Finding the Right Asset Optimization Consultant

Hiring a consultant is a good way to get some outside feedback from someone who does not have any vested interest in your company. A consultant will be able to give you an honest appraisal of the daily operations of your company. You can then use the info provided by the consultant to improve the overall functionality of your business. There are many different types of consultants that you can hire. For example, you might need some help in the area of asset optimization. If this is the case, there are plenty of consultants who specialize in this particular field. Here are some steps you can use to seek out a qualified and respected asset optimization consultant.

1. Talk to other people in your industry and find out who they have hired for asset optimization consulting in the past.

It is always helpful to get recommendations from people in your industry who you trust. This can save you the time of contacting many consultants and doing your own research. Contact other people who work for companies that you respect and pick their brains concerning their selections for asset optimization consultants. Who have they worked with in the past? Were they happy with the work performed by the consultant? Would these people recommend that you hire the same consultant they used? You might be able to get the names of a few talented consultants to consider hiring for your own needs.

2. Has the person been working long in the asset optimization field?

Ideally, you should only hire someone who has a great deal of experience working specifically with asset optimization issues. It is always better to hire a consultant who does not consult on a wide range of issues. You will find that the consultants who focus on a single area are much better at their jobs. For example, you should only get arc flash hazard analysis for a person who has spent many years working in that field.

3. How much time will it take the asset optimization consultant to compile a full report?

You will discover that some consultants work much faster than others. You might be on a very tight deadline. You will need the analysis from the consultant as soon as possible. In this case, you will obviously need to hire an asset optimization consultant who can do his or her work quickly and efficiently.

Three Simple Strategies That Can Keep Your Business Growing

Business growth is typically one of the corporate leader’s primary concerns. If you’re serious about ensuring that your organization grows in a dynamic manner that optimizes conversion and expands your industry authority, now is the time to put your actionable plan together. Below you will find three simple strategies that should be a part of your plan:

1. Utilize Services And Products That Optimize Your Sales.

Selling more products is the key to expansion because it brings in more revenue while ensuring that more and more people learn about your brand. As such, you should focus on utilizing services and products that will help optimize your sales. Companies like Saleslink are pleased to offer a wide range of sales services, and their manufacturers representatives can provide you with detailed services that enhance your bottom line.

One type of sales product you may want to consider investing in is customer relationship management (CRM) software. This software is known to optimize the lead generation and conversion processes. Look for CRM software that has all of the following features:

� Ease of integration
� Simplicity
� Mobile access
� Remote access
� Integrated analytics
� Stronger multichannel support
� List management
� Campaign management
� Flexibility
� Master data management
� Lead generation
� Customization
� Follow-up tracking

2. Hire A Public Relations Firm.

Another important business-building strategy you should implement is hiring a public relations firm. The PR professionals will be able to optimize your interaction with key media professionals such as influential bloggers and journalists. Some of the services they offer include:

� Media Outreach
� Press Kit Creation
� Content Creation
� Product Placement
� Media Relations
� Press Collateral
� Media Training
� Speaking Engagements
� Grassroots Marketing
� Editorial Placement
� Partnership Opportunities
� Desk Sides
� Print Placements
� Media Round Tables
� Award List Monitoring
� Digital Placements

3. Mind Your Health.

Sick business owners can’t operate as effectively in the business setting, and this is why you need to focus on optimizing your health. Some techniques you can implement to ensure that you have mental energy and stamina at work include:

� monthly massage
� personal trainer
� juicing
� meditation

Don’t Delay: Start Moving Your Business Forward Today!

Building your business can be one of the most exciting and rewarding things you ever do. Three strategies that can help expedite and optimize the business-building process include utilizing services and products that optimize your sales, hiring a public relations firm, and minding your health. Implement these techniques now to begin seeing results!

Where are the Black Female Film Makers?

The British Film Institute (BFI) reported that in 2012, only 5.3% of the film production workforce were from BAME backgrounds. Based on this, an assumption could be made that the percentage of black female directors is even lower. However there are no statistics for BAME producers as such.

Here is someone that has caught our eye:

Ethiopian Born and award winning Producer Monica Y. Dee has come along way. Having left her country as a baby due to a cou that ousted so many Ethiopians associated or related to the Royal establishment, her family settled in London. Growing up in South London, a vast contrast from her families life style back home. Monica’s mother had big dreams for her daughter. “I studied Law because my family wanted me to, I actually wanted to be a writer/ journalist, I was always a dreamer as a child and loved making up stories.” It comes to no suprise then when Monica did follow her dreams, albeit it taking many years to accomplish she accelled.

She practised law for 10 years then hung up her gloves to go on and study a MA degree in Film.
She currently runs a boutique style production company and in 2013 won an award for her film production ‘Truco’ directed by Andy McQuade. Under the guise of rKive productions Monica founded a successful web series festival, ‘UK Web Fest’ and it will be in it’s 3rd year. The festival receives hundreds of web series submissions every year and the best of the best are selected by the prestigious judging panel, which Monica then sifts through to curate the daily programme.

Monica has written, produced and directed but her love of producing has shone through. Her latest project which has taken 18 months to complete due to unforseen circumstances is an LGBT drama web series called ‘Spectrum London.’ “I am most proud of Spectrum because it is the project that has caused me the most pain yet the most joy, I will always be proud of Spectrum, the story lines, who it represents, and the diversity in ethnicity of the cast and crew.” Spectrum London can be seen on Vimeo and Revry TV (streaming app) from March 2017.

The UK�s Office For National Statistics recent census dated 2011, recorded that the UK population is 13% BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic). By 2030, that figure is set to rise to 20%. BAME employment in the film-production sector fell from 10% to 3%. Monica says, “In this day and age these statistics are really embarrassing. Although on screen diversity is growing, we are often still typecast or ignored. Black creatives like myself are using the internet as an opportunity. You will find stellar work out there, work which deserves big studio backings and to be seen at cinemas across the world , not just digitally.”

We are confident that we will hear more from Monica in 2017 and wish her all the best.

Contact:
[email protected]
http://www.rkiveproductions.co.uk

Tips for Setting up a Home Office

More and more people are discovering the benefits that come from working at home. And more and more individuals are being presented with opportunities to work from home. While there are many good things that come from working at home, one thing that all individuals who work from home will tell you is that it can sometimes be a challenge to stay focused. There are a lot of conveniences that come from working at home, but unless you stay focused, you can easily become distracted.

One of the very first things you need to do is brainstorm the best area in your home where your home office can be set up. Lots of different things need to be considered when deciding on the room or area where it will be located. You want it to be in a convenient location in case you have to answer the door, attend to children, or take care of other responsibilities. However, you also want it to be far enough away from these things so that you can stay focused on the work at hand. Another thing to consider is how close your office will be located to your Sierra wireless Airlink Verizon Gateway router. You want to make sure that you get the best signal for Internet so that you have no issues while you are working.

Once you decide on an appropriate space, you want to make that the area is as comfortable as possible. However, making your office comfortable does not mean that you make it a recreation room. You make it comfortable for work. You want a desk and chair that are at the right height in order for you to not experience back and neck pain. You also want to have other pieces of furniture in the office that may be necessary for your line of work. For example, if you keep a lot of files, you are going to need cabinets, shelves, and drawers where these things can be organized.

Make sure that you strike a balance when it comes to the way the office is decorated. You want to express your personality, but you do not want to create distractions in your office. This is your opportunity to create an area where you will be the most productive possible. Having the opportunity to work from home is fantastic, so make sure you make good use of it.

What Startups Should Know About Hiring a Lawyer

If you�re heading a tech startup or any kind of new business, even if you�re doing almost everything else on your own, there are probably two areas of professional help you�re going to need, even in the very early stages.

Those professionals you need to hire from the very beginning are a lawyer and an accountant, according to a majority of seasoned business owners.

Regarding the hiring of an attorney, this is one of the most important hires you�ll make for your new business, and if you make the right decision, the lawyer or firm you select might be with you for many years as your business grows and evolves.

The following are some key bits of information to keep in mind for startups hiring a business attorney.

Why Might You Need a Business Lawyer?

You might be thinking your startup is in its earliest stages, and you really don�t have a need for a business attorney, but it�s that kind of thinking that can get new businesses in trouble. By the time you realize you need a lawyer to help you handle a situation, it may be too late.

Startups tend to need lawyers to help them with issues related to the government first and foremost. This can include everything from taxes to copyrights and patents. You�re also going to need a business attorney who can guide you through relationships with other companies, as well as your vendors, employees, and contractors.

It�s also important to have legal guidance when it comes to forming a business entity, raising capital and more.

The earliest years of your business may be the ones where professional legal advice is most important.

Choosing A Lawyer Who Knows Your Industry

Whether you�re a tech startup or your business is part of another industry, when you select a business attorney, it�s beneficial that they have some basic knowledge of what you do. That doesn�t mean that they have to be experts in the specifics of your business, but if they have least a broad, general understanding, it�s better for you as the client.

It�s difficult to have a strong relationship with an attorney if they have no idea about the general aspects of your business and industry.

How Do They Charge?

When you�re a startup, budget and costs are one of the most important considerations when hiring anyone, and this includes a business attorney.

To begin, with a business attorney you�re probably not going to be able to find a firm that works on a contingency basis because these situations are reserved for litigation, settlements, and cases that go to trial.

You may find a law firm that will handle disputes you may have on a contingency basis, but in terms of the basics of setting up and managing your business, this won�t likely be a fee structure option.

What you will find are lawyers who either work on a retainer, or more commonly by the hour. What�s important to note is that when a lawyer is charging you by the hour, they�re not obligated to maintain that rate, and they might raise it at any time. Make sure you consider this and ask questions about whether or not that will happen to you before hiring a lawyer.

Having an excellent business lawyer on your team can be one of the most critical components of a successful startup, and it�s something to handle in the very early days of your business.

 

 

�……..

3 Reasons Tech Geeks Should Consider a Business Degree

If you are a tech kind of guy or gal, you may shy away from the idea of crunching numbers, taking meetings with clients and engaging in other conventions of business. Geeks tend to be solitary people and business professionals tend not to be. Why would a tech enthusiast go to school for a business degree? There are actually a few reasons to consider this career path. If you can learn some new skills and adapt to a new environment, the rewards of this move could be quite promising, and the right degree program can make it happen. The intersection between tech and business is actually more common than you might think, and capitalizing on it is a great way to jumpstart your career. With the development of two attractive skill sets, you can position yourself as a promising candidate for a range of potential career opportunities.

You Can Complete it Online

As a tech whiz, you�re no stranger to online interfaces, and you will feel right at home completing your degree in the context of an online classroom. Many programs offer degrees that can be completed entirely online, in fact. Most universities allow you to learn more about their online masters in business administration and get a sneak peek at what classes look like before enrolling. If you are wondering what classes will be like, this can give you an idea and let you get a feel for whether or not the program is right for you.

Your Tech Skills Will Be a Huge Selling Point

The primary benefit of entering a business program with prior knowledge and experience in tech is the intersection of skill sets you can bring to a potential employer. Every company needs employees who are knowledgeable in tech, and they are often hiring for business positions, too. This makes you a highly desirable candidate for a variety of jobs. Schools such as UAB Online offer programs that can help you develop your sales, marketing and business skills to complement your existing tech skills. The combination will be a stellar selling point for your resume and your career prospects.

Business Administration is Lucrative

With such promising career prospects, you can expect some lucrative opportunities to become available. A business skill set is valuable and a tech skill set is valuable, but when they are combined, they are a powerful combination to bring to the job market. Many students worry about the return on investment when they opt for an online degree, but developing attractive and valuable skills like these are a great way to make yourself visible on the market and gain access to some of the more lucrative career opportunities that are available in each field. Tech geeks already have a lot of skills, so solidifying them with a background in business can be one of the best career moves you make for yourself. With the availability of online degrees and other options, there�s no reason not to explore options for an online degree and consider branching out into the world of business administration.

How to Have Affordable and Professional Customer Interface for Your Small Business?

If your company uses outdated technology to run its online ecommerce business, you may be providing unacceptable customer service. Call center services provides a wide selection of services to keep all of the administrative jobs in your business running smoothly. Call center plus services provides even more possibilities to handle any type of customer issue from answering your phone 24/7 to answering inquiries about pricing and orders.

Administrative Services

Whether you need an answering service, live chat provider or virtual office, a professional call center can offer customized options that cover only what you need. You need not purchase expensive software or phone systems or employ and train personnel to handle your customers. Professionals will learn about your business and products and services so they can answer any question day or night. They treat your customers as you would and drive customer loyalty.

Online Chat

Many websites offer an online chat where customers and visitors can chat with a live person and ask questions and receive answers in real time. For a growing percentage of online buyers, an online chat is essential. They do not want to wait for an email or make a time-consuming phone call. When potential customers land on a page long enough to have a question, it is important to give them access to a quick answer. When trained professionals monitor an online chat, they can make sales during the chat, answer questions that lead to sales and you will get a detailed report about the chat activity every month.

Virtual Receptionist

If you are running a small business, a virtual receptionist can take care of administrative needs quickly. Trained professionals will place orders with vendors, drop shippers and manufacturers. Transaction declines and address verification errors will be resolved. Fraudulent orders will be researched and all customer inquiries that are left via email or voice mail will be managed. These administrative needs take time, and if you have to employ personnel to handle them, salaries will not be cheap. Selecting a high-quality virtual receptionist is an inexpensive way to make sure your business is running smoothly.

Email Answering

If your website requests email addresses or offers newsletters or coupon subscriptions, these inquiries and requests need to be answered in a timely fashion so the potential customer does not change his or her mind. As your business becomes successful and grows, the number of email inquiries will become huge and require a full-time person just to respond. If you have a customer service or an information email address on your website, the volume can be even higher. Emails related to customer service, technical support, sales and inquires will be answered by the service, increasing customer satisfaction.

Call center services along with additional services offered may be your best option for growing your business. Most of the administrative tasks and customer service will be handled by trained professionals who know your business inside and out and work to increase your profits. You will never again miss a single call, email or chat.

Upping Your Customer Courtesy Game with Innovative Technology

In today’s world of instant news and service, customers increasingly have little patience when it comes to wanting or needing customer care. They want to be helped immediately without having to wait for someone to recognize and be ready to serve them.

However, when your company utilizes outdated, slow customer service options, you may risk disappointing or even angering your customers who want to be helped now. With innovations like live chat services and virtual customer care, you can meet their demands, embrace the newest customer service trends, and utilize technology that will help your business survive and grow into the future.

The Uses for Live Chat

Why should your customers use a live chat on your website when they could just call your company or send in a letter. Both of those options are in fact becoming obsolete because they are not fast, convenient, and readily available to customers who are busy and on the go. Your clients may only have a few minutes each day to devote to such matters as getting questions answered about your company’s products or services or concerns addressed about your business’s operating methods. To accommodate their busyness, you can offer a live chat and help serve as many clients as possible each day.

Live chat is a valuable resource that helps establish a ready and convenient line of communication between you and your customers. This technology lets you know immediately who is contacting you and what issues or questions they want addressed. It also encourages informality and openness, more so than a phone call, because the person speaking with you on the other end of the chat is typically in his or her home or workplace and using a personal device like a smartphone or a laptop computer. This person does not have to worry about using a business-like tone as if he or she were to call you or worry about grammar such as if the individual were to write your business a letter.

The chat instead allows the person to convey the questions or concerns at hand and to feel like he or she is in control of the situation. Your customer service representatives likewise can answer quickly and provide the solution that will help retain the person’s loyalty to your business.

Adopting Live Chat in Your Business

As innovative and easy to use as this technology sounds, you still may have questions about how to utilize it in your own website. You can go online today to learn how it will be implemented on your website and also what kinds of system upgrades, if any, you may have to make to your company’s IT network.

You likewise can find out information like what it will cost and what kinds of support services the company can offer you. You get the benefit of a live chat on your website at a price that you can afford and without the technical worry that goes with having to maintain it yourself.

Partying is part of my life

I have always liked to party. I used to do it a lot at the uni, and I still keep taking part in parties even though I am married and have three small children. My situation has never stopped me from enjoying myself. Who said that you have to be miserable and not have any fun when you have young children?

Whenever I party, or whenever I go on holidays, or even when I stay at home I like to drink some alcohol. One of my strongest traits is the fact that I know how to drink in moderation. I have learned to drink exactly the amount of alcohol my body can handle, and due to this I am never drunk or hangover. I live by the rule that it is good to drink often but in moderation.

Because of this I became familiar with the idea of alcohol deliveries already some time ago. Since I like to drink often but only small amounts of alcohol, it definitely makes sense for me to always alcohol at home. This way I am always prepared and I never run out of booze.

There are two types of alcohol I enjoy the most: liqueurs and beer. What I usually like about liqueurs is the taste. It takes me a long time to drink even the smallest glass of my favourite drinks. When it comes to beer, it is less strong than liqueurs allowing me to enjoy them for longer.

Next time I run out of booze, I am going to order some alcohol online. Or even better, I am not going to allow to run out of alcohol. It is always better to be prepared for an unexpected party as the summer is in full swing and you never know when somebody might drop by to have a drink. This is something that happens on a warm and sunny day like today. Another heat wave hit the area where I live and there will definitely be some partying going on. Even my neighbours are very familiar with the idea of enjoying themselves and I don’t want to be worse then they are.

Buying Versus Renting Equipment When Starting a Business

The vast majority of business owners do not have tons of cash to work with when they first get started. Of course, when they ask for a loan or when they are using their own personal savings in order to start their business, they need to be reasonable in the amount of extra cash they have available in order to do things like purchase equipment and supplies, advertise their business, and even purchase a vehicle for the business. However, since it takes some time for a business to get going and to start making a profit, wise business owners are usually trying to hold onto as much of their money as possible. This usually brings up the question if it is better to rent or purchase equipment that is needed.

Many business owners in the construction field use powerful equipment when they are on job sites. When it comes to deciding if it is better to rent or purchase equipment, one of the things that a business owner may want to think about is how often the equipment will actually be used. If it is something that is going to be used every time you go out to do a new job, it is usually a good idea to purchase a high quality tool or piece of equipment if it is going to be used often and it is an essential part of the work you do.

However, if you are only going to use this thing every now and then, it might be a good idea for you to rent. For example, if you are going to be preparing some property in order to begin construction, you might consider dredge rental and the rental of other large pieces of equipment. If this is only a one time thing or it is not common for you to need a dredge, then rental may be the way to go. You will find that in addition to the fact that prices are reasonable, you will be sure to get equipment that is in great condition.

When it comes to renting equipment, the fact that you will always get equipment that is new and in good condition is definitely a benefit. Over the years, your tools and the equipment you use for jobs is going to get old and is going to receive its fair share of wear and tear. However, when you rent equipment, you will always be sure that you are getting equipment that is in great condition and will not fail when you need it the most.