Home Working

Time Management: The Key To A Better Work-Life Balance

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Home Working
notebook on a tablesurface with a black alarm clock next to it

Over the last few years businesses have worked tirelessly to stay afloat, and so it is no surprise that so many of us are now struggling to separate our work and home life. We often find it difficult to ‘switch off ‘and relax once getting home – and while our businesses may be growing, it comes at the cost of our personal well-being. While a work-life balance doesn’t literally have to be spilt 50/50, for both areas to thrive – harmony must exist between the two.

Your time away from work is integral to maintaining a productive routine and avoiding burnout. Whilst striking a balance can sometimes seem like an impossible task, it becomes much more accessible once improving your time management. Here are our top tips for achieving a better work life balance:

Establish your priorities

Often the most challenging task is determining what needs to be done first. Understanding your agenda and establishing a priority system for your tasks is crucial for maintaining harmony. A physical list of all your tasks can go a long way- helping to visualise and establish an appropriate approach. Divide your duties into categories such as ‘urgent’ and ‘less urgent’, and don’t be afraid to include non work-related tasks. It is important to be able to look at the bigger picture and prioritise, cut down or rule things out completely. Remember that no task is more important than your wellbeing. Pencil in some time for yourself!

Schedule and plan

Prioritising your tasks often goes hand in hand with planning and scheduling. It allows you to designate a time frame, thus making it easier to see how much time you’re spending and where. There are many business tools that can help you along the way. From online schedulers, digital diaries to time logs – there are plenty of resources that help improve your time efficiency and awareness. Look at your calendar and make sure you have enough leeway between each duty. Back-to-back tasks without a minute to spare are not practical and often end up creeping into overtime. Spread out your assignments and balance out the heavier workloads with some easier tasks in-between. This will help you complete your work duties to a higher standard while leaving enough time for you to wind down.

Know when to outsource/delegate

It may seem like powering through workloads and completing everything yourself is the way to go. However, there is always someone else out there who could do that task quicker and more efficiently – allowing you to get on with more pressing matters. Delegating and outsourcing is not only more time efficient but also ensures that everything is finished before the deadline, without increasing your working hours in the process. It is the perfect solution for every business owner struggling to find enough hours in the day and the most effective way of achieving that work-life balance.

Knowing your strengths and setting expectations

Before you begin working toward a goal, decide whether it’s something you can achieve now or whether there are additional preliminary steps you should take to become better prepared. Using micro-productivity may help – it works by dividing large parts of the task into smaller, easier pieces. Setting milestones as you complete parts of the task will give you the chance to evaluate and readjust if needed. Setting an end date/ deadline helps by giving you an extra push towards a goal. If you don’t complete the task by deadline, the timeframe might have been unrealistic – be wary of unexpected roadblocks. Making your tasks more manageable allows for more consistent work times and thus a more balanced routine.

If you’d like to find out more about time management or other tips for achieving a better work-life balance, we would love to help! We offer various back-office services, tailored to suit a range of business needs. Get in touch:

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

Are You Making These Social Media Mistakes?

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Home Working, Social Media
a hand holding an iphone with an open lockscreen displaying social media apps

In the last decade the numbers of social media profiles have skyrocketed beyond all expectations. Users of all ages and backgrounds are connecting across the world, as ‘liking’, ‘sharing’, and ‘tweeting’ has rapidly become everyone’s go to downtime. And so, it’s no wonder that social media is the place to be for every business. However, social media never came with a handbook. Sure, most of us know the basics but many users are continuing to make common mistakes that are affecting their reach, engagement, and branding. Join us, as we explore common social media mistakes your business should avoid!

Quantity over Quality – While you may think posting as much as possible is the way to go, it is the quality that makes the difference. If your profile is over encumbered with meaningless posts, it becomes harder for your audience to find the content that actually matters. Not only does it dominate people’s newsfeeds, but it also comes across as spammy which can lead to a loss of followers. Work to achieve a higher standard, choose regular but effective content that brings interactions and growth. This could be things like blogs, tips, polls, and testimonials – which are all popular choices among established business owners.

Lacking in video content – Video marketing has become widely used among successful brands, but many of us are still intimidated by the video format. While it requires extra time and attention it is by far the most effective when it comes to audience reach and platform algorithms. Top social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram are making calculated choices regarding the content shown to their platform users. They often prioritise video content and grant it a noticeably longer shelf life – giving it an edge over competing posts. Finally, video content is much more likely to be shared and to go ‘viral’ – it has higher audience retention and is often more accessible.

Not using a scheduling tool – Social media scheduling tools allow businesses to plan, visualise and keep their content consistent. Online schedule users can benefit from analytic technologies and helpful tools such as recommended posting times and engagement reports. They’re a fantastic way of staying consistent during busier periods and seeing the impact of your content.

Not targeting your audience – While Social media platforms have millions of users across the world, it’s important to cater towards your target audience first! This allows you to concentrate on the most suitable prospects and strategize your marketing. Businesses that don’t target their high-value audiences, tend to have much lower website traffic, a weaker referral base and fewer returning customers.

Not engaging with your audience – No one likes a one end conversation, which is exactly what a lack of customer engagement looks like! While you may have an established following and regular content, you need to utilise your business profile to its full potential. Get involved with your audience, comment, and reply to their queries. Engaging with your audience provides authenticity and validation – it shows that you’re listening to their needs. It can do a lot for a business, building lasting relationships and credibility. The most effective profiles are often the ones with an organic conversation between the business and its audience, eliminating that superficial feel.

We know most businesses don’t have a surplus of time to dedicate to social media, which is why MOMENTUM offers a wide range of services designed to suit you and your business needs. Focus on the development and growth of your business and let us do the rest! If you’d like to discuss our extremely cost-effective Social Media Management services or require any additional business support – please get in touch:

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

The Benefits Of Flexible Working

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Home Working
happy woman in a blue jacket sitting between two co-workers in an office

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Flexible working is without a doubt one of the most sought-after attributes of every worker. Over the last few years, businesses and staff alike have had to adapt and overcome countless obstacles, further increasing the rising demands for flexibility in the workplace, but what makes it so popular? There are many employment qualities that fall under the umbrella of flexible working. From job sharing and flexible hours to working from home, it provides options and malleable solutions, whilst allowing organisations to optimize their business management.

When exploring alternatives to the usual 9 to 5, many have already discovered an improved work-life balance and favourable outcomes. So here are the top 4 benefits of flexible working, as well as the prospective impact it has on your team, business growth and workforce:

Reduced costs

When it comes to business costs there are many factors that increase spending: office hire, travel, and recruitment to name a few. However, flexible working helps to combat many of these unnecessary outgoings by eliminating the root of the problem. While working from home has the obvious advantage of decreased travel costs; there are other hidden benefits from similarly flexible arrangements. Flexible working also benefits from improved employee retention – thus avoiding recruitment and training costs due to lower staff turnover, as well reducing the need for an expensive office hire thanks to home working and job sharing. 

Better For the planet

With transport being one of the most polluting sectors in the UK, cutting down on travel to and from work is a step in the right direction. Similarly, flexible working often mitigates the over usage of natural resources, decreases energy use, and promotes sustainability. Finally, recent statistics also show a lower paper usage, office supply purchases and general waste among organisations which implement flexible work.

Employee satisfaction

It comes as no surprise that happy employees are able to work harder and often to a higher quality, which is why they are such an invaluable factor of a successful business.  Flexible work arrangements showcase both mutual trust as well as an understanding of needs – which helps to achieve a healthier relationship and a stronger team. Long-term employee satisfaction is crucial for productivity, hitting targets and consistent results, which is why so many business owners have already opted for flexible and semi-flexible working arrangements.

Improved workplace diversity

The business world has come a long way in diversifying the workplace, providing equal opportunities, and striking a healthier balance, but there is still much to be improved. Flexible work options allow for the hiring of staff from various backgrounds and ages, as well as presenting options for individuals with health and mobility issues, consequently improving workplace diversity and inclusion. Lastly, statistics have shown that flexible work boosts the number of female employees; helping to improve the balance and making a much-needed change.

If you’d like to find out more about flexible working, have any questions or require any additional business support – we would love to help! Get in touch:

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

How To Effectively Boost Your Concentration

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Health & Wellbeing, Home Working
Young woman concentrating while sitting on a couch writting in a notebook and laptop

Most days we all have a lot on our minds. From daily responsibilities, work-life and the usual challenges scattered throughout our week – there just never seems to be enough time to focus on a singular thing at once! But with so much going on and so much to do, how do we stay focused? 

Studies show that the average duration of an adults sustained attention span is a maximum of 20 minutes, however there are many factors that influence your concentration and therefore many ways in which you can improve it (developing your analytical and listening skills along the way).  Here’s our top tips and tricks for boosting your concentration:

Sleep well

The bread and butter of all self-improvements is a good sleeping routine. While not everyone requires the exact same thing, a recognised rule of thumb is around 7-9 hours per night. Consistency is also important as developing a sleep routine helps regulate our ‘internal clock’ and makes waking up in the morning a whole lot easier. A well-rested brain is ready to receive, and most importantly, retain information.

Eat well

Focus and concentration is also directly affected by what fuels our bodies, therefore a balanced and enriched diet is key. The best concentration food is fresh, easy on the gut and rich in vitamins. Fruit and vegetables are fantastic at providing nutrients and antioxidants, while slow-release carbs such as legumes help to sustain your energy throughout the day, promoting improved alertness and cognitive skills.  

Prioritise

Plan ahead and figure out what is at the top of your priorities, then act accordingly. Since every attention span has its limits get the important stuff done first. By doing this you will direct your core energy into the activities that require it the most! 

Keep active

Maintain movement throughout the day and try to stay active. Daily exercise whether big or small helps our brain to focus and release endorphins, making those difficult tasks less strenuous and daunting. Make it fun by incorporating activities that don’t feel like exercise e.g., dancing and ice skating, or choose swimming and water exercises if you struggle with mobility/ joint pain. 

Take care of yourself

Remember that you come first, so make sure to take care of yourself. Practice self-care, do things that make you happy and don’t burn out. A happy mind is much better at staying focused.

Eliminate distractions

While there’s a time and place for concentration boosting apps and music, technology is the root of most distractions. Don’t fall into the trap of background tv or leaving your phone nearby; multitasking may seem tempting, but the results speak for themselves when the task at hand has your undivided attention.

Set realistic expectations 

Not every task is meant to be completed in one sitting, sometimes it can be better to come back with a clear mind. However, it is important to be realistic while still recognising achievements (even the small ones). Improve your focus and performance by taking regular but short breaks and come back refreshed and ready.

Exercise your brain dexterity

Finally, optimise your performance by refining your brain dexterity. Mentally stimulating activities such as reading, puzzles and crafts help to keep your brain active and ultimately improve your concentration, sustained attention and task outcomes.

If you’d like to find out more about improving your concentration or need support in carrying out any business tasks, we would love to help. Get in touch! E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

We’re Hiring!

MOMENTUM Business Support Admin, Home Working, PA
Blue vector graphic depicting three co-workers in an office space with a desktop computer

We are constantly growing and always looking for new individuals to join our expanding team. All our roles are flexible and diverse, please see our latest advert below:

Role: Admin, PA and Accounts Guru

Hours: Varied and flexible

Rate: To be discussed – Varies dependant on the client’s contract choice

Set up: Self-employed, working from home. A secure laptop and insurance will be required. Team support, training and systems’ access is provided.

Details: MOMENTUM is a small successful growing company, that works with clients all over the UK, supporting them and their businesses by providing remote back office services. There are currently 7 team members, and all of us work from home. Even prior to the pandemic we have always been a remotely based business. We have been running for almost 9 years and during this time have become expert communicators and collaborators using the many digital tools available to us. We provide Admin Support, Digital Marketing (inc. Social Media), Accounts, Credit Control, HR and many more services to small and medium sized businesses.

We are looking for a motivated, organised and customer focussed person to join our team to help provide our varied PA, Administration and Accounts services. The role will suit someone with proven strong administrative skills, who is resourceful, self-motivated and confident.

All aspects of the role will involve supporting numerous clients and demand an ability to quickly understand changes and new requirements. Flexibility is extremely important.

Whilst we all work remotely, we are a close team and communicate with each other constantly. We’ll provide support and training on our internal systems and processes and you’ll always have someone to help you or bounce ideas off of!

If you feel this is an ideal role for you, please send an email, with your CV and details, to Mikki at makeithappen@mbsmih.com