7 tips for inspiring collaboration

7 tips for inspiring collaboration7 tips for inspiring collaborationOne my most popular speaking topics is The Power of Collaborative Leadership. The topics popularity stems from corporate clients around the world realizing that silo mentality and knowledge hoarding behaviors are wasting the kind of collective brainpower that could save their organization billions. Or lead to the discovery of a revolutionary new process or product. Or, in the current economic climate, help keep their company afloat when others are sinkingAnd its not just corporate profits that suffer when collaboration is low the workforce loses something too. Individuals lose the opportunity to work in the kind of inclusive environment that energizes teams, releases creativity and makes working together both productive and joyful.Here are seven tips for inspiring collaboration in your team or organization1. Realize that silos can kill your businessSilo mentality is a mindset present when certain departments or secto rs do not wish to share information with others in the same company. This type of mentality will reduce efficiency in the overall operation, reduce morale, and may contribute to the demise of a productive company culture. Silo is a business term that has been passed around and discussed in many boardrooms over the last 30 years. Unlike many other trendy management terms, this is one issue that has not disappeared. Silos are seen as a growing pain for organizations of all sizes. Wherever its found, a silo mentality becomes synonymous with power struggles, lack of cooperation, and loss of productivity.2. Build your collaboration strategy around the human elementIn trying to capture and communicate the cumulative wisdom of a workforce, the public and private sectors have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in portals, software, and intranets. But collaboration is more than the technology that supports it, and even more than a business strategy aimed at optimizing an organizations experience and expertise. Collaboration is, first and foremost, a change in attitude and behavior of people throughout an organization. Successful collaboration is a human issue.3. Make change management a team sportOver the past 25 years, Ive worked with a variety of very talented leaders, and one thing I know for sure Regardless of how creative, smart and savvy a leader may be, he or she cant transform an organization, a department or a team without the brain power and commitment of others. Whether the change involves creating new products, services, processes or a total reinvention of how the organization must look, operate, and position itself for the future success dictates that the individuals impacted by change be involved in the change from the very beginning.4. Utilize diversity in problem-solvingExperiments at the University of Michigan found that, when challenged with a difficult problem, groups composed of highly adept members performed worse than groups whose members had varying levels of skill and knowledge. The reason for this seemingly odd outcome has to do with the power of diverse thinking. Group members who think alike or are trained in similar disciplines with similar bases of knowledge run the risk of becoming insular in their ideas. Diversity causes people to consider perspectives and possibilities that would otherwise be ignored.5. Help people develop relationshipsThe outcome of any collaborative effort is dependent upon well-developed personal relationships among participants. Not allowing time for this can be a costly mistake. For example, all too often, in the rush to get started on a project, team leaders put people together and tell them to get to work. Youll get better results if you give your group time (upfront) to get to know one another, to discover each others strengths and weaknesses, to build personal ties, and to develop a common understanding about the project.6. Focus on building trustTrust is the belief or confidence t hat one party has in the reliability, integrity, and honesty of another party. It is the expectation that the faith one places in someone else will be honored. It is also the glue that holds together any group. I recently conducted a survey of middle managers in an attempt to pinpoint the state of trust and knowledge sharing in their various organizations. What I found is a crisis of trust suspicious and cynical employees are disinclined to collaborate - sharing knowledge is still perceived as weakening a personal power base. Leaders demonstrate their trust in employees by the open, candid, and ongoing communication that is the foundation of informed collaboration7. Watch your body languageTo show that you are receptive to other peoples ideas, uncross your arms and legs. Place your feet flat on the floor and use open palm gestures (which is a body language display inviting others into the conversation). If you want people to give you their ideas, dont multi-task while they do. Avoi d the temptation to check your text messages, check your watch, or check out how the other participants are reacting. Instead, focus on those who are speaking by turning your head and torso to face them directly and by making eye contact. Leaning forward is another nonverbal way to show youre engaged and paying attention, as is head tilting. (The head tilt is a universal gesture of giving the other person an ear.) To encourage team members to expand on their comments, nod your head using clusters of three nods at regular intervals.Todays corporation exists in an increasingly complex and ever-shifting ocean of change. As a result, leaders need to rely more than ever on the intelligence and resourcefulness of their staff. Collaboration is not a nice to have organizational philosophy. It is an essential ingredient for organizational survival and success.Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D., is an international keynote speaker and leadership presence coach. Shes the author of The Silent Language o f Leaders How Body Language Can Help or Hurt How You Lead and creator of LinkedInLearnings video series Body Language for Leaders. For more information, visitCarolKinseyGoman.com.

How Long You Should Stay at Your First Job

How Long You Should Stay at Your First JobHow Long You Should Stay at Your First JobHow long should you stay at your first job if you dont enjoy it? College graduates arent always thrilled with their first job after graduation, so youre not the first to ask the question. If you do like yourfirstjob, can it hurt you if you stay too long? Will it impact your career prospects if you dont make a change within a certain time period? Recent graduates often ask counselors, friends, and family members how long they need to stay in their first job before moving on. Asurvey from Express Employment Professionalsreports that the average college graduate spends about a yearin their first job. This is also the classic advice about how long to stay in any job, regardless of whether its the first or fourth.On average, most peoplechange jobs 10 - 15 times during the course of their career. When Can You Leave Your First Job? Average turnover timeshouldnt be the primary factor determining when you make a job change. Just because many people move on after a year or so doesnt mean that you should - or shouldnt - stay that long.Theanswer for you might be quite differentdependingon your unique situation at work, what you are doing in your current location, and your plans for the future. Here are some factors to consider when you are thinking about leaving your job but arentsure how long you should stay. Before you decide to quit, ask yourself these questions to get an idea of whether it makes sense to leave now or to stick it out a little longer. Questions to Ask Prior to Leaving Your Job Are There Difficult Circumstances at Work?Are you being mistreated, subjected to unethical behavior or being asked to do something which bothers your conscience? If you have unsuccessfully tried to remedy the situation, then start toplan your exitright away, regardless of the amount of time that you have spent on the job. Can You Get a Better Job?What are your prospects for landing a better job? It can often bebetter to stay at your current position until you can secure a job that is a step up.The adage that it is easier to find a job when you are still employed often holds true. What Are Your Prospects for the Future?Is there aclear path for advancementthat would enable you to transition to a more satisfying job or provide you with a more appealing boss or coworkers at your current employer? Exploringoptions for moving laterally or verticallyat your own employer can be worthwhile before you decide to resign. Are You Acquiring New Skills?Are youdeveloping valuable skillsor acquiring knowledge that will be of use in your career? If so, you might consider staying on longer. Conversely, if you have been performing mundane tasks for more than a year then its time to plot a change. Do You Have a Track Record of Success?Can you document a track record of success in your current job? If so, you will be more attractive to other employers and more ready to make a move. On the o ther hand, if you havent acquired solid experience and new skills that will be an asset to a new employer, you may want to discuss with your supervisoroptions for bolstering your experience.Youmaywishtopostponeyour job search until you are better positioned. Are You Underpaid?If your salary has not increased or is below the industry average after two years in your first job, you should probably start job searching. Do research salaries so youknow how much you are worthin todays job market. Do You Have Another Job Offer?If you havealready applied for another job and have an offer for a better position, by all means take it, even if you have only been at your first job for a short time. One cautionary note would be that if you have only been at your first job for a short period, you may want to try to stay in your next role for at least a year. This is to avoid appearing like ajob hopper. Are You Planning on Grad School?If you are entering graduate or professional school in an area un related to your first job then usuallyyou can feel free to leave your first job in fewer than 18 months. How to Leave Your Job Whenever you decide to leave your first job, make sure that you maintain a strong work ethic and positive relations with staff right until you depart, since you will probably want or need recommendations and references. Prospective employers might conductbackground checksand get in touch with your former employer when considering you for employment.Therefore its important to leave your job on a positive note whenever possible. Hereshow to resign with class. Make sure to providetwo weeks noticeif at all possible, and avoid being negative in yourresignation letteror email.

Petya computer virus infecting companies all over the world

Petya computer virus infecting companies all over the world Petya computer virus infecting companies all over the world A fast-moving, international computer virus called Petya is taking down corporate networks that run mainly on Microsoft Windows software. It has already hit most of the government applications of Ukraine as well as major companies in Europe including advertising agency WPP and law firm DLA Piper.What does Petya look like?Users logged into their computers only to see this come up on their screens.Where and what is Petya?The Petya virus is the second major international virus to hit computer networks in a month, following WannaCry. It has spread rapidly to U.S. companies, according to reports. We have confirmed U.S. cases of Petya ransomware outbreakhttps://t.co/SFjFE9yILX - Chris Bing (@Bing_Chris) June 27, 2017How does Petya work?The Petya virus is a kind of “ransomware,” which works like a technological mugging: hackers take over computers and demand payment to let them go.Petya has existed in one form or another since 2016  but it is spreading faster now. Computer viruses, just like biological ones, replicate and have “strains,” and it’s possible that Petya is a tougher strain of ransomware than previous viruses were.As The Verge describes it, the Petya virus takes over a computer and demands $300 in payment. The hackers require the payment in Bitcoin, and then demand that users email them proof of payment to the chosen Bitcoin “wallet.” Multiple outlets report that the virus has already earned a modest amount for the hackers: the blockchain records showed 20  transactions to the target wallet, totaling nearly  $5,000.Why is Petya such a big problem?The virus is a nightmare for companies because their network administrators have to s pend time figuring out how to get their computers back online while waiting for a fix, or “patch” from Microsoft. While many companies patched their accounts at the time of the WannaCry virus last month, clearly it wasn’t enough.Even at the time of WannaCry, not enough companies were prepared with patches. When writing about WannaCry, Wired wrote, “it appears that many companies have put off a patch despite the clear and potentially devastating threat of a similar ransomware spread. These systems apparently remain vulnerable even after Microsoft released multiple patches for legacy systems, like Windows XP, that the company no longer supports.”Can Petya be prevented or stopped?Unlike WannaCry, this strain of Petya reportedly  has no kill switch function, so it’s unclear if it can be stopped yet. Worse, malware analyst Vyacheslav Zakorzhevsky said  that this strain is a new ransomeware that security experts like him  haven’t encountered.Ukraine’s interior minister adv iser  told Reuters that  the Petya virus got into computer systems through  â€œphishing” emails that were written to trick employees into opening them. If that’s the case, be sensible. Don’t click on links and attachments or download files from suspicious senders. Never use public Wi-Fi for business and be wary of shortened links.To prevent Petya-like ransomware attacks in general, employees should have their automatic software updates on and should avoid using outdated operating systems. If you find yourself on an old Windows computer, you should immediately install Microsoft’s emergency patch MS17-010â€"reporting contributed by Heidi N. Moore

How to Use Your Smartphone to Search and Apply for Jobs

How to Use Your Smartphone to Search and Apply for Jobs How to Use Your Smartphone to Search and Apply for Jobs Your phone is a useful tool for job searching, and almost every job seeker is using a mobile device in some way for job hunting.  In 2015, Indeed reported that 50% of site traffic comes from mobile devices. In 2016, Snagajob reported  that  72 percent of hourly employee respondents use a mobile phone to find and apply for jobs. When to Use a Smartphone for Job Hunting Even though most people use their phone for some component of job hunting, mobile job searching doesnt always translate into mobile job applications.  Thats because the application process can be lengthy on a site that isnt designed for mobile job applications. There can be pages of information youll have to enter to apply. If you use a job board or job search engine, they may have a process in place where you can seamlessly apply. Otherwise, it can be simpler to keep track of the job and apply from your home computer. Even if you opt not to apply on your phone, and job seekers are three times more likely to apply for a job from a computer than a phone, you can still effectively use your smartphone for job hunting. There are many apps for iPhones, iPads and Android phones that make it easy to look for jobs, and there are other tools you can use to job hunt using your phone. Heres how to tap mobile to enhance and expedite your job search. Install Apps There are many job search apps available for smartphones and tablets. You can download apps that search for jobs by keyword and location, email job listings, keep track of your contacts, and even create a resume. For example, you can use the Beyond.com Search Jobs iPhone or Android App to search for jobs, save jobs, and email job listings so you can access them from your computer. Use a Job Site If you have an account on a job site like Monster or CareerBuilder, for example, you can apply with your existing application materials that you have uploaded from your computer. On CareerBuilder, you can apply to jobs via your phone using the CareerBuilder app, choose an option to only view jobs that you can apply to using your phone, and instantly apply with a resume already saved in the CareerBuilder database. Check for New Job Vacancies It only takes a few minutes to check for new job listings. Use your apps to check frequently, so you can get the latest listings as soon as they are posted. Use apps for job search engines like Indeed, SimplyHired, and LinkUp, to quickly  find job postings. Send Yourself Job Listings Its easy to email job postings to yourself, either using a function built into an app or by using the features built-in to your phone. Open the email on your computer, and youll have all the information you need to apply. Bookmark Job Postings and Websites You can bookmark job postings and websites to visit later on, copy to your home screen, or print a copy of the listing directly from your phone. Get Notifications and Alerts Depending on the job site youre using, you may be able to sign up for text or email notifications of new job postings. Most major job sites send  relevant job matches via email or social media instantaneously, daily, or weekly. Opt for instantaneously if you want to get your application in as soon as possible. Submit Email Applications If you email yourself a copy of your resume and save it in the inbox on your phone, you will be able to forward it to employers who request applications via email. Write your cover letter in the body of the email message. Set up a Signature on Your Phone If you set up a professional email signature on your phone, you will able to communicate readily with employers and networking contacts, and they will be able to get back in touch. Be Careful About Applying for Jobs From Your Phone Unless youre using a job site app, it can be easier to apply for jobs from a computer than it is from a phone because of the information youll need to enter into online job applications. Dont waste time trying to apply when its easier to wait until you can get to a computer to submit an application. How to Use Your Smartphone for Networking With LinkedIns mobile app, you can stay up to date with your network, update your profile, view and save recommended jobs, keep current with your groups, and learn about companies. How to Send a Thank-You Note With Your Mobile Device Its always a good idea to send a thank-you note after a job interview, and you wont have to wait until you do get back to your computer to do so. You can send an email thank-you letter or take advantage of the Felt app, which will send thank-you notes for you.

You Might Be a Conference Call Etiquette Offender If

You Might Be a Conference Call Etiquette Offender If … You Might Be a Conference Call Etiquette Offender If … Most of us participate in meetings via the phone at work all the time, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s got conference call etiquette down pat. Are you making these mistakes?   You may think you can get away with bad behavior on conference calls because no one can see you, but I’m here to set things straight. Here are some signs you might be a conference call etiquette offender: The host is already on slide 5 of the deck when you arrive. On many conference call systems, you hear a beep when someone joins. It’s amazing how distracting that little sound can be to participants. Plus, if you’re in the middle of talking, it can throw you off your train of thought. The moral of the story? Just dial in on time.       Everyone can hear your dog Marty barking. People don’t want to get an earful of what’s going on around you, whether it’s the barista frothing milk on your cappuccino or your cubemates gossiping. And then there are those loud/heavy breathers among us that always make things awkward. The mute button is your friend.   You’re eating a sandwich with one hand and checking email with the other. Normally I’d commend you for your agility, but multitasking rarely works on conference calls. To fully participate in the conversation, eliminate all potential distractions. There’s nothing worse than being called on and having no idea what someone’s talking about because you were busier focusing on your cold cuts than the discussion. You’re talking, but no one can hear you. Usually this happens when you forget to unmute yourself, but sound issues can also occur when you’re on a cell phone with spotty reception. Another of my favorites is the person who somehow brings an echo into the conversation when using their speaker or forgetting to turn off the sound on their computer.     You put the call on hold and prompt elevator music. Many phone systems are set up to play music when a line is put on hold. Not only is it hard for conference call attendees to talk over a Kenny G song, but you’ll really have to “face the music” when they figure out you’re the culprit. You won’t let anyone get a word in edgewise. It’s great if you’ve got tons of ideas you want to share, but don’t make it the [insert your name here] show. Leave room for others to weigh in. According to an OfficeTeam survey, workers said multiple people talking at the same time is the most distracting thing on conference calls. Since sometimes there are audio delays on the phone, pause a second before speaking so you don’t interrupt anyone.   No one even knows you’re on the line. Introduce yourself when joining a call and also when speaking. Otherwise, if they haven’t heard from you the whole time, everyone will be a little startled if you suddenly chime in.   Everything you have to say is totally irrelevant. Don’t be that guy or girl who talks just for the sake of talking. Going off on tangents wastes valuable time and raises eyebrows. Keep your comments on target! Check out the videos below to see how conference call etiquette mistakes can look in real life. What’s the most annoying behavior you’ve ever experienced on a conference call? Related Articles: 7 Tips for Running Effective Meetings Smile, You're On Camera! 7 Tips for Mastering Video Conference Etiquette

Randi Zuckerberg Works With Devry on Tech Industry -The Muse

Randi Zuckerberg Works With Devry on Tech Industry -The Muse Randi Zuckerberg Works With Devry on Tech Industry Recently, I chatted with Randi Zuckerberg, former director of market development at Facebook. Yes, she is Mark’s older sister, but her career has taken quite a few incredible turns since her time at the social media giant. To wit: Zuckerberg owns her own business now and is the editor-in-chief of Dot Complicated (which is also the name of her book), an “online community aimed at ‘untangling’ our modern, wired lives.” Zuckerberg broke from her hectic schedule to speak to me about the difference between soft (e.g., communication) and hard (e.g., coding) tech skills and about the importance of finding work in an atmosphere that suits you. You might not get to be so picky as to, say, choose an office with individual work stations as opposed to an open floor plan, but you should have a sense of the environment and culture that’ll work for you. As far as finding work-life balance? Well, that’s a work in progress for all of us, Zuckerberg acknowledges.

Survey This is the best city to buy a house in this year

Survey This is the best city to buy a house in this year Survey This is the best city to buy a house in this year New WalletHub research shows that  Frisco, Texas is the best city to buy a home in this year, with a “total score” of 75.06 out of 100.The company looked at 300 cities in terms of “affordability and economic environment,” as well as “real-estate market.” Then it examined them in terms of 22 other factors before giving each city a score out of 100. WalletHub used information from the U.S. Census Bureau, among many other sources.The 10 best cities overall to buy a home in this yearDid yours make the cut?1) Frisco, TX: total score of 75.062) McKinney, TX: total score of 74.63) Allen, TX: total score of 73.934) Santa Clara, CA: total score of 73.795) Durham, NC: total score of 72.456) Murfreesboro, TN: total score of 72.47) Richardson, TX: total score of 72.298) Seattle, WA: total score of 72.169) Bellevue, WA: total score of 72.1410) Denton, TX: total score of 71.98Furthermore, here are the top 5 cities in terms of each size category (“large cities,” “midsize cities” and “small cities”).Greatest big cities to buy a homeThe population of each is more than 300,000.1) Seattle, WA: total score of 72.162) Denver, CO: total score of 70.163) Fort Worth, TX: total score of 69.344) Aurora, CO: total score of 68.865) Colorado Springs, CO: total score of 68.12Greatest medium-sized cities to buy a homeThe population of each is 150,000 to 300,000.1) McKinney, TX: total score of 74.602) Durham, NC: total score of 72.453) Cary, NC: total score of 69.394) Fort Collins, CO: total score of 68.965) Boise, ID: total score of 68.95Greatest small cities to buy a homeThe population of each is less than 150,000.1) Frisco, TX: total score of 75.062) Allen, TX: total score of 73.933) Santa Clara, CA: total score of 73.794) Murfreesboro, TN: total score of 72.405) Richardson, TX: total score of 72.29How the cities compare to each otherThe infographic shows how they stack up:These are the signs of a good housing marketHoward Ways, AICP, Associate Professor and Program Director at Jefferson University, told WalletHub about the five biggest factors when taking a look at the best housing markets in a series of bullet points. He wrote: Population growth â€" Areas with a growing population will see an increased demand for housing. Rental vacancies â€" Low vacancies signal a competitive market and a pent up demand for new units. Median household income â€" High-income communities end to have a more disposable income to purchase the ancillary items related to housing â€" furniture, household appliances, etc. and to pay for private school tuition in areas where public school performance is an issue. Days on the market â€" Quicker sales means a competitive market and usually less available inventory. Amount of building permits issued â€" Predictor of things to come; more permits means more inventory coming online in the near future,” he told the site.