Contributed Post | Mike McRitchie | Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writer | Telecom Marketing Content Writer

Taking Your Team To The Next Level: How To Get More Out Of Your Employees

September 14, 2020 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

As an employer, it’s incredibly beneficial to prioritize employee morale and to make a concerted effort to get the best out of every individual. If you’re looking to take your team to the next level, here are some effective strategies.

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Improve communication

Communication is vital for any organization. Whether you have a team of 10 or 1,000 employees, it’s essential that people feel able to talk and that you listen. Take advantage of technology that facilitates group discussions, stay in touch with your employees and get together on a regular basis to check in, see how everybody is doing and discuss any issues that have cropped up. Try and encourage everyone to get involved in meetings and provide a platform for employees to share thoughts and ideas and talk about any problems they have encountered. Be approachable. As an employer, you want your staff to be able to come to you if they’re struggling with their workload, or they have concerns about stress or workplace conflict.

Express pride, gratitude and admiration

The vast majority of employers are reliant on a team of people to deliver services, sell products and keep customers happy. If you’re proud of your team, you’re grateful for the effort your employees put in and you’re thrilled with the results of a project or feedback from a client, express these emotions and make sure your employees feel valued and respected. Reward results and acknowledge sacrifices people are making if you’re working towards a deadline, or there’s been an influx of orders, for example. Even small gestures can make a difference to morale and wellbeing, so it’s a good idea to organize social activities, to look for company gifts for your employees to celebrate special occasions or achievements and to try and inject a bit of fun into the working day. If your employees enjoy their job, and they feel that their hard work is recognized, they will be more likely to want to stick around.

Establish clear goals

Goal setting is proven to increase productivity and improve outcomes, but it’s essential to make sure that targets are realistic and achievable and to ensure that everyone understands the instructions and objectives. If there is confusion, or people don’t know what the end goal is, this can lead to a drop in productivity and morale, and it could also increase the risk of mistakes and delays. Outline objectives at the start of each project or the beginning of a month or a new season and get together with your team periodically to track progress.

Boost confidence

Many people hold back when it comes to career dreams and ambitions because they lack confidence. If you run a business, you can make a difference by inspiring your employees to be more confident. Pass on positive feedback, reward excellent results and promote progression. Focus on the positives when carrying out appraisals and encourage the individual to strive to improve on areas where they lack confidence. You can also help by providing additional support or access to training or resources to address weaknesses.

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Are you on a mission to take your team to the next level? If so, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of employee morale. Communicate openly, set clear goals, make sure your employees feel respected and valued and take steps to support individuals and build confidence.

Four Simple Rule To Lead The Self-Employed To Success

September 8, 2020 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Being self-employed can feel like both the best and worst thing in the world. The freedom is great, however, it can also cause you to lose sleep. Being your own boss can be stressful but fun at the same time, there are some proven tips you can use to make you successful.

Photo by Andrew Neel from Pexels

Let’s have a look at some of the top tips for you achieving self-employed success :

Put limits On Your Time

You most likely work from a home office, your smartphone, or possibly even the kitchen table, which is fine. But this doesn’t mean you can’t stop work when you need to and should. Nobody is forcing you to work all night or into the early hours. Instead, try to be more realistic with your clients about deadlines. Let them know that you ensure the best quality because you are able to allocate the correct time to each project.

Give yourself a schedule to stick to and dedicate a certain time to each client. Try to stick to it as much as possible. Then, call it day at a reasonable time. Turn off your email and think about getting a phone that is only for business. This will prevent clients from invading your home life.

Manage Your Money

So, when you are self-employed all the money is yours, however, you should avoid going wild. Some of the most successful self-employed workers still pay themselves a wage and keep their cash flow healthy. This way when they start to grow they will have no problem sourcing great marketing strategies such as hiring a video production company for a tv ad or hiring a second member of the team. You also need to budget for things like national insurance and your taxes. Make sure you maximize your potential income by keeping track and claiming everything that you can against tax. Some of these include your heating and lighting, travel, and uniforms.

Keep Your Goals In Mind

You might have all the talent in the world and work your socks off, however, it is important for you to have a direction to move in. You need to know where you want your business to go. This way you are able to fulfill your potential. Set yourself a few goals and then look carefully at the steps needed to reach them. You are more likely to meet your goals if you know where you are supposed to heading.

Always Be You

When you’re self-employed you are wearing many hats, and it can be really easy to lose who you are. Make sure you are always true to yourself, real people sell. Being individual and showing your personality is something overcomes corporate blandness and take you a long way. People buy from people. So, remember to be you and only you.

These four tips should help you to be successful as a self-employed person. Are you self employed? Do you have any other tips that could help? Please share them in the comments below.

How to Manage Stress and Achieve Work-Life Balance

September 7, 2020 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

selective focus photography of pile of decorative stones — Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen on Unsplash

Today, stress and work almost go hand in hand. Many factors can impact your work-life balance, such as being underpaid and feeling underappreciated or insecure about your position in the company. Did you know that working more than 55 hours a week increases stress levels? That’s only one reason why you must find time to unwind. There is life outside the office too, and you need to live it if you want to be genuinely happy. Read on to see how you can eliminate stress from your life.

Managing Stress at Work

If you have trouble memorizing information, find it hard to think clearly, can’t concentrate, or are moody, you’re stressed. The stress affects your productivity at work, and chances are you’ll find yourself staring at the screen or paperwork, not knowing what to do. To avoid criticism at work, you need to learn how to eliminate work-related stressors.

Time Management

Organizing your time is the first thing you need to do. Try to outsource your tasks. If you can’t, do your best to manage them properly. Well-organized tasks that include breaks will help you reach your goals, increase productivity, and feel more rested.

Listen to Your Favorite Music

If your workplace allows it, listen to music or guided meditations for relaxation. That will empower you, boost creativity, and reduce the levels of stress and anxiety. Just make sure you’re using headphones—maybe your colleagues don’t want to get a groove on.

Practise Effective Communication

Effective communication at work shouldn’t be limited to your tasks only. You’re there to contribute to the company, and you should be able to express how you feel. Try discussing it with your colleagues and do your best to find stress relief solutions that you will present to your boss together.

Managing Stress at Home

Closing the office doors or logging out means that you’re done for the day. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. If your work interferes with your free time, you need to stand your ground and set boundaries for the sake of your health.

Start Exercising

Exercising is one of the best ways to reduce work-related stress, but its benefits go beyond the feeling of relief. Exercise affects both your mental and physical health, which can only result in your overall health improvement. You can choose from many types of workouts and intensity levels, depending on your goals. Sometimes even a walk can help you feel better.

Organize Your Time at Home

Just like organizing your time at work, you should create a planner for your house chores. If you have a significant other, ask them to do laundry or cook while you’re grocery shopping. Some housework can be done once a week, some only once a month. Make sure to write those down and set your own pace. That way, you won’t be overburdened or exhausted from doing too many chores at the same time.

Seek Professional Help

There’s no shame in admitting you’re overwhelmed and stressed. Stress can be hard to deal with by yourself, and you can always seek professional help. If your mental health condition is more severe, chances are you’ll be prescribed therapy. If not, a simple talk can lift the burden off your shoulders.

Preempt Any Problems

Home repairs always involve a lot of stress and hassle, so it’s worth avoiding them as much as you can. Put some effort into preventing anything from needing work done. With an open channel flow system, for example, you could protect electronics and other areas. It’ll let you relax knowing your home is taken care of.

Summary

What you need to know is that there are many ways you can deal with stress at work. Work-life balance might be hard to achieve, but it’s not impossible. While you’re at work, schedule your tasks, listen to music, and practice effective communication with the people around you. Once you come home, forget about your job, and do something you enjoy. As we said, exercise can help. If all else fails, don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help. The sooner you start dealing with your stressors, the sooner you’ll be able to cope with them.

Addicted To The Outdoors? Head Outside To Launch A New Career

September 3, 2020 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

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The year 2020 will be remembered for the worldwide pandemic and the havoc that it has caused. However, for many people, it will also be remembered as the year when people took a step back, reflected, and changed their careers. Many individuals are realizing that life is so much more than the eight hours every day that are spent in front of a laptop. Rather than slogging away for another twenty years working in an unsatisfying job, you might want to follow a passion and do something with your days that leaves you feeling satisfied. If you want to wave goodbye to the office and say hello to the great outdoors, check out these careers that could help you find your professional mojo.

Gardener

If you love nothing more than pottering in your garden, tending to your plants, and crafting exquisite floral and shrub designs, why not use your horticultural skills in a career? Working in other people’s gardens, at a heritage site, or within the grounds of a country house could leave you feeling more fulfilled. Being outside will help you to feel more at one with nature and tap into your need for greenery, nature, and fresh air. Arm yourself with some power tools like one of the many powerful Gardner Denver positive displacement blowers on the market, a petrol strimmer, a mower, and some hedge clipping tools.

Consider taking a qualification so you can back up your self taught skills with a certification. This will give you a springboard for your new business or career. Create a portfolio of the garden jobs you complete such as setting up a vegetable patch, an alpine garden, and a water feature.

Construction

Some people enjoy being outside on a building site. The world of construction is ideal for those individuals who love being outdoors and have a mathematical mind. Building sites always throw up a whole host of problems from drainage to utilities. If you are solution-focused and love solving problems, you might enjoy project managing on a building site. Creating homes, public buildings, or new commercial dwellings could allow you flex your creative muscles and utilize some of the skills you have picked up when office-based.

Conservation

If you care about the environment and you are passionate about working outside while showing off your eco-credentials, you might want to work in conservation. Working in a national park or at a local nature reserve could see you preserving plants and foliage for future generations. Protecting these species from extinction means that you will create habitats for wildlife and endeavor to maintain a natural status quo. You could educate others about conservation, set up guided walks, and encourage community involvement in your conservation initiatives.

Enjoying time outside doesn’t have to just be something you do as a hobby at the weekend. It’s time to take a step back and work out what you want from your professional life. Follow this guide and you could have the great outdoors as your new office.

What Is A Ransomware Attack – And Is Your Business Protected?

September 1, 2020 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

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Ransomware attacks are on the rise. These forms of cyberattack can be extremely costly for businesses. By taking the right precautions, you can defend yourself against ransomware. Here is a brief guide as to some of the protective measures that you can take.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a malicious form of software that downloads itself onto a victim’s computer, usually as a result of clicking on a deceptive link. The software blocks access to the victim’s files and data, threatening to delete or permanently encrypt the data unless a ransom is paid. The value of the ransom can vary depending on who the attack is targeted at – small businesses are often asked to pay tens of thousands of dollars. Most businesses that pay the ransom do not recover financially and many are still unable to recover their data afterwards.

How to protect your business from ransomware

There are many security measures that you can take to ward off ransomware attacks. Below are some of the best ways to protect yourself.

Be wary of hyperlinks in emails

The most common way in which cybercriminals plant ransomware is via hyperlinks found in phishing emails. Such emails that may look as if they’ve come from an official institution such as a bank or the government or even from a prospective client. Links are often disguised as innocent website addresses so that you click on them. They can sometimes be very hard to detect as a result.

The best defence is to take caution when clicking on any link in an email. Even if you think that you know the contact, it’s best to exercise caution. A good email scanning tool will usually be able to detect malicious links and warn you against opening such emails.

Keep software updated

Outdated software can also provide an entry point for the ransomware virus. Make sure that any software you are using is updated so that it is as secure as possible. Software that is no longer supported poses the biggest danger – if it has had no support for several years you should upgrade to new software immediately.

Back up your data and develop a recovery plan

If your system is infected by ransomware, you can reduce the damage by having data backed up. Digital security consultants can help you to organise a backup and disaster recovery plan. By being able to fall back on your backed up data, you can avoid having to pay a ransom.

Develop a ransomware response drill

It’s worth also practicing a drill so that employees know how to respond if one of them falls trap to ransomware. This could include alerting senior staff members, alerting managed IT services and refraining from further internet activity that could increase the spread or damage of the attack.

Consider cyberinsurance

Just like insurance against burglary or insurance against floods, you can invest in insurance against cyberattacks so that if a ransom has to be paid it can be. Such insurance may also pay for any lawsuits directed at you as a result of customer data coming under threat. This could help to reduce the personal costs of a ransomware attack.