10 Unorthodox Ways to Keep Employees Motivated

10 Unorthodox Ways to Keep Employees Motivated Is office morale at an all time low? Want to inject a bit of fun into your workforce? Read my top 10 unorthodox ways of keeping employees motivated here! 1) Install Ping Pong tables: Forget fussball tables these days its all about ping pong! As well as getting the blood pumping to the brain, a bit of gentle exercise is great for creativity and motivation. Taking a break from working also means the time you do spend working will be more productive. It also creates a fun environment for co-workers to get to know each other away from the working environment. 2) Adopt an office  dog: Other than the fact there would be untapped puppy cuddles all day,  there are hundreds of reasons your office needs an office dog. Its scientifically proven that being in the company of dogs releases endorphins in the brain making you feel more relaxed and happier in general.  Being in the company of dogs also means reduced blood pressure, a balanced work/break ratio, a brightened environment, boosted creativity among other things. The list is truly endless.  Overall having a dog in the office sets the tone of your brand. 3) Use scooters for transport: Heres another great thing to have in your office. As well as making transport across the office much quicker scooters are just ridiculously fun. I can think of nothing Id rather be doing right now than having a ride on a scooter. Offices that already have scooters include Pixar, Mashable and Popcap it feels like 2002 all over again! Woohoo! 4) Install a chalkboard wall: Having a chalkboard wall not only encourages collaboration within the working environment, but also allows workers to release their creativity in an old-school way. In-office chalkboards are not only cheap, but they also provide a talking point for respective clients or visitors to your office. 5) Introduce Friday afternoon drinks: In a study conducted by British Airways, it was found that motivation is at its lowest on Fridays after 2.39pm. What a perfect time to start the weekend! Its always a great idea to stock some beers in the fridge so that when Friday afternoon starts, workers can wind down in the office and chill out with their co-workers. Doing this works well in a variety of ways. It means employees will enjoy Friday afternoons at work, it gives them the chance to get to know their coworkers in a more casual environment, and lastly it will mean the rest of the week is more productive, as employees know they have to complete their workload before Friday afternoon. So get them beers in! 6) Install a slide: Even as an adult, you cant deny how incredibly fun slides are. Feeling the wind through your hair whilst gliding gracefully down a smooth piece of plastic  is a feeling like no other. So why not inject your office with a bit of nostalgic fun not only will it improve your employees moods it will  make going from floor-to-floor less of a chore. James Avery of Workshop, Kent , introduced a slide into his office and hasnt looked back! He told The Daily Mail  that  its not only useful for getting around, but hes also  noticed the slide being used for other purposes, such as sending down post, and even the odd bag of sugar. How very practical. 7) Use outdoor areas: Its all well and good having an office full of fun things to motivate your employees with. But when it comes to summer time, theres nothing worse than working in a boiling office surrounded by sweaty collared employees. This is why every workplace needs an outdoor work area. Whether it be a roof garden or a wooden terrace, any outdoor area is the perfect place to work on those hot summer days. Its also the perfect setting for Friday afternoon drinks. 8) Give every employee a birthday party: Walking in to work on your birthday and no-one realising  is probably one of the worst things in the world (to me, anyway!). Although some people may not feel as strongly about birthdays as me, having a birthday surprise  at work  leaves you feeling appreciated and happy. And instead of a standard, boring Tesco caterpillar cake why not take the celebrating to the extreme? Set up an ice cream bar with sauces and toppings, organise a masseuse for the day, set up  games with fun prizes there are endless opportunities for fun with birthdays. Another thing to remember about birthdays, is that each celebration should be unique to the employee they are for. Although birthday celebrations take time and planning, the end results are worth it for both your brand and  on the employees side. 9)  Create a beanbag corner: Creating a soft area for employees to work in is a great way to make work a  bit more comfortable.  For most people, the office is where they will be spending the majority of their time, so making it a comfortable environment should be a priority. Having access to plugs near the beanbag area means that work can be done whilst lounging. So say goodbye to clicking knees and sore backs from uncomfortable desk chairs, and hello to  well rested legs  and a more motivated workforce. 10)  Provide unlimited coffee: Coffee at work is a must especially on a Monday morning! A great way to get employees up and ready for the day is to provide unlimited coffee for everyone. Now some brands may have the budget to install a full working coffee machine with a personal barista, others only the budget for a Nespresso machine. Either way, providing this small perk will not only brighten up Monday mornings, it will boost staff morale and motivate the team. Brightening up work-life for you and your colleagues is a sure-fire way to improve motivation and productivity. If you  have any of these things in your office, or have any other unorthodox ways of keeping employees motivated, make sure you let me know in the comments!

Work Life Balance How to Unwind After a Busy Week (Part 2)

Work Life Balance How to Unwind After a Busy Week (Part 2) I had so much fun  reading all of your great ideas on How Do You Unwind After a Busy Week (Part 1).   Sometimes I am so stressed from the week  it is really hard for me to unwind and relax on the weekend.   My goal was that  together we  could help each other out and share our ideas for a relaxing weekend.   Here are your fabulous ideas! PAMPER YOURSELF Jill  recommends  a wonderful  mani-pedi with a 10 minute massage and celeb mags!   Hotmesss favorite way to unwind is a massage and Diva and R.M Gilbert say that baths help a lot!  Oh that sounds wonderful!   Doesnt it just make you relax just thinking about pampering yourself?   I can feel the stress lifting off my shoulders already.   Good thing it is Friday! EXERCISE Urban Muser recommends a good run and Enjoy Country Living loves to  hike. Shelly  hits the gym or running track before  she  celebrates the weekend because it helps her sleep much better. Ag.  goes to the  gym  to help release  the stress of  the week, Krizia  recommends a  fitness boxing class  at the end of the week and Deepa heads to yoga.   I am loving  all of you motivated ladies! A DRINK According to Jersey  Diva Mom, a  Guinness works every time! JeanHasBeenShopping says that  a glass of wine really helps to clear out the tension and stress. Rach likes to go out for dinner and drinks with her girlfriends  after a long week.   I have to agree with these ladies!    A glass of white wine at the end of the week is perfection! A HOBBY Art Garden Diva likes to paint to relax and R.M. Gilbert likes to read a book. SPEND TIME  WITH PET Glenny and Radhika like to spend time with their pets, enjoy the peace and quiet  and watch television.  Isnt it amazing how a pet can just put a smile on your face the second you get home and  help you forget about work?   Wish I had one.. (maybe a graduation present from the hubby??) FINISH THE TO-DO LIST Angie  relieves stress by completing the little tasks she didnt get to during the week. Getting these things  done before jumping into a new week gives her a great sense of relief and peace. I have to agree with Angie because I will stay late at work on Friday night just to make sure that I dont have to think about work during the weekend! It is so worth it! I hope you  all have a  VERY  RELAXING weekend!!   What are you doing this weekend? (Photo Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Questions your relatives will ask you at Christmas dinner and how to answer them University of Manchester Careers Blog

Questions your relatives will ask you at Christmas dinner and how to answer them University of Manchester Careers Blog Written by Kareem Belfon, Marketing and Communications Assistant at the Careers Service. So, you’ve been away at Uni all year. Your aunts and uncles have been politely ‘liking’ all of your posts on Facebook, commenting ‘Looks like you’re having fun! Sending our love xxxxx’ every so often. Your family group chat is lit. ‘Look! Weve got new curtains fitted!’ your dad says. Mum asks if you’re eating properly. ‘Yes’, you say, opening up your 4th packet of instant noodles that week. All of a sudden, it’s the last week of term and youre heading home. Christmas is upon us, and what does that mean? Your relatives will have one too many glasses of mulled wine over Christmas lunch and ask all the questions they’ve been waiting to ask all year. Weve provided a few stock answers for you. Q: Why havent you sorted out a plan for after you graduate? Q: Have you got a job yet? Q: I had 3 jobs, 2 kids and a house at your age, you know. Q: Have you got a girlfriend/boyfriend yet? Q: Your cousin has just got accepted onto a Grad Scheme. Did you hear? Why havent you? Q: Maybe if you werent out all of the time youd get a first! Q: What can you even do with your degree anyway? Q: So, Brexit ay? Theres a few ways you can tackle these inevitable discussions. Tell them its hard to determine exactly where youll be after graduation, but youre taking every month as it comes and planning ahead as much as you can. (Hint use My Future Questionnaire to get you started.) Only 10-12% of students actually go on to do a graduate scheme, with most going into graduate level jobs instead. Tell them to chill; its not the only option. Its quite common not to just walk straight into a job after you finish uni. Everyones journey is slightly different. Chances are, you can do LOADS of things with your degree. Dont get put into a box. When I was an English Literature and Linguistics student, everyone just assumed Id be a teacher. At one point, I actually thought that was the only option I had! All it takes is a bit of research to see what options are available to you. Probably best to just not mention Brexit, to be honest. Lets keep things civil. All I don't know what to do advice graduate schemes job hunting Postgraduate education

5 Ways to Keep Your Career on Track While You Travel - Classy Career Girl

5 Ways to Keep Your Career on Track While You Travel There’s still a misconception that if you want to travel for more than a week or two you’ll have to sacrifice your career or at least put it on hold. But while this may have been the case at one point, advancements in technology and changing attitudes towards work mean there’s no longer any reason an extended travel stint should hurt your employability or prevent you from picking up right where you left off once you get home. In fact, if you’re smart about it, travel can actually make you a more attractive job candidate. So if you’ve been dreaming of traveling but worry that it might derail your career, here’s how you can keep things on track. 5 Ways to Keep Your Career on Track While You Travel 1. Work and Volunteer Along The Way There are plenty of ways to keep working and learning while you travel. For example, Australia (and Canada!) has a working holiday visa that most people under the age of 30 qualify for, which allows you to find jobs all along your travel route and stay in places you like for much longer periods of time. In countries like Thailand or even Spain, you can find English teaching jobs if you get TEFL certification in advance. Volunteer work is another good option because even if it’s unpaid, it’s a great way to strengthen or acquire new skills and make valuable contacts. You can also look for jobs to do remotely, such as writing, translating or graphic design. This type of work will not only give you work experience but also help you avoid employment gaps. 2. Keep Track of Everything You Learn Remember those job interview questions like “How has your experience has prepared you for this position?” or the soft skills employers are always talking about? Travel can strengthen many transferable skills and can provide you with invaluable experience that will come in handy for just about any job you may tackle in the future. So keep track of all the noteworthy experiences you have during your travels, whether it’s something you learn while trying to catch a flight or an interaction that helps you see a situation from a new perspective. You’ll be glad you did once you’re back home facing a potential employer who wants to know why you’re the perfect candidate. 3. Make Sure it Looks Good on Your Resume Even if your travel experiences have taught you new skills and prepared you for new opportunities, you still need to find a way to get this message across to potential employers when sharing your resume. Keep in mind that you should only include work experience that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. If the work experience is not immediately relevant, you may still be able to highlight transferrable skills, but make sure your resume doesn’t become too cluttered or confusing. If there are relevant skills you gained while traveling that don’t really fall under your work experience, such as languages, photography, blogging or social media skills, you can put them in a “skills” section and highlight them in your cover letter. [RELATED: Why Traveling Makes You More Hireable] 4. Never Stop Networking Although the term ‘networking’ might conjure up images of people in suits shaking hands and exchanging business cards, keeping an eye out for new opportunities and conducting yourself professionally whether at home or while traveling is very important. You never know who you might meet next or whether that casual conversation with the person in front of you on the train could lead you to your next contract or client. Another thing that’s important is keeping in touch with your contacts back home, whether through social media, email or phone. It can be tempting to disappear for months at a time, but not staying informed about what’s going on at home is going to make it harder to get back into the swing of things once you get back. 5. Don’t Make Excuses Although it can be tempting fall back on excuses like, “Sorry, I’ve been traveling nonstop for 24 hours and haven’t had a chance to check my email,” you should always follow through on your commitments. Don’t use your travels as an excuse to be anything less than professional and make sure you always deliver what was promised, even if that means spending an extra night at a more expensive hotel that has free Wi-Fi or canceling a planned outing so you can take that Skype call. Have you ever taken an extended trip abroad while working or volunteering? If so, what did you learn? Let us know in the comments.

6 Secrets to Staying Positive and Progressive in the Workplace CareerMetis.com

6 Secrets to Staying Positive and Progressive in the Workplace Source: Pexels.comAlmost everyone strives to enjoy and experience that one beautiful day at work when everything would go well, and end with a happy note to cherish. However, quite amusingly, only some of us are ever successful in staying all positive, happy and optimistic at a workplace and return home with that smile of positive and a glow of happiness on our faces. From being unsatisfied with the job role to a low salary scale, and lack of employee appreciation to workplace discrepancies, there are umpteenth reasons why employees tend to feel unhappy, pessimistic and less progress in company culture.According to Forbes, a Global study has revealed that around 79% of people quit their job by citing “lack of appreciation” as the reason behind it.According to a Harvard Business Review Survey, around 58 percent of people are more likely to trust strangers more than their boss. Now, this could be a classic example of cultural distrust and leadership lows. While there could be too m any reasons that pull back an employee from embracing positivity and progress in a workplace, we can always make things work with a bit of optimism, confidence, and zeal to make things fall into place. So, here’s precisely everything you need to know, and all that it would take for an individual to cling to progress and positivity at the workplace.#1. Stop viewing your colleagues as enemiesevalSource: Pexels.comevalFirst things first, you got to stop viewing your colleagues as fierce competitors or enemies most of the times. I mean, it’s okay to keep that flame of competition burning, you guys may not be the best of friends, but viewing someone as a rival or enemy would only add up to the already existing negativities in the long run.Being friends with your colleagues will allow you to grow, learn and know things in a better way. Moreover, unity among co-workers leads to better teamwork. This, as a result, will keep things positive and progressive at work.#2. Refrain from includ ing office stress in your personal life Source: Pexels.comAccording to the American Institute of Stress, it has been stated that 80% of workers feel stress on the job. 2% of participants admitted having personally struck someone due to work stress. And in addition to it, the study has also revealed that 25% of respondents view job stress as the number one stressor in their individual lives.While these stats are alarming and certainly don’t give us a happy picture to cherish and talk about, it’s time to take things more sincerely and refrain from including office stress and work-related anxieties in personal lives. The idea is to maintain a healthy balance between work and private space, by leaving work at the workplace, without being overburdened or allowing your job role to decide your happiness and peace of mind.#3. Maintain a diary of personal records and statementsource: Pexels.comTo maintain a journal and to write down all daily life events, workplace achievements, stringen cies and planning to figure out a suitable solution to it might prove to be a therapy with the power of instilling more positivity. It could be in the form of a blog, a personal essay or a statement defining your perspectives and mindset in a rather explicit and well-defined way. Posted in the doctorweighsin.com, writing can be a relaxing and calm pastime.Keeping a journal and or merely developing the habit of writing at least once or twice in a week can help you communicate better with people in the workplace. Now, in case you are not too well-accustomed with the idea of mastering the skills of personal statement writing, you can always surf the internet and read through smart blogging and writing tips available in abundance.#4. Set realistic goals and achieve them with perfectionSource: Pexels.comThere’s no denying the fact that happiness is a state of mind. It is all up to us to choose how we to define this state of mind and what efforts do we put forth to ensure the same. So, how about setting realistic and achievable workplace goals and focusing on it?evalYou can always create a to-do job list, and jot down all pending tasks in a structured manner. An organized and well-listed office assignment helps people sort their daily duties seamlessly, without being subjected to any significant confusion in the long run.The idea is to refrain from overstuffing the list by setting a target of achieving too many goals, all at once. You can choose to complete at least a couple of assignments in a single day and then move on to the next set of tasks accordingly.This, as a result, will help you to determine progress, prosperity and of course the happiness of accomplishing all tasks within the given deadline.#5. Start the day with a good note and optimism evalSource: Pexels.comThis is one critical activity that can keep pessimism and anxieties away. If you are complaining about things around you right from the very start of the day, then it is quite likely that you won ’t be able to embrace things in your workplace with positivity.evalThus, it is always a better idea to ensure an energetic and happy start and refrain from going too hard on yourself. You may try listening to soothing music on your pods, and get involved in activities like reading the daily newspapers, gardening, and the likes before heading towards your workplace. If there’s nothing to talk about or do except work, the stress could eventually get the better of you. So, consider having a great start to the day, keep smiling and put your best foot forward.#6. At times, acceptance is the best policy Source: Pexels.comIf you try to resist all adverse situations in the workplace and strive too hard to fight them off at any cost, then the anxiety and internal conflict occurring in your mind will only get the better of you. If there’s negativity in your workplace, then try to calm down, stay composed, accept the situation and look for the best solution that can resolve the issue at the earliest. At times, you have to face challenges as they come, overcome all hurdles and make things work.If you find your boss is unhappy and irritated with you for the last couple of days, then don’t just get mad over such things; try and figure out the reasons instead. It might be because the person has high expectations from you or due to other consistent shortcomings and the likes. Work on the issue, fix the problem and come up with a confident smile on your face the next day. That’s how you do it!To Wrap it UpNothing comes easily, and the things that do will not last long. This is one notion which is entirely applicable in the context of staying positive and progressive at work. Its how you look at things. There’s positivity everywhere; you need to figure it out.Smile at everyone in your office, wish them a good morning, praise someone for the dress he/she is wearing, appreciate a team bonding, participate in group activities, attend dinners, take pictures with your co -workers, laugh about things, share and discuss about the last web series you have watched over the weekend.There are so many things to do you see! Negativity is only an evil you need to fight off and embrace positivity in the workplace.Cheers to a great start!

Where to Get Help Writing a Resume - Humble Texas Resumes

Where to Get Help Writing a Resume - Humble Texas ResumesYou have no doubt written many resumes but no matter how you organize them, you are not able to get all the information needed to make your resume successful. The next step is to get the right help when writing a resume. Humble Texas resumes help is a big help. Humble means something with less self-importance and a lot of patience.The best place to get help writing a resume in Texas is Humbletex.com. They are an award winning resume writer who specializes in getting information across to a reader. That information can be written in less than one page. Humbletex makes it easy for you to do a very basic write up with professional results.It's also a good idea to get help from a software program that has tons of articles on the subject of resumes in Texas. These programs will be very helpful as you learn how to organize your resume, format it and put information in your job application. You will also be able to learn what is requi red for you to be a good applicant.You can also get help from professionals that are there to help you. You will find yourself being given lots of options about what kind of help you need. A quality resume is a reflection of your character and it shows other candidates that you are capable of making a great hire. These professionals can guide you as you write your resume to make it exactly what you want it to be.Humbletex.com can help you by offering services like how to write a resume for a sales position, making sure you know all the legal things about your state before sending your resume or even learning how to learn to do all this from scratch. If you think you can't make a proper resume, you might not be ready to get help with this. However, the experience of the people on Humbletex.com will help you out.Remember that the state needs you. It may take you some time to learn how to write a resume and you may never be able to do it on your own. You should also realize that this j ob is not about money. It is a chance to be recognized for the talent you have inside.Employers appreciate talented people and often find a way to compensate them. This is why they hire you and not just any random person. The whole process can be really overwhelming if you do not know where to start. Humbletex.com can make your job easier by helping you build a resume that makes employers want to talk to you.Humbletex.com is a site that allows you to learn how to write a resume by following online tutorials by professionals who are expert with professional resume writers. You can download resume templates and turn your skills into top notch work. You will soon find yourself becoming the best candidate for a job you've always wanted to apply for.

Finding the Right Resume Writer For Yourself

Finding the Right Resume Writer For YourselfA growing number of job seekers are now looking to write their own resumes for jobs they want and need. Although they may still need to include a resume that would have the potential employer see them as an asset, there are many tips to consider and utilize for the resume when hiring someone for a job.After all, a resume is usually comprised of information. The first step when writing a resume is to list all information about yourself that you feel is relevant. Include details about your education, experience, and interests.When reviewing your resume, check out what kind of resume you are going to use. Whether it is online or at a local office, a well-designed resume has the appearance of professionalism. There are some great services that offer to help you in the resume creation process. However, sometimes you have to pay for the service.If you do not have your own ideas on how to improve the resume, you can always ask friends and family m embers how they use these services and how they like them. They may be able to give you an idea of what you should expect when doing the job search for a job.The main part of the resume is the resume itself and should include basic information about you and your qualifications. However, there is much more to a resume than just this. The resume should show that you have the ability to do the job. It also provides some extra points that would make your resume stand out from other resumes and could lead to you getting a good salary.There are many services that will create a quality resume for you but you still need to make sure that you choose the right one. Some companies will create a one-page resume for free but it may not be the best option for you. You want to get the most benefits possible for your money while saving some money. Also, you do not want to feel rushed because of things like busy times.Once you have completed the resume, it will need to be reviewed by a professional to ensure that you are writing a solid resume. With everything out in the open and review, you can only write what you want and apply what you have written to achieve your goal.Suzanne Payne has designed a resume writer with plenty of features that would be able to make your job search experience a lot more effective. It could help you get the right look you desire for your resume.