Category: Corporate Life

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Executive Assistant Staffing in Chicago: Unlocking Business Potential

Companies with strong, dynamic EAs tend to thrive, and building such a team without experienced executive assistant staffing can be challenging.

In today’s fast-paced business world, successful entrepreneurs know that growth relies on smooth operations, which means having a skilled executive team is non-negotiable. Imagine an executive assistant (EA) who does more than manage appointments—someone who actively contributes to attracting new customers, elevating the brand, and even driving strategy. Companies with strong, dynamic EAs tend to thrive, and building such a team without experienced executive assistant staffing—like that available in Chicago—can be challenging.

Executive Assistants are Prerequisite for Corporate Success

Skilled EAs jump right in, often handling hiring processes, managing team operations, and even supporting customer service. It’s not just about lessening workloads; it’s about transforming the way a business runs. A talented EA can take on complex assignments that go far beyond typical administrative tasks, making them a trusted asset in both routine and high-stakes activities.

The best EAs typically have 5-10 years of experience. They are strategic thinkers who anticipate the needs of their executives, navigating fast-paced environments with ease. Because they work so closely with leadership, a high level of trust is essential—they’re often privy to personal and business-sensitive information. With strong ethics and a commitment to confidentiality, they become not just assistants, but integral advisors. Executive assistant staffing in Chicago can be difficult due to the sheer volume of applicants, but with the right recruiting, you’ll find some of the best talent in the country.

Building a Strong Executive Team: Staffing Options

There are multiple paths to hiring an EA, each with unique benefits:

  • Temp-to-Hire Staffing: Allows companies to bring on a temp EA and decide later if they’re the right long-term fit.
  • Contract Staffing: Ideal for project-based needs, bringing in an EA for short-term support.
  • Direct Hire Staffing: Working with a staffing agency to find a permanent EA who fits your team culture and goals.
  • Contract-to-Hire Staffing: Gives the company a trial period to evaluate performance before making a permanent offer.

Leveraging EAs for Business Development

A good EA goes beyond scheduling. For example, they can manage a company’s CRM, keeping lead information updated and well-organized. Imagine how much time you save by having your EA prepare targeted outreach campaigns with tools like Mailchimp and HubSpot, segmenting your audience and creating personalized messages that resonate with different customer groups.

Conclusion

Great EAs don’t get bogged down in routine tasks. They’re innovators, bringing fresh ideas and a strategic mindset that energizes the team. With the right EA, companies can supercharge growth and bring new perspectives to the table. Top-tier executive assistant staffing in Chicago starts with  is a powerful step toward sustainable growth and success.

The Ultimate Guide to Corporate Gifting: How to Choose and Personalize the Perfect Gifts for Your Clients and Employees

Corporate gifting is one such gesture that, when done correctly, can reinforce relationships, inspire employees, and deepen connections with clients.

The most cherished gifts for employees are often those that align with the recipient’s interests. Investing a little time to get to know your employees or clients can go a long way in gift selection. Are they a connoisseur of gourmet food? A wine enthusiast? An avid reader? Or perhaps they are passionate about a specific cause. Using this knowledge, you can select gifts that they will truly appreciate, such as a subscription to a niche magazine, a bottle of fine wine, or a donation to their favorite charity in their name.

Corporate gifting is one such gesture that, when done correctly, can reinforce relationships, inspire employees, and deepen connections with clients. However, the process of selecting the perfect gift can sometimes feel overwhelming. This guide is here to help you navigate the complexities of corporate gifting, ensuring that your tokens of appreciation are always meaningful and well-received.

The Significance of Corporate Gifting: More Than Just a Token

Before we venture into the world of gift selection and personalization, let’s take a moment to understand the true importance of corporate gifting. It isn’t merely a formality, or a task to be checked off during festive seasons. Rather, it’s a strategic instrument that creates a sense of goodwill, nurtures loyalty, and is a tangible representation of your company’s values.

Imagine giving your employees a thoughtful gift that shows you not only value their work but also recognize their individuality. The positivity from this act can significantly enhance their morale, spark creativity, and improve overall productivity. Similarly, a carefully chosen gifts for a client or a business partner can reinforce your appreciation for their alliance and your commitment to a long-standing relationship.

Discovering the Perfect Gift: It’s Not One Size Fits All

When it comes to gift selection, several key factors come into play:

1. Knowing Your Recipient:

The most cherished gifts are often those that align with the recipient’s interests. Investing a little time to get to know your employees or clients can go a long way in gift selection. Are they a connoisseur of gourmet food? A wine enthusiast? An avid reader? Or perhaps they are passionate about a specific cause. Using this knowledge, you can select gifts that they will truly appreciate, such as a subscription to a niche magazine, a bottle of fine wine, or a donation to their favorite charity in their name.

2. Reflecting Your Brand:

It’s important for your gift to also echo your company’s brand and ethos. For instance, if your company is a strong advocate of environmental sustainability, consider gifts that are eco-friendly. If your business is all about cutting-edge technology, then a tech-oriented gift could be a great choice.

3. Being Mindful of Cultural Sensitivities:

In an increasingly global business landscape, it’s crucial to be aware of cultural differences and sensitivities. What might be a harmless gift in one culture could have a completely different connotation in another. So, do your homework before making your selection.

4. Prioritizing Quality:

The quality of your gift is a direct reflection of your brand. An inferior quality gift could tarnish your reputation, so always opt for high-quality gifts, even if they are simple.

Injecting a Personal Touch: Making Your Corporate Gifts Stand Out

Choosing the right gift is only half the battle. Personalizing it elevates your gift from good to unforgettable, making the recipient feel genuinely valued. Here’s how you can add a personal touch to your corporate gifts:

1. Bespoke Packaging:

Think of the packaging as the first impression of your gift. Custom packaging, featuring the recipient’s name or a personal message, creates a lasting impact. It shows that you’ve put in the time and effort to make the gift unique to them.

2. Handwritten Notes:

In this digital age, a handwritten note has the charm of a bygone era and can make a significant difference. It could be a simple note expressing gratitude or a message acknowledging their specific contributions to the organization. It’s a small touch, but one that carries a lot of weight.

3. Personalized Items:

Consider gifts that are personalized to the recipient. This could include monogrammed stationery, custom-made accessories, or even personalized candles engraved with your brand’s logo, and which can be crafted by a company specializing in Candle Makery. These gifts can not only show that you put thought into the gift, but they also provide a lasting reminder of your appreciation.

4. Tailored Experiences:

Experiences can often be more memorable than physical gifts. Consider providing a unique experience based on the recipient’s interests. For the foodie, this could be a cooking class with a renowned chef. For the tech enthusiast, it could be a coding workshop. For the health-conscious employee, a wellness retreat or yoga class package could be just the right fit. These experiences show that you understand and appreciate their unique interests.

Planning Ahead:

Great corporate gifting requires planning. Keep track of important dates, like work anniversaries or significant milestones, to surprise your employees or clients with a gift. This shows that you’re paying attention and appreciate their hard work or loyalty.

Understanding Legal and Ethical Considerations:

Finally, it’s essential to understand the legal and ethical considerations around corporate gifting. Ensure that your gifts do not violate any laws or company policies, and they should never be given with the expectation of receiving something in return. The goal of corporate gifting is to show appreciation and build relationships, not to curry favor or influence decisions.

In conclusion, corporate gifting is a powerful tool that can build stronger relationships, foster a positive work environment, and help your business grow. However, it’s not just about buying and giving gifts. The true magic lies in choosing a gift that resonates with the recipient and personalizing it to show your genuine appreciation. With a little thought and effort, your corporate gifts can leave a lasting impression and strengthen the bonds between you, your team, and your clients.



5 Ideas To Help Improve Company Culture

Improving company culture is key to success. You can start by creating a safe space for your employees and opening up opportunities for professional development.

Improving company culture is key to success. You can start by creating a safe space for your employees and opening up opportunities for professional development. Here are some more tips to help you improve your company culture for the best results.

1. Establish Purpose

One of the best ways to boost your team culture includes establishing purpose. It can take any of the following forms.

• Circulating your company’s core values
• Posting your company mission statement
• Specifying project timelines
• Setting clear expectations for your team members
• Holding regular meetings for all departments where people can share their progress.

By clarifying the focus of the company, your team will have a proper sense of direction and support. If every employee has an idea of how they fit into the bigger picture, their productivity will improve. Even better, they are going to become motivated because they feel that their work matters. Look through various business strategy books to learn how to build a purpose for your business. An asset management executive search will help you complete your team.



2. Open Up Communication

When there isn’t forthcoming communication, employees are likely going to feel stifled or out of the loop. If your team members have any suggestions that can help boost performance, you should provide them with a space where they can speak their minds. Additionally, if you don’t communicate your expectations or updates about where projects are heading, your team members are likely going to feel undervalued, disengaged and directionless.

Some of the best ways to help open up communication include the following;

• Being available for your employees
• Listening to feedback
• Setting up an anonymous feedback system
• Checking in on your employees regularly, one-on-one sessions
• Encouraging collaboration across different teams

Besides opening up communication between managers and employees, you should ask your team members to cooperate across various departments. Your team will have a better idea of what their colleagues do at work. Additionally, your employees will be inspired about hearing different viewpoints and working styles. It’s also a good time to focus on developing team-building skills.

3. Always Lead By Example

Always lead by example if you are looking for a way to boost company culture. Yes, it’s commendable to articulate your company’s mission statement and values. However, if you want a lasting change, you need to make sure these concepts are seen through with actions.

It is important to lead by example because your employees will start trusting the company. For instance, if you practice level 10 integrity, your employees are going to experience a lot of cognitive dissonances if management starts engaging in unethical behavior. It also leads to employees becoming less productive and disengaging altogether. If you are unable to lead by example, start learning today.

4. Create Psychological Safety

It refers to a situation where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves. As an employer, you need to create a psychologically safe environment. As such, your workplace will become more pleasant since employees will feel included and recognized for their hard work. They will also feel bold enough to take risks and come up with new innovations without any fear or retaliation in the event of failure.

Some of the best ways to create a psychologically safe workplace include the following.

• Make sure everyone feels respected, regardless of their role
• Create committees for underrepresented groups, sexual harassment and other important initiatives
• Avoid micromanaging and give employees autonomy
• Create an environment of reform without retribution when your employees make mistakes

By creating a psychologically safe place, you will uplift your team. Your team will have an equal chance at success thereby boosting innovation and productivity.

5. Schedule Team Building

Team building is a great way to create friendships among your employees. Here, they can communicate informally and learn each individual’s strengths. Team building will lighten workplace relationships and create strong bonds. Employees will become more invested in each other. It’s also a great way to show that you care for people’s well-being and are invested in their lives. Create the best team-building events and activities for your employees for the best results.



How to Coordinate Between At-Home and In-Office Workers

With the right tools in place, at home and in-office workers can work together seamlessly. Here are some of the best methods for making this happen.

In today’s business world, it is more common than ever to have both employees who work in the office and those who work at home. Some may even switch back and forth. Although this can be a wonderful way to reduce overhead costs, it can also present some challenges when it comes to coordination and communication. Fortunately, with the right tools in place, you can make sure you’re at home and in-office workers can work together seamlessly. Here are some of the best methods for making this happen.

Get Organized

First, consider the logistics of working with home and office employees. You will need to decide how work will be assigned and how deadlines will be communicated. You will also need to decide how meetings and other events will be managed. It may help to have a shared calendar and spreadsheet that everyone can access. You can avoid potential problems down the road by planning these things out in advance.

The next step is to consider the technology you need to use to coordinate between at-home and in-office workers. All employees should be able to communicate easily and effectively, regardless of where they are located. This can be achieved in diverse ways. One straightforward way to coordinate work and communication is to use the cloud for sharing work files and a chat application for real-time communication between everyone.



Leverage the Cloud

By implementing a cloud desktop hosting solution, all employees can access the same files and applications, regardless of where they are located. Using a system like this is advantageous because it is scalable, it can be accessed from anywhere, and it reduces the risk of data loss during a disaster. Having everyone on the same page is a fantastic way to ensure that essential information isn’t lost in translation.

Use a Chat Application

Any business relies heavily on communication. The ways we can communicate with each other have changed dramatically over the last few decades, from making phone calls to sending emails. Recent innovations in communication include the use of chat applications such as Slack and Microsoft Teams. Through these, employees can communicate more easily and make important decisions together. It can also help them resolve issues quickly and effectively.

Conclusion

When your workforce is split apart, it can seem difficult to keep your business running smoothly. However, modern technological advances have enabled people to communicate more easily than ever before. Utilize these strategies to keep your in-office and at-home workers on the same page.



5 Reasons Why Working From Home Is the New Golden Standard

There are many reasons to work from home. If possible, take advantage of these perks and enjoy a better work/life balance.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed everyone’s lives, some for the worse and some for the better. Many people were allowed to work from home rather than commuting to an office. This was a positive change for many people, as there are many benefits to working from home.

Less Commute Time

It isn’t unusual for commuters to spend 100 hours commuting as well as 41 hours stuck in traffic each year. People living in high-traffic areas, such as San Francisco or Washington, D.C., spend even more time in the car. This commuting wastes valuable time for commuters and adds stress and anxiety to already difficult workdays. This stress can lead to higher cholesterol, increased risk of depression, and elevated blood sugar levels.

Cutting out the commute time to work from home direct sales job also allows many people to get more sleep each day, which allows them to have an overall healthier lifestyle. Not having a commute is likely to improve mental and physical health. The time saved can allow workers to spend more time with family, work out, or even eat a healthy breakfast.



Improved Work/Life Balance

Today, balancing work and personal time is important. Working remotely allows people to have more leisure time and better control over their time. Not having to commute to work gives people more time for other activities. It could mean slower mornings with a little more sleep. Having more time could mean there is time to eat breakfast with the family or enjoy a cup of coffee with a good book or TV show. Working at home allows time for eating a healthier breakfast.

Throughout the day, anyone working at home rather than in the office has more flexibility to take breaks when they are needed. They can get that second cup of coffee or grab a snack when necessary. Some people also find time to work out during their lunch break or spend time with a spouse. Work and life can begin to merge again and priorities can be realigned.

Increased Productivity

Working from home may take a bit of time to adjust to, but most employees find they can get more work done with fewer interruptions. There is less office drama and fewer conversations in the break room to get caught up in. There are fewer meetings and people to talk to and more time to get the work done. There are also no office politics to deal with daily.

Save Money

Working at home provides a great economic advantage. No longer do workers have to purchase and wear professional clothing, except maybe from the waist up for online meetings. Employees will save money by not having to purchase gas, and will reduce the mileage and wear and tear on vehicles. Car insurance will also likely be less expensive since the total miles driven will decrease.

Improved Mental Health

COVID-19 has impacted everyone and added stress and anxiety to lives. People who have mental health conditions may be able to better manage their lives at home. It allows them more privacy, they can work when and how they want, and they are healthier in the end.

There are many reasons to work from home. If possible, take advantage of these perks and enjoy a better work/life balance.



Developing Diversity – 5 Benefits Of Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Encouraging neurodiversity in the workplace is highly beneficial, not just for neurodiverse individuals but for everyone else on your team and the business as a whole.

Encouraging neurodiversity in the workplace is highly beneficial, not just for neurodiverse individuals but for everyone else on your team and the business as a whole. Today, we’ll be exploring some ways in which neurodiversity can promote a better environment for all involved and how this can lead to better business outcomes.

More Diverse Team

The first and most obvious benefit of neurodiversity in the workplace is that it leads to a more diverse team overall. Everybody brings unique skills and experiences to the table, and by promoting workplace diversity, your company gets to benefit from a wider range of backgrounds.

New Ideas

People who have had different experiences often view things in a different light. This is great for your business because the more diverse your team is, the more fresh ideas they’ll be able to bring to the table. New and unexpected ideas can give you an edge over the competition – such ideas are, after all, how industries are reinvented.

Within your business, you’ll find that workplace diversity promotes collaboration. Team members will work harder and more cohesively to bring their ideas to life if they see that they’re appreciated and can make a real difference.



Higher Productivity 

Speaking of better collaboration, working together naturally lends itself to higher productivity. Each team member gets to focus on utilizing their skill set to create the best outcomes possible, and the result is a profitable boost in productivity.

People who are surrounded by a more diverse team are also often more productive individually as the environment promotes a sense that anyone can succeed within your company. This means you’ll benefit from more output at a higher quality, and you may even be the company that produces the next game-changing product or service.

Positive Company Culture

On a more personal level, neurodiversity in the workplace also helps to build a more positive culture. When people see that you value lifting your employees up, a more positive vibe is formed in the workplace. This leads to everyone enjoying a better sense of well-being and a sense of being more connected to their workmates.

Everyone obviously wants to feel as good as they can, so positive company culture is clearly a good thing for your workers. However, it’s also highly beneficial for your business. Happy, healthy employees produce better results. This means you can expect to see a further increase in both productivity and quality of work.

When these improvements lead to bonuses or promotions, you can end up with a self-perpetuating cycle of positive change, which all began thanks to a little neurodiversity. That’s a pretty good perk if you ask us.

Improved Retention Rates

Thanks to all of the other benefits outlined in this article, neurodiversity in the workplace can also greatly improve your staff retention rates. People like working in places where they’re valued, and their work is appreciated. So if you can create a positive culture in which everyone gets a fair go and then back that up by rewarding employees when they do well, they’re going to be far more likely to stick around. This is particularly important when you consider the fact that it costs a whole lot more to hire and train someone new than it does to keep an existing employee.

Now that you have a better understanding of how neurodiversity in the workplace can benefit your business, why not review your current policies? Minor tweaks could mean major improvements, so it’s certainly worth a little upfront effort.



How to Hold More Visually Engaging Company and Business Meetings

Knowing how to hold company and business meetings that are visually engaging will prevent this and make you more effective at communication.

Meetings are a crucial part of communication with both employees and clients alike in your business. However, they can also be opportunities for people who you want to listen to mentally check out. Knowing how to hold company and business meetings that are visually engaging will prevent this and make you more effective at communication.

Know Your Message

In order to find the right visuals for your meetings, you need to know what your message is. A very simple part of any messaging is going to be theme or mood, and you don’t want to choose imagery that conflicts with this. For instance, if you need to hold a meeting where you might be announcing layoffs, then images of sunshine, puppies, and rainbows might backfire hard. Yet, they could work if you’re rolling out an initiative that will hopefully spring your company into new success.

Know Your Audience

How well do you know your employees and clients? If you can do subtle market research that finds out their favorite colors, or at least the ones they respond well to, then you might choose two or three primary colors for your visual presentation to connect with them on a fundamental psychological level.



AVEX

Professional help, such as the experts at AVEX, are useful resources to hire if you want your meetings to make a real impact. Doing everything in-house might seem appealing if you want to save money, but this is more of an investment than a cost. A business that can truly convey its narrative to those who are listening will wind up growing its success.

Test Run Your Content

Once you have at least a basic version of your multimedia meeting content ready, test-run it with a sample audience. Get feedback from relevant individuals about how engaging it was, and ask them what the message was. At the least, they should be able to recite the gist of it back to you. You should judge your success based on their personal attention during the content but also their body language afterward.

Your Employees and Clients Are Tech-Savvy

Your current employees and business clients are pretty savvy when it comes to modern technology. They might not know how to hold company and business meetings that are more visually engaging, but they’ll certainly know when you put in the serious effort or not. Don’t let them down, and they’ll respond well to your messaging.



4 Tips for Giving Support to an Employee Who Was Injured on the Job

When an employee is injured on the job, it can be a difficult time for everyone involved. Here are tips for supporting an employee who was injured on the job.

When an employee is injured on the job, it can be a difficult time for everyone involved. The employee may be in pain and worried about their future, while the manager and coworkers may be trying to provide support but not sure what to do or say. This article will explore four tips for supporting an employee who was injured on the job.

Be Understanding and Supportive

Being understanding and supportive helps ease tension and stress. An injury related to work can sometimes make an employee feel like they have let their employer down which could cause them to feel guilty or ashamed. It’s important that managers do what they can to help employees understand that injuries happen in many workplaces. This should never be taken personally by anyone who experienced an injury at work, especially when both parties followed proper safety protocols.

Help Out With Paperwork and Other Tasks

When an employee is hurt on the job, they may need to work with a work site accident attorney to receive a workman’s compensation. Managers can help out with the paperwork and other tasks related to workman’s compensation by letting employees know of the forms that need to be filled out and what information needs to be provided.



Let Them Take Time off to Recover

If the injury is severe, it’s important to let the employee take time off to recover fully. This doesn’t mean they can take an indefinite amount of time off, but rather a reasonable amount of time that will allow them to heal and return to work when they feel ready. In some cases, if the injury is minor, returning to work on a modified schedule may be best for both parties involved.

Prevent Future Injuries From Occurring

The best way to do this is by creating safety protocols, having employees sign off on these protocols, and making sure everyone follows them properly at all times. In many cases, future injuries can be prevented if everyone takes the necessary steps to ensure their own personal safety while also taking care of each other professionally.

An injury at work can be a stressful time for everyone involved. The manager and coworkers should do what they can to support the injured employee, even if this means making some adjustments along the way so that they feel like their needs are being heard by those in charge.



Benefits of Cloud Storage for Remote Workers

Remote work has become increasingly popular in the past few years. Storing files in the Cloud can help remote workers stay productive and organized.

Remote work has become increasingly popular in the past few years. Storing files in the Cloud can help remote workers stay productive, organized and many more benefits, including the following.

Simplified Infrastructure

When you move your company to the Cloud, you’ll enjoy a wide range of benefits, including simplified IT infrastructure, increased innovation, and reduced expenses. Cloud storage for remote workers is just one of the many advantages of moving your business to the Cloud. With the Cloud, you can quickly scale your IT infrastructure up or down to meet your needs, making it the perfect solution for businesses of all sizes.

You’ll also be able to reduce your IT expenses by consolidating your hardware and software purchases into a single monthly bill. And with the Cloud, you’ll have access to a wealth of innovative new services that can help you grow your business. You can also take advantage of tools such as a cloud readiness assessment to analyze your current network landscape, among other benefits.



Access Your Files from Anywhere

Cloud storage is a great way to keep your files accessible from anywhere. If you’re a remote worker, this can be especially important, as it allows you to access your files no matter where you are accessible. Cloud storage has made it possible for people to work remotely with the same level of productivity that they would have in the office.

Share Files with Others

Another significant benefit of using cloud storage for remote workers is that it allows you to share files with others easily. It can come in handy if you need to collaborate with someone on a project or if you need to send a file to someone else. Cloud storage makes sharing files quick and easy, so you can get the job done without hassle.

Create Backups of Your File

One of the essential features of using cloud storage is that it automatically backs up all your files. It can be beneficial if something happens to your computer or accidentally deletes a file. If you back up your files to the Cloud, you can quickly restore them at any time. Besides, it is also an excellent feature for remote workers, as they need all their files available at any given time.

Final Remarks

The benefits of using cloud storage for remote workers are endless. Whether you’re in the office or on location, your data is safe and secure, with no worries about how to back up all that information. Cloud-based storage can also get accessed from anywhere, so there’s never a worry about finding access to files when you need them most.



Are Cubicles Barriers of the Past?

While cubicles can be helpful in some contexts, it’s important to take some time to figure out if this common piece of office furniture still has a place in your office.

For better or worse, cubicles, the slightly padded half-walls forming barriers between office workers, are quite ubiquitous. As office trends change, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the question becomes if cubicles will still reign supreme in the future. While cubicles can be helpful in some contexts, it’s important to take some time to figure out if this common piece of office furniture still has a place in your office.

Lack of Color

One of the most noticeable traits of many cubicles is that they lack color. Beige and gray are the two most common colors of cubicle walls, resulting in an ultra-boring office environment. Colors, both exciting and calming, are an important part of a well-designed commercial space, meaning that colorful cubicles, or the lack of cubicles entirely, are the best options.

Focus

While cubicles certainly have their drawbacks, there is one area in which they help greatly: employee focus. If employees can only see what’s immediately around them, they will be less likely to waste time talking to other employees about items unrelated to work. Of course, since cubicles do offer some degree of privacy, there is always a chance that your employees will take advantage of this privacy to waste time anyway.



Difficulties During Emergencies

Although cubicles might not seem dangerous at first glance, they can cause issues in the event of an emergency. If your employees need to evacuate, the multiple rows of cubicles will make it more difficult for them to find a direct path to an exit. If you choose other types of office furniture for your company, though, your employees will have a much easier way out if something goes wrong.

Stigma

If you’re seeking to develop a modern office environment that is inviting for younger employees, it’s a good idea to ditch the cubicle. Modern employees want open and inviting spaces that remind them of home. Although cubicles might be the easiest option for furnishing your office, you don’t want your company to be outdated and risk losing top talent simply because you’re unwilling to change.

Look Before You Leap

Making changes to your office can be a big investment. That’s why you want to take time to work with a professional designer before you make the leap and perform office renovations. If your current furnishings are in good condition, try to see if there’s a market for your existing equipment before spending a lot of money on new equipment. This will help you get the most bang for your buck and ensure everyone wins. A great way to save money is by going through a liquidation or wholesale company. For example, National Office Wholesale offers both decommissioning and liquidation, which can be a great resource for companies looking for removing your old furniture such as cubicles and getting new furniture too.



Ways to Make Your Lobby More Comfortable for Clients

Inviting clients into an unwelcome office can lead to a negative first impression, potentially bad for business. Below are some tips you should consider to prevent clients from stepping into an uncomfortable lobby.

Inviting clients into an unwelcome office can lead to a negative first impression, potentially bad for business. One of the first steps you can take to make the space more inviting and pleasant includes updating furniture such as chair and table hire, keeping temperatures enjoyable, providing refreshments, and more. Below are some tips you should consider to prevent clients from stepping into an uncomfortable lobby.

Offer Refreshments

Clients may want a drink of water to cool down on days with warm temperatures or some hot tea in the cooler months. Regardless of their preferences, it is best to have the options available at all times. Simple refreshments could be beneficial to someone who didn’t have time to stop by a store or café before their appointment; however, receiving the refreshments will make visitors feel valued and your company more considerate.



Comfortable Chairs

Remember that clients are likely to arrive early and have to sit in the lobby until their appointment. In some instances, your previous meetings may run over, causing the clients to sit for a bit longer. In these instances, you want to ensure that your guests have somewhere comfortable to sit, and older, unkempt chairs or couches are a terrible idea. Keep in mind that some of these clients could think the way your office furniture suits guests is how you focus on developing your products and services, and when poorly, they may refuse to do business with you now or in the future.

Deep Cleaning

When clients walk into the lobby, they should go into a clean space that is safe for their physical health. Although you cannot control specific issues, especially those caused by other people, you can take precautions and clean the area thoroughly. The steps you take should eliminate odors, mildews, treat smoking smells caused by other guests, viral loads caused by coughs, sneezes, and more. With deep cleaning and products like those from NuVinAir, you can disinfect your lobby and keep clients comfortable.

Attentive Front Desk Staff

Walking into the lobby and being greeted with a warm smile and positive attitude could make your clients feel welcome. When you hire a front desk staff member, it would be good to choose someone attentive, positive, and able to deal with large crowds and challenging situations, such as rude visitors. However, make sure your staff knows that they can report unacceptable behavior; just as they should be respectful, so should the individuals who enter the lobby. Everyone should feel comfortable.

The first time to make an impression on clients is when they walk into your lobby. Therefore, it is beneficial to use the tips mentioned above to help clients feel comfortable.



Large scale corporate event planning checklist: a how-to guide

A successful event begins with proper planning, whether offline or online. But for large scale events, such as those involving hundreds of attendees and notable personalities, you want to plan your event with utmost care and security.

The emergence of several live video conference platforms has prompted many businesses and hosts to schedule their events online. However, offline open-space events are here to stay.

A successful event begins with proper planning, whether offline or online. But for large scale events, such as those involving hundreds of attendees and notable personalities, you want to plan your event with utmost care and security.

Don’t feel lost; here are valuable tips to help you plan towards a successful large scale event.

1.  Get in line with all key players

While you may be going over the event planning with a sense of urgency, not everyone may be on the same page with you. But to successfully put together that monumental event, you need all executives to share the same goals and timelines with you. If not, critical decisions that must be made now may not be addressed early enough until the last minute.

Get in touch with your team members and decision-makers. Share ideas regarding venue, budget, party speaker hire, creative direction, and whatever is required for that specific event.

2.  Fix the date

Locking down a specific date is an essential aspect of large scale event planning.

Since there will be many guests, including notable personalities attending the event, it’s vital you lock down the date so that everyone knows what day to plan towards. This prevents a considerable number of potential attendees from being unable to attend because the date changed.

Reach out to all the executives involved to agree on a date that suits all relevant parties.

Once you have fixed this date, it’s time to inform your workshop leaders, speakers, entertainers, and all other parties playing key roles in the event.

It’s also a great idea to include a fun section that serves as a perk for attendees.

3.  Ensure the venue suits the event’s objective

Venue matters. For massive events, you want to have an extensive auditorium or field that can accommodate a large crowd. It is an added advantage if you can get a theatre-seating to enable all attendees to see the speaker from all positions.

If the event would involve some meet-and-greets, it’s wise to find a venue with several mixed-use spaces like conference rooms.

If you’re looking to attract attendees from far and wide, a venue with a tourism appeal can get the job done.

4.  Put security and crowd control in place

Remember that hundreds of people will attend the event, including renowned personalities in society. Therefore, well-rounded security is pivotal to the event’s success to ensure the life and property of every executive, guest, and attendee are safe. It’s advisable to hire security for event as this is an essential checklist for every large scale event planning.

You can get in touch with a private security company and give them the date, venue, and details so they can station the correct number of personnel at the right points. These people can also serve as crowd control. Otherwise, contact the proper party who can carry out this duty for you.

5.  Construct an emergency plan

Every large-scale event requires a clear emergency plan. From fire outbreaks to power outages and violence, the people need to know where emergency exits are located so they can scamper to safety when the undesirable occurs.

The security team you’ve hired would typically be involved in this.

Below is a safety checklist for crowded events:

Go over the venue before the show begins to ensure all emergency exits are open and accessible.

Create a sign or language by which all team members and security personnel can communicate, understand, and respond in case of emergencies.

Have a backup generator or lighting if the power goes out so attendees can find their way around.

Station security personnel in all high-risk areas and exits.



6.  Place proper signage

A large-scale event will most likely involve the registration of attendees and the availability of utilities. A vital checklist for such massive events should therefore include designated areas for:

  • Registration
  • Smoking
  • Toilet
  • Potential hazards
  • Staff areas, etc.

Put up signage and arrows in vantage points so that the attendees understand the environment and locate such areas with ease.

7.  Streamline check-in

An ugly beginning can ruin an entire event you’ve worked so hard to build. Your attendees may get frustrated even before the event begins if they have to stand in queue and wait for hours on end to register or check in to the venue. This can weaken the high-spirited mood you’ve intended right from the start, leading to a negative experience for your guests.

Some practical ways to avoid such frustrations include:

  • Stationing self-check-in kiosks
  • Creating an app for easy registration
  • Availing several entry points
  • Giving out tickets so attendees can simply present theirs at the points of entry
  • A help-desk to cater to attendees’ challenges without holding up the line.

8.  Expect worst-case scenarios

While planning for the best, expect the worst. Doing so will help you identify those things that can go wrong, thereby prompting you to plan for them as well.

Brainstorm with your team to identify these points and avail appropriate solutions beforehand.

Some things that can go wrong during an event include:

Problem: Poor weather grounds a speaker’s flight.

Possible solution: Involve thought leaders within the company in the topics to be discussed. In the unavailability of the guest speaker, such thought leaders can make speeches and conversations that would offer value to the attendees.

Problem: Generator or some other essential equipment going faulty

Possible Solution: Have at least a backup for all essential equipment. This would cost money but not having them can hamper the smooth flow and effectiveness of your event.

9.  Make sure you have a team member for every function

Every organization’s success lies in the strength of the entire team, which is a function of each member’s contribution. So it is with an event. Although you may be the event director or project manager, each team member of your creative team will play a vital role as they all come with their strengths and weaknesses. While some reach out to speakers and vendors, some may be better at checking up with contacts or coordinating schedules with ease. Ensure you harness the strengths towards the success of this big upcoming event.

Conclusion

Where possible, allow your team to strive beyond their comfort zone. Communicate and seek ideas from them for your event, find out what they think rather than impose orders on them all the time, and you’ll realize how much creativity and insight they bring to the table.



Amazing Ways To Get Through An Exhausting Workday

Sometimes you can have the luxury to call it a day off at work, but other days you have to go through the workday.

It is the d-day, you have a presentation to give and attend meetings with important clients, but your mind and body are too exhausted to do any of it. We all have been through such days at work. It can be hard to get through such hectic days with a tired body and mind.

Sometimes you can have the luxury to call it a day off at work, but other days you have to go through the workday. Such hectic workdays can put you under a lot of stress and pressure. Getting by those days feels like a victory to many. You may face difficulty in doing even menial work.

Although, you can do many things listed here to cope up and get through with an exhausting workday.

Dealing With Stress & Pain

Sometimes the cause of the inability to work and exhaustion is underlying pain. According to Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, approximately fifteen percent of the working adult population reported having pain daily or most days. Severe or chronic pain can degrade your productivity and impact your performance at work.

Back pain and headache can also cause fatigue and exhaustion and even slow you down while working. Pain management is essential to have a productive day.

Recently, many people have started using kratom to manage pain and stress. Kratom is a tree that grows in Southeast Asia. Alkaloids and chemical compounds in the kratom leaves stimulate receptors that help in managing pain and stress. Kratom herbs can help to relieve pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue and improve sleep quality.

You can use kratom to manage stress and pain in the workplace. Kratom comes in various forms such as tea, capsules, etc. Do not consume kratom in high doses at the workplace to avoid any side effects such as dizziness, nausea, etc. Using kratom can help boost your energy to deal with exhaustion. However, you can find more info here on tackling fatigue and lethargy on a hectic day.

Avoid Overdosing On Caffeine

We jump to a cup of coffee whenever we feel sleepy or tired. However, caffeine intake should be within the limit. Overdosing on caffeine has several negative impacts on your body and health. You must avoid depending on caffeine for energy.

Consuming caffeine more than the recommended amount regularly can cause health problems such as irregular heartbeat and seizures. You can get yourself dehydrated with too much caffeine and may feel even more tired. Difficulty in concentration and headache is also among the side-effects of too much caffeine. A headache can make your workday harder, so keep a tab on your coffee intake to have a productive day.

Short Breaks In Between

Sitting on a desk for straight 8-9 hours is not easy when you are already feeling exhausted. Taking short breaks in between will help you in getting through the day. Go out in the fresh air if you can to refresh your mind. Chatting with a colleague about something other than work will also lighten up your mood. Walking around the office and stretching will also relieve any accumulated muscle tension. Order a salad bowl on the lunch break to replenish yourself with some energy.



Do Work That Interests You

If your energy level is low and you are stuck in tedious and repetitive work, most likely, you will doze off to sleep. On such days, if you have the freedom to prioritize your work, try doing work that interests you rather than consuming yourself in tasks that may put you to sleep on a regular day.

Choose any project or work which you find interesting and may require more interaction with your colleagues. You will find yourself a lot more productive with interesting projects than with mundane and dull work. Having a positive attitude and the right mindset is essential to manage stress. Taking deep breaths in between will also keep you calm and focused on your work even when you are tired.

Maintain Water Intake

It is essential to keep yourself away from dehydration. Make sure that you maintain water intake to overcome lethargy and fatigue. Drink cold water above room temperature for a refreshing lift. Cleaning your face with cold water in between can also help. You can treat yourself to ice cream too.

Get a Good Night Sleep

There is nothing compared to a good night’s sleep after an exhausting workday. Avoid overworking yourself after work and clear your schedule in the night to pamper yourself with your favorite food and a good night’s sleep. Prioritize your health and give your body some rest in the night to feel energetic in the morning.

Conclusion

Feeling stressed on a chaotic workday is natural. Allow yourself to relax whenever you feel any stress and anxiety. Keeping a relaxed mind will help you in doing every task effectively that comes your way. Consuming well-balanced nutritious food and some exercise at the start of the day will keep you energetic throughout the day. Your health is as important as your work, so don’t overtire yourself with work. Maintain a balance between your work and health and take a day off sometimes.



7 Tips to devise a corporate wellness plan

Corporate wellness is an initiative undertaken by employers to safeguard the overall health of their workers by integrating carefully tailored fitness programs into their daily routines.

Workplace burnout is a common phenomenon nowadays. It plagues almost everyone who works under long spells. In such a scenario, a well-designed workplace wellness plan acts as a saving grace. But what is the best workplace wellness plan, formally known as a ‘corporate well-being,’ and how do we maneuver our way through one?

Company wellness program is an initiative undertaken by employers to safeguard the overall health of their workers by integrating carefully tailored fitness programs into their daily routines. Such programs target to enhance workers’ overall potential by taking care of their essential needs in a workplace. Modern corporate wellness initiatives consider the concept of maintaining a balanced lifestyle through consistent and concentrated efforts.

Fret not; we have a comprehensive list that shall help you design the best corporate wellness plan.

Here are our seven tested and tried tips.

1.  Know Your Employees

Do not expect a drastic change in the game. It is very crucial to remain level-headed while assessing any situation. Start with the basics and identify the environmental stressors. It is not enough for you to introduce yoga sessions out of the blow, try yoga rotorua. Managing anxiety in the workplace necessitates more than a few mindfulness exercises or a weekly yoga session. Always consider how individuals operate in the workplace and how they interact with others.

In short, you should know your employee. Call a meeting, talk, initiate ideas and ask them what might work out best for the company’s overall well-being. Managers must recognize that for employees to succeed effectively.

2.  Evaluate Health Risks and implement Corporate Fitness

Risk evaluation is a powerful method that gives you a logical structure for planning and managing your project. The primary goal of health risk assessments is to educate staff about the consequences of bad lifestyle decisions. A corporate fitness plan with metrics to monitor nutrition, exercise, tension, sleep, mental well-being, and biometric details like blood pressure and cholesterol is essential.

The organization can introduce health supplements like Canadian Anabolic Steroids and other additional brands for overall health benefits. However, implementing these techniques and fitness plans shall rest on the employees at the end of the day. Employers must in no way impose restrictions such as banning elevator trips, cigarette breaks, or fast food orders. The directions should be smooth, and employees, like everyone else, need time and space to adopt the wellness plans.

3.  Organize a Survey

Investing in corporate wellness programs can pay off in the long run for your business. The first step is to gather information about those who the health plan may directly impact. Employees, on the whole, make poor decisions about health due to lack of a proper routine under work pressure.

In such a case, it is always beneficial to approach the employees directly – a well-being survey is a perfect way to find out what employees think about their healthcare initiatives and what they want.

4.  Managing Your Workflow

The best business is one that is self-sufficient and capable of adjusting to unprecedented changes. A customizable workflow solution is more dependable as it follows a customizable tried-and-true workflow. Keep in mind that the amount of time you spend working isn’t a reliable indicator of your progress.



5.  Self Care is Key

Quality of work reigns supreme when weighed against quantity. Thus employees must practice self-care in the office or at home since we work remotely due to Covid19. At the most basic level, self-care entails ensuring that you are doing everything necessary to maintain your physical and mental health. Many people struggle with physical self-care because they never seem to have enough time or resources to do the things they feel they should do, such as exercise regularly or eat well.

6.  Introduce Competitions and Rewards

Employees who work in a healthier environment are more likely to be healthy themselves. It’s no wonder that more businesses are investing in wellness programs to inspire their employees to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Running, diet, awareness challenges, sustainability, and sleep challenges are only a few examples of practical challenges that companies can run to improve their overall health.

The difficulty comes from doing them regularly and making them a regular part of one’s daily routine. To keep participants from being overwhelmed, resist the temptation to adopt too many new habits all at once. Instead, gradually introduce new patterns one at a time. Seek beyond conventional fitness competitions to reward activities that foster a healthy work atmosphere for long-term results.

7.  Be the Standard you are trying to Achieve

Support from the company’s leadership is critical to the success of your wellness program. Leaders set the tone for their teams by setting examples in daily activities. On-site health education seminars, free medical screenings, health coaching, weight loss, stress management, wellness clubs, on-site training programs and facilities, health club memberships, on-site kitchens, nutritious food options, and business wellness competitions are a few examples of wellness solutions offered by companies over the years. As a leader, you must sign up for these so that your employees follow suit.

Conclusion

Corporate Wellness programs are a holistic approach to the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of employees. By fostering a “culture of health,” companies aim to amplify the transformative qualities of their employers. Although it may not always be an effortless task to design a corporate wellness program since many factors require consideration, our list proves that it is never impossible. Organizing and implementing an in-house wellness program can be made easy by adopting effective strategies.



5 Tips to stay in shape while working at desk

Here are the top five tips for maintaining your health and staying fit while working from home.

Fitness is the basis of your vital functions and requires the right kind of nutrition. If you’re willing to stay in shape, you must follow a well-balanced diet. Also, you can try the tips to maintain your fitness while working on the desk. Stay mindful of your posture and try to sit erect during work hours. You might prepare the meals at the start of the day itself to avoid future disturbances. Along with this, practice some practical desk exercises to get the blood flowing in your body. Also, check out the tips for how to stop slouching and maintaing good body posture.

Here are the top five tips for maintaining your health and staying fit while working from home.

1.  Rethink Your Diet

Most people end up munching on some unhealthy snacks while working. If you’re working from home during the pandemic scenario, you must consider the balanced diet options. Refrain from binge-eating your favorite chocolates or snacks and try to replace them with healthy alternatives. Also, you can prepare fresh fruit juices to give yourself the much-needed nutrients. Instead of eating sugar-laden snacks, try your favorite fruits to cut down the sugar cravings. You can maintain your weight by including more protein food sources in your diet. Some options to consider are protein smoothies, egg whites, and chicken breasts.

Such foods energize you throughout the day and keep you away from binge eating. Also, it can promote healthy sleep and rectify sleep-related issues. Make sure to watch your diet on your fitness journey right from the desk. And, if you’re unsure about which diet would best suit your body and specific needs, it’s a good idea to consult with a personal trainer. A Personal Trainer can offer valuable guidance not only in selecting the right exercises tailored to your weight and body type but also in planning a diet that complements your fitness goals. They can assess your individual requirements and create a customized plan that supports your overall health and fitness objectives.

2.  Take Adequate Nutrition

COVID-19 took over the world by surprise and is the primary reason behind health issues, whether mental or physical. You can stay fit and improve your muscle development with the dietary supplements available. If you have been into heavy exercise then buy shrooms online to boost the metabolism, make sure you also eat enough nutrition to get the most out of it. Other than this, you can take various vitamins after getting the blood work or a doctor’s consultation. Such measures ensure proper metabolic functions and minimize the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Some natural supplements that you can try are green tea, CBD, and beta-glucans. With the proper nutrition, the risk of weight gain reduces almost two folds. Not to forget, it can help you lose some weight while working on your desk. Choose the proper nutrition at home for maximum fitness and health benefits.

3.  Do Some Desk Exercises

Did you know that you can work out from your desk and lose the extra pounds? You can energize your working hours with easy yet effective desk workout options. Just when you feel that you’re tired of working, you can use your chair to perform a few tricep dips. Also, try to enhance the blood circulation in your arms with the arm pulses. Another way to do the same is through arm circles that tone your biceps and keep the forearm pains at bay. Some exercises to perform when you feel like taking a break are desk push-ups or chair squats.

You can include the lower body exercises in your office workout regime like chair squats, standing rear pulses, and leg raises. Such workouts are pretty effective in dealing with extreme drowsiness and help you get your focus back. Not to forget, you may lose a few pounds as the heart rate races up. We have your workout guide, resource, and buddy here for you, try AppRateUs.

4.  Choose The Right Posture

Another thing that matters in maintaining fitness is your posture while you work. You must refrain from slumping or bending too low while working on the laptop. Also, try to keep a stance with your hips and knees at a right angle. This ensures proper joint mobility and curbs the muscular aches that tend to occur on prolonged sitting. You might want to correct the posture as soon as you notice the defective sitting technique. That way, you can stay away from spinal deformities, lower backaches, and other mobility issues.

Lousy posture for long hours can misalign your spine and disturb the balanced posture. It will affect your physical health, and also leads to pain-induced anxiety and loss of concentration. Hence, it’s crucial to keep a check on your posture while working from the desk.

5.  Drink Plenty Of Fluids

Many people take the hydration requirements for granted while working from home. If you wish to stay in shape, you must drink at least 2-3 Liters of fluid per day. You need to refill your bottle as soon as it gets empty and stay hydrated. Also, you can include fruit juices and smoothies in your work schedule. It helps in maintaining metabolic functions and might help you shed a few pounds. A well-hydrated body can concentrate and perform tasks in an efficient manner. Hence, you must drink your fluids to stay healthy and lose some weight.

Final Verdict

Work-life can be pretty hectic and keep you from maintaining your fitness goals. If you wish to lose some pounds while working from home, you must follow the essential tips and tricks. Try to stay hydrated and watch your snacking habits during work hours. Also, replace the unhealthy snacks with some fresh and healthy ones. You can perform desk workouts to maintain your concentration and lose some calories. Such small tips can promote a healthy metabolism and help you get rid of the extra fats. In the end, choose the correct posture and refrain from slumping too much while working.

7 Effective tips for maintaining work-life balance while WFH

Here are the top ways to transform your work from home schedule into a relaxing and productive one.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a significant life-changing experience for every person, be it the kids or the working professionals. There’s a constant struggle to adapt and move forward with the ongoing changes in the surroundings. If you’re a working professional who’s stuck in the work-from-home scenario, maintaining work-life balance is an even more difficult task. You need to sit back, plan your day, and execute the plans to the maximum. Also, try to incorporate relaxing habits like exercises and morning routines to curb work-related stress.

Here are the top ways to transform your work-from-home schedule into a relaxing and productive one.

1.  Practice A Morning Routine

One of the best ways to unwind and start your day on a positive note is through a morning routine. You must kickstart the day with a few activities that you love. It could be journaling your thoughts or simply gazing at the sun during the early morning hours. With the rejuvenating morning routine, you can stay away from stress, anxiety, and constant shifts in the mood. Also, it sets a relaxing tune for the work-grind that may accompany throughout the day. Some effective ways to start your morning are coffee rituals, cold showers, or a few minutes of yoga under the sun.

2.  Make A Home Office

Another easy and effective tip for maintaining the work-life balance is by designating a full-fledged workspace. While working from home, the usual house chores and activities may distract you often. With a peaceful and separate workspace, you can focus on the task at hand and relax later. Also, keep in mind to work at the space assigned and leave it as soon as you sign off from work. Not only will it train your mind to focus while in the workspace, but it also allows you to relax during non-working hours.

3.  Stick To Healthy Snacking

Nutrition is the key to focus and stimulate your mind during working hours. You must provide your brain cells with the right kind of food while working. Also, try to replace the sugar-laden snacks with some healthy alternatives like fruits and juices. Some nutritious snacks to curb mid-meal hunger are herbal teas, roasted nuts, and protein bars. You can use cbd tinctures, as there are many benefits of CBD tincture like calming and relaxing effects to prepare the rejuvenating herbal tea at home. It may help you focus on work and relax during non-working hours.



4.  Get Moving Often

The workout routine is yet another way to develop a work-life balance and recharge your body daily. You must take out at least 30 minutes either before or after work to do some workout or physical training. Also, try to designate a specific time of the day to your workout schedule for maximum benefits. It may promote a healthy immune response, boost your metabolism, and curb mental health issues. Not to forget, you are less likely to gain extra pounds with a full-fledged exercise routine. It evokes a sense of accomplishment and creates a thin line between your work and personal life.

5.  Create A Work Schedule

Most people overlook the importance of creating specific work hours and keeping the rest for personal leisure. If you wish to keep your professional and personal life separate, you must devote only a specific part of your day to work. It keeps your sanity intact and provides some time for socializing with your loved ones. Also, you can relax and recharge for the next day during the rest of the hours. Try to plan out specific hours for different to-dos and stick to them no matter what.

6.  Make Time For Self-Care

Working for the entire day without significant breaks might affect your mental health up to a great extent. Also, the long hours you spend on your laptop may affect your health and lead to persistent headaches. After you get done with your working hours, try to practice some self-care activities. It could be anything from a nourishing skin-care routine to sitting down with a relaxing podcast like Better Than Yesterday that will help to calm your nerves down. For the days when you can’t think of any specific activity, just head out for a long drive with your partner. Not only will it give you some extra time to relax, but it also strengthens your relationships.

7.  Prepare Your Food 

While working from home, you may end up ordering food way more than usual. It exposes you to a risk of infection and compromises the daily nutritional requirements of your body. Instead of relying on food delivery, you must prepare your food. It gives you some extra time off work and provides an opportunity to showcase your creativity. Try to create the right blend of taste and as well as nutrients and prepare healthy meals. Some options to try during work-from-home are pesto pasta, hummus bowl, and lentil soup.

Final Verdict

With the coronavirus pandemic around the corner, maintaining the work-life balance may seem like a daunting task. Work-from-home might affect your mental health in case you end up working all day long. While getting things done from home, you must create a thin line between professional and personal life. Start by designating a specific workspace for office hours. Also, you can begin the day with a morning routine that doesn’t revolve around your work. Try to create an exercise routine and prepare your lunch in between the working hours. Such small steps may prove to be effective in reducing work stress and enhancing productivity.



5 Tips to stay productive and distraction-free while working at home

Working from home is becoming a corporate norm everywhere in the world. According to a recent report, 74 percent of workers are willing to switch to a job that allows remote working.

Working from home is becoming a corporate norm everywhere in the world. According to a recent report, 74 percent of workers are willing to switch to a job that allows remote working.

With an expanding industry of cloud innovations, advanced technology, and collaboration tools, more individuals can work more productively from any place while staying connected with the employer and team members. Moreover, some organizations have started understanding the benefits of remote working and are being accommodative. The above report also suggests that 83 percent of employees communicate with remote workers using the newest technology now.

While a few workplaces are considering expanding work from home, it can be quite trying for some workers. Errands, access to television, and kids can distract remote workers and affect their efficiency levels.

According to a survey report by Glassdoor, 32 percent of workers say that television is the number one distraction when working from home, another 27 percent say that childcare is a great distraction.

In this article, we have come up with tips to boost productivity levels and eliminate distractions when working from home.

Start your day with a Self-Care routine

It is easier to maintain discipline when working traditionally, from the office. The structural organization of tasks is what kept us focused and energetic in that routine. This is the reason that you need a morning self-care routine when working from home as well.

The time that you previously spent commuting can be used for various healthy activities now – including meditation, exercise, journal keeping, etc. You can also listen to music, paint something, or simply walk on fresh grass.

A 2019 study has shown that making time for physical fitness can improve cognitive functions like critical thinking, decision-making, and memory – these skills will help you keep your focus the entire day.

Exploration shows that setting aside a few minutes for self-care is vital to better overseeing upsetting circumstances. One investigation made that taking the opportunity for actual wellness can assist with improving your cerebrum work, including your memory and critical thinking abilities.

Set up a home office

If you live individually, it is rather easy to maintain a distance from distractions on account of your will. However, being part of a busy family, distractions are always around. Your desk can get filled with a lot of additional responsibilities that are prone to distract you from work. For such reasons, we recommend you dedicate a space for your home office. This space can be any extra room that does not have more than one entrance and it should be out of everyone’s way. This can be a guest room or a workshop; however, if you do not have a separate room available, you can make do with a multifunctional room that is occasionally used like laundry or garage.

You can choose your own approach with the defining line being: separation between personal and professional life. Please be advised to not use your bedroom for this purpose because it will intertwine your personal and work tasks.



Put resources in Your Office

It is significant that your home office has each one of the accessories you would expect in a corporate office setting. The inventory depends vastly on your profession and taste. A few things you should think about include:

A dedicated and reliable PC is one of the basics for every profession and thus, do not compromise on this. Moreover, make sure to buy a good quality monitor that has HD resolution so that you do not strain your eyes.

A great internet connection is the basis of remote working as it is the one that connects you with your office colleagues, clients, and tasks. Make sure to sign up with an ISP that offers great speed but is also reliable. If you ask for our advice, Spectrum plans offer blazing fast internet speed at the best rates without any data caps or contracts. You, as a remote worker, can especially benefit from its complimentary security suite protecting all of your online activities.

A separate business telephone line is also very important. You can set up a relevant voice message and you will never miss any client calls (that you potentially can, on your home phone)

An ergonomic chair for your posture. A simple chair can work but in the long run, it can be harmful to your back. Therefore, we suggest you buy an ergonomic chair that can be adjusted according to your desires.

A quality printer can be a good addition. Although, if your work does not require the use of printers, you should not invest in it.

A storage cabinet is also important for professionals with a lot of files to keep. Again, this depends on your professional capacity.

Separate Yourself from Social Media

There is nothing more distracting than your social media accounts. To be honest, social media is tempting but you have to keep your distance in order to be productive. The best way is to isolate yourself from your cell phone (if it does not help with work). Another thing that you can do is put your cell phone on airplane mode.

You can also set time restrictions with the Google Chrome extension limit. This would block selected sites once you have used all of your designated time. You can also freeze your social media applications on your cell phone to maintain focus.

Dress like you mean it

When we say that you should dress up for work, it does not matter how you look; what matters is how you feel because keeping a business outlook while you work from home is very important.

It bodes well to get up in the morning, take a shower, have your morning meal, and dress up. That by itself will make cognizance of work as opposed to letting the day run its course while you somehow complete your work.

The Last Words

There are a lot of ways to remain productive and distraction-free while working from home; we have covered a great deal too. However, you need to have the willpower to cut anything that comes your way during work hours. Do not mix your personal and professional life, just because you are working from home – define your work hours and do not work out of them. If you feel a lot of burdens, get yourself some help in the form of a babysitter or housekeeper.

Take breaks in between, as you would in the office, and try to get out of your house for a quick walk or stroll to get a coffee from the nearest Starbucks. Getting out can reboot your nerve system. The last tip would be to hang out with friends and family. Socialize with your loved ones and even go out for parties, now and then. Working from home gives you the authority to schedule your life as you want and so take this opportunity for the better.



How to encourage your employees to recycle more at the office

If you want to encourage your employees to do their part to help the planet, here are a few strategies that you can utilize.

Recycling is one of the best ways to protect the environment and ensure that there are plenty of resources available for future generations to use. As important as it is for individuals to recycle in their homes, recycling at the office is perhaps even more important because of the significant amount of resources that are used in an office environment. If you want to encourage your employees to do their part to help the planet, here are a few strategies that you can utilize.

Make It Competitive

One great way to motivate your employees to commit to recycling more is to add a little fun competition to the mix. You can have employees compete to see who can recycle the most material within a given time range. If you’re just starting your company’s recycling program, you can host a fun event for your employees to help get them excited about the benefits of recycling.

Make It Easy

If your employees see recycling as just another task to add to their busy schedules, they’re unlikely to participate extensively. That’s why it’s important to make it quick and easy for your employees to recycle. One simple way to do this is to make sure the recycling bins always have space in them so that there’s no struggle to fit new items inside. If you expect a sudden influx of recyclable materials, you may want to utilize a dumpster rental to make sure there’s enough space.



Utilize Recycled Products

For some people, recycling doesn’t make much sense because they don’t understand how recyclable materials are used. To help overcome this stigma, it’s a good idea to utilize recycled products in your company whenever possible. When individuals understand that the materials they recycle can be made into something new, they’ll be more motivated to make an effort to recycle more often.

Stay Consistent

Corporate recycling efforts often fall short because there’s no consistency. While programs might start off strong, a lack of attention to the program results in missing and broken recycling bins, a lack of enthusiasm among employees, and other challenges. To help overcome this, it may be a good idea to have an individual charged with leading the recycling program at your company. This individual can answer questions, ensure proper supplies are available, and keep the program going smoothly for many years to come.

A well-run corporate recycling program can be a great way to boost the pride that your employees feel toward the company they work for. When they understand that your company is doing all it can to protect the environment, they’ll be more likely to remain at the company long-term instead of going to another company that doesn’t have environmental protection measures in place. Thus, a recycling program becomes a win-win situation for everyone involved.



How to reinvigorate your career

You can take steps to improve your career to ensure that you are proud of and fulfilled by the work that you do.

It is estimated that one-third of your life is spent at work and that you see your colleagues more frequently than your own family and friends. As such, it is highly important that you enjoy your work and your colleagues. However, in the rat race of everyday life, it is easy to fall into a work routine that leaves you feeling less than fulfilled. If this is the case, you can take steps to improve your career to ensure that you are proud of and fulfilled by the work that you do. Read on to discover four ways you can reinvigorate your career.

Study a master’s in applied economics

One way of reinvigorating your career is to study for an MA to develop specialist skills. However, with all the MA programs out there, how can you choose which one will be right for you? A master’s in applied economics program will provide you with a set of transferable skills that can be applied to many different industries, for example, data analysis and econometrics. Furthermore, such programs are heavily based on real-world application, meaning that any academic theory that is taught will be evidenced in your working environment.

Consider mentoring

Mentoring is a great way of ensuring that industry knowledge is transferred across the generations and provides personalized support and career guidance counselling to those who are keen to progress in their careers. If you would like to go for promotion, why not find a mentor in that particular role who can provide you with more information about what the role entails and help you to build up your required skillset? Alternately, you could mentor a less experienced colleague. As well as the pleasure of imparting knowledge and guidance, you might find yourself becoming refreshed by the enthusiasm of your younger colleague. If you want to become a principal, you should enrol for Illinois Principal Prep program.



Set up your own business

You might have enjoyed working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, finding that away from the office environment, you are more productive and less stressed. If this is the case, then you could consider becoming self-employed and setting up your own business. This will give you the flexibility to work when you want on projects that truly inspire you; furthermore, you can take home all the profit yourself. Setting up your own business does require some planning to be successful; however, it is one of the most rewarding career paths you can choose, so is well worth the hard work.

Reduce your hours

You might have reached a point in your career when you would like to take a step back. You might, for instance, have spent several years working at a high level in an extremely stressful position. Or, you might be considering retirement but are not yet ready to give up work entirely. In these cases, a compromise might be to reduce your hours, perhaps dropping to a part-time contract and a role that involves fewer responsibilities and more free time.



Four epic themes for corporate parties

While arranging a corporate party, it is essential to select a suitable theme for the event, setting, and company culture.

Parties and events for people working in the corporate field are rare for them to leave corporate in the office. A corporate event can be small or large gatherings in a hi-fi environment. While arranging a corporate party, it is essential to select a suitable theme for the event, setting, and company culture. Here are some attractive and entertaining themes that you can choose from for any corporate parties. Check them out.

The One with the Carnival

Thinking of hosting a party that everyone will remember? Go for a carnival theme party. At such a party, everyone can forget about their identity as corporate employees and enjoy it to the maximum. The performers, activities, and decorations are out of the box. Arrange classic foods like hot dogs or bring a sophisticated touch to traditional food. Carnival themed drinks like beer and cider are perfect beverages. Make sure you have made arrangements with different activities that people can indulge in during the party. The carnival party is all about bright colours, illuminating lights, and the circus tent inspired decor patterns.

The One with the Breakfast

Party is not just an evening thing. It can start before noon too. It is ideal for throwing people a breakfast party with some healthy recipes. Arrange a breakfast buffet that can please everyone. You can make it a surprise party as a reward for their work and help make the day more productive. Also, it can serve as a good start for the party to happen in the late evening.



The One with the Costume

Corporate parties do not suck. It is all about vibrant and innovative themes. When costume parties are combined with nostalgia, there happens a flashback to the favourite decade. First of all, select a decade, or you can have all of them. Tell everyone to come dressed in their favourite attire and let them dance through the decades. The decades from the 60s to 2000s are all great options. As there will be different decades on the floor, it is desirable to have a neutral setting that can go with any decade. When it comes to food, you are free to mix and match as the theme incorporates multiple trends. Dancing to the tunes of the decades and costume contest can enliven the party.

The One with the Games

Going to games is an option to chill with your corporate buddies. Create friendship among employees by going out for local games or sporting events. It will help you build a rapport with them and an opportunity to peace out from corporate stress. Don’t forget to keep your favourite game snacks like fries, pizza, or ice cream with you. And the games are always all about beer. But if you are interested in having wine or liquor, it is perfectly fine.

The Bottom Line

Corporate parties are all about the pomp and beauty of the event themes. Food, beverages, activities, and decor depend on the theme selected for the party. Choose a perfect piece for your company party that makes it memorable for everyone. At the end of the day, the happiness and peace of mind that your party gave the participants matters. So, be wise while choosing the theme, making the arrangements and the buffet, and share your employers a memorable experience.