Connect with us

Tips for Startups

9 Ways to Engage Employees and Improve Your Business

Published

on

Ways to Engage Employees

You may have the best business idea ever, the most efficient means of production and enough money to invest in its development, but if your employees are not motivated to work for the company’s goal, you will end up losing anyway. According to The Engagement Institute, unsatisfied and unmotivated employees can cost companies between $450 and $550 billion annually. Scary figures, aren’t they? Fortunately, disengaged employees don’t have to stay that way. There are some strategies you can try in order to encourage them to participate and perform better.

Minimize the workplace stress

The fact that about 80% of workers feel stressed on their job and that 25% of employees see their workplace as the number one stressor in their life is speaking a lot about how managers treat their workers. Don’t be one of those managers who create unnecessary tension. Understand the position of your employees, and set reasonable expectations of them. Have a positive attitude and approach them respectfully.

Determine your employees’ potential

A common source of workplace stress is doing something you are not good at. Each of your employees excels in a certain area, and you will not be able to learn what that area is unless you assess their capabilities, interests and talents. The job they signed up for might not be the job for them, but that doesn’t mean they need to stay in that position if there is room for them in some other areas.

Encourage initiative

Are you obsessed with micro-managing everything? Because if you are, you are not only exhausting yourself, but also discouraging your employees from stepping up and being better at what they do. Instead of robbing them of their independence, you should encourage decision-making at the lower levels and inspire all your employees to show initiative. Who knows how many great ideas can be born that way?

Respect their time

The traditional nine to five working hours are slowly becoming obsolete, as the generation of Millennials is taking the reins of the business world. They don’t care as much about stable working hours, and they prefer working when they are the most productive and still having time for their personal life. Offer your employees all that with flexible working hours and the possibility of telecommuting.

Don’t burden them with too many tasks

Businesses, especially startups, have a habit of giving their employees too many tasks and expecting them to learn on-the-go. However, this is never a good thing, because they won’t be able to excel in their areas of expertise and they will burn out quickly. Companies like The Pipeline allow you to outsource your customer service, while there are also other companies that can handle your IT department and bookkeeping.

Provide in-office engagement activities

When people who work together can’t stand each other, it is difficult and stressful to perform even the simplest tasks. In-office engagement activities can help with that and give your company a boost. Some activities that could be useful are forming a book club that would meet once a week, volunteering together once a month, sharing recipes, having a movie night, etc.

Don’t insist on relationship bans

Relationship bans are an archaic way of keeping the things in the office “in order”. However, when people spend a lot of time together, especially if they work longer hours, it is normal for them to get close and sometimes even end up in a relationship. Relationship bans create an unnecessary tension and force your employees to keep secrets for you.

Communicate with your employees

Communication is the foundation of every successful business. There are two types of workplace communication that needs to be maintained: between the employees and between the employees and the management. This means that the employees should be encouraged to share their ideas or problems with you and that you should respond to them. Also, it is important to maintain the one-on-one communication. This way, you can deal with any potential issues as soon as they arise, but also recognize progress and reward achievements.

If there ever has been any doubt about the correlation between the employees’ happiness and company’s success, today we know better. Use these strategies to engage your employees, and you will see that the growth of your business is inevitable.

Carolin Petterson is a Business Lady/Content Marketer and contributor for number of high-class business and marketing websites.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Tips for Startups

Best Product Packaging Strategies For Startups

Published

on

Product Packaging Strategies

Hey entrepreneurs, launching a startup can be a lot of work! You stress about funds, operations, and team building. And while you prioritize product development, packaging may take a back seat, right? But did you know that it drives the buying decision for 72% of Americans? That’s surprising, but true.

And it also means that product packaging is one of the ways to stand out and grab customers’ attention in a cutthroat world. That’s a good reason to go the extra mile to nail a strategy. So, if you’re wondering how to make your package pop without breaking the bank, we’ve got some killer tips for your startup.

Here is what you need to know to win an incredible unboxing experience for your customers.

Know your target audience

You’ve got to know your target audience to create a successful product. And the same applies to packaging. Who are you trying to reach and sell? What are their preferences? What would they want in the product package?

By understanding your target customers, you can pick an option that speaks directly to them. For example, if your target audience is health-conscious millennials, choose a minimalist and eco-friendly one that emphasizes your product’s sustainable ingredients.

Focus on customer experience

Your product packaging is more than a pretty face. It’s also about enhancing the customer experience. Think about how you may create a memorable unboxing process.

Consider adding unique features, such as easy-open lids, tear strips, or resealable packages. By making the components easy to access, you get the benefits of brand loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.

Consider what’s inside

That’s a no-brainer because your product determines the packaging material. Things are easy if you sell a single offering, but CBD entrepreneurs may struggle to choose different materials for different products.

For example, you will need a tincture bottle, boxes, mylar bags, cartridges, and tin containers for different items in your portfolio. Additionally, you’ll have to ensure that they are child-resistant and preserve the flavor and aroma of the components.

Be sustainable

As a startup brand, you can gain a lot by joining the sustainability bandwagon, and packaging is a good place to start. Buyers care more than ever about the environmental impact of products and brands.

So eco-friendly packaging options are surely ideal. Prioritize biodegradable materials and minimize excess packaging. It’s the best way to make your offerings pop in a market saturated with competition.

Branding is key

Remember that your packaging is a crucial part of your brand identity. So ensure that it aligns with your company’s values and messaging. It should replicate your brand’s color schemes, fonts, and imagery.

The text labels should also match your brand’s personality and tone. The idea is to remind buyers of your brand every time they see the product on the shelves.

Is packaging a big deal? Yes, it actually is when it comes to the product packaging for your startup. You’ve got to ensure it makes a great first impression and drives a buying decision. Well, there are no shortcuts to winning the packaging game. But you can try these tips to ace it!

Continue Reading

Tips for Startups

What Startups can learn from the Special Forces of Armies around the world

Published

on

What Startups can learn from the Special Forces

Startups and special forces of armies may seem to have very little in common. However, upon closer examination, there are several key lessons that startups can learn from these elite military units. Special forces teams are highly trained, flexible, and able to operate in rapidly changing environments. Startups, too, must be able to pivot quickly in response to market changes and evolving customer needs. In this article, we will explore several key lessons that startups can learn from special forces teams.

Lesson 1: Build a strong team

Special forces teams are composed of highly skilled and specialized individuals who work together to achieve a common goal. Similarly, startups must build a strong team of individuals with diverse skills and backgrounds who can work together to bring their products or services to market. A successful startup team should have a mix of technical, business, and creative skills to ensure that all aspects of the business are covered.

Special forces teams also place a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication. They must be able to work together seamlessly, and each member must understand their role and responsibilities within the team. Startups can learn from this by fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication within their team.

Lesson 2: Adapt quickly to changing environments

Special forces teams are often deployed in rapidly changing environments, where they must adapt quickly to new situations and changing conditions. Similarly, startups must be able to pivot quickly in response to market changes and evolving customer needs. This requires a high degree of flexibility and agility, as well as the ability to quickly assess and respond to new information.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by adopting a mindset of constant adaptation and improvement. They should be willing to experiment and iterate on their product or service, and be open to feedback from customers and other stakeholders.

Lesson 3: Embrace risk and uncertainty

Special forces teams operate in high-risk and uncertain environments, where the stakes are often very high. They must be willing to take calculated risks and make difficult decisions under pressure. Startups, too, must be willing to embrace risk and uncertainty in order to succeed. They must be willing to take chances and make bold moves, even in the face of uncertainty.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by adopting a mindset of calculated risk-taking. They should be willing to experiment and try new things, while also being mindful of potential risks and taking steps to mitigate them.

Lesson 4: Focus on the mission

Special forces teams are highly focused on achieving their mission, which is often critical to national security. Similarly, startups must be highly focused on their mission and vision, which should guide all of their decisions and actions. This requires a clear understanding of the company’s purpose and goals, as well as a strong sense of commitment to achieving them.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by adopting a mission-driven approach to their business. They should be clear about their purpose and goals, and ensure that all of their decisions and actions are aligned with these objectives.

Lesson 5: Train and prepare rigorously

Special forces teams undergo rigorous training and preparation in order to be able to perform their duties at the highest level. Similarly, startups must invest in training and preparation in order to build a strong and capable team, and to ensure that they are able to execute on their mission effectively.

Startups can learn from special forces teams by investing in training and development programs for their team members. This includes technical training, as well as leadership and management development. By investing in their team members’ skills and abilities, startups can ensure that they are well-prepared to succeed in a competitive and rapidly changing business environment.

In conclusion, startups can learn a great deal from special forces teams of armies around the world. By building a strong team, adapting quickly to changing environments, embracing risk and uncertainty, focusing on the mission, and training, Startups can achieve goals that may seem impossible at first.

Continue Reading

Tips for Startups

Ways to Make Your Startup Hit the Ground Running

Published

on

Ways to Make Your Startup Hit the Ground Running

Few things are more exciting than being involved in a startup company. You feel as if there is nothing that this business cannot achieve and you are full of optimism. Of course, this excitement is likely to come with a lot of nerves and caution. There is no guarantee in the slightest that this business is going to succeed. However, you have to remain hopeful and positive.

Getting off to a good start is important for your new business. After all, there is a good chance you put a lot of money into this startup. So, you want to start trying to make that back as soon as you can. Hitting the ground running is essential for a new business. So, you should be trying to do everything you can to make that happen. If you need some advice on how to attain that, consider the following.

Team Building Before Opening

Teamwork is an essential part of any company, group, or organisation. Of course, when you are a new company, there is a good chance that you are all a group of strangers. Opening your doors on the first day with no sense of teamwork is going to end in disaster. This is why it is going to be good to start some team building well in advance of your opening date. This means that when it does come to the time to open your doors, you are all familiar with one another. Although team-building exercises can at times seem childish, they are going to help out a lot. When there is a sense of unity within your staff, this helps you to get through a tough opening period, as well as improves the start of your new journey.

Right Marketing Strategy

Your marketing strategy should come well in advance of your opening date. This helps to generate a lot more excitement for when that big opening day does come. Get active on social media and build up a following. Having countdowns to the big day might seem like a small thing to do. However, it is going to make it feel like a big occasion. Even when it comes to the likes of nonprofits, you are going to want to get people excited about your cause. Nonprofit fundraising software can help out with this massively. Having this sort of strategy is going to get people more engaged with your cause.

Plan an Opening Event

Hosting a launch gives your startup the opening that it deserves. Not to mention it gives your potential consumers something to look forward to. An opening event should feel like a big deal. After all, it is going to be the start of a new journey for you and your team. Having a DJ, food, deals, etc all give people a reason to come and check out your new company. This is also going to give an extra edge to your marketing, which is something you should strive for.

Continue Reading

Trending

Subscribe to our Free Newsletter

Get Business and Marketing Insights from Experts, only onTimes of Startups!

Your Information will never be shared with any third party