The biggest takeaway to be gleaned from all the data mining, computer hacking and data breaches sweeping the planet is that “information” is invaluable. The lesson for business owners is this: know thy audience. So how well do business owners understand the newer generations of Y and Z? For those who think Millennials and Zellennials are basically the same, think again. There are some subtle and some substantial differences between them that affects how businesses should market to them and handle them as employees and colleagues.

Here are some of the main differentiators. Continue reading →

There is so much “information noise” and so many distractions that it’s hard for workers to be effective. There is a relentless geyser of unrequested information about people, products and places blasted to every person. And there are a multitude of tools that vie for one’s attention. This is actually harmful. Here’s why and how to reduce its impact. Continue reading →

Time management is arguably the most important skill anyone can learn. After all, the better one uses time — the ultimate finite, perishable resource — the more one can potentially accomplish. But it is also the hardest and most vexing skill to master. At work, managers give deadlines to ensure employees manage time well. And, bosses will often cite Parkinson’s Law – that every task will fill the time allocated to doing it — as the reason for giving tight deadlines. But is Parkinson’s Law true and is that approach effective? Here’s what you may not know about Parkinson’s Law and what you should know about time management.

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There is an interesting phenomena occurring in today’s job market. The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 4.6% in October 2021. But the workforce is also getting smaller as the labor force participation rate also continues to contract, as it has been for over 20 years. With fewer and fewer people looking for work, employers are having to get better at recruiting and retaining talent. Raising salaries is a short-term solution that fuels inflation and doesn’t address what workers seek. Instead, workplaces need to get creative.

Here’s how some companies are doing it. Continue reading →

The principle of “Accumulated Advantage” says that when an individual, group or organization gains a certain advantage over others, this advantage then starts to be compounded over time. And that compounded gain is what eventually hits a tipping point that separates that person or company from all the rest. So how does accumulated advantage actually work and how can businesses leverage this principle to their benefit?

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Given how hard it is to recruit, hire and train employees these days, employee retention is more important than ever. And a key to keeping employees is maintaining a positive workplace. While conflicts in the workplace are unavoidable — where there are people, there is bound to be friction and even the best workplaces with the nicest people experience conflicts – it doesn’t have to be destructive or lead to turnover. Conflicts can be managed. It’s crucial for managers and leaders to develop Conflict Competence… the skills to mediate conflicts. Thankfully, these skills can be learned and improved. What does that entail?

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Having employees work well with one another is one of the biggest issues Managers and HR Departments face on a regular basis. Even the best companies have workplace conflicts. They are inevitable. Such conflicts are usually uncomfortable for everyone and can lead to a negative office environment. Understanding the reasons for conflict and deploying strategies to resolve them can not only restore harmony but actually make the workplace stronger and more cohesive.

Here’s how. Continue reading →

It seems intuitive to think that there is a cause/effect relationship between success and happiness or vice-verse. Success leads to happiness or happiness leads to success. Or, if not causational, at least some correlation. Like the chicken and the egg, it’s hard to know which comes first, but one is certain there is a relationship between the two. And yet, there are many examples of people who achieve career success but are not happy and people who are pretty happy but are not necessarily successful in their careers. So what have researchers learned about the relationship between happiness and success?

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What effect – if any — does appreciation have on employee productivity, creativity, efficiency and effectiveness? A lot. Words of appreciation and recognition are often more powerful than tangible rewards. According to a study by Bersin & Associates, “companies that express ample employee appreciation have 31% lower voluntary turnover rates than companies that don’t”. It also helps develop stronger organizations since recognized behaviors are often repeated. And employees who feel valued are more likely to be creative and effective. But this is true only when the appreciation is expressed in a way that is understood and received.

Here’s how. Continue reading →

When is the last time your manager took the time to express appreciation for something you did or said, or for what you bring to the table? Today? This week? This month? This year? Ever? If you are a manager, when is the last time you expressed your appreciation of something one of your direct reports did? How often do you express appreciation to each direct report? Do you communicate appreciation more often to some employees than others? A recent survey of employees showed that 44% of workers had not had their manager express appreciation for their work EVER. So what effect – if any — does appreciation have on employee productivity, creativity, efficiency and effectiveness?

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