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Communicating meeting ground rules
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementRecently, I worked in a country where board members seldom disagree. Their meetings are purposely harmonious. No voices raised or fingers pointed. They prefer courtesy over confrontation. In the U.S., association boards embrace a different model. Debate and deliberation are expected at meetings. The chairman is likely to ask, "Have we fully vetted all aspects of this proposal?" Directors are urged to delve into an issue before voting on motions.
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5 surprising ways drinking coffee can boost your work performance
Lisa Mulcahy Food & BeverageCoffee — you love it, you need it — you may be drinking a cup right now as you read this. You know caffeine makes you feel more alert and revved up to work — but there are surprising ways coffee can actually boost your performance on essential tasks if you consume it strategically. Try these science-based tips and tricks to be at your best with the help of that cup of joe.
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3 millennial negotiating skills to master
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementFor all the grief they continue to get from older generations, millennials deserve even more credit. From avocado toast to Zipcar and everything in between, the technological savvy, creativity and multicultural push from millennials has had an amazing impact on our culture. As an HR professional, one place I truly appreciate their skills is negotiating. Here are three millennial negotiation skills we should all try to master.
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The time to have fun is when you have no time
Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWe live in a fast-paced world, no doubt about it. We are constantly rushing here and there for appointments, for work, for shopping, for school, for church, or for sports obligations. There’s no time for anything because your schedule is packed with things you must do, not necessarily what you want to do. But these obligations are generally man-made. They are the product of our own demands and self-expectations, where busyness is frequently valued more highly than productivity. Not only do we adults get caught up in this endless cycle of busyness, I’ve witnessed it in the children they parent as well.
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How to create a successful summer internship program
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIt is not too late to hire interns for the summer. Many organizations who have never hired an intern fear the worst: someone who needs hand-holding, is unreliable, and comes with an educational requirement. However, with the right perspective and a few thoughtful steps, hiring a summer intern is not as burdensome as it seems, and it can be a great benefit to many organizations.
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How to fast-track your strategic plan implementation
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementWithin minutes of adjourning, the planning retreat the directors scattered, returning to work after volunteering for a day or weekend to create the multi-year strategic plan. Back at the association office, staff were playing catch-up. There was temptation to put the new document in a file with other older strategic plans, or to put the plan in a notebook to collect dust on the bookshelf. A plan that lingers without taking action will lose momentum. The leadership team has to be resourceful to implement their new plan.
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Why great leaders must be great detectives
Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementGreat leaders know how to find and leverage the brilliance in their organization. They know how to go beyond the "usual suspects," and bring out the best work from people who may not be seen, "popular," or outspoken. They are the hidden geniuses. Are you missing the hidden geniuses in your organization? Who are these hidden geniuses? They are potential game-changers, innovators and revolutionary thinkers once discovered. They are the employees that don't look like you, sound like you or think like you.
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5 ways to alienate your project team
Deborah Ike Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe role of project manager isn’t always viewed kindly. Some team members may think you don’t do any real work or that you’re creating extra work for them. To fight against those stereotypes, consider the following ways you could accidentally alienate your team and take a different approach instead.
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Millennials present communication, engagement challenges for HR
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementMillennials are the largest generation in the workforce, and, according to a recent report, they’re also the hardest group to engage. A new Speakap study, "Technology’s Role in Managing and Retaining Employees," reveals that millennials present a unique challenge to human resources. According to the study, which targeted HR professionals in retail, hospitality, entertainment, construction, consumer goods and other industries, respondents said their biggest challenges include recruiting and retaining top talent; ensuring the onboarding process is smooth and informative; and creating a positive, tolerant, trusting work environment.
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Is your boss planning to fire you?
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWith jobs, we often go for the salary and stay for the boss — that is, until the boss starts acting weird. We have all either experienced or seen the relationships between managers and employees deteriorate. What follows is a constant stream of awkward interactions, unnecessarily tense discussions and an edgy undercurrent. Here are a few ways to tell whether the boss is considering termination.
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