As a small business owner, I've had to find ways to keep costs as low as possible while still providing customers with the ability to use their credit cards for payments. Many credit card processing companies are so expensive when it comes to fees that it started to feel like a losing proposition to offer this payment option.
— John Rampton
Even I have been at that point in my life where I thought I didn't have enough extra money laying around to start investing in stocks for my own retirement plans.
Horrible bosses may be one of the reasons why we decide to leave a company, but they can also teach us how not to lead teams when we have that responsibility.
When you do snack, stick with healthier options like fruits, veggies, nuts, and low-fat, whole-grain products.
We're surrounded by distractions. Whether it's emails, phone calls, text messages, social media notifications, or people entering and leaving your workspace, those distractions end up eating a good portion of your time.
One of the hardest tricks that I had to learn was saying the word 'no.'
The world of marketing is all about trends and the ability of marketers to identify and cultivate them.
The first step to take to wake up earlier is to have a nighttime routine that not only encourages you to fall asleep but also guarantees you'll sleep soundly each and every night.
Procrastination doesn't work for everything. For instance, waiting to buy plane tickets at the last minute will typically end up costing you more.
Attention spans are short. Like, eight seconds short. That's why it's necessary to grab people's attention immediately.
Relationships are full of compromises.
It's a challenge to grow professionally and move up the corporate ladder when you're not receiving feedback on your performance.
When done correctly, gift and loyalty cards can improve your cash flow, acquire and retain customers, and increase your overall brand presence.
The way that customers pay businesses is constantly evolving. Instead of paying with paper, like cash and checks, businesses are expected to accept a variety of payment methods ranging from credit cards to digital payments.
I want to hear from my team in a way that they know they don't have to hold back. I've made it clear that there are no repercussions for brutal honesty. I let them know that we want to hear about anything they feel is not working for the company.
When looking for an influencer to work with, it's tempting to go for those with huge amount of fans and followers. This is perfectly understandable, as you obviously want your business or product promoted to as many people as possible. However, numbers aren't everything.
A cardinal rule in budgeting and saving is to pay yourself first. Once your paycheck hits your account, wisdom has it that you should move some amount to savings even before you pay the bills.
Empowerment isn't a buzzword among leadership gurus. It's a proven technique where leaders give their teams the appropriate training, tools, resources, and guidance to succeed.
I find in most circumstances, people leave bosses, not companies.
Don't eat because you're angry, bored, sad, or stressed.
If you don't have the time or desire to do whatever is being asked of you, say, 'no.' Even if you want to bake those cookies for your kid's fundraiser or take on a new freelancing gig, sometimes you just have to politely decline until you do have the extra time. The other party may be disappointed, but it's not the end of the world.
Like most successful businesses, you and your employees have a vast knowledge base and expertise in your vertical, as well as a lot of great video and text content to prove it. So, why not monetize your expertise and create digital products and membership courses?
I've come to love making videos for my company.
Early rising will enhance your productivity, improve your mental outlook, and give you time to exercise, catch up on email, or just have breakfast with your family. In short, if you want to become more successful, it's a good idea to jump out of bed earlier.
If money is tight, or you're on a limited budget, then consider DIY or used gifts. DIY could be something like baked goods for your friends, family, and neighbors. Plus, if you have children, it's a great activity to do with them during the holidays.
Just because you're married doesn't mean that you have to spend 24/7 together and can't have separate interests and hobbies. In a healthy relationship, you both understand - and respect - that you need time apart doing what you want to do.
Marriage can be tricky and challenging at times.
It's OK to stay at a job that you don't enjoy, because you're scared.
While digital wallets are paving the way for the future of payments, you still need to assess whether or not they'll work for your business. If your target audience are less tech-savvy or you're primarily a cash-only business, it may not be worth investing too much into accepting digital payments.
Since I tend to be pretty competitive and find that others on my team enjoy contests and team competitions, I thought a good way to improve feedback would be to create a way to reward the comments and ideas that actually change our company for the better.
I've made it clear that I have an open door policy - which means that the employee can tell me anything that is on their mind.
When I first started doing influencer marketing for my company Due, I lost my shorts with literally no return on my investment.
I see good personal financial management as setting - and keeping - a budget.
At one point, you were that employee who looked like a deer in headlights. Confused, lost, and not understanding your purpose within the organization. Even though you have the appropriate skills, you felt like you were in over your head. That is, until an amazing boss empowered you.
You may think having a cluttered desk isn't that big of a deal. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Disorganization can stunt your professional growth and decrease your productivity.
Make no mistake about it. Bad habits are called 'bad' for a reason. They kill our productivity and creativity. They slow us down. They hold us back from achieving our goals. And they're detrimental to our health.
Early in my career, I didn't want to disappoint my colleagues, clients, or family. So I said yes to everything. This ended up raising my stress level and shortchanging everyone else - including myself - because I couldn't give anyone 100 percent of my time, nor could I pay close attention.
When it comes to video and pretty much everything else, the more personalized the content, the higher the chances of conversion.
The same way you can manipulate your environment to encourage sleep, you can also do it to wake up.
Always have a plan when you shop. Have your list ready so that you know who you're purchasing gifts for and an estimate on how much you're going to spend.
Even after creating a budget and being more money conscience, it's still easy to overspend during the holidays.
Sometimes you do what you like, and other times you do... what the other person likes. That is part of being in a healthy relationship.
If your manager is one that isn't engaged with your career development by offering frequent advice and guidance, it's time to look for greener pastures.
We can all get complacent. Especially when it comes to a job.
Not to be biased, but digital wallets are awesome.
At every meeting, I mention that if I am doing something personally that gets in the way of progress for the company - or something needs to change - please come and tell me.
An influencer with a small but loyal and engaged following can often have a far greater impact than one with a much larger fan base.
In a time when consumers desperately want to trust businesses - but they just don't - influencer marketing is one way to overcome this problem.
