Month: July 2021

8 iPhone Functions That Will Change Your Work-Life Balance

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A hand holiding an Iphone displaying the homepage with various Apps

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The sun has finally come out to play and we all want to be spending more time outside with friends and family and enjoying the weather. But there’s a catch… How are you going to get those one or two ‘can’t be missed’ work items done without your laptop?

Have a read through the below need-to-know iPhone tools and functions, and make your way to striking a better work-life balance this Summer.

  1. Scan Documents To Your Notes
    Have a receipt, invoice, property plan or other important document you need to keep or share? Open a new or existing note, choose the camera option shown at the bottom of the note, select ‘Scan Documents’. 
  2. Screen Recording
    Looking to show someone how to find something on their phone, on the internet or want to record a meeting or video call? Add the Screen Record tool to your Control Centre (the options you get when you swipe down from the top right-hand side of your phone). Go to Settings, Control Centre, scroll down to find the Screen Recording option and press the green plus sign next to it.
    Why not have a play around with the rest of your Control Centre options whilst you’re there?
  3. Voice Memos
    Log some thoughts, record a conversation (with permission!) or capture a sound that you can later send to yourself (or anyone else) via email, message or WhatsApp.
    Use your phones search function if you’re not sure where it is within your Apps. You can access the search by swiping along to the farthest left-hand screen.
  4. Add New Words To Your Dictionary
    Do you have a company name that always gets auto-corrected? Or any other words that you use frequently that frustratingly always get changed when you’re typing messages? Go to your Settings, choose General, Keyboards, and the select the Text Replacement option. Add as many new words or phrases as you’d like your phone’s dictionary to recognise.
  5. Create Your Own Wifi
    It’s not always easy to get a good WiFi connection when you’re out and about with your laptop. Use your phones Hotspot function to create a WiFi connection that uses your phone’s data. Go to Settings, Personal Hotspot, and then create a password and switch it ‘on’.
  6. Sign Documents
    Don’t wait in and miss spending time with friends or family. If your email is set up on the iPhone Mail App, when you view an attachment, you can select the ‘markup’ option on the top right-hand side. From the options that then display at the bottom of your screen, hit the plus (+) sign. Choose ‘Signature’ and away you go!
  7. Secret Back Space Feature On Your Calculator
    Do you ever perform a long calculation on your iPhone and then get a digit wrong and have to start all over again? Avoid the frustration with this useful function: Next to the numbers you have typed in the calculator panel swipe left or right to delete the last digit.
  8. Control What Face ID Unlocks
    If you need to be extra security conscious, you can customise what the Face ID function allows to be unlocked. Go to your Settings, choose Face ID & Passcode (it will ask you to enter your passcode for security) and then you can decide what you want to access using that feature.

Do you know any other great hidden functions? Maybe you have an Android phone and can reveal similar ideas? Share them with us via our socials (@mbsmih) and we’ll keep this blog updated with your suggestions!

make it happen..   E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

Keep Your Business Moving Forward During The Summer

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support
Woman sitting on a blanket on the grass while reading a book and using a laptop

Depending on what type of business you run, as we head in to Summer, you may be facing a slowdown of business and a quieter period. This got us thinking what you could do during this time, to help move your business forward ready for when it’s back to business as usual!

Search For Summer Themed Networking 

During the summer months, there are usually lots of summer social style networking events going on, including BBQs for example. Why not do some research and book to attend some? This will help increase your network, potential clients and maybe lead to some new opportunities too!

Plan New Products Or Services

Use the Summer slowdown as a chance to review your current offerings and plan new products or services to introduce later in the year. It’s important to do this when you’re less busy, so you have lots of time to think, plan and goal set! 

Add Value For Your Clients 

Have a think about any areas you could add more value to your clients. Whether that’s providing a useful, regular report for them to show insight into your work for them, or updating your ways of contact so it’s easier for them to get in touch, set time aside to review your current processes. 

Organise Training

The Summer is a good time to refresh on training or a time to learn something new, as well as running team building exercises with your staff, so be sure to make the most out of this time!

As small business owners, few of us have the luxury of big teams or experienced peers to talk to, and it can feel quite lonely at times. It’s hard making all the decisions, working through new ideas, implementing changes, staying compliant – the list goes on… wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to talk to about it all!

Book an ‘Open Door’ Chat with our Director, Mikki Harris this Summer to see how we can help you move forward.

Be Your Most Productive Self At Work This Summer!

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Someone using a laptop at a table while sitting next to a small dog

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It’s July, which believe it or not… means Summer is here in the UK! We’ve had a few lovely spells of warm weather recently and more are upon us – which can mean a drop in productivity levels whilst at work. 

Here’s some of our advice to be your most productive self at work this Summer!

Do Your Most Important Work Early

Aim to tackle the most important items on your to-do list when your energy levels are high, first thing in the morning when you start work. As the day goes on, your dreams of being at the beach or in a swimming pool may make you less productive – meaning your more important tasks may be left unfinished or delayed.

Take Lunch Breaks – And Switch Them Up! 

Make sure you give yourself a lunch hour to break up your day and restore your motivation for the afternoon! Why not try having something different to look forward to each day when you take your lunch break? This can really help revitalise your mood. You could try reading a book outside on Monday’s, going for a stroll to the park on Tuesday’s… and so on! 

Work Or Take Meetings Outside

Getting outside for meetings or to work from not only provides fresh air, it also provides fresh context. So if your job role allows you to do so, make the most out of working outdoors during the summer months. A change in scenery can get your creativity juices flowing and reset your mind. If you can’t do this, at least make sure you get outside during your lunch breaks, as above.

Keep Hydrated

When you’re dehydrated, you lose a large amount of water from your body, resulting in feelings of tiredness or and light-headedness to name a few. Factor that in with the added heat during summertime, you’re not going to feel your best! Always keep a bottle of water by your side and re-fill throughout the day to ensure you’re keeping hydrated.

Enjoy your summer and remember to take time for yourself! What are your Summer productivity tips? Let us know by giving us a tweet @mbsmih.

Eco-Conscious Product Swaps For Your Business

MOMENTUM Business Support Carbon Footprint, Environmentally Friendly
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Are you aware of your businesses eco-footprint? 

With a huge, growing range of sustainable products on offer out there, there’s never been a better time to review the products that you use day to day and think about what you could swap out for a greener alternative. 

Here’s some of our eco-conscious product swap ideas to get you started!


Printing

Printer ink and toner cartridges can be hugely expensive and wasteful. Many brands now offer sustainable options by creating their cartridges from recycled materials, with some even offering re-fillable options designed to last much longer. Be sure to do some research – you might be surprised with what you can find!

Computers

If you’re looking to save more energy when it comes to your computers, you can opt for a computer monitor with Energy Star Certification, which uses mercury-free, clean LED technology to keep energy use low. 


Pens

You may not currently pay much attention to the type of pens you buy for your office notes – but more and more varieties are now becoming available that have been made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles for example. When you next need to re-stock your pen pot, do your bit and make a small swap!


Mailing

With lots of us online shopping now, this has meant even more products are being picked, packed and shipped across the world every single day. By opting for recycled boxes and tapes, businesses can take one step closer to becoming more eco-conscious.


Small steps make a big difference – so making a few product swaps is a great way to start making your business greener! Let us know what Eco swaps you make in your business.

Catch up on some of our other Eco Updates here:

7 ECO-FRIENDLY BUSINESS TIPS

YOUR VERY OWN ECO-WARRIORS