A3 Self Employment

How to work on your company while at work and not get caught

Running your own company while working as a full-time employee can result in disciplinary action from your employer, especially if it affects your productivity. Consider that this comes with the risk of losing your job if you do not play the cards well. Some employers will give a stun warning to new employees regarding carrying out private business while at work. Therefore, to avoid being caught by the HR or your boss, here are some tricks you can consider. 

1.  Consider using your Smartphone

If your employer puts some restrictions regarding carrying private laptops and notebooks to the workplace, you can use the cell phone. You can find a Smartphone with great capability allowing you to carry out complex activities. Use the Smartphone applications that allow sharing of files, online collaboration or even editing using the smart devices. 

1. Avoid using workplace computers for private business

Employers often spy the activities of their employees.  This might involve sniffing in your workplace computer. Therefore, if you are saving files that do not relate to your work description or assigned duties, the employer will easily suspect you.  Therefore, make sure you do not download any none work-related files into the workplace desktops or mobile devices. The downloaded files could be used as evidence against you, in case of any suspicion. 

1. Do not make phone calls to your customers while at work

This is something that many people often forget. Your immediate boss could be taking note of the type of calls you make. When there is an indication that you are talking to other people other than the employer’s customers during work time, you will cause suspicion. Always excuse yourself and speak to your customers while away from the office. 

1. Use cellular data when communicating with your customers 

Employers are tracking what websites their employees are visiting. Some will go to the extent of limiting the websites that people within the work network are allowed to visit. Therefore, to avoid leaving any traces of communication with your customers, stick to cellular data. If your employer allows use of private laptops, take advantage of the mobile hotspot feature to connect to your customers. This way, no trace of communications can be found by the experts at your organizations IT department. 

1. Do not disclose your side hustle to colleagues

Your best friend in the workplace could turn against you one day. Therefore, keep matters to do with your company only to yourself and those you have employed. Even at socializing events, do not mention your company, because someone could use that information against you. Others are jealousy about your successful side hustle and they might leak the information to the bosses. 

1. Avoid working on hardcopies while at the workplace

Imagine an impromptu visit from your boss to your office. What if they found you compiling copies of invoices or other records not related to what they employed you to do? This could be the beginning of workplace problems. Therefore, simply make sure that you digitize your company’s operations to avoid carrying hard copies to your workplace. 

1. Schedule customers appointments outside of usual business hours

When you have serious meetings, you do not want to keep leaving the meeting room to see your customers. In case your customers are requesting an urgent appointment, find a good reason to excuse yourself from any other work-related commitments. Otherwise, if your customers can wait, see them after the normal business hours. 

Now you know how you can operate your company while still working on full time employment. Remember that nothing pertaining your company should be talked about in presence of your bosses or colleagues.  

How to build a successful empire in the US on a shoestring budget

Building an empire on a shoestring budget might seem impossible for many of us living in the US. However, the reality is that you just have to start for you to realize the dream.  One thing you must have in mind is that it is not likely going to be a smooth ride. Therefore, it could be fanciful not to anticipate challenges from the beginning. In this post, I feature some important tips on how to set up a company in the US on shoestring budget. 

1. Take time to research the market you are about to dive into

When setting up a business in the US, a mistake you will want to avoid is jumping into the idea without proper researching. No matter how attractive the niche seems to be, it is important that you revise. Evaluate whether you have a passion and the skills required to thrive in a particular niche. Do not forget to check out who your competitors are, and the other challenges involved. If you have a mentor, talk to them about the particular challenges and opportunities available. The objective is to make sure you are getting into a niche you will not find difficult to compete in. 

1. Know how much money you can raise to invest in the business

Although you have a limited amount for starting a business in the US, it is necessary that you develop a budget for the expenses. This is at least for the time you will have to wait to start realizing revenue from the business.  Make up a contingency plan, in case the revenue generated when starting cannot fund the expenses. For instance, focus on expenses reduction, and find alternative revenue sources.

1. Go for online business opportunities

Netpreneurship is a great opportunity to pursue if you want to start a business with limited capital. All you need is a Smartphone or a laptop, internet and working space. Therefore, instead of hiring expensive office space, a small room in your home will help you save on that expense.

1. Go for a business where you are not required to have inventory

There are numerous opportunities that aspiring netpreneurs can pursue. For instance, dropshipping allows you to make profits by just connecting a manufacturer to the consumer. It is a great t opportunity and you do not need to purchase inventory. 

1. Remain focused on growth

Rather than spend the income you are getting, focus on how to grow your business. For instance, if you have a website that is already earning you money, rather than spend the revenue on vacations focus on starting another website to double the income. This is the easiest approach to growing an empire on a limited budget. 

1. Squeeze every penny

When you start realizing revenue, do not make the mistake of hiring expensive accountants and other staff you do not need yet. Instead, go for cheap labor available via online platforms like Upwork.com. Every penny realized in your business should be saved to grow the capital.

If you are thinking of starting a business in the US, just know that capital should never be the limit. Instead, strategize on ways to get started. With a limited amount of money, you can build a successful empire so long as you conceptualize the vision and follow the dream.  

Eight Mistakes New Entrepreneurs Should Never Make.

Starting up a business has never been an easy thing to do. This is especially when it comes to new entrepreneurs. There are several critical decisions to make, and a simple mistake will result in failure. In this article, we look into some of the mistakes every new entrepreneur should avoid. 

1. Skipping the planning phase

The planning phase is one of the most tedious stages new entrepreneurs have to go through. Having a solid plan takes perseverance and it is important that you have the patience to go through this phase. Therefore, the things to consider include coming up with a business plan, a financial plan for your business, marketing plan, and in some instances an exit strategy. 

1. Being afraid of failure

Do not be afraid to fail. Just acknowledge that failure is the key to your success. Therefore, jump into your business idea knowing that you can always learn from past mistakes. How you pick up after the first trial is what determines your chances of success. 

1. Not setting up objectives of your new startup

Goals are meant to give you a sense of direction right from the time of starting the business. therefore, to stay right on track, you will need to refer to the objectives that you have listed. Every step should be guided by your business objectives to increase chances of succeeding. 

1. Undervaluing your products 

Do not lack confidence in your ability to deliver superior products and outstanding services.  This is what results in undervalued products or services. Therefore, with under-priced services, you end up not attracting the right customers as some will think that what you are offering is inferior quality hence low pricing. 

1. Not embracing technology

Owners of small startups are often shy when it comes to embracing technology. As a small business, note that new technology helps entrepreneurs to work more efficiently, and promotes money saving culture. For instance, take up AI to better service delivery and minimizing the cost of labor. 

1. Being afraid of digital marketing

Internet marketing is inevitable in today’s digital business world. Organizations that embrace digital marketing are already enjoying great rewards in terms of increased sales. Consider that digital marketing allows organizations to run targeted campaigns. This is a great approach that lets your business to achieve great success. 

1. Overspending

New entrepreneurs forget that overspending during startup results into limited budget that could be used for business growth. Instead, focus on cost-cutting strategies like hiring freelancers online rather than fulltime employees who work just few hours. Take up the less expensive but equally viable opportunities to ensure you have enough capital to support the business in the coming days. 

1. Not consulting the experts

Do not assume that you can do everything all alone. Instead, ask for support from the field experts. When it comes to digital marketing, talk to an experienced expert who can help you come up with clear strategies. 

Note that in entrepreneurship, every mistake should be treated as a learning opportunity. Do not be distracted by those simple mistakes made when starting the business. This way, you can achieve great success.