Categories
People & Relationships

Surveillance At Work?

If you’re looking to install a video surveillance system in the workplace, consider a few advantages and disadvantages first.

  • Installing video surveillance cameras in the workplace can increase security, deter theft and improve employee accountability.
  • Businesses that wish to install security cameras should consider not only the cost, but potential employee privacy issues and any legal guidelines on workplace surveillance.
  • The right choice for your company depends on the security risks you anticipate and how your employees and customers feel about being monitored.
  • This article is for business owners who are considering installing an on-premises video surveillance system at their store or office.

Every business owner wants a safe, comfortable and productive working environment for their staff. One way to help achieve this is to install surveillance cameras in the workplace. When implemented properly, surveillance cameras can deter theft and other adverse events, while also keeping employees accountable for their work and actions.

However, businesses that choose to install video security systems must do so with care. Surveillance cameras have legal implications, including consideration for people’s rights to privacy. Business owners should research the relevant laws and follow best industry practices regarding surveillance to prevent negative outcomes.

Not sure if video surveillance is the right security option for your business? Here are some pros and cons of surveillance cameras in the workplace, plus best practices for implementation.

Video surveillance pros

Installing a video surveillance system can offer a host of benefits for your business:

It provides security.

Surveillance cameras at the entrance of your business and inside the office can offer an overall sense of security. Video feeds can monitor who comes in and out of the building, which can deter intruders and make employees feel safer.

It reduces workplace crime.

Video surveillance can reduce the incidence of workplace crime, both external and internal. Those looking to break in are less likely to try if they see a surveillance camera at the entrance, and those who do are more likely to be caught after your team reviews the video footage. This same principle holds with internal theft: If employees are aware they’re being monitored, they’ll likely be discouraged from stealing from the office or store.

“The most significant advantage of setting up video surveillance cameras is it helps prevent crime,” said Glen Levine, co-founder and senior partner at The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. “The sight of a camera alone could deter a person from committing a crime, and if someone committed a crime, the footage from the cameras could be used as evidence.”

It helps prevent workplace harassment and violence.

Employees who experience workplace harassment and violence might be afraid to come forward or may not think the issue is “bad enough” to warrant investigation. One way to reduce the incidence of violence and assault is to install conspicuous video surveillance. Potential perpetrators are less likely to engage in workplace harassment if they know they are being watched – and even if they do, victims can come forward with evidence and without fear of repercussion.

It cultivates a productive work culture.

In addition to preventing negative events, surveillance cameras can create a more productive work environment. Employees who are aware of video security systems and other monitoring techniques are likely to work harder and waste less time, especially if there is an incentive for productivity.

“Employees tend to have better work ethic if they know someone is watching,” said Kim Chan, founder and CEO of legal tech platform DocPro. “They tend to come in and leave on time, plus work harder.”

Video surveillance cons

Video surveillance is not without its downsides. Here are a few to consider:

It could feel invasive.

While video surveillance can increase productivity, it can also have a negative effect when taken to its extreme. Employees may see the cameras as proof that their employer doesn’t trust them and is watching their every move. This is particularly true when monitoring extends to areas such as break rooms or when more extensive surveillance systems are established.

It can increase stress in the workplace.

While surveillance cameras in the workplace might give some employees peace of mind (as mentioned above), it could also backfire in this regard and actually increase employee stress. Team members may worry about whether their actions are perceived as “productive enough,” potentially leading to decreased productivity and burnout.

It sometimes provides a false sense of security.

Workplace surveillance cameras are great tools to increase safety, but they are not a replacement for the vigilance of employees and any security personnel. If companies implement video surveillance without actually monitoring them or taking other protective measures, they still leave themselves at risk for security breaches.

It can be expensive.

Between the equipment itself and wiring or installation charges, security cameras can often run up a hefty bill, which can be a burden for small businesses.

Video surveillance best practices at work

If you’ve decided to install a video surveillance system in your workplace, follow these best practices to avoid unwanted consequences.

1. Check state laws.

Before installing security cameras, make sure your intended usage of them complies with the law. Exact video surveillance laws vary by state, and some states do not have any specific workplace privacy laws at all. Broadly speaking, however, video surveillance should not infringe upon reasonable expectations of privacy.

“Surveillance cannot happen in a restroom or in a room where employees change into uniforms,” said Francine Love, founder and managing attorney of Love Law Firm PLLC. “If the room has a reasonable expectation of privacy, then the employer is well advised to not put a camera there.”

Levine noted that audio recording is most likely not permitted for workplace surveillance, so check your local laws before establishing a surveillance system with an audio component.

2. Involve your HR and legal department.

Your company’s HR team is an invaluable resource when it comes to workplace surveillance laws. HR can ensure that any security practices are reasonable and effective, protecting employee privacy and potential employer liability. Additionally, they can help communicate with employees about your video surveillance and any concerns your employees have.

You should also consult your business’s legal advisor or a reputable attorney who specializes in employment law before using a video surveillance system.

“Many employers are unaware of the privacy law requirements in their jurisdiction, and they set up surveillance systems that are out of legal bounds,” Love said. “This can cost them far more than the amounts they were attempting to protect.”

3. Be transparent with employees.

“Under the personal data privacy law in most jurisdictions, employers will need to let the employees know that they are being taped, the purpose of the surveillance, how the recordings will be used, and how long the recordings will be kept for,” Chan said. However, being as transparent as possible with your team is always a good practice, especially when it comes to surveillance.

Employees may feel uncomfortable with the idea of being monitored at first, but if you are transparent about your video surveillance system and its purpose, they’ll likely have fewer concerns. This should mitigate their feelings that you’re installing the cameras to spy on them or that you lack trust in them.

“Speak to the employees to see if they mind having such a system and, if possible, get their consent,” Chan added. “You do not want resignation or HR issues resulting from setting out surveillance cameras on employees without notice.”

4. Respect employees’ privacy.

Surveillance cameras installed in conspicuous spaces (such as main offices or storage rooms) generally do not cause privacy concerns. The issue arises when video cameras are installed in areas such as break rooms or if more invasive security methods are implemented. It’s important to consider any data privacy obligations that could be violated in the process, and avoid collecting this type of data.

5. Choose the best video surveillance system for your business.

If you’ve decided to purchase video surveillance equipment for your workplace, consider which system makes the most sense for your company’s needs. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

  • Type of camera. The two main types of video surveillance systems are Internet Protocol (IP) and analog. IP cameras offer network connectivity and more features than analog cameras. Storage systems also vary by camera type.
  • Necessary features. Consider when and where your business needs protection. For example, a business looking for after-hours security enhancement would benefit from night vision. If you’re installing cameras outdoors in areas exposed to the elements, it’s best to choose a weatherproof camera.
  • Installation. Small businesses using only one or two cameras may be able to install the system on their own, while larger companies with multiple locations might need to pay for professional installation.
  • Budget. The price of your video surveillance system will depend on the size of your business, how many cameras you need, and any additional features you require.

Pros and Cons of Surveillance Cameras at Work [BusinessNewsDaily]

About Our GE Network Expert - Min Tang

Categories
Entrepreneurs

The Top 9 Ways To Grow Your Business in 2021

2020 was INSANE for many of us with all kinds of global ‘crazy’ happening and on top of that, we all had our normal life events and challenges going on too.

I personally had a big year, giving birth to my second child in January 2020, only 4 months after coming back to self-employment following my tenure as the youngest Executive Director and Head of Campus at a university in Australian history and ended the year with 4 weeks notice of a mandatory house move 2,300km away as part of my husband’s Police service. However, despite everything, my business has grown in revenue by over 800% in 2020. 

How Did I Grow by 800% During a Pandemic – ((and having a baby, and moving 2,300km away??)

  1. I work online where you have access to a global market 24 hours a day – AND you don’t have to be present to serve it
  2. I have cloned myself indefinitely and unlimitedly by taking my knowledge out of my head, and putting it into online courses
  3. I stuck to ONE goal and focused on it with unwavering determination
  4. I applied strategy and analytics.  My one goal then had a number of tasks to be executed, and metrics that would tell me whether or not I was getting there
  5. I focused on doing the tasks that ONLY I could do, let go of my inner control freak and asked others for help
  6. I focused on ‘excellent is better than perfect’ when it came to making new courses, products and services.  NOBODY wins from an unpublished product. I took a deep breath, pressed published, got feedback and didn’t waste time moving from ‘Version 1.0’ to Version 2.
  7. I never stopped learning how to do things better

Pick ONE Goal

I love simplicity. When you only have ONE clear, concise goal to work towards, everything in your life feels lighter, easier and more manageable. I personally set one goal per year, and then all of my ‘activities’ revolve around directly achieving that one single goal. This strategy is backed up in a couple of books that I LOVE that help you get clear on your one, massive goal: “The Miracle Equation” by Hal Elrod who calls this principle ‘The Power of Singularity’, and “The One Thing” by Gary Keller who tells us that to create massive results, all we need to do is find that ONE thing that makes everything else easier or unnecessary.   When it comes to marketing, many business owners, entrepreneurs, authors, speakers, coaches and experts get completely overwhelmed with all of the different methods, strategies and ‘blow up your business now’ hacks being promised by hungry marketers – and either end up doing a million things poorly, or absolutely nothing at all!  

So whilst this article is going to share 9 methods with you – there is strategy to how they may be selected for your business.

Having been in business for 14 years now, I can assure you that the best way to succeed is to have one clear objective (yes, just ONE) for your business each year.

Then use a carefully selected combination of marketing strategies that collectively and individually have the sole purpose of achieving that one, single goal.

The one goal you choose will be unique to you, but it must be something very measurable

eg:

  • X number of students in your online course(s)
  • X number of members in your membership program
  • X number of clients for a particular service

To Pick Your ONE Miracle-Making Goal for 2021:

  1. First, come up with your financial revenue target for 2021
  2. THEN work out how many customers you need for each product/service in order to reach that financial figure
  3. Then work out how many customers you will need to get per month, per week and per day in order to meet that target
  4. Believe in it.  Make it completely non-negotiable that you will commit to making it happen with absolute dedication

Make Your Marketing Matter

From here, your marketing activities become simple, because no matter how many or how few marketing methods you choose to take on, they all have ONE clear purpose with measurable markers.

Eg, if your goal is to get X number of members in your membership program and you select the following marketing channels:

  • You will use Social media to connect with your audience, build relationships > lead them to become paid members
  • You will use your Website for establishing your credibility, sharing valuable information, encouraging visitors to join email list > and ultimately to sign up to your paid membership
  • You will use Emails to build familiarity and trust, establish a relationship, share valuable content > and to ultimately become paying members
  • You will use YouTube to give tasters of your content, build familiarity, build a following > and ultimately encourage them to become paying members
  • You will use Books to establish your expert credibility, get targeted customers > become members

There are endless examples – but you get the picture!

ONE goal – as many strategies as you want to use, but all with that ONE single mission at the center.  

So, what is your ONE BIG GOAL FOR 2021? (share in the comments below!)  

9 Ways To Grow Your Business in 2021 

1. Create an Online Course

Online courses have a huge array of benefits for any business, coach, consultant and expert.

Not only do online courses immediately provide an additional income stream into your business as soon as you publish one, it’s passive income too!

With online courses you basically clone yourself – giving you SO much time freedom. Whether you want more freedom to chill out on the beach, or do more on your business – an online course allows you the choice to stop having to see clients one on one and instead serves thousands of them all at the same time by sending them through your video training instead!

If you have a smartphone and an internet connection, you already have enough to create your own online course – without any extra expense or complex tech.

Get my FREE ‘Course Creation Starter Kit: www.sarahcordiner.com/starterkit 

You can create little mini-courses to use a free lead magnets (email list builders), authority flagship courses and even high-ticket coaching programs. To create a simple lead magnet course to grow your email list, simply record your top 5 tips in your area of expertise in 5 short videos, and use that as mini lead magnet course that you can deliver to your prospects by email when they sign up to your list.

And that’s not ALL online courses can do!

A lead magnet mini course is only ONE type of course that you can create to grow your business and your bottom line!

Did you know that there are FIVE different types of online course that you can create – all of which have extremely powerful, but quite different benefits for the course creator?

Before you get started on creating your online courses, it is critical that you know which of the 5 types is best for you and your business so that it helps you quickly achieve your goals.

I have created a quick quiz to help you identify exactly which one is right for you – and as soon as you complete the quiz you will be sent an email with your results and a full description of all of the 5 types of online course too.

 

Take the free quiz here:

http://maintraining.com.au/quiz-whatcourse 

 

2. Video and Live Streaming

According to research by CISCO, video content is and will remain the number 1 form of consumed content on the internet.

The report states that videos “will continue to be in the range of 80-90% of total IP traffic. Globally, IP video traffic will account for 82 percent of traffic by 2022”.

Notably, this article by Avasam shows some amazing up to date stats about the power of video marketing: > https://www.avasam.com/100-video-marketing-stats-you-need-to-know-in-2020/

This is absolutely huge and backs up the point that I have been hammering into edupreneurs for years – YOU MUST be creating and publishing videos if you want to have any influence or impact in your market.

To take it up one notch further – there has also been published research stating that people watch live videos for over 3 times longer than they watch a pre-recorded video.

With live streaming capability now available on YouTube (once you hit 1,000 subscribers), LinkedIn, Facebook and more, it’s easier than ever to reach huge numbers of people from your mobile phone to theirs, with the click of a single button.

But it’s not just any old videos that are trending.

The past few years have been insanely hot for educational, information and how-to videos. Research by Curata, sited in a Forbes article shows that tutorial videos and demonstration videos account for the most popular videos on the internet!

Further – live videos get you exceptional reach and maximum relationship-building opportunity.  There is nothing more ‘real’ than somebody who is live.

My ‘30 Days 30 Tips Challenge’ has been designed to help you grow your expert profile using live videos.  

  1. Find 52 questions that your audience are asking, and answer each one in individual videos.
  2. Record them all in a couple of days worth of filming, then mass upload them to YouTube using the ‘scheduled publish’ option.

With only a couple of days worth of work, you’ll have a video preloaded to release on YouTube every single week for an entire year.

If you need help coming up with video content ideas that your audience will LOVE, join my ‘#30Days30Tips Challenge’.

 

3. Authoring Print Books and eBooks

According to Author Earnings, over $1 million eBooks are sold every day on Amazon alone.

Short of gaining exposure to millions of people by having your knowledge and education on the pages of a book, you also gain exceptional industry credibility when you have published work.

I have published 12 books, and without any real marketing (other than an email to my list and some posts on Facebook) I have sold more than 13,000 copies of my books on Amazon Kindle alone.  That doesn’t even count any of my hard copy sales at all.

Here is what your author dashboard will look like showing your monthly sales:

Although it’s hardly a million dollar income stream, from that screen shot above, I’d sold 446 books in 10 countries in just 90 days, from ONE platform alone, whilst doing absolutely nothing other than the odd share on Facebook (automated of course!)  Not bad, huh?

Now aside from them bringing in enough money to cover my coffee habit via a nice little cheque from Amazon each month, they also serve another, very powerful function for any business owner or expert….

In the front pages of all of my books, I include a link to a free online course which many of my readers take up – thus growing a targeted email list of people who often later invest in my full Edupreneur Academy.

Book sales won’t necessarily make you a millionaire on their own, but they have certainly worked for me in affirming extra credibility, harvesting thousands of targeted customers from one of the biggest marketplaces in the world, and subsequently have them invest in my other products and services.

Imagine getting over 13,000 new eager clients? 

What would that do for your business?

The best bit is that becoming a published author is nowhere near as hard as you may imagine – and in fact, I have an online course in my Edupreneur Academy on ‘How To Write and Self-Publish Your Own Print Book and eBook’ if you’re thinking about tapping into this massive platform of business growth too.

 

Need some convincing?  This video shows you how to publish a book on Amazon in just 10 MINUTES!!

https://youtu.be/cmQutC_QGyM

4. Subscriptions and Memberships

Predictable, regular and consistent cash flow is critical for sustainable business and should be a priority for all business owners, experts and edupreneurs.

Selling online courses is a great way to earn a good income, however your sales can be unpredictable from month to month when you’re selling them ‘one-off’.

A trend that grew exponentially in 2017 and that really improved my cash flow, was shifting from selling courses individually, to creating a subscription based business model.

This works excellently when you have more than one online or digital offering, and you bundle them all up and offer them up for a monthly fee – which is a no-brainer cheaper option for the subscriber than paying for each item in the ‘package’ individually; and thus is the incentive for them.

A lot of entrepreneurs and business owners baulk at this idea at first “but discounting my stuff devalues it! I’ll lose money!”.

You HAVE to see memberships through a different lens – it’s a different income stream, even though it comprises the same content.

You see, lots of small sales, make a big income; and customers who can see that they are getting insane amounts of value for money become your raving fans, stick around for ages and tell their friends to join too.

Not convinced?

Look how easy it is to earn $10,000 per MONTH in residual income from a simple $47 a month online membership academy…..

10 students = $470 per month

50 students = $2,350 per month

100 students = $4,700 per month

150 students = $7,050 per month

250 students = $11,750 per month

750 students = $35,250 per month

1,000 students = $47,000 per month

(Note: I am not saying your membership offering should be this price – it’s just an example)

Not so scrappy now, is it?!

How many membership subscribers would you need to achieve your personal passive income goal for 2021?

5. Blogging & Guest Blogging

Blogging is still one of my favorite ways to invest my time to create evergreen marketing collateral and I will definitely be continuing to use blogging as a growth strategy in 2020 and beyond.

The best bit is that blogging is a free and easy, lifelong marketing strategy that you get better and better at the more you do it.

I still get business today from posts I published years ago and without fail, I make some kind of sale from every post I put out each week.

Every time you publish a blog post you are putting out a digital, Google-searchable signpost to the world that points back to your website and ensures that your future customers can find you in Google search results for all of time to come.

I always liken blog posts and other ‘content’ such as videos, to the silky rings of a spiders web.  Every time you publish a blog, you add another ring to your web. Your web gets bigger and bigger with every new blog, more people can find you and the wider area of ‘capture’ you have.

Blogs never stop working for you and they simultaneously demonstrate your expertise and gather up leads.

To take it to the next level, you can write blogs for other people’s sites.

Why? Because these sites could have thousands, hundreds of thousands or even MILLIONS of subscribers and YOUR blog article will be put in front of all of them – thus the potential for you to attract lots of brand new fans and followers yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_q_1vdbDzg

How to make the most of blogging

  1. Ensure that your blog titles are the questions your target audience are typing into Google, then your blog will come up in their search results.
  2. Search for the top 20 questions that your audience are typing into Google and answer them all in 20 blog posts
  3. Send it out to other blogs first so that they get ‘first publish’
  4. Schedule your blogs to auto-publish on your own website once a week and to auto-email to your mailing list for maximum impact.

Blogging has by far been consistently one of the best investments of my time for the most passive and sustainable rewards.  I highly suggest you consider it as a long term growth strategy for 2021.

Want to buy my list of email addresses for blog owners and editors?

I have created a list of 303 international blogs and online magazines in the field of business, entrepreneurship and online education and you can buy it here: >> BUY THE GUEST BLOGGING CONTACT LIST

6. Podcasting & Guest Podcasting

Just like blogging and publishing videos, creating and publishing podcasts is another incredible way to ensure that your prospective customers come across you and your content.

Podcasting has now become an everyday part of many people’s lives, so to ‘be there’ is to ‘be found’. 

Although I took 2 years out of my Course Creators podcast,  whilst I served my tenure at a university – after only a short time back and no marketing whatsoever, it still gets new listeners and followers all of the time.  A total of 5,000 downloads in just the few months that I started it back up again in 2020.  Nothing to put on CNN, but great for business.  What would 5,000 new fans and prospects mean for your business?

But don’t take my word for it – here are some podcasting stats from Podcast Insights:

However, the tech and time required to set-up and run a podcast is not everyone’s cup of tea, but never fear, you can still tap into this enormous opportunity another way – by being a guest on other people’s podcasts!

Simply search for podcasts that serve your target audience, and reach out to the podcast owner to ask if they accept guests on their show.

But don’t leave it at that.

Make sure that you outline a very specific way that you would like to contribute to their podcast as a guest, including what your interview topic could be called, what top 3-5 things you can share or teach their listeners and something you have to offer their audience for free as an extra value contribution.

This method has got me many podcast interviews and they continue to collect new leads for me constantly.

If you have a podcast that’s looking for guests, I’d be delighted to come on your show – feel free to email me!

7. Digitizing traditional products and services

 

Going online means going from a local market to a global one, instantly.

I used to limit my face to face workshops to 20 students in a classroom at a time; now I have over 75,000 students enrolled in over 40 of my courses in 168+ countries at any one time (and growing every day) – all because I went ‘digital’.

And when it came to my curriculum design services, serving my clients depended a lot on me driving into their offices and physically working with their teams in-person.  Now, I offer my course creation services online and have corporate, Government and small business clients all over the world – without leaving my office.

You can too.

Instead of having JUST face to face based offerings, can you ‘digitise’ what you do?

  • Turn common consult content into video tutorials
  • Create an online course
  • Put your topo tips into a published eBook or print book
  • Provide your consultations and coaching online and via video call rather than in-person
  • Offer predefined services for a fixed price that can be delivered remotely
  • Deliver your knowledge via paid or free webinars
  • Produce audio files or audio books
  • Create a digital instruction manual / PDF

Going digital with your offerings doesn’t have to replace your face to face offerings – in fact, once you have digital products and services your face to face options can go up in price.

But by adding a digital version of what you currently do in a traditional manner will scale your customer base to unlimited numbers, along with your bank balance.

8. Mini Challenges

The concept of the short, sharp ‘challenge’, with it’s promise of practical implementation and a quick result, has proven to be a highly successful strategy for me in previous years; and has attracted thousands of new leads and customers into my business.

The 5 day and 30 day challenges to achieve X result, have been the most popular for me – but you can chose whatever number of days you prefer to help your audience attain a certain desired outcome.

If your ‘challenge’ is a 5 day challenge, simply:

  1. Film 5 tutorial videos (one for each day)
  2. Develop a practical task for the challenge participants to complete each day
  3. Add downloadable templates
  4. Make it available by email, messenger bot and as a free online course on your website or learning management system (a delivery style to suit different preferences).

What challenge could you create to engage, educate and help your clients and prospects get a much desired result for themselves?

If you need some help, why not join my FREE 5 day challenge which will teach you how to create an educational challenge of your own?!

9. Sell packages instead of individual items

People want more for their money, and you probably want more money for your time.

By shifting from an hourly rate service, or a single product sale, instead move to selling packages that include numerous offerings.

Bundle your online courses together to increase your transaction value, add eBooks to your course packages, add a consult to the bundle, templates, checklists and even discount vouchers for other people’s products and services and more.

There is no limit to how creative you can be about what you add in, but increasing the value of your packages does NOT have to mean adding more of your time to it.

Stop working for an hourly rate and instead work for a value transaction that maximizes your profit and increases your customer satisfaction.

Even better, create 3 different packages that your customers could choose from (think baby bear, mummy bear and daddy bear, or bronze, silver, gold).

One of my clients managed to increase her hourly rate from $250, to over $1,500 per transaction without increasing her input by a single second, by simply packaging a number of her digital offerings together.

List all of your assets, content, products and services and work out what you can offer together in a much higher value bundle instead of selling everything individually.

I go into more detail on how to do this in my book “Edupreneur: How To Monetize Your Expertise and Profitably Educate Your Market”.

Final thoughts

The strategies listed above are only a teeny weeny selection of the many strategies out there  – I could write a whole other book just on the various business growth strategies that have worked well for me, but hopefully these will be enough to get your brain ticking for now.

Remember that there is no single method to attract leads and grow your business, and that different strategies work for different businesses.

The best way to know what works best for you is to simply start experimenting.

 

Challenge yourself to try something new and make your 2021 your best year yet.

If you need some guidance, consider joining my Edupreneur Academy where you can access over 40 online courses and books from me that all aim to help you grow your business whilst making a positive contribution to the world.

If you found this article helpful, please give it a share!

Author: Sarah Cordiner

Categories
Business Ideas

What Is Metallography & Why Is It Important?

The field of Metallography which has been commercially popularized by companies like Akasel.com was born out of a need to understand how the microstructure of metallic alloys affect their macroscopic properties. Metallography is an important field of study because the knowledge of the principles learned from microstructural studies can be applied for the design, manufacture and development of different alloy materials. 

Metallography refers to the study of the microstructure of different metallic alloys. This scientific field deals with the chemical composition, atomic structure and spatial distribution of the microscopic constituents, inclusion, phases or grains of metallic alloy. The principles derived from the study of these microscopic components can then applied in characterizing these materials and in their application. 

Techniques used in metallography 

Different methods are used to study the microstructural feature of metallic alloys. However, the most commonly applied method of investigation is through the use of incident light microscopy typically in brightfield mode. However, other techniques like dark field and differential interference contrast (DIC) may also be used. Color etching is another method that has recently become popular for metallographic investigations. The most commonly used 

For these techniques, the basic procedure for metallographic examination is pretty much the same. It usually involves sample collection, specimen preparation and microscopic observation followed by digital imaging and documentation. The process of specimen preparation may include sectioning, cutting, planner grinding, polishing and etching the sample before observation can begin. Quantitative data from the examination is usually extracted through image analysis or stereological analysis. 

Why is metallography important 

Metallography is needed to understand many of the properties of metallic material. This is because most of the macroscopic properties of a material such as its tensile strength, thermal properties, electrical conductivity and other mechanical properties are dependent of the microstructure. Therefore, an understanding of these microscopic structures will play an important role in the manufacture of more reliable materials with desired physical features.

Categories
Operations

Hiring A Business Consultant

Hiring a consultant can help businesses improve performance and make necessary changes to achieve success.

  • Business consultants help companies overcome challenges, increase revenue or grow.
  • It’s important to ensure business consultants have experience and previous success with companies like yours.
  • Business consultants may charge by the project or the hour, or require daily or monthly retainers.

Business consultants provide management consulting to help organizations improve their performance and efficiency. These professionals analyze businesses and create solutions while also helping companies meet their goals. Business owners should consider hiring business consultants when they need help or perspective on their chosen path or a catalyst for change in their companies.

What does a consultant do?

There are several reasons business owners should consider hiring consultants. Consultants offer a wide range of services, including the following:

  • Providing expertise in a specific market
  • Identifying problems
  • Supplementing existing staff
  • Initiating change
  • Providing objectivity
  • Teaching and training employees
  • Doing the “dirty work,” like eliminating staff
  • Reviving an organization
  • Creating a new business
  • Influencing other people, such as lobbyists

The first step for any business consultant is the discovery phase, where the goal is to learn the client’s business. A good business consultant takes the time to learn as much as possible about the business from the owner and employees. This can include touring the facility, meeting with the board of directors and employees, analyzing the finances and reading all company materials. During this process, the business consultant will uncover the details of a company’s mission and what operations are in place.

Once the business consultant has developed an in-depth understanding of the company, they enter the evaluation phase, where the goal is to identify where change is needed. This phase includes identifying the company’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as current and foreseeable problems. These issues can include problems that ownership and management have already identified, as well as new problems the business consultant discovers as a result of their objectivity. A business consultant should also identify opportunities to grow the business, increase profits and boost efficiency.

In addition to identifying these problems and opportunities, a business consultant should develop solutions to problems and plans for capitalizing on opportunities. Perhaps a company has a particularly strong sales department but a weak marketing department. This is an opportunity for the company to increase marketing resources and capitalize on the sales staff. During this phase, it’s important for the consultant and the company’s employees to maintain open, clear communications.

Constructive criticism

It’s important for a business owner to take the business consultant’s advice at this stage as constructive criticism. The owner should not take this criticism personally, as the business consultant brings objectivity and a fresh viewpoint. The owner may be personally close to the business, which can be an obstacle to positive change and growth. The owner should have feedback and provide opinions to the business consultant, which the business owner should consider and revise plans as necessary.

Once the owner and the consultant agree on a plan, the consultant should enter the third phase of consulting. This is the restructuring phase, or the implementation of the plan. In this phase, the consultant builds on assets and eliminates liabilities. They also monitor the plan’s progress and adjust it as needed.

How to find a business consultant

Finding the right business consultant may be the most difficult part for the owner or management. The consultant should have a passion for their work, a drive for excellence and an eye for organization and detail. It’s important to find a consultant who has expertise in your industry or experience with the kinds of problems your business faces. Also, make sure they have solid referrals.

In addition, ensure the business consultant has any necessary certifications that are relevant to your industry. You should vet the consultant through their website and materials. Look for professional images and well-documented information about their services and thoroughly review contracts and consultancy fees. It’s a good idea to request examples of past successes and to speak to those businesses.

What is the typical background for a consultant?

The right background for the consultant you choose depends on your industry and needs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that consultants can be management (business), scientific or technical. If you want someone to help your company develop new proprietary software or computer-based workflow, you may want to engage a technical consultant. Outside of specific needs, companies usually work with management consultants when they want to improve their bottom line, customer satisfaction or employee morale.

Regardless of the type of consultant you work with, their background is critical. It helps you understand how likely they are to improve your business. Here’s what to consider when reviewing potential consultants:

  • Do they have hands-on experience? This can be especially important in the business world. If someone came directly out of college labeling themselves as a consultant, do they really know anything more than you do? Consider looking for consultants who have successfully owned or run small businesses, enterprise organizations or specific departments.
  • Is their experience applicable? A former bank CEO may seem impressive, but do they have the knowledge and experience to turn your cupcakery into a profitable small business? They might, but if you’re also considering a former restaurant owner who now makes a living successfully helping small eateries grow, this consultant may be a better match for your business. Look for consultants who have worked in your industry and with businesses that match yours in style, size, needs and goals.
  • What’s their track record with consulting? You don’t just want a consultant who has the right experience; you want a consultant who has demonstrated success with companies like yours. Ask for a portfolio or list of brands the consultant has worked for, and request references. Look for a consultant who has helped businesses overcome the types of challenges you’re facing or who has grown businesses very similar to yours, and reach out to those companies to find out if they were satisfied with the services.

Business consultant FAQS

How much do business consultants charge?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management consultants make an average of $150,000 per year (or $62.93 per hour). But that’s what the person “takes home” as income, and consulting charges are typically higher to cover business expenses. Consultants don’t always charge by the hour. According to a consultant fee study by Consulting Success, these are some popular fee methods and the percentages of consultants who favor them:

  • Per project – 34.2%
  • Hourly – 27.3%
  • Monthly retainer – 15.1%
  • Daily rate – 14.1%
  • Other – 9.3%

According to the study, 43% of consultants earn up to $5,000 per project, though some make more than $100,000 per project. Obviously, the size, scope and length of the project determine the cost.

Business consultants are a considerable expense, but their feedback and planning can help you increase business and boost profits while eliminating problems and identifying opportunities to ensure future success.

How do you measure the ROI of a business consultant?

You measure ROI by looking at certain key metrics to determine the worth of the consultancy services. Most companies look at their net profits in the quarter before they hired the business consultant, then evaluate their net profits in the next quarter or two after they implement the consultant’s recommendations. You should deduct the cost of the consultancy before calculating the ROI.

Considering return on investment is an important part of hiring a business consultant. If you’re paying a business consultant upward of $5,000, you certainly want to see an established ROI after

the project. Established business consultants should be able to show their former ROI data to prospective clients. According to the Predictive Index, 27% of surveyed businesses chose not to hire a consultant because the consultant could not demonstrate ROI. This is the most frequent reason for companies not using consultancy services, and it falls on the consultant to use big data to demonstrate past ROI.

How do you know when to hire a business consultant?

Business consultants don’t come in one size that fits all. You will need to evaluate your company in these key areas:

  • Human resources
  • Business strategy
  • Operations
  • Compliance and regulations
  • Financial planning

If your business struggles in any of these areas, then it’s a good idea to seek out a business consultant. Keep in mind that business consultants specialize in particular business areas, so you should seek out a verified expert in the field. For example, don’t hire an operations specialist if you need the most help with financial planning.

If you note any declines in profits that you can’t explain, this could be another sign that it’s time to hire a business consultant, who can pinpoint potential reasons for the decrease and ways to remedy them.

What Is a Business Consultant? [BusinessNewsDaily]

 

 

About Our GE Network Expert - Min Tang

Categories
Online Business

Basics For Choosing A Domain Name

Did you know that if you don’t make an effort to protect your brand name (which may or may not be your business name), you could lose your rights to trademark it or to enforce it once it’s been trademarked?

That means you might not be able to prevent others in the future from profiting from your brand or confusing consumers about your brand.

The first step to protect your brand is to federally trademark it, so you can legally enforce your rights to it. Another critical step is developing and implementing a domain name strategy.

What is a Domain Name Strategy?

The purpose of a domain name strategy is to proactively protect your brand online by reducing the chance for others to use your brand name in their online activities, specifically, in their website URLs.

For example, Nike owns Nike.com. Imagine if another company began selling sportswear at Nikes.com or Nike.biz. There could certainly be confusion among visitors to those sites.

Visitors might wonder if those sites are owned by Nike or not. Only a savvy shopper who takes the time to do some research would know for certain.

Of course, Nike would want those confusing sites taken down, and since Nike is a trademarked name, the Nike Company can enforce its trademark rights and require that the confusing sites be removed from the Web.

Small businesses can do the same thing. First, trademark your brand name. Second, implement your domain name strategy. Third, monitor your brand online (and offline), and fourth, enforce your rights to it under U.S. trademark laws.

A domain name strategy can be very complex. Large companies with household brands like Nike might own hundreds of domain names, but for a small business that doesn’t have the budget to register every imaginable variation of its brand name, it’s important to ensure the basic steps are taken at the very least.

How to Develop a Domain Name Strategy

Following are five essential first steps you should take to protect your brand with a small business domain name strategy:

1. Common Extensions

If you do nothing else, be sure to register domains that include your brand name with the most common extensions including, .com, .net, .org, .us., .info, and .biz.

2. Common Misspellings and Obvious Variations

Register domain names that include your brand name with obvious mistakes or variations using the most common extensions referenced in no. 1 above.

For example, if your jewelry brand is Snowcone, register snowcone.com and snocone.com as well as snocone.net, snocone.biz, and so on.

3. Phonetic Equivalents

It’s also important to register domain names that are phonetically equivalent to your brand name.

For example, a company with the brand name WearsLikeNew would register WearsLikeNew.com and WaresLikeNew.com using the common extensions.

This is particularly important for brands that include numbers. A brand like 4TheWin.com should also be registered as ForTheWin.com and FourTheWin.com using the common extensions.

4. Plural and Singular Variations

If your brand name is singular, register the plural version as a domain name, too. If your brand name is plural, secure the singular domain name as well.

For example, InnovationToProfits.com is also registered as InnovationsToProfit.com. These variations should be secured for each common extension.

5. Hyphenated Variations

The final step in the most basic domain name strategy is registering hyphenated versions of your brand name.

For example, CircleLegal.com should also be registered as Circle-Legal.com. As with the four steps above, do this for each common extension.

5 Essential Basics of a Small Business Domain Name Strategy [Smallbiztrends]

About Our GE Network Expert - Min Tang