Protecting your intellectual property can be harder now more than ever, especially since the avid use of the internet. Intellectual property includes anything from your original ideas, designs, discoveries, inventions and creative work produced by you or a group of people with you in it. Protecting those kinds of things are crucial to the success of your business because it allows you to confidently share your intellectual property without the fear that it will be copied or stolen. Here are some tips you to protect your intellectual property, whether you want to implement a consulting firm like GHB intellect or you want to do it yourself.
Avoid Filing Patents
Patents may seem like the smart idea, but you could actually be setting yourself up. Your patent gives a step-by-step breakdown of how your product or service can be created. When you file something like that, it is published for the public to see. All they need to do is some research. Someone can easily create a homogeneous product with some really clever ways to ensure they are not violating your intellectual property rights.
Register Your Copyrights And Trade
Copyrights are extremely important as they apply to the protection of tangible and intangible creative works. It is something that you own instantaneously. As soon as you create something, no matter what it is, you own the copyright even if you do not register it. Registering your copyright is highly recommended because it will be easier to prove that you own that creative work in court. Keep in mind that copyrights expire 70 years after the death of its creator, but it ultimately depends on the nature of the intellectual property.
Trademarks are slightly different than copyrights. These are things like symbols, designs, logos, catchphrases. Trademarks are typically used in marketing strategies and identifying a brand. These have to be protected at all costs because those are the first things your customers connect with. Be sure to register your trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, though it is recommended that you hire a trademark lawyer. You want to make sure nothing slips through the cracks when it comes to the paperwork. Unlike copyrights, trademarks do not have expiration dates. You own the rights to your logos, symbols and other branding identities in perpetuity.
Implement A Confidentiality, Non-Disclosure or Licensing Contracts
There is nothing wrong with asking employees to sign a confidentiality, non-disclosure or licensing contract as these are imperative to making sure your business does not fall prey to leaking intellectual property. Keep in mind confidentiality agreements have to be prepared by lawyers. They bound your employees to comply with your demand to keep intellectual property private. On the other hand, licensing agreements allow for third-party partners to use your products for branding and distribution.
These few tips will put you in the right direction to protecting your creative intellectual property. Following these tips will reduce your chances of having your IP stolen.
https://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/man-wearing-black-and-white-stripe-shirt-looking-at-white-212286-1.jpg8001200StrategyDrivenhttps://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/SDELogo5-300x70-300x70.pngStrategyDriven2020-07-03 07:00:222020-07-03 01:44:05Ways To Protect Your Intellectual Property
The winter season might be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it won’t be long until chillier temperatures arrive. As the cold weather can affect your employees’ productivity and morale, you must take steps to provide a safe, warm, and comfortable space for your team.
If you’re looking for tips to winterproof your workplace, read the below advice on how to prepare for colder temperatures:
Avoid Slip and Trip Accidents
Slip and trip accidents are common in the workplace during winter. Rather than risking your employees’ health and opening your business up to a lawsuit, you’d be smart to stock up on various snow, ice, and flood control products.
The supplies can often quickly run out of stock when winter arrives, so buy the following items in advance:
Shovels
Salt
De-icer
Sand
Snowplow
It will help you to create a safe space for every member of staff or guest on your premises.
Repair a Leaky Roof
Many people make the mistake of ignoring a roof repair, but it can cause various financial and property issues down the road. For example, if you ignore a roof repair during winter, excessive rainwater and snow intrusion will cause a property to lose both hot and cool air.
This could cause your business to spend much more on energy to keep your employees warm. A leaky roof can also cause mildew and mold to develop, which can damage the property’s structure. Prevent the problem from spiraling out of control this winter by visiting a reputable roofing repair company: nextwaveroofing.com/commercial-roofing-denver-co/
Stock Up on Protective Clothing
If your team works outdoors, you have a responsibility to protect them from various arduous temperatures. Chilly weather and drab conditions can not only drain morale and slow down productivity, but could also pose a risk to your employees’ health and safety.
If your team works on a construction site or road maintenance, keep them safe and protected from the elements by stocking up on protective clothing such as:
Hats
Gloves
Boots
Jackets
You also should provide them with heaters, shelter from the outdoors, and hot drinks, so they can warm up on their break.
Create a Driver Safety Program
Before winter arrives, take the time to create a driver safety program, which will provide guidelines on how your staff can remain safe when on the road. As traveling in rain, snow or other tough elements can pose a risk to a driver’s safety, you should provide advice for your team to follow when traveling from A to B for their role.
For example, you could encourage them to:
Keep at least half a tank of fuel in the vehicle
Avoid cruise control on ice or other slippery surfaces
Work from home (if possible) if they will face dangerous road conditions
If you follow the above tips, you could create a safe and comfortable working environment for your team, which could boost productivity and protect your company’s finances.
https://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/winter-260817_1280.jpg8121280StrategyDrivenhttps://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/SDELogo5-300x70-300x70.pngStrategyDriven2020-07-02 20:00:322020-07-02 14:56:14Stay Productive: How to Winterproof Your Workplace
If you’re an ambitious businessperson, you might be considering ways to upskill yourself to ensure that you remain at the top of your game. One way of doing this is by taking further training courses to hone particular skills relevant to the world of business. While leadership skills are taught on many courses, from bachelor degrees to training certificates, there are certain components that, as a woman in a leadership position, are particularly relevant to you. Considering this, here are three reasons why you should study a Women in Leadership Certificate.
1. The “double bind” of female leadership
Despite having in-depth technical expertise, women often find themselves in a so-called “double bind” when they are promoted to leadership positions, resulting in an unconscious bias against her from colleagues and subordinates. If she shows strong, confident leadership—a managerial style lauded in men—she is seen as being abrupt and unlikeable. If, however, her leadership is more collaborative and empathetic, she may be seen as being incompetent and too soft. A certificate designed for women leaders in business will teach you how to recognize and deal with this unconscious bias in your workplace. You will learn how to balance a strong managerial style while still remaining approachable. Having this emotional and social intelligence is key to strong leadership and will allow you to bridge the gap between different personalities.
2. Build on existing communication skills
There is growing evidence to suggest that men and women think and communicate differently. For instance, women use verbal communication as a way to process issues and come up with solutions, whereas men tend to be solution-focussed and prefer communication to be to the point and action-based. Misunderstandings can often arise because of these intrinsic differences, which, if left unresolved, can lead to unhappiness at work and reduced productivity. Through a course for women leaders in business, you will learn the theory behind gender-based communication styles and expand your toolbox of communication skills so that you can persuasively and confidently communicate ideas and information to different audiences.
3. Build on existing negotiation skills
Negotiation is an intrinsic skill for business. Whether you are persuading a client to use your services, discussing the terms of a contract, or explaining why you deserve that promotion, the fact is that you need to have a strong negotiation toolbox in order to get ahead in the business world. Despite this, it’s long been believed that women are less likely to attempt negotiation than men, perhaps due to women traditionally being socialized to be more accommodating to others’ needs. However, with specific negotiation and self-advocacy training, women can be just as successful as men.
A Women in Leadership Certificate will teach you negotiation strategies and give you the opportunity to practice them in roleplay scenarios to ensure that when you enter a real negotiation in your place of work, you will be confident in your skillset to get what you need.
https://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/group-of-people-in-a-meeting-1367272.jpg8001200StrategyDrivenhttps://www.strategydriven.com/wp-content/uploads/SDELogo5-300x70-300x70.pngStrategyDriven2020-07-02 17:00:532020-07-02 14:41:35Three reasons why you should study a Women in Leadership Certificate
The world of business is becoming ever more competitive, resulting in business owners scrambling to find ways in which to stand out, streamline operations, and hold onto the best talent. The secret to ticking all of these boxes and optimizing the potential for business growth lies in investing in the right technology. Read on for the details.
Finances
Financial management is arguably the most vital operational aspect of any establishment. Without ensuring that you are making a solid profit and that your staff members are paid on time, the business, as you know it, will quickly cease to exist. So, what type of technology is necessary to ensure that financial administration is properly taken care of from month to month?
The bare minimum is a high-quality accounting and payroll system. Software designers create these systems to fully automate various aspects of financial management, such as paying your employees and putting together reports.
Marketing
A great marketing strategy plays a key role in setting a business up for success. It generates brand awareness, consumer loyalty, and, of course, assists in maximizing conversions to boost that all-important bottom line. The right marketing technology can help a business to reach its full potential. Good examples of marketing software and technology include:
Analytics
Conversion optimization tools
Email marketing software
Remarketing software
SEO tools
Marketing automation solutions
Considering how diverse the marketing technology offering has become in recent times, it pays to consult with an IT and technology consultant company for advice, like oramca.com, to figure out which solutions are right for your enterprise.
Customer service
Marketing campaigns and customer service work hand in hand when it comes to nurturing the growth of any business. Ultimately, it does not matter how mind-blowing your marketing campaigns are, if your approach to customer service is lacking, your company reputation and turnover will suffer as a result. If your customer service is world-class, but your marketing efforts are falling short, you won’t have any customers to assist or impress in the first place!
From a technology perspective, you cannot go wrong with a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) solution. Most good quality CRM systems allow for effortless lead and contact management, tracking of consumer interactions, quotes management, and email integration.
Human Resources
Your employees are your most valuable resource, hence the reason why it makes the world of difference when you put in extra effort into the hiring process and into keeping your existing staff happy. The best HR technology solutions boast features like employee information management, hiring and recruitment automation, benefits management, time and attendance management, professional development, and more.
Inventory management
It can become challenging to effectively monitor your available stock as your business grows, and product demand gradually increases. Doing so manually can lead to costly errors and disappointed customers. Luckily, inventory management software promises incredible features and benefits that are sure to solve these problems instantly. The great news is that there are different types of customizable software available for enterprises of all types and sizes.
If consistent business growth is the goal, advanced technology is the answer. Do not delay in finding the right solutions for your establishment!
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Financing a small business isn’t always easy, but there are plenty of solutions available, no matter how bad your credit rating is. Before you start looking for finance, however, make sure you have a strong business plan. Lenders will want to see evidence that your busines is viable, even if you don’t need a lot of cash to get the ball rolling. In addition, be prepared to put up some collateral, either your personal assets or shares in the business. Often, loans come with strings attached, not just interest!
In this article, we will look at the best solutions on the table.
Credit Card
When you don’t need a huge amount of capital, easily accessible funding options like credit cards are a useful tool. The great thing about credit cards is that they are flexible, so if you only need a short-term cash injection to buy supplies, a credit card may work for you.
It’s even possible to enjoy a 0% loan if you look around for a good deal. Plenty of credit card companies have 0% introductory offers for new customers but bear in mind your personal credit rating will dictate which offers are available to you.
Bank Loan
Approaching your bank manager for a business loan is another option, but this one takes longer to sort out. Banks don’t typically throw money at customers these days; they were too badly burned in the financial crash of 2009. You’ll have to provide a solid business plan, as well as detailed cash projections outlining how you plan on repaying the money. If everything looks good on paper, you should have no problem qualifying for a business loan.
Specialist Lender
While high street lenders have their place in the finance sector, they don’t tend to work for people with bad credit or niche requirements. For example, if you have CCJs in your credit report or you want to start an online business selling CBD products, mainstream lenders won’t touch you. You’ll need a specialist instead.
Luckily, specialist business models and bad credit doesn’t have to hold your business back. There are lenders who will consider most applications, no matter how off-the-wall, so don’t assume your business idea is doomed if you have a few late payments on your report.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding has allowed all manner of businesses to achieve their potential. Thanks to sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, startups like Pebble and Oculus have achieved phenomenal success. As long as you have a great pitch and people can see the potential in your business plan, the money will flow your way. In fact, crowdfunding has been so successful in recent years that many small startups have bypassed traditional funding sources altogether.
Make sure you understand the different types of crowdfunding before you create a pitch. They include:
Donation-based crowdfunding – ask for money with nothing given in return
Reward-based crowdfunding – ask for donations in return for a reward
Peer-to-peer crowdfunding – cut out the middleman and borrow money directly from investors
Securities-based crowdfunding – investors are given a share in the business in return for cash
Angel Investors
Angel investors are people with a lot of experience and significant capital to spare. They look for embryonic businesses that show a lot of promise. In return for capital, the investor is given a share of the business or the promise of a decent return on their investment.
One advantage of securing funding from an Angel Investor is that you can tap into their experience in the early days of running your business. After all, they have a vested interest in ensuring your venture is a success!
Lastly, don’t dismiss the notion of asking friends and families to contribute to capital if they can afford it. If they say no, consider whether your business idea is worth pursuing.
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Business Programs
Ways To Protect Your Intellectual Property
/in Risk Management/by StrategyDrivenAvoid Filing Patents
Patents may seem like the smart idea, but you could actually be setting yourself up. Your patent gives a step-by-step breakdown of how your product or service can be created. When you file something like that, it is published for the public to see. All they need to do is some research. Someone can easily create a homogeneous product with some really clever ways to ensure they are not violating your intellectual property rights.
Register Your Copyrights And Trade
Copyrights are extremely important as they apply to the protection of tangible and intangible creative works. It is something that you own instantaneously. As soon as you create something, no matter what it is, you own the copyright even if you do not register it. Registering your copyright is highly recommended because it will be easier to prove that you own that creative work in court. Keep in mind that copyrights expire 70 years after the death of its creator, but it ultimately depends on the nature of the intellectual property.
Trademarks are slightly different than copyrights. These are things like symbols, designs, logos, catchphrases. Trademarks are typically used in marketing strategies and identifying a brand. These have to be protected at all costs because those are the first things your customers connect with. Be sure to register your trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, though it is recommended that you hire a trademark lawyer. You want to make sure nothing slips through the cracks when it comes to the paperwork. Unlike copyrights, trademarks do not have expiration dates. You own the rights to your logos, symbols and other branding identities in perpetuity.
Implement A Confidentiality, Non-Disclosure or Licensing Contracts
There is nothing wrong with asking employees to sign a confidentiality, non-disclosure or licensing contract as these are imperative to making sure your business does not fall prey to leaking intellectual property. Keep in mind confidentiality agreements have to be prepared by lawyers. They bound your employees to comply with your demand to keep intellectual property private. On the other hand, licensing agreements allow for third-party partners to use your products for branding and distribution.
These few tips will put you in the right direction to protecting your creative intellectual property. Following these tips will reduce your chances of having your IP stolen.
Stay Productive: How to Winterproof Your Workplace
/in Managing Your Business/by StrategyDrivenIf you’re looking for tips to winterproof your workplace, read the below advice on how to prepare for colder temperatures:
Avoid Slip and Trip Accidents
Slip and trip accidents are common in the workplace during winter. Rather than risking your employees’ health and opening your business up to a lawsuit, you’d be smart to stock up on various snow, ice, and flood control products.
The supplies can often quickly run out of stock when winter arrives, so buy the following items in advance:
It will help you to create a safe space for every member of staff or guest on your premises.
Repair a Leaky Roof
Many people make the mistake of ignoring a roof repair, but it can cause various financial and property issues down the road. For example, if you ignore a roof repair during winter, excessive rainwater and snow intrusion will cause a property to lose both hot and cool air.
This could cause your business to spend much more on energy to keep your employees warm. A leaky roof can also cause mildew and mold to develop, which can damage the property’s structure. Prevent the problem from spiraling out of control this winter by visiting a reputable roofing repair company: nextwaveroofing.com/commercial-roofing-denver-co/
Stock Up on Protective Clothing
If your team works outdoors, you have a responsibility to protect them from various arduous temperatures. Chilly weather and drab conditions can not only drain morale and slow down productivity, but could also pose a risk to your employees’ health and safety.
If your team works on a construction site or road maintenance, keep them safe and protected from the elements by stocking up on protective clothing such as:
You also should provide them with heaters, shelter from the outdoors, and hot drinks, so they can warm up on their break.
Create a Driver Safety Program
Before winter arrives, take the time to create a driver safety program, which will provide guidelines on how your staff can remain safe when on the road. As traveling in rain, snow or other tough elements can pose a risk to a driver’s safety, you should provide advice for your team to follow when traveling from A to B for their role.
For example, you could encourage them to:
If you follow the above tips, you could create a safe and comfortable working environment for your team, which could boost productivity and protect your company’s finances.
Three reasons why you should study a Women in Leadership Certificate
/in Professional Development/by StrategyDriven1. The “double bind” of female leadership
Despite having in-depth technical expertise, women often find themselves in a so-called “double bind” when they are promoted to leadership positions, resulting in an unconscious bias against her from colleagues and subordinates. If she shows strong, confident leadership—a managerial style lauded in men—she is seen as being abrupt and unlikeable. If, however, her leadership is more collaborative and empathetic, she may be seen as being incompetent and too soft. A certificate designed for women leaders in business will teach you how to recognize and deal with this unconscious bias in your workplace. You will learn how to balance a strong managerial style while still remaining approachable. Having this emotional and social intelligence is key to strong leadership and will allow you to bridge the gap between different personalities.
2. Build on existing communication skills
There is growing evidence to suggest that men and women think and communicate differently. For instance, women use verbal communication as a way to process issues and come up with solutions, whereas men tend to be solution-focussed and prefer communication to be to the point and action-based. Misunderstandings can often arise because of these intrinsic differences, which, if left unresolved, can lead to unhappiness at work and reduced productivity. Through a course for women leaders in business, you will learn the theory behind gender-based communication styles and expand your toolbox of communication skills so that you can persuasively and confidently communicate ideas and information to different audiences.
3. Build on existing negotiation skills
Negotiation is an intrinsic skill for business. Whether you are persuading a client to use your services, discussing the terms of a contract, or explaining why you deserve that promotion, the fact is that you need to have a strong negotiation toolbox in order to get ahead in the business world. Despite this, it’s long been believed that women are less likely to attempt negotiation than men, perhaps due to women traditionally being socialized to be more accommodating to others’ needs. However, with specific negotiation and self-advocacy training, women can be just as successful as men.
A Women in Leadership Certificate will teach you negotiation strategies and give you the opportunity to practice them in roleplay scenarios to ensure that when you enter a real negotiation in your place of work, you will be confident in your skillset to get what you need.
Understanding the Role of Technology in Growing Your Business
/in Managing Your Business/by StrategyDrivenFinances
Financial management is arguably the most vital operational aspect of any establishment. Without ensuring that you are making a solid profit and that your staff members are paid on time, the business, as you know it, will quickly cease to exist. So, what type of technology is necessary to ensure that financial administration is properly taken care of from month to month?
The bare minimum is a high-quality accounting and payroll system. Software designers create these systems to fully automate various aspects of financial management, such as paying your employees and putting together reports.
Marketing
A great marketing strategy plays a key role in setting a business up for success. It generates brand awareness, consumer loyalty, and, of course, assists in maximizing conversions to boost that all-important bottom line. The right marketing technology can help a business to reach its full potential. Good examples of marketing software and technology include:
Marketing automation solutions
Considering how diverse the marketing technology offering has become in recent times, it pays to consult with an IT and technology consultant company for advice, like oramca.com, to figure out which solutions are right for your enterprise.
Customer service
Marketing campaigns and customer service work hand in hand when it comes to nurturing the growth of any business. Ultimately, it does not matter how mind-blowing your marketing campaigns are, if your approach to customer service is lacking, your company reputation and turnover will suffer as a result. If your customer service is world-class, but your marketing efforts are falling short, you won’t have any customers to assist or impress in the first place!
From a technology perspective, you cannot go wrong with a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) solution. Most good quality CRM systems allow for effortless lead and contact management, tracking of consumer interactions, quotes management, and email integration.
Human Resources
Your employees are your most valuable resource, hence the reason why it makes the world of difference when you put in extra effort into the hiring process and into keeping your existing staff happy. The best HR technology solutions boast features like employee information management, hiring and recruitment automation, benefits management, time and attendance management, professional development, and more.
Inventory management
It can become challenging to effectively monitor your available stock as your business grows, and product demand gradually increases. Doing so manually can lead to costly errors and disappointed customers. Luckily, inventory management software promises incredible features and benefits that are sure to solve these problems instantly. The great news is that there are different types of customizable software available for enterprises of all types and sizes.
If consistent business growth is the goal, advanced technology is the answer. Do not delay in finding the right solutions for your establishment!
5 Viable Options for Financing Your Small Business
/in Managing Your Finances/by StrategyDrivenIn this article, we will look at the best solutions on the table.
Credit Card
When you don’t need a huge amount of capital, easily accessible funding options like credit cards are a useful tool. The great thing about credit cards is that they are flexible, so if you only need a short-term cash injection to buy supplies, a credit card may work for you.
It’s even possible to enjoy a 0% loan if you look around for a good deal. Plenty of credit card companies have 0% introductory offers for new customers but bear in mind your personal credit rating will dictate which offers are available to you.
Bank Loan
Approaching your bank manager for a business loan is another option, but this one takes longer to sort out. Banks don’t typically throw money at customers these days; they were too badly burned in the financial crash of 2009. You’ll have to provide a solid business plan, as well as detailed cash projections outlining how you plan on repaying the money. If everything looks good on paper, you should have no problem qualifying for a business loan.
Specialist Lender
While high street lenders have their place in the finance sector, they don’t tend to work for people with bad credit or niche requirements. For example, if you have CCJs in your credit report or you want to start an online business selling CBD products, mainstream lenders won’t touch you. You’ll need a specialist instead.
Luckily, specialist business models and bad credit doesn’t have to hold your business back. There are lenders who will consider most applications, no matter how off-the-wall, so don’t assume your business idea is doomed if you have a few late payments on your report.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding has allowed all manner of businesses to achieve their potential. Thanks to sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, startups like Pebble and Oculus have achieved phenomenal success. As long as you have a great pitch and people can see the potential in your business plan, the money will flow your way. In fact, crowdfunding has been so successful in recent years that many small startups have bypassed traditional funding sources altogether.
Make sure you understand the different types of crowdfunding before you create a pitch. They include:
Angel Investors
Angel investors are people with a lot of experience and significant capital to spare. They look for embryonic businesses that show a lot of promise. In return for capital, the investor is given a share of the business or the promise of a decent return on their investment.
One advantage of securing funding from an Angel Investor is that you can tap into their experience in the early days of running your business. After all, they have a vested interest in ensuring your venture is a success!
Lastly, don’t dismiss the notion of asking friends and families to contribute to capital if they can afford it. If they say no, consider whether your business idea is worth pursuing.