Owning a commercial property comes with a lot of responsibility. Not only do you have to keep the property in good condition, but you also must ensure that you protect your investment from potential threats.

You can use four techniques to protect your commercial property and keep it safe.

Install Security Cameras

One of the best ways to protect your commercial property is by installing security cameras. Cameras will deter criminals from targeting your property and allow you to monitor activity. If you do experience a break-in or vandalism, you will have footage that you can use to identify the culprit.

Add an Alarm System

Another good way to protect your property is by installing an alarm system. An alarm will alert you of any unusual activity on your property and can scare off potential criminals.

Just make sure to choose a reputable alarm company that offers reliable monitoring services.

Install a Security Gate

An effective way to protect your commercial property is to install a security gate. A gate will ensure that only authorized personnel can enter the premises. You should choose gates made of steel or iron for maximum security.

Many QuickFold gate systems can be easily installed and effectively deter intruders. These gates can open and close quickly in an emergency.

Invest in Good Lighting

Investing in good lighting is one of the best ways to protect your commercial property. Good lighting lets you know who is on your property and what they are doing, making it easier to spot suspicious activity.

Ensure your exterior lights are bright enough to illuminate your property, including dark corners and alleyways. You should also consider installing motion-sensor lights, as these will come on automatically when someone is present, making it more difficult for them to hide.

Now that you know some of the best ways to protect your commercial property, you can take steps to ensure that your location is safe. Security measures will help deter criminals and give you peace of mind.

The last thing you want is to have your property damaged or vandalized, so take the necessary precautions to protect it. By following these tips, you can help to keep your commercial property safe and secure.

The post 4 Techniques To Protect Your Commercial Property appeared first on Business Chew.

Scheduling salon appointments with just a pen and paper can be a pain. But thankfully, there is an advanced solution that allows your clients to make appointments with the touch of a button. Here are a few reasons why your salon should use automated appointment scheduling.

Provides Convenience

The first reason your salon should use automated appointment scheduling is because of the convenience it provides your customers. With the world becoming more technologically advanced every day, people spend their days with their eyes glued to their phones. Therefore, it’s simple for clients to schedule their appointments with a few taps on their screen. Clients won’t have to call the salon and sit on hold until an employee is available to speak with them. With automated appointment scheduling, setting up a haircut has never been easier. And it’s not just more convenient for clients. It’s also more convenient for salon owners and employees as well.

Improves Organization

Improving organization is another reason your salon needs an automated appointment scheduling system. Strong organizational skills are one of the characteristics of a successful salon. It’s essential to keep all client records in order. An automated system for appointment scheduling takes care of the organization process for you. You’ll no longer have to file papers or write things down on a physical calendar. You also won’t have to worry about remembering where you placed important information. An automated system takes care of everything for you.

Prevents Scheduling Mistakes

The third reason that your salon should opt for automated appointments is that it prevents scheduling mistakes. When you’re keeping track of appointments by hand, it can be easy to make errors. You want to avoid double-booking a stylist because that gives clients a bad impression and wastes their time. The great thing about automated appointment scheduling is that it has technologies in place to safeguard from situations like that. You won’t have to worry about human error or scheduling mistakes.

So now that you know why you need automated appointment scheduling for your salon, you can find the right system for your business today. Your clients will be thrilled that you made the change!

The post Why Your Salon Should Use Automated Appointment Scheduling appeared first on Business Chew.

Waste production can present a real problem to businesses in almost every industry. It definitely affects warehouses. Poor waste management doesn’t just harm the environment; it also negatively impacts business operations. Often, it results in major profit loss. Storage facilities looking to optimize efficiency would be wise to assess their current methods. Learn how to reduce warehouse waste production to improve your operations.

Improve Inventory Management

Much of a storage facility’s waste comes from poor inventory management practices. Holding onto extra, out-of-date inventory takes up space and increases the number of unusable products you’re tossing every month. Warehouse managers can fix this problem by investing in inventory management software to track stock data and prioritize products. This way, your facility will only carry the items you need, freeing up space and reducing your waste generation.

Use Sustainable Packaging Materials

Fulfillment and shipping centers deal with tons of shipping materials every single day, and not all of them are sustainable. You can reduce warehouse waste production by switching to sustainable supplies and being more mindful of your packaging practices. Opt for recyclable materials and biodegradable supplies that will break down quickly without much environmental impact. Additionally, find ways to reuse equipment and materials before purchasing new packaging supplies.

Implement Eco-Friendly Initiatives

Warehouse waste doesn’t only come from packaging and inventory; employees generate their own trash that can contribute to the problem. Implement eco-friendly initiatives to encourage staff to develop “greener” habits. For example, you can start a workplace recycling and composting program for staff members to take care of their personal garbage. You can also offer incentives and rewards for those who participate in your new policies.

Hire a Waste Management Service

Some waste production problems are too significant to handle on your own. If that’s the case, hire a waste management service to do the hard work for you. Consider choosing a waste service that offers education opportunities so that your entire workplace can be up-to-date on the latest management trends. Waste removal companies can also track your trash accumulation and offer advice on lowering your monthly waste generation.

Ultimately, warehouses can save money and build a better brand by improving their waste management strategies. With these tips, your storage facility will be on its way to a more successful and sustainable future.

The post How To Reduce Warehouse Waste Production appeared first on Business Chew.

Selling your home is a big step, and it’s crucial to hire an agent that’s up to the task. But sometimes, you get so caught up in your enthusiasm for becoming a homeowner that you hire someone who might not be able to meet your needs.

When that happens, it’s essential to know when to cut your losses and look for greener pastures. Delve into some of the primary indicators that you might need to hire a new real estate agent and ensure they set up your sale for success.

Promises Are Broken

An integral part of a real estate agent’s job is following through on the promises they make concerning the sale of your property. It’s not uncommon for agents (especially newcomers) to over-promise without delivering. This is especially true concerning the amount of money they say they can snag for your home.

Perhaps your agent says your property value aligns with two stories in the upscale suburbs of Scottsdale. But they didn’t account for the way your surrounding neighborhood impacted market value. As a result, you likely won’t get the value they originally promised you. To be fair, this isn’t always a malicious tactic. Sometimes agents lack the proper expertise or experience to determine home values correctly.

Regardless, selling your home is an enormous undertaking. That’s why it’s crucial to have an agent that can meet your specific needs and follow through on what they promise. For these reasons, if your agent feeds you visions of high asking prices and quick turnaround times but can’t seem to deliver, it’s likely a sign it’s time to fire your real estate agent.

Communication Is Severely Lacking

One valuable skill that all real estate agents share is effective communication. An accommodating, friendly, and informative approach is key to being an excellent agent. After all, one miscommunication could lead to the loss of thousands of dollars or a sale falling through altogether.

Plus, there is significant and lengthy paperwork involved in a real estate transaction, such as contracts, inspection reports, and home loans. For these things to go smoothly, ultimate transparency and clear communication are crucial. That’s why it’s wise to observe whether or not your agent is dodgy about:

• Feedback from other buyers
• Potential issues with loan approval or processing
• The status of inspections, appraisal reports, or counteroffers

If you do notice that they are reluctant to share this information, or if they’re not calling you back promptly, it’s probably a strong sign it’s time to fire your real estate agent.

Marketing Is Non-Existent

Another red flag you should watch out for is a total lack of marketing. After all, how will your house sell for an excellent price if no one knows it’s on the market? Hence, note whether your agent has had professional photos taken of your home. Moreover, check to see if your home is on any listing services or even on your agent’s brokerage website.

Believe it or not, real estate agents can do most of their marketing by listing your home. Thus, if your agent doesn’t bother putting your home on the market by an agreed-upon date, it’s undoubtedly a cause for concern. Moreover, if they fail to perform the one task that will lead to offers (listing your home), it’s worth considering what else they might be letting fall through the cracks. Better yet, it’s worth it to start looking into other options.

The post Signs It’s Time To Fire Your Real Estate Agent appeared first on Business Chew.

Product creation is a journey, and each product is unique. With the plethora of items available on the market in different industries, any industrial design seems possible for a company to manufacture. But what makes a particular product design good? What makes the design functional, visually satisfying, and profitable?

Remember, every product available today started from an initial stage of conception. Let’s examine a few top tips for achieving good product design. Here’s what to keep in mind for your business endeavors.

Think Simple: Balance Market Need With Innovation

Good designs are user-friendly, simple to understand, and reliable. When beginning an industrial product design, remember that users tend to decide whether a product is reliable or not based on its visual and practical design. In other words, they seek out a balance of aesthetics with full functionality.

So always examine the market well before planning a project. This is one of the top tips for achieving good product design. Know your target market and understand the current buyer persona to meet its needs. Your main objective is to develop better solutions than those already available. Innovation isn’t all about bells and whistles.

Focus on Testing for Long-Term Efficiency

Many ideas have the potential to turn into great products when innovators and engineering teams work on them. A great project idea becomes a good product through proper testing methods. Virtual and physical testing are vital steps in the product development cycle. Designers must design for long-term effectiveness, as customers ultimately desire to invest in long-lasting solutions.

For this reason, every component of the design should serve a useful purpose and not take away from the user’s experience of the product. No matter their intended industry application, good products meet these set standards after evaluating the functionality of their integrated features.

Pay Close Attention to the Entirety of the Process

Each design detail matters, as it can help make customers prefer your product. Every component involved in the design requires diverse manufacturing techniques. Manufacturers today can produce a wide array of parts in our age of mass production. But not all machinery can tackle every shape, size, or scope of a product design. This is why part molding process selection is critical for ensuring project success.

Manufacturing complex shapes or products is possible by keeping a close eye on part geometry. Choosing a suitable process to create the correct thickness and fit is essential to assemble an effective product. These minuscule details are the differentiating factors between a mere idea and a successful final design that benefits your business.

The post Top Tips for Achieving Good Product Design appeared first on Business Chew.

Employee rewards can be great for motivating and engaging your team. This article will discuss the three benefits of an employee rewards program. It’ll also cover how to implement a rewards program. These are some significant reasons you should consider implementing a rewards program for your employees today!

Employee Rewards Can Help Improve Productivity

When employees receive rewards for a job well done, they feel encouraged and continue working hard and being productive. Employee productivity increases when they know they have the chance to earn a reward.

When people know that they’re a part of something special, it can encourage them to do their best work. A successful employee rewards program shows your team that you appreciate their hard work, and this can help improve morale and productivity in the workplace.

Employee Rewards Can Help Reduce Turnover Rates

You can reduce employee turnover rates by a significant amount when a rewards program is in place. When employees feel appreciated and valued for their hard work, they develop a sense of loyalty to the company.

Not only can this improved work environment help retain staff, but it can also make convincing prospective employees to join your operation easier.

Employee Rewards Can Help Improve Morale

When employees feel appreciated, it boosts their confidence and makes them happier at work. Employee morale increases tangibly when a rewards program is in place. The environment feels more positive because people have something to work for and feel their company cares for them.

The benefits of an employee rewards program are immeasurable. The key to a successful rewards program is knowing precisely what your employees want and need. You should ask them questions like, “What kind of reward would you prefer?” or “How often do you feel appreciated?” Once you understand what your employees desire, you can start a rewards program that caters to them.

These are some significant reasons you should consider implementing a rewards program for your employees today!

The post 3 Benefits of an Employee Rewards Program appeared first on Business Chew.

The last few years have forced companies to reevaluate every step of their processes, and 2022 promises to continue this need for adaptation. Physical stores have the challenge of creating new strategies to cope with a world increasingly used to online shopping. Even 2022’s e-commerce trends are going to demand change. We may see automated fulfillment and customer engagement changes that leave employees unsure of what’s next.

With so much pressure to move with a shifting tide, managers and owners must work together to make strategy implementation as smooth as possible. Let’s explore some tips for helping employees adjust to new business strategies so that your company can adapt with ease.

Give Explanations for Each New Strategy

Communication is always pivotal. Changes, especially those directly impacting your employees’ roles, are intimidating when announced without context. As you develop your business strategies, consider the perspective of various employees. You want to have honest, reasonable explanations for adjustments since these new procedures may potentially frustrate your employees.

After explaining each change, what inspired it, and your expectations for it, try to elaborate on how you think it’ll impact each role. Discussing this demonstrates that you’re thinking about each person, not just the conglomerate.

Provide Opportunities for Feedback When Possible

If you provide employees the opportunity to respond to changes, you empower all levels of business operations.

Feedback is, of course, invaluable to business owners who keep a distance from daily operations. While you maintain context for the company’s economic standing and overall performance, your employees know the day-in and day-out functions. Thus, they can best inform you how changes impact operations.

Allowing anyone to give feedback also empowers employees. Feedback lets them engage with the business strategies implemented and know the company hears them. This voice gives employees more faith in the company and, if leadership responds to feedback correctly, more pride in their employment.

Announce the Wins (and Failures) After Implementation

Helping employees adapt to operations changes doesn’t stop once the ball rolls. Employees frustrated with new strategies deserve to see when a change did or didn’t pay off. Announcing the wins and failures of a business strategy gives employees further context for their work and assurance that the company is moving in the right direction.

Keep in mind that each failure discussed is an opportunity for growth. Any employee can potentially provide your entire company with the solution you need to make the next strategy even better.

Helping employees adjust to new business strategies isn’t easy, especially when changes impact their lives during and beyond work hours. The best tool you have as a leader is your humanity. When you speak honestly and listen genuinely, your employees can adapt to change without too much stress.

The post Tips for Helping Employees Adjust to New Business Strategies appeared first on Business Chew.

While running your own business is exhilarating and liberating, it may also feel daunting to know your actions and decisions can have a lasting impact on your company. To set yourself up for success, consider adopting business strategies that have helped other entrepreneurs achieve their dreams.

Develop a Business Plan

A good business plan defines your goals; includes details on your company’s structure, financial situation, and vision; and serves as a roadmap for future decisions and strategies. Sharing your business plan with potential business partners and lending institutions can foster confidence and trust in your vision, and, in turn, help you receive the assistance you need to ensure success.

Optimize Your Online Presence

In today’s digital age, having an effective online presence has never been more critical. While you can create your own website with enough time and expertise, many entrepreneurs prefer to outsource this task. Online web designers can help you build an online presence that draws in customers and keeps existing clients happy.

Once your website is up and running, you need a way to manage and update it. Rather than being locked into an expensive long-term contract with a web developer, some business owners prefer using a content management system. A CMS allows you to easily manage digital content without special coding skills or programming expertise. This not only saves you money but also enables you to instantaneously post updates to your website rather than waiting for a professional to do it.

Focus on Sales

If your business relies on you or those you employ closing sales you need to have the right information to hand. Especially if you’re focusing on a B2B marketplace. You need to find the decision maker, highlight how you can offer them value, and close the deal. Whether you’re looking for CRM data or focusing on building a mailing list, having the right information to hand is paramount. 

You can hire a VA, look into purchasing software or look at team training events to help you and your team close those all important deals. If there’s ever a strategy which is going to help you and your team succeed, it’s mastering the art of good and proper sales.

Build Local Connections

As an entrepreneur, forging connections within your community can boost sales. By joining local Facebook Groups and online platforms like Nextdoor Groups, you can foster communication and build relationships with potential clients and nearby businesses.

You can also create your own Facebook Group to diversify your social media presence. Unlike your company’s Facebook page, this platform allows you to engage with a targeted audience on a topic related to your product or service without sounding like a sales pitch. By becoming an active member, you can provide valuable information and establish credibility within the market.

Finally, consider joining your town’s chamber of commerce. Being actively involved in this local group provides you with a valuable forum for publicity, helps you build integrity with customers, and provides increased opportunities for networking with other local businesses.

Hire Freelancers

Successful entrepreneurs recognize that delegation is a critical business strategy. While this can be more difficult if you don’t have a large staff, freelancers are a cost-effective solution for companies of all sizes. Independent contractors can perform tasks that require more time or expertise than you have. They also offer an affordable solution during your busy season because they can provide temporary services without a long-term commitment.

Simplify Your Payroll

Entrepreneurs need to focus on helping their business succeed and can’t afford to get bogged down with time-consuming administrative tasks such as payroll. An online payroll service can reduce your workload and keep things organized by tracking employee hours, calculating required deductions, completing the necessary tax forms, scheduling direct deposits, and ensuring compliance with government laws and regulations.

If your business doesn’t have enough employees to justify an automated payroll system, a payroll template may be a better option. Staying ahead of payroll processing is easier with these spreadsheet-based systems that can be used in conjunction with other tools to create employee schedules, track hours, calculate pay, determine withholding amounts, and generate invoices.

While creating and running a business can be challenging, there are tactics that can help. By making smart decisions and utilizing effective strategies, you can turn an idea into a reality and ensure your new company is well-positioned for success.

The post Top Strategies to Help Your Small Business Succeed appeared first on Business Chew.

Telehealth for pets is a thing?

Well, not really. Vet clinics have become ghost towns since the COVID-19 pandemic, but dogs still get ear infections and cats do…whatever the heck is they do all day.

Telehealth for humans has been booming in the last few years. It’s a 2.6 billion dollar industry and is trending up. Since 2015 the telehealth (for humans) industry has grown upwards of 25%.

But for pets? This is where Pawzy is stepping in.

Startup Lesson One: Pivot.

Kerri-Lynn McAllister hadn’t even fully baked her product when she realized she needed a new Northstar. So, she set out to build a vet clinic finder to connect owners with vets that specialized in their breed of pet. That’s pivot number 1.

Just as things seemed to be ready for launch the Coronavirus pandemic hit.

With every business and industry sprinting to digital solutions for their face to face services, Pawzy had to move fast (pivot number 2). While services like FaceTime work to a certain degree trying to manage interaction payment etc are a headache for busy vets. Not to mention privacy and data encryption.

Luckily her vet clinic finder had the search capability to find vets she just needed to bolt a video conferencing and virtual waiting room features to get to her v1.

Just like a traditional telehealth platforms, vets are able to manage a waiting room, send documents, take pictures, accept payments etc.

The ability to connect with pet parents online is imminently necessary to keep your practice running, while balancing the health and safety of your patients and staff. This transition to #virtualfirst care may seem daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. Pawzy Telehealth has you covered!

Is Telehealth for Pet here to Stay?

Pawzy has already on-boarded a few vet clinics in its first few weeks and as more places go into lock down the immediate need is there.

Since telehealth is becoming a standard practice it’s logical that those customers would also use a similar service for their pets. There might be a few hurdles along the away. Since in most cases dogs and cats can’t express their symptoms often gathering samples, tests, etc is the only way for a vet to make a diagnosis (I’m not sticking a thermometer up my dogs rear-end).

But there are endless use cases were visiting with a vet online is useful, not to mention convenient. A couple of months ago the world and consumers were different. With a shove into digital services, there are bound to be some winners – telehealth for pets might be one.

The post Telehealth for Pets? COVID-19 Pushes Bold Innovation appeared first on Business Chew.

Advertising & Marketing

You want potential customers to know about your business. This requires promotion- whether through ads, social content, or even attending a trade show. A good advertising or marketing strategy requires a budget, even if it is small. It may seem like a trivial thing, but it can make a huge difference in attracting a significant customer base.

Insurance

Whether theft or a natural disaster, sometimes things happen that you just can’t plan for. Paying for insurance (property, liability, medical, etc.) is one of the smartest moves a business can make. It protects you against costly incidents that you may not be able to recover from otherwise.

Customer Experience

A huge part of good customer experience is hospitality. From sending customers a small token of appreciation to a lunch meeting with a potential client, these expenses can be worth it in the long run if it results in new and retained customers.

Training

Educating both yourself and your employees is a great way to invest in the growth of not only your employees but also your business. Adequately trained employees will help your company be more efficient and effective. Sending your employees to conferences or bringing in trainers is an initial investment that can save you money down the road.

Time

Although you can’t put a price point on your time, it is, without a doubt, your most valuable resource. And as a business owner, you can’t afford to waste it. That is why it’s important to understand how much time and energy you’re spending on your day-to-day tasks and determine what can be delegated or automated to free you up to focus on the most important things in your business.

The post 5 Unexpected Costs Business Owners Often Overlook appeared first on Business Chew.