Everywhere you look, there’s a new podcast. There’s a podcast for everything, from being a new mom to murder mysteries to educational content and entertainment, you can find a podcast that will spark your interest.
At NuvoDesk, we are all about your small business, so we compiled a list of business podcasts you should take a listen to! Whether you’re a seasoned executive looking for something to listen to during your commute or just someone who’s always itching to learn something new, grab your smartphone and earbuds and learn with us!
Radical Candor is all about how to succeed at work without sacrificing your humanity and happiness. Amy Sandler hosts discussions about why it’s important to have honest communication when working (with yourself, management, and coworkers), and how honesty will help you build relationships that will lift you up and help you succeed.
Topics discussed on the podcast include how to have candid conversations at work, how managers and business leaders can create a culture of guidance and feedback, and how to stand up for yourself in the workplace.
Jenna Kutcher, the host of The Goal Digger Podcast, is an experienced educator and digital marketer. Described as a live workshop, the show helps businesspeople learn first-hand about how to define their own personal success and chase after their dreams and she does it in a fun, upbeat kind of way.
Topics covered include productivity hacks, creating business pitches, improving your website’s SEO, social media tips, and how to build the job of your dreams. Kutcher is often joined by notable guests and industry experts, like entrepreneur Lori Harder. https://jennakutcherblog.com/goal-digger-podcast/
Happiness At Work is an interview-based podcast featuring authors, entrepreneurs, coaches, and leading industry experts that discuss, well, happiness at work.
It is great for business professionals looking to create a better work-life balance or those simply looking to maintain their happiness levels on the job. As a listener, you’ll learn actionable tips for creating a positive and uplifting workplace culture and the benefits it brings to the workplace. The best summary of the show comes from the creators themselves — “We believe that happiness at work should be the ‘norm’ and not the exception.”
You’ve heard of TED Talks, but have you heard of TED Business? This is a great podcast for high-quality snackable business content. Host Modupe Akinola talks listeners through getting a promotion, setting realistic goals, and forming positive workplace relationships. You’ll leave with actionable tips for forging your path, as, at the end of every show, Akinola gives a mini-lesson on how to apply the tips discussed within the episode.
This podcast is from one of our very own. Advent Trinity Marketing Agency is located right here in NuvoDesk. In fact, they do our marketing! You’ll learn in-depth marketing techniques that include using social media, website design, and SEO practices, the value of customer service and so much more.
Professional Development
These are just a few of the top business podcasts out there. Professional development is so important to your business and consuming content by listening on the go is super easy to do. If you have a favorite, we would love to hear from you! Post a link in the comments!
Professional event space with the latest technology, a location that’s easily accessible, and a space that’s just the right size.
Have you been searching for the perfect backdrop to your client’s next conference, meeting, training, office party, or special event? If you’re planning an event in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, you’re probably searching for a venue that has enough space for your attendees but also offers an inspiring environment that’s professional and provides the amenities you need to host a successful event.
Head to NuvoDesk in Arlington, TX, where we offer the latest technology, a location that’s easily accessible, and a space that’s just the right size. While we are best-known as a coworking space in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, our events venue can be set up in a number of ways to meet your creative or professional needs.
Reasons to Book Your Event with NuvoDesk
Reason #1: Technology
We offer all the technological tools that you will need when hosting a corporate meeting or event. With big screens, a sound system, wi-fi, podium, microphone, flip charts, and whiteboards, you can be sure to pull off your conference, meeting, or training session without a hitch. Not only can you host an in-person event, but you also have the ability to go virtual.
Reason #2: Location
Finding a central location will help you accommodate the most people. NuvoDesk is easy to find and located off Highway 360 and Arkansas. It’s convenient for travel from DFW International Airport. We just increased the size of our parking lot to accommodate additional vehicles, so there is plenty of parking.
Reason #3: Size
NuvoDesk can accommodate up to 150 people in our event space. From small- to medium-sized events, you’ll have plenty of space to host your company event. See our layouts. Our space offers plenty of room to set up catering stations, group sessions, vendors, and more.
Reason #4: Services and Amenities
wine bar
While we do not have a kitchen, we can provide tea, coffee, lemonade, and fruit, or you are welcome to bring in caterers. NuvoDesk also has access to wine and beer to provide at your event. Table linens are also available. And, of course, as mentioned, we have audio/visual addons. We will set up and break down tables, chairs, and equipment that is provided by NuvoDesk, however, you will need to handle any outside resources that you plan to use and provide your own cleanup crew.
Book Now
Let us help you with your next function. We are happy to discuss any accommodations and what would work best for your event. Give us a call or book your event now!
Going above and beyond for your customers will keep them coming back.
We all know that it’s far more affordable to retain your customers than it is to attract new ones. It’s important that you know your customers and how you can go above and beyond for them. The holiday season is a fantastic opportunity to remind your customers why they should stick around for another year (or more).
While every day is a good day to delight your customers, these best practices are especially important around the holidays, when stress levels rise and patience levels drop. Here are some ways you can do extra for your customers this season.
6 Ways to Delight Your Customers This Holiday Season
1) Prepare for the holiday rush
The holiday season is a crazy time, so make each and every interaction with your company a positive one. Being prepared will help you do so. While customers may expect longer lines and wait times around the end of the year, it’s never a bad thing to surprise them with the opposite. Keep your customer service team well-staffed so they can engage with customers when needed. Limiting how many people they have to interact with will keep frustration levels low and holiday spirits up.
2) Pay attention to your social media channels
Consumers send more messages to businesses during the holidays. According to recent research by Sprout Social, retailers can expect an average of 18% more social messages per month during 2021’s holiday season than normal months. More and more, people are wanting to interact with customer service on social media instead of standing in lines or holding the phone. Interaction with messaging systems is much more convenient.
Have support reps available to help on social media, and maybe even add more reps to your channels during the holiday season to ensure someone is always ready to help. You’ll also be meeting customers where they already are, helping them succeed during the holiday season and continue to have seamless experiences.
3) Offer a compelling discount
By a compelling discount, we don’t simply mean “10% off your next order.” Instead, try a discount that will inspire your customer to continue shopping with you.
What that looks like will depend on your product or service. You should focus on the value your product or service provides customers, not just the price you discount it by. In other words, position yourself in a way where buying your product is a complete no-brainer.
Write your promotion carefully. According to Psychology Today, a “Get $ Off” promotion emphasizes achieving a gain, while the “Save $” wording emphasizes avoiding a loss — and customers recognize that difference.
4) Get personal
Great customer service is about more than just solving your customer’s issue. Go above and beyond to personally remind your customers how grateful you are for their business and why you care.
We may live in a digital world, but it means a lot to receive something handwritten, and capitalizing on the holiday spirit in this way can build a positive brand association. This could be a simple greeting or thank you card in the mail or as extravagant as a gift delivered to their door.
Here are some of his best practices for personalized communication with customers:
Use tone and language that aligns with your customers’ knowledge and experience with the product.
Listen to your customer and empower them. Asking the customer direct questions about their preferences both personalizes the experience and builds their confidence in the product.
Send follow-up messages to customers after each interaction to thank them and offer further assistance if needed.
Recommend features and tools based on their history and business needs and always provide notated documentation.
The strategy of sending personalized notes or gifts works well because, with every exchange, customers are encouraged to become brand ambassadors.
5) Invest in premium packaging
Anyone that’s spent any amount of time wrestling with a roll of wrapping paper and tape dispenser knows the value of a pretty package. In fact, according to a recent Dotcom Distribution packaging study, branded or gift-like packaging makes customers more excited about receiving an item, especially younger shoppers.
Moreover, 42% of respondents credited sustainable packaging as a feature most likely to make them want to shop with a brand again.
First impressions make a huge difference in our fast-paced, digital lives, so using premium packaging allows your product to stand out against others.
6) Be transparent about the small print
Refund and exchange policies, as well as additional services, are often part of the small print on your website or receipts. As busy and loud as the holiday season is, do your customers a favor and place those policies and services front and center.
When buying gifts, customers prefer a return policy that ensures they can easily return them. You have a better shot at increasing sales and keeping if you can offer this, especially if you offer free returns. In fact, 55% of consumers won’t even shop with a company that doesn’t offer free returns.
Delight Your Customers
These customer service strategies are a chance to delight your customers, express your gratitude, and remind them why you care.
By offering compelling discounts with creative call-to-actions will inspire your customers to buy, but great customer service is why they will return. Remember to focus on the value that you are bringing your customer, not just how low you can get your prices.
Things to consider when planning your holiday party along with ideas for virtual and in-person events
If your office is back to working in person, your holiday party may look a little different this year with social distancing still being a thing. If you haven’t returned fully to in-person, you may be looking for new ways to still host a holiday party to boost morale. Either way, NuvoDesk can help you out with ideas and steps to plan the perfect holiday party at work.
Be Mindful of Your Holiday Gathering
Holiday parties are meant to celebrate your company’s accomplishments and express gratitude to your employees. And my goodness, do we ever need little celebrations and to cherish moments of gratitude after 2021 and 2020!
Taking into account the necessary Covid precautions, there’s a little more preparation that will go into your end of 2021 company party. You want to be mindful of everyone’s comfort levels considering we are still amid the pandemic.
Your employees may feel more comfortable with an in-person party that requires masks. The ones who don’t want to wear masks or be so close to others may prefer a virtual party. The best thing you can do is ask them what they want so you can make everyone feel comfortable and have a good time.
Virtual, In-Person, and Hybrid Gatherings
Host an online white elephant gift exchange. Using a site like https://www.whiteelephantonline.com/, you can have fun exchanging gifts while social distancing. Set a gift amount limit, meet up online, unwrap a gift from the virtual table, and view & steal gifts from fellow participants just like in person.
Virtual holiday pub quiz. Pub quizzes are a fantastic way to bring the team together. This lively holiday party idea is ideal if you have some trivia fans in your midst, and it works well for larger groups. Transform a regular pub quiz into the perfect holiday party quiz by adding some festive flair. You could fashion your own game on zoom or use something like https://breakoutiq.com/. This can easily be set up for an in-person gathering.
Painting party. A virtual painting party is a great option for organizations looking to buck the party trend. It’s a relaxing experience that your team can enjoy together to embrace the holiday season, and it makes a refreshing change if being lively and extroverted isn’t your team’s style. Many companies out there will arrange for painting supplies to be sent to your party guests with instructions so everyone can paint together!
Virtual Happy Hour. Choose a platform to host your happy hour (Zoom works) and spice it up with a theme (ugly sweater contest anyone?). You could play drinking games or give everyone a chance to share a holiday cocktail recipe. The options are limitless. You could also use something like Hoppier.com to set up and send out virtual credit cards for your team members where they can order drinks to be sent to their homes and it’s also a simple way to give back to your coworkers.
Escape Rooms. Good for team-building and also just downright fun! These will be hard to reserve throughout December, so plan well in advance. Afterward, grabs some drinks or dinner.
Rent a Movie Theater. Rent out a movie theater and watch the latest blockbuster with all of your employees. It’s an easy way to get everyone together in one place without having to worry about food or drinks.
A Cookie Decorating Class. Can be done in person or virtually or both! Decorating is fun for everybody and adds a flair to a traditional holiday party while doing something a little different.
How To Host A Successful Holiday Party
Planning, setting up, and hosting a successful holiday party comes down to a lot of small decisions. Here are some things to consider when planning a holiday gathering whether in-person or online:
Set A Date
Send a survey to employees with possible date options
Select the date with the most votes
Send a “Save the Date”- this can also be done via monday.com
Budget It
Determine how much you want to spend for a budget to be set.
List party elements in order of importance (entertainment, food, decoration, gifts, etc.)
Type of Party
In-person event
Hybrid event
Virtual event
An after-hours party
Formal event
Casual affair
Themed party
Venue
At the office
At a home
At a local venue
Tip: Consider the following elements when selecting a location for your event: price to book the location, size/maximum occupancy, the proximity of the venue to work, and available facilities.
Transportation
Pay for Uber rides
Hire a bus
Have a carpool sign-up sheet.
Food
Buffet
Sit-down dinner
Floating appetizers
Venue-supplied food and beverages
Potluck
Drinks
Holiday-themed cocktails
Open bar
Just wine (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
Entertainment
Holiday music
Live entertainment
DJ
Low-key tunes
Games
Other
To make those precious memories last, you can hire a photographer and set up a photo booth to capture holiday laughter and fun.
Party Time
Whether you decide to have an in-person party or a virtual one, the key is for everyone to have fun!
Need a space to host your holiday gathering? NuvoDesk has an event center perfect for you!
Famous quotes by famous people to help motivate you in work and life
The insight of others is a valuable source of inspiration and motivation. Learning from successful leaders and entrepreneurs is a fantastic way to grow. There’s much to learn from others’ challenges as well as their successes. Let’s take a look at some of their wisdom condensed into quotes to get energized and inspired at work and in our personal lives.
Best Quotes of All Time
Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. -Mother Teresa
When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on. -Franklin D. Roosevelt
Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. -Margaret Mead
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. -Robert Louis Stevenson
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. -Eleanor Roosevelt
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. -Benjamin Franklin
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart. -Helen Keller
It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. -Aristotle
Whoever is happy will make others happy too. -Anne Frank
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, ‘I’m possible!’ -Audrey Hepburn
“You become what you believe.” -Oprah Winfrey
Famous Quotes About Life
You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated. -Maya Angelou
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. -Nelson Mandela
In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. -Abraham Lincoln
Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. -Babe Ruth
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. -Helen Keller
Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. -Thomas A. Edison
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. -Dr. Seuss
Road to Success Quotes
Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts. -Winston S. Churchill
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. -Henry David Thoreau
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. -Walt Disney
If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time. -Steve Jobs
The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well. -John D. Rockefeller Jr.
I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. -Thomas Jefferson
The real test is not whether you avoid this failure because you won’t. It’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere. -Barack Obama
If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle for the ordinary. -Jim Rohn
Find Inspiration
Quotes can be a huge motivator. Pick one and put it in your office, stick it on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror– someplace you will see it every day. Live the words and keep them as your mantra. Those who keep learning and growing often find success. Where will your next success lie?
Learn why customer reviews are important, how you can leave one for NuvoDesk, and tips for leaving an informative review
When someone wants to buy something, they ask friends and relatives for recommendations, they research the brand online. HubSpot Research found that customers trust recommendations from friends and family over any type of online marketing and advertising your brand can create.
According to BrightLocal, 85% of consumers trust online reviews are much as personal recommendations — the single most trustworthy and credible source of “advertising” out there.
HubSpot Research also found that 60% of consumers believed customer reviews were either trustworthy or very trustworthy — meaning that businesses that can accumulate positive reviews had a good chance of them helping a customer make a purchase decision.
Why Are Customer Reviews Important?
Customer reviews are important because they help with SEO (Search Engine Optimization), especially if you are a local business. Having reviews on popular review sites like Google lets you own more SERP (Search engine results page) real estate for branded search terms. In essence, the more reviews you have, the more people are going to see your business online.
Reviews are crucial for your company. They have a huge impact on the buying decisions of your prospective customers. As consumers and prospects have turned more to self-guided research, they rely more on the opinions and experiences of other customers in reviews when evaluating options and making purchasing decisions. Research also confirms that “customer proof” is the most important factor when a consumer is researching your business.
Having positive reviews helps build trust and confidence in your business and its products/services.
As you can see, reviews are vital to a business’s growth and success. And NuvoDesk would like to ask a favor of you: Please leave us a review!
How to Leave NuvoDesk a Review
Were you impressed with NuvoDesk Coworking and want to spread the word? With a few clicks, you can leave a Google review to inform others about your experience. Leaving a Google five-star review helps others in need of a flexible working space that fits their budget.
Leaving a five-star review is easy! Tell everybody about NuvoDesk by following these simple steps:
Sign in at Google.com. If you don’t have an account, please create one
Find the left sidebar and scroll past our review summary.
Click “WRITE A REVIEW”.
Click the star farthest to the right and type a review about your personal experience with our coworking services.
Tips for Writing an Awesome 5 Star Review
Whether you have a shared desk, a dedicated desk, an office, or only visited us for a day or two, we want to hear from you!
Do you want to leave a five-star review but don’t know how to start? You can write a compelling five-star Google review by following these simple tips:
Tip 1: Share something special. Did NuvoDesk exceed your expectations? Be specific when describing your positive experience. Describe what others can expect as well.
Tip 2: Write with personality. Be creative and thoughtful in your review and express what impressed you most about our service to you.
Tip 3: Include variety. Write about a wide range of aspects of your positive experience with our services, from our customer service to how our office space made you feel.
We value each and every one of our coworkers and dedicate our business to helping yours grow. Leaving a review shows your support and greatly appreciate it! See more examples here.
Learn how flexible workspaces nurture productivity
Unlike traditional offices with fixed and assigned desk positions, workers in a flexible office space can choose the area of the office that best suits their work style. A flexible office space is designed to provide workers with a variety of different places and ways to work.
What is Flexible Working?
Flexible working is a term used to describe any working pattern that falls outside of traditional office hours or locations (i.e. working in different spots around the same office, working from home or at a remote desk, or working part-time or staggered hours).
Workers who have the flexibility to work in different areas of the office are able to spend more of their time and energy doing great work, and they’re generally happier and even more productive than their seat-specific-bound colleagues. They have the option of sitting outside on a cool morning for a zoom call, typing up documents from the couch, collaborating with a team around a conference table, or working at the kitchen table while having a snack.
Not only does flexible working provide individual employees with the option to work in a way that suits their specific needs and tasks, but it also helps companies reduce costs by maximizing available space. With fewer people in the office at any given moment, it becomes easier to create common areas where teams can spontaneously come together and collaborate, or for workers to spin off into quiet zones with a laptop to concentrate on a particular task.
Important Aspects of a Flexible Workspace
There are a number of basic elements that you’ll find in most flexible spaces that promote versatility and collaboration.
Versatile office spaces. An existing office can be transformed into different layouts.
Open-plan designs. The open-plan office concept is a fundamental aspect of the flexible workspace, allowing for free-flowing collaboration between disparate departments.
Quiet areas. Unfortunately, a side effect of open-plan office design is an increase in ambient noise. Having a quiet area can allow an individual to break off to work on tasks individually. For instance, NuvoDesk offers an open space in a quiet corner of the building and private, sound-insulated phone booths to accommodate workers when they need to focus without interruptions.
Adaptable workstations. Flexible office space often includes non-traditional styles of workstations. Standing desks in common areas promote the idea of moving around to use the space in different ways. In relaxed corners of the office, such as coffee bars and reception areas, comfortable chairs and natural lighting create flexible and inviting spaces where people will want to work.
Shared amenities. When tethered to a single spot in the office, people naturally tend to store the things they need to get things done on and around their desks. A flexible space centralizes these resources and makes them available to everyone who needs them. These shared utilities can be things like office supplies, printers, and snacks, or entire spaces, such as conference rooms or informal common areas.
Be More Productive
A flexible workspace removes many of the barriers to productivity presented by a traditional office workspace. All the work is done in a stationary space, from collaborating with coworkers to working on individual tasks to meeting with clients.
With a flexible office space, people can choose a workstation that makes the most sense for the job they’re doing at that moment. That could mean working from a laptop in a quiet area where they can concentrate, using a casual shared space to catch up with other team leaders over coffee, or using a conference room to collaborate with a large group. A well-designed flexible workspace gives employees the breathing room they need to do their best work on their terms.
A good office layout is one that optimizes for safety, comfort, and functionality. A flexible office space enhances productivity by providing teams with access to the shared spaces and the resources they need to get things done. When workers are supported by an office layout that fosters creativity and responds to their changing needs, they find it easier to meet their objectives.
NuvoDesk provides dynamic, flexible, and beautifully designed workplaces that nurture the needs of workers. Find your groove at NuvoDesk.
Small Business Saturday – what it is, how it came to be, how to support a small business, and some ideas you can implement into your small business to help it grow.
If you think about it, every business started out as a small business. Even Amazon started in a garage as a small business! Small businesses become larger businesses because consumers like what they had to offer.
Small Business Saturday is Nov. 27 this year. Let’s take a look at what it is, how it came to be, and some ideas you can implement into your business to help it grow.
What is the Purpose of Small Business Saturday?
SBS encourages consumers to keep it close to home when buying gifts this holiday season. Spending money locally helps everyone in the community prosper.
History Of Small Business Saturday
American Express, a U.S. corporation with $37 billion in revenue in 2018, started Small Business Saturday in 2010. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) joined as a co-sponsor five years later. SBS has become an important part of how many small businesses launch their busiest shopping season.
According to the 2018 SBS Consumer Insights Survey, the total reported spending among U.S. consumers who said they shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on the day reached a record high of approximately $17.8 billion. The same survey reported that more than 70% of consumers are now aware of the Small Business Saturday initiative. Based on this annual survey over the years, SBS spending has now reached a reported estimate of $103 billion since the day began.
Most Popular Things To Buy Local
According to one study, the following are things consumers are most likely to buy from a small business.
Small Business Saturday Statistics
99.7% of all U.S. businesses are small businesses
64% of new jobs created in the U.S. between 1993 and 2011 were from small businesses
Small businesses donate 250% more to non-profits and community causes
Small Business Saturday Activities
Here are some things you can do to support small businesses:
Go On A Local Shopping Spree
Many shoppers opt for big box stores on Black Friday, knowing that there’ll be sales on common holiday gifts. Small businesses sometimes offer many similar discounts — but without the marketing dollars to display the price cuts, they’re often left out in the cold. If you were planning on purchasing a TV this holiday season, try calling your local electronics store to see if they’re offering any discounts first.
Talk About It
Social media is a wonderful way to share our daily lives with friends, but sometimes, letting them know about a good deal from an e-commerce giant or a big box store can feel like advertising. With small businesses, it’s different: Instead of contributing to some corporation’s bottom line, you can rest easy knowing that you’re helping a neighbor succeed.
Make It A Habit
Small Business Saturday only lasts for one day, but you can get acquainted with your local shops. Don’t let another year pass before your next visit! For small businesses to succeed, they need our support throughout the year.
6 Small Business Saturday Ideas You Can Use To Sell More This Year
According to one survey of 5,000 consumers, 72 percent of people said they will make more of an effort to support small businesses this year. Use these simple ideas to make sure you’re a part of the big day.
1) Own your identity as a small business
Customers want to shop small this year so highlight your identity as a small business. Tell your story of how and why you got started. Remind your customers of ways you’ve gotten involved in local community efforts. Share what makes your products or services special and personal. Don’t be shy about talking about what makes you different from the big box stores.
2) Craft a compelling Small Business Saturday offer or discount
It’s so important to have a great offer to help your business stand out from the crowd. Start thinking about your audience and what would appeal to them. What is your store known for? Has anything worked particularly well in the past?
Here are some examples of offers you might want to consider:
15 percent discount on all new items
Free coffee and cookies for guests while they shop
Free gift with any purchase over $50
20% off your next purchase when you spend $40 or more
Free gift wrapping
3) Send out an email series
Email marketing is a tool that helps you reach your customers and prospects, directly in their inbox. (Click here to learn who NuvoDesk recommends for help with email marketing.)
When people sign up to your mailing list, they’re interested in what your business has to offer and are interested in supporting your business. Let people know why shopping small is important for your community. You can include a special offer or exclusive content to promote Small Business Saturday.
Consider partnering with other local businesses in order to promote each other. Let your email readers know where they can shop local on Small Business Saturday. It’s recommended that you use a series of 3 emails to remind people to shop with you. This time of year is busy, so these emails are a great way to remind people and get them to take action to support your business:
Email 1: Send an announcement email as soon as possible. Let them know that Small Business Saturday is coming up and why they should shop locally. Include the details about your offer.
Email 2: Send a reminder email a week before. Remind them of the deadline and your offer so they don’t forget.
Email 3: A day or two before Small Business Saturday, send a last-chance email so they don’t forget to shop with you and use your offer.
4) Reach interested customers on social media
Social media is a tool that will help you expand your reach to even more potential customers. Start by sharing similar content used in your email series on social media. Use the content and offer you’ve added to your email campaign to promote the idea of shopping small.
Create a series of three social posts, just like you did with your email series; an announcement, reminder, and last-chance reminder to keep the buzz going. (We partner with these guys to make sure our social media makes an impact.)
5) Prepare your physical store (if you have one)
Now that the word’s out, make sure you’re stocked and staffed for success. Think about your staff and what their strengths are, then assign tasks to each member to cut out any confusion when your store is filled with eager shoppers.
You could also print out an email sign-up sheet ahead of time and encourage shoppers to share their email addresses to stay in touch throughout the rest of the holiday season and into the new year. Don’t forget to snap a few photos to capture the excitement in your store. Share them on social media.
6) Keep the momentum going
As exhausting as the day might be, don’t overlook the importance of follow-up in the week after Small Business Saturday. A small thank you can go a long way, and it will only take a few minutes to create. Depending on how many photos you took, you could share an album on Facebook, or simply pick the best one to share with your fans via SMS.
You can keep your text simple — try something like, “Thanks to everyone who stopped by to #ShopSmall this Saturday. We appreciate your support and hope to have you back again soon!”
Next, add your new email subscribers to your list and send out a quick email.
In any follow-up message you send, your goal should be to remind your customers of their great experience with you and entice them to visit again soon. Include an image to make the thank you more personal and include an offer to bring people back into your store before the end of the year.
Encourage Your Customers To Shop Small This Year
Even if you don’t have a brick-and-mortar store, you can take some of these ideas to use for your service or products. Partnerships can go a long way. Referrals are extremely important, so start telling your friends and neighbors to #ShopSmall.
NuvoDesk supports small businesses just like yours!
Discover indoor plants that thrive in no- to low-light conditions that are easy to maintain and why having plants in the office is a good idea.
Add a little life, happiness, and productivity to your office with plants. Office spaces, shopping centers, hospitals, and hotels alike strategically use indoor plants to reduce stress and transform what is ordinarily a sterile, utilitarian environment into something living and breathing.
Benefits of Having Plants around the Office
One study found that offices that were spruced up with plants saw the following benefits:
37% reduction in anxiety.
44% reduction in office hostility.
Reduced chronic fatigue by nearly 40%.
58% reduction in reported depression.
25% decrease in symptoms of ill health, including fatigue, concentration problems, dry skin, and irritation of the nose and eyes.
Reduce carbon dioxide levels by about 10% in air-conditioned offices.
You can create a haven of health and tranquility by placing a little greenery in just the right places.
Indoor Plants Perfect for the Office
Ultimately, you want to choose plants that are well suited to an indoor office setting, and that won’t require a lot of maintenance.
The top recommendations for your workspace include:
Snake plants
ZZ plants
Succulents
Pothos
Bamboos
Spider plants
Anthuriums
Weeping figs
Peace lilies
Ferns
Philodendrons
Low-light office plants that don’t need direct sunlight
Many office environments can struggle with natural light, particularly in big cities where buildings are side by side and the light might be obstructed by shadow or smog or you have a windowless office. Finding plants that can grow without direct sunlight can be a challenge.
Snake and ZZ plants are widely praised by cubicle dwellers as hardy, low-light plants that will survive in any office environment. Both have succulent, rubbery leaves and require very little attention.
Snake plants
Snake Plant
Snake plants grow in a vertical, compact fashion, reducing mess and taking up a neat corner on a desk or in an office. (Some can grow several feet tall, so pick your size wisely.) Let the soil dry completely between waterings; in the wintertime, you’ll likely need to water a snake plant only once a month. While these plants flourish in indirect sunlight, they will also grow successfully (albeit a little more slowly) in darker, low-light settings.
ZZ plants
The ZZ plant evokes feelings of paradise, with fern-shaped leaves in a deep, succulent green. However, low light suits the ZZ plant best, a species that hates direct sunlight and requires extra watering when placed too close to windows.
The ZZ plant will grow up to several feet in office lighting at a regulated temperature of between 60 and 75°F. Water your ZZ plant only when the soil becomes dry to the touch, and it’s important to ensure that there is sufficient drainage at the bottom of the pot to reduce the risk of rot.
Desk plants that are easy to care for
To spruce up your personal space, consider popular desk plants like bamboos and spider plants; both require some care in watering but are able to survive in low light on desks, in bathrooms, and on kitchen counters. For a pop of color, try anthuriums, which are more durable than orchids and flower year-round.
Bamboos
Choosing a healthy bamboo plant from the outset is key to its survival in an office environment. Opt for a plant that’s bright, vibrant green all over, without blemishes or yellowing. Plus, the pot should be at least two inches larger than the diameter of the plant’s stem.
Bamboo plants can be grown in soil or water. For those in water, pebbles and water should be changed at least once a week to prevent rotting. For those in soil, don’t use too much soil or fertilizer (less is more when it comes to bamboos), and you should water the plant just enough that the soil is moist but not oversaturated.
Spider plants
These plants are ideal for office environments, as they don’t need much light and thrive in temperatures between 55 and 80°F. Infact, putting your spider plant in direct sunlight will lead to discoloration and stunted growth. Keep the soil moist and don’t let the plant dry out too much between waterings, and you can fertilize your spider plant up to twice a month in the summer.
Anthuriums
Anthurium
A low-maintenance, decorative addition to any office, anthuriums flower year-round in the right conditions and produce small, simple flowers in red, pink, white, purple, and yellow. These plants can survive in low-light conditions, however, they’ll produce more flowers in moderate, indirect sunlight. Fertilize your anthurium once every few months, and allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Large floor plants that add drama to shared spaces
Floor plants are a great way to brighten office corners and bring conference rooms to life. The weeping fig and peace lily are both hardy plants that grow well in limited office lighting. However, regular pruning is essential (they grow quickly), but they both offer a pop of lush greenery and bring a touch of the outdoors.
Weeping figs
Weeping fig
The weeping fig thrives best in indirect sunlight and doesn’t like to be moved—it’s best to find a spot relatively close to an east-facing window and keep it there. Ensure the soil stays moist, but not saturated, and fertilize your fig regularly through the spring and summer. The weeping fig will drop leaves if it’s under stress, and, in these cases, it’s a good idea to supplement the fertilizer with a little magnesium and manganese.
Peace lilies
The peace lily isn’t fussy when it comes to lighting and can survive under office fluorescents or indirect sunlight. Water the plant weekly during the summer months, and less frequently in the wintertime. Drooping leaves is a sign that the plant is thirsty and it’s time to water the soil and spritz the leaves. These plants like humidity, so try to maintain moistness in the soil and keep them away from heaters and air-conditioning units.
Low-maintenance plants that will fill your office
Filling an office with plants doesn’t have to be a chore, and there are a number of low-maintenance solutions to office greenery—whether it’s small pots on kitchen counters or larger plants that can frame office walls. Succulents are the most obvious, and aloe vera, pincushions, and zebra plants will thrive on a windowsill.
For something a little more expressive (yet still low-maintenance), try the pothos, which boasts big, beautiful leaves hanging off tentacle vines that drape over filing cabinets and off the side of kitchen counters.
Succulents
Avoid spraying succulents with water. If the leaves pick up dust, it’s best to wipe them gently with a damp cloth. Succulents need light to thrive and are best suited to windowsills or desks with direct sunlight. Remember to rotate the plant every week or so, ensuring every angle receives ample sunshine.
Water your succulent when the first inch of soil is dry to the touch, or about every seven to 10 days and more frequently in the summer. To water succulents effectively, soak the soil with water until the excess runs out of the pot’s drainage holes. Terra-cotta pots are ideal for growing succulents, and their rustic coloring adds to the aesthetic.
Pothos
Pothos
While the pothos thrives best in indirect sunlight, it can tolerate low-light conditions and requires very little maintenance to survive. Nicknamed “devil’s ivy,” it’s difficult to kill. This plant doesn’t need a regular watering schedule and likes to dry out completely between waterings. Just water it when the leaves start drooping a little. A monthly dose of regular houseplant feeder is typically good.
Office plants that create vertical gardens
Use greenery to create new dimensions around the office with plants that promote vertical growth. Ferns are a go-to as they’re durable, easy to grow, and resistant to changes in humidity—whereas other air plants are more fickle. For hanging plants, philodendrons are a striking option with vines that drape over the side of the pot and hang down to reach the floor.
Ferns
Ferns thrive in limited sunlight and are best positioned near a window that gets the early-morning or afternoon sun. Though they can grow in low-light conditions, it’s a good idea to give them “breaks” in the sunshine every few days. Choose a sand-heavy, free-draining compost so the roots don’t rot, but make sure it’s kept moist by watering it a little every day. Ferns are built for humidity and should be spritzed with water regularly and kept away from air vents and heaters.
Philodendrons
Philodendron
These plants are easy to grow and adapt easily to most conditions. They can be moved around the office, inside and outside, and won’t show signs of distress. Ideally, keep your philodendron in a spot that receives ample, indirect natural light. Watering can be irregular and infrequent—the top inch and a half of soil should dry out completely between waterings. Like lilies, philodendrons will tell you when they’re thirsty and their leaves start to droop. If your philodendron is growing slowly and producing pale leaves, supplement your fertilizer with a dose of calcium and magnesium.
The best office plants are more than just beautiful
Whether you’re decorating your desk, cubical, or an entire office, these plants are a great start to infusing your workday with greenery. And, with links to enhanced productivity and increased employee engagement, their benefits will extend further than aesthetics.
Coworking space providers like NuvoDesk are saving small businesses money every day. As a rentee, you get to work in up-to-date surroundings and a motivating atmosphere and exchange ideas, and network with like-minded individuals.
It’s been proven that coworking spaces can help your small business save money that would otherwise needlessly go down the drain. Renting a traditional office space costs more, not just for rent, but utilities, office furniture and decor, and the distance you’d have to travel to meet with clients and networkers. Plus, you’d be locked into a lease for who knows how long.
Take a look at how NuvoDesk could be saving you money and your sanity!
Flexible Leasing Terms
Whether you need us for a day, a week, a month, or even years, NuvoDesk can accommodate your time here. Coworking spaces allow you a short-term, customized lease. You can change your rental agreement as your business evolves. In other words, you are saving by renting precisely what you need when you need it. All without moving your team every so often from a well-established workspace that suits you, your employees, and your clients.
If you haven’t rented traditional office space before, you might not know that leases often come with a three to a ten-year contract. Can you predict where your small business will be at that time? How many workers will you have, or how much space will you require? Most likely, you would not know the answer and settle for space that doesn’t fulfill your needs. Either it’ll be too small but affordable, or big enough to support growth but taking a huge chunk of your profit.
Access To Clients
There is a tight relationship between office location and access to customers. Budding entrepreneurs are too often facing a decision: starting up affordably in suburbia or cashing out for a downtown workspace. How much you’re willing to pay for a rental office can have a significant impact on your business, especially if it’s a startup.
Coworking buildings are often found in prime locations and come with parking spots for rentees and their clients. Convenient access saves time for both parties. Coworking spaces can help your small business save money and grow, even in these uncertain times. Partly from significantly saving on the rent and paying only for what you use, and partly due to more reliable access to customers when it matters most.
No Hidden Costs
An agreement for renting coworking space is relatively straightforward. You choose what you use and pay for nothing more.
NuvoDesk has plans that include the use of conference rooms if you do need them regularly or plans without them and you can pay as the need arises. All of our amenities come with every plan, so you won’t be nickel-and-dimed to death for each amenity. Again, you only pay for what you need.
Another important way coworking spaces can help your small business save money is through maintenance costs. Whatever incident happens (like the AC going out, the wi-fi failing, or the light bulbs need changing) in the building, the office provider is responsible for covering the expense. Cleaning services are also included in the agreement. It doesn’t mean you should ignore simple coworking etiquette, though; always keep your workplace tidy.
A Few Additional Notes
While coworking boosts entrepreneurs’ creativity and efficiency, the renters profit from full facilities. As entrepreneurship evolves and adapts to new circumstances, coworking spaces are here for you. Coworking has become highly competitive as it offers benefits to startups and small businesses that they would never be able to afford otherwise.
Statistically speaking, over 90% of all businesses in the States are small businesses. A large and growing part of this percent are startups that have created over 3.1 million new jobs in the US in the last year alone. With that and the abovementioned benefits in mind, the bright future of coworking spaces is guaranteed.
