Four Ways to Reassess Your Business Strategy in 2018
By: Jennifer Morrison
Time does not stand still for anyone or anything, including your business. As changes in the market, laws, and society take place, your business must adapt and align itself with shifting trends. A new year is a prime opportunity to take a step back, conduct an analysis of your company’s overall strategy, and decide if it’s time to reset.
What are you proud of and what needs improvement? One of the most difficult parts of reflection for anyone is acknowledging your successes and failures. This line of thinking is such an important part of evaluation and planning, though. Looking at the full picture allows you to continue leveraging and funding the resources that work, while cutting back on those that don’t. Was your infrastructure unable to keep up with client demand? Are you and your employees spread too thin? Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your accomplishments or milestones, even if they don’t specifically relate to your overall goals. If you were able to recognize that you needed additional help, and in turn hired the right talent, congratulate yourself and make sure you’re optimizing those additional resources.
Client Profile: Bloom Kids Collection
Powerhouse Service Provided: External Communication
“We love working with PH! We’re so thankful to have found a marketing team that can see our vision like we see it and that we are able to trust to ‘run with it.’ The service and professionalism has been top-notch, and we couldn’t be happier.” – Ashley Jones, co-owner of Bloom Kids Collection
Interested in learning how we can help your company grow? Email us at [email protected]. We’d love to be on your team!
Tools to Get Organized
If getting organized is part of your 2018 strategy, then there are some digitized tools that can help streamline processes in areas of operations, file management, and staffing. If you’re on the fence between adopting new systems, each of these offers free trials:
TSheets – If you’re running a virtual business—or have employees who are located offsite—keeping track of work hours can be a challenge. TSheets is a time-tracking tool with a mobile app that allows people to clock in and out on the go, even without cell coverage. Managers can clock people in/out as well, and admins can see who’s on the clock by location. Automation features include alerts, paid time off tracking, and holidays.
Evernote Scannable – Paper is so 2017. Consumers and businesses are inundated with data all the time. Even those who rely on a trusty physical notebook can benefit from sharing information digitally. Evernote Scannable is an app that lets you put everything in one place by scanning business cards, documents, notes, and other files quickly. The web clipper syncs between various devices, and users can also search through the images—including the stuff you have handwritten. There are paid plans that allow you to do more, but the basic plan gives a good trial run.
Zoho Recruit – If your business is growing this year, then you want to make sure you have the best people on your team. Recruitment can be a full-time job, which makes Zoho Recruit helpful for managing that process. There are several key features, including the ability to track applications, view resumes, look at information from interviews, and keep candidates updated through the process. One great bonus is that you can share notes and communicate with recruiters and your colleagues.
NONPROFIT PROFILE: Project Sanctuary
By: Kylie Hastings
A regular sight in today’s media includes the standard surprise homecoming video. A military member comes home unexpectedly and surprises loved ones in a fun way, leaving everyone drowning in happy tears. Sounds lovely, right? Unfortunately, reunions are much harder than the television showcases, and when the cameras turn off—and it is time for reintegration—real life can tell a less-than-happy story.
Many families feel confused, frustrated, and alone as they try to readjust to “normal” family life. As the military community marks 16 years since conflicts began in Afghanistan and Iraq, organizations are focusing efforts on helping service members get through the challenges of post-deployment. One such group, Project Sanctuary, a Colorado-based nonprofit corporation, took it a step further to look at the needs of the family as a whole.
Founder Heather Ehle, whose background is in nursing, noticed a lack of support for all members of the military family as it relates to reintegration, so rather than watch from the sidelines, she crafted a solution. She started Project Sanctuary in 2007 with the goal of establishing an evidence-based program that encompasses spiritual, physical, and emotional healing.
New Hire at Powerhouse
Konstantin “Dean” Kokoris is a freelance multimedia designer who provides multimedia services ranging from print to digital design, both motion and 3D. Dean received his bachelor’s degree in 2012 from Old Dominion University, where he studied graphic design. Since graduation, he has worked as a multimedia specialist, a web developer, and an Instructional Systems Designer (ISD).
Dean has developed a variety of training products for the U.S. Navy as both a graphic designer and an ISD. He has also been tasked with redesigning various Navy websites and portals, proving himself to be a jack of all trades.
Founder Uses Technology to Streamline Functions of Business
By: Rebecca Alwine
Technology is making operations easier for business owners, though Shannon Siriano Greenwood admits digital cannot replace human capital.
“My iPhone is the only way I can do what I do,” Greenwood said. “As a business coach, I have the flexibility to be where I need to be.”
Greenwood is a serial entrepreneur. Technology has really helped her balance all her passions, including several businesses that she founded across several industries. And technology was instrumental in the success of her fitness studio, Boho Cycle Studio in Richmond, Virginia.
Technology that serves clients
When Greenwood launched her first business, she was balancing a full-time schedule with the opening of her new indoor cycling studio called Boho Cycle Studio. After just six months, the company was making a profit, and it received recognition as “Best Start Up” by Richmond Magazine. Soon, Greenwood found ways to streamline antiquated processes.
“Technology played a major role in the success of my fitness studio,” Greenwood said. To appeal to the desires of her customer base, she used MindBody—online management software that allows clients to reserve a space for class, which created an expedited experience and eliminated the inconvenience of arriving half an hour early to wait in line.
