Entrepreneur tips

Ready to Grow Your Team? 5 Entrepreneur Tips for Hiring

Jan 28, 2019

Whether you’ve been doing it all yourself or it’s just time to add one more, hiring a new employee can be stressful. One-person operations can only go so long before you reach a limit. If you want to grow and prosper, you need another person.

These entrepreneur tips can help you decide the best person for the job no matter if it’s retail work or behind the scenes social media marketing. You’ll likely get numerous applicants, but how can you read between the lines of a resume and know who’ll be the best person to not only fit the job but your management style and business sense.

Don’t Trust Resumes 100 Percent

If you get a potential employee whose resume looks too good to be true, then it probably is. A little resume padding is expected but beware of outright lies. When a person is unemployed and not getting income, they may be desperate for a job and be willing to put anything down if it feels it might get them an interview.

Don’t hesitate to follow up with former employers to verify employment dates, etc. Many employers didn’t do this and ended up with an employee that didn’t have the qualifications they said. Your choices are to train them or begin the hiring process all over again.

Entrepreneur Tips: Know What You Can Ask

It can be difficult for a small business hiring employees. You have a set way of doing things and you want someone you can trust. It’s your company and you’ve put your heart and soul into it.

When you’re interviewing, there are some topics that are off limits because it might lead to discrimination. You can’t not hire a person because of their age, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

When it comes to mental, physical and emotional disabilities, questions can only be asked pertaining to any special accommodations needed to do the work.

If you do ask questions that may lead to the possibility of discrimination, then you can open yourself to a civil lawsuit.

Don’t Hesitate for Drug Testing

If the job requires the use of special machinery or company vehicles, then don’t hesitate to require drug testing as part of the hiring requirements. The reason is safety.

A person under the influence can’t operate machinery safely and can end up causing injury to themselves, customers or you. Even in states where marijuana is legal, businesses don’t have to allow it in their employee’s system.

Get Your Paperwork Done

A business can’t just hire an employee. The state and federal government require businesses with employees to have an Employer Identification number, be registered with the labor department, have workman’s compensation insurance and many other hoops to go through.

You can’t legally hire an employee without having this done, so make sure in compliance before getting a new employee.

Decide How Wide A Net to Spread

If you’re looking for someone local, then post notices in newspapers and local job boards. If you do use larger job boards like Indeed, then make sure applicants know you’re looking for regional people only.

If you are willing to hire people from outside the area, are you willing to cover moving expenses? Do you plan on providing health insurance or a 401k plan? Is it part time or full time? Make sure you list your business benefits and perks

These are all questions you need to answer before placing the job opening. You don’t want to be inundated with resumes from all over the country if you’re only looking for people in town.

It’s a Necessary Step

If your business is to grow, then you need employees. It starts with one and others will follow. If you follow these entrepreneur tips, then the hiring process should go smoothly.

We’re sure you’ll find the perfect candidate for your business. If you want to learn more about hiring employees or being an entrepreneur, then explore our website.

tech entrepreneur

Skip Networking and Make Real Connections: 5 Places Where a Tech Entrepreneur Can Meet Liked-Minded People

Jan 17, 2019

Making connections with other tech entrepreneurs can benefit by providing you with new business perspectives and a wide range of contacts which can help your business grow.

Making connections online or in person is a very salient investment in the business world. It is a very critical step for both of your own personal growth and the growth of your business.

Why Should You Connect with Other Tech Entrepreneurs?

Multi Leverage Marketing (MLM) poses a great opportunity for growth as an entrepreneur. It has been used to benefit those at the top of the pyramid.

This famous business strategy is being utilized by huge and even medium scale businesses to promote and make lifetime consumers of their products. It is a strategic way to invite more people to be the company’s consumers and distributor at the same time.

Pairing bonuses are given to the member of the organization if they have invited other people to be part of their growing organization’s pyramid structure.

As promising as it may seem, networking types of business don’t stay in the business through real connections. You can also gain exposure, gather some business insights and explore free mentoring opportunities.

Take advantage of the situation and the contacts you’ve made. Build rapport with them at your meet up event and help your business grow. Don’t hesitate to initiate a friendly conversation with your fellow tech entrepreneurs.

Making connections with other tech entrepreneurs can benefit by providing you with new business perspectives and a wide range of contacts which can help your business grow. Making connections online or in person is a very salient investment in the business world. It is a very critical step for both of your own personal growth and the growth of your business.

Where You Should Be Looking For Connections?

Among other social networks which you can use to make real connections, Twitter gives you full access to real-time action. Your Twitter feed provides current news and information across every industry.

It can also help introduce you to persons who may be in your field. Reach out to these like-minded individuals and forge connections by adding value. The most important question to answer when networking is, “What do they want from this?”. 

Remember to use your personal connections. Ask them if they know anyone who might give you insight into your business development and growth.

They might give you contacts of possible customers or even recommend a business adviser. This can offer valuable insights into how you can grow your business.

Organize or Attend Local Meet-Ups

Organize one local event where you can gather your friends (and their friends). As the event organizer, you can capitalize on your position as host. Where can you find new friends to populate your event?

Look for like-minded individuals and make connections through entrepreneurial organizations. Examples of these include the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Young Entrepreneur Council, FoundersCard, Social Enterprise Alliance, and the United States Association Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

These organizations provide you a great avenue to have a great network for your business through real connections. You can also gain exposure, gather some business insights and explore free mentoring opportunities.

Take advantage of the situation and the contacts you’ve made. Build rapport with them at your meet up event and help your business grow. Don’t hesitate to initiate a friendly conversation with your fellow tech entrepreneurs

More for the Tech Entrepreneur 

It’s a breath of fresh air to be away from your regular workplace sometimes and have a little yet meaningful conversation. A healthy exchange of ideas with a fellow tech entrepreneur might give you all the answers you’re looking for.

For more insight into the world of tech, visit our website for more.

tech entrepreneur

A Match Made in Tech: How to Become a Tech Entrepreneur and Find a Business Partner

Jan 17, 2019

Most people begin to realize how difficult starting a business can be not too long after they’ve begun building. At times, it seems as if it might be a lot for one person to handle. Because of this, most entrepreneurs find partners to help them along the way.

However, finding a partnership isn’t as always as cut-and-dry as it sounds. There are specific factors to consider if you want to find the right partner that will enhance your business ideas and collaborate with you. Keep reading below if you are a tech entrepreneur who would like to find the perfect person for a business partnership.

Find Someone With Skills You Don’t Have

Here’s the thing, when you’re a tech entrepreneur there are some things you will not want to handle, and that’s okay. You may want to look for a partner who has the skills and qualities you either don’t possess or prefer not to learn.

For example, search for someone who will take on the more creative aspects of the business if you love coding and developing websites but don’t want to do any of the graphic designing or copywriting. No one will want to do everything, so find someone who compliments the capabilities you already have.

Make Sure Your Partner Shares Your Values and Vision

One of the most important keys to starting a business with a partner and reaching success together is to be on the same page. You have very big dreams and goals if you are a tech entrepreneur. You should want to connect with someone who shares those same goals.

It’s not a huge deal if you and your partner don’t agree on tiny details that you can meet in the middle to resolve. It’s a completely different story if you both don’t share the same overall vision for the end goal of big decisions. It could also help out to build a genuine personal relationship if you both have a lot in common.

Choose a Person With Financial Stability

Any tech entrepreneur can tell you that you need a good amount of funds to start a business. It would lighten the load if both of you contribute to the project until you establish consistent cash flow and build profit in the business.

Not only do you need to put money into the business but you need to manage the money well too. Ask the right questions to avoid working with someone who has a lot of financial issues in their own life. You should look for someone who is financially stable and responsible to help with funding the business.

Are You a Tech Entrepreneur Needing More Help With Finding a Business Partner?

You may not be able to find the right person overnight to partner with but putting a good amount of effort into the search will pay off in the long run. Remember, the partnership is something close to a marriage. You’ll want to find a tech entrepreneur partner who can help bring the best out of you and vice versa.

Stay committed to giving your business the highest quality of team building you can possibly give. If you’d like more tips on success in different areas of business then consider checking out our blog or more help with discovering how to become a tech entrepreneur.

entrepreneur tips

Entrepreneur Tips: 5 Tips for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Seeing Your Worth

Jan 10, 2019

The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, doubled his net worth to almost 160 billion dollars in the 12 months of 2018. At the pinnacle of his success, Jeff continues to work hard and double down on his investments.

That’s the kind of dedication that leads to becoming one of the richest men in the world

With the likes of Jeff Bezos out there, it can be a little intimidating to believe in your own abilities. But there is no other you in the world and your ideas hold an immense amount of value.

The entrepreneur tips on this list will help you to see that value and help you get ready to build your empire and give Jeff Bezos a run for his money.

1. Cut Back on Social Media

One reason that many people believe they aren’t good enough is that they are constantly comparing themselves to others on social media. If you are following a lot of people who seem to be thriving, it can be intimidating if you aren’t keeping up with their success.

But you have to remember everyone is on their own journey. You will get to your destination on your own time through your own hard work and experiences.

You also should remember that people don’t post about their worst moments on social media (usually). They are constantly filtering their lives through rose-colored glasses. You never know what’s really going on.

2. Read, A LOT

The best way to defeat the imposter feeling is by fortifying your knowledge with additional information. Read everything that you can get your hands on. 

The more that you educate yourself, the more tools you will have to rely on as an entrepreneur. If you don’t have much time to read books, consider picking up a book on tape or podcast for a similar effect.

3. Network and Grow With Others

Whether you want to become an international speaker or just start a small business on your block, you need to learn how to expand your network. You need to find other entrepreneurs that can grow alongside you and help you overcome challenges as your business develops.

By having a team of prosperous people surrounding you and cheering you on, you will have access to a pool of resources and strength to fortify your efforts.

4. Dive in Deep with SMART Goals

One way to cure your imposter syndrome is by being successful. But many people who are doing well still feel like they are faking it.

That’s why it’s important for you to set goals for yourself that are measurable and attainable (so-called SMART goals). The more goals that you knock off your list, the better you will feel about your abilities.

5. Make a Commitment to Yourself

Being successful isn’t about winning in the first round you try. It’s about coming back every day full of energy and ready to attain your goals.

The only way you are going to fail is if you stop trying, or die. Make a commitment to yourself to keep going no matter what.

More Entrepreneur Tips

Now that you have read these entrepreneur tips, you know what steps you need to take to stop feeling like an imposter.

Check out the rest of my blog posts today for more advice on your journey.

tech entrepreneur

5 Tech Entrepreneur Workplace Trends We’re Excited About in 2019

Jan 8, 2019

2018 is officially dead.

With each passing year, new trends in tech pass as well. Today’s tech entrepreneur has to keep up with these things in order to keep morale high at the office or lack thereof.

It can be hard to predict what’s coming next. What will an employee require as the traditional office environment deteriorates along with most of the norms of doing business? It’s impossible to tell but for a promising tech entrepreneur, it should be an exciting experiment.

Let’s try to look ahead and predict some of the tech entrepreneur workplace trends in 2019.

Cubicles Are Over

Something that your average tech entrepreneur might notice in 2019 is that work can happen anywhere. With the increasing emphasis on work-life balance and the desire within people to work remotely, we will see companies attempt to make the office a more welcoming environment.

The cubicle environment of old is dead, and the office will become a place where people convene to iron out kinks. This means big, open spaces housing long tables and a barrier-free environment where people from all departments can connect for a more cohesive atmosphere.

Think the newsroom in “All the President’s Men” but without all the landline noise and cigarette smoke.

Sobering Up

Offering better food and drink options will come to the forefront of tech office culture. Entrepreneurs will see the value of a happy, healthy employee, and that includes in-house workout facilities and programs, as well as healthy snacks. 

Bye, bye beer Friday’s. Sadly, pizza and beer meetings might be a thing of the past, but they will go out in favor of salad bowls and smoothies. Not so bad. 

In the future, expect to see things like afternoon yoga or meditation retreats and workout classes to build morale in the connected world, maybe even work or life-coaching seminars to prevent stagnancy in the office. “Oh hey, that’s Jane from spin class. I didn’t know she was on the dev team.” 

Disconnecting: Work/Life Balance

Now that it’s 2019 and there isn’t really such thing as “disconnecting” anymore. Tech entrepreneurs may attempt to encourage employees to leave their phones at the office to facilitate that work-life balance discussed earlier.

More and more people are never actually leaving their work at work when they go home at night. Their work emails are in their pocket and receive the same notification ping that their mom’s text message does. “Well, I’ve got my phone out, might as well answer this email.”

Through the Looking Glass

Employees are becoming more and more outspoken with resources like Indeed and Glassdoor, where employees can rate their experience at a company for the benefit of those looking for employment.

Tech entrepreneurs will have to be increasingly mindful of their reputation on these websites. If an employee wants a raise and you don’t oblige, you may be looking at a slanderous review online, which could hurt your chances of getting quality employees in the future.

Gig-Economy

Again, with the trend in work-life balance, we might also see the rise of “gig-economy“. Gen-Z workers are coming into the workforce expecting a progressive outlook, and they will be more likely to hire themselves out for specific tasks rather than tie themselves down to a company. 

This “gig-economy” has mutual benefits for the worker and the business. For the employee, they get to work on tasks that they are good at, get paid for the contract, and move on. For the employer, you pay for a completed task and don’t have to cover a worker with benefits.

Have Fun With It, Tech Entrepreneur

It’s time to let go of all the boring office norms of the past and bask in the creative and good-natured future. 

In this case, change shouldn’t be a frightening prospect, but an exciting one. And being at the forefront of office culture change is what will make you a good tech entrepreneur. Visit our blog for more entries on how to become a tech entrepreneur and take your business into the future.