Showing posts with label Work and Career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work and Career. Show all posts
August 15, 2023

5 HR Tasks Worth Outsourcing

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recruitment, human resource

One of the most time-consuming areas of admin when running a business is Human Resources. While many large companies end up hiring HR staff to take over this area, the majority of small business owners cannot afford to designate employees for this role. Fortunately, there is still the option of outsourcing. Outsourcing HR tasks allows you to delegate these tasks to experts at a much cheaper rate than you would if you were hiring in-house employees. It can even provide other added benefits that you don’t get when hiring in-house. Below are just 5 of the HR tasks that could be worth outsourcing and how to outsource them. 

Recruitment 

Recruitment is one of the most popular HR tasks that employers outsource. In many cases, it involves paying a professional recruiter commission for helping you to find a suitable candidate. Recruitment agencies can be useful when trying to seek out niche talent for unique positions - there are specialist agencies that can headhunt the right talent for you. You may also benefit from recruitment agencies when having to fill multiple basic-level positions quickly - recruitment agencies know how to reach out to more applicants and can dedicate time to sifting through them. 

Payroll solutions 

Paying staff is something that has to be done accurately and on time without fail. When paying lots of different staff members, many employers find it convenient to outsource this task. This can avoid errors and free up time spent calculating and sending employee pay. This guide explains more about how to outsource your payroll solutions

Benefits programs 

A great benefits program can attract better-quality applicants and help you retain your best employees. Creating and managing a benefits package can be a lot of work, which is why many employers find it beneficial to outsource it. There are benefits package companies that can help you provide discounts to multiple services and others that can help when tracking holiday pay and sick pay. This could help you to provide the best benefits package that you can. 

Contract/handbook writing 

It can be worth outsourcing legal writers to help you write your employment contract. This can help to keep your contract legally tight so that no terms or conditions can be misconstrued or exploited. Another writing task that could be worth outsourcing is writing an employee handbook - particularly a lengthy one. Doing this could save you time and make sure that your handbook is well written. 

Mental health counselling 

Depression and anxiety from work-related stress are very common and are not good for your company. Being able to offer mental health support could help you to retain employees and get the best out of them. Of course, many employees are not qualified to provide good quality mental health support - especially to employees who may have existing mental health problems. By outsourcing mental health support, you can give employees someone free to talk to if they need it. Outsourcing mental health support could also make employees more open when it comes to personal issues or complaints that they may not feel comfortable talking to their boss about.
January 10, 2023

5 Realistic Goals for Moving Abroad

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There is something about the allure of moving to a new country that makes your imagination run wild. You think of all the amazing things you will be doing, the new friends you will make, and the incredible experiences you will have. While it is definitely possible to achieve all of these things when you move abroad, it's important to keep in mind that only some things go according to plan. That's why it's important to set realistic goals for yourself before making the leap. This blog post will discuss five realistic goals for moving abroad and how you can achieve them! 

1. Get to know the area 

One of the most important things you can do when moving abroad is to get to know your new home. This means taking time to explore the area, meet locals, and learn about the culture and customs of the place you are living in. You will have a much better transition if you take the time to familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. In addition, it will be easier to make friends and find your place in the community. 
moving abroad

 2. Learn the language

If you are moving to a country with a different language, it's essential that you take some time to learn the basics of the new language. Not only will this help you communicate better with locals, but it is also an essential part of integrating into the culture. Even if you don't become fluent, having basic knowledge of the language can be extremely helpful when navigating everyday life in your new home. 

3. Find housing and employment

Once you have settled into your new home, finding suitable housing and employment should be one of your top priorities. This can be challenging at times as most countries require you to have certain documents or permits before you can legally work. Therefore, it is important to research the requirements, find more here for your particular situation, and ensure that you comply with all of the necessary laws before beginning any job search. 

4. Build a network

Networking is invaluable in any new environment, especially when moving abroad. Involving yourself in local events and activities and joining online groups can be great ways to meet people and create connections. Building a solid network will not only help you feel more comfortable in your new home, but it can also open up opportunities for employment, housing, and even fun experiences! 

5. Have fun!

Last but certainly not least, remember to have fun during this exciting experience! Moving abroad is a great opportunity to see new places, learn about different cultures, and open your mind. The best part is that all of these experiences can still be enjoyed while keeping realistic goals in place. So take some time to explore, make the most of the situation, and enjoy every minute of it! 

In conclusion, moving abroad can be a daunting and intimidating experience, but setting realistic goals beforehand can make the process much smoother. Whether it's getting to know the area, learning the language, finding housing and employment, building a network, or simply having fun, these five goals are essential for any successful move abroad. So set your goals today and start planning your amazing adventure!
October 11, 2018

5 Ways To Cultivate The Perfect Company Image

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When you’re trying to market your business, the product is obviously important. But consumers often make their purchasing decisions based on other things. That’s why your company’s image is so important. Consumers want to deal with responsible companies that give something back to the local community. They’re also sometimes reluctant to buy products from smaller companies that might not have that much experience. That’s why it’s important that you give the impression that you’re a large, well established company and you cultivate an image of responsibility. If you’re worried about your company image, here are some simple ways to improve it. 

Website Landing Page 


man using the computer

The first thing a potential customer will do if they want to get to know your company a bit better is go to your website. The landing page on your site is your chance to make a good first impression on them and encourage them to browse your products. If you’ve got a cheap website that looks like it was made in the 90’s, people are going to assume that the quality of your products and services matches the website. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you’re investing a decent amount of money in web design. It’s always good to make a landing page that’s a little bit different so it leaves a lasting impression, but remember that functionality is always key. If people land on your website and they can’t work out where to go next, it’s going to put them off. Always have clear menus and search functions on the front page, otherwise, you’ll look like you don’t know what you’re doing. 

Now that you’ve got a good landing page which screams professionalism, you need to start attracting more visitors to the website. There’s no point investing money on a great website if nobody is seeing it in the first place so make sure your social media marketing strategy is in good shape. 


Charity Partnerships 


Companies that put something back into the local community always do well. When customers buy your products, they get the sense that they’re part of something positive rather than just giving their money to a big company and lining somebody’s pockets. That’s why local charity partnerships are a great way to boost your image. Check out realbusiness.co.uk to see just how beneficial charity partnerships can be. Reach out to local charities in the surrounding area and see whether you can start some initiatives together. 

Virtual Mailboxes 


mail boxes

Trying to give the impression that you’re a large, well-established company is hard if you’re running the business from home or out of a tiny office building. When people see your address, they’ll immediately be put off because they’ll think that you don’t have much experience. There is a simple way around that problem though. Visit www.yourvirtualofficelondon.co.uk to find out about virtual office services. You’ll be able to get an address in a large office building and have all of your mail sent there. Then it’ll be forwarded on to you so you can operate from a smaller premises while still giving the impression that you’ve got the money to hire a big office building. 

Positive Working Culture 


People love to moan about their jobs and now that social media is a thing, that moaning is broadcast to the entire world. That means if you don’t treat your employees right, they’ll tell their friends and family, and the rest of the world, how much they hate working for your company. Nobody wants to buy products from a company that doesn’t treat their employees well. That is, of course, not the only reason you should treat your employees properly. Employees that are happy will be more productive, the positive image it conveys is just an added bonus. 

Useful Content 


keyboard, typing

When you’re posting things on social media, you need to be careful that you aren’t bombarding people with marketing materials. It’s important that you post information about your products and any deals and offers you’ve got, but if that’s all you post, people are quickly going to get bored. What you need to do is establish yourself as an industry leader and a trusted source of information. Make sure that you’re posting useful articles that are valuable to your customers without shoving marketing materials down their throat all of the time. 

You should always let your products speak for themselves and invest money in marketing but it’s important that you cultivate the right image as well. Even if they love the product, they might not buy it if they don’t think that your company is right for them.


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August 09, 2018

Killing Time At Work In The Best Way

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work, working

While you should always focus on the task at hand, sometimes we may find ourselves in a circumstance of having little to do. When you work hard and perhaps your workload often comes in fits and starts, you may find yourself with plenty of free time. For example, working as a security guard on the night shift can often leave you alone for hours at a time, and patrolling a certain area and conducting inspections may only be something you need to partake in a couple of times an hour. Of course this is a super specific example, but the point remains. While many jobs require your full intellectual and mental capabilities, often we can be left with dead space that we may need to fill, quite allowed by our employers as long as our presence is still felt. 

But how should you kill this free time at work? Could you fill it in a productive manner? Absolutely. Consider the following: 

Read Challenging Articles 


Reading challenging articles can help enlighten you to the state of the world, consider another perspective, and introduce you to stories in industries or environments that you may not usually be concerned with. One moment you may be reading a challenging analysis on the difficulties of farmers in South Africa, the next about current workers rights in the Philippines. Time spent informing yourself about the lives of people around the world is often time not wasted, and trying to contend with high-level journalism like this can surely be a challenging affair - helping your literacy and reading skills develop over time. You never know, with such a varied intake of new information via a range of important publications, you may read something that sparks your curiosity, leading you to research more about a particular topic, perhaps having it become something to orbit your life around.

December 20, 2017

Office Space in Adelaide – 6 Things to Look Out For

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In 2016, Adelaide was voted the best city in Australia for entrepreneurs. When compared with other major hubs like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and even Tokyo, it came out on top for affordability. The accolade is a result of recent changes to business regulations. 

The government extended its payroll tax rebate. It also abolished stamp duty on corporate reconstructions and introduced tax cuts for small businesses. In response, investors and innovators have heeded the call to make Adelaide one of the most exciting cities in Australia. 

If you want to take advantage of this friendly, welcoming culture, find yourself an office space in Adelaide and build a strong brand. It won’t be easy, but it will be rewarding. Keep reading for tips on where to start. 

Beautiful Interiors 

No matter the size of your budget, your business deserves a beautiful, comfortable workspace. With a traditional, long hold lease, it’s all up to you. Go serviced, however, and you get to move right into a fully furnished suite. If you pick a premium provider, you’ll be treated to the finest leather, softest fabrics, and designer furniture. These suites promise impeccable quality. 

Word of Mouth Reviews 

There are lots of office spaces in central Adelaide, so you’ve got to pick carefully. Stick with vendors that have a verifiable reputation, ideally local and international. It may seem strange to opt for a ‘big’ brand when it comes to office real estate. However, a global network means world-class resources, market connections, and competitive prices. 


Dedicated Receptionists 

Most businesses can find a use for a dedicated receptionist. For smaller companies, in particular, it’s a chance to outsource a role without paying more for the privilege. Serviced facilities, for example, offer tenants the use of manned phone lines for ‘round the clock’ communications. This is great for operations that straddle multiple time zones. 

Flexible Terms 

Perhaps the biggest benefit of going serviced and leasing a fully managed office is the flexibility. With traditional rentals, there is little breathing room. Often, once the contract is signed, it takes a hefty fee to terminate it. This is not the case with serviced offices. These vendors don’t deal in rigid clauses. Tenants are free to give notice and leave at any time. 

The ‘All in One’ Package 

Finally, serviced offices are the superior option, because they consolidate core utilities into a single monthly fee. It means tenants do not have to arrange their own heating, lighting, air conditioning, broadband, or cleaning supplies. The workspace is made available as a fully formed, ready to go environment. From day one, the lights are on, and it’s open for business.

Collaborative Areas 

If you’re new to Adelaide, it’s a good idea to start networking right away. Young businesses can benefit greatly from strong relationships with established local brands. Find the right sponsors, clients, suppliers, and investors to kick your transformation into overdrive. For those planning to work with a serviced provider, the deal comes with access to creative, collaborative spaces. 

Why You Should Consider Serviced Office Solutions 

Adelaide is a vibrant city that is filled with opportunities. However, all businesses can benefit from a helping hand. The key to success is knowing how to maximise your input. Serviced office solutions help with this by offering more than just the physical space. 

You get the literal office – in all its finery – a prestigious address in the centre of Adelaide, and all core utilities paid for with one manageable fee. What’s more, if you’re a little wary about the arrangement, you can always trial it for a month or two first. If you don’t like it, there are no penalties or charges for leaving.
December 17, 2017

The Problem Of Academic Writing In Modern Education

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Academic writing in modern day education is facing a lot of problems. Students are taught using the wrong approach which does not help in writing development. Changing tactics will not only help students to develop their writing skills but positively affect their overall performance. Let's find out the academic writing service problems and the way forward.

Image via Pixabay
What Teachers Know Better

Let’s consider writing to be a two-dimensional process where the first is on getting ideas onto paper. In this case, mechanics are quite important. Making use of verbs, nouns, and adjectives appropriately are crucial in academic writing. But a good teacher isn't going to stop at teaching verbs, nouns, and adjectives alone. 

The teacher's aim besides grammatical development will be to make students have a better understanding of writing’s second dimension; dialogue between the writer and the reader. While reading a copy, the thoughtful pause one gets before flipping to the next page of a book or magazine, the cementing of a set of beliefs symbolizes the connection that writing ignites. 

There are people who will criticise this concept because they believe they can read a dry chemistry plagiarism free papers and still derive information they want. But the fact is even down to technical writing the writer still need to launch a dialogue with the reader. A scientific paper should not be dry when writing; there is a need for the writer to present information in a clear and engaging manner. 

The truth is not everyone writes with the mind of sharing information with others. Like for example, most poems written by Emily Dickson were published after her death. Franz Kafka also gave instructions for his work to be burnt when he dies. But still, his work was published. 

However, students should learn how to write in their own voice and clearly express words. They should know the nitty-gritty of diction, syntax and to be more audience conscious when writing.

September 29, 2017

What To Do When Work Forces Your Family Into A Location Move

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Sometimes, our jobs take us to unexpected places. When we’re young, this is the most exciting thing about embarking on a career. The world is your oyster, and you can uproot without leaving too much destruction behind. Ahh, to be young again.

man looking at the window

But, when you get older, significant changes in your job don’t get your blood pumping in the right way. Instead of seeing a move for your career as exciting, you’ll be bogged down in the logistics. How can you move your family halfway across the world? Do you even want to

The sad fact is, saying no to an opportunity in your career could leave you at a stalemate as far as your company’s concerned. There are laws against sacking someone for refusing a move, but it’ll still be a black mark against your name. Your boss will start to question your commitment, and be hesitant to offer anything else. 

As such, the easiest thing can often be to grin and bear it. This is particularly the case if a pay rise is involved. You want to make the most money possible for your family, right? 

But, to lessen the impact of a long-distance move on your loved ones, it’s worth following these points. 

Look for houses together 

Nothing is as good for getting people excited about a move as a good house hunt. In a situation like this, you can’t afford to be above bribery. Promise your wife the conservatory she’s always wanted, and offer your kids a room with an ensuite. Whatever it takes to get everyone on board.

This joint house search is also a good idea for getting to grips with housing in different countries. While the priority here is on private ownership, the same can’t be said everywhere. In countries like Paris and Germany, the majority opt to rent, rather than buy. And, in areas like Singapore, 80% of the population live in public housing, also known as HDB Flats. Research these things with your family, to ensure that they’re as aware of cultural differences as possible. This is a journey you’re taking together, so make sure you’re all learning at the same pace.

It might also be worth taking the family for viewings. It seems like a lot of expense to fly the whole family abroad, but it’s worth doing to ensure the move is smooth for them. Plus, they’re sure to get excited about all those amazing houses!

Learn about the area 

As mentioned above, you might want to take your whole family to view houses in your new destination. And, while you’re there, it’s worth doing as much exploring of areas as possible. You can walk around and get a feel for favorite restaurants, or shops. You could even take your children for a tour of their new school. All these steps will go a huge way towards helping when the time comes. Plus, you could use this experience to get everyone excited. The sooner you all start visualising your new lives, the better. 

Join a language class as a family

books, language books

Often, a move to a different country will see you all speaking a new language. If you don’t get on top of this before you leave, the culture shock your family experiences on arrival will be a lot worse. The feelings of isolation will be highlighted, and it’ll be much harder to get settled.

So, take this time to join a language class as a family. This can be a lot of fun, and fantastic bonding. Not to mention that it’ll set you on the right footing for your arrival. In all honesty, you probably won’t be fluent before you leave. But, knowing the basic conversation will take you far. You’ll find that the rest will follow once you arrive.

You could either join an evening class or buy a course online. If you know where to look, it’s even possible to learn languages for free. The benefit of doing this from home is that you can fit your learning around your lives. But, bear in mind that you may learn the wrong pronunciations, which could set you all back. In a class, you get the benefit of a teacher who can correct you if you get things wrong. 

Say goodbye with a party 

When children are involved, saying goodbye is important. It’s the best way for them to move on from the past. Otherwise, they may find it difficult to let go of what they’ve lost. To ensure they say goodbye in the right way, it’s worth hosting a farewell party. This is also an opportunity for you and your partner to say goodbye to old friends.

When planning the party, make sure to keep things lighthearted. You want this to be a celebration, so try not to get sentimental about everything you’re leaving. Your positive attitude will rub off on your kids, and keep them happy throughout. Make sure, too, to take contact details for all their friends. Kids often forget these things, but they’ll be glad of all those email addresses once you get where you’re going.

kids, kids painting their faces

Make your new house like your old home 

A move like this is unique, in that you’re leaving because you have to. The chances are that you were all sad to say goodbye to your old home. After all, that wasn’t the problem. So, get to work making your new house like your old one as soon as you can. Unpack fast so that everyone can feel settled. And, arrange your furniture in the same way. It may seem strange, but you’d be amazed how much this will help you all feel more at ease. 

Move a few weeks before you start 

If possible, you should attempt to move a few weeks before you have to work. This will be formative quality time, and you and your family should stick together to start with. You’ll provide each other with comfort and emotional support as you embark on your new lives.
September 23, 2017

Working Hard? How To Stay On The Ball

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Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just aren't able to focus and stay organized. Whether that be because you have other things going on in your life while working, or you just aren't very good at keeping your concentration - there's no need to worry. Here you can find the best tips and tricks to keep you on the ball at work. 

Make sure your desk is clean 

Messy home, messy mind, right? Well, the same goes for your work environment too. If you sit down at your desk ready to work and there's clutter covering it, how do you expect to have a good day? A clean desk is a happy desk, and the prettier it looks to the eye, the easier it will be to work at. Plus, you'll know where everything is because it's tidy, so you won't have to have that mad 2-minute panic because you can't find a pen and you're supposed to be taking notes from the conversation you're having over the phone! (We've all been there...) Remember that your performance begins in the environment you're in, so if that's not a good one, you just aren't going to be able to perform to the best of your abilities. 

September 22, 2017

Mastering Corporate Communications

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In the world of modern business, communication has become more important than ever. With companies making deals and trading without ever meeting, and big projects being handled over the web, being able to communicate effectively is critical to any business person. Of course, though, the skills required to achieve this can be hard to pick up. A lot of people forget what they learn in school, instead relying on bad habits which they gather over the years. To help you with this, and to get your corporate communications up to the highest level, this post will be going through everything you need to know. 


The Methods 

To start, it’s important to have a good grasp of the modern methods companies use to communicate. A large amount of these tools are computer-based, and some people will have to spend longer learning them than others. Common services for instant messaging are Skype for Business and Google Hangouts, but these tools can also be used to video chats and calls, too. Along with this, a wide-variety of emails clients are used for emails, and some companies will like to use fax machines, as well. This gives you a lot to learn, but it’s only the beginning. 

The Language 

With a good knowledge of the machines and devices you’re going to have to use throughout your career, you can start to think about the way you speak. Language can be a very difficult thing. The words you use and the way that you say them will impact what people get from your communications, especially when using a written method. An expert like AJ Hoge can help you to learn how to use words effectively, with power and precision. Of course, though, you will also have to do some of the work yourself. 
September 07, 2017

You've Got a Degree. Now What?

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If you are one of the many people that graduated from college over the summer, then congratulations! It is a huge milestone to achieve. But what happens next? Your life will change quite dramatically from the four years of studying that you have been used to for so long. Part of the fun now comes from different experiences you will have that can take you onto your next goal, whatever that may be. If you’re not too sure where your life is headed in the next few months, then here are some decisions that you’ll have to make. This huffingtonpost.com article could be worth a read if you’re not sure where to start. The question is, are you ready for your new stage in life? 


Which Job To Choose? 

No doubt you’ll be keen to get to work now that the summer is over. You might know exactly what kind of job you want to get into and will search for any vacancies within that. But what if you’re not too sure what you want to do? Either way, there are likely going to be job offers coming in from different roles. So which will you choose? Think about the benefits of the job for you, as well as the pay, location, and working hours. Will it get you to where you want to be next or is it just a stop gap?

Will You Go Back To Study? 

Many graduates loved studying or want to do something more specific with their career, that they then decide to do a masters and study some more. If you have a specific career or course in mind, then it can be a really beneficial for you. But if you’re just doing it for the sake of it, then it is a good idea to evaluate why you’re doing it and if it is going to be worth it for you. 
August 23, 2017

From Hobby To Career: Taking That Leap of Faith

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More than ever, people are starting their own businesses and working from home. But it turns out that around half of the people that work for themselves, started out with something as a hobby, that they then pursued to make it their career. Having the flexibility of your time and finances is a dream for many people. But if you’re thinking of taking the leap from hobby to career, here are some things to think about. Will it be worth it for you? 


Learn How To Run a Business 

Even if you know your hobby inside out, there are still many things about running a business that you will need to learn. Do you know how to file a tax return or what business expenses can be tax deductible? Do you know what insurance your business might need or are there any plans in place if you need to offer a refund to a customer? Taking the leap will be a big learning curve. So start early to learn all that you can. 

August 08, 2017

Distracted Employees: A Guide To Getting Things In Focus

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For the average employee, there’s a lot going on when they get to their desks. 

Once upon a time, desks might have been simple affairs with a typewriter, somewhere to rest their coffee, and pretty much nothing else. The modern business world offers quite the opposite. Not only do employees have access to a variety of different devices and technology to work with, but they’re all connected to the greatest distraction in human history: the internet. 

The problems this can cause you, as a business owner, are overwhelming. You’re faced with the reality of constantly having to drag your employees’ attention back to where you need it to be, at a time in history when there are so many other things for them to do. From office gossip to the general call of the internet, if you want to get things focused, then you’re going to have to go the extra mile to keep them on task. 

1) Think Physical 

The biggest distraction is undoubtedly pain. Repetitive Strain Injury - better known as RSI - is a constant threat for today’s office workers, and think about it: how well can you focus when you’re in some sort of pain? The answer is probably not very well, and the same is true of your employees. 

It’s worth your time to engage with a facility services group who can help you put together the best office furniture you can manage. This will keep employees happy in their seats, meaning they’re less likely to need to take a break constantly to ease their aching bodies. It’ll pay off in the long run. 

July 23, 2017

A Career In Litigation Support: A Future-Proof Choice

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While there are still courtrooms, judges and attorneys, the legal profession has changed a lot on the past few decades, resulting in the growth of a whole new sub-branch of the legal profession.. 

As legal processes become more automated, the volume of electronic data for most legal practices is skyrocketing. To cope with this and the increase in large-scale, complex litigation legal professionals have had to outsource a lot of work pertaining to the processing and handling of electronic data to a new breed… the litigation support professional. If you are legally minded and want to work in a cutting edge, technical field that combines legal knowledge and digital literacy then a career in litigation support may well be for you. 

As you can see by checking out www.naegeliusa.com litigation support is a broad church, incorporating a range of legal and technical disciplines but generally speaking litigation support has a particular function. 

Litigation support specializes in the identification, preservation, production, collection and management of electronically stored information. Federal Rules of Civil Procedure have been amended to change the rules of discovery to encompass electronic information in the form of emails, word processing documents, spreadsheets or voice mail messages resulting in an exponential boom in ESI for most practices. 

Plainly speaking, the legal profession has more ESI than it can handle and it’s slowly waking up to the fact that managing it is a full-time job. As a result, there’s significant demand for litigation support. That’s where you come in! 

Litigation support is a new industry, and while job roles themselves are changing and evolving, most practices have common positions (though they may use different names), at entry level and upwards. 

Let’s look at a typical career path in litigation support: 
July 23, 2017

6 Effective Ways To Reward Your Employees

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Image Source: Pixabay

Rewarding your employees is an effective way of letting them know they are appreciated, giving them the incentive to work harder and increase productivity within your company. Some employers use cash incentives, especially at the end of each year with a boost to the wage packet. While this is something most employees wouldn’t turn down, there are more creative ways you can show your appreciation. 

We have already considered how you can keep your workforce engaged, and the occasional reward is another way to keep them on your side. To help you, here are some great reward ideas you might consider implementing into your workplace. 

Monthly award ceremonies 

Healthy competition is effective within teams, and a monthly award ceremony can be a fun way to show appreciation. Be sure to offer fairness amongst all employees, and mix up serious awards such as ‘best sales’ with informal ones, such as ‘best dressed’ or ‘most positive attitude.’ 

Go here for all your online trophy needs, and choose the shapes and designs that suit the roles within your company. You don’t need to break the bank, as trophies can be returned each month and given to the next ‘winner’ to take home or placed on their desk at work. 

Work from home days 

With modern technology, such as cloud software and Skype, there is no need to work in the office every day. Let your team spend some of the working week at home, giving them extra time in bed when missing the daily commute, and allowing them the comforts that being at home can offer. The workload doesn’t have to suffer as you can still communicate and collaborate, and the relaxed environment may even boost productivity. 

Gift cards 

You may not have the means to raise salaries on a regular basis, but a gift card is a worthy and more personal alternative to handing out cash incentives. Consider the hobbies individuals on your team have and give out relevant gift cards, as well as vouchers from their favorite retailers. 

Gym memberships 

Okay, so not everybody will take advantage of the health benefits you are offering, but you can still give them the option. Some will greatly appreciate the opportunity to get active, and it will also boost their performance at work when they feel energized. 

Buy your team lunch 

Food is always a good way to make somebody feel happy, so going out with your team for lunch once a week will be more appetizing than the limp sandwiches they normally consume. Take turns choosing where to go, ensuring all tastes are catered for. Of course, if you are spending your cash reserves on the meal, you need to ensure your team doesn't break the bank with their food venue choices. 

The gift of time 

Our weekends are too short, while the working week can seem to go on forever. Therefore, allowing your team to go home early every so often, or rewarding hard-working team members with an extra day off occasionally, will allow them to spend more time doing the things they enjoy away from work.
July 20, 2017

So You Want To Write A Book...

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woman reading a book

Writing a book may not be at the top of everybody’s priorities nowadays, but if you hit the market at the right time and with the right content, it can be quite a lucrative little business for you. Not only that, but it’s something that can be done in your spare time and from home - what more could you ask for? A lot of people do it for enjoyment, and to think that you could make money off of a hobby is something that definitely needs to be aimed towards. It’s the no-brainer win-win situation, but it’s something that does take a lot of work, time and dedication in order to complete. So with that in mind, how do you go about writing a book? 

Publish Your Blog 

What a lot of people are doing nowadays is publishing the entries that they have already written and published online, on their blog. This is especially good if you have a big following on the internet, and there are sites that are able to make it happen for you without having to find a literary agent beforehand. So, instead of having people trawling through past posts that you have uploaded, you can instead recommend that they buy you book if they like what they see. Promoting yourself via social media, on sites such as Facebook and Twitter, has been proven to be successful for those who have already applied themselves online - it’s a simple shout out to your followers, and those who are interested will buy in. It’s helpful if your blog posts have been published via other mediums, e.g. online newspapers, to gain a bit of a much-needed momentum when it comes to selling. 

Write A Zine 

If you have a few niche ideas that you would like to put together, you could instead consider selling a zine rather than a full book. A lot of zines are contributed to, meaning that you wouldn’t have to do as much work but would still have a great collaboration of ideas. There have been a number of successful zines throughout the years, such as Do What You Want and Fanpages; they hit a target demographic and concentrate on maybe one broad subject in which different angles can be taken. It’s a brilliant idea for those who would prefer to offload their thoughts into something more concentrated rather than stretching it out across pages. For those who aren’t a fan of dialogue, but more so getting to the point with loaded information, this is definitely the best idea. 

Find An Agent

If you are still set on writing a novel or children’s book, you will need to find a literary agent in order to manage it for you. Most publishers won’t deal with somebody unless they have an agent, as otherwise they would be dealing with thousands of different people pitching their ideas on a daily basis. If you have an idea, it needs to be penned down and written out; at least the plot of the story needs to be available for them to look over. If it’s your first time approaching the agent, you will need to produce them a fully completed book that has been edited and proofread to within an inch of your life. That way you know that you are presenting them the best that you can do. 

Think About Copyright 

As soon as you have written the words, you will need to look to getting some piracy protection. DMCA Takedown Service and other copyright protection services are well worth the money, especially if you have already shared snippets online. Unfortunately, computers nowadays are easily hackable, and if you have an idea that somebody knows to be worth money, they will steal it. It also goes for online piracy; unless you have a system put in place to protect what you have created, it can easily be published elsewhere with no nod to you as the creator. This can take thousands in legal fees to stop, but reversing it is another problem altogether; with cached pages on the internet as well as other sources for it to spread to, it can be a hard thing to control unless you have the right precautionary and preventative measures set in place. 

Set Yourself A Deadline 

If you are writing for monetary purposes rather than a hobby, you will need to set yourself a deadline in order to motivate yourself. Not only does this mean that you are working towards a goal, but it stops you from floating off and doing different things; it can be so easy to put writing a book to the back of your mind when you’re not doing it for a living. Change your way of thinking about it, as hard as it may be to do so. Even if you are writing for pleasure, trying to cut yourself off time-wise can actually be a good thing to do, as limiting as it may seem; it will help you to wrap up the plot and characters more readily. 

Read For Ideas 

It’s not a bad thing to read other books for tips and ideas that you might contribute towards your own. Magpie-ing creativity is something that has gone on for centuries, and rather than thinking that you’re stealing ideas (which you shouldn’t do!), it’s just a cog in the wheel of your inspiration. The more literature that you read, the more that you will understand the semantics of the written language. Nobody got to where they are currently without reading a book in the world of authors; so as you go along with your writing, pick up a novel to read on the night time. The more interested you are in the storyline, the more that you need to think about what it was that gripped you, and how you can use this in your own writing. If you need to brush up on your grammar and punctuation skills, there are courses online for you to take in order to do so.
July 20, 2017

Having Trouble Keeping Your Staff Engaged?

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It’s something that all business owners go through from time to time. One of the many problems that you are likely to experience with your staff is the occasional lack of engagement on their part. This can happen due to a number of reasons, and it might not always be that easy to figure out what that reason is. It could be something personal, in which case you are unlikely to be able to help much. Or it might be that there is something undesirable about the workplace, in which case you probably can. If you think you need to try and engage with your employees a little more, there are some practical approaches which are always likely to be effective. Let’s have a look at what those might be. 


Shake It Up 

It is a fact that many people find themselves getting bored with their everyday job. This can happen to the best of us, and it is often difficult to solve very quickly in a business setting. However, there are things you can do to shake it up a bit - and doing so is usually likely to go down well. For a start, you might want to think about organizing the occasional company event. This can be a useful way to break up the monotony, as well as keeping everyone informed at the same time. Good event management, coupled with the ability to get people excited, can make this one of the better solutions out there. Alternatively, you could think about changing the office around, switching up the layout for example. You might be surprised at what a difference this can make, what a boost to morale it can cause. It’s always worth thinking about. 

July 20, 2017

Office Comforts: Vital Tips Business Owners Shouldn't Ignore

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Business owners need to think long and hard about their approach to office design. It’s essential that all employees feel as comfortable as possible when performing their duties. Failure to achieve that goal will mean your team never reaches maximum productivity. So, take some of the advice from this article and apply it to your office as soon as possible. Your employees are going to thank you for making the improvements. So, that could also encourage them to work a little harder during the next few months. Best of all? You can knock all these expenses off your profits and pay less tax next year.

Regulate the amount of light in your office 

The last thing you need is for employees to have to squint their eyes all day long. That is going to reduce productivity, and it could leave everyone with a nasty headache. So, you have a couple of choices to make when rectifying that issue. Firstly, you could hang some blinds at the windows to better regulate light. Secondly, you could opt for a business window tint by SolarTex, Inc. or other established experts. Your team should notice the difference straight away. With a bit of luck, you should see that all employees get more work done during their time in the office. Tinting your windows can also help to reduce the amount of heat. 

Provide ergonomic furniture

No business owners want their staff to call in sick due to back pain. However, that is something that happens far too often these days. It’s usually down to the type of desks and chairs your employees use. Anyone who sits in the same position for eight hours at a time is going to experience problems. That is the case unless you make an investment in ergonomic furniture from Fully or other brands. Those products tend to cost a little more than other items. Still, they could slash the number of times people call in sick in half. So, it’s an investment that should reap some rewards for your company. Just search online and read reviews to ensure you’re buying the best products on the market. 

Install a first-class air conditioning unit 

During the summer months, your office will become hot and stuffy. Unless you want your team to sit around in their shorts and t-shirts, you’ll have to take action. The easiest way to solve that problem is to purchase an air conditioning unit. You’ll have to pay for professional installation, but that shouldn’t break the bank. You’ll also have to think about maintenance costs. There are lots of companies all over the world that focus on that niche. So, again, you just have to perform some online research to ensure you’re working with the most experienced experts. Hopefully, a lower office temperature will assist your team in feeling a little more comfortable. 

If you make the changes outlined in this article, you should create the perfect office for your business. Just remember that you always need to keep your eyes peeled for new ideas. You should also take the time to ask your team members if they have any suggestions. At the end of the day, they are the ones best placed to highlight anything you might overlook.
July 19, 2017

Creating The Right Impression: How You Can Build Trust With Your Clients

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Business owners have to work hard to create the right impression and build trust. If your clients don’t feel confident spending money, you will never become successful. Considering that, some excellent tips below this introduction could help. You just have to work out the best ways of applying them to your operation. At the end of the day, you won’t have to spend a fortune to achieve that goal. You just have to follow a proven strategy to create the most efficient results. Regardless of the nature of your company, the same rules should apply. 



Always look the part at meetings 

There is a good chance you will have to attend meetings when you’re trying to attract new clients. Psychologists claim that most human beings will form their first impression within a matter of seconds. For that reason, it’s vital that you correctly present yourself. Don’t make the mistake of turning up in an old car wearing a suit you’ve owned for more than ten years. Use your head, and invest in the right clothing for the meeting. You don’t have to break the bank, but a designer suit from a brand like FarFetch could make a significant difference. Also, make sure you wear some aftershave or perfume for the best outcomes. 

June 10, 2017

3 Ways To Improve Camaraderie In The Workplace

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The most satisfied people in the workplace will not rave about how conducive the working environment is for working or how good their salary and overtime pay are. The happiest people in the office will not go on and on about the shorter periods of time they need work so they can come home early to their families. 

Factors like good pay or a posh office room can very well determine how long a person can stay in his current job, but if you will ask most people from the workforce, it is the good relationship that they keep with fellow workers that almost always determines their length of stay whichever company they may be. Even business owners will attest that a good relationship between their people makes a good team which in turn can determine the success of their companies and businesses. 

It is, therefore, of utmost importance for any business owner to ensure that his people work as a team instead of as individuals. It is also essential to improve camaraderie in the workplace to ensure that employees work together toward a common goal and ultimately a collective success, instead of working independently. 

Here are a few ways you can improve the camaraderie of people in your workplace: 

Exciting Team-building Activities. 



The increase in popularity of the BPO industry also paved the way for establishments and businesses to offer exciting and creative ways to do team-building activities. If you are planning to host one for your company over the summer and you are located anywhere near, you might want to consider zombie escape Atlanta. There is nothing more exciting than having your team figure out a way to come out of the zombie apocalypse escape room together. It will have all their creative juices flowing as they work together to survive the heart-stopping and thrill-seeking adventure. And, you can bet that even the most hostile of your employees will be best of buddies after going out of the zombie escape room together. 

June 05, 2017

Everything You Need For A Fantastic Home Office

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When you make the decision to work from home, it’s very tempting to work in bed or on the sofa and stay in your pyjamas all day, but this can hurt your productivity and put you behind on your paperwork. Whether you’re self-employed or just telecommuting, to be successful you need to act as though you’re still getting up to go to an office. The best way to achieve this is to create a home office to promote productivity. Here are a few suggestions to get you started. 

office set-up, home office set-up

A quiet room 

To maintain your work/life balance, you need to keep your work separate from the rest of the house. Set yourself up in a quiet room, and keep the door closed during office hours for privacy. Most people work best if they eliminate any background noise, so setting up a space in the living room with the TV on might be too distracting. Make sure your office has enough natural light coming through, as well as a well-lit lamp in case you work into the night. You could even make the office your own by painting it a color that you like. 

Comfort

If you’re sticking to normal office hours, you’re going to spend around eight hours a day sitting at your new desk. In which case, you need to take precautions against back pain, fatigue, and eye strain. You can do this by getting an ergonomic office chair from Crossford as these provide the necessary lumbar and pelvic support to promote healthy posture. Good spinal alignment leads to reduced headaches, back pain, and it can significantly improve breathing, concentration, and endurance through long hours of seated task work. You should also reduce eye strain by taking a break every twenty minutes. This will go a long way to reducing headaches and fatigue. 

Clear space 

No matter where you work, paperwork has a nasty habit of following you everywhere. Since you’re likely to be working in a tight space, it’s best to stay on top of your paperwork and have an effective filing system in place. If you have the tendency to leave things lying around, a pile of clutter will form before you even realize it, and it will make your office feel cramped, overwhelming, and it will reduce your willingness to work. Remember, keeping your space tidy for work also allows you to have space to think. 

Good technology 

If you’re working from home it’s easy to feel like you have no co-workers picking up the slack when you’re overwhelmed, but you would be mistaken. Technology is the best colleague all remote workers can have, because it can significantly reduce the amount of paperwork you need to organize, and it can make make everything run more efficiently; that is, if it works. We’ve all felt the frustration and panic when your computer experiences a technical fault with an upcoming deadline. If your technology is breaking down one too many times, it’s time for an upgrade.

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