Is A Ban On Gas And Diesel Cars A Real Possibility?

Many governments in Europe are taking the lead on setting firm deadlines for a ban on the sale of gasoline and diesel cars. Inspired by concerns around the environmental impact of engines as well as a reaction against the Volkswagen diesel emission tests scandal, European governments are also heavily incentivising car manufacturers in favour of electric vehicles. So how realistic is a total ban? Will we all be driving electric vehicles by, say, 2040? The truth is it’s a complicated situation as we discover in this article.

Calls for a ban

There’s no doubt that gasoline and diesel cars contribute to pollution and global warming. And these effects are more pronounced in urban centres with large populations. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the calls for a ban on gas and diesel cars are loudest in these urban centres, which often have low rates of car ownership because of excellent public transport. Many European green political parties in particular have taken up the mantle of campaigning for cleaner air and it’s certainly a vote winner.

But how realistic is a total ban?

There are a number of hurdles to jump before a total ban is a real possibility. Perhaps the biggest hurdle is the number of jobs associated with the global gas and diesel manufacturing industry. It’s estimated that there are some 7.25 million jobs in the industry in the US alone. It would take a strong political will to introduce a total ban in the face of such numbers. In addition, thought needs to be given to the resale value for owners of internal combustion cars as the deadline approaches. And what would happen to gas stations and their owners? These are all big questions that the politicians will need to get to grips with before any ban is introduced.

There are also concerns as to whether electric cars are really up to the job. At the moment there simply aren’t enough fast-charging stations around which means that the range of electric cars is somewhat limited. Many more recharging stations will need to be set up globally, but this is potentially a very high cost. The technology is, of course, always changing but it’s not always possible to predict in what ways.

Investment in alternatives

As well as introducing firm deadlines, European governments along with China have been incentivising the industry to research emissions-free driving and electric vehicles and it’s in this area that we’re likely to see the biggest impacts in the short term at least. Volvo, for example, has already confirmed that all its models will have an electric motor from 2019 and Daimler has announced an investment of over €9 billion in electric and autonomous technologies.

It remains to be seen whether the world’s politicians can overcome the hurdles and introduce a total ban on gasoline and diesel cars. But whatever happens, at the very least, we’ll be driving cleaner cars and that should be welcomed.

4 Steps You Can Take Now To Improve Staff Productivity

Improving the productivity of employees is a goal of all businesses, but how do you go about achieving it in your workplace? In this article, we share some easily implemented, practical ways that you can improve staff productivity today.

  1. Economic incentives

When it comes to economic incentives, businesses tend to concentrate on bonuses and performance-related pay schemes for senior managers and leaders. Often lower level employees are left out of the equation altogether. But if you want to get the most out of your employees then offering economic incentives as a reward for hard work is a great idea – after all, it works for senior managers, doesn’t it? And if you’re worried about costs, then make sure your programme is carefully structured and is closely linked to the achievement of performance or revenue targets.

  1. Provide meaningful feedback

Constructive feedback is the cornerstone of effective management practices. Staff cannot grow and develop without knowing how they’re doing. So, give praise when praise is due and when the feedback is not so positive, present it in a thoughtful way as a time for reflection and it’s more likely to be received well and acted on. And it’s worth remembering that research suggests providing praise and recognition when it’s due is probably the single most important way to increase employee productivity across the board. In fact, recognition is often a more powerful motivator for employees than monetary rewards. You see, most of us are wired to respond to positive encouragement so make sure that you recognise and praise all the positive aspects, rather than having areas for improvement as your main focus.

  1. Be a proactive trainer and developer of staff

Providing adequate staff training and development opportunities is another way to enhance productivity. It shows that staff really matter in your organisation and that you value their input. Regularly review where staff are at and identify any training and development opportunities that could enhance their productivity. And these opportunities don’t always have to be expensive external courses and conferences either. Nowadays, there’s a wealth of free or low-cost resources available online. Alternatively, look at less expensive internal options such as mentoring, work shadowing or secondments.

  1. Model the right behaviours

It’s important that business owners and senior leaders model the right behaviours as staff members are always watching and judging. Perceiving the operation of double standards by senior managers can have a demoralising effect on staff members, resulting in decreased productivity. And so, as a business owner or manager, it’s important that you walk the talk and are seen to be actively displaying the attributes you expect from employees.

Improving staff productivity is a combination of good management practices, the right company culture and all-round employee engagement. Take a step back from the day to day and make sure you have the right formula with these easily implemented steps.

How A Clean Work Environment Can Raise Team Morale

Do you have a bunch of grumps or a team of happy smurfs at your office? If your team morale could use a bit of work, it might be time to have a look at the state of your office. Because, did you know that having a clean work environment can do wonders for team morale? Let’s look at why that is.

Why you should clean your office

Apart from the obvious health benefits that a clean office offers, there are other reasons to keep things looking fresh and tidy inside. The main reason is that a clean workspace makes your team members feel good. By keeping things clean and fresh, you create a positive environment that improves their mental and psychological well being.

Organisation

An organised and well-kept office gives employees a great perception about their roles and responsibilities. If the workplace takes pride in itself, then the employees will follow suit. They will take pride in their work environment – keeping their workstations organised, their dress standard high, as well as maintaining their own personal hygiene and cleanliness.

Not only does it encourage personal organisation, but it also encourages organisation in their role too. They will be more inclined to maintain good office practices like a good filing system, an accurate calendar and an organised approach to working with their colleagues. Overall, organisation makes your workplace a positive place to work and makes it easy to have good team morale.

Points To Consider For Office Cleanliness…

The Floor:

If you start with keeping the floor clean, it makes it easier to keep the other areas of the office clean by allowing you to get to them! It also removes trip hazards and improves overall health and safety.

The Rules:

Set some rules to maintain the cleanliness (and resulting staff morale). Document the maintenance and cleaning practices with checklists and provide staff education. Designate the products and processes to be used and make sure they are easily accessible.

The Air Quality:

The air in an air-conditioned office can easily become stale or filled with nasty particles if you don’t have good cleaning practices in place. Staff morale will quickly plummet if your air quality is bad. Do your best to reduce particles in the air with regular vacuuming and using dust-free cleaning cloths.

The Maintenance:

Often the rules can tend to slip if no one monitors them closely. So management need to demonstrate a good attitude to the cleanliness and lead from the top. Any boss that doesn’t care about a clean office implies that they don’t care about their staff either.

The Happiness:

While a clean workplace certainly boosts the morale of your staff, it can’t be the only factor. Take the time to promote the happiness of your staff and build a good culture.

Yes a clean office boosts morale, but it also promotes good health and safety, professionalism and efficiency in your team. By ticking all those boxes, your office will be a positive place to work and will encourage good staff retention. Implementing the practices of a safe and tidy office will take some work, so plan accordingly and be prepared to be disciplined with yourself and your approach to maintain a clean and positive workplace!

Which Is The Right Structure For Your Business?

When you’re starting out, the structure of your business is unlikely to be top of your list of priorities. You’re more likely to be focusing on finances, marketing and product development. But the business structure you select has important implications as it affects your tax, liabilities, growth and investment opportunities whether you’re self-employed or a company. And so, in this article we provide an overview of the three main structures.

Sole Trader

As you would imagine a sole trader is someone who works for themselves. It’s the simplest business structure, making it a popular choice especially for the self-employed.

Among the advantages is the fact that costs are low and the simple structure means that it’s easy to run. What’s more, you retain complete control of your operations and all the profits.

There are, however, some disadvantages and the most important is that you have sole responsibility for all taxes and debts. In addition, many sole traders find it hard to secure loans or investment and it can be harder to sell your business.

There are no great legal processes you need to go through to set up as a sole trader – all that’s required is an IRD number for paying tax and any industry-relevant permits, licences or registrations.

Partnerships

Under this type of structure, two or more people get together to run a business and agree to share assets, liabilities, knowledge and skills. Partnerships are most often seen in professional settings such as lawyers and accountants or in the farming industry.

As well as being easy to get started, another advantage of this type of set up is that the business’s operating costs are shared across several people.

Among the disadvantages is that the partners can be liable for debts incurred by other partners. What’s more, this structure can put individuals’ personal assets at risk and it can become complicated if one of the partners dies or wants to leave.

There are no special legal requirements involved in setting up a partnership – most simply get going with a formal partnership agreement. Unless the partnership agreement says otherwise, shares are usually distributed equally. A partnership must, however, have its own IRD number although individual partners account for their share of the profits or losses in their individual tax return.

Companies

The final type of structure is a company. To start a company, you must register it with the Companies Office. A company is a separate legal entity from its shareholders. In some companies one person or a group such as a family own all the shares, whereas other companies list their shares on the stock exchange where the public or other companies can buy them.

A company’s legal status limits the liability its shareholders have in the business to the value of their shares. And company profits are distributed to shareholders, who are taxed individually on their overall personal income.

Choosing the right structure for your business is an important decision and that’s why we recommend consulting with a lawyer or accountant before you make any final selections.

Artificial Intelligence: What You Need To Know

If you think artificial intelligence (AI) is some futuristic concept more likely to be seen in a Hollywood sci-fi movie than your average business, then it’s time to think again. AI, or the computer science of creating intelligent machines that mimic human capabilities, is increasingly having an impact on the workplace. And it’s not just the big corporates either that are using the technology. The truth is that all businesses need to be looking at ways to apply AI in their operations if they want to stay in the game. And so, in this article we look at how AI is changing the face of business.

Applying AI: lessons from the corporates

Starbucks in the US has recently announced that it will be introducing voice ordering capabilities via Alexa, Amazon’s cloud-based virtual assistant. The aim is to enhance the customer experience with this easy to use and a convenient voice-activated way for customers to place their coffee orders.

And many of us are signed up to the likes of Amazon or Netflix without fully appreciating the powerful and highly accurate predictive technology that underpins their offering. Both companies use AI to analyse billions of records to suggest movies or books that we might like based on our previous buying histories and selections.

What’s more, Apple’s virtual assistant has become an indispensable daily tool for many of us. We use Siri to source information, give directions, add events to our calendar and even help us to send messages.

These are just a few examples of how the corporates are using AI and as you can see, far from being some futuristic world, AI is already a very real and widely deployed technology.

How to apply AI in your business

There’s no doubt about it, AI can help businesses to drive down costs and better meet the needs of customers while also ensuring competitiveness in an increasingly tech-driven marketplace.

But if your struggling to see how you could apply the technology, then the first step is to undertake some research and check out what’s happening in your industry. In this way, you can keep track of any emerging trends that could be applied in your business as well as keeping a close eye on what your competitors are up to.

The next step is to make sure that your IT capabilities can meet the challenge of AI. That means moving away from on-premises solutions to cloud-based computing that is capable of easily scaling up as you implement AI technology.

Finally, brainstorm ideas on how you could utilise AI in your business, whether it is to automate processes or improve the customer experience. For example, if you run a clothing store, you could perhaps use predictive analytics technology to reduce staffing inefficiencies. If you’re in the restaurant business, then you could explore the potential of autonomous delivery vehicles. And if you’re a company with complicated accounting, you might look to ease the process through automated AI applications.

The truth is that AI is already very much a part of our daily lives. Businesses need to find ways to embrace this technology as the future is likely to be powered by AI applications.

Three Ways Cyber Crime Is Impacting On B2B Companies

From tablets to smartphones, everyone is connected to the internet, making the whole issue of cybersecurity a hot topic.  A recent report from the global information security advisory firm Herjavec Group shows that the worldwide cost of cyber crime is likely to reach $6 trillion per year by 2021. And the fear of cyber crime is changing the way that consumers behave online, causing a ripple effect that is being felt by B2B companies. Let’s look at three ways in which cyber crime is impacting on B2B companies and some strategies for dealing with the threat.

  1. Fear of identity theft

The fear of identity theft along with concerns around spam emails and how companies are using personal data have made consumers increasingly reluctant to hand over their contact details. And for most B2B companies this has seriously affected the traditional means of generating new leads as lead capture forms are not performing as well as they used to.

Traffic intelligence software such as Leaderfeeder provide solutions to this issue. The software works by scanning your anonymous website traffic for usable leads including companies that have visited your website. The information can then be inputted into your CRM for non-invasive follow-up.

  1. Concerns about credit card hacks

Credit card hacks are common, making consumers reluctant to post credit card information online. In some surveys shopping cart abandonment rates are as high as 75 percent and this is largely down to consumers concerns around payment security.

You can improve customer security by adopting the latest SSL certification and HTTPS encryption to make it more difficult for the hackers. And you can also use trust badges such as those offered by McAfee and PayPal which demonstrate that your site meets security guidelines. Prominently displaying these badges on your website will help to ease user concerns and will improve conversion rates.

  1. Be vigilant against ransomware

Ransomware is a malicious software that blocks access to a computer system until a ransom is paid. And sadly, attacks of this kind are not isolated incidents. As numerous reports in the media have confirmed, ransomware is now a very real threat facing all businesses.

You can help protect your business through staff training and vigilance. Make sure your employees can recognise suspicious emails and instruct them not to click on any links that just aren’t right. In addition, make sure that you back up all data using a tool like Code42. And if you think you have been infected, then disconnect all networked devices straightaway to stop the virus spreading.

The constantly changing face of cyber crime presents businesses with a number of problems. Not only must B2B companies take steps to sustain customer relationships based on trust, they must also ensure that customer data is protected, and remain vigilant to new cyber crime threats. Cyber crime certainly is a challenge, but the future success of your business is likely to depend on how you respond to the challenge.

Five Tips For Building A Successful Business

 

We all know that building a successful business requires hard work, dedication and careful planning. But what else needs to go in the mix? What other factors will help maximise your chances of success? In this article we share five tips on how to build a successful business.

  1. Develop a business plan

When it comes to building a successful business, you can’t plan too much. Clearly defining your vision, goals, target market and key milestones will help to guide your operations. And will also make it easier for you to tweak and adjust things as changes will inevitably occur. Having a convincing business plan from the outset will also help you secure that all important financial backing to get you going.

  1. Network

We may be living in a digital world, but there is no substitute for getting out there and promoting your business in person. Word-of-mouth referrals are still a very important source of lead generations. And so be your own brand ambassador and showcase your offering at every opportunity: trade shows, industry conferences, local business networks. Making as many personal connections as you can now will help to build your business over time.

  1. Surround yourself with positive people

You may not yet be at the point of employing staff, but it’s still important to surround yourself with positive influences.  You may well be using a mate to help design your website, and your brother to do the accounts, but the important thing is to surround yourself with positive people who share your vision and enthusiasm. That way by the time you come to recruit employees, you’ll already have an energetic, can-do company culture in place.

  1. Keep an eye on the future

Don’t get so caught up in the day-to-day aspects of running your business that you fail to keep up with future trends. The truth is that if you don’t anticipate the next big thing then you’ll quickly fall behind the competition. Successful business owners make it a core activity to research trends and anticipate what’s coming next.

  1. Achieve a work-life balance

One thing is for certain, being a successful business owner will require a huge amount of time and energy and you need to be healthy to meet the challenge. So, as well as eating well and exercising regularly, take time out to relax with friends and family and have a break from work altogether. Recharging your batteries in this way will ensure you stay sharp, focused and achieving more when you are back at work.

Starting your own business is a very exciting, but also challenging time. Give yourself the best possible chances of success by utilising these tips.

Challenge Yourself: How To Become More Successful


Staying within our comfort zones is something that we’re all very good at. But will staying comfortable help you in your career? Will it make you more successful in life generally? Yep, the answer is probably not. Sometimes we need to challenge ourselves and step outside our comfort zones to achieve personal and professional growth. Here are three ways you can achieve more success by doing something that challenges you.

  1. Public speaking

For most of us public speaking is an ordeal to be dreaded. Whether it’s giving a presentation at work or a best man’s speech at a wedding, the result is the same: our hearts start to pound, our palms sweat and somehow our voices seem to come out an octave or two higher! But do you remember that compelling speaker you heard at last year’s sales conference? Yes of course you do, because compelling public speakers have an amazing ability to inspire and lead others.

So how can you improve your public speaking skills? Well the first step is to change your mindset. You’re not facing a firing squad. Most of your audience will share your dread of public speaking and will be naturally sympathetic and rooting for you.

Don’t attempt to memorise your speech or read it from a sheet of paper. All that does is make you sound stilted and wooden. Instead memorise the key points and pivot lines only. The pivot lines are those ones that link one idea to another. You’ll then have a more flowing, natural delivery. And practice makes perfect. Practice in front of colleagues, friends, even the mirror as it will give you confidence and will help to ensure familiarity with the content.

  1. Accept critical feedback

The truth sometimes hurts, doesn’t it? Our instinct in the face of critical feedback is usually to get defensive. But when it comes to constructive critical feedback, we need to see it as an opportunity for growth and not as a personal slight. So, next time you’re about to have one of those awkward feedback conversations with your manager, instead of being affronted, take a deep breath, listen and reflect. There may well be some actions in that feedback that will help you to become more successful.

  1. Networking

We all know that networking is a good idea. It gets your brand or product out there and is important in raising your personal profile. But how many of us relish these opportunities? Not many and that is because we find it difficult to approach strangers and start talking. So how can we make it easier on ourselves? Some people have standard topics that they fall back on in these situations – the weather is always a popular choice!

The most successful networkers, however, have a different approach. They ask open-ended questions that naturally get people talking. For example, ‘How long have you been working for ABC Company’ is more likely to generate a fuller response than ‘How long have you worked at ABC Company’ which will result in a one-word response. And a conversation of one-word responses is likely to be, well, short!

In addition, successful networkers always actively listen to others. People naturally like to talk about themselves and so if you are genuinely interested and are listening, then you’re more likely to remembered. And being remembered is after all the name of the game when it comes to successful networking.

Top Five Rules To Keep The Cash Flowing In Your Business

With up to 50 percent of new Kiwi small businesses failing in the first five years, finding ways to keep the cash flowing is critical, especially in those early days.  If all customers paid their bills on time and your business never bought any stock without selling it quickly, then everything would be fine and dandy. Sadly though, it’s never as straightforward as that. Especially if you’re a B2B company, customers can and do take several weeks to clear invoices. And even with careful planning you can find yourself hanging on to inventory much longer than you anticipated. Juggling the balance sheet is a constant challenge and so in this article we share some tips on how to make it easier to keep the cash flowing in your business.

  1. Monitor the three vital signs

The three vital signs of cash flow management are collection days, inventory turnover and payment days. Collections days is the measure of how long you wait to get paid, while inventory turnover measures how long your inventory is sitting around unsold, and finally payment days is how long you wait to pay your vendors. It’s important to regularly monitor all three vital signs so that you have a clear handle of where your business is at. Good cash flow management is all about balancing these three factors, rather than how much money you have in the bank on any given day.

  1. Chase up your receivables sooner rather than later

Receivables is the accounting term for all the money that is owed to you in unpaid invoices. Don’t set overly long payment terms that some of your creditors will happily take full advantage of. Keep it short to say 7 or 14 days to set a clear expectation of prompt payment. And if that payment isn’t forthcoming on the due date then don’t be shy about chasing it up.

  1. Too much inventory sucks up cash

Yes, you need to buy stock or build product before you can sell it. But the truth is your suppliers will expect to get paid regardless of how much product you actually sell. Getting the right balance between having enough stock and too much is essential to good cash flow management.

  1. Growth eats up cash

And the faster your business grows, the more cash you’ll need. You can be acquiring more stock and selling extra product, but if your customers are consistently slow in paying you then you’ll soon run out of cash. Of course, you will want to grow your business as quickly as possible, but make sure that you adequately factor in the extra financing you’ll need to sustain it.

  1. Keep your bank in the loop

Banks don’t like surprises and so if you see a problem looming with creditors, or a period of growth on the horizon, then adjust your financial projections and make sure you inform your bank as soon as possible so that you get them onside.

Don’t let your business become another failure statistic. Keep on top of cash flow management by sticking to these key rules.

Succeeding At Selling: Key Attributes Of Successful Salespeople

 

Being a successful salesperson seems to come naturally to some people. We’ve all had the experience of a good salesperson who so is engaging that they are able to sell a product or service without you being overly aware that they’re doing so. It’s a real art. But if you want your business to be successful then you’ll need to develop your skills in selling. So, what can we learn from successful salespeople? In this article, we examine the key attributes that successful salespeople have in common.

  1. The ability to listen

All successful salespeople know how to listen. Rather like being on a first date, they take the time to get to know their prospects. They’re very attentive, ask lots of questions and are genuinely interested in what the potential customer has to say. The truth is that a 10-minute monologue about the virtues of your product is unlikely to get you anywhere. What will clinch the deal is demonstrating how your offering satisfies a need or solves a problem for that prospect. And to do that you need to understand where they are coming from and that means listening to what they have to say.

  1. Being just as attentive to what your customer isn’t saying

If the potential client is clearly rushed, distracted or totally unreceptive then don’t try and soldier on regardless. Instead politely enquire whether now is a good time and if the answer is a firm no, either cut your losses or try and arrange an alternative time.

  1. Not using a rehearsed sales patter

People can smell a rehearsed sales patter a mile away and it’s a big turn-off.  Successful salespeople have a far more natural sales delivery. They use everyday language, engage in a genuine conversation and avoid affected speech patterns, exaggerated tones and cliched sales tag lines. Instead listen to your prospect and focus on just a few features that will really help your prospect’s situation. That way you’ll come across more as a trusted adviser rather than a pushy salesperson.

  1. Instinctively knows when to invite action

Once you’ve developed that easy rapport and the conversation is flowing naturally, the successful salesperson instinctively knows when to invite the prospect to take some form of action. Whether it’s to sign up for a free trial or perhaps a demonstration, the successful salesperson leaves the ball firmly in the court of the potential customer. That way it takes the pressure off you and the need for any hard sell, closing techniques. Make sure you also ask whether there are any barriers standing in the way of the next step. That way you can deal with any niggling concerns or issues straight away before they have a chance to fester in the mind of the customer.

The bottom line is that to succeed at selling you want the customer to relate to you as a fellow human being who happens to be offering a service or product rather than a salesperson. Get that balance right and you too will find yourself succeeding at selling.

« First...10...1920212223...Last »