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Human-centered design is the secret sauce for open-plan success

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Open-plan workspaces have been given quite a thrashing in recent years. The more ubiquitous they become, the more employees and critics complain about how awful they are to work in. What makes the difference? Designers will not be surprised to learn that, according to recent research, the major factor is the quality of the interior design. Drawing on what is now an extensive body of research, most workspaces now are designed to promote certain kinds of employee behaviors found to be linked to important business goals, such as more rapid innovation and increased productivity.

3 steps to a better thank you

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The thank you — written or spoken — is a cornerstone of good manners. And while acts of appreciation have become more varied (shout-outs, likes and gratitude apps, to name a few) the practice of gratitude has also become easier. We can leverage this ease to send more frequent and meaningful thanks. Taking a few minutes to rethink the email thank you or get out of our private gratitude journals to send a genuine paper-and-pen thank you may be easier than it sounds and serve us in more ways than we remember.

Should companies talk to baby boomers about retirement?

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Before baby boomers retire, companies need to plan for possible successors and skill transference, among other issues. However, a survey by Willis Towers Watson, a risk management and insurance brokerage company, found that companies have several concerns regarding potential retirees. The company surveyed 143 human resource managers, representing close to 3 million employees. The resulting report, "Employer Concerns and Responses to an Aging Workforce," reveals that companies struggle to plan for replacing retiring workers, in part because these employees don’t share their retirement plans.

Protecting the board

Robert C. Harris Association Management

"What could go wrong? I’m just a volunteer on a board of directors." It’s better to ask about risks and protections before accepting a nomination to serve. Directors are trustees of the corporation. They are responsible for governance and the well-being of the organization. Although organizations are characterized as "nonprofit" and directors are "volunteers," liabilities do arise. Consider Murphy’s Law: "If anything can go wrong, it will."

Study: 5 tips to create top-performing videos for Facebook

Emma Fitzpatrick Marketing

Did you know that Facebook announced last year that its algorithm would no longer, by nature, prioritize video in its News Feed? While some thought that change would dethrone videos as the No. 1 type of content on Facebook, they were wrong. A BuzzSumo analysis found that videos continued to get 59% more engagement than any other content type. Because Facebook’s algorithm prioritizes content that gets engagement, video still gets shown more than other content. This article features five tips from a new Socialinsider study that analyzed over 9 million Facebook videos to find the keys to video success.

How to beat a losing streak

Brenda Crist Civil & Government

Proposal professionals are some of the hardest working people in any company. Despite their hard work, they may face a losing streak from time to time. These losses can erode their confidence, adversely affect working relationships, and even trigger job-hopping. Everyone faces losses at one time or another. For example, Steve Jobs is considered one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our generation, yet he prevailed despite numerous losses. If you find rebounding from a string of losses difficult, consider these five tips.

Should you get your MBA?

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

It used to be that a high school diploma was enough to land a good job. Then, a bachelor’s degree became the minimum standard. Now, it seems everyone is compelled to get a master’s degree. No job requires an MBA, but in many positions having the degree can validate that we possess a set of knowledge required for the role. Whether it is a perceived requirement in our industry, something to improve our network, or the pursuit of a lifelong dream, here are the reasons to — or not to — get an MBA.

Sears continues to rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic

Linda Popky Retail

Sears Roebuck, the embattled retail giant, recently unveiled a new logo designed to broaden its appeal to its core consumers. Unfortunately, what Sears had intended to appear as a combination of home and heart looks amazingly like the Airbnb logo. We can wonder why no one involved with what was likely an extremely expensive redesign process thought to look and make sure the logo was unique, but there’s a bigger question: Why on earth is Sears redoing its logo now anyway?

How VMware practices inclusion from the top

Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk Management

I've been working with leaders in organizations of all sizes to build inclusive cultures that last, from startup to scale, for over 25 years. I've seen leaders and companies come and go. So, I'm a bit skeptical when I hear an executive talk about how inclusive their organization is, how much they love diversity, and everything they're doing to promote equity, and then everyone looks alike, sounds alike and lawsuits are piling up. But two events made me think that maybe VMware is different.

Successful leaders in real estate and development embrace these soft skills

Catherine Iste Construction & Building Materials

Real estate development and construction project managers excel at multitasking. Impeccable attention to detail, budget adherence and the ability to manage multiple timelines are all fundamental aspects of the job. However, to continue to advance in their fields, real estate leaders need to embrace soft skills as well. Interpersonal and communication skills are essential for successful leaders. In the case of real estate development, what often got us here — the ability to make and implement tough decisions — is not enough to advance.

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