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Business Owners, Pay Attention to Employees Who Bring Bagged Lunches, Because They Usually Share These Impressive Qualities

As a business owner, it’s easy to overlook the small, everyday habits of your employees, but sometimes these seemingly minor details can reveal a lot about their character and potential. One habit that might catch your attention is when employees consistently bring bagged lunches to work.

While it might seem like a simple cost-saving measure or a personal preference, employees who take the time to prepare their meals often share some impressive qualities that can be invaluable to your business. That’s right. These individuals may possess bigger, untapped potential. With this in mind, we’ll take a little time to explore why those brown bag lunches might be a sign of the discipline, foresight, and commitment that could make these employees your next top performers.

6 Qualities Bagged-Lunch Employees Usually Possess

Okay. You’d certainly notice if a particular team member brings in beneficia new business or implements a different way of doing this or that, greatly increasing productivity. But, there are also smaller, more subtle telltale signs someone might have a lot more to offer. For instance, employees bringing brown bag lunches to work can reveal much about their potential, habits, and mindset. Here are some insights that might be gleaned from this seemingly simple behavior:

Discipline and planning. Bringing a brown bag lunch indicates that an employee takes the time to plan their meals ahead of time. This level of foresight and preparation often translates into their work habits, suggesting they are organized, proactive, and capable of managing their responsibilities efficiently. Such employees are likely to be reliable and disciplined, making them strong candidates for tasks that require attention to detail and long-term planning.
Financial savvy. Employees who bring their lunch often do so to save money. This behavior shows an awareness of budgeting and a focus on financial responsibility, which can be valuable in roles that involve managing resources or cost control. Their financial mindfulness could indicate a practical, resourceful approach to problem-solving, making them suitable for roles that require fiscal prudence or operational efficiency.
Health consciousness. Preparing a brown bag lunch allows employees to control what they eat, often leading to healthier choices. This shows a commitment to personal well-being, which can reflect positively on their overall energy levels, productivity, and ability to handle stress. Health-conscious employees may have the stamina and mental clarity needed for demanding projects, making them strong candidates for roles that require sustained focus and resilience.
Self-sufficiency. Bringing lunch from home indicates a degree of self-sufficiency. These employees are not reliant on external sources (like restaurants or cafeterias) for their needs, which can translate into their work ethic. Self-sufficient employees are often independent thinkers who can take initiative and work without constant supervision, making them ideal for leadership roles or positions that require autonomy.
Commitment to routine. Consistently bringing a lunch shows a commitment to routine and a structured approach to their day. This can reflect an ability to stick to schedules and follow through on commitments, important traits for any role that requires dependability. Employees with a strong sense of routine are often reliable and consistent, traits that are valuable in roles that require steady performance over time.
Focus on productivity. Bringing a lunch means less time spent going out to eat, which can lead to more time focused on work. This indicates that the employee values productivity and may prefer to use their break time efficiently. Such employees may have a strong work ethic and a drive to maximize their productivity, making them valuable assets in fast-paced environments where efficiency is key.

While bringing a brown bag lunch might seem like an insignificant, everyday decision, it can offer insights into an employee’s character and potential. Traits like discipline, financial savvy, self-sufficiency, and a focus on health and productivity are all positive indicators that can suggest strong future performance and growth within an organization.

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What to Do with an Unwanted Inherited Business

September 16, 2021 No Comments

Owning a business is not something that everyone aspires to do. Sure, many people like the idea of being their own boss. But, there are definitely individuals who prefer to avoid the stress and anxiety of being an entrepreneur. Of course, there are many different sets of circumstances. For instance, children who follow their parents and run the family business, taking it over after their parents retire. Or, people who unintentionally fall into their own business without actually setting out to do so. For example, someone who inherits a business from a relative. Although this might seem a bit far-fetched, it does happen more often than one would think. So, what options are available to an heir who really does not want to take over the business? Types of Inherited Businesses Probably the most common form of an inherited business is a family company. Usually, the children grow up in and around the operation and are at least familiar with it. Other times, the children aspire to follow their own career path and never work in the organization. Additionally, there are heirs who inherit a family-owned business that they have never really been acquainted with whatsoever. If you’ve inherited a company, there might be a lot of questions on your mind. You might not want to be an entrepreneur, or even if you do, you might prefer to work in a different industry. Even if you’re ready to take on the business, you might be unsure about how to deal with current employees and suppliers. —Nerd Wallet Though these circumstances are far less common, they do occur. One prime example is someone who inherits a commercial property. That property is leased by several other businesses and generates a profit. The owners may not even be directly involved with the day-to-day operation and rely on a firm or individual to handle the necessities. These would include things like maintenance, repairs, negotiating leases, upgrades, and more. What to Do with an Unwanted Inherited Business Your first instinct could be to just sell it and be out of the situation as quickly as possible. But, if it’s generating a consistent profit, that might not be a wise idea. On the other hand, even if it does generate a profit and you’re completely unfamiliar with it, it could turn into a gigantic mess. Here are some possible options to explore: Learn about the business. Regardless if you’re set on selling it or remotely considering taking it over, you’ve got to know what you’re dealing with first. It’s imperative that you educate yourself about the business in order to make an informed decision as to which way to go. Don’t make the mistake of letting your emotions take over. Instead, take at least a little time to understand precisely what it is and more importantly, how much it’s really worth. Consider being an absentee owner. Although this is quite common in the business world, it’s always a risky proposition. And, it’s probably why you don’t want to get involved in the first place. If you let other people run it, you’re putting your trust into others and that could easily lead to a very regrettable set of circumstances. However, if it is something like commercial property and your relative was also an absentee owner, at least give it some serious thought. Invest in the business. If you do want to give it a try, don’t go it alone. Bring in a business coach to guide you through the process of taking on an entrepreneurial role and become familiar with all it takes to head up this type of operation. If you find it isn’t a good fit, you can always sell it and move on. What other suggestions would you give someone in this position? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Don’t Let Sears JCPenney Ruin Your Retail Shop Dreams

May 23, 2017 No Comments

“Retail Apocalypse: Why JC Penney Will Survive; Sears Holdings Won’t,” exclaims a Motley Fool headline. ” J.C. Penney May Have No Other Choice but to Aggressively Close,” a headline in TheStreet.com predicts. “With Macy’s, Sears, Kohl’s Sliding, Can Mom and Pops Survive?” an NBC News headline asks. So, what’s really going on and why are these legacy retailers in such trouble? You can read for hours and come to different conclusions. But the underlying question is: can your retail store dreams still come true? The answer is: Yes. How to Start a Successful Retail Business The hyperbole of a “retail apocalypse” is a practice in the old journalism cliché, “If it bleeds, it leads.” Shocking headlines do get attention and these might even make you think there’s no point in starting a retail business. But, this simply isn’t the case. The problem these icons face began many, many years ago. And, with a bit of can-do attitude, you can start your own retail business. (Even if you have bad credit, you can be a retail entrepreneur.) ‘Main Street’ has now become a generic term synonymous with U.S. small business in general. But for many entrepreneurs, the prospect of joining Main Street in its more literal meaning – i.e. the primary retail street of a village or town – still holds an enormous amount of appeal as a business venture. Given the right amount of market research, business planning, and financial support, starting a retail business (and joining the more than 24 million people who earn a living this way) can offer many rewards to the right kind of entrepreneur. — U.S. Small Business Administration The trick is not to fall into a front-loaded trap. That means, taking on a lot of new debt to get it up and running. Incremental growth works every time because it greatly reduces risk. It also allows you to seriously cut down on the inevitable learning curve. Plus, starting small gives you a prime opportunity to identify trends. All of these are a huge help. You’ll come across different ways to grow and to save money in your venture, such as small business tax savings, and plenty more. You can build a thriving retail company, even if you’re the only employee. Here are some helpful tips for how to start a successful retail business: Find a solid niche. Think about the success of Etsy, Pinterest, Shopify, and other platforms. All of these have a common denominator — niche products and services. Whatever your passion is, chances are excellent you can turn a fun-loving hobby into a profitable business. Start by searching for like products or services and take note of their marketing techniques. Test the online market. When you have a solid idea of what others are doing, it’s time to step into the business yourself. The good news is, you don’t have to open an actual store in a shopping mall or in a retail strip. You can begin selling online in your spare time. Be sure to spread the word through social media. And, check out local events to test the market in your own area. Grow its sales incrementally. The one problem you really need to avoid is to allow it to grow past your ability to meet demand. That means managing expectations right from the beginning. Ask yourself how much you can handle on your own. In other words, ask yourself, “How many of these can I produce in a given timeframe?” Then, extrapolate from there to learn how to handle more and more orders. Go find your Customer. In most retail businesses, their marketing model is to wait for customers to find them and their products. Instead, identify your target customer and go to them in the beginning so that you can get early traction and sales. Be more reliant on your ability to generate sales rather than dependent on waiting for sales. Consider opening a brick-and-mortar. At some point, you might seriously consider opening a brick-and-mortar location. But this is where you need to be most cautious. Plenty of retail businesses who do well without a brick-and-mortar location open a shop only to be overwhelmed by the new operating costs. However, this doesn’t mean it isn’t an option, just be realistic about the projected revenue and expenses. Have you established a successful retail business? What tips and tricks do you use for you retail company? Please share your own thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group. [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

4 Big Problems with a WFH and On-Site Hybrid Business Operation

June 15, 2021 No Comments

With the roll-backs of local, state, and federal COVID-19 restrictions, businesses are attempting to return to a state of normalcy. But, reinstating pre-pandemic conditions isn’t as simple as they ought to be, and too many entrepreneurs are experiencing such a cruel reality. So, some are experimenting with a hybrid solution: a combination of work-from-home or WFH and on-site business operation. Sure, it certainly sounds like a logical solution. But, every solution breeds new problems. Meaning, there are distinct disadvantages to adopting a WFH and on-site business model. Biggest Hybrid Workplace Advantages Obviously, corporations around the world wouldn’t put a hybrid model in-place unless it had substantial benefits. And, there are some compelling reasons, like the potential of increased productivity via a customizable schedule. After all, happy employees are more productive and that’s certainly good for the bottom line. Then, there’s the morale boost which comes from being able to choose from WFH and on-site. Employees cherish the freedom and that too, helps to boost both productivity and morale. What many companies are converging on is a mixture of remote working and traditional office working, known as the hybrid workplace. A hybrid workplace exists when a business allows their employees to work either remotely or from the office. In a typical hybrid workplace, employees have the choice of working in a central office, working from home, or splitting their time between the two. —WeWork Ideas Blog Additionally, it can help to reduce operating costs, which decrease with the lessened need of supporting individuals constantly on-site. Moreover, it allows employees to avoid toxic situations. For instance, two or more employees who don’t get along very well in-person can find relief by not having to be in close proximity. 4 Issues with a WFH and On-Site Hybrid Business Operation While a hybrid operation might sound like a perfect answer, that just isn’t the case. Unfortunately, there are big potential problems with adopting a hybrid model, as the following issues might present: Managing a hybrid team is very difficult. Anyone with experience in managing a team is familiar with the vast time and effort that goes into making it work. Now, add-in a bunch of other variables that weren’t present before and it’s easy to imagine just how more difficult or nightmarish managing people in totally different physical locations is in reality. Some WFH employees will take advantage. Put this problem in the all-too-obvious column: some employees will exploit the new policies to their own personal advantage, even if it results in harming others and/or the company. While it’s not something you might relish thinking about, it is most definitely a possibility or perhaps, even a probability. A hybrid scenario can easily foster resentment. Another potential problem is along the same lines as the one above — that one or more employees will gain a sense of others’ nefarious behaviors regarding the hybrid operation. That could very well cause resentment to rear its ugly head. Not everyone will contribute the same amount. Expounding on the last two possible issues, is the real possibility one or more employees will shuffle responsibilities off their own shoulders and onto their coworkers through a form of sleight of hand. What other suggestions do you have to deal with potential work-from-home issues? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences. Perhaps others can benefit from your unique perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Business Owners, Pay Attention to Employees Who Bring Bagged Lunches, Because They Usually Share These Impressive Qualities

Business Owners, Pay Attention to Employees Who Bring Bagged Lunches, Because They Usually Share These Impressive Qualities

6 Qualities Bagged-Lunch Employees Usually Possess

Want to Accomplish More?

Like this article?

Related Posts

What to Do with an Unwanted Inherited Business

Don’t Let Sears JCPenney Ruin Your Retail Shop Dreams

4 Big Problems with a WFH and On-Site Hybrid Business Operation