10 Google Chrome Web Store Apps to Help You With Your Business

Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers and the Chrome apps make it a great addition to any business, home-based or otherwise. 

What are Google Chrome Web Store Apps?

The basic idea of Google Chrome Web Store apps is to enable the user easy access to many of the applications they use without having to go leave the web or sign into the actual program.  

Applications are designed so that you do not have to leave your office space to purchase software to enhance your business. Instead, you can access them quickly especially if you have the extension installed on your web browser. Chrome apps also include customized versions of websites, games, editing tools, publishers, and almost anything you might need to run you business more efficiently.  

You can also make your own chrome apps with the help of HTML5, CSS and JavaScript if you have an idea you think others would benefit from. If you have any coding knowledge, all you need is to publish them on the Google Chrome Web Store. 

(If you would like to learn coding, you can use www.w3schools.org or www.khanacademy.org to begin; an hour or so a day can make a huge difference in your web development skills). 

Small Business Payroll Tax Cut Possible Impact

Small business owners voiced their opinions to the White House after a proposed payroll tax cut was presented. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 99.7% of employer firms. Within the last two decades, small businesses have been responsible for more than half of the country's job growth.

So what did these entrepreneurs have to say? They concentrated on three topics:

• Incentives for hiring and job growth
• More information about how health care reform will affect small businesses
• Solutions for real estate crisis and getting foreclosures sold more quickly

Politics aside, think of the impact that a 50% deduction in payroll taxes might have on your bottom line. Would companies feel less hesitant to hire, and possibly resume their leading place in the hiring arena?

What about investments? There are ways to recoup losses for companies, however, the companies may not feel comfortable, given recent economic reports. 

Possible Impact 

So what could small businesses use their payroll tax cuts on?

• Sales - More money to hire salespeople, improve profits, and ultimately business growth.
• Marketing - Let more people know about their businesses and broaden their areas of operation.
• Technology - Evaluate present processes that could be replaced by technology, and invest in technology that will surely improve their productivity and operations overall. 
• Internet Marketing - Research the benefits that taking their brick and mortars online could have on their bottom line. 

In what ways would a payroll tax cut impact your business?

Business Plan: Operations Part II ~ Technology

Technology plans are no longer only necessary for service or technology businesses. Technology is a major part of every business and industry. Companies will have varying dependence upon technology depending on their product, service, and access to resources. Every business must spend time brainstorming, then outlining the role that technology will have in daily business operations. 

The Technology Plan of any business plan should address the following: 

• Specific technology the business will use to operate
• The cost of the technology
• What the technology will be used for -- customer interaction, manufacturing, producing services, marketing products or services, etc
• Cost of the technology (fixed and variable) based on use

How to choose technology:

• Cost
• Effectiveness
• Ease-of-use for internal and external users
• Easy integration into existing processes / technologies
• Savings for company time
• Efficiency 
• Ability to be upgraded or expanded based on demands of company
• **Ease of replacing parts and ongoing maintenance of system**
• SECURITY

Technology is here to stay and businesses unable to adapt or streamline processes through technology will be left behind in sales, competition, and growth. Technology enables companies to efficiently operate businesses and sell more with less effort. It is useful in every department of a company from financial accountability and human resources management to inventory control and marketing. 

Choosing technology is not as easy as it was in times past as the market has grown exponentially. Choosing proper technology will require research and even trial and error at times. When presenting technology purchases to senior management, loan officers, or anyone else able to give funds, justification for the purchases should be foremost. How will the purchase of the technology ultimately effect the bottom line, net income? There should be tangible results available and efficiency in processes directly related to the purchase of technology. Technology gives us the ability to perform essential and recreational functions more efficiently, more quickly, and easier.

Questions to consider:

1. How will the purchase of the technology increase productivity?
2. Will I save time or money buy purchasing this technology?
3. Is the technology easy to use for myself? Easy to train others how to use?
4. How long can I use this technology with my current technology? Will purchasing this technology require me to have to replace other technologies and increase cost? 
5. Will purchasing this technology save money by eliminating time intensive processes? How?
6. If I was unable to receive funding for this technology -- how efficient would my business run?
7. Is this technology a requirement for business or an enhancement?
8. What type of skill sets will my workforce need to operate this technology?
9. If something replaced this technology within 2 years, would this purchase increase sales to cover new technology purchases?
10. How will using this technology give me an advantage against competitors?
11. How will clients respond to the changes in operation by implementing this technology?
12. When can I expect to see positive cash flow after the purchase of this technology?
13. What impact would this technology have on the need for human resources within the company...increase or decrease?
14. If I had to operate without this technology, could I?
15. Do I have emergency funds available in case the technology goes out unexpectedly?

As more brick and mortars transition online to increase their client base, they should be aware of the cost, implementation, and dependence their companies will have on technology. Making purchases without full understanding can result in waste of time and resources. Informed business owners are better positioned to make good decisions regarding technology and be ahead of the curve in most instances. 

Technology consultant costs must be considered as well because of the constant evolution of technology. Once a business transitions and becomes more dependent on laptops, tablets, and business software, there is no going back. Companies must be able to consult with experts when they are unable to make informed decisions. Include this in the technology plan as well. 

ChrissyBiz Solutions provides clients with customized, results-driven web marketing strategies. Our primary business writing duties include: article marketing,  search engine optimized web copy, blog content, social media, press releases, and newsletters  designed to drive traffic to your website and influence buyers decisions when purchasing products and services.

Contact ChrissyBiz today to discuss the impact that web marketing copy can have on your business.

Business Plan: Operation Plan | Operation With Excellence | Part 1

We've discussed the marketing and financials of a successful business plan. Next, we move on to the operations component of the plan. Success in your marketing and recouping any funds invested in your business will be dependent on how business operations are operated. 

You will need to consider who will actually be involved in daily operations, what the business hours will be, how many hours a day will you be open to gain the maximum profit, where you will be located, and include the technology plan you will implement. Deep thought should be given to this section as how you operate will distinguish you from competitors and hopefully give you an advantage over them as well. Your goal is to implement a strategy that will give you the most profit, use your time most productively, and capitalize on mistakes of others in your industry to make your business better. 

Think about what it is that causes customers to leave a storefront, or click off a webpage. What are things that cause you to feel companies are incompetent or very efficient? Never allow your business mind to over take your common sense and observations as a consumer. Find a balance between the two that allows you to use your business sense to the best of your ability and incorporate what you know from your experience with brands, vendors, and businesses. 

Key components to this section include:

• Facilities -- comprehensive information to include size, costs, location, lease terms, & any special considerations.
• Manufacturing / Production Plan -- how will you produce your product or service? Be detailed. Being specific will allow you to immediately notice processes that can be eliminated to make workflow more efficient. How many people will it take to produce your product? 
• Equipment and Technology -- This section will include everything you plan to use from a printer, fax, and copier, to mobile apps and scanners, desks, types of laptops, everything. To include everything, start from the beginning of production, to the end of your product / service. Write down every piece of equipment that is involved in making your business run. You will need price information as well. 
• Variable Labor Requirements -- Do you need the same workforce at peak hours that you need in the morning? How many part time or full time employees will you need? What types of skills will you need these people to possess? Try your best to gain the best value from your workforce as possible by hiring people with several skill sets, that can fulfill several roles. Make sure you have accounted for their cost to the company, and develop a salary to attract the most efficient and productive type of employee. 
• Inventory Management -- How will you maintain accountability? How you will make sure you always have what you need on hand?
• Supply and Distribution -- Where will you get your supplies? How will you get it to your market? What channels do you need to make the process as efficient and cost effective as possible?
• Order Fulfillment and Customer Service -- How will customers place orders and how will you deal with their needs, complaints, concerns, and questions? What steps can you take to develop FAQ's, customer feedback plans, and surveys beforehand to be prepared for the success of your company?
• Research and Development -- How will you stay abreast of the most cutting edge developments in your industry and make sure you are incorporating them into your business? How much money and time will you allocate to this? Some companies will only need to pay for conferences and classes to be competitive in the area while others will have to be more aggressive. Technological, medical, automotive, and technical fields must invest a lot of time and money in this area if they want to remain in business.
  
  
  
• Quality Control -- Deming was a business guru that was able to revitalize a dying industry because of his belief in continuous improvement. How will you maintain the standards of your product or service? Are there federal requirements? What process will you employ to keep the reputation of your business in good standing by producing quality products or services?
• Safety, Health, Environmental Concerns -- Extremely important section. What does the federal and local government require for operations and disposal of the materials you are using? Are there any posting requirements you must have in your facility. Time spent on this section will save you money with law suits and liability issues. Ignorance to the law is no excuse for the law; employees are entitled to work in an environment free from health hazards. Obviously, some industries have inherent risks involved, and www.OSHA.gov will answer any questions you may have about your workplace.

Other considerations and the technology plan specifics will be posted in part 2. Stay tuned.

ChrissyBiz Solutions provides clients with customized, results-driven web marketing strategies. Our primary business writing duties include: article marketing,  search engine optimized web copy, blog content, social media, press releases, and newsletters  designed to drive traffic to your website and influence buyers decisions when purchasing products and services.

Contact ChrissyBiz today to discuss the impact that web marketing copy can have on your business.

Performing Daily Audits to Increase Your Productivity

Remaining on task is going to be dependent partly upon how well your schedule is arranged. To get there, you will have to perform daily audits and make small adjustments. This could take you a week or two, may be less. All that is required is an honest look at the way you have arranged your tasks and how they are arranged in relation to others.

This step will expose areas where you have lumped activities and areas where you need to give yourself more time. This is where 30 minute time slots will prove if they need more time on your schedule or should be moved altogether.

These daily audits are a part of another important concept in business, Continuous Improvement. How smoothly your day is running can be changed during this process and most importantly, this is where you can see any positive or negative gains and assess what you can do to change them. Depending on your craft and business, big differences in your productivity may be seen just based on when you schedule certain tasks.

So what are some criteria you should use to audit your schedule?

1. How easy is it for you to transition from one task to another?
2. Do your transitions require physical change in location or just shift in thinking?
3. Do you like the way your schedule is arranged?
4. Have any changes in your life required you to change some things around?
5. Are you seeing positive changes?

All of these questions must be considered when you perform your audits. All of them will help you take an objective look at the way your schedule is now and how it may be affecting your productivity. If you are finding that transitioning from one task to another is an issue, move it elsewhere. Schedule things together that are in close proximity OR in some cases, schedule them so that you may have a break from one task and begin one that is unrelated -- giving your brain a breather.

If you are not in love with the way your schedule is arranged, that is actually enough reason to make changes. It is your schedule and if you do not like it, you are not likely to adhere to it. Additionally, a new responsibility or external schedule shift may cause you to alter your schedule as well. Finally, do you feel positive and see positive changes in the way your workflow is going with these changes? The entire goal is to show improvement, not add more headache. Scheduling properly can make your workflow more efficient and increase your productivity. The daily audits will allow you to always make adjustments that are needed, as they come. Give yourself the flexibility to make improving your productivity an ongoing process, employing these steps systematically to see maximum results.