by Mark Bloom | Dec 29, 2020 | Small Business Advice
Outsourcing in 2020 Prepared the Way for 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a number of fundamental changes in business. The businesses that have survived the assault on the normal world order either sustained considerable losses or adapted to the new ways that consumers shopped. Few businesses were unaffected by the coronavirus.
Some say the changes are for the better, as they forced businesses to become leaner and more efficient. Others point to the economic turmoil and ask how it could be good for business or the world. The fact remains, however, that the world is different than it was a year ago. These changes are likely to last into some or most of 2021, as vaccines roll out and other issues come to the fore.
Has Outsourcing Helped or Hurt Businesses?
Every time a business hires an employee, it incurs additional costs besides salary. Due to the pandemic, businesses learned that outsourcing in 2020 cut those costs. As a result, more and more businesses chose to outsource tasks that they had once hired people to do in-house. And so, outsourcing grew throughout the year.
In researching figures that reflect this new business reality, the principals of Ray Access learned more about outsourcing in 2020. In an effort to sum up the figures and impact of outsourcing on businesses last year — and so gain some insight into how businesses may behave in 2021 — we’ve decided to share an infographic about outsourcing statistics (see below or read the entire article at https://whydoeseverythingsuck.net/blog/outsourcing-statistics/).
What Are the Key Takeaways?
Nearly every industry saw their outsourcing investments grow. More than half of all small businesses outsourced some of their functions. Outsourcing in 2020 grew for many reasons, most often because businesses were interested in:
- Increasing efficiency
- Reducing expenses
- Increasing flexibility
- Improving in-house expertise
- Allowing employees to do other tasks
- Efficiently using available resources within the business
For all these reasons, more businesses made the shift to outsourcing in 2020. Many more will join them in 2021. And it’s become an international phenomenon as well, since the pandemic affected the entire world. While transitioning from in-house to an outsource model takes patience and a plan, it can reduce costs and become an industry staple.
That was 2020. For 2021, a comprehensive research project titled “Small Business Outsourcing Stats (2021 Edition)” from TechBehemoths.com covers similar information, but with updated data. It’s based on 324 surveyed companies from 38 countries.
When you want to outsource your content without sacrificing quality, contact Ray Access There are contractors in your area for every need, from graphics, PR and data retrieval to website design, development and marketing. Instead of simply hiring someone, save money and hire a contractor. Outsourcing in 2020 will become one of the major business trends for businesses in 2021.
Ray Access is a content marketing firm that delivers targeted words to empower your business. Contact us about your specific project to receive a quote or discuss your needs. We write website copy, blog posts, e-newsletters and more. Everything we do is thoroughly researched, professionally edited and guaranteed original.
by Guest Blogger | Nov 28, 2020 | Small Business Advice
We’re Living in an App World
Want to send money to a friend? There’s an app for that. Want to buy groceries? There’s an app for that. Want to find a charity you can donate money to? There’s an app for that.
So with more than five million apps across the various mobile application distribution platforms, it’s safe to say there’s an app for everything. As a small business owner, you may be thinking about developing an app of your own. While you may think it’s a smart move to jump on the bandwagon, you need to avoid the most common mistakes when it comes to building an app for your business.
1. Building an App When You Don’t Need It
Which business doesn’t need an app in today’s world? It’s true that a mobile application sometimes can take a business to the next level, but not every business needs an app. Perhaps your business is just getting started or the nature of your business doesn’t warrant an app service. Before you start building an app, establish whether your business truly needs it.
If you just launched a small business, for example, there’s no value in focusing your efforts on app development. A proper business app costs a tidy sum to build, and you likely have other priorities that you need to fund first. So hold off on building the app until your business is making sustainable profits.
Another example is if you’re in the petroleum manufacturing industry. Because of the way petroleum products are consumed, your business isn’t going to benefit substantially from having an app. The people who buy petroleum products, such as engine oil, typically don’t order them online. They drive to a gas station to get the product.
2. Not Knowing What Your Target Users Need
When you’re building a business app, you aren’t making it for you and your employees. You’re making it for your customers — your target market consumers. Don’t make an app without knowing what they want. If you do, you risk ending up with an app that doesn’t solve any of your customer’s problems.
The journey to building a useful app starts with doing in-depth research, so you can develop a good understanding of your customers’ needs. For example, you can conduct a survey, asking your customers to list the features they’d like to see in the app. Don’t create a need; solve one.
It also helps to do some competitor research. Because apps are readily available in an app store, download your competitors’ apps to discover what they’ve done. With this information, you can then embark on building a better app to satisfy your customers.
3. Deciding on a DIY Approach
While you can do certain projects in-house, such as writing blog posts, there are others you should leave to the experts. One example is mobile app development. It’s easy to see why some entrepreneurs resolve to take the DIY route. The cost of a small business app can range from $50,000 to $250,000, depending on its functionality.
If you’re running on a shoestring budget and can’t afford to pay for professional app development services, what do you do? Don’t take the DIY route when it comes to business app development. Leave it to the experts. Your business has a reputation to uphold. Offering a half-baked app is a sure way to ruin your business’s reputation and hurt your customer experience.
Instead of taking the DIY approach, it’s better to hold off on building the app until you have the financial capability. And when you’re ready, be sure to find the best app development service. An experienced app developer can build an app that meets your users’ exact needs. Whether you’re a tech magazine that wants to make it easy for readers to access tips and learn tricks — such as how to split screen on Mac — or a grocery store that wants to offer in-app shopping, a professional developer can bring your vision to life.
4. Developing a Bloated App
Have you ever used an app that felt convoluted, as if it wanted to do everything at once? That’s what your users will feel like if you build a bloated app. A bloated app doesn’t just lower customer experience. It can cause your customers to start buying from a competing business that offers a better app.
Small business owners are at risk of developing bloated apps when they don’t understand an app’s niche or purpose. While a professional app developer advises you on the maximum number of features your app can support, based on its structure, you may keep coming up with “great ideas” that you demand the developer to include. Resist the urge and stay focused.
5. Failing to Update the App
At long last, you finally launch your app. You may believe that the task is done for good. But that’s not the way it works.
App development isn’t a one-off task. It doesn’t end as soon as your app goes live. An app needs to be improved and updated regularly. If you’re not doing this, if you’re not willing to do this, it won’t be long before users start uninstalling it.
Avoid These Business App Mistakes
Now you know the mistakes to avoid with business apps. Mistakes with apps are common, especially among small business owners. While a useful, targeted app has the potential to compound sales in your business, it can also do the opposite if you don’t take its development seriously.
Don’t let a bloated app or a poorly designed app lead to a decline in sales. Be prepared for the long haul of development and maintenance when you’re ready to enter the business app market. It can do wonders when you avoid these mistakes for small business apps.
This was a guest blog post written by Ester Adams.
by Mark Bloom | Nov 16, 2020 | Small Business Advice
Is It Time to Outsource?
Ray Access works for other businesses, as well as online agencies. As a contractor for your business or agency, we write:
But when is it appropriate for a small business to outsource? How do you as a business owner or agency owner know when to outsource and when to keep the work in-house? To answer these valid questions, we turned to fundera, which outlines the benefits of outsourcing in this clear graphic that we hope you enjoy and can use:
Ray Access is a content marketing firm that delivers targeted words to empower your business. Contact us about your specific project to receive a quote or discuss your needs. We write website copy, blog posts, e-newsletters and more. Everything we do is thoroughly researched, professionally edited and guaranteed original.
by Mark Bloom | Nov 2, 2020 | Small Business Advice
Make Your Voice Heard!
It’s not every day when you get to turn your attention to something other than your business. However, this is an issue that will have a direct impact on your business. Since Tuesday is election day, it seemed appropriate to write about why we all need to vote and how it affects your business.
“One person, one vote” is a guiding principle of our democratic republic. It’s incumbent upon each of us, as voting-age citizens, to cast our ballots, not just for the presidential election, but for every race that happens to be on your particular ballot. A democracy only works when people, including business owners, take the time, effort and energy to be involved. Don’t forget to vote.
Does One Vote Really Make a Difference?
While it’s not a national holiday, election day is of great importance to our country. And yes, every vote matters, so don’t forget to vote. In 1960, John F. Kennedy beat Richard Nixon by fewer than 120,000 votes nationwide. His electoral college victory was a wider 303-219 affair. But it’s not the closest race in US history.
In 1880, James Garfield beat Winfield Scott Hancock, a Civil War hero, by fewer than 7,400 votes, when most of the population hadn’t yet won the right to cast a ballot (meaning women and most minorities). But the closest electoral college race came in 2000, with George W. Bush and Al Gore. Gore won the popular vote by half a million, but lost the race 271-266. And these examples are just for president.
In state and local races, where smaller populations vote, results can get much closer. As recently as 2017, a race for the Virginia House of Delegates, a 100-seat legislative body, ended in a tie, 11,608-11,608. The name of each candidate was placed inside a small camera film canister, both of which went into a bowl. The State Board of Elections chairman drew one at random to select the winner.
How Does the Election Affect My Business?
History teaches us that the big businesses usually prosper under Republican administrations, while small businesses benefit from a Democratic president. But Ray Access doesn’t advocate one candidate or one party over another — you have to come to your own conclusions. Just don’t forget to vote. You have to weigh the benefits of all candidates on your ballot, consider the community you serve and then vote your conscience.
In 2021, a Democratic president may repeal the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which lowered taxes mostly for big businesses and wealthy individuals. A Republican president may try to broaden the TCJA and make it permanent. A Democrat would likely lower taxes for the lower and middle class, while raising them for the very wealthy. A Republican would likely do the opposite to spur “job-creators.”
Do Businesses Shape Communities or Vice Versa?
But as a business owner, you may benefit from supporting the community that supports you, whether it’s a neighborhood, a town, a state or a nation. If your community suffers, you most definitely will. But if your community prospers, you may too. They say a rising tide lifts all boats, so do what you can to keep your community afloat.
The best way to do that is to make time to vote tomorrow, if you haven’t already. Early voting and absentee voting have topped previous highs to foreshadow a massive voter turnout. That’s good for democracy, and it doesn’t make your vote matter any less. Don’t forget to vote.
Ray Access is a content marketing firm that delivers targeted words to empower your business. Contact us about your specific project to receive a quote or discuss your needs. We write website copy, blog posts, e-newsletters and more. Everything we do is thoroughly researched, professionally edited and guaranteed original.
by Mark Bloom | Oct 19, 2020 | Small Business Advice
Working from Home Presents New Challenges
As more and more people are forced to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are discovering the pros and cons of the situation they find themselves in. On the positive side, the commute is a lot shorter, generally from one room to another. Sometimes, you may go from one side of the kitchen table, where you just finished your breakfast, to the other side, where your computer awaits.
But there are problems, too, among them: how to beat procrastination. When you work from home:
- You may feel compelled to take care of chores during the work day.
- Your children or pets may need attention.
- You may want to make a snack for yourself.
- You may feel the urge to get up to stretch or go for a walk.
- You decide to check on the latest sports scores or your latest online purchase.
- And of course, your email always demands that you answer correspondence promptly.
Trying to take care of everything — and everyone — eats into your productive work time. You know you can get work done at home; you’ve done it before. But lately, you find other things to do instead of the work you have to do. How do you manage a situation like that?
Admit You’re Procrastinating
The first — and maybe most important — step is to admit that you’re suffering from procrastination. When there’s work to do, that should be your priority. In fact, if you used to work in an office, you know that you’d be hard at work if you were still there. The distractions are simply getting in the way.
But that kind of rationality doesn’t always work. You can beat procrastination, but it may not be easy. At Ray Access, we’ve been working at home since Day One, back in 2014. We’ve learned a thing or two along the way to help you beat procrastination.
Tips for How to Beat Procrastination
Here are six ways to beat procrastination and get your work done on time:
- Whenever possible, start early. If there’s a project you know you have to do, don’t put it off. Start on it as soon as you can. Even if you don’t make lots of progress, you’ll still be ahead of the curve and ahead of where you would be if you put it off.
- Work offline as much as possible. The internet is a major distraction. There’s email, entertainment sites and even news. If you have to do research, get it done and out of the way. Then rely on your notes, offline, to finish your project. Go online in spurts, when needed, but don’t linger.
- Time your work period. Buckle down and work straight for a specific period of time, such as 15 to 30 minutes. Start with a shorter time if you need to and build up. Use an egg-timer, a stopwatch or the timer on your smart phone. Work the whole time until the alarm and then stop. Take a break and then repeat, as often as is necessary.
- Don’t seek perfection right away. For many types of work, perfection is the enemy when you’re in the early stages. Seeking perfection from the get-go can stop you from moving forward. Instead, develop a process that often begins with a brain dump. Put down everything that comes to mind for the project. Try it out first and then fine-tune it. Sleep on it before you continue. That’s a great way to determine if your work is genius or garbage.
- Break down your project into as many tasks as you can. This gives you a feeling of accomplishment for every little thing you accomplish. This tip takes planning, but once you start attacking those mini-tasks, one at a time, you’re motivated to keep going rather than putting off additional work. It also gives you something to check off your to-do list.
- Remember how good completion feels. When you’re tempted to procrastinate, recall the last time you just went ahead and finished a project ahead of schedule. It probably felt great! This is particularly important for those not be getting many atta-boys from a remote boss. Use positive feedback to keep you motivated.
- When all else fails, take a mental health break. Get up from your desk. Get away from the office. Take a walk. Go someplace different. Get out into nature. Recharge the juices and release the mind. When you come back to the desk, you may find that you’re in a much different frame of mind that allows you to concentrate better.
- Hire professionals when you’re really stuck. While procrastination isn’t a listed mental illness, chronic procrastination carries serious consequences. You may get fired for it or lose clients because of it. Beat procrastination. It’s serious enough to take seriously. And don’t wait until your deadline before you hire someone to help.
The best way to beat procrastination is to refocus on the task at hand. Sometimes, that takes a trip away from your work. Sometimes, it takes a trick to train your mind to focus. Don’t be afraid to admit your problem and ask for help. If you’re really stuck writing your blog or trying to word your press release, contact Ray Access. We’ve never missed a deadline yet!
Ray Access is a content marketing firm that delivers targeted words to empower your business. Contact us about your specific project to receive a quote or discuss your needs. We write website copy, blog posts, e-newsletters and more. Everything we do is thoroughly researched, professionally edited and guaranteed original.
by Elle Ray | May 12, 2020 | Small Business Advice
Tips for Being Productive at Home
The home office has long been a staple in American households. It’s that spare room with your computer and the spare futon where guests sleep when they visit. Maybe it’s a space you share with your family or housemates. Or perhaps it’s the junk room that catches the overflow of all your stuff, from the ironing board to your workout equipment.
Unless you already work at home for a living, you may not have given the space very much design consideration or designated it off-limits to the rest of the family. But as more and more people follow stay-at-home orders or are being told to stay away from the office, the home office suddenly has become the most important room in the house — and the most-used.
Where’s My Favorite Pen?
Whether you’re new to the home office experience or have enjoyed the benefits of working in your sweats for a while, now is a good time to take a closer look at your home office set-up. It’s time to make it more functional. There’s a lot of design thought goes into the flow and Feng Shui of a business working space. You can take some of that combined wisdom and incorporate it into your own home office.
Alternatively, if your living situation doesn’t allow you to have a designated space — with a door you can close — you can take steps to create a home office space where your necessary work tools are easily accessible and the ambiance is most conducive to productivity and success.
Can We Have the Room Please?
If you’re fortunate enough to have a room that you can turn into an office, free of outside interference (unless you invite it in), make it into a home office that inspires and supports your efforts. Plenty has been written about how to stay healthy while working from home, including recent Ray Access blogs about minimizing distractions and how to stay healthy working at a computer all day.
Add a few more less obvious strategies to your home office, and you may just find that working from home makes you a better employee, boss or contractor. For example, make time to:
- Organize. You waste more time looking for documents or your favorite pen when your home office is disorganized than trying to find a movie to watch on Netflix. You don’t have to buy new filing cabinets or bookcases to organize your home office — although that may be a great investment of your stimulus money. “A place for everything and everything in its place” is a long held tenet of good organization because you can:
- Put things back in the same place from which you got them.
- Mark files clearly … both on your hard drive and in your desk drawers.
- Use coffee cups, baskets, shelves and drawers to keep tools you rely on every day.
- Make sensible piles designated for separate projects or tasks.
- Place notes and reminders where you can see them.
- Clean up your space every evening so you can start fresh in the morning.
- Visualize. Lighting in your office makes a huge difference in how you feel during your working hours and how effective you communicate. When you walk into your home office, the lighting should make you feel relaxed and ready. The right lighting improves your efficiency, increases your energy, affects your mood and reduces headaches and eyestrain. It also plays an important factor in how you look in your online meetings. Even born blind, Helen Keller knew that “knowledge is love and light and vision.” To maximize the light:
- Allow as much natural light as you can from outside into your home office.
- Face your desk to the windows to prevent glare and optimize your view.
- Rely on wall sconces or other lamps throughout the room for ambient light.
- Reduce dependence on overhead lights.
- Use a task light on your desk to ease eye strain and improve your focus.
- Keep direct light off your face and make the room as muted as possible when interacting on a live internet feed.
- Compromise. When you can’t set up your home office in a room designated specifically for that purpose alone, you can still make your time at work more productive and efficient with a few modifications. Not only does working from your bed or leaning over a coffee table in the living room make for a sore body, but it also makes it more difficult to concentrate, stay on task and get as much out of your working hours as possible. But if your living situation means “sharing is caring,” then it’s vital you get everyone in your household on board to respect your space and do a little compromising themselves so you can continue to bring home a paycheck. Try to:
- Use shelves and screens to divide a room and isolate your workspace.
- Invest in a rolling file cabinet if you have to move around to find workspace.
- Use headphones for meetings and alert others when you’re on a call to prevent as much background interference as possible.
- Create a work space with a small desk in an otherwise used room that has a door, like your bedroom, attic, walk-in closet or she-shed.
- Set aside specific times for your kids to do schoolwork, plan quiet activities or make movie dates for others in your household at the same time you’re working — and make sure you have enough internet bandwidth to accommodate multiple users at one time.
- Be as flexible as your work allows. Your family shouldn’t be the only ones making compromises. Get up early before others rise or stay up later to work after others have gone to bed. Arrange your schedule around their activities. Be reasonable and don’t set yourself up for conflicts that could be avoided with prior planning and prioritizing.
Ray Access is a content marketing firm that delivers targeted words to empower your business. Contact us about your specific project to receive a quote or discuss your needs. We write website copy, blog posts, e-newsletters and more. Everything we do is thoroughly researched, professionally edited and guaranteed original.
