Tuesday, December 31, 2019

How open offices prohibit productivity and social interaction

How open offices prohibit productivity and social interactionHow open offices prohibit productivity and social interactionLately, theres been some debate about the productive efficiency of open offices. Considering how in vogue they are at the moment, it can be assumed that the pros are winning International Facility Management Association, corroborates, citing 68% of coworkers saying they currently or previously worked in an open office.Briefly, the consensus that favors them over traditional cubical style offices are composed of these principal points theyre cost-effective, they make employees mora flexible and theyre ideal for creatives wishing to network with each other.Has the trend been around long enough to properly examine these claims?Are open offices actually better for employee interaction?The points that attempt to justify the popularity of open architecture are all fine ones, but more and more studies are seeking to debunk the idea that they fortify productive employee c ohabitation.A 2018 study conducted by Harvard Business School reports that open offices actually reduce coworker interaction by 70% and surge email and messaging interaction by 50%. The relaxed structure makes workers feel more comfortable tuning their teammates out, seeing them pop in headphones with greater frequency, socially withdraw and resort to Slack as often as they can.Fast Company recently published a report that repudiates all social benefits of the growing trend. The author, Art Markman believes them to be aesthetically predisposed to inspire harsh judgment. From the time you leave, to what you eat for lunch and every idiosyncratic behavior that occupies the spaces in between, yur coworkers get an intimate view. Moreover, noting this disparaging surveillance makes the employees that fall victim to it more likely to engage in fake work. i.e staying an hour longer to belie the impression of diligence.Shal Khazancho, professor of management at RITs Saunders College of busin ess addsWhen youre always sitting in that low-privacy environment, Khazanchi explained, your guard is always up and it depletes cognitive resources because youre always trying to manage impressions. That puts you in a very self-oriented way your focus becomes self as opposed to others and that is important for relationships or close interpersonal ties.According to researchers from theUniversity of Sydney,The benefits of being close to co-workers in open-plan offices were offset by factors such as increased noise and less privacy.A report published by Basex, claims the aggravated cost of work interruptions is roughly $588 billion annually in the U.S. Open architecture implores we withdraw socially, shy away from our coworkers and engage in activities that arent super conducive to the tasks at hand.TheInformation Overload Research Group pegs digital noise distraction to cost US firms about 1 trillion dollars a year.In addition to the decrease in productivity, the general distractions that accompany open offices also induce higher absentee rates.So with a step back, we survey the outlay. Do open offices make way for a more productive America? Or is it a flash in the plan, waste of resources?

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Student loan debt has huge mental health aspects

Student loan debt has huge mental health aspectsStudent loan debt has huge mental health aspectsMay is Mental Health Awareness Month. Its the one month out of the year when we try to bring awareness to mental health and all of its causes and effects. Its been well known that financial problems can cause mental health problems. In fact, my friend Melanie Lockert, ofDear Debt, focuses on this very topic in her work. She learned years ago that many of the people were coming to her website because they were Googling about debt and suicide.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreIn honor of the theme for this month,Student Loan Plannerran a survey on mental health and student loan debt. Their readership is more likely to have high student loan balances, which influences the responses to the survey. Here is what they foundNinety percent of borrowers experienced significant anxiety due to the their student loan burden.One in 15 borrowers has considered suicide due to their student loans.More than half of high debt student loan borrowers have experienced depression because of their debt.Why are respondents feeling so awful? Because there is a sense of helplessness when there is so much debt and not enough income to match it. The 829 respondents of this survey are not alone. In fact, there are currently 44 million U.S. student loan borrowers who owe a total of 1.5 trillion dollars. This is especially painful now as wages have stagnated while education costs have increased.This is especially true for those who have higher student loan balances. The survey found that one in nine borrowers who owe $80,000 to $150,000 in student loan debt considered suicide because of their debt. Thats almost double than that of overall student loan borrowers. The survey found that this range of borrowers were feeling the most pain because of their debt to income ratio. Their debt is high but their income is not necessarily high enough to cover it.These are some pretty sobering and upsetting statistics. I dont want to leave you with the bad and not propose any solutions or actions you can take. Here are just some of my ideasReally consider what youre getting into if you decide to go back to school for another degree. A lot of people are tempted to go back to school if they are feeling s-lost or stumped in their career. But is the debt always worth it? Its something to ask yurself before you take the leap. (I spoke toEmilie Aries at Bossed Up about this a while back.)Make sure you qualify and are making the proper payments forstudent loan forgiveness. Not everyone can qualify for this, but if youre working in a field that does, make sure youre taking advantage of it. Talk to your HR department and your student loan provider to get started on the right path.Start lobbying your decision makers for affordable higher education The cost of higher education has gone up by over 200% since the 80s. Thats a LOT in a short amount of time, especially since wages have not increased at the same pace. This is a major problem, and its something that can be controlled. Affordable education is a hot button issue right now, rightly so, and our decision makers should be getting pressured at every turn. Make sure they know that its one of the issues that will sway your vote.Seek helpif youre feeling anxious, depressed, hopeless, or suicidal. Your debt doesnt have to consume you. I know that healthcare, especially mental healthcare, is expensive and hard to access. But there are affordable options out there, especially if your safety is at risk.The moral of this article is that its normal and common to feel bad about your financial situation, especially when a lot of debt is involved. Youre far from the only person who feels this way. But its important to remember that your debt doesnt define you. You have inherent worth outside of these things. Reach out and get help w hen you need it. Talk to a friend for family member,find a therapist, hire a coach, orcall a hotline.This article originally appeared on Maggie Germano.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Saturday, December 21, 2019

The 5 destinations to visit before they become total hotspots

The 5 destinations to visit before they become total hotspotsThe 5 destinations to visit before they become total hotspotsIn this social media-centric world we live in, destinations are constantly booming with tourism thanks to a simple Instagram post. While traveling to popular cities like London and Paris are enticing, there are tons of up-and-coming areas throughoutEurope, South America, Asia, and more that should be on your bucket list when thinking about your next big trip. Read on to learn the five destinations to visit now, before they become total hot spots.1. SingaporeFollowing the hit movieCrazy Rich Asians,which was filmed mostly in Singapore,the regionspopularity quickly skyrocketed. If you scroll through your Instagram feed, youll most likely see the top travel bloggers photographing the colorful houses of Koon Seng Road, the installation at ArtScience Museum, and the awe-inspiringGardens by the westindischer lorbeernature park. Since last year, several new trendy hotels have popped up throughout Singapore includingHotel Indigo Singaporein the Katong neighborhood andThe Warehouse Hotelon the river.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more2. Millahue Valley, ChileChiles stunning wine country is an under-the-radar destination in South America that is about to get an increase in tourism. The newly openedPuro Vikhotel is comprised of 19 floor-to-ceiling windowed bungalows overlooking the valley. A stay includes all meals (including wine, of course), horseback riding, hiking, wine tastings, astronomy evening walks, and more. The hotels sister property,Vik Chile, is also nearby making it a luxurious and serene getaway for travelers.3. Northland, New ZealandIn the Northland of New Zealand is Russel, the seaport town situated in the Bay of Islands. Its a gemisch of small-town vibes, beaches, and local wineries. When visiting New Zealand, this area is a must-do , along with staying atHelena Bay Lodge, which is located on private farmland about an hour drive from Russel. The lodge offers luxurious villas with beachfront views, Michelin-starred cuisine, a private helicopter, and more.4. Puglia, ItalyWhile Amalfi Coast, Florence, andRomeusually take the lead as the most popular Italian destinations, Puglia is making its way to the top of the list. The Southern region of Italy is filled with picturesque whitewashed hill towns, Mediterranean coastline, and vibrant ports. If you want to experience the authentic culture and food in Puglia, book your trip now before it gets too crowded.5. The Azores, PortugalTravel has become more adventurous and off-the-beaten-path, so its natural that The Azores islands are becoming increasingly popular. From the dramatic landscapes to fishing villages and black-sand beaches, its bound to become the next big destination in Europe. The top-rated hotel in the region isAzor Hotel, which is a 123-room property overl ooking the sea.This article originally appeared on Brit Co.

Monday, December 16, 2019

How to Present a Professional Image

How to Present a Professional ImageHow to Present a Professional ImageHow to Present a Professional ImageA key aspect to consider during a job search, in regards to your personal branding, is how you dress for both job interviews and once you begin working a position. Research has proven that people instinctively form conclusions and opinions of others, based on their visual appearance and nonverbal cues alone. In an interview or professional setting this is something to be mindful of to optimize your personal success.courtesy of S.Webb unsplash.comWhile workplace dress codes certainly differ by industry, position, culture and geographic location, the impact bears equal influence in almost any given work environment. Creating a presentable and professional reputation is a likable interpersonal trait, not to mention a boost of self-confidence. Understanding the prospective company culture is a must, eventually this comes naturally after adapting to the environment. Office cultures and dress codes can span all ends of the spectrum, which leads to confusion as an interviewee. Prior to that offer letter or receiving a formal employee handbook deciding what to wear can feel like a minefield.Easy ways to gain dress code insights prior to your interviewMake observations of what others are wearing while dropping off a resume or visiting for an office tour.Look at the social accounts for the company. Here you will see a glimpse of the company culture and the day to day outfits worn. Webpages often have headshots of current employees and are not an accurate representations of the office dress code.Visit the office building and watch people pass through the lobby or parking lot.Ask a friend of a friend who may be employed and have insights to share.Today, there is much uncertainty in what constitutes an appropriate outfit from the next. In generations past, there was a uniformed view of professional attire, more formal and conservative in style. With the rise in creative, digital/technology, non-profit and startup work cultures we continue to see a shift towards a business casual dress code.Many companies still value a traditional or corporate dress code to maintain their professional image. In a workforce that is as diverse as ever, each interview setting is unique. There is no definitive business protocol while preparing to fit an office dress code. While researching the company background and preparing for your interview, remember to consider your wardrobe. An individual who looks the part often creates an even greater opportunity to prove themselves as a competent candidate.The Five Common Office Dress Codes (seen in job overviews)geschftsleben FormalBusiness ProfessionalBusiness CasualSmall Business CasualCreativeInterpreting a companys dress code can be confusing. Remember, self-confidence is the best accessory you can carry into an interview, this will come with mindful preparation. When in doubt, the best advice is to dress ever so slightly more professional than you think you should. Dress your best at an interview, Its easier to tone down your style/image after you land the position.London-based tailor, T.M.Lewin has been dressing the worlds workforces for well over a century. T.M.Lewin has crafted this handy guide below outlining style tips and advice to help us worry less and dress to impress. Whether the position you hope for defines itself as business formal, casual or nothing at all, the style tips in this guide will have you dressing confidently for success.T.M.Lewin is a historic, English retailer, most commonly known for the invention of the button-down or button-front shirt originally coined a coat shirt. Although we see less suits and ties in business today, the dress-shirt crosses cultures and industries as a professional wardrobe staple. If you find yourself in need of a smarter look for your upcoming interview, check out the popular selection of mens shirts and womens blouses at T.M.Lewin.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

What Makes You Unique Interview Question

What Makes You Unique Interview QuestionWhat Makes You Unique Interview QuestionQuick NavigationWhy employers ask, What makes you unique?Surprising ways employers ask, What makes you unique?How to answer, What makes you unique?Example answers to use in an interviewOne of the most common questions that hiring managers like to ask during an interview is, What makes you unique? This question is often asked because it helps the interview recognize the relevant qualities you could bring to the company. In this article, we will go over why employers ask this question and how to form a memorable response to improve your chances of getting a job offer.Why employers ask, What makes you unique?Employers use this question to learn more about you as an individual and a prospective team member. With so many applicants vying for the same position, discovering what sets you apart from others helps the hiring manager narrow down their list of prospective employees to the ones who stand out the most. The question, What makes you unique? gives you the opportunity to highlight the professional skills that make you seem like a more valuable asset than other candidates. If your skills and personality align with the companys culture and business needs, you are more likely to be offered the job.Surprising ways employers ask, What makes you unique?Interviewers might ask the question, What makes you unique? in different ways, but regardless of how they phrase the question, they are asking, What makes you qualified for this position? When possible, bring the topic back around to why you are a good fit for the position.Here are some other ways an interviewer may phrase this questionCan you tell me a little about yourself?Why should we hire you?What sets you apart from others?What are you most known for among your friends or coworkers?How would your boss and coworkers describe you?What do you like to do outside of work?Learn moraAnswering the Trickiest Interview Questions With ConfidenceHo w to answer, What makes you unique?Here are a few aspects to think about when coming up with an answer to the question, What makes you unique?Consider what the employer finds valuable.Companies are looking for particular skill sets, perspectives and abilities to help them achieve their goals. Think about the job description and how you meet its requirements.Consider your hintergrund and previous experiences.Mention examples of times you were successful, praised or rewarded at a previous job. This can help you solidify yourself as a successful candidate with proven skills.Highlight your most popular personality traits.Consider your greatest personal strengths and how those translate to succeeding on the job. For example, if you are a patient person by nature, describe how that trait has helped you remain calm in high-stress situations.Remember that nobody expects you to be the only one of your kind.Hiring managers hear similar experiences all the time, so you only need to focus on hi ghlighting your standout qualities. This will help you keep your response relevant to the job.Since you will be explaining how you are different in a way that makes you perfect for the job, think of a response that depicts you as a professional who will bring value to the workplace. To help yourself prepare for this question, write down everything you have learned from previous jobs, studies and internships. Summarize how you can apply each of those experiences to the open position.Consider which of your skills the company would value most, even if those skills are more personal than based on your professional experience. To keep your answer focused on the most important traits for the job, you can do the followingResearch the company before your interview.Explain how you could use your unique skills and talents for the job.Describe how these traits have helped you in previous positions.RelatedHow to Be Confident in Your InterviewsExample answers to use in an interviewHere are some example answers to help you come up with an appropriate response to this question.Example 1 Communication skillsIn my previous position, I took on the role of team leader and quickly noticed communication issues between departments. I came up with the idea of implementing a better way of communicating with other departments using an inter-office chat. The company found the ordnungsprinzip so beneficial that they are still using it to this day.See alsoBest Questions to Ask Your Interviewer to Get HiredExample 2 EmpathyI am an excellent communicator and can easily relate to others. At my previous job, there was a situation where my coworkers were having trouble satisfying a client. They brought me in as sort of a mediator, and I was able to clear up the miscommunications. This lead to the company enjoying a lucrative, long-term relationship with that client.Example 3 Problem-solvingI am not afraid of failure. In fact, I believe failure is an essential part of the process that leads yo u to success. At my current job, for example, we recently tried to implement a new internal content management system that did not work out as well as we had planned. Each time I came across an issue, I focused on how to solve the problem, which resulted in a better system than we had initially hoped for.Learn MoreMastering the STAR Interview Method Real Interview Questions AnswersThere are many common questions you might be asked during an interview. What makes you unique? helps the interviewer determine what sets you apart from other applicants. When you can showcase your skills and demonstrate how much of an asset you would be to the company, you improve your chances of landing the job.

Friday, December 6, 2019

What Everyone Else Does When It Comes to Hr Resume Sample and What You Need to Be Doing Different

What Everyone Else Does When It Comes to Hr Resume Sample and What You Need to Be Doing Different New Ideas Into Hr Resume Sample Never Before Revealed Our resume builder (you are able to create your resume here) will provide you tips and examples on how best to compose your resume summary or another section. In a resume the choice of a layout is essential. You could also see hr templates. Locate a resume template which suits your taste. You are going to need a fantastic organizational system to keep it all straight. Check to make certain youre providing all of the info required and clearly define your skill sets concerning application requirements. Its generally intelligent to involve a couple of personal references in the kusine of your respective resume. Next ensure use of good resume keywords. You dont have to have a boring resume in order in order for it to be professional. Use the thorough call center job description to aid you with call center resumes. Use the sear ch box to find precisely what you want to find. HR Assistants do lots of encoding work. You might also see HR Checklists. HR is the inspiration for several of the employees. Give us 7 minutes and you will find out how to compose a job-winning HR resume. Theresume summaryis best whenever you have a great absprache of HR experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office is essential for those in HR as its part of their day-to-day routine. Hence, its important that you be certain that the content of your HR resume are useful when it regards strengthening your application. With respect to this, listed below are a few of the reasons why we strongly think that a complete and competitive HR resume is vital. So as to be an efficient HR staffer, you want to understand your way around computers. A comprehensive HR resume may also create the assessment process more thorough and objective. List down all of the HR systems which youre knowledgeable of using. Exceptional ability to deal with H R work professionally. What Does Hr Resume Sample Mean? The career goal is the very first bit of information your prospective employer will discover, so its important to come from the gate swinging. Remember you need to tailor your resume for every single position you apply to. The more experiences that you have, the greater the work position that it is possible to target. No more are you stuck in an identical position for your complete life. What You Should Do to Find Out About Hr Resume Sample Before Youre Left Behind Our free Sample Chronological Resumes can help you outline your work history to generate a perfect resume. Writing a resume can be an intimidating task. You might also want to take a look at our complete collection of job sites in Singapore to assist you in getting started. There are different types of Resume Formats that you may use in writing your HR resume. If you get a high school diploma and wish to enter an internship program, acquiring a GED ratin g will help your case. It requires work but its worthwhile in the future. Until recently, a career in the area was not seen as impressive by the majority of people. You also ought to think about what experiences and qualifications you wish to include before you get started writing. In case the employer can observe how detailed your HR resume is, theres a big possibility they will browse through the whole document that may result to you being included within the next phase of the application practice. For instance, if youre a recent graduate, you should include your degree, or in case youre a seasoned HR professional, you may want to incorporate a section for special projects. It is critical to bring any certification you might have to the career objective section. For some companies, its very crucial that you give an overview of your abilities and achievements for them to figure out how you would fit exactly to their objectives. The Good, the Bad and Hr Resume Sample As HR, youre the very first impression of the company for potential employees, therefore its important to emphasize good communication abilities. The details which you will have in your HR resume is what will be utilised to evaluate the value you can increase the company. A comprehensive HR resume can help the organization judge your strengths in a more precise way. Bringing outstanding understanding of organizational procedures and capacity to boost employee performance.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Skilling Solutions for Queensland TL workers

Skilling Solutions for Queensland TL workers Skilling Solutions for Queensland TL workersPosted October 13, 2011, by Louisa Veidelis A new program has been launched to help transport and logistics workers in Queensland gain vocational advice and recognition of their skills and experience to boost their careers. As part of the Get into TL Skilling Solutions Queensland program, employees can meet with a consultant to receive up-to-date information and personalised advice on employment opportunities, career pathways and training options in transport and logistics. Whether you are new to the industry or have been working in the field for years, you will have the opportunity to establish your skills and find out what further skills you need to reach your career goals. Stephen Phillips, who has worked in TL for 25 years, contacted Skilling Solutions Queensland and welches able to receive his Certificate III in Transport and Logistics (Warehousing and Storage) and Certificate III in Transpo rt and Logistics (Road Transport) through recognition of prior learning. He was then referred to a TAFE Institution where he completed his Certificate IV in Transport and Logistics. The process was not hard at all. It gave me the piece of paper that employers require and an opportunity to progress to better wages and work conditions. The program has been created through a partnership between the Department of Transport Main Roads and The Department of Education Training. To register and check your eligibility, email or phone the Department of Transport Main Roads on 07 3306 6766.Logistics ResourcesWarehouse manager resumeWarehouse manager cover letterCareer Insider StoriesBashir Mourad - Supply Chain Manager at Johnson & JohnsonInterested in becoming a?Supply Chain ManagerLogistics ManagerContract AdministratorProcurement OfficerSupply Chain Customer Service ManagerPopular Career Searcheshow to become a procurement officer in australiagovernment funded logistics courses online where to study logistics in australiaprocurement and contract management online coursesgovernment funded logistics courses qldLogistics CoursesDiploma of LogisticsEnquire angeschlossen Enquire OnlineGraduate Certificate of Supply Chain and Logistics Managemen...Enquire Online Enquire OnlineDiploma of LogisticsEnquire Online Enquire OnlineDiploma of Facilities ManagementEnquire Online Enquire OnlineLouisa VeidelisRelated ArticlesBrowse moreWORKFORCE TRENDSAdopt a School ProgramAustralian schools are being adopted by an unlikely parent. Not by Madonna or Brangelina, but by the Transport and Logistics industry.LogisticsTradesTransport and logistics careers on the moveTransport and logistics may not have a reputation as a glamorous industry, but dont be fooled. The sector has plenty to offer when it comes to job prospects and wages.Online studyKeep Calm And Improve Yourself How Short Courses Can Help You SucceedTrend-spotters have deemed 2015 the year of self-improvement, so whats your master plan? The good news is that with single-unit study you dont actually need one to get started.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

10 career tips that are also great to apply to your life

10 career tips that are also great to apply to your life10 career tips that are also great to apply to your lifeWe get it, building a successful career is tough work. And not only that how are you also supposed to have work-life balance if most of your waking hours are consumed by either job searching, interviewing, career development, or just straight up work hustle?Its all about making smart choices that affect your work-life AND your personal life. After all, a successful career is built upon strong character and purposeful choices the same factors that drive a happy, fulfilling personal life.Here are 10 career tips are also great life tips they build your character and drive your purpose.Let the hedgehog guide your choicesYour main mission while growing in your career (and in life) should be based on what your one thing is according to the hedgehog concept.The hedgehog concept is a favorite of ours and it comes from a famous essay by Isaiah Berlin called The Hedgehog and the F ox when you put the fox and the hedgehog against each other, the cunning fox tries many things and is just okay at each one, while the hedgehog sticks to its one great thing the hedgehog wins.To use the hedgehog concept for your own career and life growth, think of your one thing as the intersection of these three conceptsWhat youre good atWhat youre passionate aboutWhat you can do to earn moneyEvaluate each professional opportunity against that mission by asking, Does this role support or detract from my mission? Is this leading me closer to my end goal or pulling me away?Likewise, you should have a mission in your personal life to better enable you live with purpose and leave a lasting fruchtmark on the world.Follow the 24-hour ruleWhen youre ready to lose your cool no matter how bad they have it coming to them commit to waiting 24 hours before sending that response. Theres a good chance that in those 24 hours you will come to your senses, cool down, learn more information that changes your perspective, or come up with a much more productive way to address the problem. In any case, youll be better prepared for the discussion.(This works in relationships, too.)Show authentic interest in othersDale Carnegie one of the most influential people in the world has influence down to an art. And the most important component of influence according to Mr. Carnegie himself? Genuine interest in others. Showing sincere interest in those around you opens uncountable doors for you it makes you more likely to be promoted, more likely to be followed by those you lead, more prone to growing friendships and relationships, better in sales, and more.Interest cant be faked in order to come off as genuine, you have to be genuine. Work on how you feel about those around you and start by asking about them before volunteering information about yourself or your own experiences.Give yourself permission to failThe only way youll ever take a risk in life is if youre permitted to fail. And though many leaders give their employees permission to fail because they understand the critical nature of failure in success, human beings are much less likely to give themselves the same room they give others.Allowing yourself to be wrong, to mess up, and to fail from time to time obliterates crippling defensiveness and opens your mind to new perspectives and wisdom. Additionally, it allows you to take career- or life-changing risks.Believe the best about othersWhen you believe that each person you lead, work alongside, or report to in an organization has the very best intentions to back their actions, youre able to experience a rewarding career marked by productive, empowering relationships and remarkable results.No katechese you share will ever be well received unless you believe that those listening want to be the best at what they do.Own your own mistakesDont play the blame game at work not only will it prevent you from ever growing and improving, but itll alienate those around you. When you find an error, fess up despite the consequences. Every mistake comes with valuable lessons learned and even an opportunity to show those around you that youre human, youre honest, and youre willing to admit when youre wrong.Eat the frog firstIf youve never heard of this phrase before, the basic idea is that if you do the worst thing (the frog) on your plate first thing in the morning, the rest of the day is a cake walk.Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day. Mark Twain.Whatever task you dread the most when you punch that clock in the morning is the first task you should complete. If you allow the most dreaded task to be delayed until the end of the day, the dread will hang over you like a dark cloud, preventing you from tackling other tasks with the gusto and creativity they deserve.Shut it off when you leaveWorrying doesnt resolve problems. Before you leave at the end of the day, take a quick glance at your cale ndar for tomorrow and decide what small steps you can take right now to better prepare yourself for the next day. Likewise, look at your list of tasks and ask yourself if any of them require completion before you leave. This ensures that when you walk out the door, you check out both physically and mentally.This applies at home, too. Consider any problem youre facing and ask yourself, What small step can I take in this moment to move toward resolution? Take that small step and check off the box for the moment. Worrying wont create results.Go above and beyondWhatever you do, do it the best of your ability whether at work or at home. This improves your chances of getting promoted, yes but it does so much more that. When you put your best foot forward every day, you begin to build character that defines and empowers you.Know when to say noWhen you overextend yourself at work, your colleagues, clients, and superiors face the consequences. Either you cant meet timelines, you cant give t hose around you the connection and attention they need, or your personality and affect suffer from being overextended for a long period of time. When you know you cant do a project justice, be honest. And if saying no is too hard, try another way like, I can take this one but Ill have to delay another initiative. How does October sound for that project?Key takeaway Both your personal and professional life benefit when you focus on continuous improvement and purposeful living.Linda Le Phan is the Content Marketing Manager at kununu US.This article first appeared on kununu.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Science Gels with Healthcare

Science Gels with Healthcare Science Gels with Healthcare Sometimes a patient needs more medication, right away. Maybe a nurse isnt available. They hit the call button, but its a busy night, everyone is doing the best they can. In other words, they just have to wait. Or worse, a patient is not even at the hospital but has trouble moving around their home. What do they do?One day the answer may be nothing. Hydrogels are well known in the field of medicine but how about using them for a system that will sense when medication is needed and deliver it?This Isnt Jell-OXuanhe Zhao, an associate professor in the department of mechanical engineering at MIT, explains how the hydrogel invention came about and developed over time.?Conventional hydrogels such as Jell-O that we eat? are weak and brittle and they cannot adhere to engineering materials such as metals and ceramics well, he says. Over the last decade, many groups, including my group, have significantly improved the toughn ess and strength of hydrogels. In 2015 and 2016, my group further invented a set of methods to robustly bond hydrogels to diverse solid materials, including metals, ceramics, silicon, SiO2, and various elastomers. These breakthroughs in enhancing physical properties of hydrogels enable the current design of stretchable hydrogel electronics and devices. For example, this smart hydrogel band-aid invention.Professor Xuanhe Zhao demonstrating band-aid gel. Image Melanie Gonick/MITSays Zhao, The system is generally made of biopolymers, water, and components of electronic devices, he says. Since most parts of the human body are made of hydrogels, the biocompatible ?hydrogel electronic devices can potentially provide long-term, high-efficacy interfaces between the human body and electronic systems. For example, a smart hydrogel band-aid may measure temperature changes around a wound area and deliver specific drugs accordingly.As far as the electronics for the invention, the hyd rogel matrix has components such as LED lights and temperature sensors. Many electronic devices are encapsulated by an insulating layer before being integrated with the hydrogel, he says.Of course, there have been a number of challenges along the way in this work. Maintaining the high robustness, high biocompatibility, and proper functions of the electronic devices in the system is a great challenge, Zhao says.The Future The invention has a futuristic feel. You would almost expect Bones from Star Trek to use it on a wounded Captain Kirk. But its own future might still see further improvements.The idea is to bring in more types of sensors, including those that directly show the presence of infections in a system.? We will also carry out in vivo tests on the system to seek feedback, he says.And hopefully, the work will go well enough that one day the hospital call button will be that much more of a last resort. Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further Discu ssion For example, a smart hydrogel band-aid may measure temperature changes around a wound area and deliver specific drugs accordingly.Prof. Xuanhe Zhao, MIT

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Administrative Healthcare Teams for the Future

Administrative Healthcare Teams for the FutureAdministrative Healthcare Teams for the FutureTechnology is rapidly evolving, and the field of administrative healthcare changes with each advancement. While workplace modernizations help automate routine tasks and boost efficiency, they also lead to the creation of new jobs that require skills your teams dont yet have.According to Robert Halfs new report, Jobs and AI Anxiety, which explores the future of work, the World Economic Forum estimates that as many as 133 million new roles could potentially emerge as labor is divided among humans, machines and intelligent technologies.This abundance of unfamiliar jobs means forward-thinking employers must prioritize identifying current workers with applicable skills - and finding new employees who already have them. Here are five tips to keep in mind as you ready your administrative healthcare teams for the future.1. Invest in tech trainingPrepare your staff by taking advantage of their desire to improve. The Jobs and AI Anxiety report notes that 45 percent of employers polled in the United States feel their employees are very eager to learn about new technologies.Acting on that eagerness can be a huge boon for your business. As Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, says, There is evidence that suggests the companies that do best bring their workers along with them as they change.Help employees learn about emerging technologies by providing in-person training sessions or seminars on subjects like data analytics in healthcare, allowing them to enroll in online courses or encouraging them to obtain additional professional certifications. Offering a set amount of paid time for professional development or reimbursement for certifications could further spur the desire to learn.Throughout the process, your team will develop skills to leverage unfamiliar technology, which can save money in the long run - while also improving recruit ment and retention.WORK WITH US2. Amplify job satisfactionBe proactive and schedule one-on-one sessions with your employees to discuss their career happiness. Are there staff members seeking growth opportunities or new professional challenges? If so, one of the advantages of technologies like automation and artificial intelligence is that they free up employees to take on mora demanding and interesting tasks.pferdegeschirr employees ambition by giving them new responsibilities, such as researching and planning for implementation of cloud-based electronic health records (EHRs). Additionally, allow them to become advocates for innovations that can improve your business. This not only provides workers with increased job satisfaction, it helps set your organization up for smoother transitions with technological enhancements.3. Offer mentoring and job shadowingKeep in mind that certifications and training sessions are worth much more when coupled with hands-on experience. Because of this , arranging for employees to receive on-the-job training in the practical, day-to-day uses of the tech theyll be working with is one of the best ways to prepare for these changes.Provide administrative healthcare teams with mentoring or job shadowing by having them work closely with members of your IT team or other employees who are more technologically adept. This allows staff to observe upgraded EHRs or AI in action and offers them the chance to ask questions of more tech-savvy colleagues. The result will be employees who are prepared to confidently take on new responsibilities within your organization.4. Upgrade your strategy for administrative healthcare hiringTake advantage of hiring opportunities to strengthen your team for the future. You know modernization will require fresh skill sets. Make sure you understand the digital and technology-based abilities and expertise your team requires so you can identify candidates who will drive your organization into the future.Additional ly, look for ways to use contractors, external consultants and interim employees to support your existing staff. These professionals can bring valuable technological experience and insight to your company and help relieve stress associated with transitions and increased workloads.5. Foster innovationMaintain your forward-thinking momentum by being an advocate of change - and using this attitude to your advantage in recruiting and retaining star players. In Robert Halfs report, Dan Schawbel, research director at Future Workplace and author of Back to Human, says, Top talent doesnt want to work for a company that isnt modern and focused on innovation. Talented people, even if they arent in a tech-focused job, want access to leading-edge tools.As you adapt your hiring strategies, look for ways to cultivate a progressive workplace culture. Additionally, encourage collaboration and creative thinking among employees, providing an environment where all feel welcome to share their ideas. T his will better position your company to be viewed as an industry leader among both peers and desirable talent.