Recent Articles
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Beware of chasing counterfeits
Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementHave you ever wanted something so badly that you overlook any possible negatives and focus solely on the positives you perceive? It doesn’t matter if it’s a person, a job, a career choice, or even a food — the desire for that can consume you and impair your judgment. You elevate the benefits of that one thing and either overlook or blindly ignore any other qualifying attributes. I remember early in my professional life I really wanted to work for a particular company. I had gotten it in my head that that workplace was perfect for me. I did get hired, and it wasn’t long before the reality set in.
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The skinny guide to office gift-giving
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementNo one needs any more coffee mugs, motivational calendars, or Panera gift certificates. However, neutral, non-offensive, somewhat practical tokens are what office gift-giving is all about! Instead of stressing over whether to buy everyone the same thing or opt-out of exchanging gifts entirely, check out this skinny guide to office gift-giving. For example, when buying gifts for co-workers, one of the best things to do is pick a price and a theme.
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Give the healthcare gift that keeps on giving this Christmas: Concierge…
Amanda Ghosh Medical & Allied HealthcareConcierge medicine is on the rise. The number of concierge practices has risen each year by about 3 to 6%. Patients who can afford the fees associated with this practice model benefit from more access to their physician and additional opportunities to focus on preventative health. If you or a loved one is looking for a doctor that acts more like a "health coach" with a medical degree, then concierge medicine is a terrific Christmas gift this year.
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One more time: Why we hate performance evaluations
Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThey are the subject of jokes, disliked by employees and employers alike, deemed "untrustworthy," and yet they continue to be a staple for how people are managed. As I work with employers and employees across North America, I hear horror story after horror story about how much people dislike the annual ritual of performance evaluations. Here are my unofficial top 10 reasons why people loathe performance appraisals and what must be fixed to make them effective.
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Is Paris still safe to visit? Recommendations from a recent theft victim
Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementI was in Paris on a leisure trip last week. It would have been a perfect getaway if I was not the victim of theft. Such an incident significantly affected my travel plans and my well-being even though I tried my best not to let it bother me. Leaving the incident behind, I am sharing the lessons I learned from my own experience. I am hoping my recommendations will help prevent people from being other victims of theft.
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Back it up: Let your death inform your life
Lisa Cole Mental HealthcareWe've all heard about "bucket lists." You’ve probably got your own. It may include ideas about what we want to see and do and where we want to go before we die. These lists are great — I have a few of my own. Let's dive a bit deeper, though, and stretch even further. Go straight to your death now. How you wish to be remembered may change how you live your life. Here are five strategies to get you started.
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Infographic: The history of headphones and their productivity benefits
Brian Wallace Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementHeadphones have come a long way since the electrophone was invented in Britain in 1895, allowing subscribers to listen to live musical performances over phone lines. Today, Americans typically spend more than 32 hours weekly listening to music, almost equivalent to a full-time job. Seventy-eight percent of people say music improves their productivity at work, and 46% of people wear headphones at work to avoid conversation. This infographic outlines the history of headphones and explains the productivity benefits of using headphones at work.
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Exploring diversity in preschools, K-12 schools
Bambi Majumdar EducationAt a time when education leaders and policymakers are focused on tackling growing racial segregation in public schools, a new Urban Institute study states that early-childhood programs are more segregated than K-12 settings. The study compared the variety of learning arrangements for children five and under and K-12 schools. The Northeast was most lacking in integration according to the numbers, while the Midwest showed the most promise when it came to reducing segregation. Most urban and rural areas showed more segregation than suburban areas.
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Bringing mindfulness into the classroom
Brian Stack and Erica Stack EducationImagine arriving home from work each day and being confronted with tasks to complete as soon as you walk through the door. As adults, we typically have a little bit of time to "decompress" after a long day. Now more than ever, in a society where we are expected to be executing one task while simultaneously thinking of the next one, we as adults need time to be mindful. Children are rarely afforded these mindful opportunities, and that needs to change. They often sit on a loud bus, enter their classroom, and are expected to get right to their morning work.
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New year, new opportunities for improvement
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementAs the 2010s end, we now face opportunities associated with transitioning to a new decade. This is a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Tawni Phelan, CAE, CMP, executive director of the Oklahoma Society of Association Executives, offers a positive outlook, "2020 is a new year and decade. Seize the opportunity to make the past a resource and the future a world of possibilities." Most association staffs are busy putting out fires, answering questions and meeting deadlines. Make time to discuss with staff or officers how to make enhancements in the organization.