My Articles Best Choice: December 2017

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This holiday season, may God fill your life with Love, Laughter and Peace!

Warmest wishes to you and your dearest ones...

Greg Smith

ADVANCED DISC CERTIFICATION | DURHAM | JANUARY 8-9

The two-day DISC training certification program is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of DISC behavioral styles. We train on so much more than just the High D, I, S and C. You will leave with the knowledge and confidence to apply the DISC methodology to leadership development, team effectiveness, communication strategies, coaching, hiring, and sales. Government and veteran discounts.

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Employee Retention, Motivation and Engagement Strategies

The Future Workplace Experience: Is Your HR Department Ready?

The business world is more focused on the need to innovate today. Try to be more innovative with your company's culture, leadership style, technology goals, strategy, etc...

One thing that often doesn't get as much traction is Human Resources. The future workplace experience is changing. How does your HR department measure up? Are you ready?

The Future Workplace Experience

If you want to have an Innovative HR department, then you check out The Future Workplace Experience: 10 Rules for Mastering Disruption in Recruiting and Engaging Employeesby Meister and Mulcahy. This great read is helpful for both workers and human resources to see the innovative workplace changes. The book focuses on the trends in the future from a fresh perspective.

In recent years, people began to consider the opportunity of employees to work from anywhere and on a flexible schedule. They seem to have forgotten the employer though. There is still a need for hiring managers, recruiters, and the HR department.

The Employer Side of Things

This book will shed some light on the employer side of things and the future of work. Specifically, it focuses on 10 trends that will change the way employers recruit, train, and the manner that they use freelancers for projects. The goal is to embrace an innovative approach where you focus less on the 9 to 5 parameters of one's day job.

Employers should shift their thinking to attract top talent and give them work that is designed for their particular skill sets. The book encourages employers to rethink the entire hiring process and to switch gears on leadership styles as appropriate.

Worth the Read

Meister and Mulcahy's book is absolutely worth the read. Their findings are geared toward the audience of "gig economy" employers. The material is sure to give ways for leaders to implement innovative strategies for management and HR departments.

This book is different than other business books on the market. The key focus is on people. Technological innovation is great but if you miss the mark with people, then you don't have much left. The best practices in this book will enable others to see the future workplace in a different light and give their business the opportunity to thrive..v

How To Help Employees Manage Workplace Stress

In their paper, "Reducing Occupational Stress: An Introductory Guide for Managers, Supervisors, and Union Members," co-authors Janet Cahill, Paul Landsbergis, and Peter Schnall offer some useful information that may help you improve the health and productivity of employees.

Here are a few of their recommendations:

Increase the level of social support from co-workers and supervisors. Approaches can include proactive supervisory training, conflict resolution training, and staff retreats.

Improve physical working conditions. Approaches include improving indoor air quality, reducing hazards such as noise, toxins, and chemicals, and redesigning jobs to reduce the incidence of repetitive-strain injuries.

Suggest healthy ways to use computers. Good ergonomics are a key to healthy computer use. State health departments may be able to help your organization choose the proper equipment and lighting. Also, involve staff in choosing new equipment. The user should be able to make informed choices.

Maintain job demands at healthy levels. Possible approaches include less overtime and reduced workload.

Provide healthy work schedules. Rotate shifts, use flextime or other alternative schedules, and reduce forced overtime.

Offer relaxation training. Stress management consultants are available to train employees in relaxation techniques. For example, the New York Open Center offers stress management and corporate programs. One course, "Stress Relief for the Office Worker," includes yoga, aromatherapy, and other self-help techniques.v

Resolutions You Can Accomplish By The End Of The Year!

While it may be the last month of the year, there is still time to knock out a few more resolutions before it is over. Looking back over the year, you may be wondering what you've been doing. Take some time to celebrate your accomplishments and set some new goals that will help improve your performance in all areas of life; personally and professionally.

Do the following before the end of the year:

Refocus your morning habits - Instead of struggling through the morning before you head to work, regroup and try to set up some good, solid morning habits. Consider pulling back the curtains and letting the sun shine in your windows. Set your coffee the night before and take some time to sit and enjoy it as you read for a few minutes. Make your bed when you get up because it will make your room look tidier.

Brainstorm ways to help you feel more ready and begin to form some new morning habits.

Get some extra sleep - Try to get to bed earlier or set your alarm later. Often, it becomes easy to do one more thing around the house or to check email one more time to get ready for the next day. Try skipping this and get some extra sleep instead.

Take time to read daily - We live in a world where you can watch TV or videos on any mobile device at any time.

Rather than focusing on so much screen time, consider reading about 30 minutes per day. Find something encouraging to read which will nurture your mind.

Get out of your rut - You still have time to do something new this year. Try to get out of your rut and embrace something that you haven't done before. This is a great way to enjoy life and make it feel less mundane.

Consider what you're thankful for - Work and life can be busy. It is easy to get overwhelmed, so take time out to write down what you are thankful for. Seeing it on paper will enhance your attitude and allow you to feel more positive and grateful, which will help you at work too.

Network with someone each week - Rather than getting stagnant, be sure to network with someone each week. We learn so much from others and they can be an encouragement too. Be sure to take time out each week to build relationships by connecting with others.

There is still time to set some new resolutions/goals that will rejuvenate you for the remaining part of the year. Get started today because time is ticking and the New Year will be here before you know it.v