Originally published on bbncommunity.com New entrepreneurs have to adjust to a particular lifestyle that can often be overtaken by work if not cautious. Such entrepreneurs often struggle to find the perfect balance between their work life and their personal life. Ryan Rock, Ankeny native, successfully maintains a proactive work, family, and life balance. During his college career, Rock balanced multiple activities, which also forced him to categorize his priorities. Rock’s time-management and prioritizing skills allow his company, Empire AG, LLC, to take up multiple projects and deliver quality work. After narrowing down his years of acquired knowledge, Rock highlights three simple solutions to the common problem of balancing work and personal life. Draw the Line What is the one tip entrepreneurs recommend when boiling down work-life balance? Schedule everything and work efficiently during those blocked times. However, it is also crucial for any business owner to create boundaries after setting a fixed schedule. An example of a drawn line might be not allowing yourself to check your email after dinner or before breakfast. Every barrier and plan is unique to the person creating it and the way of life that best works for him or her. Setting those dividing lines between being on and off work is essential to strengthening a lifestyle balance. Use Proactive Technology During scheduled times of work,...Read More
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Ryan Rock Ankeny Digital Entrepreneur Discusses How to Evaluate Your Own Performance as a Leader2/11/2020 Originally published on socialmediaexplorer.com Leaders spend their time managing the workplace, making sure everything goes smoothly and evaluating their employees. But, when you’re always the one doing evaluations, who evaluates your own performance? In this article, entrepreneur and leader Ryan Rock reveals three things you can do to improve yourself as a member of your business or company when you don’t have the option of being evaluated by someone in a higher position than you. From there, you can reach goals and continue to enhance the company by being self-aware. Here are a few tips on how to evaluate yourself shared by Ryan Rock, Ankeny native:
This may be the most difficult, but it is the most important to keep in mind. Maintaining a neutral standpoint on yourself means you’ll be more open to change and advice on improvement. If you are convinced you cannot do any wrong, then issues may begin to appear, as this can not only create friction in the workplace, but it can also prevent yourself from improving both as a person and as a leader. Additionally, try and evaluate yourself as you would with your employees. Ask yourself, “if an employee did this, how would I feel about this?” And try and answer that question honestly. Proofread your work with a critical eye, rather than immediately approve it without giving it a second thought. Hold yourself to standards that are higher than the ones you expect employees to have. That is how you remain neutral.
If there is no one ranking above you, then ask those under you for...Read More Originally published on innewsweekly.com
Since the beginning, construction has been a long, tedious process, but in the last few hundred years, there has been an explosion of advancement, especially since the Industrial Revolution. Even in the last few decades, there has been significant improvement. Many construction materials and practices 50 years ago are now obsolete to the far more efficient, safer alternatives of the 21st century. One of the most well-known examples of this is that asbestos is no longer used in buildings after the discovery that the substance was linked to cancer. Over the next 50 years, construction materials will undoubtedly continue to be produced with safety and efficiency in mind as we continue to advance.
Today, there is a plethora of new, innovative construction materials that are currently in the developmental and testing stages that will be used at construction sites in the very near future. 1. Self-Healing Concrete Yes, you read that correctly; in the very near future, buildings could be using this incredible new material. Self-healing concrete might sound like it just came out of a science fiction movie, but the reality is that it is simply concrete with bacteria that is activated by water to produce calcite, which fills in any cracks that may form. This will help reduce or eliminate...Read More Originally published on techtimes.com When presenting yourself to others in your work field, you want to have a good first impression, but most importantly, you want to be known for your professionalism. It can affect everything from your clientele to your boss to your employees. Most importantly, professionalism isn't just how you dress, it's about how you act. In this article, Ryan Rock Ankeny native shares factors that make you a professional in the eyes of other people. Granted, nearly every person has their own opinion of what it means to be a professional, but for the most part, it is someone who looks and acts respectfully, knowledgeably, and is businesslike. There are six main qualities that impact how a person perceives you; they are conduct, customer service, appearance, communication, specialties, and body language.
Your attitude and work ethic are at the forefront of your professionalism. While it can be easy to forget sometimes that people are always watching the way you conduct yourself, it's important to keep in mind that you can create rifts in relationships with customers and coworkers. Showing up or delivering work late, rude behavior, a lack of confidence in meetings, and so on are all obvious things you should avoid in general, but this is especially true in business.
This tip goes back to the basics but is important nevertheless. Good customer service can build strong relationships with clientele, which can be the factor that can lead to success. So, always speak in a courteous, polite manner and go above and beyond to make your clients feel special and like you appreciate their...Read More Originally published on small-bizsense.com As a business owner, you’re probably well aware that your business depends on your employees, and that their success at work relies on their ability to perform well. However, while some may thrive while under pressure, others may find themselves breaking, which can negatively affect your business.
It’s almost impossible to avoid situations which put your employees under a high amount of pressure, but you can help prepare them for those times.
But how do you set your employees up for success during stressful periods at work? There are many ways to relieve everyone from some of the pressure. Here, Ryan Rock, Ankeny resident and CEO of Empire AG, LLC, shares a few easy ways to reduce stress in the workplace.
Start in the Hiring Process
The ability for employees to thrive under pressure starts with the types of people they are, which is why helping them succeed starts in the hiring process.
You want to hire someone who can handle stress well, and this should be an essential question in the interview. When searching for the right person to fill a role, ask them how they work under pressure. Ask them to explain their management skills and methods, and ask them to provide an example of a time where they were successful despite pressure.
Focus on Mental Health
A person’s mental health can considerably affect their productivity at work. Poor mental health not only takes a toll on a person’s mind, but it may also lower their immune system, which could lead to lost productivity.
As an...Read More Originally published on theodysseyonline.com If you tend to procrastinate, you're not alone. People all over the world have the same bad habit, and it can be a painful cycle to break. Even the most motivated people can struggle to start or finish a project. However, procrastination can happen with nearly any task, and it's vital to end the habit. One of the reasons why it can be so easy to procrastinate is because once you put off a project, it's all too easy to continue putting it off until the last minute. Many people feel that avoiding procrastination gives way to breakthroughs in both their personal and work lives. Overall, finding an efficient way to complete projects leads to success. Here, Ryan Rock, Ankeny entrepreneur, discusses six tricks that can help you start and stay on track. 1.Write Everything Down Procrastinating is even easier when you don't know what you're doing. Combat that by writing down everything that you need to do on a piece of paper to keep track. Furthermore, studies have shown that if you write something down, you're more likely to do it. Not only that, but it can be quite satisfying to check off items on a list. 2.Prioritize Things Small tasks like calling customer service to ask about a warranty or cooking for a school fundraiser may seem insignificant, but you may regret putting them off later. When something doesn't seem necessary, it's even easier to put it off. However, if you prioritize tasks, it can motivate you to do them. 3.Break It Up Whether it's a college essay or a presentation for their boss, a person can often feel overwhelmed thinking about an unusually large project. An easy solution to that is to break it up. By coming up with a plan and doing the project in...Read More Ryan Rock Ankeny Entrepreneur Shares How Your Small Business Can Compete With Giant Corporations12/4/2019 There are many tough parts of running a business, and being able to compete with large companies in a tight economy is at the top of your concerns as a small business owner. Fortunately, there are many ways to prosper when the competition is fierce. From good marketing campaigns to excellent customer service, these strategies help companies to not only survive but to thrive amongst their big corporate competitors. It can undoubtedly be difficult for your small business to compete against a giant corporation. However, it is by no means impossible. To get started, entrepreneur Ryan Rock of Ankeny, IA shares a few ways to help your business keep up with its competition.
Focus In Rather than start with a broad, general audience, narrow down your business’s demographics for both your business’s products and marketing campaigns. With so many big companies selling a broad range of products to a general audience, offering something unique can be a shining beacon for consumers. Figuring out what products, atmosphere, and consumer type is key to drawing in customers. Focusing in on specifics allows for a more personalized experience, which will attract patrons over time. When it comes to your marketing campaign, it’s essential to create something that will both look good and resonate with your audience. You must focus your advertisements to allow potential consumers and regulars to connect with your company’s message.
Offer the Newest, Most Innovative Products Being the best means offering the most innovative and newest products available. One of the biggest misconceptions of small businesses is that they don’t stay up to date. Keeping up with new trends and advancements means you’ll be able to stay ahead of your competitors and maintain the quality of your business since your business won’t offer outdated merchandise. Quality...Read More Efficiency is a winning part of any entrepreneur’s life. Between two equally skilled entrepreneurs, the one who can do more in less time is more likely to achieve success. Still, many entrepreneurs find it difficult to streamline their daily tasks. Inefficiency in an office can create lag, thus preventing any business from achieving success promptly. Fortunately, there are many ways to combat this lag and enhance productivity and efficiency in the office. Here, Ryan Rock, Ankeny native and president of Empire AG, LLC, discusses five ways to improve efficiency.
1. Identify What’s Inefficient First things first, it’s essential to figure out what’s the clog in the machine. Hold a meeting with your employees to sort out what exactly is holding everyone back. The issue might be an outdated process is holding up employees, or you may be putting work into something that isn’t giving back to your company. Whatever the issue is, finding it and updating your strategies to keep up with today’s market is an excellent place to start when increasing efficiency.
2. Avoid Multitasking Everyone may think they’re good at multitasking, but studies have revealed that the human brain isn’t capable of being genuinely efficient while doing so. That’s why it’s a good idea to stick to doing one task at a time. It may seem time-consuming at first, but over time you’ll find that it allows you to get through tasks more quickly.
3. Reduce Distractions Distractions are perhaps the biggest culprit for reducing efficiency. The cell phone is the most common distraction in the office today, but constant memos and office meetings can also cause...Read More Ankeny Iowa Entrepreneur Ryan Rock Discusses How to Help Your Employees Succeed in Their Jobs10/24/2019 Originally published on personal-development.com Nearly everyone who works for a living is continuously looking for a way to succeed at their job. A large part of employee success is the employer’s willingness to lend assistance. Employees who receive little or no feedback from management, are overburdened with work, or are not provided with the proper training are destined to struggle. Here, Ryan Rock, Ankeny-based entrepreneur and owner of Empire AG, LLC, details a few ways to help your employees maximize their potential in the workplace. Explain the “Why” of the Matter to EmployeesEmployees deserve to know why things at work are done in a specific way. Otherwise, they will not be fully invested in their work. Explain the “why” of the matter to your employees, and they will be much more engaged with their daily work challenges. Furthermore, an explanation of the “why” of work helps employees understand how their labor fits in as a part of the bigger picture. An explanation of the reason(s) for why things are done a certain way will prove especially helpful when changes occur. Employees who understand the reasons for changes in the workplace are likely to approach labor in a much more logical manner and ultimately prove less resistant to subsequent changes. Set Attainable Goals for Your TeamEmployees given realistic goals are more likely to put forth maximum effort in the workplace. Ideally, employees will be involved in the goal-setting process. Request that your employees draft...Read More Originally published on chartattack.com A business that stifles innovation is unlikely to succeed long-term. Change and progress are the names of the game in our capitalist society. Unfortunately, the vast majority of companies are discouraging innovation in subtle ways. Below, our collaborator and entrepreneur Ryan Rock of Ankeny, Iowa, owner of Empire AG, identifies some of the most common ways businesses stifle innovation, often without even knowing it. Mistake #1: An Overemphasis on ProductivityThe typical workplace is structured to the point that there is little time for freedom of thought. If your sole focus is producing as many products as possible or providing the maximum number of services in the limited hours of the workday, your team will not have the time necessary to flex their creative intellectual muscle. In other words, it is prudent to give your team members some unstructured time to reflect on current operating procedures, ponder new ideas, and test out suggestions for innovation. Though shifting the focus slightly away from maximizing productivity will take a small bite out of the bottom line in the short-term, it has the potential to pay massive dividends in the long-term. Do your employees and your business a favor by dedicating some time to brainstorming new ideas, and your company will grow that much faster. The innovation stemming from such a brainstorming session might be enough to give your company a competitive edge that keeps your doors open for years or even decades into the future. Mistake #2: Failing to Implement New...Read Morefrom https://www.ryanrockankeny.com/blog/3-surprising-ways-your-company-is-discouraging-innovation |
About UsFounder and owner of Empire AG, LLC, Ryan Rock, Ankeny local, is a natural born leader and honest, organized worker. His accomplishments and optimistic view on life allow him to live out his dream as head of a company that provides turnkey construction services. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |