pwoessner

Understanding the complexities in starting an online home based business can be vital for the success of such a business in today’s ever changing climate. On one hand, there are newer and better online business opportunities out there, yet on the other hand, there are also a lot more scams to be made aware of.

With all of the various home based business ideas out there, let me help you get up to speed. Currently, someone will start a home based online business every 11 seconds in the United States. And 79 million Americans plan to start a home business in the next 3-5 years. However sadly, about 97% of all money earned from one of these online home based business opportunities, only 3 percent ever become profitable. Now, is the cause of the 97% crowd due to ignorance, the lack of education and training, or due to the increasing number of “scam-programs” online these days? I would confer that it’s a combination of all three but let’s go through the process of filtering out the bad online home based businesses.

With all this doom-and-gloom, why should you start an online home based business then? First off, many people still believe in the lottery or “get-rich-quick” sales pitch done up by so many online home based businesses pitched online in the past as well as currently. Stop! Don’t fall for these programs and start by doing your homework! Let me explain some basics that can help you become part of the 3% crowd by following 4 steps to validate your chance of survival and success.

1. First off, before you start an home based business there are typically two main parts to their online system. A product and a business model. Your first sign of legitimacy should come by 1st taking a close look at the home based business model, and then 2nd taking a close look at the product. Could the business model sell other products? Is it unique to the industry, yet make sound sense. Then after you determine the business model, you should look at the product and determine if it’s a solid product in high demand even when the economy is not doing so well.

2. Simply put, starting an online business can be frustrating at times. Is there a proven and tested “plug-in” type system to help you launch your home based business opportunity to help you eliminate your lack of experience (despite your background)? Will you need a PHD at Harvard to help you launch your online home business, or can you follow a step-by-step system that even the beginner can follow if they have a serious desire to learn?

3. Not everyone learns at the same level or way (think about those that barely passed high school, yet went on to be the most successful people you know). Therefore, is there multiple types of training such as video, webinars, audio, conference calls and even an internet coach you can call if you have questions? Extensive training and support will mean just as much to you once you launch or start an online home based business as the great business model and product.

4. “Freedom” and “security” is the main reason people turn to and why they should start an online home based business. It will give you much deserved freedom from the world, but you will need to have the necessary support from like minded online entrepreneurs. You should determine prior to signing up that there is a community of online home based business owners that you can also draw from, whether it be for additional techniques you can implement, or to help prove to you that you too can be as successful as they are.

With all the opportunities online these days, it’s becoming less and less an issue of why should you start an online home business, but when. However, it is essential that you follow the above steps when researching any online home based business opportunity so not to fall victim to so many non-legitimate programs pitched across the internet these days. Take the above 4 steps very seriously, and take your online home based business opportunity seriously would be the key ingredients to succeed in this industry.

There are several ways to be successful today but the most popular one is almost always acknowledged as venturing into a world of capitalizing on online business opportunities. People who are able to do this easily usually reap in the positive benefits many folds.

However identifying the online business opportunities that will eventually yield the desired profits or revenue, may take talent and knowledge that should be carefully considered as such opportunities pose some level of risks.

Business Opportunities, The Basics

The bases of most opportunities arise for several common factors that can be easily identifiable. These may include the need, the means to fulfill the need, the method which could be applied in order to fulfill the identified need and the benefits that are hoped to be accrued.

Basically the more unique any of these elements are the more interesting and perhaps more lucrative the opportunity becomes.

However, this may only be viable if there is a certain level of control that can be exercised over the different aspects of the opportunity exercise.

This control enables those involved to be better positioned to exploit whatever opportunity that becomes available with the ability to create a respected position within a niche market.

Large companies are always on the look out to buy into or buy out smaller companies. Business savvy individual’s are also always on the lookout for business opportunities that will bring them more money.

Though being in the right place at the right time is often the basis of such opportunity grabbing forays, there is also the needed to be savvy and prudent when capitalizing on such opportunities.

Staying informed and keeping abreast with all the latest developments helps to ensure an individual is privy to the latest information on opportunities available. Besides this networking is also another very effective way of scouting around to opportunities. These often come in the form of business opportunities through the who knows who concept, therefore keeping a wide and varied base of personalities within the networking circle is vital.

The Stock Market-

For the braver individual looking to the stock market for opportunities to make money is another viable option; however it is also a sometimes very risky option to choose. Therefore, one should always be well-equipped with the relevant knowledge to ensure the best choices and opportunities are spotted.

Investing-

Being an entity that provides a varied platform of services from stock broking to trading in other securities the stock market can be and usually is very volatile in its dealings.

There are several ways individual can scout and capitalize on opportunities available through the stock market. The following are some tips on how the shock market can be an opportunity providing platform:

• Keep the focus on quick and small gains rather than trying to get rich overnight. Most people make the mistake of not knowing when to buy and when to sell. Though buying is generally based on the sentiments of the time and some knowledge, selling is mostly based on individual perception.
• When the stock price seems to be climbing there is always the temptation to see it climb higher before deciding to sell. This is a very destructive line of thought as the stock price can fall just as easily as it went up, causing incredible negative consequences.
• Therefore, a limit should be set very early on in the buying stage so that when this pre-set limit is met the stock can be sold without hesitation thus minimizing any possible losses.

• Invest conservatively and ensure one is well-informed of the company’s background before making the decision to invest. Avoid chasing a seemingly upward trend without the relevant backing knowledge of the company.

• In every case the bigger investors will start cashing in first and as their investments are instrumental in the climbing stock price, it will also be instrumental in its decline.

Set Some Goals-

Pursuing opportunities with the intention of making a profit or gaining a respectable amount of revenue should always be done with some percentage of caution. Failing which the consequences can be catastrophic. Having some goals in mind will definitely help in the venture to secure opportunities for money making ventures.

Being able to identify to certain extent the kinds of opportunities that would produce the desired revenue within the desired time frame is something that should be carefully considered.

This is to ensure the interest levels are kept constant and thus creating the necessary “buzz” to keep the individual focused on the goal till the desired results are achieved. Knowing the expectation will also help the individual to be able to pick the opportunities that would be well suited towards achieving the set goals.

These goals may vary from person to person as most people have their own personal ideas on what they deem to be a success. For some this may be having more time to spend with love ones, while for others it may be to have more money, then there are those who perceive being able to travel extensively as a worthwhile goal.

Some people desire to retire in comfort and as such make working towards this their goal. Therefore, whatever the need is, being able to identify it clearly is the first step in getting the goal setting exercise done correctly.

Opportunities can be better detected or sensed when the individual has the clear goal in focus and is prepared to work towards achieving it.

Sometimes the simple act of listing down on paper all the various wants and needs and then taking the time to research opportunities that could fulfill some of the items listed can help the individual make some headway to achieving the goal set.

The Housing Crisis Opportunities-

Taking advantage of almost anything is one way of staying ahead of the money game. Taking advantage of the housing crisis should be no different and with a little knowledge one should be able to successfully tap into this opportunity with positive results.

Generally when there is a housing crisis most people will find themselves in a very difficult position. Some will have to give up their homes as they will no longer be able to meet the mortgages while other maybe more interested in leasing properties for longer terms until the situation rights itself.

In such circumstances getting into the leasing property business as an opportunity to capitalize and make a tidy sum of money would be advised. However, because it is now a renter’s market capitalizing on this does have its disadvantages as now the renter will have a wider array of choice properties to choose from.

Therefore, there would be a need to ensure the property available for leasing is of a compatible standard and appealing both in looks as well as price.

There is also the avenue of making money during the housing crisis by buying up properties and rock bottom prices. This is of course only possible if one has a healthy cash flow for long term investment opportunities.

Very good profits can be made when the housing market goes back to a more acceptable state whereby the said properties can then be sold for a handsome profit.

There are also other advantages that can be enjoyed when there is a housing crisis. These may include a lot of freebies that would otherwise not be available.

These freebies can range from zero moving costs to better rental rates. If the individual is looking to make a purchase on a property the housing crisis can bring about the possibility of buying a property that would have originally been out of his or her reach.

Internet Marketing Opportunities-

Internet marketing is the most popular platform for today’s business entrepreneur. In most cases it only takes a little time and effort and comparatively a very small monetary investment, and for this one is able to reach all corners of the world and its potential customers.

The following are some reasons as to why one should consider internet marketing for this purpose:

• For an individual considering a business venture but has a very limited financial capital, the internet marketing is an ideal platform to exploit for the purpose of getting the product or service recognized. Exposing the individual’s endeavor to a huge audience base is priceless, and this is done quickly and easily when compared with more conventional methods.

• The low start up cost and the low operating cost will also allow for great tax relief if there is any at all. When a business takes off the last thing one wants to worry about is how much of the income is taxable. Most governing bodies encourage these types of endeavors over the internet and this in turn helps the individual enjoy good tax breaks.

• The high profit margin is also another attractive feature offered to those using the internet for marketing optimization. Not having to hire a large team of people and all the details that come with it is a welcome relief in terms of expenses kept low or minimal.

• Then there is the time factor which some find very pleasing indeed. The freedom of having the choice to work at one’s own pace and time schedule can be a good criterion for those not interested in being stressed out.

• There is also the interesting element of not having to market or invent your own product. As there is a wonderfully huge list of items available to be marketed on the internet, choosing to sell through affiliates is beneficial.

The Downside To Not Exploring Opportunities-

Exploring opportunities is not something that can be done in the blink of an eye, though for the gifted few it is not an impossible feat.

However, with a little bit of in depth knowledge, patience and some know how abilities, it is not impossible to succeed in choosing the right opportunities.

Sitting on the side lines and hoping or waiting for some opportunity to come by on a silver platter is often not only silly but rather unrealistic.

If individuals adopt this kind of attitude, opportunities may never come their way and even if it does it would be unlikely that they would be able to recognize it and make the best of the opportunity being presented.

Some Helpfull Tips So You Don’t Miss Opportunities-

Being more open-minded and alert allows an individual to be more aware of any opportunities that may arise. Most people miss opportunities because they are too focused on the smaller picture and thus miss the immeasurable possibilities the opportunities may present.

Missed opportunities not only don’t benefit, it can also cause the individual to become resentful and bitter especially when those around are busy making it “big”.

This negative effect will eventually fester into making the individual think of himself or herself unlucky, regretful and thus more closed off as the unpleasantness of always missing the opportunity boat becomes a norm.

Risk takers are more likely to take on any opportunity and make the best of it even if the opportunity does not turn out as expected.

For those who have the element of adventure and some degree of bravery taking the challenge to jump on the band wagon of opportunity at the slightest chance give not only great rewards but is somewhat exhilarating and exciting. While for others who are more cautious, missing the opportunity or chasing it when it’s not conducive to do so.

Home based business is for all those people who want to get reprieve from the daylong tedious typing at the office or growling from their bosses. There are many people who aspire to start their own business, but there are only a few who can materialize their home based business ideas. Ideas for a home based business galore, but no one can give a guarantee of the ideas clicking. If you are someone who is juggling with several ideas for a home based business then it is better that you to take a little time researching on every idea that you come across. Research on an idea is the only way to get the best out of it and it helps a person to know inside out about the same.

There is no use of an idea if one cannot put it to use, but for the home based business there is no use of an idea if it does not lead to success. This doesn’t mean that you do not put your ideas to use; you need to keep your options open so that the moment an idea seems to lead to failure you have a plan B in place. The crux of the matter is that you have to conduct feasibility tests of your ideas for a home based business and then see if that can really form the basis of your income or not. Some people treat their home based business as a secondary source of income and for them the failure of the idea hardly means a lot to them. For the ones who want to build themselves as home based entrepreneurs need to get deeper into the skin of things and then decide on its viability.

Here are some ideas that you can think about and look into their details to understand whether they can be used for your home based business endeavor. The ideas for a home based business that are mentioned in this article are all for the internet based home business as these businesses are referred to as the most successful ideas.

a) Affiliate Marketing: This is one of the most successful yet the easiest business existing in the cyber world. Even if you are not technically sound, you can jump into this business because you hardly require any technical knowledge. You only need to refer people to your parent website and if the customers make a purchase you are going to get the commission for the same. Now, if you have a strong technical background then you can build your own website and there sell the products of your affiliate.

b) Internet store: If you are someone who is ready to invest a bigger amount into your home business then you can build your website and start selling products where you would take the online payment and dropship the items to the customers. This is a tough job as you have to build an impressive inventory where you offer great products at a competitive price. You also need to have a warehouse to stock your goods for shipping. This business requires a greater effort but the money in return is worth it.

A few weeks ago, I was doing a therapy session with a couple who was having a very loud argument. The language was harsh, and they weren’t making any progress towards resolution of the issue.

I jumped in with a piece of advice. The husband immediately turned to the screen and said “Linda, that is just too much like common sense. I don’t know how to handle common sense because there isn’t any of it in the world anymore”. Fortunately, we all laughed and that broke the tension.

But what he said was also sad. Common sense is NOT common, and it definitely doesn’t make sense to everyone.

People are used to getting advice from outside of themselves and then blaming the source if things don’t go the way that they want it to go. There are so many social media influences that might not offer truth or wisdom. Strangers who are posting might not even be telling the truth about their names, age, location or history. They have nothing to lose by giving bad or inappropriate advice.

The other day I heard a man give a presentation in which he said “If you are a Christian, ask God for advice. If you are a Muslim, ask Allah. If you don’t have faith, ask your mother or grandmother because they usually have the answers.” This made me laugh because there was a lot of truth in this. I received so much good advice from my grandmothers over the years and am thankful that, as a grandmother I can pass it on to my grandchildren.

There are ways to develop common sense. Here are a few that I have learned over the years:

1. Learn to make decisions without running to others for help. Often, I see individuals in the grocery store who cannot choose a box of laundry detergent without texting or calling someone for direction. Read the labels, think about the machine you have and make a choice!

2. Value mistakes. I travelled to California for the graduation of a grandson who had earned his degree in marketing. The keynote speaker was a professional golfer who told about how she encourages her students to not be afraid to fail. She took each letter of the word FAIL to define her concept “First Attempt In Learning”.

3. Be cautious. There is an old expression “If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck and quakes like a duck it is probably a duck!” Don’t jump into something that feels wrong – no matter who is encouraging you.

4. Take responsibility. One of the most difficult things that I face is when I try to help people who are “victims” of everyone and everything. They blame, blame, blame and never see the role that they played in the trouble. Everyone has been hurt by life at some point and we have all had other people betray us. Disappointment appears in different forms throughout the years. Each of us, however, has the ability to make choices and start over- beginning today.

Though it has undergone many changes, the business plan is still around. No longer limited to the traditional 12-15 page type-written document, a business plan can be exciting and engaging as well as useful. Many of us realize that it’s the planning process, and the associated research and soul searching, that is so valuable. The finished plan is just icing on the cake.

Just as there are many types of entrepreneurs and business ideas there are many kinds of business plans. Here are three that deserve some special attention.

The “Accidental Entrepreneur” Plan:

Believe it or not, it happens quite often. An impulse, a hobby, or a passing notion turns into a business without warning. One day you’re handing your extra back-yard tomatoes or homemade cake to the neighbors, and before you know it you’re filling out the forms for a booth at the local farmer’s market. Perhaps you create a unique bit of hand-crafted jewelry and wear it to school or work, and then find your phone flooded with messages like, “Where can I get one?” and “I’ll pay you to make one for me.”

When you’re writing a business plan in a situation like these, you need to address a few issues the intentional entrepreneur has already pondered. The first is do you really want this idea to become a full-blown business? Certainly it’s flattering when you realize there’s a market value for something you were doing anyway, but that doesn’t always mean you should launch a business. A lot of accidental businesses form around fads or seasonal items, and may not be robust enough to function as year-round, money-making, enterprises.

Next you will need to carefully examine what actually goes into your offering. How many hours does it take to create those one-of-a-kind bracelets? How much does it cost to bake a dozen of your special recipe cookies? How much research goes into “whipping up” a website? Making tangible goods requires space. Do you have room to grow enough squash to actually generate profits? Are these numbers you could sustain beyond the occasional personal or family use of your product or service?

The business planning process can be very helpful to “accidental entrepreneurs” as it allows you to decide which ideas are best left as hobbies and which ones could provide some real cash flow.

The “Back of a Napkin” Plan:

It is the source of entrepreneurial legend and lore, the million-dollar idea that was hurriedly scribbled on a bar napkin. Yet, for most potential business owners this option for business planning remains a fantasy. However, like any myth there is a tiny grain of truth inside. A quickie business outline can work as a launch plan under the right circumstances.

If you need to get going quickly to ride the wave of a fad before it fizzles, then fast, bare-bones planning may be all you’ve got time to execute. This works best when you’ve already got the infrastructure in place, perhaps from previous projects or an established business, and you can simply shift energy and resources to the new idea.

When you, and your partners if any, have all the core skills and industry knowledge you need to start right away without seeking experts, napkin notes may be enough to get going. Let’s say you are already an expert in technology and social media. Then you, and your team, probably don’t need a detailed plan to start developing a new app. You will draw on your knowledge and experience, and you understand that you might need to go back and do some more detailed and formal planning later.

Certainly when you reach the point where you are looking for investors or lenders, you will move beyond those first casual notes. Until then, drawing upon your expertise can allow you to quickly jump into the market and perhaps gain a competitive edge by using a minimalist plan.

The “One Pressing Issue” Plan:

Business planning does not stop the day you open for business. Under the best of circumstances you should be revisiting your plan once or twice a year to see how things are going, and where perhaps you’ve veered away from your original goals. Remember, changing the direction of a business isn’t always bad, but it should be intentional.

Then there are the moments when something seems to be going wrong, when one or more areas of the business just don’t seem to be working. Cash flow is anemic or the marketing message is flat. Perhaps customers have shown a marked interest in only one particular product or service, ignoring all your other offerings. This means it’s time to revisit your business plan, more precisely it’s time to revisit the questioning process that helped you craft your plan.

Look at the assumptions you baked into your original plan. Did the city follow through on opening that new park across from your location? Were insurance rates what you expected? How many hours of accounting or web design help did you really need? Are your online inquiries out-stripping your face-to-face sales? Or vice versa?

Sometimes no matter how much you research, plan, or test, things don’t go as expected in a business. This isn’t necessarily a herald of failure or a sign that you’re not cut out for entrepreneurship. Life and the marketplace are both unpredictable, and plans need to be fluid and responsive. The “One Pressing Issue Plan” is simply a reflection of a normal evaluation process.

While I still recommend the business planning process, I caution you to realize that a beautifully crafted document does not always equal business success. I’ve worked with many entrepreneurs who successfully launched without a plan, and some with beautifully written plans that never materialized. You and your business idea are unique. Your planning process will be unique as well. Be wary of one-size-fits-all advice or pronouncements from experts about how you should proceed.

Income is hard-earned and precious in terms of future needs. Don’t think of it as ‘easy come, easy go’ as many are all too wiling to do. To ensure one can manage one’s needs and not go into debt it is advisable to put some aside each income day. That little next will grow in time and when emergencies arise it will be on hand. If, on the other hand, one has already stuck bad times and has debts as a result then there is a way of managing it.

For this exercise you need a special book. It can be an exercise book in which you rule some columns, or the more specialised ledger bought from the store. On one page you need to write all your debts, include such things as rent, expected cost of shopping, and such. It matters not the quantity or size at this stage. Make a total at the bottom.

On the opposite page write out all your income. You will quickly see how much short you are between the two columns. Now here comes the tricky bit.

Subtract the rent and expected shopping from the expenditure total. Now decide what are the most pressing bills you have to pay and the total of them? Ring each company and offer a smaller payment per week or fortnight over the next couple of months. Don’t over reach yourself and make sure this is doable.

Make a note of this commitment on the debit side and total that to the rent and shopping amounts and make sure you have covered them. Now take a little extra, whatever you can afford, even if it’s as low as $5 or $10 and slip that into an envelope and put it in a safe place. Don’t spend a cent unnecessarily. Forget the cups of coffee and luxury items because they don’t fit the budget.

Slowly work your way out the debt situation and don’t buy anything for which you can’t pay cash. Cut up the credit card and use only cash to purchase your goods. Rent can be paid through the b-pay system is possible, along with the bills from other companies. This will save you time and effort in running around.

This program works and all it takes is discipline and time to work out the budget and stick to it. In time the little bit you set aside each income day will give you security to deal with the unexpected humps as they arise. They might also be enough to provide an outing or a holiday once in a while. Under no circumstances relax about managing debt because you will never regret it.

A business plan is a written description of the future of your business and more importantly, how you are going to get there. It is a document that explains what you are going to do to make your company profitable and how you are going to achieve this. It defines both your business model and your strategies to make this business model work and more importantly profitable.

Normally when a business idea arises, you know what resources and capabilities you have at the start of your business and where you want to go in a certain period, usually in 3 or 5 years. But what is the way to reach that goal? Where to start? How to arouse investor interest? Even, how to get your business off the ground? Everything seems so easy when you have the great money winning idea and concept. It is how you are going to achieve these dreams and get enough money to keep the business going for many years to come.

Writing a business plan is to build a map that will guide you to where you start making money with your initial business idea. At is very basic structure, your business plan is a mixture of strategies and plans. It involves financials, marketing, staffing and products. Think of it as the foundation to your new business.

WHAT are the reasons that I might need one?
• To look for investors.
• To apply for a loan.
• To establish the viability of your business idea.
• To make improvements to your current business.
• To expand your current business.

All of these types have different emphasises and a different structure.

WHAT is a business plan?
It is a tool or document that describes a business opportunity or idea, the work team, the operational and marketing execution strategies, the business risks and the economic viability of your business. A well written document guides you to turn an idea into a viable business.

It can also be defined in another context in that the business plan becomes a fundamental tool within the analysis of a new business opportunity, a diversification plan, an internationalisation project, the acquisition of a company or an external business unit, or even the launch of a new product or service within the current business.

To summarise, both for the development or launch of a startup and for the analysis of new business investments, the business plan becomes an indispensable tool. So even though you have an established business, you will still need a business plan as you expand and improve that business.

A business plan is never finished and should be reviewed from time to time at least annually but certainly when large changes to an existing company are anticipated. This implies that every plan must adapt effectively and efficiently to the changes, helping the project to continue.

WHAT is the point of a business plan?
Many entrepreneurs think they only need a business plan when they are seeking investment or when the bank asks for one. However the act of business planning, when completed correctly, enables the entrepreneur to carry out an extensive market study that will provide the information required to design the best possible business model that will be both profitable and efficient.

Additionally, the business plan will develop the strategic measures for all functional areas that will enable them achieve the objectives for the new business.
Once written, the business plan will serve as an internal tool to assess the management of the company and its deviations from the planned scenario. Proposing, if necessary, adaptations to the agreed business model in order to obtain updated information for the daily management of the company. This will include preparation of the required changes and processes to bring the business back on track.

So lets dive into the concepts behind business planning a bit more.

The WHY of The Business Plan
• Why do you want your business plan?
• Why are you writing the plan now?

The WHAT of the Business Plan
• What is the purpose of developing a specific plan?
• In what period do you consider it possible to carry out your projects?
• What is your business model?
• What is your Value Proposition?
• What are your products or services to be offered?
• What positioning do you plan to develop to compete?
• What are your measurements of success?
• What markets do you plan to penetrate?
• What market percentage do you estimate to obtain?
• What margins do you consider possible?
• What income do you consider you will receive?
• What are the costs of expansion?
• What are the costs of obtaining new customers?
• What do you want to do with your business?
• What strategies do you want to undertake – financial, marketing and planning

The WHERE of the Business Activity
• Where will your products be sold from? Shop, office, website, social media, road side, party planning,
• Where are you based? Locally, centrally, virtually etc.
• Where are your products produced?
• Where are your distribution channels?
• Where are they going to be sold?
• Where is your market?
• Where will your staff need to be based?

The WHEN of your business planning activities
• When will you need to start your new activities?
• When will they end?
• When will your investor need to invest?
• When will your investor get their money back?
• When will you have enough staff to carry out your new changes?
• When will your products and services be available?
• When will your products need to be updated and/or improved?
• When is the best time to attract new customers?

WHO do you present your plan to?
• Bank for loan purposes and they will take a charge over a property usually.
• Investor to join your company as a shareholder.
• Angle Investor to join as a shareholder but also be involved in the running of your company.
• Management team so they know what is expected of them.
• Suppliers who will be offering credit.
• Director level hires so that they are encouraged to join your company.
• Believe it or not the entrepreneur should also refer back on a regular basis.

As you can see there are a lot of Ws involved with a business plan – the biggest W is why should you write a business plan and the answer is – because it is such a great business tool.

When recruiting new employees, carrying out Health Screening is beneficial in terms of establishing facts concerning existing medical conditions, or other potential risks, and offering advice concerning the management of safety issues in relation to any health concerns. This service enables you to accommodate for any potential issues that a new employee may have, but also means that you can avoid employing people for high risk positions that are not medically fit for the role.

There are a range of potential pre-employment assessment approaches, each of which is designed to assess your new employees’ medical fitness for the role.

Some examples of standard methods of assessment include:

• Standard Paper Screen – A paper screen looking at past and current health declarations against the requirements and risks of the role.

• Declaration Paper Screen – Utilises a covering declaration which filters only positive responses to occupational health where a standard screen is then conducted

• Standard Physical Assessment – A paper screen is conducted in conjunction with a basic physical examination of core health measurements.

• Comprehensive Physical Assessment – A paper screen is conducted in conjunction with a physical examination that factors in tests specific to the risks of the business.

No matter the assessment route the formulation of a bespoke questionnaire to match your needs will provide you with the ability to ask questions specific to the role you are employing for, to ensure that you ascertain that the candidate is medically fit for the particular role you are recruiting for.

Following the review of the questionnaire you will be provided with recommendations for what, if any, accommodations need to be made to ensure that the employee would be able to carry out the role you are hiring them for. What these assessments mean is that you can save time and money on recruitment by avoiding employing someone unfit for a role and then having to re-employee someone else to fulfil areas of the job that can’t be carried out by the new employee.

Standard and Declaration paper screening assessments often offer fast track reporting with turnaround timeframes of fewer than 48 hours. The majority of these assessments can be conducted remotely which helps to keep your costs down.

By implementing a Health Screening process you can ensure that there are no surprises when a new employee starts and you can avoid potential safety risks that may arise by employing someone medically unfit for a certain role.