could be utilized well for an alternative subject of importance. Also, renting a separate space for this very purpose makes no sense; therefore, opting for a safe and organized storage unit seems to present the perfect remedy to this problem.

4. Short Term Commodity

If you are planning to either relocate or renovate your business place then in both scenarios, industrial storage units are the best choice to store all your valuable belongings at a trusted place. Companies offering these units are often equipped with the manpower and other moving facilities to provide businesses with professional moving services and reduce their concern and stress levels to a great extent.

The requirements for storage space may vary from business to business and from one industry to another. So, it is most suited to choose a service that facilitates all the peculiarities of your business and cover every safety aspect to accommodate your belongings in the safest possible way.

These storage units cater to all your temporary and permanent requirements that may include, handling desktop units, room appliances, glass and wooden furniture, office tools, document shelves, and other associated items.

5. Reducing Liability

When you utilize a separate industrial storage unit, not only you get to avail extra space cost-effectively but also it eases a considerable amount of mental stress from your peers and workers. Especially, small or medium business needs to operate efficiently by making 100 percent use of every inch of their working place. An overcrowded workplace can become a liability for any conventional business. This can also impact the impression your visitors carry and the morale of your team.

Your office space should be tidy and presentable with a comfortable room for all your employee activities.
This is how renting a storage unit can save you from several kinds of embarrassments and stacking. Also, you find great convenience during busier trading seasons; since you need to worry about merchandise storage during the challenging hours.

Furthermore, you can utilize industrial storage units to store a large amount of bulk purchasing – reducing your purchase cost and contributing to better profit margins.

Conclusion

Making profit even in the dullest trading influences an art. And, a successful entrepreneur knows where he can minimize the costs in most efficient ways. This is the reason, no smart business owner could ever overrule the need for reducing space costs by finding an alternative in industrial storage units.

These units offer a readymade and easily accessible space, helping you over challenging times cost-effectively. It is safe, affordable and a trustworthy choice for all the businesses struggling with space agendas.

3 Questions To Answer When Outsourcing

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Outsourcing|3 Questions To Answer When OutsourcingWhen you are looking to get a business up and running, there is no doubt that outsourcing will be an essential part of your early efforts. In the beginning, when you are trying your hardest to break through, you’ll often try to do everything yourself. That, however, is a risky strategy, as it can lead to burnout and crucial mistakes – so outsourcing is a necessity.

With that said, outsourcing in and of itself is like any other tool you can use in a business – it’s about more than just having it to call upon; how you use it also matters, and so does the quality of the service you are getting. In other words, there is no point simply deciding to outsource your accounting, the legal side of things or marketing without first asking a few questions about what you’ll be getting for the (often substantial) money you spend on it.

1. Do you trust the people who will be handling the task?

It’s all very well and good to know what you can and can’t do, and in truth it’s not knowing that which often stymies startups’ chances of success. Just as importantly, though, you need to consider what you might be getting when you put your IT services or marketing in the hands of another business. It’s essential that you meet them and find out not only what they say they can do for you (secure your network against hackers, or deliver a higher market share for your business), but how they plan to do it.

If they can show you figures, and demonstrate past success, then they are worth your trust when it comes to boosting your business.

2. Will they take the lead on the project?

If you outsource an aspect of your business to another company, then you will want to know that you can leave things in their hands and get on with what you’re good at. They’re not just there to give you a hand, after all, they’re essential in freeing you up for other tasks – but that won’t be the case if you constantly have to field questions from them and correct their work. Ideally, you should be able to compile a plan of what you need, then let them action it.

Often, experienced service providers will be the best ones to work with here – an occasional catch-up will be all that is needed to stay on the straight and narrow – but don’t rule out someone new with a convincing and detailed plan.

3. Will they answer your calls?

Arguably the most important factor when choosing a company to outsource any part of your business to is communication. As we’ve noted above, you don’t want them to constantly be asking you for more information, but equally it’s important to know that they’ll be reachable when you need to ask for a change or a progress report.

What’s ideal in this situation is to ensure that someone within the external company takes personal ownership of your task and oversees it to conclusion. When you have a specific contact you can always reach, you can be more confident of the work being done promptly and well.

Outsourcing is a thoroughly sensible way to ensure your business runs smoothly and you can focus on your strengths; just make sure you don’t saddle yourself with a few extra headaches when you do it.

Why Steel Tubing is the Best Form of Fencing Around

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Steel Tubing|Why Steel Tubing is the Best Form of Fencing AroundWhen a fence needs to be built, choosing the right materials is crucial. On farms and ranches, installing standard fences like the ones around homes can be cost-prohibitive and may not provide what the property owner is looking for. Instead, an inexpensive and easy to install option would be steel tubing. For fences, corrals, cattle pens, horse pens, and more, steel tubing is often the best option because it provides the following benefits.

Recycling is Better for the Environment

Steel tubing doesn’t need to be purchased new to be used for fencing. Instead, it’s possible to obtain used steel tubing for any fencing project. Steel tubing like the options available from Varner Pipe comes in a wide range of sizes, from around 1 and 3/8 of an inch to 3 and 1/2 inch. Recycled materials are far better for the environment and it’s possible to save quite a bit of money compared to new materials. For those who need to build a large fence, used materials can lead to a significant amount of money saved.

Structurally Sound to Prevent Issues

Steel tubing is structurally sound, so there is little chance of the fence failing. When the steel tubing is properly made into a fence, it is highly durable and is not going to suffer from issues that could cause it to fall apart. It can hold some weight if needed, which minimizes potential issues when building or after the construction of the fence is finished. Different techniques used during the installation can help make a fence that’s more structurally sound than other materials.

Easy to Set up in Any Location

Steel tubes are an easy way to build a fence. Some cutting may be required to ensure the fence is properly built, but the steel tubing is easy to weld, so the resulting fence is as strong as possible. Most people who can weld will be able to set up the fence on their own, which can help them save money. The company selling the steel tubing may provide information on how to assemble and install the fence, and there are other tutorials available as well if needed. If the person who needs the fence doesn’t need to hire a fence installer, they can avoid labor charges which can be as much as half of the cost of a fence installation.

Can Last Almost Indefinitely

Once the steel pipes are installed, they can last almost indefinitely. Properly installed steel tube fencing is not going to fall down or become damaged with use. Corrosion may be an issue, but there are ways to protect the steel tubing from corrosion to reduce the chances of it causing significant issues. The steel fencing doesn’t require a lot of care or maintenance, though it is a good idea to inspect it regularly and repair any parts that may require it. When the fence is inspected regularly and any necessary maintenance is done promptly, it can last for decades. This is significantly longer than other types of fencing, making it more affordable in the long run.

Steel tubing is an excellent option for fencing, for a variety of different reasons. If you’re looking for a durable, easy to install fencing option, make sure you look at the options available for steel tubing today. This might be exactly what you’re looking for and can help you save money on the fencing you need.