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Jess writes for Approved Index.

Improving Business Efficiency

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How to Get A Working Week Back Every Month

We all get distracted at work. Whether you’re refreshing emails, visiting the coffee machine too many times or staring out the window, we’re all guilty of wasting a little time here and there. But how bad can it be? According to one study in particular...

Infographic: Six Sigma Training – Who’s it for?

It is our continuing quest to provide users with the very best information on which to base their business purchases.Thousands of business buyers request free quotes through our website every month so we thought 'what if we asked them how they got on with thei...

Dec 5, 2012 Jamie Griffiths Improving Business Efficiency

Quality Trumps Speed in Responding to Sales Leads (…but speed helps!)

Carrying out regular Buyer Feedback Surveys has become an important part of the Approved Index set up. They not only allow us to feed back comments and ratings to our suppliers but also provide heaps of interesting data. This data can provide all sorts of insi...

Sep 7, 2012 Jamie Griffiths Approved Index, Improving Business Efficiency, Small Business Tips

Is Cloud Computing a Passing Fad?

Interest in cloud computing reached its peak in 2011 (according to Google insights for search - see the chart below) but that interest has fallen steadily ever since. While the cost saving benefits of using the cloud have been known from the beginning, slowly ...

Jul 20, 2012 Jamie Griffiths Improving Business Efficiency, Technology

When is upgrading your technology worth it?

There's no doubt that technology is changing the way that UK businesses go about a wide variety of tasks. Never before have so many options for automation and computerisation presented themselves to the business owner or director. The ubiquity of computers wit...

Jul 5, 2012 Jamie Griffiths Improving Business Efficiency, Small Business Tips

5 Telesales Tips for Small Business Success

For a start-up or small business the prospect of hitting the phones can be pretty daunting. Often it's the business owner or MD that has to get the sales process rolling and if they've never done sales before or haven't sold anything for a long while it can ta...

Sep 29, 2011 Ryan Crawford Improving Business Efficiency

Vending Machines – A Brief History of the Vending Machine

There aren't many people who when working don't get acraving for a hot drink, be it tea or coffee. The office hot drinks vendingmachine is a hub of activity throughout the day here at Approved Index. But howmuch do we know about the humble hot drinks vending m...

Sep 21, 2011 Ryan Crawford Improving Business Efficiency

Photocopiers: How Safe Are They?

For any business confidentiality is of great importance. All organisations work hard to keep confidential and business critical documents safe from rivals and unwanted prying eyes. Documents get stored securely, networks and computers are protected with endles...

Sep 14, 2011 Ryan Crawford Improving Business Efficiency

Leasing A Photocopier – To Do Or Not To Do, That Is The Question

They're essential items in all offices, photocopiers are a vital piece of office equipment. When email emerged there were calls that the photocopier was dead, and that the paperless office was now going to emerge. As this premise has still not materialised the...

Aug 18, 2011 Ryan Crawford Improving Business Efficiency

E-Mail for Business: Do’s and Don’ts

Email.... How did businesses survive without it? I know that I would be lost without having Outlook opened all day on my computer, and on my phone as well. Instant contact to friends, families and work colleagues is of huge importance to all of us, and somethi...

Jul 21, 2011 Ryan Crawford Improving Business Efficiency