13 Ways to Help Your Employees Boost Productivity

13 Ways to Help Your Employees Boost Productivity HR professionals can boil their role down to three main elements: the welfare, productivity, and all-round excellence of their workforce. But with so many people talking about the middle one, productivity, these days, it’s easy to spread misinformation about what the best productivity tips really are. In tandem with out-and-out bad habits such as procrastination or hiding under the desk, following counter-productive productivity advice can seriously reduce the quantity and quality of work your team produces. So when you advise your staff on how to be the best they can, take care to warn them of the things they should avoid doing â€" and not just the tips and tricks that they should be doing to be more productive. For example, just look at multitasking. It is thought to be the grand skill of our age (excluding, perhaps, coding and self-branding!). With so many demands on our attention, and more and more workers expected to complete diverse tasks that push their job descriptions to the limit, it seems natural to try to do more than one thing at once. The younger generations even claim to have evolved to do this, since they grew up with the inherently multitasking-led environment of the internet. Unfortunately, the truth is that the younger generations, like the rest of us, maybe capable of doing many things at once â€" but not doing them well. “Our brain cant do two things at once. It turns out multitaskers are terrible at every aspect of multitasking.” So says renowned Stanford University professor of communication Clifford Nass. “Theyre terrible at ignoring irrelevant information; theyre terrible at keeping information in their head nicely and neatly organized, and theyre terrible at switching from one task to another.” According to Nass, multitaskers are like file cabinets that have been filled to bursting point. They may hold everything, but you can’t find anything â€" and the paperwork is getting crumpled! Nass firmly encourages workers to concentrate on one thing at a time to be more efficient and productive. Encourage your team to shut out distractions. To close down the email and switch off non-urgent notifications when possible. To clearly allot periods of their schedule to single tasks. To keep a ‘ticky’ list so they can cross off jobs as they get them done instead of starting a new one while still putting the finishing touches on the previous one. If this is a shock to the system â€" especially for those ‘born with 12 tabs open’ â€" encourage meditation to help employees train to focus, extend their attention span, and get their mind working more effectively. Let’s look at things another way. As employers, what are the bad habits that you should cut down on to make your team more productive? Well, for one thing, stop blasting them with aircon (or, if you’re a Dickensian kind of employer, make sure to switch the heating on before it gets cold!). A Cornell University study showed that increasing the office temperature from 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit can reduce typos by 44 percent and boost typing output by 150 percent. Quelle surprise: when you invest in your workforce, it pays off in spirit and in revenue! Anything else? Yep, about those coffee breaks: don’t just allow them. Enforce them. Workers should get a 15-minute break every 50 minutes. And they should move away from their computer when they do so. Countless studies have shown that taking breaks is good for productivity. They may differ on the precise schedule your crew should follow, but they’re united on the principles that exercise, a change of scene, and no screens, are the ingredients for a productivity-boosting break. The well-rested but terribly productive folks over at Quid Corner have produced an excellent new infographic guiding you through 13 things your team should not be doing if you want them to be more productive. How many of these do you need to fix in your workplace? About the author:  John Cole writes on behalf of NeoMam Studios. A digital nomad specializing in leadership, digital media, and personal growth topics, his passions include world cinema and biscuits. A native Englishman, he is always on the move, but can most commonly be spotted in the UK, Norway, and the Balkans.

Why Everyone Needs a Side Hustle and 4 Ways To Create It -

Why Everyone Needs a Side Hustle and 4 Ways To Create It - Many people are dissatisfied with what they earn, but find the prospect of leaving their job to find a better paying one exhausting. Margie Hulse, a Wealth Creators Anonymous facilitator for Access Consciousness, has always found the idea of just having one 9-5 salaried job unusual, and thinks that everyone should have a side-hustle, or three. Margie first developed an interest in money at the tender age of 21, when she started working for an accounting practice, and this only grew in her next role in the department of   Superannuation at Australian National University. “I was in a secretarial role, but sat in on hundreds of meetings about investing people’s money and making it grow for them. It was fascinating, and sparked a lifelong interest in how people become wealthy.” Margie has gone on to invest in property, run classes, and own several successful businesses (all at the same time). She is passionate about educating others to generate income in ways that work for them. Side Hustle Perfect For Multiple Income Streams “I’ve always believed in multiple-income streams” says Margie. “It seems really restrictive to go to a job, and have your pay determined by a company’s view on what you’re worth. There are always extra ways to make money, and often one of those takes off, and you don’t even have to continue with a regular job any more. When I was very young I was always taught to save a bit, and then invest in something. That side hustle of making pickles, jam or restoring antiques might make you a bit of extra cash, which when invested, could make you even more. It gives you a feeling of possibility, and how there doesn’t need to be a ceiling on what you earn every year.” So what do you do if you have no idea of what you can do as a second income stream? Margie has some tips: Think about what you like to do Is fashion your thing? Maybe you can buy great pieces from op shops and sell them online. Or maybe you’ve got an eye for furniture, and can restore and sell online? Are you a baker? People will always pay for home baking, or outsource baking their children’s birthday cakes. Are you good with cars? Maybe you could buy an old one, fix it up and sell. Have fun with your skills, and see how you can use them to generate wealth. Don’t get caught up in overanalysis Start something small, and test the waters. Maybe just talk to a few friends, and ask them if they would buy your soaps, hot sauce or whatever it is you’re thinking of selling. Ask yourself “what’s one small step I could take towards having multiple income streams today? If you’re nervous, look for an existing structure Many people give network marketing a hard time, but it’s a great option if you don’t want to go through the hassle of working out your own business structure. It works well if you go into something you already love and use, (skin care, health products, whatever works for you), that will just sell itself through your enthusiasm. Start with whatever you can, but always aim for a more passive income The first thing to do is get something up and running. Once you’re earning good revenue, you need to look at how you can make that money grow, by investing or other passive setups where you can stop exchanging hours for dollars, and start making money in your sleep. You ultimately want to be freeing up time by doing less work so you can enjoy life. So, take that step today. Do some research, start a facebook page, talk to a friend. Get that side hustle moving, as multiple income streams have the potential to create far more money than your job as an employee ever will. About Margie Hulse Margie Hulse is a business coach, speaker, consultant, property investor and Wealth Creators Anonymous facilitator for Access Consciousness. She has over 20 years of experience in the creation, investment, promotion and marketing of multiple successful businesses. Having gained financial security for herself, she loves to show others just how easy it can be to do the same.

Youre Losing Money by not Using These Prospecting Tips - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

You’re Losing Money by not Using These Prospecting Tips - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career How to leverage Google and LinkedIn for high-level prospecting. One of the things that surfaces when I’m training sales professionals is how much time many of them waste on social media by not being strategic. Instead, they find themselves watching cat videos, playing Candy Crush, or reading endless tweets. I won’t even get started on the ladies and Pinterest. However, there are many ways to use social media for efficiency. While I cannot squeeze an hour long keynote into a blog post, I will share a really cool tip that will help both business owners and professionals identify and connect with new prospects. If you’re active on LinkedIn, you’ve likely found someone via search that you had no way of contacting except through InMails (which are only available with an account upgrade). Even if you do have a premium account, InMails are not always efficient ways of contacting someone. Here’s a neat trick for finding their address online so that you may send them an invitation to connect (you’ll need that email address) or simply email them through your email client. How to Find Prospects’ Email Addresses Identify your desired contact’s place of employment via his/her LinkedIn profile Do a Google search for the company’s website or click on the link in the desired prospect’s profile to locate it. Copy the company’s website. In a new Internet tab, in the Google search bar, enter the person’s first and last name in quotations and then “*@companywebsite”. This is called a Google Wildcard Search. The asterisk is basically telling Google to fill in the blank. Below, I’ve used myself as an example. A prospect’s email address must be listed online for this search to work property. Occasionally, you will not be able to find an email address. Now that you have the prospect’s email address, you can send him/her an invitation to connect via LinkedIn using the “other” choice or email the person directly. Bonus Tip: If you send the person a connection request, be sure to send a personalized message mentioning common connections and/or why you’d like to connect.

Looking to Go Into Consulting 6 Things to Consider First - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Looking to Go Into Consulting 6 Things to Consider First - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Chances are, you already know what a consultant is â€"  an expert in a particular field who uses their knowledge to help other businesses or professionals. You have a skill set that makes you a candidate to become a consultant, too, but going out on your own is certainly a challenge. Fortunately, others have traversed the same path and have come out successful on the other side. There’s no reason you can’t do the same. Keep the following six considerations in mind as you chart your course to a consultancy career. 1. Do I Have the Resume? If you’re thinking about becoming a consultant, you probably have the experience and knowledge to make it happen. But before you start your journey, look at your career and your resume critically â€"  are you really ready? To that end, make sure you have brushed up on your education and skills before setting off on your own. Familiarizing yourself with the latest industry trends and changes will enhance your ability to give advice to businesses within your sphere. 2. How Big Is My Network? If you’re starting a business, there’s perhaps nothing more important than having an extensive network of contacts. They may be former colleagues or clients, or maybe you’re just savvy at making industry connections at events and conferences. Either way, a robust network will be key to expanding and making a success of your consultancy firm. If you don’t know enough people to spread the word, stay where you are and build up your contact list before branching out. 3. Are My Certifications and Licensing up to Date? Similarly, you should go over the certifications required of someone in your field. Some consultancy careers will require you to have specific qualifications or even a license to practice. Before you start your business, have all this paperwork up to date so you can begin without any speed bumps. 4. Have I Done a Trial Run? You can’t quite practice running your business for a day to see how it’d work, but you can mentally prepare with a trial run for another company. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to gain a practical understanding of business consulting: Find a local shop or company you can consult for pro bono. Ask for any potential data you need from them to give a better idea of the changes you should make. Then, provide them with actionable tips to streamline and improve the way they run. Obviously, this will be helpful to the company in question, but you’ll benefit greatly, too. You’ll be able to draw from experience as you court new clients, and you’ll feel more confident proposing solutions, knowing you’ve been right in the past. 5. Am I Organized? This question is an important one to ask yourself before setting out on any business venture, especially one focused on consultancy. But it’s impossible to overstress the need to be well-organized, especially if you’re running a company and setting your own schedule. There are many ways organization will be necessary to you as an entrepreneur, too. Of course, you’ll have to be organized and have a home for all your essential documents. You should be adept at time management, too, always sticking to your schedule and making a daily plan to follow for a productive day. After all, the success of your business lies in your hands, and that will undoubtedly include making a well-balanced, well-planned schedule and following it closely. 6. What Are My Goals? Finally, you won’t truly find success without having a vision of what that looks like to you. Every consultant’s dream will be different, of course, but it’s important to define what you want out of your company and your consultancy firm before you set off into the world on your own. It’s important to realize not every business will suit the consultancy model. As you delineate your goals, you might find yourself having a hard time figuring out how you can achieve them as a consultant. And that’s precisely why this step is vital in the process of branching out on your own â€"  you might find there’s a better way to start your own business and achieve all you imagine without becoming a consultant. Get Started Once you’ve made the decision to begin consulting, all you have left to do is begin. Of course, the step-by-step guide to launching a consultancy firm is a lengthy, adaptable one, too, so figure out the right moves to make that’ll start you off on the right foot. In the end, all this thinking and planning will work in your favor. You’ll have a clear plan and a well-defined set of goals to guide you â€"  and you’ll be ready at the helm to handle whatever happens next.

How Google-Friendly is Your Personal Brand - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

How Google-Friendly is Your Personal Brand You’ve got your executive job search sewn up. You’re ready to land your next great gig. Youve targeted employers or organizations that are a mutual good fit, and youll work hard to network your way towards their hiring decision makers. Youve spent hours creating a kitchen sink resume which contains all of your top achievements, skills and qualifications, and the benefits youve brought to past employers. Youve defined and differentiated your unique value (i.e., your personal brand) over your competitors to these employers youre targeting in your executive job search. After sifting through all the information youve compiled about your target employers and yourself, youve honed down the most important information and crafted your targeted resume, tweaking it even further to specifically position yourself for each target employer. Great! Youre ready to move forward and get interviews with the companies you want to work for, right? Nope. Before you start networking in earnest, you need to build your brand online, so that the executive recruiters and hiring decision makers at your target companies will find qualifying information about you online, when theyre assessing and vetting candidates. Experience has shown me that many executive job seekers are hesitant to put themselves out there. But in the new world of job search, every job seeker needs an online footprint, just to keep pace with their competitors. Those who work on extending that online footprint, beyond the expected profile, by actively increasing the number of meaningful search results for their name, will stand out and be more attractive to the people they need to impress. Get ideas for building your online presence in my post, 5 Key Elements of a Strong Online Personal Brand. And use Google. Get super-friendly with, and leverage the tools Google offers to build search results for you and your personal brand, and to accelerate your job search. Here are a few Google-wise ways to help you: Set up Google Alerts. With a Google Alerts account, youll be emailed links to the highest-ranked latest news and information published on the Web relevant to the names and keywords you have chosen as Alerts. Along with setting up Alerts for your own name (to track what people will find when they Google your name), set up Alerts for the following: Names of your target companies. Names of key decision makers at your target companies. The job title youre seeking, with industry. Names of subject matter experts in your niche. Names of any people whose radar you want to get on. Use Google search for industry and company research. Google the names of people you’re considering connecting with or those you’ll be interviewed by, to learn about them and pick up some personal touchpoints to break the ice. Google the companies you’re targeting and their top-tier executives for market intelligence and due diligence. Self-Google regularly. How many search results come up for your name? As you’re building more web pages associated with your name, keep an eye on your Google presence. Has any digital dirt crept in? If so, deal with it quickly, as best as you can. Rely on the Google Dictionary. Fumbling with a word in a critical email to someone important, that you have to send right away? Quickly type the word into a Google search, to see if you’ve misspelled it and to get synonyms that may work better. Still not sold on getting Google to know your brand better by building a strong online presence? Well, you can forego all that extra work and keep your identity hidden from the Internet, but that could mean a protracted job search. It’s your choice. Related posts: Self-Google or Doom Your Executive Job Search Executive Job Search: 6 Ways to Get Good With Google 00 0

Small Business Saturday Join The Movement

Small Business Saturday Join The Movement The movement I am referring to is the MOXIE movement! In Social Networking for Business Success: Turn Your Ideas Into Income, Miriam and I coined this term to refer to people engaged in side hustles.  We wanted to put a more positive spin on this important new workforce model.  MOXIE stands for: Managing Other (secondary) X-tra Income Engagements Why Have More Than One Job? Income security, thats why! Who knows when youll become a victim of a downsizing or layoff? And how horrible is it to feel like you are at the mercy of your employers decisions. Financial security means diversifying your work portfolio. (Yep, Ive written about this before, here, here, and here because I believe in this career insurance policy concept so strongly.) And lay-offs arent the only reason to diversify your career portfolio. Permanent jobs may not be coming back at the same rate. In fact, Harvard Business Review reports that todays 17 million independent contractors is expected to rise to 23 million by 2017. When you are engaged in freelance work, it disrupts the old fashioned job security model. You may not know when your next gig will come along, so it will behoove you to have a business of your own to carry you through the gaps in work or dry spells. Ready for Some Hot Ideas? Starting a side business today doesnt mean you have to invest a lot of money. There are fewer barriers to entry than ever before. In Social Networking for Business Success, Miriam and I have included chapters to help you identify MOXIE opportunities. This is the research we used to help you brainstorm ideas. IBISWorld Inc.  is a recognized  trusted independent source of industry and market research. They  offer a comprehensive  database of unique  information and analysis on  every US industry. Extreme Times Call for Extreme Measures Like it or not, we are living in a new world of uncertainty and rapid change. You can choose to jump on the MOXIE bandwagon or not, but what do you have to lose? If you are read to start making extra income, you may want to pick up our book and see how you can do it. WARNING: It is going to take an investment of your time, i.e. sweat equity! But, who knows where it may lead! Up for the challenge? And we arent the only ones writing about this. Jason Albas 51 Alternatives To A Real Job  is a book of HOPE for people struggling in todays quirky economy. Jason says: One day I had an  epiphany  that would lead me to create JibberJobber.  I remember the exact moment when I had the epiphany.  It is the same moment when I found HOPE.  I found a purpose, and a reason, and that “changed everything.” His book includes stories that provide hope- real life examples of people who have embarked on entrepreneurial adventures!

Writing For Odyssey Online Resume and Cover Letter

Writing For Odyssey Online Resume and Cover LetterWriting for Odyssey Online Resume and Cover Letter isn't that hard to do, provided you are comfortable with using the English language. Writing for Odyssey is a fantastic way to work on improving your skills in all areas of English and it will help to your career development as well.Writing for online is becoming very popular among students and young professionals in today's technologically advanced world. Writing for online is very easy if you know what you are doing. All you need to do is stick to the basics.There are many good things to write about in your resume. One of the best and most important things to write about is your abilities. It is vital that you learn how to write a good resume. By applying this to online writing, you can see results very quickly.By writing your resume for online, you can see many benefits. You can demonstrate that you are knowledgeable and have good writing skills.You can also get the job faster by w riting your resume for online. This gives you the time to search for other jobs as well as to showcase your abilities in writing.This is one of the fastest growing fields online, which is English. Also, being online has many benefits as you can travel at your own pace, which can be exciting. By creating your own resume for online, you can start networking and interviewing immediately.With an online resume, you can show your skills immediately and can impress many people in your chosen field. It also allows you to share information with friends and colleagues.Many students and young professionals prefer to write for online because they do not have the time to go out for interviews or join clubs. The fact that you can write for online instantly can be a great advantage to you. So if you would like to write for online, here are some tips that will help you write your resume for online.