Tip #430: How To Get A Management Job in 2013

Acquiring a management position or being promoted to a new one may seem like a difficult task. Despite this difficulty, it is not impossible to acquire one. To help you take the next career step, we have listed below five tips that can help you or someone you know.

5 Tips To Help You Get A Job In Management:

Tip #1: Excel In Your Present Position - If you are satisfied with your current place of employment, consider going for a promotion. The best way to do this is to excel at your job. While top performance is important, you don't have to be the best - top performers are not always the best leaders. Instead, strive to manage your own work properly and become a team player. Think of it as taking leadership of your own job.

Tip #2: Observe Good Leaders - If you have a favorite or an effective manager you respect, observe their habits and ask yourself this: How have they nurtured their employees' careers? Additionally, you can supplement these observations with hands-on leadership training.

Tip #3: Become A Better Communicator - Good communication is about more than simple politeness. Managing others involves a thought process: you need to anticipate how people will interpret or react to issues that come up. Additionally, use your words and actions to communicate respect for others and encourage the same in turn. Establishing this rapport (even with difficult coworkers) will allow you to more easily work with them. If you aren't liked or can't get along with others, it's not likely you'll receive a promotion or new career opportunity.

Tip #4: Start Taking The Initiative - Starting with your current job duties, take the initiative on getting things done as great managers are proactive. When it comes time for a review or a chat with your manager, you need to ask them what steps you need to take if you are interested in obtaining a management position. Be prepared for your manager to delegate a small "test" task to you immediately. Additionally, watch for job postings at your company and keep tabs on who is talking about leaving the company. This way, you can position yourself to seize upcoming opportunities.

Tip #5: Ask Thoughtful Questions - Asking questions is a great way to get people thinking about what you'd like them to do. If you bring up the right questions in team meetings, your manager may notice that you are serious about improving processes and taking initiative.

Consider asking the following questions:

• "How can we manage costs better?"
• "How can we accomplish this task more efficiently?"
• "How can we better meet our clients' needs?"

When you ask these questions, it's best to have your own answers prepared. Presenting a solution with a problem always reinforces initiative.

Executive Summary: If you're ready to take the next step in becoming a manager, take ownership of your current position, observe effective leaders and demonstrate initiative. However, we also recommend talking with your manager about upcoming management opportunities.
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Tip #429: How To Conduct An Annual Employee Review

No matter when you do an employee review, it gives you a chance to assess your team members on an individual level. While an employee assessment process is often times looked at as an exhaustive process, it does give you a great way to be one-on-one with everyone on your team.

To help you conduct a team member's review, we have listed below a number of ideas and suggestions to make the process substantially easier for both you and your team members.

5 Tips To Conduct Better Team Member Reviews.

To ensure the success of your review process, we suggest distributing some background information about the review process well in advance. Doing so allows your team members to see what is being measured, your goals and, most importantly, your expectations.

When it comes time to conduct the review, include the following components:

Tip #1: General Feedback Summary -

At the beginning of the review, provide the employee with general feedback on their performance. This will set the tone for the review. You can take this opportunity to stress your desire for feedback from the employee.

Tip #2: Specific Points Of Praise And Concern -

When offering positive feedback and constructive criticism, be as specific as possible. "I really like how you handled the customer service process with the client by immediately addressing their specific concern. You resolved the issue within twenty-four hours and we received positive feedback from the client as a result."

Tip #3: Employee Self-Appraisal -

Prior to the interview, provide the employee with a list of performance qualities and job tasks you wish to review. Ask the employee to rate themselves on each item just as you will. This is an excellent way to ensure that you and the employee perceive their performance similarly.

Tip #4: Request Feedback From The Employee -

During the review process, ask the person for their feedback on the best way to manage them (this is a nice opportunity for you to improve your management skills).

Tip #5: Everyone Should Leave The Meeting With An Action Plan -

Both you and your team member should leave each review with an action plan. And to help the employee create their action plan, they must have a clear understanding of the goals and challenges they must overcome to attain their goals.

After All Team Members' Reviews Are Done, Take These 3 Steps:

Once the reviews are complete, what do you do with the results? Think about the review results as data. Use the feedback provided by employees to identify themes and problems. Additionally, apply the results to forward-thinking processes to help your team. You can do this by keeping the following goals in mind during the reviews:

Step #1: Assess Your Team's Cohesion, Strengths And Weaknesses -

After assessing each team member individually, think about how your team works together as a unit and establish changes in process as necessary.

Step #2: Plan The Structure Of Your Team -

If someone on your team is ready for a promotion or you've determined you need more staff to handle the workload, this is a great time to start budgeting for these added expenses.

Step #3: Create And Track Your Team's Goals -

After the review process is done, it's time to set goals for your team - this is especially important as you are held accountable for your team; therefore, it's important to track their success on an ongoing basis.

Executive Summary:

When it comes time to conduct the review, set a conversational tone. You also need to look for both the pros and cons of who they are as an employee. Doing so will help keep them from acting defensively to every piece of constructive criticism. Additionally, make it clear that the employee's feedback is an important part of the review process.

 

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Tip #428: 5 Tips To Enhance Your Delegation Skills

As a leader within your organization, your team looks to you for direction. The decisions you make affect everyone's workload, process and daily tasks. Delegating tasks efficiently is the most effective way to get the most out of your team's performance. It can also eliminate redundancy and frustration experienced by your team members. Consider these five tips for effective delegation and leadership:

5 Tips To Help Enhance Your Delegation Skills:

Tip #1: Provide Work That Team Members Can Complete Individually - Everyone enjoys the feeling of completing a task. While assembly line philosophy is important for efficiency, every team member wants to accomplish something specific. To provide this sense of completion, emphasize how each team member is furnishing a complete component of the bigger picture.

Tip #2: Clearly Communicate Deadlines - Ensure that everyone understands individual tasks, the purpose of these tasks and specifically when they are due. By providing firm deadlines, you will help your team learn how to manage their own time individually and as a group. If the project is large, include a timeline and due dates for milestones.

Tip #3: Express Your Expectations - It is imperative that everyone understands your goal or output. In fact, it is OK to tell someone what your expectations are so there isn't any confusion to what you want or need.

Tip #4: Provide Your Team With The Right Tools So They Can Do Their Job Better - Few things are more frustrating than receiving a task while lacking the tools required to complete it in an efficient manner. Necessary tools could include:

• Computer software
• A list of who to contact regarding each part of the project
• Information (where to find what)
• Suggested resources

Tip #5: Give Rewards - Rewards let teams and individuals know that they've done a job well. While money can motivate, so can creative rewards. Before you delegate tasks, consider how you will reward top performance.

Improving Your Delegation Skills Will Help All Team Members.

When delegation is done properly, it helps a person to feel they are an integral part to the organization. Plus, it is a great way to increase individual development and team morale.

Executive Summary: Delegation allows each team member to take responsibility for a piece of a larger project or goal. This can help you develop a more effective team and identify team members with leadership skills and qualities. As a leader in your organization, you must effectively delegate tasks and tell everyone your expectations and goals.

 

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Tip #427: 5 Tips To Keep Your Business Competitive

Successful businesses share many components - in addition to a successful product line or corporate culture, these businesses keep ahead of their competition.

To help your business to become even more successful (and profitable) in 2013, we have listed below five tips for you and your team members to discuss.

5 Tips To Keep Your Business Competitive:

Tip #1: Implement Customer-First Business Practices - Putting the customer first seems basic, but your organization's customer service process is key to attracting new business. This can be as simple as calling a customer to check in or just sending a holiday card. Additionally, customer-first business practices help you retain current clients. Additionally, a customer satisfaction survey is an excellent way to measure your customer service success and identify any issues or areas for improvements.

Tip #2: Use The Most Up-To-Date Technology - Using technology is integral to business success. While you don't want to spend your entire budget on upgrades, it's important to evaluate new technology that can help your business run more efficiently - technology that will help your team members become more efficient and deliver better quality.

Tip #3: Focus On Your Internal Processes - The ideal business is always a work in progress, and successful business leaders understand that the best business model is one that can adapt to change easily. Always evaluate your internal procedures and processes. Additionally, document and communicate these standards to your entire team.

Tip #4: Create A Better Follow-Up System For Your Salespeople - Contacting your database of clients, past clients, prospects and referral partners by e-mail, snail mail and by phone is the fastest way to create more sales activity. More importantly, make sure your salespeople are making their "oh by the way calls" to a prospective buyer. Additionally, create a follow-up system for them to embrace - from voicemail scripts, one-up email campaigns to a list of key business questions to ask a prospective buyer.

Tip #5: Monitor Your Competition - Do you, your salespeople and marketing team know who your three top competitors are? If they do, are you keeping track of what they're doing or offering a prospect to entice them into buying? Remember, if you can do what they do faster, better and more efficiently, you will be a better option for a prospective new customer - especially with top-notch customer service.

Executive Summary: Stay ahead of your competition with consistent customer contact and follow-up calls. Additionally, keep track of the competitions' offerings or acquisitions. If you can do this consistently, you will gain a great foothold in the market.

 

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Tip #426: 7 Skills To Help Create An Innovative Culture

Do you want your company to be the next industry leader? If so, your organization must cultivate creativity in the workplace. This involves encouraging your team members to be creative. And the more creative they are, they will provide you with new ideas and/or solutions.

The Invention Of Post-It® Notes Is The Quintessential Example Of Innovation.

The invention of Post-it® notes is the perfect example of innovation in the workplace. In 1968, a 3M scientist named Spencer Silver attempted to make a strong adhesive. Instead, he created a weak glue that failed to stick permanently. In the following years, fellow scientist Arthur Fry utilized the glue to temporarily affix page markers to his hymnal books. The 3M Post-it® note is now a $100 million dollar product.

The Next Spencer Silver Could Be On Your Team.

Believe it or not, the next Spencer Silver could be on your team, so don't lose out. Therefore, always try to develop group participation when it comes to ideas and problem solving. To help you create a more creative thinking environment, look for these seven qualities in your team members:

7 Innovative Qualities In Your Team Members.

1. Critical Thinking: Innovative thinkers don't simply accept things they way they are. Instead of dismissing this behavior as a disruption in authority, harness the power of it ­- innovators like Steve Jobs only succeeded because they did something drastically different from everyone else in their industries.

2. Decisiveness: Innovative thinkers can objectively assess ideas and processes, making improvements and adjustments as necessary. Firm decision-making skills are essential to the innovative process.

3. External Awareness: Innovative thinkers understand other viewpoints and remain up to date on the latest news, information and competitive and/or industry information.

4. Flexibility: When change occurs, innovative thinkers adapt quickly, embrace change, and provide additional suggestions to best implement changes in processes and procedures.

5. Grand Scope: Innovative thinkers have grand visions and large goals, and can work realistically to achieve these goals. Creative thinkers aren't afraid to brainstorm and share large-scale project ideas with the team.

6. Interpersonal Skills: Innovative thinkers understand that big ideas don't make themselves happen - they require the work of multiple people in most instances. The ideal creative thinker works with internal and external contacts to get the job done and also inspires others to contribute to their visions.

7. Results-Based Thinking: Innovative thinkers can embrace change because they are results-oriented. Additionally, innovative thinkers create change and encourage others to adapt in the interest of achieving a grand goal.

Executive Summary:If you want your organization to cultivate the next big product, idea or service, encourage your team members to attain these seven skills. Additionally, innovative thinkers get great satisfaction out of realizing their visions and remain extremely focused and committed to the process of innovation.

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Tip #425: 7 Quick Tips For Dealing With A Disruptive Coworker

Personalities can and will clash in the workplace. How you deal with it makes all the difference in the world, especially if you work in a team environment. 

The key to dealing with a disruptive coworker is handling the situation properly. If it is not done well or smoothly, it can make the work environment stressful and less productive. And to help you learn the fine art of dealing with a disruptive coworker, we have listed below seven tips for you (or someone you know) to review. 

7 Quick Tips For Dealing With A Disruptive Coworker. 

Tip #1: Remain Calm - Instead of reacting instantly to someone's irritating behavior, take a moment before you issue a harsh reply or fire off an angry e-mail. Your response needs to reflect your professionalism; an angry response only exacerbates the situation. If this is a larger and more complex problem, schedule a meeting with your manager for the following day when emotions tend to be a lot lower. This will allow you to approach the situation with a fresh and less emotional perspective.

Tip #2: Talk With The Other Person - Most understandings occur because of a breakdown in communication or a misalignment of intentions. Be sure the difficult coworker clearly understands what the issues are from your end. Additionally, recognize that the coworker may feel threatened by you. And should they feel threatened or defensive, it will put them on alert. 

Hint: By expressing empathy or an interest in this coworker's hobbies, you could begin breaking down the barriers you may have (and help build a rapport) with him or her.

Tip #3: Get Advice From Others - Seeking the advice of a trusted colleague or manager might help you deal with a difficult coworker; however, be careful as you don't want to be seen as the office gossip. If you need to vent about a difficult coworker, consider speaking to friends or family members outside of your workplace. Others may see the situation differently and may offer options you had not considered.

Tip #4: Remember The Golden Rule - Avoid treating the difficult coworker as though he or she is incompetent. You will get a better response if you avoid this altogether. 

Tip #5: Form A Plan - To avoid being unprepared when dealing with this coworker, formulate a plan and keep accurate records. Let's say a coworker fails to meet deadlines. Save your e-mails and document this information so you have some facts to back up your claims.

Tip #6: Ignore The Difficult Coworker Altogether - If you don't get along with this coworker, only interact with this person when it's required - this will reduce your stress level and help you stay on task. While you can't control someone else's actions, you can at least remain in control of your own work.

Tip #7: Talk To Your Manager - If the above tips have failed to resolve issues, it's time to talk to your manager. This is especially important if the coworker's negative behaviors are stifling your productivity.

Executive Summary: Almost all work environments have a difficult employee. That being said, handling these situations with diplomacy and tact is your key to minimizing stress. When all else fails, be sure to bring disruptive behavior up with your manager sooner versus later. Doing so will help you avoid a total meltdown or team disintegration.

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Tip #424: 4 Tips For Maintaining Your Business Professionalism

No matter how long you have been in business, we're sure you have seen someone handle themselves in a less than professional manner. Whether it was a lack of etiquette during a business lunch or incessantly (and loudly) talking over a colleague, an associate's lack of professionalism can negatively influence any organization.

Behaving in a professional manner will allow others to focus on what you are saying and not on how you are saying it. And in doing so, experts all agree that this will bolster your confidence.

To ensure you and your team are adhering to proper professionalism, we have listed below four essential tips for anyone in business - from the most junior professional to even the most senior.

  

4 Tips For Maintaining Business Professionalism

Tip #1: Dress Professionally - Most companies have a dress code. Even if dress code is not covered during orientation, it is your responsibility to understand the requirements. In most office environments, corporate dress code prohibits shorts or excessively tight clothing. Many retail environments do not allow employees to wear open-toed shoes or high heels for safety. 

Dress code also varies by industry and situation. While it may be appropriate for a construction supervisor to meet a client while wearing jeans, a flannel shirt and a hardhat, such attire would not be appropriate for most entry-level office workers.

To learn what is expected of you, observe the decision-makers at your company as they lead by example. As a general guideline, always remember that you represent your company and must do so in a professional way.

Tip #2: Reflect These Essential Professional Qualities ­- Standards of business professionalism vary by industry and company, but basic values are at the core of professionalism in every industry. Consider conducting yourself in a manner that reflects the following qualities: integrity, credibility, promptness, accountability and competence. Every company values these qualities.

Tip #3: Always Remember That You Are Being Judged ­- When you interact with others in and outside of your office, you're always being judged. It's like being on stage with someone always evaluating your performance. This means being prepared for challenges, pressure and stressful situations initiated by others; therefore, stay aware of your actions while you are at holiday parties (especially those involving alcohol), networking events, client and vendor meetings and internal meetings.

Tip #4: Three Areas Everyone Should Focus On When It Comes To Business Professionalism - To help you stay focused, we have listed below three areas that everyone, including you and your team, should always reflect on.

1. Your Interpersonal Skills - How you interact with important contacts, coworkers, clients, vendors, supervisors and subordinates (in and out of the company) is critical.

2. Your Attitude - It is always best to maintain a friendly, positive and forward-thinking attitude. Your body language also needs to radiate confidence and openness.

3. Your Leadership Skills - Your leadership skills should be based on value, quality and integrity. Additionally, you want to help your team bring solutions to the table; not complaints. Take the initiative by being a leader.

Executive Summary: Being the consummate business professional is a combination of your attitude, competency, understanding of etiquette and your core values. Whether you are at an internal meeting or a business social event, maintaining business professionalism is the key to making others feel comfortable sharing ideas and/or doing business with you.

For more information, visit our website!

Tip #423: 10 Ways To Manage Your Holiday Stress

The holidays bring warmth and wonder to a dark season. Most families spend time together during this time of year and enjoy well-earned time off from work. However, the holidays also bring stress ­from shopping, cooking and travel plans - and getting end-of-year projects done at work (before the end of the year). 

These 10 tips will help you balance personal and work stress during the holiday season.

10 Ways To Manage Holiday Stress At Both Work And Home:

Tip #1: Plan Ahead - The holidays are incredibly hectic. However, you can reduce your stress by planning ahead. Instead of simply marking off events such as "family dinner party," plan out your preparation by scheduling time to "shop for tomorrow's family dinner party." This way, you can make a grocery list while you are on hold on the phone during your workday and shop at the grocery store on the way home from work.

Tip #2: Added Expenses - Holidays are stressful in part due to the additional expenses they require. Since getting a holiday bonus isn't guaranteed, you should try and live within your current salary/income. Before spending money you don't have, you should create holiday budget - and without one, you can land yourself in debt and cause more stress.    

Tip #3: Stay Healthy By Eating And Sleeping Well - At the end of the year, most people have used up vacation time, especially at companies that do not allow employees to carry vacation time over to the following year. This makes it the worst time to catch a cold or flu. Additionally, over-committing to holiday events and eating those holiday treats easily leads to lack of sleep and weight gain, leaving you prone to illness. Remain conscious of your health habits.

Tip #4: Remain Active - With life getting busy and days feeling shorter, it's easy to remain stagnant. However, a bit of activity can help you keep extra weight off and reduce stress, even if you only have time for a 15 minute walk during lunch.

Tip #5: Maintain Realistic Goals - We all have end-of-year goals, and it's tough to maintain work and personal goals at the same time. Keep your goals realistic to avoid stress and disappointment.

Tip #6: Confront Your Feelings - Feeling stressed out by the amount of work you need to complete by the end of the year? Worried you won't have enough cash to make it through the holidays? These are common concerns during this time of year. Confide in a sympathetic family member, friend or coworker to unload these feelings.

Tip #7: Volunteer Your Time - Everyone gets the holiday blues, but helping others is a great way to relieve stress. You may also find that your department is willing to use discretionary funding to help with your efforts - if they have any money left in the yearly budget, it's likely that they will have to use it or lose it.

 

Tip #8: Socialize With Your Co-Workers - Most of your coworkers are probably feeling the holiday stress, too. To combat holiday stress, do something fun with your co-workers. It could be as complex as a holiday gift exchange or as simple as a lunch out to break up the monotony of the work day.

Tip #9: Relax - Don't forget to take some time to yourself and do something relaxing. Are you interested in reading, yoga or racquetball? Make time for your hobby to get rid of that stress.

Tip #10: Maintain A Sense Of Humor - It's easy to forget to laugh during the holiday season with so much work to get done and so many things to prepare. Take a laugh break. Look up some (clean) holiday jokes on Google and post them in your office or cubicle.

Executive Summary: While the holidays are notoriously stressful for most of us, both at work and at home, it would be to your advantage to take some time for proper planning - planning that will help you avoid the holiday stress and maintain a healthy quality of life.  

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Tip #422: 7 Tips For Tackling Tough Work Projects

After displaying a commitment to your team to your manager, you may receive an opportunity to lead an extremely important project. While this may be an exciting opportunity for you, it can make or break your advancement opportunities. And after striving for such an chance for so long, the prospect of managing such a large project can feel extremely daunting and, as a result, fear can set in.

To help you combat and overcome any fears, we recommend the first step being this: You need to tell yourself that you can not only do it, but do it better than anyone else.  In addition to gaining the confidence in getting a project completed, we have listed a number of other tips to help you. 

7 Tips For Tackling A Major Work Project:

Tip #1: Get Organized - Before you begin your task, get organized. Make sure your supervisor has identified the objectives and parameters of the project. Organizing a big project can also make it feel achievable. Create a timeline and using a scale of 1-3, rate each task according to difficulty.

Tip #2: Break It Up - A big project can seem intensely intimidating. If you break it up into segments, you can tackle each piece at a time. This provides a sense of progress and accomplishment.

Tip #3: Start Immediately - Most people feel energetic and excited about their big project when they receive it. Don't waste that energy. Consider tackling the most intense chunk of your project immediately.

Tip #4: Set And Meet Deadlines - Make deadlines for each phase of your project. Outline who is responsible for tackling each task and when it is due. Be firm with yourself (and your team) about all deadlines, but if problems crop up, make sure there is room in your schedule to adjust if necessary.

Tip #5: Schedule Breaks - Don't forget to schedule breaks for yourself, especially if you plan to tackle your project aggressively. Working through lunches and ignoring basic needs like food is going to result in an immediate decrease in accuracy and performance, and can even negatively affect your health. A short, brisk walk is also an excellent way to help yourself remain focused and alert throughout the day. If you feel guilty about it, use your break times to brainstorm about your project and its progress.

Tip #6: Ask For Help If You Need It - If you need help or direction, ask your supervisor, coworkers or team for feedback or suggestions.  Not only can they offer a fresh perspective, but also feel they help contribute to the project's success. If you are truly overloaded with the amount of work the project requires, approach your supervisor immediately.   

Tip #7: Review and Evaluate Things Before You Hand In The Final Report - When your project is complete, take a look at what you've done. Were you stressed out? How could you have made the project easier? Take notes and use this as a learning experience for next time. If you have any last-minute changes, make them as reviewing your project also affords you the opportunity to correct them before the final results/reports are given to your supervisor.

Executive Summary: Large projects can seem intimidating; therefore, it is best to break each large project down into manageable tasks. Once this is done, organize your time accordingly.  Don't forget to ask others for their comments. 

Another element to remember is this: Organization and positive project management WILL help you predict problems without feeling overloaded.  

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