Business Education

3 Effective Ways to Beat Zoom Fatigue

Zoom fatigue?!?! Yes. If you haven’t yet heard, Zoom fatigue is a real thing. The origin of the phrase is obvious. Still, some people are just hearing about it for the first time. Perhaps, because they are experiencing its symptoms. Regardless, Zoom fatigue can be harmful in a number of ways. So, read on to learn how to best deal with Zoom fatigue and what you need to know.

What is Zoom Fatigue?

Simply put, Zoom fatigue is a phenomenon that causes tiredness, along with worry and burnout. These emotions are due to the overuse of video or virtual communication platforms, most commonly videoconferencing. The symptoms come from excessive amounts of highly intense eye strain. Experts also say people seeing themselves during video chats also causes unnecessary stress and fatigue because their every movement is captured.

Do you audibly sigh every time you have to log on to what feels like your thousandth Zoom meeting of the day? You’re not alone. While we’re all more or less used to video calls and meetings being the norm now, the newly coined effect of Zoom fatigue hasn’t gone away. Since working from home is here to stay, video calls are here for the long run too. This makes it incredibly important to find a way to prevent Zoom fatigue from taking over your workday. —Forbes

Then, there’s the immobility of videoconferencing. Unlike speaker phone conversations, which are pure audio, people can walk around and think on their feet. But, that’s not the case with video. Lastly, there’s cognition overload, since non-verbal communication interpretation is so much more difficult between parties. All of these can contribute to Zoom fatigue, which leads to negative emotions, as well as poor work production.

3 Effective Ways to Beat Zoom Fatigue

Fortunately, there are ways to deal with the digital burnout. If you’re tired of videoconferencing, you are certainly not alone. But, there’s more good news. You can effectively combat the effects of Zoom fatigue by doing one or more of the following:

Disable the self-view feature. When you get up in the morning, get ready as you normally do, dressing up as a professional. You’ve done this countless times before and probably continue the habit, even while working remotely. Since you’ve already dressed up and are presentable, there’s no sense in looking in the mirror (or seeing yourself on video). So, turn off the self-view feature, which is one of the single biggest causes of Zoom fatigue.
Take regular breaks. Okay, there’s nothing magical about taking breaks. It’s obvious advice. But, it’s also something people forget to do when they’re working virtually because they aren’t in their normal workplace. However, breaks are necessary throughout the day. From time-to-time, take a few minutes to walk around, get outside for a little while, and take regular breaks.
Switch communications. If you’re feeling stressed and/or resentful of videoconferencing, then just switch up the way you communicate. Instead of video, use voice conferencing so you have more freedom of movement and can enjoy the benefit of thinking on your feet.

What other suggestions do you have to combat Zoom fatigue? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your unique perspective. After all, you never know who you’ll help out! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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Startup Financing Tips You Can Use

November 14, 2017 No Comments

Startup financing is something that’s necessary but not always a welcome prospect. In fact, financing is typically one of the most difficult factors in any venture. It’s because raising money or applying for a loan is an unnerving process. After all, you don’t know what you don’t know. And, it’s that very ignorance which creates even more stress. But, with the right preparation, you can find the right startup financing. Startup Financing Sources Right now, there are good and bad signs in the economy. While tech companies are booming, retail chains are down. Of course, this is the natural cycle of the business world. So, don’t let headlines ruin your business dreams. Instead, focus on possible startup financing sources. Take a good look at what you really need first. If possible, bootstrap it incrementally. In other words, start off as a side gig. …for an entrepreneur starting out, it can be hard to sort through the many funding options available to determine which are most lucrative. While it would be ideal to line a roomful of investors out and let them fight it out for the honor of funding your business, that is often, unfortunately, not the reality. —Forbes.com If you don’t jump into full-time, you can grow it slowly. That means very little startup capital, as well as time. But, if you need to go another route, consider going through the small business administration. Or, take out a small personal loan. Obviously, if you have the cash, use it. Startup Financing Tips You can Use The problem many entrepreneurs encounter with startup financing, is taking a cavalier, shotgun approach. Put another way, they go after funding without a serious plan. And, that’s a recipe for disaster. Just trying to wing it will only invite chaos and confusion. So, here are some helpful startup financing tips you can use: Create a detailed business plan. Speak with an experienced business consultant about drafting a detailed business plan. This will reveal many things you might easily miss. Plus, it’s typically a commercial loan requirement. You need a clear roadmap and demonstrate your ability to monetize your idea. Seek advice from established businesses. Chances are excellent there are already people doing what you want. So, don’t let that be an intimidation or just look at them as the dreaded competition. Instead, seek out their advice and learn. Keep an eye on your personal credit score. If you do apply for a loan, your personal credit file will certainly be a big factor. Order your three credit files from Annual Credit Report.com. Then, go through each carefully to review for errors. Dispute inaccuracies and raise your credit score. Develop a good network with the right people. Networking is an invaluable resource. In fact, you’ll learn quite a lot from others. And, since that knowledge is readily available, there’s no reason not to tap into it. Outline a realistic budget and shop for financing. Finally, set a realistic budget and then shop for funding. Comparison shop and take your time. You’ll come out much better if you do and be thankful for your patience. What other startup financing options can you add to the list? Have you found or know more creative ways to get startup financing? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

My Best Salesperson Keeps using a Company Credit Card for Personal Expenses – How can I Handle this Situation?

July 6, 2022 No Comments

Make no mistake about it, this is a very serious situation, no matter the dollar amount. Regardless of what was spent and for which items, this is theft. It is essentially stealing company funds for personal use. Now, if this sounds way too stringent, that’s because you’re probably not thinking of it in a more dire manner (you likely have a very good relationship with this employee). However, if you strip all that aside and look at it in pure dollars and cents, along with personality traits like integrity, this ought to infuriate you. So, let’s take a look at what to do if an employee is using a company credit card for personal use. Common Company Credit Card Risks Obviously, putting company credit cards in the hands of employees assumes a certain level of risk. While you may have strict policies regarding their proper use, it’s still ultimately up to the individual to obey those rules. Of course, every employee with a company credit card must be trusted to a large extent. And even though he or she may have acted responsibly in the past, that certainly doesn’t guarantee he or she will continue to do so in the future. Corporate credit cards are an important tool for many companies. Using the company credit card is often the ideal way to manage individual expenses like entertaining clients and business travel. However, company credit cards are also one of the most notorious leaks of company funds to bad employee decisions. From simple bad budgeting decisions to outright fraud and theft, these cards create undue opportunity and temptation for employees to misuse company funds. Fortunately, you can keep these incidents to a minimum… —Business.com Company credit cards are given out as a matter of convenience, but they do not come without a substantial risk factor. For instance, an employee could get into a personal pinch and use the card for emergency situations at home and you’ll only find out about it after the fact. Then, there are a few incidental mistakes. It’s entirely possible that your employee has a similar-looking card and accidentally makes a purchase with the wrong one, using the company credit card rather than their own. In the latter example, it’s entirely understandable, but if he or she does not take a proactive attempt to reimburse you or simply says nothing and hopes it will slide by, you have a problem on your hands. How to Deal with an Employee Who uses a Company Credit Card for Personal Expenses There are really two different scenarios that could play out. Someone who uses a company credit card for small, inexpensive items and someone who routinely misuses the card for personal expenses. Here are some suggestions for how to deal with an employee who uses a company card for personal use: Know exactly what the purchases were. Before you say anything to this employee, be sure to go through the monthly statement line by line to identify the purchases and their amounts. It would also be wise to go back through the last few months’ worth of previous statements to see if this is a pattern or not. You might just discover this has been going on for quite a long time. Know the laws in your state. This is where it gets serious. Even if the card was used for small purchases over a long period, that could add up to a substantial amount of money. Depending on the laws in your state, this could constitute a criminal act. At the very least, if it isn’t considered criminal, it is certainly a fireable offense. Obviously, if the charges were extraordinarily large, you’ll probably want to recoup that money and possibly prosecute the offender. Speak with HR and/or an attorney. Here again, the amount spent and the timeline will be extremely pertinent. If these are large expenses, they could mean something like grand larceny or another crime. Conversely, if the amount spent was small, you might just ask the employee to reimburse the company, what you need to know is if this is severe enough, and what legal options you have, including the possibility of withholding part of their pay. If you do discover an employee has been using a company credit card for their personal expenses, it is very important to take action, regardless of how much was spent or on what and/or over what period of time. If you don’t deal with the situation directly, the behavior will likely continue to happen to the detriment of the company. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Thinking of Hiring a Family Member for Your Small Business? Here’s Why You Should Think Twice

August 25, 2023 No Comments

Bringing family members into your small business might seem like an appealing idea, often driven by the desire to strengthen family bonds and keep the business within the family circle. It very much seems a win-win situation. At least, on first thought. However, this decision merits careful consideration. While there are undeniable advantages to hiring family, there are also potential pitfalls that can impact both personal relationships and business success. So, read on to explore the pros and cons of hiring family members in your small business. Pros of Hiring Family in Your Small Business There is certainly no question that hiring one or more family members comes with a few enticing benefits. (You can probably think of a few right off the bat.) Here are some of the biggest advantages to bring a family member on board your small business: Shared values and loyalty. Family members usually share your values and vision for the business, resulting in loyalty and dedication. Family members are more likely to be invested in the success of your business than non-family members. They’ll be more likely to work hard and go the extra mile to help the business succeed. Trust and reliability. Family bonds often translate into greater trust and reliability, reducing concerns about employee dishonesty. Plus, you know their strengths and weaknesses, their work ethic, and their commitment to the family. This can make it easier to trust them with important tasks and responsibilities. Flexible work dynamics. Family members might be more willing to work unconventional hours or take on varied responsibilities, contributing to the business’s flexibility. Additionally, hiring a family member can save you money on labor costs. You won’t have to pay them as much as you would a non-family member, and you may be able to arrange a more novel pay structure or compensation package. Another benefit is their personal knowledge of family dynamics. Family employees often understand the nuances of family dynamics, which can be quite advantageous in managing the business together. Cons of Hiring Family in Your Small Business Obviously, as with anything else, working with one or more family members can cause a few headaches. While the good can easily outweigh the bad, there are some things you should think long and hard about before hiring family to work in your small business: Blurred boundaries. Lines between work and family life can blur, leading to conflicts and stress that spill over into both realms. Working with family members can create conflict, especially if there are personality clashes or disagreements about how the business should be run. This can damage your personal relationships and make it difficult to work together effectively. Lack of objectivity. Family dynamics can hinder unbiased decision-making, potentially leading to poor business choices. When you’re working with family members, it can be difficult to be objective. You may be more likely to give them preferential treatment, even if they’re not the best person for the job. Creating unfair perceptions. Non-family employees might perceive favoritism or unequal treatment, affecting team morale. What’s more, it could involve limited skill diversity. Relying solely on family for expertise might limit the diversity of skills in the business. The decision to hire family members in your small business requires careful consideration of both the benefits and challenges. While shared values, loyalty, and trust can be advantageous, the potential for blurred boundaries, lack of objectivity, and conflicts should not be underestimated. Navigating this dynamic successfully requires a balance of clear communication, well-defined roles, and professionalism. Before extending a job offer to a family member, weigh the pros and cons, assess the potential impact on both your business and personal relationships, and establish strategies to manage challenges that might arise. By doing so, you can make an informed decision that serves the best interests of both your small business and your family ties. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

3 Effective Ways to Beat Zoom Fatigue

What is Zoom Fatigue?

3 Effective Ways to Beat Zoom Fatigue

Like this article?

Related Posts

Startup Financing Tips You Can Use

My Best Salesperson Keeps using a Company Credit Card for Personal Expenses – How can I Handle this Situation?

Thinking of Hiring a Family Member for Your Small Business? Here’s Why You Should Think Twice