Time for a Change: Obvious Signs You Should Quit Your Job

Posted on by Patrick Reichert

What a day! We all say this to ourselves from time to time, because no job is perfect. Everyone gets their fair share of difficult coworkers, challenging tasks and off days. It’s part of being human and a member of the working world. But when you find yourself saying this more often than not, and you just aren’t happy, something’s got to give. So when do you know if you’re dealing with a normal Case of the Mondays—or the issues you’re facing at work are a much bigger concern? Five Screaming Indications It’s Time to Move On If you think… Read more »

Do You Have a Workplace Bully? Here is How to Manage Them

Posted on by Patrick Reichert

You thought it disappeared from your life after junior high, along with school dances and lunch money. But here you are, a full-fledged career person, fending off a bully. Besides flashbacks to your 12-year-old nightmares, facing an aggressive and overbearing co-worker can damage your near-term career prospects. It creates a distraction that is difficult to ignore and saps the confidence you need to succeed. Not to mention the emotional toll of dealing with the bully from day to day. In the junior high days, a fight by the bike rack might solve the problem, one way or another. That is… Read more »

Keep Growing: Why Team Education Helps Everyone

Posted on by Patrick Reichert

How much time do you spend training your employees? Before labor staff begins a new job, they’re trained on their individual job roles. But ongoing education is also important to help your worker stay productive. Changes in processes and technology require follow-up training so workers stay up-to-speed, and reminder training is also a good way to help your policies and procedures stay top-of-mind with your workers. Five Advantages of Regular Employee Education You may be concerned with the price of training because it takes time and money—but can your business afford to live with the consequences of not training your… Read more »

What to Do After You’ve Accepted a New Job

Posted on by Patrick Reichert

Receiving the offer of a new job can prompt some of the most unalloyed feelings of joy possible. For a moment, at least. But soon, the rush of euphoria and the unabashed kitchen-dancing subsides, and different feelings begin to bubble up. Anticipation. Nervousness. Worry. Going into a new situation can cause stress. Even though your new job represents a great opportunity, it’s natural to feel a little apprehensive. The best cure is to prepare. Get everything set for the first day so you don’t add to your jitters with disorganization and uncertainty. Here are six items to keep in mind… Read more »

Simple Steps to Managing a Team that Doesn’t Get Along

Posted on by Patrick Reichert

The more diverse your workplace, the more you’ll have differing opinions. This can be good because conflict—when resolved positively—can lead to improvements in products, services, communication, and company culture. If you have a team that just doesn’t really get along, you may notice conflicts popping up frequently, and this can add to tension in your workplace. But you can take steps to help manage your team through all conflicts. Five Steps to Resolve Conflicts Between Employees No workplace is perfect and people are bound to disagree. You can help to smooth things over and build peace with the following: Stay… Read more »

Three Non-Traditional Ways to Find New Candidates

Posted on by Patrick Reichert

Doing things the same old way leads to the same old results. Also, it represents a good way to get left behind. When you dig yourself into the current standards – never experimenting, never introducing new elements – you doom yourself to eventual obsolescence. You strive hard not to let this happen to your products. Don’t let it happen to your hiring techniques either. And it’s not just a concern for the future. An overreliance on traditional recruitment techniques causes an immediate problem in a time of tight labor markets. Unemployment rates are low. Workers are primed to move, looking… Read more »

Top Shelf Safety Improvements You Can Make Today

Posted on by Patrick Reichert

The way you work helps you avoid injury and illness, as well as feel better overall. In the time it takes you to say “workplace safety” you can improve the way you work—helping yourself and those around you stay healthy and safe. It’s time to hit the “easy button” and make five small changes that add up to big results. Five Ways to Be Safer at Work You can try all of the following easy-peasy safety techniques as soon as today: Lift Items Properly When lifting, never put strain on your back. Instead, bend your knees and stoop down to… Read more »

Can Social Media Hurt Your Chances at a Job?

Posted on by Patrick Reichert

Once upon a time, if you did something stupid, you didn’t have to worry too much about it coming back to hurt you later in life. If you had an offensive picture in your yearbook, or published some bizarre political opinions in an obscure school newspaper, those items would likely get buried in a library somewhere, never to surface again. Now, however, the Internet preserves everything. Things you posted years ago can haunt your employment opportunities today. What’s more, with people posting their every thought online, a momentary lapse in judgment can quickly escalate into a career-altering event. A thoughtless… Read more »

How to Set Healthy Boundaries in the Workplace

Posted on by Patrick Reichert

Your management style is directly linked to the performance of your employees. And if your style leans more towards “hands-off,” it can be very empowering for your workers—the less you micromanage, the more it builds trust and helps your staff develop their own decision-making skills. When Freedom Works Best For Your Staff If you want to implement a more hands-off management style, it’s important to first assess the capabilities of your workers. Less micromanaging works best for skilled workers who clearly understand their role and what you expect. Within these boundaries, you can allow them the freedom to do their… Read more »

Self-Performance Reviews Could be the Key to Standing Out to Management

Posted on by Patrick Reichert

So… what do YOU think of you? Self-evaluation is important to your career! It shows your boss you’re fully aware of your current skills and the direction your career is taking. It’s a smart, professional way to demonstrate your passion for your work. It also helps your boss track what you’ve been up to, and this is key for raises and promotions. Start With a Log The best way to begin self-performance reviews is by jotting down your accomplishments in a log to help you keep track. Be very specific about what you accomplished and include numbers when you can.… Read more »