October 29th, 2009 by Bruce

Over the last 10 years the numbers of internet business start-ups offering online jobs through a workforce who work from home has increased exponentially. Real Estate Managers have reacted to this by offering innovative office concepts, which minimize space use or decrease moving costs. This increased flexibility, which assists the new Internet Business model ( a model in which invention is not necessarily linked to the location of an individual) is idea for homeworkers. However more is required than just new office dividing concepts. The current developments require a new approach on the way that the organization connects with its environment.

In modern management thinking, importance is attributed to the amount of independence a staff member is given. In the internet business model, where a large number of employees have online jobs, some or all of them will Work From Home. This becomes evident in offering different work places, from which an employee may carry out there responsibilities. The problem is that as far as Online Jobs are concerned that position could be carried anywhere the employee can achieve access to the internet, cafes, libraries, boats, or what is now the “established” approach they could just work from home. Though freedom of choice is beneficial, the employee becomes responsible for choosing the optimal place to work.

From the point an employee is made independently liable for the results of his work, he will stipulate the best possible work setting and within many organisations that follow the Internet Business model the choice of that employee will be to carry out their online job whilst working from home.

The key for the firm is to be able to meet that aspiration and offer the necessary support, facilities and equipment to allow that employee to Work From Home. A work station should at the very least be good in providing what it is supposed to. In the case of those employees who opt to work from home then the work place also doubles as a residence, with the usual needs that entails, such as guest accommodation, storage issues etc. Interestingly more and more organisations are finding that employees with online jobs who choose to Work From Home already have most of the facilities and spaces on offer as they merely fit in around existing needs.

The usual domestic dwelling has, in most cases, areas that are acceptable for focused work, screen based or otherwise which are of course needed for Online Jobs. They are also fit for relaxation and contemplation which is without reservation one of the key requirements for knowledge workers whether they work from home or in an office. The home alternative can often beat the office in these terms as, in particularduring the day, home can provide uninterrupted space.

business start ups, employee, home, internet, internet business model, internet cafes, online, optimal place, work

October 20th, 2009 by Bruce

Do you offer good customer service as part of your business? Depending on which company or employee you ask, the answer is sure to be different. Although our opinions certainly differ, no one has to ask; why is customer service important? We all want the service we receive to be polite, quick and high quality. Having worked in customer service jobs for over eight years, I can tell you that it is sometimes a stressful and thankless business. However, when you know that the way you treat your customers could be the difference between having enough tips to pay the bills, you do not think twice about how important customer service is. Believe me, you already know.

My first job was at a Chinese restaurant. The owner was my best friend’s father. He asked me a question before I started; why is customer service important? He had a strong Chinese accent and I did not understand what he said. Thankfully before I had time to answer he had become too busy. My friend told me what he had actually said and I thought it a silly question. While I did have trouble conversing with my new boss, I didn’t have any difficulty learning the value of good customer service. I only had to mess up a couple of orders to realise. When the hungry patrons got angry, I got no tip.

Working in shops and bars over the next few years confirmed why customer service was important. Remember, angry customers means no tips. When you work positions like these, you want and need the gratuity. It’s basically your pay check.

Big businesses need to take the importance of customer service in to consideration as well. Every employee should be aware that the way they deal with your customers will affect how many sales you make or the profits you see at the end of the financial year, and business speakers can teach them this. Business speakers understand the importance of good customer service as they base their own company’s success on their ability to give good service. Your business will only see large profit margins if they offer good service. So now when you ask why customer service is important you see that it is because it results in happy staff, happy customers and happy accountants.

Business, business speakers, Company, customer, employee, good customer service, importance of customer service, profit margins, service