Business Beginner

If you own a small business, you probably already know a thing or two about Key Performance Indicators (also known as KPIs). KPIs are the benchmarks your business sets in place to make sure it’s moving toward its long-term goals. The key to effective KPIs is not just having them in place, but having the right ones in place. Of course, that’s a lot easier said than done. To help you out, I’ve put together this guide on how to determine which KPIs will best drive your business forward.  1. Begin With Efficiency KPIs In a discussion of KPIs, there’s a good chance efficiency KPIs are likely the first kind that come to mind. These are your basic markers of ROI.  According to the smart folks at PNMsoft , an Intelligent Business Process Management Suite provider, efficiency KPIs include measurements such as: cycle time from request to delivery, volume of tasks per staff and number of staff involved.  These are the basic markers that make sure your business is running the way it...

Digital security is a big deal for businesses. According to the Heritage Foundation, the cost of cyber- attacks for companies is well over $15 million on average for each company attacked. This is no laughing matter. As such, you need to make sure you have the proper training protocols in place to show your employees how to secure your business . Below are six things you should make sure to include in such a training program.  1. Encryption  One of the only completely trustworthy methods for securing information is the use of encryption. Encryption is even more important now since a lot of company data is now stored in the cloud. While certain cloud hosting companies may claim to encrypt data, encrypting it before it reaches the cloud may be an even better idea.  2. E-Mail Security  Employees must absolutely be trained on how to properly receive, reply to and handle company e-mail. E-mail received on company servers should be scanned for hidden threats like viruses ...

Employees are undoubtedly the most valuable asset in every company or organization. Training them is the ideal tactic for ensuring constant growth of your business or company. The goal of every training program is to increase productivity of the employees and the organization. Unfortunately, not all training processes are budget friendly. Dedicating a bigger chunk of resources to training workers can hurt the bottom line of your business. Therefore, you need to choose an ideal training delivery tactic that meets your training requirements, suits your budget, and addresses the needs of your workers.  1. Evaluate Current Training Materials Carry out an intensive assessment of the modules and courses you are currently using to identify those that are necessary and those that you can exclude from your training program. Alternatively, you can conduct thorough employee surveys and establish whether your current training strategy is reliable and effective.  2. Minimize Business Trav...

While the workplace isn't a place for slack or a much needed rest and relaxation, it's an environment that should convey fun and positive vibes. As an employer, you have the power to foster this ideal environment. Doing so can boost workforce productivity and turnover rate, both of which are key drivers for consistent business growth and future success. Unfortunately, many employers pass on this opportunity in exchange for temporary capital savings. Here are five easy and affordable ways to spark some fun in the startup workplace .  1. Greet Failure With a Positive Attitude  In no way should you aim to fail . This particular tip only entails allowing people to fail and encourage them to test their ideas. Fear of failure is often one of the prime reasons why there is so much negativity and stress in the workplace. Eliminate this fear by greeting failures with constructive criticism and encouraging comments.  2. Build Teams That Have Chemistry  People who dislike each...

There are estimates that around 75% of organizations have an employee recognition program in effect. If this is something that your organisation does not have, then it is something that you may wish to consider starting. The Virgin Group boss Richard Branson says “if you take care of your employees, they will take care of your business”, and many businesses whether they are small or large, feel the same.  Increasing Productivity  Research shows that a reward program does not have to be expensive and that any outlay needed to start the program can soon be more than covered by an increase in employee productivity and efficiency. When workers are happy, they work harder; and if they are incentivized, they will work even harder! Figures also show that if an employee feels unrecognized in the hard work and effort they have given then a company will run the risk of losing that employee as they will seek employment with a company that rewards their efforts.  What Makes Them Tic...

With the recent uptick in data breaches at major companies and government organizations, cyber security should a focal point of training for every company. The following 5 tips will help keep your employees safe online while using company email and while working on a computer at the office.  1. Watch Out for Phishing Emails  Phishing occurs when a malicious individual sends out a fake email pretending to be a real company asking someone to login. When a person enters their information thinking that they're logging in to their account, sensitive information is automatically compromised. These types of emails are normally used to gather personal information, like social security numbers, full names, addresses, credit card numbers and more. Your employees need to be aware of this threat, and need to dispose of such emails immediately.  Require Strong Passwords  The vast majority of consumers use the same password for every account they own, including those at work. Th...