Business Education

Business Owners Thinking about Switching to a 4-Day Workweek Here’s What You Really Need to Know

The 4-day workweek continues to gain traction, though it’s a long, long way from becoming standard. Still, recent trials by companies have shown promise for reducing the workweek by one day (something instituted almost one-hundred years ago in 1926 by Henry Ford).

The change is definitely full of ostensible advantages – and big potential. But, this certainly doesn’t mean it’s all upside and no downside. So, let’s take a look at what business owners need to know about switching to a 4-day workweek and what to expect.

4-Day Workweek Pros

Switching to a 4-day workweek can have several benefits for a business. While some are obvious, others may not be so intuitive. Here are a few reasons a company might want to switch over:

Increased productivity

Research shows that shorter workweeks can lead to increased productivity. Employees may feel more motivated to get work done if they have more time to rest and recharge.

Better work-life balance

A 4-day workweek can give employees more time to spend with their families and pursue personal interests, leading to better mental health and job satisfaction.

Cost savings

A shorter workweek may lead to reduced operating costs for businesses, such as lower energy bills and reduced use of office resources through less use of computers, lights, climate control, and more. It can also help to rein in office expenses as it offers an opportunity to scrutinize spending expenses.

It’s hard to say if many employers will find the 4-day workweek structure agreeable. Everyone is watching these kinds of experiments and learning. Plus, it depends on how the economy and workforce evolve and whether these become new expectations from the vast majority of the workforce—as being able to work at least part-time remotely has become for most knowledge workers. —Boston University

So, the very fact that a business will be operating fewer hours translates directly into operating expense savings. (This is something that generally comes to light when there’s a big change and businesses are forced to examine their spending amounts and frequency.)

Attract and retain talent

Offering a 4-day workweek can be a unique and attractive perk that helps businesses stand out in a competitive job market. It can also help retain current employees by increasing their job satisfaction and loyalty.

4-Day Workweek Cons

While these are certainly compelling reasons and sound good in theory, in practice they may not necessarily materialize (or simply manifest in different forms). Of course, as with any new idea, there are bound to be possible drawbacks and problems that could arise unexpectedly. Here are some things you might encounter by adopting a 4-day workweek:

Reduced hours

A 4-day workweek means employees will work fewer hours, which could lead to reduced productivity and output, especially for businesses that require around-the-clock operations.

Workload distribution

Businesses may need to redistribute workloads or hire additional staff to compensate for the lost hours of those who are working a 4-day week.

Operational difficulties

A 4-day workweek could create operational difficulties, such as coordinating schedules with clients or customers who operate on a 5-day schedule.

Reduced profits

Reduced hours could lead to lower profits for businesses that rely on hourly work or have tight deadlines to meet.

Ultimately, whether a 4-day workweek is a good fit for a business depends on its unique needs and goals. It’s important for businesses to carefully consider the potential advantages and disadvantages before making the switch.

What other considerations would you suggest be a part of these? Please take a moment or two to comment so others can benefit from your thoughts and experiences!

Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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Network Event Do’s and Don’ts

May 16, 2017 No Comments

Some people have an innate ability to walk into a room full of strangers and start connecting and uncovering business contacts galore. They seem to glide through the room, smiling, freely introducing themselves, while holding conversation. These people know how to read a room and individuals naturally. Then, there are people who move through events quickly, collecting an astounding number of business cards while shaking hand after hand. The difference between the two personalities couldn’t be more stark. One is making new contacts, the other is doing little more than trying to bag new clients. It’s obvious which one will benefit and which one won’t. The purpose of networking events is to do just that: meet new people and have conversations. It’s how you go about it that makes all the difference. Connecting with people is an art form, and, is learned over time. Before there’s any real connection, though, you’ve got to be prepared to meet new people. Network Event Do’s and Don’ts There’s a huge difference between meeting new people and connecting with them. Meeting a group of new people is even more of a challenge than meeting a single person or a very small group. Attending a networking event is something that stirs excitement and anxiety. These events tend to be noisy, where it’s not easy to hold a conversation. What’s more, you’re expected to participate and interact with several people. We network because we don’t work and live in a silo. Due to human nature, we tend to trust doing business with people we know or who are referred to us. People often think of the need to network whenever their jobs are in jeopardy, or whenever they’re in search of new business. —Career Builder When you go to a networking event, you do so to open new doors. There won’t be time to establish a relationship and connect with others, but there will be plenty of opportunity to introduce yourself and hold brief, casual conversations. To accomplish this simple, yet challenging feat, you ought to know the do’s and don’ts of event networking. Network Event Do’s Go prepared. You ought to have a brief list of topics to discuss and/or experiences to share. It’s okay to go over these out loud and practice introducing yourself. Just don’t practice too much, or, it will sound rehearsed and artificial. Keep one hand free at all times. Keep your dominant hand free of snacks, drinks, and other objects. You’ll be able to freely shake hands without having an awkward moment to find a place to temporarily set something down. Know who to approach. Just because someone is standing alone doesn’t mean you ought to rush over to approach. Take a moment to read his or her face and body language. When you do make eye contact, confidently approach and introduce yourself. Look for opportunities to offer help. One of the most powerful and likable gestures is to ask questions and offer your assistance. Only offer to help when it’s realistic and be sure to follow-up. Don’t make the mistake of over-promising or over-extending. Network Event Don’ts Believe collecting business cards is a measure of success. Remember, the purpose of attending these events is to meet people — not just to collect business cards. If that’s all you accomplish, the whole exercise is for naught. Be on the lookout for someone else while speaking with another. If you do have the misfortune of getting into a boring conversation, find a gracious and courteous way to excuse yourself. What you should avoid is awkwardly scanning the room for someone else to speak with to break away. Try to impress others with jargon or facts. Using big words, insider jargon, or trying to impress with a barrage of facts is a turn off. It’s pretentious and tells others you lack self confidence. What’s more, it keeps you from having a genuine conversation. Speak over or interrupt others. This sounds obvious, but, it’s something that can be unintentional when you’re nervous. When you do approach someone else and introduce yourself, be courteous, ask polite questions, and listen. Yes, the purpose of attending Network Events is ultimately to acquire new business. However, do not go to a Network Event if that is your initial purpose. Your priority for attending a Network Event is to develop Relationships which you can foster over time into a business opportunity with that connection or with someone they introduce to you. Minimize your agenda, and spend time listening and asking the other person questions about themselves and their business. Show them genuine interest and watch how your relationship moves to trust even during the Network Event. Isn’t it more rewarding to leave a Network Event with 3 or 4 really good, meaningful connections where both of you developed a relationship and can follow up after the event to further explore opportunities together? When is the last time you attended a Network Event and made some meaningful connections that turned into real business? [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

How to Avoid Decision Fatigue; Wait, Avoid What?

November 14, 2018 No Comments

Decision fatigue. It’s a phenomenon which probably affects you. Yet, you’re not truly aware of it. Put another way, you’ve likely felt its impact, but just didn’t know what to make of it. Or, more particularly, what to call it. That’s okay. It’s something many people experience a few times. Others are hit with it a lot — a whole lot. Usually, these are individuals in positions of authority. You know, the “decision makers.” Although we joke about it, the truth of the matter is, making decisions gets harder and harder as the day goes on. So, let’s look at some ways to avoid decision fatigue. Is Decision Fatigue Actually Real? The short answer to the question above is a resounding, “Yes!” Decision fatigue is real. In fact, two university researchers examined more than 1,000 decisions made by judges in Israel. Said judges either decided to grant or to deny parole. Prisoners who appeared in the morning, about 9 am, fared quite well. Those offenders had a 70 percent chance of making parole. Decision fatigue can seem harmless enough. Spending a few extra minutes deciding between chicken or beef isn’t the end of the world. But what you may not realize is that those little moments of turmoil could be negatively impacting your business. If left unchecked, decision fatigue can lead to reckless behavior like compulsive spending or, worse, the inability to make any decisions at all. —CNBC.com But, by the time mid-afternoon rolled around, those chances dropped down to just 10 percent. The conclusion, of course, was the judges simply used-up their stamina and therefore, took the simplest and safest way out. Ways to Avoid Decision Fatigue Now, if you’ve ever felt “used-up” at the end of the day, like your brain can’t process any more, decision fatigue is a likely culprit. Here are a few suggestions for how to avoid decision fatigue to better your work performance: Start tomorrow today. At the end of every day, start getting things in order for the next morning. Don’t make big decisions. Just get organized so you’re ready to go when you come back tomorrow. While this might seem too simple, it will have a big impact. Make important decisions early. When you start your day, don’t “ease” into it. Instead, challenge yourself by making the most important decisions when you’re most fresh and have new energy. You’ll see things more clearly and have a better sense of which way to go. Stop second-guessing yourself. In the military, some class instructors tell their students to bite the erasers off of their pencils right before starting a test. It’s not literal — it’s a figure of speech. It means your first intuition is typically the right one; so, don’t second-guess yourself. Snack and exercise every day. It’s a very good practice to have a solid but sensible breakfast in the morning. A light lunch is also a sound practice. But, you might feel a bit worn by mid-afternoon. The cure? Exercise and have a small snack to re-energize. What other ways do you combat decision fatigue? Please share your experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Take a Page from the Disney Playbook and Elevate Your Customer Experience

September 12, 2025 No Comments

Disney recently held its annual D23 Expo. The entertainment giant boasted several new exciting things for its theme parks, but tucked silently in the fine print were a few unpleasant changes.