Using Project Management to Maximize the Holiday Season at Work

Published on: 10 November 2018 Last Updated on: 13 September 2024

Holidays are a stressful time for all of us. You are pushed and pulled to the limits to get everything done before the festivities can begin. This constant stress can push you to the limits at work, especially as you try to juggle multiple tasks before the year comes to a close.

Project management is the ideal way to gain control over your work responsibilities. The ability to manage your projects judicially will help you prioritize and complete what needs to be done before the holidays start.

No matter what the task is at hand, you can use project management skills to advance the progress at work while reaping the rewards of your time off during the holiday season.

Define the Scope of Every Project You Are Handed:

For starters, you need to look at the full scope of every project that comes your way now as well as into the future. This means that you have to decide if you have the time or the resources to complete what the project will require.

It can be tempting to jump in head first without fully understanding what you are getting yourself into. You need to stop and think before you start and determine if the project is really possible. Saying no to projects that will cause you more headaches than necessary is all right. Don’t beat yourself up over it as you have looked at the full scope of the project at this point and decided that the parameters are beyond your control.

Go Digital with Your Business Operations:

One of the easiest ways to make your projects go off without a hitch during the holiday season is to adopt a digital system. Papers are messy. They get lost and are no way to operate in this day and age. Take the time to evaluate a platform that will do it all for you.

There is a myriad of apps available today that can delegate and prioritize everything that needs to be done each day. These automatic systems will give you the time you need to focus on more pressing tasks and help you to maximize your day without forgetting an important detail or nuance.

Utilize Your Team and All of Their Skills:

Now that you have a digital system in place and you have defined exactly what needs to be done for an upcoming project, you need to get your team onboard. Assess where each member of your department can help you the most. Utilize their skills to your advantage to get the project done before the holidays hit.

You need everyone’s help at this point in the year, and most employees will be grateful to lend the helping hand. Taking on all the responsibilities of the office is not a wise way to manage your time. Get the help you need and do not be afraid to delegate. You too want some time off this holiday season.

Create a Plan That Works and Fits Your Timeline:

With everyone at the ready to help you with your projects, you need to develop a strong plan that will fit the timeframe you have left for the year. Think about every step of the project and the amount of time it will take to complete it. Can it be done in the time you have available? If you answered with a resounding “yes” you are ready to move forward and commence the project.

If you are unsure that it can be done, don’t take the risk. You will only disappoint others and end up with an unsatisfied client. Be upfront about how long a project will take and establish a friendlier timeline that will work for everyone involved in the project.

Access the Risk and Execute:

By now you are gung-ho on getting your project going, but you need to heed a little caution to make sure that you have thought about all the risks that could potentially occur. You may wind up over budget or exceed the time capacity you have outlined. Think about these considerations before you execute the project, so you are prepared to handle anything that comes your way.

With a little bit of patience and some forethought, you can avoid pitfalls that many projects succumb to over the holidays. Knowing in advance what can go wrong will help you ready for any issues that could crop up. When you are sure, you have thought of everything move forward with the project execution.

Close Out Your Project Before the End of the Year:

Now’s the time to get moving on your project. Time is of the essence, but you have utilized your project management skills to make the most of the time available before the holiday season gets here. Do not stall or procrastinate on your projects as this will only cause you to worry as you try to relax and have some fun over the holiday season.

Using these tips can help you close out those pressing projects before the festivities start. You will be able to leave the office behind and find that the project management skills you have put in place now will help you in the coming year.

You can make a difference in how you complete your projects and reduce the stress that befalls many during the holidays. So, get moving on your projects now and get ready to enjoy the holidays without work hanging over your head.

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How To Select The Best Catering Service For Your Next Corporate Conference Event?

Have you been given the responsibility of planning the next corporate conference or event for your company? Do you know how you can choose the best catering service that will win over your co-workers, bosses, and industry colleagues? Are you looking for some tips and tricks, which can help you zero down on the best caterers for your next event? Corporate Conferences and events can be important milestones for a company’s future. It can be your Annual General Meeting or a Shareholders Meeting, or even something like a Retirement Party for a dear colleague. However, the important thing to note is that the food should be top-notch at all times. Everyone who attends the conference or the event should leave satisfied after tasting the food being served. This is why it is so important that you hire the right catering services for your next corporate event. Hire the best one and you are looking at creating a memorable experience for everyone to remember. Hire the wrong one, and your office colleagues will make sure to keep discussing the ‘what went wrongs’ for a very long time! List of 5 Easy Steps to help you select the best Catering Service for Corporate Conferences 1. Start with In-depth Research and Planning- When it comes to any corporate event planning, catering is right up there in the first or second positions. It is important to understand the budget, get a sense of what the higher management feels, and then start with finding the right caterers. During the shortlisting stage, look for small details like the promptness of the catering company when responding to your requests of quotations, sample requests, and references. This will give you a better idea about their professionalism and help in the selection process. 2. Be Sure about the Food from the Start- Everything that the prospective caterer offers you in terms of food is going to increase the confusion in your head. This is why it is important that you have a set idea of the food, which you can then take to the catering service. You also need to understand that caterers will suggest food options, which are cost-effective for them, but not for you. It is also important to see whether the caterer is taking interest in knowing about your company, its culture, and then making suggestions. 3. Food, Beverage Options, and Service- We often have this misconception about catering being all about the food. What we tend to forget is that it also involves beverages and the overall service experience. This means that the choice of beverages, how good they are or not also matters when choosing the right caterer. Corporate event catering should always take into account the level of service, which is being offered. Smartly dressed catering professionals, polite behavior, and a calm demeanor are what you should look at. Trust us, these things make a lot of difference. 4. The Experience of the Catering Company- When it comes to corporate catering, the experience matters a lot. This is because the inherent nature of the catering experience in a corporate setting is radically different from the one at a wedding, or a birthday party. It is important that you see the number of years of experience the catering service has. You can also ask them specifically for the kind of corporate events they have serviced to. This will help you get a better idea about whether they will be the right fit or not for your conference. 5. Look for Flexibility in the Catering Service- There might be times when things do not go according to plan. For example, an announced client walks in with his entourage of five people as the event is going on. If you are seriously sticking to headcounts, this can cause some problems. This is where a good caterer will be able to help you out. This is what is meant by flexibility in the catering service. These kinds of situations will arise from time to time and you need to be prepared for them. Asking the catering service about such issues in advance will help them and you prepare better for such contingencies. The Final Word It is important that you start planning in advance for your next corporate event. The success of the same will depend in a major way on whether or not you have been able to hire the right catering services for the same. By paying attention to the points in the article, you can ensure that you at least have all the boxes checked to help you narrow down your selections for the best catering services. Read Also: 3 Reasons Why your Corporate Event Entertainment is Important Components of a Successful Business Function

How To Reduce The Operating Cost of Your Business?

You might come across account words you're unfamiliar with when looking at papers like the balance sheet and income statement. Understanding these operating cost concepts, on the other hand, is critical. This can help you better comprehend your financial accounts and improve the financial health of your company. Are you interested in learning more about operating costs and how they affect your company? We'll give you a detailed breakdown of running costs. Then, following a definition and explanation of the phrase, we'll go over some of the things you can do to lower your operational costs. If you are just starting your business, then you might even need to consider a startup mentor. What Are The Operating Costs? The costs of running your firm on a day-to-day basis are referred to as operating costs. Therefore, the operating expenses, operating expenditures, and all terms of OPLEX are used to describe the operating costs. The cost of products sold is one of the most important components of operational costs (COGS). The direct costs of manufacturing your company's goods or services are referred to as COGS. Operating expenses include the following items: ● Payroll and other labor costs related to operating costs ● Employee benefits like employee health insurance, pensions, and other facilities ● Commissions on sales ● Depreciation ● Amortization ● Costs of upkeep It's critical to understand how to calculate operating costs because it allows you to boost your bottom line. If you run a for-profit company, lowering operating costs will directly affect your profitability. 6 Things You May Do To Reduce Your Operating Costs You will be able to stay ahead of the competition by minimizing your operating costs. Therefore, small business owners should always look for ways to reduce costs without sacrificing product quality or making life more difficult for their employees. So, what are the most effective methods for lowering operating costs? Here are eight suggestions for lowering your business's running costs, allowing you to reduce overhead and increase income. 1. Adopt A New Technological Mindset There is a plethora of internet tools and software packages available to help small businesses automate and optimize their operations. Accounting, website hosting, marketing communications, pay stubs, and other areas of business can all be covered by these platforms. Technology is beneficial not only because it increases productivity but it also leads to a reduction in OPEX in sectors like direct labor. Robots and artificial intelligence can work faster and with fewer errors than humans. The technology could also help to improve supply chain procedures, such as lowering the cost of delivering raw materials. Ask yourself the following questions to help you find the proper program for operating cost or service for you: ● What am I exceptionally skilled at? (For example, if you have a background in accounting, you might want to try employing technology for marketing rather than finance.) ● What do I find myself devoting an inordinate amount of time to each week? ● What would I do if I could eliminate one of my most time-consuming responsibilities? Hopefully, your responses to these questions will reveal the task or subject matter area in which you should employ technology. 2. Outsourcing Outsourcing the key business activities to a third-party specialist is an alternative option for increasing work efficiency. If you don't have a background in real estate or tax law, it may be difficult to identify strategies to lower your lease payments or property taxes. Someone with specific training in this area might be able to assist. Advertising and marketing appear to be one area where outsourcing appears to be particularly beneficial. This is a source of frustration for many entrepreneurs if they are not having a good grip over that. They discovered that the amount of time they spend on advertising and marketing is related to the amount of money they make. However, they may not have the time to devote to a marketing strategy. While it may appear that hiring an outside vendor would cost more money, assigning specific duties to subject matter experts will save you money and produce even better outcomes in the long run. Outsourcing specific functions is a sound long-term investment in the operating cost. 3. Shop Around For The Best Deals If you work with vendors regularly, you might wish to put up a project and work bidding system. If you ask three separate vendors for quotes, you can pit them against each other to drive down pricing for an operating cost. Make sure you create an appropriate scope of work or request a proposal (RFP) for suppliers to bid on since missing information or increased complexity can substantially impact the stated fee. In addition, you can better plan for anticipated operational expenses if you get an accurate quote. 4. Cancel Unused Services Examine your variable operating cost to find out which services you are no longer using. Look for a cheaper plan or cancel them completely if you haven't used them in a few months. If you're not using them, they're not helping you make more money. It's easy to lose track of unused services, especially if you have them set up on auto-pay with your credit card. If you do decide to keep service, do some comparison shopping to see if there are any cheaper options. 5. Go green If you have an office, think about making it as environmentally friendly as feasible. To save energy, replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, enhance your insulation and windows to save money on heating and cooling, and reduce the amount of bodily waste you make. Not only will you save money on electricity, but you'll also save money on office supplies on a monthly basis for an operating cost. 6. Telecommute Leasing office space, paying utility bills, and keeping a physical workplace can all put a strain on your budget. Allowing your workers to telecommute can help you save money overall. In the United States, telecommuting is becoming increasingly popular. In 2005, 1.8 million employees in the United States reported they worked from home for half of the week. That number had risen to 3.9 million in 2015, and it has continued to rise up. With today's level of connectivity, the difference between a person working in an office and one working from home is almost indistinguishable. Employees will often benefit from this as well since they will be able to reduce their commute times and expenses. Take Charge Of Your Company's Money Are you the type of business owner that simply watches spending and income without delving into the details? If that is the case, it is time to make a change. Understanding things like running costs will become increasingly crucial as your company expands. Operating costs allow you to examine how your spending affects your profitability in greater detail. Once you understand your expenses, you can start decreasing costs and increasing earnings using the strategies we've offered. Read Also: 5 Financial Risks of Starting a Small Business and How to Avoid Them Why Virtual Offices Are The Future Of Business

Benefits of Installing Dallas Wheelchair Lifts in Your Business

The American Disabilities Act has been approved to standardize building accessibility for people with disabilities and mobility issues. This ensures that public areas and businesses remain accessible and inclusive even to invalids. While most people who move within buildings are able-bodied and have no problems with mobility, giving access to wheelchaired individuals can be a significant game-changer. Elevators may be impractical and space-consuming for buildings that only have two stories. Sometimes, ramps are also not a viable solution because of the building layout. In both of these cases, a wheelchair lift can definitely serve as a perfect alternative. Basic Types of Wheelchair Lifts: There are two types of wheelchair lifts: the inclined wheelchair lift and the vertical wheelchair lift. Incline wheelchair lifts are installed for climbing up and down the stairs. It has a rail and platform that can carry a wheelchair person from one flight of stairs to the next. It works very similar to stairlifts. Vertical wheelchair lifts, on the other hand, work very much like a standard elevator. Instead of the rail traveling parallel to the flight of stairs, it brings the wheelchaired person from one floor to another. Most types of vertical wheelchair lifts are good for both indoor and outdoor use. Anti-skid platforms keep wheelchaired passengers safe during their rides. Convenience and Safety: Putting in a ramp can make your building more accessible, but sometimes it’s not exactly safe and convenient for a wheelchaired individual. Wheelchair lifts not only make mobility more possible for people with disabilities, but it also ensures that they safely get to another floor without too many problems. It provides convenience because there’s no need for them to get out of their wheelchairs to reach their destination. Wheelchair lifts don’t take up much space but it certainly makes traveling up and down the stairs a lot easier and doable. This is especially helpful for wheelchair users who can’t use their upper body to roll their wheelchair up and down a ramp. Freedom and Accessibility for People with Disabilities: Living in a world that’s mostly catered to able-bodied people is very tough for people who are bound to a wheelchair. Aside from doors not being wide enough for them to easily pass through, sometimes stairs are the only way to move between floors. Many of us take our freedom of movement for granted. After all, we can easily go about our daily lives. Unfortunately, people with disabilities aren’t afforded the same freedom and ease of access. The absence of wheelchair lifts can only compound the problem since it makes them unable to appreciate everything that a business has to offer. A business with a wheelchair lift allows a wheelchaired individual to explore a building in the same way that an able-bodied person can. It gives people with disabilities more freedom without having to worry about asking for too much help from family and friends. Providing this kind of independence is one of the key ways to ensure that people with disabilities are able to move at their own pace without having to rely on others. Business Versatility and Inclusiveness: Although the majority of a business’ customers are able-bodied individuals, there’ll always be a few who happen to be disabled. Acknowledging is the first step to being more empathetic and inclusive. From a business standpoint, providing convenient wheelchair access will make people with disabilities want to visit and explore an establishment. It’s basically a win-win situation for both the business and the wheelchaired people that’ll be enticed by their inclusivity attempts. For example, a wheelchaired individual may be interested in checking out a store’s products but couldn’t do so because it isn’t exactly disability-friendly. However, once a wheelchair lift is installed, they now have the freedom to see the store’s products. The wheelchaired person now gets access to what they want, and the business gets a customer out of it. The Final Thoughts While regular elevators can do the job of carrying a wheelchaired individual between floors, wheelchair lifts are more preferred by people with disabilities. This is because they’re specially tailored to accommodate and transport wheelchairs. Wheelchair lifts don’t only make people’s lives easier, it also broadens a business’ customer base. Hence, it’s important to choose the right type of wheelchair lift to maximize its benefits. Read Also: Why Hiring Van Is More Beneficial? 6 Reasons Why Vehicles Are Now Safer Than Ever Tips For Renting A Wheelchair Van At Your Destination

Using Project Management to Maximize the Holiday Season at Work

Define the Scope of Every Project You Are Handed:

Go Digital with Your Business Operations:

Utilize Your Team and All of Their Skills:

Create a Plan That Works and Fits Your Timeline:

Access the Risk and Execute:

Close Out Your Project Before the End of the Year:

How to Successfully Turn Around Struggling Companies

Critical traps to avoid in your warehousing

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Related

How To Select The Best Catering Service For Your Next Corporate Conference Event?

How To Reduce The Operating Cost of Your Business?

Benefits of Installing Dallas Wheelchair Lifts in Your Business

Using Project Management to Maximize the Holiday Season at Work

Define the Scope of Every Project You Are Handed:

Go Digital with Your Business Operations:

Utilize Your Team and All of Their Skills:

Create a Plan That Works and Fits Your Timeline:

Access the Risk and Execute:

Close Out Your Project Before the End of the Year:

Share this Article

How to Successfully Turn Around Struggling Companies

Critical traps to avoid in your warehousing

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related