StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article | Is It Easy to Set Up a Video Call if You’re Not Tech-Savvy?

Is It Easy to Set Up a Video Call if You’re Not Tech-Savvy?

StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article | Is It Easy to Set Up a Video Call if You’re Not Tech-Savvy?We’re living in the age of the video call. Once considered a product of science fiction, technology has finally caught up to the aspiration of doing a video call in real-time with someone for business or pleasure.

Individuals use video calls in their private lives, but companies use them for business purposes even more. Whatever your reason for wanting to do one, though, you might live in fear of Zoom or FaceTime calls if you’re not particularly tech-savvy.

Is it easy to set up a video call if you don’t know all that much about technology? Let’s talk about that in detail right now.

Video Calls for Businesses

For the most part, those who want to use video calls for business will utilize one particular app. Zoom is a popular one, as is Skype.

Even if you aren’t exactly the most tech-savvy individual, you can usually contact an IT company and ask them to set up video calling for your business. To find an appropriate entity to handle IT support, Mandurah business owners can conduct a search and see which IT companies have the best industry reputations. You’ll also want to find one in your price range.

As a business owner, you might also hire a permanent IT staff to handle setting up video calls for you. They can set up a system that even the least tech-savvy person can use with a minimum of difficulty.


Video Calls in Your Personal Life

As for making video calls in your personal life, most people can accomplish that as well, even if they don’t know very much about the latest technology. If you have an iPhone, for instance, you can Facetime someone simply by pressing the icon on the screen. After you do it one or two times, you should get the hang of it.

If you want to use a service like Zoom, you can do that as well. Zoom has a free option, so all you need to do is Google it and go to the website on your laptop, desktop, or tablet. Then, download it to your device and spend some time getting to know the app.

Most individuals find that it is very intuitive. With a little experimentation, you should feel like an expert at it in no time.

You Can Always Ask a Knowledgeable Person for Help

If you’re still finding that you’re struggling to make video calls, there’s no shame in asking someone who’s more IT-savvy for help. In the business world, that might be someone from your IT department or another coworker who seems to have no issues making video calls. In your private life, you might talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor who makes video calls frequently.

Most people can set up video calls relatively easily if they take some time to get to know the platform they’re using, even if those calls feature multiple individuals in different locations.

StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article | Optimizing Your Warehouse-Based Business, For Better Productivity

Optimizing Your Warehouse-Based Business, For Better Productivity

StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article | Optimizing Your Warehouse-Based Business, For Better Productivity

If you run a business that’s not office-based, but quite the opposite, and you have a whole warehouse (or more) to take care of; you’ll already know about that added challenges you’ll face in comparison. You’ll have all the regular admin and process of an office-based company, with an array of added responsibilities, requirements, and practices, to consider. However, the rewards and turnover can be great, as long as each area is performing well and your business as a whole is a well-oiled machine (quite literally in some cases). Therefore, it’s the ideal time of year to go through each part of your warehouse operation, and to access it.

You want to figure out the areas that are working well, where need improvement, and what to scrap all together. This will ensure that you head into next year feeling confident about any changes you wish to implement, and how you’re best investing your time, efforts, and money. In doing so, you’ll be able to optimize the productivity in your warehouse, which will provide you with growth and development in your business throughout 2023 and beyond. It can feel a little overwhelming at times to know where to start, so you’ve come to the right place. The following are some ideas, tips, and advice for business owners who want their warehouse to be running as smoothly as possible next year, for optimal productivity and an increase in momentum.

A Clean (as it can be) and Organized Space

When times are busy, which is hopefully quite often, in your warehouse; it can become chaos in the space of a few hours. And, over time the organization and tidiness of the place can begin to affect the productivity of your business negatively. A messy warehouse floor is also a safety hazard, especially with heavy machinery around, also dirt and too much grime and waste can pose a health risk to your workers and team. Therefore, it’s time to ensure that you have the processes in place to keep on top of it effectively; it’s time to invest in who and what you need to help so that you can ensure a well-maintained warehouse next year and beyond. Your employees will also thank you for it.

You may find that your waste builds-up quickly, and becomes out of hand; therefore, it’s worth looking into route optimization for waste collection so that you can get assistance in hauling the trash you create and ensure you’re on top of your waste management. If your waste vehicles are struggling with the speed and efficiency of taking the waste away, because they take waste away literally by the truckload; invest in a company that has the latest software to help solve these issues. This will be a significant improvement on how your business runs, so don’t delay in investing.

Employee’s Job Satisfaction and Happiness

By ensuring that your waste truck drivers has the best in technology for their routing, and keeping a clean, safe, and organized warehouse floor; you’ll already be contributing to employee happiness. Being able to do their job as effectively as possible, and boost productivity; your employees need to feel like a valuable part of the team. Therefore, it’s worth thinking about how best to invest in them.

Perhaps their break room needs redecorating so that they can enjoy a rest and some refreshments and food in a pleasant environment. Team building days are great for those who work in the same area and who need to get along well, so ensure that they’re a regular part of working in your business.

Fully Functioning Equipment At All Times

Again, employee safety is paramount when it comes to a warehouse set-up (and, any set-up). Often, the biggest risk to safety is the heavy machinery, vehicles, and any equipment that is utilized within your business. Therefore, it should always be a priority to carry out regular maintenance checks, and if things aren’t up to scratch; either repair or replace immediately to minimize the risk of an accident. You can also minimize the risk of any accidents by ensuring the flooring within your warehouse is of the best quality. You can learn more about installing a mezzanine floor to increase the capacity of your warehouse while keeping the same standard of safety.

This will also affect what you’re producing; it’s no good having a clean, tidy, and organized environment, if your team are at risk every time they go to use or drive something. It could be worth looking into software and technology, or a company that provides them (as mentioned before), for specific items or areas, so that you can keep on top of where and when to invest in your equipment, processes, routes, and management, for a safe and smooth working environment for everyone.

StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article |Communication Skills|Enhance Your Communication Skills with Constructive Feedback

Enhance Your Communication Skills with Constructive Feedback

StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article |Communication Skills|Enhance Your Communication Skills with Constructive FeedbackIt isn’t easy for people to be honest with us, even when we ask them to be. In addition, those that we ask may not have the professional expertise to offer us the insights we need to work through difficult challenges.

Early on in my career, I was consulting for a major film and music studio in Los Angeles when a woman approached me to say, “Dr. Ron, I really love what you are teaching us, but would you like some feedback?” I’d learned from spiritual teacher Ram Dass that he always read letters and evaluations he got from his talks and teachings and what he paid attention to most intently was the negative feedback. He not only read and reread the more hostile and critical feedback forms, but, when he could, he’d either call or write the person to better understand the feedback and where it was coming from. Some of those letters turned into long exchanges until he felt that he’d truly processed what the critics were telling him.

I knew that this woman who approached me might offer some helpful insights, so even if it bruised my ego a little to be criticized, I said, “Fire away.”

She told me that she loved what I was teaching, then added, “but you’re teaching in the voice of an upper-crust white male.” I was taken aback, but recognized that this woman had done me a favor in pointing out my bias. I took a deep breath and said, “Tell me more.”

She gave me at least five examples where I had offered case examples about work that were all about men — and white men at that. In my family, we had six sisters and four brothers, but it was obvious to me that I’d adopted some of my dad’s strongly embedded views that came from spending his career in a corporate world dominated by white men. My dad always discussed men when he told his work-related stories. Rarely, if ever, had he brought up any stories about women. I hadn’t thought about how his limited experience working with women at his office back in an era when there were fewer women in the workplace might have influenced the types of anecdotes he shared.

I thanked the woman for sharing her perspective and promised I would change up my teaching stories. As a result of her feedback, I now think and teach with diversity in the foreground.

Fortunately, this woman’s criticism came from an open heart so it was easy to not take offense. If you’re asked to give feedback to someone in your life or at work, I find these four techniques keeps the conversation positive and productive:

1. Give your full attention. When anyone tells you about or shows you their project, give them your undivided attention. Don’t scroll on your phone, don’t multitask, and don’t interrupt except to ask for clarification. Set the foundation for them to be honest and vulnerable.

2. Respond with positivity. If you think it’s an awful idea, you can say something like, “It sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought and work into this project so far.” Go ahead and compliment them for their efforts rather than the outcome.

3. Ask questions from a place of genuine curiosity. Use questions such as, “I don’t think I’ve heard that before. How did you come up with that idea?” and “What about this plan appeals to you the most?” Understanding where they’re coming from and what their aspirations are can help you to better encourage them and give them constructive feedback. You can share what you’ve done in similar situations and what the outcome was. In this way, you’re making yourself vulnerable and making them feel more comfortable with any criticism you offer because you’re showing that, at times, you’ve been unsure or made wrong turns.

4. Offer feedback diplomatically. Finally, you can suggest something you think they might work on, but wait to see how they respond before you give them more feedback. Don’t overwhelm people with criticism and advice. You can ask whether they’d like more feedback or if they would rather work with their project some more first. In both my Art of Leadership and Core Creativity workshops, I’ll often ask: Would you like my feedback as mild, medium, or severe — like the hottest salsa?
Also, when asking for feedback on your project or idea, make sure to solicit it from a diverse group of people. You may benefit from asking someone with expertise in a particular area, someone who is good with alerting you to your emotions, someone with a different temperament, or someone who is very intuitive.


About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor | Ronald A. AlexanderRonald A. Alexander, PhD, is the author of the new book, Core Creativity: The Mindful Way to Unlock Your Creative Self (Rowman & Littlefield, June 21, 2022), upon which this article is based. He is a creativity and executive leadership coach, as well as a licensed mind-body psychotherapist. He’s the executive director of the OpenMind® Training Program that offers personal and professional training programs in mindfulness-based therapies, transformational leadership and meditation. He is also the author of the highly acclaimed book, Wise Mind, Open Mind: Finding Purpose and Meaning in Times of Crisis, Loss, and Change (2008). Learn more at www.CoreCreativity.com.

StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article |Working from Home|How To Be More Productive Working From Home

How To Be More Productive Working From Home

StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article |Working from Home|How To Be More Productive Working From HomeOne of the only good things that came out of the pandemic was that it gave us the ability to work from home. Companies that in the past thought the job couldn’t be done remotely, soon found out that in fact that was a great idea and helped many employees become more productive. The increased freedom and flexibility helped to enhance the work ethic of many. If you work from home, it can be great, but some people wonder if they’re working as productively as they could be. Chances are there is some room for improvement. Here we have put together some top tips to show you how to be more productive working from home.

Work closely with colleagues

Working from home can be pretty isolating which can lead to a drop in productivity. To avoid this, speak to your colleagues email and instant messaging, aswell as on the phone or meet them for a coffee. By utilising SME cloud computing it’s easier than ever to collaborate and work as a group. Virtual tools from cloud-based services enable you to speak to colleagues and your employers in a seamless and effective way. Being away from the office can mean it’s easy to not speak with those you work with but by utilising tools like SME cloud computing and other messaging services, you can collaborate effectively and efficiently.


Have a dedicated working space

One of the most important things you need to do when you are working from home is to have a dedicated workspace for you to be able to sit and concentrate at. This could be a desk in your bedroom, a study, or an outhouse in your garden. No matter where it is, you want it to be free of distractions (such as from other members of your household) and somewhere you can start and finish your work without having to worry about being disrupted. Some people choose a place such as their dining table but this isn’t a specific workspace and as such might mean you need to keep moving throughout the day or have to pack up midway through an important project.

Give yourself rest breaks throughout the day

While it might seem productive to work throughout the day, you need to give yourself breaks to reset and recuperate. Take some time to have a walk, even if it is just around the block to clear your head and give your eyes some time away from your screen. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference just ten minutes can make.

These are just a few of the top ways that you can be more productive working from home. Whether you work in a hybrid manner so spend some time in the office and some time at yours, or the whole time working from home, these are sure to help you. What are some of the top things you do to increase your productivity when you are working from home? Let us know in the comments below, we would love to hear from you!

StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Boost Productivity|Tips To Boost Productivity In Your Food Manufacturing Business

Tips To Boost Productivity In Your Food Manufacturing Business

StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Boost Productivity|Tips To Boost Productivity In Your Food Manufacturing BusinessPrioritizing efficiency is crucial for building a sustainable food business. Aside from the many challenges facing global food manufacturers, the market has grown very competitive and flooded with many products leaving fewer opportunities for growth and success. According to recent data, there are over 197,000 food businesses in the US alone, and improving your efficiency and productivity will be crucial. Below are a few ways to do this.

1. Set specific production targets

Setting clear production targets is a simple method to improve efficiency and productivity. A precise, measurable target motivates employees more than a vague instruction to produce “as much as possible.” Setting production targets is a simple process that requires analyzing previous production levels. This isn’t only great for motivating your staff but useful for achieving higher efficiency. Having set your production targets, you can prioritize the activities to help you swiftly and efficiently attain those goals.

2. Provide proper training

Human mistake is frequently the weakest link in food manufacturing operations. Mistakes are still common in the most technologically advanced businesses if the staff doesn’t have adequate training. Unfortunately, this can gradually reduce total productivity and efficiency. Invest in proper training to ensure employees have the knowledge and abilities to optimize their performance. Otherwise, issues such as food contamination would be a common occurrence. You can avoid those issues by providing your staff with good training on all processes used during food manufacture.


3. Embrace tech and automation

Technology has tremendously influenced several industries, including the food industry. As a result, you must leverage cutting-edge tools to automate some monotonous processes. Technology can also assist in limiting the possibility of human mistakes. For instance, employing climate and temperature control systems can be useful for preventing contamination and possible damage to food products. To improve handling and prevent product loss, tools such as the temperature monitor can come in handy. However, while technology may increase your business’s productivity and efficiency, you must examine the costs of implementing these solutions. This requires extensive market research to choose the technology that provides the most value.

4. Tighten your quality control systems

Quality control should be high on your priority list as a food manufacturer. It is critical because even one poor review from a customer can produce an unfavorable opinion of your brand among the general public. After spending months and even years building your brand, a bad product review is the last thing you want. Aside from such incidents, it would be best to strengthen quality control procedures to avoid unwanted criticisms. You can use food inspection procedures, technologies, and procedures that require stringent vetting to ensure products are closely monitored before they leave your facility.

You’re likely to face challenges in every business, and food manufacturing is no different. Using the techniques above may aid in increasing your food production efficiency and productivity. Making the best use of your resources and equipment can allow you to manufacture more in less time and boost your revenue.