Storage Ideas for Small Spaces

A cluttered room is often the result of living or working in a small space.  As stuff accumulates, the room will quickly look like a dump with over-flowing shelves and stacks piled up in the corner.  Working in an office full of papers piled in boxes and every corner occupied with mounds of stuff is often not a comfortable place to work.  In addition, it sends the message to clients that you are not very organized.

Here are some ideas to make the most of the space you do have with little money:

1. Snap and go plastic shelves that you put together yourself can be an affordable way to get items off the floor and into some kind of order.
2. Bankers boxes for magazines can help keep them neat and orderly. These letter-sized boxes can also be used for daily files that require easy access.  They don’t take up much space and can be put right on your plastic shelves.
3. File cabinets.  They can be expensive.  However, you can get them used at thrift stores for about 20 dollars.  Just keep your eye open for those good deals.  Network and get old file cabinets from other businesses.  People throw out file cabinets all the time as they upgrade to new ones. You can put more than just files in your filing cabinets.  You can put extra supplies such as copy paper, packing tape, scissors and extra computer cords to get them out of your way and save space in your desk area.
4. Store extra folding tables and folding chairs in the closet and bring them out only when needed.  You can save a lot of space by storing things that aren’t used daily and bringing them out only when needed.  There is no need to have a lot of extra chairs around if you can fold them up and put them away until needed.
5. Label boxes, folders and file cabinets for easy put away and retrieval.  If things are labeled, you will be more likely to put things in their appropriate place and also find it easier to find them when needed. It just takes a few minutes to make a label, but it will save you valuable time in the future. 

So, make the most of your small space by getting organized and presenting an organized and competent appearance to your clients.

Niceness Matters

Have you ever been to a coffeeshop and gotten rude service or even just mediocre treatment?  Bet you thought twice about going back to that same spot.  Maybe you didn't even leave a tip that day.  Have you ever been someplace when they were overly friendly, remembered you from your previous visit, complemented you on your outfit or asked how your day was going?  How did that make you feel?  Probably, you left feeling pretty good and made a mental note to go back to that same spot.

Niceness is a necessity for your business.  And, guess what?  It is free.  Here are some things you can do to make your business a little more friendly:

• Have the first contact someone makes with your company be a kind and friendly face.  This first contact sets the first impression of your company.  Make it a nice and friendly one. 
• Get rid of employees who are rude and too cool to be nice to your customers.  They create an environment of unfriendliness and only attract those of similar attitudes. 
• Management must adopt this friendly approach and hire and train friendly faces to promote this culture within the business.  If management fails to adopt "friendliness matters" as a principle, it simply won't happen. 
• Being friendly to your customers doesn't mean you are a pushover.  You can be friendly while still being hardcore about your bottom-line and not bending the rules.  
• Don't blow anyone off.  Let folks know you can't help them and be direct but do it with a smile. You never know who they know or if they will need you in the future. 
• Take complaints and anger from customers with a calm approach, don't overact and lash out.  Continue your pleasant attitude and don't let a few rotten apples get you down.

Remember, you just have to add a smile and a good attitude and it will attract customers to you.  

Tips for Working at Home

Working at home sounds like a dream come true, until you actually start working from home.  Whether you are working from home to save costs on a new startup venture or small business idea or staying at home to take care of kids, we are all confronted with the same obstacles when trying to work from home.

Obstacles to working at home:

• DISTRACTION: At home, we surround ourselves with things and people that comfort us.  Our pets, loved ones, favorite hobbies, television shows, visitors and phone calls can all be a distraction to focusing on work.  
• MOTIVATION:  With multiple distractions, the will to be motivated on the task at hand can be an obstacle to getting the job done.  
• SOLITUDE:  There is no one to evaluate your performance or cheer you on.  You are alone and the solitude can provide little encouragement to completing necessary work. 
• NO MONEY:  Starting up your own business can take a lot of work before you see some income results.  You will be spending more money than you are earning.  It can be easy to get discouraged.  
• NO STRUCTURE:  Working on your own means you don't have a set time to come into work.  There are no hours or company rules.  A lack of structure can be an obstacle to sticking to a set schedule and get enough work accomplished during the day. 

How to Make Working from Home Work for You:

• ESTABLISH BOUNDARIES:  Just because you are at home doesn't mean you are available to every thing an every body.  Set up a separate area as your work space - off limits to distractions.  Have a work computer, desk and chair as if it were in an office.  Keep it professional and let others know that this area is your work area and when you are at work you are in a "do not disturb" mode.
• SET UP A SCHEDULE:  Maintain regular work hours and try to stick to this schedule.  Even if you decide to work 12 hours a day, you need to set your 12 hour day and have start and end times.  This schedule will help you make time for other things and other people but still allow you to get your work accomplished. 
• ESTABLISH GOALS:  Set up daily and weekly goals to monitor your progress and maintain your vision of where you want to be in the end.  These goals will help retain your motivation as you check off one goal after another and make headway on your dream career.  
• GIVE YOURSELF WHAT YOU NEED:  Stock up your office with paper, toner and all the supplies that you need.  You have to have the proper tools in order to be a success.  So prepare and give yourself the tools you need to do the job. 
• SEEK INPUT FROM OTHERS:  It can be lonely in your new workplace - on your own and away from co-workers and those who can provide constant feedback.  Network with others in your chosen profession, seek their input and advice, ask for tips and help.  In this manner, you can develop a group of associates and not feel so isolated. 

Working at home can be tough work.  But, it can also be quite rewarding.  You are on your own and it is your time to shine.  Make the most of the experience and provide yourself with all you need to be great at what you do.

How to Get a Government Grant for Your Organization or Business

How to Get a Government Grant for Your Organization or Business

Which VOIP Service: Reviews of Nextiva & CallCentric

Small businesses still need phone service.  It can be costly to spend hundreds of phone minutes on your personal cell phone for your business.  Also, telephone numbers associated with your business offer the added bonus of allowing for a professional voicemail message system to greet your clients and multi-phone exchanges can give the appearance that your company is busier and larger than it is.

VOIP phones are an affordable solution for your business communication needs.  VOIP which stands for Voice over IP is basically a phone communication system over the Internet or making calls over the Internet.  Since you probably have broadband Internet in your home or office, VOIP provides an affordable solution to landline or cell phone usage.

VOIP phones can look like traditional office phones

Benefits of VOIP:

• affordable;
• easy to set up, no need to be a computer expert;
• number portability;
• choice of local or 1-800 numbers;
• loaded with calling features such as caller id, call waiting, and voicemail exchanges or extensions.  

Cons of VOIP:

• phone quality depends on bandwidth of your Internet connection, it won't work on dial-up or slow connections;
• some services do not offer 911 connections or you have to pay extra for those calls;
• power is a must, no electrical power equals no phone service. 

Nextiva

I have two phones with Nextiva for $60.00/month for unlimited service nationwide.  The phones were free with my service.  It is a month to month contract so can be cancelled at any time.  The phone came fast and preconfigured.  It was easy to set up the voicemail box.  The only downside to Nextiva is the customer service.  If you have any trouble setting up your phones, it is almost impossible to get them to understand and fix the issue.  Save the time and trouble in dealing with Nextiva customer service and just get an IT expert to come into your office and help out.  I was able to port my existing business phone numbers to Nextiva with no problems.  The system has rarely gone down for longer than a few hours since I signed up over a year ago.  Overall, the system is reliable and I don't have to worry much about missing any phone calls.  

CallCentric

CallCentric gives you VOIP service for just the price of calls.  For as little as $5.00, you get a phone number that can make outgoing calls.  I use this phone service for an Autodialer system which is a computer that makes phone calls to a list with a recorded message.  There are no setup or monthly fees for outgoing calls.  Phone numbers that accept incoming calls have varying price ranges from $19.95 to $1.95 with $8.95 being the price for office unlimited and $3.95 for a toll-free number.  Ability to get a local phone number on CallCentric depends on what part of the country you are located in and the number availability.  More local areas are being added on a regular basis, so the opportunities will only increase.  Paying per call may seem expensive but it really only adds up to 2 cents per connected call.  You can use your own IP phone with the service.  CallCentric was very easy to set up and easy to use.  I have had no problems with making calls or had a need to call customer service.  Your account at CallCentric can be cancelled at any time with no penalties.  Their user friendly website gives you technical guides for how to set up your CallCentric number with the most popular phone systems.  In addition, you can login to your account and print out call reports.  Overall, the service has been really great.  

There are many other VOIP service providers.  These are just two companies that I have had personal experience with in setting up and using.  It is important to research the all the providers you are interested in to see which one has the features you need for your company.  Good luck on your search for the VOIP system for you. 

Be Different to Seal the Deal

With every small business in the world trying to get customers at the same time and even offering the same product or similar product/service, you have to stand out in order to get noticed.

There are a number of ways in which you and your small business endeavor can distinguish itself from the crowd:

• Mission.  Develop a meaningful mission that characterizes your company.  Give people a reason for others to support you over competitors and feel proud of this association.  If your mission is something that people want to be associated with, they will follow you with loyalty and enthusiasm.  
• Options.  Offer your clients a unique opportunity or service that others cannot match.  Agree to work on a weekend or over a holiday at the same price to set yourself apart as someone who will always be there for your client.  This can help you get new clients and be seen as reliable and dependable by those who need your services.
• Special Deals.  Provide special incentives to new clients and repeat customers that you advertise on a regular basis to keep the information well known and active in the minds of both potential and current clients.  Such an incentive might be the difference between someone going to you or one of your competitors.  
• Personal Touch:  Make your clients feel important by giving them a service or product that seems personal to their needs or situations.  Such a personal touch makes people feel like they are getting catered, individual attention, and that you care about their well-being.  Developing a personal relationship with your clients will cause them to come to you with gripes or complaints instead of mouthing off to others and allow you to solve the issue/problem before it even gets out on the Internet or spreads through word of mouth.  Clients who feel comfortable with you will always come to you first out of loyalty and because they benefit from that personal relationship with you. 

Good luck in your efforts to stand out from the crowd and build your business. 

Networking is About Maximizing Opportunities

Any type of business owner needs to invest time and energy into networking.  Networking is simply developing relationships with others.  This process involves getting your name out there and meeting people.  Every contact you make is a potential connection to a new client or new job, so it is important to make a good impression.

Places to capitalize on networking opportunities include:

• community events
• churches
• business openings
• neighborhood coffee shops
• gyms.

I think you get the point.  Anything you do and anyplace you go can be a networking opportunity.  So, be prepared. Always have your business cards (as in take them everywhere you go), so that you have a way to pass on your contact information.  You never know when someone is going to want to learn more or follow up with you, so it is important to have your information close at hand. 

Networking is Easy

Networking involves introducing yourself to others.  Let the conversation flow naturally and at its own pace.  There is no need to "oversell" yourself.  People will naturally ask what you do for a living.  Talk about your business with enthusiasm and confidence, and people will be drawn into learning more about your business.  A certain percentage will ask you for your business card. Pretty soon, your business and contact information will spread.  

Include your website, Facebook or Twitter accounts on your business card.  These online sites are excellent opportunities for others to connect with you and get to know your business.  

Two Key Points about Networking:

• treat every contact as a lead to a potential client or job opportunity
• always be prepared to present information about your business.

Building your own business is hard work.  It is more than just a 9 to 5 job.  It is your life, your startup money and your future.  Maximize all opportunities for networking because you never know which contacts will pay off at the end of the day.