News Archives - Page 78 of 118 - Leads 2 Business Blog

16 Oct 2018

10 Steps to Customer Service

by Genevieve Smith | posted in: Did You Know | 3

10 Steps to Customer Service

I think it would be safe to say that great customer service is the key to any successful business.

When was the last time you received a complaint about customer service? Do you think there is a chance that your customer service might not be up to par?
Looking at the next 10 steps to customer service might just be what your company needs to go from average customer service to impeccable customer service.

1. Communication is key!!

Now that is a statement that I can get behind.
How will you or your staff be able to give your customer impeccable customer service if you cannot communicate with them properly?
Communication has a lot to do with how you well you listen to your customer. It is quite simple actually. When your customer has a complaint listen to them and decide from there what your best way forward will be.
Nothing irritates a customer more than an employee that does not feel the need to listen to them. By listening to your customer you will be able to establish a much clearer line of communication.

2. Know what your customer wants

This is quite simple. If you truly believe in customer service you’ll know that if you listen to the finer details of what your customer is saying, you can figure out what they actually want and need before they have to say it out loud.
Now that will definitely impress anybody and is sure to get you some recommendations and compliments.

3. Make them feel at home

Don’t you just love it when you walk into a store and you instantly feel at home?
Why not do the same for your customers?
Instead of teaching your staff a text book greeting or response to customers teach them that each customer is different. Get to know your customer.
Make them feel comfortable by going the extra mile even if it is with something as simple as helping them carry a bag or asking if they need any extra assistance.

4. Respect

Treating your customer with respect can be the difference between getting return business from them and never seeing them again.
We all want to feel respected when visiting other establishments and even in our own. It is imperative to remember that you cannot expect your customers to respect you, your employees or your business if you cannot show then respect first.

5. Happy & Helpful

Whether you’re greeting a customer or assisting with a problem, always try your best to be as helpful and friendly as possible.
When a customer is faced by an employee who looks like they would rather be anywhere but there it makes them feel that they would also rather not be there.
So remember always smile and go the extra mile wherever and whenever possible.

6. Never delay your response

If your customer approaches you with a problem do your best to resolve it as quickly as you can. Get all the information you can and might need to resolve the problem as best you can.

The quicker the problem is resolved the better the outcome for yourself and the customer.

7. Keep to your word

There is nothing more disappointing than visiting your favourite outlet to discover that the service is no longer as great as it used to be.
It is imperative to deliver the same service at all times, never over promise and under deliver

8. Be more skilled

If you’re going to be selling a product or service, make sure you know all there is to know about it.
If you have all the knowledge there is on that specific product or service you will be able to answer all your clients’ questions and also help them make a better informed decision.

9. Everyone is equal

Treating all your customers the same sends a great message. People like visiting establishments where they know that they will be treated in the same warm and friendly manner as the previous person.

10. You can make a mistake

You are human just like any other person you will make mistakes.
The way you handle those mistakes is what is important. Instead of ignoring the problem or saying that it was not you, try admitting to it. You customer will be more at ease with you once you admitted your mistake and apologized for it.

To view more articles, please visit the Leads 2 Business Blog.
If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit the Leads 2 Business Wiki.

Sources
AQ-Services
The Next Web

About Genevieve Smith

Genevieve Smith, I have been working at Leads 2 Business for just over a year now. I work in the Johannesburg office as an account coordinator.

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12 Oct 2018

Industry Events: African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit 2018, Sub Saharan Power Summit 2018 and Cement Business & Industry Africa 2018

by Sasha Anderson | posted in: Construction Events | 0

Industry Events: African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit 2018, Sub Saharan Power Summit 2018 and Cement Business & Industry Africa 2018

Construction Events

Event:

African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit 2018

Date:

11 to 12 October 2018

Event location:

Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

Event Description:

African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit which showcases a collection of Africa’s top real estate and infrastructure projects. This exclusive, high-level two day exhibition and interactive conference is attended by over 300 property professionals, developers, investors, city and municipal planners and offers a platform to explore the future of urban development in African cities.

Contact Details:

E-mail: meagan.casia@spintelligent.com

Telephone: +27 21 001 3810

Event Details:

Website
Pre-registration

Event:

Sub Saharan Power Summit 2018

Date:

17 to 19 October 2018

Event location:

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cape Town – Upper Eastside, Cape Town, South Africa

Event Description:

The Sub Saharan Power Summit, organized by the Vale media group will take place from 17 to 19 October 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. The conference will cover areas like Upgrading and refurbishment for existing generation assets,Process optimisation for existing generation assets, Building new generation assets,Upgrading and refurbishing existing transmission assets,Upgrading and refurbishing existing transmission assets,Financing.

Contact Details:

E-mail: info@valemediagroup.com

Event Details:

Website
Pre-registration

Event:

Cement Business & Industry Africa 2018

Date:

18 to 19 October 2018

Event location:

Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

Event Description:

The Cement Business & Industry Africa will bring together executive industry professionals, networking and business opportunities among regional and international guests. CBI will gather over 150 stakeholders from Africa and international cement, producers, equipment vendors, strategy and M&A, financial, sales and marketing and trading as well as delegates from the technical and operations, engineering, environmental, logistics, maintenance, production & operations side.Sessions will feature an in-depth look at the evolution and direction of the market and balance views on business strategies, engineering, technology and production maximization, traditional and alternative fuels, cement and fuel trading, innovation, environment and much more.

Contact Details:

E-mail: sales@gmiforum.com

Event Details:

Website
Pre-registration

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.
To view more Events, please visit our Leads 2 Business Blog.

About Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

11 Oct 2018

Time Management

by Tamika Mays | posted in: General | 0

Time Management

Time management is the process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between specific activities.
Good time management enables you to work smarter and not harder in this way you get more work done in less time, even when time is tight and you are stressing.
It is the process of planning and exercising conscious control of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, productivity and efficiency.
It is a key aspect of project management and involves skills such as planning, prioritizing and setting goals for a better performance.Management

Essential time management skills:

• Goal Setting
• Prioritisation
• Self-awareness
• Self-motivation
• Focus
• Decision making
• Planning
• Communication Skills

Time Management of Construction Projects:

Time management is the organising and putting in to place a strategy related to the time required for work activities on a project. Effective time management is essential to successfully and efficiently meeting budget and programme targets, as well as achieving profitability.

Projects can risk unnecessary cost and delays as a result of bad or ineffective time management, either by failing to allow for the full details of the project or by failing to effectively manage the work schedule properly, In a large project the client may appoint a programme consultant to structure a detailed programme for the project at hand that includes an outline programme for construction if the contractor has not been appointed.

Once a contractor is appointed they will then take over the construction works but the programme consultant may continue to develop an overall programme for the client.
While in the planning stage all work activities needs to be properly understood and thought out. This needs to be planned in detail, meaning all work needs to be understood and the role everyone plays.

Estimates can be made of how long each activity will take. This is critical to the setting of millstones and deadlines, for allocation of resources, and for determining the pricing of contracts and cash-flow requirements.
Construction is a complex process, involving a number of activities and participants throughout the entire undertaking. The requisite tasks, as well as the responsibilities of the owner, architects, contractors, and subcontractors may be organized in many different ways to deliver the desired result.

Time management is critical for all in the construction process, including Contractors, Architects, Owners, and Subcontractors. Professional management and administration of the contract time is crucial to avoiding and minimizing time and cost overruns.

To maximize the chances of success all that is involved need to have full understanding of:
• Delays and how they can happen.
• Basic concepts of schedule and delay analysis methodology.
• Critical path scheduling techniques, the accompanying scheduling specifications, and the software used.
• Pros and cons of numerous schedule and delay methods used by construction project participants.

Major factors impacting successful project delivery include:

Construction brokering by the contractor
Errors and insufficient time extensions, and varying site conditions.
There is also the risk of uncertainty and misunderstandings in terms of what is an acceptable standard of proof for acceptable delays.

Justifying a Delay
Whenever a delay happens early attention and timely action of the owner or construction manager is required. It is important to identify the responsible party quickly, developing and implementing a plan of action.

To do so, it is of great importance to have an effective plan for preparing a timely assessment of changes and delays, making it possible to formulate a clear, brief, persuasive position on each of them.
Because time is finite, construction project managers must use their limited time as productively as possible. Below are some time management tips for construction managers to help them manage their time:

• Keep the project schedule at the forefront
• Prioritize your task list
• Delegate tasks as needed
• Conduct actionable meetings
• Communicate clearly and effectively
• Use the right tools

Sources:
Science Direct
eSub

About Tamika Mays

I started working at Leads 2 Business the 7th March this year. I have been working in the Leads to Quotes department where we deal with the contractors on a day to day basis. We help the contractors get the pricing they need for the contracts. The construction industry is an ever evolving industry and I love learning new things every day. Leads 2 Business is an amazing company to work for and is filled with amazing staff.

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10 Oct 2018

Featured Project: Construction of the new Corobrik megafactory

by Roxanne Mustard | posted in: Featured Project | 0

Construction of the new Corobrik megafactory

Description

Construction of the new Corobrik megafactory. The scope includes the construction and operation of two new kilns with associated infrastructure, brick yard and offices.

Status	Region
Underway	Gauteng
Category	Value
Building	R 100 million+
Industry	Timing
Factory & Warehousing	July 2018 – November 2019 (14 Months)
Sector	Class
Private	Invited / Negotiated Tender.

Please visit Leads 2 Business for more information on the Corobrik Megafactory
If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit the Leads 2 Business Wiki.
To view more articles, please visit the Leads 2 Business Blog.

About Roxanne Mustard

My Name is Roxanne Mustard and I started working at Leads 2 Business in September 2016. My role in the Leads 2 Business team is as a Regional Content researcher in the Projects Department.

9 Oct 2018

Featured Tender: Contractors for Maintenance on the Electrical Network

by Claire Donaldson | posted in: Featured Tender | 0

Contractors for Maintenance on the Electrical Networkof meter reading services company

Contract Number:

11/2019/19N19/2019 – Emfuleni Local Municipality

Description:

Emfuleni Local Municipality invites tenders for Appointment of Contractors for Maintenance on the Electrical Network on as and when required basis for a Period of Thirty Six (36) Months.

Category	Industry
Electrical & Instrument	Power Grid
Region	Site Inspection
Gauteng	2018-10-17 10:00 AM
Closing Date	Contract Period
30 October 2018 at 10:00	Thirty Six (36) Months

Please visit Leads 2 Business for more information on this Tender Notice.
If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit the Leads 2 Business Wiki.
To view more articles, please visit the Leads 2 Business Blog.

About Claire Donaldson

I started working at Leads 2 Business in February 2005, and have served as Head of Department of Daily Tenders from 2007 until the present. I oversee both the Daily Tenders South Africa and Africa Departments.

8 Oct 2018

Common Causes of Construction Delays

by Sharika Raman | posted in: Did You Know | 0

Common Causes of Construction Delays

Did You Know?

Common causes of Construction delays
What is construction delay?
In construction projects, as well in other projects where a schedule is being used to plan work, delays happen all the time. It is what is being delayed that determines if a project, or some other deadline such as a milestone, will be completed late.

Construction delays can be very costly and can reduce your company’s turnover, in a worst case scenario your firm could be ruined by liquidated damages. Liquidated damages is a sum of money (agreed-to and written into a contract) specified as the total amount of compensation an aggrieved party should get, if the other party breaches certain part(s) of the contract in this case if a work delay cost your client money. It also gives your company a bad image showing you are disorganized and unprofessional, and the client could even give your company a bad reference and word of mouth travels very fast ruining your company’s name which you definitely do not want.

Your company can try to avoid some type of construction delays by recognizing their most common causes and working to mitigate those factors before they take effect.
Planning is crucial so you better have a good project manager, you’ll also need to depend on analytics and close oversight to determine when things are falling behind and make the right decisions to keep your project on track.

Here are the 5 most common causes of construction delays
Poor Weather
Oh yes mother nature, the weather is something we can predict but it’s not so predictable if you get what I mean. Yes we have a weather forecast to assist with the planning of our projects but it can change at any time.
Unfortunately you won’t be able to use the weather as an excuse if you are busy with indoor renovations and running behind on schedule.
For outdoor projects, however, poor weather like rain or snow can leave you way behind schedule, threatening your already-slim profit margins with each passing day.
Any one want to take a dip?….. In a mud hole that is! If you’re busy with an excavation project and there’s some rain a freshly dug hole can turn into a mud pit ready to swallow an excavator or any other machine you drive into it. Hungry much?
And no high rise construction or roof is going to get done with high winds. Good luck to you if mother nature is very angry, because there’s no end to the delays that can result from flooding, or worse, a Tornado or Hurricane.

You’ll have to build allowances for natural disasters into your contracts to ensure that you don’t end up paying liquidated damages because of a storm. Rescheduling activities like concrete pours in accordance with the weather schedule is also a good idea, and you should always keep water pumps at a job site so you can dispose of any water that accumulates and gets in the way.

Budget and Resource Shortages
No more funds available…..eeeeek
Running out of money is a very bad scenario for a construction firm that’s in the middle of a project, especially when the client has already paid and you’re digging into your own pockets to get the job done.

It is important that construction project managers have access to costing software that will not under cost projects and put a company in the red. One must be well informed about updates on the firm’s financial health in order to ensure that projects don’t eat up the budget.
Banks can also be flexible with providing loans, especially if you’re an established firm with collateral to offer. This last resort works well if you need your hands on some cash to purchase the last materials for a project, pay workers, and avoid a costly delay.

Overbooked Crews
Check your diary ! Over booking projects and firms taking on more than they can chew can end up with projects falling behind as their exhausted employees drive around from job to job each day trying to get everything done.
It’s great to be ambitious about your goals, but everyone has limits, and you may find that hiring more crews lightens the load for everyone, avoids delays, and keeps morale higher throughout your firm.

Unreliable Subcontractors
Time is money.
Workers that waste time on the job are a plague not only in the construction business but any industry.
One may not always be to blame as they may lack the tools, training or experience that’s needed to get the job done efficiently, but on the other, they may spend too much time chatting, on a coffee break or even better a chocolate break and lose focus on the importance of timeliness on the job.

It’s important to invest in full-time employees making sure they know the processes and what’s expected of them, and hold them accountable for producing results on a daily basis. If you set high standards and don’t allow excuses, you’ll see how quickly production increases. You will surely reap what you sow.
Having the right equipment is very important as well, this being said the maintenance of these plant and machinery is imperative.

Unexpected Changes
Unexpected changes are always going to be a part of the construction business. Sometimes a requirement for the project emerges that was different from what was expected, and sometimes the customer asks for something extra and it isn’t possible to say no.

Managing expectations is the crucial skill when it comes to building unexpected changes into your schedule. Let the client know about the change, why it’s needed, and what kind of delay it will cause. If the client requested the change, let them know that a deadline extension will be required in order to make it happen, or suggest a bonus for incorporating the change into the existing work schedule.

Sources:
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Esub
Wikipedia

About Sharika Raman

I have worked for Leads 2 Business from January 2015. I started in the Leads 2 Quotes Department for Directory, in January 2020 I was promoted to the Deputy Head of Department for Leads 2 Quotes and in July 2021 I was promoted to the Accounts Department as a Debtors Administrator. I enjoy time with my family creating memories, I like to socialize but also enjoy time to myself so I try to keep a balance by indulging in some quiet time when I can. I see myself as a realist, amazing wife and awesome mom…I am sure my family would agree.

5 Oct 2018

Industry Events: Infrastructure Africa 2018

by Sasha Anderson | posted in: Construction Events | 0

Industry Events: Infrastructure Africa 2018

Construction Events

Event:

Infrastructure Africa 2018

Date:

9 to 10 October 2018

Event location:

Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

Event Description:

The Infrastructure Africa aims to provide a platform for informative and interactive sessions with the prime movers of infrastructure sector across various spheres of government, policymakers, industrial leaders, academia and potential investors, enhance policy and regulatory framework to boost investor confidence in the infrastructure sector, find a way around to turn excruciatingly slow pace of infrastructure developments at the ground level, and explore new potential areas in order to provide financial assistance as well as access to finance to the infrastructure players.

Contact Details:

E-mail: info@infrastructure-africa.com

Event Details:

Website
Pre-registration

About Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

4 Oct 2018

The Effects of Regular Exercise on Productivity

by Caroline Clark | posted in: General, Life Lessons, Recommended Reading | 2

The Effects of Regular Exercise on Productivity

Here at Leads 2 Business, we strive to make sure you get the most out of your service. For many of us, exercise is one way for us to get our minds focused and our work flowing.

As someone who tries to get 1-hour exercise in a day, I know that whether it be a swift walk or a full body work out on returning to my computer, My “brain fog” is clear and I am ready for the rest of the day.

Besides the obvious benefits behind exercise (ie. Weight loss). Taking anywhere between 10-30 minutes out of your day to go for a walk outside, run or gym has its physiological benefits. Royal College of Psychiatrists published an article stating that exercise can help cope with mild depression as it lifts your mood and gives a sense of being in control and In touch with people.

For some people the Word Exercise may make them cringe at the thought of being sweaty and tired, However, you can also exercise to relax, You may be wondering how can exercise be relaxing? Alexander Pope wrote a poem called “An Essay on Man” in the year 1733-1734, saying Strength of Mind is exercise, not rest.” doing things likes Yoga can help you to realize this.

Almost any type of exercise can help your mind think freely and Creatively. Upon speaking to Darren Smit owner of IMF High Performance Centre in Ballito who studied BA spots Science at Stellenbosch and finished his BSC Honours Degree in Biokinetics at the University of Zululand, He told me that the following, “You need to value the importance of your long-term health in order to fully understand the importance of exercise, Most of the time people have a health scare before they find the time to get in the gym or outdoors and move. Regular Movement can help Keep your body at a healthy weight and your mind in a positive place, and Exercising regularly can lower the risk of disease, including type 2 diabetes and High Blood Pressure.” Darren also went on to say that exercising regularly will not only help you but help those that you interact with.

Saying that Some of our Leads 2 business ladies recently did the Spars Women’s Race (see Image above). Many of us have walking Groups that we are part of, and you will often see us walking outside for a breath of fresh air, This helps us to keep our positive attitudes when dealing with subscribers and encouraging others to subscribe as well. Being that our company is web-based and we deal with people mostly over the phone We have to make sure that we are thinking fast and clear in order to give our subscribers that best.

Here are some ways you can incorporate exercise into your day:

Stretch – Standing up and stretching your back and legs can increase blood flow and help your posture after you have been sitting at a desk or in a chair for a long period of time.

Lose the Chair – Try getting rid of your normal office chair. You may find your back may ache or your shoulders. Try sitting on a medicine ball(Stability Ball). A simple medicine ball instead of a Chair can help your core abdominal muscle and promotes better posture.

Take a Break – Get your blood flowing and your legs moving. Whether you stroll to the kitchen for tea or you take a walk outside and take in all the things around you. This will help you clear your mind of what stress you have and help you to refocus on things going on

Get moving today and you will be amazed as to how quickly you can feel and see a difference.

Sources:
imovefitness
rcpsych
An Essay on Man – Wikiquote
realsimple
livestrong
pexels

About Caroline Clark

When I am not at work you will find me spending quality time with my family. You will always find a smile on my face and a snack in my bag.

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3 Oct 2018

Featured Project: Maokeng Mall

by Nadia Miln | posted in: Featured Project | 2

Maokeng Mall

Description

Construction of phase 1 of the Maokeng Mall in Smaldeel Road in Kroonstad, Free State. The approximate GLA for phase 1 is approximately 13 000m².

Status	Region
Tender	Kroonstad
Category	Value
Building	R 100 million+
Industry	Timing
Retail	2018 Onwards
Sector	Class
Private	Negotiated

Please visit Leads 2 Business for more information on Maokeng Mall project
If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit the Leads 2 Business Wiki.
To view more articles, please visit the Leads 2 Business Blog.

About Nadia Milln

My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

2 Oct 2018

Featured Tender: Appointment of meter reading services company

by George Harris | posted in: Featured Tender | 3

Appointment of meter reading services company

Contract Number:

1/2/1/2018-19 – Moqhaka Local Municipality

Description:

Moqhaka Local Municipality hereby invites interested prospective bidders to submit offers for the following: Appointment of meter reading services company for a period of three years.

Category	Industry
Infrastructure Electrical & Instrument	Institutional
Region	Site Inspection
Free State	2018-10-09 11:00 AM
Closing Date	Contract Period
22 October 2018 at 12:00	Three Years.

About George Harris

I started my incredible journey at Leads 2 Business in 2006. I am the Content Director, custodian of an amazing research team responsible for unearthing hidden gems of information.

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