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Want employee engagement? The key is companywide training
Gina DeLapa Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIf companywide training feels like overkill, consider what happens when training is reserved only for the rank and file. I can give you a glimpse of what happens, based on my years as a university career counselor, and later getting hired by organizations to teach professionalism to their new-college hires. As a career counselor, I saw a steady parade of lackluster job postings, often with typos. When was the last time an employer advanced a candidate with a lackluster resume? Or a cover letter with even one typo? I am not saying employers should lower the bar — but the double standard here was on full display.
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How to cultivate creativity and innovation in the workplace
Sunny Dhami Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementCreativity is something that many companies and employees strive for in the workplace. It is an opportunity for people to think differently and build skills in various areas. But creativity isn’t always something that comes naturally. It's something that requires teamwork and effort and may even involve a change in thinking altogether. But even with that thought, having creativity as part of a company dynamic is well worth implementing. Because originality leads to innovation. Here are some easy ways you can cultivate creativity and innovation in the workplace.
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Link the strategic plan to the budget
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementIt is said if you can read a budget, you know an organization’s priorities. A strategic plan should be closely tied to the board-approved budget. A budget is a forecast of income and expenses. A strategic plan is a multi-year roadmap for leadership to deliver value. There are several ways to link the strategic plan and the budget. First, goals require allocation of financial resources. Before agreeing to new ideas, leaders must consider economic consequences. Second, some goals generate new revenue. For example, increasing membership will impact income. Third, the strategic plan communicates value to members. Thus, members will judge the leadership on how they funded the programs and priorities.
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How to finally solve employee engagement
David Horsager Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWe toss around the word "engagement," but what is it? High employee engagement has a few standout elements: genuine connection, commitment to one’s role and workplace, and a willingness to go the extra mile to achieve the mission. High employee engagement is a great aspiration, but the first step to fixing the engagement problem is realizing it can’t be solved by changing the workplace into something more similar to leisure time. Ping-pong tables and free lattes aren’t the solution to a disengaged workplace culture. In fact, disengagement isn’t even the core issue. Disengagement is the consequence, not the problem.
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7 big organizational benefits of remote work for employers
Richard Conn Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementRemote working may sound attractive to employees, but there are huge organizational benefits for employers, too. With 74% of professionals believing that remote working will become the new normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, it looks like its popularity isn’t going to end any time soon. So, how can you make it work for your business and reap the benefits?
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5 steps you should take to ensure website security
Jayson Davis Science & TechnologyIf websites are separate properties partitioned as part of a planned city, the internet is the network of roads linking all these properties together. Websites rely on the internet in order to reach billions of people situated all over the world, and just like a city, the internet generates a lot of traffic. However, just like a large city, the internet faces a number of security concerns. At any given time, someone is trying to steal your data and exploit it for their own gain. Whether it’s customer bank details, company secrets, or even your own personal information, you need to keep your website data safe and secure from cyberattacks.
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Board evaluations: The argument for a shorter, more targeted evaluation
Bill Pawlucy and Benjamin Colvin Association ManagementA high-functioning, strategic board requires the ability for it to be introspective and capable of self-reflecting on its overall performance. It is by no means an easy task to accomplish regardless of the board's size or composition. Let’s consider the difficulty staff often encounter when conducting self-evaluations during annual reviews; this is compounded when trying to evaluate a large group as a whole. An evaluation tool is one of the most effective ways for a board to reflect on its impact on the organization as a whole.
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7 lessons for the new manager or supervisor
Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementBeing a first-time manager or supervisor can be a very scary time. The confidence you had in performing every facet of the job as one of the team now seems to abandon you as you ready yourself for your first day as the new supervisor. A little pep talk with yourself in the car on the way to work settles things a bit. But now, as you enter the department, it seems as if every eye is on you. You smile and warmly greet your team, though your mouth feels as dry as a cotton ball. You think, "What have I gotten myself into?"
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How to effectively onboard new remote employees
Sunny Dhami Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementRemote work has all but become standard as the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 crisis and its upcoming aftereffects. Of course, this means many teams will be welcoming new members without getting to meet them in person. These remote employees will have a completely different onboarding experience than many of their teammates did. The importance of doing a good job in this area can’t be overstated; the majority of employees are more likely to keep working for a company that provides them with an excellent onboarding experience. This article will take a look at the most effective tips for onboarding new remote employees.
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Adjourning on time: Promise or pressure?
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementSome board members are eager to depart before the meeting is adjourned. Is the promise of ending on time too much pressure? Directors must realize they are fiduciaries making decisions on behalf of the membership. They have to be present to fulfill their duties. To complete the work, a meeting should be well-organized, strategic, and have each person’s time valued. There are ways to stay on track and end in a timely manner.
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