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Keeping Your Business’ Energy Usage Low

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Business Energy Usage|Keeping Your Business' Energy Usage LowThere are many reasons why you might want to keep your use of energy as low as possible in your business. For one thing, it is obviously a good time to be doing that right now, with the way things are with the planet, and you can say that you are doing your part while also being a more attractive brand in the eyes of people. But energy saving is also financially savvy, and your business’ books are going to be much better balanced as a result of these kinds of changes. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways to keep your energy consumption down.

Strip Down Processes

Many businesses that have been in operation for a long while end up having far too many processes going on at one time. This can be a real nuisance, as it often means you are just going to be expending more energy than you need to – and you’ll probably be wasting time, money and other resources in the process. So an easy thing you can do to help with this is to strip down your processes until you are left only with what you really need. Do this once a year and watch as it changes everything about how you work.


Focus On Conservation

It’s generally best to put more of your efforts into conservation of energy rather than simply using less. There is a subtle difference, in that with conservation you are employing methods for holding on to energy rather than limiting yourself in any way. To achieve this, you might use a variety of techniques, from heat wheel reliability to building your office building with Passivhaus in mind. However you do it, conserving energy in this way is absolutely something you want to make sure you are doing right.

Take An Energy Audit

Every now and then, it is wise to submit your business to an energy audit, as this way you will be able to work out exactly what is going on, how much energy you are expending, and so on. You can start to see where the main problems might be and gain recommendations for improvement too, all of which will help you considerably if you are keen to improve your business with energy in mind. You can carry out the audit yourself, or for more reliable results hire an external auditor to do it for you.

Look At Supply

Sometimes all you really need to do to improve your energy usage is to take a look at the supply of it to your business. It might be that you are not with the best supplier, and often changing them out can make all the difference in the world, so that is something that you are going to want to consider for sure. This might be all you need to do, and as such it would be a particularly easy and simple approach to take in order to keep your business’ energy usage much lower.

3 Freelance Business Ideas Worth Trying

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article |Freelance business ideas|3 Freelance Business Ideas Worth TryingFreelancing comes with benefits worth considering. First, you control your workload and schedule, helping you achieve a good work-life balance. You also decide what niche to focus on and clients to offer your services to. You also determine the best ways to address your clients’ needs. Moreover, you don’t require substantial capital to start your business. It’s no wonder that there are approximately 57 million freelancers in the US. So, are you looking to start a freelance business soon? If yes, here are some business ideas worth considering for the best results.

1. Interior design

If you have a penchant for creating aesthetically pleasing spaces, you may want to consider being an interior designer. Being an interior designer has its perks. For instance, you get the opportunity to show off your creative instincts, mesmerizing your clients and earning their loyalty. Since you aren’t subject to superiors, you can create unique arrangements without interference. Moreover, you don’t have to impress your boss to advance your business; all you need is your clients’ approval. You also have the liberty to determine your target market and price range. You can start working from home until you are financially ready to open an office.

It’s important to note that you don’t require a degree if you wish to focus on styling. However, planning applications for property extension may require a degree, so keep this in mind. Since you would be responsible for getting your clients, you will find it helpful to work with social media influencers for the best results. Your social media platforms are great avenues to build your portfolio and attract clients. Working with agencies that offer professional service direct mail marketing is also helpful.


2. Blogging

Blogging is an effective way to make money online. What’s more, it can serve as a passive income stream while you focus on other business ventures. Since writing is a valuable skill, continuous blogging will help you sharpen this skill. Likewise, writing good content can introduce you to different opportunities like public speaking at conferences or becoming a community leader. Therefore, you want to consider blogging if you haven’t already. However, transforming your blog into a money-making machine requires hard work and persistence. But once you get past this, earning good money becomes easier.

Fortunately, you can monetize your blog in several ways. For instance, you can consider affiliate marketing, where you earn a commission on products clients buy through your link. You can also sell sponsored posts, ad spaces, merch, etc.

3. Web design

You can consider being a web designer if you have creative and technical skills. As a freelance web designer, you are required to build website elements like layout, fonts, and graphics. However, you have the freedom to work wherever you wish and choose what projects to work on. You also avoid dealing with delays associated with larger design firms. And clients who need their websites in the shortest possible time may patronize your services.

Learning the necessary web design skills and building your portfolio website is important. Consequently, ensure that your website is well designed, as clients may assess yours before patronizing your services.

What Should You Do If Your Business Is Spinning Its Wheels?

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Business spinning its wheels|What Should You Do If Your Business Is Spinning Its Wheels?Feeling stagnant in life is never a pleasant emotion, but of course, this goes tenfold when it relates to the company we’re trying to build. Companies, by their very nature, are dynamic entities rather than the oiled machines we have come to regard them as. After all, companies that fail to innovate, to grow with the times and to develop a comprehensive plan for the future will often be left in the dust of history.

For this reason, the impression that your wheels have been spinning rather than leading to your destination can be a tiresome one, and even an impression that causes once-heralded professionals to feel productively and creatively drained.

However, just because some of your results have been questionable as of late, and just because you may be in need of something new to revivify your brand, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to sit back and fade into obscurity.

There are worthwhile steps you can take. In this post, we’ll try to help you avoid catastrophising and instead focus on the hard facts, using them to boost your approach and get your engines fuelled again. With that in mind, let’s consider some of the worthwhile advice below:


Reconsider Your Values

Reconsider the values your firm may be operating on. Could now be the best time for a change? For instance; might it be that in order to keep up with others in your industry, sustainability has become the name of the game? Might it be that while other companies used the pandemic to reinvent in their online presence, you’ve been lagging behind and struggling to tap into the online market? Sometimes, reconsidering your values and how they determine your focus will enable you to see what market you’re serving, one that exists now, or one that may have been present five years ago.

Assess Your Marketing Plan

Without a comprehensive marketing plan you’ll struggle to offer a unifying narrative and that in itself could be considered a disadvantage. At a time when social media advertising is more quick-fire and easy to ignore than ever, campaigns that have some bite to them are pretty much the only ones that get noticed. So – what kind of approach would you like to take? Using this resource to determine the best advertising approach may be the optimal path to take, helping you move forward with the best aid in sight.

Feedback, Feedback, Feedback

Have you decided why your business is spinning its wheels without listening to feedback? You may only have half of the story, then. It’s good to challenge your preconceived ideals, especially if they’re not performing as well as you would have otherwise hoped. Focus groups, online surveys, and reading reviews can make a big difference. Any firm can make use of this, from hotels to companies selling software services. Speak to those who operate within the market you appeal to, and those adjacent to it. Get all sides of the story. This will help you identify flaws that you may not have considered or even thought possible before.

With this advice, you’re certain to gain some traction even after your business has been spinning its wheels for a time.

7 Best Financial Ideas To Make Money In 2022

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StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article |Ideas to make money|7 Best Financial Ideas To Make Money In 2022This year, we’re all beginning to feel the pinch as the cost of living rises rapidly, which means more of us are looking for ways we can make money in 2022. There are various ways that you can give your bank account a boost, from choosing a rewards credit card to investing, changing jobs, or gaining a new skill – we’ll look at some of the ways you increase your income below.

If you’re struggling to make your money go further, and you’ve been hit with an unexpected expense, payday loans online can help in an emergency – with a fast approval process and money in your account within days.

1. Cashback sites

If you’re looking to make a little bit of money on your purchases this year, using a cashback site could be advantageous to you. Becoming a member of a cashback site means that when you purchase a product or service through that website, you are given a percentage of the money earned via the website’s affiliate links. This allows you to buy online anything from broadband to car insurance and you’ll be rewarded with a sum of money being paid into your account.
The cash will appear in your bank anywhere from one to three months from when you made the purchase, so it may not be the best idea if you’re looking for a quick fix, however, if you use them regularly and allow them to build up, you’ll end up with a healthy sum of money.

2. Reward Credit Cards

Choosing to apply for a reward credit card means that you can make money by spending on essential items. There are many types of reward credit cards to choose from, but they all offer you a percentage of what you spend back – whether that is straight back into your account or subtracted from the bill you receive every month. You will earn more cashback depending on how much you spend but be sure that you’re meeting the repayments every month! You can compare these cards online to find the best option for you.


3. Switch Bank Accounts

Switching to a different bank is a great way of earning a little bit of extra cash. Most banks offer rewards for new customers, whether that’s a cash bonus or vouchers. You may think that this is a lot of effort to go to for a cash reward – but it couldn’t be easier! The switching service that a lot of banks use means that it takes just a week to make the swap. You can research various bank accounts and the perks they have to offer online, and simply choose which looks best for you.

4. Invest

Investing your savings has never been easier, with digital investment platforms making it an accessible and easy way to make money. Whilst there is always a risk with investing that you may stand to lose a sum of money, investing in the right places means you can give your savings the chance to grow, without having to do anything. Although safe investment tends to mean that you have to be in it for the long-term, this means you’re more likely to make a return. So, if you’re looking to add to your retirement fund, or save for a property, you could consider investing your money.

5. Apply for Promotions

If you enjoy your job, and you’ve been working with the same company for over a year, applying for a promotion could be just what you need to increase your income. Look for an opening within your company, or chat with a manager to see if there is any way you could work your way up the ladder, and to a more prominent position. If you are good at your job, and you’re a loyal member of staff, a promotion should be well within your reach, all you must do is take a chance!

Similarly, if you have been receiving the same wage for a while, and your income is not stretching as far as it used to, asking for a pay increase could be useful. If you’re a valued employee, it is well within your rights to ask – the worst that can happen is that your employers don’t agree. Trying to make changes where you can is important when it comes to increasing income.

6. Turn Hobbies into Jobs

A lot of us have side jobs along with our full-time jobs now as a way of making more money. It is beneficial if you have a hobby that you enjoy that others can benefit from and pay for. For example, if you enjoy photography, why not start a blog, or take steps to become an event photographer in your local area. If you enjoy the beauty, you could take a beauty course and start your own business in your own time, from the comfort of your home. You must choose a hobby that you enjoy so that your second job doesn’t become monotonous.

7. Learn a New Skill

If you don’t have a hobby that you could turn into a job on the side, you could learn a new skill to get you to a better position either within your current job or help you towards a new one. There is a variety of courses online to choose from depending on the area of work you’re in.

If you’re ready for a new challenge and have a career path in mind that is going to pay you a higher income, you could take a course that will help you to be successful and allow you to stand out in the application process. Gaining a certificate or qualification that you can put on your CV is a way of boosting your credentials and getting you to where you want to be financially.

How to Handle Sensitive Documents In Business

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article |Handle Sensitive Documents|How to Handle Sensitive Documents In BusinessIn business sometimes you will need to handle highly confidential documents. When you need to handle extremely confidential documents you have to have a system in place on how you are going to keep them secure.

It can be quite challenging if you do not have a set procedure in place. You run the risk of getting the documents into the wrong hands. Here’s a look at some of the steps you need to take to keep your business documents private.

Protect Digital Information

If you have confidential documents that are stored digitally you need to make sure that you secure them with strong passwords, encryption, and firewalls.

Limit who can has access to the documents. Limiting the number of people who know about the document as well as who have passwords to access the documents, is the only way to ensure that you keep them protected.

Shred and Discard Documents the Right Way

Even though there are a lot of digital and electronic files being used regularly. As a business, you will still have to deal with a lot of paperwork.

Sometimes this cannot be avoided. However, when you have confidential information in documents you need to ensure that you secure them. You can secure them by putting them in lockable document storage cabinets in specific corners or rooms in your office.

If you must get rid of documents you should consider using document shredding services to ensure that your documents do not get into the wrong hands.


Train Your Employees

One of the biggest reasons why confidential documents end up in the wrong hands is because employees are not trained. Your employees may unknowingly cause confidential information to get into the wrong hands by not being careful.

You must train your employees on how to use security passwords, and spot phishing email scams. You also need to educate them on safe storage and destruction of confidential documents. Making sure that your employees are well versed in how to take care of your business documents is the only way to ensure that they do not end up in the wrong hands due to their negligence.

Safe Delivery of Documents

If you have a busy office then chances are your documents are always coming and going. You need to make sure that you have a secure process for receiving documents as well as sending any confidential documents.

When you need documents delivered to a third party make sure that you use a courier service that has a high level of integrity. When you are sending off documents make sure that you use a file-sharing service and always encrypt your documents.

Stay Safe

Ensuring that the documents that come in and out of your office are kept safe and confidential is very important. Failure to do this can mean that you expose her personal information to unscrupulous people.

Documents that are loaded with personal information about your business, your clients, and those you partner with should always be kept as safe as possible. By employing the methods discussed here you have a greater chance of securing your business.