US Media Studios Shares News on What Matters Most to Employees

Most workers know what it will take to keep them happy and dedicated to their jobs and to the companies they work for. If only CEOs would listen and hear what matters most to employees.

It’s Not about the Money

While true that people appreciate a bonus for a group goal, and the occasional cost of living raise on their work anniversary, what matters more is gratitude. A recent report found that 60 percent of workers surveyed placed more value on being appreciated by management than a monetary reward. Gratitude plays a significant role in employee satisfaction and retention. A genuine thank you from the boss or a manager makes the world of difference for many American workers.

Say It Ain’t So

There are some bosses and managers who fall into these categories and US Media Studios hopes they hear us:

• Uncommunicative and emotionally distant bosses do not rank high on any employee’s list about good leaders.
• Business leaders who do not give credit to workers are high on the list (32% of respondents).
• Business leaders who do not give praise or express support fall closely behind not giving credit (28%).
• Business leaders that do not help employees with promotion is a major turn off for most workers (24%).
• Business leaders who view staff as replaceable (and remind them of that now and then) is another factor that compels employees to bolt (13%).

What Matters Most to Employees

Respondents (and most workers, in fact) want to feel appreciated by their managers. They want to know, in real time, that their hard work and dedication is appreciated. They don’t necessarily want to wait until the dreaded mid and year end performance review. If an employee did a good job on something today, let him or her know today. If it was a team effort, then thank the whole team.

USMedia Studios encourages business leaders to show and give gratitude and appreciation to your staff. It goes a very long way in convincing them you care.

US Media Studios Asks How to Know if Success is Yours

Success is measured in various ways and defined differently by most people. How will we know when we are successful?

Success Defined

Dictionary.com provides four definitions for success:

1. The favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors. Accomplishment of one’s goals.
2. The attainment of wealth, position, honors.
3. A performance or achievement that is marked by success.
4. A person or thing that has had success.

Which one of these fits your definition of success? Some start-up business owners may define it as the achievement of staying in business during the first year. Others may find they feel successful if revenue was higher than expenses, and customers kept supporting them.

Personal Success

Personal success can be defined as personal goals and objectives which are met. It is also having success in love, friendship, and health. People, and business people, will consider themselves a success when they learn something about failure. One failure does not define a business endeavor, nor do many failure. Each one is a chance to learn from it, grow and try again, and try something new.

US Media Studios also relays that the business person who is successful will keep on finding new ways to add to that success. They are never stagnant in ideas or direction. They keep on moving forward putting defeat behind them, and learning from it. Success is not only tangible such as wealth or an honor earned. It is also intangible like good health, a strong family, love, and knowing that every effort was put into the endeavor to produce the outcome.

How do you define success?

US Media Studios Etches Guidelines for Creating Business Names

There is an incredible variety of names from which entrepreneurs can create or choose for their business. But it takes more than just creativity to choose the right one.

What’s In a Name?

What’s in a name? Well, there are plenty of steps to take in finding, registering and keeping that brand new business name that epitomizes your business.

• Research the chosen name online to see if anyone else claimed it. A Google search is good for that.
• Search for the name on the U.S. trademark database.
• Use creative thinking to tweak the business name and search again on the database.
• If not trademarked, apply for the trademark.
• Register the new name with your state.
• Create or update existing website with the new name.
• Create a new logo or update existing logo.
• Notify vendors and utility companies of the new name.
• Notify the bank and any financial institutions of the new name.
• Change business signs.
• Update telephone listing with the new name.
• Update all social media accounts with the new name.
• Order new business-related paper documents, such as business cards and stationary with the new logo and name.

Why All the Bother?

While it may seem like there are many steps to creating a business name, it is best to protect the name you choose by following the guidelines etched in above. No one wants to be hit with a cease and desist order due to using a name which is already registered. US Media Studios encourages entrepreneurs and new business owners to double check business names and take steps to protect the great one chosen.

US Media Studios Highlights Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

What traits do the most successful entrepreneurs have in common?  Some very basic ones grounded in common sense.

The Path to Success Has No Potholes

Bad habits can get in the way of anyone with career and personal goals. The bad habits are like potholes in which an entrepreneur, or anyone really, can become stuck. Here’s how to not get stuck in these common potholes:

Get regular, restorative sleep every night. Turn the TV off early, get in bed and read something lightweight. Relax. High quality sleep is valuable for the mind and body. It enhances productivity increases energy, improves mood, and leads to overall better health. US Media Studios notes that overall better health leads to more success.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle every single day. Don’t overindulge with alcohol. A drink now and then to take the edges off a stressful day is okay. But drinking excessively wreaks havoc on every part of the body. It also affects decision making both when drinking and the day after.

Know yourself, trust yourself. Confidence is knowing who you are and what you know you can do. It is not arrogance. Confidence is not gained by putting other people, treating them in a condescending manner. It IS all about you. No one else. It is not about the negative people in your life, nor about the weak willed people in your life. No one knows you better than you. Avoid all other ones who can bring you down, if possible.

US Media Studios highlights entrepreneurs from different industries. Today’s innovators, movers and shakers, and game changers are not daunted by bad habit pot holes. Are you one of them?

US Media Studios Reviews the Marks of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs are the movers and changers. They are the ones who can find innovative ways of fixing or correcting what does not work and what is broken.

Entrepreneurs mostly offer a service to everyone else. There is usually a piece of something ethical and good in what they offer. They want to help solve a common problem, or they found a new problem and are offering a correction for it. The solution or correction is offered for a cost. If the solution works, then the entrepreneur is rewarded by making money from it. But if the solution does not work well, is too lengthy or too complex, consumers won’t buy it. This is common sense. And this is honest entrepreneurship, as US Media Studios notes.

There are however an over abundance of newer businesses that seem to be copies of longer standing ones, performing the same types of services as the others, with far less experience and skills. While a brand new at-home business might seem like a great idea even its service solves a common problem, why add another entry into an already crowded field? All the social media posting and SEO-ing of the new enterprise will not necessarily pull in new accounts. It may bring questions, instead. It may or may not bring in any revenue. Too many social sites filling up the first two pages of a Google keyword search can look fishy to some consumers.

Consider instead what the consumer needs or wants and tailor the entrepreneurial endeavor in that direction. US Media Studios knows that this could very well be the golden egg in the basket.

US Media Studios Kicks Up Start-Up Discussion

What happened to all the start-up businesses in the United States?

The latest U.S. census data relays that there were 452,835 new businesses started in 2014. That’s down by about 50,000 that were started every year from the late 1970s to the mid-2000s. It is long reported that new businesses account for the greatest number of new jobs. But none of that is booming now, and hasn’t been since the Great Recession ended. People seem wary of getting into something that could crash cause them to lose money.

Start-Ups and Hiring

Start-ups generally hire less people than the big brand stores and businesses.  Major companies are seen aggressively recruiting and gaining new staff. They have the capabilities of utilizing outsourced vendors, some domestic and some foreign. Small businesses do not have this ability.

Restrictions

Other factors which prevent an entrepreneur from starting up are the mind boggling regulations in the U.S. Many businesses also insist a new employee sign a “non-compete” clause that prevents them from leaving and starting up their own company, for months or even years. With so many restrictions and stringent regulations, it is no wonder there are less new businesses than in previous years.

Future for Start-Ups

Many of the most successful start-ups were begun by an entrepreneur in their 30s. The Millennial Generation is rounding that corner. Generations X and Y are already there. The US Department of Labor notes there is an uptick since 2014 in new businesses. US Media Studios also notes that there are some steps established businesses and local, state and the federal government can take to spur new business growth: loosen up on the “non-compete” clauses, offer new business owners some tax breaks, give entrepreneurs support and financing if requested.

America is a great place to start a new business. If this is your dream, just go for it. Start very small and let it grow.

US Media Studios Relays Workplace Concepts for Success

No matter what size business it is, good, sound workplace concepts help both the business and the employees grow and be successful.

Empowering Staff for Better Results

The guts of any successful business are the people who make it operate every day. Employees, managers and business leaders are the blood in the veins of the company. Flexibility in both scheduling and work location gives employees the ability to work the hours they need and where it is most convenient for them. If staff can get their work done from home a few days a week, as opposed to being in a strict office environment, then they should be able to do so. Many people relay how they get more work done, are more creative and proficient at home than in the office. Flexible work schedules are more accepted now than in previous decades. When someone does not have to use creative time to commute to an office, they start work earlier and are more productive.

The Two-Way Street of Common Sense

Common sense seems to be absent from so many aspects of living and working today. From the rabid comments and posts on social media to the workplace, it’s curious how we manage. Common sense is best when applied by employer and employee. If there are changes in structure, work responsibilities, schedules, benefits, etc, both parties need to be practical and flexible. Good employees do not need to be managed. Good managers need to communicate if any workplace concepts change. US Media Studios reminds that common sense in the work place is a two-way street. No one can get away with something that any other business would not allow.

US Media Studios Notes Affordable Cities to Open a Business

One part of the American Dream is to own your business. With that said, there are some cities which are more affordable to begin a start-up than others.  US Media Studios notes the five most affordable cities.

Chattanooga, TN

It is not surprising to us that four of the five most affordable places to open a business are in the South. Located in sunny south Florida, we can attest to the number of start-ups that open here.  We took a look at the data run by SmartAsset for start-up costs over the first year of operation: cost of office space, price of gas and electricity for that space, legal and accounting fees, and payroll costs for five full-time employees making the city’s average annual salary.

Based on these factors, below are the five cities where entrepreneurs might want to open their new venture’s doors:

1. Chattanooga, Tennessee
2. Wichita, Kansas
3. Greensboro, North Carolina
4. Columbia, South Carolina
5. Knoxville, Tennessee

Many American cities are great for starting up a business.  There are events for entrepreneurs to get together, financing to help the new business owner become and stay operable, and some cities have a great number of graduates from universities and tech schools to recruit.  It should also be noted that some of these cities, and others in the South, have an affordable cost of living, which makes living there an added bonus. Some of the top ten cities have strong economic support in specific industries such as education, technology, or healthcare, which would be great for the entrepreneur with products or services in that field. Click here for the full list of affordable start-up cities, and more the list of most expensive cities to open your own business.

US Media Studios and the Entrepreneur Role Model

Entrepreneurs and business leaders can have a positive effect on employees by leading through example.

The business owner is more than just the person who sets the direction and goals for the company. They can also be an example of how to work smarter, take risks, and enjoy life outside of the office.  US Media Studios relays some ways in which smart entrepreneurs and business owners can motivate and inspire staff.

The Little Details and Minor Problems

The smaller the details and the small problems can bog down the most focused business leader. These are the perfect examples of everyday tasks to delegate to someone who can slay them. Pass the minute tasks and obstacles to the best person and move ahead.

Start Networking

Entrepreneurs and small business owners can take advantage of social events, even when schedules are tight. Social media platforms and online networking meetings are great places to join and lead discussions about the topic of the moment.  Weigh in, join the chat, post relevant content and share news and information about the industry when possible.

Break Away and Get Out

US Media Studios knows that Americans are the hardest working people in the world. We hardly ever take breaks during the work day, and some even leave paid time off on the table at the end of the year. Set the example for staff that it’s okay to get up, go outside, take a walk and breathe. Let it be known that taking a breather is acceptable. Encourage employees to use their paid time off and enjoy life, family, and nature.

The smart entrepreneur is a business leader that his or her employees respects and admires, not just for the direction they provide every day. Good leaders encourage a healthy work-life balance.

(image:juicingforhealth)

US Media Studios Eyes the Top Five Cities for Small Business Success

Where are the top five cities in the US for small business success?  We were surprised by the results of small business loan company Biz2Credit’s recent report – but in a positive way.

US Media Studios recently read a report which listed the top cities for small business success. Surprisingly, San Jose, California was ranked first. This Silicon Valley city pulls some of the highest rents and highest salaries in the nation. It has a strong tech start-up community and strong support for it. It also as a steady venture capital community, a better real estate industry, and lower gas prices than previous years. All of these push it into the top spot.

Following San Jose are:

2. New York – high construction and rental prices kept New York from earning the top spot.

3. San Francisco–Oakland, CA – This area is very strong in the tech-driven world. Small companies in operation have been open longer than other cities.

4. Miami-Fort Lauderdale – Average cost to rent space, pathway to Latin America, booming construction, and a very strong tourist industry make this area strong for small business success.

5. Los Angeles – LA is home to many growing businesses in a variety of fields and industries. It also has a wealth of capital resources such as accelerators and angel investors.

Small businesses around the country keep America strong, and foster our spirit of independence. They offer the innovative products and services. They hire locally and keep local economies strong. Visit the small businesses in your city today. They have more to offer than name brand chains.

Downtown San Jose, CA

US Media Studios Reviews Steps for Entrepreneurial Success

America is chock full of entrepreneurs. The ones who are most successful have and utilize these basic steps for success. US Media Studios reviews the best ones.

Focus, and in particular, business focus. Those who succeed in their new venture keep profit in their horizon. Short-term and long-term profit projections are better off written down so they are constantly in the forefront.

The new business owner is a creative thinker. New ideas are always forming and coming to fruition. These fresh thoughts can make a product better or create a new one. But there is no lack in the innovative process of the successful entrepreneur.

There is no doubt that confidence plays an important part in success. The most likely to succeed entrepreneurs are not arrogant, but confident in themselves, their skills and experience. These winners also know people, how they think, feel and react to products and services.

US Media Studios knows that the entrepreneurs who stay in business longer knows how to delegate the smaller more time-consuming, every day business tasks. Smart new business owners who keep their shops open longer than others focus on the important details and leave the more mundane to trusted staff.

It can be a tough business world for the today’s entrepreneurs. Success is not only measured by profit, but also by stamina, knowledge, confidence and always keeping the big picture clearly in mind. Master your new venture like a pro and succeed.

image:pixabay

US Media Studios Relays Tips to Relieve Stress

Stress wreaks havoc every part of the body no matter what our lives our like every day. US Media Studios relays some helpful tips to relieve it – no matter where you are.

Stress raises blood pressure and the heart rate, makes us feel lightheaded, angry and frustrated. We break pencils and pens. Or we can find a less dramatic way to relieve stress both at work and home. Eighty percent of workers feel some stress in their jobs. Business owners feel it too, as do entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Step away from the desk at work and go outside. A fifteen walk relieves the mind of aggravating thoughts, loosens stiff joints and eases muscles aches. Take advantage of the sunshine.

Take time to write down what is causing the stress. Think about the answer to it and write that down. The mental process of working out a problem can be therapeutic.

Get some exercise. This is not the same as taking a relaxing walk. If going to a gym or health club is the norm, focus on the equipment and the steps to complete one round. Exercise rebuilds the cells in the mind because stress erodes them. US Media Studios encourages readers to work it out.

Stress at work and at home can create problems and not just with the body. It causes people to be snappy and can hurt relationships. Find the best way to relieve stress and then do it. 

(image:blog.etouches)

US Media Studios Explores Small Business Security Strategies

Small businesses can have security issues the same as large businesses. US Media Studios explores the best security strategies.

Small businesses are a hacker’s sweet spot. It’s easy to infiltrate servers as there are not many of them and they are not tied up in heavy security. Breaking a code can be easy. A recent survey found that in the last year, 97 percent of smaller companies neglected to prioritize online security. Failing to do so sets the business up for trouble.

The best security strategies are those that prevent several different types of possible breaches. Some of the most common are: malware attacks, DDoS stoppages, phishing and password hacks. US Media Studios suggests hiring an IT security consultant to find and implement the most useful and effective tools for the prevention of security breaches. Something as small as not having a secure server, or the standard secure server image on business-related websites can wreak havoc on the most earnest entrepreneur.

If the company is small enough, a good anti-virus/malware/firewall software package can help block unwanted visitors with bad intentions. Always back up files and other data to another source, in case of a breach. Implement strong password protection policies and keep on top of them. Small business security strategies don’t have to be expensive or elaborate. But they have to be in place.

USM Studios on Negotiating Like a Pro

You either like to negotiate or not. Some are better at it then others. In almost every situation, it pays to barter and/or negotiate for something. USM Studios offer tips for negotiating like a pro.

Hopefully, these tips will help you get what you want whether it is a pay raise, a better deal on a new or used car, or for venture capital or other business goal.  

Write down all the points to discuss in the negotiation on paper and keep it in front of you. It looks professional and let’s the other party know you did your homework.

Know who you are negotiating with. Do some background research on the person before joining them at the conference table. This will give you a chance to know if the negotiation will be hard or easy.

USM Studios reminds you to know your worth, and back it up. Print reference points from the Internet and keep them handy. Professionally and politely relay your points and why you are asking for what you want.

Finally, be nice. No one likes to work with an arrogant or aggressive person. Go get what you want and deserve. Life is too short to be disgruntled that you might be getting less than what you want, need or deserve. The old adage of “if you don’t ask, you won’t know” holds true for everyone. 

USM Studios Reviews the Top Five States to Launch a Business

There are many cities and states in the US which are good for starting a business.  What sets one state apart from another is how supportive it is to new business owners. USM Studios reviews the top five states to launch a business.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners need more than just funding to launch their endeavor. Local and state laws can be complex and solid training is needed to fully comprehend how to work with them.  Tax codes can also be confounding if one. When states step up to help people understand what they need to know and do when operating a business, it benefits the new business owner, their company or organization, their customers, clients and vendors. USM Studios takes a look at the top five states, as rated by Thumbtack, a professional marketplace:

• Texas – Most friendly place to open a business. Lots of opportunity for new endeavors.
• New Hampshire – One of the easiest states to launch a business, but has some tough environmental laws.
• Utah – Zoning regulations are easier to grasp and follow in this state.
• Louisiana – Employment, hiring and labor laws allow for ease of getting staff in place.
• Colorado – Another friendly state for the prospective business owner to consider.

Entrepreneurs who wish to launch a business in their respective state should take their time and peruse all local and state regulations before opening the doors.  Find the local small business administration office in the area and take advantage of what it offers. Consult with other small business owners at networking events. The more you know, the more success you might have.

US Media Studios on Why Continuing Education Benefits Entrepreneurs

Business owners can set a good example for employees by taking continuing education classes. The benefits of gaining more knowledge, experience and skills can be endless. 

US Media Studios explains how.

There is no set rule that states continuing education has to cost a cent or be taken in a traditional classroom.  Today, there are more online free courses offered from a variety of schools which cater to entrepreneurs, business owners and everyone else.

Small business owners might want to research which online education courses are best for their line of work. Several online educational sites offer a plethora of free classes on topics such as data management, marketing, innovation, and more.  Other niche courses can be found by searching the specific industry or field.  Forums offer entrepreneurs and new business owners guidance and education in managing finances, optimization, digital marketing and human resource management.  Benefits derived from taking online classes: convenience, advancing skills and careers, expanding knowledge, gaining practical business knowledge, and more.

US Media Studios encourages readers who are thinking of starting their own business to find a few free online courses to sample.  Scan the choices for webinars, MOOC lists (Massive Open Online Courses),websites for small businesses, online magazines for entrepreneurs, etc.  The Internet is full of great options that are yours for the taking.  

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US Media Studios Reviews Different Types of Funding for Entrepreneurs

There several different ways entrepreneurs can go to secure funding for a new business venture. 

US Media Studios reviews a few of them.

Traditional banks are becoming harder to deal with for people who want to launch their own business. Fortunately, there are several good resources which might be better than a bank or other financial institution.

Online lenders are a new source of funding for prospective business owners. It takes less than an hour to complete the application, and an approval cane be forthcoming in a matter of days – not weeks or months—as is the case with brick-and-mortar banks.

Product presales are another way to secure funding. Entrepreneurs can sell some products before the actual launch in order to raise some cash to pay for needed expenses, such as more inventory. But note that there are some glitches to work out like timing with suppliers.

Angel investors are another way to go for funding. Typically, angel investors help with start up money, investing in the early years of the company. They generally expect a return on their investment of 20 to 25 percent.

USMedia Studios knows that finding funding is a challenge. But there is funding available. Be creative and find the cash flow needed outside the normal places.

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US Media Studios Reviews the Best Cities for Families in the US

Overland Park, Kansas

America is great, big, beautiful country and within it, there are great cities for families. US Media Studios reviews them.

From coast to coast and locations in between, where we choose to live depends on a few important factors: where are jobs are, the cost of living, safety, health and education. Below are the five top cities (of the top 10) in the United States for families as rated by WalletHub from criteria derived from several sources:

Overland Park, Kansas – Lots of family-friendly activities, good healthcare options, safe, education is better than average

Plano, Texas – Good education system and healthcare, plenty of family-friendly things to do, it is safer, clean and affordable.

Virginia Beach, Virginia – A beautiful coastal city on the East coast with slightly higher than average income from the rest of the state. It is also a clean and safe city with good schools and plenty to do.

Lincoln, Nebraska – A great, affordable city to live in with kids with good schools, healthcare and fun stuff to do as a family.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota – This city is not only beautiful, but it’s also quite affordable, US Media Studios learns. It ranks very well in childcare, safety, health and education. Plus, there is a plethora of exciting options for families.

No matter where we live in the United States, we can always find something good about it from the weather, close proximity to outdoor fun, or a host of other reasons.

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US Media Studios Reviews Data Security for Small Businesses

Don't keep passwords on note paper around your desk.

Data security is vital to the success of any company. But small businesses are especially at risk for breaches which can devastate them. US Media Studios reviews data security tips for small businesses.

A 2013 report from a respected Internet security found that more than thirty percent of attacks targeted in 2012 was at businesses with less than 250 employees. The average cost for one data breach is about $200 dollars per record. Small businesses are susceptible to security breaches and some shut down after one.

Here are some tips to keep data secure in a small business:

Regularly remind employees about Internet security in the workplace. Block social media sites which can distribute malware and viruses.  

Give passwords to only the employees who really need them. Ensure that the passwords are not kept on the computer in the hard drive, and are not written on notes and taped to computer monitors.

US Media Studios also suggests investing in secure conferencing software versus using an online open connection. The more data security features implemented, the safer the small business will be.

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US Media Studios with Strategies for Small Businesses

Small businesses want and need to grow in order to stay alive and survive. In order to do that, they’ll need strategies that are created just for them.

When an entrepreneur starts out, he or she may need just one laptop, a smart phone and a simple business plan. But as the business grows with inventory and revenue, the operational strategies must change. US Media Studios suggests researching what resources are available for the small business owner. Many times, the solutions for larger companies are not a good fit for the smaller ones. Marketing, for example, can mostly reach its target consumers via social media or email blasts. Other strategies to consider are hiring, technology needs, accounting and more.

Considering an e-commerce site? There are good resources available for less than what might be imagined. Entrepreneurs should consider getting any intellectual property trademarked.  US Media Studios also recommends find a tax professional to assist with any sales and use tax documentation. It is also important to choose the right e-commerce platform since there are many available. The best strategies are well thought out and fit the small business’s needs best.

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