Remote Work Opportunities

10 tactics to control costs A guide which provides you the tools for cost reduction When I was head of finance, we were facing a challenge: → How to reduce our hourly rate to stay competitive This became my number one priority to help the business And we succeeded to decrease our hourly rate by 3% while inflation was up! Today I am sharing the tactics to reduce costs: 1. Budgeting and Forecasting: • Importance: Plan and estimate costs, revenue, and expenses. This is where you can get your team to commit on cost reduction. • Focus: Use accurate data and update budgets regularly. 2. Variance Analysis: • Importance: Compare actual performance with budgets to identify deviations. If you found a variation, there is a big chance that you have a topic to explore to reduce costs. • Focus: Investigate significant variances for improved accuracy. 3. Cost Allocation: • Importance: Distribute indirect costs for accurate pricing and control. • Focus: Maintain fair and updated allocation methods. 4. Activity-Based Costing: • Importance: Assign costs to specific activities for better resource allocation. • Focus: Identify and measure cost-driving activities accurately. 5. Zero-Based Budgeting: • Importance: Justify every expense to optimize resource allocation. • Focus: Balance rigor with operational continuity. 6. Cost-Benefit Analysis: • Importance: Compare project costs with expected benefits. • Focus: Consider tangible and intangible factors. 7. Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis: • Importance: Understand how sales, costs, and pricing impact profitability. • Focus: Validate fixed and variable cost assumptions. 8. Inventory Management: • Importance: Optimize inventory levels to reduce costs. • Focus: Use EOQ and JIT techniques for efficiency. 9. Vendor Management: • Importance: Evaluate and maintain supplier relationships. • Focus: Assess performance and diversify suppliers. 10. Procurement Management: • Importance: Acquire goods at the best cost with quality. • Focus: Establish clear procurement processes and collaboration. 👉 What is your favorite method to find cost reductions?

If you want to build a network in 30 days, read this: Goal: Build a foundation for your professional network by forming genuine connections with 10 individuals relevant to your career goals. Before you start: Define your goals: What do you hope to achieve by building your network? (e.g., career advice, industry knowledge, potential job opportunities) Identify target individuals: Who are the people you want to connect with? Consider their expertise, experience, and potential value in achieving your goals. Days 1-10: Laying the groundwork Utilize social media: Update your LinkedIn profile to showcase your skills and experience. Join relevant groups and follow industry leaders. Start small: Reach out to 2-3 people you haven't spoken to recently or connect with 1-2 new contacts. Personalize your message and focus on value. Attend online events: Look for webinars, online conferences, or workshops related to your field. Participate actively and introduce yourself to others virtually. Identify industry influencers: Research thought leaders and key players in your field. Follow their work and engage with their content online. Volunteer your expertise: Research volunteer opportunities related to your industry. This allows you to give back, network, and build your reputation. Days 11-20: Building connections Follow-up with initial contacts: Send a follow-up email or message expressing your appreciation for their time and reiterating your interest in staying connected. Engage in online communities: Participate in relevant online discussions. Offer your insights, answer questions, and build your online presence. Connect through mutual connections: Research your existing network for potential connections who know people you'd like to meet. Seek introductions and personalize your outreach. Attend local events: Look for industry meetups, networking events, or conferences in your area. Prepare conversation starters and actively connect with new people. Leverage alumni networks: If you're a college graduate, reconnect with alumni in your field through professional groups or university resources. Days 21-30: Nurturing relationships Share valuable content: Share relevant articles, industry news, or resources with your connections through emails or social media. Offer congratulations and support: Celebrate your network's achievements and offer support during challenges. Show genuine interest in their lives and careers. Schedule informational interviews: Reach out to individuals you admire and request informational interviews. Use this opportunity to learn more about their career path and gain insights. Be a resource: Look for ways to help others in your network by offering introductions, sharing opportunities, or providing relevant information. Schedule coffee chats: Invite 1-2 people you've connected with for virtual or in-person coffee chats to deepen your relationships and explore potential collaborations. Source: "Reach Out" by Molly Beck

One of the best reports that exist. Huge fan 🙋🏼♂️ What is it about? The World Economic Forum’s bi-annual Future of Jobs Report has followed evolving technological, societal, and economic trends to understand occupational disruption and identify opportunities for workers to transition to the jobs of the future. The report comprehensively analyzes the interconnected trends shaping the global labor market. Key Takeaways: 🎯 Broadening digital access is expected to be the most transformative trend with 60% of employers expecting it to transform their business by 2030. 🎯 Increasing cost of living ranks as the second most transformative trend overall with half of employers expecting it to transform their business by 2030. 🎯 Climate change mitigation is the third-most transformative trend overall while climate change adaptation ranks sixth with 47% and 41% of employers, respectively, expecting these trends to transform their business in the next five years. 🎯 Two demographic shifts are increasingly seen to be transforming global economies and labor markets: aging and declining working-age populations, predominantly in higher-income economies, and expanding working-age populations, predominantly in lower-income economies. 🎯 Geoeconomic fragmentation and geopolitical tensions are expected to drive business model transformation in one-third (34%) of surveyed organizations in the next five years. Impact on the Labor market: 🎯 On current trends over the 2025 to 2030 period job creation and destruction due to structural labour-market transformation will amount to 22% of today’s total jobs. The creation of new jobs is 14% of today’s total employment, amounting to 170 million jobs. This growth is expected to be offset by the displacement of the equivalent of 8% (or 92 million) of current jobs, resulting in net growth of 7% of total employment, or 78 million jobs.  🎯 Frontline job roles are predicted to see the largest growth in absolute terms of volume. Care economy jobs and Personal Care Aides are also expected to grow significantly over the next five years, alongside Education roles such as Tertiary and Secondary Education Teachers. 🎯 Technology-related roles are the fastest-growing jobs in percentage terms as well as Green and energy transition roles. 🎯 Clerical and Secretarial Workers are expected to see the largest decline in absolute numbers. Similarly, businesses expect the fastest-declining roles to include Postal Service Clerks, Bank Tellers, and Data Entry Clerks. On average, workers can expect that two-fifths (39%) of their existing skill sets will be transformed or become outdated over the 2025-2030 period. Data set: This year’s edition captures the perspectives of over 1,000 employers – representing more than 14 million workers across 22 industry clusters and 55 economies. #economy #labormarket #jobs

Are you struggling to make money in your business? One of the fastest ways to turn the corner is to cut costs. Here are 7 ways to cut costs: 1) Conduct a cost audit The word audit makes chills go up my back. Going through an audit stinks. But this is a different type of audit. Do a thorough review of your expenses to identify areas where you can reduce costs without too much impact on the business. 1. Pull 12 months of transactions 2. Label them: - Fixed or variable - Essential or non-essential 3. Identify subscriptions or recurring charges 4. Group them into 3 buckets: cut, review, or keep 2) Optimize operational efficiencies Easy to say right? Do these 3 things: 1. Incentivize your staff 2. Bring in an outside expert in automation and/or processes 3. Create a process flow diagram for your major processes and look for areas of improvement Work with your team on the review items to decide which to cut. 3) Adjust employee authorizations Revisit who you’ve authorized to do what and spot-check employee spending. This keeps employees accountable. Yes, give employees authorization to make decisions, but only when you have the proper structures in place. 4) Outsource Non-Core Activities You can’t be an expert in everything. Outsource activities like accounting, IT, marketing, and HR. Each requires immersion to become great, so let the pros handle it. 5) Re-negotiate contracts Build a relationship and understand the other businesses' needs. Share yours as well, then look for areas of mutual benefit. Just asking “we need to lower cost by 10%; how can we make that happen?” can open up the floodgates. 6) Leverage technology Consider what can be: 1. automated 2. move to the cloud 3. made more efficient Tech can be expensive up front, but often you’re saving in time or error reduction. Don’t pinch pennies while your team spends hours weekly on workarounds. 7) Setup a regular review Regularly reviewing costs, softwares, and processes is a great way to stay on top of your costs. This creates a culture of accountability. This often slips when people get busy, so make sure it’s a priority and stays on the schedule. Cost-cutting should be a temporary thing. A constant focus on cutting cost is going to sow doubt among your team. Cost reduction is a great first lever, but it should never be the only measure. Thank you for reading! This was originally in my newsletter, where I share business finance tips for 40k SMB owners each week. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gVigaTwi

For many people, working remotely isn’t just a convenience—it’s a lifeline. Stories like Ashley’s, where returning to the office means an extra $13,000 in yearly expenses, are a reminder of how ridiculous return-to-office mandates can be. It’s not about being lazy. It’s not about wanting to avoid pants or skip a commute. It’s about the real, unavoidable financial strain that these mandates impose. Think about it: Childcare costs: Remote work often allows parents to better balance work and family life without shelling out thousands for extended daycare. Pet care: For pet owners, returning to the office can mean paying for walkers, sitters, or daycare—costs that didn’t exist while working from home. Commuting: Gas, parking, tolls, and the ever-present threat of inflated prices add up fast. Ashley’s situation isn’t unique. According to LendingTree, the average worker spends over $5,700 annually just getting to and from work. Add childcare into the mix, and families are dedicating upwards of 24% of their income to accommodate a schedule that they didn’t choose and doesn’t improve their productivity. For single parents, that number can climb to nearly 50% of their income. And let’s not ignore the bigger picture: Remote work has proven benefits for productivity. Research shows that people working from home often achieve more in less time while saving up to $6,000 annually. Remote workers contribute just as much (if not more) to their companies, and they do it while balancing responsibilities more effectively. So when companies enforce return-to-office mandates without raises to offset these costs, what they’re really doing is handing out pay cuts disguised as collaboration opportunities. Ashley said it best: “It’s not because we’re lazy. It’s because, in many cases, it’s a massive pay cut.” For employees, especially those with kids, tight budgets, or unique needs, remote work isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. It’s time to stop painting remote workers as unmotivated and start listening to their very real concerns. Returning to the office isn’t just a schedule change; for many, it’s a financial and emotional blow they simply can’t afford. Companies need to do better—for their employees, their productivity, and their bottom lines.

I was a target of office politics 😣 And it wasn't pretty. I would dread to go to work 😨 I never felt comfortable sharing my ideas/opinions 🤔 I left without being able to contribute as much as I would have liked 😤 If you too are facing something similar, here are some practical tips I wish someone would have given me: ✅ Stay Neutral: Avoid taking sides in office conflicts. Stay neutral to maintain trust and credibility. ✅ Build Relationships: Cultivate positive relationships with colleagues across all levels. Networking is key! ✅ Communicate Clearly: Be transparent and open in your communication. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. ✅ Focus on Solutions: Instead of dwelling on problems, focus on finding solutions. Positivity goes a long way! ✅ Stay Professional: Keep emotions in check and maintain professionalism at all times. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment. ✅ Seek Allies: Identify allies who can support you in navigating office politics. Strength in numbers! ✅ Document Everything: Keep records of important conversations and decisions. Documentation can protect you in case of disputes. ✅ Stay Informed: Stay updated on organizational changes and developments. Knowledge is power! ✅ Be Adaptable: Be flexible and adaptable to changing dynamics. Embrace change rather than resist it. ✅ Know When to Walk Away: Sometimes, it's best to walk away from toxic situations. Your mental health should always come first. Have you ever faced annoying office colleagues who come to work only to make your life miserable? #OfficePolitics #CareerSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐖𝐅𝐇 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ! 💡Remote Work impacts talent attraction and retention strategies (TA&R) as well as compensation management strategy. 👍🏻The inability to work remotely has been correlated with a 14% increase in intent to leave and organizations with return-to-office mandates stand to risk losing - through termination or attrition - their more highly paid employees. 🔥 Moreover, employees who can work remotely as needed are 22% less likely to quit than fully remote workers and 32% less likely to quit compared to fully on-site workers. For HR leaders, the primary culprits of declination of productivity are higher than average turnover and insufficient pay, according to a new interesting research published by Payscale using data from 309,971 employees with on online salary survey between August 2021 and August 2023, in addition to data from a survey of 980 employers fielded between July and August 2023. Researchers also found when it comes to motivating employees to return to offices, 89% of employers believe that ‘carrots’ work better than ‘sticks.’ Some examples of carrots provided by employers in the comments include:  ✔️Team-building activities,  ✔️Stipends for commuting,  ✔️Free or subsidized meals,  ✔️Interesting speakers or other events,  ✔️ Theme days, and geographic pay differentials with pay communications to help employees understand the benefit. Researchers discovered that remote work ranked second to last, just above anti-work sentiment when they participants to rank which factors are having the most impact on productivity in their opinion. Researchers listed below the main factors that impact productivity in US: 1️⃣ High turnover 2️⃣ Insufficient pay 3️⃣ Mental Health concerns 4️⃣ Supply and demand challenges 5️⃣ Remote Work 6️⃣ Anti-work sentiment 💥 Researchers noticed that only 57% of organizations measure productivity, and only 10% do so tangibly. Interestingly, researchers found that majority of organizations don't reward employees for increased productivity. ❌only 10% do so in a calculable manner that would motivate employees. ❌ Another 30% reward performance nebulously through the discretion of managers. These findings align with recent research done by Gartner, and by a team lead by Nick Bloom Professor of Economics at Stanford University. Also as Nick said, the most persuasive data are from the markets - but also in the companies themselves based on this new research. ✍🏻 How do you think companies can provide flexibility and retain and attract their best talent? Thank you 🙏 Payscale researchers team for these insightful findings: Ruth Thomas Lexi Clarke Scott Torrey  Dave Ulrich George Kemish LLM MCMI MIC MIoL #wfh #rto #remotework #attrition 

In today’s interconnected world, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 has become an invaluable skill for professionals at all levels. Building and maintaining meaningful relationships can open doors to new opportunities, foster collaboration, and drive personal and professional growth. Here are some key strategies for effective networking: ① 𝗕𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲: Authenticity is key in building trust and rapport. Approach networking with a genuine interest in others, and focus on creating meaningful connections rather than just expanding your contact list. ② 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲: Think about how you can contribute to others before seeking what you can gain. Offering help, sharing knowledge, or connecting people can make you a valuable contact and strengthen your network. ③ 𝗕𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: Don’t wait for networking opportunities to come to you. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and engage in online communities to expand your reach. ④ 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮: Platforms like LinkedIn are powerful tools for networking. Regularly update your profile, share insightful content, and engage with others’ posts to stay visible and relevant. ⑤ 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗨𝗽: After meeting someone new, follow up with a personalized message to reinforce the connection. Staying in touch and showing appreciation can turn a casual acquaintance into a lasting professional relationship. ⑥ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗠𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: Look for ways to create win-win situations. Networking should be mutually beneficial, where both parties gain value from the relationship. ⑦ 𝗕𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁: Building a strong network takes time and effort. Be patient and persistent, and remember that quality is more important than quantity. Strategic networking is more than just collecting business cards; it’s about creating a supportive community where knowledge, opportunities, and growth are shared. By investing in your network, you invest in your future success. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮? 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙬! Ruta Pathak Santosh v #Networking #ProfessionalGrowth #BusinessConnections #StrategicNetworking

In today's interconnected world, virtual networking has become an essential tool for professionals seeking to expand their horizons and forge meaningful connections. As we navigate through digital spaces, the ability to make a great first impression is more important than ever. So, how can you ensure that you leave a lasting impact in the virtual realm? Let's delve into some strategies that can elevate your professionalism and make you stand out in virtual networking events. Before diving into any virtual networking event, take the time to curate your digital persona. This encompasses everything from your profile picture to your bio and even your background. In virtual networking, active engagement is key to making a memorable first impression. Take the initiative to introduce yourself to others in the event, utilizing features such as chat boxes or breakout rooms to initiate conversations. Remember to actively listen to what others have to say, offering meaningful contributions and fostering authentic connections. One of the most effective ways to make a great first impression in virtual networking is by showcasing your expertise. Share valuable insights, industry knowledge, or relevant experiences that highlight your unique perspective and capabilities. The true value of virtual networking lies in the follow-up. After the event, take the time to follow up with individuals you connected with, whether it's through a personalized email, LinkedIn message, or virtual coffee chat. Lastly, remember mastering the art of virtual networking requires a combination of preparation, engagement, expertise, and follow-up. By implementing these strategies, you can make a great first impression that resonates with your audience and sets the stage for fruitful relationships and professional growth. So, the next time you find yourself in a virtual networking event, seize the opportunity to showcase your professionalism and leave a lasting impact. Your future self will thank you for it. #virtualnetworking #professionalism #networkingtips #expertiseshowcase #careergrowth #businessnetworking National University of Singapore

“I thought remote jobs meant I could work from anywhere. Turns out, I was wrong.” That’s what my client told me after months of applying for remote roles—only to be rejected because of his location. Here’s the truth: Not all remote jobs let you work from anywhere. There’s a difference between: ✅ Remote Jobs – These often come with location restrictions due to tax laws, payroll compliance, and government regulations. Many companies require you to be in specific countries, states, or even time zones. ✅ Work From Anywhere Jobs – These truly allow you to work from any country (sometimes with a few legal caveats). These are rare but possible with fully distributed companies. So, if you’re applying for remote roles and keep getting rejected, check: - Does the company hire in your country? - Are there legal or tax restrictions? - Are there time zone preferences? Where can you find TRUE ‘work from anywhere’ jobs? Try these sites: 1. We Work Remotely – One of the largest remote job boards. (https://lnkd.in/dJ34yjCv) 2. Remote OK – Lists jobs with “work from anywhere” filters. (https://remoteok.com/) 3. FlexJobs – Curated remote jobs with advanced filtering. (https://www.flexjobs.com/) 4. No Desk – Has multiple work from anywhere options (https://nodesk.co/) 5. Remotive – Focuses on remote-friendly companies. (https://remotive.com/) Remote work isn’t always borderless. But understanding these nuances can save you time, energy, and frustration. Save it and share it with your friends. #remotejobs #wfhjobs #careergrowth