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Feeling Overwhelmed by Your Small Business? Why Not Ask a Friend for a Favor. Here’s How.

As a small business owner, you’re used to being busy. You’re always juggling multiple tasks, and it can be hard to keep up. Sometimes, you may feel so overwhelmed that you don’t know where to start. If you’re feeling this way, don’t be afraid to ask your friends for help.

How Small Business Owners Can Ask Their Friends for Help

Your friends are there for you and want to see you succeed. They may be able to help you with a variety of tasks, from doing routine things, like answering emails to running errands. So, here are three effective tips on how to ask your friends for favors:

Be specific. When you ask your friends for help, be as specific as possible about what you need. This will help them understand what you’re asking and make it easier for them to say yes. For example, instead of asking your friend “Can you help me out?”, try asking “Can you please pick up some supplies for me at the store?”
Be grateful. When your friends do help you out, be sure to thank them profusely. A simple “Thank you so much for your help!” can go a long way. It’s also a good idea to offer to return the favor in some way.
Don’t take advantage. It’s important to remember that your friends are doing you a favor, so don’t take advantage of their kindness. If you find yourself asking them for too much help, it’s time to start looking for other ways to get the job done and bring on more or more new employees.

Asking your friends for help can be a great way to relieve some of the stress of running a small business. By following these tips, you can make sure that your requests are well-received and that your friends are happy to help.

More Tips Entrepreneurs Can Use to Ask for Help

A good percentage of entrepreneurs would much rather rely on themselves than anyone else. So, this makes asking for help difficult. But, if the above advice doesn’t appeal to you, there are also some additional tips for asking friends for favors:

Choose the right friend for the job. Not all of your friends are created equal. Some friends are better at certain tasks than others. For example, if you need help with a marketing project, you might ask a friend who has experience in marketing.
Be flexible. If your friend can’t help you with the exact task you’re asking for, see if they can help you with something else. For instance, if you need help with a marketing project, but your friend is busy, they might be able to help you with some administrative tasks.
Be patient. It may take your friend some time to get back to you. They may have other commitments, or they may simply need some time to think about your request.
Be appreciative. Again, when your friend does help you out, be sure to thank them. A simple and sincere “Thank you!” can go a very long way.

By following these tips, you can make sure that asking your friends for favors is a positive experience for everyone involved.

By the way, do you have anything to add to these suggestions? If you have your own thoughts and experiences, please feel free to leave a comment so others can benefit from your input!

Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

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The Corona Virus is a Stark Reminder of How Businesses should Deal with the Flu

March 16, 2020 No Comments

As the coronavirus continues to dominate the news headlines, people grow ever-more concerned about its spread and possible contagion. While the risk of contracting the illness is very slight, it does help to raise awareness about the spread of common infections, like the cold and flu. And, this is something businesses need to be prepared for, particularly when employees start getting sick. Why Illness and Work just Don’t Mix Either an outbreak of a cold or flu strain can wreak havoc on any small business. Worse yet, in more ways than one. First and foremost is of course, the spread of it to other team members. Then, there’s the productivity hit that follows. With fewer people on the job, it’s more difficult to keep up and quality eventually begins to suffer. The threat cold-and-flu season poses to companies isn’t something to sneeze at. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the flu alone costs U.S. companies $10.4 billion in direct costs including hospitalizations and outpatient visits. The CDC also estimates up to one-fifth of the U.S. population will get the flu in a given flu season, and more than 200,000 Americans will be hospitalized with seasonal, flu-related complications. —Entrepreneur.com Even employees who can power their way through a sickness can’t bring their A game and that can make the difference in key situations. Plus, it encourages people to spread the illness to others without regard to employees’ health. How to Prevent the Flu from Spreading in Your Business The flu or a cold can be devastating to any small business. But, it’s better to handle it in a smart way than trying to go about business as usual. Here are some effective ways the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends businesses prevent the spread of cold and flu in the workplace: Encourage team members to get a flu vaccine. The CDC advises anyone who is 6 months of age and older to get an annual flu vaccine. (Remember, this is just a recommendation and not a requirement.) Develop and stick-with good sick leave policies. Create sick policies which encourage employees to take time off without fear of losing out on compensation or fear of reprisal. Advise sick employees to stay home for enough time. Anyone who gets a cold or the flu should not return to work until at least 24 hours after they get over a fever. This way, they aren’t a continuing source for infecting others. Allow well employees with sick family members to work (at home). Although the CDC says healthy employees with sick relatives can come to work, it’s not always a good idea. For instance, if a child or elderly parent is sick, their head won’t be in the game anyway. Provide proactive, preventative necessities throughout the workplace. Things like hand sanitizer, tissues, hand soap, and more preventative necessities should be readily available, all throughout the workplace. What other suggestions do you have to deal with a cold or flu outbreak in the workplace? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Want to Make the New Year a Success? Avoid these People

December 30, 2017 No Comments

The New Year will soon be upon us. And, the majority will make different resolutions. Usually, these are about personal goals — going on a diet, getting in shape, and spending more quality time with family and friends. But many of us will also include a few business goals on our lists. And, there certainly isn’t anything wrong with this. Of course, this comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest, is avoiding toxic personalities. Why Avoiding Toxic Personalities is So Difficult Okay, that’s great and it’s also all-too obvious. Who really seeks out toxic personalities? Well, no one does — at least not consciously. But, isn’t it strange how we all seem to attract crazy? Or at the very least, difficult. So, what is so difficult about avoiding bad personalities? The answer is complex. Boil it down to logistics and it becomes more clear. We simply do not have control over who comes into our lives. Unfortunately, not everyone pushes us to be better. Some people stop us from following our dreams or talk us out of taking a risk, and we don’t always realize that it’s happening. So it’s important to be aware and consciously choose who we spend time with, to limit spending time with toxic people —Success.com To an extent, we can avoid known bad personalities. But, even this becomes difficult in the workplace. Sometimes, there is no real choice. You must accept the situation and make the most of it. However that doesn’t mean you don’t have any options at your disposal. Personality Types to Avoid in Order to Succeed The fact of the matter is, you become a product of the company you keep. It is a long-proven phenomenon. That’s precisely why there’s so much advice about surrounding yourself with good people. They’ll have a positive impact on you. As a result, you’ll achieve more and adopt a better outlook on life. As Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” But, this means there are personality types you need to avoid, like the following: Micromanagers. This personality tops the list because it’s the type no one can stand. Sure, management is a good thing. But, when it’s repeatedly taken to a granular level, it becomes counterproductive. Worse yet, it causes others to become resentful and unmotivated. Learning to solve problems independently is far more valuable. Short-term thinkers. There is nothing wrong with having a short-term game plan to reach a goal. But, it should fit into a larger scheme toward an ultimate goal. Short-term thinking is good for the near future but it’s an obstacle to long-term success. Pessimists. Pessimism isn’t always a bad trait. In fact, when it’s useful we call it pragmatism. That’s a good thing because it helps us to avoid unnecessary risk. But a pessimist doesn’t see anything but downside. When this happens, it’s very hard to move forward confidently or at all. Big spenders. Spendthrifts are also a bad influence. They don’t take financial responsibility. And, the results are often bad. Of course, there are times when it’s okay to spend but constantly splurging is just a recipe for ruin. Which other personalities do you avoid? Which personalities are a real asset to entrepreneurs? Please, share your thoughts and experiences by commenting and joining the discussion! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Employee Collaboration is Facing Real Challenges, but Your Business Doesn’t have to Suffer

December 13, 2022 No Comments

A recent Harvard Business Review study found that nearly forty percent (39%) of employees report their coworkers don’t collaborate enough. There are several reasons for this, but whatever the causes, it’s very important to address this issue when it arises in order to get the most out of any team. If poor collaboration continues to persist, it will do real damage to a company – no matter how big or small. So, it’s critical to take action right away. Otherwise, it could very well unleash deleterious effects that just may be irreversible. The Consequences of Poor Employee Collaboration When employees are not collaborating effectively, it can lead to duplication of efforts, miscommunications, and confusion. This can result in employees spending more time trying to figure out what their coworkers are doing, rather than focusing on their own tasks. As a result, overall productivity can suffer. Employees who are not able to work well with others may become frustrated, leading to lower morale among the team. This can also create a toxic work environment, leading to high levels of absenteeism and turnover. It goes without saying that when your employees work together, they’ll be more effective. Not only can people accomplish more as a group, a collaborative atmosphere could motivate employees to do more. But if you feel like employees aren’t cooperating as well as they should, there could be a hidden problem brewing under the surface. —American Express Effective collaboration is crucial for innovation. When employees are not able to work well together, it can stifle creativity and prevent the development of new ideas. This can make it difficult for businesses to stay competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace. Poor collaboration can lead to mistakes, delays, and other issues that can impact the quality of the product or service that a business provides. This can lead to dissatisfaction among customers, who may take their business elsewhere. How to Encourage Better Workplace Collaboration among Employees Collaboration is crucial for success in today’s business world. When employees are able to work well together, it can lead to higher productivity, improved morale, and greater innovation. However, fostering collaboration among employees is not always easy. Here are a few tips for encouraging better workplace collaboration: Provide the right tools. In order for employees to collaborate effectively, they need the right tools. This may include project management software, group messaging platforms, and online collaboration tools. By providing the right tools, you can make it easier for employees to communicate and share ideas. Encourage open communication. Open communication is key for effective collaboration. Encourage employees to speak up and share their ideas, even if they are not sure if they are “right”. By creating an environment where it is okay to ask questions and share ideas, you can foster collaboration. Create a collaborative culture. Collaboration should be a core value of your business. Make sure that this value is reflected in your company culture, and encourage employees to work together to achieve common goals. Provide training and support. Collaboration is a skill that can be learned and developed. Consider providing training and support to help employees improve their collaboration skills. This may include workshops, mentoring programs, and other resources. Recognize and reward collaboration. Finally, don’t forget to recognize and reward collaboration. When employees work together to achieve a common goal, make sure to recognize their efforts. This can be as simple as a shout-out in a team meeting, or something more formal like a team-building event or award. By following these tips, you can encourage better workplace collaboration among your employees. This will help to improve productivity, morale, and innovation at your business. What else can businesses do to foster and improve employee collaboration? Please take a few minutes to share your own thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your input! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Feeling Overwhelmed by Your Small Business? Why Not Ask a Friend for a Favor. Here’s How.

How Small Business Owners Can Ask Their Friends for Help

More Tips Entrepreneurs Can Use to Ask for Help

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The Corona Virus is a Stark Reminder of How Businesses should Deal with the Flu

Want to Make the New Year a Success? Avoid these People

Employee Collaboration is Facing Real Challenges, but Your Business Doesn’t have to Suffer

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