Tips and Tools – Page 137 – Business Plus Baby

March 13, 2015

How to save money while acquiring appropriate office space

In some instances, acquiring office space can be a drain on resources, and this is especially true for start-up companies. An increasing number of real estate brokers and landlords require companies to sign for 3 to 5 year lease terms and have personal guarantees while renting an office.

For that reason, small companies are constantly seeking ways to minimise extra liabilities and grow. Before buying or leasing an office, it is advisable to think creatively and find ways to save money and time. Mentioned in this article are some of the ways in which you can save money while leasing an office space for your growing business.

Consider renting some shared office space.

Shared office space is becoming an increasingly popular option and is a great money saving idea when it comes to renting office space. This particular option is beneficial in that, given its setup, it allows the employees of a company to interact more and share ideas with each other. Additionally, the environment that it creates encourages collaboration and a sense of togetherness among the employees.

Owing to the tough economic times, many companies are forced to cut back which leaves such companies with more office space than they actually need. Instead of losing money on this excess space by letting it go to waste, some companies are now looking to sublet that extra space for a very reasonable price. Therefore, with regards to saving on expenditure, getting a shared office space is a great idea.

Look into the option of co-working space.

The increase in the establishment of digital-based companies has made co-working spaces a lot more prevalent. Companies that would like to rent office Bracknell space should consider getting a co-working space that is flexible and allows them to rent on a monthly or yearly basis. This solution is particularly beneficial for start-up companies that are looking to interact with other like-minded people and companies that may have a bigger marketplace presence than they do.

Minimise the work force.

Many established companies in the country have a lot more employees on the payroll than they require, which in turn means that capital is being wasted. Examining the role and need for staff members in the company can turn out to be a huge saving opportunity. To get an idea of how much office space a company needs to rent, it’s important to evaluate the need for the current workforce and minimise it through internships, sweat-equity arrangements and independent contractor agreements where possible.

Explore the possibility of renting a fully furnished office.

Some properties are now leasing offices that are already fully furnished with necessary amenities such as hook up phone lines and Internet. To save on time, money and effort, renting a fully furnished office can be a great opportunity for start-up companies. Such spaces also offer the company staff access to conference rooms, a receptionist, and kitchens as well as many other essential amenities for the day-to-day running of the business.

As you’ll have probably gathered, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to renting office space. The suitability of any office space will solely depend on the individual requirements of a company and its budget, but as you’ll have seen from the above, there are a number of different ways to save money while acquiring appropriate office space for your business.

March 11, 2015

3 Simple Skills Every New Business Owner Should Master

Starting a company requires you to master various different skills.

Whether it’s drawing up a business plan, learning how to negotiate or hiring new members of staff, cutting your teeth in the world of commerce can be as daunting as it is exciting.

While we all have dreams of floating a company on the stock market or branching out into foreign markets, prior to this vision becoming a reality, you should take the time to weigh up your abilities.

After all, if your aptitude for business means you can barely corner the market in your hometown, what are the chances of successfully dipping a toe into overseas ventures?

Slim to none.

With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of three simple skills every new business owner should master before their hopes and aspirations are crushed like a paper aeroplane under a giant’s foot … Continue reading “3 Simple Skills Every New Business Owner Should Master”

February 26, 2015

From dingy to darling: crafting the ideal office

It’s heart-breaking – you could be facing a group of whip-smart workers without a clue about interior design, and it’s probably driving high-rollers straight for the exit.

Indeed, without an effective workspace you’ll have less creative employees with lower morale, unimpressed clients and lacklustre business appeal.

With that in mind, we’ve come up with a few top-notch ideas to turn your workplace from dump to divine.

Pick up a Picasso

Picasso, Monet, Renoir and Dali – what do they all have in common? None of them are sitting in your office.

You’re more likely to have a series of crumby aspirational posters, the type of art that could only inspire the truly banal. They feature pictures of mountains or blue skies, and use quotes like “Ascend the peak of motivation” or “Gear your mind for blue sky thinking”. Utterly stomach churning.

Why try to inspire your employees with such mediocrity when you could be using art that evokes strong feelings from the off?

That doesn’t mean you have to invest in a real-life Picasso for your workplace. All you really need is corporate art to evoke and inspire. Find a piece that enthuses you and you’ll see your inspiration trickle down to your employees. Who knows what creative spark it’ll conjure in your workers!

Open office = open minds

The open plan office has had its detractors over the years, but it’s consistently been championed as a strategy for open thinking, effective teamwork and a friendlier atmosphere.

Just think of the enclosed, claustrophobic cubicle you inhabit – wouldn’t it be better if you let in some light?

Hire a professional interior designer or, better yet, an expert in Feng Shui to bust you out of your cubicle and foster the art of positive thinking within your workplace. You’ll be chin-wagging with your colleagues in no time – and growing more successful.

That’s the power of plants

As you stare out of your office window, do you find yourself fantasising about running through floral meadows or lounging in rose-scented linens? You’re not alone – secretly almost everyone desires to remove the handcuffs from their desk and flee to the great outdoors.

But you don’t have to feel trapped without floral treats. Invest in a few plants to oxygenate your office, leaving it brighter and less stuffy.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to creating an ideal office. If you can think up any more, let us know in the comments below!

February 25, 2015February 26, 2015

How to stay in control when everything seems to be going wrong

So you have a big project in the works. You’re excited about it and anxious for the growth in your business. You’ve outlined the plan, created a strategy for success and maybe even built your team. But then the problems start. Your project isn’t working out as you expected and everything seems to be going wrong.

It happens. Some of the projects you may be most excited about don’t work out the way you’d planned. How you handle the situation may mean the difference between failure and success. Here are some tips to stay in control when everything seems to be going wrong.

1. Damage Control

Sometimes something that feels like a big disaster isn’t as terrible as it may seem. For example, a freelancer may miss a deadline and that missed deadline pushes everything else back. This means your launch date is now in jeopardy. Damage control is the key here.

Work with your freelancer to complete the project asap. In some cases this may mean that you have to take over the project or find a new freelancer. Once you have a new deadline, take a look at all subsequent steps and deadlines. Where do you have wiggle room? Can you ask another contractor to turn around their project more quickly?

A rush fee may be worth considering to meet your launch date. The important thing to remember is that acting quickly and looking for solutions is the foundation of damage control. All hope is not lost.

2. Got lemons? Turn them into lemonade!

How often have you received an email from a company with an apology? Do you open those emails? They tend to have extremely high open rates. If you’re unable to meet a promised launch date or you or a freelancer has made a mistake, turn the mistake into an opportunity.

For example, if you promised to release a book by the first of the month and it’s delayed a month, whip up a free report or provide a coupon for your other products to make amends. It may actually increase your overall profits, and your customers are likely to appreciate the effort.

3. Know when to quit

Sometimes things just don’t work out and the more you try to force it, the worse it gets. In many cases it’s important to take a step back and evaluate the situation. Why are things going wrong? Is it worth the continued efforts or is it time to fold? Failure is a part of business success. The important thing is to learn from failure and to avoid making the same mistakes again.

When everything seems to be falling apart, remember to take a deep breath. Relax. Assess the project from a logical perspective rather than an emotional one. Yes, you are passionate about your business. However, you are also separate from your business. That distinction will help you make the best decisions.

February 24, 2015February 24, 2015

Business airports in London: How it could affect your business

Many mums in business need to travel to exhibitions to promote their products or source supplies, and even if you don’t do this, you may take flights to go on holiday. Whether you take flights regularly or not, if you’re running a UK business then you could be affected by the London airport debate.

The issue of London’s airport capacity is one that refuses to go away. There have been various wars of words in recent years between a number of prominent figures, but what are the arguments about? What are the implications for British business of proposed action or inaction? And could restrictions at the capital’s air hubs see foreign investors transfer money abroad instead of the UK?

Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, City, Southend… London is not the only city in the world to have multiple airports bearing its name, but few have quite so many. Heathrow is regarded as the jewel in the crown (not just London’s, but the UK’s) however the well known hub has been a victim of its own success in many ways.

The problem is capacity – what started as a humble aerodrome in 1929 has grown and grown into a British icon, but beyond the much trumpeted 2008 addition of Terminal 5 space is pretty much running out. This means that the airport will struggle to increase its offerings in terms of routes and frequencies.

The slip is starting to show. In 2014 Heathrow lost its coveted position as busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger numbers. Dubai, with over 52 million such passengers in the year, took the title and while Heathrow still saw some growth in this market the rate appeared to lag behind most of the other airports in the top 10.

That top 10 includes the Euro hubs of Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Istanbul. All should give cause for concern to London’s aviation chiefs. Amsterdam and Frankfurt are one airport towns, each accommodating a huge range of airlines and therefore giving international business travellers easier connectivity. While Charles de Gaulle has some competition in greater Paris, the passenger base is spread nowhere near as thinly as it is in south east England. Istanbul meanwhile has the potential to do just as well as Dubai, as its flagship Turkish Airlines expands its route network from west to east.

On top of the commercial threats from abroad, Britain’s own regional airports are growing impatient. Birmingham Airport has been particularly proactive in seeking to establish itself as an alternative to London for long haul carriers, while airports in Scotland and the north of England are decreasing their reliance on London links by forging new routes to overseas hubs.

With London’s air supremacy being undermined on many fronts the fear now is that there could be a knock on effect in other areas of business. Will corporations invest in Frankfurt instead? Will tourists choose the Eiffel Tower over Big Ben?

To keep London thriving as a global centre for trade, currency banking, industry, tourism and much more it would appear that something needs to be done to keep the capital’s air infrastructure at the top of its game. The big question is how – by further expanding the likes of Gatwick, or by starting from scratch with a brand new London airport for the future?