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Too Many Meetings? 13 Ways To Cut Down

A Foolproof Formula for Cutting Down on Excessive Meetings

 

Since we’ve transitioned to so many work from home employees, meetings on Zoom, Citrix and every other platform have exploded. So many meetings can have an effect on your productivity. Are you unable to complete your work because meetings are eating up your time? One study found that the average senior manager spends as much as 23 hours of their week in scheduled meetings. The figures are even higher if you add in the impromptu gatherings that occur in most workplaces.

 

There are logical reasons for why meetings tend to multiply. They provide an opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other.

 

However, when they start to feel overwhelming or pointless, they may actually lower morale and productivity.

 

Imagine what your workday would be like if meetings were less frequent and more productive. Try these suggestions for transforming your approach to meetings.

 

Making Meetings Less Frequent:

 

  1. Consult your boss. There are steps you can take on your own to cut down on meetings. However, you’ll probably make more progress if you work as a team. Ask your boss if they’re interested in developing an overall strategy.
  2. Clear the calendar. Do you attend weekly meetings whose origins are shrouded in mystery? It may be time to start from the ground up. Review each recurring meeting to ensure that it still serves a valid purpose.
  3. Call first. Make a quick phone call to see if you can resolve the relevant issues before asking your colleagues to attend a meeting. You could also try handling it on your own or asking another employee for assistance.
  4. Create meeting-free days. Take a day off from the conference room. Some companies have made a commitment to at least one day without meetings each week. This gives employees more time for tasks that benefit from deeper thought and fewer distractions.
  5. Opt out. If you’re tactful about it, you may be able to turn down meeting invitations without causing any friction. Explain your conflict and propose an alternative like using project management tools or creating internal reference materials. It also helps to have a supportive boss.

 

Making Meetings More Productive:

 

  1. Prepare an agenda. Keep your meeting on track by circulating a written agenda. It will provide a sense of direction and help participants to stick to the main subject.
  2. Limit attendance. Most experts believe that meetings are more effective when they’re limited to about 8 participants. Larger groups often experience more difficulties with communication and decision making.
  3. Shorten the time frame. Why schedule an hour-long meeting when 45 minutes will suffice? Having less time encourages greater focus and fewer conversations about items unrelated to the agenda.
  4. Finish early. Give your colleagues an incentive to be concise. Make it a habit to end meetings ahead of time when the work is completed.
  5. Stand up. Try conducting some of your meetings standing up or walking around. You’ll be less likely to want to linger on a cushioned seat because you’re sleepy. You may also think and speak more clearly when you’re on your feet.
  6. Ban browsing. Do you want to join the ranks of companies that prohibit phones and other devices from meetings? On the other hand, you may be satisfied with a policy for muting phones and using devices only for tasks relevant to the meeting.
  7. Upgrade your technology. Then again, some technology may enhance your meetings. Use video conference calls and screen sharing applications to keep things interesting and accomplish more in less time.
  8. Provide leader training. Talk with your employer about providing training for employees who conduct meetings. It may help you to build morale and achieve your objectives.

 

Meetings can encourage collaboration and strengthen professional relationships. Work with your employer to ensure that your meetings are essential and successful.

 

If you’d like some help with finding some opportunities, check our Job Search Engine.

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7 Daily Questions to Success

7 Questions to Ask Yourself to Maximize the Success of Each Day

 

Each day provides the opportunity to make your life a little better or a little worse. Most of us are too focused on surviving another day, or too distracted, to be focused on the things that matter the most to us.

 

Asking yourself questions is a great way of focusing your attention and setting your priorities. When you ask yourself something, your brain can’t help but try to answer it. Give it something worthwhile to answer.

 

Asking yourself meaningful questions on a regular basis can change your focus and your life.

 

Consider asking yourself these questions to help shape your success daily:

 

1. What is the most important thing I need to accomplish? To get the most out of each day, it’s necessary to get some things accomplished. What are the most important things you need to accomplish? How you spend your time determines the quality of your life and your degree of success.

  • Asking yourself this question each morning will give you the chance to design the day around your most important goals.

2. What am I tolerating? We tolerate too much. We’re taught to be tough, indifferent, and tolerant. But all of the things that get on your nerves take their toll after a while. You are the only person that’s going to consistently have your best interests at heart. What are you tolerating?

  • Bad relationship?
  • A stove with a broken burner?
  • A dead bush in front of your house?
  • A terrible boss?
  • An extra 30 pounds?

3. What problems or challenges do I foresee happening in the future? Most of the challenges we face in life aren’t surprises. We can reasonably predict they have a good chance of happening. We’d just rather not address them or even think about them.

  • It’s easier to prevent a disaster than to deal with it. Look into the future and be proactive.

4. What mistakes did I make today? If you never repeated a mistake, it wouldn’t take long before you were a remarkably successful person. Think of how much better your relationships would be. Think of how much better you would be at your job.

  • Identify your mistakes and make a decision not to make them again.

5. What am I grateful for? This question puts you in a great frame of mind. It reminds you that your life is already pretty good. It also gives you the courage to take smart risks. Gratitude is a powerful state to address the world from.

6. What am I looking forward to? If you have something to look forward to, you’ll feel a rush of excitement and enthusiasm. If you don’t have something to look forward to, you’ll realize that you need to make plans to do, see, or receive something exciting in the future.

7. What do I want to change about myself? We don’t come perfect right out of the box. We have to grow and change in new ways depending on what we want to accomplish.

  • Our greatest ability is the ability to adapt. In what ways do you need to adapt so that your world becomes what you want it to be?

 

How long would it take to ask yourself these questions each day? Five minutes? Do you have five minutes available each day to change your life for the better?

 

What do you predict would happen if you asked yourself these questions each day?

 

These questions will make a difference in your life if you use them regularly. Take control of your focus by asking yourself the right questions each day. What are some other questions that you believe would be valuable?

 

If you’d like some help with finding some opportunities, check our Job Search Engine.

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You Should Nail the Interview question: “What is your work style?”

What exactly is work style?

Every now and then multiple applicants apply for the same job… some get it, and some don’t. The big underlying question is : whose work style is a good fit for the position. How you interact with your colleagues, approach required tasks and manage each and every touch point in your job. But what’s the difference? When a person goes for an interview, he must know how to answer the questions of interviewer.

When you are going to answer you should remember your dreams and also that this job can fulfill your desires and aspirations. Keep a positive attitude and then respond to the open-ended questions naturally and honestly. You can highlight your work style by adopting different strategies that can be fit for the company and according to the workplace trends. You should prove yourself that you are the only person who can fit in this position.

Check out some of the tips listed here for a little extra boost when answering questions about work style that can help make you best candidate for the job.

How to answer the questions

 

When the interviewer asked you a question about your work style then your answer must be impressive. For example:

  • You can tell him that your work style is flexible.
  • You can work at one project at a time but that will be quickly and efficiently.
  • You need a team work for checking the errors to get the best results.
  • Your clear communication skills can bring out the best in any project.
  • You come early in the office and work till late night with full devotion.
  • You finish your work before the deadline and help other coworkers to complete their projects as well.
  • If you ever do not understand your assigned task then you always consult with your team members to ensure that we all are on the same track.
  • Try to avoid the descriptive words and mention a short story to support your claim.

Be brief:

You should answer the questions briefly. You should just stick to the actual point and should focus on the things that can explain your brilliant skills and talent that is perfect for the job and workplace trends are according to the requirement. 

Do research:

Before going for an interview you should do a complete research about the company and their environment so you can easily answer the questions about your work style according to the situation and you may get job easily.

Improve your way of speaking:

You should also focus on your way of speaking not only with the manager but also with other employees. If this is the requirement for a job where there is a need for constant communication then you should impress the interviewer by explaining your great communication skills that you can be connected through E-mails, phone calls and other physical meetings. The combination of communication tactics are one of the most important requirement for the job.

Be honest:

When you are speaking about the workplace trends you should be honest in sharing your views. If you’re not a fan of early morning meetings, say “I think I can contribute more effectively to afternoon meetings.” 

 

Get to know yourself and your work style

Several resources and self-tests are available to help you with this process. Take a look at how you actually process different touch points of your workflow. Calls, messages, emails, meetings, setting-up meetings. Lunch meetings, water cooler conversations. All of these, and more, make up your work style. If your goal is absolute and you have courage and motivation to reach your destination, then you can easily achieve your target with little effort. You can help to get that job by implementing  the above-mentioned guidelines. Look for more on this topic in another post later on. 

If you’re still looking for that perfect opportunity, check our own Job Search Engine

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Soft Skills- You Need to Enhance Your Marketability

Soft skills are essential

Compared to men, women often still face hurdles in finding a job for a variety of reasons.

Soft skills are often misunderstood. Many people see American women as feminists who have put aside traditional gender roles. Women in the US have many career opportunities, education, and other areas of life, but they are still facing problems and limitations. Women can benefit from recognizing hiring trends. As a result, they can use that information for creative and innovative ways of getting into the job market. Maximizing how to market your soft skills is a perfect way to do it. 

Understanding the soft skills

Soft skills are related to how to work in a professional manner and attitude. These skills are a combination of social skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and these are the same for both genders. So, in business or career environments, women may face different problems. Things like being collaborative, exercising good communication skills, being less social, maternity leave, and flexible working arrangements, etc. According to this perspective, women have to face many problems to find a job as compared to men. As a counter to this, women can focus on improving soft skills, thereby boosting workplace success.

These soft skills can likely give women an edge in the workplace:

  • Collaboration 
  • Power of influence
  • Empathy 

The soft skills that women often tend to bring to the workplace are referred to as transformational leadership, encouraged motivation and communication.

Collaboration

So, knowing how to collaborate plays a vital role in the workplace for each department. Work with cross-functional teams is becoming a norm because of the growing partnerships between marketing and IT to deal with digital marketing projects. Moreover, teams are located in different offices. So, collaboration is essential to work remotely from anywhere around the world. Remote technology allows companies to hire their employees globally.

Now, here a question arises, how can you improve your collaborative skills? Joining projects that may require working with new coworkers can help you to become a collaborative worker. Being able to work with diverse and remote teams can be challenging, but having these skills is an excellent key for women to compete for career opportunities.

Power of influence

Understanding how to inspire and encourage actions from your team members and business partners is an excellent thing in the workplace. Because exchanging your ideas with business partners and customers will grow your leadership potential immensely. Women need to develop this skill because it will be helpful for them to career finding and business opportunities. Professional communication style and body language are the two vital things to influence anyone. Exchanging ideas and opinions, listening to others, and leading a team can help to develop a better power of influence.

Empathy

In the modern era of time, empathy is essential for leaders, especially when it concerns women because it shows respect.  Organizations are investing customers’ experience in all aspects of their business. Having said that, it’s also crucial to shows empathy towards your work and your client. Because using empathy to understand others’ motivations, ideas, and goals can help you form connections and tackle possible conflicts effectively.

 

Some other soft skills that women must develop to get into the business market or find better career opportunities.

  • Find a mentor
  • Stay abreast of industry changes
  • Request 360 feedback
  • Seek training courses
  • Volunteer for a “stretch” project

Wrapping it

Women in can get equal opportunities as men have, by developing better soft skills, including communication skills, collaboration and keeping themselves updated to market standards.

If you happen to be looking for a new position, be sure to check out our Career Search Engine. 

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How Employee Engagement, Social Media, & Community Building Improves Brand’s Imag

Every employer wants to have a highly satisfied and happy workforce. It’s as integral to running a business as your mission, accounting practices, or company hours. Without satisfied employees, you’ll struggle to meet your bottom line, keep customers coming back, and earn recognition from industry experts. How your workforce feels equates to the image you project just as much as your ad campaigns.

 

So, how do you create a happy company?

Employee Engagement and Social Media Explained

Employee engagement goes beyond happiness. It’s the emotional commitment an employee has to an organization and its goals. Involvement in the workplace often follows leadership, which means that if leaders are in sync with your goals, there is a higher likelihood that employees will share in the sentiment. However, leaders aren’t the only ones who set the internal tone of a company. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the practice where companies take responsibility for the impact of their activities on their employees, customers, and the community at large. Companies such as Toshiba and Starbucks are known for possessing a keen sense of social responsibility, community welfare, and sustainability.

 

When you have a higher level of engagement, your business and staff will reap the benefits. An engaged workforce comes with advantages, such as improved employee retention, increased productivity and healthy workplace morale. All of this engagement can easily transfer over to other company functions, like marketing.

 

Have you ever been perusing Facebook and found inspiring images of friends who participated in a company benefit or other fundraiser? Or, maybe you saw pictures of a friend who boasts about having casual Fridays, pets in the workplace, or annual company outings that go beyond a potluck. How did those images make you feel?

 

For most of us, seeing other people thriving at work makes us curious about how we can support the mission or join the team. This is where the real magic happens for business owners. You’re essentially getting free marketing from your best sources: your employees. Let’s look at a few companies who’ve mastered employee-driven social media engagement and community building.

Patagonia Flourishes and Has Time to Play

Patagonia’s mission is simple: “We’re in business to save our home planet.” Their corporate responsibility policy promises to produce products in fair, legal, and safe working conditions throughout the supply chain. They collaborate with suppliers to get high-quality materials that keep the environment and society at their core. Patagonia works to protect migrant workers around the globe from exploitation and human trafficking.

 

But, what about in the States? The California-based company has a culture that might not fit with traditional corporate American norms. The company allows workers to set their own hours and doesn’t reward those who work excessively. In fact, the doors are locked with everyone out by 8 pm through the week and all weekend. But, it isn’t just after hours that Patagonia breaks the corporate mold; many employees can be found in wetsuits catching the perfect wave or riding bikes during the traditional workday. The outdoor company gets much in return for these non-traditional work rules. In 2013, Patagonia earned $600 million. As they continue to expand their global footprint, Patagonia enjoys loyal employees and low turnover rates.

Rolling in Community – The Boise Bicycle Project

The Boise Bicycle Project (BBP) knows a thing or two about community building. This non-profit cooperative fulfills its mission of promoting the personal, environmental, and social benefits of bicycling while bettering the lives of staff and consumers. BBP doesn’t just love bicycles, they invest in their community and want to make Boise the cycling capital of America. Through increased access to bikes for young and old alike, and the promotion of community through events and classes, BBP lives their mission, vision, and values.

 

BBP also understands the impact that fitness hobbies such as bicycling can have on overall health and wellness. Cycling offers an ecologically-responsible way to increase movement, control weight, and decrease the risk of long-term disease. Not only do they believe that a bicycle can help your physical health, but they also think that bicycling and bicycle repair can build confidence. Some people might find working with bicycles intimidating. However, at BBP everyone, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, or any other boundary, can thrive mentally and physically by enjoying a bike.

Engaging in the Science of Music at Pandora

Do you listen to music? This might seem like a silly question – I mean, who doesn’t stream music in the office, the car, or even when jogging. But, is it just music, or is it a listening experience backed by scientific data?

 

At Pandora, they take music and listening to a whole new level. By combining musicology, artificial intelligence, and computer science, experts use big data to create a personalized listening experience each time someone streams. The Music Genome Project that powers Pandora analyzes a person’s unique relationship with music to develop an individualized blend that meets a person in their comfort zone while introducing new music that they believe will resonate with the user’s preferences.

 

The employee experience at Pandora culminates in the idea of giving back. Employees work to change the music experience of consumers, which can impact their mood, life, and emotional health. Pandora is the largest streaming music provider in the U.S, connecting more than 70 million users each month. This is community building at its best.

Building Your Vision

Leaders create employee engagement. They must operate from a place of integrity, compassion, and connection with employees and consumers alike. By synchronizing your mission, with your global policies within the confines of your workforce, you’re sure to see employee engagement rise. Once your employees invest, community building can flourish throughout your company, improving your brand image.

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