Archive for job satisfaction
The Business Case for Building a Flexible Work Culture- Series Part I
Posted by: | CommentsWhy do organizations offer flexibility? Business - Business- Business. Successful accomplishment of business strategy is the primary reason for building a flexible work culture.
The majority of our employees require flexibility at some point in their careers. Research increasingly points to flexibility as one of the most important career considerations of staff, emerging leaders and even our seasoned leaders. If we do not offer this flexibility in our organizations we will lose productivity in our top talent pool and we may lose this top talent completely to our competitors. In addition to flexibility as a requirement for top talent, consider the possibility that flexibility can actually improve your organizational results.
There are many definitions of flexibility. For the purposes of this discussion we are talking about any type of flexibility that allows team members to depart from the standard schedule of an early morning start time to an early evening departure, with all hours served as face time, either at a client/customer site or at the office location. There are many articles and books written regarding the types of flexible work arrangements available. This posting will not focus on the mechanics of the arrangements but the business case behind them.
Corporate Exec or Entrepreneur – Which is Better?
Posted by: | CommentsPost by Jane K. Stimmler, contributing Women on Business writer
If you are an entrepreneur, you’ve probably experienced the look of envy on the faces of people in the corporate workforce when they find out you run your own business. They are likely thinking things like “wow, if it’s a beautiful day, you can just take the afternoon off” or “you’re so lucky you don’t have to put up with that annoying Division head.” And yes, there are many benefits to “being your own boss.”
My career began in the corporate world. After a number of years of climbing (and slipping on) the corporate ladder, I followed my entrepreneurial husband into his year-old marketing consulting business. This family “merger” was due to a set of circumstances – not a plan. In fact, though I had been happily ensconced in my corporate job, fate intervened during an economic downturn (no, not the most recent one) and presented a great opportunity for the company I was with at the time to become my client. I quickly found another client and never looked back.
Giving thanks
Posted by: | CommentsAfter a long hiatus, and a few busy weeks, I am back to blogging!
It’s amazing how time flies and we don’t realize that we haven’t seen our friends in a few weeks, haven’t gone to the gym in a while, or haven’t had a decent meal to eat because of our busy schedules.
One other thing we forget to do is to say “thank you” to our fellow colleagues or people who help us along the way.
I came across an interesting post and discussion on a Facebook page (PR in Canada) a while ago. It was in regards to saying “thank you” to a journalist for the coverage you receive for your client. I completely agree with this. Sometimes as communications people we are so busy when going through our media/call lists, that we forget to say thank you to the journalists/bloggers that helped make our clients happy.
On the other hand, let’s not forget the PR professionals who help journalists by bringing them the story, interview, etc.; which results in happier editors, publishers and readers. Everyone needs to remember that the work we do affects each other. Keep it polite and professional – always maintain that level of respect. Everyone is doing their job afterall.
My Advice, in Twenty Instructions
Posted by: | Comments1) Educate yourself.
Learning is a pleasure. Learning something new every day is a true pleasure and a gift. Free your mind from “little thinking” and give yourself an opportunity to contemplate the magnificence of being alive.
2) Follow your passions.
You are the only one of you in the world. Your unique spirit is special. Use your life to fulfill your stated purpose. Follow where your heart leads you, and trust you will find a way to turn your innermost dreams into a reality.
3) Raise your consciousness.
Much of the pain and suffering in our world relies on us believing that other people are “separate” or “wrong” or “bad” or “less than.” We are all connected, we are each human beings and we are each sparks of divine Creation. You are what you are, and others are who they are. We all are able to co-exist. When we believe that and act that way, we make a better world.
3 Lessons for CEO’s from Reality TV Show Undercover Boss
Posted by: | CommentsThe top rated CBS reality show, Undercover Boss, offers some real and valuable lessons for the business world. If you’ve never watched, the reality show follows chief executives at companies, such as Waste Management, 7-Eleven and even Hooters, as they work “undercover” alongside their unknowing employees. And although I’m not a big fan of reality TV (to say the least), I am a big fan of Undercover Boss because of the business lessons it shares.
When was the last time you operated on the line, did the work of your assistant, or went back out to make sales? You may be amazed by what you could learn. Following are three business lessons I gathered from just a few episodes of the show.
1. When you walk in my shoes, you see the business as others do (and are able to make better business decisions). Making the best decisions may require walking in the shoes of others in your company. Now it may be surprising… but some CEO’s are fairly removed from what their firms are actually delivering. The boss can become so separated from the day-to-day operations of the company that he/she can’t possibly make the best decisions. One can become so focused on reaching company goals, increasing productivity, streamlining, etc. and loose sight of how these objectives are achieved. Is it at the expense of your employees?
Work for a Jerk?
Posted by: | CommentsAt one point or another, we have all worked for a jerk. Trending analysis, client feedback and underground communication clearly indicate that mismanaged employees and boundary violations are on the rise. Managing through tough times and poor leaders is often time more difficult than the work itself. Poor leadership can range from an immediate supervisor to poor HR leadership. Noone is exempt.
Taking charge of your career and disengaging from negative forces, including a jerk of a boss is within your reach. As a Career Strategist with an organic and practiced track record of problem solving, I am focusing this weeks blog on the employee relations aspect of managing poor leadership, self preservation and maintaining your sanity.
5 Strategies to Activate NOW
#1 Document…Document…Document
Venting is short lived whereas documenting is soothing, has long range positive effects and will set you up for a chronicle of events if you need to take legal action.. Hand write your discontent in a strategy journal. This is a journal specifically dedicated to you, your work, your accomplishments and your discontent. Keep it is a safe place and use it daily. Date, time stamp and openly journal details of what is occurring. Always be sure to credit yourself for one or two accomplishments per writing. When leadership is lacking, you need to start truly leading yourself. This means crediting your daily accomplishments and cheering for yourself!
Get over it! (…the fear of being your own boss, that is)
Posted by: | CommentsLately I’ve been experiencing higher than normal anxiety, the fear that maybe it won’t all work out and heavy reliance on emotional support from friends and family. The reason for acting this way, and being totally uncool, is that I have finally decided to follow my dream of being my own boss.
That’s right, after several years of working for others while wishing I was working for myself, I have taken the plunge into the entrepreneurial pool. At times a bit overwhelming (i.e. when creating my logo, designing my website, starting the business plan, etc. ) but at other times it is highly rewarding (i.e. when you sit down with a client and get some highly creative work done).
My business is fairly new but I remain optimistic. The key to staying positive when working for yourself is to plan, plan, plan! So I have some tips for how to stay organized and motivated, and therefore, not to be fearful of having your own business.
1) Plan your day from the night before. Write down all the important things that need to be done and do them one by one. Master the art of “mono-tasking”.
Employee Brand Differentiation
Posted by: | CommentsDifferentiating oneself in the workforce today may hold the key for many employees who are keenly interested and highly motivated to survive downsizing. While it may take extra effort, the payoff can be exponentially greater both short and long range; for the employee and the company. With discipline, determination, and drive, employees can make their mark strategically, fashionably and with ingenuity.
Why Differentiate?
Much like a business, brand awareness, credibility, and association of product are important. Human capital in the workforce can benefit by applying her own brand to her professional self.
In an experience educating employees on professional branding, I shared my most closely guarded daily motivational strategy. “My day begins by going to work for Kashlak, Inc.” Chuckles and curious grins gleaned my way and silence fell upon the room of leadership.
Explaining my line of thinking further, the room quickly realized the value of having a professional brand. For the visionaries and innovators, enthusiasm and buzz elevated the room for the remainder of the session.
It was in that three syllable comment, Kashlak, Inc. that my brand was established amongst 85 clients. They “got it”! Innovation, risk, and commodity were just a few of the immediate perceptions.
Happiness in the Workplace
Posted by: | CommentsIn this current recession, one would think that anyone who has a job at this point would be happy to be gainfully employed. Research tells us that this in not the case. In fact, in a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, author Sue Shellenbarger speaks of a growing need and trend for “happiness coaching” in the workplace.
Shellenbarger says, “Employee satisfaction has hit the lowest level in the 22 year history of the Conference Board’s annual survey on the topic. Only 45% of U.S. workers are satisfied with their jobs, down from 52% in 2005 and 61% in 1987, says this 5,000 household study.”
The recent emphasis on “happiness coaching” at work is supported with business cases that show employees’ positive attitudes are good for business. Companies with more satisfied employees earn higher profit and better customer satisfaction ratings and their employees miss less work.
According to Shellenbarger, “A 2001 study at the University of Michigan says people who are experiencing joy or contentment are able to think more broadly and creatively, accepting a wider variety of possible actions…..”
