The Glimpse Magazine - The Unique, The Different and The Cool

Tips to Improve Safety in the Workplace

Manager on May 19, 2020

As an employer, it is your responsibility to do what you can to make the workplace as safe as possible, and with strict safety regulations in place, it can be a struggle to ensure compliance. Of course, there are aspects where you have no choice to comply, but there are other things that you can do to make the working environment a little safer, and here are a few examples.

Manual Handling Training – More often than not, a back injury is sustained because the worker was not lifting the object in a correct manner, and if you call in a specialist manual handling expert, they can tailor a short course for your employees that will help them to understand safe lifting techniques. A short course like this could save you thousands of dollars in compensation, plus it could dramatically reduce absenteeism due to personal injury, and if you would like to know more about manual handling training, a Google search will help you locate a nearby specialist.
Protective Clothing – If you search online for industrial workwear, you will find local suppliers of top-quality boots, overalls and hard hats, to mention but a few of the items they would stock. You could, for example, offer to pay a portion of the cost, if the items are not essential, and by asking your employees what protective clothing or equipment they need, you can make a list.
Regular Safety Meetings – These are always a good idea, if for no other reasons than they bring safety to the attention of everyone. Thirty minutes per week is all it takes to discuss the safety record and in the event there were accidents, investigate the causes, which will help people prevent further occurrences.
Check your Signage – Make sure that all safety signage is where it should be and legible from all angles, and replace any missing signs as soon as possible. No Parking, no smoking and loading bay signs are all vital warnings that need to be in place, and by running though the premises once a week, you can check every location.
Be Proud of a Good Safety Record – You should have a large sign near the entrance to your business premises that informs people how many days since your last work accident, and the longer the period of accident-free, the prouder your employees will be. When you have a long record to protect, your workers will be that much more resilient about safety in the workplace and this will ensure an ongoing 100% record.

There are many online providers of courses that promote safety in the workplace, and the specialist provider can tailor the content to best suit your business. Assigning one employee to oversee basic safety guidelines is always a good idea, and that person can coordinate and ensure that all signage is in place and fire extinguishers are tested, while also making sure that employees have access to protective clothing and equipment.

How You Can Get More Bang for Your Buck Out of Your Investment Properties

Jacob Maslow on May 18, 2020

Entrepreneurs that have delved into a variety of industries always seem to try their luck with investment properties. Building up a portfolio of investment properties can allow you to retire years in advance as you can rely on the consistent monthly income. Maximizing income from each property should be priority as renters are willing to pay for a quality apartment that comes with perks. Property management companies allow for people to make truly passive income as you will not have to deal with collecting rent or finding renters. Below are a few tips to help maximize your income from your rental properties.

List the Property on a Variety of Platforms

Entrepreneurs that have delved into a variety of industries always seem to try their luck with investment properties. Building up a portfolio of investment properties can allow you to retire years in advance as you can rely on the consistent monthly income. Maximizing income from each property should be a priority as renters are willing to pay for a quality apartment that comes with perks. Property management companies allow people to make passive income as you will not have to deal with collecting rent or finding renters. Below are a few tips to help maximize your income from your rental properties.

List the Property on a Variety of Platforms

Airbnb is an extremely popular platform to list your income properties on. You can even set up a cleaning service to deal with the property after it has been rented. Damages can be incurred by certain renters on this platform though so keep this in mind. Renting out properties for the extended future is going to maximize overall income. Offering extended leases that could be multiple years in duration that include a discount can be just enough to convince a renter to sign a longer lease.

Refinishing Can Give a Rental a Newer Look

Something as simple as bathtub or sink refinishing can give a bathroom entirely different energy. The last thing that you want to do is have to revamp a property year after year. Refinishing counters or sinks can allow for a newly renovated feel of the property. Take the time to see what refinishing companies in your area can handle the project for your investment property. You will find it is far more affordable than taking on the headache that is associated with large home improvement projects.

Amenities Can Drive Up Rental Costs

Picking a property in the right condo or townhome community can come with a number of perks. A vacation rental is going to be far more likely to be rented if there is a pool or even gym access. The best thing that can happen is to have seasonal renters that come back year after year. Being able to rely on rental income every year due to those from colder climates moving to warmer places is a godsend. Parking can be a huge perk in certain cities where a renter would have to pay a large amount monthly to park their car on their own.

Partner with a College in the Area

The ability to rely on a college in your local area to produce exchange students that need housing can be immensely profitable. You will be receiving rent from the college and exchange students oftentimes will take care of the property far better than an average college student. Being able to house graduate students is an even better deal so reach out to university officials to see if an arrangement can be established. A student is not going to risk their time in the US by damaging the apartment or condo they are renting.

Investing in the right property can generate income for years to come while the property itself appreciates in value. Maximizing the income made off of the properties can be used to put back into the property or can be saved to invest in another property.

Five Ways To Make Money in 2020

Jen Lambert on May 14, 2020

Making a bit of extra money on the side is always welcome. But starting a side hustle, and more importantly, starting the right side hustle is sometimes hard.

You have to take into consideration so many different aspects. From making sure that you’re keeping your sanity and staying motivated enough to keep doing this on a day by day basis, to ensuring that what you’re undertaking as your side money generating activity, you can do well enough to get paid for.

So, while it’s 2020 and you can find some way to make money left and right, we’ve decided to go over five ways that can help you generate more money and reach new financial goals. Let’s get started! Shall we?

Consider becoming a workout coach.

Helping people reach new fitness heights is definitely something exciting. You get to see your clients grow, thrive, and get healthier because of your guidance and actions.

But this is definitely not of everyone as you’ll have to be an individual who’s passionate about living a healthy lifestyle so much, you inspire other people to do so as well. But if you tick all the boxes, then you can start finding clients and sell them your services. Just remember that if you are interested in providing meal plans as well, you should be a certified professional to do so.

Consider investing

Definitely one of the more professional options on here that could turn you into a millionaire if you are good enough at what you do.

Investing in crypto specifically is a good idea, as the technology is becoming more and more mainstream and even some banks are getting interested in it. Now that even bitcoin halving is a thing, it’s all about creating a more stable currency, and if you capitalize early on it, you’ll be sure to make a bank once crypto becomes part of our day to day.

Turn your hobby into a money generating machine

While the above mentioned working out is definitely a hobby, it’s very energy consuming and you have to be very dedicated to keep it as a side hustle to your nine to five.

But consider turning your other hobbies into something that can generate you money on the side. It doesn’t have to be a lot of money.

If you like playing the guitar, do guitar lessons. Same with everything else you’re good at. There are plenty of people that need to get better at math.

Start a podcast

Yup, definitely 2020 with this one. While starting a podcast is easy, making it successful with a raving fan base is hard.

But if you are in an industry or you have interesting friends that you think will make for amazing podcast episodes, then you’re a step closer to building a strong fan base podcast, that you can monetize.

Maybe start a blog

Yup, blogs are still a thing. But only if you do them properly. We’re talking about research, passion, quality writing, and powering it with SEO. This would ensure the much-needed organic reach for building a readership that you can monetize.

Sean Tissue, Centureon Investments, and the Beauty Off-Peak Real Estate

Article Editor on May 8, 2020

Many home buyers, real estate agents, and industry professionals recognize that spring is the proverbial bread and butter month for the real estate industry. While the sentiment can vary slightly based on location and seasonality, April showers tend to bring May open houses. With warmer temperatures bringing potential buyers out from hibernation to explore newly placed “For Sale” signs, it can be said that April showers bring May open houses. Throughout bustling cities, the sounds of new construction can be heard bright and early with industry professionals, like Sean Tissue, and brave novices scrambling to finish renovations before the culmination of the coveted season. With the spring season so ingrained in the mind of the industry, though, many investors overlook the idea of investing in real estate throughout the winter months, passing up golden opportunities to beat the rush and potentially set the market. With several benefits to pursuing this non-traditional route of investment, winter can prove to be a great time for real estate investment.

Location, Location, Location

As the most important deciding factor for real estate purchases, the location of potential homes, investment properties, and real estate can naturally create a blossoming opportunity, even in the midst of the coldest winter. While the national real estate market showcases ebbs and flows that can affect the majority of locations, certain “hot pockets” exist where the demand for modernized housing outweighs the current supply, and the supply of these properties can maintain speed throughout the winter as demand drops, creating an opening for savvy investors. In large cities, this can equate to swiftly developing trendy neighborhoods, which are not only convenient but also become coveted as a result of amenities, nightlife, aesthetics, and continued development. Once a modernizing pocket becomes popular, investment opportunities can grow within the winter months, in a perceived rush to capitalize on the trend of a particular neighborhood. While inventory may be a bit more limited, opportunities for investors, home buyers, and other professionals can be plentiful based on the popularity of a particular location.

A Slower Pace

In many bustling areas, homes are listed for sale on a particular day, receive multiple offers by that evening, and go under contract within three days, likely even above full asking price. Alternative sources of real estate investment like Sheriff’s Sales and Foreclosure Auctions also see this trend as they are seemingly bursting at the seams with potential investors looking for their next opportunity. Thus, winter offers a small reprieve from the potential chaos of real estate investment and provides better mobility for home buyers, potential sellers, and investors. Throughout this time, interested real estate investors take advantage of the slower market to focus on longer-term renovation projects, dedicating winter months to processes like full demolitions, complete renovations, and other extensive projects with the goal of placing their completed projects on the market in time for the spring market.

Practical Insights from Nature

In addition to the benefits the winter real estate market can give to those brave enough to venture out in the cold, winter’s natural elements can provide insightful clues about the status of a property, especially in harsh climates. For investors and homebuyers alike, the sight of a snow-covered roof can indicate in-tact insulation, as heat isn’t escaping and melting the snow. Additionally, snow-covered months would be ideal indicators of potentially leaking roofs, basements, and other crevices that could otherwise be missed throughout the summer. Thus, the harsher conditions of winter can be used as a tool to actively gain first-hand knowledge regarding a property’s condition.

Budgeting, Leverage, and Competition

While there are fewer available properties to choose from, there are also fewer competitors seriously perusing the market for available investment opportunities. Simultaneously, sellers who are looking to part ways with a property can be more willing to negotiate on pricing while the market is significantly slower than during the summer months. This gives real estate investors a unique leverage point throughout the winter, one that could save investors tens of thousands of dollars the right circumstances. In the case of Foreclosure Auctions or Sheriff’s Sales, it may make sense for financial institutions to part ways with properties at a lower cost, rather than waiting until Spring. Thus, winter is a great time to ask for concessions, submit lower offers, and take advantage of leverage that is not usually present during the spring months.

Professional Assistance

As the winter lull slows down many industries, real estate investors like Sean Tissue are more likely to receive swift, effective, and low-cost services within these associated industries. From working with agents who can dedicate more time to finding the perfect investment opportunity, to lenders who aren’t stretched too thin, and contractors who aren’t bogged down with Spring’s renovations, industry professionals are able to offer their services in a streamlined, effective, and cohesive manner. With daily operations slowing down across these service providers, investors can also negotiate pricing, and develop long-term relationships that would be harder to build throughout the busier seasons.

Marketing, Skill Development, and Investment Savvy

For real estate investors of all varieties, winter is also a great time to develop the skills that will translate into a fruitful busy season. For example, learning to take effective “before” and “after” photos can generate better listings and traction, while learning to market rental properties can result in successfully renting out space immediately. Winter is not only about finding the next investment property, but also about honing the skills that are needed to complete all tasks associated with the investment, and building a strong foundation for the busier months ahead.

From limited competition, to the increased pricing leverage, winter’s unique conditions can be lucrative, seamless, and fruitful for real estate investors across the board. By recognizing these potential benefits, dedicated investors can take advantage of winter’s opportunities, setting the tone for a successful year!

About Sean Tissue and Centureon Investments

Operating successfully for almost a decade within the Detroit, Midwest, and Southeast real estate markets, Centureon Investments is a real estate investment company specializing in providing investor partners with comprehensive services throughout the lifecycle of their investment. Unlike other turnkey real estate management companies, Centureon works in tandem with investor partners prior to investment, including forecasting local market trends, providing insight related to potential cash flow and rental success, and creating specific blueprints to meet unique investor needs. Centureon leverages the expertise of industry-leading staff to provide ongoing management tools for rental investors, including marketing and tenant procurement, maintenance and physical repairs, as well as ongoing tenant satisfaction through communication and management tools.

With varying entry points dedicated to meeting the specific needs of various investors, Centureon Investments provides investment opportunities in single-family homes in the Detroit market starting at $45,000, all the way up to multi-family units in the Midwest for up-to $$1,000,000+. With such vast offerings, the company has a unique ability to work with investors to expand their portfolios. Since its inception, Centureon has utilized this multifaceted approach to build a positive reputation among investors with also developing meaningful long-term relationships and growing the company’s own real estate portfolio.

At the helm of Centureon Investments is CEO Sean Tissue, who has leveraged his own personal experiences as a real estate investor and developer to create, maintain, and champion Centureon’s comprehensive investment platform.

Connect With Sean Tissue and Centureon Investments: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Crunchbase

There is More to the Internet Than Cat Videos: Come Out to the LA BookFest

Bree on May 4, 2020

If you’re a book purist, there is no substitute for the feel and smell of an actual book in your hand. But if there was ever a time to take a step forward into the digital world, it is now. Your favorite bookstore might be closed, but the LA BookFest proves that literature is still thriving online.

On Saturday, May 9^th, the LA BookFest begins. If you’re sheltered at home, it’s high time to give your brain some much-needed exercise and a respite from the boredom. What better way to do it than with like-minded people from around the world? Join your fellow book lovers for a celebration of all things bookish. And after the event streams live, go back and check out all the archived content. LA BookFest is the gift that keeps on giving.

A Veritable Who’s Who in Established and Up-and-Coming Authors

Whether you’re looking for the latest from some well-established authors or looking for some new talent just making their way into the literary world, the LA BookFest will delight you with its line-up. You’ll start your journey with a keynote speech from NJ Ayuk as he discusses the African energy sector in relation to the current COVID-19 pandemic. And he’s a proper authority on the topic as the author of the Amazon best-seller, Billions at Play, a thoughtful exploratory on the rising energy companies on the African continent.

Panels will have a strong focus on current events and how it affects the literary world. Sit down with some of the world’s most respected journalists, including former White House correspondent Dan Lothian and award-winning journalist Deborah Zara Kobylt and others as they candidly discuss: Integrity in Journalism in the Age of Covid-19, Fake News, and Partisan Politics.

Literature Comes Full Circle

If you feel online literature is some new-fangled oddity for a younger generation and Kindle readers are some Faustian trap to take away your beloved books, here is some food for thought. In the 19^th century, most novels came in the form of periodicals, printed weekly or monthly. Even Charles Dicken’s famous The Pickwick Papers was originally published in a serialized format.

The Last Surviving Dinosaur by Steven Joseph

When you attend the LA BookFest you can hear directly form Mitch Albom who’s put a modern, digital twist on this most classic of formats with his new Human Touch. Human Touch is an online serialized story and a current work in progress. Albom is crafting a message of hope in uncertain times, Human Touch helping to transcend the current pandemic in search of a brighter future to come.

So, if you consider yourself a purist, traditionalist, old-fashioned, or just plain stubbornly clinging to those lovely yellowed pages of literary treasure, just know you’re picking up a story in the most traditional of formats, pioneered by the likes of Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Who’s traditional now?

Trejo’s Tacos Recipes &nStories from L.A. by Danny Trejo

Look at All Those Authors, Speakers, Celebrities, and Thought-Leaders

There is a long list of notable names who are part of the LA BookFest. You are sure to find your favorite, or meet your new favorite among these notables: Bilal Alaji; Mitch Albom; Maria Alexander; NJ Ayuk; Sheryl Benko; Scott Brody; Diana Lee Brown; Jenna Busch; LaFern Cusack; Bob Difornio; John Dracup; Celeste Duckworth; Debra Eckerling; Lisa Goich; Gerald Everett Jones; Steven Joseph; Sarah Kendzior; Kathleen Kaiser; Deborah Kobylt; Paul S. Levine; Dan Lothian; Kiera Lyons; Joanna Dodd Massey, Ph.D.; KJ Matthews; Jonathan Maberry; Monica Matulich; Bill MicCormick; Ray Mitchell, Esq.; Ora Nadrich; Russell Nohelty; Claudia Puig; David Ruggerio; Edgar Scott; Robin Quinn; Ray Richmond; Sue William Silverman; Ryan Southwick; Danny Trejo; and Sara Winokur.

It Is as Easy a Click of the Mouse

Your literary journey is only a click away. Go to LA BookFest to sign up to attend. The LA BookFest is hosted by the Greater Los Angeles Writing Society in conjunction with a host of other sponsors, including such well-known names as Black Château Enterprises, Books That Make You, TEDxResedaBlvd and plenty more.

7 Tips For Co-Parenting During The Coronavirus Quarantine

Jeff Short on April 29, 2020

Co-Parenting is difficult enough on its own. As Dorie Rogers, an experienced divorce attorney in Orange County points out, there’s a long list of do’s and don’ts to follow if you want to pull it off right and provide the best environment possible for your child.

Now, with the added stress of the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine, questions abound about how to successfully navigate parental responsibilities and custody agreements with an ex-partner while also limiting contact and following quarantine orders.

It’s a tricky balance, but there are some tips that will help you navigate the situation. The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), in conjunction with American Academy Of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), have released their Seven Guidelines for Parents Who Are Divorce/Separated and Sharing Custody of Children During the COVID19 Pandemic. Here’s what you should take to heart.

Be Healthy

You should take care to keep yourself healthy, and set a positive example for your children to do the same. Wash your hands, wipe down surfaces, social distance, and stay up-to-date with the CDC’s guidelines and what’s going on with the outside world.

Be Mindful

The pandemic is serious business, and you should treat it as such. On the flipside, though, you’ll want to be mindful of your children, and stay strong to help them cope. Stay calm, field whatever questions they might have, and reassure them that, although things are abnormal now, normality will return at some point down the line.

Be Compliant

This tip is in reference to any court orders custody agreements. Even with quarantine in effect and schools closed, you’ll want to maintain adherence to what the courts have mandated as closely as possible.

Be Creative

When it comes to following those court orders, though, you’ll have to get creative in some instances. Life has changed, and you’ll have to roll with those changes in a reasonable way to maintain safety. Plans may get disrupted, but you can help maintain closeness by utilizing online chat programs like Skype and FaceTime.

Be Transparent

Communication is key to maintaining good relationships, and that’s doubly so during this pandemic. Be honest if you think you or your child has been exposed to the virus, and work with your parenting partner to take steps to mitigate harm.

Be Generous

Even in the best of times, kindness goes a long way. It’ll go even further in the unique circumstances of quarantine, as making accommodations for your co-parent and being flexible whenever possible will help take stress off of you both.

Be Understanding

As an extension to the point above, you’ve got to be understanding of the trials that quarantine has placed on everyone. The economic impacts, for instance, have made it difficult for some to earn money, so both recipients and payers of child support should recognize this, realizing it is a temporary circumstance and working together to best provide for their children.

Motorcycle Crash Awareness Refresher for Spring

Jeff Short on April 29, 2020

Spring is officially here, which means it’s time to enjoy some much-needed warm weather. It also means that motorcyclists will be hitting the road again, but doing so at their own peril. Each spring, the number of motorcycle accidents in the U.S. rises dramatically as other drivers are unprepared to share the road with these vehicles.

In 2017, 89,000 motorcyclists were injured while another 5,172 died as the result of an accident. So, this is a spring refresher for riders and drivers alike to help bring these statistics down and keep everyone safe.

Why So Many Accidents?

Motorcycles are a lot smaller than their automobile counterparts, which can make them difficult to spot while driving. It isn’t uncommon for a bike to seemingly come out of nowhere since motorcycles can fit right inside a driver’s blind spot.

If you’ve ever wondered why motorcycles are so loud, that’s the reason. Since you can’t always see them, a louder engine gives you the ability to hear them. Regardless, not noticing a motorcyclist is the main reason behind the high number of accidents.

Tips for Riders

The best way to protect yourself as a motorcyclist is to always wear appropriate safety gear and obey every traffic law. If an accident does occur, the last thing you want is to be held liable. Keep in mind that different counties often have their own regulations for motorcyclists. That means you would need a motorcycle accident attorney in Orange County if the accident occurred in Santa Anna and one in Cook County if you wrecked in Chicago, for instance.

The next best thing you can do is learn to ride defensively. Never assume that a driver can see you. Instead, always ride with your headlights on and stay out of their blind spots every chance you get. Don’t swerve between vehicles, and give yourself plenty of room between cars on the road.

Part of driving defensively also includes anticipating driver’s moves, keeping an eye out for lane changes and turns. You can keep an eye on a car’s back tires to give you a heads up when they’re about to move, even if they fail to signal.

Tips for Drivers

For the driver, it’s vital that you monitor your blind spots as best as possible. Positioning your side and rearview mirrors to give you the broadest viewing range around your vehicle is an excellent start, but you also need turn your head when changing lanes.

Like riders, drivers should also give themselves plenty of space between other vehicles on the road. It also helps to slightly reduce your speed when driving behind a motorcycle, giving you extra time to react and avoid a potential accident.

Finally, be careful when making a left turn. There are more blind spots on your left than on your right, making these turns more dangerous. Keep an eye and an ear out for motorcycles while driving and you can help cut down the number of accidents that take place each spring.

Pre-existing medical conditions and car accidents

Jeff Short on April 29, 2020

Despite the country’s best efforts to spread awareness about and enforce safe driving practices, there are still hundred of thousands of car accidents each year. The reasons behind them range from drinking to texting and road hazards, but did you know that pre-existing medical conditions are a factor?

The term “impaired driving” makes most people think of drugs and alcohol, but it also pertains to various medical conditions that impact an individual’s ability to drive. If you have a pre=existing condition, then this is how it could affect your car accident.

Types of Pre-Existing Impairments

There’s a long list of conditions that could potentially impact your ability to drive. Anything that impairs your skill, judgement, or motor functions can count. Some of the most common include:

The rise and fall of blood sugar in diabetes
Fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath in heart disease
Disorders that cause seizures
And even poor eyesight

Knowing the Law

It isn’t uncommon for people with diagnosed conditions to have restrictions placed on their driver’s license. These are determined by the severity of the impairment and include limitations for things like nighttime driving, heavy traffic, and specific areas such as school zones.

If you do have a pre-existing condition, speak with your primary care physician about how it may impact your driving ability. They can write a letter detailing the severity of your impairments, which you can relay to your state’s Department of Transportation.

Determining Fault with Pre-Existing Conditions

So, what happens in the event of an accident? Bad eyesight and seizures can be just as dangerous, if not more than, drinking and driving. Since a drunk driver is found liable, it might make sense to think that someone with a pre-existing condition would be as well. However, that isn’t always the case.

Determining liability depends on a variety of factors. Intentional negligence, the extent of injuries, and how much of a role the disability played in the accident are all taken into consideration. This makes it vital that you have skilled legal representation for your case.

It helps to have legal professionals whose practice revolves around vehicle wrecks, but also one who understands how disabilities can play a part. Finding the right lawyer isn’t always easy, but these car accident attorneys in Hermosa Beach are an excellent example of what to look for.

Fighting for Your Rights

When you know how a pre-existing condition affects your driving ability, you’re cautious about ensuring your safety and the safety of others. If you do find yourself in an accident, don’t let the other party pin liability on your for your condition.

You have the right to argue your case with legal representation and prove that your impairment did not directly cause the accident. You also have the right to seek compensation when the other party was at fault. With the right legal team on your side, this is a fight you can and will win.

5 Tips From James River Capital to Stay Accountable While Working from Home

Article Editor on April 24, 2020

More people are working remotely during the coronavirus pandemic than ever before. While many workers are happy to cut out their morning commute and wear sweatpants to work, some employees are struggling to stay motivated. Between the temptation of Netflix, the distraction of kids and pets, and anxiety about the state of the world, it can be tough for newly-remote workers to stay focused.

It’s hard to get into “work mode” when you’re working from your living room couch surrounded by the chaos of home life. However, you’re still fortunate enough to have a job and the means you have deliverables you are accountable for. As many workplaces lay off their employees, you need to demonstrate your value, and that means holding yourself accountable.

According to Paul Saunders, the co-founder of James River Capital, remote work is synonymous with accountability. While real-world workplaces have built-in accountability, you have to keep yourself motivated to succeed in remote work.

Let’s dive in to Paul’s advice for employees who want to stay productive and mentally alert while working from home.

About James River Capital & Paul Saunders

Along with his business partner, Paul Saunders acquired James River Capital back in 1995. In the 25 years since founding the company, Paul has served as CEO and Chairman of the Richmond, Virginia, company.

Today, Paul puts his 30+ years of experience in finance to work for James River Capital’s products. His goal is to find ways to balance portfolios to reduce risk and optimize return. Using alternative investments, James River Capital optimizes these investments for both parameters.

With over 25 years of experience in management, Paul has learned how to train his employees to stay accountable as they work remotely. As a manager, he has to trust that his team is equipped to handle the challenges of remote work. While the honors system is a big component of working from home, you do have to demonstrate enough value to stay gainfully employed. Here are Paul’s five tips for work-from-home accountability.

Five ways to boost accountability while working from home

Set goals

It’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole of Netflix and Instagram if you don’t have tangible goals to keep you focused. Goals give remote work a purpose. They motivate you to keep pushing through and keep you working, even when you’re tempted to take a nap or a longer lunch break.

What goals do you have for the day, week, month, quarter, and year? While you don’t know how long you’ll be working remotely, it’s helpful to set short-term and long-term goals so you stay motivated and alert.

According to Paul, managers shouldn’t be breathing down your neck right now. However, they do expect you to stay on task, and goal-setting is the best way to crank out high-level work.

Keep a to-do list

If you aren’t already tracking your work tasks, now’s the time to start. Begin your workday knowing precisely what’s expected of you. Assign to-dos by order of importance, eating the elephant early in the day so you build the right momentum. If you don’t want to tackle huge projects at 8 am, start with small tasks, like checking your email.

Although paper to-do lists are okay, Paul has seen better results at James River Capital with digital tools. Asana, Monday, Trello, and other project management apps will help you track your tasks, collaborate with teammates, and show your manager what you’ve accomplished.

It’s also important that you stay realistic. Don’t put too much on your plate; otherwise, you’ll eventually burn out and get overwhelmed. On the flip side, you don’t want to run out of work by 9 AM. It might take you some time to balance your workload, but it will eventually settle and you’ll be better for it.

Track your time

How do you spend your time? It’s easy to fall into a glut of emails or run-on meetings in an organization that’s new to remote work. Track your time so you see where you spend most of your energy.

Remote employees can learn so much about themselves when they use free time-trackers online. This isn’t about letting your manager record your screen or anything; the purpose of time tracking is to help you better manage your time to stay accountable.

Start by batching similar tasks. That might mean checking Slack and email in a batch. Time how long you spend on each batch of tasks. The added structure will help you stay productive while you work from home.

Overcommunicate

Accountability starts with your boss and coworkers. But as a remote worker you aren’t getting as much face time with your boss or coworkers right now. You have to make an effort to communicate effectively within your organization if you want to stay accountable.

A good way to assure success with this is to schedule regular check-ins with remote employees and managers. Ask your manager how often they want to meet you, through what medium (Slack, video chat, phone call, etc.), and what you need to bring to the meeting.

Always ask your boss for his or her expectations. What do they need from you right now? How can you improve your work while working from home? Regardless of your boss’s management style, you need to communicate with them. After all, this is the person who signs your paycheck. Stay accountable to them.

Minimize distractions

Distractions happen in an office environment for sure, but your home is full of distractions too. Between your phone, the TV, kids, and your spouse, there are plenty of boundaries in the home environment that kill productivity.

It’s your responsibility to minimize distractions so you can stay accountable, and that means setting boundaries. Try these four tips for minimizing distractions:

Limiting your phone use: Set a timer on your phone to limit social media access to one hour during the workday. You can also block these apps during work hours if they’re too much of a distraction.
Creating a schedule: A schedule keeps your mind healthy and alert during these uncertain times. Give yourself a sense of normalcy by committing to a set wake-up time, determining your work hours, and scheduling in important tasks like cleaning and exercise.
Carving out an office space: You probably don’t have the luxury of a home office but you still need a private space that’s just for work. Push that dresser out of the corner in your bedroom. Put a TV table and kitchen chair in the corner of your room to use as a workspace. It’s not fancy but it will help you stay focused with fewer distractions.
Take breaks: It sounds counterintuitive but taking 15-minute breaks every few hours will boost your productivity. Check-in with your kids, grab the mail, do a load of laundry, or just relax. Use the breaks as your opportunity to return to work with less on your mind.

The bottom line

You aren’t expected to run at 100% during these uncertain times but you still have to deliver on your work responsibilities. Unfortunately, it’s easier to sweep things under the rug when you work remotely. Instead of drifting through remote workdays in a haze, hold yourself accountable. Follow James River Capital’s five tips to not only stay more productive when you work from home but to stay focused and motivated during such a critical time.

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Top reasons people get fired

Jeff Short on April 24, 2020

Employees across the nation find themselves out of a job each day. While some might be laid off or suffer an injury that prevents them from working, the majority are fired. Of course, no two firings are the same. Here are the top reasons why employers fire their staff.

Bad Performance

The most frequently cited reason is poor performance, but this category is just as broad as the reasons why employees are fired. It can be related to the number of errors an employee makes, their speed when completing tasks, missing deadlines, or just poor judgement. Whatever the cause, this is when the employee does not meet their expected job duties.

Missing too Much Work

Everyone needs time off now and again to recuperate, recover from an illness, or take care of urgent obligations. However, some employees call in sick at an alarming rate. While each employer has their own idea about how much is too much, this is an easy way to lose a job.

Coming in Late and Leaving Early

These two reasons are lumped into tardiness or just not being at work when you should be. It’s more common for an employer to fire an employee who is consistently late for their shifts. Every minute a worker is late either pushes back the workload or places increased stress on other employees.

There are workers who routinely leave their jobs early, too. This has the same effect as clocking in late, but can also cause other employees to have to work longer hours. If someone left early without completing their tasks, for instance, others might have to pick up the slack.

Stealing

Believe it or not, 40% of managers have fired their employees for theft. That can include everything from cash in the register to company tools and supplies. In some cases, personal use of company property can also count as stealing. Playing games on a work desktop or using the printer to make yard sale fliers are good examples.

Drinking and Drugs

This reason is self-explanatory, but a surprising 35.2% of employees lose their job over substance abuse. Even in cases where a drink on the job doesn’t create a dangerous environment, alcohol and other drugs can cause employees to clash with company policy in their behavior.

Gossip, Language, and Relationships

People talk in the workplace, but excessive gossip often causes issues between employees that management ends up having to resolve. These issues often lead to hostility, which is why employers cite this as a reason for firing their staff.

A foul mouth is another way to lose your job, but what constitutes as inappropriate language changes from one industry to the next. As for relationships, romantic or otherwise, mixing business with pleasure is never advised. When couples separate but remain coworkers, conflict is almost sure to follow.

Disputing Termination

While an employer can cite any of these common reasons, their decision to fire an employee isn’t always justified. If you feel that you’ve lost your position unfairly, then you’ll need to hire lawyers for wrongful termination that can make your case in court. You have a right to compensation in these cases, but it’s nearly impossible to prove an unjustified firing on your own.