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.

Flexibility is not exclusively about part time work. Many types of flexibility involve no reduction in the amount of hours worked. In fact, many types of flexibility involve only one dimension of work structure, such as location, amount of travel or timeframe of the hours worked. There are many dimensions to work structure. Each of these dimensions can be considered when offering flexibility options to team members which in turn gives organizations many options.

The days of flexibility centered on “flex-time” programs and individual “accommodation” has past. Organizations that are making flexible work cultures a success are doing so by using flexibility and the building of a “flexible work culture” as a business strategy that supports business goals directly. Each organization will have a slightly different emphasis in their business case for flexibility. The business case should be directly tied to the strategic plan of the organization which will drive the prioritization of the flexibility business case components specific to each organization.

The list below includes many common business goals .  Flexibility can assist in the accomplishment of these business goals. These business goals should be prioritized based on applicability to the organization and customized with actual organizational data when formulating the business case for specific organizational flexibility.  The upcoming posts in this series will focus on each of these business goals and how flexibility can assist an organization accomplishing these goals.

Employee Attraction and Retention ; Improved Productivity; Improved Customer Service and Satisfaction; Effective Operational Management

Stay tuned for Part II of this series….

Mary L Bennett, mlbennettconsulting.com

First and foremost let me share that I do not believe in the term work/life balance.  Everything I have learned personally as a working mother and senior executive and have also learned from other women executives, managers and staff tells me that the phrase “work/life balance” may do us more harm then good.   Balance implies the image of the old scale that had a point of perfect balance when both sides of the scale had even amounts of weight placed upon them.   The work/life balance scale implies work on one side, life on the other and a very special point of perfect balance.  Most of us know that the “very special point of perfect balance” very rarely or never comes.   In working with women leaders I have found the term work/life integration to be much more realistic.   Work is part of our life and as such is one element to be integrated in according to our personal vision of the life we want to build.  Creating a personal customized vision of how we want to integrate the various elements of our lives, the roles we play, including work- is a success strategy of many women leaders I have coached.   So why is work/life integration the most talked about barrier?   Work/life conflict is traditionally understood and easy to see.

When organizations set out to work on the lack of advancement of women or uneven gender diversity in leadership – the assumption is often made that if the issue of “flexibility” can be dealt with the problem will be solved.  Why is this?  Because women have children and other roles and commitments outside of work that are still perceived ( and may actually be) more time consuming than their male counterparts.  In the posts on WOB, we have talked about barriers other then work/life conflicts that interfere with the advancement of women in organizations.  Lack of career/advocacy and visibility of successful female role models.  These two barriers are interwoven with the issues of work/life conflict.  Women need strong advocates that can conceive of different models of work /life integration other then those demonstrated by the male leaders that have come before.  Women also need female role models that represent multiple and diverse models of career/life integration.  Despite common misperception- not all women will choose to handle career and life integration in the same manner.  Personal values, support systems, experiences, role specifics and many other elements influence the best choice for any given woman leader. 

Women also tend to strengthen the myth that work/life conflicts are the primary element that cause women to derail from the leadership tracks or to leave organizations altogether.  When a woman has made the decision not to pursue a path within a particular organization it is much easier for her to reference work/life conflicts then to discuss a lack of career advoacacy and mentoring or to talk about the fact that women don’t appear to succeed in this organization as often as men.  At that point they are no longer vested in the organization and will tell the male leaders what they already believe to be the cause for the woman’s departure.  Many women had shared full scope reasons for leaving organizations with me as a coach but intend only to tell their supervisors that they need an “easier schedule” or a different environment to work in that will support working parents.   In some cases, women do not even realize how much of a difference an organization with leaders that understand how to support new models of career customization can make in retaining and ensuring women continue to advance.  It is difficult for women to envision how it may be done differently in the organization if it never has been done differently.  The first few women who succeed as pioneers need organizational support in paving the way.

There are many many role models and examples of women who have succeeded in building a life that integrates work with other priorities in a way that works well for them.  This is a barrier that can be dealt with.  It requires solid reflection by the women leader on her life and her aspirations for integrating all aspects of her life according to her personal life vision.  It also requires organizations to support early pioneers, new models of success, and to make visible as many diverse models of success as possible.

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.

It’s been a constant learning experience, with moments of great triumph and many disappointments too. For all the positive aspects that have made women start up their own small businesses in droves – independence, flexibility, creating your own vision – there are also many downsides. Juggling to deliver your goods and services while maintaining sales, that feeling of not having a ‘big stage’ anymore, dealing financial realities like taxes and healthcare that you’d never thought about,  realizing that if you take a vacation, it’s going to be without pay… But, when I realized recently that we were entering our twentieth (really!) year of business, I couldn’t help feeling a sense of satisfaction.

We have managed to sustain a successful business amidst all the twists and turns of both the economy and the business of marketing. Though there are no formal celebrations – it’s not like getting a promotion at a large company, for example – we have done good (maybe even fantastic at times) work for great clients year after year. And the work is challenging and ever-changing as clients and projects change. Still, I admit a twinge of envy when my friend mentions her all expenses paid conference in Palm Beach.

All in all though, to coin an old Judy Collins song, ‘I’ve looked at business from both sides now’… and I’d say that, for me, each came at the right time in my life. I’ve truly enjoyed, and learned from both sets of experiences.

What do you think? Please share!

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.

This is applicable to anyone, whether you work in communications, law, accounting, medicine, etc. Think about the people you interact with on a daily basis. How many people do we show our gratitude to? Remember to show appreciation to the people who help you out on a project, refer clients to you, etc.  The more we work on this, the better we do in our working relationships and the happier we are at the end of the day in our careers.

If you’ve fallen behind on your “thank yous”, start today. You’ll notice a huge improvement in your mood and your reputation!

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.

4) Find a mentor or a role model.
Learn from others who embody your highest and most conscious truths. People like Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Gandhi all demonstrated true acceptance, equality, and recognition of our equal nature. Learn from any lessons your role models may be able to share. They have created a path for you: you do not need to follow in their exact footsteps, but you definitely learn from their examples.

5) Volunteer.
Volunteering and doing pro bono work are effective ways to contribute to your community and “step outside” of your own reality for a few hours or a few days.

6) Learn how to maintain your own finances.
Learn about your money and keep a positive relationship with its growth and flow. Money is about exchange of energy: feelings of abundance or lack are connected to your own energetic feelings about how you are participating with the Universe.

7) Computer skills: get them.
Train yourself, read books, or take a class: it’s a fact of the 21st century that your ability to use standard programs will make a difference when you present information, share ideas, and collaborate remotely.

Keep a values list.
Keep your list of values in your wallet, on your wall, and by your nightstand. Continually strive to demonstrate these values in your life. Your life *is* your message.

9) Cultivate friendships in your life.
Seek like-minded people who will be your companions (literally, someone you eat bread with), and who will support you in your path. During times of joy as well as in extreme sorrow, your friends help remind you who you really are.

10) Take care of your body.
Your body serves you for the rest of your life, so feed yourself as well as you are able, drink water, exercise, and take all things in moderation. Note any kinds of extreme behavior and understand what drives that behavior. Your body is a great gauge for how your spirit is interacting with your environment.

11) Sleep.
Rest, relaxation, and deep sleep restore your mind, spirit, and body. Good sleep gives you much of the energy you need every day.

12) Care for living things.
Find a small patch of garden or some potted plants, or take care of a pet. Your respect and practice in this area trickles over into other areas of your life.

13) Love your loved ones every day.
Relationships thrive on constant renewal. Your sacred duty is to turn every new day into another opportunity to recognize the spirit and oneness in all of us. Love and feel loved. Practice loving your loved ones as well as your enemies. We are all connected.

14) Whatever you pay attention to becomes a reality in your life.
Choose wisely.

15) Learn a language, play a musical instrument, join a team, share your talent.
Foster communication, create community, and play with others by sharing your joy with them. Peace begins with understanding— conversation, music, and sharing help us remember we are all inhabitants on Earth, our shared planet.

16) Dance.
Every day, do a little jig, stretch your arms to the sky, or wiggle. Most living things move, sway, and stretch: remind yourself of your precious life by dancing.

17) Respect for others begins with respect for yourself.
Strive to treat yourself the same way you treat others: you are fair to others, you are kind to others, you are thoughtful of others’ needs: do the same for yourself. The more you understand yourself and feel the spirit within you, the more you recognize this same connection with others.

18) Talk with the people who raised you.
Your first relationship with the outside world began through those who raised you as a child. Revisit yourself and your relationships with parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. The more you recognize these specific individuals as people (not just as your caregivers) the more you break free of any holdovers or past “conditioning” in your current experience of life. They are who they are. You are who you are.

19) Move towards compassion.
True compassion means more than sympathy notes, tut-tuts, or listening to complaining. True compassion means recognizing who someone is underneath their exterior. Compassion is reaching out and creating a bridge between you and another person. The kind of compassion that gives life and eases sorrow or pain is the kind that recognizes the “oneness” within all.

20) Share.
Your life touches other lives in amazing ways. In the time you are here, you have an opportunity to complete your purpose. Share your knowledge, share your skills, share your home, share your experiences, share your abilities. Look within and find what it is that most yearns to be created, set free, or developed: that in-dwelling spark is the part of you that is everlasting and that touches those around you.

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?

The COO of Waste Management cleaned out port-a-potties using a long vacuum tube, picked up garbage on the side of the road, and collected trash in a garbage truck.  His perception of his employees and what they do and how they have to do it changed dramatically. He was so far removed from the process that he lost sight of the hard work and effort put in by his employees that made the company what it was.

Would you be willing to participate in the different jobs and roles in your company?

2.  Listening to your employees that are having direct contact with your clients is invaluable. Do you have a method for listening to the valuable suggestions of others (beyond a “complaint box” that has remained locked since the early 90’s) that will actually help the firm?

Each episode of Undercover Boss reveals that employees desire a voice in improving the company. When the big boss, while undercover, asks the employees about their jobs, challenges and personal lives, they receive an avalanche of information. The employees talk about their financial difficulties, health issues, job stress and fears of being fired.

A female garbage truck driver at Waste Management shared that corporate has mandated a strict quota for trash pick-up that means she must go to the bathroom in a coffee can because she doesn’t have time to stop at a restroom. The undercover boss was shocked at what his mandates were doing to the morale and humanity of some workers.  Once his identity was revealed, he asked the garbage truck driver to head a committee that will find ways to make Waste Management more female-friendly.

What techniques could you implement to encouragement your employees to share their concerns and feedback regarding the company?

3. Morale can be improved by authentic understanding and appreciation – not just money. Many employees don’t receive sincere appreciation from above in their company, especially coming from a place of hands on knowledge. It’s not just money – it’s understanding and acknowledgment that cultivates morale. People want to know that their efforts aren’t going unnoticed. In each episode, after the undercover bosses were revealed, the boss acknowledges the workers face-to-face. It’s a reality show tear jerker (and for good reason) because of how the appreciation from the big boss resonates with the workers.

Just think – a reality show that can be applied to improving real life. Next up – critical life lessons from Dancing With The Stars (just joking).

 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! 

 #2  Keep the Personal Out of Professional

 Remind yourself that you accepted your position to offer professional skills in lieu of pay.  That is it!  Nothing more!  While it is a bonus if you make a friend or two in the workplace, your primary focus must be on your skills and honing them.   If you have a jerk as a boss or a leader who leads you to feel uncomfortable, steer clear.  You are under no obligation to take part.  If you think you can out maneuver the person…perhaps you can but you will be far better served if you develop a strategy focusing on your accomplishments and becoming successful than trying to “play the game”.

 #3  Remove Fear from your Vocabulary

 There is a reason the famous quote “there is nothing to fear but fear itself” has stood the test of time.  Use it.  Get out from behind your fears and exercise your courage.  This does not mean randomly acting out, but rather, put a plan in place on making your move to either sustain the existing workplace dysfunction OR exit the company.  Planning your work and working your plan is powerful.   Have dedicated hobbies outside of work.  This will give you something positive and productive to look forward to and feed your focus on you.

 #4 Stop living above your means NOW

 If you cannot quit your job due to financial restraints, start cutting back on your luxury spending and live beneath your means.  Start paying yourself first by banking as much as you can.  Make a game out of stashing away extra money.  You will gain power over yourself which will bring a heightened sense of confidence into the workplace.  Your boss may be curious about seeing a change in your however, never needs to know why the change.  Remember Rule #2???  Keep personal to yourself.

 #5  Take Action.

 If you have been spoken to inappropriately, asked to divulge personal information, felt emotionally violated to the point of crying or coerced to conform in what may be perceived as a borderline “touchy feely, cultish” environment, stand your ground and exercise your voice.  The EEOC is always available to file charges especially if on the job allegations are not being dealt with.  Environmental harassment is NEVER ok.   Once you speak up, you are protected by the law from any further wrongdoing.  Get Moving!

 For more information:  www.eeoc.gov.

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”.

2)      Mono-task! I heard about this new concept from an article from Forbes.com that a client of mine sent to me. The art of mono-tasking means to spend an allotted amount of time on one task at a time. What a concept! In a world where we are told to strut our multi-tasking abilities, mono-tasking tells us that it is okay to do one task at a time – you’ll get more quality work done! So put away your BlackBerry and stop checking your e-mail for the next hour, it’s time to mono-task!

3)      Start your morning with a nice cup of coffee and read something motivational. Whether it’s an article from an entrepreneurial magazine re: a success story, an e-mail from a friend telling you how proud they are of you starting your own business, or if it’s just a motivational Tweet. Whatever it is, find it, read it and stay motivated!

4)      Don’t be lazy. Wake up early and remember your goals and where you want to be in a year to five years from now. Work towards those goals each day.

5)      Exercise and eat right. I kept reading about this and how important it is for your mind and body and didn’t really give it much thought until I started my business. It makes a huge difference when I eat right and have time to squeeze in a trip to the gym – you feel re-energized and motivated. So if you’re too tired to get to the gym, at the risk of sounding like a slogan for a famous sportswear company, just do it!

Until next week, stay motivated.

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. 

As human resources professionals take on more than ever, risk mitigation, healthy human capital psyche, and strategic innovation are all consuming.

Asking employees to identify their brand is as simple as developing a brand for a business.  What do you want to be known for?   What are your best attributes?  What is your greatest brag? 

 The Payoff.

Helping employees understand professional brand differentiation in the workplace will lead to an overall healthy psyche of employees as long as the brands are exercised on a regular basis.  The three D’s are crucial during the first 30 days of this exercise and must be reinforced by the department head.

The benefits of differentiating include:

•         No cost to the company as the exercise can be set up simply during a standard meeting.
•        Increased self esteem, covetable skills, and increased productivity.  
•        A focus on natural strengths and talents.
•        Individualization and self worth.
•        Appreciation of strengths in others.
•        Elevated internal resource identification by employee for special projects or expert advice.
•        Retention of top talent.
•        Leveraging talent strengths which are visible and respected in functioning teams.
•        Many more!

 Do not wait…Differentiate!! 

 Get Moving!!

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…..”

Let’s face it. We all experience some degree of dissatisfaction with our employment at one time or another; that’s reality. The focus of this current trend of “happiness coaching” is to create your own contentment and joy from within. The premise is that if you are happy with yourself, you are less likely to be affected dramatically by negative influences. Your inner peace creates a shield in a way from any external negative forces.

Any activity or practice that helps you achieve this inner contentment and joy is recommended; exercise, yoga, meditation, daily success or gratitude journals. All of these contribute to a positive state of mind.

For women, it is especially important to learn to “let go” of the negative influences at work whether they be conflict with a co-worker or your boss. “Letting go” of negative emotions and conflict  is often a challenge for women. This affects their job satisfaction.

Focus on what is meaningful about your work. Look for ways to infuse your life with positivity. If there is too much dissatisfaction with your current position that it is impossible to find anything positive, it’s time to move on. Life is too short.

Just make sure that you don’t bring your negative frame of mind with you to your next job!