Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Does Flexwork Decrease Productivity

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Does Flexwork Decrease Productivity In the interest of productivity, some organizations have a predetermined scheduling policy, requiring that tasks be completed in a particular order. For example, we’ve talked about citizen development a lot on the Fast Track, and low code application development may indeed be one of those situations where a specific, sequential process has been implemented. But in today’s work environment, professionals increasingly have more freedom over their time. Pursuing the noble goal of loosening their reins, employers are allowing their people to follow a prescribed schedule or choose to deviate, completing tasks in a different order at their own discretion. Thanks to technology advances and the rise of virtual work, it’s easier than ever for employers to grant this sort of independence, and there’s no doubt that workers value it. But a new study from Harvard Business School found that, unfortunately, deviating from an organization’s prescribed task schedule tends to erode productivity â€" even among the most experienced workers. In an article soon to be published in the Management Science Journal, researchers Ibanez, Clark,Huckmanand Staats detailed their study, which asked about the drivers leading workers to deviate from employer’s task scheduling policy, and about the performance implications of doing so. Using data from 2.4 million diagnoses derived from a large outsourced radiological services firm that staffed doctors whose jobs involved sequentially reading and diagnosing X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds, the researchers found that doctors prioritize similar tasks and those tasks they expect to complete faster. But do these strategies impact their productivity? For more on this fascinating issue, check out the QuickBase Fast Track blog.

Professional Resume Writing Services in Atlanta Can Help You Get a Job

Professional Resume Writing Services in Atlanta Can Help You Get a JobA professional resume writing service in Atlanta can help you create a highly professional resume. This is a critical part of your job search. Your resume is the first contact that an employer will have with you.If you're a motivated individual who is looking for a great job, you need to give a professional resume writing service in Atlanta a lot of consideration. Your professional resume writing service in Atlanta can help you write a resume that will put you above other applicants for that position.You need to make sure that your resume is professional in every way. Your resume should be written professionally. Many people think that they are doing this because they want to show off their writing skills.You want to make sure that your resume is prepared by a professional. They should give you advice on how to format it and ensure that it meets the regulations for federal regulations. They will also ensure that yo ur cover letter, or introduction to your resume, includes all of the information that is necessary.In order to properly create a professional resume, you need to ask your professional resume writing service in Atlanta to edit your resume. When you get the job, they will edit your resume so that it is professional and will give you the best chance to get the job. They should also edit your cover letter so that it is professional and catches the eye of the employer.The most important part of your resume is the content. You want to make sure that you get everything in the proper format. A professional resume writing service in Atlanta can help you write a professional resume that will tell the employer why you are the right person for the job.It's not that hard to write a professional resume. All you need to do is give them the information that they need and provide examples. With a professional resume writing service in Atlanta, you'll be able to get that job.Get professional resume w riting services in Atlanta in order to make sure that you get the job that you are looking for. They can get you the interview that you want.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Why Everyone Needs to Become a Digital Master

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Why Everyone Needs to Become a Digital Master When hearing the term digital masters, many business people think of Silicon Valley and the whiz kids running dominant IT companies like Google. But a new book contends that its time other companies woke up to the reality that if they want to excel in the future with their employees, with their customers and in running their operations then they need to also embrace the idea ofusing technology to transform their business. They, too, must become digital masters. In a study of more than 400 large mainstream organizations in every industry around the world, authors of Leading Digital, found that digital masters are those companies that use digital technologies to drive greater profits, productivity and performance. Specifically, research shows that those who do digital transformation well are on average 26% more profitable than industry peers. George Westerman, a research scientist in the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy and one of the books authors, says the research also found that companies lagging behind in making a digital transformation were often worried about the cost, the lack of skills or regulatory concerns. But the book debunks those worries, noting that making a digital transformation isnt just about pouring money into IT and trying to woo talent away from Silicon Valley. Westerman explains, for example, that its also critical that a company have the leadership willing todrive that transformation throughout the culture. In addition, the employee talent for digital transformation doesnt just come from tech backgrounds, he says. You dont have to make yourself into Google, he says. Even if youre making soap, there are things you can put into place that will give you an edge. If you dont, Westerman warns, be prepared to be less productive, profitable and left behind as your competitors make the transformation. Authors Westerman, Didier Bonnet and Andrew McAfee found that digital masters are those who use analytics, social media, mobile and embedded devices to understand customers better. These companies also implement technology tolink customer-facing and(see more here)

We Judge with Our Eyes - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

We Judge with Our Eyes - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I am on vacation and not even on American soil. It is a vastly different milieu in almost every respect. I find myself continuously comparing, contrasting, judging, and labeling people. Of course, this continuous chatter is only in my head. I don’t share it with anyone, God forbid. But isn’t that what we do in all instances when we see people? It’s even more critical when you go in for an interview. As a career coach, I counsel people every dayâ€"not only on how to answer interview questions correctly and how to avoid interview traps but also on how to let your body communicate the message you want to convey. Hiring managers and human resources folks read your body language and can tell whether there’s congruence between what you say in words and what your body says in motions. Part of my coaching covers how to dress properly for an interview. I use an evaluation system to make sure you convey the right image. Men are faced with less of an issue on this subject than women are. It doesn’t cause me pleasure to tell clients to upgrade their clothing to fit the 21st century. Or to replace their large-sized eyeglass frame with something more contemporary. Or to rethink their outdated hairstyle. Or even simply to get a haircut. An interviewee’s shoes need to be polished, and socks better match. But all of that is only part of the image a job candidate leaves behind and which will heavily influence the impression made on others. The words the interviewee uses are important too, but even that is not all. The overall imageâ€"the total impressionâ€"is what will be remembered. My advice is that you ask a trusted source to tell you the truth about the impression you make and the image you leave behind. Family members are not the right people to ask. And don’t jeopardize a friendship by asking the wrong question and causing unease or embarrassment. It’s best to hire a career coach who is paid for giving such advice. Author: Alex Freund  is a career and interviewing coach known as the “landing expert” for publishing his 80 page list of job-search networking groups via his web site  http://www.landingexpert.com/. He is prominent in a number of job-search networking groups; makes frequent public presentations, he does workshops on resumes and LinkedIn, teaches a career development seminar and publishes his blog focused on job seekers. Alex worked at Fortune 100 companies headquarters managing many and large departments. He has extensive experience at interviewing people for jobs and is considered an expert in preparing people for interviews. Alex    is a Cornell University grad, lived on three continents and speaks five languages.

Campus Writing Center at WSU Offers Professional Support

Campus Writing Center at WSU Offers Professional SupportThe campus writing center at Washington State University is one of the most prestigious and reputable schools in the United States for the writing profession. Located in Pullman, WA, WSU writing center offers you with a comprehensive array of services, ranging from individual service to a course structure for a master's degree in Creative Writing.Students can avail of a student portfolio, free essay assistance, mentoring and coaching, multiple selections of wordings, and CV preparation and editing services at the WSU writing center. These services are offered in the best of all possible ways to meet the needs of your career.The writing center at WSU offers personal attention to students who are looking for a professional resume or for advice on how to begin an academic writing career. The writing center maintains a list of counselors who can be approached to provide the right resume to the student in need. A variety of writing t ips for new writers are also available through the writing center.An internship for beginners at WSU writing center is a great way to be introduced to the world of writing. Through this internship, students can learn about the skill sets required to become an outstanding writer. The internship will also expose students to the nuances of a college setting that is often intimidating to many of those who are new to writing. It will be a time to focus on developing one's writing skills.Many students are very intimidated by writing assignments that will require them to write for a client and/or to gather the required information for their portfolio. WSU writing center provides a range of services that can help students create a professional and impressive resume, including assistance in making a covering letter and a research portfolio. By hiring a professional writer, students will be able to have access to a wide range of solutions for completing academic writing assignments.Since the writing center atWSU offers a variety of options for students to select from, you will be given the opportunity to choose which is best for you. Students at the writing center may elect to have their work reviewed by a professional editor, or they may choose to create their own portfolio of samples. With these options available, there is no reason for students to struggle with academic writing.In order to get started with the services offered at WSU writing center, you will need to complete an application for employment. The application will take just a few minutes to complete and will indicate if you have already completed a college degree, are currently enrolled, or would like to attend an online degree program. To successfully complete an application, students should have excellent spelling and grammar skills.Through the various services offered at WSU writing center, students will be able to succeed in their academic writing endeavors. This is an exciting new chapter in the acad emic writing journey.

5 Tips to Maintain Your Financial Health as a Freelancer CareerMetis.com

5 Tips to Maintain Your Financial Health as a Freelancer Nowadays, more and more people choose to be self-employed and take on a freelancing career. There are various reasons why people do this. Some might do it because they enjoy working from home while others prefer to be their own boss and set their own pace.Regardless of the reasons, no one can deny the fact that freelancing work provides quite a bit of flexibility and benefits that full-time employment simply lacks.evalHowever, there are also downsides of freelancing that could’ve been avoided with full-time employment at some company.The fact of the matter is that it comes down to personal preferences. People opt for freelance work because it suits them or their personal lifestyle. Any downsides can be remedied with a bit of planning and effort.Speaking of downsides, financial security is one of the main concerns of freelancers, mainly because of the uncertainty that comes with freelance work in most cases. You may have an abundance of work today but may run into a dry period the n ext month. Still, that’s not an issue of freelancing but more of an issue of personal budgeting.With that in mind, here are a few tips to help maintain your financial health if you are considering freelance work.1) Self-employment taxesOne of the key elements of proper budgeting and maintaining financial health is understanding your expenses, as well as understanding the potential negative implications or consequences of neglecting your dues. Freelancers fall under the “self-employment” category, which means you have some extra expenses to worry about aside from paying your bills and buying groceries.One of the main expenses is taxes. When employed in a company, your employer calculates the taxes and takes it out of your salary. However, once self-employed, you have to worry about those things yourself. Here are a few major differences for the self-employed:As self-employed, you work for yourself and your contract directly with your clients.As self-employed, you’re technical ly not an employee, which means you don’t receive any employee benefits or health plans.As self-employed, you’re not subject to tax withholdings, which means you’re responsible for paying your taxes.Simply put, as a freelancer, you’ll have more responsibilities towards yourself, that is if you want to maintain your financial health, to begin with. Therefore, you’ll have to file your annual tax and pay your estimated quarterly tax. Aside from that, you’ll have to pay a self-employment tax.evalDon’t forget that you’re taxed as both employer and employee, which means you pay both portions of the tax. There are also Medicare and Social Security taxes you have to worry about as well.Understanding your expenses means knowing how much money you have to pay and how much you’ll have left once your obligations towards the government are taken care of. This will further help you with your budgeting efforts so that you can maintain financial health in the future.2) Budgeting e ffortsMany people roll their eyes somewhere deep at the back of their skull whenever they hear the word “budgeting”. People know they should do it and that it’s necessary but they mostly don’t want to bother with it. Unfortunately, bad spending habits and a lack of budgeting can lead to many financial issues, which are especially dangerous if you’re a freelancer.You simply don’t want to or shouldn’t spend more money than you actually need to, and this goes for bills, credit cards, loans and any other expense that doesn’t involve personal enjoyment. As an example, late bill payments lead to excess fees. Also, minimum card payments lead to more debt and high-interest rates. In other words, you end up spending more even though you could simply avoid all of that.evalWith that in mind, consider improving your spending habits and make an effort to budget your money wisely. As an example, you should always try to maintain a good credit score. It will determine your creditwo rthiness among lenders. If not, you may end up in financial issues due to your bad credit rating.Here are a few examples of how bad credit score can impact your life negatively.Denied for credit cards and loans or extra high-interest rates for both.Being denied for apartment approval.The requirement to pay security deposits on utilities.Being denied for a cell phone contract.High insurance premiums, etc.Good financial habits allow you to avoid issues and to maintain financial health as well.3) Get paid on timeOne of the difficult aspects of freelance work is getting paid on time. As you work with clients directly, you have to negotiate how much you’ll get paid and when. As you may already know, if you don’t get paid on time or don’t get paid at all, your financial problems will start to pile up.Handling clients may be challenging, but you have to be firm with them if you want to be financially stable while maintaining a good reputation as a freelancer.That said, here are a few things you can do to ensure you actually get paid on time.Send invoices and invoice reminders to clients regularly.Always work under a contract.Charge upfront The only difference is that you develop a network of contacts that may aid you in one way or another at one point instead of promoting yourself like businesses do all the time. After all, referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations can go a long way in the freelance world. It will help you find work and earn a living that will also help you stay financially healthy.5) Save money for rainy daysOne of the most important elements of financial health is knowing how and when to save money. You don’t have to spend everything you earn straight away. In fact, whatever you have leftover after you include all of the expenses you can invest in emergency savings account for rainy days.That way, you’ll have money saved up for when you actually need it. However, that’s not the only way to save money. You can also consider investing i n your future. As an example, you should consider opening a retirement fund. You can choose one of the individual retirement accounts

5 Really Dumb Employment Practices

5 Really Dumb Employment Practices Usually the tone of this blog is pretty positive but every once in awhile I feel the need to rant about something that is just plain stupid. And Ive had my share of stupid recently. Ive been reading about and talking to people who have had bad job search experiences. Here are my top five.Requesting social media passwords. This one is at the top of the list because of the recent Associated Press article about a job seeker who was asked to share his Facebook user name and password during an interview. It remains to be seen how widespread this practice is, but my guess is that in some companies without formal social media policies or strong HR leadership, it may be happening. Before sharing your social media passwords with an employer, think twice about their request and ask yourself if you really want to work for a company that thinks nothing of invading your privacy.Asking for a social security number on a job application. If you are hiring me for a job, I will give you my social secu rity number so you can put me on your payroll. If you are about to hire me and first need to do a credit check, the same rule might apply. But before then, there is absolutely no reason to ask for an applicants social security number and absolutely no reason for you to reveal it.Requiring candidates to go through a lengthy job posting process. Many of my clients have told me about the lengthy applications some employers require them to complete in order to post for a position online. Some applications take over an hour.   And Ive seen some of the pre-screening questionnaires some employers ask applicants to fill out before they will even consider scheduling a phone screening. No one with a current job will bother filling these applications out. And even many of the unemployed will not. If you find yourself going through a lengthy job posting process (that often leads nowhere) create an alternative plan to make inroads at that company. Leverage your network, do a Google search on key contacts at the company, or use LinkedIn or some of Facebooks third party job search applications to find a contact at the company.Requiring new hires to sign unrealistic non-compete agreements. Ive reviewed some of the non-competes my clients are asked to sign. Some of the terms are so broad that it could prevent someone from finding employment for years. If you need to sign a non-compete, make sure it is very specific and narrow in focus. Have a lawyer review your non-compete and make the necessary amendments to protect you if you find yourself in a future job search.Creating really bad job postings. I keep reading about the perceived lack of talent and the applicant skills gap that has made it challenging for recruiters and hiring managers to fill open positions. They often complain that the applicants dont mirror the skills they need to do the job. Maybe thats because most job specs say little to nothing about who would make the best applicant and instead rely on unmeasurable p ersonal attributes to describe the ideal hire. Here are a few examples of   some really bad job postings. If you are applying for a position online, do some additional research to better understand the requirements of the position and use tools such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor to learn more about the companies and jobs you are posting for.

Wreck This Journal Playing with my Food

Wreck This Journal Playing with my Food I have a terrible secret: I did not take The Jamie Challenge this week. I know, I know! I chickened out. I was a wuss. I didnt do the page that most scared me, but I know that I have to build up to it. So, Im announcing it here first (hold me accountable, people): By this time next week, I will have taken my book out on a walk. (Shiver). But this week, I did the fun/easy stuff: I thought that blank page should be, well, blank, so I made the white lettering black. It didnt exactly disappear, but it was cool nonetheless. I then ripped, ripped, ripped up my page, trying to rip on the dotted lines but being super easy breezy if I was off (which I was). Aint it neat how the rips curled up like that? The next page told me to staple/glue em onto it, but Im so not listening yet. I like my curly-Qs. The Scratching was the second most fun of the week. I originally started scratching with a quarter, which gave the paper a cool texture but was not the mess I was hoping for. Thankfully, I found the cheese knife that was perfect! It was this great combination of scratching ripping it was totally theraputic. But the most fun the very most fun ever, even more fun than the coffee spilling page burning was when I documented my dinner. Holy crapballs was that a big fat gross disgusting mess. I made sweet potato fries one night last week, and I knew I was gonna end up with a Ziploc bag made up of olive oil, cinnamon, paprika, salt (the recipes here I love shaking the potatos up in the bag dancing when I do it. Dont judge). When the fries were cooking, I cut the bag down the middle smeared the oily mess all over the pages. Then, when I was eating, I used the book as a napkin wound up with BBQ sauce on one side the oily mess on the other. But that wasnt good enough. Oh, no it wasnt. I had to fingerpaint them together so they could be friends. Now, when I look at the picture, Im a bit nauseous. Luke is convinced the book is gonna start to smell grow mold. But, what can you do? Its all for the greater good of Messes.