Tips and Tools – Page 138 – Business Plus Baby

February 9, 2015September 8, 2015

Podcast: 5 top tips to successfully run a business around your kids

When Veena V of Mum to Millionaire asked me my top 5 tips for running a business around kids I was surprised how simple my answers were. You might be too!

Simple tips aren’t always easy to implement though, are they? 🙂

In this podcast Veena and I chat about many of the things we mums in business know we should be doing, but often get distracted from by all the things we have to do in our busy lives. Plus we share our own experiences of working around our kids and:

How to focus on your business and really get things done

What you should be charging for your services and why you should never under value yourself

The pros and cons of working for free!

Why it is so important to INVEST IN YOURSELF

I’ve known Veena online for a few years now right from the days when she was running her VIP pregnancy blog. I’ve always loved her infectious enthusiasm and how hard she works to build her business around her son.

So I’m delighted that her podcast is in the new and noteworthy section of iTunes at the moment. Congratulations Veena!

This is the link if you’d like to sign up.

February 1, 2015February 1, 2015

Relaxation tips for the busy parent

When you’re busy running your own business and looking after the household, it can be hard to find the right balance in your life.

With all of the daily tasks and money issues to overcome, you might often feel somewhat overwhelmed. And while it may seem manageable on a good day, there are other times where it can all seem too much.

So here are a few quick and easy tips to make sure that you get a bit of balance back into your life:

Share the weight

Photo credit: Derek Jensen via Wikimedia Commons

First and foremost, it’s important to realise that you are only human. And there are only so many hours in the day to keep everything shipshape.

So why not investigate arranging children’s events with other local families so as to share the weight of parenting.

It can be a great socialising experience, as long as your child enjoys it of course! And by taking it in turns with other parents to plan activities and days out, you’ll just possibly get to have an afternoon free once in a while!

There are also many after-school programmes available such as sports or music lessons that will encourage your child to develop a hobby, become more confident and dazzle you with their new found skills! Continue reading “Relaxation tips for the busy parent”

January 12, 2015

Apple or Android? Which Is Better for Working Parents?

When you run your own business and are a busy parent, you need the right phone. Considering everything smartphones are capable of these days, it is important to weigh your options carefully so your choice is an asset rather than a frustration. Two of the most popular smartphones on the market are the iPhone 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S5. But which one should you choose? Consider the following comparisons:

Design and Accessibility

The iPhone 6 has a much smaller, sleeker design than the Galaxy S5 and fits easily into the hand. This is a great feature if you need something that fits easily in your pocket, purse or briefcase. On the other hand, the Galaxy S5 has a bigger screen, making it easier to read important documents, watch video presentations or hold video conferences. However, it may feel clunkier in your hand and not fit in a small purse or briefcase.

Both phones use fingerprint technology in order to allow access to the phone. In the case of the iPhone 6, Apple has the leg up on this technology. The iPhone can read the fingerprint without it needing to be in the exact right spot, states Trusted Reviews. In comparison, Samsung is lagging behind because you have to position your thumb exactly right to access your phone, which can be frustrating when you don’t have much time to spare or are trying to work and hold your child at the same time.

The Screen

Both screens offer exceptional resolution. The difference between the two comes in the quality of the colors. The AMOLED screen in the Galaxy S5 allows for more realistic colors when it comes to darker shades; however, the brighter shades tend to be over saturated, according to Trusted Reviews. It also is better when it comes to video playback. Conversely, the iPhone 6 has more of a problem when it comes to bleed through, making darker colors seem grayer.

If you are in film, photography or a business that has a lot of client presentations, consider going with the Galaxy S5. But, if you don’t often play videos, either phone will suffice and it comes down to your personal preferences.

Operating Systems

Where the phones are markedly different is in their operating software.

The iPhone 6 runs iOS 8, which is intuitive and user-friendly. There is less customization allowed, but the system is easy and quick to learn. Also, the phone comes with Siri—a voice-activated virtual assistant—which is quite useful. If you are not as tech-savvy, this is the best option for you.

The Galaxy S5 runs Android 4.4, which takes a bit more getting used to than iOS 8. It’s not quite as user friendly, but Android 4.4 allows for a lot more customization. The phone also comes with Google Now, its own virtual assistant, which users have found to compare favorably to Siri. For those who like customization, the Galaxy S5 can become a powerful business tool.

Battery Life

Another area that is of vital interest to entrepreneurs and everyday users is battery life. Both phones run for just over a day on a single charge, but the Galaxy has the larger battery overall, according to GSM Arena. You can expect the Galaxy to run a few more hours with normal usage; however, it really stands out with its power saving apps. Using basic functions only, the phone will last as long as a week, which is great if you forgot to bring your charger on a business trip, explains Know Your Mobile. In comparison, the iPhone 6 does not offer much in terms of power saving applications.

December 30, 2014

Getting on the road as a working parent?

As a parent working from home with children on the scene, you’ll already be struggling to find gaps in your agenda to fit things in. On top of your workload, looking after pre-school kids, cooking, cleaning and the many other day-to-day jobs that are involved, even just five minutes’ down time can be a luxury. However, if you’ve managed to keep on top of it all without the modern day convenience of a car then you should definitely be commended.

Many people take it for granted, having a car on the drive to nip to the shops or to ferry young ones around. Gone are the days when most people get by on foot. Maybe you’ve seen your friends packing babies, bags and accessories into the back seats and had a hint of jealousy. As a non-driving parent, of course there’d be positives to getting on the road.

by brizzle born and bred

The first steps to time and money saving would be to start studying a small amount a day, even just 15 minutes, and allocating some time to trying out mock driving theory tests. This way you don’t get caught under an avalanche of work when you go to do the real thing and you can pass first time. It saves time, money and effort rather than going in unprepared. It’s also a good idea to get a full understanding of the medical guidelines of fitness to drive.

If you have a partner with a vehicle, save the funds and keep everyone involved by getting out on the road with them. I’d advise getting your first few lessons in with a qualified instructor until you’re at a reasonable driving capability and with enough confidence. But after that you can save the money and the time out of the house by doing it together. Set some ground rules to keep arguments to a minimum, though, as you don’t want in-car tension spilling back over into the house!
There are some useful tips for driving as a parent available on the internet that also come in nicely for learning to drive. It might seem daunting to start learning a completely new skill, and one that can seem insurmountable when you first take to the wheel. But it will be very fulfilling and useful for a family at any age.

The statistics say that women in their sixties are still passing driving tests at a good rate, so there’s no reason why you can’t. Speak to a few instructors on the phone, find a vibe that you like and just don’t put it off any longer. It never gets easier and, like having kids, the time will never be perfect. Just bite the bullet.

December 29, 2014

Ever thought of business in Barcelona?

If I asked you if you liked the sound of Barcelona, you’d probably say ‘yes’. Especially as it’s the middle of a cold and damp British winter!

But there’s more to Barcelona than a great destination for a weekend break. Have you ever thought of it from a business point of view?

There are many good reasons to invest in Barcelona. Not only it is in a great location in the Mediterranean, close to France and Spain as well as the rest of the Mediterranean Sea – with one of the biggest ports in the Med – but it also has an international airport, motorways linked to the European network and a high-speed train station.

Barcelona heads up a large economic area with a long industrial tradition and a solid business framework which is why it is the headquarters of thousands of foreign companies. The city is also strong on business sectors such as new technologies and sustainability, which offer great business and investment opportunities.

According to ‘European Cities Monitor’, Barcelona employees have the best quality of life in Europe, which isn’t surprising when you consider the festivals, cuisine, art, culture, architecture that the city is known for. Just take a look at this video and you’ll see what I mean:

One of Barcelona’s top attractions is admiring the city’s modernista architecture, including the works of Gaudí. But there are also wonderful live music venues and plenty of opportunities to stop for tapas and the local vermouth!

So if you’re thinking of growing your business, why not consider growing it in Barcelona?
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