Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom How to Manage Disruptive Organizational Events

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom How to Manage Disruptive Organizational Events Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, a world-renowned thought leader on Project Management and Strategy Implementation, recently penned an article forCIOaround PM fundamentals for mergers and acquisitions. As he wrote: “Last year, some 40,000 companies changed ownership, for a total deal value of some $5 trillion, according to Thomson Reuters. That means people are managing 40,000 massive transformation projects â€" but how well are they executing them? And have they been planned using the best practices of the professional field known as project management?” In the article, Nieto-Rodriguez cited 10 steps for leveraging PM to assist with mergers and acquisitions. These included identifying a unique problem or opportunity, examining alternatives and being selective about projects to take on, understanding the puzzle of how all of your projects fit together, defining a specific timeline, securing high levels of sponsorship, obtaining necessary resources, anticipating drag and overconfidence, imagining plausible kill scenarios, selling to internal stakeholders, and tracking metrics. In a follow-up interview, I asked Nieto-Rodriguez how to best leverage PM in the event of other disruptive events that might occur in an organization. Here are some of his ideas: Layoffs Manage a round of layoffs as a project and appoint an expert projectleaderto execute it. In most cases, the rationale forthe layoffs is clear and the PM should communicate it to the impacted stakeholders. The inception and planning of the project might take some time, as all of the details must be carefully defined. As opposed to traditional projects, the implementation part (or the layoff announcement) should be as short as possible. Your project plan should include support for both the employees leaving as well as the ones staying. Reorganizations Reorganizations are transversal by nature and impact several or even all of the departments within an organization. The project approach and its emphasis on clear objectives,tasks, and deadlines will bring focus to the proposed changes. Here again, the rationale has to be clearly articulated, including the benefits for employees. Avoid being in “constant reorganization mode,” which creates change fatigue when the organization is not able to recoup sustainable benefits from the new model introduced. Reorganization projects need time, sometimes a few years, to make changes stick and deliver the promised benefits. For the rest of Antonios advice, head over to the QuickBase Fast Track blog.

How to Read Respond to Job Descriptions

How to Read Respond to Job Descriptions As you look through job listings, you’ll start to see the same format popping up again and again. If you’re just starting your search for your first job, you may be unsure about how to use the information in these job descriptions. To help you out, here are some tips for reading and responding to job descriptions. Pay attention to the preferred and required qualifications The job qualifications list is one of the most important parts of the job description. This list may include: Education level Work experience Required licenses or certificates Required skills This list will typically be broken up into preferred and required qualifications. The most important qualifications will often be listed first, so if you meet those qualifications, be sure to emphasize them in your cover letter. If you have a qualification that’s similar to one the employer listed, also try to mention it in your resume or cover letter. Read through the job duties Employers will also often include a list of duties required for the job. These duties can vary wildly from job-to-job, even if the job titles are the same. Similar to the qualifications, the job duties are often listed in order from most important to least important. As you read through the job duties, make a list of the one you’ve done in your previous jobs. Then, include some of what you listed in your cover letter. Check for questions or keywords Sometimes, employers will ask candidates to answer a question or use a certain keyword in their application to make sure that they thoroughly read through the job description. This question may be something simple, or it might be an important part of the application. Before you move away from the job description and start writing your cover letter, be sure to double check all the requirements in the description. Use the description in your cover letter Employers want to know that you carefully read the description and understand what the job entails. One way to show this is to use the description in your cover letter. Put some of the description into your own words, and say how your skills match what’s being described. For example, if one of the job duties is managing meetings, you could discuss a particularly successful meeting you organized at your previous job. Or, if you’re just coming out of college and don’t have professional experience yet, you could discuss club meetings you’ve held, or class discussions you’ve led. When you use the description in your cover letter, you’ll show the company that you spent time thinking about their job listing, and that you understand how your unique skillset will fit into the company. Know the lingo When you’re looking at job descriptions, you may notice certain buzz words and phrases popping up again and again, like “must be a self-starter” or “opportunities for growth.” These phrases may seem standard, but they may not mean what you think. To parody what employers actually expect, GetVoIP created this visual on what descriptions actually mean. When you’re reading through job descriptions, be sure to look out for common phrases, and carefully read through the job qualifications and duties before deciding if you want to apply for the job. Doing this helps ensure that you’re applying for jobs that will be a great fit for you. About the author: Reuben Yonatan is the founder of GetVoIP, a leading VoIP provider comparison resource. As an entrepreneur and tech enthusiast, Reubens expertise is in helping small to mid-size business owners build, maintain, and scale their communication infrastructure.

Why Women Need a New Mindset If They Want to Succeed in a Mans World

Why Women Need a New Mindset If They Want to Succeed in a Man’s World Great strides have been taken along the lines of equality but as a society we really haven’t gone far enough. Although the UK has had a female Prime Minister, look around you at the rest of the world. Has the United States ever had a female president? What about many of the European nations that are said to be ultra-liberal. Most have not had women leaders, and there are even countries that don’t allow female monarchs to take the throne, even if by birth they should rightfully be the next in line. If a woman wants to succeed in what is still, for the most part, a man’s world, she needs a new mindset. You Can’t Change Others â€" You Can Only Change Yourself The first thing you need to realize is that you really can’t change others. Many couples undergoing couples therapy are told this by their therapists when they first enter treatment. There are things you don’t like about another person but you can’t force them to change. What you can do is change the way you respond to them. The same is true in the world of business. You can’t change society overnight but you can change the way you live your life so that you aren’t negatively impacted by their way of thinking. Embrace Your Femininity â€" Don’t Be Someone You Aren’t Another one of the mistakes some women make when trying to climb the corporate ladder is to be more ‘manly’ in the way that men are perceived. Strength is a big one. When trying to appear as strong as a man, some women come across as domineering and brash. Instead, embrace your femininity because it is who you are. Be strong, yes, but you don’t need to try to take on the strength of a man. It will come out wrong every single time. Learn to Deal with Rejection Over time you will probably be rejected for jobs that you are more than qualified to do in lieu of a man applying for the very same post. It is not to say that you shouldn’t continue ‘fighting’ for what should be rightfully yours and it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t file suit for discrimination, but remember, those lawsuits are extremely difficult to win and you may lose more than just the suit. You might lose your job and your self-respect amongst your fellow employees. (See? Even the language is sexist! We don’t say women employees or gal employees, so there is a lot you’ll have to overcome and rejection is just one of many.) In the End It Is All About a Positive Self Image No matter what you face in trying to succeed in a man’s world, you can’t let rejection and other people’s perceptions cloud your future visions with doubt. Always project a positive self-image so that others will know that you are completely comfortable in your own skin. Sam Ovens, New Zealand entrepreneur, says that you need to stop second-guessing yourself. You reached your current level of success based on what you knew you could do, and do well. Now it’s time to move onto the next level you are trying to attain and you can do it, you know you can. This is what you need to tell yourself every day. Learn about positive affirmations and use them to keep your self-image elevated. This is the new mindset you need to succeed in a man’s world, the mindset that tells you that you are worthy and that you can. You simply can. No matter what you try, know that you can do it and success will follow naturally.

3 Lessons I Learned From Writing A Book

3 Lessons I Learned From Writing A Book The Adventure of Writing a Book A couple of years ago, I gave birth to a book, Living Singlish, an ‘older sister in your pocket’ for women building strong, independent lives, whether alone or in a relationship. It flowed out of me, as the result of helping a young friend launch her life. What started as a letter grew, till one day I thought ‘This is a book’! Completing it took focus and work, and was one of the most energizing projects I have ever undertaken. And along the way, I learned some important lessons about big projects, publishing, and personal satisfaction. One step at a time Actually getting a book out there into the world takes many more steps than writing. Thinking about them all at once was enough to send me to a corner to hide. Weeks went by with no progress. Finally I decided not to think about the entire project at once. I set small tasks: read and edit this chapter. Add more to this section. Look for references on that subject. Each was big enough to be a real step towards completion, but small enough that I could handle thinking about it. That turned out to be a good lesson for any big project. Cutting it up into smaller chunks makes it easier to see progress, and that inspires you to keep going. About the ‘rules’ There are lots of rules about writing books: make an outline first. Write about what you know. Or dont. Get a publisher before you write . …some work, some don’t. Nowadays, with the likes of Upwork, Bookbub and Amazon, you can create and publish your book on your own. Yes, a publisher can do promotional work that you can’t do on your own. It’s easier to get a review in the New York Times when a major publisher stands behind the book.  But plenty of people achieve bestseller status without that. There are books and courses devoted to teaching you how to promote your own books on Amazon, Bookbub, Goodreads and more. And don’t forget podcasts! After a while, I realized that ‘the rules’ didn’t always apply. Done is better than perfect After months of writing, I thought I had a finished book. Then I read it again and made a few edits. A week later, the same. And a week after that. Finally, I had to admit that the additional edits weren’t really making a material difference. Sure, I could go through it again with my trusty Elements of Style, the ultimate grammar bible, by my side. But was changing one more sentence from passive to active tense really going to make a major difference? I recognized that 98% right was as good as 1005. It was time to publish. Reality is…. And that book? Well, it hasn’t made me a billionaire (yet), but it has touched lives, and that’s an amazing feeling. Women I have never met write to tell me that it encouraged them to change careers, move cities, or start taking control of their finances.   They are learning to live the lives that they want. And that was really my goal. You can get it on Amazon   -check out my homemade Author page too. It’s not perfect, but it is 100% mine. And that’s the real lesson I took away: I can do it. You can do it. And it feels great!

What You Should Know As a Temporary Worker in California CareerMetis.com

What You Should Know As a Temporary Worker in California Original Image Source â€" Depositphotos.comA large number of employers, large and small, now hire temporary workers for various job roles. For businesses in California and elsewhere in the United States, temporary workers translate into significant cost savings.First, employers save on training costs by hiring skilled labor through third-party labor contractors or staffing agencies.Second, they need not provide similar benefits to temporary and regular employees; temporary workers are entitled to fewer benefits.evalThird, if a business is under-resourced and needs workers at the job-site immediately or cannot afford to hire regular workers, hiring temporary workers turns out to be an easy way out.For employers, it is but natural to think of ways to trim labor costs. They are, after all, in it for generating profits. So, they will at one point or the other, hire temporary workers for different reasons.However, many employers game the legal framework and violate the law; they exploit t emporary workers in order to maximize their cost savings.Here in this post, we will discuss a number of things that a temporary worker in California should know.Let’s start with the basics.Who is a Temporary Worker in California?A temporary worker is someone who works for an employer on a temporary basis. Such workers are either hired directly by businesses or through staffing agencies.In California, all temporary workers must be provided with certain benefits such as workers’ compensation and unemployment. Most temporary workers prefer working with staffing agencies; this way, they are temporary workers at job locations but may remain employees of staffing agencies. Are the Rights of Temporary Workers in California Protected by Law?evalRegardless of your current employment status, you should know that all workers in California are protected bylabor laws.Therefore, as a temporary worker, you are entitled to:A safe and healthy work environment.Workers’ compensation benefits.Une mployment benefits.Minimum wage.Overtime wage.Sufficient rest.Meal breaks.InBrinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior CourtIf you are deprived of these basic ‘employee-rights’ at any point in time, you are well within your right to pursue legal action against the staffing agency or host employer without being retaliated against.What Is the Law Governing Temporary Workers in California?A vast majority of temporary workers are first hired by labor contractors or staffing agencies. These workers are then outsourced to client companies or host employers.As and when there is a violation of a worker’s rights, who is responsible? Is it the labor contractor or the client company?Most of the legal issues concerning temporary workers have to do with this arrangement between a labor contractor and a client company.Are temporary workers ‘employees’ of ‘independent labor contractors’ who work with staffing agencies or client companies?On Sept 28, 2014, Governor Brown signed a historic l aw 3) As and when a state enforcement agency demands relevant information to ensure compliance with applicable state laws, an employer or a labor contractor is bound to provide it to the concerned agency or department.There are numerous exceptions to this law regarding the type of employer, number of employees, nature of the industry, etc. Therefore, it is advisable to consult an experienced employment law attorney before arriving on any conclusions.What If a Temporary Worker in California Gets Injured On the Job?A temporary worker in California may qualify for workers’ compensation if he or she gets injured on the job. In most cases, it does not matter who or what caused the injury. Your ‘temporary’ employer is likely to be legally bound to pay for medical expenses arising out of workplace injuries or illnessesrelated to work.Both primary Generally either of the two employers â€" primary or secondary â€" assumes the responsibility of covering temporary employees under workers ’ compensation insurance. Who finally assumes the responsibility depends on the type of contract signed between the two.In most cases, it is the primary employer or the staffing agency that besides handling hiring, termination, payroll management, etc., provides workers’ compensation.Can a ‘Temporary Worker’ in California become a ‘Regular Worker’?There are no straight answers to this question. As such, there is ‘no’ fixed time limit on how soon a ‘temporary’ worker’ employed in California may become a ‘regular worker.’However, your employer can be held liable if:1) You have been employed as a temporary worker for a long time (say, several years).2) You complete the same set of tasks or fulfill similar duties as regular workers.3) The employer denied you the benefits that were made available to regular workers.To understand it better, we need to study a famous class-action lawsuit filed by temporary workersagainstMicrosoft Corp. in which the workers claimed the company illegally denied them standard benefits. After a legal battle that lasted eight long years, the company finally settled the class-action lawsuit by paying $97 million.When the judgment came in Dec 2000, the company had approximately 40,000 employees; of these, nearly 5000 were temporary or contingency workers.Here’s what happened:During its early growth stages in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Microsoft Corp. hired a large number of temporary workers.The company started a badge system to distinguish temporary workers from regular workers.Temporary workers were kept on for many years.Later on, when these temporary workers tried to participate in the employee discount stock purchase program, the company refused them the benefit, stating such a benefit cannot be extended to ‘temporary’ employeesIn 1992, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Microsoft and the rest is history.Is a Temporary Worker in California Protected Against Discrimination?Yes. Temporary work ers can sue both client companies and staffing firms for workplace discrimination as per therules and regulationsof the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC).Therefore, both staffing firms and client companies can be held liable if you arediscriminated againston the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, disability or country of origin.Original Image Source â€" Depositphotos.comHow Should a Temporary Worker in California Report an Issue?First things first, you should report the problem to both the staffing agency and the client company.If your supervisor at the client company says that you cannot have access to the HR department since you are a temporary worker, let him/her know you are doing it for their information.If you have reasons to believe that you’ve been discriminated against, submit your complaint in writing to the appropriate official at the client company; make sure to write it with an appropriate title such as ‘Complaint Against Age Discriminationâ €™ or ‘Complaint Against Racial Discrimination.’If the problem is not addressed, you can file a complaint with a relevant state agency or speak with an experienced attorney.What if your supervisor sexually harassesyou? Contact EEOC or speak with an employment law attorney, if you are a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace.Write to the California Department of Labor if you the client company refuses to pay the wages.Final WordsMost temporary workers, even when they are at the receiving end of violations by client companies or staffing firms, are often satisfied that they’ve at least come home with a paycheck. They do not even think of pushing back or seeking assistance from an employment law attorney in California. That’s a mistake.If you are a temporary worker in California and have reasons to believe that your rights have been violated, do not sit quietly. It will only encourage an employer to exploit more workers like you.Talk to an employment law attorney and expl ore the legal options available.Disclaimer: This is not legal information. No attorney-client privileges are substantiated from this article.

Social Media, Job Search and You

Social Media, Job Search and You If you are thinking about stepping into the 21st century and are ready to dip your toe into the waters of social media, where would you begin? There are vast quantities of information on the internet and who are the real experts? I am asked a lot to recommend books on social media and you know what, that is very difficult to do.   Most how to books published will likely be somewhat outdated by the time it is published.   So my recommendation is to read blogs or eBooks on the topic because they tend to be more current. For the job seeker, I believe there are four tools that best serve the purpose of networking and marketing. LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Blogging More tips on using social media can be found on my site here. Evaluating Tips Advice How do you know which advice to follow? Who do you believe? Every year, I publish a list of people/resources I trust and value. You can find the most current list here:    50+ Best Websites For Job Search 2017 Another way you can find credible resources is to follow the people I mention each week in my Summary Sunday. Here are all the past summaries from my site: Summary Sunday.   In 2018, I started publishing the Summary Sunday through my newsletter only.

Your Hiring Counselor is Coming to Talk to You!

Your Hiring Counselor is Coming to Talk to You!Your resume is a written document with a strong influence on whether or not you will get the job you want. In order to look impressive in this regard, having a good resume is not enough; you must follow these resume writing tips in order to increase your chances of getting hired. Below are some practical ideas for you:- When you choose to have a meeting with an HR expert, find one who you can trust. It's important that you interview them so that you can trust them and they can trust you. An expert's feedback is important when it comes to making a hiring decision.- You can turn to someone who is known to a lot of people in the workplace. By speaking to them, you can find out what they think of certain HR resume writing tips and how it can work for you. You can also ask if they have any recommendations to you. This can be very helpful.- Do you want to try a new marketing technique? Try advertising on social media, where you can reach out t o more people. Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn can be good ways to advertise, as they are more accessible. This will bring you into the reach of more people, so that you can reach a wider range of potential employees.- Before you contact the company, it's important that you get their opinion about your ideal candidate. They can give you suggestions, and if they do, your job will be much easier. This is one of the best things about using social media; you can get opinions from other people, which will help you make the right decision.- Keep your resume organized by writing it neatly, then turning it into a letter. Send this letter to all possible places in your job search, including local employment agencies, universities, employers, and financial institutions. These organizations are the ones that will give you the most exposure, so it's important that you include them in your letter.With these steps, you will surely have a good job. All you need to do is to start now! Don't wait for tomorrow, make the effort today!