ConferenceCall.co.uk blog

Published October 7, 2021

How to wake up when the clocks go back

It feels like the switch has been flicked to ‘winter’ and the shorter, colder days are well on their way.

It hardly seems like any time at all since we were all enjoying the heat of the summer out of lockdown, asking if you let your staff dress down in summer, and offering advice on how to help your smartphone survive the heat.

But suddenly we’re well into October, and there are Christmas adverts on the TV. And the Daylight Saving Time is due to end in a few short weeks.

The changing of the seasons can also lead to feelings of depression, if you suffer from Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD), here’s how to combat the symptoms of SAD. And if you struggle to drag yourself from under the duvet during the darker, colder months, here are some top tips to help you wake up in winter.

Guides & How-Tos Inspiration Work from home

business how to work from home

Published October 4, 2021

Top tips for the work from home freelancer

There are around 2.2 million freelancers in the UK, with around 239,000 doing freelancing as a side hustle. That means that more than 1.9 million people freelance as their main job.

But taking the plunge and going freelance can be a pretty daunting experience and not a decision that can be taken lightly – it’s all very well ducking out of the rat race and becoming your own boss, but the sudden realisation you’ve no longer got a steady wage coming in is enough to make you pine for the office politics.

Get it right though – which means keeping your clients happy and delivering on time – and the benefits far outweigh the inevitable panic at the end of the month, so here are some top tips if you’re a work from home freelancer.

Work from home

work from home

Published September 30, 2021

Is working from home ruining work?

It’s no secret that many in government and and at the top of some of the world’s biggest companies want us to stop working from home and return to the office. It was only a matter of weeks ago that a government minister floated the idea that civil servants who work from home should be paid less than those that work from the office.

Meanwhile, Google has stated that it will be handing out pay cuts to US staff who opt to work from home full time.

We think it’s a terrible idea, and employees need to be treated like grown ups – just because you can’t see your staff, it doesn’t mean they’re not working. And what’s the point in adhering to a strict nine-to-five workday?

On the other hand, there is definitely a disconnect when working from home, and we do lose those moments of serendipity when a casual conversation turns into a winning idea for your business.

But it’s all about balance.

Flexible working Work from home

business flexible working work from home

Published September 29, 2021

Essential tools for remote working

The last 18 months have seen more people than ever thrust into a situation where they’ve had to work from home. And as we emerge out the other side, many businesses are considering a ‘remote first’ policy or ‘hybrid’ working (part time home and part time office).

If your business is going to offer remote working, you’ll have to make sure your equipment is up to scratch and employees can work just as well from home as they can from the office.

The trouble is, technology is advancing at a breakneck speed so it can be difficult to work out exactly what equipment will be needed – keeping employees in touch via teleconference is easy enough, but will you need additional hardware and software to enable employees to do their job while on the move?

To help answer this question, here are a few essential tools for businesses on the move…

Flexible working Work from home

flexible working technology work from home

Published September 23, 2021

Should you start up your own business?

Every one of us has a winning business idea in us, but it takes a big leap of faith to make that move to turn that winning idea into a viable startup business.

Although thousands of businesses start up in the UK every year, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that more than half of all businesses (57.6%) don’t make it past the five-year mark – a good innings, but that’s a lot of work to eventually wind things up.

And while there’s loads of advice out there on why and how you should go all in for your own startup, there’s not much out there that offers up reasons why you shouldn’t.

But we’ve found some. First though, let’s take a look at how many businesses start up each year.

Infographics Work from home

business guide

Published September 16, 2021

What is the best Conference Call service?

Here at ConferenceCall.co.uk, we pride ourselves on being the UK’s best conference call service – calls to anywhere in the world, for up to 100 participants, can be set up quickly and easily, and our crystal clear sound quality and in-call controls mean no-one will miss a second of the meeting.

And if you have to take minutes, our in-call recording feature means you can go back through the entire call after its finished, to pick out key points and actions.

Find out why we’re the UK’s best conference call service.

Conference calling Inspiration

business conference call

Published September 14, 2021

Are you hooked to your smartphone?

Do you sometimes wake in the middle of the night and immediately reach for your smartphone? Or put down your knife and fork during meal times to check social media? Have you ever had arguments with those closest to you about how much time you spend on your device?

If so, you’ve probably got a smartphone addiction. And you’re far from alone.

Technology

technology

Published September 10, 2021

How to shake hands (and what to do instead of a handshake)

Handshakes are taken very seriously in the business world – too hard, and you’re a go-getting alpha-type who would sell their own granny to get to the top; too weak and you’re a simpering subservient, simply asking to be crushed, probably by someone whose handshake is way too hard.

But forget all that anyway, because the pandemic has all but killed off the handshake, leading to a confused system of fist bumps, elbow taps, and meek waves.

So, before we get into how to give a professional handshake (it will be back), let’s take a look at some alternatives…

Around the world Guides & How-Tos Infographics

around the world business guide how to

Published September 9, 2021

How to conference call El Salvador

El Salvador is a tiny country that borders Guatemala and Honduras and is the only Central American nation that doesn’t have an Atlantic coastline.

As far as exports go, offshore assembly products, coffee, sugar, shrimp, textiles and chemicals are the biggest hitters, while raw materials, consumer and capital goods, fuel, food, petroleum and electricity are the order of the day as far as imports go.

It’s recently become the first country to adopt Bitcoin as a legal currency, so bear that in mind if you’re trading there.

So if you’re thinking of doing business in El Salvador you’ll need a cost and time effective conference call provider – so here’s how to set up a call in a few simple steps…

Around the world Conference calling Guides & How-Tos

around the world conference call dial-in numbers guide how to

Published September 8, 2021

The curious case of Bitcoin in El Salvador

El Salvador has made history by becoming the first country in the world to make Bitcoin official legal tender.

But the roll out was hit by multiple bumps in the road on its first day, including angry protests, technological glitches, and a plummet in value.

Will El Salvador continue with the cryptocurrency? And will any other nations follow suit so Bitcoin becomes a mainstream currency?

Around the world News Technology

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