Category: Corporate Life

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Are prepaid gift cards the future of corporate gifting?

One of the significant advantages of gift card services will probably be the option of customization. Personalization of the gift card can be done to suit the recipient.

To those of us not familiar with gift cards, it is a whole new world that can be used to expand one’s business. It is a card that comes with preloaded money for spending in stores. Simply put, a prepaid credit card can be used for gifting or reward as a convenient way to give the recipient money to spend.

The first thing to be noted while differentiating a bank credit card and a gift card is that the former can be reloaded any number of times, while the latter can only be used till the value of funds in it is exhausted. But today, there are even prepaid credit cards for gifting that can be reloaded multiple times.

A gift card has a stored value for future use. It is usually limited to certain stores or retailers and comes with an expiration date. It can be used in any store in Australia that accepts Visa. It is used as a means to give away rewards, cashback, express gratitude, and apology.

Gift cards are a great way to incentivize employee performance. It can be given as a reward or to show appreciation. Innumerable studies have shown the positive effects that rewards can have on job performance. So, if you are looking for increased productivity from your employers, encouraging them with a reward for their efforts will be money well spent. It is a win-win situation, where the employee feels respected and valued, and the company gains from the employees’ welfare and productivity.

Gift cards can also be given to customers or consumers of your product or service. It is a great way to increase your customer base. Acquiring new customers has never been this easy. Through cashback, promotions, and refunds done through gift cards, customers are encouraged to come back to your establishment.



A gift card carries with it a form of reward for choosing your establishment, which keeps the customer happy to do business with you. Customers have shown to display higher response rates after using gift cards. Every time a discount or cashback is added to the customer’s card when they shop, you build your company’s value in their eyes.

It can also be a gesture to express an apology. A gift card can convey both gratitude and make amends for any errors. It can ensure you do not lose your valued client or customer.

One of the significant advantages of gift card services will probably be the option of customization. Personalization of the gift card can be done to suit the recipient. For example, the cards can have a holiday or festival wish. Any design you desire can be given to the card supplier, or you choose from several generic designs available.

Perks of a Gift Card

  • Convenient and easy to use
  • Saves time and money
  • It is more memorable than other forms of gifts
  • It has pride and value attached to it
  • Removes gift dissatisfaction, as the recipient can use it to buy whatever one wants.
  • High security- all transactions made with the gift card are safe and secure. They commonly come with a unique PIN
  • One can track the balance by checking it online.
  • Flexible- One can load the card with any amount up to 10,000 dollars.

Conclusion

In a fast-paced, technology-driven world, the future lies in gift cards. When everything is becoming simpler, why not make gifting easier too? It is an easy but thoughtful gift that can suit any situation.



Personalize, organize, and decorate: How to make a home office that works for you

The recent coronavirus pandemic has forced most of us to stay quarantined inside our homes, struggling to continue our usual jobs while working remotely. Here are some ideas that will help you construct, organize, and decorate a home office perfectly suited to your needs.

The recent coronavirus pandemic has forced most of us to stay quarantined inside our homes, struggling to continue our usual jobs while working remotely. Others have also chosen to find freelance jobs or even start their own businesses, using this opportunity to find a new career they could pursue from the comfort of their home.

But regardless of the nature of your job, the truth is that no work can be done quickly and efficiently at home without a designated workspace, as it’s the only way to ensure proper focus and productivity necessary for any business. To that end, here are some ideas that will help you construct, organize, and decorate a home office including backyard home office perfectly suited to your needs:

Find the perfect spot

Even if you live in a smaller home and there’s no separate room that you can turn into your home office, it’s still possible to carve out a well-designed work hub. One spot that can work perfectly well is the often unutilized space under your bedroom window. With a simple wooden desktop stretching along the width of your window, you can have a great low-cost workspace that takes up minimal square footage.

You could also consider installing a pull-out desk in your living room or kitchen, or you could even opt for a hidden work spot in a closet. The latter can be an ideal solution, as it’s neatly hidden away behind closed doors when you’re not working, and there’s plenty of room for various shelves to store your essential office supplies.


Create a full home office room

If you do have a separate space in your home that can be turned into a designated home office, then you might also have more freedom in designing it to accommodate all your business needs, including the technical equipment and the necessary furniture.

Professional designers recommend minimum dimensions of 150cm by 210cm for a workspace, but as your home office could also be your production space, you might consider a larger area. It can be a spare room in your house, but you could also consider a finished basement, heated garage or a hobby shed. Another practical option is converting a guest bedroom into an office, especially during this time of social distancing when you’re most likely not entertaining.

Design the layout

When deciding on office wall decor ideas, bear in mind your basic needs. You’ll most likely use the space for various activities, such as meetings, writing, creative thinking, product packing and possibly even production. Having different sections can help in maintaining focus and avoiding clutter.

You can also rely on Feng Shui principles to help you opt for the best location of your home office, choose the appropriate layout, and perfectly arrange the furniture and decor. According to that philosophy, the proper arrangement of space has a positive impact on health, wealth, success, and happiness. You can also use Canvas Photo Prints for a budget-friendly option to display your photos with a professional appearance.

Keep it safe

Regardless of the type of work you’ll be doing in your home office, it will most likely contain a number of important documents, products, and technical equipment, such as your computer, printer, multiple computer screens, noise-canceling headphones, etc.

As all of these supplies are essential to your business, and keeping the home and them safe should be a priority. For that reason, it might be wise to invest in a good, comprehensive home insurance policy, which will not only cover the structure of your home from any damages and break-ins but also add protection to those precious business contents inside. This will allow you to keep your home office safe and secure no matter what happens.


Be smart about storage and organization

When you’re setting up your home office, ample storage and good organization is crucial. There are many practical ways to make the most of your space, such as buying convertible furniture, making use of vertical space, incorporating your products into the room design, or renting a storage unit outside of your home.

When it comes to good organization, various mobile apps can be quite helpful, along with other smart habits to help keep you focused and on track. For instance, you can make a large physical wall calendar to mark major upcoming events and goals, keep clear in/out a system on your shelves for all the papers, invoices and mail, and you can even keep your tools, materials, and products neatly organized on wall shelves within easy reach.

Invest in high-quality office furniture

Working in poor conditions can have a detrimental effect on your mind and body, which is why it pays to invest in high-quality furniture. Whatever money you might save in room design, you can spend on a great ergonomic chair and an adjustable desk that can be customized to your needs. This way, you can avoid common problems such as back and neck pain, fatigue, and reduced heart efficiency.

As a remote worker, chances are you’ll be spending most of your time at your desk, endeavoring to improve your career or even develop and run your own business. For that reason, investing in a comfortable and productive home office is essential for success.



Paying employees: How to pay employees in a small business

Are you trying to figure out how to pay employees in a small business? Read this article to learn more about paying employees.

Nearly 93 percent of all Americans get their pay through direct deposits. Most employers consider this option useful, considering that it ensures greater control over the payroll system. Whether your business is small or, medium-sized managing employee’ payments can be a real hassle.

Are you wondering how to pay employees in a small business? You aren’t alone. Many small businesses find the process of handling information, validating entries, and making corrections when handling payroll overwhelming.

Are you stuck wondering how to deal with employee payments? You are in luck. Read on to learn more.

Get Your EIN

Your first step when preparing to pay your employees the right way should be to get an EIN. EIN stands for an employee identification number and is essential for tax purposes.

This number is essential for your small business when filing all your income tax returns. You cannot begin to pay your employees without this mandatory business number.


Categorize Your Employees 

Before you begin to pay your staff, it would help to categorize them to avoid legal liability. The United States recognizes your workforce as either independent contractors or full-time employees. An independent contractor is a person contracted to perform work or render services as a non-employee or freelancer.

Independent contractors pay their social security and medical taxes. However, if you’ve full-time employees, you might need to consider disclosing all information about their employment terms.

Schedule Your Payment Periods 

You have the liberty to schedule your payment periods to suit your needs. The most common schedule is a semi-monthly payment plan. Small businesses also pay their independent contractors on hourly or daily schedules.

You might also consider a monthly or weekly basis as your payment period.

Choose Between an in- House or External Payroll 

Payroll administration is an essential function when paying your employees. You might either decide to undertake this process in-house or consider an external payroll administrator. Both options have their pros and cons.

The best thing about payroll administration is that you can also access a free pay stub template online. This makes it easy to manage your employee’s payment process by keeping a reliable trace. With a pay stub template, you no longer have to worry about showing proof of payment when you pay your staff.

Decide the Payment Method to Use 

The federal government has set the minimum wage for workers covered by FLSA as $7.25 per hour. It’s essential to determine the method of ensuring that these funds get to the intended recipient. Paychecks are the most common payment approach, although they might be outdated in some organizations.

You can also consider direct deposits as the other viable option on how to pay staff. Employers may also consider payroll cards or cash payments. However, cash may not be the best alternative if you’re keen on having a paper or digital trail of payment made. Also, if you are using a credit card as your payment solution, there’s one thing you should know. With the rise in interest rates, there’s a good chance that your processing fees might rise with them too. In that case, opting for a cash discount program can help you cover your extra fees. You can click here to learn more about it.


This Is How to Pay Employees in a Small Business

Your small business can do much better with a structured payment system.

Are you wondering how to pay employees in a small business? You might need to consider all the federal and State regulations, including registering an EIN before setting your up your payroll.

Once you determine a payment schedule and payment methods, you can outsource a free pay stub template online to help you manage your payments.

There’s so much more to read on the bits and bytes of entrepreneurship on Ourownstartup.com. Explore on for more on startups, fundraising, and growth strategies.



5 Tips for small business event planning

When planning a small business event, you need to consider every detail because your company is not large enough to absorb expensive mistakes or missteps.

When planning a small business event, you need to consider every detail because your company is not large enough to absorb expensive mistakes or missteps. The pressure of planning a successful business event may feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be. Here are five tips to help with your small business event planning that streamline the entire process and make it a stress-free event.

Make a detailed plan

The lack of a clear plan can make any event planning stressful. When people are randomly doing things and making decisions, details get overlooked, and we make mistakes. The first thing you need to do is sit down and create a detailed plan for the entire event. Your plan should include a timeline leading up to the event, a rough outline of the event itself, and everything you will need for the event. The more decisions and details you can clarify early, the easier it will be to carry out the planning. Creating a detailed plan doesn’t mean things can’t change along the way. Having a plan provides a clear blueprint of what you want, so you can make adjustments as needed.



Create lists

After you create your plan, start making lists of what your team needs to accomplish leading up to the event. For example, you may have a list of places and vendors you need to call to get quotes. You may have a list of decorations and supplies that will need to be purchased. You may have a list of marketing and advertising activities along with a deadline. With each list, you need to delegate that task to an individual and determine the deadline for each job. As the organizer of the event, it will be your responsibility to stay in contact with each person working on a list item to ensure they accomplish it by the pre-determined deadline.

Think outside of the box

Some of the best events are the ones that take guests outside of the norm. Anyone can plan a banquet at a banquet hall and serve chicken. You can create a memorable experience by hosting a pig roast on the beach or a food rave in a warehouse. You can find warehouse space for rent anywhere throughout the country. Warehouses provide large open spaces with an industrial feel that you can alter into anything you want. While many warehouse rentals expect long-term contracts, Warehouse Spaces real estate company can help you find a warehouse rental that suits your needs. You can amaze guests with an impressive and fun event in a non-traditional space.



Go overboard on the details

Connecting the little details will make a significant impact. For example, favors should relate to the theme, as well as the decor, and even the food selection. A logo on a napkin may seem like a detail that most will overlook, but when all the details come together, guests will be amazed by your commitment to a cohesive theme, which will reflect well on your small business. Renting a warehouse space may look nondescript and industrial from the outside, so you want guests to be blown away the second they walk through the doors.

Dress for success

As the coordinator of the event, you want people to walk in and know you are essential by merely looking at you. Dressing for success isn’t just about looking professional— you want to look both professional and memorable. White House Black Market sells an array of high-end women’s fashion that will make you the focal point of the room. You can find a pair of pants, a jacket, dress, or blouse for women that will coordinate with the theme of your event. When you dress with confidence, the people you meet will see that in you and treat you with that same level of confidence.



How to make your home office as comfortable as possible

If you have the luxury of working from home, you can make your home office a more comfortable space with the right additions and modifications.

If you have the luxury of working from home, you can make your home office a more comfortable space with the right additions and modifications. In addition to feeling more at ease, you may notice an increase in your productivity when you make the right improvements. Here are a few great ways to make your home office as comfortable as possible.

Be Mindful of Room Temperature

The temperature setting in your home office may be easy to overlook when concentrating on important work tasks but working in a setting that’s too hot or too cold could hamper your productivity. A room that’s too hot may cause you to feel tired and more irritable while a room that’s too cold can interfere with concentration. If adjusting the thermostat would be a problem for other people in your home, you should consider getting a fan or space heater to provide additional cooling or warmth whenever needed.

Have the Best Chair Possible

You’ll want an office chair that gives you maximum comfort and support. You might be tempted to use a kitchen table chair or another chair in your home that isn’t so suitable for working to try to save money. However, doing so can make working from home more strenuous on your body. Office chairs that feature leather or cloth materials and have adequate padding can help you stay comfortable while working. There are also ergonomic office chairs that are designed to improve posture and keep the body in better alignment while working to reduce stress on muscles and bones.

Get an Adjustable Keyboard Tray

Your home office desk may not be at an optimal height for working on a computer keyboard, and an adjustable keyboard tray can solve this problem. Some of the best keyboard trays can be adjusted to multiple height settings and are easy to attach to desks. You can also get an adjustable keyboard tray that’s wide enough to fit your keyboard and mouse so that you’ll be able to move freer while working.

Minimize Clutter

Cluttered office space will be less enjoyable for you to work in at home. One of the best ways to keep clutter in your office to a minimum is by using your home office for work purposes only without keeping items that aren’t related to work inside the room. Drawers and shelves should be used as often as possible to store documents and office supplies so that they aren’t left sitting on your desk. You can also minimize clutter by keeping wires that are used for your computer and other electronic equipment together and out of sight.

It’s possible to create a home office space that you’ll enjoy working in if you take the time to make the setting more comfortable. You’ll likely thank yourself after you’ve made all the right changes to your personal workspace to ensure greater comfort.

How to work with other companies to get further together

Businesses often end up fairing much better when they learn how to cooperate with one another in the marketplace.

Sometimes outright cutthroat competition is not the best way to get ahead in a given industry. Instead, businesses often end up fairing much better when they learn how to cooperate with one another in the marketplace. For a lot of entrepreneurs, thinking in this direction may seem to go against everything they have always imagined capitalism to encompass. Yet, the following four tips will help companies understand how to perform better together.

The Supply Chain

Consider that products are first manufactured by one company, distributed by other companies in the middle of the supply chain and finally these products are sold to another company’s shelves for sale. The entire supply chain is itself a long-standing example of how companies get ahead by cooperating, instead of competing against one another. At every step along the chain, businesses are depending on one another to be able to earn money and stay operational in the marketplace.

Sending Referrals

Another way two or more businesses can help each other to thrive is by referring customers and clients to one another on a regular basis. When two companies find that they complement each other nicely in this kind of arrangement, they will be effectively advertising for each other for free. They will also be helping each other to increase their traffic and sales volume which is a huge win for each of the companies involved.

Using Digital Channels When Marketing Online

When marketing online, it is important to think about the number of different digital marketing channels that can be leveraged in a company’s marketing campaign. To obtain access to these marketing channels, it helps to work with a digital marketing partner who can help to provide easy access to SEO solutions, mobile solutions, and other digital marketing channels which also can be easily scaled as well.

Learning From a Competitor

Sometimes collaborating with a competing business can reveal valuable information that can help one or both companies to get ahead. Two competing businesses will undoubtedly do market research in various markets. Sharing this information can be potentially valuable to both companies, because it may reveal important unforeseen advantages and pitfalls about a given market in which either company might be doing business.

When it comes to working with other companies, it is important to go into such an arrangement with both eyes open. There are always potential risks and benefits that must be carefully weighed by both business owners. Most importantly, each business needs to make certain that working with another business to get ahead is truly going to bring real benefits to the table.

Making your new office space inviting for both employees and clients

The physical environment of your office space is key is to the well-being of your staff, and happy employees lead to higher productivity.

You and your workers spend at least 8-hours, 5-days a week in the office. The physical environment of your office space is key is to the well-being of your staff, and happy employees lead to higher productivity. Likewise, if your clients feel comfortable in your office, they’re more likely to leave with a good impression of your business.

Clear the Clutter

One of the first things to tackle around the office is clutter; folders and papers left in big piles, messy desks, overflowing trash and out of control computer cables create an impression of chaos. Make sure your office has a way to organize papers and get computer cables under control. You’ll also want to institute a few office policies concerning keeping the office neat and clean. While some employees may balk at first, in the long run, a neat and organized office will make everyone happy.

Add Some Nature

Going natural is another good way to keep your employees happy and keep your clients coming back. Paint the walls in soft, natural colors, and fill the office with plants. A study conducted at Exeter University showed that simply placing a few plants around an otherwise barren office increased worker productivity by 15%. Adding an office aquarium is also a nice way to bring nature into the office. Both your employees and clients will find watching the fish a peaceful, calming experience. An aquarium is also a good emotional focal point for everyone in the office to connect to.

Brighten Things Up

Another thing to consider is your office lighting; natural lighting can also increase worker productivity and well-being. If you can, open the windows and let the sunshine in. In fact, research has shown that those working in a daylight environment reported a 51% drop in eyestrain, 56% less drowsiness and a 63% drop in headaches. If you are looking at executive office space rental, consider the availability of natural light.

More Color

Adding splashes of color can also enliven a work environment. Color can have a big impact on your staff’s emotions. Color can also be used to create an inviting office space for your visitors. Remember, warm colors, such as yellow, red and orange, will enliven the emotions, and cool colors, such as blues and greens, are calming. Shades of purple will give your clients an impression of wealth and opulence, while too much gray conveys a lack of confidence. The smart use of color can make a big difference.

There are a variety of things you can do to improve the atmosphere in your office, and many can be done even on a small budget. A few added accessories can make a major difference, and an overhaul of the room can bring great benefits. Make sure your office is made inviting to everyone who comes for better business and better employee satisfaction.

Forget the trust fall: Team-building activities for corporate events that people actually like

Most companies want to promote a feeling of togetherness and comradery among their employees. In order to do this, they need to bring everyone together in a meaningful way.

Most companies want to promote a feeling of togetherness and comradery among their employees. In order to do this, they need to bring everyone together in a meaningful way. Here are four team-building activities suggested by D A Graham that you can do at your corporate event other than a trust fall.

Scavenger Hunt

One of the most fun activities is a team building scavenger hunt. Individuals will have to work together in order to solve clues that will lead them to the grand prize. You can have your employees work in small groups or as one big team.

Go Kart Racing

Sometimes, a little adrenaline and a competitive spirit are exactly what you need to bring people together. You can make reservations at go-kart tracks for corporate events. Set up tournaments between teams or let everyone race for themselves. Often, tracks will have rooms set aside for parties, so you’ll have plenty of room for food and seating in between races.

Blind Drawing

This is a great activity to play if you are trying to get your team to learn how to follow instructions. How it works is that a designated person describes an object, and each individual has to listen to the instructions in order to try to successfully draw it. Your team will really have to focus on what the person is saying if they want to be successful at this activity. This is the perfect game to play at a variety of different corporate events.

Wall Of Memories

There have probably been a lot of great memories made at your company throughout the years. You can use these memories to bring people together. Create a wall of memories for your employees to contribute to. Give each individual a few sticky notes, and have them write some of their favorite memories on them. They will then place these memories on the wall, and you can read allowed each memory once everyone is finished. This activity is a great way for everyone to reflect back on some of the good times you’ve shared together.

Make A Movie

There’s a good chance that you have a lot of creative employees. You can use this to your advantage by putting them in small groups and having them create a short movie. Give them a theme and a time limit as to how long they can take to create it. Once everyone is finished, have them gather together, and share their movies with everyone.

You don’t just have to rely on those old trust exercises to try to get your employees to bond. If you are looking for something new to add to your corporate events, consider one of the team-building activities mentioned above. These activities will bring your employees together in a unique way that they won’t soon forget.

How resume formats can make or break your job application

Resume formats play a central role in all this as it gives structure to your resume and presents information meaningfully.

“The goal is to turn data into information, and information into insight.” – Carly Fiorina

Simply put, a resume is an information presented in a meaningful way. The same information, when presented haphazardly, remains exactly that; information.

Resume formats play a central role in all this as it gives structure to your resume and presents information meaningfully. When you use the right resume format, it helps you get shortlisted. When you don’t, you do not get shortlisted. Thus, the resume format you choose is important as it has the power to make or break your job application. This is why you should choose an ideal resume format that is ideal for you.

Given below are the new resume formats that are used in the industry right now:

● Reverse Chronological Resume Format
● Combination Resume Format
● Functional Resume Format

We will be discussing them in detail to evaluate which resume format is ideal for you. But before we do, we will first discuss the ATS system and the importance of using a resume format that is ATS-compliant.

The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and why you should use an ATS-compliant resume format:

ATS i.e. the applicant tracking system is a mechanism that most companies today have started to use to simplify their recruitment needs. The ATS assigns a rank to each resume. Based on this rank, you get shortlisted for an interview. The higher you rank in the ATS, the higher are your chances of a shortlist.

Long story short, your resume format should be ATS-compliant. If your resume format fails to do this, your chances of getting shortlisted will drastically dwindle, irrespective of your skills & capabilities.

This is why your choice of a resume format should meet the twin objectives that we have listed below:

1. It should best compliment your skills as a professional
2. It should get parsed by the ATS system

Now that we’ve got this covered, we will now cover the 3 resume formats that we have talked about before. Let’s get started.

Reverse Chronological Resume Format

The reverse-chronological resume format endorses your most recent work experience first and traces your work experience all the way back to its beginning.

It organizes information about a candidate such as their work experience, internships, volunteering experience, etc. by approaching them from a reverse-time order.

Given below are the benefits of using the reverse-chronological resume format:

● Extremely ATS friendly: This resume format has proved to be a winner of resume formats as it is the industry standard and extremely ATS-friendly. By using this resume format, you are guaranteeing that your resume will get parsed by almost any ATS system in the world. This means that using the reverse-chronological resume format, you are enhancing your chances of a shortlist.

● Easy to create: This is self-explanatory. Using this resume format helps you present your professional information in a coherent and comprehensive manner. All you have to do is create a time-line of the major events of your career and elaborate upon them.

● Highly relevant and recruiter-friendly: This format displays your most recent work experience in the beginning. Since your most recent experience is the most relevant experience, it helps you curate a highly relevant resume that is well-acknowledged by recruiters all over the world!

Wise men will advise you to play safe, and stick with this resume format as it has shown proven results. However, this is not applicable for all professionals. Given below is a list of who should and should not use the reverse-chronological resume format:

• Ideal for students, fresh graduates & entry-level professionals: The reverse-chronological resume format is ideal for people who fall in this category as it helps them endorse their extra-curricular and co-curricular achievements through this format. Moreover, voluntary work or internships can be a great substitute for professional experience. This is ideal for these categories of job applicants as they don’t have much work experience to talk about.

• Not ideal for professionals with gaps in their career: While this resume format is ideal for professionals with no evident pause in their career, it isn’t so for people with career gaps. By focusing on the timeline of your work experience, this resume format makes career gaps more visible. This ends up sabotaging your job application if you took a couple of years off for whatever reasons as you are left with no room to explain why you were on a sabbatical away from the high-in-pressure job environment.

• Not ideal for frequent job switchers: This point branches out from the above point. If you have switched a lot of jobs in a short time period, many companies will be listed on your reverse chronological resume. This is seen negatively as it will project to a potential recruiter that you are a job-absconder. Thus, if you have switched jobs frequently for whatever reasons, you should not use this resume format.

Functional Resume Format (skill-based resume)

A functional resume format focuses on your skills and abilities. It does not put much emphasis on the timeline of your work experience.

It lists professional experience by displaying headers without talking about the details of the actual work done. Here, a separate section is designed to register relevant skills, and points are grouped under these relevant skills which showcases your work experience.

Given below are the benefits of using a functional resume format:

• Hides employment gaps: The functional resume is a skill-based resume format. It helps you endorse your skills without having to explicitly get into the details of the timeline of your work history. This helps you conveniently conceal the gaps in your employment while emphasizing on your skill-set.

• Best for job-switchers: Given that the focus of this resume format is on skills rather than work, it helps hide the job-switching tendencies of frequent job switchers and gives them a fair chance of making an impact based on their skills alone.

Given below is a list of who should and shouldn’t use the functional resume format:

• Ideal for people with career gaps and frequent job-switchers: This resume format is recommended by experts for people who have gaps in their employment history or for people who frequently change their jobs as it hides employment gaps.

• Not ideal for most professionals: Though this resume format hides career gaps, at the end of the day, it is not an ideal format for most professionals (including job jumpers and professionals with career gaps) as it is not ATS-friendly. This means that your resume will not rank in the ATS, which further means that you don’t stand a chance at getting shortlisted.

There is no point in hiding career gaps if it does nothing to help you land a job. Thus, even if you’re a frequent job switcher, or are someone with gaps in their work-ex, it is best that you don’t use this resume format. It will hamper your job application and thus, in reality it is not ideal for any professional.

Combination Resume Format

The combination resume format, also frequently known as the hybrid resume format is a combination of the reverse chronological resume format and the functional resume format. This format presents your skills in the form of points which are grouped under unique skill-based headings while simultaneously showcasing the timeline of your work experience.

The combination format can further be divided into two formats:

● Combination Resume Format-1 (Grouping inside Professional Experience): This format does everything exactly like the reverse chronological resume format. The only difference is in the professional experience section, where the points are grouped by the skills that they represent. The biggest advantage of using this format is that it gives equal weightage to your skills and work experience, thus giving you a fair chance at landing gold with both.

● Combination Resume Format-2 (Grouping in Summary of Skills section): In this format, you have to make a completely different section for your achievements in the form of “Summary of Skills”. Here, the points exhibiting your career’s achievements and roles & responsibilities are bucketed under their respective key skills.

Given below is a list of who should and shouldn’t use this resume format:

• Highly recommended for frequent job switchers: The combination resume format is highly ATS friendly and recruiter friendly. And here’s the best part: it hides gaps in employment by drawing the recruiter’s attention to skill-based achievements rather than the timeline. This is why this resume format is ideal for frequent job-switchers.

• Highly recommended for mid-level & highly experienced professionals: People with a lot of experience and skills have the best opportunity to endorse them in a meaningful way using this resume format. This is why this resume format is ideal for them: it helps them present their skills & capabilities without seeming show-offish.

• Not recommended for fresh graduates and people with no work experience: This resume format, as ideal as it may be, is not suitable for freshers and early-stage professionals as they might not have enough points to group under relevant skills.

• It is not recommended for people with deadlines: The only downside of the functional resume format is that it is very time-consuming to draft a resume using this format. So, this resume format is a far out-cry for people with limited time on their hands.

Conclusion:

To conclude, now that know the importance of resume formats in making or breaking your job application, all you have to do now is pick the ideal resume format for you. Here’s a brief guideline on the resume format that you should pick based on the category you fall under:

● Students, fresh graduates & entry-level professionals: You should use the reverse-chronological resume format as you don’t have much work experience to talk about in your resume.
● Professionals who worked on a specific area: If you fall in this category, you should ideally choose the reverse-chronological format.
● Mid-level professionals and highly experienced professionals: Since you have many years of work experience, you should choose the combination resume format as you have a high number of acquired skills vis-à-vis other professionals.
● Frequent job-switchers & people with employment gaps: The combination format is the ideal format if you fall in either of these categories.

About the Author:

On a quest to help professionals across the world land their dream jobs, Aditya lives and breathes Hiration — a platform to help job-seekers find their way in the treacherous job market — where he’s a Co-Founder and the unofficial CPO (Chief Problem-solving Officer). He likes to code away his days and nights when he’s not busy disrupting the career space.

5 Key elements every new employee on-boarding should include

Starting out as a new employee is exciting, but can also be nerve-wracking.

Starting out as a new employee is exciting, but can also be nerve-wracking. Strong onboarding programs include orientations that help to maintain employee excitement and reduce the unknown by providing specific information that is critical to the employee’s success and experience learning and navigating a new position and organization. There are five key elements that must be considered in the onboarding of a new employee: orientation, human resource overview, employer expectations and employee evaluation, organizational mission, and training.

Organization

Deliver an orientation that includes an overview of the organization, its organizational structure and communication pathways. It is vital to provide new employees with an orientation. The orientation can be provided face to face, online or by giving a document to the employee. Regardless of the format, it is important to provide a warm welcome to a new employee and provide an overview of what to expect over the course of the next days, weeks and months as a new employee. Some companies provide a full day training while others send out a document over email providing an overview of what to expect. The medium of the orientation can be chosen to best meet the needs of the organization and/or new employees. The most important aspect of this orientation is providing an overview of the organization, its structure and how to work, communicate, and problem-solve within its structure.

Streamline the Process

Provide key information regarding human resources including contractual information, hiring paperwork and benefits. Organizations need to outline and provide a clear hiring process. By providing an overview of what to expect in the hiring process, communication is enhanced and will promote a streamlined process. If there is paperwork involved, or contracts to be signed, it will be important to outline this process as well. This will help ensure that all documents are completed and submitted according to expectations and timelines.

Set Expectations

Outline expectations for the position along with vital information about any performance assessments or end of year reviews. New employees need to understand the scope of their work and how their success will be measured and by whom. It is helpful to provide this information up front to the new employee. This will enable to new employee to have a clear understanding of the expectations, performance requirements and tasks that lie ahead. This will enable the employee to start the position strong and with a clear goal.

Company Culture

Provide the overall organizational mission and vision, how the hired employee and their position fits within it. Part of understanding a new position is understanding how it fits into the larger mission or goals of an organization. Providing an opportunity to learn about this, and also to meet other key employees across the organization, will help to situate a new employee squarely in the new post. It will also help to create a culture of belonging which is important for many new employees.

Provide Efficient Training

Schedule and provide training or technology support related to the position or legal requirements of employees in the organization. Many employees will have specialized tools and technologies needed to fulfill job responsibilities. Providing information regarding new email logins and protocols, computers and printers, as well as specialized applications or programs, will be important. A hiring manager will be able to have specific training for all of the different aspects of their company. You may have a group go through an online training platform for restaurants and another do an in-depth training on sales. Providing specialized training during onboarding will give your new employee the needed tools to excel in the position.

These key elements will help ensure a successful onboarding for new employees. New employees will be able to begin their positions with a solid understanding of their roles, how to navigate in the new organization and where to turn for additional support when needed.

How to kit out your new office for maximum productivity

There is a lot of planning that goes into creating the perfect office space, and many people do not know where to begin.

Maximum productivity is a priority in every office, but many companies focus their efforts on strategies and automation technologies. Using the right tools is essential, but perfecting the office setup is just as important. When working with a new space, a person has the perfect opportunity to get everything they need for their ideal office set up right from the start.

There is a lot of planning that goes into creating the perfect office space, and many people do not know where to begin. Searching through the various accessories available at teknionstore.com can provide a person with substantial inspiration and help get them going. Read on for more information on how to kit out your new office for maximum productivity.

Start with Measurements

The first step in planning an office is to find out how much space is available for use. Without taking measurements first, a person might end up with over-sized furniture and accessories, leading to a crowded office and workspace. Use a tape measurer to find the available floor space and be sure to write the measurements down. Be careful to mark any other corners in the room and pay special attention to things like outlets and the space needed to open a door.

Choose the Right Desk

With the measurements accurately recorded, it is time to find the perfect desk. When making a selection, it is essential to keep the user in mind. For those who will be sitting while they work, finding a desk that sits at the proper height for the arms to rest on top comfortably is critical. Those who prefer a standing desk must find one that can be adjusted to suit their height.

The shape of the desk is another critical consideration when planning an office setup. There is a variety of differently shaped desks available, and what a person considers the ideal desk has a lot to do with their preferences. However, referring back to the room measurements will help guide them on the best option. For example, a circular desk looks modern but is not the most practical option for a tiny space. A rectangular desk is easy to work around and fits perfectly into corners, while a corner desk is an excellent option for those with space, as it gives the user the most surface area with which to work.

Besides shape, industry experts recommend checking into the desk’s additional features. Some desks have organizational and ergonomic options that a person may find vital to their setup. A particularly important one for most people is the ability to adjust the desk’s height. Some desks even adjust enough to allow a person to stand or sit at their desk, providing a maximum level of mobility.

Some other key features to consider are cable organization and floor leveling options. A well-designed work area needs to have a place where the computer, monitor, or other cables can be hidden easily. Some desks come equipped with holes through which the user can snake their cords for minimal visibility and clutter. If a person’s office floor is uneven, they will find a desk with a floor leveling feature especially beneficial, as it keeps their desk from wobbling while in use.

Find the Best Seating

Once a desk is chosen, the next step is to decide on a chair. It is critical to find a chair that allows a person to sit at the ideal height from the floor and supports proper seated posture. It should be comfortable to sit in for an extended period and allow a person to adjust their position periodically.

Features like lumbar support, seat height-adjustability, back tilt mechanisms, and armrests are all crucial things to look for when browsing options. Lumbar support is vital to keep a person from hunching over in their chair, which would lead to back pain and muscle strain. Seat height-adjustability allows a person to position their chair so their legs are at a 90-degree angle to their body, and their feet are flat on the floor, preventing lower back strain. Back tilt mechanisms and armrests help relieve pressure on the spine by allowing them to adjust the position in their seat periodically and effortlessly keep the arms at the correct height.

While function and practicality are the most important, an office never feels quite right without the perfect style. There are a variety of standard rolling chair styles available, including ones with a mesh or upholstered seats and painted or aluminium frames. For a more contemporary look, there are even bene box padded seats with storage that can be used alone or lined up next to each other in a row for a bench-style seating.

Accessories and Storage

With the perfect desk and chair squared away, it is time to focus on storage and accessories. Referring back to the room measurements, a person can quickly see how much more floor space is available when deciding on their storage solutions. There are different types of storage to consider, including cabinets and garment storage. For the most modern and professional look, a person should consider matching their desk, chair, and storage choices.

When choosing desk accessories, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is pen holders. However, there are many more things available to help a person keep their workspace organized. For those who use two monitors, dual swerving monitor arms free up desk space and offer a full range of motion so they can position their monitor at the perfect viewing angle. For those with a lot of wired electronic devices, there are desk-mounting power stations to keep their space free of clutter and attractive.

The Bottom Line

When planning out an office, having all the best equipment from the start allows a business to dive into their work immediately. An organized, aesthetically pleasing workspace improves focus and increases morale. Function and design are key considerations as is the space available for use. Using this guide, a person can be well on their way to creating the most productive work environment possible.

Benefits you need to know about work from home

What is it that makes working from home so great?

The business world continues to evolve and we keep seeing more and more people operating from home. According to some reports, almost 50 percent of all professionals will work from home by 2020. Some of the biggest reasons why this is the case include changes in the market, new lifestyles and technology that only continues to advance.

Nowadays, as long as you have a PC with a strong internet connection, you can work from home and run your business as efficiently as any other startup owner out there. But what is it that makes working from home so great? Listed below are five benefits you need to know about.

You get to avoid the commuting hassle

Australian city workers’ average commute time has recently reached 66 minutes and can have a huge impact on job satisfaction and employee productivity. In fact, a large portion of employees list commuting as one of the things they hate the most about their job. When working from home, you get to save that time and use it either to get your work done or to relax. Not to mention that as a remote worker, you don’t have to spend money on gas or public transportation, which can do wonders for your monthly budget. Not having to commute also helps you contribute to preserving the environment, making it a win-win for everyone.

You don’t have to rent an office

Startup owners who don’t operate from home have to find an office that suits their needs, design the interior and pay rent every month. All these expenses add up and can have a huge impact on your company’s finances. There’s no need to say that when starting a business, anything you can save can help you develop your products and get your business noticed. Designing a home office is much easier and all you need to do is transform a room into a home office. Nailing home office design isn’t tough and you can easily create a workspace that inspires you to stay productive.

You can hire anyone you want

When running a traditional business, the only people you get to hire are people near you. You can try to headhunt an employee based in another city but most startups can’t afford anything like that. However, when you’re based at home, you’re able to add any professional with a PC and internet connection to your team. This increases your pool of potential employees and makes finding the right employees much easier. You can even have Skype job interviews, just to make sure you opt for the right people. What’s more, you can connect with financial technology companies such as Data Zoo and communicate with them online.

You can set your own work schedule

Most jobs involve set work hours that you simply have to follow. Operating from home allows you to set your own schedule and align it with your preferences and family obligations. For example, some people feel they’re more productive in the evening and if you’re one of them, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to run your startup from 8 p.m. Not to mention that flexible work hours also mean you can be available to your clients 24/7, which only helps grow your client base.

You get to be more productive

One of the best things about working from home is that there are fewer distractions than you’d face in an actual office. Just think about it – how much time does an average worker waste on talking to their colleagues and answering phone calls? If you have a home office and set boundaries with household members, you’ll be able to focus entirely on the task at hand. In case your employees are remote workers as well, they’ll be able to do the same, thus helping your startup improve its operations and grow.

You can operate from any room in your home

Another great thing about remote working is that you can run your startup from just any part of your home. For instance, if you want, you can work from your backyard during summer or right next to your fireplace in winter. All you need is a good laptop and any room in your house can turn into an office. There are even stories about people working from the kitchen while preparing a meal for their family.

Over to you

There’s no doubt that working from home is awesome and with the way things are, your startup’s chances of succeeding can increase if you decide to run it from your home office. Connect with other people who enjoy working remotely and you can be assured your business will do well.

The importance and advantages of Microsoft SharePoint to your business

Why is SharePoint so necessary for businesses these days?

SharePoint is a web-based platform that combines with Microsoft Office and is used for collaboration. Those who are familiar with such a platform know that apart from collaboration, it is also a document management tool from American MNC Microsoft.

The tool was launched in 2001, but businesses only harnessed its collaborative functions in 2007. In 2016, Microsoft SharePoint’s final version was released, along with advanced functionalities for administrators, end-users, and IT professionals offering SharePoint consulting services.

So, why is SharePoint so necessary for businesses these days?

SharePoint Adds Context to Your Documents

Usually, when you save documents in a specific folder on your server, these are stored traditionally. You should take advantage of SharePoint since it brings context to your folders in the server. For example, with SharePoint, managed office 365, it will be easier to track the updates and running version histories of all the documents you have. The changes for each of these documents are recorded efficiently. This means you have the information relevant to the context and history of each document saved in a specific folder.

HOffer Consistent and Seamless User Experience

SharePoint integrates very well with such client-side applications as web browsers and email. If all these applications are seamlessly working together, they can provide a great and consistent end-user experience. SharePoint can simplify users’ interactions with business data, processes, and content. The integration is made even better by outstanding and robust functionalities to assist in product adoption.

Comply with Important Regulatory Requirements

If you are using SharePoint or you are engaging sharepoint consulting services, you can make sure that any critical or sensitive business data are managed and controlled efficiently. Just specify the expiration actions, auditing policies, storage, and security settings related to specific compliance regulations.

Centralized Administration

The great thing about the architecture of SharePoint is that it is scalable and open. As such, it can offer support to various web services. To establish control over the entire platform, it is equipped with a centralized administration tool. This feature can help managers quickly access and control specific functionalities like system management, features management, SharePoint monitoring, security setting management, and restoration and back-up actions. Managers can also tinker with configuration wizards, general settings, and SharePoint upgrades.

Facilitates Collaboration

SharePoint permits team members to collaborate, stay informed, and get connected all through the lifecycle of their projects. This feature comes handy for companies that are geographically separated. It makes connecting to a branch in a different location more effortless and seamless through a single portal. Aside from that, it provides a more efficient approach to tackling team-based projects. It allows information to freely flow throughout the organization, a process that makes decision-making faster and better.

Promotes Data Security

SharePoint provides single-unit and broad level security. Its 2010 version allowed organizations to protect their data from unauthorized and malicious access. This is done by managing documents, folders, lists, and site permissions. It also preserves the integrity of the data saved in the SharePoint cloud.

Several companies already utilized SharePoint. If you are ready to experience all these benefits, then it is time to get on board. If you need help in any of your SharePoint needs, you can always get the help of firms offering SharePoint consulting services.

Recycle, Sell, or Donate? What to Do with Old Office Furniture

Businesses have a major role to play in ensuring that old office furniture stays out of landfills.

Offices cycle through furniture with a high level of frequency.

In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 11.6 million tons of furniture and furnishings waste hits municipal waste streams every year. That’s a slightly dated estimate. But since no nationwide recycling measures have forced policy or behavior changes, it’s fair to assume that the amount of waste from furniture is now even higher.

Businesses have a major role to play in ensuring that old office furniture stays out of landfills.

But what should we do to solve the problem? Here are a few tips on how to deal with old office furniture.

Find a New Use for It

Just because a bit of furniture is a little old and even a little outdated doesn’t mean that it’s beyond use.

The best way to address old office furniture is to redeploy it in some way, perhaps by selling it or by keeping it for future use in a new office.

There is a whole industry for after-market and second-hand office furnishings. Buyers for these companies are often looking for complete sets to sell to offices that want a total overhaul of their furnishings.

Keep in mind that you very likely won’t get a high price for your furniture. These furniture dealers are businesses too, and they need to keep their acquisition costs as low as possible to turn a profit.

If you decide your old furniture isn’t worth selling, it might be worth storing for later. If all goes well, your company will grow and you will need to furnish more space for new employees. Holding onto old furnishings will give you materials at no cost to get started.

Give It Away

If you can’t sell your furniture because it’s a touch out of date despite being in good condition, consider donating it to charity.

There are are several ways to handle this. One way is to seek out charitable organizations that accept donations that you can write off. These organizations will sometimes even haul the furniture away for you, making cleanup that much easier.

Even if you can’t write off your donation, you’ll be contributing to a good cause and building your reputation in the community.

Throw It Away When It’s Dead

Figuratively, “dead” means that old office furniture doesn’t work anymore. It isn’t serviceable and others can’t use it because of its state. If your furniture is dead, it’s time to get rid of it for good.

Same-day rubbish removal can make an office purge easy and efficient. Set aside a day of cleansing the office and you can get it all out of the way at once, and give it to rubbish removal.

The furnishings that hit the local municipal landfill won’t likely degrade over time. So make sure to think before you toss them—if there’s any other way they can be recycled, the landfill space isn’t worthwhile.

Give Your Old Office Furniture New Life

There are many ways to make the most of what could be considered waste. If your business cares about being ecologically and economically responsible, it’s time to recognize that even old office furniture can have value.

Finding how to extract that value requires the same genius it takes to get a startup off the ground and how to run a growing business. For more great business and startup content, make sure to check out the rest of our site.

5 Ways to discourage unfair competition from your former employees

When a former employee parts way with a company there is either a sense of fulfillment from a job well done or a bitter sense of resentment from a company that they never wanted to work for in the first place.

As people grow and evolve in their business endeavors, they may often seek alternate opportunities that suit their long-term vision that your company cannot provide to them. When a former employee parts way with a company there is either a sense of fulfillment from a job well done or a bitter sense of resentment from a company that they never wanted to work for in the first place.

No matter the feelings of the employer or employee post leave, there are five steps you can follow that will protect you and your company from unfair competition from your former employees.

1. Set proactive contracts

While someone can leave your company at a moments notice and face no resistance with what assets and information they take with them, proactive contracts that you set before even hiring employees in the first place should be a priority to ensure the protection of your information and valuable company assets.

2. Confidential information

By having a confidentiality statement in place for your company and its employees, you are able to control what valuable company information can and cannot be shared with the public or other corporations. Having a team to look over your business contract, such as Corpus Christi Business Lawyer, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have an established contract that legally restricts the information that may be shared about your business.

3. Ensure legality of competition

Legal issues as mentioned in the last point are some of the more common issues, but the vast array of business lawsuits are primarily filed in the cases of breaching confidentiality or and the employee going to another competitor with information that could lead to unfair competition. Luckily, the employer has plenty of power against confidentiality breaches if they were proactive and had conditions set in place for such scenarios.

4. Duty of loyalty

An issue many companies face is employees lining up to work with another firm with similar interests and transferring clients and sales to their new company before finishing their work with the previous company. Commonly known as a duty of loyalty, precautions like these legally forbid the sharing of information before termination so if any information or assets were transferred before the employee left your company could very easily take them to court.

5. Maintain a positive relationship

While most of the previous points have been about the legal aspects and various court instances that would cause chaos for any companies involved, maintaining a friendly and positive relationship with previous employees will relieve tension in the future and encourage fair competition among companies. Making sure to treat the individual with respect and understanding will also encourage them not to break any contracts due to the nature of your positive relationship

Conclusion

With many laws and restrictions placed on both employers and employees, it is always best to leave any legal issues to the experts and remember to maintain positive relationships with everyone you work with to prevent the chance for any unfair competition in the future.

5 Creative ways companies are changing their workplaces

If the workplace is creative, wonders are the results!

If the workplace is creative, wonders are the results!

An interesting workplace sparks creative ideas and innovative thoughts that make it possible for employees to spend their day productive without getting bored. This was the main reason for the unconventional changes that have been seen these days in many office spaces.

Clearly, business owners and office managers know the importance of providing employees with a productive office space. They also understand that a workplace is not just a shelter for the workers out there, but it is also a strategic tool to boost collaboration and productivity among employees that ultimately affects the growth of companies. We’ve seen some innovative changes in the workspaces recently that are said to be the course of action that promotes employee well-being.

So what are those changes that also bring about a change in the work culture of employees?

1. No Fixed Place:

Have you ever heard about the hot desk?

It’s just where employees at their office are not going to have a fixed place or desk for them. Technology evolution, wireless internet connection, tablets and notebooks have made it even easier for employees not to be chained to a workplace throughout the day.

They can simply move around the office space, instead, and work where they feel comfortable. As a matter of fact, when employees enter the office space they are not forced to stick to a desk. They are free to choose their workplace. May it be a sofa, a chair, or an open table; just go, sit down and begin to work.

Companies must have taken particular care to organize the office space to suit hot-desking for this to work. But hot-desking can sometimes make the employees choose a place and stay there the whole day that affects the communication of the employees. And, if you don’t make employees understand the benefits of it, the entire hot-desking plan goes in vain.

2. Movable Desks:

Most companies still follow the traditional way of permanently arranging desks, but very few have gone out of the box and come up with the idea of mobile desks.

Not only are these desks mobile, but they are also the puzzles that can be moved, attached and detached to form different and comfortable shapes that employees want. The desks can be arranged (individually or collaboratively) according to their needs. Is this not a nice idea to foster collaboration among employees?

3. Music Rooms:

Who is not fond of music? It’s always a shot to keep your mind alive and enthusiastic.

So why isn’t it a way to boost the productivity of employees in the workplace?

It’s definitely let-off steam at work for the music lovers. A music room can burst the stress out of them boosting their energy in their hectic schedule, close deadlines, and work pressure.

Music rooms don’t mean that all the musical instruments need to fill the room. It should be super fine just a drum set, keyboards, guitars, microphone, stands and a small stage. This strategy is already being practiced by a few companies and it seems to work well for them. LinkedIn is one of those few companies and in its headquarters, it has used this system.

However, to avoid noise complaints, you need to make sure the room is soundproof.

4. Super Desk:

You can give a name to it! I call it a super desk because it’s a desk that can work together as many as 150 people.

It’s not like an open office completely, but it can be related to the concept. Many multinationals have adopted this super desk system to represent their collaborative approach where employees can communicate with ease.

5. Green Office:

A green office is not about green paint, green interior, and green furniture. It means bringing to the workplace the live plants. It keeps employees inspired by bringing live plants and other natural things to the office.

Recent research suggests that the addition of plants inside the office increases the productivity of employees by 15 %. A green office sends a silent message about their welfare to the employees.

Many businesses have begun adding live plants and greenery to provide a healthy environment for employees that will automatically boost their productivity.

All of these workplace changes have reportedly produced positive results for the companies that employed them. Ultimately, the design of office space is about the satisfaction of employees. All you need to do is give them what they want to be productive. Read about mexico manufacturing.

Author Bio: Sahaana Jai is a content Writer at Furnished Office Bangalore, a Corporate Real Estate brokerage firm providing specialized services in property management, corporate leasing, online property services, investment and transaction Management.

How to effectively train your employees to lead

When you spot leadership material in your employees, you want to do your best to cultivate it as effectively as possible.

When you spot leadership material in your employees, you want to do your best to cultivate it as effectively as possible. Employees that show themselves capable of going above and beyond the call of duty can provide you with a broad variety of advantages in the future, especially as your business starts to grow and expand.

Provide Chances to Take Charge

One of the best ways for you to get your employees into the leadership mindset is to give them the opportunity to lead projects and take charge. Have them manage their peers and always incentivize better practices in order to get the best results. You want your employees to know that they should always search for chances to be reliable.

Show Them a Bigger View of the Business

When you come upon employees who have stronger leadership potential, you will have the opportunity to cultivate their desire to learn more about the business. These professionals are often very eager to learn more about the industry and how they can start making waves in the right direction. As you get to know these employees, take the time to show them the politics and inner workings of the business, as they will need to learn more to get ahead.

Get Them Out of the Office

Make sure that you bring your employees to all types of environments where they can learn more about leadership opportunities. Things like networking events and mixers are excellent locations for your employees to see how they can connect with other professionals in the industry. The end goal is to provide them with the background they need to begin representing the best of your business, no matter what field you are in.

White Belt Sigma Six Training

Finally, if you feel as though you are ready to take your students to the next level, it is highly recommended for you to teach them about white belt sigma six training here in your business. These teaching methods can provide them with a broad variety of practical skills and specializations that they can take with them wherever they need. Many of the skills translate to real-life situations, improving their leadership capabilities in any environment.
No matter when you are ready to expand your business and provide your employees with opportunities to lead, it is always a good idea to be as specific as possible when it comes to your own practices. Teach them how to plan ahead for your company’s structuring while also thinking outside the box as necessary for the future.

How to find out legitimacy of a mortgage lender?

Verifying the legitimacy of these loan companies can be challenging, especially with the rise of made-up testimonials and sleek-looking advertisements.

The United States mortgage industry is the most complex and largest home financing market in the globe, making up USD 20.5 trillion of its GDP. Recent statistics indicate that the total value of outstanding mortgage debt reached USD 15.4 trillion last year.

All these numbers point out that there is a wide range of available mortgage services in the country. However, verifying the legitimacy of these loan companies can be challenging, especially with the rise of made-up testimonials and sleek-looking advertisements.

One of the best ways to determine the legitimacy of mortgage services is to check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Usually, a reliable and trusted organization like Entrust Funding includes their loan company name, business type, website URL, phone numbers, and emails on the BBB database.

Add the postal code or location of the company to narrow your search. Interestingly, you may also utilize the database tool to look for loan companies that are certified members of the BBB.

Alternatively, contact the attorney general of your state, banking oversight agency, and financial registration agency. Remember that state law requires loan brokers and companies to register with these state agencies for eligibility.

Better yet, observe their payment requirements and make sure that they will disclose charges upfront and subsequently subtract them from the loan amount. Be wary of loan companies that promise massive loan offers in exchange for upfront payments.

What Does Mortgage Servicing Mean?

In general, loan or mortgage servicing alludes to the technical aspects of a loan from the dispersion of the proceeds to the payment process.

In most cases, mortgage servicing involves sending payment statements and gathering payments monthly, as well as preserving records of balances and payments.

Moreover, the collected payments are then remitted to numerous parties like insurance and taxes, interest payments, mortgage guarantors, and remitting principal.

What are the Basic Types of Mortgage Services?

Popular types of services include conventional or fixed-rate, interest-only, and an adjustable-rate mortgage. More often than not, people opt for a traditional mortgage because it comes with fewer risks and is usually available in 10, 20, or even 40-year terms.

Interest-only mortgage loans, meanwhile, provides you an option to only pay the interest during the first five or ten years of the loan, while adjustable-rate mortgages only change its rate based on economic changes. You should check Current mortgage rates before taking any loan.

Besides that, reputed loan companies like Entrust Funding also provide individual assistance for veterans and first-time buyers. VA loans make it faster for US army veterans and their spouses to buy homes since they get an unconditional guarantee from the Department of Veteran Affairs.

First-time buyers, on the other hand, can resort to mortgages guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Interestingly, FHA loans are packed with built-in mortgage insurance that safeguards buyers from the possibility of failing to repay the loan.

Ordinarily, FHA loans require smaller down-payments and enable aspiring homeowners to eliminate the PMI payment and qualify for refinancing. An FHA loan might be the right option if you are unable to meet qualification requirements like higher credit scores.

When your boss gets afraid of your leadership skills, hone them more

It is unfortunate when you end up with such a boss.

There are tell-tale signs when your boss is afraid of you. He frequently ignores you or often fails to respond. He shoots down most of your ideas or steals them as his own. He restricts your interaction with others by giving you low-level impact jobs and prevents you from communicating with other units.

It is unfortunate when you end up with such a boss. Don’t engage in any head-on conflict with the boss. Instead, continue doing your job well, hone your soft skills, and continue leading from your confines.

Leadership Skills Can Be Learned

Like other soft skills, Leadership Skills can be learned and developed.

The main difference between hard and soft skills is the ease of measuring the skill level. You can measure the typing speed in words per minute, but it is more difficult to quantify his commitment and motivation.

A massive list of soft skills will help you determine which you may want to hone and develop. The common types needed in the workplace include collaboration, communication, problem-solving, time management, and leadership skills. The abundance of soft skill coaches and their proliferation in the web attest to their learnability.

The soft skills for leadership would include the following:

• Motivation – inspiring and influencing others
• Trustworthiness – truthfulness and doing what they promised
• Goal-setting – developing and achieving goals
• Commitment – dedication and focus to goals and objectives

In as much as soft skills are also called interpersonal skills or relationship skills, learning and developing them is best done working with others.

There is a Talent Gap for Leadership Skills

Leadership skills are needed in the workplace but can also be used in life outside work. Leadership is practiced at all levels of an organization and in all social units.

Deloitte University is part of a global company that focuses on trends in human capital and leadership. A study conducted by Adam Canwell for Deloitte points to the lack of leaders as the primary talent gap worldwide.

Eighty-six percent (86%) of the respondent organizations rates this issue as urgent or important. Only 13% answered that their organization is doing an excellent job in leadership development.

Start Leading From the Inside

It is time for employees to build upon their leadership skills, even if their current bosses get afraid of them. Most organizations, including the military, spend a lot to develop leaders from among their team members. Some trainees and some of the top echelon of the organization may not be fit to be in their position. The boss who is afraid of you may be one of them.

Many resources are available for aspiring employees with leadership potential to further their careers. Even if the boss has restricted your working space and peer circle, no one works alone. Within your limited circle, you can still sharpen your leadership and other interpersonal skills.

Outside of work, we are also part of the community, a church group, or a civic club. We always have other people around us to practice and enhance our leadership skills.

Better and Faster – How to streamline your hiring process

Hiring new employees doesn’t always have to be a long, drawn-out process.

Hiring new employees doesn’t always have to be a long, drawn-out process. With the right methods, you can streamline the hiring process and get the new employees that you need to fill empty positions in your company. Following these four tips can help streamline the hiring process.

Write Detailed Job Descriptions

The more details a job description has, the easier it will be to filter out prospective applicants who aren’t qualified for the position. Each job description that you write should have detailed information about the specific job duties of the position and the required experience that a candidate is expected to have. Using a pre-written job description template can make it easier for you to include all the pertinent information in the job post so that nothing important is omitted. The clarity in job description is very important, especially when you are remote hiring workers.

Perform Background Checks

A background check can let you know if a particular applicant has been honest with you about their history, pre employment checks. The background report that you receive can show whether a person has any criminal history that might disqualify them from the job position that you’re trying to fill. Previous job history can also be reviewed with the information that you receive from a background check. You might also be able to perform a credit check on each applicant if state law allows.

Prescreen Candidates

Prescreening candidates with short phone interviews or through an online conferencing program will make scheduling face-to-face interviews with only the most qualified applicants easier. Asking questions about education, job experience and whether or not a jobseeker has ever used professional certification software can streamline the hiring process. You can also send an email to each applicant that contains a series of five to ten questions that relate to the position and only invite the candidates whose answers you like the best for in-person interviews.

Use a Computerized Applicant Tracking System

Applicant tracking systems make it possible to store applicant information on a business computer network so that the data can be stored better and will be easier to review. The best systems simplify the process of scanning resumes and identifying key pieces of information that could make a particular applicant more or less desirable for the position. A tracking system can be used to create and send out job offers to qualified candidates. Employee referrals can also be tracked better with the right system.

Hiring everyone that you need for your team can possibly be done sooner than you think. These methods for streamlining hiring can take a lot of the time, frustration and guesswork out of the process.