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How To Choose The Right Automation Solution For Your Small Business

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Automation Solution|How To Choose The Right Automation Solution For Your Small BusinessThe benefits of automation in business are undeniable. It saves time, allows your staff to work smarter, increases profits, improves productivity, reduces the risks of errors, and increases operational efficiencies, among other benefits. However, for your businesses to experience the benefits of automation, you need to identify the right automation solution best suited for your business, as there are different types of automation to choose from. So, if you’re considering introducing an automation solution to your small business operations, here is how to choose the right one.

1. Understand what your business needs

Implementing automation in the right places is impossible when you don’t know your business’s challenges regarding efficiency, productivity, and error margins. The best way to understand your business needs is to survey your workers. Find out which departments are more error-prone due to too much human intervention. Identify the areas of your operations that use employee time the least. Doing this will help you identify your business’s biggest operational bottlenecks.

2. Service and replacement parts

As indicated earlier, there are different types of automation – fixed, programmable, and flexible. Fixed automation solutions are mostly found in manufacturing and production lines. Typical examples are industrial robots performing various manufacturing and production line functions. These types of automated solutions need service and replacement parts. And it’s important to consider how easy it is to find such replacement parts if needed. For example, before you invest in any FANUC automation or robotics solution for your business, you need to know how and where to find the necessary FANUC robot parts.


3. Is there an opportunity to scale?

As your business grows, your operational needs will also increase. That means your automation solution should be able to grow with your business. The last thing you want is to invest in a solution that does not allow you to make changes or expand to meet increasing business operational needs. When considering scalability, it makes sense to also keep the cost in mind. You want an opportunity to scale, but you also want to do so more cost-effectively.

4. Consider what other systems you may need to integrate

Will your automation solution work alone, or will you integrate it with other business systems? If integration is required, you must consider how cohesive your ideal automation solution will be with other systems. Thankfully, most automation solutions allow for easy integration with other third-party systems.

5. Programmable features

Another important factor to bear in mind when choosing the right automation solution is programmability. Does it come with programmable software? That is important because different businesses have unique needs. It’s important to have a solution flexible enough to accommodate your company’s specific needs.

6. A well-trained staff

Regardless of your automation solution, you’ll need an employee or a team equipped with the right training to operate or use it. You can do this in two ways. You can hire workers who have the expertise or train already existing employees to take up the extra responsibility.

4 Things To Consider Before Renovating Your Commercial Premises

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Renovating your Commercial Premises|4 Things To Consider Before Renovating Your Commercial PremisesWhen you think about renovating commercial premises, a series of questions rush to your mind. Where should you begin? What should be the target budget for renovations? How many contractors do we need for this project? And above all, where can we find trusted renovation specialists in our area? These are some key considerations when it comes to renovating commercial premises. Here is an insight into 4 things you should keep in mind before moving ahead with your renovation plans.

Do you need a project manager?

Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve from your commercial space can help you decide whether you need a project manager. A project manager can help you in the effective management of the project. This can help determine the type of finishes, resources, and budget you are looking to spend. The project manager can also help find the best contractor in your area who can give you a design that blends well with your commercial space.

Do you require permits or permissions to make changes?

If you’re looking to build new commercial premises or make changes in the existing commercial space, it is essential to know if you need a permit. If you want to alter or add new things to the existing commercial space, such as plumbing, electrical, and structural changes, getting a permit for the same is important. This is essential as it will ensure safety and give you the added advantage of getting the project done faster. A permit also ensures the construction or renovation project is done according to the building codes. You would not require a permit if you want to make changes, such as adding new doors or modifying the windows or doors. However, if you make structural changes, such as adding a new floor, changing the roof, or adding columns, you will be required to get a permit.


Is there asbestos in the building?

Asbestos was a dangerous material used in construction and renovation projects until 1990. It is mainly found in insulation materials such as pipes, ducts, ceiling tiles, sprayed-on insulation, joint compound, and floor tiles. If your commercial building were built before 1990, it would likely be made with asbestos-containing materials. If your commercial building has asbestos, it is essential to hire a certified asbestos removal contractor. However, before starting the renovation process, you must take proper precautions to prevent the asbestos from spreading. You must also ensure that the employees and contractors working in the building are aware of the safe work practices with asbestos.

Can you continue to operate during the work?

Renovations are a continuous process, and it may only be possible for you to shut down the commercial premises for part of the project duration. If you’re planning to do renovations of a commercial space that is currently in operation, you need to ensure that the project is done in such a way that it does not impact the day-to-day business operations. When planning renovations, you must decide at what stage you want the work to stop. It may not be possible for every business to shut down for the entire duration of the renovation project. Therefore, deciding at what stage you want the work to stop or move to another part of the building is essential. You can hire an architect or designer to suggest the best plans considering your commercial requirements.

Conclusion

Suppose you’re planning to do renovations of a commercial space that is currently in operation. In that case, you need to ensure you have the proper permits in place, have done all the appropriate research, and have taken precautions to ensure the work runs smoothly without impacting your day-to-day operations.

5 Issues That May Be Holding You Back In Your Career

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |Issues holding you back in your career|5 Issues That May Be Holding You Back In Your CareerIf your career has somewhat stagnated, you are not alone. It is a situation that millions of professionals find themselves in, and the harsh reality is that the majority will stay there for the long haul. Thankfully, if you learn to address the issues that are holding you back today, it will be possible to form a brighter tomorrow.

The first step, then, is to identify those potential problems. Here are five reasons why your career may not be progressing, along with what can be done to get things back on track.

You Haven’t Continued Your Development

Once you have earned your degree or completed the necessary training to enter the industry, you may assume that your education is over. On the contrary, any candidate looking to progress their career must invest in online schooling or other training models. When you continue to develop your skills, it allows you to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving business world.

Moreover, this approach shows your willingness to keep learning, which makes you a better candidate for more senior roles.

An Accident Has Held You Back

Oftentimes in life, problems surface due to issues that are out of our control. While you may not be able to alter the past, you can at least stop it from dictating your future. Calling a lawyer if you are injured at work doesn’t only help you gain compensation. It provides a record that explains a prolonged absence from employment and a lack of progress in recent months.

After all, you may have to focus fully on your health for a length of time before resuming your ascent up the career ladder.


You Offer Too Much

As an ambitious worker, you may regularly take on more responsibilities than what you are paid for. In theory, this should help you get noticed by senior managers. It will, but could also be the reason you get overlooked. They have a worker who is already performing extra duties without financial rewards. So, many bosses will purposely avoid offering a promotion. In some cases, direct line managers may even see a threat.

Either way, it will be your responsibility to make your desires to climb the ladder clear. And this could mean refusing to take on extra duties without remuneration.

You’re In The Wrong Company

Sometimes, businesses simply cannot afford to pay the salary that you probably deserve. In a world where remote working is virtually the norm, you have no excuse not to look around. You can have your resume reviewed to see how much you can expect to earn. Meanwhile, gig economy portals allow you to consider the prospect of contracting as a self-employed worker in your field.

If you are currently underpaid, don’t be afraid to apply for roles elsewhere. Just don’t quit your job until something better is lined up.

You Allow Yourself To Experience Burnout

It’s great that you want to push yourself in business. Sadly, a poor work-life balance can have a truly detrimental impact. Therefore, it’s vital that you begin to consider ways to restore it. This could range from days out and vacations to simply scheduling a screen break to get some water and stretch your legs. A small sacrifice can boost your productivity throughout the day, week, or month.

In turn, you’ll see better results at work, which can help you climb the ladder. And you’ll feel far happier too.

Creating a Happy Workplace For Your Employees

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Create a Happy Workplace|How Can You Improve Your Marketing Strategy?People need to work to pay their bills and so forth, but that doesn’t mean that the only thing they look for from an employer is a paycheck. They also want to work in an environment that’s pleasant. Indeed, this is something that’s becoming increasingly important to employees, so it’s worthwhile looking at ways to make your space more enjoyable. In doing so, you’ll be helping to retain your existing staff and attract new candidates, and that’s something that can have a significantly positive impact on your business.

If you’re not sure how to improve the quality of your workplace, then read on below, where we’ll run through some of the most effective methods.

Avoid Overcrowding

It’s not nice to work in a cramped space. Feeling like you’re surrounded by too many people or things can have a negative impact not only on your enjoyment of work but on the quality of the work. So it’s in your interest to try to make your workspace feel as large as possible. One way to do this is to move to a new office, but you don’t necessarily have to. There are ways to make your existing office seem bigger by removing clutter, getting rid of bulky furniture, and spacing out the desks.


Let In Light

Light is another thing that comes up time and time again when employees are discussing their office preferences. It’s easy to see why someone would prefer to work in a place that lets in a lot of natural light rather than a dark, windowless basement. So take a look at improving the light quality of your workplace. You could find that by changing the windows (or just cleaning them) and getting rid of any blinds you may have, you can help to bathe the office in sunlight.

Think of Temperature

The decor of the space is important. But what really matters is the temperature of the office. If it’s too hot or too cold, then your employees will begin to complain. In this day and age, there’s no reason not to have the right temperature, so make sure you’re taking action if you have problems. As well as the temperature of the air, look at your hot water taps — cold water can be grueling during the winter months — a heater or water pump repair could be necessary. You can go above and beyond by supplying fans during the summer months and fresh tea or coffee during the colder time of the year.

Social Spaces

Finally, what about allowing your employees the chance to spend time with one another? Studies have shown that employees are much happier when they feel that they have friends in the office, but that can only happen if they’re given a chance to spend time with one another. Look at adding a social area to the office where people can get to know one another in an informal way — you never know what collaboration projects may happen when employees get together and get talking.

How to Find Your Business’ Target Audience

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StrategyDriven Marketing and Sales Article |Target Audience|How to Find Your Business’ Target AudienceGrowing a business can be one of the most rewarding and challenging things a person can do. Between picking what industry your business will focus on, getting the funding to start, and making that first sale, there’s a lot that goes into becoming a successful business owner.

One of the most complex parts of running a business is pinning down who your target audience is. While it would be ideal for every person who walks into your business to make a purchase, that situation is more often fiction than reality. That’s why most successful companies target a select group of people they believe to be their most likely and regular customers.

To turn your business from a few regular customers to a massive following, finding your target audience is essential. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most effective ways to identify and cater to your target audience so you can get more people in the door, and more green in your pocket.

Analyze Your Current Customer Base

Before you can expand to a larger audience, it’s important to first analyze the one you have now. By ascertaining why your current customers spend their money with you, you can better demonstrate your value to prospective customers.

Many businesses use a survey or reviews for this analysis, as they allow customers to provide honest opinions on your services. Even if all of your feedback isn’t positive, you can use it to make adjustments and improve your current business model.


Conduct Market Research

Every business is trying to fill a need that others can’t. Whether it’s a clothing company or a sports equipment manufacturer, getting an edge in a specific market is the goal of every business owner.

One way you can get an edge in your industry is by conducting market research and finding where there are holes in service. By filling those holes, you’ll be able to demonstrate a unique service that people can’t find anywhere else, targeting an audience that was previously without options.

Use Analytics Tools

If your business has an online presence, analytics tools are your best avenue for finding your target audience. Platforms like Google and Facebook contain in-depth breakdowns of who your company is reaching, what areas of the world they live in, when they usually make purchases, and much more.

This information can be used to tailor your entire brand around your target audience, giving you more opportunities to grab their attention and get that sale. It can also help you avoid targeting the wrong audience, as you’ll know who’s least likely to purchase your services and can reposition your marketing accordingly.

Engage with Your Audience

One of the key drivers of any lucrative business is engagement. Whether it’s with email campaigns or special in-person events, putting a face and voice to your company will help it feel like more than a soulless website or brick-and-mortar store. The more involvement your customers feel they have with your business, the more attached they’ll become. With that attachment comes loyalty, and with that loyalty comes a target audience that thinks of your business before anything else.

About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor |Veronica BaxterRoni Davis is a writer, blogger, and legal assistant operating out of the greater Philadelphia area. She writes for Mosser Legal, a criminal appeals lawyer in Philadelphia.