How to Get Your Managers to Motivate Their Teams

How to Get Your Managers to Motivate Their Teams This post is sponsored by Workstride, helping companies recognise, motivate, and develop their talent through a blend of configurable software, modern rewards experiences, and strategic program design.   Every employee has their own sources of motivation when it comes to work. Some are motivated by money; others are driven by the necessity of providing for their family. Others are inspired by the opportunity to make a difference in the world or to learn something new. Meeting these various needs begins with your managers understanding individual motivational needs. The managers of your organization are tasked with engaging and motivating employees, according to Gallup’s State of the Manager report. However, a staggering 51% of them have checked out.  Why? Believe it or not, it’s because they aren’t being engaged or motivated by their manager. (It’s not a good cycle.) Stopping this Inception-style sequence of disengagement hinges on leaders who are accountable to building relationships with employees and understanding their individual sources of motivation. Here are 3  typical employee motivators that aren’t usually addressed by managers, as well as some questions to consider about what drives your employees to perform: 1. Driven by personal expression Some employees want to be seen as individuals and respected for their unique qualities, rather than feeling like they’re just a warm body filling a seat. Allowing these employees to unleash their sense of self, ego, or individualism can serve as a powerful driver for their performance.  (Just be sure that a sense of ego doesn’t turn into a culture that benefits the bullies.) Are employees at your company allowed to express their individuality, or are they expected to conform to the company norm?   2. Motivated by connections with managers According to Gallup’s research, capable managers make an effort to get to know their employees and are comfortable talking about work and other subjects. Of employees who feel they can approach their manager with any question, 54% of them are engaged. By comparison, 65% of employees who don’t have this sense of connection with their manager are disengaged. Are managers creating meaningful, genuine connections with their team members? 3. Inspired by a passion for their craft A leading barrier to employee motivation is a feeling that one’s passion isn’t being used to its full potential. Encourage employees to take personal ownership for their work. And be sure to reward and recognize employees when their passion and creativity drives an innovative solution. Need an example? This article highlights how the team at Pixar does this every day to accomplish this. In your organization, are employees heard when they express passion about a project or are new ideas shut down because they will take too much time or might fail? Once managers understand what drives employees as individuals, leverage those motivational factors. Don’t let anxieties about big egos ruining your company culture or a fear of hiring passionate employees stop you from examining what motivates employees. To be certain, those motivators can cause problems, but with care, thought, and a desire to truly connect with employees, managers have the power to break the negative cycle of unmotivated and disengaged employees and replace it with a powerful culture of employees who are passionate about their work. Ingrid Catlin is Director of Marketing at Workstride, a company dramatically changing the world of employee recognition, incentives and engagement. Ingrid has spent the last decade working with B2B software and consulting organizations on marketing strategy, demand generation, marketing automation and marketing operationsâ€"all the while observing the effects of corporate culture on employee morale and engagement.

Writing Resume in Past Tense

Writing Resume in Past TenseOne of the most common mistakes I see is people writing resumes in past tense. This can be disastrous and cause you to get turned down for jobs and even for internships! Instead, use the present tense throughout the resume. This will help you set yourself apart from other applicants.Let's start with an example. If you want to apply for a job as a clerk at a retail store, instead of just writing 'clerksman', you need to be more specific by writing, 'sales clerk'. Then, when your resume gets posted, employers will be able to quickly identify your skills and qualifications. Of course, most resumes will look similar so you may want to customize yours a bit by using the present tense and listing your experiences in each skill or responsibility. If you have more than one experience listed, list them in present tense.Next, you should also be sure to thank your current employer for giving you the opportunity to do your work for them. Then, if you do not have a job lined up, write down your reason for not having one and thank your potential employer for their time and consideration. In fact, you may want to include a resume bio box at the end of your resume that mentions why you were not employed.Although many of us are used to reading resumes that are formatted like business letters, there are many cases where the content and format can be very different from what you would write for prospective and future employers. This means that you need to be very careful about what you write. Be certain that you keep your letter to the point and concise. Avoid trying to impress your future employer with lengthy letters or rambling stories.Also, make sure you do not forget to address each letter to the correct person and to have time for both sides of the letter. Finally, be sure to attach your resume correctly so that it has a chance to be reviewed and picked up by an employer. As long as you have this document properly formatted, you will find it easi er to get it to them. This can be difficult if you are sending the resume on its own or if you are using a file transfer software program.In addition, you will want to ensure that your resume is easy to read. There are many programs available that are designed to make your resume look great on many different computer screens. In fact, some of these programs come with a free trial to see how they can look on different screens. You will be amazed at how well these types of programs can enhance your resume by making it readable and appealing to the eye.Last, but not least, make sure you have a plan for looking over your resume and your interview notes. This will give you time to organize and review your information. Plus, you will have a reference in case you run into any problems during the interview process. With all the different forms of technology available today, it is important to know how to work with whatever your computer has to offer.Even though you may feel confident about your skills and qualifications, it is wise to have a thorough review of your resume before you send it off. This will give you the time to check for spelling or grammatical errors. If you have any doubt, send it back and ask for another chance to prove yourself.

15 Cleaning Hacks for Your Office - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

15 Cleaning Hacks for Your Office - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career A messy office could potentially cost you a promotion because others will think you can’t handle the work you already have. You can put your best foot forward by keeping your office clean, but investing in expensive cleaners that also add to the toxins already in your work environment may not be the best approach. Instead, try these cleaning hacks to save time and money and make your office greener than ever before. Vinegar for Scissors If your scissors have a sticky reside or simply look like they need freshened up, here’s an easy fix. Dip a rag in white vinegar and wipe down the blades. As an added bonus, the vinegar will keep the scissors from rusting. You can also use the vinegar to clean a hole punch and other metal office tools. Condiment Cap Vacuum Do you need to get down in between tight spaces, such as those in a desktop organizer, with your vacuum? Even the smallest attachment on your vacuum cleaner may be too big for these micro tasks. Instead, grab the lid off a plastic condiment bottle â€" you can also purchase these at restaurant supply stores â€" and attach it to the end of your vacuum hose with rubber bands. You now have a small nozzle that will fit down in tight spaces. Bread to Pick up Broken Glass If you break glass in your office, run to the kitchen or break area and grab a slice of bread. After you’re picked up the larger pieces, use the bread like a sponge to pick up the tiny shards of glass left. Don’t have any bread handy? Ask around. Someone may have leftovers from lunch. Try PhoneSoap How many times a day do you touch your phone? Too many to count, probably, which isn’t good for your health. Cell phones have even more bacteria than a toilet seat, ten times in fact. Banish that bacteria and be on your way to a cleaner â€" and healthier â€" office in just a few minutes with the PhoneSoap. Sticky Notes Do you have crumbs or lint down in between the keys of your keyboard? The edge of a sticky note can be used to grab those small pieces and keep your keyboard looking pristine. Microfiber Cloths Keep microfiber cloths on hand to keep dust down to a minimum. When you are on the phone with a client or have a spare moment, grab a cloth and swipe it over your desk, computer screen or other furniture in the room. Dryer Sheets Does your office smell a bit musty after being shut up overnight? Tuck some dryer sheets in places out of sight, such as behind a potted plant or in a heater vent. Keeping a box of dryer sheets in your desk is a good idea, because you can also rub one over clothes or over your hair during winter to reduce static. Vinegar and a Sock to Clean Blinds Do you have window blinds in your office? If so, take an old sock and put it over your hand. Get it damp with a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution. Rub the sock over each slat of the blinds. The vinegar always works as a sanitizer. Don’t worry about the strong smell â€" it will fade as the vinegar dries. Remove a Water Ring With a Hair Dryer If you have a few water rings on your wooden desk or table tops in your office, take a hair dryer to work with you. Simply aim the hair dryer at the water stain. It should begin to disappear. If it doesn’t, try rubbing it with a soft cloth. If the stain still isn’t gone, try rubbing some mayonnaise on it. Skip the Squeegee Nobody likes cleaning windows, especially if your office has large ones. Skip the hassle of wiping down windows and get the Roomba of window cleaning: The Winbot. Just plug in and let it work its magic while you work yours â€" at your desk. Push Pins and Cork Board Phone Mount Are you constantly searching for your phone? Simply mount some cork board next to your work space and use push pins to create a phone mount. Place the phone sideways on the cork board. Place two push pins under each corner along the bottom and two above each corner along the top. You can also use push pins to make sure any phone cords are organized neatly. Remove Permanent Marker From White Board Nearly everyone has accidentally used a permanent marker on a white board at some point. However, there is no need to panic. Simply grab a dry erase marker and write on top of the permanent marker. It should then wipe clean with an eraser or soft cloth. Invest in a Floor Scrubber For a larger office or industrial building, a vacuum simply won’t work. For an office floor that demands a little more care, invest in specialized industrial-grade scrubbers. You’ll save time and hassle, and have an office you’ll be proud to work in. Towel Instead of Swiffer Sheet If you have a hard surface floor in your office and typically use a Swiffer to wipe it clean, you may be unsure what to do in the instance that you’re out of Swiffer sheets and have a big meeting where you want your office to look perfect. The good news is that you can grab a hand towel from the kitchen or one you keep in your desk and secure it to your Swiffer base. Desk Organizers for Electronics Do your electronics tend to clutter your desk? Some jobs require items such as a tablet and laptop. A desktop organizer can serve as a handy spot for these items to live when you aren’t using them, keeping them neat and out of the way but still close enough to grab them when needed. You can also use these to store reference books you use frequently. The key to keeping a clutter-free and organized workspace is to stay on top of the clutter. Every evening, put things away you have used. If you keep things in their place, you’ll have less to pick up the next morning.

Parents Want Career Progression Too

Parents Want Career Progression Too Sally was forced to leave her management job in HR at a large company after being turned down for any kind of flexible working while on maternity leave. She asked for reduced hours, a compressed week and a nine-day fortnight. None was acceptable. She was offered a lesser role. She opted instead to leave and take a £20k pay cut in exchange for greater flexibility. Ironically, she has since been asked to do consultancy work for her previous employer because they haven’t been able to find a suitable replacement. She says: “Career or work-life balance were seen as mutually exclusive. I was told that managers can’t have flexible working. It certainly didn’t make me feel very valued. I felt better entering a new company at a lower level rather than my colleagues seeing me take a step back.” She is still keen to make it to senior director level but is worried that she may never be able to get back on track. Sally is one of many women who feel their careers have not progressed or are going backward as a result of the lack of flexible senior jobs. Workingmums.co.uk’s annual survey shows 57% of mums say their career has not progressed since having children. The survey shows the huge demand for flexible new roles at all stages of the work lifecycle, something worth noting in a labor market marked by growing skills shortages. They also show how the search for flex is becoming central to job searches. Thirty-four percent of working mums researched employers’ flexible working record before applying for a job and 36% did so before accepting a job. Meanwhile, 28% asked about flexible working at interview and 31% say they would not have accepted their current job if there was no flexible working. The figures are similar for dads. Over 50s are also looking for flexible new roles, with 32% saying they had researched flexible working before applying for their last role and 46% having done so before accepting a new job. Interestingly, the figures are significantly higher for under 21s. Forty-one percent had researched flexible working before applying for their last job and 41% asked about flexible working at interview. One HR manager of a construction firm said she had tried many times to make senior managers understand how important flexible working was. They had seen all the surveys in the press and the reports citing the business case, but it was only when she made notes about the number of candidates asking about flexible working at interview that it brought things home. It’s not just in recruitment that the problem lies. Lack of flexibility, as Sally’s case shows, is having a big impact on retention. Indeed, the annual survey shows that 29% of working mums have had a formal flexible working request turned down, with 42% of these saying they had left their job as a result of flexible working being turned down. For Gillian Nissim, founder of workingmums.co.uk, the survey results show how significant flexible working is becoming in job decisions. “Employers need to think more creatively to compete with the start-ups that have been selling themselves on their flexibility. That might mean thinking of job redesigns or agile hiring policies where any manager who puts forward a job advert that lacks flexibility is challenged as to why. Changing an entrenched work culture is harder than starting a new flexible business. It requires constant questioning of working practices, but the benefits of getting it right in terms of recruitment and retention are becoming increasingly clear.” About the author:  Mandy Garner is the editor of Workingmums.co.uk.

The Art of Writing Resume

The Art of Writing ResumeHow to write a resume or what is resume in its complete form? What is a resume? A resume is the document in which a person provides all the required information, all the necessary qualifications and educational credentials that he/she has acquired over the years. The document is used to let the employer know about the skills and the knowledge you have acquired over the years.The information provided in resumes should be comprehensive. It should be concise and easy to understand. Information can be given in the form of resumes in various formats. The format of the resume depends on the occupation, job position, industry, etc.The information in the resume should be structured and should not be haphazard. A resume should be able to address career objectives, knowledge that should be acquired over the years, awards and certificates, participation in contests and events, awards won etc. The format of the resume depends on the type of the resume.Resumes have a maxi mum of seven pages. It has heading that should be first, then there should be resume summary section that should include a one-line description of the person and the objective of the resume, and the next section is the employment history section. The employment history section provides the name, address, phone number, and work details of the person. In the summary section, there should be a summary of the accomplishments mentioned in the resume.On the next section, the resume should be organized according to the objectives and career objectives. There should be a list of skills and abilities that should be acquired by the person, and there should be a list of educational qualifications that should be acquired over the years. The next section is the education section. It should contain the names and the addresses of the schools, colleges, universities where the person has attended the course.The most important aspect in resume is the job objective. The resume should contain the name of the company that wants to know the applicant's skills and abilities so that they can select the best candidate for the position.After the resume is finished, it should be proofread by an editor before distribution. This is to check for spelling and grammar errors. It should also be sent to the right addresses so that the right people read it.The art of writing resume is really hard to learn but is definitely very helpful if done properly. Resumes are the important documents when hiring a professional for a particular job.

Debut Debates Are 24-hour libraries a good thing

Debut Debates Are 24-hour libraries a good thing Introducing Debut Debates two writers go head-to-head over some of the biggest issues facing students and young people today. With Debut research finding that  18% of students only sleep for 3-5 hours a night (compared to the 7-9 hours recommended by experts), we ask whether 24 hour libraries help students study in a way that suits them or perpetuate unhealthy sleeping patterns? Ryan Ellis and Sarah Wilson battle it out YES Why we should be thankful for 24-hour libraries by Ryan Ellis We’ve all been there at some point during our degree. The deadline for coursework is looming and you’ve spent one too many nights out on the town rather than revising some obscure theory; because socialising with friends is relevant for your CV, right? So, there you are, studiously hitting the books at a chilly 2am in a lonely concrete building, fuelled only by energy drinks and that awful machine-made “coffee”. In an ailing attempt to perfect your line of argument, you suddenly appreciate your library’s noble commitment to only close its doors on Christmas day. Some people are night owls In all seriousness, some people plainly work better once the sun has set. A study by an American consumer genetics company found 15 genetic variants that determined whether an individual was a ‘morning person’ or a ‘night owl.’ To refuse night-time access to those individuals who are more proactive during the evening would be extremely detrimental to their study. For other students, there just aren’t enough hours in the day. This is especially true for those students who must work part-time jobs to support their academic studies. With a potentially inflexible schedule, the library should be willing to work around the student, not vice versa. A library’s resources also provide support to those unable to purchase expensive equipment. Computers, specialist software and printers; should a student’s access to such vital apparatus be prevented because the clock has struck 7pm? To do so would lead many to question a university’s commitment to support student progression, regardless of their socio-economic background. Value for money Moreover, students now pay over £9,000 per year for the privilege of a higher education. The argument that this is “value for money” would be severely weakened without access to a 24-hour library. Put simply, its proof of a universitys investment in its students. Yes, the digital era has found a steady increase in the number of internet resources at our disposal. But a library is more than just a collection of books and journals. As the historian Shelby Foote once proclaimed; “a university is just a group of buildings gathered around a library.” To place an arbitrary timetable upon access to the home of academia would be a grave mistake. We live in a society now unguided by time. People have around the clock access to news, information, and even burgers! Why should a main feature of the academic experience be any different? NO 24-hour libraries are bad for our health by Sarah Wilson All-nighters. Theyre an item on the student bucket list alongside stealing a traffic cone and making it through a seminar when you havent done the reading. Like getting black-out drunk, universities should be discouraging all-nighters among students. Yet whilst many universities promote sensible drinking, more than ever have begun to offer 24-hour library services. This, in my opinion, is bad news for everyone. Getting the work-life balance Today students and young people suffer sky-high levels of stress which are undoubtedly exacerbated by a pressure to succeed. Feeling able to strike a balance between work and socialising is crucial for students’ wellbeing.  24-hour libraries make this difficult. Their presence implies to students that they could, and should, be working at all hours of the day, creating an atmosphere in which time off feels guilty rather than deserved. When I was at university, the thought that a 24-hour library was just minutes from my room often plagued me on the evenings that I chose to relax instead of work. On the contrary, restricted library opening hours encourage students to draw a clear distinction between work time and down time. Protecting our well-being For those with existing mental health problems, 24-hour libraries can be even more disastrous. The ability to work during unsocial hours often enables vulnerable students to isolate themselves from others and fall into unhealthy irregular sleeping patterns. For anyone, but especially for those with mental health issues, irregular sleep schedules can wreak havoc on our wellbeing. Aside from anything else, work produced at 3am and powered by caffeine is highly unlikely to be as good as work produced during the day after a good night’s sleep. It might be irritating for those perpetually last-minute students, but restricted library opening hours encourage discipline and healthier habits in general. 24-hour libraries also require universities to pay out extra money for staff to cover the desk. This takes cash away from other areas where it might be better spent like teaching and academic resources. Students visiting all-night libraries also put themselves at greater risk by travelling after dark to reach it, especially if they are alone. Libraries with restricted opening hours, though not eliminating this risk totally, do create a situation in which students are travelling largely in daylight when other people are around and a number of public transport options are available. In a world where so many crave convenience, 24-hour libraries can seem a fantastic idea. But in reality, the impact they can have on student safety, wellbeing and happiness far outweighs the benefits. Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

A question for ya Work culture in Latin America - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

A question for ya Work culture in Latin America - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Later this month Im speaking at an HR conference in Guatemala (and possibly also in Nicaragua details are still being worked out). The conference web site is here and theres an article on it here (in Spanish). Which gets me thinking: I know too little about work culture in Latin America. Whats it like. Do you know? Are people generally happy at work? Whats the mood like in a typical workplace? Are managers very authoritarian or more laid back? Do workplaces take their cues from North America or do they look to other parts of the world? Who are the business heroes in Latin America? Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Client Case Study Erika Dillon - When I Grow Up

Client Case Study Erika Dillon - When I Grow Up Um, do you know that Ive coached hundreds of women since I started offering dream career guidance in 2008? And that these women are freakin rock stars, leaving soul-sucking jobs and traveling the world and launching creative, grown-up businesses and simply doing work that fits their lifestyle goals? Well ya do now and youll hear their stories firsthand in my  Client Case Studies series!  Its time to profile the talented and amazeballs  Erika Dillon  today! Shes a side hustler with a killer hand-lettering biz (think: logo design, commissions, gorgeous products and more) whos making it happen while working the 9-5. She launched her biz through my 90 Day Business Launch program almost exactly a year ago (and not at all coincidentally,  apps open today for that program for a limited time, ha!), and I have loved having a front row seat for her expansion and evolution! I just cant wait for you to meet her, too. Why did you decide to work with me, a creative business coach?   Having worked with you for both the 90 Day Business Launch AND a round of Build Your Client Base, I knew I wanted to continue to get your eyes and insight on my business even more. Ive been able to continue to up-level my business (baby step by baby step) by working with you and didnt want to lose any of that momentum! What were you doing work-wise when we started working together and what are you doing now? I was working a day job and kinda sorta focusing on my side bizâ€"lots of distractions and course-taking and research (oh, the research!) and thinking, well, once this one thing is done, THEN I can start thinking about the next thing. Since I started working with you, Im still at my day job but with a renewed commitment to my side business! My focus is back on how I can continue to evolve my business and I have so many awesome tools to help me get there because of working with you! What was your biggest takeaway from our work together? That progress is still progress even when its small steps forward. Having a side business Im committed to doesnt mean I have to quit my day job and go all in to show that Im making progress at my goals. Think of someone who is currently in the shoes you wore when we first started working together. What advice do you have for her?   You can totally create a business on your terms without having to ditch everything else in your life (especially if youre in a day job!). You have to think a bit more creatively in terms of how to juggle it all but its totally possible. I always thought I had to be ALL IN when it came to my side businessâ€"and I am all inâ€"but in a way that works with my current lifestyle. Is there anything thats been a game-changer for you when it comes to your business that you can share? Wed love a good resource or a mindset/productivity tip! Breaking things down into smaller, attainable goals! I love using any of the worksheets we get in Build Your Client Base (like the Marketing Plan and Launch Plan worksheets). I can get overwhelmed when I have a big project Im working on. If I dont take the time to break it down into small, manageable chunks, I find myself zoning out on social media or looking at yet another course thats not even related to what Im trying to do. Taking the time to write down the project, deliverables, and timeline with mini check-points along the way has been a game-changer, for sure! Whats on the horizon for your business? Wed love to hear about any upcoming offerings or goals! My 2019 Motivate Your Ass Calendar is ready for pre-order! Its my favorite product to create every year as I choose my fave motivational/kick-in-the-ass quotes and hand-letter them. My goal is to get as many of these out into the world as I can this year! Click here to  get one for you and your friends (these make seriously awesome holiday gifts!). Where can we find you and your work? erikadillon.com and IG @erika.dillon A (very!) limited number of spots are open for early 2019.  Click here  if the thought of launching your business this spring gets you nervous/excited my favorite!