Category: The Workplace

Halloween Costume Etiquette In The Office

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Halloween is coming up soon and with it all the fun of the costumes we’ve been working so hard on!  However most of us will still be working in the office on the day of as well as the few days before.  Some of our workplaces allow us to wear our costumes for Halloween however you may not be sure if you should.  This is completely normal as the costumes are made for Halloween and not for the office.  Depending on your workplace it may be better not to or to change your outfit to make it suited for work.

Dress code policies differ between companies obviously so the best and easiest way to practice Halloween costume etiquette in the office is to ask human resources or the responsible persons if your costume is okay.  This will save you trouble later on if it is indeed not fit for the office.  Some workplaces are stricter about dress codes than others however so you’ll have a pretty good idea beforehand if you can or cannot wear a certain costume you have in mind.  If you ask and it ends up being okay however this doesn’t mean anything goes. (Unless they specifically said so, which congratulations on your awesome job!)  A Halloween costume you will wear in work should reflect the company’s image and maintain somewhat of a professional standard.  You should obviously be able to work in it, so huge metal Ironman suits are probably not okay. (Sorry guy from Comic Con).  If your costume doesn’t impede your or the company’s workflow and doesn’t violate any policies or reflect badly on the company then you are good to go.  Happy Halloween, can’t wait to see all the cool costumes this year.

Fun Activities to Celebrate Customer Service Week in the Office

  1. Raffles. Customer service week is fun when the whole company gets in on the fun. One idea is to place golden stars randomly around the whole office. Place them under people’s desks, in the lunch rooms, and even in the bathroom. Each gold star represents one raffle ticket towards great prizes. That whole week, stars will be continually placed around the office during different points of the day in order for everyone to collect some. On Friday or the last day of the workweek, the drawing is held.
  2. Educate. Customer service should not be treated lightly. For every day during customer service week, send out a company-wide e-mail with a tip on how to provide the best customer service possible. Another alternative to this idea is to provide a fun workshop individuals can attend to refresh them on the importance of customer service. Attract more signups by raffling off something at the workshop.
  3. Thank them. Show gratitude to your employees by saying thank you. One idea here is to round up the customer service team into a meeting. During the meeting, showcase messages from the company leaders and even some customers thanking the customer service representatives for their hard work and dedication to service. This is a nice pat on the back for all, especially after a busy but productive time on the phones.

Fall Company Outing Ideas

Kashmir in Autumn 5Fall is the last chance for any company wide outings to be planned before winter hits and the cold keeps people from wanting to go out at all.  Some Fall specific outings that should definitely be at the top of your list include pumpkin picking, baseball games, football games, etc.

Pumpkin picking is tons of fun as the season starts, with Halloween around the corner everyone’s already in the spirit for it so it doesn’t need much hype.  Recently it’s been getting more and more popular so more and more farms are opening up to the public for pumpkin picking.  A lot of them feature other attractions and fun events as well like hay rides, corn mazes, contests, etc.  If your staff is looking for some lighthearted seasonal fun pumpkin picking is perfect.

Volunteering is another great outing idea, as it builds bonds between workers and with the community, the company reputation benefits as well.  There are the usual soup kitchens and community centers you can check out, however in the spirit of the season there are actually different farms and orchards that use volunteers to run their pumpkin picking, farm markets, hay rides, etc.

For those with a passion for sports, it’s the perfect time, baseball, football, hockey, etc. all have games underway throughout Fall.  This takes care of a lot of the planning problems associated with other outings as the only issues if any are transportation and tickets.

Taking advantage of the last warm days before winter to take your company out for a fun and beneficial experience is a great idea.  Here’s hoping you all get the chance to do so and enjoy any of these activities.  Enjoy your Fall!

5 Tips to Ensure Your Employees Feel Appreciated

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Employees who feel appreciated and valued for their time and dedication at work are often those who go above and beyond job expectations. Here are 5 tips to ensure you make your employees feel appreciated:

1. Tell them when they’ve done a good job. We get very busy and swamped with work, but it’s important to give thanks for a job well done. A simple thank you e-mail is a nice pat on the back, but thanking someone in person goes a long way.

2. Be flexible. Some of the best managers are flexible in that they understand everyone learns a different way. Show your employees you care by being flexible with your schedule. Make time to answer questions employees may have and schedule one-to-one meetings in order to give each other updates on work projects.

3. Don’t always be above them. Along with a higher title comes more responsibility and more power. It’s important to be able to relate to your employees in more ways than one. Yes, you are the boss, but employees feel more appreciated if you think of them as peers. It’s okay to talk about things that are outside of work, so long as everyone is doing a good job, having conversations and different types of interactions is healthy for a productive work environment.

4. Create Opportunities For Them. Employees want to do a good job in order to get ahead. Part of helping them feel better appreciated in the workplace means opening doors for them. Sending them to conferences and workshops they are interested in are great ideas. Not only are you investing in them, but they’ll feel appreciated about it too.

5. Significant others and life outside of work. Many people are married with children. Those who aren’t have significant others and family to tend to. Find ways to include the #1 people in employees’ lives by organizing events that include them.

 

Get Hired! Great Questions To Ask During A Job Interview

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When going on a job interview, asking the right questions is almost as important as answering the interviewer’s questions! Asking insightful questions of your potential employer can assure them that you are the right candidate and, as your questions are usually near the end of the interview, can leave a positive lasting impression of you. In addition, asking the right questions during your interview will help you to gauge whether the job is the right fit for you. Remember, you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you!
“What are the skills and experience that would make a candidate successful in the role?” This question is helpful because you can make sure you have spoken about how you have those skills and experience.

“Do you have any concerns about my qualifications for the role?” This can be a risky one, and you may want to first consider if you actually want to hear the answer to this! If you decide to go for it, you will impress the potential employer, who will likely see this both as a brave question and a telling one; it shows you are confident in your abilities to be able to respond to any of their concerns.

“What have you enjoyed most about working here?” This helps give you an idea of the company’s culture and discover if it is the right fit for you. If the interviewer mentions such things as innovative and interesting co-workers, growth opportunities, a supportive environment, or working on rewarding projects, you can rest assured knowing it is likely a place that people enjoy working. If, however, the employer seems to struggle to answer, that is a red flag.

“How have you seen the company change in your time here? “Where do you see the company going?” Questions like this help give you an idea of the state of the company, and whether they are growing, staying stagnant, or just trying to desperately hang on!

“What would you imagine a successful first year would look like for this role?” Potential employers like to hear this question, as it shows you are already thinking about what you can do for them and how you can succeed.

“What are the next steps in the process?” This shows that you are interested and is the most important information for you at this point if you are in fact interested in the job!

Is it Okay to Send a Thank You Email After an Interview?

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You nailed your interview. You shake hands with who you hope will be your next manager. She says that they will contact you when a decision is made. What should you do now? There are points that must be addressed, before taking the next step.

Timing is crucial. When the interview is over, you have 24 hours to thank your potential employer. Research has shown that within this time frame, interviewers have solidified their opinion about you. An appropriate thank you is not only polite, but it also relays the importance that the potential job is. Most people will focus on a handwritten letter versus e-mail. Before answering this question, you must have the answer to a very important question. When is the final decision likely to be made?

This is a question that needs to be answered, before you leave that interview. That answer will direct your response type. Research has also shown that hand written thank you letters are better received than e-mailed letters. Businesses cite that they are more of a personal touch, particularly after the formal process of interviewing. The hand written thank you also conveys more effort from the interviewee. How often do we receive hand written letters in this day and age? The handwritten response can set you apart from the rest of the candidates.

But let’s say that the potential employer has told you that the final decision will be made soon. Not only is it OK to send a thank you email after your interview, but it is imperative that you do. Soon may mean that same day. Your immediate response should match the immediacy in which a decision is being made. In this case, the handwritten thank you that is sent, will be too late to impact any decision making. The correct decision to e-mail your thank you letter can be the deciding factor in getting the job.

Tips on Making a Great Impression on Your First Day

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If it’s possible to feel excitement and hope with a touch of nagging anxiety and insecurity coursing through your veins all at the same time, chances are you may be on your way to your first day of work. Starting a new job is most often a positive experience as you have taken the initial step down an unknown and hopefully fruitful path in your career. At the same time, the unknown by its very nature has the potential to elicit a certain amount of nerves and tension. By entering this new workplace, you are leaving your former comfort zone and must engage with people, surroundings, and possibly work that are largely unfamiliar. This can be a daunting task for many. However, there is no true need to grin and bear your way through your first day of work.

The following are some tips which will hopefully help you to have an enjoyable first day at work and make a great first impression.

• Arrive at work early – Leave home at least fifteen or twenty minutes earlier than you believe is necessary. Of course, arriving on time to your first day of work is important and will be noticed, but avoiding a stressful commute will be even more beneficial. Th
ere is no need to add any additional anxiety to your day if it is within your control.

• Be Confident – Remember, you already got the job. The people who hired you believe in your ability. Make sure to believe in yourself as well.

• Say Hello – Simply introduce yourself to at least a few colleagues. If you go out of your way to introduce yourself, others will appreciate it and often be more than willing to assist you in getting acclimated to your new surroundings.

• Listen, Listen, Listen – Confidence and an outgoing demeanor will only take you so far. Paying attention to your job responsibilities, remembering co-workers’ names, and following company procedures will always reflect positively on you.

• Appreciate the Opportunity – Keep in mind how fortunate you are to have landed this job. This grateful mindset will be mirrored in your actions, and others will be able to discern that you are happy to be there.

If you follow these simple tips, your first day at work should be a memorable one and leave your colleagues with a great first impression of you. Now, on to day two.

3 Tips to Improve Your Presentation Skills

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Public speaking. It’s the stuff of nightmares – like visiting the dentist or never-ending group texts. Unfortunately, it’s a necessary evil for most of us in business or the corporate world. Preparing and conducting presentations can be a regular occurrence, so managing (and possibly overcoming) those public speaking fears is important. Here are a few tips to help you do just that:

Don’t Jam in Too Much Material

The editing process is crucial. You do not want to fit in endless amounts of material within a 10-15 minute time frame. During editing, be sure to comb through all the information and cut out anything that isn’t absolutely necessary.

If you are using PowerPoint (or another presentation app), you should also refrain from including too much information on your slides. The audience’s eyes should be focused on you and not tuning you out as they try digesting all the information being presented on screen.

Engage With the Audience

Face it – most people dislike attending presentations almost as much as giving them. By boosting engagement, you can break up the monotony. Throw in some polls or surveys. These could lead into inviting questions. It will keep everyone attentive and make them feel as if they are part of a conversation versus attending a lecture.

Don’t Worry About Mistakes

Mistakes are going to happen. No one is perfect – except for maybe Beyoncé or Ryan Gosling, but you are neither so don’t sweat it. You alone planned the presentation. If you missed mentioning something, they will not know that – only you will. Do not get rattled by any missteps. As far as the audience is concerned, everything is going as planned. If you need to circle back to make a correction or mention something you omitted, the Q&A portion of the presentation is the time to do so.

Ways to Provide Constructive Feedback to Employees

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Providing constructive feedback to employees is never easy and can be tricky. Effective communication in this situation is important and may make the difference between a productive employee and a destructive employee. Delivering your feedback successfully will build morale within your company.
One important way to provide constructive feedback to an employee is to be certain to discuss the situation not the employee. Discuss the core of the issue without coming being judgmental.

Another key in giving constructive feedback is to remain focused and specific. Give examples and reference situations so the employee understands exactly what message you are trying to get across.

Being a guide by offering suggestions can also be helpful when providing employee feedback. Create a conversation by sharing a positive course of action. This will allow for an exchange of ideas making the employee feel part of the feedback opposed to being spoken to.
Comparing one employee to another is definitely a no-no. Not only will this make the person you are speaking with feel horrible, but it will build a rift in your team dynamic. You never want to pit one employee against another. This will create an atmosphere of negative competition.

Try to provide constructive feedback whenever you are speaking with an employee. My last bit of advice is to balance the negatives with positives so that the employee is not getting overwhelmed. Putting a positive spin on things will create a positive work environment.

Ideas for Bring Your Child to Work Day

Whether or not they make it known, your children are interested in you.  They care about your life and what you do during the day.  That’s why Bring your Child to Work Day is such a great opportunity for both children and their parents.  Children have the chance to learn just what Mom or Dad does all day after seeing them off to school in the morning.  Parents are able to spend some time showing their sons and daughters the value of hard work and the satisfaction in a job well done.  Of course, the lone caveat in this otherwise promising day is that work still needs to be accomplished, and parents can’t spend all their time interacting with their children.  The following are thoughts of activities children might enjoy during Bring your Child to Work Day while Dad or Mom is hard at work.  Remember, these are your children.  You know them best.  Tailor these suggestions to fit your child’s interests and personality.

  • Create a Business Card – If there is an available computer or just an available piece of paper, encourage your son or daughter to make their own business card. They could pretend they are the president of the company, principal of the school, or whatever they choose to imagine.  They’ll feel like they’re a part of the work environment, and should have a great time making their business card, too.
  • Assist with Simple Tasks – If you need copies made, paperwork filed, documents shredded, or have any uninvolved jobs to complete, take your child along with you. Let them participate as you show them what to do, and even let them take over the job themselves.  You get to work together with your child, and your child gets to feel a sense of accomplishment as they are actually performing real work just like Mom or Dad.  This is something you should both appreciate.
  • Plan a Group Project – If coworkers nearby are also bringing their children to work, why not have them work together to complete a minor, somewhat fun job-related project for you. Once they’ve finished, perhaps parents and children could have a meeting in a conference room to discuss what was done.
  • Go out for Lunch – Let your son or daughter take a break from the grind, and enjoy some time together away from work. You can talk about the day so far, and discuss anything they might be interested in seeing or learning in the afternoon.