Archive for November, 2017

A job at a startup – is it for you?

Monday, November 13th, 2017

There are few things as empowering as being an employee of a startup company and watching it grow from the ground up. From an expanding client list to seeing profits increase, the thrill itself attracts job seekers with diverse knowledge, skills and abilities. While there are many benefits of working for a startup, such as creative challenges, building strong relationships with co-workers, performing varied tasks and enjoying a deep feeling of pride, getting a job with a startup isn’t for everyone.

 

A startup may be right for you, if you’re:

 

Flexible

 

It’s essential to adopt a flexible work style, if you decide to search for positions with startup companies. Startups can be chaotic; with daily changes that may have an impact on where you work, the tasks you complete and even the startups’ overall goals and strategies. Those who need a lot of structure may not thrive in a startup environment.

 

A Team Player

 

Working for a startup requires the ability to take the lead on projects without a whole lot of direction. When you accept a position with a startup, you’re instantly thrown into a leadership role and expected to help guide the growth of the startup. Contributing to team discussions and brainstorming is integral, as well as helping out with tasks that may not be a part of your written job description.

 

Risk Tolerant

 

Face it – working for a startup company is a huge risk, as there’s no guarantee that the startup will flourish, gain clientele or profits. Without a crystal ball to predict the future, a startup employee must keep his eyes on the potential rewards, rather than dwelling on the many potential risks involved.

 

Financially Stable

 

Working for a startup may not offer the same financial perks and company benefits in the short term as a job with government or in a private industry. Before accepting an offer from a startup, proceed with caution if you’re thinking about buying a shiny, new car tomorrow. Consider that most startups rely on investors to finance their salaries, and if they can’t find investors or lose investors, it can affect your salary and job security. In the long run, the payoffs may be exponentially huge.

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5 Ways to Make Your Employees Productive

Tuesday, November 7th, 2017

Your employees want to work hard for the company and produce results that blow your mind, but they need your help to do it. As a business owner or manager, surely you recognize that your employees are one of your most valuable assets, and because of this, it’s important to focus on ways to help them stay productive.

 

1. Motivate, Recognize and Appreciate : When you give your employees tasks, let them know that their work is meaningful, and demonstrate how it contributes to the overall success of the business. Be a cheerleader for your employees by motivating them to accomplish their daily tasks and to complete big projects. Celebrate successes in the company newsletter or on the company blog. Bonuses and appreciation lunches are also a good way to say “thanks.”

 

2. Show Your Trust: The best way to show your employees that you trust them is to delegate a task and let them do it without standing over their shoulders. Avoid micromanaging and trust that your employees will come to you if they run into a problem or have questions. Remember, you hired them because you were impressed by their knowledge, skills and attitude.

 

3. Ask for Feedback and Ideas: Make constant communication a priority, whether you have two employees or two floors of employees. Encourage employees to share ideas freely without fear of being ridiculed. Create various ways to communicate such as through wikis, internal blogs, newsletters, meetings.

 

4. Make Growth a Priority: One of the best rewards you can give your employees is an opportunity to grow within the company. From mentoring to them to trusting them with larger tasks, groom employees so that they learn the ins and outs of the company. Promote those employees who show their dedication and ability to complete a task effectively and ahead of the deadline. Give employees a chance to explore different aspects of the company to help identify their strengths and weaknesses.

 

5. Smile and Say Good Morning: Start the day with a smile and “good morning” to get your employees ready for the work day. Your attitude can help shape the mood and attitude of the workplace. A positive, productive day starts with you.

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Saying ‘I do’ to a staffing agency

Thursday, November 2nd, 2017

 

Job vacancies leave employers scrambling to secure skilled self-starters who can easily adapt to their work environments. From posting openings on job boards to asking current employees to refer potential candidates, trying to fulfill a role is time consuming, and let’s face it, the whole process can be a bit frustrating.

 

Don’t overlook a highly beneficial way to get talent in your door – say, ‘I do’ to staffing agencies and fill your vacancies with new talent. Designed to help employers trek through recruitment and hiring with ease, hand your hiring woes over to a staffing agency if you want to:

 

1. Save Time
Staffing agencies save you time by working to promote your job vacancies using their well-developed resources and networks. You simply hand over your job description, information about your company and a description of the type of employee you desire to fill your role. Rather than posting endlessly on multiple job boards, you can get back to running your business.

 

2. Get Pre-Qualified Applicants
Imagine this scenario: You post a job opening and your inbox, mailbox and fax machine get bombarded with resumes, cover letters and references from potential hires. You get excited thinking your dream employee must be hiding in the stacks, only to find out (after hours of reviewing resumes) that none of the applicants fit your immediate needs. Staffing agencies pre-qualify applicants by matching their work experience, knowledge and skills with the information you give them about your job vacancy and your ideal employee. So they’ll only give you resumes and applications for employees who fit the mold. You reduce the amount of time you spend sifting through resumes and get right down to business – interviewing pre-qualified potential employees.

 

3. Benefit from Industry Specific Networks
It’s especially important to reach potential employees who have previous experience and education in the industry you serve, that’s why it’s increasingly important to recruit through industry specific networks. Today, there are many staffing agencies that focus on recruiting talent for specialized fields including marketing, IT and financial services. These staffing agencies understand the industry and know what it takes to staff positions within it, so they make employers’ jobs easier when they help with recruiting process.

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