Monthly Archives: April 2017
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April 25, 2017
Five Reasons to Listen to Your Employees

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

Listen to your employees. There really is a reason that you have two ears and one mouth. Here are five reasons why it makes a difference.

Five Reasons to Listen to Your Employees

  1. Listening tells you what employees need, so you can be prepared to provide them with whatever it takes to make them happier and more productive.
  2. Listening keeps you from making mistakes with employees.
  3. Listening enables you to negotiate more successfully with employees.
  4. Listening minimizes employee frustration because it sends a message that you care what they think.
  5. Most importantly, listening wins their respect and raises their self-esteem.
April 18, 2017
Five Ways to Boost Employee Morale

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

Employee morale is a crucial element in building a successful business, and if you think that money is the best way to enhance morale, think again! Oh, sure, money is important, but if employees don’t enjoy their jobs or the way management treats them, they won’t be around for long.

Here are five morale-building strategies to consider.

Five Ways to Boost Employee Morale

1. Reward and recognize promptly.

If you’re going to recognize an employee, do so quickly after his/her achievement. Studies show that the longer you wait (for example, quarterly or annual recognition events) the less it motivates an employee.

2. Share customer praise.

If you receive a call, email, or letter praising one of your employees, share it directly with the employee, as well as the rest of the staff. You might even create a “Wall of Honor” where you frame and hang such items.

3. Invite employees to your home for a recognition event.

There is something special about being recognized in front of significant others and co-workers. And doing it in your home makes it more personal.

4. Reward employees who support your company growth.

Provide a cash bonus, gift certificate, or paid time off for employees who help you recruit employees or land new customers. Get them in the mindset of supporting your growth.

5. Schedule regular meetings to let all employees know what’s happening.

Give everyone the sense that they are important to your organization.

April 11, 2017
Five Steps to a Great Virtual Presentation

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

As your prospects and customers expand across the world, virtual presentations are becoming more and more accepted.

Here are five considerations for delivering a great virtual presentation.

Five Steps to A Great Virtual Presentation

1. Keep it Short.

Think about 10-minute segments. Don’t use any medium, especially a single presenter talking, for more than 10 minutes at a time. Shift gears every 10 minutes.

2. Keep it Uncomplicated.

Use simple slides with short phrases or sentences. Don’t make your audience “figure out” what’s going on. Keep it simple.

3. Perform Like a Pro.

Rather than looking at the screen, look right into the camera. Use proper lighting and a good microphone.

4. Get Out of Your Seat.

Stand whenever you present whether the audience can tell or not. Standing increases your energy and focus.

5. Practice the Tech.

Complete at least one dry run using your technology to ensure all the features work as you expect. Record it and replay to see how you can improve.

April 6, 2017
Are You Thinking of Going into Business for Yourself?

By Pamela Chatry, Premier Business Advisor and Mentor

Susan was laid off from her government job where she had worked for fourteen years as a customer service agent. Susan loved her work but was tired of someone else always controlling her future. So when the lay-off came, she decided she was ready to start her own business. Susan is just one of millions of Canadians who in the last decade have chosen to start their own companies.

Many people, like Susan, decide that owning their own business is a valid career choice. While it may ultimately prove to be the right choice, they haven’t given much thought to the demands their business will make on their personal lives. It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of the business opportunity that they forget that self-employment changes lives in ways both good and bad.

If you are thinking about starting your own company, talk to other entrepreneurs and ask them about the challenges. Ask for advice. Ask yourself some hard questions and answer honestly. Evaluate the extensive personal and professional demands. Think about how life will change for you and your family. Are you prepared to work long hours and give up your evenings and weekends to make this new business a success?

Create a business and personal budget. Be prepared for the financial commitments and consider how well prepared you and your family are to support yourselves while the company grows. Be aware that it always takes longer for a business to be self-supporting than predicted. It is also important to consider whether or not you can afford to lose the start-up money you are investing in the company.

Make a business plan! If you are unsure how to do this, seek out the help of a professional business advisor. You can’t afford to not plan ahead.

If you are considering entrepreneurship, there are no easy ‘get rich’ or ‘magic’ formulas. It takes hard work and money. Avoid risk and financial loss by asking hard questions, doing extensive planning, and obtaining more business knowledge. It’s also okay to recognize that that entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. Devoting time to extensive business and personal planning helps removes some of the risks of being self-employed.

 

April 4, 2017
Five Ideas to Make Your Customers Want to Do Business with You

by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

What’s the hold up in your customers’ buying decision? Maybe they need to see your offerings in a different light. Maybe they need to justify the financial investment you’re asking them to make. Maybe they need to understand how others have benefited from using your offerings.

Here are five things that just might close the deal.

Five Ideas to Make Your Customers Want to Do Business with You

1. Send them an article that is relevant to them.

Show them how industry trends or emerging companies rely on your offering.

2. Offer to provide an assessment.

You could provide an assessment to demonstrate how they could cut costs or capitalize on opportunities.

3. Email them case studies of companies like theirs.

Show them how similar companies benefited from your offerings.

4. Send them interviews with industry experts.

Find interviews with industry experts who back up your case and send them along.

5. Provide them with a payback analysis tool.

Show them how to use an ROI calculator to determine the $$ they will make/save using your offering.

Copyright Pamela Chatry 2017. All Rights Reserved