CANDY WASHINGTON

WRITER | PRODUCER | MANIFESTATION + SELF-LOVE MUSE

Making Your Team Your Most eCommerce Business's Most Powerful Asset

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

Building the remote team that’s going to help you run your small business, from your on-the-ground delivery services to your support team to your admin and more, is just the beginning. From there, it’s all about managing them and empowering them to do as much good for the business as possible. Here, we’re going to look at how you transform your collection of workers into your most powerful asset.


Consider a manager if you don’t have one
Is the line of communication between you, the owner, and your team a direct, straight one? If so, you might find that managing a team takes away your ability to work on other parts of the business. Too much time working closely with your team can make it difficult to maintain the bird’s eye view of the business you need to plan effectively. Using agencies like Staff Management could help you find the managers that you can delegate to. Not only will it free up your time, but your employees can benefit from working with someone whose attention is primarily on helping them achieve the best out of their own work.


Give them the tools to do more
If you have workers who are going above and beyond, able to easily complete their duties with little challenge, then there is a good chance that they might be able to do more for the business. In fact, they might crave the responsibility and be bored with work that offers no challenge to them. With tools like BuildOps, you can offer them the ability to quote clients directly, for instance. Empower them to be able to do more without having to reach the office team for confirmation and you could see them taking on more responsibilities with ease.


Create a safe space to speak freely
Remote workers, including those in the eCommerce world, often feel like they lack the same kind of security that members of a more centrally located team have. As such, they feel like they might not be able to speak up about issues with their work or even suggestions they have to improve things. Create an open door policy, using feedback software like Deskalerts to encourage them to freely share what’s on their mind. You never know what valuable insights you might end up getting from them.


Promote a real company culture
Company culture is not a meaningless term, it can create a real sense of cohesion and comradery amongst your team. It means that you have to acknowledge and advocate for the interests and needs of your team, not just what they can do for you, by, for instance, encouraging a better work-life balance, hosting activities that get the team together when possible, and more.

Many business owners think of their remote team as a convenient squad of drones, out of sight and out of mind when possible, but the truth is that actively empowering them can be the true path to success for your eCommerce business. Consider how you can do that.

If You’re Running A Salon Business, It Needs The Salon Feel

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

When you’re running a salon, you might be providing hair care and nail care, but that’s not all you’re providing. A lot of people, when asked, will associate salons with the notion of self-care, of peace and calm, of a safe space, and as a place to feel relaxed and welcome. As such, you want to make sure that you’re doing more than just providing a service, you’re providing a salon experience. Here are a few ways to do that.


Have a strong, welcoming brand
For one, you want to make sure that the vibe of your salon’s brand and your location is on point. Creating a strong brand means thinking about who your services are aimed at, what you want to communicate to them, and what kind of visuals, word choices, and decor are going to heighten that. Start with a strong brand and it becomes easier for the other aspects to fall into place.


Body language and communication are vital

You want to welcome people to your salon with the right attitude at the front desk. As such, making sure that your receptionist is well-trained and understanding of the culture and atmosphere of the space is a good idea. Setting a high standard of customer service for your own staff is about training, and making sure that their needs are well met. Staff who aren’t cared for are less likely to care for the customer experience, it’s as simple as that.


Keep it comfortable and clean
People want to feel like they are getting the attention to detail necessary to make their nails and hair look and feel as good as possible. Needless to say, if the salon feels dirty, at all, it can be hard to give them that assurance. Aside from keeping it clean on a regular basis and wiping down or brushing up after every customer, a good air purifier can offer tremendous benefits, as well. Keep the air feeling fresh and clean.


Consider a complimentary service
You don’t have to go giving every person who sets foot in your salon a free makeover. However, if they’re already in the chair and you can think of a little extra that won’t be too costly to add, then you should make the offer. You can even have apprentices offer these little free services to people who are waiting to make it feel a lot less taxing.


Keep things moving
Any good vibes you create in your salon are going to be undercut by how long your clients might have to wait. Creating a good waiting space for them, with comfortable seating, reading material, and perhaps even the offer of tea or coffee, can do a lot of good. But you should be using salon scheduling software to make sure that clients never have to wait too long, as well.


While good work with their hair, nails or otherwise is going to get you paid and get the good word spread, it’s the salon feel that will keep customers coming back. Don’t neglect that.

5 Freelancing Essentials You Need To Know

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

More and more people are starting side hustles and becoming freelancers. The roles on offer with these can be easily worked around a main job, and they boast a decent income potential. There are more than a few reasons to consider it.

If you’re considering becoming a freelancer, then you’ll need to know about a few freelancing essentials.

They’ll affect your life more than you’d think. Some of them could be mandatory to make sure you don’t fall afoul of any laws, and they could even play into your success. You’ve no reason not to pay attention to them and actually put some effort into them.

It’s worth taking a look at five of the most notable of these.


Freelancing Essentials: 5 Top Picks

1. Long-Term Relationships

When you become a freelancer, you’ll naturally want to get clients. It’s how you’ll make money. You wouldn’t want to be in a position where you’ll need to constantly look for new clients, though. That’s why it’s worth going out of your way to build long-term relationships with the people you work with.

While that’s not possible with every client, it is with more than a few of them. You’ll end up developing a more consistent revenue stream by working on this. You could even become their go-to expert, and that could mean making more money out of them in time.

2. A Sales Pipeline

At some point or another, you’ll need to bring in new clients. A sales pipeline is needed for this. It’s what you’ll move potential clients down to turn them into actual clients. The more time and effort you put into setting this up, the better it’ll end up working for you in the long-term.

Even when you have enough clients, it’s still worth adding to your pipeline. It’ll make sure you have a consistent supply of work in the future. You wouldn’t want to end up in a position where you don’t have any work and need to scramble to find some more.

3. Legal Compliance

Becoming a freelancer has more legalities than you might’ve thought about. You’ll need to make sure you’re legally compliant in various ways, so it’s worth putting the time and effort into. You risk fines and similar consequences if you don’t put the time and effort into it.

Contract compliance management for your firm, even a freelance one, could be quite helpful with this. You’ll end up not needing to worry about any legal issues in time. With how much trouble these could involve, you’ve no reason not to put effort into actually avoiding them as much as you can.

4. Proactive Communication

You’ll be expected to communicate with your clients, and you might need to do this much more than you would’ve thought. When you become a freelancer, you’ll need to learn how to be proactive with your communication. It could end up making sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Since this doesn’t come naturally to everybody, it’s something you could need to put the time and effort into. While you don’t need to constantly bombard them with emails, make sure they’re kept up-to-date with the work you’re doing for them. It’ll make sure every project goes as smoothly as possible.

5. Accepting Rejection

As a freelancer, you’ll pitch your work to more than a few potential clients. While you’ll naturally be excited for this and want to work with them, it doesn’t mean it’ll always work out. Instead, you could find more than a few people will turn you down. You’ll need to be prepared for this.

Not only that, but you’ll need to get comfortable with it. It’s something you’ll come across time and again. Take the time to learn from any rejections you get so you can do better the next time. You’ll end up finding clients in time and getting accepted into various roles.


Freelancing Essentials: Wrapping Up
If you want to become a freelancer, you’ll already know you’ll have to take care of a few things. There are more than a few freelancing essentials than you could be aware of, though. That’s despite how important many of them can be.

It’s worth making sure you have as many of them covered as possible.

They’ll not only be essential to maintaining compliance with various areas, but they’ll also affect your success. Not putting the effort into them could mean you’ll end up not making as much money as you could want. You’ve no reason not to put the effort into them.

How to Conquer Your Fear of Being Judged in Your Business

Candy Washington1 Comment

Hi lovelies,

To a degree, your career is a reflection of who you are. It’s a nice way of showing how educated you are, your passions, thoughts, and even your values. With that said, when you’re a business owner, you are your business. Working for an employer doesn’t immediately show who you are, but if you’re running your own business, this essentially shows who you are. 

With that said one thing that deters entrepreneurs from stating what their business is would be the fact that there’s this fear of judgment. It’s entirely understandable, and on top of that, since your business is like your baby, something you built from the ground up, it’s painful if it gets judged, too. Whether you’re doing an online shop, coaching, marketing, or basically selling any type of good or service, it’s so important that you conquer this fear. So, here’s exactly what you need to know in order to do that. 


Embrace Self Confidence
Building self-confidence is the foundation for overcoming the fear of judgment. Understand that everyone faces criticism at some point in their journey, and it's a part of growth. Focus on your strengths, skills, and unique qualities that make your business special. When you believe in yourself and your vision, external judgment matters less. Honestly, within time, it’ll become more natural, especially after seeing how good your business is going. Never be ashamed of your business; wear it with pride like a badge!


Shift Your Mindset

The mindset is so important when it comes to self-discovery. After all, when it comes to things like Myers Briggs Strong Interest Inventory, your whole mindset and perception changes because you’ve learned something new, something about yourself. So, what you’ll need to do is reframe your perspective on judgment. Instead of seeing it as a threat, view it as an opportunity for growth. 

Constructive feedback can help you refine your business and make it better. Embrace a growth mindset that welcomes challenges and learning experiences. In all honestly, it might take a lot of time before that mindset kicks in, but it’s going to help a lot. 


Develop Thick Skin
Unfortunately, every business owner needs to do this. Understand that not all criticism is personal or valid. Develop a thick skin by reminding yourself that opinions vary and not everyone will appreciate your work. You’ll need to instead go ahead and focus on constructive feedback and ignore or gracefully accept the rest. 

When you get out there, especially market your business online, you might get some hateful comments and rude messages in general. You can’t make everyone happy, and some people just fuel on being mean. So you need to forget them and just focus on developing a thick skin. 


Only Focus on Your Ideal Audience
 
When it comes to any business, only focus on something small and then grow from there, and that includes this, too. You can’t please everyone, so it’s best to only focus on pleasing your audience- the ones that will actually help grow and bloom your business. By focusing on those who truly value your offerings, you'll find more support and understanding.

How To Have A Positive Time Traveling To Baltimore

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

One destination you may want to add to your bucket list is Baltimore, Maryland. It’s a great city with a lot of excitement happening daily. 

Before you depart it’s wise to make a plan and prepare for your adventures. Start by reviewing some tips as to how you can have a positive time traveling to Baltimore. This way you can have a nice trip and return home happy you chose to visit this city in particular. 

Establish A Travel Budget

Traveling is never cheap and it will require that you have the funds you need to have a new adventure. Therefore, establish a travel budget for visiting Baltimore so that you can relax and have a good time once you arrive. Get your finances in order and figure out how much money you’ll need for travel as well as how much you’ll need to have available once you get there and begin your trip.

Make A List of Things to See & Do

There is a long list of things to see and do when visiting Baltimore. One idea if you are a baseball fan is to check out Oriole Park at Camden Yards. It’ll be relaxing and fun to spend an afternoon at the ballpark watching a great game of baseball. Afterwards, you may want to check out some local establishments for a bite to eat. There are also plenty of museums in Baltimore that you may want to add to your itinerary to check out.

Book the Right Accommodations

It’s also important that you know where you’re going to sleep when visiting Baltimore. Do your homework and read online reviews of your different options. Figure out if a hotel is the best choice for you and your group or if you prefer to rent out a larger vacation home. Make sure that wherever you stay, that you are in a safe neighborhood and area on your trip.

Figure Out How You’ll Get Around

Baltimore is a large city with a lot of people rushing around from one place to the next. Therefore, you should consider what type of transportation you can use and how you prefer to get around when traveling. Regardless, you’ll want to pack some good walking shoes because you’ll likely be doing a lot of stuff on foot. Keep in mind you can always take a taxi if you get tired of walking.

Pack Appropriately 

The weather can quickly change in Baltimore from one season to the next. Therefore, make sure you check the weather forecast before you depart. This way you can pack appropriately and only bring with you what you will use and wear. It’s wise to pack light so that you don’t have to carry heavy bags around as you travel and move about. 

Conclusion

You now know what it will take to have a positive time traveling to Baltimore. There are many logistics to think about and prepare for beforehand. Doing your part before you leave will help ensure you can truly relax and enjoy yourself once you arrive and begin your vacation.

How To Know You Have Found A Great Employer

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

Are you exploring the job market right now? If so, then it’s important to make sure that you have found a fantastic employer who is worth your time. Here are some of the key elements to think about when choosing a business to work for. 

Above And Beyond 
First, you might want to think about whether an employer will go above and beyond for you. There are lots of examples of how an employer might do this. For instance, they could keep a check on your emotional health or may adapt your work to meet your personal requirements. They may also aid you with difficult personal situations. For instance, if you were charged with a crime that you didn’t commit, some employees will help you find an affordable criminal defense attorney for white-collar crime cases. Particularly, if the crime is in some way connected to your role at the company. 


Work Culture
 
You may want to think about exploring the culture of a business that an employer has established. Businesses can have different types of office cultures. It’s important to make sure that a company you are going to be working for has a culture in place that you feel comfortable with and where you can fit. For instance, you might want to ensure that you are going to be able to interact with your team members outside of the work environment. A lot of business owners will make office outings a priority as it helps build up the true sense of a team.

Flexibility 
A great employer should also provide a high level of flexibility. There is very little reason why you should be forced to work from an office in a standard job or position these days. Most businesses should allow their employees to work from home or at least explore a hybrid work model. Research shows that hybrid working is less stressful for team members and it will mean that you can avoid the dreaded Monday morning commute. Of course, this will only be possible if the company has the right type of set up for this style of work in place from day one. 


Onboarding 
Finally, you should check whether there is a strong onboarding process in place. The right onboarding solution will help ensure that you can easily sink into your new position without any problems. If there isn’t an onboarding process in place, then you are more likely to feel lost and confused when you start your new job. This could even lead to you quitting the position before you have even begun. A high percentage of employees will quit within the first couple of weeks after starting a new job, simply because there is not a structure like this in place. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key signs that you have found a great employer who is worth your time. Remember, there will always be other opportunities on the market. As such, you should never stay somewhere that you are not happy or comfortable. 

Six Benefits Of Traveling: How Exploring The World Can Transform Your Life

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

Traveling has become an increasingly popular lifestyle choice for many individuals. It is no longer a luxury reserved for the wealthy, but instead something that everyone can experience and benefit from. Whether you are looking to gain new skills or explore different cultures, traveling can open up a world of possibilities for those who take the plunge. Here are five ways in which travel can transform your life.

1) Cultural Understanding 

Traveling around the world can open up a whole new world of understanding and perspective. You can gain invaluable insights into different cultures, religions, languages and customs, which can help to broaden your horizons and expand your understanding of the world. Not only will this allow you to appreciate cultural differences more fully, but it will also give you a better understanding of yourself and your own culture.

2) Personal Growth & Development

One of the greatest benefits of travel is the opportunity to explore and expand your personal growth and development. Traveling allows you to challenge yourself in new ways and cultivate a greater self-awareness. You can grow emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and professionally by exposing yourself to different experiences. From learning a language or delving into a culture's customs to trying out a new hobby, travel can help you develop yourself in meaningful ways.

3) Career Opportunities

Traveling has the potential to open up exciting new career opportunities. Many employers value a global perspective and an international background, which can be achieved through travel. By visiting different countries while working as a travel nurse,  a teacher, a volunteer or even an entrepreneur, you can gain valuable insights into different cultures and ways of life, which can help to improve your job prospects. 

4) Increased Self-Confidence

Traveling can also help to boost your self-confidence. Taking the plunge and stepping out of your comfort zone is often the first step to personal growth. You’ll gain a greater sense of independence and self-assurance as you take on new challenges and overcome obstacles in unfamiliar places. As you explore a different culture, challenge yourself, or even jump out of a plane, you’ll build confidence and become more self-assured.

5) Everlasting Memories

Traveling creates memories that last a lifetime. Going on adventures to foreign countries, trying out new cuisines, meeting locals and experiencing different cultures are all experiences that stay with you even long after the journey has ended. Even if you don’t have much money to spare, there are still ways to make lasting memories through travel – you can take free walking tours, camp out in the wilderness or simply explore your own city. 

6) Improved Mental Health

Traveling can provide an escape from the stress and monotony of everyday life. It has been proven to improve overall mental health and reduce symptoms of stress and depression. Spending time in a different environment, disconnecting from the digital world, practicing mindfulness, staying active, and simply exploring new places can provide an instant mental boost.

Traveling offers a unique opportunity to explore the world and gain life-changing experiences. Whether you are traveling solo or going on an adventure with friends, the benefits of travel are numerous. So why not take the plunge and start planning your next journey today? You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn and grow through travel! 

What's the Best Way to Get Around When You Travel?

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

Going on vacation can be exciting and thrilling. It’s just what you need to help you break up your busy year and to be able to relax. However, it’s important to think ahead and plan out your transportation when you travel. Getting around during a vacation can be tricky, so it’s important to make sure you know the best way to get around. This will help you to make the most of your vacation. Whether it’s by bus, car rental, or even bike sharing services, there are plenty of ways to get around when you travel. Let’s take a look at your options in this blog post.

Public Transport

Taking public transit or a city bus is one of the most economical and convenient ways to get around when you travel. Most cities have regular bus routes that offer easy access to popular tourist spots. Research local bus schedules online and plan your route accordingly. This method works great for getting from one place to another quickly and cheaply. Plus, the cost savings can be used elsewhere in your budget.

Car Rental and Taxi Services

If you want more freedom and flexibility while traveling, then renting a car might be the right choice for you. Depending on where you're going, renting a car may be an affordable option if you're traveling with several people. Also, consider taxi services as they can take you door-to-door within minutes. It's also helpful if your destination is off the beaten path or doesn't have good public transportation options available.

Bike Sharing Services

Some cities offer bike sharing services that allow travelers to rent bicycles for short periods of time at affordable prices. This is especially helpful if you're staying in a city with good bicycle infrastructure (bike lanes) as it allows you to easily explore the area without having to worry about parking or traffic congestion. Bike sharing services are also great for sightseeing.

In-Resort Transport

Exploring the options available to you at your resort is a great way to experience the local area and its culture. From car rentals to shuttle buses and the infamous Disney Monorail, you can find transportation for whatever activities you have planned. Whether Going sightseeing, shopping or dining out, there are typically a variety of options to suit each need and budget. If you require longer distance travel, many rental companies offer special daily, weekly and sometimes even monthly rates depending on where you wish to go. Some resorts may even provide various discounts so make sure to inquire about them when making your transportation arrangements.

Getting Around on Vacation

No matter where in the world you are traveling, planning out your transportation before leaving home will help ensure that your trip goes smoothly and efficiently. With so many options available today including public transit, car rentals, taxis, in-resort options, and bike sharing services there is sure to be something that fits everyone’s needs and budget when planning their next trip. So take some time now and consider which method would work best for your next journey—you won’t regret it.

Healthy Adoptable Daily Routines From Successful Entrepreneurs Worldwide

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

Successful entrepreneurs are often seen as having superhuman powers, but they’re just like us. Their ability to make conscious decisions that help propel their success forward is what sets them apart. While there’s no “magic formula” for success, there are certain routines that successful entrepreneurs adhere to to stay on the right track. Having a healthy daily routine can help you reach your goals faster and gain more life satisfaction.

Many of the world's most successful entrepreneurs have adopted healthy daily routines that allow them to stay productive, energized, and focused throughout the day. In this article, we will look at some of these routines so that you can take away actionable advice and apply it to your own life.


The Morning Routine:

Many successful entrepreneurs get up early and make the most of their morning hours. This often includes physical activity, such as running or yoga. This is a great way to start the day because it gets your blood flowing and puts you in an energized frame for the day ahead. Additionally, giving yourself time to focus on activities that bring joy can help you avoid burnout and stay motivated.


Organization:

Organization is key to maintaining productivity throughout the day. Being organized ensures that tasks are completed on time and prevents last-minute scrambling at the end of the day. In addition, taking some time each morning to plan out your day can help keep you on track and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks.


Stay Connected:

Remaining connected with others is critical for entrepreneurs, who often have a lot going on. Taking some time to reach out to friends and family, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day, can help keep you grounded and connected with your support system.


Dedicate Some Time To Yourself:

Self-care is another important aspect of a successful daily routine. Dedicating time to yourself each day can help you stay focused and energized. This could be as simple as taking a few minutes to meditate or something more involved like pilates certification classes or going for a massage.

Process Improvement:
For entrepreneurs, it is important to strive for improvement continually. Taking time each day to assess your processes and find ways to make them more efficient and effective can help you better use resources, increase quality, decrease costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

Process improvement involves analyzing existing processes to determine areas for improvement. This can include identifying the steps involved in the process, measuring how long it takes to perform each step, looking for gaps or redundancies in the process, and assessing whether any tasks can be combined or eliminated. Additionally, analyzing customer feedback can help you identify potential improvements that will meet their needs.

Once areas for improvement have been identified, you need to develop a plan for implementing changes. This includes setting goals and objectives as well as defining what success looks like. Developing a timeline can also be helpful in ensuring that changes are implemented in a timely manner.


Set Your Goals:
Setting goals is an integral part of any successful daily routine. Establishing realistic, achievable daily goals can help you stay focused and motivated. When setting goals, make sure they are specific and measurable. And it’s best to limit yourself to a few primary objectives each day so that you don’t overwhelm yourself.

Having clear daily goals helps maintain your momentum during times of difficulty or lack of motivation. If one task becomes difficult or tedious, remind yourself why it is important to complete it to reach your goal.

In addition, be intentional about scheduling time for personal pursuits such as leisure activities or creative projects. Whether it’s working on a hobby, cooking dinner, exercising, or just taking a break from work-related tasks, allowing yourself the freedom to do something that brings you joy can provide the necessary balance in your life.

In conclusion, having an effective daily routine can help entrepreneurs to stay organized, productive, and connected with their support systems. Establishing clear goals and dedicating time each day for self-care are also critical components of a successful routine. By taking the time to implement and maintain a daily routine, entrepreneurs can ensure that they have the focus and energy needed to achieve their goals.

4 Essential Steps You Must Get Right In The First Year Of Your New Business

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

Are you starting a new business? If so, then it’s important to consider that the vast majority of companies are going to fail within their first year. Indeed, some estimates believe that the number is as high as 90%. This doesn’t give you great odds, but there are steps that you can take to improve your chances of success. So, let’s explore some of the key options here.

Manage Costs
First, you need to make sure that you are managing the costs as effectively as possible. If you manage costs the right way, then you’ll be able to make sure that you don’t end up in a situation where you are running an inefficient company overall. 

The best way to manage costs is to make sure that you do hire an accounting service. With the right accounting solution, you can ensure that you are able to avoid problems with your spending growing out of control. 


Invest In The Right Equipment And Supplies
Next, you need to ensure that you are investing in the right equipment for your business. The best equipment will help ensure that your company is able to run far more smoothly overall. Once you invest in the best equipment you also need to keep it well maintained. This will require you understanding how it functions and the key issues that can develop. For instance, if you are using a Chevy Truck in your business, then you might want to think about using a Chevy truck owner’s manual to find out all the key information you require. 


Choose The Right Team 
Another thing that you need to be focusing on is creating the right team. Some people say that you can’t be sure about who is going to perform well and who won’t before they get the chance. While this is partially true, you should be able to get some kind of indication during the interview stage. Look carefully at their credentials, and then consider their answers, their body language and everything else about the way that they present themselves. 

If their answers seem as though they don’t have a care in the world, then they might not be the right fit for your business. 


Manage Security Issues
 
Finally, when it comes to your business you want it to be as safe as it can possibly be. This means looking after all aspects of your company including the physical and the online side of things. There are a few things you can do to make sure your business is safe at all times. You could install high-quality CCTV that covers all areas of your interior and exterior. There are companies that will install the cameras and even monitor them for you. Alternatively, you could hire a 24-hour security guard that patrols the rounds throughout the day and night. 

Hopefully you have found this article helpful, and now see four of the essential steps that you must get right within the first year of your business. It’s essential that you are doing everything in your power to see success, especially in such a crucial period in which so many busineses fail. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you see success here. 

The Health Risks Every Worker Should Be Aware Of

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

Taking care of your health isn’t just about working out and eating well. It’s also about minding health and safety in every aspect of living, especially when it comes to where you work. After all, most of us spend nearly half of our waking life, five days a week, in the workplace. As such, here are some of the risks of the workplace that you could stand to be a lot more aware of, and what to do if you’re affected by health issues caused by work.


Stress isn’t something you should just shrug off
The workplace can impact your health in a range of ways, but you shouldn’t assume that all of those impacts are on your physical health. Overworking, taking on too many responsibilities, and having to deal with potentially harmful workplace relationships and conflicts can lead to you getting overly stressed. We all deal with some stress now and then but if it feels like it’s affecting you more often than not, at work, then there’s a good chance you’re dealing with chronic stress. This can affect every facet of your quality of life, from your general mood to your sleep, not to mention raising blood pressure and increasing your risk of a heart attack. Finding your means to manage stress and vouching for yourself at work can help.

 

Be mindful of accidents
Accidents can happen everywhere an in every kind of work environment. They are not solely relegated to the kinds of workplaces that have obvious hazards, such as warehouses and construction sites. The most common workplace accident is a slip, trip, or fall, which can happen in any kind of workplace, including the office, retail store, and anywhere else. If you spot any potential or frequent tripping hazards in the workplace, then you should highlight your concern with your employer to make sure that they’re taking action to mitigate those issues. The average employer is wise enough to understand that accidents can be greatly costly, not to mention awful for the workplace morale, so will work to fix it.

 

Your work environment
You don’t always have to be posed with a specific risk of an accident or an injury for your workplace to affect your health. Sometimes, the workplace itself might be a health risk. Many older workplaces could have substances like lead paint or asbestos present in the air if the employer hasn’t done anything about it. If you’re concerned that your workplace isn’t safe, then it’s worth taking the time to raise the alarm bells as soon as possible. Some health issues caused by pollutants can be incredibly serious, as outlined by the mesothelioma survival rates. If you believe that you are experiencing a health issue that has been caused by issues with your place of work, then the legal responsibility, not to mention any costs associated with treating that illness should fall squarely on the employer, rather than forcing you to deal with it.

 

The risk of a sedentary life
While it might not seem as serious as a life-threatening illness or an injury that could leave you temporarily disabled, there are work habits that can have just as serious an effect on your long-term health. For instance, if your job involves sitting at a desk for long periods of time, then it could be contributing to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart attack, all products of an overly sedentary life. As such, it’s a good idea for those with a desk job to routinely try and inject some physical activity into their life, even at work.

 

The risk of musculoskeletal injuries
A sedentary life can also increase your risk of injuries to your back and joints which are, above all else, the most common cause of workplace disability. It is the responsibility of the employer to help you avoid the strain that can be caused by your work by, for instance, implementing ergonomic furniture such as standing desks or supportive chairs that can help to reduce the strain on your back. For physically strenuous work, there is no replacement for being able to take breaks now and then, giving your body the rest that it needs. 

Your employer might be the boss of you, but that doesn’t mean that they have the right to endanger your physical or mental well-being. In fact, the opposite is true. They have the responsibility to mind your health and keep you safe as best as possible. If they fail to do that, it’s important to hold them responsible.

Simple Steps To Grow Your Social Media Following

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

More than 4 billion people in the world use social media. Social apps have evolved from networks of friends and colleagues into powerful business platforms. If you’re not already using social media marketing to attract customers, or you’re struggling to draw attention to your brand, here are some simple steps to grow your following. 

Identify the best platforms
One of the most common mistakes business owners make when trying to launch social media marketing campaigns is choosing the wrong platforms. Most businesses can benefit from avoiding a scattergun approach and focusing on key apps that are popular among their target audiences. Use market research to identify the best platforms and get to know your target customer. Find out what kind of content they like to see, which types of posts they’re most likely to like or share and which promotions they respond to positively. Channel your energy and funds into platforms that your ideal customer uses and streamline your strategy. 

Host a competition or giveaway
Promotions are a brilliant way to build a following quickly and introduce your brand to new followers. Host a competition or giveaway and encourage people to get involved and spread the word. Set a deadline and outline the instructions clearly. Try to maximize exposure by specifying that entrants need to like and share the post, tag friends and follow your account. You should find that follower numbers tick up as news of the competition spreads. Keep posting about the prize to build anticipation and incentivize shares. Once you’ve chosen and announced a winner, start building hype around the next giveaway to keep people interested and ensure they continue to follow your account. 

Boost your follower count
In the world of social media, it’s hugely beneficial to have a large number of friends and followers. If people are talking about your account, or they see that you have a big following, they’ll want to jump on the bandwagon too. As well as hosting competitions and offering promotions and discounts, you can also boost your follower count by taking advantage of follower packages for apps like Instagram. You can find out more and try them online. Working with influencers and teaming up with other brands can also help you attract new followers and raise brand awareness. If you are going down this path, it’s crucial to select influencers and brands that are relevant to your business and your target market. 

Engage, engage, engage
Social media is not just a fantastic platform for selling products and services. It also provides golden opportunities to engage with followers and customers. Take the time to respond to comments on social media, answer questions, strike up conversations and encourage feedback and reviews. Establish relationships and connect with your following. Share your brand story and values, get to know your customers and use their suggestions and ideas to enhance and improve your social strategy.

Social media offers amazing opportunities for businesses and brands to boost sales, raise brand awareness and engage with friends, followers and customers. If you’re struggling to make an impact, or you don’t use social media marketing, take these tips on board. Identify the best platforms, boost follower numbers and engage with your following. 

Blogging And Social Media: Creating Content For Both

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

Both running a blog and running a social media presence are big parts of modern business. If you’re running an ecommerce site, having a well crafted online presence is the best way to bring new customers in. If you’re trying to offer a service as a freelancer, this is the best way to get your name out there in front of the right people. The online world is your oyster, and you can use it to get as creative as possible! But you need to create content that works on both - here are a few tips that’ll help you curate a healthy content schedule. 

Create Hype Through a Content Series
Creating a content series has a lot to offer. One day you can hint you’re announcing something, then you can do a giveaway, and then you can talk about ways you’re seeking to help customers with further problems. This means you now have long form content that gets released periodically, and that is a good way to keep people's attention over time without overwhelming them. 

Not only does this ensure they come back for more, but they never just unfollow or unsubscribe from an email chain. You can retain a lot more of your online following this way, and use both your social media and your blog in tandem - they can get equal coverage here without much of a problem. 

Give a Preview on Social Media
If you’ve got something new to drop, such as a new product or a flagship product update, give a preview on social media ahead of time. You can then link this to the drop itself later on, such as a week or month later. It’s another good way to create hype, and is also a great way to tie your two sections of the online world together. If you’ve got more followers on your social media, you can funnel some of them towards your blog, and vice versa. 

Diversify Your Content Calendar
Then it’s time to take another look at your content calendar and consider how ‘samey’ it might be right now. After all, if you’re only posting one type of content on a regular basis, people are going to get bored! And even when you’re trying to come up with new content that works on both a blog and a social media profile, you can’t just hit the same notes each time. 

So try something different from time to time. For example, look into shooting video content that expands on previous points you’ve made, or answers questions, or goes into detail over a customer solution that people have been asking for. You can then tie this into a small post outlining your new video, and then follow it up with videos later on down the line. 

If you want to create content that works for both a blog and for your social media, use tips like these to guide the way. Remember, high quality content will always win out! 

How to Securely Protect Your Business Network

Candy WashingtonComment

Photo by FLY:D on Unsplash

Hi lovelies,

A secure network is a vital part of any business. You need to make sure that your employees and customers can connect to the internet with ease and in a safe way. However, you also need to make sure that your organization's data is protected from cyberattacks or other security problems. These following tips can help your business to keep your network safe and secure:

Wi-Fi network name

A wireless network name ( see what is ssid) is the network name that your wireless router broadcasts to nearby devices. It's called a "name" because it's not encrypted, unlike your network's password or security key.

Because your SSID is unencrypted, it's visible to anyone who has access to the airwaves around your home or business—and that means hackers and other malicious actors can also see it.

The first step to protecting your business network with a Wi-Fi network name is simply ensuring that you're using a strong, unique password for your Wi-Fi router. A good password should be at least eight characters long and contain at least one number and one symbol. Also, don't use any obvious words or phrases in the password, as they are easily hacked by automated programs that try thousands of combinations per second.

Network encryption

When it comes to protecting your business network, there's no such thing as too much security. In fact, if you're using a secure and encrypted connection, the only way someone will be able to access your information is if they have access to your computer.

It's important to remember that network encryption doesn't just protect you from hackers—it also protects against other prying eyes in the office. If an employee leaves their computer unlocked or has their phone on their desk when they step out of the office for lunch, there's nothing stopping someone else from accessing their files and using them for personal gain.

By using encryption on your network, everyone who uses it will have access to a secure connection with limited access privileges. This means that even if someone does break into your system and try to look at files or email messages, they won't be able to do so without knowing how to crack the encryption code first.

WPA and WPA2 security

Most small businesses and home networks are secured by WPA2, the most secure option available. To get the best protection, use WPA2 and a strong password. If you're not sure how to choose a strong password, or if someone has already chosen it for you and you don't know what it is, Securly can help!

WPA2 is more secure than WEP encryption because it uses 128-bit keys instead of 64-bit keys. It also prevents hackers from being able to replay data packets they've captured earlier on your network. And while it's true that WAP2 still isn't as good as AES encryption (the military standard), the difference in security between them is insignificant when compared with other encryption methods such as WEP or TKIP (which was used before WPA).

Network password protection

Network password protection is a method of protecting your business network from outside access. The purpose of network password protection is to make sure that only authorized users and devices can access the network. Network passwords are used for authentication and authorization, which means that they verify your identity and grant or deny you access to resources on the network. The security policy should state how long passwords must be, what type of characters are allowed in them (numbers and letters), whether or not they can contain spaces, etc.

There are several different methods for implementing network password protection, including login banners, challenge-response mechanisms, time-of-day restrictions, and others. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks. For example: a login banner may be easy to implement but difficult to enforce; a challenge-response mechanism may be difficult to implement but easy to enforce; time-of-day restrictions may help prevent brute force attacks but fail if someone knows their way around it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can see that there are many ways to protect your business network. The most important thing is to understand the different types of attacks and how they work. Once you know this information, it’s easy to plan out a strategy for keeping your company safe from harm.

5 White Label eCommerce Businesses You Can Start Right Now

Candy WashingtonComment

Mini eCommerce shopping cart and bags on laptop - Image Courtesy of Pexels

Hi lovelies,

White label is when you resell something as your own. It's a very common business strategy that requires good marketing. Here are some of the best white label eCommerce ideas.

Trending Gift Ideas

When you think about it, running a business that sells gifts is one of the best ways to make money. Birthdays, weddings, and, of course, holidays will always happen. So a site for giving gifts or an eCommerce business is a platform that is ready to go as soon as you build it. But the trick would be to stay on top of trends and give gifts that are popular at the moment. Still, some gift ideas like jewelry, which most people love, never really go out of style. Online stores that sell things like gold chains are often willing to sell them to you under your own brand name.

Business Website Hosting

It might not seem like something you would want to sell, but almost all website hosting you buy, even from big platforms, is white label. This is because most businesses don't have their own vast banks of servers that can handle your site. Instead, they just sell access to the servers of big businesses and package the hosting tiers as if they were their own. So, if you buy a website builder platform that comes with web hosting, you're probably buying white label webspace. InMotion, GreenGeeks, and HostPapa are just a few of the best reseller hosting platforms.

The Most Popular White Label eCommerce Ideas

You don't have to worry about making new products with white labeling. Instead, you just have to come up with clever ways to market. Here are some of the most well-known white labels:

  • Extracts of lavender, ginger, and rosemary for making essential oils.

  • There are all sorts of beauty and cosmetics sold, from make-up to bath products.

  • Anything made from sustainable materials such as bamboo.

Also, since you didn't make the items, you don't have to deal with customer service or liability issues. All you have to do is build a website and advertise the products you want to sell.

Hand-Made or Unique Items

There are a lot of talented people out there whose favorite thing to do is make things by hand. You could provide a platform for crafters to sell their goods. People will often pay more for something unique. But you could promote mass-produced items and charge less if that is easier. However, given you are dependent on the work of individuals, this is one of the more challenging eCommerce white label ideas. A sole trader may not have the resources to provide a steady flow of products that can be used as a white label business.

White Label SEO Services

SEO, or search engine optimization, is a complicated topic. But it's a must if you want to run an online business. But because it is so hard to learn, it can take years. Most people don't have those many years. This gives you a unique chance to start a business offering white label SEO services. This business model is great because you don't have to learn SEO on your own. Instead, you work for an expert service that pays you to offer SEO packages. But if you have an online business, you might need to learn at least the basics of SEO for yourself.

Summary

White label eCommerce is a common way of generating income and works well for internet businesses. Some of the easiest include trending gifts, hand-made items, and SEO services.

Learn How To Set Up A Successful Beauty Blog

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

Are you passionate about beauty? If so, then you might be interested in exploring how you can start making a living from this passion. There are lots of ways to do this. However, one of the best will be to explore beauty blogging. With this option, you can write about anything from your favorite designers to your best products and get money from doing so. However, for this to work, you need to set up a blog that is going to be successful. 


Choose The Right Design
First, you should think about choosing the right design for your beauty blog. If you are setting up your blog for free, then you can select from a wide variety of different templates. This ensures that you will be able to choose an option which matches the feeling and design of the blog that you are interested in creating. The problem with free templates of course is that everyone can use them. This means that your blog could end up looking like quite a few others online. There’s not much that you can do about this. That’s why if you are serious about ensuring that your beauty blog is a success, then you could think about hiring a professional designer. With a pro designer, you can guarantee that your blog will never look like it has popped out of a cookie cutter. 

Images Are Worth…
More than a thousand words. That’s why it’s important to ensure that you have the right images on your blog. This will help you achieve greatest levels of success with your website. You might not have the time or the money to create professional photos yourself. The good news is that you can find professional stock photography online that will provide the benefits that you are looking for here. You can use these on your posts or on your main pages. 

Reach Out To Influencers 
It’s important to reach out to influencers if you want to ensure that your beauty blog is successful. By attracting influencers, you will be able to expand your reach and improve your blog following. For instance, you might want to think about  researching the key influencers in the beauty industry. However, it’s also worth noting that you don’t need the support of the biggest and the best. Connecting with any active influencers will help your blog, regardless of the size of their following. You can usually find these people by researching different social networks such as Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for the beauty industry.

Add A Work With Me Page
 
If you want your beauty blog to be successful, then you should set up a ‘work with me’ page as a key part of it. With a ‘work with me’ page, you can ensure that you are able to reach bloggers and other business owners who might be interested in posting on your blog. This is one of the best ways that you can monetize your website and ensure that you have an active regular income from blogging. 


Get Active On Social Media
 
Next, you should think about exploring ways to get more active on social media. By increasing your social media activity, you will send a clear message to your audience that you want them to be engaged and respond to blog updates. The right social media will often depend on the audience in question. You should think about aspects such as your age and the type of blog that you are creating. Since we’re referring to a beauty blog, aesthetics are always going to be important. For this reason, you should aim to be as active as possible on Instagram. You can post useful or beautiful pictures and videos here to engage your audience. 

High Quality Content 
Finally, you need to ensure that you are delivering the right quality when it comes to content. Content is king when you are setting up a blog. If you don’t hit the right mark here, then you are going to struggle to reach your audience and guarantee that they keep coming back for more. There are lots of ways to improve your content quality. This isn’t just about getting aspects like grammar and spelling right on posts. You should also ensure that pieces of content that you create are targeted to the group you want to appeal to. 


We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you can take to ensure that your beauty blog is successful and delivers the results that you hoped for. 

Tips For Building A Successful Online Shop

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

Building an online shop in 2022 is easy but that doesn’t make it easily successful. A lot of time, energy, and money are often spent to build a financially thriving eCommerce store. Not everyone has the ability to do this, depending on their time and skills at hand. However, it’s not impossible to achieve with the right knowledge and know-how.

This guide will bring a little more insight into creating a successful online shop for any and all those wishing to start one. 

Appearance is key

First impressions count and it’s what customers see once they reach the webpage. With that said, it’s worth asking the question - does the site’s design help sell products? If the answer is ‘no’ or ‘unsure’, then it’s important to change the appearance to make it a ‘yes’.

In fact, 59% of people prefer browsingbeautiful and well-designed’ sites to basic ones, according to Adobe.

Designing an eCommerce site is all about creating a site that the user will want to explore. Not only that but it's designed and laid out in such a way that it helps influence the customer to purchase something.

Understand what customers want and need

Many online shops will fail to sell because they’ve not thought about what their customers need. Every online store is going to be different from the next, depending on the type of products or services being offered.

For example, if it’s an online store selling physical products such as clothing, it’s important to focus on what type of clothing you’re selling. The type of clothing may only attribute to certain demographics or to a vast market of shoppers.

With virtual products, like a type of software or program, it may be worth conducting market research to see which businesses or individuals it would be best suited for. All of these will need to be marketed accordingly when it comes to selling the products or services.

Make checkout easy for customers

Making the checkout process easy and straightforward is essential. With that being said, using the right host for your checkout is critical. A customized online payment page is going to perform much better than one that’s basic and doesn’t encourage the shopper to move forward with their purchase.

The easier the checkout process is made, the better the experience the customer has. This is essential for encouraging previous customers to shop again.

Created a personalized experience

Personalization is important, especially as it adds value to the customer’s experience in general. When they see similar items they’re interested in pop up, or their name is shown on their customer profile dashboard, it all makes for a more personable experience.

Try to add these little nuggets of personalization, where you can.

Don’t become part of the majority that fails to succeed

There are many online stores that don’t get to succeed past their first few months, let alone the first year. With these tips, you’ve got the foundations required to create an eCommerce platform that will thrive this year.

7 Helpful Tips to Get Your Local Bar Busier Than Ever Before

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

The popularity of craft cocktails and the overall resurgence of cocktail culture has done wonders for local bars. Nowadays, it seems like everyone is looking to get a taste of the good life, and what better way to do that than by visiting your favorite local watering hole? So read on if you're looking for ways to help your bar thrive in today's competitive market! In this blog post, we will discuss seven tips that will help you get more people through your doors and into your seats!

Get involved in your community -

One of the best ways to get people interested in your bar is by becoming an active member of your community. Getting involved in local events, sponsoring local teams, and generally being a good neighbor will make people more likely to support your business. Furthermore, getting your name as much as possible doesn't hurt! Make sure you're active on social media and have a strong online presence.

  • Sponsor local sports teams

  • Get involved in community events

  • Be active on social media

  • Have a strong online presence

People are always looking for new bars to try, so you must make yours stand out from the crowd. By getting involved in your community and making yourself known, you'll be able to attract new customers.

Offer something unique -

In today's day and age, people are looking for experiences that are out of the ordinary. They want to say that they've done something that not everyone has done. So, if you're going to draw a crowd to your bar, you need to offer them something unique. This could be anything from live music to interesting drink specials. Whatever it is, make sure it's something that will set your bar apart from all the others in town.

People are always looking for a good deal, so give them one! For example, offering happy hour specials or discounts on certain nights will entice people to come to check out your bar. Just make sure you're still making enough money off these deals to be worth it for you in the long run.

Making your bar more interactive is another excellent way to get people in the door. This could be anything from hosting trivia nights to having a pool table or darts. Anything that gets people up and moving around will surely be a hit.

Make sure your bar is clean and well-kept -

This one might seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many bars don't take the time to ensure their establishment is clean. First impressions are everything, so you want to ensure your bar looks inviting from the moment customers step inside. This means regularly sweeping and mopping floors, wiping down surfaces, taking out the trash, and paying attention to the small details. A clean bar will not only be more likely to attract customers, but it will also be more likely to keep them coming back for more.

Another way to create a great first impression is having well-trained staff passionate about giving customers a good time. Your bartenders should know how to make a wide variety of drinks and should be able to do so quickly and efficiently. They should also be friendly and engaging, creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who walks through the door.

Promote, promote, promote! -

This one may seem a no-brainer, but you can never promote your bar too much. Make sure to organize flyers and posters around town, and don't forget to utilize social media! Create a Facebook page for your bar, and keep it updated with upcoming events, special offers, and pictures. You should also create hashtags for your bar so people can easily find and follow you on various social media platforms.

Another great way to promote your bar is by partnering with local businesses. For example, you could team up with a nearby restaurant to offer discounts to customers who show their receipts from your bar. This is a great way to get new customers in the door and helps build relationships with other businesses in your community.

Invest n high-quality music and entertainment -

This is one area where you shouldn't cut any corners. If your music and entertainment are subpar, it will reflect poorly on your establishment as a whole. Invest in a good sound system and make sure you have a variety of bar music to please all types of customers.

Live bands are always a big hit, so consider having them perform on certain nights. You could also hire DJs to play popular songs to get people dancing. Karaoke is another fun option to bring in a big crowd if done right. Whatever route you choose, just make sure it's high quality and will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Offer food -

While not all bars need to offer food, it can be a selling point for customers. Having a few simple snacks like chips or pretzels can make a big difference. If your bar is large enough, you might consider hiring a chef to prepare some simple but delicious dishes.

Another great way to get people in the door is by hosting special events. This could be anything from live music to trivia night. You’ll become the go-to spot for fun in your area by offering something unique.

Of course, one of the most important things you can do is offer excellent customer service. Make sure your bartenders are knowledgeable and efficient and that they’re always treating customers with respect. If you create a welcoming atmosphere, people will be more likely to come back again and again.

Offer discounts and happy hours -

This is a great way to attract customers, especially during slower times of the day. By offering discounts on certain drinks or appetizers, you can bring in a lunch crowd or early evening drinkers. Many bars also offer happy hours with reduced prices on drinks. This is usually during the weekday afternoons.

Additionally, you can also offer drink specials each night. For example, Monday might be “margarita night,” where all margaritas are half-priced. This will give customers a reason to come back each week to try something new. And finally, don’t forget about your regular customers! Offering loyalty cards or discounts for frequent visitors is a great way to keep them returning.

These are just a few tips to help you get your local bar busier than ever. By offering discounts, happy hours, and drink specials, you’ll be sure to attract new customers and keep your regulars coming back for more.

8 Ways To Flip The Switch And Start Working For Yourself

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

Making the switch from traditional employment to self-employment can be a daunting task. But it doesn't have to be. With careful planning and execution, you can make the transition seamlessly and start enjoying the benefits of being your own boss.

Here Are Some Tips To Help You Flip The Switch And Start Working For Yourself:

First, define your goals and objectives.

Before making any major changes, it's important to sit down and define your goals and objectives. What do you hope to achieve by going into business for yourself? What are your long-term career goals? Answering these questions will help you create a roadmap for success.

Do your research.

If you're not sure where to start, do your research. Plenty of resources are available online and offline to help you get started. Talk to other entrepreneurs, read books and articles, and attend business events. The more you know, the better prepared you'll be.

Create a business plan.

Once you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, it's time to start putting together a business plan. This doesn't have to be a lengthy document, but it should outline your business goals, strategies, and financial projections. Having a solid plan will give you a roadmap to follow and help keep you on track.

Get organized.

One of the keys to success in any venture is organization. When you're self-employed, there's no one else to keep track of your schedule or remind you of deadlines. That means it's up to you to stay on top of things. Get organized from the start by setting up a WEBX360 system that works for you.

Find a support network.

One of the challenges of working for yourself is feeling isolated and alone. But it doesn't have to be that way. There are plenty of resources and support groups available for entrepreneurs. Seek out others who are in similar situations and build a network of supportive relationships.

Set aside time for marketing and networking.

Marketing and networking are essential for any business, but they're often overlooked by entrepreneurs. Make sure you set aside time each week to market your business and connect with others in your industry. These activities will help you generate leads, build relationships, and grow your business.

Stay flexible.

Things change rapidly in the business world, so it's important to stay flexible. Be prepared to pivot and adjust your plans as necessary. The ability to adapt is one of the most important qualities for any successful entrepreneur.

Don't give up.

Starting your own business is not easy. There will be ups and downs, but it's important to persevere. If you believe in your business and are willing to put in the hard work, you'll eventually see success.

In Closing

Making the switch from traditional employment to self-employment can be a daunting task. But with careful planning and execution, you can make the transition seamlessly and start enjoying the benefits of being your own boss. Follow these tips to flip the switch and start working for yourself today.

Making Payments Easy For Your Customers

Candy WashingtonComment

Hi lovelies,

You need to give your customers the best shopping experience to increase sales, build customer loyalty, and stay competitive in the market. You don't want your customers or employees to have a hard time paying, whether they do it over the phone, online, or through web chat. The customer may go somewhere else the next time they want to buy something, or a sale may be lost.

Consumers have high hopes these days. Customers expect your business to make it easy and safe for them to keep their personal information safe. Cardholder data needs to be trusted with your company because of the recent huge data breaches that hurt major brands.

Also, the process must be easy to follow and free of problems like dropped calls, long wait times, and systems that are hard to understand.

If you want to make it easier for your customers to pay you, think about these things:

Don't Ask People To Read Out The Details Of Their Cards

Consumers are becoming more aware of what information they share, how they share it, and who they share it with. Dealing with fraud after a customer buys something from your company would be a nightmare from the customer's point of view. Do you know if an agent wrote down the card information or if someone overheard them reading it out loud? If so, your systems may have been hacked, which would be a data breach.

You may have spent a lot of time on the phone with a customer talking about their order, trying to sell them more products, and going over the terms and conditions. If the customer doesn't feel comfortable giving sensitive payment information over the phone, you might lose a sale and a good customer.

If you want customers to trust you, you need to keep their payment information safe. When a customer types their card number into their phone keypad, nothing private is said out loud. No sensitive information is seen by the agent or your IT systems, and the payment is processed right away and not saved. You could also ask them to credit card readers for business too. 

Have Constant Communication

Conversations with customers shouldn't end until the order has been placed, with as few breaks as possible. You shouldn't send them to a payment team that has its own calling queue, and you shouldn't ask them to call back on a secure line. During the whole process of making a payment, your agent will build a good relationship with the customer that can be kept going. This will lead to a good experience all around.

When a customer pays by phone, your customer service agent must always be able to talk to the customer. Losing a sale because a customer can't enter their credit card information, won't answer the callback, or can't get in touch with someone from the payments team is the worst thing that can happen.

Easy To Use And Set Up

Using cloud-based payment systems and flexible licensing models makes it possible for an organization to roll out changes more quickly. The system should be simple and easy to understand so that customers don't have to go through a long training process.

If you hire temporary or work-from-home agents, it's helpful to be able to easily change the size of your system.

When you use a simple and reliable provider, you can save a lot of time because you won't have to keep fixing problems, dealing with technical problems, and getting angry when customers call. If your staff starts to dislike the system they use every day, it will show in the way they handle calls.

Do your customers really want your agents to have to apologize and gripe about the system they have to use?

Have The Option To Save Card Information

Every time a customer places an order with you, they will have to give you their payment information. By letting them save their card information, you can make it easier for them to order from you again in the future. Even if it only saves a minute or two per payment, it could save your business a lot of money in the long run. You also save the time of your customers, which is a big plus.

As you'll see, there are many ways you can improve the payment process for your services or products and help your customers. It is a very important part of customer service that is often overlooked. By giving customers the best payment options and ways to pay, you reduce the chance that they will leave during the payment stage. One of the best things you can do is make sure everyone who works in customer service or sales knows how important simple payments are. Do you have any more advice to give?