Business

Improve Communication Skills As An Introvert

Published

4 weeks ago

June 26, 2019

Some of the most successful business people are introverted, however they would argue that those same traits have helped them become successful. Introverted does not always mean shy. It means that you generally prefer solitude as opposed to interacting with large groups. You probably feel recharged by alone time, and begin to be withdrawn after long periods of social interaction. You may enjoy reading, writing, and thinking more than talking, hanging out, or partying. While introversion and amazing communication skills do not always go hand in hand, there are ways to improve communication skills. In doing so, you will be able to see visible growth as an entrepreneur.

Practicing Your Elevator Pitch

Selling your business is the number one priority for any entrepreneur. You must be able to effectively communicate what you do and how well you do it. As an introvert, public speaking may not be your forte, but practicing is a key part when trying to improve communication skills and can help for when you get in front of bigger audiences. Even if you just practice with a friend, it can give you adequate preparation for real life instances. An elevator pitch should be about 30-45 seconds of you explaining to someone who you are, what you do, and what you are about. Make it a lasting impression! Read this article to learn how to write better elevator pitch.

Networking Events

Networking events is a great place to break out of your shell, because you will find that everyone’s goals are consistent. Find networking events in your area that focus on marketing businesses and you may find comfort in speaking to people who are on the same path as you. Most colleges offer entrepreneurship courses, and there are websites dedicated to providing details for meetups around the country. These meetups can be focused on any specific field and they always have a variety of things for you to do.

Build confidence in what you do and who you are as a brand

Be confident! Confidence is one of the building blocks to having a successful business. As an introvert, you may feel as if your words or ideas are not as important as someone else’s. Or, you may be hesitant to share because of rejection or failure. Once you have put in enough time and work, it will become easier to speak about your business. Improve communication skills by building the confidence to talk about your brand. Here's another great article on how you can hack confidence.

Relax, Don’t Take Yourself So Seriously

As an introvert, you are probably prone to living inside of your own head. If you get too caught up you may begin to miss out on opportunities to just live in the moment. Being an entrepreneur calls for you to be spontaneous and go with the flow. The life of an entrepreneur is unpredictable. Instead of focusing on what you did wrong, or how awkward that last conversation was, or how that presentation failed so badly - just focus on making the next interaction better. The more you do, the more comfortable you will be. Challenge yourself to speak to more people each week. Not only through social media, but equally incorporate face time with these people as well.

Don’t Force It

Introversion and extroversion are two character traits that come to us naturally whether we like them or not. Preferring to be alone, have quiet time, or needing time to recharge are not negative traits or habits. Preferring to be social, being outgoing, or thriving in public spaces are also not necessarily positive or negative. Being yourself is a key in business because people can sense when you are not being genuine, and a lack of authenticity can negatively affect your business. Don’t force yourself on people with a personality that does not belong to you. The people that you are meant to work with will come. Keep doing great work, improve communication skills, and things will fall into place.

Find an Extroverted Business Partner

A great way to accentuate your strengths in business is to find a partner who can compensate for things that you lack. An extroverted business partner who is just as focused, driven, and smart as you can help immensely with communication. This partner should be more open to engaging larger crowds, networking easily, and tolerating small talk more gracefully than you can. Introversion does not equal a lack of personality or charisma, so do not think that this partner should control all public interactions. Continue to utilize your skills to draw in clients in smaller groups, while your extroverted partner can handle larger interactions.

Business

Business Insurance And Why You Need It

Published

1 hour ago

July 23, 2019

OM Contributor

Business insurance is a requirement that you should not ignore even if you are in a low-risk workplace. For certain business sectors such as healthcare industries, mechanical workshops or amusement parks, getting a liability insurance is essential. Finding the best insurance can be a challenging and complicated process, but it is better to get an insurance coverage. Disasters happen, and you need an authorized protection to save you from severe economic loss.

Why is business insurance necessary?

If you start a business and employ some people, you need to have business insurance. It is a legal requirement. The insurance coverage varies from one country to another. Almost all countries have made it compulsory for the companies to get a liability insurance. You may think that your business is small and has less risk. You can also think that you can afford the losses your companies might face. The business experts always advise getting a proper insurance for every kind of business. There can be natural disasters like floods or earthquakes. Fire accidents and thefts are not the only risks. Your business can incur massive losses due to disruption of work. There can be cash crunch, skilled labor crisis, road work, police barricades and criminal acts too. You should consider all the aspects before buying an insurance coverage for your company.

General Liability Insurance

Almost all trades have some liabilities. So, a general liability insurance is essential. Before you hire some employees for your business, get a liability insurance first. Your company becomes the ‘employer.’ It becomes a legal need if you wish to make your business a limited company. If any of your staff falls ill or faces any fatal accident during working hours, your company becomes liable. You need to discuss with your insurance broker about the amount of liability insurance cover your business needs. If there is any death because of their work in your company, you need to arrange appropriate compensation. So, you should avoid any expense trimming while buying insurance for the company.

Professional Liability Insurance

It is also known as errors & omissions (E&O) insurance. This is not a one-size-fits-all insurance. Each industry has different concerns while running the business. So, you need customized coverage for your business. The professional liability insurance protects the business from the claims that the company was negligent in performing their services accurately. When you buy the E&O insurance, make sure you appoint an attorney for your company who can defend the lawsuits filed against the company.

Property Insurance

Property Insurance is a must when you run a business. Be it your own building or leased property, you need coverage. This insurance covers your business inventory, equipment, signage, and furniture from any losses due to fire, storm or burglary. Home based businesses still do not get much coverage from property insurance. You need to ask your insurer for extra coverage.

Product insurance

Apart from the above-mentioned insurance policies, you should get an additional product insurance to cover your manufacturing business. It covers any loss due to manufacturing, distributing and retailing hitches.Buying insurance for your business is complex. You need a trustworthy insurer. Every business needs a unique package based on the requirements of the company. You should always review your insurance policies and keep them in active status.

Business

How Millennials Are Changing The Workplace

Published

19 hours ago

July 22, 2019

Ginny Nguyen

Millennials are reshaping the traditional corporate structure. With new CEOs entering the workforce, more companies have been adapting new tactics for managing, motivating, and improving. Millennial entrepreneurs have set the new standards to doing business, focusing on collaboration and efficiency. Soon by 2025, millennials will accommodate 75% of the workforce. This will replace the baby boomers, who have been recorded as the largest generation in the workforce. This instant switch leaves other generations questioning their management. These are 4 ways millennials are changing the workplace:

Emphasizing Technology

Millennials are the generation born after year 1982 and before 2004. This was essentially the era of technology beginnings. To be raised in the ever changing state of development, this generation foresees big things for the digital future. This need for rapid growth has created various platforms for creators, entrepreneurs, and more. Millennials have a profound belief that technology is the future, and so we should precisely use it to our advantage. Networking has been perfected with Linkedin, while Youtube is colonized by content creators, and Slack has better connected employees.

Open To Change

Millennials were born to alternate between innovation and tradition. To be raised in the era of constant development, generation Y has cultivated the skill to be open to change. Arguably, change is intended for growth, so that is how Millennials greet it. The digital age has disrupted traditional systems for the better, a concept that was impossible in the past. Due to the inconsistency they’ve experienced growing up, millennials have subdue their harsh conditions by advocating innovation. Although innovation is a new idea, generation Y strictly believes this is an optimal lifestyle.This generation does not believe in a constant, that everything has potential. Camden embodies that figure of high potential. Organizations are racing into the city of Camden, for it is the next startup hub for Millennial entrepreneurs. With the economy’s rapid growth and welcoming nature, businesses are rushing in to secure their space. Just outside of Philadelphia, the city of Camden possess hope, just what entrepreneurs need.

Work With Purpose

Millennials differ from baby boomers in one drastic motive. The new generation seek a sense of control and innovation that past generations seem to lack. Millennials deeply value purpose, to even go the extra mile in changing jobs for content. Perhaps it’s due to their entitlement, but Millennials are stubborn to the belief of following your inclination. 60% of employees confess that it is critical to allow them the capacity to do what they do best. Many Millennials will settle in the lower paying job, as long as it allows them the ability to express their talents.As observed in the city of Camden, non-profit organizations scatter throughout in order to rebuild the city of hope. Devoted organizations and passionate millennial entrepreneurs in the city are growing and giving back to the community.

Work Flexibility

The typical 9-5 business hour job is declining as Millennials continue to enter the workforce. The Census Bureau estimated that 13.4 million Americans work from home. The data will only increase when more Millennials start to work. This new career outlook stems from the disfavored opinion against office confinement. In the strong devotion for both work and freedom, Millennials compromised with the issue by creating careers from the comfort of their own home. Freelance work has been the popular option for Millennials, since it allows independency.

Business

How To Be More Productive During A Slow Week

Published

22 hours ago

July 22, 2019

Yvonette Sanchez

There's always something that needs to be done when you’re very busy with work. But what happens when a project is finished and you get a few days before it all starts again? A slowdown in work is normal but it can be boring especially if you’re used to being in the thick of the action at work. During this time you're probably looking for some things to do just to remain productive. Here are some great ideas to consider if you want to remain productive during a slow week.

Lend A Hand

Other departments or co-workers could be struggling to meet deadlines. Lend a hand to show that you are a team player. Ask if there is anything you can do to help (with your boss' approval). Aside from staying productive, you could learn something new or get a glimpse of how co-workers or other departments work or function and how it affects your side of the job.

Succession Planning

Have you thought about what happens to your work or teammates should you go up in smoke tomorrow? You should consider this seriously and think about succession planning. You basically take your job description and break it down so that each task is outlined per month. If this document does not exist, create it. It will make your job easier should you leave your job and your boss will thank you for it.If you have one, update it. It is important to keep your succession plan alive.

Call To Follow-up

When you're busy, you don’t have a lot of time to spend talking to people on the phone. Now that you have a slow week, it’s time to pick up the phone to catch up with clients, suppliers and stakeholders. Start with small talk because this will gradually become a lengthy discussion when you ask for their thoughts on how things are going. You can also bounce ideas around in order to gain their trust and foster the spirit of teamwork.

Give Yourself An Annual Review

Reflect on your performance this past year and think of ways you can do your job better. Aside from this, you can ask yourself if you're happy with your career or which direction you want to take it. Thinking about these things can help yourself grow as a person and employee. Bring up these insights during your next evaluation. Supervisors like employees who see the big picture.

Check In With Your Boss

Now that you have time to catch your breath, check in with your boss verbally or through email to update achievements and discuss the next steps. Employees sometimes forget to pass on good news to their superiors or to update on the future direction of projects. Catching your breath during a slow week is a good way to get managers up to speed. Aside from this, checking in with your boss reinforces your capabilities for bigger things in the future.Slow days at work are rare, which is why doing these kinds of things are important. Focusing on your interests and staying proactive can help advance your career, improve professional knowledge and keep you on top of things.