Business Resources Archives - Page 2 of 4

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Internal communications are more important than you might think. For a good overview on what internal communications are and how they can help you, try browsing through this Smarp blog article. It’s lengthy, but worth some time.

To get current on internal communications trends and where they’re headed in 2021, check out this article by Lead Content Strategist Charong Chow from SocialChorus.

As always, Powerhouse has plenty of resources available to help you with both traditional and outside-the-box tips on how to improve internal communications. From team-building exercises to tips on effective communication to just how to incorporate fun in the office, our resources are free and full of great information.

Overwhelmed or unsure of where to start? Powerhouse can help. Contact us today to see how our internal communications services can boost your business.

Jessica Bertsch2021-03-29T21:07:41-04:00March 29th, 2021|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Looking at creating or refining your business development plan can be daunting. There are a lot of things to keep in mind when determining which ways to grow or improve your company. For a good overview on what business development is and what goes in to creating a successful business development plan, check out The Ultimate Guide to Business Development.

If you want another perspective that offers some tips on how to get started, check out Investopedia’s blog.

For those who are trying to envision what a business development plan looks like in a post-COVID-19 world (and aren’t we all?), check out this article by Kevin Sneader and Bob Sternfels.

Wherever you are in your business development cycle, Powerhouse can help.

Jessica Bertsch2020-12-31T16:51:59-05:00December 31st, 2020|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Growing your nonprofit can seem like an impossible task at times. How do you balance meeting the needs of those your currently serve with your desire to reach even more worthy individuals? One great way is to improve or rethink your marketing strategies. The Balance Small Business has a great resource for marketing your small business. And, of course, Powerhouse has the expertise to put any plans or dreams you may have marketing-wise into action.

If you need to improve your management style or techniques to more effectively and efficiently administer your nonprofit, check out the Free Management Library resources. This free site has tons of articles focused on improving management in order to grow your nonprofit resources.

Finally, we’re living in a trying time for nonprofits. COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on how we all operate and live our lives. Check out this free resource for nonprofits on how to mitigate the effects the global pandemic has had on our society and how to reorient your nonprofit to continue to meet the needs of your target populations.

Jessica Bertsch2020-09-24T20:23:53-04:00September 24th, 2020|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Growth Resources

Measuring professional and business growth is one of those pesky chores that can be fun, can be painful, and can really help to point out areas where we are succeeding and areas that can definitely use some improvement. Remember that small businesses will, most likely, have growth spurts followed by long plateaus, so don’t be alarmed if your business/professional growth chart seems stagnant. Just make sure you can identify areas for improvement and focus on those.

Want an overall idea of how to measure professional growth? Check out Leigh Espy’s “7 Great Ways to Measure Career Success – or Signal It’s Time to Make a Change.”

Want specific tips on how to measure small business success? Forbes has some places to start.

Looking for growth strategies? Fundera has some ideas on strategies for small business success.

If you find you need some help bolstering an area of your business to ensure you reach your growth potential, check out the ways Powerhouse can help you be the most successful you can be.

Jessica Bertsch2020-07-06T20:39:44-04:00July 6th, 2020|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

Freelancer Resources

The challenges and opportunities afforded by freelance work are monumental and potentially life changing. However, a little planning, dedication, and willingness to make adjustments can mean the difference between being a successful freelancer and one who will continue to struggle.

For the newbie: Upwork.com offers tips on how to survive your first year as a freelancer—everything from ways to shift your mindset to tips on how to organize your days.

For the freelancer with a full-time job: Sometimes, especially when making the transition, that full-time job is a must-have. For tips on how to survive as a freelancer while juggling that day-to-day grind, find tips here.

For an overall freelance survival 101: Check out Creative Bloq’s whole host of tips for freelancers. With plenty of links to additional sources, it’s kind of like a one-stop shop.

For a creative, easy-to-read-in-one-sitting resource: Find Powerhouse’s “20 Tips for Freelance Survival” on our resources page.

Jessica Bertsch2020-03-25T18:30:50-04:00March 25th, 2020|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

Self-care

Self-care and the small business owner don’t always go hand in hand, especially if you’re just starting on your entrepreneurial journey. Still, it’s fairly common knowledge that taking a little time to focus on yourself can have so many positive benefits.

Check out serial entrepreneur Deep Patel’s list of ways small business owners can incorporate self-care into their business plan.

Sure Payroll also gets behind the self-care movement and has some other ideas on how to incorporate self-care to help make you the best business owner you can be.

Self-care is important, no matter how you slice it. If you’re going to be the best business professional you can be, you have to put away the office concerns and focus on being the best, most well-rounded, healthiest you there is.

Consider making it an office challenge. Invite everyone at work to incorporate some element of self-care into their daily or weekly routine this year. Competition like this will help hold you accountable for your own self-care; plus, it’s always better to go on a journey like this with someone else. Your entire business might just be better off for it.

As always, check the Powerhouse website as well as we’re constantly updating and adding tips and tricks on a variety of subjects.

Jessica Bertsch2020-01-14T18:32:11-05:00January 14th, 2020|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Planning Tips

Business plans aren’t just for creating a business, securing business loans, and launching a business. Business plans remain one of the fundamental ways both to create and maintain a business. After all, according to a study published in the Journal of Management, “…companies that plan grow 30% faster than companies that do not.”

It’s a good idea to carve out some time toward the end of each year to evaluate what went right and wrong in the past calendar year as well as to determine which goals and growth aspirations you have for the coming year.

Constellation has a great blog with lots of tips and strategies for year-end planning. With several tips and easy-to-digest information, it’s worth checking out.

Small Business Trends has several articles with business planning tips and basic overviews of what a business plan is and how it can be utilized.

Whether we like it or not, it’s already time to start thinking about tax season. Check out this article on how to plan for tax season so that it’s as easy on you as possible.

Always check the Powerhouse website as well as we’re constantly updating and adding tips and tricks on a variety of subjects.

Jessica Bertsch2019-09-30T19:03:54-04:00September 30th, 2019|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Fostering Creativity in the Workplace

Fostering creativity in the workplace can be challenging. You want to maintain a professional atmosphere, but sometimes that very feeling can, well, feel stifling. Studies show that employees who are empowered to express their creativity work better and create more innovative work products. Here are three sites to help you get started with increasing the creativity in your workplace.

StartupNation’s Catherine Plano discusses why and how creativity is so important on the workplace. As she says, “creativity is a mindset.” As we all know, creativity can’t be forced, but it can be fostered. Check out what Plano has to say and get inspired to get creative!

Filestage gives you 29 tips on how to increase creativity at work. These tips all come from award-winning companies and range from getting outside opinions on our ideas to finding ways to diversify your team. These 29 tips will get your creative juices flowing and give you practical ways to implement a creativity plan for your office.

For those who work in a virtual workforce, it can be difficult to feel a sense of belonging. The isolation that many virtual employees feel can also stifle creativity. Museum Hack’s Jesse Sussman provides ideas for creatively building a team spirit and ways to help your virtual employees bond. Some are fun, some are goofy, and some might even prove nostalgic!

Jessica Bertsch2019-06-30T21:10:42-04:00June 30th, 2019|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Finding a healthy work/life balance may seem daunting, especially if you’re under a lot of stress at work or at home. We all need a little help from time to time (or every day). Here are three resources to help you start the process.

For the employee – Michael Page lays out five steps to achieving a healthy work/life balance. In easy-to-understand, concise language, Page gives you the tools to begin working on the balance you want.

For the employer – Interested in helping your employees achieve a positive work/life balance? Pingboard outlines some ways in which you can help your employees have a healthier attitude about work and about life.

For the reader – Like to cozy up with a good book? Matthew Kelly’s Off Balance will take you on an in-depth exploration of what it means to live a healthy, balanced life and career.

Jessica Bertsch2019-04-15T20:12:39-04:00April 15th, 2019|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Want to run more effective social media campaigns in 2019? Lean on the power of the hashtag. Proper usage of hashtags online can attract new customers to your business and expand your digital presence. Luckily, there are tools in place to tell you exactly what’s trending while also helping you track analytics. Here are a few of our favorites:

Hashtags.org is useful if you want to zero in on your niche. The tool allows users to search for general topics, track hashtag success, and learn from featured resources. Membership is free, and there are four paid plan options with more offerings.

Trendsmap is a Twitter tool lets you see exactly what’s trending by location, so whether you are a small business in North Carolina or you run an online marketplace with global aspirations, Trendsmap is a great fit for you. It also tells you top Twitter users and offers an alert for emerging content.

Hashtagify is useful for Twitter and Instagram users. Focused on hashtag marketing, the site has a toolbar search function to look up keywords. If you’re not yet sold on the idea of how hashtag tracking can help you, the company offers a seven-day free trial.

Jessica Bertsch2019-02-23T19:17:40-05:00February 23rd, 2019|Business Resources, PowerTips e-newsletter|