Tip #473: 5 Tips For Managing Your Stress At Work

In today's challenging business world, we are expected to do more in less time and often with fewer resources. The stress of keeping up with these demands can quickly lead to job burnout.    

By learning to manage your time in a way that helps reduce stress, you will ultimately help improve job satisfaction and productivity.

Determine Your Stress Points.

The first step in reducing stress is pinpointing the source(s).  There are many online tools to help you determine the source of stress in your life.

Once you know the triggers, the next step is understanding the way you react to stress and devising new ways to handle stressful situations more effectively.  The following tips will set you on the path to reduced stress and increased job satisfaction.

5 Tips For Managing Your Stress At Work:

Tip #1: Delegate, Delegate, Delegate - If you are like most people, you probably have more work on your desk than you can possibly handle in a day.  By delegating tasks to others on your team, whenever possible, you can take some of the burden off of your shoulders.  Are you a perfectionist who has trouble giving up "control" of your work?  Try starting slow, delegating low-yield work at first. As you see that others on your team are capable, you will gain more confidence in "letting go."  And, as team members gain your trust, they too will become more confident in their abilities and will be more willing to take on higher-level tasks, thus reducing your stress level even further.

Tip #2: Learn To Say "No" - While it's true that you must be willing to take on additional responsibilities in order to get ahead in your career, you also need to recognize when you are at your limit.  Stretching yourself too thin can lead to low-quality work and even higher stress levels.  Accepting new tasks that you do not have time to complete, may actually cause harm to your career in the end.  So when your plate is full, focus on the tasks at hand before accepting new challenges.

Tip #3: Avoid Negative Energy - Getting caught up in office gossip or politics is a distraction that can cost time and energy you could be devoting to your work.  Gossiping co-workers or those who complain incessantly give off a negative energy.  Steering clear of negative co-workers will help you stay focused on your own work.

Tip #4: Adjust Your Attitude - Instead of dwelling on the things that you don't like about your job, why not focus on the positive?  Try making a list of the aspects of your job that give you the most satisfaction.  This can help reaffirm your passion in your career.  When you are feeling negative or overworked, reviewing this list can rejuvenate you and help refocus those negative feelings.

Tip #5: Do Not Burn Yourself Out - As the expression says, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."  But it can also make Jack downright burned out.  Trying to get too much done in the office and not leaving time for yourself can lead to exhaustion, which is a major contributing factor in job burnout.  It's important to use your time out of the office as a way to recharge your batteries.  Catch up on your sleep.  Increase your activity.  Spend quality time with friends and family.  In the end, a healthy mind and body will help you to better cope with the daily stresses in the office.

Executive Summary:  While it's impossible to eliminate all of the stress in life, making small changes in your work habits and daily lifestyle can go a long way in helping to reduce your stress level.  Learning to delegate tasks, not taking on more than you can handle and focusing on the positive aspects of your job will lead to a happier and more productive work life, which can only lead to a happier and healthier home life. 

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #472: 6 Simple Tips To Making A Great Presentation

All experts agree that if you have some excitement in your voice and a command on your presentation's subject matter, people pay attention.
  

Click here to watch a video on presentation tips.

So, if you want to win over your audience during a presentation, the number one secret is to provide them with a high degree of enthusiastic energy on a subject matter you know cold.      

6 Simple Tips To Help You Make A Great Presentation.

For anyone who gets a little nervous talking in front of people, it has been proven that concern over appearing nervous doesn't matter, as people cannot even see it.  To reduce your nervousness, we recommend the following:

Tip #1: Become The Subject Matter Expert -- You can quickly impress your audience by having a clear command of your subject matter.  If you know your data, content and handouts cold, you will woo your audience within a short order.

Tip #2: Limit How Much "Copy" You Use On Each Slide -- Go through each slide and make sure your copy is "bullet point" driven vs. "sentence" driven.  Remember, your role as the presenter is to expand on each point so your audience focuses on you.  Side note: If you are giving a detailed presentation, make sure you have a supplemental handout to support your presentation.  

Tip #3: Control Which Questions You Will Answer -- There is nothing worse than seeing a speaker get sidetracked with irrelevant questions.  If someone asks you a question that is not relative to your content, address it by telling that person that you will answer his/her question after your presentation.

Tip #4: Start Off By Telling People That You Are Nervous --After you have told everyone that you are nervous, tell them, "Now that I got that out of the way, let me tell you a little bit about what I am going to present today. . ."  

Tip #5: Slow Down -- If you are nervous, there is a good chance that you have sped up your speech or skipped over certain things.  Keep little reminders in your presentation to prompt you to slow down.  You could have a little stop sign in your presentation that acts like a trigger.

Tip #6: Walk Around The Room If Possible -- When giving a presentation where the venue is more casual, make an effort to walk around the room and interact with some of the people who are watching you. You will be surprised how this will help you become more "at ease" during the presentation.  

Executive Summary:  As you can see, enthusiasm plays a huge part in giving a great presentation, but it also needs to be combined with a number of other components.  Once you master this, you will quickly become great at presenting and winning your audience over and over again.  

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #471: 8 Tips For Establishing An Employee Mentoring Program

Establishing an employee mentoring program is a great way to properly engage and involve your employees. Not only will this encourage connections but also help with open discussions within your company. Plus, it puts an established employee in a leadership role and allows those newer to the role to learn from someone who understands the job first-hand. But here's the ultimate benefit: Employee mentoring programs often result in increased productivity, lower training costs and higher retention.

Click here to read about Dale Carnegie Training's Employee Engagement Study.

Consider These 8 Tips To Plan Your Employee Mentorship Program.

Tip #1: Try It Out - A solid employee mentorship program works on any scale. You can test out your idea by asking an experienced employee to train a new hire. Monitor the training and ask both employees for constructive feedback.

Tip #2: Provide Structure - A bit of structure will help your mentors and mentees understand what they are expected to cover. Additionally, you can use this step to catch inconsistencies in what you think is important versus your employees' focus. Structure means planning out training time and plotting specific objectives.

Tip #3: Set Expectations - Make sure that your mentors understand what you expect of them. How long should they spend on mentoring? Once a new employee is established, the mentoring relationship should continue. Mentors and mentees should get together for an hour every couple of weeks at the minimum.

Tip #4: Pair Appropriately - Provide a good match when it comes to selecting mentors and mentees. A good match is indicated by:
  

• Compatible skill sets and job requirements
• Positive social interaction
• Similar schedules and shifts

Tip #5: Prepare Documentation - The employees mentoring and being mentored should have a copy of all necessary documentation at the beginning of the training. This includes a printed training manual, reference forms, computer login information and a list of your expectations for training.

Tip #6: Stretch The Benefits Of Employee Mentorship -Employee mentorship doesn't simply help new employees - it trains existing employees by helping them refine their leadership skills. Just as they mentor new individuals, you must shape the management potential of the employee mentors.

Tip #7: Align Training And Corporate Values -Mentorship is a natural way to instill the culture of your company into your new employees. After all, they can learn from a primary example of your corporate culture.

Tip #8: Use A Survey Tool - Provide those involved in your program with a survey asking what they hope to obtain out of the mentoring relationship. This will allow you to understand your employees' goals and engage them in the future. Furthermore, it will allow you to make a good match when it comes to selecting mentors for your new employees.

Executive Summary: Employee mentorship programs provide many benefits to your company. Learning is thorough and organic. To succeed, make sure to plan and organize properly, check in with your employees and provide the necessary documentation. Additionally, you must set clear expectations.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #470: How To Lead In Employee Engagement

It's no secret that engaged employees benefit the companies that employ them. In fact, organizations with engaged employees experience better production, an increase in goal-oriented behavior, lower turnover and higher profits.

Unfortunately, two-thirds of your employees are most likely disengaged. To reduce this percentage, a company needs to provide genuine means of fulfillment.

Click here to see the results of the Dale Carnegie Training Employee Engagement Study.

 

9 Tips For Getting More Of Your Employees Engaged

Tip #1: Provide Social Interaction And Space For Discussion - Feeling engaged means feeling connected. Anything you can do that provides a feeling of connectivity will encourage loyalty and satisfaction in your employees. Additionally, once employees feel like the company cares, they will be more likely to provide you with valuable feedback, suggestions for process improvements and other information only achieved in an environment of mutual trust.

Tip #2: Employ Empathy Instead Of Sympathy - Being sympathetic means recognizing a concern. Displaying empathy means you demonstrate a relational understanding. Most companies employ managers who are sympathetic, but empathetic leaders truly encourage employees to become more engaged. You can do this in a few ways:
* Demonstrated positive reaction to employee concerns and suggestions
* Intranet, LinkedIn or private Facebook group interaction
* Town hall-style meetings

Tip #3: Establish A Corporate Culture And Encourage Participation - Perks like flexible hours or a company gym demonstrate your commitment to the well being of your employees, and that inspires loyalty and engagement in return. Be clear about your corporate culture and ensure that it is reflected in the way you treat your employees.

Tip #4: Recognize Positive Contributions - Instead of simply recognizing your top performers, make sure you recognize your employees' contributions to your corporate culture and community. Additionally, this means ensuring that your employees understand their job beyond its function - they should know exactly why their role is valuable to the corporation, and you should make sure to demonstrate that you value it.

Tip #5: Encourage Mentoring - Most companies have workers and management - but have you considered what would happen if you presented your managers as mentors or encouraged employees to mentor each other? This prompts employees to create career advancement goals and to discover and share their talents.

Tip #6: Provide Community Service Opportunities - Some amount of employee engagement happens outside of the office. Community service opportunities provide new ways for your teams to work together for a greater goal. This reinforces a connection with other employees and the community, and that is proven to increase employee engagement.

Tip #7: Be Consistent - Employee engagement is not an annual initiative driven by only one department. It's a constant, intentional effort that you must support. Everyone experiences a fair share of instability in their lives; by showing that you care, your company can earn genuine commitment from its employees.

Tip #8: Do Not Forget About The Metrics - While it is important for you to measure employee engagement and its benefits, it is even more important for your employees to see how their extra effort produces real results and benefits the company. This encourages pride, support and creates an atmosphere conducive to employee engagement.

Tip #9: Provide Resources - Once you determine your employees' goals, you can engage them by supporting them in their goals. This could mean additional training, educational reimbursement or frank discussions about your employees' futures in the company.

Executive Summary: With consistency, outreach and encouragement, you can provide a corporate culture that attracts and retains engaged employees. Activities and opportunities that provide feelings of connection are among the best ways to create a corporate culture of such values.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #469: 4 Employee Engagement Survey Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)

    

   

     

Knowing how many employees are engaged is an important component for any size company.
 

To help you quantify your company's employee engagement issues, many leaders tend to survey their employees; however, if this is survey is done incorrectly, it could cause many issues internally.
 

4 Employee Engagement Survey Problems (And Solutions).

Problem #1: Your Responses To Surveys Is Negative - If employees point out an inefficiency in production and you respond by giving them more unpleasant work, that does not provide much of an incentive for them to give positive feedback.

Solution #1: Promote Positive Results - Instead of issuing negative responses, try addressing the concerns in a positive and enthusiastic way. If production results are inefficient, offer a reward or bonus for the team showing the most improvement.
 

Problem #2: Disengaged Employees Ignore The Survey -Chances are your disengaged employees already feel like you do not care about how they think. You've already lost them - so why are they going to take the time to fill out the survey? This means you do not hear from those who you need to hear from the most - your disengaged employees.

Solution #2: Provide An Incentive For Taking The Survey -Offer something extra - and make sure it is something that will be appreciated by engaged and disengaged employees alike, such as leaving a half hour early on a Friday.
 

Problem #3: You Distribute The Survey At The Wrong Time -Most employees are familiar with the ever-popular "exit interview," which usually occurs when an employee is leaving your company. If you find out why the employee was disengaged only at that point, then you have obviously already lost your chance to engage them.

Solution #3: Actively Encourage Feedback At All Times - It takes work to have an open door policy, but it pays off if a disengaged employee speaks up and you can assist them with their problems. This will help productivity, profit and team morale as well.

Problem #4: Your Survey Is Too Limited - If your survey simply requests yes/no responses or asks for ratings on a scale, you are actively disengaging everyone who takes the survey. While these tools will help you obtain solid metrics, it looks like a cold ploy to figure out engagement numbers.

Solution #4: Ask Open-Ended Questions - Ask questions that will encourage employees to think in ways they have not before. You could ask questions such as:
 

• If you could make one change in the culture of our company, what would it be?
• If you had the power to change one process, what would it be and why?
• If you could pick who to work for in this organization, who would you pick and why?

Executive Summary: Employee engagement requires constant focus. It takes time (and resources, such as your employees' time) to distribute an employee engagement survey and analyze the data. Make sure you use effective tactics that allow you to further engage your employees. The wrong survey could create more disengagement.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #468: 6 Quick Business Growth Tips

It may seem difficult to grow your business in today's challenging economic climate; however, it is possible. 

To help you and your staff expand your sales, we have listed below a number of tips for any size business to consider - tips that will help you look beyond what you are doing today.   

Expand Your Business By Focusing These Quick Business Tips.

Tip #1: Remind Your Customers - Your business will not move forward or increase in value if your customers are unsatisfied. As you grow your business, continue to cultivate your existing customer relationships. Consider rewarding your current customers (even past clients) with discounts, vouchers and loyalty benefits. Additionally, don't forget to reward them if they "refer" someone to your business as well.

Tip #2: Avoid Selling On Price - Every member of your business should be able to understand and define what makes it different from the competition. This will help you drive sales and keep focused as you continue to grow your enterprise. Coach new and existing employees on an appropriate "elevator speech" that describes your business with concise clarity.   
Tip #3: Market Your Business To Its Customers, Prospects And Partners - Marketing is about telling your clients, prospects and business partners over, over and over again the value that your business brings to their business. The key to your marketing is this: Make sure you are sending slivers of information on a consistent basis (not one campaign with a list of all the products and services you can offer them). 

Tip #4: Add Complementary Lines of Products And/Or Services - To expand your sales, you should consider a formal (e-mail or through written communications) customer survey on an added product or service. Here is a question that you may want to use: What type of product and/or of service would be of value to you and your business? (List possible items below and an open space for a variable answer.)

Tip #5: Create A Formal Sales Follow-Up System - After a marketing campaign has been released, make sure your salespeople are calling the recipients to follow-up on the risk-free offer, i.e., call to action, that you used on the campaign. To ensure that this is being done, measure how many calls each person has made and the results of their calls.  Do this and you will see an immediate increase in sales activity. Remember this: 50% of most salespeople stop calling a prospect after their first unsuccessful attempt at moving the sales process forward!

Tip #6: Look For Financial Opportunities And Risks -Finances can make or break an expanding business. Carefully consider all investments - which are necessary and which are luxuries? Consider the details such as:

• Business grants

• Employee-related costs (orientation, benefits)

• Financing expansion

• Tax penalties and/or write-offs

Executive Summary: While there is much to consider when it comes to expanding a business, your core values should remain the same. As the business leader, you are ultimately responsible for retaining focus on these values - as well as the responsibility to see them through and pitch in when more help is required.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #467: How To Encourage Your Staff To Place Business Goals Above Personal Ambitions

Leadership is a business skill that needs continuous work. Without it being worked on, an otherwise savvy business person can sometimes be a detriment to his or her company.

So how does one manage significant team-based decisions while ensuring that the interests of the business are also met and served?

Even The Best Business Leaders Focus On Their Own Interests. 

No matter who is leading or managing a team, they are all human. And because of this, they become susceptible to positioning themselves in the best light for larger budgets, pay increases, bonuses and promotions. Due to this, some team members will tend to put their needs above the organization's corporate goals.   

Key Attributes Your Team Leaders Should Consider.

We've taken what many best-in-class team leaders do and have listed them below. Specifically:   

• They are open to compromise.
• They come up with a solution that drives sales and production while still maintaining a focus on cost containment and profits.
• They look at satisfying the end-user and/or customers.

  

Have Your Leaders Focus On The Company's Goals Vs. Their Own Personal Agendas.

Think about those serving in other professions. Their missions are clearly defined. Let's say that a group of leaders are working on a process improvement project in the shipping department, for example, it is clear that the "shipping department" is the customer being served.

While the goal of process improvement is clear, each leader tends to a specialty - IT, shipping, warehousing, etc. Prior to working on optimizing the department, the leaders must discuss:

• What they must fix (diagnose the problems)
• How best to fix it
• Who handles what aspect of the shipping department
• Timeline of completion

You and your team can tackle work projects with the same level of focus. However, it is important to dissect and solve the problems at hand. Additionally, they need to set new ideas, methods, procedures, etc. into action by putting the goals of their organization first - even if it involves a reduction of labor.

Executive Summary: By committing to put the business' needs before ones personal needs, your team will spend less time arguing over what to do. Plus, a more focused approach will help your team identify and solve problems and issues - even if they affect other personnel. That said, do not forget to reward them for their individual efforts and contributions as well as their ability to put the business first.

For more information, visit our website!

How to Present Your Online Degree to Employers

The National Center for Education Statistics predicts that a record number of graduates will complete postsecondary degrees in 2013. According to the report, over 1.8 million new bachelor’s degree holders and 955,000 new graduate degree holders will enter the U.S. job market. As these graduates seek jobs, they must put together a resume that demonstrates their talents, experience and educational achievements. It’s no secret that online degrees are still met with skepticism by some employers and recruiters who are trying to initially weed applicants from their pool.
If you received your degree online, you will need to make a decision about how best to present your degree and demonstrate its merits during the earliest stages of this application process. Keep in mind that you cannot mislead or lie to any employer regarding your educational background. But as with any component of your application, your goal as an applicant is to maximize your opportunities to explain your education and how it makes you a unique and valuable candidate. There are three options for presenting your online education on your initial resume:

1. 1. You can embrace your online degree and present it directly.
2. 2. You can omit the “online” descriptor on your resume.
3. 3. You can omit your online degree from your resume altogether.

Strategy 1: Be Direct About Your Online Degree

Your resume is your strongest tool to differentiate yourself from other candidates early in the application process. Potential employers will examine resumes before deciding to move forward with face-to-face interviews. If you plan to be direct with your degree acquisition, then you will need to focus on how your online education will bring value to the workplace. Here is an example of a straightforward depiction of your online degree as it should appear on your resume:
Education and Activities
Washington State University Online
- M.B.A. with a Marketing concentration, 2008-2010.
- B.A. in Business and Marketing, 2004-2008.
WSU Academic Honors
- Dean’s List, 2006-2010.
- Graduated Summa cum laude, 2010.
- Phi Beta Kappa, 2010.
WSU Organizations and Activities
- Editor in Chief for the WSU MBA Webinar on Administrative Policy, 2010.
- Tutor for the WSU Center of Advising and Career Development, 2008-2010.
List distinguishing honors and in-depth volunteer or leadership experiences that set you apart from your online degree program peers. If you’ve participated in online group projects or assisted faculty with web-based meetings, be sure to mention it. This shows prospective employers your online education has given you greater technical fluency than many traditional schools would have.
When you are called in for your interview, you will need to emphasize how your distance learning experience gives you an edge in the workforce. Here are some practice questions and answers.
Q: How would you say your experience at Washington State University has prepared you to work with clients?
A: Businesses seek marketers with a good balance of interpersonal savvy and technical knowledge. At WSU, I was selected to coordinate a webinar from the administrative level, allowing my peers to speak with our dean, alumni, and internship partners through a streaming conference. I was responsible for the audio-visual instructions, participant scheduling, and social media broadcasts, all done remotely.
Our Marketing webinar went off without a hitch, and over 260 students attended the live stream. Over 12 people in my Marketing 402 class, including myself, began internships from company connections they made during the webinar. The experience I gained with digital communications can translate directly to the marketing responsibilities here at your company.
Q: Do you feel like your school’s online format prevented you from developing business social skills?
A: No. I exchanged dozens of communications daily via voice chat, email, message board, and video streams. After the remote webinar earlier, I was able to make a significant connection with the marketing firm SynthCo, and become their marketing intern in 2009. I worked on-site with them, managing their online brand image. At SynthCo, I was able to raise customer satisfaction by over 80% through an aggressive social media and email campaign. I don’t think my technical skills would have been up to par without the experience I gained daily working with WSU Online.
The interview samples above highlight two main college experiences – the Marketing Webinar and the SynthCo internship, which are also mentioned in the resume. The interviewee shows how their technical knowledge and social media netiquette have benefited both their academic peers and SynthCo. Before your interview, think of your greatest academic accomplishment and how your earned skills will be useful to an employer.
Was your college a flagship institution that offers both online and traditional degree programs? Or are they strictly a distance learning institution? Schools with greater brand recognition, such as the University of Phoenix, are known to offer online degrees and many employers regard them favorably. However, the reputation of your school shouldn’t impact your resume presentation too much. In a recent survey conducted by Zogby International and Excelsior College, 83 percent of company executives polled acknowledged that online degrees are as credible as traditional degrees. Online degrees are by no means rare amongst applicants, and they are constantly gaining recognition in hiring departments.
Before deciding how to present your school’s online format, you will want to also consider the type of degree you have. If you have majored in a field that relies on technology, such as digital photography or computer science, you may find that employers are more receptive to an online degree. However, if your field requires a lot of experiential learning or social interaction, then you will want to bolster your interview by discussing internships and other professional opportunities, in addition to your academic credentials.

Strategy 2: Avoid the “Online” Descriptor

Some professionals believe that you should avoid mentioning a school’s online format, since most employers will assume that you received a degree from a traditional brick-and-mortar university. Institutions like National University recommend that you omit the “online” status from your resume, since distance learning graduates are held to the same rigorous academic standards that traditional campuses provide. Here is an example of how you might structure the Education section of your resume.
Education
Villanova University
– Master of Public Administration, 2007-2009.
- BA in Communications, 2003-2007.
Since this academic institution offers both campus-based and online courses, an employer may not even bring up your school’s format. However, it is critical to arrive at your interview prepared to explain the format of your online degree. It’s difficult to predict employers’ reactions during an interview, when they learn that you have received a degree online. The best way to counter resistance is to inform prospective employers of how online institutions work and how your degree brings value to the workplace. Here is an interview scenario to illustrate this:
Q: How did your experiences at Villanova inform your professional aspirations?
A: Actually, I earned my MPA through Villanova’s online program.
Q: Ah, I see. I’m sorry, I actually don’t know too much about how online programs work. Are your credentials still the same as other MPAs?
A: Yes, online academic institutions must earn accreditation and meet the same academic standards as brick-and-mortar schools. The Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools granted accreditation to Villanova online programs.
Before you attend an interview, you will want to brush up on your institution’s credentials, notable alumni, and industry-specific programs. If an interviewer seems unsure about an online degree, you can highlight your school’s achievements and connect your academic experiences to your prospective role at a company.
3. Obscure or Omit Your College Education Completely
It is extremely rare to find employers willing to hire someone who doesn’t list education credentials on their resume. However, there may be some unusual scenarios where you can benefit from omitting your college education. For instance, some graduate students will leave off their master’s or doctorate degrees, with the fear that they will seem overqualified for a position. Others will omit their education if they dropped out of an online college early or were expelled before completing their degree programs.
Statistically speaking, it can pay off to mention your online degree at some point during the application process. In 2011, 74.5% of college graduates were employed during the same year they graduated, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their data shows that only 50% of those without a college degree are employed. Ultimately, it is usually best to be forthright with a potential employer during the application process. If you still decide to omit your education from your resume, then you will want to prepare for interview questions regarding your academic performance. Here is an interview scenario involving an applicant who has omitted their academic background.
Q: I noticed that you left your education off your application and resume. Would you be able to fill in the blanks for me?
A: Certainly. I began my bachelor’s program in English Literature at the University of Phoenix in 2003. However, my academic performance suffered due to family and work responsibilities. I did want to discuss a few crucial experiences I’ve had in my professional life, which I think will translate well into my work for your company.
Ultimately, if you have earned a degree, you shouldn’t omit it completely just because of your school’s online format. Your postsecondary education required serious time and financial investments, so don’t be ashamed of holding a degree from an online program. If for some reason, you decide to omit your educational background, then you will really need to emphasize other parts of your resume, including your career experience, volunteer work, skill sets, and awards. You will need to set yourself apart from other applicants who disclose their education histories. You can do this by emphasizing your non-academic experiences and your interest in the organization by asking questions of your own. Study the organization before your come in so that you can ask intelligent and informed questions about their work environment, company culture and the company’s greater mission and directions.
It can be difficult to decide how to present your online degree to employers. It relies on multiple factors – what kind of degree you obtained, what school you attended, the industry you’d like to work in, and what kind of job you’re applying for. However, there is no reason to go into a job interview unprepared. No matter how your present your education on your resume, an employer may ask you unexpected questions about your degree. Research your school’s credentials, make lists of relevant skill sets, and learn to speak about your education with confidence!

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #466: 7 Networking Tips To Help You Increase Sales

     
Like most business leaders, marketing personnel and salespeople, you understand the value of networking.

Individual connections can and will generate trust and credibility - and even a business referral or two. In a business environment that includes so many channels (like social media, networking events to social situations), how should you spend your valuable time networking?

Focus On The "Quality" Of The Connections.

As you continue to network and grow your contacts, you will find that many people will want your attention. Although this is a nice way to bring in new business, it is simply impossible to provide everyone you meet the attention they seek. Instead, focus on the quality of the connection - on those that can help you further your goals.

7 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Networking.

Tip #1: Give Time Before You Receive It - Business relationships are investments. You need to offer something in order to get a return. However, you can give some personal attention without over-investing your time. Consider sending recently acquired contacts a useful free whitepaper. This will help you stand out among the sea of forgotten connections acquired at networking events.

Tip #2: Improve Your Networking Skills - Networking does not come naturally to everyone. Walking up to another professional and introducing yourself can feel awkward at times, but the only way to improve is to try. Before you attend an event, think about how you will pitch or describe yourself to others. Focus on:   

• What you do
• What you would like to do
• What you can offer new connections

Tip #3: Use A Networking Strategy - When you have a new business goal or wish to enter into a new area or market, think strategically about your networking. Which events are the best use of your time? Who are the key contacts you'd like to meet? Consider these questions when selecting your networking events.

Tip #4: Prepare For A Networking Event - Make sure you have the correct tools before you attend a networking event. You should always carry:   

• Business cards (bring more than you think you will need)
• Smartphone
• Pen for yourself (take notes on the back of your contacts' business cards)
• Extra pen (allows others to remember you as resourceful)

Additionally, ensure that you are dressed appropriately for the networking events you attend. If you are not sure about the expected attire, call the event organizer or the venue and ask. Some events also offer a list of attendees prior to the meeting - study up!

Tip #5: Manage What You Eat And Drink - Some networking events include appetizers and alcoholic drinks. If you plan to have a glass of wine, avoid arriving on an empty stomach. Consider the practicality of holding food while shaking hands and taking notes to avoid any awkwardness. Often times it is best to have avoid alcohol. 

Tip #6: Be A Conversationalist - Always have some non-controversial topics on hand to discuss. Perhaps you could talk about innovations in your industry or bring some helpful information to pass out. Avoid topics such as religion and politics unless your job function is specifically aligned with such an interest.

Tip #7: Remain Conscious Of The Digital World - The best way to secure a connection is to do so instantly - through social media. LinkedIn is a valuable professional networking tool that also offers a free smartphone app. Connect with others instantly after speaking to them and scan available QR codes to navigate to their pages.


Executive Summary: Many networking professionals get intimidated by the necessary process of networking. However, by adequately preparing for networking events and diligently following up on the most useful contacts, the amount of time you spend on networking will yield greater results.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #465: 5 Ways To Improve Your Employee Engagement Activities

     
Employee engagement is extremely beneficial to any type of business or organization. In fact, it is oftentimes a worthwhile investment as it improves profits and customers' opinions of your business.

71% Of Your Employees Are NOT Fully Engaged In Their Job.

With improved metrics and motivated employees, installing an employee engagement program is an obvious means of improvement - especially since 71% of your staff are not fully engaged in their job. However, establishing a true corporate culture that encourages employee engagement is something that takes time, effort and attention.

5 Ways To Improve Your Employee Engagement Activities.

Tip #1: Create Goals For Your Team - Help employees establish and follow specific paths to goals. If your job consisted of the same daily tasks and you did not see how they fit into the big picture, it would certainly hold less meaning. Additionally, create smaller goals or achievements to give your employees a sense of completion.

Tip #2: Demonstrate A Commitment To Employee Engagement - You can talk to your employees about engagement, but if an employee feels disengaged, he or she is not going to buy into it until you show a level of commitment. Employees and management must understand that employee engagement and the rewards associated with it go both ways and everyone must contribute. By the way, companies with engaged employees will out perform those without up to 202%.

Tip #3: Encourage Employee Feedback - It is possible that you have unsatisfied, disengaged employees who do not air their grievances to you, especially if you do not have an open door policy. Be sure to encourage active communication between yourself and your personnel. This also means providing regular feedback to each employee - and keep in mind that constructive criticism is easier for anyone to take once they have received consistent, positive feedback.

This includes not only formal one-on-one meetings, but informal feedback, such as a simple e-mail praising an employee's handling of a certain situation. If you notice an employee has gone above and beyond their required duties, praise them.

Tip #4: Identify The Best Means Of Motivation - Many employees are motivated by promotions and higher compensation. However, employees truly feel more engaged and part of the corporate process when given independence (especially in their own time management), the ability to become an expert in a specific area and the big-picture perspective - that is, understanding how their job improves the company overall. What can you do to allow employees to become autonomous experts who fit into the overall mission of the company?

Tip #5: Remove Your Staff's Frustrations - Can you list your employees' top three frustrations? Imagine encountering the same roadblocks over and over again. This could include a computer glitch that hasn't been fixed or a manager who never gives approvals. These roadblocks make employees feel as though their job is not important. Identify roadblocks and remove them to increase employee engagement and a sense of achievement.

Executive Summary: Remaining in touch with your employees is the key to true employee engagement. Each person matters - and every individual needs to feel as though his or her job is valued and appreciated. By removing roadblocks and providing an adequate motivation, your employees will become more engaged and you will see an increase in profit and customer satisfaction.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #464: 6 Free Tools For Any Size Business

     

Business owners, entrepreneurs and general managers make many difficult decisions when it comes to their businesses.  And when it comes to their IT/technology issues, it always presents a challenge.

With new computers and various software programs, it is often easy to see a high return on investment with them.  But more importantly, it makes your employees' job more efficient. But did you know that some of the most useful business tools are virtually free to use?

6 Essential Free Tools For Your Small Business.

Tool #1: YouSendIt (HighTail.com) - This is an absolute gem of a free tool that can help you send large files (up to 50MB) through their secure network. Whether you are using it for data or graphic files, you should check it out.

Tool #2: Energy Star Guide - Whether you work in a large office complex or a small home office, you understand that energy bills can add up quickly when it comes to business costs. If you invest in energy efficient equipment, you can cut costs significantly. The Energy Star Guide is a free tool that allows you to select products that can cut your energy costs. (You can also receivefederal tax credits for converting your office to an energy efficient environment.)

Tool #3: FaxZero - While many businesspeople send PDF documents instead of faxes, using a fax machine is still a requirement in the business world. However, you can ditch the clunky machine - especially if you rarely use it. FaxZero allows each user to send two (2) free faxes each day, as long as the transmitted documents are under three pages. Using this software, you can instantly send PDFs and Word documents to your intended recipients' fax machine.

Tool #4: Skype - Skype is a VOIP (voice over internet protocol) system that allows users to make free face-to-face calls. You can chat with or without video and it is relatively easy to record Skype conversations for recordkeeping purposes. Skype is extremely popular for both business and personal use, with users spendingover 2 billion minutes per day utilizing the tool.

This is particularly helpful if you want to avoid long-distance and international phone charges. Skype works internationally, which means you can chat with your vendor in Bombay free of charge as long as you both have stable Internet access.

Tool #5: Social Media - Most social media is free and simple to use. While it doesn't make sense for every industry to focus on it, having an established online presence can keep your business "top of mind" to consumers. Furthermore, asking users to "check in" on apps like Foursquare encourages repeat business and broadcasts customers' visits to their networks. Joining Foursquare is as simple as listing your business on the service and hanging the (free) window sticker on your door.

Tool #6: Square - Mobile credit card payments are a challenge for small businesses that sell products or services on the go. If you participate in trade shows or even flea markets, you understand how difficult a cash-and-carry operation is for you. Square is a smartphone and tablet app that is free to download. It is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. The Square app charges a standard 2.75% card-processing fee and the card reader itself (which plugs into your phone or tablet) is free as well.

Executive Summary: It is not easy to keep operating costs down for a small business. However, the free tools above can help you not only help you keep costs down, but also make you adaptable to your customers.  

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #463: 4 Tips To Retain Your Most Talented Employees

     

Keeping your most talented employees is a challenge. As the economy improves, your most enterprising and creative workers may find themselves lured to other companies with salary increases, competitive benefits and other perks.

While some employees will inevitably leave to advance their careers, you can employ several strategies to retain as many quality employees as possible.

4 Tips To Encourage Your Top Employees To Remain At Your Company.

Tip #1: Offer Educational Opportunities.

An engaged employee loves to learn more about their job, making continuing education a real perk. This does not necessarily mean spending thousands on courses at a local college, but it does mean focusing on cross-training, online education or on-site training company.

Tip #2: Learn How To Motivate Each Employee.

Each employee is motivated by different perks. Ultimately, most employees wish to feel as though they are truly essential to the organization. Small things such as gift cards for an extra effort, praising a worker for a job well done, complimentary coffee or getting paid more frequently can make your workers' lives easier.

Tip #3: Provide Passion And Purpose.

Most employees will want to stay at a job that actively engages their interests. If you can find a way to marry a real interest and essential job duties, you will find that your employees would prefer to stay at your company. If you notice a member of your staff taking a specific interest in a certain aspect of their job, take the time to help them with it. Talking with your employees on a regular basis goes a long way too.

Tip #4: Listen To Your Most Talented Team Members.

Your employees know their job best.  That said, you could learn from them when they make suggestions for improvement; therefore, ask them for their suggestions.  By the way, this is especially pertinent in a small business environment, where one employee may have multiple responsibilities. Failure to do this will not only cost your business an advantage over the competition, but you may also find yourself without as many talented employees.

Executive Summary: While money and advancement are contributing factors when employees decide to leave companies, they are not always the deal-breakers. If you fail to encourage your employees to learn and actively participate in your organization, they will inevitably feel undervalued - and they will leave. To retain your talent, respond to their feedback and implement cost-effective suggestions when necessary.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #462: 3 Steps For Motivating Disengaged Employees

     

According to the Bureau of National Affairs, businesses lose $11 billion each year due to employee turnover and loss of productivity. If you wish to avoid some of this financial burden, you must combat many issues with your employees.

All Is Not Lost With A Disengaged Employee.

You can re-engage your employees by simply doing the following:

1. Build a fun, rewarding and challenging corporate culture.
2. Offer recognition for jobs that are well done.
3. Play into an employee's strengths

Two Other Ways To Engage Your Staff.

1.  

Work On A Shift In Attitude 

 -If an employee feels that the organization supports his or her personal and professional goals, he or she is more likely to put in at least as much effort as the job requires.    

2.  

Embrace Trust And Control 

 -If you give an employee more trust in their job function, you will make more employees become engaged in their work, job functions and changes in their overall mental health. As you do this, remember to:   

• Set specific expectations on projects but allow an employee to meet them in their own way.
• Reward someone who performs beyond your expectations.
• Know that each employee is motivated in a different way.
• Try coaching in place of criticism.

Other Suggestions If You Are A Leader Within Your Business.

We recommend that you listen closely to your team about what would be helpful to them in creating a more engaged place to work.  Additionally, make sure that you follow up on anything that you commit to do. Period. 

Read More About Our Employee Engagement Survey:

Dale Carnegie surveyed 1,500 employees and found demographic trends among those who felt disengaged:   

• Ages 31-39
• At an organization for less than a year
• Earning less than $50k per year
• Highly educated, often with postgraduate certifications

Executive Summary: Engaged employees increase productivity and create greater profits for a company. Not only that, engaged employees must feel motivated to work above and beyond what is required, and they will only do so if they are given the freedom to feel as though they positively impact the organization. 

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #461: 9 Quick e-Mail Etiquette Tips

     
Most people in business send and receive thousands of e-mails per year.   
While e-mail is a valuable business tool, you always have to ensure that you are following the proper etiquette.

9 Quick e-Mail Etiquette Tips:

Tip #1: Add Someone's e-Mail AFTER You Write It: Even though the "to" field is usually located at the top of an e-mail, leave it blank until you are finished writing. This will prevent you from sending the message before it is finished or failing to include the necessary attachments.

Tip #2: Consider The Tone Of Your e-Mail: When speaking with someone in person, on video chat or on the phone, you can hear the inflections in his or her voice. Hesitation and sarcasm are easy to interpret. However, this does not always come across on e-mail. Write with a neutral tone to avoid confusion.

Tip #3: Use Motivational Subject Lines: Make sure you use a subject line that defines the topic of your e-mail and makes the recipient want to open it. Your subject line should be a clear summary of the body of your e-mail. This is particularly relevant when your sales and marketing teams send e-mails.

Tip #4: Think Of Your e-Mail As A Business Letter: Unless you are writing to someone you know extremely well, you need to think of your correspondence with them as strictly professional. Although e-mail may feel more informal, its purpose is not.

Tip #5: Write Clearly And Concisely: Most businesspeople are extremely busy; therefore, people want to see and digest important information as quickly as possible. To do this, write clearly. Use bullet points and make sure the recipient knows you are available to discuss the details if necessary.

Tip #6: Do Not Use e-Mail As A Passive Tool: e-Mail is a passive means of communicating. Although is allows you to avoid a conflict, it is rarely the best course of action when there is an issue to address. If you need to talk about something crucial or pressing, it is always better to meet in person or on the phone.

Tip #7: Use Proper Grammar: There are various types of business e-mails - some may go out to your entire team, while others may reach prospects. While inter-office e-mails may be somewhat informal, introductions to business prospects should not come across this way. An e-mail full of typos and colloquial language will distract your audience from the message and undermine your professional authority. Type with an educated tone that exudes professionalism and confidence.

Tip #8: Write The e-Mail First In MS Word: Most people will forgive a few minor mistakes in an e-mail, but initial e-mails must run without error. To ensure the proper image, always write an important e-mail in MS Word. Doing so allows you to use its spell check and grammar features before sending it via Outlook or comparable e-mail services. 
  
Click here to view Grammar Girl's Quick And Dirty Tips For Better Writing, an invaluable resource for all things grammatical and spelling related.

Tip #9: Use An e-Mail Signature: Always include an e-mail signature. The signature should include your name, title, phone number (with extension), business address and business website address. This looks professional and establishes the legitimacy of your business; furthermore, it allows the recipient to easily locate your contact information.

Executive Summary:While e-mail is a fast and useful tool for communication in the business world, it does not excuse poor communication and it is in no way a final substitute for verbal communication. A recipient's e-mail inbox is much like a physical mailbox - it is rude to send too many messages. In the contemporary business world, e-mail can influence the amount of success you have in communicating your message. It can also enhance (or tarnish) your reputation as a consummate professional.

For more information, visit our website!