1. Don’t assume the current way is the right way.  Challenge long standing processes that are currently used within your business and promote evolution of new systems and ideas for your business.  Be as innovative as you like. 
2. Ask the questions – what are you doing and why?  Don’t stray from your original mission unless it’s clear the new route will be beneficial.  Always align your tasks with your goals but make sure you assess these regularly so you know what you’re doing and why.  It’s a form of tracking.
3. The first solution may not be the most effective.  Hurrah you found one!  But don’t stop there.  Refine it to ensure it’s the best solution, test it, put it to use and then adapt it as necessary.
4. Meet new people in new industries.  It’s amazing what happens beyond your bubble.  Open yourself for new viewpoints and creative avenues that could relate to your business.  Find out about business networking evenings in your area and go along.  Take team members that you think might be interested in what’s being presented; you may be surprised at what you learn about other industries.
5. Inspire the team with real business success stories.  Encourage them to learn and relate.  Invite guest speakers to team meetings or watch inspirational clips together on YouTube.
6. You can’t learn less.  Regularly research new ideas or possibilities.  You never know what will trigger a fantastic idea.  Most of this can be done online through social media, but encourage brainstorming and team input on project or product business possibilities.
7. Don’t bury issues – celebrate them.   Make problem solving fun and have the team break from their daily tasks to brainstorm.  You could learn a lot from their fresh perspectives, and they’ll enjoy being a part of the decision making process.
8. Your employees are your first/most important customer.  Treat them with the necessary respect and value their opinions!

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Here are some tips on ergonomics that employees should be made aware of:

• Have the computer monitor just below eye level and adjust the screen to eliminate glare from windows and lights
• The centre line of the keyboard should be level with the height of your elbow and tilted back slightly to that wrists remain flat
• Use an adjustable chair and get comfortable with the adjustment settings – it’s also important to upgrade furniture regularly

Ensure staff are informed about effective ergonomics.  It’s best to prevent health and safety issues before they arise.  If you want more information about workplace health and safety, visit www.acc.co.nz.

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Smart devices have multimedia capabilities allowing you to access an enormous amount of information anytime, anywhere.  This can be beneficial when it comes to educating and training staff, be it motivational video clips, informal webinars or resources relevant to their roles.  It can be a huge benefit to your team to have this information on hand.

Smartphones eliminate ‘downtime’ and give your staff the ability to work and conduct research when they are away from the office, in between meetings or travelling abroad.  Smart devices also allow for voice recordings, access to calendars, audio books and podcasts, meaning you and your team can stay connected and really utilise your time and resources wisely.

Here are some things to take into consideration when assessing whether smart devices are suitable for your team:

The plan - You need to do some research here.  Who is the best provider?  There are a number of competitors in the market with a variety of business plans available.  Sit down with a sales representative from each of the leading telecommunication providers and tell them what your business does, how many staff you have and what your needs are.  They will assess which is the best plan for you and let you know some pricing, data and call options that will best suit your firm.  You’ll want a provider who is available 24 hours a day should you run into any technical difficulties.

The rules - Establish the usage rules early on with employees so they don’t take advantage or abuse their rights with smartphones.  The last thing you want is wasted time on personal social media sites when your team should be productively using that time for work.

The phone - There are a few elements to consider when choosing the best device for your business.

1. Battery life – Smartphones have a lot going on inside their tiny little shells, so in turn, their battery life takes a hammering.  If you’re travelling a lot for business, you need a reliable battery life.
2. Screen – How big is the screen?  It’s easier to read information on a bigger screen and the bigger the phone, the more it tends to do.  Remember to take into account the clarity of images and video playback.
3. Camera – Do you need a good camera?  Are your employees taking and sharing this sort of information with clients?  If so, ensure you check out the megapixel count.  The higher the megapixel, the better the quality.

Take the time to consider whether smartphones are right for your business.  They can aid the increase of productivity, minimise downtime and grow the knowledge base within your team.

Do the research and speak to the professionals to decide which plan and phone are right for you.

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