Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Balancing Business Realities with Employee Well-Being

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Balancing Business Realities with Employee Well-Being Those who believe starting a business means fewer hours will probably find themselvesmistaken. In reality, small-business ownersmay besome of the hardest working people in the world, regardless of industry or sector. It can be especially difficult to sustain effective work-life balance when yourbusinessisgrowing and it feels as if there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Additionally, when the pace of business has picked up substantially, youand your employees may be feeling the pinch. According to a 2015Ernst Youngstudy, a third offull-time employees in some of the world’s largest economies say maintaining good work-life balance has become more difficult in the last five years. Since a culture of good work-life balance can be established and encouraged from the top, I asked three small-business owners how they achieve work-life balance during growth periods and also how they model and promote healthy habits for their employees. Here are the insights William Bauer, managing director ofRoyce Leather Giftsin New Jersey, Rob Biederman, co-founder ofHourly Nerdin Boston, and Mike Mannon, president atWD Communicationsin Philadelphia, shared with us. During times when your business is growing like gangbusters and it seems you’ll never get everything accomplished, is work-life balance still a priority for you? Rob Biederman:Work-life balance is always difficult to maintain in hyper-growth mode. However, throughlong-term planning, I aim to maintain an average balance over the course of a year, even if there are certain weeks and months when work takes over a relatively unhealthy amount of time. I’ve tried to align my formal work breaks with periods of customer slownessâ€"typically, August and late December holidaysâ€"to maximize selling time as a percent of my working year, and to be most impactful in those interactions. William Bauer:Work-life balance always has to take priority. The more my employees and I feel as though our lives are out of balance, the more likely we willpay a physical and emotional priceâ€"and so will our business. Mike Mannon:In times of intense growth, work-life balance is a priority, but home life definitely takes a hit. I feel like Im better than I was at 30, or 40. When Im at home, I want to make sure that I look my kids in the eyes as theyre going off to school, try to give them a big hug and an I love you. Same for my wife! It helps me breathe better when I have to duck back in to start the cycle of calls and meetings and decisions. How do you model good work-life balance for your employeesâ€"meaning, how do you show them that as an owner, it’s possible to do a good job and still pay attention to other priorities? Bauer:Especially as mybusiness is growing, I find myselfimmersed in the day-to-day needs of the companyâ€"from finding and hiring talent to marketing the opportunities. It’s hard to break away even for an hour, much less for a vacation. However, I take all of my allotted three weeks of vacation time, and I encourage my employees to do the same. After a vacation, wecome back to work feeling refreshed and more productive. Mannon:I’ve personally stopped cell phone use at family meal times.Also, I take one week of vacation a year to a location with no cell service.The Blue Ridge Mountains are my respite. Biederman:The employees will only have work-life balance as healthy as the executives demonstrate. Consequently, it’s important for executives to spend some of their working time “secretly”â€"e.g., at home and not signed in to office communication software. This way, owners can get in all of their required working hours but without setting an “always on” example for the junior staff who will look to them for guidance. For more where this came from, head over to the AMEX Open Forum for the full piece.

Current Trends Taking The Fashion World By Storm

Current Trends Taking The Fashion World By Storm Fashion is extremely subjective. What you think looks good is the very worst of outfits to someone else, and there’s so many ‘rules’ out there that govern what’s meant to go with what. No blacks and browns together, only match up colors that complement each other, ribbed fabrics are at the forefront of this season… the list goes on and on.   Fashion trends extend from the board room to fashion on vacation,   and it can get exhausting to keep up with current trends in fashion. And yet, we live in an age of opportunity, and people care less and less about what society thinks of them. That means no matter how you want to look in the current day and age, it’s your time to craft out your own style in this corner of the fashion world using some of the biggest trends around the globe in the here and now. And truth be told here, the trends always change in a heartbeat, and sometimes they’re a little overrated. But they can still be used for good. No matter what you think of them, you can always get inspired from looking around you. Whether you’re willing to fit into a tweed suit to make an impression at your new place of work, or wearing a dress with a slit in the leg for the ultimate date night, it’s time to feel comfortable in clothes you know are appreciated by the people around you. With that in mind, what are the current trends in fashion that are taking the world by storm? Without further ado, here they are! Going Retro Retro is something we’ve been doing since we understood that the aesthetics of the past still look good in the modern day. Bringing back a few hints of the past here and there are always received well no matter what year you live in, as long as you look good whilst you’re doing it. And there’s so many conflicting styles out there it’s easy to get confused which era each piece is trying to replicate! However, there’s often a lot of trends you can see within these styles So there’s been a huge resurgence in the amount of styles out there these days that look like they’re been ripped straight from the 80s. The 70s are swirling around in the background, and the 90s are just as confusing as ever (a lot of us still think they were only 10 years ago after all!). However, the geometric shapes of these fashions with their outlandish colors and see through fabrics adds an element of nostalgia to every wearer out there. Pop some high heels on underneath your dotted dress with the wrap around sash and you’ve got a good night out on the town ahead of you.   Using Sustainable Fabrics Back in 2010, less than half of the fabric produced in the fashion world were naturally made. That meant more than half were synthetic fabrics, which left little diversity in the fashion world, and everyone was walking around sweating out of their shirts and creaking in their trousers. So finally, in this day and age, people are becoming more and more conscious of what they’re wearing and how it affects the world around them. And it’s about time this trend become more important to the biggest designers out there! Of course sometimes it’s a little hard to work with raw materials in all kinds of fashion pieces, so materials such as modal fabric have been invented to breach the gap here. They’re strong and moldable, and use natural fibers from trees that reproduce on their own time and resources, so it’s a lot more sustainable than synthetic fibers alone. Keeping up with the fashion world takes a lot of work, and this is one great way to keep up with supply and demand and the environment at the same time.   Bringing Back the Trench Coat Coats are very much needed in the climate we’re currently experiencing, and this means fashion has grabbed our lapels and thrust us out into the cold whilst wearing long, seemingly breast plated coats that mean we’re snug in wearable rugs. However, there’s a lot of style you can project when you’ve got a good coat on, and it also creates an aura of confidence around you when you’re wearing it right… Something that has a belt to it is an incredible fashion accessory, and looks good in all kinds of mild weather types. At the same time, it can be paired with anything underneath, whether you’re in leggings or jeans. If you’ve got something you’re self conscious on that day, make sure you’re wearing your trench coat on top. Suiting Up Suits aren’t just an outfit for well groomed men! This year is a good time for women to pick up the mantle of a trouser suit and look more stylish than they ever have before in a piece that’s boardroom ready. It’s an especially good move if you’re a business woman who’s ready to impress, looking for investors and customers alike at a business convention. Or maybe you’re just looking to make some good friends! Either way, there’s a lot you can do when you look powerful and proud. And when you’re wearing a trouser suit, you’re going to be an imposing figure in any room you walk into. Similarly, it’s an extremely easy outfit to wear, and it can be swapped out with a pencil skirt or a simple blouse whenever you need to take off a blazer and be a little more lightweight. The Takeaway Here? The current trends on the fashion market aren’t as bad as the designs we’ve seen in the past, which seems like a good mark for the rest of 2018 so far. Therefore, you’ve got plenty of opportunity to find a good style for yourself that won’t cost you an arm or a leg, and you’re not going to be immediately turned away by any of the big fashion idols we have out there!

How to Stop Being a Perfectionist

How to Stop Being a Perfectionist Are you trying to be perfect at work?  This can drive you crazy and actually make you very unhappy at work. I used to drive myself crazy making sure my team’s deliverables were 100% perfect for our client.   Unfortunately, my team didn’t have much fun working for me because I created a lot of stress. I almost had a nervous breakdown trying to keep my team operating exactly how my client wanted things to be. I didn’t realize that only another woman on my team and I had this perfectionist mindset until my male manager pulled us aside and told both of us one day, “You know, things don’t have to be perfect.” Stop Trying to Be Perfect Striving for perfection is actually one of those things you think would be a great strength, but it can be negative, especially when managing men who don’t have the same concern for perfection. After my male boss told me not to be perfect, I realized that men don’t strive for perfection like women often do. The other woman working for me and I eventually moved positions and two men took our place. They laugh, have fun, and don’t stress about making things perfect. And guess what? The ship doesn’t sink. We are all imperfect and trying reach perfection can create a lot of stress. Also, perfection kills creativity, which is very important when managing a team. How to Move Away from Being a Perfectionist Make a Deadline for Your Task When the time comes, move onto the next task, even if you haven’t finished the current task yet.   Settle for as good as can be in the time available in order to not spend countless hours trying to make it perfect. If you need to, you can always return to the task at a later time with a fresh perspective. Set Realistic Expectations Goals Make sure you don’t set arbitrary deadlines for yourself for no reason. Ask for an Extension I know, it’s hard because it shows that you aren’t perfect. But, usually, there is no negative side-effect to asking for an extension because it shows that you really care. Just don’t make a habit of constantly missing deadlines, which can ultimately ruin your trust and reputation.   Make sure you know the difference between a hard deadline and a soft deadline.

The 4 Myths About Job Hunting

The 4 Myths About Job Hunting Hot out of the recording studio, the Give A Grad A Go podcasts are aimed at helping you land the graduate job you really want. Over the coming weeks we’ll reveal tips on everything from CV writing and interview tips, to making the most of Facebook and LinkedIn. In this first episode we bust ‘4 myths about job hunting’; taking a closer look at the common thoughts many graduates have when it comes to job hunting â€" and how to overcome them. Myth 1: You have to know exactly what you want to do before you start applying for jobs If you’re one of those who left university with no idea what you wanted to do, don’t panic â€" you’re not alone! Unless your degree has set you up to enter a specialist industry, you’re not expected to know exactly what you want to do. So, where should you start? Begin by thinking about where your strengths lay and from there the types of jobs that you’d be best suited to. For example, do you like working in a team or on your own? Do you want to be behind the scenes or out in the thick of it interacting with people? Think about what you enjoyed about your degree and any previous work experience you have, then make a short list of what you liked, along with your key strengths. Once all this is in front of you, you can then start to translate your strengths and likes into a job that’s tailored to you. Myth 2: You have to find your perfect job now Most people would like this to happen, but it almost never does! Not to mention, if you don’t yet know what exactly you want to do, how can you go out and get it? That’s why we say, start with baby steps â€" setting short and then longer term goals. Short term goals are thinking about what you want and need now e.g. earning enough to move out of home, living close to where you’d like to work so you don’t break the bank commuting. Long term goals are about thinking 5-10 years’ down the line â€" what sector do you want to be established in and what level do you want to be in your career? So while your first job might not be the ideal dream, if it’s a good balance of your short and long-term goals, you’ll find it’ll be the best start to landing your perfect job. Myth 3: You have to have experience in the sector you’re applying for When it comes to job hunting, it’s helpful to know that generally employers want people who can prove they want the job and have the skills to do it â€" but this doesn’t have to be through relevant experience. Did you complete a heavily data focussed dissertation? Then apply for analyst or research roles. You’ve already been training for 3 years for your moment to shine â€" get out there and start applying! Myth 4: You know you’re never going to get a job, because you keep applying and you keep getting turned down It’s tough out there! So our biggest takeaway tip is to treat getting a job like a job in itself. Create a structure and set goals to your week â€" it’ll help you manage your time more effectively. It’s also important to remember that getting a job takes time, so make sure you learn from every application you make. Ask where your application fell short and how you could improve next time. With feedback and practise you’ll soon find you’ll be able to craft a killer application. Looking for more tips on landing a graduate job? Head over to Give A Grad A Go. Author: Give A Grad A Go have been changing the graduate jobs market for the better. We’re consistently working with some of the best graduate employers in the UK and have started well over 1,500 careers. So whether youre fresh out of university, or you have a few years work experience were the graduate recruitment agency that can help you land the job thats right for you.

5 Benefits of Working In Shifts

5 Benefits of Working In Shifts Many companies employ staff on a rota basis for jobs where the work is handled by different sets of crew working in shifts to cover all the hours of operation, which can be 24/7.Shift work has been much maligned for its antisocial hours, said to be causing disruption to sleep patterns and family life, and impacting on general health.evalBut are there any upsides? While the benefits from the employer’s point of view may be obvious, shift work can have some advantages for employees.1. ConvenienceevalWhile working in shifts is obviously not the same as flexi-working, employees do have the option of choosing the shifts they prefer. In this way, a person who has school age children can work until mornings and early afternoon, while someone with other daytime commitments may prefer to work evenings or nights.When it comes to taking leave, say for a school appointment or to go to the dentist, it is often possible to book ahead so that the work scheduler will accommodate individual needs.T here is a certain sense of freedom and improved job satisfaction that comes from having a degree of flexibility in your working hours.Whether it’s spending more time with family or being able to go to the bank during office hours, shift working makes it possible â€" whilst technology, such as a shift planner makes it easier and far less stressful to manipulate.2. More time, less congestionShift work offers a chance to avoid the daily rush hour, meaning a shorter commute with less traffic. From getting a seat on the train to being able to park more easily, it’s a much more pleasant way to get to and from work.As a shift worker, you can structure your week in a way that suits your lifestyle, fitting in chores and errands during the week rather than having to save it all up for the weekend.evalBenefits extend to leisure time hours too. Going shopping on a quiet Monday morning rather than a busy Saturday afternoon, using off-peak cinema tickets or gym memberships â€" whatever activi ty you choose, shift workers can do it when regular workers are busy with the 9 to 5 jobs.3. Set hours, defined expectationsThe beauty of shift work is that you know exactly when you start and finish work. Since someone else will be taking over your tasks at the end of your shift, there is no expectation to stay behind to ‘finish the job’.Most regular full-time jobs will allocate responsibilities for tasks that need to be completed. With shift work, you only actually work the hours that you are paid for. Add to that the fact that night shifts offer better rates of pay than day shifts, and you can see why shift work might be very attractive indeed.4. Better focus, fewer distractionsevalWorking at unusual hours, with fewer people around generally, makes for a calmer and more focused work environment, which is good for productivity. With fewer distractions such as meetings, disruptions from managers and co-workers, you can pay more attention to the task in hand and make a better jo b of it.Better still, in an out-of-hours environment there will be fewer colleagues to compete with, which means you have the opportunity to prove yourself to your superiors.5. More learning opportunitiesevalOn-the-job experience is often underestimated, but in many ways it’s the best way to learn. With less staff on duty during antisocial hours, you may actually have to learn and practice new skills or take on responsibilities that take you outside your comfort zone.This can be a good thing. It’s a real opportunity for self-improvement that may well stand you in good stead further down the line.

Job Seekers Arent Networking

Job Seekers Arent Networking The facts are the facts.   Most job seekers are not networkingefficiently.   Nurturing your contacts and building new connections has to start before you need it, yet that message still isnt being heard.   Many newly unemployed job seekers have no idea where or how to start their job search. UpMo has compiled two recent surveys that state just this. The first study highlights (full summary here): Sporadic communication: Job seekers only talk toâ€"or emailâ€"an average of 8 people outside of their current organization on a monthly basis. Failure to expand the circle: Job seekers are reluctant to ask for introductions, with fewer than 4-in-10 (38%) asking for an introduction in the past month. Small networks: On average, job seekers have a network with of just 29 colleagues, defined as peers they have interacted with in the last 18-24 months. Misplaced priorities: Jobs seekers say spend 68% of their time is spent looking at online job postingsâ€"and less than one-third of their time reaching out to others. The second study highlights (full post here): Are ill-prepared for the job hunt: Only 3-in-10 feel “very confident” or “extremely confident” that they could use their network to land a job within 30 days if suddenly laid off. This isnt true for many of the job seekers I know.   They have become very active, and I think they will remain active networkers. Lets spread the word.   Let all your employed friends know that networking is the new job search.   Start today.

How to Write a Resume Fast But Do Not Have the Necessary Skills

How to Write a Resume Fast But Do Not Have the Necessary SkillsThere are many who want to know how to write a resume fast but do not have the requisite skills to do so. This is because most people know that they have to put in a lot of effort in order to produce good results but there are those who think they can do it by themselves without spending too much time and money. It is possible but in reality it is only possible for people who possess the requisite skills in resume writing.Before we proceed further, we must first determine where we need to include your personal information. This includes your name, birth date, telephone number, contact address, email address, and any other personal details that you deem important such as your school name, number of years that you have been in school, etc.Now that you have listed your name, phone number, address, and email, it is now time to start researching about yourself and learn how to write a resume fast but do not have the requisite skills. This is important as this will help you in defining your skills and interests so that you will be able to present yourself in the best light possible.Now comes the tricky part and this is in order to know how to write a resume fast but do not have the requisite skills in resume writing. This is necessary as you may be lacking the necessary knowledge to make an impact with your potential employer. For instance, if you lack formal education, this will hamper your resume as you do not have the required skills for it.In order to learn how to write a resume fast but do not have the requisite skills, it is important that you research about the skills you need to have so that you will be able to improve upon them in order to meet the demands of your employer. For instance, you must have an excellent command over the English language and English grammar if you want to learn how to write a resume fast but do not have the requisite skills.You can take professional help or try to devel op your own personal set of basic skills in order to write a resume fast but do not have the requisite skills. One way to achieve this is by learning how to write a resume from a master.In fact, you will find that there are those who can help you build up your skills in order to write a one resume fast but not have the requisite skills. It is important that you do not neglect your skills as this is how you can come out successful in the long run.Resume writing is not an easy task and this is why it is important that you do not skip this process. By concentrating on what you need to learn and improving upon it, you will be able to write a resume fast but do not have the requisite skills in resume writing.