How to Prevent Workplace Porn Problems
Do you need to lock down your entire network to prevent porn at work? Pornography in the workplace is a problem in more ways than you might imagine. Here are two examples: In a case that got a lot of publicity, a high-ranking official at the Environmental Protection Agency downloaded more than 7,000 porn files and spent as much as six hours of his work day viewing them. A hospital technician is suing a former co-worker and the hospital charging that the co-worker repeatedly indulged in smartphone porn while he was supposed to be watching equipment during open-heart surgeries. According to a Nielsen study, 25 percent of working adults surf pornographic websites from work computers. To back that up, it turns out that 70 percent of all online porn viewing happens between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Further, all these statistics make it obvious that employers who don’t take measures to prevent workplace porn viewing are skating dangerously close to sexual harassment lawsuits. Put it in writing Employee handbooks should establish a strict “no porn” policy. Further, they must point out that viewing porn, sending porn, using company equipment to store porn are all prohibited and can be considered sexual harassment. Also, be sure to let employees know that their jobs are safe if they see others viewing porn and report it to management. Often, implementing an anonymous reporting hotline for employees is a smart idea. For example, what does an employee do if he or she sees the department manager viewing pornography while at work? The fear of retaliation can prevent reporting and cause an even bigger problem in the long run. You should also let employees know that you may monitor the websites they visit while on company equipment. If you suspect an employee, check where he’s been. Without a dedicated IT department, this may be beyond the ability of some smaller firms. Consider filtering In some cases, Internet filtering may be warranted. These can be used to restrict company computers strictly to work related sites. However, some business owners that have used them question their effectiveness. Also, with so many employees using their own devices at work, filters on your Internet connection may not block all the connections to porn sites. As with all important issues in your company, the keys are to Establish a policy, Train employees on the policy, Enforce the policy, and Revisit the policy on a regular basis. This heightens awareness and lets you, as a small business owner, set the “tone from the top.” It makes it much less likely that workplace porn will be a significant problem in your...
read moreHow To Take a Slice of the 3D Printing Pie
Some years ago a friend of mine had an idea for a new cross-country ski binding that he thought would be an improvement on what was available then. He made a simple drawing and took it to a local fabricator to get an estimate for a prototype. The cost was so high, he abandoned the project. Today, with 3D printing, he could easily afford to get his prototype made. That scenario is just the beginning of what the 3D printing revolution could mean to small businesses. All small business owners and would-be entrepreneurs need to understand what 3D printing is all about and see how it might enable them to expand their offerings or start new businesses. 3D printing explained in 2D If this is your introduction to 3D printing, it’s simply a printer that networks to your computer and creates objects. You could use one to make a prototype of a new children’s action figure, for example. While a regular printer takes ink or toner, to make the action figure the “ink” would be some form of plastic. Today, 3D printers cost as little as a couple of thousand dollars. Prices go up as features increase, such as the size of the object they will “print.” Yearly sales of 3D printers are currently estimated at around $2 billion. One of the important variables to consider – and one that will help you understand how “disruptive” these devices may turn out to be – is the “ink.” NASA has reportedly ordered a pizza to be made via a 3D printer. So food can be the “ink.” Already sugar and chocolate are being used commercially for 3D printer creations. Scientists are working on printing with human cells to make replacement organs. And this is only the beginning. Business opportunities Churning out human kidneys may not be your path into the business of 3D printing, but there are many other ways that 3D printing could work for your business. Use a 3D printing service to create models and prototypes. Use a 3D printer to make a small quantity of a product. Use a 3D printer to customize products. Start a service to provide 3D printing to others. Sell the printers. Sell the accessories. Train others how to use 3D printers. If 3D printing is able to realize its potential in the short and medium terms, it will grow significantly. If we’ve learned anything from the Gold Rush, safety razors and ink jet printers, it’s that the real money is in providing the supplies and services that are required by those who use the product. The names of few gold miners are remembered, but everyone knows Levi’s. If you have an idea for an invention that could be rendered through 3D printing, go for it; if not, you may want to grab your small piece of the 3D-printing pie via sales or service and watch it grow as the entire industry takes off in the coming years. Image: MakerBot Replicator 2 – 3D-printer – Unboxing – 007, © 2012 Creative Tools, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike...
read morePlanning to Sell Your Small Business? The Time Could be Right
There are four words that I’m always listening and looking for in the news. And when I hear or read those four words, I go into “pay-close-attention” mode. Those four words are: “…more businesses plan to…” These words are important because they mean that some survey firm has talked to business owners about their actual plans. They didn’t ask consumers how they are “feeling” about one thing or another, which often is more of a reflection on a person’s mood than anything based in reality. Businesses need to map out their moves in advance, so if they are planning to to something, it indicates seriousness. Confidence is up So this is why I perked up a bit when I read a headline declaring that more small business owners were planning to sell their businesses at a good price in coming months. The headline was based on a BizBuySell.com survey that was released recently. Further, compared to last year, there are 20 percent more prospective business sellers who are “very confident” they’ll get an acceptable price than they were last year. Overall, 63 percent of sellers expressed general confidence that they will get an acceptable price. However, all trends – like politics – are ultimately local and it doesn’t really matter very much what 63 percent of people you’ll never meet are doing or thinking; the important point is what you believe and what your plans are. Are you considering a sale? If so, perhaps this general confidence in the market is exactly what you need to move forward with your plans. The important determining factor is what is giving these owners the confidence to sell. The main reason is pretty simple: improving business financials have given rise to increased confidence. The interesting thing about the survey is that buyers essentially confirmed the view of the owners who plan to sell. Buyers are a little less confident now that they be able to snatch up a business for a bargain basement price. Well, that’s overstating it a little. In the survey they phrased it as being able to purchase a business at “a good price.” Sales are strong Other good news for buyers is that sales remain brisk, in relative terms. When BizBuySell took the market’s pulse last quarter it found the strongest market for business sales since the recession and that pace continues. Looking to next year, however, the consensus seems to erode a little. A sizable percentage – 29 percent of buyers and 36 percent of sellers – think they will get a better deal if they wait another year. One of those groups has to be wrong, unless the market is unchanged in 2015. As you review these figures, think about your own exit strategy. If it involves selling your business, the lesson here is that you shouldn’t depend on selling at a specific time. Consider a window in time in which you would comfortable with selling and if prices hit a target that’s acceptable, strongly consider pulling the trigger. You don’t want to face a market of falling prices just as your “window” is about ready to close. Image: “American Cash” by Revised by Reworked – Own work. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia...
read moreHow To Set Wages to Reduce Turnover and Optimize Competitiveness
If you were getting paid what you’re really worth, would your paycheck go up, or down? Don’t worry, I won’t make you answer that question, but it does put into focus an important issue: How to determine the pay rate for a position in your small business. A recent PNC Economic Outlook Survey found that two out of five small and medium-sized businesses plan to hike wages in the next six months. That’s the most since back in 2008. And on top of that, nearly 60 percent said they would boost pay by 3 percent or more, while the national average is at around 2 percent. The 3 percent figure is also above the Federal Reserve’s inflation trigger. Perhaps the higher than average number is due to postponing pay hikes in recent years, but whatever the reason, we get back to the central question of how to determine salaries and wages. Get the job description written With any question regarding a position in your business, the place to start is with a good job description. Sometimes small businesses end up creating “hybrid” positions that combine skills from various professions. For example, an office aide might be required to do a little work with graphics on a regular basis. You need to put this in your job description so you can get the right person and also set the right salary. There’s an excellent online resource today at Salary.com that allows you to input a job title and see a salary range for your area. It’s a great starting point, however don’t just jot down the figure and call it a day. If you have a job that requires additional skills you may need to think it out more. Also, you want to check other sources to confirm what you learn from the online source. Check other sources To fine tune the range for your new hire, look at local job listings, online and in print. Also consult trade organizations in your area. They often have “help wanted” listings that may give you salary range information. The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a wide range of data available online, including results from its national compensation survey. You can find some job categories in your area by searching its database. Further, when you’re setting the salary range for a new employee, it’s a good idea to double check pay rates for your current crew. Use Salary.com and verify that you’re within an acceptable range for each position. Bringing in someone who is being properly paid to match his or her job requirements – if coworkers are over or under their expected ranges – may create a toxic workplace. With a solid job description and a thorough survey of the labor market and salary ranges in your area, you can plug new employees into your operation and know that you are paying them fairly. This will reduce turnover and help keep you...
read moreYour Logo Is Your Introduction: Make It Good
Before your customers know anything about you, they’ve probably seen your logo. What do people say about first impressions? I’ve recently created a logo and tagline for our Outrageous Success movement. For two reasons I didn’t rush the process. First, I understand its importance and second, a good logo conveys a lot of information and often in a fairly abstract format. Sometimes you need to really think deeply and give yourself enough time to understand what it is communicating. If you don’t have a logo for your business or are considering a new business, here are some points to ponder as you make your choice. What a logo should do Good logos say a lot about your business and they communicate on various levels. When coupled with a tagline, they can speak more directly to people. Here are what a good logo can do for you: Establish a brand identity. This is the first thing a well designed logo will do for you. When customers see it, they think automatically about your business. Give your business a professional and established look. A good logo takes your business to the next level above “a guy with a business card.” People should subliminally think, “This must be a real company. It has a strong logo.” Communicate what you do. Potential customers should look at your logo – and perhaps your tagline – and see that you offer something they may need. Build loyalty. The repeated exposure to your logo should remind customers of your exemplary customer service or top quality line of products. If you have created a positive business relationship with people, every time they see your logo, they will be reminded of that. Basic logo designs Highly successful companies have different approaches to logo design and they fall into four basic categories. No single category is inherently superior to any other, although some may be easier to conceive. Type based. Your logo could be a typographical treatment of your business name. Facebook and Sony would be examples of this style. The big ones are the business equivalent of single name celebrities, like Oprah. Illustrations. Other businesses use an illustration that communicates who they are. The purest of these might be the logos of some professional sports teams, such as the St. Louis Cardinals and Denver Broncos. Abstract. We all know the Nike swoosh. We never need to see the name of the company. Further, its design has come to communicate speed and athleticism. Hybrids. Often type will be combined with either a realistic illustration or abstract design. The type may be the name of the company, a tagline or both. Color me customer-centric The colors you choose for your logo are as important as the design. Colors communicate on a very instinctive level and you have to keep this in mind as you select your design. Far too many small business owners just go with colors they like. Check out this infographic to get a good idea of what different colors communicate. When you think you have a good basic color you want to use, do an online search for color schemes and you can find other colors that will go along with it. Whether you decide to try to design your own logo, find a local designer or...
read moreClone Yourself With These Small Business Prouctivity Apps
The old truism that “you can’t be in two places at one time” used to hinder a lot of small business owners. However, thanks to the mobile app revolution that truism isn’t quite as true anymore. And, I’m happy to say that according to a recent SurePayoll survey, small business owners are becoming “immersed” in mobile technology. This is certainly boosting productivity which helps startups make it through those crucial first years and allows established small businesses to expand more easily and push more dollars to the bottom line. SurePayroll’s infographic (see below) does a good job summing up the survey findings and if you want to really get into the weeds, check out the company’s press release. Let’s pick up a little on the idea of being in two places at one time and take a quick look at a few apps that allow you to do that, in as much as the laws of physics permit… Doodle. Have you ever spent a big chunk of your morning trying to find a meeting time that works for everyone? With Doodle you can poll your invitees and find out what time works for everyone. While they’re answering the poll, you can be somewhere else, being productive. By the way, that’s just one feature it offers. Zite. How much time to you spend managing RSS feeds, searching Google and scrolling through your favorite news sites? Zite learns your interests – getting smarter as you go along – and curates your reading material. While Zite does your searching, you can be productive. OfficeTime. Does your business track billable hours and expenses? Liberate yourself from the tedium of pulling together the details when you get back to the office. You can also track to projects so you always know exactly where you stand and can invoice clients almost automatically. Sharing apps. There are several excellent file sharing and idea sharing apps and if you haven’t yet mined the gold they have to offer, now’s the time. Explore Google Docs, Dropbox, Evernote, Cubby and Microsoft OneNote for starters. HootSuite. If social media marketing is an integral part of your small business, the HootSuite “dashboard” gives you excellent control wherever you are. Further, anytime you’re online and something catches your eye, you can capture and schedule it as a post for virtually all of your social media accounts. It’s auto-scheduling feature really is like enabling your brainpower to be in three places at once. GoToMyPC. This app gets my award for most literally delivering the functionality of being in two places at one time. If you’re on the road and you need something that’s on your computer back at the office, this app offers a free magic carpet ride through cyberspace. It also comes in handy if you are your small business’ “tech support” and have to show someone back in the office how to get something done. Finally, all customer relationship management solutions have mobile apps. Make sure you and your staff are using one. Admittedly, this is a short list and there are many great apps that boost small business productivity. What are some of your favorites? Image: By Methodshop, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike...
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