Tag: Coworking

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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!

Posted on

11 Essential Apps for Business Owners to Have More Free Time

Business Apps
Image via Unsplash

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.

Posted on

How to Nail Your Reopening Marketing Campaign

When the pandemic struck, businesses everywhere asked themselves – how do we adapt? For some companies, transitioning was a simple matter. Others, however, had to take some time to figure out the best route forward. Closing up shop temporarily is a wise move. It gives you the chance to wait and watch the market, see what’s working (and not working) for other companies, and craft a solid plan for your company’s future.

serious ethnic woman at rural shop doorway
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Now that you have your plan, it’s time to reopen. Letting customers know you’re back in business can be a serious challenge. With a careful strategy to manage your day-to-day tasks so you can dedicate your full attention to this process, you can eliminate some of the overwhelm. Here’s a look at how to create and launch an effective reopening campaign:

Make Sure You’re Prepared

Your business can’t afford a misstep right now. Before you reopen, make sure you’re truly ready. Not only will faltering on your reopen cost you money, but it will also leave a bad impression with clients. You have to inspire confidence with this campaign, and being fully prepared will help ensure that.

If you’ve moved your company to fully remote, are you certain your employees are ready? Security risks are different (and sometimes unpredictable) when employees work from home. Make sure your employees know good digital security practices, such as not sharing their work device with family members. Never assume your employees already know, or that these practices are obvious – it’s better to give them redundant information than to miss something. 

You should also evaluate your budget before you reopen. Most companies took a pretty major hit at the start of the pandemic, and you need to make sure you have the funds you need to succeed. If you don’t, don’t panic: There are a ton of public and private resources out there for businesses affected by the pandemic. See what kind of aid you can get to keep your company going.

Focus on Digital Connection

Right now, one of the most cost-effective forms of outreach businesses can use is digital marketing. The great thing about this marketing avenue is it’s so flexible. You can invest in highly targeted ads and capture a specific audience; you can put in SEO groundwork and build a social presence; and you can combine these efforts to incredible effect.

If you have money to spare on advertising, look into targeted ad services. These are extremely effective because they go directly to the audience that needs your product. You’re not casting a wide net and hoping you’ll catch the right eyes – you’re money goes straight to ads that reach potential customers.

Low budget? You can still make a big impact on your company’s success through content marketing. If you don’t already have a blog, now is the time to start running one. Don’t just go in blind, however. Take some time to research your competitors, pay attention to industry trends, and craft a content marketing plan that will work for your business. High-quality content marketing can make a huge impact, without spending a ton of money.

Communicate With Clients Directly

Finally, spend some time connecting directly with clients and customers to let them know you’re reopening. This could mean making use of your email or mailing lists, or making phone calls to connect out loud. There are benefits to either approach – you can reach more people with a mailer or newsletter, and you’ll save yourself time. That said, you can never be confident that people are actually reading what you send them.

When you make a phone call, you get the chance to make a more personal connection with clients. Plus, you get information back this way. Phone calls can help you get a sense for whether or not clients have moved on, what they’re looking for in the current market, and how you can stand out in your field. However, there are only so many hours in a day, so you should prioritize the most lucrative clients, or the ones you think will give you the best information.

Running a reopening campaign can be a major challenge, but it’s well worth it. An effective campaign will bring back old clients, attract new ones, and show the world you’re ready to take on today’s challenges. And the best part is, it will set you up for a bright future.

Questions or comments? Have any additional tips or stories to share? Reply below or reach out to Naomi Johnson at Lifebasedbusiness.net.

Posted on

Keep Your Client Base Healthy Throughout the Pandemic and Beyond

Photo via Pexels

The success of your remote work and/or small business hinges heavily on your ability to keep up a consistent stream of income. This ultimately comes from steady clients, which speaks highly of your ability to keep them. And of course, as your business grows, you need to be able to increase your client base, as well.

That said, this is a tricky endeavor, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, which is why you also need to leverage tech tools in the spirit of social distancing. The following resources will undoubtedly be of use.

Look in the Right Places:

Be Specific to Your Industry/Expertise:

Stand Out from the Competition:

Create a Professional Environment:

Ultimately, having clients will undoubtedly keep you financially healthy throughout the pandemic (and maybe even beyond). As a bonus, being busy at work will also give you the purpose and distraction that will help you cope at this dark time. So, make the most out of your skills and the tools available to you to maintain and even add to your client roster. It’s for your own good.

Questions or comments? Have any additional tips or resources to share? Reply below or reach out to Derek Goodman at Inbizability.com.

Posted on

We (Re)Open Today, June 8th!

We’ve missed you!

We’re open and ready to help you
get work done.

Whew!  Nothing quite like putting the phrase “working alone sucks” to the test!  We know that many of you need to get back into an environment that is more conducive to your productivity, and that’s where we can help.

UNOVA officially reopens today, Monday, June 8th under Phase 2 of the NY Forward guidelines.  Our goal remains safety, so we have created a few new policies and procedures intended to help maintain a safe workspace for you and your fellow coworkers.

Reopening Procedures

Upon returning to the space, we will provide you with Welcome Back instructions and a personal hand sanitizer which will reserve your desk for the day.  In return, we require the following:

  • A signed return-to-space acknowledgment
  • Daily screening and check-in
  • Use of masks and social distancing measures

Stop by to check out the procedures, and reach out with questions.

Updated Website

We fully took advantage of the PAUSE and re-created our entire website! We hope it shows you and new members all the ways we can help you get work done, including our brand new reservable Zoom Room with webcam.  Check it out!

*NEW* Simplified Memberships 

You spoke.  We listened.  Check out our new, simple membership levels. They include the most used resources in our space, at prices you can afford.  Each membership (other than Day Passes) allows for 24/7 access to the space and use of our included amenities:

As always, if there’s something else you need, we’re willing to work with you and your organization to create a membership type that works for you!

Well friends, that’s all for now. We realize that your time and money are more valuable than ever, and we want you to know that we are here to support you.  Please reach out with any questions, ideas, comments, or concerns.  We are with you in this and are confident that we will get through it together.  

U NO longer have to work alone.

Posted on

Addressing Community Concerns Surrounding Coronavirus

Right now you can’t go anywhere without hearing about COVID-19. As businesses and schools are closing and many public events are being cancelled, we too are navigating the impacts of coronavirus and taking careful precautions to protect our coworking space members.

To keep our space open, operating, and healthy for our members, we have implemented the following:

  • The space is open to members and otherwise closed to the public. During this time, there are no drop-ins or tours accepted without prior notice.
  • We are diligently performing daily wipe down of surfaces, doorknobs, and light switches with disinfecting wipes.
  • Spaces are stocked with wipes, hand sanitizer, antibacterial hand soap, antibacterial dish soap, and tissues.
  • Paper towels are provided near all sinks.
  • Kitchens are stocked with disposable cups, silverware, and plates.
  • We have adequately spaced all desks and work stations at least 6 feet apart to abide by the NYS social distancing guidelines .
  • We are abiding by CDC recommendations to wash hands for at least 20 seconds (sing the Shout Song or the chorus to your favorite rock ballad).
  • We’ve ensured our cleaning company is using disinfecting processes and will clean more frequently.

Most importantly, we require coworking space members to stay home if anyone is not feeling well or showing any cold or flu symptoms.

UNOVA wishes everyone good health and stay safe.

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy