Categories
Operations

How to Create an Office Space that Promotes Productivity

Whether you are moving to a new office or simply want to transform your existing space, here are a few tips to creating a professional look for less.

The first step to creating a contemporary office space is to establish your requirements. Make a note of the ideas you currently have for your new space in terms of colour themes, furniture and design ideas. Do you simply want to re-decorate your office or completely change the layout? Identify the negative aspects of your existing space and think of innovative ways to change the things you dislike. Before you go online to get inspiration for your makeover, it is essential to put a budget in place. This will not only stop you from overspending but it will also narrow down your options and therefore save you time on your search.

A professionally designed office can increase the productivity of your team simply by providing employees with an inspiring work environment. If you want to get the best out of your employees, it is essential that you create an office space that is not only practical but stylish. Making a few simple changes to the interior of your office can have a positive effect on employees and happy employees make a productive workforce.

Something as simple as upgrading your office furniture can make your team feel happier about being part of your office. If your employees are uncomfortable, it will have a negative influence on their attitude and in turn your revenue. In order to get the best out of your team you need to provide your employees with chairs that are comfortable to sit on for long periods of time and promote good posture. If you want to take it up a level, why not consider changing your colour scheme or making your surroundings more modern with a few impressive design features?

One important thing to remember is that you don’t have to go it alone. There are a number of interior design companies that will be very happy to help with the makeover. Whether you want to optimise the space you have with a couple of clever design ideas or wish to embark on a complete refurbishment, a professional company can provide you with the inspiration you require. Go online to search for an interior design specialist and seek advice on how to make the most of your office space. Do your research to find a recommended company that can make your dream office space a reality.

Categories
Success Attitude

Problems… The Ultimate The Key to Wealth And Success!

Do you have problems in your life right now?

If you are a living, breathing, human being, I would bet the answer is ‘yes’. This is because every single person on this planet has problems all the time. You are not alone!

However, do you allow your problems to stop you from achieving your goals or do you allow your problems to challenge you into becoming a stronger & wiser person? Do you allow your problems to cause you stress and unhappiness or do you allow your problems to ignite your fighting spirit?

If Only I Had No Problems

Many people who come to my courses tell me that ‘problems’ are the main cause of their unhappiness, stress and failure. They wish that by learning my strategies, they can rid their life of all their problems once and for all.

You Will Always Have Problems

I normally respond by telling them the harsh truth. They will always be problems in your life. Whenever you solve your problems, you can bet that another three more will pop up! The only time you will have no more problems is when you are lying in the graveyard… 6 feet under.

In fact, being more successful doesn’t rid you of your problems… it actually creates more! The more successful you become, the more and the bigger problems you will have to deal with. Successful people have a lot more problems that mediocre people. That is because the former tend to take more action.

For example, when my company was small and I was just a one-man trainer in Singapore, I had very few problems. Now that my company (Adam Khoo Learning Technologies Group) has over a hundred staff and is operating in 7 countries, training over 90,000+ people a year, I have much bigger problems to solve.

Everyday, my management team and I are solving problems- problems in Singapore, problems in India, problems in China, problems in developing new breakthrough programs, problems in managing 100+ staff, problems with managing more programs, more business partners, and more trainers etc…

We Need Problems…They Make Us Grow Smarter and Stronger

Many of us may not like problems. We all wish that everything can go the way we expect, smoothly.
However, the truth is that we NEED problems. Problems are what challenge our minds and spirit. Problems force us to think of new ideas. Problems force us to grow as a person- to develop courage, resolve, determination and gratitude. Problems teach us the most valuable lessons and make us into better people.

If everything came easily, we tend to get complacent, weak and ungrateful. We will keep doing the same things, staying in our comfort zone and stop learning and growing.

Successful People Are Bigger Than Their Problems, Mediocre People Are Smaller Than Their Problems

What I have realizes is that successful people tend to be BIGGER than their problems whereas mediocre people tend to be SMALLER than their problems.

Imagine that you have a level-5 problem and you are a person with level-3 capabilities. To you, it would be a relatively big problem, wouldn’t it? It would cause you stress and unhappiness. However, if you grew yourself to become a level-8 person (with more knowledge and skills), the same problem will seem relatively small. If you grew yourself to become a level-12 person, it may not seem like a problem anymore.

So, the key to becoming more and more successful is NOT to AVOID PROBLEMS. The key to success is to KEEP GROWING YOURSELF to become BIGGER than your problems, and to become bigger than any problem! For example, when I first started as an inexperienced trainer, I would find rowdy and resistant people in my audience to be a huge problem. As a result of constantly learning new ways of managing my thoughts, learning new persuasion techniques and becoming more and more confident and charismatic, it is no longer a problem to me. I am able to easily handle and turn around resistant people in my audience!

When I first started my business, I found that it was a huge problem to market my products and programmes to the public. Although I had high quality programmes, it was very difficult to attract people to sign up. After 10 years of dealing with these problems, I have developed the marketing, branding and selling skills such that it is now so easy to attract thousands of people to attend my best-selling programmes.

It Is Not The Size Of Your Problems… It Is The Size Of Your Capabilities!

So, if you find that you have huge problems in your life, realize that it is not the size of the problem that is the problem…The real issue is the level of your own capabilities and mindset. It is the size of you! When you start to increase your skills, knowledge and capabilities, your problems will start to become small in comparison.

Whenever I find that a problem that causes me stress, it tells me that I need to grow myself so that I can deal with it. In other words, ‘Don’t wish for things to get better, make yourself better!’

If You Want to Be Rich… Find And Solve Bigger Problems For More People

Problems are also the source of wealth.

People often ask me the secret of creating wealth, My answer usually is, ‘find lots of problems and solve them’. They usually look at me with a blank stare. Let me explain.

When do customers pay us? Why do companies pay us (if we are working as a employee?) They pay us only because we can help them to solve their problems to reach their goals. The bigger the problems we can solve for people, the more we get paid! Your income is a result of the amount of problems you can solve.

Think of why a heart surgeon gets paid so much more money than a massage therapist, for example. A message therapist solves a small problem- helping people to relieve their aches and pains. A heart surgeon solves a much bigger problem- he/she helps save people’s life by repairing their hearts.

Why does a company CEO get paid 1,000 times more than a janitor? Once again, it is because the CEO has the ability to solve problems 1,000 times larger than what the janitor can solve. If the company is losing customers and market share, a good CEO will be able to turn the company around and solve this big problem. Can a janitor solve such a big problem? No! The janitor can only solve small problems- when someone spills something on the floor and it needs to be cleaned.

So, instead of asking, ‘how can I get rich?’, you should ask, ‘how can I help more people solve their problems? By focusing on helping more people solve their problems, wealth will come to you as a natural by-product!

When I first started in my career, I created wealth by helping students solve their problems of failing in school. I taught them strategies to make learning easy and fun and to get self-motivated to excel.

Then, I asked the question, ‘How can I help even MORE PEOPLE?’ That question inspired me to write 12 books to teach more and more people all over the world. That question inspired me to create BLOGs (like this one) to encourage more and more people around the world. That question inspired me to create a whole range of programmes- Wealth Academy, Patterns Of Excellence, I Am Gifted etc… to help people solve their problems from all walks of life and ages.

The more and more people I was able to help, the more wealthy I have become- not just financially wealthy, but spiritually wealthy as well.

So, stop avoid problems, Embrace your problems, find more problems and solve them!

Categories
People & Relationships

8 Ways to Become a Better Co-worker

Contributed by: Online Business Degree

You might be the most diligent and hardest working person in the office, but if your co-workers don’t know you or don’t really like you, then you’re going to have problems down the road. One tactless comment or annoying habit can ruin your work relationships and lessen your chances of moving up in a company. Even if you’re already a kind, respectful co-worker, there’s always room to grow and improve. Here are eight ways to become a better, more well-rounded co-worker.

1. Be cheerful and positive:

If you want to be a better co-worker, start with being more cheerful and positive during the day. Don’t be like most of your colleagues and walk straight to your desk, head down, not saying a word. Why not be the one to boost the office morale with your kindness and positive attitude? It’s amazing what a smile and a cheery “hello” can do to a quiet office. Try it and you’ll see how well people respond to your spunky, happy-go-lucky vibe.

2. Stop gossiping:

Gossip doesn’t belong in the workplace. Period. Nothing good will come of talking about someone else’s private affairs, and if word gets back to your boss or HR that you were engaging in gossip, then you could end up in a real mess. Respect your co-workers and don’t talk behind their backs. It’s an easy fix that will make you a better and more trustworthy co-worker.

3. Be a good listener and think before you speak:

It might seem like a no-brainer to listen when spoken to, but it’s something we can all work on. When a co-worker approaches your desk, don’t just look at your computer while they speak, stop what you’re doing, make good eye contact, and listen closely. In addition, when a co-worker says something you don’t agree with, don’t just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. Your comment could be just as offensive as the first and that won’t make you look any better. Think before you speak and you’ll be A-OK with your co-workers.

4. Be polite:

Politeness may not come naturally for you, especially at 8 a.m., but that’s no reason not to work on it. From holding the door for a co-worker to saying a simple “please” and “thank you,” politeness goes a long way. It may not earn you a salary raise or promotion, but people will notice and appreciate your good manners and that can make you more likeable overall.

5. Respect everyone’s privacy:

One thing that drives co-workers crazy is when someone butts into a conversation and pries for personal information. Nosiness can be a hard personality trait to break, but avoiding the issue will only make your likeability worse. If you want to become a better co-worker, respect your colleagues’ privacy and don’t pry for information if they don’t want to tell you. This one ties back to being polite and knowing good manners, especially during conversations.

6. Be open-minded:

Being open-minded to others’ views can be a struggle for many people, but it’s something that, when improved, can make a huge difference in your job. Whether it’s your co-workers’ ideas for a project or their religion, you should strive to be as objective and open-minded as possible. You’ll be a better team player for it and everyone can respect that.

7. Don’t abuse privileges:

If you’re lucky enough to work at a place that allows hour-long lunches, free gym memberships, or work-from-home days, make sure you’re not abusing these awesome privileges. Out of respect for your company and co-workers, keep your privilege use to a minimum and keep it under the radar. Don’t take long, unnecessary breaks or flaunt when you get to come late or leave early. Stay on par with your co-workers and use your privileges sparingly, and people will respect you and your professionalism.

8. Stop complaining:

Nobody likes a non-stop complainer. We all have ailments, relationship problems, and life crises, but that doesn’t mean you have to talk about it at work. That’s what shrinks are for. You may have a legitimate complaint that merits venting, but don’t forget that you have to work at work and a 30-minute bitchfest is a waste of valuable time. Be a better co-worker by saving your gripes for lunchtime or after work and try to get back to your positive self as quickly as possible.

Categories
How-To Guides

How to Build Targeted Traffic without Google: Part 3

In part 1 and part 2 of this series I’ve been outlining alternate ways to build targeted traffic without Google. Too many webmasters are frustrated with the Google Monster’s hijynx. You work your tail off to build steady traffic to your site only to have Google yank it back again through one of their infamous updates. These articles will help you outline a self-contained marketing plan that allows you to rely less on Google.

In part 1 of this series, I showed you a simple way to set up a very effective, automated list-building system using a special report. Part 2 introduced you to the real world of affiliate marketing. And in this installment, we’ll talk about promoting with video.

The Popularity & Reach of Video

There’s no doubt that video is enormously hot right now. People from all walks of life are clamoring around their computer monitors to view all sorts of clips from hilarious to educational.

You’ll even find video on web pages working with (or sometimes replacing) the sales copy. What’s even better… when people spot a video they love, they share it with all their friends/associates. Thanks to the huge reach of social media, it’s oh-so-simple to launch a video and have it go viral within a matter of hours.

Guess what else? People actually visit the websites mentioned in videos. Because the promo struck a chord, your prospects are more likely to click to your site to check out your offer. Just how big of a reach are we talking?

Video is Growing by Leaps and Bounds

According to Website Monitoring:

  • YouTube, the biggest video search engine, exceeds 2 billion views every day.
  • The average person spends 15 minutes a day on YouTube.
  • 3 million people are connected to YouTube and auto-share to at least 1 social network.

But that’s just for individuals, right? Wrong! Businesspeople are just as into video as everyone else is.

MagnetVideo.com compiled some stats from various sources that show corporate folks watch their fair share, too.

  • Forbes reports that more than 75% of C-Suite Executives surveyed said they watch work-related online video on business-related website at least weekly. 65% of C-suite Executives report visiting a vendor’s website after watching their online video.
  • Online video usage by the leading 100 retailers increase by 18%.

Sounds Great, But I Don’t Know How to Make Videos

Yeah, neither did I. That is until I took a few courses and found some awesome resources online to help. I can honestly tell you that it isn’t as hard as you’d think. There are so many shortcuts and programs that do most of the work for you these days. In fact, you can literally be ready to produce and upload your very first video within a few hours.

If I – little miss non-tech – can create and produce videos, you can, too.

This is exactly how I learned. I started with Bob “The Teacher” Jenkins’ SIMPLE Video Course. I was actually making videos after the first 3 modules. There are 10 modules total that walk you through everything you need to know to get started. By the time you’re finished, you’ll be equipped to make:

  • List-building videos
  • Talking head videos
  • Animated videos
  • PowerPoint videos (my fav!)
  • Product creation videos
  • Screencasts (screen captures) (another fav!)
  • Training courses
  • Webinars
  • And more

It also goes into how to upload the videos to a bunch of different places so you get maximum exposure.

Then, I found a whole boatload of cool templates, graphics, music and other stuff for cheap at Screencast Studios.

What, Exactly, Am I Supposed to Do With the Videos?

The options are limitless.

  • Give away training videos as a list-building technique.
  • Promote your products or online events with talking head videos.
  • Start a viral campaign with cute, animated videos.
  • Make webinars or products to sell with PowerPoint videos.
  • Show people how to use your product or how to solve a problem with screencast videos.
  • But videos on your sales page to enhance your copy.
  • And way more.

Want to see some of the videos I’ve done? Click over to my YouTube channel for a little inspiration.

Seriously, it didn’t take me but a few minutes each to make the videos you see here. And they’ll live on YouTube, my blog and other video sites forever generating qualified traffic to my site.

Categories
Finance & Capital

A Compelling Case for Investing that Tax Refund

Contributed by Kelly Spors

Given all the business deductions available in 2011, there’s a decent chance you got a refund from Uncle Sam or are awaiting your refund. It’s often tempting to treat such tax refunds like gifts and splurge on things you want, whether it’s a vacation or the latest personal gadget. But the more responsible – and potentially lucrative – thing to do is to invest the money for your future. Chances are, your retirement account could use a little extra cushion these days.

By investing the refund money today, you can benefit from compounding returns – or the idea that you will generate earnings that over time will generate their own earnings, allowing your invested sum to grow exponentially.

Here’s a look at how investing your 2011 tax refund can pay off down the road:

Let’s say you received back from Uncle Sam $3,000, which is the average tax refund amount today, according to the Internal Revenue Service. You put that $3,000 in a broad mix of stock and bond mutual funds inside, say, a Roth IRA. (A nice advantage of the Roth is that, while you don’t get any upfront tax deduction, the money grows and can be withdrawn tax-free in retirement.)

That $3,000 would grow to about $9,500 after 20 years, assuming a 6% average annualized rate of return – or more than triple its current value. Now let’s say you decide to invest every tax refund you get for the next 20 years, and, for simplicity’s sake, we’ll say you get $3,000 every year. You’ll have almost $117,000 in your Roth after those 20 years. That alone probably isn’t enough to fund the retirement of your dreams, but it’s a nice extra cushion. And it’s certainly enough to help you pay for those extra things in retirement you may dream about, whether it’s a trip around the world or a timeshare on the beach.

Of course, there are many other responsible ways business owners could spend their tax refunds, including paying down debt or investing it back in the business. So if you’re unsure what’s right for you, it’s worth consulting your accountant or financial advisor.

About the Author:

Kelly Spors writes for RothIRA.com, a leading retirement and Roth IRA resource. A former Wall Street Journal reporter, Kelly has written about small business and personal finance for The New York Times, Entrepreneur magazine, Yahoo! and SmallBizTrends.com.