Tag Archives: Company

90 Day Company Cleanse: Week 6

We hope you enjoyed last week as much as we did and really took some time to relax a little, in case you missed out here is the link Week 5. Now that your feeling a bit refreshed lets tackle Week 6 which is going to focus on setting your mobile device for better productivity.

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We are all guilty of working from our mobile devices, sometimes it is an emergency for most of us it is simply convenient.  New technology is constantly produced, promising to help us stay connected and productive.  Often it can be more of a distraction, leading to less productivity.  Here are some tips to make the most out of your tech devices.

  1. Organize Your Digital Space: Make sure the apps or links you use most often are easy to access and conveniently located on your phone. This means when you need to work you can jump right on your mobile device and get down to business. That may also mean getting rid of apps you don’t use, maybe those free trials you downloaded and didn’t like so much. It can also be something as simple as making sure the links you use most are bookmarked and saved such as online banking websites, vendor sites your order from, Quickbooks, and any page you find yourself visiting often.
  2. Extend Your Battery Life: If you don’t have one already you need to go out and buy an external battery for your smartphone right now! You will thank us later (Your Welcome!). Not only will it give your phone a nice charge when you’re not by an outlet, most of them are pretty inexpensive. If you are using your phone as much as we think you are for work and other business related stuff your battery’s life probably seems shorter and shorter everyday. So forget the days of having your phone die right before your send that very important email, and give your device the gift of immortality (ok not really immortal but definitely long enough to make it home to your charger).
  3. Download This App: Evernote is a great app to use. Not only will you be able to share ideas and information with other people, the app is available on android and iOS devices.
  4. And These Apps Too: For Quickbooks users, you can download the Quickbooks app for free.  It allows you to record your receipts before they get lost in the shuffle of your busy day.

Laboratory5 Inc. is a small business based in Tempe, Arizona

Visit our website: Laboratory5       Follow us on Twitter: @lab5     Become a fan on Facebook: Laboratory5
Contact Us at anytime – we’d love to hear from you

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90 Day Company Cleanse: Week 5

Over the past four weeks we have challenged you with the tedious task of giving your company a “cleanse.” For those of you who have made it this far perhaps you now have a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses as a business owner. Some of you may have found that you are extremely organized but maybe lacking the passion or fire you once had for your company. While others of you may have realized that even though your business is successful and you are motivated, you lack decent time management and organization skills. Well whatever the case may be, this week we want to you to take this time to focus on you as a business owner by relaxing with a good book. Break out your kindle or favorite book and make time to read this week.  Not sure what to read? Well here are five of our top picks for business owners like you!

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  1. The Little Spark: 30 Ways To Ignite Your Creativity by Carrie Bloomston 

    Boost creativity and innovation by following these 30 different tips and exercised designed to ignite your inner creative. Its one of our favorite books around here and a great read when you need a little pick me up. For more info visit the following link: Spark Your Creativity

  2. 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class by Steve Siebold: 

    Learn how to change the way you think and react. This book is a great read for those interested in improving your attitude, business, or life. There are some great tips in here that will help you build mental toughness and prepare you for some of the toughest adversities you will face. For more info or to purchase the book click here: http://www.amazon.com/Mental-Toughness-Secrets-World-Class/dp/0975500309

  3. Organizing for Your Brain Type: Finding Your Own Solution to Managing Time, Paper, and Stuff

    Still struggling with getting things organized? Well this book makes it super easy by offering different solutions based on the way you think. Create a time management and organizational system that feels natural for you. More info or if you want to purchase visit:  http://www.changinghands.com/book/9780312339777

  4. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain: 

    Being a great leader doesn’t mean you have to be loud, learn how to use what some may considered a weakness to your advantage. For more info: http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Power-Introverts-World Talking/dp/0307352153/ref=wl_mb_wl_huc_mrai_25_dp

  5. The Power of Visual Storytelling: How to Use Visuals, Videos, and Social Media to Market Your Brand (Paperback) By Ekaterina Walter, Jessica Giglio

    Having trouble navigating the waters of today’s online world? Here is a great book that explains how, why, and what you need to do to successfully market your brand online and visually. They use some great examples of how other companies and some big brand names were able make them selves stand out.  For more info on this book check out: http://www.changinghands.com/book/9780071823937

Laboratory5 Inc. is a small business based in Tempe, Arizona

Visit our website: Laboratory5       Follow us on Twitter: @lab5     Become a fan on Facebook: Laboratory5
Contact Us at anytime – we’d love to hear from you

Leave a comment

90 Day Company Cleanse: Week 4

Wow its week four already! Can you believe we are almost 30 days into this challenge? If you have been following our 90 Day Company Cleanse posts with us then we know you and your company are probably feeling pretty confident right about now. For those of you who are interested in starting the 90 Day Company Cleanse and haven’t already, you can start with this post from Week 1.

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Cleanse Company Finances

 pretty pictures via photopin (license)

Give Your Finances a Makeover: Whether your looking solutions to lower your expenses or better organize your business books, this week we have some great tips to help with your company’s finances.

  1. Organize Your Receipts and Invoices: Incase you didn’t do this the first week, make sure your financial records are properly organized. Take the time to develop a filing system, and make sure you stick to it. We not asking you to create an elaborate color coded binder system, (unless thats your thing) just make sure everything is at least sorted by month or expense type. Not only will this make things easier to navigate in the future, your tax advisor will appreciate it.
  2. Reevaluate Vendor Expenses: It may seem unnecessary to change vendors especially when you have been ordering from the same ones for years, but are you really saving money by sticking with the same vendor? Take the time to compare prices and make sure you are still really getting the best deal. Talk to your vendors about what discounts they can offer you, and research cheaper vendor alternatives.
  3. Keep Track of Bank Spending: If your not doing this already, you should start immediately. This may be difficult to keep track of but you should have an idea of how much you spend weekly or monthly. Using Quickbooks or an expense spreadsheet is a great way record your purchases. Review your expenses, maybe you can cut back on a few things or start investigating some cheaper options for reoccurring expenses. The point is you should know what your business is spending.
  4. Anticipate Big Expenses. We know running a small business can be expensive so do keep in mind all expenses and be prepared when it time to make a big purchase. Need a new office, want to update your computer, or maybe you need to hire another employee, plan ahead for your next big purchase or expense. Create a budget to determine how much are you looking to spend and stick to it. Start putting aside money in advance for these type of expenses, that way you are prepared when it time to make the commitment.
  5. Make Sure You Have An Emergency Fund. Most of us probably have an emergency fund put aside for our personal use but what about starting one for your business? Making sure you have the available funds when times are tough can be just as challenging. A good emergency fund has enough funds to cover six months worth of expenses. Unlike a saving for big purchases this account should only be using in cases of emergency.
  6. Repeat! Schedule weekly time to organize your receipts  and track your expenses. Make time monthly to review your spending and take notes for things to change next month. You should begin seeing some financial changes in no time!

 

Laboratory5 Inc. is a small business based in Tempe, Arizona

Visit our website: Laboratory5       Follow us on Twitter: @lab5     Become a fan on Facebook: Laboratory5
Contact Us at anytime – we’d love to hear from you

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