The 5 Key Traits Your Team Needs to Succeed

The 5 Key Traits Your Team Needs to Succeed How does your team work together? Is there trust and collaboration? Or  is there poor communication and frequent conflict? You could be a group of the most qualified and hard-working individuals, but if  there is a lack of cooperation you will struggle to meet your common goals and the business could suffer. Google recently conducted a study  to find out just what it takes to be a successful team, interviewing 200 of their employees over the space of 2 years, to identify some of the common  attributes and skills their staff possess.   Here are some of the top traits they found make for a productive and harmonious team at work. How many of these apply to your team? 1) Psychological Safety It is important that your team trust all trust one another and you feel comfortable in each others company. Team members must feel safe to take risks, suggest new ideas, or express their opinions. Not feeling comfortable to do so can lead to low contribution from certain members who could offer valuable and creative suggestions. 2) Dependability When there is a deadline to be met, it is essential that all team members can rely on others to get their share of the work done on time and to a good standard. It is the whole team that will be held accountable for poor time management or sloppy work, so you want to know that no one member is going to needlessly let the team down in any way. 3) Structure Clarity If you set clear team goals and plans then everyone has a specific focus at work. You can help each member to concentrate on the task in hand, or general running of the company by assigning specific roles and jobs among the group, so that everyone knows where they fit in. 4) Meaning If your team do not have an interest in the work you are doing, or arent enjoying their job for one reason or another, then its likely they may lack enthusiasm and focus. Allowing each member of the team to have a say about what they would enjoy working on the most, to give their work a bit more meaning. 5) Impact Nobody wants to be the office skivvy, so make sure everyone is given important tasks that directly impact the success of the business or project. Appreciating hard work will also make your team members feel more valued. [Top Image Credit: Shutterstock]

What Questions Should You ACTUALLY Ask Your Interviewer

What Questions Should You ACTUALLY Ask Your Interviewer If youve bagged yourself an interview congrats! You should ensure youre prepared for all the questions they may ask you in the interview, but theres one more part of an interview that you need to make sure that youre ready for; the end of the interview when the interviewer/hiring manager asks you  if you have any questions.  This is where you can blow them out of the water with some seriously impressive questions about the company and the role. Youll also be able to take control for a minute and set a few things straight in your mind! Here are some good questions to ask: How would you describe the company culture and working environment here? This is a great question to ask if you want to get a feel for what it would be like to actually work at the place youre interviewing for. You can also judge by the interviewers response whether it is a nice place to work or not, and if the management/teams actually get along. If the interviewing team can interact in a positive way then its more likely the working environment is a good one. Why do YOU like working at Company XYZ? Asking this type of question flips the interview experience back over to the interviewer.  It will momentarily flick off the official title that the interviewer has taken and will bring things back to a more personal level, giving you a good insight into if its a great place to work. If the question is a hard one to answer for them, its probably not a good sign. If the interviewer cant stop raving about things in the company then its a fantastic sign that the role is a good one. What do you think are some of the challenges for this department? Asking a question like this shows that you have considered what you think are the challenges and in-turn, what you can do to overcome them. It also shows youre interested in seriously boosting the department and changing things. Which shows initiative and real interest. What is a normal career path for someone in this role? This question tells the interviewer that youre keen to progress in the industry (and hopefully the company). It shows youre passionate about progrssing and have a real passion for what you do. What learning and development opportunities are available? This is a fantastic question that will show you whether the company offers any useful training opportunities or sets aside a budget for learning. It also shows the interviewer that youre eager to learn and develop in a professional setting. https://twitter.com/TheChamhi/status/734485941902004225 What sort of people do well in this company? A different style of question that could possibly throw off the interviewer again. This shows that youre in mindset to succeed you want to do  well in the role. How will I know if Im doing well? Setting professional KPIs on a role is important to check the performance of any new employee. If a candidate asks this question it proves that theyre interested in performing highly and are aware of how professional KPIs are set. Why did this job role become available? Asking this question is great for shedding light onto various aspects of the company. First off, youll find out if employees are leaving the company (not a good sign!) or if the company is simply growing and adding more member to the team. Try and avoid saying no, I dont have any questions!, and try and get as much out of the interview as possible asking questions at the end can give you a bigger insight than anything. Main image credit: Shutterstock

Tips For Writing A Brand-Building Book From Gamestorming - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Tips For Writing A Brand-Building Book From Gamestorming - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers, by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, and James Macanufo, offers numerous lessons and tips for business professionals who want to write a book to build a personal, or corporate, brand. Gamestormings success speaks for itself Gamestorming appeared less than a year agoduring July, 2010. It currently is among Amazon.coms top 1,500 booksno easy task, given competition from Chelsea Handler, Harry Potter, Tina Fey, 17-Day Diets, and girls who kick hornets nests. More important to its authors than its overall sales is its leading position (April 17) in its target business book categories on Amazon.com: #1 Book in Business Investing Business Life Etiquette #2 Book   in Business Investing Skills Running Meetings Presentations #3 Book in Computers Internet Computer Science Information Theory So, what does Gamestorming teach about brand-building? Here are some initial observations about writing a bestselling brand-building book from Gamestorming. If youre a Gamestorming reader, of course, you have probably noticed other branding lessons, and I invite you to submit them as comments, below. Title. Gamestormings branding lessons begin with the title. The title is short and engaging; it resonates with a familiar termbrainstormingyet is different enough to be unique and memorable. It communicates at a glance. The title is short, permitting use of a large, heavy type size on the book cover. Subtitle. The longer subtitle clearly describes what the book is about andmore importantlytargets its intended readers. Tone. Gamestorming projects a friendly, non-intellectual image, one promises an informal, rather than academic, reading experience. After all, who doesnt like games? The graphic on the front cover communicates a non-intimidating, drawings anyone can create, image. Open Gamestorming to just about any page or 2-page spread, and youll likely another, similar, drawing. Contents. Gamestorming presents 80 games that can create productive meetings and collaborations by overcoming inhibitions and encouraging creative exploration. The first 3 chapters explain the premise and set the stage. The games that follow are organized by reader objectives, i.e., engaging, exploring, closing sales, etc. Format. A consistent format is used for each game. Subheads set in bold organize text into  Object of Game, # of Players, Duration of Game, How to Play, and Strategies. Thanks to the subheads, large graphics, and numbered lists, pages can be skimmed at a glance, rather than studied, (unlike the textbooks we tended to avoid in high school and college). Gamestorming was obviously designed and written for todays overworked and practical business readers who demand maximum information presented as concisely as possible. Equally obvious, Gamestormings market was waiting for a new type of book addressing perennial issues like creative thinking, effective meetings, and group collaboration. Additional lessons A couple of closing thoughts and issues for additional study: Efficiency. Although I discuss the format, above, in terms of reader efficiency, the consistent subheads used to describe each game undoubtedly also helped Gamestormings authors efficiently write the book. Consistent content formats benefit both readers and writers! Timing and position. The past 2 years has seen an explosion of interest in business books describing visual approaches to business challenges. Gamestorming entered a very competitive market. Yet, because of effective positioning tools like graphics and concise, reader-friendly writing, it has more than held its own against competition like Dan Roams Back of the Napkin, and David Sibbetts Visual Meetings. Social marketing. Good books dont sell themselves, and Gamestorming is no exception. Although a well-established business book, theres a Gamestorming website and blog (with a forum). In addition, the authors each have an active web and social media presence. Here are some starting points for exploration: Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, James Macanufo. The above just scratches the surface of the lessons and tips that Gamestorming teaches about writing a book to build a personal, or corporate, brand. If youre a Gamestorming reader and youve noticed other lessons or tips, please share them below, as comments. Author: Visit Roger C. Parker‘s Published Profitable blog over 1,000 posts and tips for planning, writing, promoting, profiting from writing brand-building books.

Riding a Business Career Rein in Your Career Success By Taking The Right Path!

Riding a Business Career Rein in Your Career Success By Taking The Right Path! So, youve got your business career launched with a bachelors degree.   Now, there are career path choices that can make a huge difference in both personal satisfaction as well as earning potential.   And, if youre inclined towards pursuit of the C-suite, making the right choice can mean almost 100% higher income. True enough, were not all driven by the same things.   But if youre determined to get the largest return on your education investment you can, theres definitely things to consider.   Those include: Is your bachelors degree enough or should you pursue a masters degree? What specific career path do you want to choose? Are you looking to simply lock in a good position, or are you driven to lead? Heres a brief look at how to take the reins of your business career and take it home to your version of the winners circle. What Specific Career Path? Forty years ago, a generic degree in business may have been enough.   It would usually get you in most doors.   Nowadays, specialization is not only the norm, but its recommended.    But with choosing a specialization, you may be limiting future opportunities and income.   Heres what you should research: Whats the potential employment demand? How much education is needed to achieve your ultimate career goal? How much of a consideration is compensation? Bachelors Degree Enough? In todays competitive job market, an improving economy hasnt changed the reality that 33% of companies now require a masters in positions that were historically filled by those with a bachelors degree.   If you landed that first job with a four year degree, kudos to you.    But with each career shift, youll be missing at least a third of potential opportunities. Thats not good news for those who are tired of being a (poor) full time student, tapped out on tuition dollars, or unwilling to take on more student loan debt.   If thats you, you still have options.   Consider an online MBA.    Online education has become a viable mainstream option, and is both more affordable and flexible. C-Suite Part of Your Goals? Not everyone is suited for executive level positions.   Nor does everyone have a desire to achieve that in their career.   But if you do, its a sure thing youll need an MBA.    As well, youll have to carefully plot and navigate your way up the corporate ladder. Heres some key findings from a recent study conducted by Campbellsville University: Even as entry-level workers, accountants have options to further their careers much quicker than many other professions with licensing and certification. With an MBA, they leave school able to jump into any senior financial position. An MBA in Information Technology can get you to the top of the ladder instantly. It can also earn you the highest salary among any MBA concentration. Because more and more businesses are going global, those with MBAs in International Business will more than likely have their pick of the litter when it comes to job offers. Taking care to make education and career choices that work for you is important.   Check out the infographic below for a great visual representation of how various business career paths differ in income and required education.   The bottom line is that its your choice, but choose wisely!

10 Mind-Blowing Tips for Managing Multiple Projects CareerMetis.com

10 Mind-Blowing Tips for Managing Multiple Projects New and new companies and start-ups are being set up every day. Entrepreneurship is flourishing and more and more people put to practice their ideas. The technology advances very quickly, all thanks to brilliant minds that work at developing it.However, there is a huge demand for employees, ranging from project managers to business analysts or graphic designers. People travel a lot or move abroad, and so the flow of people is constantly changing. This means that some positions experience changes in tasks, as they are urged to take more responsibility.evalProject managers have begun to have more tasks and manage more than one team. Multiple team membership is a new phenomenon that is investigated by psychologists and researchers. Whether it may seem simple to manage more than one project at the same time, this can prove to be difficult even for experienced project managers. Each human has its own personality and working style. And while you may adopt some of its characteristics to the team environment, some are quite stable.This comes with a great challenge for project managers, as they have to juggle between projects and tasks. Besides great time management skills, they also need to develop and improve their conflict solving and leadership skills. Their tasks are to maintain good communication between the clients and the teams, but also to maintain good communication within the working teams.Having so many things to do, to manage and to handle, project managers might find themselves stressed or frustrated. But there are a few tips that can help managers successfully manage multiple projects at the same time.1) Get to Know the Personalities of the People One’s Work WithBesides managing projects, managers also work with a lot of people. Whether they are clients or just coworkers, knowing their personalities and what motivates them would be very helpful. Knowing the essential traitsof the people a project manager works with, will ease the process of communicatin g information and handling difficult situations.For example, some people are more introverted than extroverted. While the extroverts are very sociable and outgoing, introverts like spending time with themselves. Knowing who is introverted will help manage the team tasks. Introverted people are shyer and less enthusiastic than extroverted people, so a manager needs to allow them to show their real value.However, these are not the only qualities that need to be taken into consideration. Motivation is also a factor that contributes to the performance of the team. People are different and so are the factors that motivate them.While some may be more motivated by extrinsic rewards, like a bonus, some are more motivated by intrinsic rewards. They need to feel they have accomplished something important and that they have met their goals. A beat on the shoulder might work better than a bonus, depending on the personality of the employee.evalOf course, this is valid not only for fellow worker s but also for clients. A project manager is a link between the client and the team. So, knowing how the clients handle conflicts or communicate their wishes is important. Why? Because sometimes you may experience delays, and knowing how to communicate bad news can truly make the difference.There are some psychological testsused by career counselors that can be done online. It would be helpful to have a profile of every human involved in the project. Like this, they get to know themselves better and their team members. And a project manager will use the information to encourage bonding within the team and transparent communication.2) Encourage GrowthIf a project manager has access to the personality profile of the team members, is easy to deduce what factors affect their retention. Knowing what motivates them can help a manager increase their productivity and performance. People are different and there are different benefits that make them happy with the company.They not only need a n onboarding presentation but also training on the job. However, it is not enough to provide only technical guidelines or pieces of training. They also need to feel encouraged to take more challenges, to attend more workshops or domain conferences. A project manager needs to know their strengths and weaknesses, to know which tasks are the best for them.3) Do Not Forget About Generational GapsevalGenerational gaps are more and more obvious in the workplace. Millennials are more and more present in companies and start-ups and come with a great asset. They have a fresh mindset and they are open-minded. They will work with Generation X and even Baby Boomers, where the differences between them need to be handled carefully.Millennials expect support and guidance along their career path. They want to develop and improve their skills and they want clear feedback. This is an aspect that equally matters for all generations. The delivery of the feedback might be different. Millennials and othe r younger generations want a casual and lightweight discussion, while older generations might expect feedback in a written form. If handled correctly, all these differences can make teams even stronger.4) Resource ManagementOne of the problems that might arise when managing multiple projects at the same time is over the resources. A project manager needs to make sure that all teams have the equipment they need. But, when talking about resources we do not talk only about practical ones, but also about people. The most important resources that get the work done.Sometimes it may be needed to share some people between projects, potentially causing disruptions in their efficiency. Changing a team, even if it is for a limited time, can prove to be stressful for some people. And while these cases cannot be overlooked, as a leader and a manager one has the job of supporting his people. Encouraging them and being there when they need can alleviate the potential negative effects.5) Do Not Mul titaskWhoever says that multitasking is efficient, was wrong. The myth of multitasking influences the working style of so many people nowadays. Recent research shows that multitasking reduces your productivity by 40 percent. This is a lot.However, managing multiple projects at once urges you to multitask, as urgent topics need to be handled and prioritized over others. The solution is to organize your tasks in your calendar and block a session of 20 minutes for every task. To fully find flow in an activity one needs to avoid all distractions and concentrate only on one specific task.6) Track ProgressThis is valid not only for the managed teams but also for managers. Why is this important? Working on multiple projects at the same time can become pretty chaotic and stressful. And tracking progress is the key to accomplishing your goals. By tracking progress, a project manager will know how the teams work.They will know when a team experiences difficulty or if they will solve them with in the deadline. Managing the teams’ progress and performance might be tricky, but regularly conducting status meetings can make this task more bearable. Status meetings allow project managers to have an insight into the work of the team and quickly support them when needed. Like this, they ensure that everything is going as planned.7) Manage ExpectationsevalEvery team has its expectations regarding the project and manager. And so does every team member. But so do the clients, customers, and stakeholders. To ease your job, establish a climate of trust and transparent communication.There is common for projects to experience delays or to change some features. And communicating these aspects clearly and openly helps to build a trustful environment. Honesty and sincerity are among the most appreciated qualities of people.8) DelegationManagers need to focus on strategic work and planning, so delegation is a solution for their enormous workload. This does not mean that they do not do th eir job. Instead, they recognize the opportunity to encourage their colleagues’ growth.While strategic planning might require a lot of time as it needs to be done for more than one team, some tasks can be delegated to team members. This sends the idea that the manager trusts the team members to take care of a task and contribute more to the team’s performance.However, the delegation of tasks needs to be done with clarity and simple explanation. Whoever is going to accomplish the task needs to know what they have to do. It is important to let them know that mistakes are natural but to aim at avoiding them. And if they need support, they will surely get it because they all work in a collaborative environment.eval Source â€" DepositPhotos.com9) Set Clear GoalsTo track the progress of the team and the performance of team members, a project manager needs to work on the goals along with the teams. They need to be involved when there is a discussion about deadlines or new tasks.But als o when the teams work on their goals. To avoid misunderstandings and delays, the goals can be built after the SMART goals model. Like this, they will be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bounded.10) Choose the Best ToolsOne aspect that can ease the management of multiple projects is choosing the right tools to do it. Having so many people to manage and communicate with can be overwhelming, as there is an incredible amount of information exchanged.Of course, choosing the right tool depends on the project, the team and the resources available. Some great project management tools are especially helpful when managing multiple projects at once. They can keep all the data stored and organized while allowing them to switch between projects.Always take into consideration the time and costs associated with tool implementation. For example, cheaper tools come with more time for implementation, so maybe it is not the best idea for the moment.ConclusionManaging multiple proje cts at once can be stressful and overwhelming.A project manager needs to communicate effectively and track the progress of the teams. He is the link between stakeholders and teams, so he needs to know what factors drive their motivation and even anger. People need to be supported and encouraged to grow and develop their skills.However, depending on their age, the approach should be different. Managing expectations and setting clear goals can make some tasks easier.Managing multiple projects at the same time comes with challenges, but in the end, it proves to be a fulfilling job. livescience.com

How to Write a Good Job Application Email - CareerEnlightenment.com

How to Write a Good Job Application Email The societal and cultural pressures of today’s shifting environments sometimes cause instability even to the most dedicated workers around us. This means that regardless of your skills and work ethics, you will be required, sooner rather than later and probably often enough, to search for a new job.Therefore, self-presentation skills like polishing your resume and knowing how to sell yourself are just as important as your work skills per se. Indeed, we don’t really like this phrasing either â€" selling yourself â€" but the idea that we should be able to make others see why we are a valuable worker does ring true.To help you on your way to better application emails, we’ve put together this brief guide. The source for all tips and advice presented here is  JobApplicationWorld. When you are looking for a guide to applying for a specific job or company, you can head over to their portal to read more targeted advice.What Is the Purpose of a Job Application Email?You may have notice d that nowadays most companies have a dedicated job application portal, where you simply upload your resume and other significant data, answer a few questions and click Apply. Considering this rather automated means of applying to a job, what is then the purpose of a job application email? Do people still send this kind of email anymore?The answer is that the job application email remains a strong component of every job application, even in perhaps altered forms.First of all, there are still companies which don’t use a portal for automated applications. For them, sending a job application email is still mandatory.Second of all, some portals will also ask you to upload a motivation letter or a job application statement. This is the job application email re-hashed. This is where you introduce yourself, where you explain your motivation or weave the separate facts from your resume into a story, your story.Even where this is optional, you shouldn’t miss out on this opportunity to in troduce yourself this way. Therefore, a job application email or cover letter or whatever name your potential employer prefers is always a good idea. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searching tip! SUBSCRIBE! You have Successfully Subscribed!We hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. What Makes a Good Job Application Email?Here are just a few characteristics that make a job application email objectively good.#1. It’s short and to the point: 3-4 paragraphs will do.#2. It manages to paint an accurate picture on your job experience and education background.#3. It conveys why you think you would do a good job if hired, what makes you stand out, without being boastful.#4. It also delivers a statement on your personal motivation, but all the while remaining professional.#5. Its tone is warm and positive, but not too casual or excessively friendly.#6. It also demonstrates a bit of knowledge about the company’s activity and where your job could fit in.Quick Email ChecklistAfter you’ve written a few paragraphs that manage to comprise the points we presented above, you should also go through this quick checklist. This is to make sure you won’t allow grammar or style mistakes to escape your attention.Here is the stuff you should double-over on, in a nutshell:Are you using a professional email address, comprised of your name and last name?Are you, at the same time, using a personal email, not one created by the company you are currently working in?Are you using a simple to read, classic font?Are you conveying your purpose for writing the email early on? You should state the position you are applying for and your intention as early in the email as possible.Is the email text easy enough to follow and comprehend? If not, try for shorter sentences and paragraphs.Is all the spelling and grammar neat and correctly used? Make sure you re-read the email at least a couple of times and edit it for better phrasing.How to Go the Extra Mile with Your Job Application EmailIf you manage to follow the tips and tricks above, your job application email is already among the best the recruiters will probably receive. But if you really want to do something special and get noticed right away, try going the extra mile. You will be able to tell what this extra mile is for each individual case, but here are some starting points:Address your job application email to a specific person whenever possible.Try attaching a sample of your previous work or some form of portfolio exhibit, even if you don’t have a full portfolio file to show. Just your resume is the bare requirement, extra proof of skill is always a nice surprise!If you are applying for some kind of creative job, then feel free to go off the beaten path just a little.If you feel confident in your ideas and can also back them up with data and mini-study, you could also come up with a proposal of how you would like to improve the performance of the company or department you are applying to. You must be very careful not to criticize or sound arrogant, though, so tread lightly on this one.Include a nice email signature that recounts your contact details and LinkedIn account (if you have one).Before sending your job application email to its intended recipient, send it to yourself first to see if the format will hold and if everything looks good once received.If all looks well, feel free to go ahead and send your job application email. Fingers crossed!

Do I Ever Think About You if We Arent Connected Online

Do I Ever Think About You if We Arent Connected Online My three closest friends dont participate in any form of social or business networking. Youll never find a business profile, status update, family photo, or even a poke from any of them on any online networking platform. While I ponder a social media intervention I continue to reach out to my friends on their terms which includes email and phone contact and an annual snail mail holiday card. I have to admit, its a lot more work to keep in touch this way and it takes more thought and planning on my part. But since these three friends mean the world to me, I try my best to stay in touch.But what if I werent as close to these people? Would I bother? Wheres the threshold between making someones life easy and too much work? What if you are a job seeker? During a search, you need a lot of contactsboth strong and weak networking links. Remaining top of mind with the weaker links is tough when you solely rely on email, a phone call, or a holiday card. With those limited means of communicatio n and interaction, will your network bother to stay in touch? I often hear people complaining that social media is a frivolous waste of time. I disagree. I think its a time saver and an efficient way to keep up with people and let them know whats going on in your world. This makes people feel connected. Feeling connected makes people more likely to offer help and advice.I talked to one of my closest friends this week. Its been a long time since we spoke. Long enough for major events to occur in both our lives without the other one having a clue about it. I must admit that I was a bit sad when I realized that 300+ virtual friends know what I did last weekend and one of my dearest friends hasnt known whats been going on with me for much longer.Imagine sending your resume to a recruiter and letting it sit in his database for years versus reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn or Facebook to actively network with them. Think about the implications of sending a resume into the job board black hole versus building engagement with a company via their Facebook fan page. Contemplate leaving a weak networking contact 10 unanswered voicemails versus including them in an online dialog. Social networking works. Whether its for maintaining friendships or managing your career.