Tag: Profiles & Assessments

Is The Remote Work Life Here To Stay?

Remote working has been around for many years. There are a handful of businesses that had employees working remotely before the pandemic ever began. Until this last year and a half, it was not an extremely popular concept to businesses. Now, a large number of companies have figured out their way around how to run their company remotely.

Do Graduating Students Want To Work In-Person?

The class of 2021, both high school and college, is getting ready to enter the working world. Are they choosing companies that work remotely, or do they want the face-to-face interactions of a business? The decision is wavering, but 98% of people who took a survey say they wouldn’t mind working in a hybrid situation.

A very low percentage of students said they would like to work in a remote situation one hundred percent of the time. Working from home, where you do not interact with other employees, can be lonely. Especially those without a family at home or kids to take care of. It may sound great in the beginning, but it gets old after a while.

Is Zoom Enough?

Many businesses found their way through different platforms to stay connected. Communication is an important part of running a business. Zoom, Skype, and Facetime were commonly used to hold business meetings, classes, and instructions for different assignments.

Is zoom good enough to take the place of face-to-face interactions in the workplace? Yes, it worked during the social distancing period, but will it work long-term for people? The ones who are ready to jump into the business world. Many people reported being fatigued and tired of computer screen interactions.

Soon To Be Graduating College Students

The students who are preparing to enter to job force are most all hopeful to enter in person. Whereas before, working from home would be a highlight to people. The statistics have flopped, and people are more motivated by the ones who are working in person.

Businesses have seen a fluctuation of motivation to enter the workforce in the graduates of 2021, as opposed to 2020. The salaries are increasing for these individuals as well, 22% over the last year. The average yearly income is $66,600. A big concern of these people is how the company they are looking at working in handles diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

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.

All articles, quotes, and material in this newsletter are copyrighted by our associate Gary Sorrell, Sorrell Associates, LLC ©. No part can be reproduced in any form without specific written consent. All rights reserved worldwide. Thank you!

Talent Wars of CEO’s To Increase Employee Development

Covid-19 changed a variety of things that go on within a company from the hiring, working, and development opportunities. With remote working being on the rise, companies need to be creative with the offered programs. The more opportunities you have for your employees to take advantage of, the better off you will be. Also being able to provide them with access to remote employees will help everyone.

Why Offering Development Opportunities Can Benefit

Businesses can greatly benefit from offering development opportunities to their employees. People will see it as an advantage and a chance that they can’t pass up. Some ways to see a change in your company by offering these opportunities are explained below.

It Can Improve Employee Retention and Loyalty

When you take the time, and the effort, to train your employees properly, they will be more loyal to your company. They will see the value in what you have provided them with. You will notice a positive impact on the retention your business has with employees. The least amount of turn-over that you have the better it is for your business.

Drive Employees To Be More Productive and Perform Effectively

Employees who are equipped with the proper training and knowledge to perform their job can be more productive. When you are thrown into an uncertain situation, it is more challenging to do your job effectively. If your employees have confidence and training about their role in the company, they will feel more comfortable and be more productive.

A Positive Competitive Opportunity To Offer Potential Employees

The opportunities that a company offers to an employee can change the decision that they make. If they are narrowing their choices down to two companies, and you offer more perks, they will go with your company. Competitive marking can help you in the corporate world.

Development Training Is A Great Aspect

Employees want to thrive and succeed in their job. When they feel they are not adequately performing they that they should, it is discouraging. In the corporate world, it is important to do your job well and efficiently.

On-going training opportunities can help build and mold your employees into the leaders they need to be. Sometimes, the skills that someone possesses need a little bit of encouragement to bring them out. As a business, it is great to be able to offer your employees what they need to be the best that they can be.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

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.

How Critical Thinking Can Improve Leadership Skills

Do you have good leadership skills? Are you a critical thinker? When it comes to being a good leader, critical thinking can improve your skills. In the business world, there are many aspects that will continue to evolve and change. You have to be a critical thinker in order to cope with the changes and continue to keep proceeding. Let’s talk about how critical thinking is so important when you are in a leadership position.

What Happens When You Have Bad Leadership Skills? 

Lousy leadership skills will cause many aspects of your business to fall apart. If you are unable to lead your team in the right direction successfully, it will not flourish. The decision that you make as a leader will make or break a business. That is why it is so important to obtain the skills to be a good critical thinker.

How Can Good Leadership Skills Benefit Your Business? 

If the person in charge of a team of employees has good leadership skills, the business is more likely to succeed. In addition, this person can motivate their team and keep everyone on track. It is not always an easy task, but a necessary one.

The decisions that a leader needs to make can be difficult at times, but someone who can think clearly is a good leader.

A good leader is thinking about the whole teams ability and not just their own. They can analyze, solve, identify, and put into action problem-solving skills.

Critical Thinking Skills Make Good Leaders

Do you want to improve your critical thinking skills? This skill comes naturally to some, and others have to work harder to make it happen. Here are some tips on how you can improve your critical thinking skills to be a better leader.

• Be Completely Informed Before Making A Decision
• Make Validated Decisions
• Break Down The Options And Make Clear Decisions
• Make Decisions On Facts Not Assumptions
• Use Analogies and Models For More Visual Information

If you are a critical thinker, you have the ability to think effectively and quickly. While everyone would prefer to have adequate notice and preparation to make a decision, the time isn’t always available. There are times you will be able to take plenty of time to make a decision in a leadership position, and then there are other times you need to make them more quickly.

Please share your comments with 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 Are You Focusing On In Your Employees?

The credentials that an employee holds are not always as important as the skills that they possess. Not everyone withholds a long list of credentials that they have acquired. That simply may mean that they haven’t been presented with the same opportunities as someone else. People are capable of having amazing skills and abilities without the credentials to prove it.

How To See Past Credentials

When you are interviewing potential employees, you need to see past the list of accomplishments in front of you. Think about the job required to be filled and the skills needed to do it. Instead of listing credentials that are necessary to do the job, list the required skills.

If you need someone who is focused on precise details for the technology world, it doesn’t mean that it has to be an individual trained in technology.

Attention to detail can be found in someone new to this type of position.

Look Inside Your Company First

If you have a new position open, you may have someone within your company suited for the job. The training and schooling that you have may only be a part of the skills you possess. The employees you already have may greatly appreciate the ability to advance within the company or be promoted to a higher position.

Make Training Opportunities Available

Over the past year and a half, the internet has become more and more a part of the business world. It has had its place in many areas for many years, but it has been a lot more prevalent with social distancing. This means that there is more need than ever for people to be able to navigate technology well.

An opportunity for many employees is to have training on technology. That way, you can improve the capabilities of the employees that you already possess. You do not always have to hire someone with more experience or credentials to show you. The people you have right in front of you may have the skills you are looking for; they just need a little encouragement.

Put our Focus On Skills

The abilities that your employees have are important. This article isn’t to say credentials are not important, because they are. Don’t put all of your focus on just that. Look past them and into the skills that employees have. You may be pleasantly surprised.

You can find talent and skills in all kinds of people who may not be in the fieldwork you are advertising for.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

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.

Do You Have An Open Mind For The Changes That Are Occurring?

It isn’t a secret to any business owner that you have to be ready for what comes next. There are so many aspects of business that change each and every year. When new techniques and agendas begin to take shape, you have to mold right along. Is this something you can do? Are you ready?

How Can You Be Ready?

If your business is not in the mindset of being ready for change, you need to encourage it to get there. You will succeed at some changes, and you will fail at some. The key to success is embracing the failed attempts and learning from what you have tried.

To be ready for all the changes that are occurring, be open-minded. Don’t get stuck in your ways and not allow the evolving future to slow you down. Some other ways that you shape your business to be ready for the new agendas taking shape are:

• Target Capabilities To Enhance Value
• Match Talent With Value
• Incorporate Reward Systems
• Accelerate Change
• Discover Your Purpose And Pursue It

Covid Changed Many Aspects

Navigating through a post-COVID world in a business can be difficult. Many things changed and put on hold entirely. This made reentering the business world a little bit difficult for many people.

You couldn’t just pick up where you left off. Things have changed. If you didn’t take advantage of this slow-down and further educate yourself, you might be struggling to be ready for all the new value agendas taking shape. Reevaluate and jump all in, get your business where it needs to be, and make the necessary changes now.

What Changes Are Being Made?

Even without a pandemic, aspects change in the business world every year. Upgrades are made, regulations are changed, and many other parts of the business world. When the world wasn’t dealing with a pandemic, you are eased into these changes.

Well, this year, it wasn’t that easy. Many people are being thrown into it and are struggling with being prepared. The company that offers the most with the best information takes it all. Some of the changes that have been made are:

• Competition Is In Full Gear
• Technology Is A Must In Many Businesses
• Time Is Everything, Don’t Sit On Decisions For Too Long
• Quick Decisions Are Better To Some Than Long Term Thought
• Social-Issues Weigh Much Heavier On Companies
• Reactions and Approaches Mean More.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

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.

6 Tips to Get More Out of Your Next Business Meeting

Many people struggle with attending meetings at their business. You may feel that you are not needed or that your opinion doesn’t matter. Yet, you need to arrive with purpose. Here are seven tips on how to be smart when attending a business meeting.

1. Do Not Multitask, Stay Focused On The Meeting

It is so easy to get distracted and start thinking about other aspects of your day. Then you begin to try and listen to the meeting and focus on other things. It could be your next meeting, a phone call you need to make, a report you need to do, or a task unrelated to work.

It is important to stay focused in meetings. Try and put your entire focus on the person directing the meeting and block everything else out. That way, you can contribute fully and know what is going on.

2. Bring Pen And Paper For Note Taking

Note-taking is important and can help you remember the little details you may need later. However, it can be hard to retain a lot of information all at one time.

So do yourself a favor and take notes. You can take them by:

• Writing Them
• Typing Them
• Recording Them

3. Keep The Goal Of The Meeting In Mind

Everyone knows that when you are in a meeting, things can get off track. You have to complete many tasks in your workday and don’t want to spend longer than needed in the meeting. Intelligent individuals will politely direct the meeting back to the goal at hand.

4. Always Keep Eye Contact

Eye contact shows the person in charge of the meeting that you care about what is being discussed. It will also portray that you are serious about your job and what is discussed in the meeting. You can vibe off of what someone is feeling and thinking when you keep eye contact.

5. Only Use Phone For Informational Needs

It is so easy to get distracted by your phones in a meeting. You pick it up to check the time or a message that came in, and the next thing you know, you’ve been looking at it for 15 minutes. Try not to touch your phone during a meeting unless necessary to check for information.

6. Stay Courteous When Exiting and Be Where Your Needed

As an employee of a business, you may play several different roles. That means you may make your way from meeting to meeting. This can result in some meetings overlapping. Stay for the meeting as long as you can, and politely excuse yourself when needed. Before you leave, give any information you feel is necessary, then slip out.

Please share your comments with 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.

Better Your Company With Continuing and Advanced Learning

It is challenging to learn new skills within your job sometimes. Primarily, you are conditioned and trained to do things a certain way. To keep up with the ever-changing times, you need to be open to change. When you can learn new skills and tasks, you can go further in life.

The Pandemic Put Things On Hold

For many people, the pandemic put learning and jobs on hold. Others were able to take advantage of businesses being closed and brush up on their training. There were also several who took this time to learn new skills to further their education.

Precautions are starting to lift for many people regarding the pandemic, and things are getting back to full swing.

That means that this time that was spent on hold will accelerate forward. Are you ready?

Be Opened Minded and Eager To Learn

Companies will offer advanced learning opportunities to their employees at various times. Take advantage of these chances and further your education. Don’t be stuck in a rut of what you are used to; you never know what tomorrow will bring. This could be the opportunity that you needed to become a better person.

Experience is only good when it falls in line with what you are good at. With the way everything is changing and moving, you need to be versatile. Some of the many ways that companies will go about preparing their employees for the future are:

1. Allowing You Opportunities To Further Your Education
2. Chances For On-The-Job Training
3. Opportunities To Build Bonds With Other Employees
4. Encourage Learning and Communication With Coworkers
5. Opportunities For Change At All Levels
6. Allowing Expression Of New Ideas
7. Making Room For Failure and Encouraging To Keep Trying

Be Future Ready

As times change, businesses change. The way things operate changes and evolve. If you are stuck in your tracks and unwilling to make the needed changes, you won’t succeed. As a business, you need to be open to these changes and encourage an open-minded attitude to your employees.

When your employees are willing and eager to learn new skills and techniques, you will grow as a business. Advanced learning is an excellent opportunity to supply to your business employees. Shape your company to what you want it to be in the future.

It is always good to be prepared for the future, no matter what it may hold.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

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.

How to Build Your Organization’s Identity

Companies are no stranger to change. Things will always need to change for a business to grow and thrive. Otherwise, if they don’t make the necessary changes, they’ll end up shutting their doors.

One thing that helps an organization to survive is to get a clear idea of what their identity is. The identity of a company is the driving force behind everything they do, from customer acquisition to how operations are handled from the day to day.

Here is a look at how organizations can build their identity:

1. Create a Purpose Statement

An effective purpose statement should be clear and concise. It should outline exactly what the company offers to their target audience. Not only should the employees understand the purpose of the company, but so should the potential customers.

Organizations can share their company’s purpose statement by:

• Branding their website with the statement in mind.
• Share the information on their social media accounts.
• Create ads and messaging around the purpose statement.
• Educating new hires on the purpose statement and reminding them periodically.
  2. Create Culture That is In Line With The Purpose Statement

  Having a clear purpose statement is the first step in establishing an organization’s culture. The leadership in the company has to set the tone for employees from the moment they walk in the door. To make sure that the culture is accepted, you must put processes in place that will keep everyone accountable on the way things should be done.

  Regularly training your team on the company culture is also important. The more they are exposed to it and encouraged to accept it, the stronger representatives they will be for the company. Having a team that is all on the same page helps an organization to solidify their identity.

  3. Work Individually With Your Employees

  Just as much as you would invest in your upper management, you will want to invest in your front-line employees. The education you put together should address how an individual of the company can set goals and reach them. This could come in the form of quarterly check-ins where you help each employee get a clear idea of what they want to accomplish personally and professionally in the next quarter. Then, provide them the tools and training needed to get there.

  To build your organization’s identity, it all comes down to making sure that every employee and customers understand the organization’s purpose. Also, that the employees adapt to the company culture and are given the one on one training they need to succeed.

Please share your comments with 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.

Which One Are You – Boss or Leader?

There are some major differences between a boss and a leader in the workplace. Just because you are a boss, it doesn’t make you a leader. The same goes for being a leader; it doesn’t make you a boss. Now that may leave you confused about what that really means. 

Are You A Boss?

Being a boss just means that you are in charge of a business or company. You are the one who the rules and regulations flow through. The one who keeps things moving and under control. Most of the time, you are the one who has to give permission and will oftentimes give the orders of what needs to be done.

Are You A Leader?

A leader isn’t always the person who is actually in charge. They are someone who wants to help improve and can usually see the bright side of things. The motivator in situations. Most of the time they are the encourager of the group and want to see people succeed in what they are doing.

You can be a boss and a leader at the same time, but that isn’t the way that it has to be. It would probably be the ideal way for things to happen, but it isn’t necessarily the case in most instances. If the boss was a leader, things could run pretty smoothly.

Attributes Of A Leader and A Boss

When you think about a leader you may automatically pair it with the word boss. There are many attributes that make them different though. Here is a simple list of some examples of the differences.

• Bosses give out a task and want it done; leaders encourage and help you through tasks.
• Bosses direct you because of their authority over you, leaders will direct and encourage.
• Leaders think about the long-term effects of a situation, bosses can sometimes be focused on the short-term.
• Leaders want you to flourish and give you credit for your accomplishments, bosses can sometimes steal the credit.

Being a boss doesn’t mean that you don’t have the right mindset and abilities to encourage others. You can be both a boss and a leader, but it can require a little bit more work. Sometimes, it is a good thing to have a leader and a boss be two different people. That way there is someone else who can be turned to.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

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.

Personal and Professional Challenges For Top Executives

Platitudes often fall flat in the business world. They are overused and lack meaning. It will help if you put purpose behind your words. A workplace that is driven by purpose and purposeful words will go a lot further than one that isn’t. Intentional stories will encourage your employees to work harder and more efficiently.

The Job Of A Top Executive

When you are named the top executive in your company, someone sees potential in you. It can fulfill an important job and take the company to a higher place. Your employees will be looking up to you and the decisions you make. They are listening to the words that you are saying to them.

As an executive, you need to find a way to lead and encourage your employees to be the best that they can be. It’s so easy to fall back on the platitudes that we are so familiar with. But, far too often those are meaningless words. Put forth the effort to mean what you are saying and make them have a purpose.

What Is A Platitude?

Compliments and encouragement are a way to encourage your employees. As a top executive at your company, you are the driving force that keeps things going. When talking to your employees, it’s easy to fall back on trite, overused, and meaningless platitudes. There are times there is a little bit of truth behind them, they are more of a cliché.

When complimenting and encouraging, put purpose behind your words. Don’t use the same old sayings that have lost their meaning. Show your employees what they mean to you and encourage them to pursue the purpose.

What Does It Mean To Have Purpose?

A business that is driven with purpose will improve much further. When executives rely solely on platitudes that sound nice to the ear, but lack concrete direction, the business will come short of its potential. Encouragement that is surrounded by concrete and precise direction will lead your company to higher levels than it has ever seen.

Platitudes are easy, they are already thought out but they are directed to a wide audience with a wide array of circumstances. Speak with purpose and your employees will rise to the occasion when clear direction is expressed. Leave the platitude to the greeting cards and speak with purpose.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

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.