Team Building methods that will increase productivity

An efficient team requires fairly less guidance to carry on with their job. All problems are taken care of in a creative manner. Meetings and debated are held where constructive comments are offered and workplace issues are openly discussed. To get the team to this stage, corporate entertainment can be used as team building techniques. Creative thinking is encouraged in an environment that is very motivational through good team building methods. Original team building activities can be recognized best by giving the staff limited resources and a progression of challenging problems.
With the help of effective team building methods, the stronger team members support the weaker ones thereby improving their performance to a great extent. These exercises promote time for reflection and review.

In today’s world, everyone expects something that is a little more sophisticated added on with a unique element of competition that will truly make them slightly more motivated to do their job with perfection. The element of competition for team building is very important as the business would need to compete for the purpose of survival. To support this, the team building organizations devise interesting contexts like themed events for the challenges. A series of challenges which require very good creative thinking, communication skills and team work are completed by the delegates for them to succeed. The basic element of motivation is derived from the surveillance context, the need to acquire recognition and a short span of time for completing the tasks. Another pioneering team building idea could be the corporate entertainment event. Nothing can be worse for team building exercises than standing idly and watching. So when you are choosing a team building event, think carefully. In spite of the sustained efforts, if the team fails to improve, the reason can be the lack in the correct steps that are made towards the efforts.

For the team to understand where, they lack the following should be kept in mind. They should have clear performance expectations, the context of the work should be understood, and that is, they should know the reason as to why they are participating in any of the team works. A sense of commitment needs to be present so that they feel responsible for their deeds. A team without the feel of competition would be incomplete. They should have a good network of communication, creative innovation and a sense of control. Coordination is the key to success for any team, where the team should get accustomed to any kind of cultural change and should also be aware of the good or bad consequences. Thus, people in every workplace talk about team
building and working as a team but only a few are able to understand the methods to create the experience of team work or the ways to develop an effective team.

Does your team work effectively??? Visit me @ www.bizvirtuoso.com

The Twittering Class – How this can help your business?

The Twittering Class – How this can help your business?

Twitter is a very popular microblogging site. It is not only used individually but also in the corporate establishments. As this platform connects people from various walks of life, it proves to be the most widespread knowledge sharing zone. The following methods explain how it can help your business.

Network development
There are many businesses and people on Twitter who share similar interests as you do. Use can use tools available on the net to find out business and people located nearby or within your geographical area. Use Twitter search to find out the ‘n’ number of people and businesses who you can connect to. The more people you follow, the more followers you get. With increasing followings and friends, your network spreads and so does your business.

Networking with contacts
In business, you come across various clients and customers. Why not develop a network with them? You sure will get connected to more and more people; friends and friends of friends.

Use it to spread the word
You may have announcements, important notifications, on new launches, among various other things. Any content, be it on your website or on your blog, can be easily redistributed on Twitter. Customize your tweets manually to keep it fresh and interesting.

Share links
What you think or read might draw general interest. Share some great links, from your blog or a great article or news that you have come across. People love reading. For example, if you have submitted any story on Reddit, Digg or StumbleUpon, simply share the link on Twitter.

Pitching journalists
If you have journalists following you, pitch a story idea to them.

Communicate
Live Tweeting is important as that makes your presence felt. You also come to know about events very relevant to your business vertical.

Hire people
Let your followers know that you need someone for a particular job. Twitter assures great response.

Do you network through Twitter??? Visit us on our website @ www.bizvirtuoso.com
A helping hand in all your business needs

Biz Virutoso, Inc.

A Helping Hand In All Your Business Needs!!!!

PR and your business –Is it worth the investment?

PR and your business –Is it worth the investment?

When you start a business you need the help of “P R” (public relation) take your product to your customer, make your business known and heard of. Unlike big business small business owners cannot effort to spend a chunk of his investment on PR solely. Again publicity cannot be ignored as it is bolster for business.

So first identify the objectivity of your enterprise, then your goal. Having set the goal, form strategies to accomplish your objectivity and the tactics needed to implement them. You can do PR by yourself by way of interview in print and electronic media, articles in newspapers, community participation. Now, to bolster your biz volume take the treaded way along with the newer mode of communication i.e. utilize the power of the Web, particularly social networks which are inexpensive. Create web site, utilize social networking.

Judy Spencer, Emerald Director with Amway joined the company as a registered consumer, where as a home maker, she would buy goods for her home at a discounted rate. But soon she plunged completely into the network business. Today she has more then 6,000 down line and a steady income. Describing her success story she said she made people aware about the benefit they would get though the company, held community meetings. Her business rose by leap and bound from work of mouth and recommendation.

Again, Kenny Dale in Kansas City had a roofing business 30 years ago. An unusually violent tornado hit Kansas City a few years ago. It left thousands of shake shingle roofs in wreck. Demand for roof repairs far exceeded local contractors' abilities to meet them. Kenny realized here was a long-term opportunity for him. The day after the storm Kenny called all the local television news programs. He described his operations and credentials, and expertly instructed desperate viewers how to use plastic sheeting, heavy wood staples and plywood to create an effective temporary roof. Kenny became his own very effective public relations consultant. Kenny and Judy are a prime example of a small business owner's inborn ability to combine their own resources with basic public relations techniques to achieve excellent result.

So whatever may be the way but PR is the right step to public relation for small entrepreneurs as it is a must to bolster your enterprise and hence worth the investment.

Do you use tools to bolster your business??? Visit our website @ www.bizvirtuoso.com we are your helping hand.

Cynthia
Biz Virtuoso, Inc.

The Entrepreneur The Employee and The Dreamer…

The Entrepreneur, Employee, and the Dreamer- these three personalities are just like the three vertices of a triangle. Each one is related to the other directly and effectsyoyr decisions and behaviors. This may sound a bit odd bt that's the TRUTH. From birth to death wee all dreamof something big. Wheather it your personal life, your dinances, your relationships, ect... Are you one of these people who cannot settle for something less?.. You cannot and will not stop the synthetic process of dreaming. Well this mat be a bigger benefit than you think.~~


For an organization to survive and strive it is very necessary for its employer and employees to dream otherwise both the organization and employee is bound to suffer. If you are a dreamer what sometimes happens is you try to come up with your own business to fulfill those dreams make you happiest.~~


So dreaming for just dreaming and believing in the dreams are poles apart. Wharever signficance may be found in the dreams, dreams bring us new potintials for growth and may help us to heal and become happier human beings. But happiest are the people who dream not to be successful as employees or entrepreneurs but to just spend their life dreaming and become the successful dreamers.~~


Where do you stand???


~~Signed with passion and poise~~


Cynthia~~


Read more about this in the E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. Take a moment to check out our page

www.bizvirtuoso.com to learn more about what makes us your business expers and why we strive to be

"A Helping In All Your Business Needs."

Becoming A "Virtuoso" Business Weekly

What is a "Virtuoso"?

Why should you be insistent on becoming one in your business, to your customers, and to your peers? By Webster's dictionary's assessment, a "Virtuoso" is a person who has great skill at some endeavor or an expert in an art or skill. For example: At Biz Virtuoso, our goal is to strive and become your business expert. "Biz" Your business and "Virtuoso". We strive to take the time and truly learn each of our customers businesses inside and out, so that we can offer the best possible advice and strategies to grow their businesses.

In saying this, we want to support you in becoming a "Virtuoso" in your business, industry and to your customer. Although each of our customers are put through the "Creating A Virtuoso Business" Program to achieve this, we want to support all of you in doing this as well. Therefore, we've put together an online daily training and information program called "Becoming A Virtuoso Business Weekly." This program will have a daily update of topics, tips, articles, questionnaires and action plans to help you re-brand and strategically position yourself and your business in 2010.

Schedule is as follows:

Planning Mondays
Branding Tuesdays
Networking Wednesday
Marketing Thursdays
Growth Fridays

Look out for our daily tips and strategies on our blog: http://www.virtuosobusiness.blogspot.com/or via our Facebook at www.facebook.com/bizvirtuoso

Your Business Virtuoso & Coach,

Cynthia
info@bizvirtusoso.com
http://www.bizvirtuoso.com/

So you want to be a Millionaire.. What are you waiting for?

On a daily basis, I am confronted with the 5 pivotal questions that I need to answer in order to continue on the path of being an success entrepreneur. What are those?

1. Do I love what I am doing?
2. Am I making money or creating value?
3. Am I happy or working towards my happiness?
4. Where will my next client coming from? Am I prospecting strategically?
5. Can I actually see myself working for someone else, ever again?


When you start your day by answering these questions and reminding your self, why you wake up everyday... You will find yourself striving higher and pushing harder to make things happen.

So YOU WANT TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? What kind of business do you want to start? Or do you have no idea where to start and how to get into a business that fits you. At Biz Virtuoso, we feel a great first step is taking a look at our “ Biz Virtuoso Guide: Creating A Virtuoso Business™ in 2010”

Interested in your own copy of this start up manual?
Email us at plans@bizvirtuoso.com
Check out our website at www.bizvirtuoso.com
To learn more about what makes us your business experts and why we strive to be
“A Helping Hand In ALL Your Business Needs”

Deal-Killing Mistakes…. Every Entrepreneur makes

Deal-Killing Mistakes…. Every Entrepreneur makes

You may be a smart one but even the smartest entrepreneurs commit blatant mistakes. A quick glance through all these mistakes may help you to understand and refrain from the same.

1^st Mistake: LOVING the client

This is one of the major mistakes committed when an entrepreneur starts depending and loving the existing clients. They forget to increase contacts and interact with more clients in order to serve the steady one in a better manner. But wait, clients may be dissatisfied, clients may complaining of poor work and move on, they may stop the regular cash flow by making part payments, so on and so forth. Of course you want to develop a relationship and rapport with your customer… however, a client must not generate more than 30% of your total revenue.

2^nd Mistake: BEGGING for the business

Do not act like a beggar, step up and solve a problem. If you provide a solution, give advice, share knowledge, or show an expertise, that reflects your professionalism. That’s what may be of interest to your prospective clients. Nobody would hire you because you need business, they will hire you if your ideas look promising. You have to strike the right chord to bag a business deal.

3^rd Mistake: Sounding DESPERATE

If you sell yourself as a desperate businessperson, you are more likely to lose your clients’ interest. This indicates lack of professionalism. Avoid this and unravel your USPs (Unique Selling Propositions) that might be of more interest to your client. Bagging a deal requires confidence and faith in you.

4^th Mistake: Thinking all clients are the SAME

You HAVE to understand the pulse of your prospective client. If you fail to do that, you have already lost the battle. Most entrepreneurs try the same tactics with all clients. That is just a major mistake. Listen to your client. Let them sell themselves. You do not have to have business on your mind always. A little information and update of new processes and their benefits may help.

Do you have any input on this? I miss any HUGE error we all make… Let me know what you want to hear more about at Cynthia@bizvirtuoso.com…

Signed Your Fellow VIRTUOSO!

Cynthia

Do you believe in luck?

I do believe there are lucky times and lucky moments in all of our lives... but overall I believe in ACTION to make what we want to happen happen!

Ask me anything, as me what is on your mind... as me what your dealing with in your business?

The Art of Holiday TIP/BONUS Giving... Even in a Recession!!

Hello My Fellow Virtuosos...

In this season of giving it is important to think beyond your normal family and friends and still reach out to those people who make your life and business possible. This brings us to Holiday Tipping and bonuses! Who in your life or business, has gone a step beyond for you this year, who is always there when the S*** hit the fan... These are the people you may want to acknowledge and recognize throughout this season. Whether its for your super, cleaning company, assistant or babysitter; it is important that ESPECIALLY in this down economy you stop, take a moment and give a little.

Yes, its a recession. Yes, you've lost income, but so have those people who surround you and make your success that much easier. So in short, you don't need to give a lot, you may give less than you did last year. But giving to these individuals will go a step beyond their expectations of you and will solidify their support in the coming year of 2010! Remember your relationships are a crucial part of your growth as a business owner!

I found the following suggested amounts in an article I read recently... Take a look for suggestions on how much to give and who to give to....

Christmas Tipping

If you are one of many who feels that tipping at Christmas is stupid and unnecessary, then by all means don’t tip. I am not someone who believes there is a moral obligation to give Christmas tips. For those of you wishing or planning on tipping, here are some tipping guidelines to consider.

Christmas Tip – For Who and How Much?

Babysitter: One evening’s pay, plus a small gift from your child.

Barber: Cost of one haircut, and/or gift.

Beauty salon/hairstylist: $10 to $60 each, giving most to those who provide the most service.

Child’s teacher: Give a gift, not cash. Consider a Gift Certificate; fruit basket or picture frame.

Daycare Services: $25-70, plus a small gift from your child.

Dog walker: One week’s pay and/or a gift.

Doormen/Concierge: $10 to $80 each, with a bigger tip for the doormen who serves you more.

Garage attendants and newspaper deliverer: $10 to $30 each.

Housekeeper: One day’s pay.

Mail carrier: Gifts up to $20 each, but no cash. *See the rules below for giving Christmas tips to USPS workers below. Only tip your regular mail carrier that you know and see regularly.

Nanny/Au pair: One week’s to one month’s salary based on tenure, plus a small gift from your child.

Personal trainer – $60-100 upon reaching goal.

Super: $25 to $100.

Doorman: $10 to $80.

Handyman: $15 to $40.

Trash collector: $10 to $30 each (for private service); for municipal service, check local regulations.

I hope this helps a bit and gives you a new perspective on the tradition of giving around the holidays... Thanks for reading!

Your fellow Virtuoso,

Cynthia

Senior Writer & Consultant

Biz Virtuoso, Inc.

www.BizVirtuoso.com

Is the Economy Really Improving for Small Business? You Decide

Is the Economy Really Improving for Small Business? You Decide

As the economists declare we are coming out of the recession, I bet your bottom line tells a different story. After all, they declared the recession months after you had already been knee deep in the throes of the struggle to keep your head above water for many months. But the good news is that the talking heads are discussing a positive outlook on the horizon. That alone helps people feel better about the future.

There are plenty of groups talking about how the signs for small business are improving. Let’s take a look at a few of the statistics.

PNC Economic Outlook Survey

According to the report from the PNC Economic Outlook Survey, their new fall findings support PNC’s forecast that the U.S. economy has started a moderate U-shaped recovery in the latter half of this year that will continue throughout at least 2010. The PNC survey, which began in 2003, gauges the mood and sentiment among small and mid-sized business owners, who represent the bedrock of the American economy. The highlights include:

Small business owners are less pessimistic about their company prospects than they were six months ago. In the spring of 2009, 36% were pessimistic compared to 25% during the fall 2009 survey.

The economic stimulus has yet to trickle down to small business as 79% indicated they had not yet benefited.

Overwhelmingly, 96% of small business owners said the economy has not yet begun to improve, but some (13%) think it’s on its way. This is twice as many as indicated such in the fall 2008 survey.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA had a tough year. At its fiscal close on September 30th, they had approved less than 45, 000 loans, down 36% from 2008 and 56% from 2007 according to a report from WSJ.com. The good news is that, although slow, the American Recovery Capital (ARC) loan program which is part of the economic stimulus package seems to be picking up as more banks decide to participate.

Digital Insights Second Annual Online Financial Management Survey

The Digital Insight Second Annual Online Financial Management Survey was fielded by Decipher research in July-August 2009. The small business portion surveyed 500 small business owners across the United States. There’s good news in this survey for the banking industry. Nearly 70% of respondents (both consumer and small business) indicated confidence in the stability of their bank or credit union. Other highlights include:

Sixty-one percent of small business owners are expressing optimism about their potential businesses growth.

Seventeen percent of small business owners have increased their use of online financial management tools in the past year.

American Express OPEN® Small Business Monitor

More than half (55%) of entrepreneurs have an optimistic outlook on near-term business prospects, up from 45% in March 2009, according to the American Express OPEN® Small Business Monitor, a semi-annual survey of business owners. Key highlights of this report indicate small business are taking a conservative approach.

Forty one percent say their top priority over the next six months is maintaining current sources of revenue with only one quarter (26%) focused on growing their business, which is the lowest number for growth in Monitor history.

Half (49%) say they are not willing to take on financial risk to grow their business, an all-time high for the Monitor.

Maintaining morale is a big issue. Three-quarters say morale has stayed the same, and nine percent say it has improved. In addition, approximately one in three (28%) business owners see offering financial incentives such as bonuses and paid time off as a way to increase employee morale.

Sixty percent of entrepreneurs report cash flow issues this fall, a slight uptick over the previous fall (55%) and this spring (57%).

The biggest cash flow worry for business owners is the ability to pay bills on time (26%).

When cash flow concerns arise, business owners are most likely to dip into their own pockets: 32% of business owners will use personal or private funds, and one in four (25%) will put off purchases. Others will use credit or charge cards (13%), obtain and use a line of credit (12%), lease rather than purchase business equipment (4%), or get a short-term loan in order to improve cash flow (3%).

What It All Means for Your Small Business

Your situation may be entirely different than any of the companies surveyed, but the general consensus is that the economy is slightly better. Does that mean credit will loosen up and bank loans will be easier to come by? Not likely. You’ll have to continue to keep a sharp eye on expenses and pay close attention to collecting your receivables to stay afloat. Even in a flush economy that’s how small business should operate to stay on the positive side of cash flow. Today’s economy just makes the challenge a bit tougher. But I know you can do it.

Editor’s note: this article was originally published at the American Express OPEN Forum, and is republished here with permission.

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