Does Hot Weather Affect Productivity

Does Hot Weather Affect Productivity In case you were still wondering, weather and temperatures do have an impact on office staff and dispute are likely to happen in a number of occasions. According to Andrews Sykes, the result on productivity is huge. During fair weather, 30% of workers extends their lunch breaks by no less than 13 minutes during summer time. Working attire, too, are obviously linked to productivity. Who likes to work wearing a suit during hot weather? Although company culture doesnt always allow relaxed dress code, adaptation during summer and winter months are desperately needed! Takeaways: 18-24 year olds were the most likely to admit to lengthening lunches, twice as likely as those 55+, though the elder group said they took longer. The 45-54 age group admitted to taking the longest lunch breaks. Less than a quarter of respondents had a relaxed dress code during hot weather. Workers with a relaxed dress code are more likely to work extra hours. RELATED:  How Can Your Office Improve Your Employee’s Productivity

A Day In My Life as Mompreneur - Classy Career Girl

A Day In My Life as Mompreneur A few years back I wrote a blog post about a day in my life  when I was an MBA grad student by night and consultant by day. I got so much great feedback that you all loved getting the behind the scenes info on my crazy juggle!  I love documenting what my life looks like because things are always changing for me and now when you throw a baby in the mix as a new mompreneur, it gets even more fun! ?? My Mompreneur Monday So here was what my day looked like this past Monday. Mondays are not very fun for most people. I have dreaded Monday mornings in the past as well. But I love Mondays now..heres why! 5 am: Alarm goes off, and I try my hardest to get out the door  before my daughter wakes up! I dont enjoy waking up this early, but I have discovered its the ONLY way to get focus time to keep my business running. I am a big believer that you make your own time and are never too busy for what is really important to you. 5:30 am: In my seat at the coffee shop two blocks away. I prepare content for  a webinar I am doing this week.  I also prepare for my Corporate Rescue Plan group coaching call later scheduled for later in the evening. 7:30 am: Work is done for the day! Wellalmost. My focus work is done, but now I get to talk to lovely women from all over the world for the rest of the today. I come home to see my daughter and husband laughing together and of course both VERY excited for mama to be home! I feed my daughter and then throw dinner in a crockpot while she watches me from my high chair. I also make breakfast (avocado toast) and do my daily YouTube yoga workout. 9 am: Make a smoothie (spinach, blueberries, banana and coconut milk) and head out for a walk with my daughter in the stroller. This is normally a run, but my body hurts from this mornings workout, so I am taking it easy today! I always listen to a business podcast while out for a walk.  I treat these podcasts like having my own personal mentors because I get so inspired. My favorites these days are Glambition Radio by Ali Brown, Online Marketing Made Easy by Amy Porterfield or Smart Passive Income by Pat Flynn. Luckily, my daughter goes to sleep on the walk! ?? 10 am: Call with potential client in Shanghai. I love that my business is global and I can serve women all over the world on Skype! 11:30 am: Make lunch (quinoa Greek salad), and prep emails for my  webinar coming up this week. I nurse my daughter and shower. My husband (A.K.A. Chief Operating Officer of CCG) helps me with some techie stuff and he helps me learn how to use a new microphone for webinars and calls. I put my daughter down for her afternoon nap and enjoy a wonderful  quiet moment! 2 pm: Coaching session with a new Corporate Rescue Plan client. She steps up and invests in herself and her future dream career! I am so proud of her! 3 pm: Nurse my daughter. Journal, read a book and enjoy some down time. I catch up on my private  Facebook groups with  my clients. They ask some fabulous questions, and I love helping them! I shower and get ready to chat with another new client. 4 pm: Another  session  with a client who is ready to launch her dream career.  I give her my recommendation and  help her create her plan of attack. 4:30 pm: Make dinner, feed my daughter and clean up  my daughter. Shes a mess! ?? 5:15 pm: Prepare for my Corporate Rescue Plan group coaching call. I meditate and just make sure I am really present so I can help my clients as much as possible over the next hour. 5:30 pm: Corporate Rescue Plan group coaching call starts!    I have another call tomorrow for my Love Your Career Formula clients as well. Seriously, these are some of my favorite times of the week! Its a lot of questions to answer in one little hour, and I have to be on my A-Game, but they time flies by and I love helping them. Thats when you know you are in your dream career, right? 6:30 pm: Jump on Facebook and Instagram with a few comments and posts. This is the first time for the day because all of my social media is already pre-scheduled for the week. I publish a blog post that I have already written about with information on my upcoming webinar. I delete and respond to a few emails. I like to go to sleep with zero emails in my inbox. I think I sleep better:)  I delegate tasks to my amazing virtual assistant in the Philippines who works when I sleep. I streamline her priorities, so she knows what to work on for her day. 8 pm: No working or talking about work after 8 pm is the family rule! My husband and I watch television and spend some quality time together. 9 pm: Read a book. Right now I am reading Gone Girl, and its a bit addicting. 9:30 pm: Lights out! Great day. I work hard, but I love what I do. Lets do it again tomorrow! Takeaway I am a firm believer that the happier you are in your career, the more successful you become.  Happiness is the key to work life balance and my day is a great balance of all of the things that make me happy. Helping women launch their dream careers, spending loads of time with my daughter and husband and feeling fulfilled by reading and being by myself as well so that I can be present. Note: This is my Monday schedule, and Tuesdays look very similar. But, Wednesdays through Fridays I normally take NO client calls. On these days I dont work so hard, and I can create and  work on things that need more of my focus (or just hang out at the zoo).

One Baby Step - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

One Baby Step - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Is there one small item â€" something as low as $1 that your prospects could buy from you? Could it be a trial offer that costs just $1, and a payment of significantly more â€" if the trial offer proves to be valuable and effective? We all think of hitting home runs, of developing the killer app, closing the monster deal or getting the absolutely ideal job. What if you could get exactly what you want, it’s just that you started really, really small. Micro-small. We know it’s true with learning new skills and unlearning bad habits. Almost everything good starts with a baby step. Try to knit a whole scarf â€" you can’t at one time. You can only make one stitch at a time. Can’t read a whole 200 page book in an instant or consume a whole 16 ounce steak in one bite.  Got to take it all a bit or a bite at a time. Do this today. Break down your biggest goal â€" or your unfulfilled resolution â€" into micro-dots along a line toward the ideal result. Create the tiny points â€" maybe calorie by calorie, maybe letter by letter, maybe just finding the phone number of just one person who you need to call. Every great chain of events starts with one link and then only grows as you add them. Let’s take all the heat down a notch. Baby yourself. One small step at a time. Need ideas about making your large goals small? Email me: Nance@NanceRosen.com Author: Nance Rosen is the author of Speak Up! Succeed. She speaks to business audiences around the world and is a resource for press, including print, broadcast and online journalists and bloggers covering social media and careers. Read more at NanceRosenBlog. Twitter name: nancerosen

5 Branding Lessons from The Sex Pistols - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

5 Branding Lessons from The Sex Pistols - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career What does the group Sex Pistols and branding have in common? You might be tempted to answer, nothing, but in fact, the Sex Pistols were revolutionary, not only in the music industry, but also in the way they utilized branding to improve their reach as rock stars. The Sex Pistols were a punk rock band formed in London in 1975. They are thought of as the band that birthed the punk movement in the United Kingdom, which later led to the explosion of the punk and alternative rock genres. The band’s career lasted a short two and a half years, but due to the band’s ability to brand, their single studio album landed them in the hall of fame and is thought of as one of the most influential albums in history. The group was actually the brainchild of Malcolm McLaren and was manufactured, much like the boy bands of today. Although the band was already playing together in a way, McLaren coming on board as manager was what really rocketed the group from obscurity. Read below to learn some of the methods the Sex Pistols used to build their brand and find success as a group: 1. Define a Common Enemy An old adage says, “nothing brings people closer than a common enemy, “ and the Sex Pistols utilized this concept to its fullest. The single “God Save the Queen,” showcased the group’s hatred of the monarchy along with their disdain of social conformity. Those who agreed with the Sex Pistol’s view, found a camaraderie with the Sex Pistols. In fact, the release of the single incited the last and greatest pop-based moral pandemonium. How You Can Define a Common Enemy: You can implement this element by offering a solution to a common problem; thereby fighting a common enemy. If you are a CPA, your common enemy could be the quickie tax places. You could even do a campaign where you compare them to fast food places. This would give something for you, your customers and prospects to make fun of together and build a camaraderie. 2. Use Media to Your Advantage The Sex Pistols used the media to their advantage and made them take notice by their many PR stunts. One such stunt was performed on June 7th ,1977, on the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. On that day, the group hired a boat, sailed down the Thames and played “God Save the Queen” next to the House of Commons. Eventually, police boarded the boat and arrested the group’s manager. Some might have seen the stunt as ineffective and foolish, but the Sex Pistols knew that any media attention would bode well for them. How You Can Use the Media: No, you don’t want to necessarily pull off a stunt that gets you arrested just to acquire media attention. However, it is smart to go on as many radio shows, or talk shows as possible and be willing to share your message in various ways whenever you can. 3. Be Hated by Majority to Passionately Appeal to Small Group The music, attitude and theatrics of the Sex Pistols did not appeal to everyone. However, those that did like the group, were passionate followers. Although the group could have toned down their lyrics and appealed to a wider audience, they understood the importance of remaining who they were, whether they were overwhelmingly embraced or not. How You Can Appeal to a Small Group: In business, you can apply this method by choosing a portion of your client base and gearing your advertising and service to them alone. It might seem counterintuitive to reduce your reach, but when you focus on a small segment of people, instead of everyone, you will be able to appeal to that group more effectively. 4. Be an Experience Not only did the Sex Pistols impact the music industry, they also brought to their audience an entire experience. Their followers began not only copying the group’s attitude toward the status quo, but also mimicked their hair, clothing and virtually everything else about the group. As a result, the Sex Pistols are thought to be responsible for the punk rock look catching on and spreading like wildfire. How You Can Be An Experience: As a business owner, you can be an “experience” by offering your clients more, within your specific genre. For example, if you are an accountant, you can write a book on how to do your taxes when you are self employed. Just look for any way to create more substance in regards to what you are doing, so your business will become an experience. 5. Do One Thing The Sex Pistols never strayed from their core beliefs and never tried to garner the affection of the general public by including a few ballads here and there. No, the group stuck to loud, crude and oftentimes off-putting punk rock music and never wavered. As a result, the band is known only as a punk band, and forever will be known that way. How You Can Do One Thing: As mentioned above, specialization is wise in business. After all, “perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Use this method to examine your business, what needs to be the focus, and so on. Love them or hate them, the Sex Pistols certainly made a lasting impact on society and the music industry as a whole, largely due to their ability to brand themselves well. Therefore, the tips above, derived from the branding techniques used by the Sex Pistols, are beneficial to anyone who wants to grow their brand. Northfoto / Shutterstock.com

What to Know Before Writing Your Resume

What to Know Before Writing Your ResumeYou know what to do when you're applying for a job. You fill out an application and submit it to multiple agencies, all at the same time. But what should you know before writing your resume? You need to be certain that the information is accurate and the resume meets your needs.The most important pieces of information are your education and training. Many resumes are taken down without this information. That's because people think that they don't need it, or it isn't very relevant.If you were only looking for a high-paying position with no experience, you might not be able to get the job even if you have a bachelor's degree. Many positions require specific qualifications. Some are for particular fields, others are for academic fields. It would be unfair for employers to judge you based on your past work history without knowing the specific requirements for that position.Not everyone lives in the same different states as you. In fact, some of us only move around occasionally. So, if you had been living in Illinois for ten years but now live in New York City, you may find that you have very little job experience. The resume you write for someone who has recently moved should reflect that.If you're not familiar with an organization, it may be worth your while to research it. This doesn't mean that you have to write something about it or anything like that. Instead, it means that you should spend some time learning about the organization and how it might be helpful to you. As an example, if you're looking for a job in the field of nursing, you may want to find out about the various organizations that are in your state.Your personal background is probably the most important part of your resume. How old are you? Are you married? Do you have children?Most of us are better off if we are honest and we aren't afraid to admit mistakes, especially mistakes that we make on purpose. The key is to follow up with what you've written and m ake sure it matches your qualifications. If you try to include too much about yourself, it's likely that you'll end up confusing and annoying the hiring manager.The key is to write exactly what you know, and then proofread your resume and make sure that the right details are included. Do the right things, and you'll be well on your way to finding the job you're seeking.

#JobHuntChat Launch Re-Cap

#JobHuntChat Launch Re-Cap 0 Flares 0 Flares Last nights launch of #JobHuntChat was an incredible success, and Id like to thank each and every participant.  Nicole, Jessica, and I had a great time co-moderating, chatting with you, and reading your brilliant responses. #JobHuntChats purpose is to make sure that youll  Never Hunt Alone Again. Judging by the number of participants and responses last night, I think we can now claim, Mission Accomplished. So, what happened during last nights #JobHuntchat?  Here is our launch recap: #JobHuntChat 2/15/2010 Statistics # Of Tweets 650+ # of Contributors 100+ Top 5 Contributors @martymjm 29 Tweets Marty is a recruiter and career coach in Philadelphia @bitty_boop 22 Tweets Brittany is a Quinnipiac senior, PR major looking for work in NYC @abbylocke 21 Tweets Abby is a career marketing and leadership brand coach from Seattle @stephmajercik 21 Tweets Stephanie graduates May 10 and hunting for PR jobs @tmcantwell 21 Tweets Teresa is a 3 year PR pro from  NYC, looking for new opportunities #JobHuntChat Transcript If you are interested in following along with last nights chat, please click the link below to bring up the #JobHuntChat transcript.  Monster thanks go to Chanelle Schneider (@WriterChanelle) for putting this transcript together. Click here for the #JobHuntChat transcript from 2/15/2010 Submit Your Questions For Next Week Please submit your questions for next weeks chat.  If you submitted a question and it wasnt picked this week, there is a strong chance it will be selected to be featured next Monday night. Submit your questions to JobHuntChat@gmail.com

Overcoming Nerves before Attending an Assessment Centre

Overcoming Nerves before Attending an Assessment Centre Overcoming Nerves before Attending an Assessment Centre Assessment centres whether they are for police or a different form of employment, can be dealt with using some of the same techniques. Nerves will always be present when you are going for interviews, practical assessment, and written assessments to obtain your career of choice. No one walks into an assessment centre nerve free. The key is to hone those nerves so they work with you rather than against you.  Practise Interviews and Assessments Since you are at a career path you already know if you study better in a group or by yourself. Choose the most appropriate option and then start to get ready. Mock interviews and practical assessments are easier in groups. You have more than one person you can interview with and exchange the same. When you are interviewed you will be face to face with a stranger. It is best to practise in front of another person with past interview questions the assessment centre may have used. The Internet is a healthy source for interview questions in a range of industries ensuring you can find something that will help you frame a better answer when in front of the actual company representative. or the practical assessment having someone else in attendance to help you practise is also an appropriate choice. For example, if you wish to become a part of the police you need to be able to shoot when there are other people and distractions around you. Hitting the target is important; however, if you have nerves because the instructor assessing you is watching you might miss. Taking another student to the range to act as the “instructor” gives you the benefit of shooting under pressure.   Practising on your own for the written portion is another way to overcome your nerves. You may find it beneficial to be asked questions that will be on the written portion. Choose what works best for you and what will help you remember.  The Number One Reason for Nerves According to www.assessmentd ay.co.uk writer Oliver Savill and www.mindtools.com writer Dianna Podmoroff the number one reason people go into assessment centres with nerves that can be debilitating to their career is because of obstructive behaviour patterns. In other words, there is something that brings your nerves to a large peak, blocking your ability to perform correctly, thus you underperform. If you look at the root cause for those nerves chances are you will find that it is confidence related brought about by a feeling of lack of preparedness. Someone goes into the assessment centre feeling less than prepared for a portion of the exam perhaps because they have tried to pass one of the tests before and failed or perhaps because they know they have not studied enough. This is why practise is essential especially in all matter of ways from interviewing with another person, practical assessment with another person, and studying past written assessment questions.  Making Errors that Ensure  Under-performance Fire fighters are a good example of how errors can lead to under performance because of the physical test involved. Fire fighters’ practical assessments include many physical activities including running up stairs with hoses. These assessments are timed.   A lack of proper hydration can result in underperformance. The body naturally uses oxygen when it is exercising and a lack of oxygen can create muscle cramps and poor performance. Drinking energy drinks with caffeine reduces the oxygen in the body even more because caffeine is an oxygen inhibitor. It is the reason many who drink it get cramps, exercise or no. Putting the body in a tougher situation ensures trouble. Avoiding big mistakes like this can help you perform at the level you have trained for.  Showing Assessors You Can Do it During your driving test you had to actually show the assessor you could drive. The same is true in the assessment phase for your career. Make certain the examiner can see that you are doing what is being asked. Use your nerves to be vigilant to the assessors around you. Show them through your feedback and body language that you are in control of your nerves and they are actually helping you complete the task at hand. By prioritising your time to practise, prepare, and know the assessment criteria you can walk into the assessment centre with your nerves under control. You know you have prepared the best you could, avoided making costly errors in your preparation, and are ready to take on the assessment tests. Lastly, if necessary, find a place to meditate, relax, and remember to be yourself and your nerves will remain in control.   This entry was posted in Assessment Centres. Bookmark the permalink. Richard Student Advice: When University is Not Right for YouVideo Game Development Process