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7 steps to brilliant job and staff scheduling

Assigning the correct employee to the right job at the right time is crucial for business success, especially for companies with a mobile workforce. So why don’t some managers give it more of their attention?

Sometimes it’s because they refuse to let go of their primitive tools – paper-based timetables, rosters and worksheets, or whiteboards – rather than invest in transparent, up-to-the-second and easy-to-use cloud-based technology. Sometimes the job of handling work and leave schedules isn’t seen as a priority or is given to someone who doesn’t fully understand the demands of the business or the relative merits of individual staff members.

Here are seven things that business managers can do straight away to improve employee morale and performance, reduce stress and help serve their customers better.

1. Assign the right worker for the job

Allocating a job to the best available employee might be the single most important thing managers do. This can be a difficult task when some staff are on leave or sick, but capable and reliable staff will ensure the job gets done quickly and effectively and increase the chance a one-off client will turn into a regular customer. Giving specific work to staff who lack experience or whose technical skills are underdeveloped might give your business a bad name and potentially damage workplace morale.

2. Get to know the team

More than just knowing what professional talents your employees bring to work, it’s important to get a sense of who they are and what interests them. As well as making for a happier workplace, it will help build team spirit. It’s vital for staff wellbeing that managers have a sense of when and how staff prefer to work, and that their wishes will be accommodated whenever possible. Knowing the way individuals tick may also help determine who are likely to work well together, especially when they’re out in the field in front of your customers.

3. Build a flexible roster

Of all of the things that motivate a workforce, offering individuals flexibility is one of the most important. Allowing staff to leave early for family reasons or rostering them off on specific days are not likely to hurt the business but will encourage employees to be more reliable and perform even better when they are at work. Just as important is having a repeatable and logical way for all staff to apply for leave, especially for annual holidays. A cloud-based document system, even Google Docs, will help keep everyone aware of who will and won’t be available.

4. Give plenty of notice

Posting rosters and job schedules at the last moment might give the manager more flexibility to accommodate late work but it does nothing to help staff plan their lives away from work. Managers should ideally give employees at least one week’s notice of their upcoming shifts. But there should always be a plan B …

5. Have a contingency plan

Things change all of the time; it’s the nature of business. How managers deal with change will be a measure of how effective they are at running the business and the staff roster. It’s important to have the tools to communicate changes quickly (see point 7) but also be conscious of the various skills your employees have – one of them might need to step into someone else’s shoes without affecting business performance or customer relationships.

6. Plan for the worst … and the best

Just as managers need to allow for illness or family dramas, they need to be able to ensure enough staff are rostered on when the telephone is running hot. This might be for certain hours, days or months, or around certain events, such as Easter or Christmas. For businesses that depend on seasonal work, there could be nothing worse than having to turn down jobs simply because not enough service staff are available. Again, clear-thinking managers will plan well in advance by creating a sharable document that indicates when the workload is expected to be particularly hectic, and they will communicate this to staff ahead of time.

7. Invest in the right technology

Mobile workforce management software, such as Geo allows everyone in the business to see what is happening with every job, every customer and every staff member in real time. When the inevitable happens, and jobs are cancelled, postponed or switched around, managers can alert all employees of the changes straight to their mobile devices, with revised job and customer details available immediately.

Old-fashioned paper-based systems made it too easy for information to be misunderstood or job orders misplaced. Even worse were staff rosters on a whiteboard or pinned to a wall. Unless all staff were in the office at the right time, how could they know that the roster or schedule has changed, and how it affected them? Modern, reliable cloud-based systems go a long way to minimise business mistakes and serious misunderstandings with employees and customers.

Source URL: 7 steps to brilliant job and staff scheduling

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Increasing benefits of Cloud Computing

In this era where a lot of activities are digital, no individual or organization wants their information lost. People also want to have access to their information; especially at the point of their needs. Therefore, one thing of increasing importance is the issue of accessible data storage.

Cloud computing is the process of data storage and processing on the internet. It ensures data management in a non-physical mode, that way users do not need equipment to manage their data physically.

Cloud computing, however, comes in different modes of usage which includes:

- Private cloud, - Public cloud, and - Hybrid cloud.

Private cloud, as it sounds is private. Private individuals and businesses own and operate private clouds over a private network. Public cloud is performed on a more public platform. Business owners and individuals thereby handle their accounts on this public platform. Lastly, the Hybrid cloud is a joint operation of both private and public platforms.

Why cloud computing is of more benefit to you as a user; Accessibility: One significant advantage of cloud computing is that users easily get any data needed at any point in time on the spot. The user does not need to have a specific or unique device before the user receives the data. Cloud computing also requires no special technical expertise before a user gains access to it. This advantage increases the productivity and efficiency of the user.

Pay as you go: Another great benefit is that cloud computing is a very cost effective mode of usage. Its policy allows users to pay for only the resources used. Therefore, it does not use a bulk like

mode

for payment which makes it a lot easier to maintain. Information security: Cloud usage has the option of increasing security on desired information. This comes in the form of putting a password on the file or data encryption. This makes it difficult for a third party, who has not been given exclusive access to the file, to open such files.

Easy file transfer and exchange: This especially comes in handy for users who are always on the move and still yet need a form of storage for communication and business interaction with clients. For instance, a user uploads a file on cloud storage and then gives their client access to such file. The client can also communicate back through the same medium. It increases the efficiency of service, productivity and ensures that the work always gets done.

Data Recovery: Asides information storage and management, cloud computing also serves as a good source of backup plan for information. One can lose valuable data saved locally, either by losing the device on which it was stored or even by things such as a virus infection on the device. However, one can regain data stored over the cloud even on a device different from the one used for the primary storage.

Cloud computing supports increased accessibility, productivity, efficiency and top of it all; it is very cost effective thereby making it a necessary and essential mode of computing for progressing platforms.

Source URL: Increasing benefits of Cloud Computing

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Security is everyone's responsibility

For most of us the internet is an intrinsic part of our lives. We rely on it to get us where we are going, connect us to friends and family and answer all of our questions, no matter how banal. Visit here: https://oatax.wordpress.com/2018/12/22/security-is-everyones-responsibility/

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Why you should take UX seriously

UX (User Experience) is at the heart of every good design. It’s the difference between your customers groaning in wretched frustration, or grinning with enjoyment; with them shaking a defeated fist at your site and hastily clicking away from it, or completing a satisfying purchase and wanting to return for more. Visit here: https://oatax.wordpress.com/2018/12/19/why-you-should-take-ux-seriously/

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Christmas tax write-offs: tax on gifts

It’s the time of the year when the streets look very beautiful as snowflakes fall on them. Parties are being planned, holiday reservations are being made, families are gathering together, and everyone is preparing for loads of fun. Visit here: https://oatax.wordpress.com/2018/12/15/christmas-tax-write-offs-tax-on-gifts/

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Five important business negotiation strategies

Business negotiation is a world of contradictions. You’ve got to be firm but flexible open and sharing, but a little cagey. There’s a lot to get your head around. But your state of mind might be the most important thing. Visit here: https://oatax.wordpress.com/2018/12/13/five-important-business-negotiation-strategies/

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How to Make Price Quotes Work for you

When a customer asks you for a quote, they’re giving you a golden opportunity. With the right response, you can close the deal quickly and win new business. Here’s how to make the most of price quotes. Visit here: https://oatax.wordpress.com/2018/12/12/how-to-make-price-quotes-work-for-you/

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Free and Low-Cost Accounting and Invoicing Software for your Business

Nowadays most of the firms, business and shop owners started using accounting software to manage Payroll, Invoicing track accounts payable and so on. It is very important to understand the pros and cons of such free or low cost available software. Tax and accountant services are widely in demand in Canada and rest of world but every client has their own way to handle it few old school candidates wanted it to be track manually and keep paper records of everything happening in terms on financial transaction.

How does these accounting software works

1. Helps to records transactions (bookkeeping).

2. Increase productivity of staff.

3. Provide accurate insight of overall financial performance.

4. Create complete financial records.

5. Improve accuracy of data.

6. Help to make fact based decision.

Normal accounting software helps to generate bills, prepare invoices, calculate sales tax and track cash flow and complicated one helps to maintain payroll service, inventory management and some complex task required by business owners. So all these available software can be used for short term goals what if your services gets better demand in future like dealing in multiple currency and multinational taxation demand then you will need a complete solution to work hassle free. So professional help is required because every software has its own limitation like if you need Best Bookkeeping service in Canada that only be provide by highly experienced professional and they are much smarter in use of software too.

Small Business Accounting in Canada is kind of tailored service means rather than taking whole service you can select few of them as per budget and demand of company. It can increased if the need of such service increases in future.

Source URL: https://oatax.wordpress.com/2018/11/19/free-and-low-cost-accounting-and-invoicing-software-for-your-business/ 

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Best Small Business Accounting Software

Canada is creating new opportunity for small start ups. So every business ensures one thing that they need a proper accounting which helps owners in so many ways. Now we cannot work with old school practice now it’s changing world so every business will match up with latest available technology. Small Business Accounting in Canada is now are demanding more professionals who can manage accounting of small business in Canada.

Everyone aware of benefits of accounting software that how it helps to maintain records and can be keeps safe forever. Examining your current position and requirement might help to take right decision in selecting best accounting software. If you are starting a new business or very small startup with fewer employees or no employee then any package which do general invoicing or billing. If your business has employee or wanted to expand in future than you need a robust solution like quickbooks and sage50.

Financial Planning in Canada is really required as it’s an expensive country so if you don’t want to see your business in tough situation. Use of accounting software save enough time of owners. There are many software are available in market and are developed as per the taxation and accounting rules practiced in Canada. This software also offers Online payroll services in Canada so owners can also get benefits of it.

Source URL: https://oatax.wordpress.com/2018/10/15/best-small-business-accounting-software/

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FAMILY MEMBERS: Can I Pay Them a Salary?

CRA states that T4s are required for all employees, including family members, and subject to payroll deductions, as appropriate.

For a small business, whether operated as a corporation, proprietorship or partnership, it is quite possible that relatives of the owners or partners may be engaged as employees. Due to the closer familial relationship between employer and employee, CRA pays particular attention to ensure that the salary is truly an eligible deduction to the business.

According to CRA, salaries to children and spouses are deductible as long as all of these conditions are met:

the salary is actually paid;

the work the family member does is necessary for earning business or professional income; and

the salary is reasonable when considering the family member’s age and the amount one would pay someone else.

CRA also states that T4s are required for all employees, including family members, and subject to payroll deductions, as appropriate. Payment in the form of room and board is not accepted by CRA.

CRA suggests that the average salary for an arm’s length person providing similar services under similar conditions would provide guidance as to reasonableness.

Action Item: Consider whether family members can perform services for one’s business, and what level of income is reasonable.

Click here: Financial Planning Canada

Source URL: http://www.oatax.ca/u/2018q2-family-members-can-i-pay-them-a-salary

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CRA MOBILE PHONE APPS: Tools for Individuals and Businesses

CRA provides a number of mobile phone apps that taxpayers (individuals, corporations, etc.) can use to assist with their tax obligations.

CRA provides a number of mobile phone apps that taxpayers (individuals, corporations, etc.) can use to assist with their tax obligations.

CRA BizApp – An app for small businesses owners to view and payoutstanding balances, view account transactions, view expected GST/HST returns, and view the status of filed GST/HST and corporate income tax returns.

CRA Business Tax Reminders – An app for businesses which sends pop-upnotifications and/or calendar reminders for individual and business due dates for installments (individual, corporate and GST/HST), returns, and remittances (payroll and GST/HST).

My Benefits CRA – An app for individuals which provides a quick view of anindividual’s benefit and credit payment details and eligibility information.

MyCRA – An app for individuals which provides access to key tax information such as notice of assessments, tax return status, benefits and credits, and RRSP and TFSA contribution room. It also allows individuals to request a proof of income, manage online mail, update contact information, and update direct deposit information.

Action Item: Consider using one of these apps to assist with your tax filing obligations.Click here: Accounting Firms in Canada

Source URL: http://www.oatax.ca/u/2018q2-cra-mobile-phone-apps-tools-for-individuals-and-businesses