How Does Forte Help Small…

Forte Business Services is a financial management and consulting firm that provides a range of services to help small businesses manage their cash flow. Some of the ways they may be able to assist small businesses include:

  1. Cash flow forecasting: Forte Business Services can help small businesses create accurate cash flow forecasts to better understand and plan for their financial needs. This can involve analyzing historical data, forecasting future revenue and expenses, and identifying potential cash flow shortages or surpluses.
  2. Budgeting and financial planning: Forte Business Services can also help small businesses create budgets and financial plans to better manage their cash flow. This may involve setting financial goals, identifying expenses and revenue streams, and developing strategies to optimize cash flow.
  3. Invoice management: Forte Business Services can assist small businesses with managing their accounts receivable and improving their cash flow by helping them streamline their invoice process, follow up on overdue invoices, and set clear payment terms with customers.
  4. Debt management: Forte Business Services can help small businesses manage their debt and improve their cash flow by identifying opportunities to negotiate better terms with creditors, develop a debt repayment plan, or refinance existing debt.
  5. Financial analysis: Forte Business Services can provide financial analysis and reporting to help small businesses better understand their financial performance and identify opportunities to improve their cash flow. This may involve analyzing financial statements, benchmarking performance against industry standards, and identifying areas for cost savings or revenue growth.
  6. Advisory services: Forte Business Services can also provide small businesses with personalized advice and guidance to help them manage their cash flow and achieve their financial goals. This may involve providing strategic planning support, helping businesses navigate financial challenges, or providing guidance on financial decision-making.

Overall, Forte Business Services can help small businesses improve their cash flow management and financial health through a range of consulting and financial management services.

What Does it Mean to…

As a business owner, you may have heard the analogy that a business is like the human body. Just as the different parts of the body work together towards a common goal, the different departments of a business must work in harmony to achieve success.

As a business owner, your primary responsibility is to ensure that all the parts of your business are healthy and working together cohesively. This can mean identifying and addressing any weak links within the organization, increasing efficiency, improving communication, or investing in new technology. In other words, you must act as a doctor for your business, diagnosing and treating any issues that may arise.

A lot of factors come into play when it comes to building a healthy business, but in this blog post, we’ll be diving into some of the key components that make all the difference.

Leadership

First up, let’s talk about leadership. It’s crucial to have a good leader who can set the tone for the entire organization, provide guidance, and inspire employees at all levels. A leader who is transparent, ethical, and accountable can foster a culture of trust and collaboration, which in turn drives better performance and results. And when leaders prioritize their employees’ needs, they tend to create a happier and more productive workforce.

Vision

Another important component of a healthy business is having a clear and compelling vision. A strong vision aligns employees around a common goal and inspires them to work towards achieving it. It guides strategic decision-making, as well as providing a framework for evaluating progress and measuring success.

Strategy

But a vision without a well-thought-out strategy is like a ship without a rudder. A solid strategy outlines how an organization will achieve its goals and objectives. It involves setting specific targets, identifying the resources needed to achieve them, and developing a plan to allocate those resources effectively. A strong strategy can help an organization stay focused on its priorities, make informed decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances.

People

Of course, people are the heart and soul of any organization, and building a strong team is essential to a healthy business. Hiring the right people is just the start – it’s important to develop and retain them over time too. Providing employees with opportunities for growth and development, fostering a positive work environment, and creating a culture of collaboration and respect are all critical in building a strong and loyal team.

Systems

Effective systems and processes are also crucial to the success of a healthy business. Developing efficient workflows, streamlining operations, implementing effective communication channels, and tracking progress towards goals can all help businesses operate smoothly. By leveraging technology and other tools to automate and optimize key business processes, organizations can free up time and resources to focus on strategic priorities.

Products & Services

Finally, the products and services that an organization offers are perhaps the most important factor in determining its success. Developing high-quality products and services that meet the needs and expectations of customers is essential to building a loyal customer base and driving repeat business. Investing in research and development, staying up-to-date with new technologies and industry trends, and continuously improving products and services can help organizations stay relevant and competitive in the marketplace.

Sales & Marketing

Sales and marketing are also key elements of a healthy business. Developing effective marketing strategies, identifying target audiences, and building relationships with customers all play an important role in driving sales and revenue. Understanding customer needs and preferences, as well as staying up-to-date with market trends and industry developments, can help organizations stay ahead of the competition and maintain a strong competitive advantage.

Finance

And let’s not forget about financial management. It’s vital to maintain accurate financial records, manage cash flow, and make informed financial decisions in order to ensure long-term success. Financial planning and forecasting can help organizations anticipate and prepare for future challenges, while smart investments in new products, services, and technologies can drive growth and increase profitability over time.

Just like the human body, a business requires proper care and attention to thrive. As a business owner, your job is to ensure that all the different parts of your organization are healthy and working together effectively to achieve success. Building a healthy business requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account all of the key elements that contribute to its success. Effective leadership, a clear and compelling vision, a well-thought-out strategy, a strong and loyal team, efficient systems and processes, sound financial management, effective sales and marketing, and high-quality products and services – all these factors are critical to building a thriving and sustainable business that can weather the ups and downs of the market.

From Plan to Profit: How…

In the realm of business, success doesn’t happen by chance; it requires a thoughtful and well-executed plan. While effective leadership and a clear vision lay the foundation for a healthy business, it is the strategy that propels it forward towards prosperity. In this post, we’ll delve into why strategy is the third most important element of Forte’s Business Health Framework and explore the significance of detailing and implementing a robust strategy. 

The Importance of Strategy

Strategy serves as the crucial link between vision and execution. If vision provides direction, strategy provides the map showing the best path forward. It helps businesses set specific goals, allocate resources efficiently, and make informed decisions that align with their long-term vision. Without a well-thought-out strategy, a business may find itself navigating aimlessly, lacking focus, and struggling to achieve its objectives.

In one of our favorite books on the topic, Good Strategy / Bad Strategy: The difference and why it matters, author Richard Rumelt writes, “At the core, strategy is about focus, and most complex organizations don’t focus their resources. Instead, they pursue multiple goals at once, not concentrating enough resources to achieve a breakthrough in any of them.” [Note: If you’ve ever wondered how we came up with our URL focusonyourforte.com, Rumelt’s quote nails it.]

Building a Strong Strategy

To develop a strong strategy, businesses must first conduct a thorough analysis of their internal and external environments. This involves understanding their unique position within their competitive landscape. Forte can help business owners develop their strategy by leveraging tools such as SWOT analysis, market research, and competitive analysis to gain the valuable insights needed to inform their strategy.

Once the analysis is complete, it’s time to translate those insights into actionable steps. This is where a business plans come into play. Forte helps business owners develop a well-crafted business plan that outlines the goals, targets, and tactics required to achieve them. That business plan serves as a roadmap for implementation and helps in monitoring progress along the way. We also recommend that businesses adopt a project management platform like ClickUp, Monday.com, Trello, or Asana to be the centralized hub for tracking tasks, deadlines, and team collaboration, ensuring that the strategy is executed effectively.

Implementing the Strategy

“Strategy is a commodity, execution is an art.” – Peter Drucker

Implementing a strategy involves aligning the entire organization with the strategic objectives. It requires effective communication, collaboration, and accountability. Leaders must communicate the strategy clearly and consistently to all stakeholders, ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Regular check-ins, performance metrics, and feedback mechanisms are essential for monitoring progress and making adjustments as necessary.

Additionally, businesses can seek external assistance to enhance their strategy execution. This may involve partnering with consultants or enrolling in coaching and mentorship programs, such as those offered by Forte. These programs provide valuable guidance, expertise, and accountability to help businesses stay on track and overcome challenges along the way.

Turning Vision into Reality

In the journey from plan to prosperity, strategy acts as the driving force that transforms vision into reality. It provides the necessary direction, focus, and agility for businesses to navigate through the complexities of the market and seize opportunities. Detailing your strategy with precision, leveraging tools and resources, and ensuring effective execution will pave the way for a healthy and prosperous business.

So, seize the opportunity to create a thriving business by investing time and effort into building a strong and well-defined strategy. With the right plan in place, you can chart a course towards success and overcome the obstacles that may arise on your path to prosperity.Remember, the power of strategy lies not only in its creation but also in its execution. Take action today and unlock the true potential of your business.

Seeing Clearly to Succeed: Why…

In the quest for building a healthy and successful business, owners and business leaders must not underestimate the power of a clear and compelling vision. At Forte, we firmly believe that a clear vision is the second pillar of our Business Health Framework, playing a vital role in building a healthy and thriving business. In this post, we will delve into the significance of a clear vision, how it aligns with our framework, and provide guidance on how to develop and communicate a vision that sets the stage for success.

The Power of Vision

Steve Jobs once said, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” This quote encapsulates the essence of a clear vision. A vision acts as the soul of a business, defining its purpose, values, and aspirations. It is the driving force that fuels motivation and inspires individuals within the organization to work towards a common goal. Without a clear vision, a business lacks direction and can easily lose its way.

Seneca, the ancient Stoic philosopher, wisely stated, “To the person who does not know where he wants to go, there is no favorable wind.” This quote emphasizes the importance of having a well-defined vision. A clear vision provides a compass, guiding strategic decision-making, and enabling the evaluation of progress and measuring success.

Forte’s Business Health Framework

Within Forte’s Business Health Framework, a clear vision is the second pillar. It is positioned after effective leadership, because leaders must have a strong vision to guide their actions and inspire their teams. A clear vision establishes a roadmap for success and sets the tone for the entire organization.

Developing a Clear Vision

Creating a clear vision requires introspection, foresight, and effective communication. Here are key steps to develop a compelling vision for your business:

  1. Reflect on your purpose: Begin by asking yourself fundamental questions about the purpose and values that drive your business. What do you want to achieve? What problems do you aim to solve? What impact do you aspire to make in the world? These questions will help you define the core essence of your vision.
  2. Envision the future: Imagine what success looks like for your business in the long term. Visualize the goals, achievements, and impact you want to realize. Be specific and paint a vivid picture of the desired outcomes.
  3. Communicate the vision: Articulate your vision in a concise and inspiring manner. Craft a statement that captures the essence of your business’s purpose and goals. Make it memorable and easy for everyone to understand and rally behind.

Implementing the Vision

A clear vision is only effective when it is communicated and embraced by all members of the organization. Here are some strategies for effectively implementing your vision:

  1. Lead by example: As a business leader, embody the vision and consistently demonstrate its values in your actions. Your passion and commitment will inspire others to embrace and embody the vision as well.
  2. Cascade the vision: Clearly communicate the vision to your employees, partners, and stakeholders. Ensure that it is understood at all levels of the organization. Provide clarity on how each individual’s role contributes to the vision’s realization.
  3. Align goals and strategies: Ensure that the goals and strategies of the business are in alignment with the vision. Regularly evaluate and adjust objectives and plans to stay on track.
  4. Foster a culture of shared vision: Encourage open communication, collaboration, and innovation among employees. Create an environment where everyone feels connected to and motivated by the vision, contributing their unique skills and perspectives towards its achievement.

A Sense of Direction

A clear vision is the compass that guides a business towards success. It sets the stage for strategic decision-making, aligns the efforts of the entire organization, and fuels motivation and innovation. Within Forte’s Business Health Framework, a clear vision is a fundamental element, following effective leadership. By embracing the power of vision and integrating it into your business strategy, you lay a solid foundation for a healthy and thriving business.At Forte, we are dedicated to helping businesses develop and achieve their visions. Through our coaching and mentorship programs, strategy sessions, and other services, we provide the guidance and support needed to create a healthy and thriving small business. Contact us today to embark on your journey towards a clear and compelling vision that will transform your business’s future.

Leading the Way to Success:…

In the world of small business, success is not solely determined by the quality of products or services offered. It hinges upon the strength of leadership that guides and inspires the entire organization. As a small business owner, you play a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of your company. That’s why Forte’s Business Health Framework places strong emphasis on effective leadership as the first pillar for building a healthy business. In this article, we will explore why leadership is of paramount importance and how it sets the foundation for your business’s success.

The Power of Small Business Leadership

In his book “The 360 Degree Leader”, John C. Maxwell writes, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of leadership. As a business owner, your role as a leader goes beyond making decisions and giving directions. It involves creating a positive work environment, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration, and guiding your team towards achieving the company’s vision.

Inspiring a Shared Vision

Just as the brain has multiple lobes and functional regions, a healthy business should rarely consist of a single leader. Diverse perspectives, personalities, conflicts, and complements within a leadership team provide a balanced and comprehensive approach to decision-making. Each member brings unique strengths and expertise to the table, contributing to the overall success of the business. Encouraging collaboration and leveraging the strengths of the team can lead to innovative solutions and strategic thinking.

Fostering Trust and Collaboration

A healthy business requires a foundation of trust and collaboration, which stems from effective leadership. Patrick Lencioni, in his book “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable,” said, “Great teams do not hold back with one another. They are unafraid to air their dirty laundry. They admit their mistakes, their weaknesses, and their concerns without fear of reprisal.” Trust is the glue that holds a team together, fosters open communication, and enables employees to bring their best selves to work. When trust exists, employees are more likely to take risks, share innovative ideas, and work cohesively towards achieving the company’s objectives.

Moreover, a strong leader encourages collaboration, recognizing that diverse perspectives and complementary skills can fuel innovation and problem-solving. By promoting a culture of collaboration, you create an environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and motivated to contribute their unique talents to the success of the business.

Setting the Tone and Driving Results

As a leader, you set the tone for the entire organization. Your behavior, values, and actions serve as a model for your team to follow. By demonstrating honesty, accountability, and strong communication skills, you cultivate a culture of integrity and excellence. This, in turn, drives better performance and results.

Investing in your Employees’ Growth

John C. Maxwell also says, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” In line with this sentiment, strong leaders prioritize the growth and development of their employees. By providing opportunities for learning, skill enhancement, and career progression, you empower your team members to reach their full potential. A loyal and well-equipped team becomes a valuable asset that propels the business towards success.

In the realm of business, strong leadership is the first pillar for building a healthy and thriving organization. It sets the stage for effective communication, collaboration, and growth. As small business owners, you have the unique opportunity to lead the way and create a positive impact on your team and business. By embodying the qualities of a strong leader, inspiring a shared vision, fostering trust and collaboration, and investing in your employees’ growth, you pave the path to a healthy and successful business.Reach out to Forte today, and we’ll help you take the first step towards becoming the leader your business needs and watch as your organization flourishes under your guidance.

Why We Focus on Business…

There is no shortage of analogies to help operators wrap their heads around the many functions of a business and how they (must) work together. And we’re not the first to suggest the body as a comparison for how to think about a healthy business. In our last post we began to lay out the foundations of Forte’s Business Health Framework. But we’d like to dig into this comparison to flesh (pun intended) out some concepts that are wildly important and explore more about why focusing on business health is the essential first step towards growth.

Just like every part of the body has its own unique function that contributes to the overall wellbeing of the individual, every aspect of a business plays a crucial role in ensuring its success. It’s not that your business can’t function without one of these elements being solid, but all of them are required in order for your business to thrive.

Leadership = Brain

The brain is the central command center of the human body. It controls and coordinates all of the body’s functions and is responsible for making decisions. In a business, the leadership team plays a similar role. They are responsible for making decisions that will guide the company towards success. Like the brain, effective leadership is crucial for the proper functioning of a business. Indulge us going a step further, and just like the brain has multiple lobes and functional regions, a leadership team should almost never be composed of a single person. The perspectives, personalities, conflicts, and complements of a healthy leadership team will give your business the best chance of success.

Vision = Soul

The soul is often described as the essence of a person. It is the intangible part of a human that gives them their unique identity. In a business, the vision serves a similar purpose. It is the guiding force that gives the company its identity and purpose. A strong and clear vision is essential for aligning the efforts of the entire organization towards a common goal.

Strategy = Skeletal System

The skeletal system provides support and structure to the human body. It is the framework that supports all the other systems and enables movement. In a business, the strategy serves a similar purpose. It provides the framework for the company’s operations and guides decision-making. Without a solid strategy, a business may lack direction and struggle to achieve its goals.

People = Muscular System

The muscular system enables movement and is responsible for generating the force needed for physical activity. In a business, the people are like the muscular system. They are the driving force behind the company’s operations and are responsible for executing the strategy. Just as the muscular system requires proper care and maintenance to function optimally, businesses must prioritize their people and provide the support and resources they need to succeed.

Systems = Nervous System

The nervous system is responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body and coordinating the body’s responses to external stimuli. In a business, systems serve a similar purpose. They facilitate communication and coordination between different parts of the organization. Just as the nervous system must be healthy and functioning properly for the body to operate optimally, businesses must ensure that their systems are effective and efficient to maximize their performance and are the best means of ensuring that leadership is focusing on business health.

Products & Services = Blood

In a business, products and services function akin to the vital role of blood in the human body. Just as blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to support the growth and repair of organs and tissues, products and services are the tangible outputs that generate revenue and fulfill the needs of customers. High-quality products and services are essential for a business to meet customer demands and remain competitive in the marketplace. They serve as the life force that fuels the success and sustainability of the company.

Sales & Marketing = Heart

The heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, providing oxygen and nutrients to the organs and tissues. In a business, sales and marketing serve a similar purpose. They are responsible for generating revenue and bringing in new customers. Without a healthy heart, the body cannot survive. Similarly, without effective sales and marketing, a business cannot thrive.

Finances = Lungs

The lungs are responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide, ensuring the body has the necessary resources to function. In a business, finances serve a similar purpose. They are the lifeblood of the company, providing the necessary resources to operate and grow. Just as the lungs must be healthy and functioning properly for the body to thrive, businesses must prioritize their finances and ensure they are managed effectively.

In summary, comparing a business to the human body highlights the interconnectedness and importance of each component. Just as every part of the body contributes to overall well-being, every aspect of a business plays a crucial role in its success, which is why Forte believes that the first step towards success is focusing on business health. Effective leadership, a clear vision, a solid strategy, dedicated and supported employees, efficient systems, high-quality products and services, effective sales and marketing, and sound financial management are all essential for a business to thrive. By understanding and nurturing each element, business operators can create a healthy and robust organization capable of achieving its goals and excelling in the marketplace.

The Business Health Framework: What…

As a business owner, it’s not enough to be good at creating your business’s product or delivering your service. It’s your responsibility to ensure that all parts of your business are healthy and working together cohesively. This can be achieved by identifying and addressing weak links, increasing efficiency, improving communication, or investing in new technology. Forte’s Business Health Framework provides a comprehensive approach to building a thriving and sustainable business that can weather the ups and downs of the market.

The Business Health Framework

The Business Health Framework consists of eight key elements that contribute to a healthy business. These include effective leadership, a clear and compelling vision, a well-thought-out strategy, a strong and loyal team, efficient systems and processes, high-quality products and services, effective sales and marketing, and sound financial management, 

Vision

The most important precursor to building a healthy, sustainable business is having a clear and compelling vision and documenting that vision to share with others. A strong vision aligns employees, partners, key vendors, and other stakeholders around a common goal and inspires them to work towards achieving it. It guides strategic decision-making, as well as providing a framework for evaluating progress and measuring success.

Leadership

A strong leadership team is the foundation of implementing the vision. It’s crucial to have a good leader who can set the tone for the entire organization, provide guidance, and inspire employees at all levels. A leader who is honest, accountable, and a strong communicator can foster a culture of trust and collaboration, which in turn drives better performance and results. And when leaders prioritize their employees’ needs, the result is a happier and more productive team.

Strategy

But a vision without a well-thought-out strategy is like a ship without a rudder. A solid strategy outlines how an organization will achieve its goals and objectives. It involves setting specific targets, identifying the resources needed to achieve them, and developing a plan to allocate those resources effectively. A strong strategy can help an organization stay focused on its priorities, make informed decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances.

People

Of course, people are the heart and soul of any organization, and building a strong team is essential to a healthy business. Hiring the right people is just the start – it’s important to develop and retain them over time, too. Providing employees with opportunities for growth and development, fostering a positive work environment, and creating a culture of collaboration and respect are all critical in building a strong and loyal team.

Systems

Systems = predictable scalability. Effective systems and processes are also crucial to the success of a healthy business and the cornerstone of Forte’s Business Health Framework. Developing efficient workflows, streamlining operations, implementing effective communication channels, and tracking progress towards goals can all help businesses operate smoothly. By leveraging technology and other tools to automate and optimize key business processes, organizations can free up time and resources to focus on strategic priorities.

Products & Services

This is often taken for granted by business consultants and other advisors, but the products and services that a business offers can make or break your ability to make the sale, and especially, the second (and following) sale. Developing high-quality products and services that meet the needs and expectations of customers is essential to building a loyal customer base and driving repeat business. Investing in research and development, staying up-to-date with new technologies and industry trends, and continuously improving products and services can help organizations stay relevant and competitive in the marketplace.

Sales & Marketing

When planning to open a business, it seems like a good idea, because we know people who have told us that they like the idea. Once the newness wears off, you have to actively find and connect your market to your product or service. Developing effective marketing strategies, identifying target audiences, and building relationships with customers all play an important role in driving sales and revenue. Understanding customer needs and preferences as well as staying up-to-date with market trends and industry developments can help organizations stay ahead of the competition and maintain a strong competitive advantage.

Finance

And let’s not forget about financial management. It’s vital to maintain accurate financial records, manage cash flow, and make informed financial decisions in order to ensure long-term success. Financial planning and forecasting can help organizations anticipate and prepare for future challenges, while smart investments in new products, services, and technologies can drive growth and increase profitability over time.

The Business Health Framework provides a comprehensive guide to building a healthy business. Just like the human body, a business requires proper care and attention to thrive. As a business owner, your job is to ensure that all the different parts of your organization are healthy and working together effectively to achieve success. Building a healthy business requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account all of the key elements that contribute to its success. 

Effective leadership, a clear and compelling vision, a well-thought-out strategy, a strong and loyal team, efficient systems and processes, high-quality products and services, effective sales and marketing, and sound financial management – all these factors are critical to building a thriving and sustainable business that can weather the ups and downs of the market.

Forte can help business owners focus on the key elements of this framework by providing coaching and mentorship programs, strategy sessions, recruitment and talent development programs, financial planning and forecasting capabilities, marketing plans, and market research. With the help of Forte, business owners can build a thriving and sustainable business that can weather the ups and downs of the market. Keep reading about Why We Focus on Business Health and learn more about how Forte can help your business, visit focusonyourforte.com.

How to Build a Company…

“Company Culture” is a buzzword in the world of business. Strong company culture is something that all leaders strive for and without it, they risk losing employees and clients. In a society where it can seem like the only thing that matters is making the next sale, it is important to slow down and examine what values and beliefs your company holds higher than the rest. 

Let’s break down the different parts of a company’s culture and elements that motivate employees. 

4 Ways to Display Company Culture

Mission Statement: A short statement that points toward the root of why an organization exists. The goal of a mission statement is to tell the world why you are in business and what product or service you provide. To employees, the mission statement justifies that the work they are doing is important. Your mission statement should be unique for your brand and should be specific. 

Example: PayPal’s mission statement is: “To build the web’s most convenient, secure, cost-effective payment solution.” They have clearly stated what they plan to accomplish in an easy-to-understand way. Customers and employees won’t question what it is they do. 

Vision Statement: Your vision statement should explain where your company aims to go in the future. It should answer the question of what your business will look like in 5 years, 10 years, and beyond.  It helps to motivate employees as they complete their day-to-day work and lets your customers know that you have goals you want to accomplish. 

Start crafting your vision statement with something like “We envision a world where..” or “We will become…”

Values: The things that you believe are important and that shape the way you live and work are your company values. These values must be held by all of your employees for the culture to be upheld. Once you have identified your values, they should be visible and reinforced by all employees frequently. 

An example of values for your company could be “ethics, transparency, responsibility, professionalism, and teamwork.”

Culture Deck: The best way to display your company culture to your employees and your customers is by creating a culture deck. Broadly speaking, a culture deck is a slideshow that includes all the parts of your company culture. This includes your vision, mission, and values. More specifically it covers how you conduct business, who you hire, and the expectations you have for employees. 

A culture deck should be presented to your team and they should be expected to know its content. Yearly reviews of the culture deck as a whole and quarterly reviews of goals and values are important to fostering a productive work environment. 

Elements That Motivate Employees to Maintain a Positive Culture

Companies that see low turnover among employees and that have a positive culture seem to all have a few elements in common. These elements are not unattainable and can be implemented into your company with the help of training guidelines

A Manager Who Understand and Motivates Employees

One of the primary reasons why employees quit is because they feel underappreciated and undervalued. This tends to be linked to a manager or supervisor who they feel doesn’t listen to what they have to say and does not treat them with the respect they deserve. When you have a strategic system for rewarding employees who meet goals and listening when problems arise, employees will feel more motivated to stay with a company. 

A Sense of Purpose

Why am I even here? This is a question that a lot of employees ask themselves in their daily work life. If an employee doesn’t feel like the work they do is valuable it will show in what they produce and how they act. Clearly stating, and reviewing regularly, your mission and vision statement can help to ingrain a sense of purpose into the work. 

The Opportunity for Growth

Companies that stress the opportunity for internal growth see longer employee engagement. If an employee enjoys their job but doesn’t see an avenue for growth (promotion, salary increase) then they will begin to look for a new position elsewhere. This can be remedied by stressing that you hire internally for upper management positions, providing opportunities for employees to receive training for new jobs, and reviewing salaries yearly. 

How to Change the Culture

Now that you have a better understanding of different elements that make a positive company culture and ways to record your cultural expectations, it is time to ask the question, “how do I change the culture my company already has?” Don’t overthink the process, it doesn’t have to be hard, but it does take work.

Step 1: Examine The Current State of your Company Culture 

If you are coming to this article it’s probably because you’ve realized that the atmosphere in your company needs to change. Realizing this is a great step in the right direction. You care about your employees and want to make sure that you are facilitating an environment that is uplifting and is representative of your values. 

Administering a company survey is an easy way to gauge the current state of your company culture. Ask questions like “is your opinion valued?” and “do you feel recognized for your hard work?” Make sure the survey is done anonymously to guarantee the most accurate results.

Step 2: Define Your Desired Company Culture

When you know where you currently are it can be easier to identify where you want to be in the future. Listen to the thoughts and concerns of your employees and use them as a guide. Create your mission statement, vision statement, and values. When you have defined each part, compile it into a culture deck. 

Step 3: Identify The Changes You Need to Make

Now that you know where you are and where you want to be in the future, it is time to make changes. Start by sharing the culture deck with your team. Meet with employees regularly, both as a group and individually, to reinforce standards. For larger areas that need to be fixed, training sessions with HR can go a long way.

Create Your Own Company Culture!

Now that you have read about our 3 steps to get started, it’s time to implement them in your own company! Trust us, it’s easier than you think and your employees will be excited for the changes to come. Need help creating a culture deck or want to talk through your plan with one of our experts? Contact us today!

How to Prevent Your Company…

Businesses work hard to create their brand. It is what customers remember and a good brand creates loyalty that can last a lifetime. Think about your favorite brands: Apple, Google, Instagram, they are all easily recognizable because of their brand identity. 

Is your company often mistaken for a competitor? This can happen when businesses offer the same services and don’t take the time to differentiate their brand identity. With so many brands fighting for space in the minds of customers, how can you prevent brand confusion?

Follow our easy, 6 step guide for preventing brand confusion and start earning the loyalty of your customers!

6 Steps to Prevent Brand Confusion

1. Create Brand Standards

Brand standards include logos, fonts, colors, values, mission statements, and other unique items that pertain to the brand. When a customer sees your standards and hears your messaging, they should immediately know who you are. 

The number one way that brands can prevent confusion is by creating a strict set of brand standards. These are a set of rules and guidelines that protect the look and feel of your organization. 

2. Use Your Logo Consistently in All Marketing Materials

Once you have a solid logo, it should be implemented into all aspects of your business. Business proposals, social media, and documents should all have your logo on them. Any material that you present to the public should be branded because, without branding, confusion can seep in. 

3. Be Consistent With Product Names

The product and services you sell should reflect your brand identity. For example, take Apple’s line of tech products. iPhone, AirPods, MacBook – they all have consistent product names and with each new version release, the name stays consistent. Customers don’t have to question where the product came from because with a recognizable name, they know.

4. Create Clear Employee Titles

Customer service is key for preventing brand confusion and one easy way to begin is by creating clear employee titles. Customers who visit your website looking to contact someone can easily figure out who they are supposed to talk to by knowing their job titles. Make sure all employees use titles in emails and letters as well. 

5. Keep an Eye on the Competition

How are you supposed to prevent brand confusion between your company and others like it without knowing who the competition is? Record all the competitors in your business area and use your list to do a competitive analysis. You can even record the colors, fonts, and logo design of your competitors and use that as a way to differentiate yourself. 

6. Host Messaging Workshops

To keep your employees engaged and up to date on your brand identity, host yearly messaging workshops. This is an easy way to get all your employees involved and on the same page. The more your company can be consistent in the messaging they use, the less likely brand confusion will creep in. 

Tips We Suggest

  1. It can be helpful to work with a graphic designer to craft your brand identity. They will help create your unique brand and highlight the ways that color and fonts integrate with it. 
  2. Take time to understand why customers are getting confused with your brand. If you don’t understand the confusion then you won’t know how to fix it.
  3. Be honest. Honesty is the key to preventing confusion and the more honest you can be in all of your marketing promotions the better you can serve your customers. 
  4. When you create your brand standards, make sure that they are easily accessible. This could be as easy as adding it to Dropbox or Google Drive, or you could even print out the standards so that every employee has a copy. 

Get Started!

Now that you have our formula to prevent brand confusion, it’s time to get started! Meet with your team and communicate new company changes. They will be excited and thankful that as a leader you are creating a more positive, trusting work environment that will clear all confusion for them and your customers.

How To Manage a Remote…

Managing a team of employees is hard. Add in a global pandemic with all of your employees working from home and the job is even harder. In a new remote world, how can you make sure that you are still leading effectively?

In today’s article, we will break down how to manage a remote team and how these methods can be used even when employees head back to the office. Don’t be afraid to try new management techniques. Realize that the ways of doing business have vastly changed and the more you can learn and stay up to date, the better your team will be! 

Be Empathetic

The first thing to try and understand is that you and your employees are navigating unknown waters. When you are used to working in an office environment with a 9 to 5 schedule, never leaving your home is a big adjustment! When you add in children at home doing virtual school, taking care of pets, and limited bandwidth it is even harder to keep the same schedule you had while at the office. 

Try to understand and anticipate the potential problems your employees may face. Talk to them regularly about how they are doing both with their workload and emotionally. When you show compassion for their situation you will see more open and honest communication.

Learn How to Communicate Effectively

One of the hardest parts about remote work is the lack of communication between a manager and employees. Managers tend to feel like they don’t know what an employee is working on and employees feel like they are not being effectively led. How can you fix this problem so that all parties are being heard?

Proper communication is key for fostering healthy remote relationships. When you don’t have the luxury of walking over to someone in the office to ask them a question, here are a few new ways of communicating to a remote schedule:

  • Start the day with a video conference: Even if it is only for 15 minutes, having the whole team in one place is an easy way to check-in and communicate daily goals.
  • Individual weekly check-ins: Communicating one on one with your team members can be highly effective. You can set out weekly expectations and make sure that things aren’t falling behind. 
  • Prioritize communication: Check-in frequently through email or slack. For some employees, that might be easier than a video call. 

Reinforce Office Hours

It’s easy for employees to get burned out working from home. Reinforce that the day starts at 9 and ends at 5. Encourage employees to stop working when the day ends. You might think you are getting more out of employees who want to work overtime, but the quality of work will be less because they are stressed and overworked. 

Take Advantage of Digital Tools

In our digital world, we have access to thousands of tools that make work easier and more efficient. Take advantage of these tools and use them to manage your team better. 

  • Project management: Having an interface for all employees to be able to track projects they are working on and track time is essential. A few of the big ones are Asana, Jira, ClickUp, and Basecamp
  • Video conferencing: By now you probably know that you need to have a reliable video conferencing service, but with the amount of them out there which one is the best for your team? Try out different ones and see which suits your team best. Here are a few ones to try: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, and GoTo Meeting.

Keep All-Time High Quality

When you are unprepared for meetings, your employees can get easily frustrated. They are already having a hard time managing their time and meetings that are unneeded or poorly managed can feel like a waste of time. Make sure that you always have an agenda for meetings, stick to the plan, and keep things moving along. Don’t schedule a meeting for something that could easily be said over email. 

Regularly Energize Your Team

When working remotely, burnout can happen easily and often. This year has been beyond heavy and people are dealing with issues that have no solutions. Mental fog and a new term ‘pandemic fatigue’ are affecting all workers even when on the outside things look fine. What do you do when the whole world is tired?

With this in mind, make a plan to energize your team. Schedule lunch and learns, host virtual happy hours, and take time to get to know one another as people not just as coworkers. Don’t let meetings become boring, always share success stories, and divide long projects into sprints. These events can help your employees get over the slump they are in and motivate them to continue the hard work.

What To Do When Employees Return 

For most teams, remote work won’t last forever. When you end up returning to the office don’t abandon the lessons you learned and the tools you gained. Expert communication and keeping your team engaged are essential parts of effective leadership. Everyone has been through a lot over the past year and it’s important to not forget that and instead learn from how the pandemic and remote work has shaped our future.