Month: June 2020

5 Ways to Increase Productivity and Boost Motivation

If your workplace has fallen flat then it might be time to re-center your employee’s focus and increase their motivation. There are some ways you can boost your employee’s drive-by changing just a few things in the workplace. Here are 5 great ideas to get you started.

1. Make the Workplace Fun

If you ask the workforce what makes them happier and more likely to stay with a certain company, the #1 answer is always a fun workplace. Bringing fun into the workplace can also:

• Reduce stress
• Increase overall job satisfaction
• Increase motivation
• Improve productivity
• Increase employee performance

Think about some ways that you can bring some fun into your workplace. If you don’t already, encourage your employees to hang out in social settings to build camaraderie.

2. Bring Music Into the Workplace

Music has been known to change our emotions and how we view and perceive life. It has the power to calm us in times of stress or make us happy in times of sadness. If you bring music into the workplace, you can give your employees a mental boost. The one thing to keep in mind is that instrumental music has been shown to be more effective at increasing focus and attention than music with lyrics.

3. Encourage Exercising

Employees who exercise regularly are 25% more focused, driven, and efficient than those who don’t. They are also 40% more motivated in the workplace. It’s vital to encourage your employees to exercise. If you have space, it would be worth the investment to convert an area to an office gym. If you don’t have space, you can encourage exercise by increasing employee incentives to workout or by providing gym memberships.

4. Encourage Learning

Learning a new skill or concept can greatly improve your employee’s drive and motivation. It can also improve productivity. Analyze your employees’ job performance and existing skill set to see what concepts you can bring in to encourage innovation. You can provide incentives for mastering new skills or even provide funding to further their education.

5. Make Time for Meditation

Many people already set aside time every day for personal meditation. We are now seeing the benefits of bringing this practice into the workplace. In fact, setting aside just 10 minutes every day can reduce workplace stress, enhance workplace relationships and help to resolve conflicts, and enhance mental and emotional health. Set up time early in the workday for your employees to meditate.*

Need help? Contact us today!

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Bridging The Skills Gaps

Are you underqualified for your dream job? Don’t let your gap in skills keep you from attaining your career goals. This article discusses what you need to do when your current skill set isn’t enough for the job you ultimately want.

Consider the Long-Term

If you have a career goal, don’t expect to just go from point A to point B. Many people think if they have a goal, they just need to go out and get a degree or go from a Bachelor’s to a Master’s degree. However, many people are also finding out that a degree isn’t going to give them the necessary skills they need.

Rather than pursuing a degree, think about role changes within your company that will help you attain your goals. Even if these are just lateral moves, always have your long-term goals in mind. The lateral moves will be worth it if they give you the skills and experience necessary to propel your career in the right direction.

Think About Volunteering Your Time

Another way to fill in the skills gap and get the necessary experience under your belt is to volunteer your time. If you need certain skills and experience for your career goals but are having a hard time finding a position that will give you those skills, then see if you can volunteer. A great way that people have done this is through non-profit organizations.

Many of these organizations need people to fill certain roles but don’t have the money to pay someone who is experienced. Therefore, they will take under-qualified candidates and give them on-the-job training and experience.

Take A Demotion

Another way to obtain the skills necessary is to take an entry-level job or to take a job at a small company that can’t pay as well. This is a great way to build the skills you need and attain the experience for your resume that will help you land that good-paying job at that huge company.

One of the ways many people find success in doing this is to start with a start-up company. The risk is much bigger but it could mean a big payout in the end when you’ve landed that executive role.

Need help getting started? Contact us today! *

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

What Hiring Managers Wish Job Seekers Knew

If you’re looking for a job or thinking about looking then you might be wondering how to set yourself apart from other candidates. Here are some inside tips on what hiring managers are looking for and how to land yourself that sought-after position.

1. Personality Is More Important

If you’re qualified for the position and have met all the basic requirements then your personality is more important than anything else. Let’s say you have two candidates who are equally qualified. One is easy going and likable. The other one is not really a people person but has more experience. The hiring manager is going to pick the likable person over the one with a more impressive resume.

2. Don’t Try Too Hard to Impress HR Staff

The critical person for you to impress is the hiring manager. They have all the authority-who to interview, who to hire, what to pay them, etc. The best way to find out who the hiring manager is, one should do a little digging on Linkedin.

Here are some tips to use during your search:

1. Try different search terms to find the person you’re looking for such as “manager” or “director” and then the keyword for the position
2. After you start reaching out to a few people, it can become easy to lose track of everything. That’s why we recommend using a spreadsheet to keep track of who you reached out to, what their role is, and any other important notes
3. Keep in mind that if you’re reaching out to hiring managers then you might jeopardize your current position by being caught
4. That’s why it’s best to reach out to the recruiter first. You can use your spreadsheet to keep track of what recruiters companies use.

3. You Can Leverage Your Other Offers

If you’re interviewing for a position with few candidates, you can use that to your advantage. It’s ok to be open about other positions you’re interviewing for. If you handle it with respect and just be matter of fact while you present your case then you can use it as leverage to negotiate for a higher offer.

4. Ask Questions During Your Interview

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the position and the company in fear that they’ll seem too needy. A potential employer likes someone who has enough vested interest in the position that they ask tough questions. Ask things such as where they see the company’s future or what their struggles are with leading their team.

5. Don’t Think You Know Everything

When a recruiter contacts you, it’s wise to be open to at least interviewing for the position. Even if you aren’t looking for another job, it’s wise to keep an open mind to what’s out there. You never know what kind of opportunity you might be passing up simply because you think you know more than the recruiter.

Need more ideas for boosting creativity? Contact us today!*

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.