Why Rigid Workplace Culture Holds Back Employees

Why Rigid Workplace Culture Holds Back Employees More than half of UK workers feel that both the structure and culture of their workplaces are holding them back from doing their job more effectively (55% and 53% respectively), with 53% warning they will consider moving jobs unless their organisation changes. That’s according to recent research from ILM which identified a clear mismatch between employees’ desire for independence and flexibility, and the reality of their current working environments. Almost three quarters (74%) of UK employees say they would like more freedom at work, with more than a third (34%) saying they work in a regulated and controlled structure. When asked how they’d like to change their company culture, the top answer was more freedom and flexibility (35%) followed by more innovation and creativity (32%). John Yates, Group Director at ILM: Rigid structures, siloed working and overly complex hierarchies are things of the workplace past. People today want to work at flexible, fun and friendly organisations â€" and those who can deliver on that always have an edge in recruitment. Organisations need to be flexible, allowing employees to pursue career ambitions and manage conflicting home life pressures as much as possible, and encourage creativity â€" injecting passion and new ideas into the workplace. As well as wanting more autonomy, today’s workers are looking for more input in the business. Two thirds (66%) of UK employees want to have a greater say in the business and 64% are seeking a better understanding of where they fit in. Just a quarter (24%) say that their managers definitely foster collaboration. Michael Moran, CEO at 10Eighty: There is a new paradigm at work here. Previously we designed the job and then applied the employee to it. Today knowledge workers are looking for the job to design around their needs. It is increasingly important for employers to understand what is important, what motivates and what it is the employee likes doing and then design the job around those three things.   The end product is a highly engaged, loyal and productive employee. Diarmuid Russell, Head of International at  Glassdoor: Employee engagement is crucial to attract and retain the best people. Increasingly, employers are expected to engage with employees in a public forum and in an authentic manner. People today expect their opinions to be heard to be able to make a difference. Listening and engaging really makes a difference. Nearly two-thirds of Glassdoor users say their perception of a company improves when employers respond to reviews. Plus, three-quarters of Glassdoor users are more likely to apply to a job if the employer actively manages its employer brand by responding to reviews, and sharing updates on the culture and work environment. Media agency OMD UK is one business putting this into practice, with schemes including The Minerva House Employee Council â€" a group of employees from all levels and disciplines that provides feedback to the Board on how to make the business bigger and better. The OMD Board Academy even helps the junior team to deliver training and development. Kate Herbert: Head of People at OMD UK: People are at the heart of our business, so it’s important for us to develop their skills and careers at every level. We make sure that people across the organisation are working in a culture where their voice is heard, empowering them to be leaders in their own right. It’s a two-way relationship and we want to create the kind of company that people want to work with. Previous data released from this research identified a ‘leadership lag’, calling on businesses to shift the focus of leadership from the top of their organisation to instead develop leaders at all levels and ensure the UK remains economically competitive.

How Can Young Professionals Prove Theyre Job Ready

How Can Young Professionals Prove Theyre Job Ready There is a great deal of focus on the challenges associated with young professionals obtaining  employment. We are in  the midst of  a changing employment market, where individuals stay in  work longer and roles are being lost to automation.  The greatest challenge for our youth today, however, appears to not necessarily be their chosen skill sets. Instead, its their  understanding of job readiness and willingness to  make themselves attractive to employers. Many large organisations run great internship and graduate recruitment programs, however as one multi-national company told me last week, the ability to find those who are actually job ready is growing more challenging each year. What abilities do youth today need to showcase in order  to be classed job ready? Clear communication Communication skills do not mean that they have to be the most extraverted, articulate or  capable communicator in the business. What prospective employers need to see is that they  are confident in their  own communication style and have the maturity to verbally communicate at a professional level, as well as in writing. Remember, once in employment, they  will be communicating with a very diverse array of people representing different cultures, experience, beliefs and business levels. Professional presentation All organisations have a strong brand that they want to uphold and all good organisations know that their employees generally are the face of their business. The way young professionals present themselves  to the business, online and offline, will be key to identifying whether they will meet the expectations and culture of the business. Again, organisations are not after people who dress  or  appear a certain way, rather they are after people who take pride in their appearance and are able to match this to what is required of the job. Hint here, never turn up to an interview in ripped jeans and thongs! Time management This one is always a challenge for many individuals to demonstrate but having some examples of how they have effectively managed  their  time would be very helpful. Time management can be demonstrated through the ability to work part time whilst committing to studies, attend sporting events or even juggle volunteering. Most of all, effective time management is clearly demonstrated when they  turn up at the interview around 15 minutes before the start time,  and are actually prepared for the interview! Collaboration skills Not everyone is a natural born leader and that is OK as many organisations want to see how effective people can work in  team environments. The need to work with others is imperative throughout your career so being able to demonstrate how you appreciate the opinion of others, encourage others to participate and be willing to share your own ideas are great ways to demonstrate your collaboration. Goals As silly or obvious as it may sound, already having some goals to strive towards is a great thing for all individuals looking to start their career. The desire to develop capabilities, to learn and to grow shows great personal courage and commitment; this is something that many organisations seek in prospective employees.  Young professionals need to be confident in articulating what it is they would like to achieve in the next 5 years. Be mindful that these goals need to be realistic and respect that early on in anyones career,  there will be  a lot of growth that needs to happen  before becoming the CEO! We need to do what we can to support and  help youths develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers. Being employable in the current market is not simply reliant on the level of qualification they hold, or how high their  grades were when completing that qualification. Employers need to look for employees that are reliable, committed and talented, and will thus take into account academic and personal capabilities.  Share this post with any graduates or young professionals who may be about to make their career debut! Image: Shutterstock

Personal Branding Interview Michael Simmons - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Interview Michael Simmons - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke to Michael Simmons, who is a young, serial, award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author of The Student Success Manifesto, and national keynote speaker to over 40,000 individuals. In this interview, Michael talks about how he started his business and how you can start your own business, at any age. What gave you the idea to start your own business? Between my sophomore year and junior year in high school, my best friend and I were reading success stories of overnight dotcom young millionaires, and we were really inspired. We had no idea that entrepreneurship existed, and we loved that it was a path we could start on right away to earn money over the summer. What are your top 3 tips for people who want to start their own business? Test your idea by trying to pre-sell it to customers. You dont really have a business until you have customers. Many people are afraid of doing sales or assume that their idea will just spread via word-of-mouth. Get started and keep on going. Too many people stop when they reach challenges. Instead, they should learn, pivot, and keep on moving forward. The more you do that, more your chances for success go up. Break down your idea into its small action items and work on them. So many people arent able to break down their big vision into something that they could realistically do today with the resources and experience they have. As a result, they get stuck in analysis paralysis. You do events, both virtually and in-person. Which is more effective and why? It is hard to compare because they have different purposes. Our in-person events are targeted to be more inspirational. Our virtual events are more informational. Do you feel that colleges and universities are helping or hurting prospective entrepreneurs? I cant speak for all colleges universities. I think the best colleges universities expose students to relevant role models, involve the business community, and have professors who have started businesses and stay current with technology/trends. Who are your entrepreneurial influences? My biggest entrepreneurial influence is Steve Mariotti, the founder of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. He inspired me to become a social entrepreneur in the entrepreneurship education field and commit my whole life to this work. Michael Simmons is a young, serial, award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author of The Student Success Manifesto, and national keynote speaker to over 40,000 individuals. Michaels company, which he co-founded, Extreme Entrepreneurship Education, helps young people become more entrepreneurial through books, in-person and virtual events, and an online mentorship software. Founded in 2006, the company has worked with over 300 high schools, colleges, and universities. In addition, Michael has been the winner of three entrepreneur of the year awards from the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Fleet, and the National Coalition for Empowering Youth Entrepreneurship. He and his company have been featured in five books and on the AOL Home Page, USA Today, Inc. Magazine, ABC, NBC, and CBS. Finally, in 2006, Michael was named by Business Week as one of the Top 25 Entrepreneurs Under 25.

What separates a good answer from a great one

What separates a good answer from a great one In such a crowded and competitive job market, you cant afford to settle for good you have to aspire to great. And before you hit the panic button, Im talking applications, not experience. Many students produce good applications that seem to hit the right notes, but the tune is more Radio 2, than Mercury Prize. So how do you ensure recruiters tune in, not out? We filmed on location at our recent Impact Fair and posed this very question to some of our graduate recruiters. Watch, listen and learn! Now those of you familiar with presentations will know the key to success is tell them and once youve told them, tell em again. So, points to remember: Do your research Research is not just a case of regurgitating what youve read on the website or glossy brochures.  Show that you really understand the company vision, values and culture and use this knowledge to inform and shape your answers. Take a 360 degree approach to your research dont just scratch the surface. Think about the fit Consider your fit within the organisation. Can you articulate how, where and why you will make or have the potential to make a valuable contribution? If youre struggling with the motivational aspect of your application form, this should tell you something. Use the STAR approach Many applications are heavy on description and light on analysis (or as we careers folk like to say reflection). Focus on action and results, and go easy on the narrative style. And remember: YOU are the protagonist of your career story so think I not we when it comes to examples. Give good examples Give good examples to highlight your skills and attributes. If you can draw from a range of experiences academic, extra-curricular and work it will certainly strengthen your application, but it isnt simply a numbers game. Quality will generally trump quantity. Dont exaggerate A little creative licence cant hurt, can it? Wrong! Graduate recruiters are well versed in application trickery and can spot a fake a mile off. Even if you do slip through the net, the chances are your mask will slip at the interview stage. A great answer sounds authentic and alive, not inflated and contrived.

How to Improve Posture to Increase Productivity at Work CareerMetis.com

How to Improve Posture to Increase Productivity at Work â€" CareerMetis.com Photo Credit â€" pixabay.comHaving poor posture at work is so commonplace, that a lot of people accept it as being the new “norm”. It is very important for people to remember that maintaining good posture can have a huge effect on a person’s performance in the workplace, as well as their overall health.Good posture is essential for both short-term and long-term back health. There are very real ways to achieve good posture at work.1) Choosing the Right Office ChairevalGetting an ergonomic office chair can really make all the difference in the world when it comes to posture. Some people will underestimate the effect that sitting in the right chair can have on their posture, just because they’re really only used to this one particular design.eval?However, most people will notice the difference right away as soon as they choose an office chair that can truly shape itself to their back.Many office chairs will do the exact opposite, and this is only going to lead to a situation whe re people will experience back pain without even knowing why.?There are plenty of ergonomic office chairs available today, and all people who work in largely sedentary jobs deserve to have them in their workplace.2) Choosing the Right DeskSome people are actually damaging their posture just through the fact that they are positioned in the wrong way, with regards to their actual office desks. This can be a problem for a lot of people, especially if they happen to be taller, shorter, smaller, or larger than the perceived average.People who suspect that this might be the case should try to arrange their computers differently on their desks in order to really get a sense of whether or not this could be having an effect on them.If they have to prop up the computer using books or if they have to potentially get a desk that sits lower, it could truly make them that much more comfortable and effective at work.3) Getting Adequate SleepSometimes, people don’t actually slouch because of anyt hing related to their seating arrangements or their exercise habits. Instead, it could just be the case that they’re so tired that they naturally seem to fall into this position.evalThose who feel this way will often be better off if they get more sleep, which will have multiple benefits for them. Obviously, this can be difficult for a lot of office workers. However, even getting a little more rest can help.4) Exercise at WorkNo one has to run marathons in the office. However, just getting up every hour to walk around for a few minutes, or doing stretching exercises at a desk can really help.People will often find that they are much more productive as a result of doing just that. There are some basic stretching exercises that people can do at their desks that will not interfere with their work performance.?The body tends to settle when people are seated for a long period of time, and getting up and walking around can help. 5.eval5) Exercise Out of WorkevalThe exercise habits that people develop throughout the week can make all the difference in the world when it comes to their overall health in every way.People who do a lot of aerobic exercises and anaerobic exercise throughout the week will often have better posture as a result.?These sorts of exercises will maintain and strengthen a person’s core muscles, which will tend to improve anyone’s posture.Getting better posture is partly a matter of sustained exercise habits since it takes a long time to develop muscle in the first place.?The people who exercise regularly will have a tendency to have better posture throughout the week one way or another anyway, even when they’re at the desk all day.ConclusionEverything, from an ergonomic office chair to a regimen of stretching exercises, can make all the difference in the world for the people who are really trying to get better posture at work.There is no reason for someone to settle for bad posture at the office. Many people can benefit from exercise in th e workplace and outside of the workplace.?Of course, maintaining healthy habits, in general, is ultimately what will matter for most people.