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4 Unexpected Types of Business That Can Now be Operated Remotely

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Remote work is when your business is operated from a location other than a central office. The work-from-home (WFH) movement was gaining traction even before the pandemic, but the lockdowns and social distancing have boosted employees’ interest in remote work.

And, now that the back-to-office movement is getting some wind, there are people who would rather continue in a WFH fashion. Plus, those who have a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, figured out they can run an entire business without having to see an office ever again. As a result, in 2022, around 16% of companies in the world are 100% remote.

So if you are interested in jumping on the bandwagon, here are some businesses you could run entirely from home (or your favourite coffee shop).

#1: Bookkeeping

As an accountant, you don’t have to live most of your life in a dark office, in the basement of the building, surrounded by papers and computers. Nowadays, documents can be signed online, and you can use safe cloud connections to work on your favourite bookkeeping platform.

Plus, as a CPA (if you have the license), you can offer business consultation sessions online. This means you can be anywhere in the world – at home or on a sunny beach – and do your job. Not to mention that there’s always the chance to niche your work and target businesses that also work remotely or ex-pats who want to keep track of their finances.

Overall, as a remote bookkeeper or accountant, you are as good as the online tools you know to use. So invest a bit of time and money to learn how to use the most popular platforms before you make the jump to a fully remote position.

#2: Virtual Real Estate Brokerages

Nowadays you no longer have to meet with clients to sign contracts or discuss transaction issues. It’s enough to use a specialised system like DocuSign for documents and you can always chat on Zoom (or other platforms that support video calls).

Plus, virtual real estate brokerages can now organise remote teams, with agents from various markets. This gives you a huge advantage in terms of territory covered since your business isn’t as limited by geographical location as it used to be.

#3: Tutoring and Teaching

No, teaching needs to happen face-to-face, in a standard classroom, following the already established curriculum!

Or this is what people who haven’t tried remote learning will try to convince you to think. However, studies show that the traditional way of teaching is ineffective and doesn’t help students develop skills that may work best with their talents.

So no, a good teacher doesn’t need a formal setting to be able to teach. In reality, online learning is more goal-oriented and teachers have the freedom to be creative about their favourite topics.

And, the sheer amount and size of platforms that host online classes from almost any domain you can imagine is proof that people are interested in online learning. Plus, you can also be a tutor online, due to apps like Zoom or Skype.

#4: Consulting

Did you know the average business consultant makes over $75,000 per year? Now imagine earning this much and working from home – isn’t it a great combination?

If you have deep experience in a specific field and good communication skills, you may try your chance at becoming a consultant. The job can be done entirely remotely, with in-person meetings if the client is keen to get to know you.

Luckily, you don’t have to meet at your house or a nearby café for business meetings. Nowadays, most big cities have conference rooms for renting where you can take your client and have a discussion in a professional environment.

Remote Work Won’t Go Away

While some businesses (mostly large companies) are reluctant in accepting the remote work trend, there are a series of benefits no one can deny. From the fact that you can attract top talent from all over the world to the possibility of expanding your reach at a global level, remote work is not a trend that will fade out as time goes by.

What is Contract Manufacturing and How Does it Work

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Contract manufacturing is a business model in which a company contracts with another company to produce products or services. This can be a great option for smaller businesses that don’t have the resources to produce everything in-house. It can also be a cost-effective way to get products to market quickly. Contract manufacturers typically have a wide range of capabilities, so they can produce a variety of products.

Type of Business

Some contract manufacturers only provide assembly services, while others offer a full line of services including chemical and material inputs. The manufacturers behind www.polarseal.net, solely focus on medical device contract manufacturing and healthcare material conversion, for example. This is a great option for medical companies who need to outsource certain parts of their production process.

Some manufacturers focus on one industry such as automotive, while other contract manufacturers produce various types of products and service many different clients. When choosing a contract manufacturer, consider the type of industry you are in so you can find a manufacturer who has experience in your field.

Services Offered

Contract manufacturers provide a range of services, including product design, purchasing, converting raw materials into finished products, and packaging. This is just an example of what you can expect from contract manufacturers; each company will have its own specialised services based on its capabilities and industry focus.

Additionally,  some manufacturers are focused on customising products to meet specific client needs, while others offer more standard solutions. For example, if you are looking for something off-the-shelf, then you should consider a manufacturer who has that product already on hand.

Open to Ideas

However, contract manufacturing isn’t just for companies with existing products. It’s also a good option for those wanting to get an idea or concept off the ground.  A manufacturer can help with the development process and experiment to find the best way to proceed. This is a great option for new start-ups or those looking for improvements on an existing product.

Contract manufacturers typically have their own equipment, so they can produce small batches as needed and change up designs and packaging as needed. For instance, if you are only planning on selling 1000 units of product, it may not make sense to invest in your own equipment. You can also get new products to market faster by using the equipment and resources of a contract manufacturer.

Price Point

Contract manufacturing costs will vary depending on what you are looking for, but typically this type of business model is more cost-effective than producing the product or service in-house. This can save money because you are outsourcing labour, facilities, equipment, etc. to a company that specialises in that area. You can also save money by using a contract manufacturer to produce items in bulk for larger orders, as opposed to producing one product at a time.

On the other hand, you also need to consider the costs of shipping, which will vary depending on your product and where it is being sent.

However, if your business is just getting off the ground and you are still trying to determine how much demand there will be for your products or services, it may be best to have the initial production done in-house.

Choosing a Contract Manufacturer

When choosing a contract manufacturer, there are a few things you should consider. First, find out if the company is interested in working with start-up businesses and new concepts. Having previous experience can be beneficial to both parties because it reduces the risk of the product failing during the development process.

Another important factor when choosing a contract manufacturer is timing. Are they interested in working with you on your timeline for developing and/or producing the product?

Ask about how many projects they typically take on per month. You want someone who can give your company the attention it deserves, so you don’t want someone who is overloaded with too many projects at once.

Sampling and Trial Runs

Each contract manufacturer will have its own set of rules when it comes to samples and trial runs. It typically varies between each business, so just ask about their specific policies before committing to a contract. For instance, some manufacturers may require a full order before producing samples, while others will allow you to pay for samples before making a final decision.

Contract manufacturers typically specialise in certain areas, so they are an ideal choice if you need something specific such as customised products or small batches of items produced on demand.  When choosing one, consider whether they offer trial runs and sampling options before making your decision about who will help bring your new product idea into reality.