It also seems too good to be true. Can shining some tiny lights onto your face make you more handsome? Well, if the goal is smooth, blemish-free skin with a healthy glow, then the answer is an unequivocal “yes”. What's more, you don't have to go to a spa and facialist to get these professional-grade benefits. You can achieve them at home with the same products the pros use.

Just ask celebrity groomer Simone, who used the Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Wand on actor Jonathan Bailey as she prepped his skin for this year's Emmys. And I must admit, the guy looked good. “The wand is the perfect low-maintenance prep for a red carpet or formal event,” she says. “It helps reduce puffiness and produces hydrated, well-rested skin—which is my number one grooming goal—and that's why I love red light therapy.”

You've no doubt heard about red light therapy on TikTok or maybe another age-defying celebrity like Diplo, but this isn't just wishful thinking or even complicated biohacking. Red light therapy has been a well-documented and researched practice since the mid-1990s, when NASA utilized red LEDS (light emitting diodes) to help grow potatoes in space. Greg Hammer, MD, physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, says that the red light was also discovered to help to heal the wounds on the hands of the astronauts who were tending to the plants—which was significant since wound healing is usually slowed and impaired in space. Since then, red light therapy has filtered into specialties across the medical spectrum, from sports recovery to dermatology, validated by a growing body of research. The easiest way to understand LED's wide-ranging benefits is that the light targets the body at the cellular level. Those cells are responsible for everything from producing collagen to repairing tissues.

The lights were then brought into dermatologist offices and facialist studios, but the technology has now been democratized into at-home products. Depending on the type of light and wavelength you use on your face, you produce noticeable results: Everything from less breakouts, fewer wrinkles and dark spots, to smoother texture and a brighter complexion. As for which device is best for your needs, we put several to the test and these are our team's recommendations.

Brought to you by Proposify:

In today’s competitive business landscape, scaling a company’s sales operations is a critical priority for growth-oriented leaders. However, many businesses struggle to effectively streamline their sales processes, particularly when it comes to managing and tracking proposals. A well-designed sales strategy with the right proposal management system in place can make all the difference in driving sustainable business expansion. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of developing a scalable sales strategy and how effective proposal management can support long-term business growth.

Understanding the Foundation of a Scalable Sales Strategy

A scalable sales strategy is one that can grow in capacity and efficiency without a proportional increase in costs or complications. In other words, it’s about building a sales system that can handle increased demand while maintaining or even improving productivity. To achieve scalability, businesses must focus on refining their core processes, including lead generation, customer relationship management (CRM), and, critically, proposal management.

Proposal management is an often-overlooked aspect of scaling a business. The ability to quickly create, deliver, and track proposals is essential for closing deals and maintaining momentum in the sales pipeline. Without a streamlined proposal process, businesses risk losing opportunities and creating bottlenecks that slow down growth.

Why Proposal Management is Crucial for Scaling Sales

The proposal phase of the sales process is often where deals are won or lost. It’s the moment where potential clients evaluate your offer, compare it to competitors, and make a decision. Given its importance, businesses must ensure that their proposal management is efficient, accurate, and aligned with overall sales objectives.

By investing in proposal management tools, companies can automate and streamline this critical process. These platforms not only help sales teams generate high-quality proposals more quickly, but they also allow for better tracking and follow-up. This ensures that no proposal falls through the cracks and that potential clients are engaged at every step of the process.

Additionally, proposal management systems provide valuable data and insights. Sales leaders can analyze the performance of their proposals, identify patterns, and adjust their strategies accordingly. With the right platform, businesses can even see which sections of a proposal are being viewed the most, giving insight into what resonates with clients and where improvements are needed.

Optimizing Sales Efficiency with Technology

Incorporating technology into your sales process is a must for scaling. Sales teams are often bogged down by manual tasks, many of which can be automated through the use of advanced software. Tools that integrate CRM with proposal management platforms are especially valuable, as they allow businesses to streamline the entire process—from the initial point of contact through to the final deal closure.

One of the greatest benefits of using platforms with proposal tracking is the ability to maintain real-time visibility into the status of each deal. Sales representatives can see exactly where a proposal is in the approval process, while managers can monitor the overall sales pipeline more effectively. This level of transparency not only keeps the sales team focused and on track but also helps improve communication across departments.

For example, a proposal management platform can send automated follow-up emails, reducing the need for sales reps to spend time manually checking in with potential clients. This frees up time for more high-value activities, such as prospecting or refining sales pitches. When sales teams can focus on selling rather than administrative tasks, businesses are far more likely to achieve scalable growth.

Building Long-Term Relationships with Proposal Management

Another important aspect of scalable sales is the ability to build long-term relationships with clients. A streamlined proposal management system helps facilitate this by ensuring consistency and professionalism in every client interaction. Whether it’s a repeat customer or a new prospect, the ability to deliver clear, well-structured proposals quickly can leave a lasting impression.

Moreover, when clients see that a business is organized and proactive in their communication, they’re more likely to view the company as a reliable partner. A seamless proposal process signals that your business is serious about its client relationships and is capable of handling larger, more complex projects. This is essential for businesses that want to grow by securing long-term contracts or entering new markets.

Proposal management platforms can also support upselling and cross-selling efforts. By providing data on previous proposals and client interactions, businesses can identify opportunities for additional sales and propose new solutions at the right time. This leads to deeper relationships with clients and increases overall revenue.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Scaling Your Sales Strategy

While scaling a business’s sales operations is essential for growth, it’s also important to avoid common pitfalls that can hinder success. One major challenge is failing to invest in the right technology early on. Many businesses wait too long to implement proposal management platforms, resulting in inefficiencies that can be difficult to correct later.

Another pitfall is overcomplicating the sales process. Simplicity and consistency are key when it comes to scaling. By using a centralized platform for proposal management, businesses can reduce the complexity of their sales operations and ensure that everyone is on the same page. This not only improves efficiency but also allows for easier training of new team members as the business grows.

Finally, businesses must focus on measuring the right metrics. Tracking proposal success rates, response times, and follow-up efforts are all critical to improving sales performance. A proposal management system that provides detailed analytics can be invaluable in this regard, helping businesses stay agile and adapt to changing market conditions.

Achieving Sustainable Growth with the Right Tools

Scaling a business is no small feat, and sales strategy plays a vital role in making it happen. By focusing on streamlining proposal management and investing in the right tools, businesses can position themselves for long-term success. Platforms that help track proposals are key in this journey, as they provide both the automation and insights needed to manage a growing sales pipeline.

Building a scalable sales strategy takes time, careful planning, and the right resources. When executed well, businesses can achieve sustainable growth, improve client relationships, and unlock new revenue opportunities, all while keeping operational efficiency at the forefront.

Brought to you by Gusto:

Managing employees efficiently and effectively is key to the success of any organization. As a leader, your role is not just to ensure that work is done but to foster a productive and positive environment where employees feel motivated, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. Successful management blends clear communication, strategic delegation, and an understanding of the unique strengths and weaknesses of your team. This article outlines key strategies to help you manage employees efficiently and effectively.

Clear Communication: The Foundation of Effective Management

One of the most crucial aspects of managing employees effectively is communication. Clear, concise, and regular communication sets expectations, reduces misunderstandings, and ensures that everyone is on the same page.

Set Clear Expectations

Employees need to know exactly what is expected of them, both in terms of specific tasks and overall performance standards. Establishing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals ensures that employees have a clear roadmap to follow.

Regular Feedback

Providing consistent, constructive feedback helps employees understand where they stand and where they can improve. Encourage open dialogue, where employees feel comfortable discussing their concerns, asking questions, or seeking clarification.

Two-Way Communication

Management isn’t just about giving orders; it’s about listening, too. Ensure that employees feel heard by actively soliciting their input and ideas. Listening to feedback shows employees that their opinions are valued, which can boost engagement and morale.

Delegation: Balancing Trust and Accountability

Efficient managers know how to delegate effectively. Delegation is not about offloading work but about assigning tasks based on each team member’s skills and strengths while maintaining accountability.

Know Your Team’s Strengths

To delegate effectively, you need to understand your employees’ individual talents, work styles, and capacities. Assign tasks that play to their strengths while also providing development opportunities.

Avoid Micromanaging

Micromanagement stifles creativity and can lead to employee dissatisfaction. Once tasks are delegated, trust your employees to handle them, but establish check-in points to monitor progress. This balance of autonomy and oversight encourages responsibility without making employees feel controlled.

Set Clear Deadlines and Milestones

Delegating a task without specifying timelines can lead to missed deadlines and confusion. Always ensure that deadlines are clear and realistic, and break large tasks into milestones to track progress effectively.

Fostering a Positive Work Environment

The work environment plays a significant role in employee productivity and satisfaction. An effective manager creates a positive and inclusive atmosphere where employees feel supported, motivated, and valued.

Recognition and Rewards

Recognizing employees for their hard work and achievements is essential. Regularly acknowledge individual and team accomplishments, whether through public recognition, bonuses, or simple praise. Recognition fosters a sense of belonging and motivates employees to continue performing at their best.

Encourage Work-Life Balance

Overworking employees leads to burnout, which negatively impacts productivity and morale. Encourage a healthy work-life balance by setting clear work hours, discouraging excessive overtime, and promoting flexible work arrangements when possible. Ensuring employees have time to recharge boosts long-term productivity.

Build Strong Team Dynamics

A strong sense of camaraderie within a team can enhance cooperation and efficiency. Encourage team-building activities, whether informal lunches, collaborative projects, or organized team-building events. A cohesive team is more likely to communicate effectively, share ideas, and support each other.

Promoting Professional Development

Employees are more likely to stay engaged and motivated when they feel they are growing professionally. Investing in their development not only improves their skills but also increases their loyalty and productivity.

Provide Training Opportunities

Offering training sessions, workshops, and courses helps employees improve their skills and stay updated on industry trends. This doesn’t only benefit the employees; it also makes your team more competent and versatile.

Create a Culture of Learning

Encourage a culture where continuous learning is valued. This could include setting up mentorship programs, sharing industry-related articles, or promoting internal knowledge-sharing sessions.

Offer Career Growth Opportunities

Employees who feel stuck in their current role are likely to disengage. By providing opportunities for promotion or new responsibilities, you help them see a future within the company, making them more invested in their work.

Managing Performance: Addressing Issues Early

Effective managers proactively address performance issues before they become significant problems. Tackling underperformance early on prevents small issues from escalating and helps maintain high standards across the team.

Identify the Root Cause

If an employee is underperforming, it’s crucial to identify the underlying reasons. Is it due to a lack of clarity around tasks, insufficient resources, personal issues, or a skills gap? Understanding the cause allows you to address the issue more effectively.

Create an Action Plan

Once the issue is identified, work with the employee to create an action plan. This could include additional training, closer supervision, or a revised workload. Establish specific, measurable goals and regular check-ins to monitor progress.

Be Compassionate and Fair

While it’s important to hold employees accountable, it’s equally important to approach issues with empathy. Recognize that employees are human and may face personal challenges that impact their performance. Offer support where possible, such as flexible hours or mental health resources.

Time Management and Prioritization: Maximizing Efficiency

To manage employees efficiently, it’s essential to be organized and prioritize tasks in a way that aligns with your team’s goals.

Prioritize Tasks

Not all tasks are equally important. Use methods like the Eisenhower Matrix (dividing tasks into urgent and important categories) to help your team focus on what matters most. Communicate these priorities so that employees know where to direct their efforts.

Encourage Time Management Techniques

Encourage employees to adopt time management strategies such as the Pomodoro technique (working in intervals with breaks) or task batching (grouping similar tasks). Teaching time management skills can significantly enhance productivity.

Lead by Example: Modeling the Behavior You Expect

As a manager, your actions set the tone for the entire team. If you expect punctuality, hard work, and open communication, you must model these behaviors yourself. Leading by example creates a culture of accountability and respect, where employees feel motivated to meet the standards you set.

Be Transparent and Honest

Whether discussing the company’s direction or addressing team performance, honesty fosters trust. Employees are more likely to respect and follow a manager who is open and transparent.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

A positive attitude can be contagious. In times of stress or challenge, your team will look to you for cues. Staying calm, focused, and optimistic will inspire your team to adopt the same mindset.

The Future of Leadership

Efficient and effective employee management requires a combination of clear communication, strategic delegation, fostering a positive work environment, and promoting continuous development. By building trust, providing support, and setting clear expectations, managers can cultivate a motivated, high-performing team. Leadership is not just about managing tasks but empowering people, and the results can be transformative for both your team and your organization.