Lighthouse Consulting Group

Warren, RI—The Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers (PCC) Board of Directors has selected Lighthouse Consulting Group, Inc. as its association management company. This selection is the result of a search lasting several months to identify an individual or management company that would be able to fulfil the administration and operational duties needed to grow the organization upon the retirement of its executive secretary.

“Our board unanimously approved retaining Lighthouse as our management team,” said current President Miriam House, of the Port of Columbia County. “We’re excited to see how PCC can grow and expand with the expertise and experience the Lighthouse team brings to the table.”

The Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers is an organization of commercial and recreational marina professionals promoting the development and growth of the marine industry through communication, education, and professional certification. Membership includes ports, harbors and marinas in the U.S. states of Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington, and the Canadian province of British Columbia, as well as supporting industry-related businesses.

Lighthouse Consulting Group provides association management services to small and medium-sized organizations that work across a range of different industries including the recreational boating industry. Based in Warren, RI and providing services to its clients since 2002, Lighthouse marine clients include the Association of Marina Industries, Marine Marketers of America, Massachusetts Marine Trade Association, America Boat Builders and Repairers Association and Sail America among others.

Whether it’s strategic consulting or association management, Lighthouse Consulting Group has you covered. Contact us today to learn more! 401-247-0313

Using innovative techniques to grow a business isn’t just a way to keep up with the changing times; it can also help small and mid-sized business owners save time and money, reach a wider audience, and problem-solve with the push of a button. By introducing tech solutions to your company, you can streamline formerly labor-intensive tasks while taking your business to the next level in areas like customer service, accounting, and project management. You can even add on to your marketing strategy and build your customer base with tools like an SMS messaging tool.

No matter where your goals lie, making smart choices with technology will be to your benefit for many years to come, so it’s important to learn all you can about the software and services available to your business. Lighthouse Consulting Group shares a few tips on where to look first:

Remote work — One of the most meaningful concepts to come out of the pandemic for many business owners is the idea of remote work. Not only does it allow employees more flexibility in order to handle family responsibilities, but it also provides money savings for the company. When your team is scattered, however, it’s crucial to ensure you have the right tools to keep everyone on the same page. Project management would be nothing without online communication tools that allow for secure, easy document and image sharing or team meetings, so look into the advantages of these resources for your team members. Even if you don’t currently have remote workers, these tools may come in handy down the road, and training your team members on how to use them now will save you time later.

Time management — Any business owner knows that making the most out of every minute of the day is essential for both managers and team members, but it can be hard to ensure productivity every day, especially if some of your employees work out of the office. Utilizing time management tools like a note-taking app or calendar app to keep up with meetings, projects, and deadlines is essential if you want to ensure that everyone is on the same page. These tools will help to eliminate mistakes and prevent you from having to hold meetings or training sessions more than once on the same topic, which will save time for everyone.

Cyber security — When several people are sharing files and information, it’s crucial to ensure that your business’s most sensitive data is kept secure. That’s why investing in the best cyber security software, email system, and protection tools is imperative. The good news is, you don’t have to spend a ton of money on these tools; in fact, a password-protected PDF file can go a long way toward keeping certain documents safe.

When it comes to email, Google has a wealth of resources for business owners, including a secure email system that provides customized addresses for both your business and your employees. Not only is this great for lending credibility to your company, it’s also advantageous for your marketing strategy.

You’ll also need to consider using digital backup for your most important information. Often, smaller businesses fail to protect their data sufficiently because they underestimate the risks. Some utilize security methods without updating them, while others have no plan in place at all for future data loss. Whether it’s from hackers or a system malfunction, data loss can leave your business with costly issues that affect your sales and customer trust for a long time. Back up your most important information, and utilize the cloud to store images and other documents that you don’t need immediate access to.

Business process management — Business process management can be a huge benefit to startups and established companies alike. It is the practice of taking a close look at existing processes and using analytical tools to identify inefficiencies that may be holding your business back. By re-evaluating what isn’t working, you are able to replace outdated systems or processes with ones that operate more smoothly and cost-effectively. Conducting research on business process management can get you started so you can automate mundane tasks, minimize risk, and increase profitability.

Digital marketing – Most of today’s business owners already utilize digital marketing in some form, whether it’s through social media advertising or emails to customers, but it’s a good idea to put as many marketing tactics to use for your business as possible. This might include creating a unique, easy-to-navigate website that offers several payment options and includes informative copy and keywords for SEO to drive traffic; it might also include utilizing a chatbot or SMS messaging tool that gives you access to your customers’ needs in real-time while allowing them to resolve problems.

Whether it’s strategic consulting or association management, Lighthouse Consulting Group has you covered. Contact us today to learn more! 401-247-0313

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The Dos and Don’ts of Upgrading Your Home Workspace on a Budget

Working from home certainly has its perks. The commute couldn’t be better and the coffee’s always fresh. Merging your work and home lives, though, presents unique challenges, mainly having sufficient designated space for professional purposes. Maximize the efficiency and comfort of your work-from-home setup by focusing on inexpensive upgrades that offer significant improvements. Lighthouse Consulting Group shows you how.

1. Do Consider Your Job Responsibilities

The types of tasks you perform for work will dictate what equipment you need and how to arrange your workspace. For example, if your job involves frequent video conferencing, it may help to have a second monitor along with ample desk space for note-taking.

If you run your own business from home, consider reducing some of your responsibilities and the cost of hiring more full time employees by using a BPO (business process outsourcing) company. You can outsource your accounting, customer support and more for the tasks and hours needed, and you can trust these companies to provide you with high quality employees, which you don’t have to go through the process of screening and hiring.

2. Don’t Let Clutter Take Over

Keep papers and loose desk supplies organized with functional, yet stylish storage systems. Use a combination of shelving and freestanding units to add dimension to your space while leaving all necessary items easily accessible. Cord Busters advises taming and hiding unsightly cables with a cable tidy box.

A space that is simply too small and accumulates clutter quickly can make it difficult to be productive. If your living arrangement fails to accommodate the work space you need, it may be time to look for a new place. Do your research first and check out the housing market of the area you’re considering moving to. Gauging the prices of property is a bit tricky at the moment, so be sure the information you’re sourcing is up to date and reliable.

3. Do Use an Ergonomic Setup

A computer-based job should not condemn you to a life of neck pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Experts recommend choosing furniture that is designed according to ergonomic principles, such as:

• Chairs with adequate lumbar support
• Footrests that let your feet rest flat and keep your thighs parallel to the floor
• Desks and chairs with adjustable heights to promote good posture
• Sculpted keyboards that reduce wrist strain

You can also find ergonomic office solutions that include a stand up desk. These desks are great for reducing neck and wrist pain, and they encourage activity more than standard seated desks.

4. Don’t Just Shop for Brand-New Items

Brand-new office items can be expensive and cheaply made. Instead, scour flea markets, consignment shops, and online marketplaces for deals on high-quality office furniture. This is also a great way to find unique decor that can serve as a conversation piece at your next virtual meeting.

5. Do Dabble in DIY When Possible

Even if you’re not particularly handy, you can browse the web for tutorials on easy DIY home office projects. Make a fabric covered notice board or a mason jar tissue holder. Glam up a desk you found secondhand with a fresh coat of paint.

6. Don’t Attempt Unrealistic Projects

While simple DIY pursuits are encouraged, don’t get too ambitious and take on a task that may be unsafe. It’s best to hire professionals for complicated projects that require a specific skill set.

7. Do Add Your Personality to Your Workspace

Your home office space should reflect who you are personally and professionally. Add family photos, cherished keepsakes, and any meaningful decor that brings you joy and inspires productivity.

8. Don’t Forget the Walls

Wall surfaces can be used as additional storage to free up prime floor space. You can also enhance the aesthetics of your space by hanging artwork, painting an accent wall, or applying wallpaper in a bold color or pattern.

Choose the type of wallpaper carefully. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is perfect for beginners who aren’t committed to the concept but want to try it out.

9. Do Look Your Best on Video Calls

Paint yourself in a literal positive light during video calls. CNN notes that you can position a ring light behind your computer to brighten your face on camera.

10. Don’t Give Yourself More Work With High-Maintenance Plants

Greenery effectively spruces up any space, but plant care can be a hassle. Opt for low-maintenance varieties that can survive and even thrive with little neglect.

You don’t have to spend a lot to create a pleasant at-home workspace. Make simple and affordable tweaks that will infuse happiness and productivity into your workday. You may want to invest into some ergonomic furniture, move to a larger home, or even outsource a few tasks to a BPO company to make your days easier, so you can build in that work/life balance that everyone deserves.