When Working from Home Isn't Working for You: Tips for Making the Most of Your Space

Are you still working from home due to COVID concerns in the workplace? One major change we've seen in society since the beginning of this pandemic is the shift in employer mentality regarding remote workers and what they can do for business. More and more business owners are realizing that many, if not all, of their employees and staff can efficiently perform their job responsibilities from home, without the overhead of renting office space, paying for utilities and office supplies, etc. If you're one of these employees, working from home probably seemed grand for the first few weeks. 

Until, it wasn't. 

If you weren't prepared for, or accustomed to, working from home, it's a big change, and it isn't always easy. Many people don't have a home office set up as a regular part of their layout. If you have children, your work days might be more than a little chaotic as you balance conference calls, reports, and dealing with clients while shielding your computer from PB&J sandwiches and a game of football toss. Even if you don't have kids at home during the work day, simply not having a space to designate for work can be draining. You feel like work never actually ends, as your kitchen table is now your desk and workspace as well. 

The best solution would be to add on an office or two, right? As much as we support that decision, it's just not a likely option for many families. While not everyone can add on or designate an entire room to be an office, there are ways you can make an in-home workspace possible without spending a fortune on materials or furniture. Where should you start? 

• Spare rooms. Do you have a guest room that is currently empty? What about a walk-in closet that doesn't get much use? Look for any spare areas in your home that could be "loaned out" as an office for you. Small, modular desk systems are easy to customize for small spaces, so you could fit a corner workspace into that guest room, or turn that closet into your own office hideout. Thinking creatively is the best way to start.

• Getting creative with furniture. If you don't have a spare room, putting a new spin on pieces of furniture is another great option. Look for a hutch or writing desk system that closes up. Placing something like this in a dining room, kitchen area, or even bedroom allows you a place to store work computers, materials, and more, but doesn't leave it strewn about at the end of the day. You can closet the doors or lid, and visually "end" your work day. 

• Collaborate and share the load. Do you have local friends or nearby neighbors also working from home? Perhaps you could coordinate to take shifts, letting your home be the "hangout" for everyone's kids for a few hours each morning, and then trading off in the afternoon. That allows each household to have a window of quiet, uninterrupted time each day to take care of conference calls, client consultations, and other tasks that are nearly impossible in a busy, noisy home. 

• Check on your timing. If balancing kids and work is a struggle with your limited space. consider your schedule. Is there a way you could pack in more work hours early in the morning before your kids are awake and rolling? Could you create a designated "quiet" time that serves as a power hour for your job? Coming together as a family and working as a team where everyone is heard is the best way to make working from home go more smoothly. 

Newton Peach Marketing works with some of the best business owners in the greater Polk County area, and we've seen them admirably rise to the occasion during the COVID crisis of this past year. They have altered schedules, worked around their employees' needs, and shown, once again, what a WONDERFUL place Winter Haven can be. We are excited to see them continuing to grow and thrive in spite of all the unexpected events of this year, and are thankful to be part of that growth. Is your business blossoming in the midst of 2020? If not, Newton Peach Marketing would love to come alongside you and help you formulate a plan to get your name in front of the customers and clients who need to see it most. Our goal is to help you meet YOUR goals. Call for a consultation! 

New Year, New Plan: Top 3 Resolutions for Marketing YOUR Business in 2019

We are officially through the first week of 2019, and with a new year come new resolutions for a better “us." Health and wellness goals, a better self-care regimen, or even something as simple as finally tackling that unorganized closet in your bedroom of stuck on Post-Its, written in planners, or otherwise noted to remind you of what you’d like to accomplish throughout this coming year. As a business owner though, have you thought about how those resolutions could pertain to your company? 

Having specific goals and annual aspirations for your business are a huge part of not only keeping vision within your staff, but are also key to growing your business in the long term. We’ve all heard the saying “if your business isn’t growing, it’s dying”, which is why setting quantifiable and attainable goals for your business is a great way to kick off each new year. 

Not sure where to start? How about these: 

1.    Improve your marketing strategy. Perhaps you’re doing absolutely nothing to market your business currently, or maybe you have a budget that allows for multiple marketing platforms, but whatever you are (or aren’t) doing, we can guarantee there’s a way for you to improve upon it. Ideas can include upgrading your website, investing in social media content and engagement, participating in community events, or even purchasing fresh business cards for 2019. Basically, take what you’re already doing, and try to choose at least 3 additional things you could do to reach more people on behalf of your brand. Already have a website? Try a quarterly email newsletter to go along with it! Updating your Facebook page monthly? Weekly is best, and adding Twitter, Instagram, or even LinkedIn to the mix is even better. Just make it a goal to do something to improve your marketing strategy this year. 

2.    Do a website review. Your website is the face of your business in the online world, and a poorly done one will leave a bad impression of your business and will lead to losing customers over time. Take time this new year to look closely at your existing website, and note changes that could make it more user-friendly, visually appealing, and streamlined. For even more perspective, ask friends and family to offer feedback as well with fresh eyes and new ideas. 

3.    Implement a customer feedback policy. No one knows how to improve your business, or how to encourage you with what you’re doing right, than your own customers. Implementing a customer feedback policy this year will give you valuable insight to what customers are happy with, what they’d like more of, and which things weren’t their favorite. Feedback can be done by way of reviews through pages such as Facebook or Google Business, they can be done through email newsletters, through your website, or even in person with a pen and paper system if you prefer. Just giving your customers the opportunity to give their opinion on the products and services you offer makes them feel like they matter, and that will keep them coming back for more. 

If the ideas above seem great, but overwhelm you, we have a secret…

You can meet your resolutions without having to do any of these things yourself. 

Surprised? It’s simple! Newton Peach Marketing provides all of these services and more to clients throughout the Winter Haven area and beyond. We are happy to serve clients from long-distance, without sacrificing customized and personal service and regular communication. Local clients trust us to manage all of their business marketing needs, because OUR resolution is to see your business be the best it can be in 2019. Give us a call and see how we can help you grow! 

Run Your Business, Sustain Your Health: Celebrating National Fruits and Veggies Month!

June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month, and for those that spend a lot of time in the great outdoors with personal farms or gardens, or who have a highly flexible schedule allowing them to eat healthy and do continual shopping and meal prep, it's easy to celebrate this "holiday.” However, for business owners with busy schedules and a mile-long to-do list, making healthy eating a priority isn't easy. Too often, we are forced to turn to convenience foods (or run through the drive-thru) to give us energy throughout the day between meetings, business errands, and trying to maintain life outside of work, but unfortunately, this will negatively affect your energy levels over time, and is terrible for your blood pressure, cholesterol, sodium levels, and more. So, what can you do to get those daily doses of fruits and veggies in, while keeping up with your busy lifestyle? 

• Plan ahead. By looking ahead and your week and having a plan for your meals, you're more likely to incorporate healthy options than "eating on the fly" and picking up food last minute...or cleaning out your fridge by dining on leftover Chinese takeout. There are lots of ways to incorporate healthy eating into your weekly routine by having a meal plan. For example, there are lots of ideas online about prepping various salads for the week, and then you simply throw the jar into your lunch bag along with the dressing, grab a bottled water, and you're set to go! This can even be mixed up and eaten while out and about between client consultations and picking up kids from soccer camp! Another idea is to plan out healthy dinners during the week, and cook enough for leftovers for your lunch the next day. Not only does this help your whole family practice healthier eating, but by having your lunch packed and ready to go the night prior, you'll save time in the mornings without sacrificing health. 
• Make sure your meals (and snacks) pack a punch. Need a breakfast on the go? Instead of reaching for a bagel or a granola bar, why not plan for 10 extra minutes of prep and whip up a smoothie? Smoothies are a wonderful way to get in several servings of fresh fruits (and veggies if you add spinach, carrots, or other mildly flavored options in!) without having to take time to sit down and eat a large breakfast. You can whiz up a smoothie in the blender, throw it in a transportable cup with a straw, and you have a healthy breakfast to sustain you throughout your morning commute. Keep the same thing in mind for lunches and snacks throughout the day. Reach for fresh options like carrot sticks instead of potato chips alongside your sandwich, or an apple instead of a cookie when the afternoon slump rolls around. 
• Shop local! Yes, we know fresh produce, especially if it's organic, can be a bit pricey in the grocery store when compared to convenience options. That's why we encourage you to shop local. Right here in our own county, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, and surrounding communities have weekly, or bi-weekly, farmers markets and street fairs during the summer where local gardeners put out their produce for purchase. You know you are getting fresh, top-quality fruits and vegetables, and you're supporting a neighbor and fellow business owner. It's a win-win. Plus, by buying fruits and veggies that are in season, you know they'll taste better, and likely have a higher nutrient content. 

By maintaining healthy eating habits this summer, your body will thrive and you'll see your energy increase and your strength improve. In the same way, Newton Peach Marketing is ready to help you maintain healthy business strategies to increase your client base and grow your brand! Through a customized blend of social media engagement and content creation, blogging, local advertisement, and more, we target a specific audience for your company, to keep you growing and expanding within the community and beyond. 

Happy June! Stay healthy and happy!