Category: Management

Essential Services: What Classifies A Business As Essential?

Essential Services. This is a term that has been thrown around a lot this past year. As the world has undergone one of the most drastic pandemics in recent history, Essential Workers have stepped up and provided us all with the help and support we needed. But what does the word ‘Essential’ actually mean in this context?

Of course, in the very base definition, it means a service that is needed more than any other. That much is obvious. Essential Services are ones we cannot do without. Firefighters, Doctors, and Nurses, water and power facilities. But it goes deeper than that. We are going to briefly explain what it is to be an Essential Service. The perks that come with it. And a few reasons why you don’t actually want your own business to be an essential service.

 

Security

The biggest advantage of an essential service is, of course, the security that comes with it. Essential services are regulated and maintained by legislation. This is handled at the governmental level, either for a specific country or from a collective body such as the UN.

This means the services are needed and will not shut down during turbulent times, as we have seen during this pandemic. It means those working in these sectors will still be earning a living wage and won’t be sitting idle. This is also a huge benefit to those relying on these services.

 

What Is Essential

Aside from the most obvious answers, there are a few other sectors of the business world that you might be surprised to learn are classified as essential services. An example is Pest Control. In America, very recently, pest control was deemed an essential service. This means companies like permakillexterminating or ampest are now essential.

This is fantastic, as the vast majority of these firms are privately owned and, as such, provide massive benefits to them and the local economy as well.

Supply chains are also considered essential, meaning fleets of delivery drivers, factory floor workers, and other management areas are going to be kept in work. This provides a further support channel to keep the economy afloat.

Construction is a field most people wouldn’t realize is classified as essential. Due to the vast numbers of people employed in this field, and the constant need for their services, it would be impossible for it not to receive Essential status.

Reading this, you might be wondering how being an essential service could ever be seen as negative for a business. Allow us to explain.

 

Restrictions

The legislation put upon these services works both ways. It provides security for those working, and those benefitting from the services. The biggest security point being a lot of these labor forces are not allowed to strike. This might sound extreme, but that is the price that is paid for being essential. A strike would be devastating to everyone involved.

These services are also forced to adhere to strict regulations and rules. There is no room for innovation or compromise. The red-tape is out in full force.

All of this works together to create an environment that does not benefit a lot of businesses.  It really is reserved for those aspects of society that we cannot do without.

But don’t dismay. The benefits of being a non-essential, or what is called a minimum service, are fantastic. You are supported by a lot more labor laws and the freedom to strike. You aren’t hampered by strict government regulations and have a lot more freedom and control over your business.

Know Your Staff: 5 Tips To Better Understand Who is Working For You

When it comes to running a business your employees are a vital part of its success, you should have a level of trust with those you employ and as an employer, those who work for you should be able to trust you. Before starting the employment process you should take advantage of the information that has been provided on applicants’ CVs, if you have been provided with references then it would make sense to contact them in order to get a clearer picture of who you are hiring.

 

Thorough Background Checks

The best way to understand who is working for you would be to take advantage of any prior information that has been provided about the candidate, there are a number of ways that this can be done such as contacting previous employers and ensuring that all of the legal documentation is in order. Things like work permits and potential criminal records must be checked before employment is considered, there has to be a level of trust between the employer and employee when it comes to the legalities and you could use a comprehensive article on employment background check to ensure everything is in order.

 

Group interviews

Group interviews are a particularly useful tool in finding out someone’s work ethic and how they interact with others, as opposed to conducting individual interviews to gain an insight into who is working for you. A group interview is sometimes much more effective when it comes to finding out someone’s attitude and how they work with others as this is a vital factor to your business success, teamwork is vital to your business running smoothly so you will need people who know how to enforce this mantra effectively.

 

References

As previously mentioned references from previous employers are vital in gaining a better understanding of who is working for you, references are the contact numbers a potential candidate leaves on their CV from the places they have worked at previously. Taking advantage of references and taking the time to contact them is one of the most effective ways of better understanding who is working for you as you gain an insight into how well they have worked in the past, it is also extremely useful to get a second opinion from a professional source about the candidates work ethic.

 

CV

One of the most effective yet often overlooked ways to gain a better understanding of who is working for you would be to take a thorough look at your employee’s CV. A CV shows in detail what the employee considers to be their best attributes when it comes to working, this provides a useful insight into how a candidate perceives themself and how they feel their past work experiences have impacted them. Employers are often overwhelmed with applicants for any vacancies that they don’t take the necessary time to look at someone’s CV and read the valuable first impression that has been provided.

 

Solo Interviews

Although group interviews are very useful, the classic solo interview can be a less daunting process which encourages a more relaxed interaction. The group setting may put extra pressure on the candidates that encourage them to be less open and authentic, a solo interview shows you are taking the time to get to know each candidate on a more personal level and could be considered one of the most useful processes in getting to know your potential employees. Overall a solo interview provides much needed one on one interaction between an employer and candidate that helps form a trusting relationship.

5 Things to Consider When Starting a Family Business

Starting a business is one of the most rewarding things you can ever do. Beyond simply being a solid investment, running a business builds character, boosts confidence, and offers a chance to do a lot of good for the community and the world as a whole. And some see it as a perfect opportunity to build something for their family. Family businesses have been a staple of local communities across the western world for generations. They build lasting relationships and are full of charm and character. For anyone looking to create something that they can run with their family, there are a few things to take into consideration.

 

The Idea

The most important part of any business is the idea. Before you do anything else you need to know what you want your business to actually be. This is also one of the more fun stages of company development. Here you can really stretch your creative muscles as a family and decide what sort of business you all want to be a part of. Some of the more common family businesses include craft stores, restaurants, and cafes or perhaps something more obscure like artisan watchmaking.

 

Start-up Capital

The sad truth of our culture is that everything is run on money. You could have the greatest idea in the world for your business, it won’t mean anything without some serious start-up capital to back it up. There are many ways to go about getting this, be it through a loan from your bank or simply saving up, but it is something you need to consider and look into before you start doing anything. And make sure you are staying smart when it comes to money. Do not borrow beyond your means or go through any illicit channels.

 

Inheritance

This one is something that a lot of people in family businesses seem to overlook. Inheritance plans need to be in place way before you even open to the public. And this is for a number of reasons. The main one being, if you died, it needs to be clear who is going to inherit the company. But there are situations where you could be declared unfit to work or placed in a state of coma in which case the inheritance information would be vital. Places like inheritancelaw are perfect for making sure everything is sorted and above board.

 

Community

The key aspect of a family business is the community it is placed within. If you are at the center of a major city then chances are your small family business is going to fail when it is competing with massive name-brand corporations. Small, family-run companies often tend to do better when placed in smaller town environments. In these settings, it is more common that everyone knows each other. This is going to work to your advantage as people are more likely to spend their money at a shop if they have a good relationship with the owner. This leads neatly into the last point.

 

Relationships

This covers both your relationships with your customers and your family. Depending on who is going to be working at the restaurant, you will want to set up your marketing and décor in accordance. A husband and wife duo will suit a nice, romantic atmosphere better. A father-son team will suit welcoming, vibrant colors. Consult some marketing experts and find out what is going to work best for you.

Keeping on the good side of your customers is always a positive. If you build strong relationships with them you will guarantee they will return but also find they act as free marketing for your venture.