If you would also like to go for it and launch a startup yourself, you’ll need good ideas and a ton of organisation. We’ve got some inspiration for both! How do you systematically approach the search for the next ‘big thing’? How have others written their success stories? And...
Does your to-do list keep getting longer? Do you feel like time is constantly slipping away from you? If you want to be more productive and efficient, time management techniques can help. You can employ proven strategies to prioritise, plan, and efficiently execute tasks and...
Have you heard of SMART goals, but you’ve never used an organised and effective method for setting objectives? We’ll explain the advantages of SMART goals, how to use the technique for your personal and business goals and what to watch out for with this method. Because, like all...
An ergonomic workspace is an important pillar of the healthy work life. But many people are missing the know-how to create a more ergonomic environment. Illness, discomfort, and a lack of motivation can be the consequence. And yet, an ergonomically-designed workstation is easy to...
Are you planning on setting up a side business and want to know how to go about it? Starting your own side business while working full time is a great way to minimise your financial risk. Test the waters, but first make sure you are legally registered and that you are even...
Before a business idea can be implemented, it is necessary to create a business plan. This serves as the founder’s roadmap, and summarises all necessary information about planning and finances. However, the business plan is also highly relevant for investors as well as potential...
How can I save on tax? This is an eternal question for the self-employed. In order to be well-versed in questions of tax, and improve your own financial situation, you need the necessary information: What taxes have you incurred? And what can be deducted from them?
Order status, product compatibility, updated delivery terms – manual transmission of data to business partners by mail or phone takes a lot of time. But this can also be done with less effort. The solution: an extranet. But what is an extranet? How do companies use it? This article looks at how to create an extranet, as well as the benefits and some disadvantages of using one.
A business plan is an essential tool for every entrepreneur seeking to kick off a budding project. This not only applies to brick-and-mortar companies, but also to online shops. This is where entrepreneurs can really get to the heart of their business concept, outlining all the crucial elements: from marketing strategies to the company’s staff structure. Providing a projection of the company’s...
With the help of the sandwich method, managers try to communicate criticism to their employees in the most pleasant way possible. Negative feedback is packed between two “sandwich slices” of praise. The sandwich method is also popular in sales methods, and increasingly also in everyday communication. However, there are not only positive aspects, and the method has been criticised by some.
Whether you’re at a board meeting or a project meeting, the question always comes up: “Do we really have to take minutes?“ In large companies, it is often policy that you need to record the minutes, but in small and medium sized companies, this isn’t always the case. Then comes the question: “What is the right way to take minutes?” Writing them can be done quickly and easily with a template. We...
“How likely is it that you would recommend our company to a friend or colleague?” The NPS, short for Net Promoter Score, is limited to this “ultimate question” asked to gauge customer satisfaction. We explain the concept behind the management tool, how you calculate the NPS, and why critics question how valid the NPS is.
Everyone has certainly heard the term “franchise” at some point, but what exactly does it mean? Imagine you want to start a company, but you’re lacking the necessary capital and know-how. Instead, you decide to get involved in a business model that already exists, and build a business under a successful brand. This concept is called “franchising” – and it allows you to start your own business...
Managing a company without having to take responsibility for your assets? This is possible with a limited company (Ltd) and is the reason that many business owners in the UK choose this legal structure. We explain what an Ltd is, its hierarchy, as well as naming some of the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of business structure.
Companies often work together despite being in competition with one another – in many fields and in many forms. The joint venture is one of these strategic cooperation models and enables cooperating companies to strengthen their joint presence in the global business world and to survive in a competition. But what does joint venture actually mean? What types of joint ventures are there? What are...
Brainstorming is a technique applied simultaneously by a group of people allowing to form numerous ideas on any given topic in a short time and at a high rate. Apart from the need to keep up with all the brainstorming rules, good preparation on part of the group host is also important, if the group is to achieve a maximum possible output from its members. Read our guide to find out what...
“Flat hierarchies” are a common refrain of many companies when it comes to recruiting. This means short chains of command, wide control spans, and democratic decision-making. This kind of a loose organisational structure has a reputation for motivating employees and therefore increasing their productivity. But not every company is suited to the concept. For more complex companies, it may be...
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