by Help Desk | Aug 31, 2019 | Articles
Time management is simply the ability to make the best use of your time. Its purpose is to enable you do better jobs in less time. An unknown author said “Money I can only gain or lose. But time I can only lose. So, I must spend it carefully”.
Benefits of time management affect both the business and the employees. Employees with well managed working hours tend to be happier and more productive resulting into high turnover for the organization.
Ability to manage your time effectively makes you more organized, makes you more punctual and disciplined, reduces your stress /anxiety level, and makes you well able to prioritize task.
FEW TIPS ON HOW TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE YOUR TIME
- At the start of each day make a plan of what you want to achieve and how you intend to do it.
- Keep a note of your daily activities and try to identify the time of the day that you are likely to be more productive.
- Have a fixed set time for responding to mails, chats etc.
- Manage your workload; don’t accept more work than you can comfortably do.
- Schedule your tasks according to priority
- Prioritise tasks based on their importance.
Failing to manage your time effectively can have some very undesirable consequences such as: missed deadlines, inefficient work flow, poor work quality, higher stress level etc.
“If you want to make good use of your time, you’ve got to know what’s most important and then give it all you’ve got” -Lee Lacocca
SOURCE: Prachi Junega, “Time management “reviewed by management study guide(MSG)content team.
by Help Desk | Aug 1, 2019 | Articles
Entrepreneurial Skills
Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching and running a new business while entrepreneurs are those who start and build successful businesses. True entrepreneurs are distinguished by certain qualities do you have the mind-set that’s typical of successful entrepreneurs? We all know the business world of today is competitive, thus as an entrepreneur who plans to succeed; it is mandatory you possess the needed skills required to give your business an edge over its competitors.
The key qualities needed by a business starter involve traits such as being creative, ability to keep going in the face of hardship and possession of good social skills needed to build great teams. It is essential that anyone interested in starting a business and those handling major job roles related to developing businesses should learn the specific skills that underpin the key qualities needed by entrepreneurs. While there is no one “right” set of characteristics for being a successful entrepreneur, certain traits and practical skills could help one succeed.
The question is what skills do you need to build a great business? To become a successful entrepreneur you might need to consider developing more strength in the following skills:-
- PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS (you need to re-examine your personal characteristics, belief and values)
- OPTIMISM: – Are you optimistic or pessimistic in nature? To be able to get through tough times as an entrepreneur, you have to be optimistic.
- VISION: – Successful entrepreneurs must have a clear vision and should be able to communicate that vision to team members and work with them to make the vision a reality.
- RISK TOLERANCE: – Be willing and ready to take risks and make decisions.
- PERSEVERANCE: – True entrepreneurs never think of quitting, they keep persisting until they get their desired results.
- RESILIENCE: Are you resilient? Can you easily pull yourself together and strategize when things don’t go as planned?
- INTERPERSONAL SKILLS (develop on the skills that enable you build good and lasting relationships)
- LEADERSHIP AND MOTIVATION: – You must be able to lead and motivate others to follow you and deliver your vision.
- COMMUNICATION SKILLS: – You should be able to clearly articulate your ideas and visions, to investors, potential clients, team mates etc.
- PERSONAL RELATIONS: – As an entrepreneur you should be able to lead and work effectively with your team mates.
- LISTENING SKILLS: – Make sure you are skilled at active/ empathetic listening.
- NEGOTIATON: – Not only do you need to negotiate keen prices, you also need to be able to resolve differences between people in a positive, mutually beneficial way.
- ETHICS: – Do you deal with people based on respect, fairness, and truthfulness? You may find it hard to build a happy committed team, if you deal with staff, customers or business partners in a shabby way.
- CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS (this enables you develop new ideas and make good decisions.)
- CREATIVE THINKING: – You need to be able to think deeply and come up with creative ideas as an aspiring entrepreneur.
- RECOGNIZING OPPORTUNITIES: – Successful entrepreneurs are good at ceasing the moment, they recognize opportunities when they present themselves and take advantage.
- PROBLEM SOLVING: – You should be able to come up with sound solutions to the problems you are facing.
- PRACTICAL SKILLS (this is needed to produce quality goods and services.)
- GOAL SETTING: – You need to be able to set goals, create a plan to achieve them and then carry out the plan.
- PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: – Entrepreneurs need the skills necessary to achieve set goals.
- DECISION MAKING: – How good are you at making decisions? Are you confident in the decisions you make?
- BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE: Do you have a good general knowledge of the main functional areas of a business (sales, marketing, finance, and operations), and are you able to operate or manage others in these areas with a reasonable degree of competence?
Running a business is not meant for everyone; however you can succeed without some of the listed skills above but remember the more entrepreneurial skills you lack, they more likely you are to fail as a business owner.
Source: – Alison Doyle “Mind tools management training and leadership training” updated November 25, 2018
by Help Desk | Jul 3, 2019 | Articles
Teamwork is the collaborative effort of a team to achieve a common goal or to complete a task in the most effective and efficient way. The value of teamwork is regularly seen in sports, to be honest, teams don’t work without teamwork. Many employers consider teamwork very important among staff, but the fact remains that a lot of workforces suffer from poor communication, lack of trust, power struggle etc. all of which erode the chances of teamwork in the workplace.
According to mother Teresa of blessed memory “None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful”
If nurturing a healthy team culture is important to your workplace, here are some tips to consider:-
- Establish team rules to keep team members on the same page.
- Learn to celebrate your success as a team to build close relationship and boost happiness.
- Consider every team member’s idea valuable.
- Clarity of purpose is mandatory for all team members.
- Get feedbacks from all team members.
- Establish effective communication.
- Encourage listening and brainstorming among team members.
- Ensure quick resolution of conflicts.
- Leadership team should lead by showing good teamwork examples.
BENEFITS OF TEAMWORK AT THE WORKPLACE
- IT BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY
With more hands on deck, productivity increases as tasks are completed faster and more efficiently.
- PROMOTES BONDING AMONG STAFF
Strong relationships among team members enable them communicate more freely, resulting into less conflicts among colleagues.
- IMPROVES QUALITY OF SERVICE RENDERED
A Team with strong work ethics and team spirit work well together. When there is unity among team members, there is high tendency to provide improved services that meet the needs of their customers.
- IT ENCOURAGES INNOVATION
Teams are better able to produce more creative and innovative ideas, than someone working alone.
- PROVIDES SUPPORT NETWORK
Working as a team helps you rely on each other for support, encouragement and guidance; especially during difficult and challenging times.
- CAREER ADVANCEMENT
Being part of a team exposes you to other team member’s skills. It also provides you with a prospect of building your professional network plus it could lead you to better opportunities along your career path.
- IT ALLOWS FLEXIBILITY
Having good relationship with your colleagues promotes collaboration, which allows flexible work schedule as cross-trained team members can easily cover for each other’s absence.
- IT PROMOTES CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Clashes with colleagues once in a while are expected but constant disagreements at the workplace could have great effect on productivity. Thus team members working towards a common goal learn to resolve conflicts timely on their own, for the sake of the project, their team and the organization at large.
Teamwork is a core skill required by everyone in the workplace; it should be encouraged by all means among team members. Just like Helen Keller said “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”.
Sources: 12 easy ways to improve workplace teamwork by Hannah Price
10 benefits of teamwork in the workplace by Chris Leitch
by Help Desk | Jun 1, 2019 | Articles
There is a huge difference between doing alright and being excellent at providing customer services and that difference is called exceeding customer’s expectations.
You can’t expect to maintain brand loyalty if you don’t pay attention to what your customers say about your products or services. For your brand to stay afloat, you must prioritise customer satisfaction and make sure your product presents a solution to people’s issue.
To provide good customer service you need to:-
- Know your customers
- Understand your customers’ needs
- Meet your customer’s needs.
‘’ The first steps in exceeding your customers expectation is to know those expectations”- Roy .H. Williams
TIPS ON HOW TO EXCEED CUSTOMER’S EXPECTATIONS
- Ask your customers for feedbacks
- Always follow up on your customers
- Provide world class customer services
- Learn to apologize when necessary, to your clients without hesitation
- Enrol your employees for customer service training programmes
- Build a relationship with your customers
- Surprise your customers on their special day e.g. Birthday, wedding anniversaries etc.
WHY YOU SHOULD EXCEED YOUR CUSTOMER’S EXPECTATIONS
- Exceeding customer’s expectations makes you stand- out among your competitors.
- Word of mouth is powerful; satisfied customers will talk about your service experience to friends and family.
- The end goal of exceeding your customers’ expectations is to gain as many loyal customers as possible.
Customer service is not just about what you do for your clients; it also involves how the service is carried out. To exceed your customers’ expectations you have to offer them an exceptional customer service. A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all!
REFERENCES
- Exceeding customer’s expectations at the frontline by Nigel Shanahan, September 11, 2014.
- Customer expectations by Anastasia, December 16, 2018.
- Cloud Cherry(Steps to exceed customer’s expectations, 2018)
by Help Desk | May 2, 2019 | Articles
Workplace ethics is the manner in which one conducts his/herself within the workplace environment. It relates to both employers and employees. Exhibiting good workplace ethics promotes teamwork and enhances smooth daily activities within organizations.
Tips on How to Maintain Good Workplace Ethics
Let your dressing be modest at all times, provocative dressing is prohibited within workplace environments. Your appearance should always be neat and clean. Dress the way you want to be addressed in your organization.
Be friendly but don’t lay down your guards nor invade on people’s privacy. Being friendly with colleagues at the workplace creates a positive aura and encourages teamwork.
Make it a habit to smile and greet people you meet within your office space, along the stairs, elevators etc. It makes you open to meet new friends.
It is okay to confide in close friends at work but sharing too much personal information to colleagues is unprofessional. Keep your personal delicate issues to yourself!
Being punctual to work and meetings show commitment towards your job. When you have reasons not to arrive at the office early communicate it to the appropriate authority.
- Communicate Appropriately
Disagreement is bound to happen in the office but it should be done constructively. It is unethical to swear, curse or use foul languages within the environs of our workplace.
- Keep the rest room neat for the next user
After using the rest room always keep it neat and ready for the next user.
- Do not disturb others with your phone tones/conversations
If you share office space with your colleague it is advisable that you silence your phone for incoming calls and notifications. Excuse yourself to pick your calls when the need arises, try not to disturb/distract others with your phone conversations.
Your workplace is a professional environment, treat it that way! Do not say or discuss issues that could tarnish the image of your colleagues or organization. Stay away from office politics!
An office is a place to keep scent subtle. Put others in consideration when choosing cologne. Wear mild perfumes to office and save your colleagues the pains of chocking from unpleasant scents.
Do have a great week.
Source: Google.com
by Help Desk | Apr 1, 2019 | Articles
Stress is our body’s way of responding to demands/ danger. Stress isn’t always bad, but beyond a certain point, when not well managed, could cause major damage to our mood, productivity, relationships and quality of life in general.
Causes
Some causes of stress are but not limited to:-
- Unemployment
- Relationship difficulties
- Death of a loved one
- Inability to accept uncertainty
- Illness
- Financial problems …etc.
Some signs and symptoms
Sleeping difficulties, High blood pressure, Pains in the back or chest, Fainting, Sweating, Loss of libido etc.
Effects of stress on the body
- Slows down the digestive system
- Decreases body immune activity
- Could cause insomnia
- Causes breathing problems
- Leads to high blood pressure
Some ways to manage stress
These tips will help you keep your stress level under check and control:-
- Eat healthy diet
- Learn to say no to unimportant and additional requests that makes you more stressed up
- Accept happenings around you that are beyond your control to change e.g. Death of a loved one, job loss ….
- Take time off work to rest
- Always try to get enough sleep after a hectic day
- Manage your time effectively, don’t overwork yourself!
Conclusion
We all feel stressed and will always be stressed at one point in our lives but it is possible to keep that stress under control by learning how to keep problems in perspective and enjoy relaxing breaks from the daily demands of life.
Source: – google.com
Time management is simply the ability to make the best use of your time. Its purpose is to enable you do better jobs in less time. An unknown author said “Money I can only gain or lose. But time I can only lose. So, I must spend it carefully”.
