Corporate Life

How To Find The Best Office Space Dallas

The Office Finder has made it easy for companies to acquire office space Dallas at an affordable rate, and office spaces that are well equipped.

The Office Finder has made it easy for companies to acquire office space Dallas at an affordable rate, and office spaces that are well equipped. When considering taking the office space, you should make sure that the amenities and services that you need to keep your company running are available. Such as the Wi-Fi, the lift, the boardroom, the presentation room, the printers, and scanning machines that is in good condition so that they can easily be operated.

The office space in Dallas makes sure that you consider all the factors before you invest in a workspace. You should be able to:

• Consider an office space that will be able to accommodate the number of employees that you have. Space should not be too big, and neither should it be too small. It should be able to offer space that will enable you to expand your business in the future.

• You should also be able to consider the kind of governing that you would need in your organization. For an open office, you do not need much space, but for cubicle offices, you need some space that can be partitioned for a more segmented work environment.

• The type of business that your company carries out also plays a role in the kind of office space that they will be able to take up.

• The budget of the company also plays a significant role in determining the kind and size of space that it takes up. It determines the amount of money that you should invest in finding the right premises for your office.

• The price of the office may differ depending on the strategic positioning of the office. For example, offices by the window tend to be costly. Offices within the city also tend to have a higher rent.

All the essential factors of getting a great Dallas office space are put into consideration while seeking the help of the Office Finders. This makes sure that you do not invest most of your time in your business. You only need to state the basic information about your employees, your organization, and the purpose of the office space that you want to acquire.

Some of the available office spaces in Dallas are listed below:

• Dallas – CBD office market
• Dallas – North office market
• Dallas – LBJ freeway office market
• Dallas – Uptown office market
• Dallas – Preston Center office market
• Dallas – West End office market
• Dallas – Stemmons freeway office market
• Dallas – Victory center office market

The office spaces are charged per hour, month, and annually with prices ranging depending on the geographical location of the office space. The office spaces are not limited to a number of individuals sharing. To cut the cost, a company can partner with other small companies to share the office space.

Getting a reliable working space can be beneficial to your organization. This makes sure that you are comfortable and that you get the type of office that you always wanted. The interior of the office is also decorated to meet your office style, as the layout and décor are tailored to fit your company’s theme.

Trying to plan a great office party? Consider these helpful tips

One of the best ways to increase the level of happiness in a workspace is by hosting regular office parties.

One of the most challenging jobs on the planet is as a business owner. As time goes by, a person will have to hire more employees to lighten their existing workload. The main goal a business owner should have is keeping their employees engaged and happy.

The last thing a business owner wants is for their team to become disgruntled and unhappy. One of the best ways to increase the level of happiness in a workspace is by hosting regular office parties. These parties are a great way for business owners and employees to mingle.

The following are some of the things a person needs to consider when trying to make their next office party a success.

Finding a Good Caterer

A number of details will have to be ironed out before an office party can happen. One of the main things a business owner needs to consider is what type of food they will serve their team. Taking an office poll is a great way to figure out what type of food everyone likes.

The key to getting great food for this event is hiring experienced Corporate Caterers. Before hiring a catering company like pizza catering business, a business owner will have to do a bit of research. Finding out how long a catering company has been in business and what type of reputation they have is a must before making a hire. You can also check sydney topless waitresses.

Choosing the Right Location

Did you realize disengaged employees cost business owners over $5 billion each year? Instead of waiting until productivity issues start to surface to make a change, keep employees engaged with fun activities like parties. When trying to plan a successful party, a business owner will need to think about where they want to have it.

Ideally, a business owner will want to host this event in a place that has a lot of entertainment. Places like arcades or local bars are a great venue for these parties. While having a party in a bar is a good idea, be sure to limit alcohol intake. The last thing a business owner wants is to lose control of a situation due to having one too many drinks.

Take This Opportunity to Recognize Hard-Working Employees

Finding ways to keep everyone at the office party entertained is important. One of the best ways to do this is by scheduling a few different events at the party.

Taking time to give out a few awards to deserving employees can be a lot of fun. Not only will this recognition make an employee feel great about the work they do, but it can also make them more productive over time. The money paid for a trophy or plaque will be worth it in the long run.

Avoid Talking Shop

While an office party will put you around people you work with daily, avoid talking shop as much as possible. Using this event as an opportunity to get to know employees on a personal level is essential. Creating this type of personal bond with employees can make for a better work environment.

Take Time to Plan a Great Party

To throw a memorable office party, a business owner will need to take their time during the planning phase. Hiring a professional event planner is a great way to get help with this difficult process.

The Top 8 Things Your Employees Want to See in Their Working Space

Here are the 8 main things your best employees want to see in their working space.

You may think that your salary and benefits are what will retain your good employees. Instead, though, talented individuals who can head to your competitors just as easily as they can stay with you look for more than just the basics in their daily job.

Here are the 8 main things your best employees want to see in their working space.

1. Comfort mixed with functionality.

This depends on the main aspect of their job, but if your employees are sitting all day behind a desk, they want those chairs and desks to be ergonomically friendly and functional at the same time. Their health should not have to suffer because they want to earn a paycheck.

2. Clean, private restrooms.

When an employee has to travel multiple floors or hallways just to use the restroom, it deters them from going when they need to. This, in turn, causes serious and chronic health conditions and resentment.

3. Working, up-to-date technology.

That does not mean that you have to bring out state-of-the-art computers and touchscreen everything, but the technology that you do have should make your employees’ lives easier rather than more difficult. When crucial pieces of a technology break down, locks up, or runs slow all of the time, it makes it difficult for everyone to do their job.

4. A stocked kitchen.

Many companies offer a vending machine on site, but these are usually filled with unhealthy options that will only drag your staff’s productivity down when they inevitably crash after eating. Instead, stock your kitchen with healthy choices, like those found at AssociatedCoffee.com today and watch your employees’ morale and output skyrocket.

5. A bit of recreational opportunity.

Locked inside a box of four walls can be depressing for even the most optimistic employee. Instead of pushing the 9 to 5 grind without breaks, install an area in your building where a bit of fun can be had, and let employees take 10 to 15 minutes a day to let off steam and release their stress with an outside patio, a comfy couch to rest on, or even a pool table.

6. Eco-friendly choices.

Offering green recycling, lighting, office space, or even bicycle parking is a great incentive in this day of eco-conscious people. We all want to know we are doing our part to make the world a better place, so why not help your employees help the environment?

7. A comfortable temperature.

First it’s too hot, then it’s too cold, and eventually, your employees become miserable or sick. But how do you know what the right temperature is for your office when everyone’s internal thermostat is different?

According to the Occupational Health & Safety Administration, the optimal temperature to aim for is anywhere between 68 to 76 degrees. Anything more or less can cause moodiness, irritability, and sluggishness.

8. Natural lighting.

Being near windows or other forms of natural light increases the morale of your employees. They may not be able to be outside, but just the proximity to that lighting improves productivity.

Keep Your Employees Happy with the Little Things

Sure, salary and benefits are important. You need to be able to pay a living wage and offer benefits that will help keep your employees healthy. But the little things mean a lot to your staff. Small touches that are simple for you to show your employees that you appreciate them and can help keep your retention percentages high and turnover low.

4 Tips for Leveraging the Power of Social Media to Showcase Your Company Culture

Would you like to show off your company culture via social media, and attract exciting talent?

So fierce is the level of competition in the current corporate space that many companies are applying every rule in the book to stay competitive. From vigorous adverts online to using social media, it appears none would wish to be left behind. However, out of their diverse tactics of attracting fresh talent, there’s one particular hack whose charm seemingly beats them all!

To keep attracting a fresh crop of talented employees, nearly every company now uses the power of having a unique and admirable company culture. They are doing this, knowing too well, that it is an incredible inbound recruiting technique.

Social media and showcasing a brand’s Company Culture – perfect for Inbound Recruitment!

With social media boasting around 2.77 billion users from around the globe right now, every company jostling to leverage it is justified to do so. However, those that don’t use it to sell their products or interact with their clients probably have a bigger reason to stick to it. It is an ideal spot for custom staffing, as long as one selects the right platform and sticks to it.

Would you like to show off your company culture via social media, and attract exciting talent?

1. Tell your story

You can light up social media and earn more plaudits by telling the story behind the establishment of your brand. This strategy works excellently when it’s presented in a compelling and relatable fashion. It, however, has to highlight the successes you’ve achieved so far – not the struggles!

You can use photos and short, documentary-style videos to tell the story. However, beneath the story, you should try to skillfully sell your company culture, ethos and why your company is the best place for talented individuals. One critical thing you shouldn’t forget to underline in your story is your corporate social responsibility programs.

2. What makes you a cool workplace? Flaunt it

Well, it could be the dynamism of the team, the exciting and innovative amenities or the freedom to be creative. Or, maybe it’s the sleek and stylish desks, ready to be filled up, goodie boxes for new recruits or just about anything extraordinary. Whatever it is, just let the world of social media know it.

The best way to present it is by doing a behind-the-scenes video of some sort or taking photos and posting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. While at it, however, make sure to sell the company in a cheerful and reinvigorating style.

3. Let your employees be your company’s social media advocates

A story told by a couple of employees sells far much better than that of the company, especially when it’s perfectly choreographed to appear natural and not stage-managed. This technique perfectly suits a business whose team is vibrant and conspicuous on social media.

You only need to choose the highly enthused employees who will only need to create a Hashtag and the conversation starts. And in the midst of it, potential customers will want to be part of the company. They will explore the profiles of the employees before inquiring how they might join in.

4. Do a video

Popular video-sharing channels like YouTube and Periscope can also help. You just have to create an in-depth video detailing all that makes up your company. The best way to do this is to come up with something like a ‘reality show’ featuring satisfied employees, how the team interacts and so forth.

5 Ways You Can Utilize Push to Talk Technology in Your Organization

Push to talk is a versatile technology that allows businesses to stay in contact.

Push to talk is a versatile technology that allows businesses to stay in contact. Push to talk services has similar features for personal and professional use. Once connected to a land mobile service, workers can stay in contact through a variety of conditions.

5. An All In One Solution

Providers like Peak Push To Talk handle the technology as an all in one solution. Push to talk is more than just a quick way to send voice over short and long distances. The build quality of supported devices can withstand more punishment than the average walkie talkie. Optional case protection provides an even stiffer build, and all without making the buttons hard to push. The sound is clear and crisp, even in heavily populated settings.

4. A Familiar Interface

Any worker that has used a walkie talkie will become familiar with a push to talk in minutes. It has a similar interface with easy to understand features. Companies can save valuable training time by switching to push to talk as an upgrade. An intuitive interface has all of the bells and whistles without being too complicated for an average user. In high stress work situations, familiarity is an important feature.

3. Increased Productivity

Over 200 workers can stay in contact using push to talk services. Without any interference or ‘out of range’ problems, the service pays for itself in a short amount of time. Push to talk is not a distraction like other communication services. Unlike texting and internet communication, push to talk allows for true multitasking. With every minute counting in some projects, this is a game changer for many organizations.

2. One-Handed Operation

One-handed operation feeds into the idea that push to talk is perfect for multitasking. Every important feature associated with technology can be accessed without distracting workers. This prevents accidents and common distractions when operating heavy machinery. Workers that are in vulnerable positions through the workday can still communicate without putting themselves in danger. Enhanced button placement takes positioning into account, using a design that conforms with the latest industry standards.

1. Enhanced Team Management Features

Large groups of workers can communicate in real time. When using team management features, team leaders can instruct workers on various tasks throughout the workday. Sharing location data and providing updates is an important feature for leaders that want to follow their workers progress. For dispatch leaders, team management features ensure that there are no weak points in the work schedule. Private channels allow dispatch workers to communicate with team leaders throughout the day. Any special instructions needed can be carried out without interruption.

Wrap Up

Instant contact with an active talk group has never been easier. PTT takes all of the advantages of wireless communication and puts it in a rugged, ready to roll professional package. Walkie talkies have their place, but push to talk is creating its own network of fans.

6 ways to stay focused when you are working from home

It is very easy to get distracted when you are working from the comfort of your home.

It is very easy to get distracted when you are working from the comfort of your home. However, to remain focused and deliver good output seems like challenges which is why you need to follow the tips listed below to remain focused while working from home:

1. Make your own time-based rule

Most people follow a 52:17 or 30:5 rule in which they work for 52 or 30 minutes followed by a break for 17 or 5 minutes respectively. You can choose to make up your own time rule based on what you think will be most productive for you.

2. Give yourself little treats

There isn’t anything wrong with bribing yourself with little treats in order to be productive. By promising yourself something at the end of the completion of a task, you add more incentive to get that work done and turn a blind eye to the distractions around.

Related Post: 5 ways to supercharge your brain

3. Dress professionally

Attire adds greatly to the psychology of productivity which is why it is always better to change into professional clothes before starting work. Changing clothes gives you the professional headspace you need to start, working for the day.

4. Get out a little

Just because you are supposed to be working from home, you don’t need to confine yourself to just that space. Sometimes, going out to work in coffee shops or parks can boost creativity and help you concentrate on your work better.

5. Have a workspace

You are likely to not feel like working in your bed and more importantly, under your blankets. Even if your job requires/allows you to work from home, it is advisable to create a workspace inside your house which helps you concentrate solely on work to increase productivity.

6. Make a schedule

Every morning before starting your work, it is necessary to make a schedule for yourself which classifies your targets according to priority. Making and sticking to a schedule will also make you more organised as you know exactly what you’ve completed and what work needs to be done next.

5 ways to supercharge your brain and achieve Neurogenesis

Here are few activities through which you can achieve Neurogenesis.

The brain is a fascinating organ in your body which can be supercharged by following some basic tips. A hidden superpower present your brain called Neurogenesis is the creation of new brain cells which allows an inflow of new, creative ideas. If certain activities are carefully followed daily, you will be able to easily supercharge your brain and be more productive.

Here are few activities through which you can achieve Neurogenesis:

i. Engage in physical activity

We’ve heard that engaging in some sort of physical activity is the key to supercharging mental abilities which is absolutely true. Scientists have found the correlation between working out and intellect which is why you should ditch the excuses and start working out daily.

ii. Meditation

The benefits of meditation and Yoga are countless as when performed on a regular basis, these activities can benefit your body greatly. Meditating once a day helps you get rid of distress and focus on things better and when you are more focused, you tend to be more productive. It also helps your brain to collect the fragmented thoughts.

iii. Read as much as you can

Read books, articles, success stories and almost everything you can get your hands on. The more you read, the more you are able to recharge your brain cells and boost your creativity. Reading opens up brain doors which were previously shut which is why reading is something you should engage in on a regular basis.

iv. Listen to music

It has been proven that listen to soothing music like instrumental or Celtic music can have a calming effect on your brain. On the body front, it lowers your pulse rate and decreases the amount of stress hormones released. Listening to music can also upgrade the creativity level in your brain cells.

v. Soak the sunlight

This is necessary as you are probably used to working under artificial lights which actually robs your brain of energy. Along with the energy, the production of new brain cells is also affected when you are over exposed to artificial lighting. Instead, spend time outdoors to refresh your brain and promote the growth of new brain cells.

6 ways to get rid of sore eyes from staring at a screen for too long

Staring at your laptop screen or your smartphone all day might be necessary but it is extremely harmful as it affects your eyes.

Staring at your laptop screen or your smartphone all day might be necessary but it is extremely harmful as it affects your eyes and often because of the harsh blue glare, you end up having headaches, stress, and fatigue. If done properly, there are a few ways in which you can cure your sore eyes:

1. Blink as much as you can

Blinking helps in keep your eyes hydrated and get rid of irritation and dryness. While staring at a screen, we tend to blink way lesser than we usually would which is why eyes dry out and start feeling sore. Blinking keeps your eyes moist and helps them refocus better.

2. Take frequent breaks

Follow the 20-20-20 rule when it comes to your Smartphone. This rule states that after staring at a screen for 20 minutes, look away from it for 20 seconds and try and concentrate on something that is 20 feet away. This helps your eye muscles relax and removes the soreness from your overworked eyes.

3. Make adjustments to your brightness

Your brightness is adjustable, so, why not use that feature to the fullest. Staring at a screen too bright or too dark can rip your eyes of moisture and cause problems in maintaining focus. All you need to do is go to settings and adjust it according to the light around you for better focus. However, most people use their phone in the dark on the bed which has been proven to cause insomnia.

4. Resize the text

Using the resizing tool to enlarge the text is a good idea as now you will not have to strain your eyes to read something minuscule. Also, this makes reading messages and e-mail on the phone way easier.

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5. Clean your screen often

Since you spend so much time with/on it, why not spend some removing dust, smudges, and fingerprints? This will help you read things better and is more hygienic.

6. Do not hold the screen close to your face

You do not have to hold the smartphone screen in front of your face to read something. Maintain a decent distance which helps you read stuff and doesn’t over strain your eyes either. A distance of 16-18 inches is considered perfect.

5 mind-changing ways to make your business an awesome place to work

Here’s how.

One day, lady luck took the day off, and the highway patrol stopped me on a stretch of asphalt out in Idaho. Yes, unluckily for me, I was in possession of more than what is normally allowed for personal use. Only just, but it was enough. My defense? “It’s just a stage I’m going through, sir. I’ll get my act sorted.” The court’s reply? “2 years.”

And I did. Eventually. Some 12 years later, now you’ll find me running a successful digital marketing agency back in my home city of Medellin, Colombia. Those memories of jail time are firmly in the past. Well, most of it is. One of the things I do remember is this:

I learned my best leadership skills in prison.

Basically, and excuse my French, when you find yourself in the joint, there’s simply no room to fuck up – you either fly straight, my friend, or you’re instantly chin-checked. Or worse. Prison is all about rules – theirs and ours. You need to understand quickly how best to get along.

Much of my “education” there applies to life and how you wish to live it.

All of it applies to business and how you wish to run it.

So, that’s what I wish to impart to you – the hard lessons learned, how they have stood me in good stead ever since, how they drive you to simply enjoy your day, and how they adapt so perfectly into making your business an awesome place for your employees to work in.

Note: The use of armed guards is purely optional, but I’d try and avoid their deployment if you can. Kind of defeats the purpose.

Apply everything you’re about to learn about making your workplace the place to be by adopting these 5 mind-changing ways, and you’ll be rewarded with employees who:

● Work better
● Get it done quicker, and
● Wish to work for you their entire careers

So here’s how.

Environment

When you’ve sat for endless hours looking at the same four stone walls, you get to learn to appreciate a better environment. Put your staff in an identical workstation cubicle each, for example, and that same feeling of tedium (and an inability to change it) is the resulting mood. And no-one, absolutely no-one, does their best work in a place they’d rather see the back of. To cap it all, it’s just no fun. Period.

Let your staff know that, as the one in charge, you’ve put great thought into their workplace workspace. Demonstrate this in practical terms, ie. how you have set that personal area up and how cool and inspired it is, so they understand this is your mindset for everything that affects an employee on a daily basis.

Don’t just use your imagination – let it run wild. Make it serious fun. And always listen to any suggestions your people might have for improving their workspace area (and always act on the good ones too).

Culture

For a long, long time, business culture has dictated it is the client that is No. 1, and that they should get their needs met first. Everything was done to keep those people happy.

Fortunately, however, businesses have started to get savvy to the concept that they should be 100% employee-focused in approach, and their culture should reflect that as much as possible. In short, put your people first, and the clients will automatically get taken care of.

The prison analogy? Look after the people who are always looking after you.

Leadership Style

We are what we are, and ain’t that the truth. However, in business, we all too often think leadership is about being in complete control, expecting 100% loyalty, and generally ordering your staff to get stuff done when you need to.

Respect doesn’t work like that, and it certainly isn’t earned like that, whether you’re in a Fortune 500 or the state penitentiary. You may get your employees to work for you just because you’re domineering, you act in a powerful manner, and you pay them on time at the end of every month, but it sure doesn’t breed respect. You learn a truckload about earning respect in jail, that’s for certain.

Demonstrate who you truly are – your creativity, emotion, empathy, even vulnerability, during each and every working day, and those staff of yours will be more than happy to respect you for who you are. Engage the right-side of your brain – that’s where all the human stuff is. They’ll do their work with a smile on their faces too.

Lead – Do Not, I Repeat, Do Not “Manage”….

Nobody likes a manager. Not really. Nobody wants to be led from Point A to Point B like they couldn’t work out the direction for themselves. Prison teaches you this. Plain following orders is a whole punishment in itself.

What employees much prefer is actual empowerment, where they plan how best to get where the business needs to be in the area that they are responsible for. It makes for a much happier and more satisfied workplace too. Show your employee you have their trust, and they will repay it in great ways you hadn’t even thought of.

Gratitude

As social animals, we like to show others it’s good to be around them. We also like to show them it’s good to be around us too. Prison life and what you make of it depends very much on how you build relationships with people. So, we show gratitude. In most prison-related cases, it’s a nod of the head, or a good word, said and meant. It’s always gratefully received.

As leaders, we can display gratitude in a number of ways, and I’m not just talking about an end-of-year bonus either. In fact, do your homework and you’ll find the main motivators for staff are more responsibility, personal recognition and a sense of worth.

Just how you achieve this is your decision. Personally, I’d look at the following:

● Career Maps: Every member of your staff should have a career map, discussed and agreed jointly between you. Reviewed regularly, it’s an organic thing, and it’s as important as a contract.

● Corporate Gifts: Rewarding your employees in a more obviously material way can come in the form of personalized corporate gifts. You can even have a mini-presentation in front of colleagues. How fun and/or personal you wish the gift to be is your choice. Ask their colleagues what floats their boat if you don’t know.

● Flexibility: You have your life outside of work. So do your employees. Respect theirs by being as flexible as you can possibly be if the need arises.

● Company – Wide Recognition (and Beyond): If an employee has performed above and beyond, proclaim it publically through the work network, even put something on your company website for the whole world to see. Let your clients know what you appreciate about your staff.

Bring Your Workplace To Life

So there you have it, dear reader. A few (hopefully) wise words of wisdom, in the guise of 5 mind-changing ways to an awesome place to work, learned in a somewhat different environment to wherever you put your daily grind in. I’m guessing that’s the case, anyway. As you can see, the actual environment only is one part of it – how you bring that place to life is all the rest.

Remember, environment, culture, leadership style, lead – don’t manage, and gratitude. Focus on getting these right, and you’ll have a workplace that is not only awesome, it’s the envy of other businesses.

How do you or would you create a fun, awesome workplace? If you have any ideas along these lines that you’d like to share, please, drop us a comment below. Much appreciated. As is freedom. Never take that for granted. Just make sure you share it around.

About the author: Andrew Macia

Hi, my name is Andy! I was born in Bogota, Colombia, but raised in Los Angeles, California. I’m an active entrepreneur and marketing specialist, with my own successful digital marketing agency for a global client list based in Medellín, Colombia.

5 things confident people do differently as compared to normal people

There are some things that confident people do differently as compared to others which set them apart.

Confidence is the key to succeeding in most cases. Entrepreneurship is one job which demands a high level of confidence as one need to be able to bowl people over with their confidence. However, there are some things that confident people do differently as compared to others which set them apart.

Here are five things that confident people do differently:

i. Tone of certainty

Truly confident people do not use “maybe” and other words or phrases in that zone. Their speech is delivered with conviction and when asked a question, they reply in an absolute “yes” or “no”. It is very easy to figure out if a person is confident or not by just listening to him talk.

ii. Physical exercise

People who exercise daily are proven to be more confident than the ones who don’t. Exercising releases endorphins which induce positive feelings in your mind and body and help you feel better about yourself and your work. Engaging in some form of physical exercise also helps you build a positive body image about yourself and adds to your confidence level.

iii. They listen attentively

In order to be confident, you need to possess the power of listening. Confident people only speak after they’ve listened to the other person carefully because it helps them form solid answers. This also helps them have better interactions as compared to people who never listen to others.

iv. Confident people are risk-takers

Confident people believe in themselves which give them the power to take risks. They do not shy away when a risk needs to be taken because they believe in their judgements. However, the risk taken is calculated by them beforehand so that they are sure about the gains later.

Related Post: 6 ways in which performers actually focus

v. Confident people accept their mistakes

As we know, to err is human, confident people take responsibility of their follies and accept their mistakes if they’ve made one. Self-assured people know that they can’t always be right which is why they are willing to learn more from people better than them.

5 Productivity apps everyone should have on their phone

Since apps are now more powerful than ever, they can easily help us with our day-to-day business activities.

In the last couple of years, we experienced a massive technology growth of our mobile devices. In the early 2000s we could barely send an email with them, but now we can browse the Internet, take pictures, do some complex work, and much more.

With freelance and remote working becoming a trend, our mobile devices have never been more useful. Because they are now packed with strong processors, we can do almost everything that we used to do on our desktop computers, but at the same time not being tied to our offices.

With the emergence of the apps, everything has changed. Remember that saying there is an app for everything? Well, there is! Since apps are now more powerful than ever, they can easily help us with our day-to-day business activities.

The only drawback is that there are apps that will save our time, but on the other hand there are others that will completely waste it. You could easily stretch a 1-hour assignment to a whole day event especially with the combination of browsing the Internet and spending time in those apps.

Here is the list of the apps that will make you more productive, save your time and at least take away some of the stress from your life.

Tide: Focus, Relax, Meditation

Tide helps you stay focused by providing ambient noise and a timer based on the Pomodoro technique. This app is great if nature sounds help you focus. You can choose five natural scenarios: ocean, rain, forest, meditation, and coffee. Also, there is an option to customise the sounds by mixing music and white noise.

The app has a minimalist design with simple and elegant interface. They even carefully picked font types for the app.

Price: Free, Available on iOS and Android

PDF Converter Ultimate

As the name suggests it, this is the ultimate app for quickly and accurately converting your documents on the go. For example, whenever you need to edit some PDFs, instead of retyping them all over again, this app lets you convert them to over 20 different file types like MS Office files, XPS, Image file types and many others.

The one neat feature is that you can convert Gmail attachments and files from Google Drive Dropbox, Box, iCloud, and OneDrive directly from the app which can be beneficial for people who like to keep everything on the cloud. You can even convert scanned and complex PDFs with the industry-leading OCR technology.

Since all conversions are done on the servers, the app won’t drain your battery. Additionally, if you are worried that your documents may be compromised, don’t be, because after the conversion is complete all documents are being deleted from the servers.

Price: Free, Available on iOS and Android

Spark

If you are a type of person that doesn’t want to waste their time every morning by going through your crowded mailbox, then this app is a perfect fit for you. Spark sorts your inbox for you and with its “Smart Inbox”, it automatically detects whether an email is an important or not.

It has quick reply option which enables you to quickly reply to an email with just one tap. Also, you can use natural language to search for emails which is one of my favorite features. We all love the feeling of accomplishment when we have finally dealt with our inbox. The Spark lets you feel like that every day.

Price: Free, Available on iOS

Trello

Trello is a customized digital bulletin board where you can set up almost anything: from notes, tasks, to to-do lists and much more. With this app you can manage team workflows with ease. Tasks are presented as cards which can be grouped to boards and appointed to individuals, so at the same time you can see who is working on what.

You can also update cards with links, comments, and other important information. Likewise, you can set up notifications to ensure you never miss anything. There is also a paid version of the app which brings improved security and larger attachments sizes but, the free version should be enough for most people.

Price: Free, Available on iOS and Android

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IFTTT

If you never heard of IFTTT then you’re in for a treat. With this app you can incorporate various services and apps in order to get more things done. Combined services and apps are called applets and you can also create your own ones. Over 500 apps work with IFTTT.

For example, you can turn on applets and get an alert as soon as there’s a new Craigslist listing that matches your search, post all your Instagrams as Twitter photos or Pinterest pins, trigger events based on your current location and much more. The only limitation is your own imagination and your creativity. Play around and who knows how many great applets you can create!

Price: Free, Available on iOS and Android

Obviously, this is just the beginning. You will need all kind of apps and tools in order to cross out everything from your busy daily schedule. I hope these apps will at least make your life a little bit easier. If I forgot to mention some of your favorite apps, please let me know in the comments below.

Technology trends that are changing HR as we know it

HR Technology is going through a disruptive period where investors are looking for the big breakthrough in which they can invest.

New Technology and software continue to evolve as HR software continues to evolve. The design features also seem to improve with the changes in HR landscape. Some of the technologies that have changed the face of IT are Cloud technology, change in talent management and Digital Disruption. It is also changing the way that businesses handle the HR processes. It is mandatory to choose software that will help in serving the current processes while also being adaptable for the future. Based on the businesses process, the individual software trends could or could not be a good fit for the organization. There is a need to consider the current position as well as determine where the organization and the industry are headed.

Technology trends that will shape your organization

HR Technology is going through a disruptive period where investors are looking for the big breakthrough in which they can invest. In 2016, they had invested more than $2 Billion into HR platforms and in Tech Systems. The industry’s volatility can be explained by the huge amount of money spent on HRMS. Organizations have even shifted from cloud to mobile with this instability. This instability is also driven by artificial intelligence and the explosion in analytics. There has been the emergence of social and video recruiting as well as workplace wearable. Technology is rapidly changing and the technology that HR use is also changing along with it. The experience that the systems offer along with the software design that underlies it all also changes. HR systems that were originally used seem to be outdated. Learn more about M&A Technology Trends In 2021.

1. Performance Management

The organizational structure seems to be moving towards a team-based collaboration and companies require the management to support communication and integration. The feedback system also seems to promote this structure. There are feedback apps and social media as well as activities which help in making the employees efficient. There are also gamification elements that managers have recently adopted to improve communication. The tools that replicate the activities that the employees engage in when they are outside of work are typically the work processes that are most effective. Companies have been obsessively making the system agile and performance management is done by the team rather than by hierarchy, allowing dynamic team management. They also have pulse surveys and end-of-period surveys. Development plans are based on the data that employees had previously derived, making it easy to build. There are a number of online assessments that are featured.

2. Digital Solutions

HR industry is being transformed by Digital Technology. There are embedded analytics and mobile apps along with videos which have the power to shape culture as well as make the HR process more streamlined. It also successfully sets the stage up to make it more productive and make sure the workforce is engaged consistently. Digital HR is viewed as a holistic platform and not as a collection of individual elements. This puts it well ahead of the game in digital disruption. The entire employee process becomes digital, right from joining and hiring to exit. Everything from pre-hire assessment, interviewing, onboarding and orientation to the training and mentoring period are automated. Shifting from one job to another and transitions and assessments also becomes a routine that is made completely digital. Retirement options can also be explored from your smartphone. With the alumni network, the employee can continue his relationship with the organization.

3. Adaptability

Users should adopt new programs quickly and intuitively to make the new program effective. Team integration and collaboration, as well as tools that help in talent management, are the best tools to look into. It is also important to focus on factors like video learning, goal management, productivity management, feedback, and onboarding. By maximizing the potential in all these factors, the employee experience can also be improved and the products developed are of exceptional functionality. The system must be easy to adapt to and the user interface should fundamentally be simple. The HR tech should also be capable of finding strong candidates for the job, brand themselves, make job postings and pre-hire skills and assessments should be conducted. The complex processes involved in recruiting should all be handled with minimal input from the user, which makes it easy to work .

4. Analytics and Reporting

With the help of data, it is possible to understand the current workforce, potential new hires as well as strategies for recruitment. The framework for ACA compliance as well as other reporting requirements is also studied. HR Analyst, Josh Bersin, says that the key responsibility of HR is to harness and interpret data about employees. Software that can mine data and deliver reports and analytics is important as they will meet the compliance requirements and create team strategies that are more effective. It is also important for the delivery of reports and analytics and meeting the requirements to comply. Data mining will also make team strategies more effective and deliver strong culture. Productivity can also be increased. Recent trend shows that workforce management system supports this way of working and systems like Fieldglass from SAP, Beeline management, Workday, and Kronos are used. These options are being explored by HR professionals to find new work and talent. Tools are also being built in technical domains.

5. Configurability

When it comes to HR software, one size does not fit all as different organizations have different goals and needs. With the help of cloud technologies, configurability has become easier as companies can configure the software to serve their process and operations as well as improve the efficiency. The software has also become so customizable and independent that the employees can on board themselves, find mentors nearby and everything according to the norms and the requirement of the organization. A natural language robot drives the entire experience and it has been successful in ensuring employee engagement.

Disruption has become common in the HR market. Since mobile computing, sensors, video and artificial intelligence have all converged; the focus has shifted to employee engagement, wellness, productivity, and culture. This has resulted in the redefinition of HR technology and what HR can do.

6 ways in which performers actually focus

If you want to be successful and be labelled as a performer, all you need to do is follow these tips.

The difference between performers and non performers is the way they focus on their job and what they want to achieve. If you want to be successful and be labelled as a performer, all you need to do is follow the tips mentioned below:

i. Take some time out to think

Don’t storm into a conference room and start addressing people without any preparation. Performers know the importance of slowing down and gathering their thoughts before doing something as it helps them gather their thoughts and focus better on it.

ii. Practice makes a wo/man perfect

It is wrong to think that you can deliver and conquer everything without preparation. Most good performers are aware of the importance of practice and prefer rehearsing things before delivering as this helps them focus and deliver better when required.

iii. Physical workout

Physical workout for half an hour daily is very important because it keeps your body fit and refreshes your mind as well. The mental strength depends on a lot on how you treat your body because engaging in any form of exercise releases good hormones which make you feel more confident about yourself and help you focus on tasks better.

iv. Find solidarity

Once a while, seclude yourself from the people you meet and interact with daily to find yourself and refresh your mind. Treat this seclusion as a refreshing break and you will find that when you go back to work, you will feel more motivated and focused to achieve targets.

v. Increase your confidence

Before an important meeting or a decision, it is necessary for your to be confident while delivering. To gain this confidence and focus on making the decision better, do something that you really love to make your soul and body more happy.

vi. Bring yourself to focus

There will always be distractions of sorts surrounding you but your ability to focus greatly depends on how well you are able to chuck out the noise around you and streamline your thoughts around what you really want to achieve. This requires excessive mental strength.

Professional burnout: what it is and how to deal with it?

Burnout is common among entrepreneurs as well because it is a demanding job and often caught between working 20 hours a day and worrying about profits, an entrepreneur is bound to feel fatigue and loss of motivation.

Burnout is a type of psychological stress. Occupational burnout or job burnout is characterized by exhaustion, lack of enthusiasm and motivation, feelings of ineffectiveness, and also may have the dimension of frustration or cynicism, and as a result reduced efficacy within the workplace. Occupational burnout is typically and particularly found within human service professions. – Wikipedia

There are no fixed reasons as to why a person experiences occupational burnout. Prolonged stress regarding the business could result in a burnout. Fear, Insecurities, nervousness, dejection are some factors which can lead to an occupational burnout. Working too hard and not getting expected results can also lead to burnout.

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The common signs of burnout are:

• Fatigue
• Frustration
• Reduction in efficiency
• Resentful behaviour
• Loss of motivation
• Depression
• Health problems

If a person does nothing about it, it can lead to serious ailments and even psychological disorders which might be dangerous. However, there are methods in which one can deal with job burnout:

Make changes in your lifestyle

It is essential to make some changes in your current lifestyle to battle this problem as the lifestyle you are leading might not be a very healthy one. Eat balanced foods and exercise every alternate day for a healthier body which eventually leads to a healthy mind. Also, make sure you get at least 6-8 hours of sleep daily because rest is necessary for a person dealing with high levels of stress.

Take up a hobby

Your work isn’t the end-all of everything. Pursue your old hobby or learn a new one like playing a sport or an instrument to divert your mind. In this way, you’ll take some time off your work and actually start doing things which your enjoy.

Spend time with your family and friends

Talking and going out with you family and friends will rejuvenate you as these people are close to you. Share your woes with the people who you think will understand them. By doing this, you’ll feel lighter and happier than before.

Stress-management courses

There is no shame in admitting that stress is ruining your life and you’re seeking help for the same. These courses will help you manage your time and job better and help you learn tricks to avoid burnout. If classes aren’t your thing, you can seek for individualised support from therapists as well.

Take up yoga or meditation

Yoga and meditation are age-old proven ways to relieve stress and flush out toxins from your body. All you need to do is meditate for 15 minutes a day and you will observe a difference in your lifestyle. It will also help you focus better.

Delegate tasks

You might be the captain of the ship but that doesn’t mean everything needs to be done or looked after by you. Delegate jobs to the managers who you think can efficiently complete or manage certain tasks. This will take some burden off your shoulders and leave you with more free time for yourself.

5 ways to combat the blank page syndrome

If you are in the creative field of work, you are bound to encounter a mental, creative block at some point of your career.

If you are in the creative field of work, you are bound to encounter a mental, creative block at some point of your career. This condition is known as the blank page syndrome. The blank page syndrome can be due to mental burnouts or lack of inspiration.

However, there are a few effective ways in which you can get over blank page syndrome:

i. Add minor alterations to your routine

Following the same, monotonous routine daily can hamper your creative cells and cause a mental roadblock. However, by making simple changes in your daily routine, you can combat this syndrome and start producing ideas again. For instance, instead of typing out your content, use a pen and paper to write it down or start working outdoors for natural inspiration.

ii. Take a break

Just like your body needs a break when there is physical exertion, your mind needs one too. It is you duty to give your brain some time off so that the cells can relax and start thinking in a creative manner again. During your break, get rid of anything related to work and start doing things you love like take a walk, paint, sing etc.

iii. Interact with people

During a creative roadblock, interacting with people can be particularly helpful as there are points or ideas you might have overlooked and the other person hasn’t. The other person might also be able to give you a new and fresh perspective which can serve as the basis to a new idea you could build upon. However, you should talk to people outside your workspace for this jumpstart.

iv. Induce some caffeine into your bloodstream

This tip might or might not work for you. However, a lot of creative people claim that when they are going through a mental slump, caffeine helps in reenergising them and enhancing short term memory. Caffeine also helps in increasing concentration and problem-solving skills which in turn boosts productivity.

v. Be optimistic

Just because you are experiencing a creative slump doesn’t mean that it is the end of your career. Not being able to produce creative thoughts at the moment doesn’t mean that you will not be able to do it in future. Embrace your flaws instead of criticising them and accept the fact that you are going through this syndrome which your can try and get out of with utmost optimism.

4 ways to find your professional calling after college

Are you done with college but are still confused about what you really want to do?

This is a common problem youngsters face due to the plethora of job opportunities available along with the choice of being able to multitask. However, at some point you need to decide what you actually want to do for a living even if you are confused or hesitant about certain skills or options.

Here are a few ways in which you can find out what you actually want to do:

1. Varied internships

Instead of applying for a job or a higher degree straight away, you can choose to do a number of small internships for short time durations in different areas. You can also choose to volunteer with social groups such as Lha in Dharamshala or do choose to teach children in Kashmir. This will help you in building your resume and also find something you really love to do. Even if it doesn’t serve the latter purpose, you will have experiences and memories which will last you a lifetime.

2. SWOT analysis

If you are confused between two or more courses or jobs after college, you can always perform a SWOT analysis. In this analysis, you need to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of each option. In the end you can choose the one with the maximum number of strengths and opportunities or the one with the least weaknesses or threats. Either way, this analysis helps you discover a lot more about your options and yourself.

3. Consider the work environment

Not everyone is capable of working a 9-5 job in a cubicle in a building for 365 days a year. Some people crave thrill and adrenaline which the corporate life in incapable of giving them. Thus, before opting for a particular kind of job, identify the environment you will be most comfortable working in.

Read the job description and the specifications thoroughly before deciding if you want to take up a certain job.

4. Do not follow somebody else’s dreams

Instead of following your parents’ dream of wanting you to become a surgeon, try and be honest to yourself and ask yourself “Do I really want to do this?” before taking up any job. You cannot please everyone and in the attempt, you do not want to be the only one who remains dissatisfied. Once you start following your heart, it will definitely lead you to where you are supposed to be.

Good luck on finding the perfect job!

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