#epucheck

[epu-check]

I just got the responsive design for epu-check.com. I think it looks great! What do you think?

[epu-check]

Almost there but still lot to do. We want to make a perfect site therefore it takes few more days but we will be online SOON! Go epu-check! Go entrepreneurs!

[epu-check]

Manuel`s sister has a nail studio in Germany. She offers high quality services and has a lot of regular customers but her turnover is still not adequate. Manuel wanted to help her sister and asked himself:

What are the growth barriers that stops my sister to earn more money?

This question had been uppermost on his mind a lot because he wanted to help his sister. He started to make a research about entrepreneurs all around the world. He  found out that more and more people leave the emploeyement scene and become their own bosses. These entrepreneurs have to face different challenges and barriers on the way to business growth. But what are the growth barriers of entrepreneurs exactly?

Manuel answered this question in his master thesis. He not only analysed all the literature to find out what are all the growth barriers for small businesses but also interviewed several entrepreneurs to collect feedback. The endresult was an Excel tool with all the barriers that stops small businesses to grow ...

... and then we came up with the idea ...

... lets create a web-based self-assessment-tool that makes it possible for all entrepreneurs and small businesses around the world to easily identify their growth barriers.

the knowledge of somebody’s weakness can help him/her to turn this weakness into strength. But of course we wanted more ... The tool will not only help to identify the growth barriers but also make entrepreneurs possible to build a network and help each other to overcome these.

[epu-check]

So I am working from home the last few months. After the first „chaos time“ you create your daily routine. You wake up early, have coffee (of course J) and switch on the laptop. The first thing I check is social media and my e-mails and then I open the To-Do list.

1. Create a TO-DO list!  

A TO-DO list helps you to make the best out of your day! I could not work without a TO-DO list anymore. I will be honest I didn´t always had a TO-DO list and just did what came into my mind (and there was/is always something to do) but after a while I started a TO-DO list because sometimes I forgot small things. My TO-DO list not only supports me to keep track what I did already or still have to do but helps me to prioritize my tasks. However it is important that you write your TO-DO list efficient. Here is a nice article how to write a perfect TO-DO list: www.forbes.com/sites/vanessaloder/2014/06/02/five-best-to-do-list-tips/

2. Make your workplace not only practical but also inspiring!

Of course your workplace has to be well organized and comfortable (comfortable chair, desk in perfect position, enough light) but I think it has to be inspiring as well.  I like decoration that makes me think positive even if I have a bad day. I like to see things that reminds me what we already reached (our logo, our first design to our homepage, our first idea that changed everything etc.) and things that inspire me to reach for more; like for example a motivational screensaver. These small things can keep you go even if your day was not perfect.

 3. Go out!

I am unfortunately not the person who can work in a coffee shop or a crowded place. I always thought when I saw people working or learning in a coffee shop that this looks so cool but I could never do this! I need a quite place to work but I must say sometimes I have to leave the home office to get new ideas or new motivation. I don´t mean to go somewhere else to work. I mean to go out before, between or after work. Drink a coffee with your friend, go for a walk or run, take out the dog etc.

I think if you are at home the whole day you can become too comfortable and don´t want to leave the house… but believe me fresh air or seeing other people helps to work even harder afterwards.