Tracking employees has become a crucial aspect of managing a modern workforce. Whether for improving productivity, ensuring compliance, or maintaining security, having the right tools and strategies in place can make a significant difference. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively track your employees while maintaining a positive work environment.

How Do I Track My Employees?

1. Define Your Objectives

Before you start tracking your employees, it’s essential to define your objectives. Are you looking to improve productivity, ensure compliance with company policies, or enhance security? Understanding your goals will help you choose the right tools and methods for tracking.

2. Choose the Right Tools

There are various tools available for tracking employees, each with its specific features and benefits. Here are some popular options:

Time Tracking Software: Employee tracker Tools like Controlio help track the amount of time employees spend on tasks and projects. These tools are useful for billing clients accurately and understanding how time is allocated across different activities.

Project Management Tools: Platforms like Asana, Trello, and Monday.com offer time tracking features along with project management capabilities. They help in tracking project progress, assigning tasks, and ensuring deadlines are met.

Employee Monitoring Software: Software like Controlio, Hubstaff, and Teramind provide comprehensive monitoring capabilities, including real-time activity tracking, screenshot capture, and application usage monitoring. These tools are ideal for ensuring productivity and security.

GPS Tracking: For businesses with field employees, GPS tracking tools like Fleet Complete and Verizon Connect can help track location and movement, ensuring that employees are where they are supposed to be.

3. Implement Clear Policies

Transparency is key when it comes to tracking employees. Implement clear policies that outline what will be tracked, how the data will be used, and why tracking is necessary. Communicate these policies to your employees and ensure they understand the benefits and implications of being tracked.

4. Focus on Results, Not Just Activity

While tracking activity can provide insights into how employees spend their time, it’s essential to focus on results. Set clear performance goals and track progress towards these goals. This approach helps employees feel valued for their contributions rather than just being monitored for their activity.

5. Encourage Self-Tracking

Encourage employees to track their own time and productivity. Tools like RescueTime and Clockify can help employees monitor their own activities and identify areas for improvement. Self-tracking promotes accountability and helps employees take ownership of their productivity.

6. Regularly Review and Analyze Data

Collecting data is only useful if you analyze and act on it. Regularly review the tracking data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement. Use this data to provide constructive feedback and support to your employees. Recognize high performers and address any issues promptly.

7. Respect Privacy and Build Trust

While tracking is important, it’s crucial to respect employee privacy. Avoid excessive monitoring and ensure that the tracking practices comply with legal regulations. Build trust by being transparent about what is being tracked and why. Ensure that the data collected is used ethically and responsibly.

8. Use Tracking to Support Employee Development

Use the insights gained from tracking to support employee development. Identify training needs, provide resources for skill development, and offer mentorship. Helping employees grow professionally not only boosts productivity but also enhances job satisfaction and retention.

9. Balance Flexibility and Accountability

In today’s flexible work environment, it’s essential to balance flexibility with accountability. Use tracking tools to ensure that employees meet their responsibilities while allowing them the flexibility to manage their work schedules. This balance can lead to higher morale and better work-life balance.

Conclusion

Tracking employees can significantly enhance productivity, ensure compliance, and maintain security when done correctly. By choosing the right tools, implementing clear policies, focusing on results, and respecting privacy, you can create a tracking system that benefits both the organization and its employees. Remember, the goal is to support and empower your workforce, leading to a more productive and positive work environment.

Stepping Into A Sustainable Future: How Wellman Shew Led The Solar Power Charge At Clovis Hills Community Church

As the solar panel project leader for Clovis Hills Community Church, Wellman Shew is passionate about how solar power can benefit the planet and the economy. Here, Shew explains how he made solar power a reality for the CHCC. 

Solar Power At CHCC

Wellman Shew didn’t just lead the solar panel project at CHCC—he managed to do it in a way that never interrupted the church’s operations. The CHCC campus now has one of the largest solar panel installations in the United States. The project has served as an example to the surrounding community of how economic, sustainable, and convenient the solar panel installation process can be. 

The large-scale project required Wellman Shew to work closely with Barrier Solar Power Systems to determine logistics. At the start of the project, Barrier and Shew believed that a roof-mounted installation would be the best fit for the power needs of the church. As they delved into how the Church was planning to use its campus in the future, Shew and Barrier decided to pivot to a ground-mounted installation of solar panels instead. 

The solar panel project at Clovis Hills Community Church was a massive success. Today, the Church uses the energy harnessed by its solar panels for nearly all of its electrical energy needs. Energy bills for the campus stay near $0 year-round, despite sky-high temperatures in the Clovis area. Church members are proud that their solar panel project allowed them to contribute to the health of the Earth while also contributing to the financial future of their church.

Wellman Shew Explains How Solar Power Works

Most people have seen large solar panels on home roofs but are unsure how solar power actually works. The sun produces an incredible amount of energy. According to the United States Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, “The amount of sunlight that strikes the earth’s surface in an hour and a half is enough to handle the entire world’s energy consumption for a full year.”

Solar panels harness the sun’s radiation and convert it into useable energy. All areas of the Earth receive sun at specific points of the year. Solar panels use a type of technology called photovoltaics, or PVs, to convert the sun’s energy into electricity. When the sun hits a solar panel, the radiation energy is absorbed by PV cells. An electrical field inside the cell interacts with the energy captured by the PV cells. This interaction allows useable electricity to flow through the solar panel. 

While there is a cost associated with installing solar panels, many businesses, organizations, and homeowners find that they recoup their initial investment over a reasonably short period due to savings on electrical bills. 

One of the things that Shantele Marcum has learned in life is the joy of volunteering. While volunteering is often done to help other people, it can also benefit the volunteer. Through it, she has learned how to connect with other people while improving her mental and physical strength. Below, she shares how volunteering can help you.

Benefits Your Body And Mind

Volunteering can benefit both your mental and physical health. For instance, it can help combat depression. One of the causes of depression is self-isolation. Volunteering allows you to interact with people, hence reducing loneliness. Besides that, volunteering can also help boost your self-confidence. This is something that Shantele Marcum experienced while volunteering with the American Lung Association. She says there is a sense of pride and identity that comes with helping others, which can boost your self-esteem.

Connects You To People

When you volunteer, you get connected with people in your society and make it a better area. Even when it is a smaller task, you can make a difference in the lives of people, organizations, and animals. It is a two-way street. You are helping other people and benefiting yourself at the same time. While volunteering her time helping the elderly, Shantele Marcum has not only connected with other volunteers but with the elderly community too. Being able to make new friends and expand your network can help boost your social skills.

Developing Your Skills

Through volunteering, you can develop skills you did not know you had. Some of those skills include:

• Problem solving and adaptability
• Time management
• Communicating with stakeholders and clients
• Leadership
• Ability to work in a team
• Sales skills

You can transfer these skills to the workplace and become a better boss or employee. If you have just finished school and you want to build your professional profile, you can do this through volunteering. It allows you to handle tasks that you might not be qualified for. For instance, you may help with managing a project or a fund drive, hence learning some skills along the way.

Get You Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Staying in your comfort zone can hold you back in many ways and make you miss out on opportunities. Through volunteering, you can leave your comfort zone and interact with people you do not know. Also, if you are faced with certain issues while volunteering, you may be forced to exercise critical thinking skills. This helps you in self-development.

Shantele Marcum Has Learned Invaluable Lessons Through Volunteering

One of the lessons that Shantele has learned through volunteering is that even small changes can have a huge impact. She saw this while donating Christmas gifts and money to Joseph’s home homeless shelter in Cleveland, Ohio. Seeing a smile on the people you help makes you realize just how much they value your time and assistance. In volunteering, you will also learn that everyone has their own story, hence deserving respect, love, and appreciation.

The joy you can bring to other people is one of the reasons you should join Shantelle Marcum in volunteering. You will be making a difference in the world.

Choosing an eCommerce store is a big decision. Your website is the backbone of your entire eCommerce business, and opting for the right platform for your business is necessary. As eCommerce has soared in popularity, several big brands have come to the forefront for hosted platforms. WooCommerce, Magneto, BigCommerce, and Shopify are some of the names we hear most often when it comes to high-quality eCommerce stores. While each business has its unique considerations, one webstore consistently comes out as a top all-around choice: Shopify. It is always best to go for an expert for Shopify Development.

Here are some benefits of Shopify for businesses:

Shopify is a great platform for various businesses and is incredibly versatile. Whether it’s new or experienced, both sellers alike can experience the benefits of Shopify. There are some benefits of using Shopify over other platforms including:

Quick, Easy Set-Up

If getting your business online quickly and easily is part of your objective, Shopify is one of the best platforms to assist. Setting up a Shopify store does not need any technical skills, and all of the software is offered right on the platform. The user interface is very user-friendly and spontaneous, making it easy to use right off the bat.

Customer Service

Experts are available to help you 24/7 with Shopify. They can assist to answer any questions you have about running their store. Community forums and other helpful documents can also be accessible through the Shopify Help Center. Compared to several other platforms, Shopify’s customer support is credible and easily available.

Mobile Friendly

With mobile shoppers on the rise, your webstore must be mobile-friendly. Shopify was designed with mobile responsiveness in mind, and your store will look impeccable regardless of the device used to access Shopify. Additionally, you can easily handle your entire Shopify store from their iOS or Android application.

Incredible Marketing and SEO Tools

Marketing is a very crucial part of eCommerce as well, and Shopify makes this aspect much more manageable. With Shopify, you have access to a variety of marketing tools like social media, email marketing, and product reviews. You can even use Shopify’s built-in tools to make discount coupons as well. Moreover, you can create outstanding landing pages for your Google Ads or PPC Social ads with Shopify. One of the Shopify offers is powerful SEO features that help you boost your website rank through a very clean code.

Security & Reliability

Security is crucial for protecting sensitive customer and company information. Shopify offers SSL certification and PCI to encrypt all information. With Shopify, you can assure all of the confident personal and financial information is protected and your website. Combine your payment service as well for a secure, reliable payment gateway that supports the Stripe payment option.

Flexibility

One of Shopify’s best qualities is its versatility. Shopify has a variety of built-in tools that make it easy to adapt to your business. With Shopify, you can showcase sale products, offer coupons, and customize shipping choices. Shopify includes helpful systems for fulfillment, shipping, payment, and inventory control as well. You can also control the look and feel of your store with hundreds of experts, free, and highly-customizable Shopify themes.

Eric Painter of Texas has watched architectural trends come and go throughout the years, including the obsession with “neutral” colors that persist within the design industry. As 2022 progresses, he expects many of these trends to stay similar, progressing, or disappearing, while others take their places. Here’s what he’s expecting throughout the year in the architectural world.

Eric Painter of Texas: Top 2022 Architectural Trends

The architectural world is one of constant change, Eric Painter of Texas says, though these changes may not occur from one year to the next. What he means by that statement is that architectural trends often stay stable throughout several years, with various changes in their implementation bringing new ideas and concepts that can create the newest and boldest trends 10 years later.

First, he imagines that the industrial style is likely to start fading out a little during 2022, as it has been around for several years already. That doesn’t mean it’s going to go away. Instead, you can imagine more symmetry to this style, a bit more professionalism, less reliance on plastic. Expect this trend to move towards brick and wood, instead, along with recycled metal like aluminum.

The simple lines, basic concepts, and minimal surface elements may remain popular in this movement for some time. That’s because it’s really only hitting its peak in recent years and has yet to see a blowback. The architectural world is like any creative field: things move in cycles. Eventually, a return to more elaborate styles will occur. But not yet, at least not in 2022 anyway.

On the same note, Eric Painter of Texas states that open and multipurpose spaces are going to stay strong in 2022 and far beyond. He could honestly see this trend staying current for many years or even indefinitely. It’s hard not to stick with open spaces in design concepts because they simply provide more diverse options for homeowners and create easier-to-adjust designs as well.

He expects that more multipurpose designs will become common, such as living rooms that also work as home theater areas, spare bedrooms, and even dining rooms. Anticipate multipurpose designs on home exteriors with porches also being used for storage sheds and much more. While this trend may get tiresome in the next five years, it’ll be still hip and chic in 2022 and at least for the next few years.

What about the tiny house movement? Have people given up on that yet? Eric Painter of Texas doesn’t think so. He believes that the enormous wave of interest from five years ago has died down a little, though, that period when everybody and their mother wanted a tiny house. At this point, it’s going to be limited to those people who truly want one and not those grabbing onto a fad.

Perhaps not surprisingly, he also anticipates that smart homes and automation will remain huge in architecture, particularly in tiny homes. With houses that compress so many living possibilities in such a small space, automation and smart options (like automatic under-bed storage shelves and security systems) will remain popular throughout 2022 and beyond.

Darcy Bergen recently discussed the Restricted Application retirement strategy and how it could work for you.

PEORIA, AZ / Some retirement age individuals might be missing out on some major benefits. Financial advisor Darcy Bergen recently discussed the “Restricted Application” retirement strategy and how it could benefit individuals over the age of 66 considering retirement.

The Restricted Application allows an individual to collect half of his or her spouse’s full Social Security benefit without having to open their own Social Security record. This allows the individual to earn an 8 percent credit on his or her retirement age benefit from the age of 66 to 70. The individual would then switch to his or her benefit at the age of 70.

“The major benefit is that during these four years, the individual can receive a 32 percent increase,” Darcy Bergen said. “However, it’s not available to everyone. This unique strategy was eliminated in the bipartisan budget act of 2015.”

Darcy Bergen explained this means the strategy is only available to a small portion of individuals born on or before Jan. 1, 1954. He added that there are three more pieces of information individuals considering using this strategy must understand. They are as follows:

• You must be of retirement age to take advantage (66). 
• Your spouse must already have opened his or her retirement record and is currently claiming Social Security benefits.
• A divorced individual can also take advantage of this strategy. However, the marriage must have lasted at least 10 years. The individual can not be remarried.

“I advise individuals to pursue this strategy one step at a time,” Bergen said. “Begin by checking that you meet the age criteria, then understand your spouse’s Social Security benefits and so on. It can be especially helpful to speak with a financial advisor about whether this strategy could work for you.”

Bergen explained that he has helped numerous clients locate additional income that can greatly help their families in retirement age. He and his team have the knowledge needed to find which benefits individuals may be missing.

“The most important aspect of filing for retirement benefits is to know your options before you complete filing,” Darcy Bergen concluded. “Filing before understanding your options could cause you to miss out on major benefits. You’ve worked tirelessly for this money, and you deserve all that you can receive in retirement.”

Bergen encouraged individuals in or nearing retirement age to contact DBA Bergen Financial Group to speak with a licensed professional about possible retirement strategies and benefits. Bergen has been in financial planning for decades. He entered the investment business at the age of 24 and began Clear Solutions LLC, DBA Bergen Financial Group in 2003. Bergen became a licensed fiduciary in 2015.

Darcy Bergen and his team currently practice in Peoria, Arizona. Contact them at (602) 652-2665 to set up an appointment and discuss your possible retirement benefits. Bergen and his strategists are also available to handle financial planning needs for clients of all ages, whether near retirement age or not.

Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Simplicity Wealth, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Sub-advisory services are provided by Advisory Alpha, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting and Education services offered through Bergen Financial Group. Bergen Financial Group is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Simplicity Wealth and Advisory Alpha.

Buying a new home can lead to information overload.

Although purchasing a home is exciting, the process can be overwhelming. There are lots to consider. It’s more than just searching for the right place in the ideal neighborhood. It’s beyond aesthetics and amenities. Financing, taxes, and negotiations can leave you overextended. Finding homeowner insurance is often one of the first items overlooked on the to-do list.

But, as Ai Ling Lee AKA Linda Lee of Hacienda Heights points out, it should be a priority. In fact, homeowners insurance may be required by some lending agents. While difficult to assess all your options, homeowners insurance should still be a necessity.

Having served as an independent agent since 1986, Ai Ling Lee wants to help others navigate and better understand home insurance. Using this experience, she offers six insurance tips for new homeowners.

Compare rates

Shop around. Getting quotes from a few different companies is a great place to start. Research online and seek out insurers who routinely rank high in customer service. This should be done early in the process to get all your paperwork together before closing.

Keep a list of belongings

The value of personal possessions will directly influence how much coverage you need. Begin by creating a home inventory. This is a list of belongings, like furniture, clothing, jewelry, and electronics. Include prices for each. This will ensure you have the right coverage and speed up potential claims in the future.

Understand what insurance covers

Differences in coverage and policy type can get confusing. A standard homeowners policy typically includes protection for the structure itself and your belongings inside. It also features liability and “loss of use” provisions. Ai Ling Lee of Hacienda Heights encourages anyone to sit down with a professional to discuss what’s included. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Fill in gaps

Also, don’t assume you’re “fully” protected. As you review what’s included, every policy will have exclusions. Basic homeowners policies usually exclude natural disasters, like earthquakes and floods. To meet your individual needs, fill in these gaps with additional coverage. Extending replacement cost protection or adding an umbrella policy may be options to think about.

Find savings

Avoid being cheap when it comes to insurance. However, there are ways to limit costs or find savings. Bundling life or automobile insurance with the same company can provide significant discounts. Installing smoke detectors and a security system can lower premiums too. Although harder to accomplish, Ai Ling Lee AKA Linda Lee of Hacienda Heights also recommends raising deductibles or paying off a mortgage early to reduce rates.

Review regularly

Update your policy frequently. Ai Ling Lee proposes doing a yearly review. Changes to a home or neighborhood can impact premiums. Document any new renovations. Also, add any new purchases to your home inventory. Keeping this list current will help you maintain sufficient coverage.

Cannabis legalization will likely benefit society in many different ways. Entrepreneur and cannabis expert Michael Candelario of Arizona explains why and how legal weed could be a big boom

Right now, many states are decriminalizing, and increasingly, legalizing marijuana. This means people can not only buy marijuana legally, but in many cases, they can also set up businesses in the cannabis industry. Marijuana expert Michael Candelario of Arizona explains how legal weed benefits society.

“The most important aspect of legal marijuana is perhaps that it keeps people out of jail,” Michael Candelario of Arizona says. “The last estimates I saw showed that 40,000 Americans were in jail for marijuana offenses. These people are being deprived of their freedom and life.”

Legalizing marijuana will prevent people from going to jail for possession of marijuana and other similar crimes. Some states have also released prisoners after marijuana legalization. California alone released thousands of people. Governments in Michigan and elsewhere have released at least some prisoners, but many people remain behind bars.

“Locking people up over weed strikes me as morally wrong,” Michael Candelario says. “It’s perhaps cruel, to be honest. Less importantly, keeping people incarcerated costs a lot of money. First, you have to pay for the jail system, and second, you deprive people of earning an income, which means less tax revenue.”

Finances aren’t as important as freedom. Still, keeping marijuana illegal deprives the government of billions of dollars in tax revenues. And people locked up in jail are deprived of the opportunity to become productive, successful members of society.

Legal weed, on the other hand, provides money. California alone is bringing in more than a billion dollars a year in tax revenues from legalized marijuana. Washington pulls in more than $450 million, while Colorado is closing in on $400 million. It’s not just about money either. More importantly, the money can be invested in society.

“A lot of times, revenues brought in through the legal cannabis industry are spent on education, basic infrastructure, and other areas that benefit society as a whole,” Arizonian Michael Candelario, notes. “This means we can all benefit from legalized weed. Even if you don’t indulge, legalized cannabis may benefit you.”

Michael Candelario Discusses Potential Medical Benefits

So far, cannabis has shown a lot of potential in medical applications. Marijuana is being used to treat pain, for example, offering a safer, less addictive alternative to opioids. Many of the chemicals derived from marijuana have also shown the potential to treat a variety of conditions.

“Marijuana represents an exciting frontier for medicine,” Michael Candelario argues. “It’s possible to conduct research into marijuana and other substances even when and where they are illegal. Still, legalization should make it easier to conduct research.”

As scientists conduct research, they may develop medications that can treat pain, seizures, mental health problems, and more. Already marijuana and cannabis-derived substances have shown promise in treatment. Only time will tell how effective cannabis is for medical applications but the early returns are promising.

Following a thorough, protective, and safe mold removal procedure, it’s important to follow many other moisture control measures and preventive suggestions to ensure you don’t ever experience mold re-occurrences in the future. Basement mold removal, exterior mold removal, and even crawl space mold removal are some of the top mold services required. And since mold likes to grow in dark, damp areas, it must be removed from any site that’s a potential danger for the family or home. Mold Remediation CT companies also offer mold testing as part of their overall mold removal services. This can provide some vital information early on and could save you time, money, and hassle in the long run.

Mold testing can provide clues about the source of moisture in your indoor environments, including leaks and plumbing issues. It can also provide information about the type of mold that is growing in your home. With this valuable information, mold remediation companies can better identify the mold outbreak they are addressing and know the proper mold removal procedures.

One of the most popular methods of removing mold from inside the household is using drywall dust. In most cases, a drywall cleaning service will use a powdered compound to extract the microorganisms from the wall surface. The resulting solution then has to be neutralized with water before applied to any other surface. The drywall dust is so tiny that very few particles can be left behind. But if the drywall is being removed for remodeling or another reason, there’s no need to use a powder to deal with the situation.

Mold Removal CT services specialize in the cleaning and remediation of existing mold infestations and new ones. They have the necessary equipment to do the job well, including HEPA vacuum technology that allows them to pick up tiny spores from the air and deliver them into a particular container. After being diluted with water, the microorganisms are ready for application to any surface where they will start to break down cellulose.

One other option for mold removal services is to hire a mold inspection team to determine if there is a mold problem in the house. The inspector will look for signs such as damaged surfaces, cracks and crevices, and moisture patches. If there is moisture present, the inspector will look for it first and document its location and extent. Then the team can begin to assess the level of moisture in the space. An inspection aims to help homeowners determine whether there is a need to have a mold remediation process or whether simple cleaning and drying techniques can solve the problem.

Once the moisture has been eliminated, homeowners will often choose to contact a mold remediation service to finish the job. Services offered by reputable mold remediation technicians include removing dead molds from the affected areas and replacing them with new materials. Some companies offer a final drying technique to help finish off the job. Either way, when calling a Paul Davis restoration technician for assistance, be sure to provide detailed information about the space and the types of molds that are growing in it.

Pests can cause a lot of trouble for homeowners or business owners. They are unsightly, and they can also be dangerous to your health. If you have had recent problems with bugs in your home or business, then you should consider hiring a professional pest control service to eliminate them quickly and efficiently.

Pest control services will do more than come to your house for treatments once an infestation has been detected. The average cost of treatment can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on the severity of the infestation. For some people, calling service is the only thing that will ensure that they get rid of their Bugs in Las Vegas. Other homeowners call an exterminator because they have tried everything else, and nothing seems to be working. Either way, consumers need to know the average cost of pest control services. This information allows them to make an informed decision when choosing an exterminator or to contact a company for treatments.

The average cost of hiring an exterminator depends on the amount of work that needs to be done. Some companies offer treatments that range from a simple light sprinkling of bug repellant to high technology traps and devices that can get rid of all bugs, including cockroaches, silverfish, and aphids. A light sprinkling of bug repellant is often the first line. They may be sprayed on and will work within hours to deter bugs, but they cannot kill them. The second option in pest control services would be trapped for tiny insects such as silverfish or aphids because these are most likely found around food and water sources. Traps can protect from an infestation soon after it starts by catching one insect at a time until there are none left. The third type of treatment that should always be considered when dealing with bugs is prevention methods—installing screens over windows and doors, good ventilation, caulking cracks where pests might enter your home or business space (such as between floorboards), seal up all entry points.

A service that offers the best Pest Control Las Vegas No Contract services will treat homes and businesses in as little as three hours, so it is essential to choose reputable ones. Any exterminator worth his or her salt will be able to provide information on how to get rid of bugs in a matter of hours, but some bugs cannot be removed quickly. Some companies offer treatments that allow for more extended periods between treatments that are most effective.

Most pest control services offer an exterminator spray and a pesticide that they can use on your home or business. However, some pesticides have been banned from some countries because they have been shown to cause cancer. Some pest control companies may offer you a safe alternative to traditional pesticides, such as non-toxic or organic pesticides. Some of these treatments do not require hoses or tanks because they are placed directly on the pest problem area. A licensed exterminator can help you decide which form of treatment is best for your particular pest problem.