Business Archives | Page 15 of 19

7 Surefire Signs That Your Boss Is Horrible

Research showed that your horrible boss does not only impact your work but also other your life. Avoid this harmful “spillover effect” by knowing the 7 Surefire Signs That Your Boss Is Horrible…

1. YOUR BOSS IS NEVER WRONG

Surely, you have encountered a person who thinks that he or she is never wrong! But what if that person is your boss? It affects everything – including employee job satisfaction.

If your boss does not admit that he or she is wrong then it means that pride outweighs all. Furthermore, it means that your boss is not willing to go out of the “comfort zone” for you.

2. YOUR BOSS GIVES LITTLE TO NO GUIDANCE

When your boss likes to decide in the moment with no clear long-term plans, you work in a very dynamic industry that is bound to have its flaws. With little to no goals to accomplish as a group and as an employee, your company will have no distinct direction.

3. YOUR BOSS IS INDECISIVE

Great bosses make decisions in the most quick and accurate way because they know that time is money. In contrast, horrible bosses make tentative decisions which they frequently re-analyze. This failure to decide may cost you and the company itself.

4. YOUR BOSS CHANGES THE SCHEDULE ABRUPTLY

Since the schedule was given to you beforehand, you made your plans for the day. Or so you thought! You see, your boss decides to change the schedule on the day itself and extend for a few more hours. It has happened to me before and I was not happy about it.

To avoid this, ask your boss to explain and justify why there is a need to change the schedule. If your contract entails rotations in your schedule then, you are good. But it is a different story if your schedule is supposed to be fixed.

5. YOUR BOSS PAYS YOUR WAGES LATE

As we live in one of the most expensive cities in the world, it is important to get your wages on time. If your boss pays your salary late for the first time or due to valid reasons then it is acceptable. However, if he or she does this on a regular basis, you must contact your superiors to address the problem right away.

6. YOUR BOSS PLAYS FAVORITES

Horrible bosses give amazing perks, consistent raises, and special assignments to the employees whom they like the most. In contrast, great bosses encourage their employees to excel in their own way.

7. YOUR BOSS DENIES YOUR VACATION

After staying for a year in the company and your boss does not grant your vacation then, it becomes a legal issue.

Once you are covered by the Employment Act and have worked for at least 3 months, you are entitled to annual leave of at about 7 days (for your first year). You will be entitled 14 days annual leave on your 8th year (of service in the company) and thereafter.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

It is important to know your rights before entering the workforce.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

9 Smartest Ways To Save Money As An Individual Or An Entrepreneur

IMPROVE YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE

1. ELIMINATE AN EXPENSE

Spend at least 5 minutes on examining your last month’s utilities bill or last month’s credit card statement. Use your hawk eyes to look for one unnecessary expense that you can reduce. Whether it is the unusable gym membership or the expensive dinners at the restaurants, you must commit on eliminating it and saving more.

2. KEEP THINGS SIMPLE

Save more on clothing and handbags by keeping your closet “simple”. You do not have to wear the same outfit everyday like Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg or Apple’s late founder Steve Jobs, just save money by avoiding costly designer clothing and purchasing during year-round sales.

3. SHOP AROUND FOR MEDICATIONS

When prescribed with medications, carefully compare the prices from the different providers to get the best price. According to Ministry of Health guidelines, every patient must get an itemized medication bill. To save more, ask your physician if there is a cheaper yet equally efficient alternative especially if you are taking medications on a long-term basis.

CUT DOWN YOUR HOME EXPENSES

4. DE-CLUTTER AND EARN

Save money by increasing your income through de-cluttering. Clean the clutter in your closet and find the things that you deem to be unused or underused because you can sell them online. The old clothing articles of your children as well as your old devices that are still in good condition can be sold too. Sell your items to the global marketplaces such as eBay, Carousell, and Gumtree.

5. CONSUME THE LEFTOVERS

Save the unconsumed food when you either ordered too much restaurant food or when you cooked excessively. Regularly label these leftovers so you can keep track of how long it has been in your refrigerator.

6. UNPLUG REGULARLY

Even if you turn off the switches, your appliances and electronics will continue to consume energy and spike your tariff. So reduce your bills by unplug your cables and electronics when not in use.

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Instead of leaving the TV on as a background noise, consider using your hand phone as a radio. This small daily act can save you a month’s worth of major electricity.

LOWER YOUR BUSINESS COSTS

7. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CHEAP ADVERTISING

Use free websites to post your ads. Online classifieds are a good choice as these are cost-effective, convenient to relay contact, visible to a large-scale of consumers, and the you are able to edit a listing anytime. Browse a list of good advertising websites here.

8. EMBRACE MODERN TECHNOLOGY

Instead of buying bulky desktop computers, invest on laptops as they are not only less expensive but they also consume less energy. Whenever possible, use these laptops and Internet tools to communicate effectively. For example, if you are planning to call your international client, call them through Facebook’s free video chat.

9. IDENTIFY THE TAX DEDUCTIBLES

As an entrepreneur, it is important to know the types of tax breaks, reliefs, and deductions you can take. In fact, budding businesses can avail the Tax Exemption Scheme For New Start-Up Companies as well as the Angel Investors Tax Deduction Scheme.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Educate yourself about the tax deductibles by visiting iras.gov.sg.

4 Enchanting Ways To Run A Business Like Taylor Swift

Whether you are captivated by her or not, Taylor Swift is a smart businesswoman who has been making all the right decisions lately. A proof of her success was her album 1989 that sold millions of copies worldwide. To top that off, her current net worth is US$80 million (about S$111 million) according to Forbes.

From nurturing her relationship with her fans to embracing her authenticity, here are the 4 Enchanting Ways To Run A Business Like Taylor Swift:

1. CREATE AN EXCLUSIVE CIRCLE

If your product has a limited-edition content, customers can create a common circle wherein it is exclusive to them alone.

For instance, Taylor Swift’s CDs sold successfully not only because of her infectious music but also because of her personalized memorabilia (such as the limited Polaroid photo sets) as well as special fan codes (to win a personal meeting with her). Those who buy the CDs will immediately share its contents to their friends or social media. That is free advertising at its best!

Mimic this by offering occasional discounts and exclusive promotions. Keep your customers in the loop by sending out electronic announcements and decorating your shop with attractive posters.

2. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE

Aside from talking to them genuinely, you must actively listen to what your target audience has to say. Take it from Taylor who not only showed her audience that she listens to them but also gets in their inside jokes (in reference to the “no its becky” tee).

Business owners who want to make the brand seem more approachable can interact and join in the discussions of the consumers thru social media. Accept feedback and take necessary actions to improve your business.

3. BE YOUR TRUE SELF

If you closely observe Taylor Swift during the awards season, you will realize that she is singing and dancing like she owns the place! She is not afraid to be her fun and quirky self that marches to the beat of her own drum.

As entrepreneurs, it is your duty to uphold your values and vision even if it is not aligned with what is on trend today. Avoid losing your consumers by staying true to yourself in your advertising/marketing campaigns.

4. APPRECIATE YOUR CONSUMERS

Aside from her killer dance moves, Taylor is known for having a strong bond with her fans. In fact, she personally invited 89 of her fans to her homes to provide feedback and listen to her 1989 album before it was released. This is a great technique to increase consumer satisfaction.

Channel your inner Swift by showing gratitude to your loyal consumers. Manifest your appreciation to your consumers by saying “Thank You” in person or by sending an electronic “Thank You note”.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

This simple and inexpensive gesture will impact the way they view you and your company as it will make them feel valued and special.

Sources: 1 & 2

Most Popular Recruitment Agencies In Singapore

Extraordinary – that is the perfect word to describe Singapore’s workforce.

Singapore is a popular destination to many foreign workers and a starting point to some locals who want to further their careers overseas.With that said, the competition is as fierce as can be!

Stand up from the rest and improve your chances of getting hired by seeking the services of credible recruitment agencies. A recruitment agency is a business paid to find suitable workers for various companies and organizations. It plays a vital role in connecting the employers with the potential candidates.

To help you in your quest, here are some of the Most Popular Recruitment Agencies In Singapore…

1. RECRUIT EXPRESS

From its inception in 1996, Recruit Express has expanded their staffing operations across the Asia-Pacific regions. In fact they have offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok.

Listed as one of the top Singapore agencies at JobsDB.com, Recruitment Express uses their vast network of resources and extensive database to match the right people to the right organization within the shortest time.

2. CAREERHUB CONSULTANTS

A relatively new agency established in 2011, Careerhub Consultants has been ranked as one of the best Headhunter in Singapore by Dougles Chan. Dougles Chan is the author of Financial Success in Recruitment Industry and Job Seeker Power Manual).

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

This recruitment agency offers a myriad of job opportunities in fields such as hospitality, finance, and engineering.

3. AEGIS RECRUITMENT

Aegis Recruitment is one of the leading agencies in Singapore that boasts with excellent reputation. Just take a look at their sleek, neat, and user-friendly website right now. Do you see what I mean?

From real estate to advertising, the Aegis consultants do not just work by “word matching”. Rather, they use extensive methods and prompt actions to ensure that the requirements are thoroughly understood and met.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Although these agencies are potent, you must not heavily rely on them to secure a job. Do not just sit back and relax at home! Put in additional efforts to observe the odds in your favor.

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Start A Business While Keeping Your Full-Time Job And Sanity

Manage the stress of your full-time job while running a side business without going crazy with these 6 tips!

1. DETERMINE THE REAL REASONS WHY YOU ARE BUILDING A BUSINESS

Getting a clearer understanding of why you want to start a business is a crucial first step that every budding entrepreneur must take. Whether you want to accomplish a childhood dream or you are motivated to become your own boss, knowing your drives will help you focus and commit to your dreams. When you are committing to your dreams, you make sure to see it through to success.

2. READ THE FINE PRINTS

Before getting your full-time job, I am sure that you signed a contract or some paperwork for the HR department. Find those files and make sure that you did not sign any agreements that prevent you from building your own business. Get professional legal advice if necessary.

3. USE YOUR TIME WISELY

You are given the same number of hours as Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey each day, maximize it! In a week, say you are given 40 hours of work and 56 hours of sleep, you will have about 72 hours left to spend wisely. Successful entrepreneurs strategically make the most of what they have instead of wishing for more time.

4. DEVELOP NEW SKILLS

As a start-up, you are testing every aspect of your business including the amount of labor necessary. Do really a marketing team or can you handle the marketing aspect by yourself?

Instead of hiring professionals to do the job for you, you can commit several hours in developing skills. Online educational websites such as General Assembly and Skillshare offer free and paid courses on a wide range of topics such as marketing, photography, and design.

5. SHOP FROM B2B WEBSITE

If you are planning to start your own shop or online business selling goods, you need to know where to source for your items. Sites like Taobao is the way to go, but if you want to enjoy greater discount or better price for each quantity of item, you need to purchase in bulk. That’s where VolumeBest, a B2B online trade site dedicated exclusively to wholesale and volume business buyers, can help you save money.

Volume Best carries a good range of consumer products such as mobile accessories, lighting peripherals, watches and other electronic goods at a very good price. They also offer free and secure UPS shipping to ensure that you receive your goods on time.

6. OUTSOURCE IF NEEDED

To finish the tasks faster and make money while you are at your day job, consider outsourcing.

When you decide to hire help, good sources of quality yet low-cost labor are university or polytechnic interns. If you are willing to spare some time to training, both of you can benefit from the experience. Think about it! You are giving a worthwhile experience and good recommendation for the intern while the business is receiving low-cost (and sometimes free) services.

7. ACCOMPLISH WHAT IS IMPORTANT

The Pareto Principle states that for many events, about 80% of the outcomes stem from the 20% of the causes. Simply, only a portion of your efforts lead to the effects. This is why the smartest decision is to focus your energy on the things that yield higher returns. When you are juggling two jobs, do not beat yourself up with the unnecessary investments and drama. Rather than doing everything, accomplish only what is important.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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