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Small Business Restaurants, Can They Survive?

In an effort to support an eco-friendly society small business restaurants are having to continue to take hits & re-invent the wheel to keep themselves alive during tough economical times.  Support for small business isn’t easy to get.  Working with the local Chamber of Commerce is one way you can find support.  If you can survive after the first five years you are doing pretty good or so they say.  Small business restaurants had to make changes do to the “smoking ban”.  Most were able to adapt but some felt the pinch.  In an effort to make an eco-friendly society their is talk again about having restaurants “go green”.  We did a blog earlier that talked about some of the steps a restaurant can take to do their part.  Most restaurants use plastic to go bags to pack up those delicious left overs we love so much.  Again their was “talk” about having all restaurants change over to an “eco-friendly” bag vs. using the plastic ones they currently use.  And finally, the Health Department is asking local restaurants to voluntarily add calorie information to their menus.  This has some local restaurants in a bind.  The cost to have menu items scientifically tested is more than what most small business restaurants can afford to pay during a suffering economy.  The cost to re-do a menu or menu sign also can add up. Although their is computer software can estimate food-calorie counts based on the ingredients used in a particular dish, you still have to pay to purchase the software & then someone to do the work as menu items change.  Some State laws prevent city’s from requiring restaurants to list calories without the approval of the Department of Agriculture.  Any nutritional listing requirement would need to be statewide and could not apply to one specific city.  Will these changes become nationwide?  Without some type of Government support your favorite restaurant/small business restaurant may end up struggling or even closing.  Most of the small business agree their needs to be change and are willing to do so.  They just don’t have the resources and are struggling to keep up without some type of support.

Does Your Business Support Literacy?

Corporations are comitting themselves to aiding in the fight against adult literacy.  Effort both national and localy is highly significant in providing impact by aiding those in need.  Corporations that already lend a hand usually do so through established programs and by lending time through service, improvments on buildings and programs.  So how can your business support literacy?  By joining an existing program (Verizon Reads, Starbucks, UPS, Walmart, to name a few) or establishing one of your own.  All areas of literacy need to be adressed.  Your company has options wheather they want to support computer literacy or general literacy such as basic reading for adults and children.  There are a number areas of literacy and needs of support.  Expand your companies support and look into ways you can help fight literacy in our world.  Pave the way for the future.  The person you help may end up being a customer, neighbor, employee, maybe more.  The limits are endless.

How Your Business Can Benefit From A Good Executive Assistant

As early as ten years ago their were rumblings of replacing the Executive, Administrative Assistant with computers or outsourcing.  The benefit to the business was to save the company money in payroll and benefits.  Through the use of computers and home offices most CEO’s are able to handle the Administrative work on their own.  A great Assistant will thrive in his/her position .  In a competitive world with ever changing technology updating your skills has become a neccesitiy to survive.  Companies know that they can get someone new for less.   So what makes a good assistant.  Attitude is key.  Poor attitude reflects on the business.  Whether on the phone or speaking with co-workers, customers.  A good assistant will know how to best represent the business even when times are difficult.  Understanding the rythem of the office.  Anticipate what your boss or co-workers are going to do next and be ready to help if they need it.  Dress appropriately.  The first person most people see when entering a business is the receptionist.  Next is typically the Assistant.  The way you dress reflects on the business.  Understand when important clients are coming.  If your boss has an important meeting and its casual Friday, a good Assistant will choose to dress accordingly.  You can change your clothes later.  Support the business and your boss first.  Be on time.   We mentioned understanding the flow of the office.  Know when your boss will be in.  Try to show up a half hour earlier so that you are up and going before he gets there.  A meeting may have popped up at the last minute and he may need help in preperation.  For anyone who has an Administrative Assistant.  One of the reasons that a good assistant will leave a company is because she doesn’t feel challenged in her position.  Ensure that she has the tools to do the job well and effectively.  FYI- A good Assistant will go above and beyond the call of duty to assist you.  Knowing that the work, time and effort they put in is a value to you and the company will go a long way.

GPS & Its Effects On Society

GPS tracking systems.  We all have heard of them but have you thought about what it means to our society?  In business it can be effective to track drivers and their locations.  The types and use depends on the company and its fleet management.  Some disadvantages are that you can open yourself up to lawsuits if you are tracking employees after hours.  GPS helps parents track their kids. It also makes it easier to call for help and let emergency services know where you are.  Some people put them on their pets collars to help track their pets incase they run off.  Teachers are now teaching GPS experiments in school to educate students how to integrate GPS and mapping technology into the cirriculum for math, science, and social studies.  This knowledge will be useful for students who are seeking a future in business, industry or government.  Garmin offers a wide range of GPS products and is one of the most common names out their on the market.  Whether personal or business Global Positioning Systems (GPS) can be very useful.

Sale or No Sale- Is Your Business Eco-Friendly

Is your business loosing sales because your company has not taken steps to go green? Some business deals are being decided based whether your company is eco-friendly or not.  So your business is reluctant to this change for fear of it being to costly.  In fact you can save money with just a few simple guidlines.  Lighting- compact fluorescent bulbs cost less and last longer.  Use biodegradable products for cleaning. Do you have a kitchen or breakroom?  Make sure those products are recyled.  Sending emails vs. paper.  When purchasing new products ask the seller what products do they have that are eco-friendly? Their catalog should have a tab specific to going green.  If you don’t find the product you are looking for ask the seller to help you find it.  Make this a fun project for your office team. Offer incentives to employees who offer the most eco-friendly solutions to your business.  Mention the employee in a meeting with their piers.  People love to be recognized for the hard work they do.  I hope this has been helpful.

How Technolgy Has Influenced Today’s Farmers

An honest living and for the most part a hard living due to the environment and hours this industry works in.  Farming has come a long way due to the advancement of technology.  Through this advancement Farmers now run some of the most sophisticated business around the world. So what exactly does a farmer do?  Well this varies from farm to farm.  Equipment needs also vary based on the type of farming that is done.  Through the use of technology farmers have the ability to strategically track and record their business.  Computers allow for farmers to share knowledge, and learn about new advances in equipment and other resources.  It provides them a portal of information all over the world whether they are sharing information they know or they are seeking to learn about what other cultures are doing to advance in a competitive industry.  Although hours are typically long and the work is hard when not planting farmers have to prepare for the year to come.  Other advantages are  farmers are able to do more acurate price comparison locally and long distance. They can see what the current market rate for crops/products vs having to drive or rely on second party information.  Computers also allow access to weather information thus helping farmers adjust pricing due to conditions as needed.  This knowledge aids with proper care of crops/products they are selling.  Farming has changed dramatically over the years from machinery and now technology.  Computers have increased the amount of data that is collected.  As technology advances so will the efficiencey of this growing industry.  Help save the farms and the worlds food supply.  God Bless The Farmers!

With so many choices, what is the best desk for you?

When looking for desks this can be tricky with so many choices out there on the market.  So what should you look for? Some things you want to consider are space, color (does it match your other furniture), how functional is it.  Does it have the storage space you need to work effeciently?  The style you choose should fill the need in your office and work space.  Your budget is key here.  Decide what you want to spend.  Decide on new or used furniture.  Will you need to buy a chair?  If you find a style that you really like ask if the company offers bundling packages.  You get your biggest savings when you are able to buy as many items together as possible.  If you can find a company that sells both office furniture and technology together you stand to get bigger volume discounts.  http://www.officeoutofthebox.net/

Free Online Training- Its Not Another Gimic

Free Online Training-  Recently some of my co-workers and collegues have gotten together to network and express difficulties during these tough economical times.   One of our collegues stumbled upon a site that we wanted to share with you.  http://www.gcflearnfree.org/default3d.aspx  This site offers a variety of on-line-training that you can learn for free.  Its worth checking out.   Please feel free to comment if you have a program that you would like for us to share.  We would love to hear from you.  Thank you for reading our blogs.  Follow us on facebook and Twitter.

What Is The Importance Of On The Job Training?

 When looking for a job you have the option to seek positions on your own or through a recruiting agency.  Some of these agencies will offer additional training courses that you can go on line and take.  If you are serious about career advancement this is a tool that you should seriously consider utilizing.  Why?  Not every company will offer you additional training courses.  A company that offers you additional training values you as an employee and are commited to your career path.  When an employer seeks to build your skills and knowledge, they make an investment in you and your career. By growing your abilities, the employer gains a more productive employee – and you end up with more career power.  

Some types of training choices you may see are:

• Co-operative education – university students alternate study semesters with paid work terms where they work on projects and gain job skills.
• Internship – a short-term position with an emphasis on education, not employment.
• In-house training – the employer offers formal or semi-formal sessions to help you learn new systems, applications, procedures or work duties.
• External training – the employer sends you to an off-site training program to help you learn new systems, applications, procedures or work duties. Some employers may send you to college or university courses.
• Computer-based training – you receive training through interactive computer software.
• Video learning – you watch videos to learn new information.
• Mentoring – you’re paired with a more senior employee and given personal coaching to help you get up to speed.
• Job rotation – you rotate through several positions in a company, so that you have a good feel for various parts of the enterprise. For example, some banks have new managers rotate through positions as tellers, customer service reps, loans officers and financial planners.

Is on the job training important? If you want to advance in your profession then, yes.  Through the steady stream of technology and changes in companies structures you want to make sure that you have a competitive edge.  When upgrading your skills you show your comitment to the employer that you are working for.  bcjobs.ca

Positive Use of IT Self Help Desks

IT Help Desks are often looking for ways to improve problems and customer service. With self-help technologies on the rise, they’re often not the “silver bullet,” one-stop answer to improving the Help Desk. If implemented properly, self-help tools, combined with other people and processes, can smooth out and improve the Help Desk workflow while improving overall service levels.   What is the purpose? Self-help technologies are tools that allow users themselves to initiate action when a Help Desk call is deemed necessary. Instead of calling, waiting for help, and then explaining the problem to one or more agents, the user can start trouble tickets and alert agents to problems independently. This process may even reduce costs by directing simple questions to an automated system. Self-service tools allow agents more free time to handle unique issues or resolve a problem that has already been identified. directing simple questions to an automated self-help system reduces costs by off-loading the support burden onto the customer. That is an intelligent and proper use of self-help technologies.  Self-help technologies address two critical business drivers: the desire for simplicity and drive for best practices in IT. Such technologies empower customers to find answers and/or log their own service issues around the clock.  Delivering help desk self-service that truly helps rather than hinders users reflects positively on the organization, and helps keep both internal and external customers happy.Â
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