Getting Healthy

Posted At : November 13, 2008 2:10 PM | Posted By : ISBDC Manager
Related Categories: Business Practices

Increasingly, businesses and health insurance providers are trying to find ways to motivate at-risk persons to be more proactive with their health care. This movement may be partially fed by an altruistic desire, but several studies point to increased financial performance when the workforce is healthy. 
 
The Wellness Council of America has published a report that details the 10 most important factors to a successful wellness program. This report was designed with small businesses specifically in mind. The ten to-do’s for a successful program are as follows:
  • Supportive CEO – If management doesn’t buy-in and show active support, then the employee base will not either.
  • Program champion/guru – This individual will be the “personal trainer” for the organization and will have the ability to help people with their efforts and get them involved in the program.
  • Initial health survey – gives important insight into what matters to the employees; what concerns do they have about their health. 
  • Physical activity – Provide opportunities that encourage activity regularly in the workplace
  • Eating education – Include activities or methods that will educate employees on healthy eating habits and be sure that food offered in the workplace matches what you are teaching
  • Convenient information – Provide access to reading materials or other self-regulated tools that will continue the education process
  • Health newsletter – Present the ongoing results or success stories as a periodic newsletter
  • Company health policies – Include health policies as a part of the company procedures and policies
  • Community health events – Take an active role in community activities as participant and partner
The full free report can be downloaded from the WELCOA website.  Other organizations have also weighed in on wellness programs.  The Microsoft Small Business Center (page may need to be refreshed) effectively summarizes the WELCOA report and gives a real example.  According to PreventDisease.com , absenteeism, productivity, morale, and health costs may be positively impacted by successful wellness programs. And Workforce Management recently reported that the show The Biggest Loser embodies a successful wellness program by providing desirable incentives, support groups, and ongoing education.

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Conflict Management

Posted At : November 6, 2008 1:29 PM | Posted By : ISBDC Manager
Related Categories: Business Practices,Human Resources

Whether it is at work, at home, or at the grocery store, we all experience some degree of conflict every day.  How we manage (not eliminate) the conflicts can have a significant impact on our success; again, whether that success is being measured at the workplace or at home.
 
In the workplace, conflict can arise between co-workers, leaders and subordinates, employees and customers to name a few.  Deborah Stallings, an HR professional and consultant, recommends the following best practices for engaging in confrontations or other forms of conflict.  These steps do not guarantee successful resolutions, but will make them more likely. Not every recommendation will apply in every situation.
  •  Have a high concern for all party interests and search for mutually inclusive solutions.
  • Develop self-awareness and, if possible, prepare yourself for the negotiation or confrontation.
  • Clarify what needs are being threatened by the conflict.
  • Identify a place that is safe and, preferably, neutral territory.
  • Take a listening stance. Be prepared to actively hear what the other party is saying.
  • Assert your needs with clarity.
  • Approach the interaction with flexibility.  Be open-minded.
  • Manage impasses with calm, patience, and respectful behavior.
  • Build an agreement that works highlighting areas of mutual importance.

These guidelines will prevent you from being walked on and help you to be open to the solutions and needs of the other party. To read the full article , visit NAWBO online.

 

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Surviving a Weak Economy

Posted At : November 3, 2008 1:44 PM | Posted By : ISBDC Manager
Related Categories: Business Practices,Accounting

While the current downturn in the economy has many lamenting their financial woes, it is possible for businesses to survive.  The Coeur d’Alene Press recently interviewed Bill Jhung , Region I SBDC coach, regarding the transition firms need to make to stay profitable.
 
The pressure businesses are feeling is a combination of decreasing revenues and increasing costs. However, this doesn’t automatically mean failure for all businesses. The majority of the strugglers are victims of other problems, which were harder to detect when the economy was strong.   Jhung observers that some businesses are blending in with the competition; the only distinguishing factor becoming price. And price competition only compounds the problems faced by declining revenues and increasing costs. Jhung recommends getting back to core strengths by getting rid of things that you are only doing because someone asked you to.  Jhung advises, “If you try to satisfy a lot of people you may not satisfy any group well”. He also reminds businesses to check their cash flows. “Cash is not the problem of a business, but can be the evidence of a problem”.  This goes back to giving the business a fiscal physical .
 
In summary, go back to what separates your business from the pack and be aware of your how your cash flows are moving.  To read the full article , visit the Coeur d’Alene Press online.

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Upgrading to Electronic POS

Posted At : October 24, 2008 12:54 PM | Posted By : ISBDC Manager
Related Categories: Technology,Accounting

Point-of-sale (POS) software can increase checkout efficiency and accuracy. It can also improve inventory management and customer tracking. Many software choices can be found on the Internet. However, two options that have some proven history in POS software are Intuit’s Quickbooks POS and Microsoft’s Dynamics POS. These products will allow a business to track customer purchases, specific product sales, sales by employee, monitor inventory, and much more. This information can then be integrated with the respective accounting software. Both products support a host of peripherals as well. This list includes scanner, automated cash drawer, credit card machine, and printers (receipt and report). To read more about these products, visit the Dynamics POS and Quickbooks POS websites.  
 
Of course, a big concern is the overall cost of the upgrade. The software will cost between $600-1,800 depending on which version, how many terminals are being set up, and where it is being purchased. The hardware will add roughly another $1,000-2,500 depending on what peripherals are required (assuming a touch screen monitor), number of stations, and will vary according to manufacture. HP and Dell both offer hardware packages that can be customized. New and used hardware/software packages can also be found at third party websites like eBay and craigslist or other independent resellers. 
 
Point-of-sale can be quite beneficial to small business owners, but it is easy to go above and beyond the actual needs.  As with any upgrade, a careful examination of the current and future business needs and capabilities of current staff should be undertaken before transitioning.

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