How to manage well in a company of different cultures
Content
- How to manage well in a company of different cultures.
In managing multi-cultural offices recognise and accept that there are going to be differences. Find out what these differences are and how they are likely to affect the working practices and social relationships. Steps can then be taken to manage all staff with consideration and sincerity, encouraging excellent working relationships and increased performance. Having lived outside of London for several years I worked at some offices where the majority of staff were white, middle class English people. When I moved to London I worked in a place where every person on my six seat desk area was from a different country and a different religion. I found this experience enriching and interesting since the people had such wide and varied experience and this tended to filter through to the work. Solutions were varied and innovative since the knowledge base was extensive. Some managers find it challenging to manage a multi-cultural office since the extreme differences in religion and culture can be daunting as well as causing a range of issues. What steps can you take to successfully manage a multi-cultural office? It has been the case in past years that people who do not have experience of different religions gain their knowledge from the media. I recently discussed religion with some friends who do not have any contact with Muslim people. They seemed to feel confident in their knowledge about the religion and culture however which I found confusing. When I questioned them further they admitted that their information came solely from the media. Their knowledge was often incorrect and strangely biased in a negative way. When I worked in the multi-cultural office there were several Muslim and Hindu people who were very happy for me to ask them questions about their religions and it was often a very different story to that portrayed by a frankly irresponsible media. As a manager, if a member of staff is doing something you do not understand then you should not feel afraid to ask. Most people are happy to talk about the reasons behind a practice. Ask questions sensitively and with genuine curiosity without any hint of patronisation or condescension and people will be happy to explain. This in itself is a positive step in managing staff from different cultures since they will be aware that you are interested in them. Talking to staff about their cultural differences especially when those differences are apparent within the working environment can increase teamwork. As the manager you will understand your staff and therefore be able to manage them more effectively. The staff will be confident that you are not forcing them to adopt your own practices, but are willing to be flexible and considerate provided this does not interfere with the performance of the staff. This will also help if you need to conduct business in another country since you will have a greater understanding of the culture and benefit from the experiences and advice of your staff members. A manager must encourage and embrace a multi-cultural office and be sensitive to their staff. Do not hire an orthodox Jewish person and then treat the office to a round of bacon sandwiches as a welcome present! It is your job as a manager to treat all staff with fairness and respect and value what each individual can bring to the table. If you accidentally make a genuine mistake in this way which causes offence the calmly and sincerely apologise and find out exactly what caused the offence and assure the member of staff that the situation will not be repeated. Any situation which may be deemed as intentionally racist must be dealt with swiftly and fairly. All staff should be made fully aware of the anti-racism policies of the company and the consequences of breaking these rules. When hiring staff it is important that a manager is blind to colour, culture and religion. Nobody should be hired or not hired based upon any of these things. The first step is to ensure that you hire the right people for the job based on their relevant qualifications and experience. It is quite likely that in a global environment you will be working with if not managing teams from several different countries. When this is the case a company must take account of local working practices and be flexible in its approach. Take the time to find out about your staff including their culture in order to understand how they work best.
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Staffs that are part of a particular religion will often choose to share the celebration with those around them at work. For example, my Hindu colleagues would bring Diwali cakes in to share at the festival time. This was a good opportunity for people to ask him questions if they wanted to and share in the fun without having to feel pressured. Having religion brought into the office in this way does not usually cause a problem since it is enjoyable for everyone and nobody is asked to do anything they do not feel comfortable with. It can also be a way of encouraging teamwork. Sometimes differences in working practices as well as a lack of understanding and knowledge can lead to a lack of teamwork. A previous client of mine was a multi-national investment bank. The offices were spread across several countries such as the UK and Japan which both had extremely different cultures and business practices. The managers dealt with these issues effectively by giving all new staff an induction course on the differences. This information on how people worked meant communication levels were improved and staff could work effectively together in an environment of consideration. The company also offered all staff the opportunity to take language courses. The UK staff all had access to Japanese language lessons if they chose which included professional course material as well as support from the Japanese staff who put time aside to help with conversational Japanese. This helped form good working relationships. In managing multi-cultural offices, the most important thing any manager can do is recognise and accept that there are going to be differences. The next thing is to find out what these differences are and how they are likely to affect the working practices and social relationships. Once this has been established, steps can be taken to manage all staff with consideration and sincerity and encourage excellent working relationships and increased performance. Always assume that staffs are curious and interested in each other and want to work together. It is the job of the manager to encourage and provide and platform for these good relationships to form, seeing the cultural differences as a bridge to relationships rather than a barrier.
- What can motivate employees well?
1. Small business Keeping employees motivated in a small business environment can sometimes
be challenging. Small businesses don't have the big budgets that larger firms have to spend on incentives and team-building exercises. In addition, employees in a small business are often required to fulfill more than just one role. This is because small businesses cannot afford separate employees for various areas of expertise. They need employees to be able to multi-task in order to remain efficient in their operations. These things therefore create a whole new set of challenges for employers in terms of keeping employees motivated. Here are some ideas that you can implement in your small business. Clearly Define Your Expectations When employing new team members, brief them properly on the business and how you operate. Clarifying your expectations up front can help employees from feeling disillusioned further down the line. Let them know what their core role will be but also discuss other areas of the business that they may be required to help out in from time to time. Share some of your passion for the business as well as the vision that you have for its growth and how they fit into that. When you make employees feel that they have an important role to play in the business, they will feel more valued. When they buy into the vision you have for the business, they will feel self-motivated to do the best they can to help the business grow. Rather than just seeing themselves as an employee, they can see themselves as part of an exciting project and business opportunity. Be Reasonable in Terms of Working Hours Even though working hours are regulated by law, many corporate companies have a culture that if you don't work overtime, you won't get ahead. Often the overtime is not rewarded financially so the
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employees never really benefit. You will have happier and more productive employees if you stick to reasonable working hours. When employees do work overtime for special projects, take the time to acknowledge their efforts and thank them. If the business can't afford to reward them financially, offer them a day off or be flexible when they need time off to attend to family matters. Letting employees know that you understand their needs and appreciate their efforts will go a long way to keeping them motivated. Simplify the Work Process Nobody likes to get bogged down under paperwork and administration. Today, with the many software systems available, it is possible to run an almost paperless office. Put systems in place that help employees fulfill their tasks and responsibilities more efficiently. You may have an automated pricing system that can help them get quotes out more efficiently. You could have a customer relationship management system that helps everyone in the company keep on top of sales and client management. Another system that helps to improve office efficiency is online faxing. Online faxing works off a fax server and allows faxes to be sent directly from the employer's personal computer. This saves time for the person sending the fax and saves money for the business owner. The online faxing system can also help you improve your customer service levels. Reward Work Efforts Salaries and wages are often expected by employees and therefore not really seen as reward for their work. Unfortunately, many employers feel that a paycheck is thanks enough and that they do not need to acknowledge work efforts in any other way. However, often affirmation or a simple word of appreciation can go much further in terms of motivating employees. It doesn't have to be a huge award ceremony but something that acknowledges their efforts publicly will make employees feel that they are achieving a level of success. Not everyone has the aspirations to be a business owner or top management but many people want to feel that they are doing well at their job. When employees feel successful, they tend to put more effort into their work and are more motivated to do well. Provide Employees with Opportunities to Grow Sending employees on training courses benefits both your employees and the business. You will be empowering your employees and at the same time bringing new skills and knowledge into the workplace. When you train employees, you are saying that you see potential in them that is worth developing. This can help to keep them motivated in the workplace and always on the lookout for opportunities to learn.
2. in the crisis period
In this recession, one of the most awkward things is for a business to stay afloat. If you read the papers or turn on the telly, there are incidents of companies closing down and many people being laid off. Such news events are very disheartening and since a proprietor of a business, you need to know the way to motivate your employees or just be part of the statistic. So just how do you motivate your employees in these hard times? Well the first thing you need to do is communicate with them so they are conscious of the on-going financial status of the company. The bad news like sales are down is an eye opener because they know that the company is on a verge of collapse but there's hope. The hope is what you and they must work together for otherwise, your business will crash and they will be from work. This begins by setting a target and then planned with a plan of action. Perhaps the best solution is to cut cost and that means finding cheaper suppliers and reducing expenses.
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Retain mind that letting a few workers off is another alternative but you have these people so don't axe them. Another way is to come up with realistic goals like just what you should have on four weeks so your employees will get paid and the business is still profitable. As the owner of the business, you need the final say in these matters but it would not hurt to also let your employees surface with their own plan of action and meet the similar goals. All work and no play will make things dull. To spice up things, add some fun into it by planned so with a rewards scheme which always inspires employees to do more. You don't have to give a plaque of appreciation or something with monetary vale. What you can do is offer these people a free day meaning that a "day-off" from work apart form the leaves that they're entitled to. Do not forget that the day off should be given with pay which makes it more interesting to get. Since this is something that every employee may not be able to accomplish, find a way to reward everyone as well for all everything they've commit. A great idea is to host a barbecue at your place or a fun day where everyone is given free passes to a local amusement park. Consider these are just ideas so try to find a rewards scheme that is within just how much you can afford. The success of your business depends on the males and females that help you. So you experience things are doing and they're up so far with what's happening, it will in addition be a great idea to hold a meeting once a week. While you are there, buy donuts and coffee. At the similar time, provide them with the floor so they are in a position to air out their concerns. Who knows, they could even need some ideas which you need never thought of before.Employee motivation is something you need to have as a way to your business to stay afloat. Printing that isn't going to be easy but it might be done with their assistance.
3. Overall Do you find your employees only doing a half-hearted job? Do you feel that job
satisfaction is dropping in your business? If so, you are not alone. Many people report lack of motivation among their employees, and often wonder what to do about it. The good news is that you can motivate your employees to work hard for you again. You simply need to know how to speak their language. Show Personal Care In general, people work hard to please those who care about them. Why else does a small child work excessively hard to please Mom, Dad or Teacher? Take the time to show personal care to your employees, and they will stay motivated. This requires paying attention to your employees. Is one employee dealing with a sick parent? Ask about it, and offer to make the schedule flexible so they can be away when needed. Is one employee doing a particularly good job with customers? Then give them one of your most important accounts to work, pointing to the good work you have observed. Reward Positive Work Appropriately Employees who are doing a good job need to be rewarded for it, nod in a public way so other employees will pay attention. However, setting everyone down so that you can hand a plaque to the employee in a public meeting may not be the most successful way to do this. Before you start rewarding your employees, get expert guidance as to the best way to do this, such as the guidance you would receive from human resources coaches found in many HR consulting agencies. Provide Inherent Recognition
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Inherent recognition is those things commonly referred to as "benefits." Health insurance, schedule flexibility, vacation hours and other parts of your benefits package are motivating. Employees who know that they have good health insurance because of their position will work hard to keep that insurance. Sometimes balancing enough benefits to provide the right motivation with the cost of these services is difficult. In this case, the advice of a human resources consulting agency is invaluable. These companies can evaluate a business, determine what inherent recognition the employees truly desire and then make recommendations to the leadership about the best possible package to put together. Handle Problems Quickly and Professionally In a workplace that employs people, problems will develop. Sometimes employers are tempted to overlook those problems, but this creates a work environment that is void of motivation. The best way to keep the workforce motivated is to step in when needed and deal with problems quickly and professionally. Many managers and executives do not know how to do this. Again, a HR consulting firm can help. These companies provide coaching about dealing with employee situations, whether interpersonal conflicts or simply performance problems, in a way that both motivates and inspires. When employees know that problems will be dealt with swiftly, they will keep working instead of living life on the lookout for their coworkers. The bottom line is that you need a positive workplace where your employees work together, are rewarded when they work well and feel that you care for them as individuals. Human resources consulting agencies are available to help you create and maintain this type of dynamic in your business, without the expense of owning your own human resources department.
- What is the importance of marketing in a business? 1. Are you
starting a business, or are you already an entrepreneur? If so, it will not take you long to realize the importance of marketing your business. From the very beginning of the concept of starting your company, you are considering what the name of your business will be... what will appeal and reveal to consumers the essence of your business? You have already discovered that you can provide a service or a product that consumers will buy; this means that you already have your marketing "thinking cap" on. So, from the very moment a concept of selling to the public is born, you are already thinking in terms of marketing.
Marketing your business from the beginning will usually start with corporate identity in the form of a logo, then you will have some business cards designed and printed, this will then lead to brochures, leaflets, posters, a website and other advertising tools. And, you will ask yourself, "why is marketing important?". The fact is that if you have formed a company, it is vital to the success of your company to market your products or services, to allow consumers to be aware of your business. Marketing's first important task for your business is to let people know what you are offering them. They already know how to contact you, with business cards, now you need to let them know what they can purchase. Continued marketing tactics also allows clients to keep interested in specials, promotions and new products and services. Marketing effectively to your target market will, essentially set your business apart from other competitor companies. Your marketing tactics will let people know that your business is a specialized service or product, and with continued marketing and advertising, your consumers will know where your specialties lie.
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Marketing in any format will help the public and quality consumers to buy your products or services. There is not much point in starting a company, and then finding you have no customers. Your business will not survive without effective marketing in one form or another. Leading the public to your company will create a demand for your product or services. Effective marketing will also assist you with lead-on ideas for future specialized services or products. Successful marketing tactics are "windows of opportunity", where you can get more clients, consumers and customers using advertising. Marketing will increase your exposure to potential clients and consumers, allowing you to grow your business and increase profits. 2. Bonus
The true definition of marketing is setting up automatic, repeatable systems that create an environment where people want to buy from you instead of you having to sell them. Just as a bee is lured to the nectar of a flower, business people are lured to money. Entrepreneurs are the honeybees of our economy. Ultimately the goal of an entrepreneur is to extend the life of his or her enterprise for a lifetime. As a business owner, your ultimate product is a satisfied customer. The best marketing advice I can give you is find the right audience, ask people what they what, and after that, simply give it to them. Marketing is the science behind encouraging interested people to buy. The success of any business basically comes down to these key points: You first have to increase the number of customers. Second, increase the amount of the average order, and third, increase the frequency of articles.
3. The very best way to help your business grow is by using marketing strategies. Marketing can help
your business in so many areas. Marketing is not just about advertising and sales. These two areas are a part of marketing but they are not all that marketing has to offer. Actually marketing is a business strategy plan aimed at the value offered to your customer. There are so many tasks that can be accomplished using a marketing procedure. Include in your plan should be market studies and demographics, database organization, actual sales, image management, and publicity and advertising. But the most important area would be market research. Market research is so vital because it scans so many different areas. Whether you are starting a brand new business, or developing new products, increasing the volume of sales and the area you cover, marketing research can have a fundamental role. Leaving marketing out of your overall plan can be detrimental and even disastrous. Beginning by determining your demographics and discovering whether marketing that specific area will be practical and a good investment. Not all good ideas are viable. Talking about a new plan is different than actually doing the research to let you know if your plan is feasible. If you think that every plan is a great money maker and move forward without research, you are taking a huge risk. Putting into effect a sound marketing research plan will help you determine whether that idea is reasonable. Then you can make and informed sound decision whether to move ahead or not. Finding a market first is the best way to move forward. Are there groups of individuals or businesses which have a specific need? Identify that need. Is the market willing and able to pay for what they need, does your market perceive this need already? Are they ready to pay money to satisfy this need? Now you can look for the perfect product to meet this need. With this type of information you will be ready to set further workable marketing strategies and make money at your business.
4. Bonus: Market research One of the first steps when before starting any business is market research or feasibility study. So one may ask; what is the importance of marketing research anyway? How is it going to determine the success of my business? By definition, a market research or feasibility study is done through surveys, literature research, internet research, and other information gathering techniques in order to learn the trends in the industry that you have chosen. As opposed to what many people think, even small businesses need a market research or feasibility study before starting. One importance of marketing research is that no matter what industry you engage in, you will be able to identify your potential customers, their preferences, and determine if you will generate high number of sales in your target area.
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Remember that each individual has his or her own personal taste and have different reasons and willingness to pay for a particular product or service. One importance of marketing research is it will give you ideas on what your target market prefers to purchase and will give you a good head start and broaden your perspective for future expansion of your business. There will also be time where your target market would prefer a different design or presentation of your product and this will lead to more sales. Another importance of marketing research and also the main reason why it is necessary is to discover how many and what your competition is doing. It is always generally a good idea to check on how your competitors are doing and make sure at least that your product or services have leverage over what you completion has to offer. This will give you better insight on what you are up against so you can deal with your competitors better. This is in turn, will help you start on the right track and give you a wider scope for the future ensuring your success.
5. Successful
marketing strategy is synonymous to having a successful business. Marketing covers a wide range of task such as advertising, promotions, public relations and sales. For a business to succeed, the first thing a business inclined individual to strengthen is his marketing plan so as people will know his products and eventually open general patronage which in return will generate greater revenue in the business. Since product endorsements and different promotional advertisements have been used widely, most businessmen opted to explore their horizons by adopting some of them. The benefit of having a good marketing strategy for your business is impeccable. The first advantage it gives in an entity is to make it known to the general public especially if a product or service is a newbie so that people will know what it can offer them best. Even businesses which have been in the industry for decades never stop to promote and market their product or service for the people to incessantly support and patronize them.
Promoting a product or a service nowadays has never been this easy. A businessman can choose from different mediums which he can use for his business expansion. Name it, from business cards, promotional flags, television and radio and newspaper advertisements, not to mention the internet of course, have given entrepreneurs the best tools to reach the people across the globe. Another advantage that it gives to any business is the opportunity to increase sales and revenue. When people know about a product or service, especially if it has been marketed the right way, it will create a driving force for customers to buy and avail what you offer them. Most companies aim to double their sales, however, it is not enough to level up the way they market what they have. People in the sales and promotion department should work hard to come up with slogans, advertisements, promos and other gimmicks which will eventually entice buyers and customers to try and buy the products and services you are lined to open. Marketing also aims to make a company a household name. Business logos are part of a business promotion which goal is for the people to recall not just the product or the service the company offers but also the company itself. Reputable companies nowadays have strived hard to give the best advertisements and promotions and spend a lot of money in marketing because they know the benefit that it will bring to their company.
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In managing multi-cultural offices recognise and accept that there are going to be differences. Find out what these differences are and how they are likely to affect the working practices and social relationships. Steps can then be taken to manage all staff with consideration and sincerity, encouraging excellent working relationships and increased performance. Having lived outside of London for several years I worked at some offices where the majority of staff were white, middle class English people. When I moved to London I worked in a place where every person on my six seat desk area was from a different country and a different religion. I found this experience enriching and interesting since the people had such wide and varied experience and this tended to filter through to the work. Solutions were varied and innovative since the knowledge base was extensive. Some managers find it challenging to manage a multi-cultural office since the extreme differences in religion and culture can be daunting as well as causing a range of issues. What steps can you take to successfully manage a multi-cultural office? It has been the case in past years that people who do not have experience of different religions gain their knowledge from the media. I recently discussed religion with some friends who do not have any contact with Muslim people. They seemed to feel confident in their knowledge about the religion and culture however which I found confusing. When I questioned them further they admitted that their information came solely from the media. Their knowledge was often incorrect and strangely biased in a negative way. When I worked in the multi-cultural office there were several Muslim and Hindu people who were very happy for me to ask them questions about their religions and it was often a very different story to that portrayed by a frankly irresponsible media. As a manager, if a member of staff is doing something you do not understand then you should not feel afraid to ask. Most people are happy to talk about the reasons behind a practice. Ask questions sensitively and with genuine curiosity without any hint of patronisation or condescension and people will be happy to explain. This in itself is a positive step in managing staff from different cultures since they will be aware that you are interested in them. Talking to staff about their cultural differences especially when those differences are apparent within the working environment can increase teamwork. As the manager you will understand your staff and therefore be able to manage them more effectively. The staff will be confident that you are not forcing them to adopt your own practices, but are willing to be flexible and considerate provided this does not interfere with the performance of the staff. This will also help if you need to conduct business in another country since you will have a greater understanding of the culture and benefit from the experiences and advice of your staff members. A manager must encourage and embrace a multi-cultural office and be sensitive to their staff. Do not hire an orthodox Jewish person and then treat the office to a round of bacon sandwiches as a welcome present! It is your job as a manager to treat all staff with fairness and respect and value what each individual can bring to the table. If you accidentally make a genuine mistake in this way which causes offence the calmly and sincerely apologise and find out exactly what caused the offence and assure the member of staff that the situation will not be repeated. Any situation which may be deemed as intentionally racist must be dealt with swiftly and fairly. All staff should be made fully aware of the anti-racism policies of the company and the consequences of breaking these rules. When hiring staff it is important that a manager is blind to colour, culture and religion. Nobody should be hired or not hired based upon any of these things. The first step is to ensure that you hire the right people for the job based on their relevant qualifications and experience. It is quite likely that in a global environment you will be working with if not managing teams from several different countries. When this is the case a company must take account of local working practices and be flexible in its approach. Take the time to find out about your staff including their culture in order to understand how they work best.
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Staffs that are part of a particular religion will often choose to share the celebration with those around them at work. For example, my Hindu colleagues would bring Diwali cakes in to share at the festival time. This was a good opportunity for people to ask him questions if they wanted to and share in the fun without having to feel pressured. Having religion brought into the office in this way does not usually cause a problem since it is enjoyable for everyone and nobody is asked to do anything they do not feel comfortable with. It can also be a way of encouraging teamwork. Sometimes differences in working practices as well as a lack of understanding and knowledge can lead to a lack of teamwork. A previous client of mine was a multi-national investment bank. The offices were spread across several countries such as the UK and Japan which both had extremely different cultures and business practices. The managers dealt with these issues effectively by giving all new staff an induction course on the differences. This information on how people worked meant communication levels were improved and staff could work effectively together in an environment of consideration. The company also offered all staff the opportunity to take language courses. The UK staff all had access to Japanese language lessons if they chose which included professional course material as well as support from the Japanese staff who put time aside to help with conversational Japanese. This helped form good working relationships. In managing multi-cultural offices, the most important thing any manager can do is recognise and accept that there are going to be differences. The next thing is to find out what these differences are and how they are likely to affect the working practices and social relationships. Once this has been established, steps can be taken to manage all staff with consideration and sincerity and encourage excellent working relationships and increased performance. Always assume that staffs are curious and interested in each other and want to work together. It is the job of the manager to encourage and provide and platform for these good relationships to form, seeing the cultural differences as a bridge to relationships rather than a barrier.
- What can motivate employees well?
1. Small business Keeping employees motivated in a small business environment can sometimes
be challenging. Small businesses don't have the big budgets that larger firms have to spend on incentives and team-building exercises. In addition, employees in a small business are often required to fulfill more than just one role. This is because small businesses cannot afford separate employees for various areas of expertise. They need employees to be able to multi-task in order to remain efficient in their operations. These things therefore create a whole new set of challenges for employers in terms of keeping employees motivated. Here are some ideas that you can implement in your small business. Clearly Define Your Expectations When employing new team members, brief them properly on the business and how you operate. Clarifying your expectations up front can help employees from feeling disillusioned further down the line. Let them know what their core role will be but also discuss other areas of the business that they may be required to help out in from time to time. Share some of your passion for the business as well as the vision that you have for its growth and how they fit into that. When you make employees feel that they have an important role to play in the business, they will feel more valued. When they buy into the vision you have for the business, they will feel self-motivated to do the best they can to help the business grow. Rather than just seeing themselves as an employee, they can see themselves as part of an exciting project and business opportunity. Be Reasonable in Terms of Working Hours Even though working hours are regulated by law, many corporate companies have a culture that if you don't work overtime, you won't get ahead. Often the overtime is not rewarded financially so the
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employees never really benefit. You will have happier and more productive employees if you stick to reasonable working hours. When employees do work overtime for special projects, take the time to acknowledge their efforts and thank them. If the business can't afford to reward them financially, offer them a day off or be flexible when they need time off to attend to family matters. Letting employees know that you understand their needs and appreciate their efforts will go a long way to keeping them motivated. Simplify the Work Process Nobody likes to get bogged down under paperwork and administration. Today, with the many software systems available, it is possible to run an almost paperless office. Put systems in place that help employees fulfill their tasks and responsibilities more efficiently. You may have an automated pricing system that can help them get quotes out more efficiently. You could have a customer relationship management system that helps everyone in the company keep on top of sales and client management. Another system that helps to improve office efficiency is online faxing. Online faxing works off a fax server and allows faxes to be sent directly from the employer's personal computer. This saves time for the person sending the fax and saves money for the business owner. The online faxing system can also help you improve your customer service levels. Reward Work Efforts Salaries and wages are often expected by employees and therefore not really seen as reward for their work. Unfortunately, many employers feel that a paycheck is thanks enough and that they do not need to acknowledge work efforts in any other way. However, often affirmation or a simple word of appreciation can go much further in terms of motivating employees. It doesn't have to be a huge award ceremony but something that acknowledges their efforts publicly will make employees feel that they are achieving a level of success. Not everyone has the aspirations to be a business owner or top management but many people want to feel that they are doing well at their job. When employees feel successful, they tend to put more effort into their work and are more motivated to do well. Provide Employees with Opportunities to Grow Sending employees on training courses benefits both your employees and the business. You will be empowering your employees and at the same time bringing new skills and knowledge into the workplace. When you train employees, you are saying that you see potential in them that is worth developing. This can help to keep them motivated in the workplace and always on the lookout for opportunities to learn.
2. in the crisis period
In this recession, one of the most awkward things is for a business to stay afloat. If you read the papers or turn on the telly, there are incidents of companies closing down and many people being laid off. Such news events are very disheartening and since a proprietor of a business, you need to know the way to motivate your employees or just be part of the statistic. So just how do you motivate your employees in these hard times? Well the first thing you need to do is communicate with them so they are conscious of the on-going financial status of the company. The bad news like sales are down is an eye opener because they know that the company is on a verge of collapse but there's hope. The hope is what you and they must work together for otherwise, your business will crash and they will be from work. This begins by setting a target and then planned with a plan of action. Perhaps the best solution is to cut cost and that means finding cheaper suppliers and reducing expenses.
3
Retain mind that letting a few workers off is another alternative but you have these people so don't axe them. Another way is to come up with realistic goals like just what you should have on four weeks so your employees will get paid and the business is still profitable. As the owner of the business, you need the final say in these matters but it would not hurt to also let your employees surface with their own plan of action and meet the similar goals. All work and no play will make things dull. To spice up things, add some fun into it by planned so with a rewards scheme which always inspires employees to do more. You don't have to give a plaque of appreciation or something with monetary vale. What you can do is offer these people a free day meaning that a "day-off" from work apart form the leaves that they're entitled to. Do not forget that the day off should be given with pay which makes it more interesting to get. Since this is something that every employee may not be able to accomplish, find a way to reward everyone as well for all everything they've commit. A great idea is to host a barbecue at your place or a fun day where everyone is given free passes to a local amusement park. Consider these are just ideas so try to find a rewards scheme that is within just how much you can afford. The success of your business depends on the males and females that help you. So you experience things are doing and they're up so far with what's happening, it will in addition be a great idea to hold a meeting once a week. While you are there, buy donuts and coffee. At the similar time, provide them with the floor so they are in a position to air out their concerns. Who knows, they could even need some ideas which you need never thought of before.Employee motivation is something you need to have as a way to your business to stay afloat. Printing that isn't going to be easy but it might be done with their assistance.
3. Overall Do you find your employees only doing a half-hearted job? Do you feel that job
satisfaction is dropping in your business? If so, you are not alone. Many people report lack of motivation among their employees, and often wonder what to do about it. The good news is that you can motivate your employees to work hard for you again. You simply need to know how to speak their language. Show Personal Care In general, people work hard to please those who care about them. Why else does a small child work excessively hard to please Mom, Dad or Teacher? Take the time to show personal care to your employees, and they will stay motivated. This requires paying attention to your employees. Is one employee dealing with a sick parent? Ask about it, and offer to make the schedule flexible so they can be away when needed. Is one employee doing a particularly good job with customers? Then give them one of your most important accounts to work, pointing to the good work you have observed. Reward Positive Work Appropriately Employees who are doing a good job need to be rewarded for it, nod in a public way so other employees will pay attention. However, setting everyone down so that you can hand a plaque to the employee in a public meeting may not be the most successful way to do this. Before you start rewarding your employees, get expert guidance as to the best way to do this, such as the guidance you would receive from human resources coaches found in many HR consulting agencies. Provide Inherent Recognition
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Inherent recognition is those things commonly referred to as "benefits." Health insurance, schedule flexibility, vacation hours and other parts of your benefits package are motivating. Employees who know that they have good health insurance because of their position will work hard to keep that insurance. Sometimes balancing enough benefits to provide the right motivation with the cost of these services is difficult. In this case, the advice of a human resources consulting agency is invaluable. These companies can evaluate a business, determine what inherent recognition the employees truly desire and then make recommendations to the leadership about the best possible package to put together. Handle Problems Quickly and Professionally In a workplace that employs people, problems will develop. Sometimes employers are tempted to overlook those problems, but this creates a work environment that is void of motivation. The best way to keep the workforce motivated is to step in when needed and deal with problems quickly and professionally. Many managers and executives do not know how to do this. Again, a HR consulting firm can help. These companies provide coaching about dealing with employee situations, whether interpersonal conflicts or simply performance problems, in a way that both motivates and inspires. When employees know that problems will be dealt with swiftly, they will keep working instead of living life on the lookout for their coworkers. The bottom line is that you need a positive workplace where your employees work together, are rewarded when they work well and feel that you care for them as individuals. Human resources consulting agencies are available to help you create and maintain this type of dynamic in your business, without the expense of owning your own human resources department.
- What is the importance of marketing in a business? 1. Are you
starting a business, or are you already an entrepreneur? If so, it will not take you long to realize the importance of marketing your business. From the very beginning of the concept of starting your company, you are considering what the name of your business will be... what will appeal and reveal to consumers the essence of your business? You have already discovered that you can provide a service or a product that consumers will buy; this means that you already have your marketing "thinking cap" on. So, from the very moment a concept of selling to the public is born, you are already thinking in terms of marketing.
Marketing your business from the beginning will usually start with corporate identity in the form of a logo, then you will have some business cards designed and printed, this will then lead to brochures, leaflets, posters, a website and other advertising tools. And, you will ask yourself, "why is marketing important?". The fact is that if you have formed a company, it is vital to the success of your company to market your products or services, to allow consumers to be aware of your business. Marketing's first important task for your business is to let people know what you are offering them. They already know how to contact you, with business cards, now you need to let them know what they can purchase. Continued marketing tactics also allows clients to keep interested in specials, promotions and new products and services. Marketing effectively to your target market will, essentially set your business apart from other competitor companies. Your marketing tactics will let people know that your business is a specialized service or product, and with continued marketing and advertising, your consumers will know where your specialties lie.
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Marketing in any format will help the public and quality consumers to buy your products or services. There is not much point in starting a company, and then finding you have no customers. Your business will not survive without effective marketing in one form or another. Leading the public to your company will create a demand for your product or services. Effective marketing will also assist you with lead-on ideas for future specialized services or products. Successful marketing tactics are "windows of opportunity", where you can get more clients, consumers and customers using advertising. Marketing will increase your exposure to potential clients and consumers, allowing you to grow your business and increase profits. 2. Bonus
The true definition of marketing is setting up automatic, repeatable systems that create an environment where people want to buy from you instead of you having to sell them. Just as a bee is lured to the nectar of a flower, business people are lured to money. Entrepreneurs are the honeybees of our economy. Ultimately the goal of an entrepreneur is to extend the life of his or her enterprise for a lifetime. As a business owner, your ultimate product is a satisfied customer. The best marketing advice I can give you is find the right audience, ask people what they what, and after that, simply give it to them. Marketing is the science behind encouraging interested people to buy. The success of any business basically comes down to these key points: You first have to increase the number of customers. Second, increase the amount of the average order, and third, increase the frequency of articles.
3. The very best way to help your business grow is by using marketing strategies. Marketing can help
your business in so many areas. Marketing is not just about advertising and sales. These two areas are a part of marketing but they are not all that marketing has to offer. Actually marketing is a business strategy plan aimed at the value offered to your customer. There are so many tasks that can be accomplished using a marketing procedure. Include in your plan should be market studies and demographics, database organization, actual sales, image management, and publicity and advertising. But the most important area would be market research. Market research is so vital because it scans so many different areas. Whether you are starting a brand new business, or developing new products, increasing the volume of sales and the area you cover, marketing research can have a fundamental role. Leaving marketing out of your overall plan can be detrimental and even disastrous. Beginning by determining your demographics and discovering whether marketing that specific area will be practical and a good investment. Not all good ideas are viable. Talking about a new plan is different than actually doing the research to let you know if your plan is feasible. If you think that every plan is a great money maker and move forward without research, you are taking a huge risk. Putting into effect a sound marketing research plan will help you determine whether that idea is reasonable. Then you can make and informed sound decision whether to move ahead or not. Finding a market first is the best way to move forward. Are there groups of individuals or businesses which have a specific need? Identify that need. Is the market willing and able to pay for what they need, does your market perceive this need already? Are they ready to pay money to satisfy this need? Now you can look for the perfect product to meet this need. With this type of information you will be ready to set further workable marketing strategies and make money at your business.
4. Bonus: Market research One of the first steps when before starting any business is market research or feasibility study. So one may ask; what is the importance of marketing research anyway? How is it going to determine the success of my business? By definition, a market research or feasibility study is done through surveys, literature research, internet research, and other information gathering techniques in order to learn the trends in the industry that you have chosen. As opposed to what many people think, even small businesses need a market research or feasibility study before starting. One importance of marketing research is that no matter what industry you engage in, you will be able to identify your potential customers, their preferences, and determine if you will generate high number of sales in your target area.
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Remember that each individual has his or her own personal taste and have different reasons and willingness to pay for a particular product or service. One importance of marketing research is it will give you ideas on what your target market prefers to purchase and will give you a good head start and broaden your perspective for future expansion of your business. There will also be time where your target market would prefer a different design or presentation of your product and this will lead to more sales. Another importance of marketing research and also the main reason why it is necessary is to discover how many and what your competition is doing. It is always generally a good idea to check on how your competitors are doing and make sure at least that your product or services have leverage over what you completion has to offer. This will give you better insight on what you are up against so you can deal with your competitors better. This is in turn, will help you start on the right track and give you a wider scope for the future ensuring your success.
5. Successful
marketing strategy is synonymous to having a successful business. Marketing covers a wide range of task such as advertising, promotions, public relations and sales. For a business to succeed, the first thing a business inclined individual to strengthen is his marketing plan so as people will know his products and eventually open general patronage which in return will generate greater revenue in the business. Since product endorsements and different promotional advertisements have been used widely, most businessmen opted to explore their horizons by adopting some of them. The benefit of having a good marketing strategy for your business is impeccable. The first advantage it gives in an entity is to make it known to the general public especially if a product or service is a newbie so that people will know what it can offer them best. Even businesses which have been in the industry for decades never stop to promote and market their product or service for the people to incessantly support and patronize them.
Promoting a product or a service nowadays has never been this easy. A businessman can choose from different mediums which he can use for his business expansion. Name it, from business cards, promotional flags, television and radio and newspaper advertisements, not to mention the internet of course, have given entrepreneurs the best tools to reach the people across the globe. Another advantage that it gives to any business is the opportunity to increase sales and revenue. When people know about a product or service, especially if it has been marketed the right way, it will create a driving force for customers to buy and avail what you offer them. Most companies aim to double their sales, however, it is not enough to level up the way they market what they have. People in the sales and promotion department should work hard to come up with slogans, advertisements, promos and other gimmicks which will eventually entice buyers and customers to try and buy the products and services you are lined to open. Marketing also aims to make a company a household name. Business logos are part of a business promotion which goal is for the people to recall not just the product or the service the company offers but also the company itself. Reputable companies nowadays have strived hard to give the best advertisements and promotions and spend a lot of money in marketing because they know the benefit that it will bring to their company.
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