The perks of meeting meditation

No matter if you’re having a staff meeting or a meeting with the board, meditation before meeting is slowly working its way to becoming the new normal. Here is why:

A meeting meditation is quick

It will not interfere with your working schedule. You can choose different lengths of meditation for meetings that last from 1 minute to 10 minutes. So, having no time can’t be your excuse.

A vast array of meditation techniques to choose from

Everything isn’t for everyone and that’s okay. Depending on your company’s culture and what you want to achieve with meditation you can try out anything from these types of meditation. Remember that every type is applicable to meditation for staff meeting. A safe choice is guided meditation to start a meeting, but is entirely up to you.

Gives you calm in the storm

Meditation is proven not only to reduce stress levels, but to give a sense of calm throughout the day. And if you need something in a business meeting, that’s definitely calm and cool heads. 

It helps with increasing patience and tolerance and also it is the leader in reducing anxiety. And we all know how nerves can get in the way of everything.

Meeting meditation is like love – it don’t cost a thing

There’s nothing to lose by trying meeting meditation. You and your staff can only benefit from it. And even if you don’t, what’s the harm of trying things free of charge? From all of the ways to implement free or cheap business changes, meditation before meeting is one of the most innovative.

Yes, there are professionals you can hire for guided meditation to start a meeting. That being said, we live in the age of accessible knowledge at any time so all you need is some tips on how to do a meeting mediation.

In a world running towards the future – it keeps you in the present

That’s right – meetings are often set for enhancing efficiency in business, deciding on the next move, or to see what went wrong in the past. So, the mindset of everyone in the meeting shifts from the future to the past on a daily basis. It is well known that we shape the future with the decisions we make in the present and being present in the moment is what meeting meditation is all about. It makes a person aware of where he/she is in the now and keeps them grounded. Focusing on the present will take you to a better version of your future.

Open up locked away creativity with meeting meditation

How can a person be creative if he/she is not relaxed? When it comes to business, you want to extract every bit of imagination and creativity from everyone in the room. It’s what will guide you to fresh ideas, out of the box thinking and better solutions to problems.

Scientifically it’s proven that if a person is relaxed, the creative juices start to flow immediately. Meeting meditation will relax everyone.

Improves the working relationship strength

Whether you are in a meeting with clients, colleagues, or employees – doing something out of the borders of professionalism, can bring you together. Think of it as a small team-building exercise that you can do at a moment’s notice.

How to start implementing meeting meditation if you haven’t tried it before

It’s common practice not to try something simply because you haven’t tried it before. But, meditation for meetings is so easy – trust us.

Firstly, put the idea out there so it doesn’t come as a shock. Speak about meeting meditation in a previous meeting before you try it or simply write an email or a memo. Be sure to explain the details of why you are doing this.

Once everyone knows, start off the next meeting by informing everyone that they have to close their eyes and start taking deep breaths (nose-in, mouth-out). Then, tell them to simply put all the focus on their breathing and to let pass any thought that comes to mind freely. Kindly ask them to stay quiet and keep doing what they are doing. You don’t need to set up an alarm or anything, trust your inner clock. Once is over, go ahead with your meeting.

Conclusion

It is safe to say that meditation before meeting has become a standard practice for a lot of companies of different sizes. Trends become trends for a reason. A fresh and spiritual practice that leads to more achievements and success was bound to become a trend. Try it or not, its benefits are indisputable. And because of that, we strongly recommend it.

Why is it important to have a professional network?

Employers are often more likely to hire someone who comes recommended by someone they know and trust. Having a professional network can also help you to stay informed about news and developments in your industry. And if you ever find yourself out of work, your network can be a valuable resource for finding new opportunities
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A professional network is a group of contacts that you can rely on for information, advice, and support. These are people who have expertise in your industry or field, and who can help you to reach your professional goals. A professional network can provide you with custom article review writing service opportunities, introductions to new contacts, and even just moral support when you need it.

How can you start building your network today?

1. Attend industry events. Industry events are a great way to meet potential contacts and learn about new developments in your field.
2. Get involved with professional associations. Professional associations can provide valuable networking opportunities, as well as access to industry-specific news and resources.
3. Use social media. Social media platforms like LinkedIn offer powerful tools for connecting with professionals in your field. By adding your industry keywords to your profile, you can make sure that you’re connecting with the right people.

What are some tips for networking successfully?

One of the most important things is to be genuine and authentic in your interactions. People can tell when you’re trying to fake it, and it’s much more difficult to build a meaningful connection if you’re not being yourself. It’s also important to be a good listener – rather than trying to dominate the conversation, take the time to really hear what the other person has to say. And, of course, don’t forget the follow up! Send a quick email or LinkedIn message after meeting someone new to stay in touch.

What are some common mistakes people make when networking?

One mistake is talking too much about themselves. When meeting someone new, it’s important to strike a balance between talking about yourself and showing a genuine interest in the other person.

Another mistake could be failing to follow up. If you meet someone at an event and exchange business cards, be sure to reach out within a day or two. Finally, some people are not prepared enough. Before attending a networking event, take some time to research the people who will be in attendance. This will help you to start meaningful conversations and make lasting connections.

How can you use networking to achieve your career goals?

Networking can be a powerful tool for achieving your career goals. By connecting with other professionals in your field, you can learn about new opportunities, get advice and feedback, and build relationships that can help you advance in your career. 

What should you do if you don’t know anyone in your industry?

If you’re looking to break into a new industry, it can be daunting if you don’t know anyone in that field. However, there are a few things you can do to get started. First, look for online communities or forums related to your desired industry. Many times, these will be populated by people who are already working in the field and can offer advice or mentorship. You can also attend events or meetups related to your desired industry. This is a great way to network and meet potential contacts.

Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to people you admire in your desired industry. Many people are happy to chat with someone who is interested in their work and may be able to offer advice or guidance. 

How can you stay connected with your professional network?

Social media sites like LinkedIn offer a great way to connect with professionals in your industry, and many organizations offer online forums and discussion groups that can help you stay up-to-date on industry news and trends. Additionally, attending industry events and conferences can be a great way to meet new people and learn about new opportunities. 

Conclusion

Developing a professional network can be a great way to further your career goals. By connecting with others in your field, you can gain valuable insights, advice, and connections that can help you in your job search and beyond. What are some tips you have for networking successfully? Let us know!

What is B2B and why is it important

The business-to-business model doesn’t exactly function as it would with consumers. You’ll be doing business with other businesses. For example, let’s take a look at grocery stores. Grocery stores are filled to the brim with all sorts of different types of food ranging from produce to baked goods. However, the grocery stores only sell them. Though it should be mentioned that some stores might bake their own pastries. The stores themselves only house these items. They have to conduct B2B relations with other businesses, such as Starbucks, DiGiorno’s, and even farms.

To give you a second example would be a computer company, like Intel, establishing a relationship with another business that has the materials it needs. Despite not being directly involved with the process, the consumers do play a huge role in both parties’ success.

Another way you can participate in B2B operations is to invest in real estate. Real estate investments, particularly in shares, are actually a part of B2B operations. Investing in shares of another company can yield a considerable profit as well as numerous other benefits. But the most lucrative benefit there is to investing in real estate is the tax advantages. Depending on the income you have, did you know that some capital gains can be taxed for up to 20 percent of it? Compared to the traditional income tax, this is exceptionally low, so taxes aren’t going to be too much of an issue.

Three markets within the supply chain

One of the most critical aspects of B2B is learning how the supply chain works and where you stand on it. In the supply chain, there are three different markets. It’s these markets that ultimately dictate how your business will function. Below are the three markets within the supply chain and how they work:

• Primary Market: The primary market is something that’s actually exclusive to the B2B business model. Companies that are situated in the primary sector, like gas companies, for example, are what’s in charge of producing materials.
• Secondary Market: The secondary market is almost as exclusive as the primary market. Companies within this market are what create the materials for others to craft their products. An example of this would be food suppliers and car manufacturers. What sets this market apart from the primary market, however, is that it can also use the B2C model.
• Tertiary Market: The tertiary market is unique as it’s a combination of both B2B and B2C. To put it simply, it caters to both businesses and consumers alike. Think about internet providers, online tutors, and even real estate services.

There’s a lot more to learn about these markets and how you can thrive in them. Be sure to research more about these topics when you can.

Profitable B2B niches to invest in

• General contractors
• Dentists
• Tree removal
• Uber driving
• Fleet managers
• Lawn care
• Plumbing services
• Attorneys
• Paper suppliers

These are just to name a few niches out of many you can make your business about. But since this is the first step, it’s best to take things slow and really think about it. Consider what niche is the most profitable. What is something companies will always need? This is one of the most important questions you need to ask yourself.

A great way to find the best niche for your new business is to center it around your passions. If you’re someone who loves to garden and ensure the grass is always greener, then becoming a landscaping professional is a wonderful option. Or, if you’re someone who’s in technology and fixing things up, becoming a technician is right up your alley.

Conclusion

Whether you’re an established investor or just beginning to explore B2B opportunities, these niches offer compelling potential for long-term growth and profitability. Keep in mind that timing and thorough research are crucial, while these sectors show promise, it’s essential to conduct detailed market analysis and align investments with your expertise and resources.

4 steps to ensure flawless task automation

Here’s a four-step guide on implementing task automation in your workplace.

Identify tasks for automation

Before looking for automation tools, it’s best to determine which tasks you intend to automate in your company. In doing so, you’ll prevent your team from investing in multiple technologies that have the same features, saving you costs in the long run.

For instance, automate tasks like data entering, calendar management, or reports and analytics. Once you identify functions suitable for automation, you’ll find it easier to choose a solution to help your team with their workflows.

Create a detailed plan

Once you’ve identified the tasks that need to be automated, develop a detailed plan on how to automate them. This will help you decide whether or not it’s worth automating and how best to do so. It also helps to consider if legal or ethical issues might arise from using an automation tool for a specific task.

As you create this task automation plan, you may find that some tasks are better suited for automation than others. For example, depending on their complexity, it may make sense to use an app or software program before automating specific tasks. This way, you won’t waste time developing complicated programs that don’t work in real-life situations.

Look for automation tools

Once a plan is outlined, it’s time to look for automation tools to help simplify them. These tools are designed to streamline business processes by reducing manual steps and repetitive tasks. Hence, employees can focus more on their core responsibilities. 

For instance, investing in tools like resource management software allows you to manage the allocation of equipment and human resources efficiently. In addition, this tool makes it easier for line managers to assign projects to their teams without worrying about overloading them with work or underutilizing their skill sets. 

On the other hand, you can also consider using cloud-based services as they provide remote access to data. These services allow users to store files on a central server instead of holding them locally on computers or devices. This way, remote employees can access all their files quickly without worrying about losing them due to viruses or hardware failure.

Develop task automation strategies

Automation tools can be handy when used correctly. However, they can also cause problems if they’re not appropriately tested before implementation. Therefore, before implementing any of these tools in your workplace, it’s necessary to create a testing environment where employees can assess the new functions without affecting their standard workflow. 

Significantly, this step will help them feel more comfortable handling solutions since they already know how it works and what they need to accomplish. Here are three of the common strategies for implementing task automation: 

• Pilot testing: Testing new software or technology before rolling it out company-wide provides many benefits. For one, pilot testing allows you to avoid making significant mistakes while rolling out new technologies or software. It also allows you to see how users react to the new system and find ways to improve their performance. 
• User acceptance testing (UAT): UAT is another strategy to consider when implementing task automation. This process refers to an evaluation period where a user tests a system by completing various tasks using a particular software or technology before releasing it for company use. This way, you won’t have to worry about losing data or experiencing productivity losses due to human errors or software defects. 
• Training employees on new systems: This strategy works great if your company uses a newer type of software that requires less employee effort and more from machines through automating tasks. Training your employees to use new systems allows them to perform their duties efficiently and improve their productivity.

It’s essential to test your new automation tools to minimize downtime during implementation. Hence, you may choose one or two task automation strategies to ensure your tools work effectively.

Conclusion

With the rise of modern technologies, it’s best to take advantage of the latest tools to streamline tasks within your company. Therefore, considering these four steps can help you adopt task automation quickly. 

Once you do so, you can sustain uptime, enabling your staff to deliver your clients’ needs effectively. This way, you can boost your revenue, which gives you a competitive edge.

Make a crisis management contingency plan

In order to protect your business and keep it running in the midst of a crisis, you need to do a lot of risk planning. Having a contingency plan will outline the steps your company should take in the event of a crisis. Your plan should clearly state the measures you are going to take in regards to your employees and business operations.

During a pandemic crisis make sure you include: steps you are taking to protect your employees, what you plan to do if an outbreak happens in your business, ways employees can contact you in cases of emergency and what may happen to your business operations if the business is infected.

Move your business online

Most brick and mortar businesses can become great online businesses with a few tweaks. If you have an in-person trade, this might actually be an opportunity to expand your reach or adapt your service. You can move your scheduled classes online, set up an online store and so on, the only limit is your imagination.

For B2B operating businesses, EL B2B platform is a fantastic way to keep up your business operations running, generate new business deals and identify opportunities completely remotely. A crisis is the final moment when you should utilize all resources in your hands to keep your business afloat.

Adapting to how things are during a crisis, and moving your business online can increase your chances of surviving and even thriving when the crisis is over.

Adopt a work from home policy

Finding alternative work arrangements can really keep your business running during a crisis. Moreover, having a work from home policy offers a variety of benefits to both the remote employee and their employers. If you can introduce a work from home system and create specific guidelines to ensure all employees understand what exactly is required from them when they work remotely. Some of the key elements include: proper technology, secure connection, implementing active communication, setting clear expectations and most importantly – trusting your employees.

Depending on your industry and business, working from home may not be possible to implement. However, if at all possible, consider implementing it and make your company operations swift to be fully remote. Not only will it keep your business running during a pandemic crisis, it will also protect everyone’s health, lower some of your costs and increase the efficiency of your employees.

Step up your cleaning game

If implementing a temporary work from home arrangement, or moving your business online is impossible for you, it is necessary to sanitize your business on the daily. Regardless of how often your business was being cleaned till now, whether it be once a week or once every day, you need to step it up and do it more frequently.

Implement a mandatory rule for employees to disinfect their work stations daily (or maybe even multiple times per day), request sick employees not to come to the office, be flexible with sick leave, and most importantly stack up on soap, disinfectants and hand sanitizer. Because nothing keeps a business running in crisis, like happy and healthy employees.

Take advantage of government help programs

The current crisis is hitting the business world and economy hard, but there is no need for panic because Government help and Small Business Reliefs are on the way!If your business is struggling to gather funds to cover your business expenses due to the crisis, you are not out of luck just yet.

As part of its budget announcement, the governments around the world announced a number of welcome measures to help small businesses cope with coronavirus, including support for those that need to pay statutory sick pay and changes to the benefits system to help employees on zero-hour contracts. The help available varies from Government Grants, to Business Loans, help with tax and VAT, help with salaries and so on… just to help business’ keep running during crisis.

Conclusion

While no one can predict every challenge that might come your way, having solid plans in place and staying flexible can make the difference between shutting down and pushing through. Whether you’re facing your first business crisis or planning ahead for the next one, remember that preparation and adaptability are your best tools. After all, it’s not about avoiding every storm but learning to dance in the rain.