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Appointment Deals Your Business Should Consider

By Jon Bradshaw | Appointment | No Comments

Every business, even appointment-based businesses, runs a deal at some point to bring in new customers and to give back to their loyal following. Special events renew interest in your brand and can tip the scales in your favor when customers are on the fence.

Appointment-based businesses will approach deals differently than other industries. While promotions will have to be implemented in different ways, they can still be just as effective at building your customer base and giving revenue a short-term boost. Here are some ideas you can use for your next appointment deal:

Online Booking Promotions

If you’re trying to move toward online appointment booking software, run a promotion that rewards the first customers to adopt it. Even if you explain all the benefits of online appointment booking, you’ll have some customers who don’t like change and will be hesitant to make the switch. Offer them extra reward points, discounts, and flexibility during the first weeks of implementing the new software, and they’ll be more willing to jump on board.

The real benefits will be enjoyed by your business. Online appointment booking is faster and more reliable than traditional booking. You can easily keep track of appointments, quickly make adjustments, and conveniently access customer information. Your customers can book appointments whenever they please and can even prepay online.

Loyalty Punch Card

When extending deals to your customers, your primary goal should be to incentivize them to return as often as possible. While new faces are great, it costs five times as much to acquire customers as it does to keep them around. For that reason, many businesses across a variety of industries provide loyalty punch cards to their current fans.

The concept of a punch card is simple. Each time a customer leaves an appointment, they get a punch or a mark on their card indicating they’ve completed a visit. After a certain number of appointments — 10 is typically the magic number — they qualify for a reward. This could be a free appointment or any other incentive that would get customers to pursue the end goal. After their punch card is used up, they can start a new cycle.

First-Time Bonus

Just because getting new customers is more expensive than retaining existing ones doesn’t mean you should stop trying. A healthy business continues to gain new customers as others fade away and need to be replaced. To incentivize new customers to commit to their first appointment, offer them a small bonus.

A first-time appointment bonus should be big enough that it lures in new customers, but not so large that it devalues future appointments they would potentially book. A $10 cut in price or a free additional service will work just fine. A free service — an eyebrow wax with a haircut, say — will also give new customers a taste of what they can enjoy at future appointments. This will act as another incentive to get them to return.

Bulk Discounts

Another technique to keep customers coming back again and again is to offer a discount for bookings made in bulk. Let’s say you run a chiropractic office, and a regular adjustment costs $60. Over the course of 10 appointments, the bill would run to $600. With a bulk discount, customers can pay for all 10 appointments up front, lowering their total cost by a set amount. A 10% bulk discount, for example, would result in a cost of only $540.

This program benefits your regular customers who were already prepared to pay the full fee for all their appointments. Additionally, it may sway some new customers in your direction as they weigh their options before committing to a business. The promise of a substantial discount on future services when compared to the competition will win over many.

You might be wondering whether this large of a discount will hack away at your revenue. After all, a 10% price reduction can add up over time, especially if multiple customers take advantage of it. What you need to consider is the fact that you’re filling up several appointments in advance. Appointments at a 10% discount still pay more than an empty appointment slot.

Referral Bonus

Referrals are a powerful asset for your business. A Neilsen study found that more than 80% of U.S. consumers actively seek recommendations before making a purchase. They’ll ask friends and family or poll their social media following to get insight on the brands and businesses those individuals prefer before making a decision for themselves.

With so many potential customers already looking for recommendations, your task is to get your current loyalists to bring those customers to you. A referral program will incentivize your fans to be more vocal about their decision to do business with you. They’ll talk with their friends and family and guide them to you, receiving a bonus for their efforts.

What should your customers receive for making referrals? For many, additional perks at their own appointments will be a welcome reward. Otherwise, gift cards, lottery tickets, and other prizes may do the trick. You can even hold a referral contest where the winner gets their next five appointments for free or dinner at the hot new restaurant in town.

Offering the right deals to your customers will help your business grow and flourish — it will also make your customers happy. Don’t be afraid to cycle through these types of deals every once in a while to keep things fresh. New deals and promotions will continue to pique interest in your company year-round.

14 Alternatives to Picking Up Your Phone

By Deanna Ritchie | Appointment | No Comments

When IBM unveiled the first smartphone, the Simon Personal Communicated and not the iPhone, in 1992, only 50,000 units were sold. Today, there are more phones than people on the planet. Back in the late 20th Century — we couldn’t wrap our heads around the potential of mobile phones.

Obviously, we use our phones to call and text others. We also communicate through email, direct messaging, video calls, or social media. They’re now our cameras as well. We also use them to shop, play games, watch videos, or listen to podcasts.

Moreover, we capture thoughts and ideas on digital notepads or apps like Evernote. Airplane, concert, or sporting event tickets are stored on them. They’ve also replaced the alarm clock and can aid us in our ongoing quest to be more productive.

In short? Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. But, at what cost?

Alternatives to Picking Up Your Phone

After reviewing data of 11,000 of its users, RescueTime found that, on average, they spent 3 hours and 15 minutes a day on their phones. Similar findings were found by eMarketer, who found that US adults spend 3 hours and 43 minutes on mobile devices.

However, both of these findings took place before the pandemic.

In India, for example, it’s been reported that smartphone usage has risen 25% to 6.9 hours daily! App Annie stated that during H1 2020, consumers spent 1.6 trillion hours on mobile. “The coronavirus has advanced mobile usage by 2 to 3 years — accelerating our transition to a mobile-first world,” said Lexi Sydow, Sr Market Insights Manager, App Annie.

So, if phone usage was a concern in a pre-COVID world, it’s only gotten worse. And, that can be a big problem.

The problem with being glued to your phone.

58 times. That’s how often we pick up our phones each day. And, that can set off a chain reaction.

For instance, a study by the University of California Irvine found that once you’ve been distracted, it takes about 23 minutes and 15 seconds to regain your focus. Additionally, experiments involving multitasking shows “that even brief mental blocks created by shifting between tasks can cost as much as 40 percent of someone’s productive time.”

But, wait. It gets worse.

Too much screen time also encourages a more sedentary lifestyle. As a result, this can lead to obesity, a higher risk of diabetes, and increased blood pressure or cholesterol.

Because they’re emitting blue light, electronics can disrupt the brain’s sleep cycle. In turn, a lack of sleep can cause you to make more mistakes, impair your decision-making, and put your health in jeopardy.

Also, being glued to your phone can lead to chronic neck and back pain. And, it can increase depression and anxiety. Of course, this has only exhilarated within the last year, thanks to the phenomenon known as doomscrolling.

Suffice to say, being glued to your smartphone damages your productivity and overall well-being. It’s also interfering with interpersonal relationships. The reason? You’re dividing your attention between what’s on your screen and the individual(s) you’re interacting with in person.

At the same time, phones are a necessary evil. So, what’s the answer to this quandary? Find ways to limit your smartphone usage. And, to help get you started, here are 14 alternatives to picking up your phone.

1. Have a conversation.

I’m talking about a real conversation. You know when you’re actually talking to someone and not through Facebook Messenger or Slack.

For example, maybe you see a colleague taking a coffee break and stop by and shoot the breeze with them. When you’re home, designate tech-free zones so that you can talk to your family members without being distracted by your phones.

What if no one else is around? Well, you could make a phone call rather than sending a text or email. The key is to give the person on the other end your undivided attention. Or, if you’re in public, have a friendly chat with a stranger.

Why’s this so important? Because this will strengthen your relationships with others. And, if you weren’t aware, embracing community helps us live longer and be happier.

2. Read a book or newspaper.

While it’s more convenient to read the news or books on your mobile devices, it’s just not the same. In fact, reading on paper can be incredibly beneficial to your health.

According to a 2016 study published in Social Science and Medicine, those who read on paper expanded their lifespan on average by 23 months. So, instead of reaching for your phone in the morning, grab a newspaper or a magazine that contains in-depth and fact-checked reporting. However, your favorite book should also suffice.

3. Make a plan for later.

Date night? A meeting with your time? Scheduling your priorities?

All of the above doesn’t magically happen. They involve some level of planning. So, instead of mindlessly scrolling through your social feeds, grab your notebook and jot down ideas for future plans.

You don’t have to get too in-depth. Just think creatively about what your family could do during a long weekend or how you’re going to spend your time at work. You could also list meal plan ideas or chores that need to get done around the house.

Once you have ideas generated, you can determine which ones to follow through with. And, you can then develop a plan of action to achieve them.

4. Go for a walk outside.

Personally, I cherish my daily walks. I usually go in the mid-afternoon when my energy is dipping. When I feel this way, I take my dog for a long walk without my phone.

For me, it’s a brief escape from the chaos around me. It also gives me time to clear my head and organize my thought. And, studies also show that make walking a part of your daily jaunt can:

Walking reduces stress, lifts your spirits, and increases your self-esteem.
You’ll lose weight — even if it’s just walking for 30-minutes.
It lowers blood pressure.
Walking improves your sleep and gives you a burst of energy.
You’ll have fewer snack cravings during and after.

5. Pick up a hobby.

Different types of hobbies provide various benefits.

For example, yoga or martial arts are good for you physically. Gardening, coloring, or cooking have mental and emotional health benefits. Playing an instrument can do wonders for you socially and interpersonally.

But, that’s not all. Activities like writing, making homemade items, or meditating can spark creativity and boost self-esteem.

So, carve out 20-40 minutes a day to work on your hobby. You’ll still have several hours left to get back to your phone.

6. Practice gratitude.

“In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness,” states Harvard Health Publishing. “Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” All of this can help you become more productive and motivate others.

How can you practice gratitude? Some suggestions include;

Write a thank-you letter
Keep a gratitude journal
Count your blessings
Thank someone mentally
Pray or meditate

7. Take a nap.

Obviously, you don’t want to fall asleep on the job. But, a quick 15-minute nap during the day restores alertness. Rather than spending your break glued to your phone, catch a catnip.

8. Move your body.

Just 11 minutes of exercise per day has been found to boot your lifespan. That’s welcome news considering that in a post-COVID world, we’re just experiencing prolong sitting. And, that’s damaging our productivity and overall health.

The next time you’re tempted to pick up your smartphone, do something that encourages physical activity. It could be as simple as standing and stretching to jumping jacks. You could also try office exercises, dancing like no one’s watching, or going for a run.

9. Do five minutes of deep breathing.

Breathing exercises are a simple and effective way to relax, reduce tension, and relieve stress. Best of all? They can be done anywhere at any time.

10. Organize and declutter.

Marie Kondo might disagree. But, a little bit of clutter isn’t always the end of the world. Some people even boost their creativity when surrounded by a little mess.

At the same time, too much clutter can be distracting. It also can make you feel more anxious or stressed. To avoid this, organize and declutter a small space at a time.

For instance, if you have 30-minutes to kill in-between virtual meetings and you’re well-prepared, out the phone down and clean out a junk draw. The next time you have a couple of spare minutes, organize a filing cabinet and so forth.

11. Play games.

Definitely not the games you have downloaded on your phone. I’m talking about physical brain games like sudoku or a crossword puzzle. I’m also a fan of chess or playing catch with my dog.

Playing certain games can get the blood flowing and put a smile on your face. But, these games can help exercise your brain. In turn, this may be able to improve your memory, speed up decision-making, and increase your concentration.

12. Sharpen your math skills.

Throughout my life, numbers have the power to make me cringe. However, I do realize that math is vital to everyday life. We need it to tell time, create a budget, cook/bake, or leave tips.

Besides — Math skills increase brain power, self-confidence, and hireability.

While there are YouTube videos and apps you can use, also try:

Use the “9 trick.” Do you need to add 9 to any number? First, add 10, and then simply subtract 1.
The “5 times” trick. To multiply any number by 5, multiply the number by 10 and then divide it in half first.
Do your multiplication in parts. If you want to multiply large numbers in your head, this can be a helpful strategy. Let’s say you want to find 3 x 89. Multiply 3 x 80 (240) and 3 x 9 (27). After that — add the two numbers and you’ll get 267.
Calculate square numbers easily. Want to find the square of 24, for instance? Dropdown 4 to the closest and easiest number, which is 20. Next, balance it by going up 4 to 28. “The first calculation needs to be 20 x 28. Start with 2 x 28 = 56, and then multiple by 10 to get 560,” adds NCC’s Nick Cooper. “Now you just need to add the square of the number you went up or down to get to the easy number, which in this case is 4. 4 x 4 = 16, and then 560 + 16 = 576. In summary – 24 x 24 can be done as such: (20 x 28) + (4 x 4) = 576.”

13. Embrace nostalgia.

Don’t just look at your Facebook albums. Pull out an actual photo album the next time you want to reminisce.

“Memories of the past can help to maintain current feelings of self-worth and can contribute to a brighter outlook on the future,” said Dr. Tim Wildschut, who leads a study on nostalgia. “Our findings do imply that nostalgia, by promoting optimism, could help individuals cope with psychological adversity.”

As a result, you’re more optimistic about the future.

14. Do nothing.

You may be thinking that you have too much to do to literally do nothing. Here’s the thing. There are plenty of opportunities to disconnect for a couple of minutes and let your mind wander.

Case in point, when you’re waiting in line at the grocery store. Since you aren’t doing anything else, you pull out your phone. Next thing you know, you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed with all the information you just consumed.

Instead, just stand there. Get bored or daydream. Even that brief timeout allows you to rest and connect new dots to form novel ideas.

Besides, being alone with your own thoughts can make you more empathetic, resilient, and productive.

How to stop looking at your phone?

For some of us, this may not be problematic. I know plenty of people who can go hours without looking at their phones. In fact, some of them — like my mom — are known to misplace their phones frequently.

That’s not the case for everyone, though. Checking your phone can be a behavioral addiction. And, that’s not by mistake, as many apps were modeled after slot machines.

The good news? It is possible to put some distance between you and your phone, such as;

Keeping your phone out of sight, like leaving it in another room or behind when walking. Start gradually in 15-minutes intervals and increase the time periods.
Stop using your smartphone as an alarm. If you want an alarm to ensure that you don’t oversleep, go with an old school alarm clock.
Set time limits. During a break, for example, only permit yourself 10-minutes of phone time.
Let technology help. Most smartphones and apps like RescueTime will monitor the time you spend on your phone. They can also block phone usage at specific times or if you’ve exceeded a certain time limit.
Establish tech-free zones like your bedroom or dining room.
Remove unnecessary and time-consuming apps, such as Facebook, from your phone — or at least your home screen.

What if you’re still struggling? Consider downgrading. If you went back to a flip phone, then what purpose would have to be on it as much?

What is Revenge Bedtime Procrastination?

By John Rampton | Time Management | No Comments

The other night I thought that as soon as my head hit the pillows, I would be out cold. I had one of those non-stop days. You know, getting ahead of work and attending to household responsibilities like laundry.

A peculiar thing happened. I laid there wide awake.

So, I decided to read a book to calm down. When I felt drowsy enough, I put the book down but continued to toss and turn. Frustrated, I grabbed my phone and turned on a podcast until I eventually fell asleep.

I was well aware that it was past my bedtime. I also knew that I was going to pay for not going to bed on time by dragging all day tomorrow. But, I just couldn’t help myself.

Of course, I’m not an anomaly. In fact, this such a prevalent problem that the phenomenon has its own name; it’s called “the revenge bedtime procrastination.”

What is revenge bedtime procrastination?

“Revenge bedtime procrastination is just a cry from overworked people, and they’re actually trying to put off bedtime just a little bit so they can reclaim something for themselves,” said Dr. Rajkumar Dasgupta, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles.

More directly, it’s sacrificing sleep so that you have more leisure time.

For example, if you’re exhausted and it’s 10 p.m., you might decide to watch a movie? The reason, you didn’t feel that you had much downtime during the day. So, you want to make up for that, relax, and enjoy a movie.

The problem? You’re breaking your normal sleep schedule by falling asleep until after midnight. And, you’re willing to accept the consequences — mainly that you’ll be a zombie tomorrow at work.

Another factor could be an unplanned circumstance. Maybe your favorite baseball team goes into extra innings causing you to it the hay later than planned. Or, you aren’t falling well or dealing with a restless child or dog.

Where did the term revenge bedtime procrastination originate from though? Well, bedtime procrastination first surfaced in a 2014 study out of the Netherlands. Appearing in Frontiers in Psychology, in 2018, the authors stated that those who tried to “resist desires” during the day were more likely to be a bedtime procrastinator.

The link between COVID and sleep.

Another cause is that the lines between work and life have become too intertwined. For instance, you’re responding to emails or Slack messages at all hours of the night instead of enjoying your leisure time. So, to recapture some much-needed “me time,” you stay up later.

For many, this has been the case following COVID-19. Many of us no longer had a clear separation between work and life since our homes became our workplaces. We were also more stressed and couldn’t stop ourselves from doomscrolling.

How bad has gotten? Well, since the pandemic started, 40% of people have reported sleeping problems.

What’s revenge got to do with it.

As the revenge part? That came about in 2016 when it took off on the internet in China. “Revenge bedtime procrastination” is the literal translation is “staying up late in a self-revenge way.”

The phrase finally went viral in English following a tweet by New York-based journalist Daphne K. Lee. She defined this as “a phenomenon in which people who don’t have much control over their daytime life refuse to sleep early in order to regain some sense of freedom during late night hours.”

The importance of sleep.

It might some harmless to occasionally stay past your normal bedtime. After all, at least you’re getting some amount of z’s, right?

Occasionally, this might be acceptable. However, it’s a myth that you can catch up on sleep. Moreover, bedtime procrastination can lead to sleep deprivation.

Why’s that concerning? Well, falling short on slumber doesn’t just make you so tired that you chug multiple pots of coffee. It can cause symptoms like;

Being more prone to accidents or making mistakes.
Degrades decision-making, thinking, and memory.
Difficulty concentrating.
Mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Irritability, which can impact your relationships.

What’s more, a lack of sleep can also cause physical health conditions like;

Heart disease
Diabetes
Obesity
Hormone-related problems
Weaker immune system
Chronic pain

As if that’s not bad enough, a lack of sleep can reduce self-regulation and impulse control. And, it also raises the odds of dying early.

In short, sleep deprivation negatively affects all facets of your life. As such, it needs to be a top priority.

Getting revenge on revenge bedtime procrastination.

Ideally, we all should be getting between 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. For adolescents and teenagers, it’s more. But, how can we win this fight against bedtime procrastination? Well, here are 6 recommendations.

1. Honor your sleep chronotype.

“According to sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus, there are four different chronotypes or circadian rhythm personalities,” writes Abby Miller in another Calendar article. “He suggests that you determine which one you are so that you can mirror the sleep-wake habits that best describe you.”

Bear. For most of us, our sleep-wake patterns follow the sun. As such, you’re “ready for intense tasks smack in the middle of the morning,” but feel a dip by mid-afternoon.
Lion. Lions are early risers. “These are the go-getters, the leaders, the type-A movers, and shakers.” The downside is that they usually have to go to bed earlier.
Wolf. Wolves are nocturnal loners. That means that they get a later start and have two peak periods — noon to 2 pm and late afternoon/early evening.
Dolphin. Since dolphins are light sleepers, they’re more likely to have irregular sleep routines. They’re also perfectionists and do their best work from mid-morning through early afternoon.

“To find out what your animal, track your time and take Dr. Breus’ sleep chronotype quiz,” she advises. “After that, re-organize your day so that you can align your sleep pattern and work schedule. For example, if you’re a lion, then you would want to tackle your most important work bright and early.”

2. Chillax in the evening.

As you should know, your morning routine can make or break your day. But, your evening routine is equally important. And, that should conclude with your bedtime ritual.

Preferably, this should take place around 30 to 60 minutes prior to bed. And, it should contain only activities that make you feel relaxed. Some suggestions would be;

Taking a warm bath or shower.
Meditating or doing light stretches.
Focusing on your breathing.
Listening to soothing music.
Reading a book.

3. Resist the blue light special.

Electronic devices, such as your phone or tablet, emit blue light. In case you weren’t aware, this reduces melatonin levels. Melatonin is the chemical that’s responsible for your wake/sleep schedule.

What’s that mean? When these levels dip, you’ll have more difficulty falling asleep.

Additionally, blue light can stimulate your brain. Which, as you might have guessed, makes sleep more of a challenge. And, if you keep your phone close, notifications that you receive at night can interrupt your sleep.

The solution? Avoid blue light at least an hour before bed. You should also stop using your phone as an alarm and place it across your room.

4. Keep your bedroom sacred.

Your bed needs to be reserved only for sleep and sex. Nothing else. What’s more, your bedroom should be cool, dark, and quiet.

Preferably, set your thermostat between 60°F and 67°F, invest in blackout curtains, and even earplugs. Also, don’t skimp on your pillows and mattress.

5. Release stress before bed.

If you’re putting off sleep because you’re worrying, then address these thoughts before laying down. For instance, you could jot down your worries so that they’re out of your head.

Other suggestions include;

Planning and organizing tomorrow by prioritizing your lists.
Journaling.
Meditating.
Purchasing a weighted blanket to reduce anxiety.

6. Use your online calendar.

What does your calendar have to do with hitting the hay? In a previous Calendar article, Angela Ruth argues that with your trusty calendar, you can add structure to help encourage a better night’s rest, such as;

Follow a consistent routine. “It’s easier to get sleep when you follow a routine,” writes Angela. “If you don’t make time in your schedule for rest, it may become sporadic. Adjust your rhythm gradually, or you could overcorrect — and oversleeping can leave you feeling groggy and unproductive.”
Take charge of naps. “When you nap, use your online calendar to hold yourself accountable,” she advises. “Make sure you’re not taking one too late in the day and set an alarm to ensure your power nap doesn’t turn into a snooze fest.”
Manage your eating and drinking. “Just as you shouldn’t be napping too late in the day, there are other things that should be reserved for earlier hours,” she adds. Examples would be avoiding caffeine later in the day or eating too late at night.
Add exercise to your day. Block out a regular time during the day for physical activity as this promotes sleep.
Kick bad habits. You know which vices I’m referring to. Smoking cigarettes, drinking, and eating junk food are all bad habits that you need to ditch. You can use your calendar to set goals and track your progress.
Keep things tidy. Set a recurring event to declutter and clean your bedroom to reduce stress. And, don’t forget to regularly wash your bedding.

If you’ve done all of the above and are still struggling with sleep, then make an appointment with your physician. The sooner you get to the root cause, the faster you can nip bad sleep habits from robbing you of another good night’s sleep.

The Best Amenities for Your Waiting Room

By Jon Bradshaw | Appointment | No Comments

Think about your most recent experience in a waiting room. What — if anything — did you enjoy about the atmosphere? What bothered you? Now think about the customers that come to your business waiting room. What are they thinking as they wait for their appointments?

Time spent in the waiting room is inevitable for appointment-based businesses. While you can do your best to cut down on wait times, you should still provide the best waiting experience possible. You can improve your own lobby by offering these valued amenities to your guests:

Free Wi-Fi

Even during a short wait before an appointment, your customers want to stay connected. Whether they use it to scroll through social media, play a mobile game, or finish up some work emails, your clients will be grateful for the Wi-Fi connection you provide.

When offering Wi-Fi to your customers, keep cybersecurity in mind. You’re better off extending a private connection that requires guests to sign in before use rather than a public server. A private connection is more secure than the public alternative, reducing the risk for any users. You can set this up via a customer portal where only regular customers can connect.

If you want to go the extra mile, include a workspace in your waiting room. This will be especially appreciated if your customer base largely consists of business professionals who could use the area to get some work down while waiting for their name to be called. Besides, everyone will be thankful for a place to charge their device while they wait.

Space for Children

Many a parent will enter your business with a child in tow. Whether the appointment is for the child or the parent simply can’t leave them home alone, having a special place for children will keep them entertained as they wait.

For children at a dentist or doctor’s office, a play area will help them relax and feel less anxious before their appointment. Parents will likewise be less stressed when their children are entertained and can get their wiggles out rather than struggle with boredom and confinement.

Keeping play areas clean is a top priority, especially while COVID-19 remains a concern. Opt for toys and games that can easily be cleaned, such as blocks and toy cars. Avoid anything that might be a choking hazard or could easily get lost.

Comfortable Seating

Even a short wait will feel like an eternity when you’re stuck in an uncomfortable chair. The most basic aspect of your waiting room is the seating arrangement, so it makes sense that comfortable chairs should be a high priority.

The type of seating you have available will also impact the attractiveness of your waiting room. A couch will be comfortable, but it will probably only appeal to family members who want to sit together. Strangers will feel more inclined to keep some distance between themselves in individual chairs, especially during the ongoing pandemic. A variety of seating options will cater to every guest.

A massage chair may also be a welcome addition to your waiting room. Not only will it make wait times more bearable, some customers might even wish for a more extended wait so they can enjoy the massage for just a little longer!

Check-In Kiosks

The more efficient you can make your appointment process, the better. Online appointment software will help speed things along before the actual appointment. Once customers arrive, you can cut wait times with self check-in kiosks in the waiting room.

For busy appointment-based businesses especially, self check-in prevents lines from forming and helps customers get checked in faster. Once customers check themselves in, the front desk is alerted, and appointments can be set in motion. This operations system also makes it easier to work around late arrivals by enabling staff to adjust the queue to keep things moving fluidly.

Refreshments

It’s hard to turn down a free cookie or bottle of water when the wait for an appointment makes you realize how empty your stomach is. Refreshments are welcomed by customers of all ages. They help hit the spot when being hungry or thirsty could otherwise make customers irritable before an appointment.

Many appointment-based businesses provide coffee to their customers. Think carefully before making this decision for your business. While a cup of coffee certainly helps a lot of folks in the morning, extra caffeine can work up already anxious customers. Considering your customers’ particular needs will help you decide whether caffeinated beverages are actually the best choice for your waiting room or not.

Reading Material

A staple of waiting rooms for years is an array of magazines sitting on a coffee table in the center of the lobby. And for good reason — a 10-minute wait provides the perfect amount of time to catch up on celebrity gossip or digest an opinion piece. A range of magazines on different topics will appeal to the variety of customers you get every day. If you choose to continue the magazine tradition, make sure the issues you provide are up-to-date and in good condition.

A shelf of books is another way to provide reading material. Books of different genres and sizes can be just as entertaining, and they never become outdated. If a customer gets sucked into a particular novel, let them borrow it. Your bookshelf can turn into a small lending library that will encourage customers to book a return appointment.

Reading material can replace a wall-mounted TV or be a separate option for waiting guests. The problem with a TV is that the channel may be tuned to something customers aren’t interested in — or may even object to. Plus, reading is a much more fruitful and relaxing activity to participate in.

Adding some of these amenities to your waiting room will keep customers happy even if their appointment needs to be pushed back. Between keeping public areas tidy and providing these comforts and conveniences, you’ll be sure to have a winning waiting room.

How Much Customer Information Does Your Business Actually Need?

By Jason Barnes | Business Tips | No Comments

The majority of companies handle a lot of data and sensitive information every day. Appointment-based businesses, in particular, regularly keep track of individually identifiable customer details. Keeping the personal information of your recurring customers safe and confidential is increasingly vital for maintaining a positive brand reputation.

You may not need to ask for every piece of information you’re currently collecting from customers. Unnecessary information contributes to database clutter and makes the information that much more susceptible to malicious attack. The first step toward keeping a firm grip on the integrity of your data is to collect only what you need in the first place.

Personal Details

Start with the basics. You’ll of course need a first and last name. Other than that, you may not need many specifics. You can ask for general demographic info if you’d like, which may help with future marketing efforts. While information such as age, gender, and ethnicity are useful, they aren’t often required unless you work in a medical field where the information is relevant.

Sometimes it can add a personal touch to gather some information even though it’s not required. Birthdays, for example, provide an opportunity for you to reach out. With that piece of information, you can send the client a personalized message with a unique offer just for them to enjoy.

To protect your customers from identity theft, make it clear what information you will be requesting and what you don’t need. Knowing this will protect them should a hacker posing as your business attempt to scam them. For example, make certain that your customers know not to give their Social Security number to anyone, even if they claim to be speaking on behalf of your company.

Contact Information

Being able to contact your customer when needed is extremely important for appointment-based businesses. For starters, sending appointment reminders cuts down irritating no-shows. In addition, appointment reminders enhance your customer service strategy, as the lack of a reminder can be frustrating to clients juggling busy schedules.

There will be situations where an appointment time needs to be changed. Being able to contact affected customers will prevent confusion and alert customers about an adjustment before it’s too late. Ask for either a phone number or an email address, depending on customer preference. Let the customer decide whether they want to be notified via phone call, text message, or email.

Appointment Specifics

The information you collect at this stage will depend in large part on the industry you’re in. For example, a doctor’s office will record symptoms, prescriptions, and diagnoses to patient files to provide the best care possible with each appointment. Hair salons will record information about haircuts and treatments to easily refer to past appointments. Appointment-based personal trainers will keep track of workout information and so forth.

This type of customer information enables you to provide a personalized experience to each individual. Given the nature of this information, you might need to create your own documents to store information where it can be easily — and securely — accessed. Be sure to keep the notes section of your online appointment software or customer portals up-to-date with any necessary specifics.

Payment Information

If a customer makes payments at your store location, there’s no need to record payment information. They will have to authorize their payments each time and may want to switch cards on occasion, so saving payment information does you no good. Given that credit and debit card information is a primary target for hackers, you don’t want to store this information unless it is verifiably secure. Data that is not maintained on your servers can’t be breached.

Using online appointment software presents an interesting dilemma. Typically, a customer will continue to use the same payment method online since cash is clearly not an option. Online shopping is also more convenient when card info is saved to a local device. In this case, leave the option to the customer. Allow them to decide whether your system stores their payment information or not instead of collecting it by default.

Wherever you do store financial data, place the highest priority on keeping it safe. Look at options for encrypting data, make sure your website has a firewall in place, and choose storage options with state-of-the-art security. This way, even when your customers willingly provide their information, they can do business with you knowing their info is in good hands.

Referral Notes

What brought customers to your business in the first place? Did they see your billboard while driving by, or were they attracted to your business by social media? Collecting this information holds no value or sensitive details, so acquiring it poses little to no security threat. Knowing which marketing strategies are successfully bringing in business will also help you adjust your efforts to focus on the most effective ones.

Additionally, you’ll probably want to keep track of customer referrals if you have any sort of incentive programs in place. That way, you can make sure loyal customers who are bringing in friends and family are properly rewarded.

Customer Feedback

You can solicit any information you don’t collect from customer intake forms can through surveys and questionnaires. This is how you can get volunteer feedback either on-site or through online messaging. Examples of information you might want to pursue include:

Likelihood to refer the company to a friend
Customer service rating
User experience feedback for the website, mobile app, and online appointment software
Reason for not returning, if applicable

Knowing how your customer thinks and feels allows you to better cater to their needs. Without this information, your business can grow stale and out-of-date while customers move on to greener pastures.

As you seek to make improvements, you’ll want to refer often to the feedback you’ve been given. It’s easy to miss the mark if you focus on making changes based on the thoughts of employees and management. Prioritize customer experience first, then move on to making changes manageable for everyone else.

What data your business chooses to collect is ultimately your decision to make. Just be sure to start out only asking for what is absolutely necessary. You can always open up the information funnel later on.

Spend the extra time and care to protect your customers by being sensitive to their privacy and security concerns. Customers enjoy getting birthday coupons, sure, but that bit of company goodwill will go up in smoke if you’re responsible for exposing them to a serious data breach.

132 April Holidays and Observances

By Deanna Ritchie | Appointment | No Comments

For many of us, it was a long and dark pandemic-riddled winter. But, it appears that we’re almost through it. The days are warmer and longer. The sun is shining more brightly. And, hopefully, the worst of COVID is in the rearview mirror.

“Our spring has come at last with the soft laughter of April suns and shadow of April showers. — Byron Caldwell Smith

Yes. There are a lot of reasons to welcome the fourth month of the year mensis Aprilis. But, we can also add the celebration of many holidays and observances to that list as well. Here is a list of 132 April Holidays and observances.

April 1

April Fool’s Day: “Some historians speculate that April Fools’ Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563,” states History.com. “In the Julian Calendar, as in the Hindu calendar, the new year began with the spring equinox around April 1.”
Edible Book Day: Here’s an unusual holiday created in 2000 by Judith A. Hoffberg and Béatrice Coron to honor French gastronome Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. The famous chef was known for his book Physiologie du goût.
International Fun at Work Day: Some might scuff at this. But, having fun in the workplace makes employees healthier, happier, and more creative. It also encourages collaboration and communication.
Major League Baseball Opening Day: Founded in 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings were baseball’s first openly all-professional team
National Burrito Day: It’s believed that the burrito originated in Northern Mexico to be a hearty and portable lunch. I plan on spending the day trying as many of these burrito recipes from Delish as possible.

April 2

Children’s Book Day: “Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, 2 April, International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books,” explains the International Board on Books For Young People.
Good Friday: Why is Good Friday called Good Friday? “The answer seems pretty clearly to be that it’s from good ‘holy,’ ” responded Jesse Sheidlower, the president of the American Dialect Society told Slate.
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day: Legend has it that the first PB&J recipe was written by Julia David Chandler. It appeared in The Boston Cooking-School Magazine of Culinary Science & Domestic Economics back in 1901.
Walk to Work Day: Initiated by Prevention in 2004, this holiday is obvious. It highlights the mental and physical health benefits of walking. It’s also good for the plant!
World Autism Awareness Day: In the U.S. alone, autism affects 1 in 54 children. Today is the day to recognize these individuals, as well as the people who love and support them.

April 3

Don’t Go to Work Unless it’s Fun Day: I already covered the benefits of having fun in the workplace. So, if you aren’t having fun at work, take a personal day or work-from-home.
Find a Rainbow Day: Go outside and find a rainbow. If you can’t, watch the Yosemitebear Mountain Double Rainbow video. It will instantly put you in a better mood.
National Play Outside Day: Use this as an excuse to no spend more time outside. And, also reconnect with your inner child. It’s good for your mind, body, and soul.
Tweed Day: Is this day celebrating the corrupt politician William “Boss” Tweed, who was born on April 3, 1823? Or, is it honoring the fabric that originated in Scotland? No one is really sure. But, you can’t go wrong with wearing a tweed hat while reading “Boss Tweed’s New York” by Seymour J. Mandelbaum.
World Party Day: Inspired by the novel “Flight: A Quantum Fiction Novel” by Vanna Bonta, throw a party either by yourself, virtually, or with your vaccinated peeps.

April 4

Easter: St. Bede the Venerable, who authored the Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (“Ecclesiastical History of the English People”) in the 6th Century, states that the English word “Easter” originates from Eostre, or Eostrae, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility.
Hug a Newsperson Day: Many believe that this started in the 1990s to show appreciation for news people.
International Carrot Cake Day: The origins of carrot cake are disputed. However, an early English recipe for “pudding in a Carret root dates back to 1591.
Tell a Lie Day: “The Adventures of Pinocchio,” written by Carlo Collodi, was published in 1883.
Walk Around Things Day: You can interpret this holiday literally or figuratively. For example, walking around a puddle or “walking around” problems or conflicts.

April 5

Deep Dish Pizza Day: “I wish that there were more written records — recipes or vintage photographs,” Tim Samuelson, the city of Chicago’s official historian, told the Chicago Tribune. “It’s an enigma, wrapped in a pie crust,” Chicago-based food writer Jeff Ruby told the newspaper. “Every day, it feels a little more lost to history.” One theory is that Ike Sewell, the founder of Pizzeria Uno, in 1943.
First Contact Day: “Technically, we won’t start celebrating First Contact Day until April 5th, 2063,” writes Joseph George on startrek.com. “According to Star Trek canon, that’s the day when Zefram Cochrane will launch Earth’s first warp-capable rocket, catching the attention of Vulcan researchers who heretofore dismissed our planet as too primitive to visit. Cochran’s voyage sets into motion events that not only lead to the creation of the United Federation of Planets, but also lead to the end of the war, racism, and inequality on Earth.”
Go For Broke Day: Did you know that the phrase “go for broke” can be traced back to Hawaii. In Hawaiin Pidgin, it means “wager everything.”
National Nebraska Day: Although the Cornhusker State was admitted to the U.S. on March 1, 1867, and spent the day chowing down on a Runza.
Read a Road Map Day: A lost art, if you ask me. Take a day trip and use a good old-fashioned map instead of GPS.

April 6

California Poppy Day: On March 2, 1903, the California poppy, Eschscholzia California, became the official state flower of California. Not sure why we celebrate this symbol of the Golden State on this day.
Fresh Tomato Day: What’s the Guinness World Records’ record for the heaviest tomato? That goes to G. Graham of Edmond, Oklahoma, who, in 1986 had a tomato that weighed 3.51 kg (7 lb 12 oz).
Library Workers Day: Give your local library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups props on this day.
Siamese Cat Day: According to National Geographic, the oldest known cat was found “in a 9,500-year-old gravesite on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.”
Student-Athlete Day: This holiday was created by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports in 1987.

April 7

Beer Day: Following water and tea, beer is the third-most-popular drink on Earth.
No Housework Day: I’m all about keeping my place clean and free of clutter, but on this day, that can wait until tomorrow.
Walking Day: Sponsored by the American Heart Association, today should serve as a reminder to go for a walk. After all, it’s one of the best things that you can do for your mental and physical health.
World Health Day: This year’s campaign is building a fairer, healthier world.

April 8

All is Ours Day: Today is dedicated to appreciating nature and everything that we have.
Draw a Picture of a Bird Day: To lift the spirits of her uncle, who had lost a leg during WWII, 7-year-old Dorie Cooper asked him to draw her a picture of a bird when visiting in 1943.
Empanada Day: Delicious empanadas are thought to have originated in the northwest region of Spain of Galicia.
Zoo Lover’s Day: Did you know that the Vienna Zoo is the oldest existing zoo? It opened to the public in 1765.

April 9

Cherish an Antique Day: Fun fact. Across the pond in the UK, Antiques Roadshow has been on airing since 1979.
Name Yourself Day: Embrace reinvention on this day, giving yourself a new name.
Unicorn Day: Did you know that unicorns have been mentioned as far back as Ancient Greece?
Winston Churchill Day: On this day in 1963, President Kennedy made Winston Churchill, an honorary citizen.

April 10

Farm Animals Day: Created in 2005 by Colleen Paige, this day is “to raise awareness about the plight of slaughter animals, as well as to find homes for abandoned and abused farm animals” — which consists of 9 billion chickens, 244 million turkeys, 93 million cows, 65 million hogs, and 6 million sheep, among others
Golfer’s Day: It’s said that on this day in 1916, the first professional golf tournament was held.
Hug Your Dog Day: Did you know that hugging your furry best friend gives you both a sense of unconditional love and connection.
Safety Pin Day: On this day in 1849, Walter Hunt received the patent for one of the most useful inventions ever, the safety pin.
Siblings Day: Did you know that roughly 89% of Americans have a sibling?

April 11

Barbershop Quartet Day: “Even though barbershop is considered an American invention, the idea had its roots in England,” writes Kara Kovalchik for Mental Floss. “During the 1600s, Muzak was not yet available, so British barbers kept a cittern (a stringed instrument similar to a lute) handy for their customers to strum while awaiting their shave and haircut.”
Cheese Fondue Day: In the 1930s, fondue was popularized as a Swiss national dish by the Swiss Cheese Union in order to increase cheese consumption.
Eight Track Tape Day: Did you know that the eight-track tape was created jointly by Bill Lear of Lear Jet Corporation, Ampex, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Motorola, and RCA? The first player, known as the Stereo 8, was then released in 1965.
Pet Day: Remember Colleen Paige? Well, she also created this holiday in 2006 “to celebrate the joy pets bring to our lives and to create public awareness about the plight of many different kinds of animals awaiting a forever home in shelters and rescues all around the globe.”
Submarine Day: This day celebrates the purchase of the USS Holland, which was the first modern commissioned submarine in 1900, and not a delicious sandwich.

April 12

Big Wind Day: On this day in 1934, the staff of the Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire recorded winds at 231 miles per hour! At the time, it was the highest natural wind gust measured on the surface of Earth.
Grilled Cheese Day: During the Great Depression, an open-faced grilled cheese known as the “cheese dream” became popular. We’ve certainly come a long way since then with our gourmet grilled cheese sandwich recipes.
International Day of Human Space Flight: Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space on this day in 1961.
Licorice Day: People have been extracting licorice from, well, the licorice plant for centuries. It was made into candy in Holland during the 17th Century.

April 13

International Be Kind to Lawyers Day: Lawyers get a bad rap. But, when you’re in a pinch, they’re absolutely essential. On this day, send your lawyer a thank you card or email to show them your appreciation.
Make Lunch Count Day: Although TGI Fridays came up with the idea of “Fear of Lunching Out,” it is true that this is a problem. For example, 2 in 3 millennials skip lunch to get ahead. This day reminds us all just how important lunch breaks truly are.
Peach Cobbler Day: The Georgia Peach Council created this day in the 1950s. Why? To sell more canned peaches.
Scrabble Day: Alfred Mosher Butts was born on this day in 1899. In 1938, he invented this iconic board game.

April 14

Dolphin Day: Did you know that dolphins have “reflective intelligence”? That means that they have the ability to recognize themselves in a mirror.
Ex-Spouse Day: If your marriage has dissolved, today’s the day when it’s time to move on and let go of negative feelings and emotions like anger
Gardening Day: As long as the weather cooperates, get outside and start planting your garden. It’s a healthy hobby that also rewards you with nutritious fruits, veggies, and herbs.
International Moment of Laughter Day: If you didn’t get the prescription, laughter is the best medicine for you emotionally, mentally, and even physically.
Look Up at the Sky Day: Take a timeout from the rat race to just sit back, relax, and admire the beauty above and around us.

April 15

High Five Day: Research has found that the power of a touch, such as a high five, can alleviate anxiety, decrease cortisol levels, and makes teams more successful.
Laundry Day: Even if this isn’t your favorite chore, mark your calendar so that you don’t let your laundry pile up into one overwhelming, and smelly, project.
Take a Wild Guess Day: To coincide with Tax Day, speaker Jim Barber developed this holiday. Observe by embracing your hunches, intuitions, and gut feelings.
World Art Day: The International Association of Art (IAA/AIAP) chose Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday to promote awareness of creative activity worldwide.

April 16

Eggs Benedict Day: Legend has it that Lemuel Benedict, a Wall Street broker, ordered two poached eggs on top of buttered toast with crispy bacon and hollandaise sauce at the Waldorf Hotel in New York to cure his hangover.
Selena Day: On April 16, 1977, Selena, aka the “Queen of Tejano music,” was born.
Stress Awareness Day: It’s not a coincidence that this takes place the day after Tax Day. It serves as a reminder that we’re a stressed-out nation and need to find ways to handle stress better.
Wear Pajamas to Work Day: If you’ve been working from home the last, you’ve probably already been doing this! If you still have been getting dressed, keep the PJs on today when you work. It’s a simple way to relax and sprinkle in a little fun at work.

April 17

Cheeseball Day: You won’t have to twist my arm when it comes to eating cheese. Plan on spending the day eating your favorite cheese puffs or trying out a classic cheeseball recipe.
Husband Appreciation Day: Today is all about showing your significant other how much you love and appreciate them. If you’re the recipient, make sure to return the favor on September 19 for Wife Appreciation Day.
International Bat Appreciation Day: You might be frightened of bats, but the more than 1,400 species play a crucial role in the ecosystem and biodiversity. Or, you could use this as an excuse to watch your favorite Batman flicks.
International Haiku Poetry Day: If you need a refresher, this is a form of ancient Japanese poetry that consists of three lines containing the syllable structure of “five-seven-five.”

April 18

Animal Crackers Day: Stauffer’s Biscuit Company, based out of York, Pennsylvania, was the first company to produce animal crackers in 1871.
Columnists Day: Originally meant to recognize the importance and value of newspaper columnists, you can observe this day by showing your appreciation to columnists in all forms of media.
Lineman Appreciation Day: Are you one of the 155,000,000 electrical customers in the U.S.? If so, make sure to give a shout-out to the men and women who risk their lives to make sure that you still have power.
Velociraptor Awareness Day: Despite what you saw in “Jurassic Park,” these speedy thieves “grew up to 6.8 feet (2 meters) long, 1.6 feet (0.5 meters) tall at the hip, and weighed up to 33 lbs. (15 kilograms).”

April 19

Garlic Day: Garlic has been found to boost immunity and improve cardiovascular health. It’s also an anti-inflammatory, gives you better hair and skin, and protects your food.
Hanging Out Day: Don’t get confused by the name. This isn’t about chilling with your friends or family. Rather, it’s all about acknowledging the financial and environmental benefits of drying your clothes on a clothesline.
Patriots Day: In Maine and Massachusetts, this is a public holiday to observe the day in 1775 when the battles of Lexington and Concord took place.

April 20

Chinese Language Day: The UN Department of Public Information established this holiday “to pay tribute to Cang Jie, a mythical figure who is presumed to have invented Chinese characters about 5,000 years ago.”
Look-Alike Day: Have you ever been told that you resemble someone else? If so, this is the day to go all-in and embrace that.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day: Rumor has it that the term “upside-down cake” began circulating in the late 1800s.
Volunteer Recognition Day: “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” — Sherry Anderson

April 21

Administrative Professionals Day: First launched in 1952, this day recognizes the people who keep your calendar, and even the entire office, running smooth.It takes place on the third Wednesday of the last full week in April.
Bulldogs are Beautiful Day: It’s possible that bulldogs can be traced to 5th Century England. But, it was on this day in 1886 when bulldogs became officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club.
Kindergarten Day: Friedrich Wilhelm August Frobel is often cited as starting the first kindergarten in Germany in 1837.
Tea Day: “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C.S. Lewis
Tiradentes Day: In Brazil, this day commemorates the death of Joaquim Jose da Silva Xavier, aka Tiradentes (“Tooth Puller”), who led the first movement against Portugal to achieve Brazilian independence.

April 22

Earth Day: Celebrated annually around the world since 1970, Earth Day encourages each and every one of us to protect our planet.
Girl Scout Leader Day: This day “honors all the volunteers who work as leaders and mentors in partnership with girls,” notes the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
Jelly Bean Day: During the Civil War, William Schrafft, a Boston confectioner, encouraged his customers to send jelly beans to Union soldiers.
Take Your Daughter and Son to Work Day: The 2021 theme for the Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work program is “Boldly Moving Forward,” with an interactive and virtual event.

April 23

Cherry Cheesecake Day: I LOVE cheesecake. So, without question, I’ll use this as an excuse to try this cherry cheesecake recipe.
Day of Silence: Started in the 1990s, the “GLSEN Day of Silence is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ students and allies all around the country—and the world—take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ people in schools.”
Picnic Day: The word comes from the French word pique-nique, with the earliest text appearance occurring in 1692.
Take a Chance Day: Been hesitating about taking a risk? Put aside your inhibitions and just do it.
World Book Day: First celebrated in the UK in 1995, this is an annual charity event in the United Kingdom and Ireland where every child is given a book voucher.

April 24

Pigs in a Blanket Day: Although Betty Crooker’s 1957 cookbook popularized the dish, there were recipes dating back to 1901.
Skipping Day: While the day is meant to focus on the physical health of children, adults should also join in on the fun.
World Laboratory Day: Take a moment to acknowledge all of the cures, discoveries, and innovations that have come out of laboratories.

April 25

93rd Academy Awards: You can watch the Oscars on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. To catch you up-to-speed, here’s a list of the nominations.
DNA Day: On this day in 1953, James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin, and their colleagues published papers regarding the structure of DNA in the journal Nature.
Hug a Plumber Day: Just think about how difficult and sometimes unpleasant plumbing can be. Use this day to thank your plumber by giving them a shout-out on social media, leaving them a positive online review, referring them, or writing them a “thank you” note.
Kiss and Make Up Day: Have you been holding onto a grudge with someone? Today’s the perfect day to bury the hatchet.
Pet Parents Day: There really aren’t enough days to pamper our pets. It’s the least we can do to thank them for their unconditional love.
Telephone Day: While there are over 5 billion unique mobile phone users in the world, landlines haven’t become obsolete. In fact, there are still more than 915 million landlines.
World Malaria Day: According to the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, “Over the past two decades, we’ve made great progress in the malaria fight, saving more than 7 million lives and preventing over 1 billion malaria cases.
Zucchini Bread Day: Fun fact. There’s more potassium in a zucchini than in a banana. Here’s a recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction you can make to get that potassium.

April 26

Dissertation Day: Did you know that the first doctoral degree was awarded in Paris during the mid-12th Century?
Pretzel Day: According to The History of Science and Technology, in 610 AD, “an Italian monk invents pretzels as a reward to children who learn their prayers. He calls the strips of baked dough, folded to resemble arms crossing the chest, pretiola (little rewards).”
Richter Scale Day: Charles Francis Richter was born on this day in 1900. In 1935, he invented the Richter magnitude scale to measure the intensity of earthquakes.

April 27

Babe Ruth Day: The Yankees, at the request of commissioner Happy Chandler, proclaimed April 27 as “Babe Ruth Day” in 1947.
Morse Code Day: Samuel Morse was born on this date in 1791 in Charlestown, Boston, MA.
Prime Rib Day: Also known as a standing rib roast, celebrate the day by whipping up this melt-in-your-mouth prime rib recipe.
Tell a Story Day: Step-up your storytelling skills by reading a book or calling a sibling and recalling a childhood event. Or, really stretch your imagination by making up your own tale.

April 28

Blueberry Pie Day: “The blueberry is one of the only foods that are truly naturally blue in color,” notes the BC Blueberry Council. “The pigment that gives blueberries their distinctive color—called anthocyanin—is the same compound that provides the blueberry’s amazing health benefits.”
Guide Dog Day: Did you know that Guide Dogs of America trains 70% Labrador retrievers, 15% Golden Retrievers, and 15% German Shepherds for their guide dogs?
Stop Food Waste Day: Did you know that 33% of all food produced globally is either lost or wasted every year? Commit to reducing food waste through steps like not overbuying and learning to love your freezer.
Superhero Day: What’s the origin story of this holiday? It goes back to 1995 when Marvel employees created a day to celebrate their favorite superheroes. But, you don’t have to limit yourself to just Marvel characters. All fictional heroes may join in on the festivities.

April 29

International Dance Day: The Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute created this day in 1982.The goal? To remind us all just how valuable and important dance is.
Shrimp Scampi Day: Shrimp scampi recipes can only date back to American cookbooks in the 1920s. It’s a delicious, and simple to make, dish. If you’ve never tried it, I recommend this classic shrimp scampi recipe from NYT Cooking.
Zipper Day: Gideon Sundback patented the modern zipper on this exact date in 1913.

April 30

Arbor Day: While not a national holiday, it’s common for schools and organizations to engage in environmentally friendly activities to help save the world on Arbor Day, specifically planting trees.
Hairball Awareness Day: Today reminds cat owners to take steps to prevent hairballs, such as regularly grooming your feline friend.
Honesty Day: There are two reasons why author and former press secretary of Maryland M. Hirsh Goldberg chose April 30 for Honesty Day. First, the first day of the month is April Fools’ Day, which celebrates falsehoods. Second, in 1789, this was the date of George Washington’s first inauguration.
International Jazz Day: Declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2011 “to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.”
Raisin Day: The first Raisin Day took place in 1909 and was promoted by raisin growers in California. And, for those who forgot, raisins are nothing more than sun-dried grapes.

Not an April Fool’s Joke: These Are Real Appointment Statistics You Need to Know

By Gunjan Saini | Appointment | No Comments

The numbers don’t lie: online appointment software will do wonders for your business. In this article, we’ll outline some of the most attention-grabbing statistics about the use of online appointment software by businesses.

As you’ll soon find out, online appointment software can boost customer retention, save your business money, and more. There’s really no reason to not use online booking for your appointment-based business. One of these statistics is bound to convince you of the need to get started.

Businesses With Online Booking Are Winning

Online booking is rapidly becoming a necessity. In an Accenture survey of healthcare consumers, 68% of respondents said they prefer a provider that allows appointments to be made, changed, and canceled online. That means if your business doesn’t utilize online appointment software, you’re probably losing customers to the competition.

That number will only climb as online appointment software becomes the norm for businesses. So what are you waiting for? Being among the early implementers of online booking will build a loyal customer base before the competition knows what hit them. You’ll also have more time to perfect your online booking system so that, by the time the technology is omnipresent, you can rely on your smooth experience as a competitive advantage.

Nearly Half of Appointments Are Booked After Hours

If customers can only book appointments during business hours, you’re missing out on a lot of opportunities. A social media survey of salon owners showed that 46% of their appointments were booked before salons were open or after they closed for the day. That’s nearly half of the customers these businesses have on their schedules!

If you’re looking to fill all your appointment slots, online booking software is the solution you need. Customers may not be thinking about the appointment they want or need to make during operating hours. Allowing them to book at their convenience opens the door for so many more individuals.

No-Show Rates Freefall With Online Booking

Online appointment software is proven to slash your no-show rates immediately after implementation. Research on several medical centers and practices saw no-show rates drop by as much as 42% after adding web-based booking portals to their websites. No-shows are costly and inefficient, and getting rid of them is a high priority for all appointment-based businesses.

For many customers, the convenience of being able to book appointments online and change them as needed encourages them to hold true to their commitments. Many other customers make appointments in person or over the phone because they feel pressured to do so. That pressure is eliminated when customers can make appointments on their own terms at any time or in any place.

Most Customers Book on Mobile Devices

Market research has found that 82% of clients schedule appointments on their mobile devices as opposed to other platforms. As beautiful as your website might look on a desktop, you need to optimize your online booking experience for mobile users.

To improve your mobile experience, start with the customer journey. Booking an appointment on a mobile device should be easy; otherwise, customers will get discouraged and log off. Make selections easy to find and the booking process as straightforward as possible. Loading times for your website also need to be adequate to avoid high bounce rates resulting from impatient customers.

Millennials Are the Customer Segment Most Likely to Book Online

Of all the nation’s demographics, Millennials are responsible for a quarter of appointments booked online. Given this generation’s combination of tech savviness and needs that can be filled by appointments, this isn’t surprising. The quick acceptance of online booking software by the Millennial generation suggests the trend will likely be popular with younger customers, too. Expect Gen Zers to slide in right beside Millennials as they begin booking their own appointments.

Even if Millennials aren’t your primary age segment, they’re a great place to start when implementing online appointment software initially. You’ll be able to work out the kinks of a new system with an eager subset of your customer base. As Millennials continue to book appointments online, other customers will join in until you’re able to make online scheduling your only — or at least foremost — method of booking.

Companies That Use Data Get a Leg Up

One of the greatest benefits of online appointment software is the ability to automatically gather data for your business. Data is one of your greatest assets while doing business in the 21st century. It eliminates the guesswork that often forms a part of your everyday decision-making.

A study done by the McKinsey Global Institute found that businesses that leverage data are 23 times more successful at acquiring new customers. Customer acquisition is one of the most important, and daunting, aspects of running a business. Data gives you a clearer picture of customer demographics, successful marketing strategies, and popular appointment times. Without data, you’ll be taking shots in the dark.

Ready to heed the math? There’s no doubt that online appointment software will benefit your business in more ways than one. Identify your goals and put online booking software to work. Before you know it, you’ll have exceeded your expectations and then some.

10 Creative Hacks to Foment Productivity

By Deanna Ritchie | Appointment | No Comments

There seems to be a misconception that both individuals and organizations must choose between being creative or being productive. In a way, that does make sense.

“There is a fundamental tension between productivity and creativity, and managers won’t get more of the latter until they recognize it,” Art Markman writes in HBR. “Productive people move through the tasks they have to accomplish systematically. They make steady and measurable progress toward their goals. They make effective and efficient use of their time.”

“Creativity… doesn’t,” he adds. “Creativity needs time and space to grow.

At the same time, as Boland Jones points out in a previous Entrepreneur article, “that creativity leads to productivity.” According to Jones, this is true because;

Creativity promotes working without boundaries.
Helps tackle bigger problems.
Can motivate you and/or your employees by either sprucing up their workplace or letting their innovative ideas to be heard.
Spark passion, which in turn gets people emotionally invested.
Removes the fear of failure.

Moreover, creativity has long been found to increase profitability.

“If two firms have the same profitability at year 1, by year 5, the non-innovative company will have 75% to 80% less profit than the innovative one,” wrote Yoram Solomon for Disruptor League. “After 19-20 years, the distance will shrink to 35-50%. However, if only highly profitable companies were compared, the difference after 19-20 years is 80%.”

In 2019, research from McKinsey & Co. reported that there is “a growing performance gap separating innovation ‘winners’ from companies that merely muddle along.” There are actually two reasons why this is true.

“First is the ability to set a bold yet plausible aspiration for innovation that is grounded in a clear view of the economic value that innovation needs to deliver,” the authors explain. “And the second is the ability to make tough resource-allocation choices about the people and funds required to seize innovation’s value at a scale sufficient enough to make a difference.”

Overall, if you want to boost productivity and profits, then you need to harness the power of creativity. And, here 10 ways that you can achieve this. Don’t be afraid to pass along these strategies with your team as well so that you can embrace an innovative culture.

1. Induce a state of psychological distance.

“Ever noticed how you might feel more creative about a problem when you’re further away from it–perhaps when taking a shower at home after work?” asks Karla Lant-Zapier. Well, that’s a perfect example of psychological distance.

According to psychology professor Lile Jia, psychological distance breeds creativity. Why? “Our minds are more likely to think creatively about things we aren’t experiencing right here, right now, without stress,” adds Lant-Zapier.

“That means to be creative, we need to feel a little more removed from the problem,” she states. One way to achieve this? Consider another person’s perspective. “Ask yourself: Who else is working on this problem or talking about this issue?”

You can also create psychological distance by reformulating “the task by thinking of the central issue or question as if it was hypothetical, unlikely, futuristic, distant, or unreal.” As an example, “if you want a team to come up with all possible solutions to traffic jams in a city, don’t choose your city,” suggests Lant-Zapier. “Find a sister city that is thousands of miles away, if possible, with similar statistics, to get the creative solutions started.”

Another option? Switch to another project whenever you begin to feel overwhelmed. And, always make scheduling regular breaks a priority. When you step “away from a project, you can approach it from a more objective, distant perspective when you come back.”

“Best of all, combine all the ideas,” she adds. “Take a break, and then when you come back to the task, ask yourself how others would tackle the issue and consider it from alternative perspectives.”

2. Dream a little (day)dream.

Much to the chagrin of your parents or elementary teacher, give yourself permission to daydream. According to a study in the journal Psychological Science, those who let their minds wander have a higher capacity for working memory. Possessing this allows us to think about multiple things at once — it also factors into IQ and reading comprehension.

Why’s this the case? It may be because “people who have additional working memory resources deploy them to think about things other than what they’re doing,” study researcher Jonathan Smallwood, of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Science, said in a statement.

How can you let your mind wander? One of the simplest techniques would be to let yourself get bored. For instance, read tedious reports or stand in the checkout lane sans your phone.

3. Go for a walk.

Perhaps this is the worst-kept secret when it comes to creativity. After all, some of the most innovative thinkers of all-time, such as Beethoven, Darwin, Nietzsche, and Jobs, were avid walkers. However, Stanford University’s research confirms this by finding that walking increased creativity for 81% of the participants.

“Incorporating physical activity into our lives is not only beneficial for our hearts but our brains as well. This research suggests an easy and productive way to weave it into certain work activities,” said Marily Oppezzo, Stanford University behavioral and learning scientist and study co-author. Moreover, going for a stroll can encourage more free-flowing thoughts.

Personally, I take a 20-30 minute walk during my afternoon slump. I leave my phone behind and just let my mind wander. When I come back, I’m not only refreshed and rejuvenated, I have developed new ideas.

I would also recommend that you walk around during an important phone call. Or, schedule walking meetings so that your team can foster fresh and unique ideas.

4. Shake it up.

By this, I mean disrupting your routine. You don’t have to do it daily. After all, routines provide certainty and structure.

However, don’t be afraid to occasionally break out of your comfort zone and welcome new experiences. For example, during your lunch break, leave the office and try a restaurant. Then when it’s time to get back to work, try setting up shop in a different location to add variety.

5. Develop stress management skills.

“Stress is a well-known creativity killer,” says psychologist Robert Epstein, Ph.D. As such, find ways to handle your stress better. Some suggestions include;

Prioritizing your well-being by eating healthy, physical activity, and getting enough sleep.
Spending time with friends and family can reduce cortisol levels and lower blood pressure.
Practicing breathing exercises.
Track your time identify stress triggers.
Use essential oils like lavender, citrus, sandalwood, peppermint, vetiver, or jasmine.
Celebrate your accomplishments — even your small victories.

6. Utilize music.

Music can be an incredibly powerful tool. It has the ability to improve your mood and block out distractions. Moreover, it can stimulate creative thoughts by nurturing a more imaginative and curious mind.

Look at it this way. If it worked for Albert Einstein, then it will work for you too.

“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician,” Einstein wrote in a journal entry, “I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music.” He added, “I see my life in terms of music… I get most joy in life out of music.”

If you can’t play an instrument, then at least curate a playlist. Ideally, it should connect with you on a personal level.

7. Set the right mood.

Some studies have found that being in a positive mood can spark creativity. Mainly because it boosts activity in the prefrontal cortex, as well as the anterior cingulate cortex. When you think about that, it does make sense. It’s a challenge to think creatively when you’re in a crummy mood.

Taking a walk outside can improve your mood. But, you may also want to consider other strategies like watching a funny YouTube video or playing with your kids or pet. You could also have fun at work through gamification, hackathons, or team-building activities.

8. Use visual stimuli.

Specifically, creative visualization.

According to Betterhelp, this “is a specific way of using your imagination. It’s a cognitive process that consists of forming vivid mental images. You consciously change the images, which in turn changes your emotions about the subjects of the images. As you practice visualizing the future you want, you create that future.”

Even though this concept has been can be traced back to the Roman statesman Cicero and his development of the mind’s eye, it wasn’t practiced until consciously until the 1970s. And, to set the stage, you’ll need to take the following steps;

Choose a small and specific goal to help you build upon success.
Next, form a vivid “mental image of the thing or outcome you want. Imagine it as if it already exists the way you want it.”
Throughout the day, revisit the image you conjured up.
Add positivity to the mental image that you created.

Most importantly? Keep an open mind and learn meditation.

9. Relax.

Why do we often have our most creative thoughts while in the shower? “Leisurely or relaxing activities (such as showering, exercise or driving home from work, for example) release dopamine, the chemical which provides us with a sense of enjoyment,” explains the ThinkCreative team.

“Dopamine triggers more creative thoughts by increasing activity in certain parts of the brain,” they add. “A relaxed state of mind is key to creativity because we become more insightful, leaving us more likely to make connections between ideas.”

10. Write down and organize your thoughts.

Finally, whenever you have a random thought, jot capture it. Even if it seems utterly ridiculous, there are no bad ideas. As Craig Bruce once said, “Nothing surpasses the beauty and elegance of a bad idea.”

Next, when you have downtime, organize these thoughts. Some might be worth pursuing. And the ones that aren’t can be thrown out with the trash.

Still Working From Home? Here are 10 Must-Read Books

By John Rampton | Business Tips | No Comments

Even before COVID-19, remote work was having a minute. Global Workplace Analytics estimates “that 56% of the U.S. workforce holds a job that is compatible (at least partially) with remote work.” Moreover, “25-30% of the workforce will be working-from-home multiple days a week by the end of 2021.”

Regardless if we ever actually return to a pre-COVID world, it does appear the working from home isn’t going anywhere. And, that’s both a blessing and curse.

For years, remote workers have proclaimed that they’re more productive and happier. Numerous research has backed this up. As for business owners, they have more productive teams — and are saving money like scaling back on the size of a physical workplace.

The thing is, it appears that we’ve hit a wall. Between Zoom meetings, social distancing, and yearning to finally get back to normalcy, we’re flat-out exhausted. Additionally, there are unique WFH distractions, knowing when to disconnect, and overcoming isolation.

Still Working From Home? Here are 10 Must-Read Books

In short, the honeymoon with remote work is over.

If you’re in this position — here are 10 books that we should read to help you fall back in love with working from home.

1. The New Corner Office: How the Most Successful People Work from Home by Laura Vanderkam

For my money, Laura Vanderkam is one of the best sources to turn to if you need advice regarding productivity and time management. During her career, Vanderkam authored some of the best books in this area, such as I Know How She Does It, What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and168 Hours.

In 2020, she released this timely book that shares the following hacks;

Managing tasks, as opposed to time. For example, only setting 3-5 ambitious goals per day.
Getting into a rhythm by allocating time for work, breaks, and downtime.
Constructing broader and more effective networks

2. Remote: Office Not Required by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

Although written in 2013, Remote did an excellent job convincing people of the perks of working remotely. In the wake of COVID, though, the book has seen a resurgence. And, it definitely deserves that.

Authored by the founders of Basecamp, the book has timeless lessons for both employees and leaders. These include;

Building trust and collaboration through messaging tools, virtual water coolers, and focusing on outcomes instead of “time in the chair.”
Being aware of “dragons.” To avoid pitfalls, make sure that you have the right equipment, ergonomic furniture, maintaining healthy habits, and socializing.
To effectively manage remote teams, use asynchronous communication, don’t overwork them, and schedule one-on-ones.

3. Working From Home: Making the New Normal Work for You by Karen Mangia

Written by Karen Mangia, Vice President of Customer and Market Insights at Salesforce, Working From Home is another timely book as it was released in August 2020. And, like Remote, it covers tried and true advice for those working remotely.

Key takeaways include;

How to build an inspiring and budget-friendly workspace in your home.
The importance of establishing routines, rituals, and boundaries.
How to break boulders into smaller pieces.
Igniting innovation by creating new processes.
Tips on sprucing up your virtual meetings.
Advice on how to handle burnout and Zoom fatigue.
Redefining success by focusing on what you can control.

4. Work-from-Home Hacks 500+ Easy Ways to Get Organized, Stay Productive, and Maintain a Work-Life Balance While Working from Home! by Aja Frost

Aja Frost, Head of Content SEO at Hubspot, put together over 500 quick and easy solutions in one handy book. It’s quick and to the point.

It contains popular advice ranging from setting up your workspace to overcoming distractions. There are also tips on how to stay organized so that you can be productive.

This book is more geared to WFH newbies. Those who are seasoned at working remotely are probably familiar with the hacks in this book. For example, putting on real clothes and establishing boundaries. Still, if you’re still struggling with this new normal, it wouldn’t hurt to go back to basics.

5. Surviving Remote Work by Sharon Koifman

Sharon Koifman, DistantJob’s President and Founder, wrote Surviving Remote Work in the wake of COVID-19. In the book, Koifman shares insights on his remote management. After all, he has more than 15-years of experience in this arena.

Going beyond obvious and common-sense advice, Surviving Remote Work provides strategies for onboarding employees and building a connected culture remotely. Koifman also has tips on managing extroverts and introverts and what tools should be in your arsenal. And, how to protect yourself from cyber-threats.

6. Work from Home Superstar: How to Stay Focused and Rock Your Day by Jack Wilson

Released in the good, old days of 2017, Jack Wilson offers a crisp guide into working from home based on his own hilarious experiences. Through his experiments, he discovered what the biggest distractions are when working from home — I’m looking at you Netflix — and how he structured his day for productivity.

Wilson also has recommendations on how to get into the right mindset and develop self-discipline. And, Work from Home Superstar also stresses the importance of prioritizing your health and occasionally getting out of the house.

7. The Remote Facilitator’s Pocket Guide by Kirsten Clacey and Jay-Allen Morris

According to one review over at Goodreads, “Everyone who does online meetings should read this book.” And, I couldn’t agree more.

Clacey and Morris begin The Remote Facilitator’s Pocket Guide by going over the challenges of virtual meetings, such as;

Virtual events often feel more intimidating than in-person events.
It’s harder to focus and encourage engagement as 8 in 10 participants are multitasking.
These events are more dependent on the mood and style of the facilitator.

To overcome these pitfalls? The authors provide strategies like how to create equal opportunity, enable flow, and nurture connection. They also recommend using visuals to your advantage and encouraging playful learning.

8. The Long-Distance Leader: Rules for Remarkable Remote Leadership by Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel

Published in 2018, The Long-Distance Leader can actually be a resource for anyone in a leadership position. However, as founders of the Remote Leadership Institute, Eikenberry and Turmel have essentially written the book on remote leadership.

The book covers all the basics like using technology as a tool, focusing on outcomes, and building trust. There are also tips on how to set goals, seek feedback, and avoid burnout. To companion the book, there are also online tools and resources, such as a team goal clarity assessment and pre-conference checklist, to help you become a stronger remote leader.

9. How to Declutter Your Home or Work Office to Improve Productivity by Sarah Adams

Clutter may not be on the top of your mind. However, it can interfere with your productivity. It can also increase stress, sleep problems, and make it difficult to relax.

With that in mind, it’s crucial that you keep your home and work area tidy. To assist you in that department is How to Declutter Your Home or Work Office to Improve Productivity. Although it’s a short read, it’s still packed with inspiring and practical tips on how to keep get, and remain, organized.

10. Unhackable: The Elixir for Creating Flawless Ideas, Leveraging Superhuman Focus, and Achieving Optimal Human Performance by Kary Oberbrunner

While not specifically written about working from home, Unhackable is a must-read as we navigate through the “Attention Economy.”

Written by coach and author Kary Oberbrunner, this compelling book presents 30 daily missions that will help you develop superhuman focus and organize your life around your “flow.” As a result, you’ll get more done in less time and live the life you truly want.

Steps to Reopen Your Office — What to Expect from Employees

By John Rampton | Business Tips | No Comments

Like so many other business owners, you’re rearing to get back to work in your office. Specifically, going back to what life was like before COVID-19. Your main goal for right now maybe simply returning to the office.

That’s not unreasonable. The rollout of the vaccine is here — and things are looking up. According to JLL’s “Human Experience” report, three in four workers wants to return to an office in the future. However, as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

In other words, don’t’ haphazardly and rush your reopening. Instead, start developing a plan that will ensure that you can safely and efficiently reopen your office. And, if you don’t know where to begin, here are some pointers to get the ball rolling.

Steps to Reopen Your Office — Brush Up on the Law and Health Guidelines

Without question, the step you must take is reviewing the legality of opening back up. For example, check your local guidelines to actually see if you can resume business operations. Even if you can, there may be limitations on how many people can be in the building simultaneously. The vaccine is helping a lot in getting permission to get back to work.

Because guidelines vary across states — you’re going to have to do this part on your own. But, simply Googling your state and business reopening guidelines should steer you in the right direction. If you rent your office space — you could ask your landlord. Or you can schedule a virtual meeting with stakeholders to discuss your reopening.

Another helpful tool? USA Today’s real-time tracker or COVID-19 trends and restrictions. It can at least give you an idea of whether or not your state is tightening or loosing-up regulations.

If you have the green light, there’s another legal matter to dig into. And, that’s if you can force employees back to work.

Well, that depends on the state. However, if your employers are considered essential or have a contract, employees must show up to work. But, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and/or the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) offers paid leave if an employee or someone they care for has been impacted by COVID. If you have any high-risk team members, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may compel you to let them continue working remotely.

Create a Written Return to Work Plan

“Most employers will return to the office in stages, with some employees continuing to work at home for an extended period of time,” writes Dawn Ross, Partner at Carle, Mackie, Power & Ross LLP. To be frank — expect this new hybrid workplace to be “the norm over the next several years.”

“Instead of allowing this to happen haphazardly, create a written return to work plan detailing who will be returning to the office,” advises Ross.

At the minimum, your “return to work plans” should include information like, “When they will be returning, and outlining what precautions have been put into place to keep employees and the general public safe.” Many “of these steps will take a month or more,” start planning earlier than later.

What should be in your written plan?

As a part of your plan, Ross also recommends doing the following;

Survey your employees to find out who wishes to come back. While JLL found that a majority of employees want to return, another online survey shows that close to 30% would quit if forced back to the office.
Order PPE. Place your order for cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves.
Daily health checks. Both the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)” recommend that all employers consider some kind of health check for employees coming into the workplace,” adds Ross. Additionally, “several counties have issued Health Orders instructing all employers to create policies that require employees to complete a health check before coming into the office. Many counties have created a daily health check app for this purpose.”
Temperature checks and COVID-19 tests. At your expense, you can conduct and require employees to take temperature checks and COVID-19 tests.
Have positive COVID-19 contingency plans. If an employee tests positive, you need to have a plan. It must “address contact tracing, notifying local health officials, and cleaning the affected area, and must include a written notification to employees working in proximity to the positive employee without disclosing the employee’s identity,” advises Ross. You should also have a procedure in place in case you must quickly shut down if there is a spike in numbers or the virus mutates faster than we think.
Update IIPP plan. Your state has guidelines “requiring employers to include COVID-19 prevention measures in their Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (IIPPs).
Worker’s compensation. Employees may be entitled to worker’s compensation if they test positive for COVID-19. If so, you should initiate the claims process.

You should also think about how many people will be allowed in the office? And, will have shifts between work-at-home and work-at-office?

Other reopening considerations.

You’re not done just yet. If employees are working from home because they don’t want to return, or you’ve had to reclose, you should have the following in place;

“A written work from home policy that clearly states your expectations and requires your employees to commit to those expectations,” states Ross.
Depending on your state, you may be required to reimburse employees for work-related expenses.
Workplace safety can also apply to remote workers. You should provide them with ergonomically correct desks, chairs, and keyboards.
Changing employees from salaried exempt to non-exempt.
Taking a measured approach for those who do not want to return to the office.

If your business interacts with the general public, post required local postings for them to see. You can also refuse to serve customers who do not comply with safety precautions. And, you may also an Assumption of the Risk policy for customers.

Redesign the Office by Taking Recommended Safety Actions

Even with written policies in place, you’re still going to have to re-design the workplace before reopening. After all, you want to make sure that your team remains safe and healthy. Moreover, you have to follow local or state ordinances.

While this may seem overwhelming, the CDC has put together an extensive list of guidelines that your office should adopt. For starters, if the building has been unoccupied for an extended period of time, you should check for mold, rodent/pest, or mechanical problems. Don’t forget about looking for stagnant water and ensuring that ventilation systems are working properly.

In terms of decreasing transmission of COVID-19, concentrate on;

Encouraging healthy hygiene practices by providing each employee with sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Also, put up signage reminding people to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds and coughing into their elbows.
Practicing social distancing by keeping chairs/desks at least six feet apart. You could also install physical barriers and stagger arrival/departure times.
Reconfiguring walking areas so that everyone is walking in one direction.
Replacing high-touch communal items, like coffee pots, with pre-packaged or single-serving.
Discouraging large gatherings and canceling non-essential travel.
Intensifying cleaning and disinfection, such as asking everyone to wipe down their workspaces at the ends of the day

To ensure that everyone is on the same page, the CDC suggests including and involving all employees. Also, you should hold seminars, workshops, and drills, so that you are aware of new workplace safety practices.

Bonus tip: If you don’t have the funds to do much of the above, unlock capital. For example, selling off assists that you no longer need. You may also be able to receive assistance through organizations like the Small Business Administration.

Implement Safeguards For The Ongoing Monitoring Of Employees

You should be commended for coming this far. But, this is another critical step to take before reopening. And, that’s implementing safeguards that will monitor your team. These include;

Even if it’s not COVID, encouraging employees who are sick to stay home.
Conducting daily in-person or virtual health checks.
Monitoring absenteeism and offering more flexible time-off policies/schedules.
Having contingency plans if an employee gets COVID-19.
Keeping the lines of communication open with employees and Creating and testing emergency communication channels for employees and state and local health authorities.

What happens if an employee tests positive?

Cleaning and disinfecting the area where they were present is a must. The employee should also be quarantined until released by a physician or public health official. And, if any other employees were in close proximity, they should also be isolated for 14-days.

It’s important to keep all your employees notified. And, if they voice concerns, you may want to close the office back down until everyone tests negative.

Encourage Vigilance and Lead By Example

I get it. You’ve put in a lot of time in effort in reopening your office. However, that doesn’t mean things are going to go back to normal. You still need to maintain a regular cleaning and disinfection routine. You should also keep tabs on the number of COVID-19 cases in your area — if there’s a spike, you may want to be proactive and shut things down.

But, this shouldn’t completely fall on your shoulders. Even with these protocols in place, your employees need to hold themselves accountable.

Who is responsible for stopping the spread — all leaders and all employees

“The only way to create and sustain change is to have 200% accountability,” writes corporate trainer and author Joseph Grenny for HBR. “Employees must understand that they are not simply responsible for following safe practices themselves (the first 100%), they are also responsible for ensuring everyone around them does as well (the second 100%).”

Moreover, lead by example. If you aren’t practicing precautions like social distancing or mask-wearing, then why would your team follow suit? And, Greeny also recommends using moral messaging. “Make the moral case for changing behavior by telling stories of affected friends, family, or clients to bring the risks of non-compliance to life,” he writes.

Finally, create a culture of transparency. Don’t penalize employees if they experience symptoms or aren’t comfortable being around others. Let them know that it’s acceptable to remind others of the new workplace policies if they notice someone not following them.