Golf is boring. Or at least that is the impression that a lot of people still seem to have of this fine sport. Actually, for golf lovers it is quite the opposite. Not only is it not boring, it holds some natural advantages over many other sports that you could try out. Still not convinced? Here are some reasons why golf is a simply sublime sport.
People of All Ages Can Play
Many sports are designed solely for the young and ridiculously fit. But golf is the kind of sport that you can get into at any age, and many older players still find themselves giving the young guns a run for their money. Indeed, the rise of par 3 golf means that the playing field is leveled even further as the initial long drive is taken out of the game, instead drawing focus on chipping and putting.
Golf is the kind of game that is enjoyed over the timeframe of several hours, so it allows for plenty of socializing with your fellow players. While many sports are way too intense to allow for a great deal of chitchat, golf is the kind of game that gives you the chance to discuss other things, while also engaging in some good natured banter about your own abilities! That is why so many business people love the sport and find it is a great way to make lasting connections and forge new relationships while still getting a workout.
Let’s face it; golf clothes are pretty darn snazzy! Nowhere else would you get away with wearing plaid trousers, a colorful polo shirt, sweater vest and sun visor! Buying new equipment is also a very satisfying activity. You can spend a great deal of time assembling your bag with the clubs that suit you. And there is plenty of advice online on websites such as TheGolfWedge.com to give a helping hand. With so much equipment out there to improve your game, it really is a constant work in progress which is half the fun!
While many sports live you confined to a sweaty sports center, golf is the kind of sport that gets you out into the fresh air. And while it is always nicest on a warm sunny day, you can still play when the conditions aren’t at their finest. As well as this, you can vary courses so you get a change of scenery from time to time. Some of the best golf courses really do give you the best of the great outdoors.
You Can Compete With Players of Different Ability
Whereas the vast majority of sports require you to find people of a similar ability to yourself or the whole thing becomes vastly unfair, the handicap system in golf means that people of varying skill levels can all play together in the same round. As well as this, you have a clearly defined ability level that you can always work to improve wherever possible.
Most entrepreneurs always look inside. To their colleagues and staff, or even recruit someone into a specific position that allows them to act in the needed role. Using external businesses to fit certain roles in your own business allows you to benefit from their expertise, which could really make a huge difference to your down the road. Sure, recruiting someone is fine, but using specialists is even better. You may never be in the position to need or use outside specialists, however if you are it could be the better option going forward. You don’t want your business languishing behind your competitors, so do all you can to get that key edge over them. You may have used or perhaps considered some of these external options, which is great, but see what other ones are on offer and see if you can benefit from them in any way.
Tax And Accountancy Outsourcing
Business is basically ensuring you have more coming in than going out. It is as simple as that. Simple sounding anyway. Getting the bottom line right eludes thousands of businesses each day. It caused them to fail, crash and burn. You may have it running well at the moment, but in the future you could be in need of help. An accountant can do that. Ensuring you are out of the red is paramount. You can do it if you are careful. Having accountants on board can give you the extra edge you need to be successful. Firms such as Howlader Chartered Accountants can give you this expertise. The same applies with tax. If you don’t understand it you could overpay or underpay. Both are bad for business. However, there could also be certain tax breaks or refunds you don’t know about. An expert would. You’ll pay for the privilege, but you’ll make more money back as a result.
HR can be quite tough to manage. If you only employ a few people then you may be able to do it yourself, but when the employee’s start to build up as your company grows it becomes harder to do. Mistakes with payroll will mean people get annoyed and the seeds of dissent are steadily down. To escape this downturn you can outsource your HR needs. This comes in the form of payroll, time keeping and even general disciplinary issues. It means you benefit from their expertise and your workforce stay happy and in check.
IT Solutions
Most if not all businesses use some form of computing software in this day and age. It is what they need to get by. As such, when issues arise with the software it can sometimes be deadly, resulting in business collapse or periods of down time that annoy clients and force them to go to other businesses for their services, meaning you miss out on sales. Consider an IT firm who can help with all of your needs. They can keep your computers protected, ensure your computers are always up and running, updated, and that you are informed regarding the newest software development that may lead to increased productivity across the board.
Businesses of all types are becoming more reliant on machinery. If this machinery breaks, it can have costly effects on your business. Here a few maintenance tricks and precautions to ensure that your business stays healthy.
Know when your tech is outdated
Out of comfort – or simply to avoid having to splash out on a new one – some people will keep on to old tech. However, this old tech could be damaging your business. Newer companies using newer tech may be able to do the job at twice the speed. This is particularly the case with computers that really ought to be replaced every five years. Find out what equipment other similar trades are using and see if you need a revamp.
Repairing vs replacing
There’s a right time to repair and a right time to replace. Weighing up the costs of repairing and replacing is the best way to do this. If repair costs are almost as much as getting a new machine, you’re best of scrapping your current one and buying a new one. Repairing is becoming more difficult and more specified as machinery gets more complex, although there are still some parts that are easy to locate and repair such as an industrial seal mfg or an LED screen replacement. Always shop around to get the best price and be careful of second hand parts.
Keep a service handbook
A service handbook allows you to record regular maintenance (as well as recording who was using a machine at what point). This might not be important with computers, but with heavy equipment such as diggers or industrial machinery you should always have some form of record. It will also help if you choose to sell the equipment, proving to a buyer that the machine has been in good hands.
Train your staff thoroughly in maintenance
Training your staff on how to maintain machinery is important – not just how to clean and repair them, but how to operate them carefully and economically in order to reduce the chances of damage. In some cases, this may require putting staff on a course. Make health and safety a major part of training, this will not only protect your workers’ wellbeing but legally protect if there is an accident.
Beware of hackers
With many machines becoming digital and joining ‘the internet of things’, it’s important to keep your network secure. Many hackers are now breaking into people’s networks through items as simple as a Smart kettle. PCs can easily be protected with software, whilst other items may not be so safe. Look into ways of securing your network and consider backing up information on the cloud where possible. Alternatively, consider whether you really need your machinery to be internet-powered – do you really need a tractor with computer analytics?
Insure your equipment
Insuring your equipment can cover you for damage or for misuse of a machine by an employee. You can also take out further schemes such as cyberinsurance to protect you against a hack in which personal details may have been stolen. All the measures mentioned above can lower your insurance costs, and you may be able to save costs with a business bundle deal or by raising your deductible costs.
We’ve all heard about frugal businesses that strive to make as much profit as possible by cutting down their own expenses. Some of us think that they’re being smart because, let’s face it, with all the technology we have nowadays we probably don’t need all of it and we could work by just using the bare basics. However, others think those businesses are just being cheap and they’re making it harder to be productive.
So to surprise, disgust or intrigue you, here are three obsolete technologies that companies all over the world are still using despite how outdated they are.
Remember those deathly noises that your computer used to make when connecting to the internet? Thanks to cheap and accessible broadband connections we’ve largely let dial-up go. However, roughly 2.1 million people still use dial-up internet—and that’s just from AOL. There are a couple of businesses mixed into those numbers, and there are still dial-up providers which specifically target business. However, most of them don’t use dial-up as their main connection and instead, use it as a backup line in case their broadband service goes down.
PDAs
Remember those clunky devices people used to carry around for work? Well, they’re still being used but in very specific applications. They make great devices for data collection and note taking. For instance, they’re very useful for managing a warehouse, and some doctors use them to collect information from patients instead of using pen and paper. There are even businesses like Mobile Computer Repair that specialise in fixing PDAs of all makes and models. There’s still a niche market surrounding old technology because of how useful a dedicated device for a task can be.
Many businesses still use fax machines and you might even find fax numbers listed on contact details on major businesses. Despite all the digital advances we’ve made, it’s still easier to send a signature through a fax machine than it is to get a pen display or tablet device, sign a digital document, then send it via email just to have it printed. Instead of jumping through those hoops, people can simply sign a physical document and fax it straight to their recipient.
Old Computers and Laptops
Manufacturers constantly push their computer hardware. Advances are made every year and it gets cheaper and cheaper to obtain a powerful computer. However, for those who only focus on office tasks and such as data entry and writing documents, an old computer is all they need. Whether it’s Windows 98 or an older version of Mac, old computers still work fine and have enough power to enable office workers to do their jobs. Because the technology is so old, you can pick up an old computer for less than the price of a case for your phone, making it a very cheap investment.
Dumbphones
While many people are buying smartphones that have access to the internet so they can remain productive on the go, others are still using dumbphones that can’t even access 3G internet connections. These dumbphones cost a fraction of the price for a new Samsung or Apple phone, they send and receive calls without a problem, and business users typically carry a laptop for their productivity uses. Losing or having a business phone stolen is a big deal when it’s an expensive smartphone, but when it’s a cheap dumbphone, those losses are mitigated.
It could be easily argued that career prospects aren’t quite as good as they were before the global crash nearly a decade ago. After all, the whole world still feels the impact of those difficult years while the competition for places is fiercer than ever before also. But while workers do face a tough fight to achieve their career goals, the challenge is far from impossible.
Millennials across the globe are seizing the initiative, and modern technology is at the heart of that success. So what can you learn from them to enhance your own pursuit of a great career? Let’s take a closer look.
Business Opportunities
One of the great things about the growth of online business is that it has leveled the playing field. Starting a digital business is easier than ever. And you only need to look at the stories of Mark Zuckerburg and Benjamin Bejbaum for huge inspiration.
Generating success through an online company certainly isn’t easy, and there are a lot of pitfalls to avoid. However, the millennial generation has a greater grasp of online technology than any other. For creatives and entrepreneurs with the right drive, the opportunities are simply incredible.
It’s Who You Know
The number of skilled individuals in all fields is undeniably greater than ever. But the smartest millennials are using one of the oldest cliches in the book and bringing it into the modern world. In turn, they are seeing greater levels of success than ever.
Networking through LinkedIn and other sites is a great way to learn about vacancies. Meanwhile, the tech-savvy generation are open to a greater number of IS&T jobs than ever. By combining their advanced skills with communication and research, the possibilities are endless.
Thinking Outside The Box
Communication is at the heart of all business, and that will never change. However, the globe now feels smaller than ever thanks to the ease of international deals and transactions. Therefore, learning a new language can be one of the best ways to become a more desirable candidate.
Becoming bilingual opens up a far bigger realm of possibilities. Whether that means relocating for a job abroad or simply taking on extra responsibility in a current role doesn’t matter. Aside from the direct benefits, gaining those skills shows employers a desire to learn and improve. Those winning characteristics and traits can truly make all the difference.
Standing Out From The Crowd
The average job receives hundreds of applications. Therefore, simply gaining an interview should be seen as a breakthrough. Quite frankly, the only way to achieve this is to make a lasting impression. This can be accomplished through a variety of tools, such as business cards and personal websites. Alternatively, some candidates will create products to go the extra mile.
Whatever the method may be, making the most of those opportunities boosts the hopes of being hired. Moreover, it can put a new employee in the employer’s good books before they’ve even started. In turn, this can even lead to a fast-tracked journey to senior roles.
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