Four things you should be doing to restore proactivity in your team - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Viewpoint careers advice blog

Four things you should be doing to restore proactivity in your team - Viewpoint - careers advice blog As a people manager, you will know that a proactive attitude is one of the most desirable traits to have among your team, and why wouldn’t it be? Proactive members of staff will take the initiative to make things happen whilst finding new ways to meet the needs of their role and the business. They will also be able to anticipate a situation, take control and steer it, rather than letting the situation steer them. Needless to say, they are a valuable asset to any organisation. Chances are your recruits were pretty proactive when you first hired them, reading up on industry publications, researching the latest trends and assessing the competition. They most likely planned ahead and created some short term goals for the first few months in the role. As time has gone on, however, for whatever reason you have noticed that this initial proactivity and enthusiasm has tapered off. The good news is it’s not too late to overcome these obstacles and restore that proactive innovative team spirit amongst your employees. 1. Give them control There is a fine art to helping your employees manage their workload so that they have time to be more proactive. If you provide too little support, they will feel lost, if you provide too much they will feel micromanaged and confined. The key is to provide employees with a set of tasks and objectives and let them find their own ways to meet the deadline and allow them to feel a sense of ownership. At the same time, keep your door open and be ready to offer guidance and advice. In my experience, everybody works differently, and instructing everyone to work in the exact same way does not always yield good results. On the other hand, if employees feel free to manage their own time, they will take personal responsibility for meeting deadlines, and will likely come up with new and innovative ways to get the job done. If the employee feels both control and accountable for their own workload, they will be incentivised to work more efficiently, therefore feel less short on time and more able to make the most of the following three steps. 2. Make sure they never stop learning Your team may have the time to be proactive in finding ways to meet the needs of their role and the business, but do they have the knowledge and insight to do so? One way of guaranteeing this, is by encouraging active learning. Let it be known that you expect your team to never stop learning and, as my colleague Dirk highlights in a previous article-make sure you lead by example. You more than likely keep abreast of the latest insights from industry publications, webinars, insights and so forth. Pass this information on, as well as any training materials that you think may be beneficial. Publicly praise others who take this initiative and others will follow suit. 3. Encourage forward thinking Another key indicator of proactivity is taking the time to consider all current and future case scenarios when planning, and not just the expected or the ideal. This enables an individual to anticipate situations and take control of them, not the other way around. You can inspire this type of approach by demonstrating it yourself. For instance, if you and your employee are meeting to discuss the planning of an industry event, you should vocalise any potential obstacles to attendance figures which could occur either now or later down the line, such as competitor events happening around the same date. In order for this type of outside the box planning to fully flourish, you will also need to be transparent about any challenges or potential problems to your business. For instance, using the example as above, if you know there will be budget cuts to the marketing department around the time of the event, you would communicate this to your employee and encourage them to factor this in when planning the event. 4. Create a knowledge sharing culture However educated your team is on the latest news, topics and trends, this is null and void if they don’t feel comfortable sharing this knowledge with the wider team. You can avoid this situation by having weekly one-to-ones, as well as team meetings where individuals share their thoughts, ideas and insights. For example when my team go to industry events and seminars, they will either circulate their notes or share what they have learnt in team meetings. This is great way of setting a “knowledge sharing” standard. You could also host monthly brainstorming sessions. If there is a challenge to the business, call a team meeting and put your heads together to find a solution. Moreover, be crystal clear on what you are trying to achieve from this session, for instance, finding new content ideas for your upcoming company publication which relate to X topic. By maintaining a knowledge sharing culture amongst your team, you can prompt your workforce to keep an open and dynamic mind about ways to improve the business, whilst being pro-active in bringing these ideas forward. In sum, it is not too late to restore a proactive, self-starting attitude within your team. You simply need give your employees the autonomy to manage their own workload. Having this accountability should prompt these individuals to work more efficiently, therefore freeing up time to gain company and industry insights. Moreover, they can use this intelligence to proactively think of new ideas, strategies and solutions for your business ahead of time. Want to further hone your leadership skills? Our leadership tips and advice will help you become the leader you want to be How to overcome the disconnect between management and employees How to lead other leaders 4 lessons from McDonald’s Global Chief People Officer Is it possible to unite a remote workforce? Why you should be encouraging intrapreneurship today 5 things that motivate your employees more than money Share this blog:

Costly Health Savings Account Mistakes

Expensive Health Savings Account Mistakes Expensive Health Savings Account Mistakes A Health Savings Account is something other than an approach to put something aside for future clinical costs. It can likewise yield certain assessment points of interest, while possibly supporting your retirement procedure. That is significant, taking into account that the normal 65-year-old couple will spend roughly $275,000 on human services in retirement. That figure doesnt incorporate the expense of long haul care, which can add a huge number of dollars to the aggregate. Medicare can take care of the check for a portion of your medicinal services costs in retirement, yet it doesnt spread everything, including long haul care. That is the place a HSA can be significant. You can pull back assets from your HSA tax-exempt for qualified clinical costs. What's more, you can likewise tap your HSA for other money related necessities with an assessment admonition, obviously. On the off chance that youve gain admittance to a Health Savings Account, its critical to ensure youre utilizing it for its full potential benefit. That starts with staying away from these regular mix-ups. Mistaking a HSA For a FSA A Flexible Spending Arrangement is another sort of duty advantaged investment account for social insurance. While the contractions for FSAs and HSAs are comparable, there are some significant contrasts to know about if your manager gives you the alternative of utilizing either plan. Initial, a HSA permits you to spare more for medicinal services. For 2017, pre-charge commitments to a FSA are topped at $2,600. With a HSA, you can contribute $3,400 in the event that you have inclusion and $6,750 for family inclusion. As far as possible are set to move to $3,450 and $6,900, individually, in 2018. So for what reason is that significant? FSA commitments decrease your available wages, while HSA commitments are charge deductible. In any case, you get a tax reduction yet on the off chance that you maximize your HSA, that could yield a bigger tax cut toward the year's end. The other thing to know is that FSA commitments dont turn over from year to year. With a HSA, in any case, you can leave the cash in your record until you need it. That implies you dont need to hysterically attempt to spend down those commitments every year. Rather, you can permit them to develop. Accepting a HSA Isnt Worth It If Youre Older In the event that youre as of now in your 50s, you may think to add to a HSA merits your time. Now, for example, you might be centered around playing find your 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. That doesnt mean, be that as it may, that you cannot at present influence a HSA sometime down the road. Accept that youre 50 years of age and contribute $6,000 every year to a HSA, until you arrive at age 65. (Keep in mind, you can no longer add to a HSA once you take a crack at Medicare.) Assuming you win a 3 percent yearly return and fall into the 25 percent charge section, you could collect generally $115,000 for human services costs on an expense conceded premise. Regardless of whether you spare not as much as that, each dollar you set aside could be utilized to counterbalance clinical expenses in your later years. Passing up a major opportunity on Employer Matching Contributions A 401(k) isnt the best way to catch some free cash as an organization coordinate. Businesses likewise have the alternative of offering a coordinating commitment to worker Health Savings Accounts. The catch is that absolute commitments to the record including what you and your boss put in-cant surpass your yearly commitment limit. That implies in the event that you have singular inclusion for 2017 and your manager matches 100 percent of what you spare, you could contribute $1,700 and your boss could coordinate a similar sum. Your arrangements coordinating structure may be extraordinary yet its value checking your arrangement to check whether a match is accessible, since that lessens the sum you need to spare. Not Thinking Big Picture The essential capacity of a HSA is to assist you with getting a charge out of some tax reductions while saving money for human services costs down the line. That is not, notwithstanding, the best way to utilize HSA reserves. When you arrive at age 65, you can pull back cash from a HSA for any reason, with no punishment. You would, in any case, need to pay common personal assessment on anything you pull back that isnt utilized for clinical purposes. Thats important to know, particularly in the event that you havent emptied as much cash into your managers retirement plan or an IRA as you would have loved. Regardless of whether you dont wind up expecting to attract on a HSA to cover everyday costs in retirement, it can facilitate your true serenity to realize that the cash is there on the off chance that you need it. Not Knowing What Health Care Expenses a HSA Can Be Used For A HSA can be utilized to pay for medicinal services yet it doesnt spread everything. On the off chance that you erroneously use HSA assets to pay for a non-qualified cost, that can make an expense chomp. Youll owe normal personal assessment on target, in addition to a 20 percent extra expense punishment if youre under age 65. Primary concern? On the off chance that youve got a Health Savings Account, make certain to peruse the subtleties of your arrangement cautiously so you know whats secured and whats not. Also, dont forget about a HSA if youre more established, or in the event that you have different records that youre utilizing to putting something aside for retirement. On the off chance that you remain sound, a HSA could assist with enhancing whatever else youre putting aside in charge advantaged or available money market funds.

The Wright Brothers on Success in Life

The Wright Brothers on Success in Life The early pioneers of flight confronted gigantic snags. The tests were costly and very hazardous. Also, those bold spirits who dedicated themselves to creating flying machines were criticized as wrenches and nitwits. Such information makes the accomplishments of the Wright Brothers even more astounding. In his remarkable new book on the siblings, The Wright Brothers, David McCullough notes, Not the slightest bit did any of this demoralize or hinder Wilbur and Orville Wright, anything else than the reality they had no advanced degree, no proper specialized preparing, no experience working with anybody other than themselves, no companions in high places, no budgetary sponsor, no administration endowments, and minimal expenditure of their own. Or on the other hand the totally genuine chance that sooner or later, as Otto Lilienthal [a German lightweight plane enthusiast], they could be murdered. Rather, the siblings stayed concentrated on their strategic an unfaltering assurance. Figuring out how to fly is probably the best achievement in all of mankind's history. I left away from this book in stunningness of the mind blowing order, assurance, and mental fortitude of the Wright siblings. I genuinely accept that every one of us can develop ourselves incredibly by gaining from their astounding model. The following are five exercises on the most proficient method to be fruitful from Wilbur and Orville Wright. 1. Be that as it may, it isn't consistent with state we had no exceptional points of interest … the best thing in support of ourselves was experiencing childhood in a family where there was in every case a lot of consolation to scholarly interest. Here, Orville was reacting to a companion who disclosed to him that he and his sibling were extraordinary instances of how far Americans with no one of a kind favorable circumstances could progress on the planet. Orville knew, obviously, that they really had experienced childhood in an exceptionally reassuring condition. He and his sibling stayed inquisitive pretty much all parts of the world for the duration of their lives. Their dad, Milton Wright, was a religious administrator in the United Brethren Church, and was viewed as accomplished for the time. To be sure, Bishop Wright was a deep rooted admirer of books, who generously supported the boundless benefit of perusing. The Wright home in Dayton, Ohio, had an extraordinary library with books on writing, workmanship, American history, and normal history. The siblings were amazingly lucky to grow up with a dad who instructed them to have receptive outlooks and have an independent mind. A long time later in Paris for a short remain, Wilbur visited the Louver at least multiple times. This commitment to learning both inside and outside their picked field of study was a key factor in their prosperity. 2. The man who wishes to keep at the issue sufficiently long to truly master anything decidedly should not face hazardous challenges. Imprudence and carelessness are typically more risky than purposely acknowledged dangers. Wilbur perceived right off the bat one of the key problems confronting early flight devotees. One required a great deal of involvement with request to ace the different challenges included, yet each explore might bring about death or genuine injury. The siblings had the option to tackle this issue by being taught about overseeing dangers during their initial flights. Initially, they ensured they didn't go excessively high up. Furthermore, they, obviously, rehearsed on the sea shore at Kitty Hawk, N.C., so there was delicate sand on which to land. Because of their safety measures, they had the option to log endless hours in the sky, which was one of the fundamental reasons they accomplished their discovery. Like a ton of extraordinary financial specialists, they were judicious, yet not excessively mindful, in their way to deal with chance taking. Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, as of now playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions and captions off, selectedAudio TrackFullscreenThis is a modular window. The Video Cloud video isn't playable. Blunder Code: VIDEO_CLOUD_ERR_NOT_PLAYABLE Meeting ID: 2019-12-30:65501a9808f06a6a4f7c017 Player Element ID: jumpstart_video_1 Alright Close Modal DialogBeginning of exchange window. Departure will drop and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset reestablish all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of exchange window.PlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, as of now playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1xFullscreen 3. The best profits on the work contributed have constantly originated from looking for more information as opposed to more power. This statement from Wilbur gives an intriguing knowledge into their improvement of probably the most punctual planes. Each new model frequently accompanied all the more remarkable engines, however that wasn't the place the huge enhancements originated from. Rather, finding an improved logical structure brought about better planes. I think this statement is a decent representation of the rule of working more astute. Once in a while, we're enticed to simply apply more muscle to a venture or an issue. Halting to learn and consider how we may improve the procedure can regularly yield much more prominent outcomes. 4. All things considered, on the off chance that I rambled I ought to resemble a parrot, which is the fowl that talks most and flies least. Wilbur Wright, who made this joke, was a practitioner not a talker. I left this book having gained colossal appreciation for his quietude and determination. At an early flight exhibit, one eyewitness composed: Wilbur Wright is the best case of solidarity of character that I have ever observed. Disregarding the wry comments and joke, regardless of the snares set up from wherever every one of these years, he has not floundered. He makes certain of himself, of his virtuoso, and he stayed quiet. He wanted to take an interest today to demonstrate the world he had not lied. At the point when they were simply beginning, the siblings had the option to close out the remainder of the world and spotlight on their work. Kitty Hawk ended up being a magnificent spot for permitting them to do that. A long time later, when they at last achieved incredible riches and popularity, the two siblings recollected those straightforward days at Kitty Hawk as the most joyful a great time. Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, at present playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions and captions off, selectedAudio TrackFullscreenThis is a modular window.Beginning of discourse window. Break will drop and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset reestablish all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of exchange window.PlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, right now playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1xFullscreen 5. In the event that I were offering a youngster guidance with respect to how he may prevail throughout everyday life, I would state to him, choose a decent dad and mother, and start life in Ohio. Wilbur is clearly being happy here. Be that as it may, I believe there's a component of truth in the comment. It helps me to remember Warren Buffett's remarks on the Ovarian Lottery â€" where he communicates how fortunate he is for having been conceived in America. I think the Wright Brothers realized that they were so blessed to be naturally introduced to an amazingly positive condition â€" both at home and in their bigger network. Dayton, Ohio, in the late nineteenth and mid twentieth hundreds of years was an energetic, developing city where the individuals had, as per another of its prominent children, the fortitude they had always wanted. Clearly, we don't have command over the earth we are naturally introduced to. In any case, we can change the one we live in as we get more seasoned. What's more, we can surely attempt to make better ones for our youngsters. I energetically suggest that you read The Wright Brothers. It'll change the manner in which you consider these extraordinary Americans. Furthermore, it may even rouse you to do remarkable things. More From Motley Fool: Warren Buffett Admits This Is a Genuine Threat Tiny Company Powering Apple's Biggest Hits 3 Companies Running Big Cable Out of Business

Internship Interview, a HR exec shares the secrets to landing the offer

Internship Interview, a HR exec shares the secrets to landing the offer Beat the internship interview What does this sophomore know about the Internship interview that graduating seniors do not Beat the internship interview Last week we discussed the Nasty logic on how to land an internship for undergraduates. A sophomore wrote in the below email and I had so much detail, I had to break the post up into two parts. Last weeks post is here, and with her permission, I am posting  her email below: Hi HRNasty, I realize this is an old post but Im hitting a wall when it comes to changing my resume for different jobs. I get your point but Im a junior undergraduate student studying economics with only a few years of work experience and very little mentionable classwork (unfortunately I completed my GEs first so my more complex economic classes will all be in my last year). How can I dramatically change my resume for each job when I have such limited material? The most I could think of is adjusting descriptions to match the job posting, but as you mentioned previously, that isnt much. Even my career adviser told me to use one resume when I tried to have two different resumes when I was applying for an accounting internship and a consulting internship. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you, Aubrey To be hired If we want to be hired, we need to land  the first phone interview. Once we get the recruiter on the phone we have a shot of convincing them that we are worthy of being hired despite a less than desirable graduation date. Per last weeks post, as it relates to internship experience, all candidates  are created equal. Whether you have had 1 internship or 3, are a freshman or a senior, most companies look at everyone as an equal.  Internships will come into perspective when applying for a full-time position post-graduation. Candidates will have interview experience and the internships show initiative. The more you have, the more initiative. Yes, first and foremost, hiring managers would prefer to hire  graduating seniors. At the end of the day, they really just want someone who can do the job and help them out in the upcoming summer. On the other hand, HR is looking at converting interns to FTEs. Conversion isnt as important to managers. The priorities are different. Two years of college or 4 doesnt matter. If we can “sound” like we can take instruction and play well with others, we have a great shot. Qualifications needed Most intern candidates come to the table with two similar qualities and it is very easy to stand out in this crowd. Resumes which  list very basic accomplishments and lack  detail. Are very reserved  during the interview. These two are intertwined and feed off each other to create an impression that wont sell.  Examples of typical accomplishments listed on an intern candidate’s resume: Ran the cash register Responsible for making sure the kitchen was clean As a nanny took care of 2 children for a dentist Quantify with numbers One way to stand out is to list detail and specific numbers. In the below bullets, we are saying the same thing as the above, but showing more scale and thus, adding credibility Responsible for running the cash register and closing out the till every night. For the entire 3 month job, my balance was only off by $.75 and I am proud to say I set a record for “best accuracy”. Responsible for cleaning a 1000 sq. foot kitchen every night. This consisted of scrubbing down the exhaust hoods, changing the oil in the fryers, mopping the floors and hosing down the rubber mats. As a nanny was responsible for 2 children ages 5 and 14. My duties included but were not limited to preparing meals, driving the clients to extracurricular activities and monitoring 5-year-olds diabetes. Why we fail the interview There is one other thing that holds  most candidates back in the internship interview.    Candidates are nervous and dont show much personality. I suspect that this is due to a lot of factors. My theory is that most interns do not know what to expect in an interview and consequently, are not comfortable interviewing with larger companies. It’s ok to f*#k-up an interview at McDonalds because Burger King, Dunkin Donuts and Jack in the Box are right across the street. There are plenty of these jobs. Interview with enough of these fast food joints and we can quickly gain interview experience for this type of job. We will learn what to expect.  Internships don’t grow on trees so it is much harder to gain  interview experience at this level. Unfortunately, colleges are not taking the time to teach interviewing skills so dont feel bad. This early in a candidates career, there is just not a lot of experience or exposure to the interview process. Internship interview secret The BEST way to approach an internship interview is to treat the interview like you are having coffee with your favorite uncle or aunt. When we talk with our favorite uncle or aunt, there is a back and forth dialogue, we provide more detail than we might with a complete stranger in a business setting. We look at the uncle or aunt as a wiser and smarter mentor, but it is also a casual atmosphere with some joking. This is the atmosphere we want during the interview. This subtle level of comfort that you create with the person interviewing you, will set you apart. Interns usually answer questions the same way they list their accomplishments on the resume. Short and to the point as bulleted above. If you can answer the interview questions with color and detail as shown above you will have a shot. Leverage your experience So, if you are in the internship application process  for an accounting position, try to lean your experience to ANYTHING accounting. Mention the use of EXCEL, working a cash register, counting money at the end of the day. ANYTHING accounting will help. If you are going for a marketing position, add info about your personal social media accounts, with links to the profiles. Talk about research papers, or how you follow marketing blogs or reading marketing books in your cover letter. Even if you are a sophomore in school, you CAN tailor your resume to the position of interest. Lastly, and this is not an intentional knock on career counselors. Career counselors  are well-intentioned.  Most have NOT recruited in the real world or run candidates through interview loops in the last few years. They just dont have real-world experience. Yes, they have seen 1000s of resumes.  Have they seen  the resumes go through the entire process or just the resumes that started the process? Dont believe the hype, multiple resumes will help out! See you at the after party, HRNasty nasty: an unreal maneuver of incredible technique, something that is ridiculously good, tricky and manipulative but with a result that can’t help but be admired, a phrase used to describe someone who is good at something. “He has a nasty forkball. If you want to ditch the corporate ladder, take the elevator and subscribe to the weekly updates here. Knowledge drops are free and I promise, no spam. “Like” us on Facebook here, I read all comments below. Thank you!