Tips to Begin a New Workplace Procedure

Corporate Business Solutions is recognized for our exceptional ability to create and implement new policies and procedures that help small and medium – size businesses thrive and grow in their respected industries.  

Common workplace policies may include:

• code of conduct
• recruitment policy
• internet and email policy
• mobile phone policy
• social media policy
• non-smoking policy
• drug and alcohol policy
• health and safety policy
• anti-discrimination and harassment policy

If you’ve already established the need of a new policy in your business, here are tips that may help you ensure a successful implementation:

1. Management support - It is crucial to have management support for the implementation or modification of a policy, especially where policies relate to employee behavior. The endorsement and modeling of the behavior by managers and supervisors will encourage staff to take the policies seriously. While management support for a policy is an important first step before actively seeking employee feedback on a proposed policy, the idea for the policy and some of its details may in fact come from staff.
2. Consult with staff - Involve staff in developing and implementing workplace policies to promote stronger awareness, understanding and ownership of the outcome. Staff involvement also helps to determine how and when the policies might apply, and can assist in identifying possible unintentional outcomes of the policy.
3. Define the terms of the policy- Be very specific. Define key terms used in the policy at the beginning so that employees understand what is meant. You may wish to include specific examples to illustrate problem areas or unacceptable types of behaviors.
4. Publicize the new policies - To be effective, policies need to be publicized and provided to all existing and new employees. Policies should be written so it can be easily understood by all employees. Ensure all staff understand what the policies mean, how to comply with the policies and the implications of not complying.
5. Training and regular referral- The policies may be explained to staff through information and/or training sessions, at staff meetings and during induction sessions for new staff. They should also be reiterated and discussed with staff regularly at staff meetings to ensure they remain relevant. Copies of policies should be easily accessible. 
6. Implementation- It is important that policies are applied consistently throughout the workplace. A breach of a policy should be dealt with promptly and according to the procedures set out in the policy. The consequence of the breach should also suit the severity of the breach – whether it be a warning, disciplinary action or dismissal.
7. Evaluate and review - Review policies regularly to ensure they are current and in line with any changes. Where policies are significantly changed they should be re-issued to all staff and the changes explained to them to ensure they understand the new directions. These changes should also be widely publicized.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Tips to Help Eliminate Business Failure

Corporate Business Solutions has the expertise to help small and medium – size business access valuable information that is often necessary to achieve success in the business arena.  By understanding critical business necessities, it is easier to avoid failure in business. 

Here are important factors that can greatly affect the growth of any business: 

1. Leadership: Dysfunctional leadership in your business will trickle down and affect every aspect of your operation, from financial management to employee morale, and once productivity is hindered, failure looms large on the horizon. Do whatever you can to enhance your leadership skills and knowledge of the industry. 
2. Brand recognition: Your brand is the image your customers recognize and associate with your business. Your brand identity, including your logo, tagline, colors and all the visible aesthetics and business philosophies that represent your company should be supported by your value proposition. It should separate you from the pack and present your individual perspective to your customers. 
3. Customers: A successful business keeps its eye on the trending values and interests of its existing and potential customers. Survey customers and find out what their interests are and keep abreast of changes and trends using customer relationship management (CRM) tools. Effective use of CRM can help keep your business from failing.
4. Finances: Use professional business accounting software to keep records of all financial transactions, including all expenditures and revenues received, and use this information to generate not only profit and loss statements, but critical variable reports that tracks the financial trends in the business to show important variances from week to week, month to month, and year to year. This is valuable information that you need to run your business, know where you stand at all times, keep it operating in the black and know where you need to make changes.  If you lack skill in financial management, consider hiring a tax advisor and professional bookkeeper or certified public accountant to help manage your financial affairs.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.

Tips for Starting a Wholesale Business

The team at Corporate Business Solutions is renowned for their expertise in many industries, including the wholesale business. 

Starting a wholesale business may be easier than you think. There are several different types of wholesale business that you could start, some of which can be run entirely over the internet without pre-purchasing stock. Ultimately, you may be able to start a wholesale business quickly, easily and with little or no capital investment.

If you’re looking to start a wholesale business, we have general tips that may help you: 

1. Identify the industry you want to be in - It's generally advantageous to have knowledge of the industry before starting a business and often easier to get started if you know the products, manufacturers and retailers that you'll be working with. If you are considering starting a wholesale business in a new industry you should research industries of interest and contact potential suppliers for product information, terms and pricing. Ideally you should look to sell products that you feel passionate about and believe in, within a market that is not over-saturated and too competitive.

2. Recognize your market – You must determine who you will sell to. Consider these factors:

• What will be your customer demographic be?
• Where will they be located geographically?
• Will you need to ship goods or operate on a drop-ship basis with your suppliers?
• If you have to ship goods, how much will it cost you?

3. Review competition - Check out the wholesalers your new business would compete with. The less competition your new wholesale business has the easier it will be for you to break into the market and capture the business you will need to sustain long-term success for your venture. .  

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Corporate Business Solutions, call us at 877-357-9366.