Emailing is an effective means of communicating both for business and personal use.  It can provide a type of quick response communication for a variety of questions or can be used successfully for mass-communications.  When you stop work to respond immediately to every email studies show it takes a full 2 minutes to be back to your previous level of concentration. Two minutes here and there adds up to a significant amount of time.

The difficult aspect of emailing is managing the mail.  There is a knack to it and here are six ways I’ve come across that really do make sense;

1)      Incorporate Gmail into your business email.  This will give you further flexibility and give you the opportunity to send and receive emails via your domain address through Gmail, and the process for setting this up is quite simple.

a)      Create a Gmail account for your site.

b)      Head to your current client and forward all your incoming email to the Gmail account.

c)       In your Gmail account, go to Settings –> Accounts. Under ‘send mail as’, click ‘Add another email address’. Enter the details for your me@mydomain.com account.

d)      Complete the verification process.

e)      Make your ‘me@mydomain.com’ address you default for ‘send mail as’.

2)      Organise your folders with labels.  Such a ‘To Do’, ‘Important’, ‘Boss’, ‘Networking’ etc.  Archive as much as you can so you don’t run out of space and delete unnecessary items.  It is possible to also put these folders in such as order that you prefer.  By adding the ‘@’ symbol at the beginning of the word such as @Important, this will push the folder to the top of the list, above all folders that beginning with the letter ‘A’ as can been seen below. 

You can also input a ‘rule’, very simple to do, to force all emails from for instance ‘Cam’ into the ‘Cam’ folder.  This helps with sorting of emails, with the more important emails being more obvious to you.  To find out more information about rules, simply search rules for outlook folders and there is a wealth of information.

3)      Process in batches once or twice a day and work your way to zero.  This will give you sufficient time to work on the other non-email related tasks and prevent being side-tracked by incoming emails.

4)      While working your way through your emails, read it and then answer it.  We’ve all done it, read an email we didn’t like the look of and thought ‘I’ll do it later’ completely putting it off until the last minute.  This is not productive and no longer how long you wait, the email will always be there. 

5)      Write, Re-read and send.  Keep your emails short and sweet by delivering the message in the email with a suitable salutation and closing.  Have your signature with functional links pre-set so you don’t need to re-write it with each email.  Once you have written your email, re-read it for typos and other errors and send.  Don’t ponder over it for too long because majority of the time, the changes that are made to these emails are rather insignificant anyway.

6)      If you must, use a bridging email.  A basic email to say thank you for your email, it has been read and it will be responded to ASAP will fill the gap between when it has been received and read and when it can be responded to when you work through the other more pressing emails you have.

Hopefully these six points have given you some ideas on how to work through the mounds of emails we receive.  Best of luck!

HireEzy is an innovative hire and rental market software program with the ability to revolutionise your entire day!  It’s packed full with numerous tools for everything from creating quotes and invoices, management of the products and services, deliveries and collections, a full accounting package and a marketing campaign creator plus more.  On top of that all aspects are totally integrated, completely internet friendly and iPad and iPhone compatible.  Disconnect from the stress of having loads of programs open and consider integrating with HireEzy!

THE SIMPLE LIFE
The hire industry can become demanding on your time, your business resources and your energies.  Unlike other articles I have previously written, I’ve decided to step out our the ‘how to’ mindset and take the viewpoint of ‘can we simplify your day?’. 

I understand small to medium businesses in the hire and rental industry are usually “stretched to the max”.  Resources can be pushed for instance as you dismantle from one event and move to set up another directly after, and this is when inventory becomes misplaced and there is the chance to lose track of your bookings, invoices and potential sales.

KEEPING YOUR DAY SIMPLE
Understanding industry requirements is what we are about at HireEzy so we’ve developed a complete software program to consolidate your day-to-day tasks in order to make life just that little bit easier. I have written articles from marketing your business, to hire industry trends for the upcoming year and usually I get my inspiration from a variety of sites but this time I was impressed with what I read on one particular webpage about wedding styling.  I realised sometimes we either forget or don’t appreciate additional resources available to assist us with our day. 

HOW WE CAN SIMPLIFY YOUR DAY
At HireEzy we all lead healthy lifestyles; this is a choice and what we find to be ‘simple’ for each of us individuals.  This has trickled through to our work practices and the product we provide for our valued clients.  We like to believe we keep things simple for you too. Simple to learn and simple to use, thus assisting to make your day as simple as possible.

SOME ADDITIONAL READING FOR YOU
Here are some articles I’ve found inspiring in my quest to incorporate ‘simplifying the day’ into my life in the hire and rental industry.  I believe it’s important to make use of the various opportunities available that have a purpose to benefit and assist in the hire and rental industry. 

10 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Stylist… http://bit.ly/fziDzX

B-A-L-A-N-C-I-N-G Your Juggling Act! http://bit.ly/emsu0P

Apps to simplify your business life.  Amazing ideas! http://bit.ly/a65e0q

Stay One Step Ahead of the Rest!

What’s happening in the world of social media for 2011?  We’ve been through Facebook, we’ve developed the Twitter account and blogging keeps us busy.  But what next?  What are going to be the new and exciting movements in the online world for the commencing year to grow your business?

 Here is a list of trends for the New Year.  Take what you like from it but don’t disregard… or you may just miss out on the next best thing (or be regarded as a bit of a laggard!).

1) Social Commerce

Facebook is familiar to us all but how about selling on Facebook?  The option is now there for a ‘marketplace’.  Link it up to your business’s profile and you’ve got a nice little free online-shop!  Facebook Marketplace is really quite simple; search for goods, upload pictures and insert information as you do with many sites.  Hopefully in the future there will be other options for payment rather than requiring individuals to be in direct contact with eachother, however it works nicely now and there is the option to only advertise to ‘friends’.  Check it out…

Facebook Marketplace - http://apps.facebook.com/marketplace/
Learn how to use - http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-use-facebook-marketplace

2) Group Buying

This is a relatively new concept that has swept across the world.  Advertised quite heavily in Australia alone, the power of group buying really does bring the power back to both the consumer and the business alike. Sites such as http://www.jumponit.com/ and http://cudo.com.au/ offer daily deals, so consumers have 24 hours to take advantage of the deal before it expires.  The site guarantees the business a certain number of sales in order for the discount to go ahead and the discount is guaranteed for the customer once a specific number of potential clients is confirmed.  Sounds like a win-win situation to me! 

Also try: 

Australia - http://dealdump.com.au/
UK - http://www.groupon.co.uk
USA – http://www.webbyplanet.com/
For general information – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12053015

3) Ever considered yourself a media company?

As more and more forums and other forms of marketing such as article writing become popular, companies, big and small, need to realise the importance of their writer.  Most of the tasks undertaken are similar to those of a PR or Communications staff member.  Therefore it is absolutely crucial the person in this role has the interest, capability and ability to learn exactly what is it that leads to successful e-marketing campaigns. 

Luckily, there is an absolute plethora of information on the net aimed to help out the novice writer or marketer.  Many E-Zines, How To’s and Forums contain valuable information regarding internet marketing, not to mention the number of paid options that are available.

My favourite is http://ezinearticles.com/

4) Workplace mobility

There is nothing more exciting than the ability to take your business mobile in 2011!  Without a doubt, the iPad and iPhone has revolutionised the way business can be conducted.  My previous article about ‘AirPrint’ http://www.hireezy.com/index.php/3036/apples-air-print/ has been a popular read, giving me the impression many of you are excited about these new opportunities.  Just imagine your sales reps on the road with an iPad, having the ability to update the database, print out catalogues, and send through invoices without the need to head back to the office or potentially wait days until the client gets the information he is after.  This is what workplace mobility is all about, and I guarantee this will change general business practices for the better in 2011.

HireEzy is moving forward in leaps and bounds in 2011.  We are especially taking advantage of the iPhone and iPad to increase the opportunity for workplace mobility for our clients. Our iPad and iPhone version of HireEzy will be launched in March 2011. This App will give you access to your database of clients, invoices and quotes and a full list of products. Making life so much easier!

Click here for more information on HireEzy – Hire & Rental Software

These are just a few examples of how businesses can suck the juice out of the internet in 2011.  How exciting!

HireEzy – Hire & Rental Management software for MAC and Windows will be enriched with the launch of Apple’s software upgrade iOS 4.2 which includes ‘AirPrint’.  After just a few touches of the screen you could potentially be printing a hard copy of an invoice, terms and conditions or brochure directly from the HireEzy software.   What makes this new iPad application most impressive is that it doesn’t require any downloads, cables or drivers to install.  

To set the scene, your constant “I’ll email that through when I get back to the office” has now become obsolete as your iPad, set up with the HireEzy software, allows you to print the necessary document directly to your customer’s compatible HP printer.  So the next time you are in your customer’s office or even at the event, you have the ability to send all your important documents straight to the nearest printer. 

Eliminate time wastage, customer confusion and loose paperwork and develop the most time effective and productive procedures available.  Furthermore, Apple claims both the iPad and HP printer is so smart you can even print walking from one room to another on the other side of the house and by the time you finish reading this sentence, one page could potentially have already popped out of the printer.

Not only does AirPrint work with HireEzy, it works with other applications also, including Safari, Mail, Photos, iWork as well as other recognisable applications.  So don’t stress when you have forgotten the paperwork for the client, or you are full up with tasks on a Friday afternoon, just hit print, it is fired off and you can continue working on your other tasks whilst AirPrint works in the background of your iPad.

AirPrint is available for download to your iPad now through iTunes . For more information and a list of compatible printers check out http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/airprint.html.

HireEzy plans to release the iPad & iPhone version of its Hire and Rental Management software in the early months of 2011.  Click here for more info.



HireEzy is an innovative hire and rental market software program with the ability to revolutionise your entire day!  It’s packed full with numerous tools for everything from creating quotes and invoices, management of the products and services, deliveries and collections, a full accounting package and a marketing campaign creator plus more.  On top of all that all aspects are totally integrated and completely internet friendly. 

Disconnect from the stress of having loads of programs open and consider integrating with HireEzy!

Click here for more information www.hireezy.com

Below is a great example of both.

Jess3 has brilliantly put together the lastest statistics on the internet growth, including internet usage and social media.  Put this research in to an amazing presentation and then shared it for us all to enjoy.

JESS3 / The State of The Internet from Jesse Thomas on Vimeo.

About Us

HireEzy is the complete business management solution for hire and rental companies. Not only does it include digital marketing, web integration it also includes social media marketing tool integration. For more information email us sales@makinglifeezy.com.au

Related articles by Zemanta

• The internet in pictures – ‘A day in the internet’ (nickburcher.com)
• Is Today the Internet’s 40th Birthday? (abcnews.go.com)
• Social Media Graphics (viralblog.com)

It goes with out saying these days that ensuring your customers operate the equipment they rent or hire from your company is a business critical issue.

Not just because it is morally and ethically the right thing to do, but also to ensure you are not subject to legal actions.

Customer safety is now a business critical issue

Hire and Rental companies regularly provide a range of equipment that requires some form of safety instruction.

There are a number of issues that hire and rental companies need to consider in their approach to OHS, not only to their customers but also their off site staff.

Such issues include:

Ensuring that safety instructions accompany each hire or rental and have an audit trail to demonstrate it;

Increasing the means by which customers can access hire or rental equipment safety data;

Ensuring off site staff, such as delivery drivers, assemblers, collectors and even inspectors have client site safety data briefs; and

Even the adhoc or routine scheduling of client site safety or maintenance inspections.

Addressing these issues is good business practise, part of mitigating your business risks. Such business practise is a combination of good staff training and awareness, good processes and a good hire or rental software system.

Safety Instructions issued to Clients.

HireEzy enables safety instructions to become an automated part of the picking and delivery process. Adding in a client signature for issued items, including the safety instructions aids in providing a demonstrable proof that such instructions were issued and received. A copy of the signed receipt that can then be attached to the client booking and hence client record, to maintain an historical record.

Increasing Means of Access.

Not all clients like reading safety instructions, particularly complex ones. Have you considered using demonstration videos? If so what about uploading such a video to YouTube or your own web site. If that sounds hard or you want to link such a process to your hire or rental management, then simply consider using HireEzy.

Off Site Safety Instructions.

Many client sites require some form of on-site safety compliance, particularly construction sites. To simplify the process of managing off site safety, simply link the client safety instructions to the booking and hence to the contractors or staff that are going to site. This requires in-built document management and workflow, which HireEzy has.

Client Site Safety or Maintenance Checks.

Such visits not only need to be scheduled they need to be set in the task list. Because HireEzy includes a task management system, these checks can be scheduled, often months in advance. This means that when planning for the week ahead, you can see not only your hire or rental related activities, you can also see any client site checks that need to be undertaken.

HireEzy certainly makes a big difference in improving your Hire and Rental Safety OHS management. However it must be supported by good staff training and staff compliance to processes.

About Us

HireEzy is the complete business management solution for hire and rental companies. Not only does it include digital marketing, web integration it also includes social media marketing tool integration. For more information email us sales@makinglifeezy.com.au

Related articles by Zemanta

• Work Based Learning & Health and Safety Act 1974 (slideshare.net)
• Families told doormats are health and safety risk (telegraph.co.uk)
• Father told he needs £350 insurance for son to do work experience at home (telegraph.co.uk)

In a recent post , we discussed how the downturn in the American economy was leading to a substantive downturn in the $175 Billion corporate meetings market. 

Driven by companies slashing their conference, event and major meetings budget.  Such budgets incur not only event equipment rental and event hire costs, but also travel, accommodation/venue costs.

Surveys indicate that over 60% of all companies intend to reduce their spending on meetings next year.   See earlier  post in this blog – titled Why tough times should benefit the hire and rental industry

One factor that is concerning is why!  Many companies recognize the importance of holding client and staff events and meetings.  However in the current climate, many shareholders and Government Agencies providing stimulus funds perceive such events and meetings as lavish junkets.  Companies and Corporations are “sheepish” about defending the business value, hence opt to cancel them.

Now a coalition of event and meet industry- including event rental and event hire companies, as well as planners and organizers are fighting back.  They have formed a coalition to lobby the USA Government about the benefits of events and meetings to the USA economy and USA Corporate Health.

The “Keep America Meeting“ campaign provides on line information about the business value of the industry.  Furthermore it includes an online petition to be presented to politicians.

This initiative of the event industry is welcomed, and should be seen as a role model for other event and meeting industries is similarly effected countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.

Making Life Ezy suppliers of the most innovative event and party rental software welcome the coalitions initiative.

About Us

HireEzy is the complete business management solution for hire and rental companies. Not only does it include digital marketing, web integration it also includes social media marketing tool integration. For more information email us sales@makinglifeezy.com.au

Hire and Rental can be an extremely profitable and high growth business.

Examples abound of incredibly successful entrepreneurs in the industry who have grown their businesses to impressive levels.   Continued growth in the sector is a given.  Particularly with the growth of niche based rental or hire companies, such as Baby Equipment, Handbags, Cocktail machines, the list goes on.

To support Industry growth we have started this list of tools and sites that entreprenuers can use. We will add to it over time to provide a single resource to support the industry’s entrepreneurs.

If you have any resource sites you think useful then please let us know so we can add them.

About Us

HireEzy is the complete business management solution for hire and rental companies. Not only does it include digital marketing, web integration it also includes social media marketing tool integration. For more information email us sales@makinglifeezy.com.au

Related articles by Zemanta

• Baby Boomers are Today’s Entrepreneurs (boomercafe.com)
• Anatomy of an Entrepreneur (yogeshnaiks-blawg.blogspot.com)
• Which augmented reality startups are most ready to dominate the market? We rank them. (digital.venturebeat.com)
• The entrepreneur whiz kid myth (money.cnn.com)
• The Anatomy of an Entrepreneur (myventurepad.com)

This is the first in a series of articles designed to help your hire company or rental company improve your website rankings.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the termed used to generically describe those things you can do to improve your search engine ranking.

That is how high you appear in the search results of a search engine, ie Google, Yahoo or Bing, when your potential customers type in the keywords that best describe your hire or rental business.

For example, if a customer seeking a party rental or party hire company in their area, types in “party rental miami” then in an ideal world you are the first company to appear in the search engine results.

Achieving that result though requires that you use Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) techniques.

Search Engine Optimization. This term is widely used in the search engine industry as a collective name for those activities that are directly or indirectly aimed at improving a page’s search engine ranking.

Yes you can pay someone to do it!

Or You can do the SEO yourself!

This series of articles will help you to get started doing it yourself.

The first thing to do is getting a basic understanding or how Search Engines work and then also of SEO

First How Search Engines Work

The first thing to do is to understand the search engine optimisation and to do that you need to understand the basics of how search engines work.
Although an older article, I like it because it keeps things pretty simple enabling you to get a basic understanding which can be built on later.

Second A Basic Introduction to Understanding SEO

There are a number of papers around which introduce your to SEO.

On our EzySoft YouTube channel we have some great introductory video’s to SEO, the best being Search Engine Optimization, click here

Or if you prefer to read,  start with, a basic introduction to SEO. Or alternatively this one is equally short and sweet, introduction to SEO.

Next Article – Getting Started

The next article gets you started with your DIY SEO

About Us

HireEzy is the complete business management solution for hire and rental companies. Not only does it include digital marketing, web integration it also includes social media marketing tool integration. For more information email us sales@makinglifeezy.com.au

Related articles by Zemanta

• SEO Mistakes to Avoid (suescaletta.com)
• SEO tactics (robbiz1978.blogspot.com)
• How Search Engine Optimisation Does The Job (ronmedlin.com)

HireEzy is a full business management hire software and rental software for Mac and Windows operating systems.

Our Software provides Apple Macintosh business users as well as Windows operating system business users with not just a fully functional standard hire and rental management software program.

It offers far more with inbuilt POS and accounting, and the tools to BUILD YOUR BUSINESS, including

* A Web-online Store;
* Web Content Management
* Digital Marketing Tools
* Social Media Integration Tools
* Inbuilt Mass SMS and Email.

Expect more from your hire software and rental software business management systems regardless of whether you use Apple Mac or Windows.

Replace your hire and rental management package, web site building, web content management, accounting, marketing systems and more with just one Fully Integrated Easy to Use business management software for your rental or hire business.

For more details contact us.

We believe that Hire Software should not just help manage your business it should help grow it AND HireEzy does