Category: Freelancers

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Thriving on the Move: Top Tips for Successful Digital Nomads

The digital nomad lifestyle offers a unique blend of professional fulfillment and global exploration. But selecting a career that embraces flexibility and adaptability is crucial. This article explores innovative career paths and practical strategies to help you succeed as a digital nomad, ensuring your work-life balance remains intact while you traverse the globe.

Discover career paths and strategies to thrive as a digital nomad while maintaining work-life balance on the go. Image: Freepik

Diversifying Your Freelance Income

In the ever-evolving world of freelancing, relying on a single income source can be risky. By diversifying your freelance gigs, you can create a stable income stream and mitigate the risks associated with market fluctuations. Engaging in multiple opportunities not only boosts your earning potential but also provides a safety net during slow periods. For instance, if you’re a graphic designer, consider offering web design services or digital marketing consultations. This approach broadens your client base and increases your chances of landing high-paying projects, fostering long-term success in the gig economy.

Managing a Variety of Currencies

Managing finances across different currencies is a crucial skill for digital nomads. Utilizing multi-currency accounting software can simplify the process of invoicing and receiving payments in various currencies. This software helps with currency conversions and mitigates risks associated with foreign exchange fluctuations. By automating these processes, you can reduce the risk of errors and focus more on your work, ensuring a smoother digital nomad lifestyle.

Utilizing Cloud Storage for Seamless Collaboration

Cloud-based storage platforms are essential for digital nomads who need seamless access to documents and collaboration tools from any location. Services that offer robust security and user-friendly interfaces are ideal for both personal and professional use. These platforms allow multiple users to work together on documents in real-time, enhancing productivity and teamwork. By choosing the right cloud storage service, you can overcome the challenges of remote work and maintain efficient communication with your team, no matter where you are.

Becoming Remote Accountant

Pursuing a degree in accounting can be a game-changer for aspiring digital nomads. By enrolling in an online accounting program, you can develop specialized skills in managerial accounting and accounting research. These programs are designed to fit your busy schedule, allowing you to work full-time while advancing your education. With the growing demand for accountants, especially those with certifications like CPA or CMA, you can significantly enhance your career prospects. Check this out to equip yourself with essential financial expertise.

Leveraging Digital Tools for Networking

Networking is vital for digital nomads and leveraging online platforms can enhance your professional growth. Virtual networking communities offer vibrant spaces to connect with like-minded individuals, exchange insights, and seek advice. These platforms not only facilitate professional connections but also provide emotional support, which is crucial for combating isolation. Additionally, online learning resources enable you to acquire new skills and languages, enhancing your adaptability and cultural immersion. By integrating these tools into your routine, you can expand your network and continuously develop your skills.

Ensuring Health Coverage

Ensuring you have the right health insurance is crucial when traveling as a digital nomad. Each country has its own healthcare regulations, which can impact the type of insurance you need. Opting for international health insurance that aligns with global standards can provide comprehensive coverage, ensuring you meet diverse legal requirements. This not only helps you avoid potential legal issues but also ensures your healthcare needs are covered, allowing you to focus on your work and travel adventures.

Creating a Budgeting Plan

Becoming a digital nomad requires meticulous financial planning. Establishing a comprehensive budget that accounts for essential expenses like accommodation, food, and transportation is crucial. Utilizing budgeting apps can help you track your spending and stick to your financial plan. Additionally, travel hacking techniques, such as using credit card points or frequent flyer miles, can significantly reduce travel expenses. By adopting these strategies and maintaining a disciplined approach to your finances, you can enjoy the freedom of the digital nomad lifestyle while ensuring financial stability.

Maximizing Productivity with Coworking Spaces

Coworking spaces offer digital nomads a reliable workspace with essential amenities, allowing them to stay productive and connected no matter where they are. Additionally, these spaces foster networking opportunities, connecting remote professionals with like-minded individuals and potential collaborators. Discover the perfect blend of productivity and comfort at UNOVA Coworking, where you can enjoy high-speed Wi-Fi, free coffee, and flexible workspaces tailored to your needs. Visit us today and experience a workspace that feels like home, without the distractions!

The digital nomad lifestyle is a thrilling adventure that offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and exploration. By choosing adaptable career paths, diversifying income streams, and honing essential skills, you can excel in this dynamic environment. With the right strategies and tools, the world becomes your office, and every destination a new chapter in your professional journey.

Questions or comments? Have any additional tips or resources to share? Reply below or reach out to Courtney Rosenfeld.

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Manage Your Business’s Cash Flow in 4 Simple Steps

Keeping the cash flow steady at your business can be a long and frustrating process, even when sales are good. This is because there are several factors that go into your finances, and some get overlooked in the course of daily operations, such as the state of your inventory management. By making some small changes to the way your business handles certain tasks, you could make meaningful progress when it comes to your cash flow. Here are a few tips from UNOVA Coworking to help you get started.

Photo via Pexels

Incorporate

If you haven’t already incorporated your business, consider doing so for the many advantages your business will see. There are several different corporation types and they all have various advantages. For instance, forming an S corporation allows you to take taxes out of your paycheck rather than paying them in one lump sum at the end of the year, and it also allows for a deduction for your payroll, which means your tax responsibilities will be lowered. There is also a C corporation option, which allows for a much stronger form of protection for your company and its shareholders. Read up on the benefits of incorporating to figure out which option is best for your business, and get some help with filing the corporation paperwork.

Invest in Helpful Software

Whether you choose to incorporate or not, you’ll need the best and most updated software in order to make sure your payroll and accounting records are on track. These days there are several options available according to your business’s specific needs, and while it’s still a good idea to utilize the services of a professional accountant at tax time, there are programs that can help you keep track of your expenses and income throughout the year so you won’t face any nasty surprises. You can choose between software that incorporates both accounting and invoicing tools or look for specific programs that focus on one or the other.

Create a Loyalty Program

While keeping track of your cash flow is essential, it’s also crucial to look for ways to bring more money in. You might partner with a local business so both of you can benefit from the exposure, or create a loyalty program to encourage repeat customers. Businesses make much more profit from loyal customers than they do from new ones, so this is a great way to boost your income without spending a lot of money in the process.

Working with other small businesses can get your brand more exposure, so make sure that you have a simple, but high quality, logo that captures your company’s product and spirit. If you don’t yet have a logo, look for programs online. There are even some free options that allow you to customize templates or create your own from scratch. It’s logo design made easy, and your business will reap the benefits.

Make It Easier for Customers to Pay

Once you can keep your customers coming back, it’s a good idea to make paying invoices as easy as possible for them so you don’t have to waste valuable time and money tracking down payments. Consider digitizing invoices, offering a small discount for early payments, creating multiple pay options, discounting subscriptions, and/or offering email or text reminders to ensure they know when billing dates are. The easier it is for your customers to keep track of their bills and due dates, the faster you’ll get your money, allowing your business to keep cash flowing freely.

Maintaining a healthy cash flow for your company will ensure that you aren’t scrambling to find resources during slower times of the year, and it will help to reduce the stress that comes with running a business. By getting organized and utilizing a few different tools, you can keep communication open with vendors and customers to make sure your finances are in great shape.

Having a dedicated office space is nice, but it can be expensive. A more budget-friendly option is a coworking space, like UNOVA Coworking. Not only do we offer a quality workspace with many office essentials included, but you will also get the benefit of networking from your office. Visit us online to learn more about how you can save money by using our coworking space for your business!


Questions or comments? Have any additional tips or resources to share? Reply below or reach out to Julie Morris.

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How to Overcome Failure and Succeed at Your Startup

Starting a new business can be a daunting task. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the fear of failure and give up before starting. UNOVA Coworking explains that the right mindset and planning can help you overcome these fears and be successful at your startup.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Begin With a Business Plan

Creating a business plan is one of the best ways to prepare for success, notes the U.S. Small Business Administration. Having a clear sense of your long- and short-term objectives is essential for planning. This document can assist you in defining your goals, strategies, and tactics for achieving them.

It can also help you stay organized and focused, essential when starting a new business. The plan should include a section about using technology to automate customer payments as a vital part of your vision.

An online payment system offers many benefits, including security, convenience, and assurance for your customers. A great option is Helcim, an online payment system with low fees.

Connect With a Mentor

Grand Canyon University points out that one of the best ways to overcome fear is to connect with someone successful in the industry you’re looking to enter. A mentor can provide invaluable insights and advice and help you avoid common pitfalls.

Look for someone who has started a business in your industry. A mentor can provide you with first-hand experience and knowledge about what to expect. You can also find mentors through online forums, social media, or your local chamber of commerce.

Keep Your Goals Achievable

One of the best ways to overcome fear is to set achievable goals. This small step can help you stay motivated and positive as you progress. When your goals are attainable, you can celebrate each milestone along the way.

Don’t Skip Marketing Your New Business

When you start a new company, marketing is vital, and you don’t have to hire an advertising agency. You can handle several parts of branding and advertising yourself. For example, it’s simple to create an ad for social media with this Facebook ads maker. You can include your logo, graphics, fonts and color combos to customize your offering and let the nearly 3 billion users of the platform know who you are and what products or services you offer.

Take Care of the Legal Requirements First

One of the most important and often most daunting aspects of starting a business is taking care of the legal requirements. These can include registering your company name and getting licenses and permits.

Many online services can help you take care of the legal requirements. For example, LegalZoom can help you register your business name and create your business structure. Flexibility, limited liability, tax benefits, and less paperwork are just a few advantages of having an LLC as your legal business entity.

Change Your Attitude About Failure

Failure is one of the biggest fears people have about starting a business. But you can change your attitude about failure and use it to your advantage.

Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, is an excellent example of someone who used failure to his advantage. Edison failed many times before creating the light bulb, but he didn’t let those failures stop him. He used them to learn and improve his invention.

Success Is Obtainable With the Right Steps

Fear of failure can prevent you from starting a business, but you can overcome it with the right mindset and planning.

UNOVA Coworking believes in fostering community to help spur the growth of small businesses and organizations in and around Western New York and the southern tier. Reach out for more info today!

Questions or comments? Have any additional tips or resources to share? Reply below or reach out to Marissa Perez.

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Wellness and Working From Home: Tips for Cultivating a Healthy Remote Work Life

From the 10-second commute to the endless snacks and pet snuggles, remote work certainly has its perks. However, making sure your home is a great place to work takes effort. Courtesy of UNOVA Coworking, here are some things you can do to improve your professional productivity and personal wellness as you work remotely.

Image via Pexels

Set a Schedule

Remote work often translates to more flexibility in your day, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still value in keeping a schedule. Take breaks throughout the day, and have a hard stop at the end of your workday, so you don’t risk burnout or overworking. If feasible, get in the habit of temporarily removing any work-related apps from your cellphone during your off times to help foster a healthy balance between your work and personal life.

Additionally, look for ways to structure your day to optimize your time and effort. For example, it’s proven that taking on larger, more difficult tasks earlier in the day is best for productivity. You can even do a mock commute, which may involve a short walk, bike ride, or drive around the block or to your local coffee shop to help you enter “work mode” and get ready for the day.

Keep It Clean

When your home doubles as your workplace, keep your space as comfortable as possible, so you can focus on your job. If you feel negative energy creeping up in your space, try to declutter or reorganize your surroundings to create a more positive atmosphere. Spend a few minutes at the end of each day cleaning up your desk and work area. Invest in storage organizational furniture to keep nonessential items out of sight while you work to prevent distractions. If you need some extra help keeping your home clean, consider bringing in a professional housekeeper on a regular basis.

Eat Healthily and Stay Active

Working from home likely means you’ve got more time to cook healthy dishes instead of relying on quick microwave meals at the office. Develop a meal plan for each week, and always have healthy snacks on hand. Stay hydrated, and consider getting a water bottle with time markers to encourage you to maintain proper liquid intake throughout the day.

Be intentional about dedicating time each day to moving your body, as sitting for extended periods of time can be harmful to your health. Consider upgrading your regular desk to a standing desk to help improve your blood circulation and physical posture. An under-desk treadmill can also ensure you stay active while you work.

Staying Well While Staying Home

The rise of remote work has led to many opportunities to spend more time at home. As you optimize your remote work arrangement, keep your health and wellness top of mind. For more information on remote work, including how you can benefit from a coworking space in Springville, New York, visit UNOVA Coworking.

Questions or comments? Have any additional tips or resources to share? Reply below or reach out to Julie Morris.

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3 Tips for Perfecting Your Space When You Work From Home

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3 Tips for Perfecting Your Space When You Work From Home

According to recent remote worker statistics, 56% of companies around the globe offer telework options to employees, and those numbers are projected to grow as the world adjusts to post-pandemic life.  This means more people can work from home than ever before.  If you’re one of them, you may feel excited for the opportunity, but anxious about the reality of setting up your home office and making it a space where you can be efficient and productive.  Your house is your comfort zone where you let your hair down, relax, and settle in your loungewear.  So, how do you make it double as your office?  Here are some tips from UNOVA Coworking to make that happen!

1. Designate Your Work Space

The key to being productive when working remotely is having a distinct home office.  Just like a corporate workspace, your home office should be equipped for your professional needs and free of distractions.  Ideally, this space should be a room behind a door, like an extra bedroom, finished attic loft, or walk-in closet.  This way, you can close yourself in during work hours to avoid interruptions and shut the door behind you when the day ends.  If you only have a corner of a common space to work with, then consider getting a room divider that screens your view and muffles sound.

The goal is to make a space that allows you the convenience of a remote job, but also promotes a healthy work-life balance and prevents you from checking emails long into the night when you should be relaxing with your family.

2. Personalize Your Home Office

The great thing about a home office is that it doesn’t have to look like a sterile cubicle.  In fact, the more comfortable you make your space, the more productive you’ll be.  Even if you only telework one or two days a week, you’ll want to design and outfit your office for maximum efficiency.  Some creative and professional decor ideas include:

The idea of furnishing your home office can be daunting, especially if you’re on a budget.  Repurposing old, broken, or thrift store items is a great way to get the vibe you need for the room without breaking the bank.  You can find a quality upholstery service near you to repair and reupholster any pieces that need attention, which is often less expensive than buying a new office set.  Depending on your custom needs, style, and fabric choices, you can have a large sofa re-covered for $1,200-$3,500.  Before reaching out for a quote, be sure to conduct thorough research and do a deep dive into online customer reviews.

3. Find a New Space

Your studio apartment may have been perfect when you left home every day to go to work, but now that you’re a remote employee, you may feel cramped, anxious, or overwhelmed in your small space.  Major life changes require modifications, so if your living quarters no longer suit you, it may be time to move on.  If you’re interested in purchasing a new home, make sure to research the housing market in your area before making any big decisions.

If you can create a space in your home where you feel comfortable, motivated, and empowered, you’ll have no problem tackling the challenges of telework and becoming a top performer in your company in no time.

And if you ‘re looking for community (or need to put a little distance between you and your work), try a coworking space, like UNOVA!

Questions or comments?  Have any additional tips or resources to share?  Reply below or reach out to Chelsea Lamb.

UNOVA Coworking believes in fostering community to help spur the growth of small businesses and organizations in and around Western New York and the southern tier.  Feel free to reach out with any questions!

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Easy Expansion: Hiring and Managing Remote Workers

When it comes to business, there’s always strength in numbers. If you want to take your company to the next level, you’ll need to put together a cohesive team and learn to manage them in the era of remote working – here’s how you can get started.

Hiring Smart

Before you begin the hiring process, it’s important to outline exactly who and what the company requires to succeed. Many new ventures begin with just a CEO and an accountant but, as you begin to expand or take on new investment, you may need to accommodate your growth with a few key additions. At this crucial stage, your new personnel need to represent immediate value – for example, marketing generalists or sales representatives can help increase revenue or spread brand awareness, or a product manager could help to develop your product range and supply chains.

When it comes to actually hiring, the process can be as simple or complex as you need it to be. Generally speaking, however, it’s worth taking time to plan and structure – write out the desired skills, available budget, and experience required. There are hundreds of forums and platforms to help you discover talent. If you find that you’re time-poor, it could be worth hiring a recruiter to help filter out the best candidates and remove the burden of scrolling through resumés. If you’re a microbusiness, try to avoid larger recruitment agencies as you’ll find more affordable fees attached to smaller companies.

Planning Ahead

It’s crucial that new hires understand exactly where you intend to take your company and what their role is in its development. Maybe your priority is to generate high-quality leads and establish your brand within a particular demographic, or to dominate an emerging market, spreading the word as quickly and indiscriminately as possible – whatever your aim, it needs to be communicated clearly, as confusion can quickly lead to lapses in productivity. Create a process map to help to alleviate this issue and enable you and your team to analyze your shared processes and outcomes, helping everyone to stay organized.

To make life easier for everyone, it’s also important to do some work independently. This means taking everything you already understand about your business and your industry and writing the information down in the form of a mission statement. Until now, much of your company’s brand values, work practices, and long-term objectives have lived inside your head – if you want to successfully transition into a team-based business, you’ll need to be generous with knowledge and prioritize patience and clarity.

Managing Remotely

Even with all the right preparation, you’ll never know exactly what you’re undertaking until the team is formed and the work is underway. There are believed to be three primary management styles and up to ten sub-styles – it’s up to you to recognize your own strengths and apply these accordingly. It’s also important to remember that the world of work is changing rapidly and, in this day and age, talent often recognizes its own value. Familiarize yourself with the latest trends in company perks, mental health awareness, and paid leave/vacation allowance.

Remote working can make management tricky at times but you’re likely to turn off good workers if you insist too strictly on in-person attendance. A good strategy is to divide the week up with some days given for remote working and others for office work. With the right communication tools, there’s no reason why virtual management can’t work, just be certain to check in regularly and make use of collaborative software.

It’s always a nervy moment for a company when it comes time to expand, but if you can provide clarity of vision, keep an open mind, and collaborate with your new hires, there’s no reason why your business shouldn’t thrive.

UNOVA is a coworking space established in 2018, offering a range of facilities for emerging businesses. Learn more at www.unovacoworking.com

Questions or comments? Have any additional tips or resources to share? Reply below or reach out to Marissa Perez.

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6 Invoicing Practices for Faster Payments

An efficient invoicing system gets you paid faster and keeps you on customers’ good side (and vice versa).  Bad billing practices, on the other hand, cause revenue leakage, slow cash flow, and hurt customer satisfaction.

Image via Pexels

What sets good billing systems apart from the bad?  Use these tips from UNOVA Coworking to set up an accounts receivable system that’s built for growth.

1. Start with a professional invoice

A standardized invoice template is an essential component of any billing system.  Include your business logo, name, and address, and clearly state payment terms and due dates to eliminate confusion.  Always itemize services and products provided and note the types of payment accepted.

2. Choose an invoicing platform

If you’re still using spreadsheets, upgrade to cloud-based invoicing software.  Cloud-based apps are a boon for all types of business processes but especially finances.  Many of the leading platforms like Xero, Zoho Books, FreshBooks, and Quickbooks Online start at $20 a month or less.

Instead of manually inputting data, cloud-based tools automatically populate invoices to streamline invoicing and reduce errors.  Most include automated reminders so you can remind late-paying customers without any of the awkwardness.  You’ll get paid faster and set a high standard with customers.

3. Establish your payment terms

Clear expectations eliminate payment confusion.  Plainly state payment terms in contracts and invoices and include specific due dates.

How soon should customers pay?  It depends.  Net 30 used to be standard but shorter terms of Net 15 are becoming more common especially for new accounts.  A frequent late-payer might call for cash-on-delivery, while reliable customers might receive more generous terms.  Factor customer history and your cash flow needs when setting terms and consider late payment penalties and incentives to motivate on-time payments.

4. Enable recurring payments

Customers are more likely to pay on time when you make it easy.  Online payments and ACH transfers eliminate the delays and hassle associated with mailing a check payment.

Recurring payments are the gold standard for efficiency because they ensure you get paid.  Overdrafts are the biggest danger when subscription billing — no one appreciates a surprise fee! — but you can avoid overdrafts by verifying account balances using Plaid’s Balance API before initiating a transfer.

5. Monitor accounts receivable

Software takes a lot of the hassle out of invoicing, but it’s not totally hands-off.  Keep an eye on accounts receivable and don’t be afraid to pick up the phone when a client isn’t responding to friendly reminders.  Late payments can cause you to miss your own payment deadlines so it’s important to follow up.

Monitoring accounts receivable also draws attention to strengths and weaknesses in your billing system.  Do you have a lot of risky customers or a high turnover ratio?  You may need to tighten up collection policies to improve cash flow.  Are your best customers regularly maxing out their credit limits?  Raising the limit could encourage reliable customers to spend more.

6. Make sure it’s secure

Putting a customer’s financial data at risk can ruin a business relationship fast.  Security remains a top priority any time you’re handling customer payment data.  Verify that your payment service provider uses the latest security standards to prevent data breaches and protect customer data in the event it’s compromised.  Use strong passwords throughout all business systems and follow cybersecurity best practices to secure devices and networks.

Getting paid on time is easier said than done.  If you’re still relying on slow, manual processes to bill customers and accept payments, you’ll spend more time chasing payments than making money.  Optimize your accounts receivable with tools and tactics designed for the 21stcentury and start getting paid faster.

Questions or comments? Have any additional tips or resources to share? Reply below or reach out to Marcus Lansky.

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Autistic Individuals with Disabilities Find Career Success These Apps

Image from Pixabay

Having a disability can create challenges when it comes to job hunting and career advancement.  Having a disability alongside autism can often make it more challenging.  However, it’s definitely not impossible, especially with all the great apps that are available to assist you with every aspect of your job.  From landing an interview to enhancing your performance, there’s a useful app that can help.  Here are the best apps to help individuals with disabilities succeed in their careers.

But first, the most important part…

These days, you need a reliable smartphone. Stay in contact with clients, customers, other employees, or your boss with an up-to-date smartphone.  Thankfully, newer phones like these come with a plethora of accessibility features, like text-to-speech.  Just like it sounds, you can use this handy option to have your phone read what is on your screen to you.  Similarly, you can use dictation to have your phone type messages.  And that’s just the tip of the iceberg; be sure to explore the settings available in whatever phone you’re using.

It’s Break Time  

The It’s Break Time app was created specifically for people with disabilities to become more independent at their job.  It will remind the employee to take breaks on time and let them know when to return to work.  In addition, the app can also help support systems stay connected by sending alerts about the employee’s daily feelings about the job.  According to the app’s creators, Lampos Solutions, It’s Break Time is recommended for people with memory issues or developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. 

Hearing Aid Apps

This isn’t about one specific app, but a whole category of apps.  For the hard of hearing, most hearing aid manufacturers, including Signia, Widex, and Unitron, have a compatible app to enhance your hearing aid use.  The apps will allow you to control your hearing aid right from your smartphone.  That means no one else will be able to tell that you’re adjusting your hearing aid unless they can see your screen. 

Most hearing aid apps offer the ability to adjust the volume, block background noise, and connect to another device such as a TV, as well as offer advice and helpful tips about your hearing.  These apps will benefit your career by making it easy to adjust your hearing discreetly during a meeting, and by ensuring you’re always able to hear the presentation or instructions from your boss.  A hearing aid app can level the playing field between those with hearing difficulties and those without.  

While the Monster app wasn’t designed specifically for people with disabilities, it’s a great tool that connects job seekers with all kinds of jobs.  Its easy-to-use interface (specifically, you can swipe to apply for a job) means anyone can search for a job through the app, including individuals with disabilities.  Find the perfect job that works with or around your needs.  The Monster website even has an article with advice for those with disabilities who are searching for employment. 

Learning Online

Earning a degree that boosts your career prospects is easier than ever with the preponderance of online programs.  While technically not an app, earning an advanced online degree is convenient and affordable, and with flexible options available, you can continue working your current job as you learn.

Today, companies all over the world are designing apps for almost every use and for every audience.  That means autistic individuals with disabilities can get farther ahead in their jobs than ever before.  With the above apps, you can overcome any challenge and succeed in your career.

Need affordable office space?  UNOVA Coworking offers shared working spaces so you can work in a professional environment.  Schedule a tour today!

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From Great Idea to Detailed Plan:  Your Business Destiny Awaits

When an awesome idea hits, entrepreneurs are often ready to pounce, particularly when it is a unique business idea with a lot of potential.  Sometimes the small details of management planning are lost along the way, but those tasks are important parts of the daily management of business.  Fortunately, there are many tools and tricks to help business owners manage the minutiae of administrative tasks.  Read on for UNOVA Coworking‘s tips to make your business destiny come true.

Courtesy of Pixabay

Getting Goods and Supplies

Placing orders for supplies and managing your inventory is a crucial aspect of running your business.  If you are making drastic changes to the business and its goods or services, it may be necessary to identify alternative vendors specific to what you have in mind.  Often specialty vendors can be found through trade magazines.  Shop around to make sure you are accessing good prices and watch out for shipping costs, which can drastically impact your profit margins.

Inventory Assists

Maintaining inventory once your business is established can be a less-than-exciting task.  Fortunately, business owners can use inventory programs to stay ahead of their supply needs.  The best part of an inventory system is the automation that saves a ton of time and misery.  There are many programs available at a range of prices, depending on the size of your business and how much automation you require.

Business owners may be able to delegate some tasks to trusted employees if there is a question about whether there are adequate funds for an inventory program.  Inventory may be a good task to delegate initially.  As business increases and you get your sea legs under you, it may feel like a better time to invest in a program for inventory.  Sometimes there are tasks that business owners take on independently to save capital, and others are more vital to the functioning of the business, such as payroll.  When it comes to payroll, using an established, automated system can spare you hours at a computer and a lot of frustration.

Payroll Simplicity

Most business owners do not relish endless hours crunching numbers for payroll.  To avoid errors in manual calculations, automated platforms can be an ideal solution.  When you use a timesheet calculator, it creates a more accurate account of your worker’s time, including breaks and overtime usage.  Automated systems are also great for keeping track of the varying classifications of workers, which reduces the likelihood of human error.

Another factor to keep in mind regarding payroll is that if you have employees in other countries, you’ll need to find reliable methods for paying them.  One option is to use a money transfer service like Remitly, which allows you to streamline safe and secure payments to people at guaranteed delivery dates in many countries, including Mexico and India.

Technology has offered business owners a wide range of time-saving tools that can change operations for the better.  You can decide which ones meet your needs and whether they are worth the investment.  As your business continues to grow, you may find that automated systems are a time and energy saving way to operate.  Regardless of the systems you choose, consider ways to make your business sustainable and reduce your stress as an entrepreneur.

Questions or comments? Have any additional tips or resources to share? Reply below or reach out to Courtney Rosenfeld.

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11 Essential Apps for Business Owners to Have More Free Time

Business Apps
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If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or coach who’s working hard to get your passion project out into the world, but you also want more free time in your day-to-day life, then these apps are perfect for you. They’ll help you get organized and work efficiently so that all of your essential tasks don’t fall through the cracks. UNOVA Coworking offers a list of the top 11 apps that will help increase your productivity and give you back some precious free time!

1) Google Drive. It’s the perfect app for collaboration with colleagues, sharing documents, and storing company information. You can also create a document in seconds that will allow several people to work on it together in real-time.

2) Slack. This collaborative workspace allows individuals to work together with their business teams from wherever they are while retaining complete control over who has access to your conversations. It also offers integrations with other apps such as Dropbox so users can sync files across platforms without switching back and forth between different screens or programs.

3) Trello. Trello is a great way to manage projects. With its clean and straightforward interface, you can create boards for different tasks with cards representing the steps needed to complete those tasks.

4) Adobe Spark. When it comes to creating professional level designs for your social media or website, this app makes it easy to tap into your creativity. For example, you can use their banner generator to quickly craft a compelling design with fun graphics and fonts that give the impression it was made by a graphic designer.

4) Dropbox. This app allows users to store files in the cloud and access or share them from any device, anywhere. It offers integration with many other apps and desktop or laptop computers, making it a handy cloud app to have.

5) Zoom. This app is now a classic video conference and screen-sharing service that offers many of the same features as Skype or Facetime but has some great extras like recording meetings.

6) QuickBooks Enterprise. QuickBooks is distribution software for wholesale businesses that helps you keep track of inventory and optimize your wholesale distribution. It can automatically tally up purchases, record stock updates to ensure you have the correct information to fulfill our orders, avoid out of stock, and provide analytics on sales data for an easy view of how your company is doing financially. Integrations to leading e-commerce platforms are also a welcome feature.

7) QuickBooks. A flexible accounting app, QuickBooks allows you to manage expenses and invoices, track payments, and stay on top of all of your essential financial metrics and help curb your spending, among other things. It offers multiple integrations, as well as the ability to send reminders for overdue payments.

8) Scanner app. This app turns your phone into a document scanner, letting you quickly digitize paper documents. The ability to scan anywhere will make it easier to have your office on the go without needing to carry around endless bits of paper and post-its that inevitably end up getting lost.

9) Asana. This cloud-based work management app is excellent for people with many individual tasks or different projects to complete. It helps you keep track by providing reminders, and it also lets users share lists so that they can collaborate on projects together.

10) Evernote. Dividing up tasks among team members can save time for everyone. This app lets users share notes, lists, and files across devices to work together on projects efficiently.

Do you already use some of these, or do any of them sound like they could benefit your company? If so, give it a try to see if you can get a little help to free up your time.

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