Author: admin

When was the last time you disconnected from your office – no phone calls, no emails, nothing? Consider this example: You’re on vacation, sitting on a beach chair, enjoying the sun. You have your phone with you to enjoy some music, and you decide to check your email. You see an email from your office, and you open it. Someone emailed you with a question, so you respond. Then you respond to another email and start thinking, “I can just do a few things while I’m sitting here.” Before you know it, you’re working on your “vacation.”

As a small business owner, it’s tempting to always be working. You may think, “time is money,” and most times, that’s true. But your mind and body must disconnect and unwind. Studies have shown that if you don’t take time off, you put yourself at risk for stress-related injuries and other health problems. In our current environment, you may find it a little more challenging to get away to the places you’d typically unplug and rewind, but there are still things you can do – and places you can go – to get away from it all.

Be Clear About Your Vacation Plans.
Once you’ve made plans to take a few days (or a few weeks) off from work, discuss the key tasks your staff will need to manage while you’re gone. Explain coverage assignments and create a back-up plan “just in case.” Talk to your key contacts or critical clients before you leave, so they’re aware of your plans. Additionally, be very clear about what you want to know while you’re away and make sure everyone understands what you consider to be an “emergency.”

After you’ve communicated your plans, put an “away from the office” notification on your email and any other locations you deem necessary. Just remember to respond to emergencies only while you’re on vacation; otherwise, your efforts before leaving will be for naught.

Stay Home or Go Away – It’s Up to You.
In today’s environment, you may not be able to visit your favorite vacation spot or relax on a cruise somewhere, but there are still many things you can (and should) do. Get outside and enjoy your pool or take a hike with your family. Binge-watch your favorite TV series or watch some of the movies you’ve wanted to see but haven’t. Get a massage, pedicure or manicure as a way to relax and get your mind off everything. Exercise at home or your gym. Maybe try a new format or stick to something you enjoy. Play board games or cards with your family. Whatever you decide, just be sure you’re relaxing and enjoying yourself each day.

Plan Activities to Help You Relax and Enjoy Your Time Off.
It’s your time to do what you enjoy. Set up a schedule and stick to it every day, so you’re not tempted to slip back into your regular habit of checking email or calling your employees. If you’re spending time with your family or friends, ask them to hold you accountable for relaxing. A simple nudge from a child, spouse or good friend will help you stay focused on what matters most.

Prepare For Your Return to Work.
If you’ve taken a vacation before and regretted it when you returned to the office, you didn’t prepare correctly. Take time the day before you return to work to prepare. First, scan your inbox and prioritize: delete it, delegate it or deal with it. Make a priority list to deal with the most pressing items first and work from there. Second, check in with your key staff to find out what happened while you were away. Ask them to update you via email before you return so you don’t have to spend time on the phone (on your last day of vacation) talking about work. Lastly, create your plan of the day for your first day back to work. By planning your priorities, you won’t become overwhelmed by your list of things to do, and you’ll be able to ease back into the swing of things.

While taking a vacation might seem impossible, it’s doable and something your mind and body need. Remember, the time you spend away from your business will help you rejuvenate, which may fuel new ideas and help you stay more focused in the future.

It’s 1 a.m. What are you doing? Hopefully, you’re sleeping – especially if you’re managing your own business. But many of us don’t get the sleep we need, which hampers our success in the long run.

Sleep experts say a good night of rest (usually around seven to eight hours of sleep) allows every system in our body to function optimally. In fact, sleep plays a critical role in our emotional and physical health, including our ability to combat illness.^*

How can you get the rest you need to manage your business effectively? Here are a few tips to help:

1. Go to bed at the same time every night. This is usually a difficult one, but you must establish a routine. Treat sleep as you would any other task and set it as a task with a deadline to accomplish every day.
2. Avoid caffeine within 10 hours of bedtime. No, we’re not saying you have to cut out your morning coffee. But, it’s a good idea to cut caffeine out of your diet about 10 hours before your regular bedtime. So if you plan to go to sleep at 10 PM, try to avoid drinking caffeinated tea, coffee or soda (or even eating chocolate) after 12 PM.
3. Prepare to nod off quickly. Do things before bedtime to help you relax and calm your mind – yoga, meditation, prayer, massage, or a warm bath. If you find that you’re tossing and turning for 20 or 30 minutes, get up, watch a little television or read. Do something to help you feel sleepy again and then go back to bed.
4. Make your bedroom a comfortable place to sleep. Darken your room completely, which means you may need to turn off the television, turn your clock toward the wall, or wear an eye mask. And spend money on a comfortable mattress. If you wake up sore and in pain, that’s not ideal for getting right to work.
5. Take a power nap if you need it. There’s nothing wrong with taking a brief nap during the day to feel refreshed. Close your office door (if you have one) and try to power nap for about 10-20 minutes. That little burst of energy is more effective (and healthier) than a shot of caffeine.

If you find that you’re still struggling to get the sleep you need, talk to a healthcare professional for advice. But, don’t put it off. Sleep is essential for optimal health and will help you manage your business effectively.

*https://www.inc.com/matt-haber/sleep-research-productivity-leadership-immune-system.html

 

 

 

Step #1: Use the Right Topics.

Good content requires that you start with relevant topics. Answer the following questions to generate a list of content ideas:

• What mistakes do your customers typically make, requiring you (or one of your employees) to intercede?
• What expertise do you have that others don’t? What advice do your customers or employees seek from you regularly?
• What are the “hot topics” in your industry, and how do you address them?
• Why is your business unique from other “like” businesses? How does your brand differ from others?

Step #2: Determine the Best Way to Deliver Your Content.

With your ideas in hand, you can decide which type of content to create. Here are some options to consider:

• Video
• Webinar
• Blog
• Guide or handbook
• White paper
• E-book

For example, a home organizer may want to create a “how-to” video series focused on tips for organizing homes in simple ways. On the other hand, a real estate agent may develop a weekly blog about the local market or what to consider when buying a home.

Talk to your staff and customers to get further insight. Find out what you think they’d like to learn from you, and how they’d like to receive it. Determine what medium is best suited for your business, or whether to use multiple options.

Step #3: Determine How to Create Your Content.

Now it’s time to write your content. You have three options to consider:

1. Create it yourself,
2. Delegate the task to a trusted employee (or group of employees), or
3. Hire an outside freelancer or firm to help.

While all of these options are viable, you’ll need to choose one or a combination of the three that best suits your business plan.

Step #4: Make Your Website Your “Content Hub.”

House your content on a special landing page on your website. Typically, this landing page will have a simple “teaser” copy to entice visitors to read more or download your information. Or you may want your landing page to house your blog or video library. Just try to limit the clicks visitors make to reach the desired content.

No matter how you set up your landing page, though, you should allow visitors with a way to receive more exclusive content or future specials. You may also consider offering a subscription to a regular email, membership to a VIP group (or other special deal), or another way to drive business to the rest of your site.

Step #5: Promote Your Content 24/7.

Now that your landing page is ready to go, it’s time to drive customers (or prospective customers) to it. And once you set up your promotional efforts, you can drive people to your content while you sleep! Here are a few strategies to consider:

• Create consistent posts on social media that drive people to the content on your site.
• Use existing lists to email customers about new content and share why it may benefit them.
• Use an existing email newsletter to feature your new content. Give your readers a sample of the information and ask them to share the link with anyone they believe it may help.
• Select portions of your content to use for community presentations, special promotions, or any other purpose. The more the information is out in the market, the stronger your recognition will be.
• Activate a pop-up feature on your website to push to your new content. That way, when visitors go to your site, they can click on it to learn more.

Ready to Get Started?

As you try new styles of content or ways of promoting it, take note of what works best with your customers – and then use that knowledge to set up your strategies going forward. If this all seems a little overwhelming, talk to a marketing professional to help you set everything up – or just a portion. The more you can push relevant content to the right customers, the more leads you’ll generate. And those leads will turn into lucrative sales and more loyal customers.

During this time of uncertainty, your home is your sanctuary – and it may also be where you run your business. Whether you’re at home or your office, what steps can you take to create a more peaceful, stress-free environment?

1. Create a space to relax. We’re not talking about an employee lounge, but a calm area where you or your employees can go to decompress. Play soft music, add a comfy chair or sofa and keep the lights dim. If you’re working from home, your dedicated “relaxation” room can be your bedroom or a spare room where you can go to get away from your chaotic day.
2. Keep your office space organized. How do you feel when you look at your desk? Are there piles of paper, or do you have everything filed? There is nothing more stress-inducing than clutter. Go through your stacks of documents – file what you need and throw out the rest. Use only the supplies you need each day (pens, pencils, paper and more) and then store the rest in a drawer or cabinet that’s easy to access.
3. Add a personal touch. You spend a large amount of your day working, so consider adding personal touches to soften up to your workplace. Maybe it’s as simple as placing a family photo on your desk or mounting inspiring artwork on the wall. These little touches will make you feel more comfortable and help you to stay focused.
4. Enhance your space with greenery. Think about how you feel when you take a walk in the park. You probably return to wherever you started in a better mood. So why not bring the outside into your office? Add plants or flowers to your office space and see how they can help add energy and bring peace to your workday.
5. Add some color. Something as easy as changing the wall color in your workspace can give you more energy and a happier outlook each day. Choose neutral tones for a calming effect and earth tones to promote warmth or help you feel more grounded. And you don’t need to paint your entire office – just start with an accent wall and see how you feel.
6. Lighten up your space. If you can avoid using fluorescent lighting, do it. If possible, open up the windows and let in the sunshine. Change out your light bulbs to provide more ambient lighting. These subtle changes will do wonders for your mood.
7. Keep a schedule. Whether you’re working from home or at your office, you need to stick to a daily plan the best you can. That way, you can organize your tasks based on your priorities for the day (and the week). You’ll also understand your limitations to help you determine what you can and cannot do each day.

Everyone needs a little more tranquility in life these days. By following these tips, you can take back your professional life and work environment. You’ll find more peace, experience less stress and be motivated to complete the things you need to do each day.

 

 

Everybody’s social. Whether it’s your grandma or the biggest celebrity, social media connects us all. So, when it comes to marketing, social media is a must-have. But how do you make your business voice stand out?

Figuring out your promos may take time. The good news is figuring out what not to do is a little easier.

Don’t be inconsistent.
Staying consistent with voice, style and, of course, handles, across all platforms is a big step in the right direction. No matter where you’re posting, give your followers a streamlined style.,

Don’t waste time on what doesn’t work.
Research your target audience. Where do they hang out? If they spend most of their time on Facebook, don’t invest in a heavy Twitter presence. Go where they are, and speak their language.

Don’t get too fancy.
Social media is really all about connecting customers with your product. It’s easy to make it too complicated or commercial. Social media works best when companies keep it simple and listen to customers when it comes to creating content.

More and more Americans are managing their businesses remotely – whether from home or while traveling. And more recently, it’s been the way many companies have stayed relevant during mandated stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders.

If you’ve just started managing your business remotely, or you’re ready to take the plunge on a more consistent basis, consider these five critical tips for ultimate success.

Tip #1: Communicate, communicate, communicate.

Communication is an essential element of managing your business remotely – and you can never do too much of it. The more you communicate with your employees and customers, the more successful you’ll be. Set up a communication platform all employees can use, such as Zoom or Skype for video calls, or Trello or Microsoft Teams for project management. Be consistent using these platforms and provide training to employees who may need a little extra assistance.

But having the right communication tools available is just the first step. If you have employees, you need to keep the lines of communication open. Encourage questions and provide answers where you can. Talk often by having regular staff meetings and one-on-one sessions with those you manage.

If you don’t have employees, stay connected with regular status update meetings with your clients – or you can set up a project management tool to help your clients see progress, ask questions and chat with you. Whatever works best for you and your clients is what you should implement – but you need to do something to encourage regular and consistent dialog.

Tip #2: Create a comfortable work environment.

Are you working at your kitchen table, or do you have a dedicated space for a home office? Do you prefer to work at the local café where things are a little livelier?  Whatever you decide, it needs to be a place where you can focus and limit distractions during your workday. Consider some of the following as you find just the right location:

• How good is the Wi-Fi?
• Are there distractions (including snacks and food)?
• Is the location private, where you can discuss personal matters with clients or employees?
• How noisy is your intended office area?
• You may have to experiment a little to see what works best for you. If you do encounter distractions while working, switch things up – maybe hide your snacks or shut the office door for a while.

Tip #3: Stick to a schedule.

One of the most significant benefits of working remotely is the ability to create your own hours – and you don’t have to commute. However, you must create and maintain a schedule every day. Use time management tools to help you prioritize, and build in breaks and exercise to your daily plan. When you consistently work during certain hours, employees and clients will start to learn when you’re available, which will help you balance your home and work life.

Additionally, set clear expectations every day, with fixed deadlines for tasks. Follow up regularly with your team to create accountability. That way, you’re motivating yourself to stay focused on your priorities as well as others.

Tip #4: Have a reliable back-up plan.

Things are going to happen when you’re working from home. For example, what will you do if the power goes out? Because a reliable internet connection is essential to working remotely, figure out how you’ll adjust now so you’re prepared for the unexpected. Maybe you can work at your local public library or a coffee shop near your home. You should also invest in a Wi-Fi hotspot to use wherever you may roam – this can be a particularly great option when you’re on the road.

Tip #5: Maintain a strong online and mobile presence.

No matter the type of business you run remotely, you need a robust online presence, so potential customers know who you are and what your company can do for them. Keep your website updated and relevant and be an active social media user. Share your latest promotions via email, or build business through webinars. And most importantly, don’t stop working on leads because you’re working remotely. If you can’t meet face-to-face with a potential client, set up a Zoom call to walk him or her through your product offerings. With so many online and mobile tools, you may be able to do more in your day because you’re now taking away the travel time.

Following these tips will help you successfully manage your business remotely. But, as with most things in life, experience is the best teacher. The more you practice, the better off you’ll be. Remember, you don’t have to plan every single step ahead of time – just set up some guidelines and get to work.

Whether you’ve been in business for a few months or many years, access to funds is vital for your growth and sustainability. To that end, you may need to get a loan to help. But, which type of loan is the best fit for your business?

To answer this question, take a look at your lending options to determine how they fit into your financial plan. Consider how much cash you need, how quickly you can repay your loan, and whether you can provide collateral.  Here are five common types of business loans and how each may help your business:

Term Loan

A term loan is an excellent option if you need to purchase an asset (for a specific amount) that will help increase your revenue over time. Typically, you’ll apply for a particular amount with a fixed term. You can then predict your monthly payment and manage your monthly cash flow. Plus, a term loan usually carries a lower rate than an unsecured line of credit (such as a business line of credit or business credit card).

Business Credit Cards

A business credit card may be the quickest way to fund your short-term financing needs. Once you’re approved, you can use your card to conveniently pay for things you may need (up to your credit limit). And you only pay interest on what you spend. Plus, your lender will review your account regularly to see if you’re eligible for a credit limit increase. You may also have access to rewards programs associated with your card – accumulating points for travel or future purchases, getting cash back, or other benefits. Just be aware of the terms and conditions related to any business credit card you apply for, such as an annual fee.

Business Line of Credit

Using a business line of credit can give you the money you need when you need it. In most instances, you’ll use a business line of credit for short-term expenses, such as inventory or payroll.  Once approved, you’ll receive a specified credit limit, and you’ll pay interest only on the amount you use. Plus, once you repay the amount used, it will be available for you to use in the future. Just note that the interest rate for a business line of credit is typically higher than the interest rate on a term loan.

Equipment Financing

You may be able to find financing specifically designed for larger equipment purchases, such as machinery, delivery trucks, refrigeration units, among others. Depending on the lender, equipment financing varies – you’ll find term loans, lines of credit, or a hybrid of both. Typically, equipment financing doesn’t require a down payment and offers more flexible terms than a traditional business loan. Another option may also be equipment leasing, which has become more prevalent in recent years. You can lease instead of buy, giving you the flexibility to upgrade when necessary (among other benefits).

SBA Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers many different loan programs if you don’t meet conventional lending requirements. Most of these programs are designed to help start-up businesses or those with expansion plans that include buying equipment or real estate, or you may find an option to help refinance debt. Because the government guarantees them, most SBA loans don’t require a down payment and have more extended repayment options available than conventional loans. But SBA loans take a little longer to get, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.

Take the time to consider the reasons why you need a business loan. Then, find the loan that best meets your needs. Learn more about the business loans available at Pinnacle Bank here.

 

 

If you recently experienced a hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we can help. Give us a call at 877-759-7939 to discuss your options.