Most of us have a Gmail account. Here are some shortcuts to streamline your time with it.
Most of us have a Gmail account. Here are some shortcuts to streamline your time with it.
Ready to start outsourcing? This post will explain who, what, when, where, why and how to do it.
Who?
Who needs to outsource: Everyone. There is no one on Earth who truly loves doing every task.
Who to outsource to: It depends on what you need. The key is to outsource to companies or individuals who compliment what you provide.
What?
The best place to start is usually with what you’ve been procrastinating with…
It tends to be something you hate doing or aren’t familiar with. The task ends up being pushed off and lingering on your to-do list, only to take longer than you know it should when you finally do get to it.
We’ve all been there and often overlook the fact we could simply outsource it. (I hated doing dishes and would let them build up. Then I outsourced to a dishwasher and felt a weight lift.)
When?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, working long hours or just losing that loving feeling – it’s time to outsource!
We all have special gifts and talents. When we start to lose the excitement for what we do, it’s usually because we aren’t operating within our unique abilities.
(If you feel an urge to delegate all of your work like this guy did, you should probably look for a new gig instead…)
Start outsourcing to get back to doing what you do best!
Where?
It’s key to outsource within your market. If you’re selling to North America, outsource likewise. People on your continent better understand the nuances and your tribe.
We’re also in a tough economy, so it pays to give back.
Why?
“You are a unique and beautiful snowflake.” Appreciate yourself and your talents. Outsource the rest.
Your bottom line, your to do list and especially your stress level will thank you. It’s not practical to hire full time staff for every conceivable position, nor are you at your best when you’re trying to juggle doing it all yourself.
Outsourcing allows you to delegate all of the non-essential tasks that are stressing you out, while saving you money over traditional employees.
How?
It’s best to begin by starting a list. What do you want to delegate? Which types of people do you want to work with? Think long-term. Ideally, you want to create a lasting relationship. How can you feel confident and free?
In the interest of making it easy, you can start right here! Download our ebook 101 Ways a Virtual Team Will Grow Your Business from the right sidebar or schedule a Discovery Call.
Otherwise, just do your research. If you can’t find the perfect company, team or person yourself, we guarantee we can find them for you. If they aren’t already on our team, we’ll search for the perfect fit for you (with no obligation).
In conclusion…
Success isn’t judged by how much you do. What’s most important is excelling at what you do best.
You already know what that means to you. Own it.
© Tamara Smith, DemGen Inc, 2013
Lean: a method of running your business where any and all resources put into the business are considered necessary only if they create value for your customer. Anything else is considered wasteful.
The main idea behind lean thinking is less work, more value. What actions or processes do you include in your business that customers are willing to pay for?
Toyota was the original lean company and their principles are the same as those that started the lean movement. The two main points are: Treat your customers and staff with respect through various opportunities to learn and grow, always encouraging challenges.
Always focus on improvement in order to deliver the highest quality services and products in the shortest amount of time. This provides value without waste and also cuts down on cost.
When you run a lean business, people always come first, before your products and services. If you hire employees or virtual teams, they are also part of the value added process of your company and anything they do is part of what benefits the customer and must be something they are willing to pay for. Lean means having less but doing more with it.
In order to reduce wasted time and effort in your business, you can do the following: Initiate processes that will ensure work is not redone. Do everything once to the best of your ability.
Don’t pay for employee’s idle time. Hire a virtual team that charges by the hour or project. This means you will receive high quality work with less outlay of your hard earned dollars. Also, their confidence, creativity and skills will improve your standard offering.
Solve problems at their root. Treating the symptoms of major defects in your business will waste your time and money. Remember, problem solving is 20% tools and 80% thinking.
Learn by doing things yourself, then start to train others to do the same. Standardize routine tasks, using methods you have proved will work the best. Lean means using predictability and reliability to your advantage.
Lean thinking is a practise, one that can be used in all aspects of your life. Always ask why you are doing something and the reason for doing it the way you have been up until this time. Improving quality, followed by improving your speed, will result in lower costs and more value for your customers.
© Chris Draper, DemGen Inc 2013
Image courtesy of lean.org
Don’t forget about Mom this Mother’s Day! Let us knew the special thing you did for her in our comments section.
This infographic about Mother’s Day was developed by FTD.com
We’re frequently sitting at our desks all day (and many nights) working. This somewhat shocking infographic stresses the importance of regularly exercising at work. All of the success in the world is meaningless if we aren’t around to enjoy and share it.
What do you need to start delegating so you can get up and get active? Start today for the sake of your business, your family, your friends and yourself! It’s as simple as getting out of your chair…
Over the past few weeks we’ve been sharing insights into how you can maintain a healthy lifestyle as a busy entrepreneur or business owner.
Eating right and managing your time are a great start, but staying active is also key.
We’re often at our desks for hours on end. There are simple ways to stay active with a busy schedule.
Stand up desks
Stand up desks are gaining popularity. If you’re using a laptop, you can simply move it to higher ground. The simple act of standing instead of sitting will keep your blood flowing.
Stretch
Get up and stretch regularly! It will immediately help you feel refreshed and revitalized. Certain yoga and tai chi exercises can even be done right at your desk.
Posture
It’s easy to fall into the habit of slouching while working. To avoid ending up looking like Mr. Burns, it’s important to remember your posture and sit up straight.
Walks
Consider taking a walk during your next break. It will both keep you active and likely provide new inspiration.
Here at DemGen we’re always focused on keeping our team happy and engaged. From focusing on each team member’s unique ability to let their brilliance shine, to flexible work schedules, to surprise bonuses – we’re keenly aware a happy team makes for great work!
With the focus on telecommuting and remote workers in the news lately, many people are taking sides on an issue that has become quite controversial, without really knowing what it means to work virtually or how to be the best worker they can be, virtual or not.
The virtual lifestyle is idealized by many. A huge percentage of employees and those who are unemployed state they would love to work from home, without realizing that working from home is still work, it isn’t a free pass to spend your time doing what you please during your work hours.
Be realistic.
Research virtual work and understand the meaning of it. Working from your home doesn’t mean someone has waved a magic wand and you can sit at your computer all day doing nothing. The same rules apply to your job whether you’re at a corporate office or working from your home office.
Get organized.
When working from your home office you are in charge of yourself. Without someone keeping track of your work and how much time you spend at your tasks, you need to be disciplined enough to have your life in order. Working virtually is wonderful when it fits seamlessly into your lifestyle but it will be up to you to make it work that way by organizing your home and office in such a way that one isn’t interfering with the other.
Put in the time and pay your dues.
Most of us who work virtually have already spent many years working in an office and for large companies and have the skills to show for it. The experience gained and the knowledge we’ve acquired is priceless. Soft skills such as flexibility and a willingness to learn are equally if not more important than computer skills. A great work ethic as well as integrity are highly valued and will be essential if you wish to succeed.
Be aware.
Working remotely or from your home is different for an employee of a company than it is for an independent contractor. Check the guidelines for your province or state to see how this will affect your income, your tax deductions and other laws pertaining to your situation. You have to decide if working from home is something you want badly enough to overcome your reservations about the types of work that are available and, if so, put in the effort to pursue the right option for you.
Remember, working virtually isn’t easy. Just like everything else, you will have to work at it. It won’t be the perfect solution to all of your childcare and commuting problems and it also won’t work if you have problems dealing with others.
Decide if it is for you, look into the skills and experience you will need and give yourself the green light if this is an option that would work well with your life.
Chris Draper
© DemGen Inc, 2013
Image courtesy of Elisa Koehler
“What you are looking for is what is looking.” – St. Francis of Assisi
Maybe it’s time for a time out. In a world of incessant clicking and scrolling, where our attention spans are the equivalent of a colander dish, maybe we should just click off for a while.
We talk about being on the “Internet”, maybe the truth is in the “INNERnet”! Go within, tap into our own brilliance, be our own guru’s, know what to do next by ourselves.
Now, just click here and I’ll share the seven secrets to……..just kidding. And hey, say Hi to yourself for me.
I like quotes that are concise and profound as well as blogs.
Here’s to looking at you, that BRILLIANT you!
Gary
© Gary Evans, DemGen Inc. 2013
Is social media marketing effective? That’s the question being asked as more and more businesses are investing in increasing amounts of social media marketing. With no standard means of measurement, there’s a wide variety of goals and metrics used to define the ROI of social strategies. Fortunately, this enlightening infographic, developed by MDG Advertising, helps clear up the confusion by outlining the objectives, benefits and factors that affect the success of social media marketing.
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