Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Efficiency Isnt All Its Cracked Up to Be

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Efficiency Isn't All It's Cracked Up to Be The last two decades have been all about ensuring that American workers are as productive and efficient as possible. But the tide is turning. Organizations have started to emphasize cultivating more innovative work product as opposed to churning out higher volumes of it. Last year, we reported on the worldwide productivity slowdown. Areportfrom the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) compared the annual growth rates for labor productivity in 32 countries for two periods, 1995-2004 and 2004-2013. Every country but one (Spain) had slower productivity growth in the second decade than in the first.In particular, the United States’ productivity decreased from 2.2 percent to 1.0 percent. At the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the news wasn’t much better. Its reporttoo showed that productivity is growing slower today than it has in the past. And productivity is defined in economic terms as efficiency, or delivering work in a time and energy efficient manner. Definitions are a’ changing However, in a recent Forbes article, David Sturt and Todd Nordstrom rightfully pointed out that efficiency isn’t the be all end all of business success. “Productivity in today’s business world means something new,” they said. “It’s not focused on just zero-defect proficiency. It’s not focused on just perfectly managed minutes of the day. Productivity in today’s world must focus on adaptation, innovation and forward progress.” Without this modern definition of productivity and with teams that were efficient according to the traditional definition, Apple would have never created the iPod and auto manufacturers wouldn’t be introducing hybrid or alternative energy cars. “Without the evolution and re-invention that creativity brings, teams and companies stagnate and even die. Just ask the cellular giants who were put out of business because they couldn’t keep up with the rise of the touchscreen smartphone,” said Sturt and Nordstrom. Indeed, some people are efficient and conscientious to a fault. They are so focused on the bottom line that they forgo brainstorming, ideation, and collaboration â€" and creativity suffers for it. They do what’s asked on time, but they don’t tinker and look for ways to challenge the status quo because that wouldn’t be efficient. And they isolate themselves and don’t ask others for ideas because that slows them down. Efficiency does not equal great work New research on great work illustrates that efficiency may be in its death throes. The O.C. TannerGreat Work Studylooked at over 1.7 million cases of great work worldwide, and found that the skills that deliver such work are actually the opposite of the governing principles of a technically efficient workday. For example, 88 percent of great work starts with an employee asking an inquisitive question. The types of questions that the efficient worker doesn’t stop to ask, such as “Why don’t we …?” or “Should we try …? or “How can we improve on …?” are often the catalysts for industry-changing ideas. And 72 percent of great work ideas succeed because the employee speaks to many people about their solution, and incorporates diverse knowledge and viewpoints into the design. For more, read the rest of the post at QuickBases Fast Track blog.

Strip the Style - Breaking Down the Summer Fashion Trends of 2017

Strip the Style - Breaking Down the Summer Fashion Trends of 2017 We all cant wait for next summer to be approaching and the heat slowly rising, and to put aside our fluffy turtlenecks and warm jeans. Oh! To be able to finally pull out our summer dresses and shorts again! With the heat that is sure to arrive, that is the time of year where we see all of our beaches filling up with people looking to cool down, but it’s also the time of year we pretty much always realise we need a new bathing suit! Why not beat the rush and start shopping for those essential summer items now? Trips to shopping centres during the heat can be a nightmare, with herds of people flocking to the air conditioned buildings for some retail therapy, but luckily you can check out FELLA Swimsuits Online where you can shop till you drop, all from the comfort of your own home. While most of summer happens in the water, the rest of it does happen on land, so it’s also time to stock up our summer wardrobes! To give you an insight of what summer in 2017 is going to look like in the fashion world, here are a few trends we’ve been graced with from the spring/summer 2017 shows. Bralettes Not only are bralettes a gorgeous piece for any summer outfit, they’re also very practical for the summer heat. Designers like Alexander Wang have shown bralettes in their spring/summer fashion shows for 2017 paired with shorts and sandals or even pants with boots. Have fun with this versatile number as they come in countless different styles. Collars Collared shirts or jackets, even dresses, are a great way to make any outfit look sleek, chic, and even professional. Miu Miu showed a wide variety of collars, open and button up, in heaps of the spring/summer 2017 designs on dresses, shirts, jackets, and even blazers. Monochrome While summer fashion is mostly known for its bright colours and loud looks, this season Chloé has taken a more monochromatic approach to things. Whilst there are still pieces that are alive with colour and patterns, a lot of the looks are pieced together with blue and white, or just singular colours. This can help an outfit look pieced together with a certain theme in mind and stops the look becoming too busy for the eyes. Sleeves Whilst summer definitely is not known for long sleeves, designers such as Versace have made bold plans to keep sleeves alive throughout spring / summer 2017. Sleeves are making a hit on coats, blazers, and even dresses. With the right material the sleeves would be breathable so they don’t become unbearable in the summer heat, even shielding you from those harmful UV rays. Florals As always, a staple in spring / summer fashion throughout the years is the classic and always welcomed florals. Alexander McQueen showed us looks very heavy with floral patterns all throughout the pieces with the botanic markings making a statement on dresses, shirts, jeans, coats, and even shoes. Coats Another item not normally known for its summer hits, Balenciaga has given us looks which heavily feature large coats. Whilst keeping cool isn’t the main job of a large coat, they certainly help keep the UV rays away and can be a great way to finish a look off. A great piece for anyone spending time inside where it’s cooler, or attending any soirees in the cooler evening air. The Spring/Summer seasons have seen many looks come and go, so just be bold and have fun when putting together your style, never forgetting to add your own personality to each piece.

How To Get a Job at Google, Facebook or Apple [INFOGRAPHIC]

How To Get a Job at Google, Facebook or Apple [INFOGRAPHIC] Jobs at Google, Facebook and Apple are the most sought-after careers in the Silicon Valley. 1 in 4 young professionals want to work at Google, but fewer than 1 in 250 applicants will ever work at the company. Knowing what types of skills and expertise these companies are looking for will somehow give you an idea whether you stand a chance to enjoy the perks that these companies provide to its employees. In an infographic published by Masters Degree, aspiring applicants may now have an idea on how to land a job at these tech giants. It also highlights the best paying tech jobs, the biggest tech hotspots in the US, the top in demand developer skills, and reveals the current openings. Furthermore, it provides jobseekers tips on what some subjects you can study to help you land a job with one of them. Since Google, Facebook and Apple use recruiters, the infographic also shows how you can better optimize your resume. See more at How Employers Use Social Media to Screen Candidates Infographic. With the country still deep in recession, the jobs situation seems to be worsening with each passing day. Americans are seriously hurting, and with through-the-roof unemployment combined with stagnant wages, large-scale economic recovery seems a long ways off. A few industries, however, seem impervious to decline, and tech is one of those industries. For a UK perspective, check out the UK Tech and Startup Job Trends 2011 Infographic. Source: MastersDegree.net

Reference List Template (Free Word Google Docs Download) - Algrim.co

Reference List Template (Free Word Google Docs Download) - Algrim.co When you’re applying for a job, sometimes they ask for professional references. These are people who might be able to represent you in a positive light to your future employer. We’re going to go over what should go inside your reference list and give you a simple free resource to create your own reference list. What Should Go In The Reference List When designing your own reference list there should always be a header to your list. This is where information about yourself should go. Inside this header should include: Your name Your current job title Your current employer or company name Your full address Your phone number Your email address Then, with each one of your references, you should include: Their name Their job title Their employer Their phone number Their email address A small sentence describing your relationship to this reference Which References You Should Include It’s important that you include references that are going to bode well for the types of skills that are required for the job. Meaning, you’ve had an initial discussion with your professional reference and they understand which quality or prior work experience they’d share with your new employer if they called upon them to be a reference. Try to make sure that you have at least a few references which are going to express different stories related to your working history that the employer will find evenly distributed. For example, one reference talking about your communication skills. Another talking about your efficiency. Something along those lines. Related: Professional References Guide: Best References, How Many, Samples Reference List Sample John Smith 123 Ridge Lane, New York NY 11211 VP of Product Apple Computers 888-888-8888 john.smith@gmail.com PROFESSIONAL REFERENCE LIST Sam Smith SVP of Product Microsoft, Inc. 888-888-8888 sam.s@microsoft.com Previous supervisor, worked together for 5+ years. This was between 2012 - 2014. Ian Ryan Lead Design Engineer Hulu, Inc. 888-888-8888 ian.ryan@gmail.com Worked closely with Ian as the head of two major product releases. Ben King Design Manager Sony, Inc. 888-888-8888 Worked with Ben through an acquisition into Sony. We worked closely from 2009 - 2010. A number of our projects were hardware related. Download The Reference List Template For Microsoft Word If you’d like to download our template for Microsoft Word, you can access it here. Download The Reference List Template For Google Docs If you’d like to download our template for Google Docs, you can access it here.

Top 5 Questions to Ask a Career Counselor CareerMetis.com

Top 5 Questions to Ask a Career Counselor â€" CareerMetis.com When seeing a career counselor, you need to have the right questions ready to ask. A career counselor is a great source of career guidance and advice if you’re feeling lost at whatever stage of your career as they will aid in assessing your situation and findings ways to improve your job prospects.Here are 5 of the best questions you should ask your career counselor:1) How can I make the most out of my strengths?evalevalPlenty of graduates, job entrants, and job changers only know what they are functionally good at i.e. being good at coding, filling out balance sheets, writing content, etc. but lack the identification of soft skills that are often overlooked.A career counselor can help you identify your soft skill strengths such as your communication skills, ability to work in a team, negotiation skills, attention to detail, data analysis.Knowing your strengths is not enough though, as you also need to know how to articulate them to employers. There are career assessments that a ca reer counselor may recommend which can be used to identify your strengths, but after that, it would be advisable to get a bit of guidance on how to show these strengths whether at an interview, in a cover letter, at a career fair or an elevator pitch.2) What types of jobs or career options are there for my level of education, experience or skillset?It is vital to understand what opportunities you have for a career or job, especially for those considering a career change whether at 20, 30, 40, 50 and even older! There are always jobs and careers for you to try but it’s a matter of job fit.Your career counselor can make recommendations on what they think is most suitable for you, but they can also recommend to you job profile sites and careers databases that allow you to explore jobs, careers, and industries, learning about what the roles entail job outlook and skill or education requirements.3) How do I network more effectively?evalNetworking is one of the most important social asp ects of a career. It is a very effective tool for job hunting that is often neglected due to the effort that it takes. However, it is very rewarding because the connections you make in your professional network can one day be useful in ways such as an employee at another company giving a recommendation for you or giving you notice to any job opportunities at their company.A 2014â€"15 Survey of Employers’ Recruitment Experiences from the Department of Employment of NSW, Australia, showed that 17% of job vacancies were being filled by word-of-mouth recruitment! Therefore, it is beneficial to learn how to expand your professional network effectively.4) Can I have feedback on my resume or CV?evalYour resume is the key to moving your way into and upwards through your career. Not only does it show your experience and skills, but it also puts your personal brand out on display to recruiters.Your career counselor will know how to tweak your resume to stand out to recruiters and how to mak e the most out of your experiences. If you’ve got no direct work experience, that’s not a problem as they can help you leverage other extracurricular and academic experiences to express your fit to a position.eval5) What should I do next?An important part of seeing a career counselor is to set actionable objectives and find out what further help you can get.A career counselor will know about lots of career planning tools, career quizzes/tests, career assessments and books that will be helpful in evaluating your most suitable career options or what you should study.Though they are merely suggestions, they are often based on research studies and have generalizations that may apply to you. When they’ve given you the basic gist of everything, it is time to begin your job search which may be just as difficult. Your career counselor can guide you through this process.Regardless of what you’ve learned or found out, it is solely up to you to act upon these findings. There will be qu estions where you’ll have to find the answer yourself and you’ll find that you have to weigh your options and see what you value the most and what sacrifices you’ll make.It’s not often a career counselor can give you every answer and tell you exactly what to do for your career â€" it’s the advice and guidance that they provide that will help set you in the right direction based on your own decisions.

I was a HUGE hit in South Africa - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

I was a HUGE hit in South Africa - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Audience at my speech in Cape Town I was in South Africa last week to do 6 speeches for ICAS and some of their clients. They just sent me an email with the participant feedback, and check this out: Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you for bringing Alex to SA to come and talk to us. What an inspiration ! I?ve been practicing some of the tips he shared with us and it does make a difference. Thank you the talk was Great, we really need more of it, and it would be good if the entire company attends. The talk was awesome and I really took something back to the office with me. I thoroughly enjoyed the session and would like to encourage my team members. Thank you to all involved in organizing the talk and especially to Alexander for availing himself and coming to talk to us!! I really felt inspired and already implemented some of the small changes that can make a huge difference. I wish my whole department was able to attend, because we could sure use some happiness and enthusiasm in the office! We should have more of these sessions here at our company. Maybe have one specifically aimed at managers. I enjoyed it and came back much more in a happy mood. It is chats like these that gets me going again , back on track I appreciated the guidance to change my own world with the tips given in the presentation. Thank you for arranging this I look forward to the next presentation. I really enjoyed the session and I am tapped into more happiness. Perhaps this would be useful as motivation in one of our newsletters. I think this should be compulsory rolled out through the whole of our company. That talk was absolutely needed. It gave me a new outlook towards MY happiness in my workplace. I think Alex is an awesome speaker and does a brilliant job because he is correct in saying happy people produces happier results. Keep it up guys WOOHOO !!! Thank you very much for your email. I am so glad that I attended the presentation of Alexander Kjerulf on Thursday. It was excellent. THANKS ,I have learnt a lot and have change my approach already,my colleuges are in AWE about the New man. It was really very valuable and enjoyable. The session made me realize that it IS possible to be happy at work. I think they liked it :o) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Career Coaching Experts Thoughts on The Corporate Ladder - Hallie Crawford

Career Coaching Experts Thoughts on The Corporate Ladder Career coaching expert, , was recently interviewed for an article about climbing the corporate ladder. The article, A view of the top analyzed a CareerBuilder survey and found that fewer employees are aiming for top management roles. Crawford was quoted as saying I think there can be a perception that the higher you climb, the less of a life you will have. Sometimes that is accurate, but sometimes it is just a perception because there are companies out there that value and provide life balance. Some people also just dont want a management position. For example, Ive had clients who have had to manage people before and they flat out dont like it so they want to move back down. Others dont value or care about the prestige that comes up with moving up the ladder. Its not in their DNA or part of their value system, so they dont pursue it. To read the rest of the article, click here. Are you interested in climbing the corporate ladder? Or, are you unsure about the direction of your career path. Maybe you need help finding your ideal career? Why not set up a free consultation with to see if career coaching can help you? Schedule a free consult with HallieCrawford.com today