Career and Business Archives - Smart Health Shop

Top 3 Ways to Improve Work Performance for Small Businesses

Looking for ways to improve work performance? Small businesses have to deal with a limited budget and tight margins, so any boosts in performance can mean the difference between growth and stagnation.

In today’s digital world, working smarter and not harder is key to optimizing operations without inflating overhead costs. Company culture also plays a major role in the long-term viability of all businesses today, regardless of size and scope. So, read on for the top 3 ways to improve work performance.

1. Set SMART Goals and Track Performance

Goals are an essential part of business planning. They provide guidance and an overarching focus toward improvement. However, vague, unrealistic, or plain wrong goals can do more harm than good. That’s why you should always focus on setting SMART goals to drive performance.

SMART is an acronym that stands for:

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-related

So, any goal you set should have all these five qualities. For example, setting a goal for “doing better” fails the SMART criteria. On the other hand, if you aim to “improve sales by 10% in the next quarter” you have a SMART goal that can drive your business growth.

In order to realize your SMART goals, you will need to track your progress. Performance increases when you identify areas for improvement.

Most small businesses don’t track their daily and weekly numbers. This means they might be losing money and wasting opportunities without realizing it. It’s essential to track your cash flow.

signyourdoc is a license certificate authority that provide digital signature in India. sgnyourdoc allow us to apply class 2 and Class 3 Digital signature online.

2. Embrace Technology and Automation

In today’s digital world, your business must embrace new tech solutions to stay afloat. From cloud storage, to VoiP and digital accounting services, new technology has leveled the playing field between businesses of all sizes in the global market.

Collaboration software like Slack allows employees to work together regardless of distance and with newfound efficiency. When it comes to accounting, services like PayStubCreator allow you to fill, submit, download, and print pay stubs online. Moreover, productivity apps can help improve focus and individual employee performance.

Today, there are hundreds of software solutions that improve workplace performance. The key is to identify the ones that will work best for your business needs.

3. Cultivate a Strong Company Culture

Finally, studies show a strong correlation between company culture and productivity. Simply put, your employees perform better when they work in a positive environment.

A strong company culture will improve productivity, increase retention rates, and ultimately create a more pleasant environment for you and your employees.

Which are the Top 3 Ways to Improve Work Performance? Now You Know!

If you liked our article on the top 3 ways to improve work performance, you will love the rest of our site. We are dedicated to helping people improve their lives, and our blog reflects that. So, come on in and explore articles on a wealth of topics, including health, lifestyle, fitness, business and more!

Working in the Medical Field is Rewarding

All jobs have their pros and cons, and the healthcare-related ones are no exception. But medical careers are different because they represent a calling, and this calling makes you forget about the drawbacks you experience when working in the healthcare industry. It’s a noble thing to help people when their life is in danger, and this is why healthcare jobs are seen as the perfect opportunity for the ones who want to make a difference.

The medical field has always been a top industry for employment and it’s expected to add 5 million more jobs by 2022. Healthcare careers don’t provide only job security, but they also come with numerous other benefits.

You do something that makes you happy

You need to decide if you want a job that makes you happy or you want one that makes you rich. Some careers bring both, but you need to establish your priorities because they’ll guide your steps. Millennials state that it’s worth to choose a job that brings you peace of mind because money doesn’t buy happiness. Don’t choose a job that takes a toll on your wellbeing and performance because you can make a difference in other’s lives and this is the most rewarding thing ever.

People choose the medical field because it brings fulfilment. You’ll go the extra mile to ensure that your patients are healthy and happy, and you’ll work day and night to help other people.

You help your community

There’s nothing more rewarding than doing what you like, and working in the medical field brings great satisfaction. You’ll work daily with patients and their families, and you’ll help them in some of the most overwhelming times of their lives. You’ll assist and help them overcome the health conditions they deal with, and they’ll be lifelong thankful. You’ll have your patients’ trust that you’ll do everything to help them and you’ll contribute to the wellbeing and health of many people.

You’ll treat many of your community’s members by assisting them to improve their physical and psychological health. Even if you’re only an EMT worker, you’ll still communicate and treat dozens of community members daily, even if you’ll do it for a short time. At the end of the day, you’ll feel happy that you were the first to answer their call for help, and when you’ll see them being appreciative for your work, you’ll feel working in the medical field is the best career you could ever choose.

Stable job and steady earnings

Most healthcare facilities are open 24/7 and this means you’ll work full hours. If you choose to work in a hospital, you’ll probably get overtime because hospitals are some of the busiest places on earth. You’ll have steady earnings monthly, no matter the state of the economy.

Healthcare professionals have numerous opportunities to change their job and to switch for another field. The medical field is perfect for job movements being one of the broadest industries in the world. It’s different from other jobs because it allows you to grow both vertically and laterally. If you want to gain knowledge in other fields than in the one you’re performing, extra classes will do the trick.

If you want to advance in your career, the medical field is the right one to get a job in because you can achieve your goal faster, than if working in other industries. Promotions are something common in healthcare, especially when you dedicate your life to finding cures.

To succeed in healthcare, you need great teamwork skills because often more doctors care for the same patient. You’ll collaborate with specialists from different departments to understand what your patients are suffering from. Collaboration is key to do your job proficiently.

You can choose from various career specialisations

If you’re not sure if you want to work full-time in the medical field, you should start your career as a volunteer. You can volunteer with the local hospital or with organisations that help patients deal with their conditions.

Most people start their career as a check-in assistant or intern after they graduate the medical school.

The fact is it doesn’t matter how you start, you will work in a growing industry that allows you to change fields and explore the ones you are passionate about. Let’s say you change your mind after you complete your internship. You can switch to another job position if you specialise in a different field, and you’ll not lose your status. For example, you can switch from being a paediatrician to being an EMT if you meet EMT education requirements.

Most healthcare organisations encourage their workers to undertake training to improve their skills and knowledge or if they want to switch for a new specialisation. If you haven’t decided what career path is the right one for you, start with volunteering or with an internship, and you can decide from there. Once you understand what field you would like to experiment with, you can look for education solutions.

In other working fields, when you choose to switch to a different department, you often have to earn less during the training period, or for the first years of practice. Sometimes you even have to quit your job to find another one that suits your preferences. Healthcare allows you to change between the departments of the same medical unit, without losing your job or status.

Healthcare talent demand is higher than ever

With new diseases discovered daily, healthcare specialists with innovative ideas are needed. Talented workers are wanted in all domains, but the medical field is in great search for exceptional practitioners because they influence the faith of the humankind. With every new case you solve, and with every patient you cure, the humankind is a step closer to living a healthier life.

Because the demand for talented workers is higher than ever, more jobs are created daily, and chances are the prediction that 5 million more jobs will be needed by 2022, to come true.

What to Do If Your Job Is Literally Making You Sick

Employers in the U.S. spend more than a billion a week on serious workplace injuries, with overexertion heading the top ten causes list.

You are entitled to a safe working environment. The 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) was put in place to protect workers from risks such as death or serious injury at work. The legislation requires companies to provide their employees with workplace conditions that are free from known health hazards.

Workers can file a formal complaint asking OSHA to evaluate their workplace if they consider their employer does not meet OSHA guidelines or they feel under threat of serious health risks.

Depending on your line of activity, certain hazards are more likely to occur than others but they can be divided into four main categories.

Common Workplace Hazards

The first category is that of physical hazards and can include slips, trips, falls and health consequences linked to vibration and noise.

Second one is ergonomic hazards that pertain to physical factors such as repetitive movement, manual handling and being forced into poor body positioning that negatively impact the body’s musculoskeletal system.

Chemical hazards comprise exposure to any dangerous chemicals that can harm the employees’ health.

Biological hazards imply exposure to dangerous bacteria and viruses that can lead to diseases such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.

Common Work-Related Diseases

The most common work-related diseases are:

Musculoskeletaldisorders – generallyaffecting the back, neck, shoulders and upper limbs, but may also involve the lower limbs. They can result in minor symptoms such as aches and pains but can also cause more serious medical conditions that require medical intervention and time off work. In the worst-case scenario, the employee can end up with a disability that forces them to give up working.

Most cases develop over a longer period and result from a combination of factors such as:

Handling loads – particularly from movements such as bending or twisting
Repetitive and strenuous motions
Static or uncomfortable body postures
Working with vibrating tools for long periods or working under poor lighting or low temperature conditions
Rapid-pace activities
Extended sitting or standing

In order to protect employees from developing symptoms the workplace layout has to be adapted as to offer conditions that allow for good posture, the equipment should be ergonomically designed to protect joints, if repetitive work can’t be avoided suitable breaks and rotation practices should be implements and the company needs to provide adequate training so that these high-risk activities can be conducted as safely as possible.

Management also should consider health monitoring, rehabilitation and reintegration of their workers.

Mental health and stress – poor working conditions and organizational issues can cause employees to develop mental health problems. These are clinically significant outcomes with symptoms such as altered pattern of thoughts, emotions and behaviors that cause impaired functioning in the individual.

Mental health problems have serious consequences not only on the employees but on the company’s performance. Staff efficiency, medical leave frequency, absenteeism, injuries and turnover are all influenced by the mental health status of the workforce.

Actions to improve and protect mental health at the organizational level have a strong emphasis on taking early measures to prevent the accumulation of stress and creating a work culture that supports workers who are struggling.

Occupational cancer – In the United States, approximately 48,000 cases of cancers are diagnosed and linked to occupational factors, this means between 4 and 10% of total cases in the country.

Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, carcinogens, can trigger mutations that make cells grow out of control, leading to a cancer diagnosis. Industrial cancer-related operations include the production of aluminum, iron and steel foundingand mining.

Working in shifts, because it disrupts the circadian rhythm, has also been shown to increase the risk of developing cancer, particularly breast cancer.

A large percentage of occupational cancers can be prevented so long as employers respect the governmental safety tips for work such as having employees wear personal protective equipment, conducting workplace safety screening and educating the staff on how to avoid exposure to carcinogens.

Skin diseases – Although there are genetic factors that can influence the likelihood of developing occupational dermatoses, exposing the employees to chemical, physical and biological hazards plays a big part. Most cases are linked to work activities involving water or other wet substances, contaminants in the environment and ultraviolet radiation.Contact dermatitis is the most frequent and can pose a significant threat to the person’s ability to work.

The method of diagnosis and treatment is the same as for non-occupational cases. The doctor will evaluate clinical signs in relation to patient history and conduct the required tests.

Prevention requires risk assessments of the work environment, reducing or eliminating skin contact with irritants, supplying the staff with suitable safety equipment such as gloves as well as skin cleaning agents and rehydration products.

Biological agents – People working in certain sectors like those of medical and veterinary services, laboratories, waste management and agriculture are especially vulnerable.

Such workers may have to work with microbes directly, or are exposed to them through contact with body fluids or soil. As long as the source of the exposure is known, avoidance of adverse health effects is relatively straightforward. The most difficult cases are the ones in which the source remains unknown.

Most people are aware of the fact that you can receive compensation if you are involved in a work-related accident, but fewer know that this option is also available if you are suffering from a job-related illness.

Although it may be harder to access than an injury claim, as long as you can show a link between your condition and the tasks your job entails, you should be able to get the compensation you are entitled to.

You don’t have to prove that the outcome was a result of your boss’s negligence or ill-will and if he or she tries to persuade you to not file a claim by offering you some sort of financial incentive or otherwise, this is illegal and you have the right to refuse. You are free to pursue a compensation claim without any fear of harassment or retaliation and if theymake this process difficult for you, the penalties imposed on them are quite severe.

The Top 5 Advantages of Opening a Franchise Store

Opening a franchise store is one of the best options if you want to create your own business. It’s one of those things where you can quickly start a new venture without having to invest a lot of money. And as long as you are accepted to work with top franchises, the possibilities are indeed limitless here. With that in mind, we created a list with some of the top advantages that come from opening a franchise store.

The brand is already established

The main benefit you get when you buy a franchise is that the franchise owner has already created a name for that business, both offline and online. The brand is already built, so you have to follow the franchise rules and keep the store open. It’s a fantastic opportunity and a great experience to focus on. You will have certain restrictions and requirements, but it’s great and the best way to generate income online for a lot of people.

You receive help with setting up your business

That never happens when it comes to regular companies. So it makes sense to try and find national or international franchise opportunities, as they will give you the assistance you need at all times. Usually, you will receive setup support, guidelines, promotional materials, and constant online/phone support whenever you need it. Which is way more than anyone else will do for you when you set up a new business.

A low failure rate

Startups tend to have a very high failure rate, but franchises come with a shallow failure rate. That means it’s a much better idea to open a franchise store as the franchise opportunities tend to come with fewer risks. That alone helps a lot since you can focus on business growth instead of worrying about failure.

Great profit margins

Although the profitability of a franchise store will differ, one of the things to keep in mind is that most popular franchises tend to offer a high ROI. And that means you can enter a business that will reap in quite the profit without having to deal with any downsides.

It’s inexpensive to start

Most of the time franchise brands will require a certain amount of money for you to join their franchise. But once you have that, the setup and startup costs are minimal, as the franchise will help you establish everything. It helps a lot if you want to avoid massive expenses with your startup.

As you can see, starting a franchise store is an excellent idea, and it can pay off big time. But you need to have the right amount of patience and consult with the franchise owner about everything. If you’re looking for low-cost franchise opportunities or the best franchises to own, XIMIVOGUE can help you a lot. XIMIVOGUE is one of the top fashion franchise brands in the world, and it will make it easy for you to start a great fashion business in no time. Visit https://www.ximiso.com for more information on how to start your XIMIVOGUE franchise store and enter this fantastic business venture today!

Why Your Recruitment Efforts Don’t Work and How to Correct the Situation

You try your best to guarantee that only the best employees work with you. If you’re running a hospital, it’s even more important. You can’t settle for anything less. You need top doctors and other medical professionals to be on your team. If you fail to hire the best people for the job consistently, you have to rethink your strategies. These are the possible reasons why your recruitment efforts aren’t working well.

You only wait for online applications

Yes, you can benefit from online submissions of resumes, but it doesn’t mean you will get the best people for the job. Some people opt not to apply online at all. If you wait for them to come to you through this method, you might end up disappointed. You will also lose the best possible employees to other companies with more aggressive recruitment campaigns.

You have nothing attractive to offer

These medical professionals spent years to specialize in their field. They also spent a lot of money in the process. They won’t settle for a job that isn’t financially rewarding or attractive in any other way. Therefore, you shouldn’t wonder why you’re not getting the best employees if your competitors are giving better job offers. From salary to other privileges, you need to be competitive.

You’re too picky

It’s understandable for you to have high standards when recruiting physicians and other medical professionals. You can’t settle for someone who doesn’t deserve the job. However, you also need to understand that there’s a limited supply. If you’re too picky, you might end up losing someone who could do a great job. It doesn’t mean you have to settle for whoever is available, but you can’t have really high standards.

Your HR team is weak

Recruitment is a part of the tasks carried out by the Human Resource department of the company. If you have a strong and well-trained team, you can expect great results. However, if the team is generally weak, it’s easier for candidates to choose other options. As such, it’s in your best interest to choose a physician recruiter. You can ask them to do the job and look for appropriate candidates on your behalf. The best part is that they already have a pool of potential candidates. They can contact those options and let you know if anyone meets your standards. You can easily screen these choices and even expand your choices easily.

You have to evaluate your efforts in the past and understand why you’re not doing a good job. You need top-quality physicians since the reputation of the hospital depends on them. If you fail to recruit only the best, most people will choose other hospitals.

Yes, medical care is expensive, but it’s something no-one will sacrifice. If patients have to go to another doctor for better medical care, they will do it. They won’t settle for a physician who can’t heal them. You also don’t want to create a negative image because of your inferior hiring techniques.

Have a Productive Summer Without Any Internship

As a college student as soon as summer vacation begins, the first thing that strikes your mind is to do an internship. Well, this is usually because the general notion is that the best way to be productive during summer breaks is to do an internship. But getting through an internship isn’t easy. Well, that’s the reason why not a lot of students prefer getting an internship.

One major reason why most people do not go for an internship is that not most of them can get through. But just because you do not have an exciting internship does not mean that your summer won’t be productive anymore. Well, there are a lot of things that you can try to make your summer productive and enjoy most of them.

If you do not have an internship in your break, you can always spend time on yourself, improving yourself. Maybe it is a perfect time you can give yourself a break and relax from the hectic life. You may choose to appear for interviews for an internship but at the same time, you should focus on yourself as well.

Boost Your Summer Productivity

Even if you did not get through with your dream job, small things could contribute to making a huge difference. Some of the prominent things that you can do and make your summer productive include

Attend online classes

Whether it is a holiday season or a non-holiday one, online classes are always available. If you are trying to learn something of your own, you will need to do thorough research about it. Nonetheless, there are online classes that will teach you the entire thing in an effective and organized manner.

One necessary thing to note is that online courses for different subjects at a cheap rate. You can always try these courses and there is absolutely no need to restrict yourself to one course. Sometimes, the online classes even have special lectures from experts in the field. Moreover, you receive certificates as well and thus, you can add them to your resume.

Volunteer for a good cause

This is one of the noblest things you can do during your summer break. You can look for opportunities in your community through which you can do a good job. Apart from volunteering for a good cause in your own community, you can do so for the other communities as well.

Therefore, you can do for travel programs, applying skills and education which will give you a real learning experience. Volunteering programs are often conducted by organizations that need your help. There are different types of volunteering programs such as charity, festivals, non-profit and community groups.

Establish the goals

One of the main things you should be doing as a college student is to stay focused on your goals. Before beginning with everything, you should be aware of small things such as what will you do till the end of summer break or what topic interests you the most.

Having figured out the small aspects, you should work towards reaching goals. Different college students have different wishes. You need to be flexible with your goals. If you are setting up daily goals, make sure that you set them up in such a way so that you can accomplish them. Setting up unrealistic goals can only be harmful in the long run.

Get a summer job

Well, even when you have not cracked the interview for an internship, you can always opt for a summer job. If you are taking up a summer job, you need to ensure whether you are doing it part-time or full-time. Nonetheless, both can be beneficial in their own ways.

Having a great summer job can be one of the best ways for the student to learn about responsibilities. They will learn a lot of things during this period such as time management, communication, administrative and occupational studies. Moreover, acquiring administrative skills can be helpful for business. As a result, before finding out the perfect summer job, you need to ensure whether the path you are choosing is right for you or not.

Take notes in an online class

As you grow further you will realize that taking notes from the online courses is extremely helpful for business. The online classes are no less than real classes and thus the knowledge gained is valid too. Soon you will realize that the knowledge you have gained from online courses is very much relevant to the interviews you will be taking.

While you are attending the online classes, you can take notes about the points that you find are relevant to interviews. Taking notes and revising will help you keep a check with progress and will also be helpful to crack interviews. So, if you feel you did nothing during summer vacation, your secret is already there to prove to you.

Go for professional conferences

This is your time and that you focus on yourself. Summer is one of the best times when several professional conferences are conducted. Most of the professional courses are aimed at enhancing your personality and approach to people. With professional conferences, you will be able to know yourself better.

Several organizations that conduct these professional conferences. Whenever you are opting for these conferences you should choose one that is relevant to your business and area of studies. Moreover, in some cases, you may also get a discounted fee.

Turn weakness to strength

Needless to say, all of us are victims of some or other weakness. While we may be okay within the initial days of our life, this can get problematic at a later time. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to turn these weaknesses into strengths for a better idea. Practicing and receiving feedback can be a great way to know how much you are improving.

Join Sports

Now that you are in your summer break, you should give attention to your physique. As a result, you can join sports and make the most of your summer. There are several activities to join such as baseball, kayaking, tennis, volleyball and more.

Bringing about balance in all your plans is the key to attaining success. You should work towards mixing and matching all the things to ensure a tension-free vacation. Nonetheless, do not forget to take breaks in between.

8 Mistakes in Your Paper Which Will Make It Not Original

A lot of students fear that all of their hard work would be in vain when it comes to writing a paper. This is completely understandable. There is never an easy way to detect if your paper would be original. You have to ensure that you cover all of your basis and give yourself the best chance at success. If this means that you have to use a paraphraser, then that is what you need to do. These 8 mistakes are made often and if corrected can take your paper from average to winning.

Outdated

There is always updates and trends changing and it is important that we stay up to date with this information. Your paper would not get the score you desire if you are writing about aspects of a case that no longer is in effect. Always keep it to the current views.

False facts

This is tied in with not researching what is currently true, but it also stands as a point on its own. You may need to simply rephrase a sentence to make it truthful. In many cases it’s just a matter not researching the way it should be.

Not reading requirements

With every task you receive, you will get a list of requirements for the task. Pay close attention because we often miss a lot by not reading the instructions. Even if this means that you take a little more time on this step. The requirements are there as a guide and should be used as such.

Poor grammar

If you are shooting to get the highest possible score on this paper, you need to look at your language skills first. Poor grammar use is one of the biggest factors in getting a less that desirable score. Everyone has goals and it is never satisfactory to get poor marks on something that can be easily avoided.

No proof

Everything that you state in your paper needs to be based on facts. If you cannot prove that what you are saying is true, it defeats the whole purpose. Always base your paper on proven facts to get the best possible outcome. We have access to a lot of information and everything can be checked and verified.

Plagiarism

This is a big one and can make it seem like your paper is unoriginal. You can easily find a text paraphrase if need be. There is no plagiarism accepted in any writing. You cannot use the words of another writer without giving credit or you need to learn how to paraphrase.

Ineffective structure

The way we express ourselves is very important. There is no getting away from this point. We need to show some structure in our writing or it would appear to reflect poorly. Take your time when you write and do everything with purpose.

Bad conclusion

You need to start your paper strong, but you also need to have a powerful ending to your paper. When you do your planning, always have a strong conclusion in mind. You can always restructure your paper when you are done writing to make sure this happens.

What Do You Do to Make Sure Your Paper Is Original?

Are there any steps you take to make sure you write a paper that is original? We all have our own methods and it is important to stick with what works. Add a few tricks to your list of methods, but generally do what works for you.

How It’s Made: The 8 Coolest Factory Tours In The United States

There are over 250,000 small factories in America and almost 25,000 larger factories which have 100 employees or more. If you like learning about how your favorite products are made, you have ample opportunities to do so by taking a factory tour.

However, not all factories allow tours and not all factory tours are worth your time. Luckily, there are quite a few options that are both educational and fun.

Do you want to know what they are? Keep reading to discover the 8 coolest factory tours available in America.

1. The U.S. Mint

You use them every day or at least let them pile up in your home. If you’ve ever wanted to know how coins were made, be sure to plan a trip to either Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or Denver, Colorado.

In both locations, you’ll find the U.S. Mint. During your tour, you’ll watch as tens of millions of coins are produced each and every day. You can get a great view from the 40-foot observation deck and watch every step of the process. You’re sure to have a new appreciation for those pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters after your tour!

2. Jelly Belly

Remember waking up Easter morning and finding your basket filled with chocolate bunnies, colored eggs, and jelly beans? While they’re an iconic part of Easter baskets, Jelly Belly jelly beans are a great treat all year long.

And you can watch these colorful sweets being made at the Jelly Belly factory tour in Fairfield, California. Tours are free, which is great because you’re sure to splurge at the candy store before leaving.

But it doesn’t just stop at jelly beans. The candy store also sells Jelly Belly confections like Jordan Almonds and Dutch Mints. The chocolate counter and fudge center are great additions to get your chocolate fix while the Jelly Belly Café sells lunch foods, like burgers and pizza in the shape of a jelly bean.

3. Coors Brewing

The next time to crack open a nice cold beer, take a minute to think about how it was made. Or you could tour the Coors Brewing factory in Golden, Colorado, to see for yourself!

The self-guided tour takes you through every stage of the brewing process and explains all the ingredients that go into Coors beer. Of course, at the end of the tour, those over 21 years of age can pick up a free sample.

4. Crayola

There’s one child’s toy that will never go out of style—crayons! Not only is Crayola the king of crayons, but they also produce other amazing toys that probably fill your home.

This child-friendly activity is a bit different from other tours on the list. Instead of touring a real manufacturing plant, the Crayola Experience is an interactive museum that lets kids learn about Crayola’s history and how their crayons are made. There’s even a live show where employees demonstrate the crayon-making process.

5. Hershey’s Chocolate

Just an hour and a half away from the Crayola Experience is Hershey’s Chocolate World. Nestled in Hershey, Pennsylvania, this immersive ride takes you through each step of the chocolate-making process.

Similar to the Crayola Experience, Hershey’s chocolate tour doesn’t go through the actual factory. Instead, it simulates a factory tour to create an educational and child-friendly experience. However, you’ll definitely still smell the chocolatey-goodness!

You’ll also find numerous activities here, including a 4-D chocolate movie and the chance to make your very own custom Hershey’s chocolate bar! Right across the street is Hershey Park, a theme park with thrill rides, child-friendly rides, and photo ops with Hershey characters.

6. Boeing

Have you ever wondered how such a large plane manages to stay in the air? A tour of the Boeing factory in Everett, Washington will answer this question and more.

You’ll get the chance to see several different types of planes while they’re still being built. Of course, the building is absolutely huge and quite loud, so only guided tours are allowed.

7. Gibson Guitar

What do Slash, Bob Marley, Joan Jett, Jimi Hendrix, and Billie Joe Armstrong all have in common? They all played Gibson guitars!

Gibson is one of the most popular guitar brands for celebrity guitarists and hobbyists alike. And you can tour the factory in Memphis, Tennessee.

Watch as luthiers (people who make and repair string instruments) create these masterpieces right before your eyes and learn more about what goes into each and every guitar.

8. Ben and Jerry’s

It doesn’t matter if you want a cool summer treat or a little pick-me-up after a bad day—Ben and Jerry’s ice cream is the perfect go-to. If you’re ever in Waterbury, Vermont, be sure to spend an afternoon touring their factory.

During the guided tour, you’ll learn about Ben and Jerry’s history as well as see the manufacturing process first-hand. Of course, you’ll also get to sample the flavor of the day for free! And if you want more, there’s a whole ice cream parlor where you can indulge in various flavors.

If you run an interesting factory, like Ben and Jerry’s, you may be able to make a nice chunk of change by offering tours. By investing in the best wireless tour guide system for corporate tours, your visitors can even go on self-guided tours and take as much time as they want to see your factory.

Your Guide to the Best Factory Tours

Don’t spend your summer in front of the TV. Instead, check out one of these awesome factory tours! Whether you want to learn more about coins at the U.S. Mint or cool off with some refreshing ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s, there’s a factory tour for everyone.

Do you want more ideas to keep yourself busy this summer? Then check out our hobbies and leisure blog page today!

7 Key Tips for Getting a Self-Employed Personal Loan

Are you looking for a loan when self-employed?

Finding the process more difficult than you expected?

While being self-employed comes with many benefits, the ability to get a personal loan is not one of them. Getting a personal loan can seem like an impossible task without a solid employment record to back you up. Luckily, though, as long as you follow the right tips and tricks it can be done.

Below we’ll give you our top tips for getting a personal loan when you’re self-employed.

1. Get Your Paperwork Together

One of the top things that will help you get a personal loan is to ensure that you have plenty of paperwork to show to your potential lender. The right paperwork can help you demonstrate your worthiness as a borrower.

Before applying for a loan, you should be taking thorough financial records for your business and be tracking your earnings clearly month after month. Ideally, you’ll have been in business for at least 2 years already and will have all of the financial information, bank statements, and records to show that you have a regular income.

While getting a loan is possible without extensive paperwork, it will be an uphill battle if you don’t have the right documents together.

2. Improve Other Financial Factors

When self-employed, it can be difficult to prove your income. Luckily, there are other factors that lenders may also look to for determining your reliability.

One of the top factors is your credit score. Credit scores can range between 300-850 and your score will affect how you look to lenders quite a bit. You need to know your score and learn to understand what it means. If you have a poor credit score, you may want to spend some time building it up before applying for a loan.

Other things that can help you to look more stable and reliable is if you have had a regular address for a long period of time or if you own property. You may want to get documentation to prove some of these other factors as well if they apply to you.

3. Minimize Debts

If you’re trying to get a personal loan when self-employed, you need to make sure that you do anything you can to eliminate any existing debts beforehand. If you have maxed out credit cards or other loans that you’re still paying off out it will make you seem unreliable to lenders and they will be less likely lenders will trust you with their money.

If you can, take some time to knock out a few of your current debts before applying for a new personal loan. If you do, you’ll have a greater chance of getting approved.

4. Sweeten the Deal

There are a few special things you can do that can make it more easy for lenders to trust you and approve you for a loan.

Having a co-signer or guarantor is one of the best ways you can improve your odds of getting approved. However, just make sure that you pay your loan off consistently or someone else may be liable for your debt.

Additionally, it can also be helpful to get a secured loan. With these loans, you’ll need some kind of collateral to put up against your debt such as a vehicle or property. A secured loan can be easier to get approved for since the lender will have a way to cover their losses if you neglect to keep making payments.

5. Compare Your Lenders

Another way you can improve your chance of getting approved for self-employed loans is to make sure that you compare your options thoroughly. Choosing the right lender for your situation can make all the difference when looking for a personal loan.

Traditional bank loans are only one of many options out there for getting a personal loan. Traditional banks will often be pickier than other lenders, so it’s a great idea to consider alternative options.

Credit unions are often a better choice for getting a personal loan and will often be more willing to lend to someone who is self-employed. There are also many online lenders that can be a good option. P2P lending sites can also make a good choice as well.

6. Time It Right

It’s also important to make sure that you’re ready before you start applying for loans. While you may be in need of a loan quickly, if you’re able to wait a bit it may be a good idea.

For example, if your credit score is currently low, then you may want to spend some time to build your score up before applying for a loan. You may also want to wait to apply for a loan if some other parts of your financial situation need some work.

Additionally, it’s also a good idea to wait if you haven’t been in business for yourself very long. Often, lenders like to see at least 2 years of income from self-employed individuals. Waiting until you have at least 2 years of tax returns to show lenders can help improve your chances of getting approved.

7. Be Prepared

While you should wait for the right moment to apply for a loan, once you start seeking a loan you should move fast. This means that you should have all your paperwork, collateral, or anything else that will be required by the lender together and ready.

Ideally, you should be able to move through the application process swiftly with little downtime. Having this stuff together early on can help you be more attractive to lenders and will make you seem more reliable. By having all of your paperwork and other requirements ready early on you’ll have a greater chance of getting a loan in the end.

Improving Your Chances of Finding a Loan When Self-Employed

If you’re self-employed and in search of a personal loan you may be beginning to lose hope. However, be sure that you keep the above tips in mind. By using the tips above, you’ll be more likely to get what you need despite not having a traditional employment situation.

Be sure to consider your loan options thoroughly and get all of your information together before applying. If you do, you’ll be more likely to find a great lender and get the perfect personal loan for your needs.

Stay tuned to our blog for more tips.

4 Reasons Why You Should Outsource Payroll for Your Business

Are you among the 40% of small business owners who say bookkeeping and taxes are the worst bits of being an entrepreneur?

If yes, it’s understandable why you’re struggling with these functions. With thousands of pages in the U.S. tax code, even tax professionals have a hard time staying on top of things.

But as a business owner, you must pay employee dues on time and withhold the necessary taxes. If you don’t, you could face steep fines.

The good news is you don’t have to struggle with the hard stuff. Have you considered outsourcing?

Continue reading for 4 reasons you should outsource payroll.

Keep Your People Happy

Whether you pay your employees on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, nothing gets on their nerves like a delayed paycheck. They have plans, you know!

Yet, this is what’s likely to happen when you handle payroll on your own. If you don’t have time to scrutinize payroll documents, calculate every employee’s wages and bonuses, and write the checks, you will run behind schedule.

The consequence of delayed paychecks is unhappy and disgruntled employees. Their motivation will dip, and so will their productivity. This will hurt your business.

Outsourcing to a payroll service is a sure way to ensure your employees receive their dues bang on time – each time.

Focus on What You Do Best

Most small business owners wear multiple hats, and for good reason. Perhaps you’re running on a shoestring budget and you need to keep costs low.

However, handling multiple crucial business functions can take its toll. Increasingly, you’ll find that you don’t have enough time to do what you do best – which is to develop your product or service.

Outsourcing payroll takes one vital function off your table so you will have more time to be an entrepreneur.

Maintain Legal Compliance

The tax code is always changing, both at the federal and state levels.

Are you always keeping an eye on these changes? Did you know that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts which came into force in Dec 2017 affects small businesses in multiple ways?

If you answered no to either question, it’s clear your business is at risk of inadvertently violating the relevant laws. And when that happens, the IRS won’t hesitate to penalize you.

Avoid such mistakes by outsourcing your payroll to a professional service. These pros stay abreast of regulatory changes and will adjust your payroll to ensure the business stays compliant.

Got a Foreign Operation?

Do you have an extension of your business in a foreign country? Thumbs up! Setting an overseas operation is an ideal way to grow your company.

However, it’s one thing to run a business in the U.S., and it’s quite another to run one in another country. The laws could be vastly different.

For instance, let’s say you got a branch down in Sydney, Australia. You have to adhere to the country’s payroll laws.

If you’ve no experience doing business there, you’ll certainly run into challenges. The savvy thing you can do is outsource your payroll to a local service, such as www.payrollserviceaustralia.com.au.

Outsource Payroll and Prosper

How you manage payroll can make or break your small business. Do it well and your business will stay out of legal troubles. Do it poorly and your business will run into all kinds of problems.

What’s more, you don’t have to worry about whether you’re doing it well or poorly. Just outsource payroll and wait to reap all the benefits fleshed out above.

Keep tabs on our business section for more insights.