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14 Tips For Working From Home

May 16, 2023

If you do it right, working from home can be a positive and rewarding experience for you, your family, and your employer. Follow these tips to get the most out of working from home:

1. Understand Your Employer’s Expectations

Will your job requirements and duties be the same at home as in an office environment? How much support will you receive as a home office worker?

Some companies have very stringent guidelines about what equipment and support will be provided by the company and what will not. Companies will often provide a laptop and telephone and will support each, but not a printer or monitor, for example. It is important to clarify where your company stands and what they are willing to negotiate on.

2. Meet And Exceed Your Employer’s Expectations

You should also make sure your boss knows you are, in fact, consistently meeting and/or exceeding his or her expectations. You may work 10 hours a day, but it won’t matter if your boss doesn’t know it or you don’t get the anticipated results!

How will you communicate your efforts and results to your employer? Don’t rely on them to evaluate this. Your performance, or lack thereof, may not come up until there is a need for a scapegoat or something goes wrong.

3. Set Up A Comfortable, Separate Space For Your Work Area

This is critical to your success as a remote worker. Your space should be relatively free from distractions such as family, pets, the television, and even an attractive view if you are new to telecommuting. You should have a good quality chair and a large monitor if you are primarily working at the computer (who isn’t?).

4. Make Sure You Have Everything You Need

A computer, phone, printer, good WiFi, and an organized workspace are a given. But you will also need paper, ink cartridges (you would be surprised how quickly these seem to need to be replaced, even in a “paperless” environment), possibly letterhead, pens, sticky notes, etc.

Think about many of the things you use in your office and the well-stocked supply cabinet there. Will you visit the office periodically to replenish these common items or purchase them and be reimbursed? Iron this out in advance.

5. Set Boundaries With Your Family And Friends

This is pivotal not only to your success at working from home but to your personal relationships as well!

When you first begin telecommuting, friends and family may not understand the demands this requires of you. A friend whose sitter cancels may call you for a favor: “Can you watch the kids, since you are working at home?” You may get invitations to lunch or drinks, which down the road you may realize you can work into your schedule periodically.

In the beginning, though, you need to be careful to set a tone for your family and friends as well as good work habits for yourself.

6. Set Specific Work Times Or Goals

Goals are important to keep you on track, as well as to validate your progress. Working from home can be very positive in terms of autonomy and independence, but it can also be lonely and unfulfilling without the regular feedback that comes from working in an office.

The telecommuter needs to feel confident he or she is doing what is necessary to be viewed as successful and to feel secure in his or her job. Paranoia can set in pretty quickly without the regular input of fellow co-workers.

7. Stay Connected

It may be a good idea to start out working from home just a day or two a week and increase gradually from there. This will provide you the opportunity to slowly transition how you will communicate in a more natural way.

You will find you and your co-workers may email or call more often to stay in touch. You will determine which issues and/or co-workers to attend to and which to not. Increased productivity due to decreased co-worker distraction may be a major benefit of working from home.

8. Schedule Daily And Weekly Breaks

Many employees who work from home find they spend too much time at the computer which can decrease overall productivity. Schedule breaks into your day. Take a regular lunch (at any time you wantâno one is watching!) and stand up and walk around periodically.

You might find it helpful to set an alarm in your calendar to remind you to move away from the computer. Telecommuters may not realize they are squinting at the screen, are hungry, or, even, have to use the restroom when they get too engrossed in their work.

9. Understand Your Work Style

It is crucial for you to understand how you work best. Do you work best according to your moods? If so, keep track of your tasks according to task type: computer work, telephone work, meetings, etc. This way you can perform these tasks when you are at your best.

Your communication style plays a big role in your overall work style. Don’t know your communication style? Take our FREE quiz today!

10. Track Your Work And Progress

Your employer may have a specific way for you to track your time. It may be as simple as emailing your supervisor when you start and stop your work. It may be a more elaborate time-tracking system where you record your specific activities in time increments or journal style.

It’s probably a good idea to keep track of what you are doing in more detail. It may come in handy if you are asked to justify your time or when you would like to ask for a raise.

11. Assess Your Progress Weekly

It is important to organize your work in such a way as you are able to quickly and clearly see what you have accomplished. Make use of your favorite calendar app to keep track of this. In some industries, the billable hour or journal system (even a combination) is standard.

However you approach it, you need to be able to clearly determine that you are on target to reach your goals.

12. Make Adjustments To How You Accomplish Your Job

If something is not working, don’t be afraid to change it. As a telecommuter, you may be a pioneer in your office, company, or industry. Invest time in researching ways to improve your productivity. Don’t be afraid to ask, “Is there a quicker, better, more effective way out there?” Seek it out, albeit carefully.

Don’t jump on the first solution that comes along. Try it out tentatively. Not all solutions meet all users’ needs.

13. Ask For Help Or Input

Have regular meetings with your boss or co-workers. These meetings could be weekly, monthly, or quarterly. The meetings may be more frequent when you first begin to work from home.

Talk to others in a similar field who also telecommute. Use social media to stay in touch with your professional network and obtain advice about working from home. Be selective about which groups or lists you sign up for or follow. You don’t want social media to become a distraction rather than a way to stay in touch and get help when you need it!

14. Take Care Of Yourself

It is hard to do your best when you don’t feel your best, and it’s especially hard when you don’t have regular feedback and input from others!

Get up at a regular time and get dressed. Have your breakfast and coffee before work if that is your habit. If you usually brown-bag it, pack a lunch to eat when you are ready. Meet co-workers or friends for lunch periodically if you are in the habit of this. Set regular breaks and quitting time.

Most of all, avoid the temptation to work when it should be family time, and remember to exercise and get enough sleep.

Working from home can be a great change of pace for many professionals. But it can also be a struggle to adjust to not going into the office every day. Follow the tips above to successfully work from home, no matter what stage you are at in your career.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Executive Spotlight: How To Create & Deliver A Persuasive Presentation

May 16, 2023

As a professional, you’ll likely need to give a presentation at some point in your career. Good presentation skills can help you succeed at work, no matter your position. Therefore, everyone should know how to create and deliver a persuasive presentation.

We recently asked our executives for their expert advice on creating and delivering a persuasive presentation.

Here are their responses…

Ana Smith, Talent Architect & Global Learning Strategist

Presentations can be very scary! Especially if they are being delivered to a new audience, have news that may not be as simple to digest, or if there is a lot at stake for the presenter, to name a few…

In my experience, these are some high-level key tips on how to create and deliver a persuasive presentation:

1. Know your audience.

The first step to creating a persuasive presentation is to know your audience. What are their interests? What are their needs? What are their objections to your message? Once you know your audience, you can tailor your presentation to address their concerns and to persuade them to your point of view.

2. Have a clear message.

What is the one thing you want your audience to remember after your presentation? Make sure your message is clear and concise. Don’t try to cover too much ground in your presentation. Focus on one main point and make sure you support it with evidence.

3. Use strong evidence.

Your audience is more likely to be persuaded by your message if you can support it with strong evidence. This evidence can come in the form of statistics, expert testimony, or personal stories. The more evidence you can provide, the stronger your argument will be.

4. Be passionate about your topic.

Your audience is more likely to be persuaded by your message if you are passionate about it. If you don’t believe in your message, it will be difficult to convince others to believe in it too. So, let your passion show!

5. Practice, practice, practice!

The more you practice your presentation, the more confident you will be when you deliver it. Practice in front of a mirror, with a friend, or with a group of people. The more you practice, the more natural your presentation will seem and the more persuasive you will be.

6. Be yourself.

Don’t try to be someone you’re not when you deliver your presentation. Be yourself and let your personality shine through. Your audience will be more likely to connect with you if you are authentic.

7. Connect with your audience.

Make eye contact with your audience, smile, and use gestures to engage them. Ask questions and get them involved in the conversation. The more engaged your audience is, the more likely they are to be persuaded by your message.

8. End with a call to action.

Tell your audience what you want them to do after your presentation. Do you want them to sign a petition, donate money, or simply think about your message? Whatever it is, make sure you tell them what you want them to do.

Ana Smith helps people & organizations achieve their full talent potential by developing and co-creating people strategies and customized solutions, and turning them into impactful outcomes and collaborative relationships, using coaching as the “red thread.”

Andrea Markowski, Marketing Executive

Giving a persuasive presentation can be difficult. With the help of neuroscience, here are three tips to steer you in the right direction.

Neuroscience tells us that humans have an aversion to loss and a fear of the unknown. As long as we are reasonably happy and feel safe with our current choices, we probably wonât change.

For that reason, the first tip for an effective persuasive speech is to describe how the status quo is badâor even dangerous. For example, maybe the current approach is too expensive, time-consuming, or unsustainable.

But you canât just list these reasons in the speech and call it a day. That probably wonât work.

That brings us to the second tip: use storytelling to elicit an emotional response. Why? Because humans are not logical creatures. Weâd like to think we are, but 90-95% of the time, we actually make decisions based on emotions that we then justify with facts.

So, start your presentation with an emotional story about how the status quo is unfavorable. But thatâs not all!

The third tip: tell this story from the viewpoint of the audience. By seeing themselves in the story, it will catch and hold their attention while also being memorable. This is due to our selfish human brainsâbecause, yes, we are wired to think mainly about ourselves in order to keep us alive.

There are additional neuroscience persuasion hacks, but emotional storytelling about how the current approach is unfavorable, told from the audienceâs point of view, is an excellent starting point to sway opinions.

Andrea Markowski is a marketing director with specializations in strategy development, digital tactics, design thinking, and creative direction. She has superpowers in presentations and public speaking.

Mark Taylor, Product & Operations Executive

Some thoughts:

Use a one or two-page deck with five to six bullet points per page and one maybe two short sentences per bullet. (Itâs not a scriptâ¦)
Look the audience in the eye and tell a story that youâve trimmed of excess through sufficient practice to retain spontaneity.
You are much closer to the content than they are. Even if youâve spoken to the audience before about this topic, assume they remember nothing. (âSkip Intro”)
If you have 30 mins allocated, aim for 15-20 minutes of you talking. You want questions as you speak (it shows people are engaged).
If the headline of your presentation is expected, lead with that headline.
If the results of what you are presenting will be a surprise to the audience, concisely show the work and logic building up to the headline. Leave more time for questions!

Mark Taylor has 20+ years of risk, technology, and product management experience working in global and regional financial services firms in the UK and the U.S. He’s managed teams of 40+, successfully addressed 100+ regulatory issues, and has saved companies $15M+.

Carla Biasi, Personal Stylist

The first step is to know your audience when delivering a presentation. Consider the demographics of the group, along with their level of experience and knowledge of the topic. This will help you create a very interesting and targeted message.

Secondly, take note of where the presentation will be held, the time frame you are working around, and what extra materials you will need. Know the layout of the room and try to see it beforehand.

Lastly, HAVE FUN! There’s nothing better than having a presenter that is thoroughly enjoying themselves and sharing their passion for what they are presenting. Don’t worry about messing up. No one will know but you. Engage with the audience! Ask questions and encourage feedback. Let them have an interactive experience. Smile, smile, smile!

Carla Biasi is a personal stylist living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She currently has her own business and works part-time at an upscale women’s boutique and as a virtual and kit stylist for a womenâs specialty brand.

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive

As an executive, you always want your messages to be clear and well-detailed. This might be your only opportunity to pitch your ideas, so you want an accurate and attention-grabbing presentation. This calls for a plan!

On the Creation Side

You canât persuade an audience that isnât listening. Developing a âhookâ to draw the audience in would be the best way to grab attention. You are creating a fundamental purpose or a âwhyâ we are all in the room; this is essential. I like to confine the critical message topic to a single sentence.

From that âsingle sentence,â I like to build a point-by-point argument detailing my vision. This is where my words and body language will project credibility.

On the Visual Side

This is my favorite part of the presentation. My favorite visual tool is PowerPoint. With a PowerPoint presentation, I can use financial data to create infographics, pie charts, videos, and graphs. These types of visuals can tell a very compelling story. I can appeal to an audienceâs emotions and sense of logic with visuals.

Lastly, I must make my closing as memorable as the beginning statement.

Michael Willis has 18+ years of experience working with accounting & sports organizations and has managed P&Ls of $10M – $125M+ with budgets of $3M-$50M+. He worked for the NFL for 22 1/2 years, mainly with the game officials working on the financial/accounting side of the business.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive

Creating and delivering a persuasive presentation requires careful planning and preparation. The following steps can help you create an effective and engaging presentation that can inspire your audience.

First, determine your purpose. This involves identifying what you want your audience to do, think, or feel as a result of your presentation. This will help you to focus your content and create a clear message that aligns with your goals.

Second, know your audience. Understanding your audience’s needs, interests, and concerns is essential for creating a presentation that resonates with them. This will help you to tailor your message to their specific needs and preferences.

Third, craft a clear message. Your presentation should have a clear and concise message that is easy to understand and remember. Use storytelling techniques and real-life examples to bring your message to life and make it more relatable.

Fourth, use effective visuals and delivery techniques. Visual aids such as slides and videos can help you to illustrate your points and keep your audience engaged. Effective delivery techniques such as eye contact, body language, and vocal variety can help you to connect with your audience and convey your message more effectively.

By following these steps, you can create and deliver a persuasive presentation that engages your audience and inspires them to take action.

Lisa Perry helps companies build leadership brands, driving loyal customers & delivering profitability. She does this through a process that builds brands consumers love. Her goal is to help companies develop, monetize, and grow their brands.

How do you create and deliver a persuasive presentation? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily’s Executive Program.

How To Get Out Of A Career You Hate

May 15, 2023

If you’re in a career you hate and you haven’t been able to figure out how to get out of it, you’ve come to the right place. As a career coach for over 20 years, I’ve worked with thousands of people in your position. The good news is that there are a couple of simple steps you can follow to successfully get out of a career you hate and into one you love.

You Don’t Have To Climb The Hill Anymore

@j.t.odonnell How to get out of a career you HATE. ð¤¢ #careertiktok #jobtiktok #careeradvice #jobtok #careertok #job #career #jobshopper #workitdaily #jobsearchtips #careerchange #changecareers â¬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

âImagine there are two roads in front of you.

The first road is a huge hill. You would have to go up this hill to see what’s on the other side.

The second road is a straight, flat path. It would be easy to take. It’s really long. But at the very end of it, far off in the distance, you can see a beautiful house, your dream house. You know if you just got on this path and followed it step by step at your own pace, you would eventually get to this beautiful home.

Which road are you going to take? The huge hill where you don’t know what’s on the other side? Or the straight path that might take some time to travel, but you can see exactly what you’re going to get? Obviously, the straight path.

But here’s the thing: you’ve been climbing the hill because that’s what people told you to do, right? Climb that hill, get to the top, and then you weren’t happy. So you climbed another hill, got to the top, and weren’t happy again. Why would you ever want to do that again?

You don’t have to climb the hill. The problem is that school never taught us this. They never taught us how to fix career dissatisfaction. And your employer is never going to teach it to you because that would mean you’d probably leave your job.

So where are you going to learn how to do this? Where do you figure out how to have a straight path to the destination you’re looking for?

How To Get Out Of A Career You Hate (In 2 Easy Steps)

1. Embrace Microlearning

The first step to getting out of a career you hate is embracing microlearning. Microlearning is a concept that involves taking five to 15 minutes out of your day (every day) to learn something new. These small, but consistent, chunks of time you’re dedicating to learning something new are rewiring your brain to help you understand and close your knowledge gaps so that you can get what you want out of your career.

With microlearning, you start at a really slow walk. But over time, you start to get addicted to it. It’s exciting, and it becomes a habit. You start to feel empowered and you go from a slow walk to a full-on run, and that’s how you get to your destination faster.

2. Tap Into Your Professional Strengths

The second step to getting out of a career you hate is tapping into your unique combination of professional strengths. You need to know how you like to create value on the job. When you understand how you like to create value, you can build a personal brand that you can then use to market to the right employers to land your dream opportunities.

This is how you go from being a random job seeker (climbing a hill) to being a focused job shopper who’s getting exactly what he or she wants (straight path). That’s the difference.

Want to learn your professional strengths and gain access to a platform built for microlearning?

Become a Work It Daily member. It’s time to get out of a career you hate and find one you’ll love.

5 Acts Of Kindness To Help Get Through Career Challenges

May 12, 2023

We all have career ups and downs throughout our life. In many cases, these ups and downs are just part of a natural progression. But in other cases, they are caused by factors out of our control. One thing that always helps during situations like these is kindness.

Whether it’s kindness from a friend or kindness to yourself, it’s the small acts of kindness that help us get through life’s most difficult challenges. When going through a career challenge, these acts of kindness can make a huge difference:

Listen

Do you have a friend, family member, or former colleague going through a career crisis? Sometimes the best thing you can do is listen!

It’s never a good idea for people to let things bubble up inside to the point where it consumes them. Everyone needs to vent sometimes.

However, there is a balance. While you want to lend an ear, you also don’t want it to get to the point where the other person is feeling sorry for themselves and it turns into a pity party.

If you’re able to offer advice based on your own personal experience, you should share it. But if you’re not in a position to offer advice, try to offer some motivational words of encouragement or share a resource that may help.

Share Your Network

You never know when a new connection may lead to a new career opportunity! With that in mind, think about the difference you could make in someone’s life by introducing them to just one connection from your professional network.

Maybe you have a friend looking to break into the healthcare industry and you know the perfect professional to introduce them to. It doesn’t have to be industry specific; sometimes particular people are just good resources and mentors for others.

Such introductions are usually made at networking events, but introducing connections through LinkedIn works just as well.

Share Content

Will live in an era where content is abundant and diverse, and similar to introducing a new connection, you never know when a single piece of content could have a positive impact on someone.

The best part about sharing content is the fact that it’s easy. It’s as simple as sharing an article on LinkedIn or writing your own.

Sometimes these industry and career-related articles can reach hundreds of people based on how many times they are shared. The information within the shared content could prove valuable to some. You never know!

Give A Reference

Obviously, you don’t want to give a professional reference or LinkedIn endorsement to just anyone. But if the person asking is worthy of it, then it’s a wonderful thing to do for someone.

A good resume and cover letter can get a person in the door for an interview, but once they’re there it’s how they handle the interview and their character that ultimately helps to set them apart from the competition,

Many employers use professional references as a way to get a sense of a person’s work ethic and character. If you enjoyed working with someone and appreciated their work ethic, then giving them a reference will not only help them out, but it will make you feel good as well.

Pay It Forward

It’s important to remember that whenever someone helps you in your career, you should find a way to pay it forward, either to the person who helped you out or to someone else. This should work both ways; hopefully, someone who you helped out in their career will return the favor as well.

The act of paying it forwardâresponding to an act of kindness with another act of kindnessâis something that doesn’t just apply to career, but to life.

Any act of kindness throughout the day can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Even something as simple as paying for someone’s coffee.

You can pay it forward by recommending Work It Daily to a friend.

Become a member to learn how to UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How Brands Can Succeed In The Digital World

May 11, 2023

In today’s world, digital technologies have transformed how brands operate and interact with customers. With the rise of social media, mobile devices, and other digital channels, it has become imperative for brands to have a strong online presence and engage with their customers meaningfully. Brands that navigate the digital landscape successfully can reach a wider audience and build stronger customer relationships.

In this context, brands must understand the key factors contributing to digital success. Here are five ways brands can succeed in the digital world.

Traditional Marketing vs. Digital Marketing

Brands need to be aware of some key differences between traditional and digital marketing strategies to succeed in the digital world. The first thing to recognize is it’s no longer a traditional vs. digital marketing world. It’s all about being customer first and knowing how they (in their segment) journey through your brand, regardless of what touchpoint they enter. It’s about multi-touchpoint marketing and how you drive them across the marketing funnelâfrom brand awareness to consideration to conversion to loyalty and advocacy.

It’s no longer a linear journey. Consumers may come in at any touchpoint. It also realizes that brands are playing the role of conductor. How are you measuring the effectiveness of each channel and then optimizing your results to achieve your goal? Finally, it’s a balance between a brand’s owned, earned, and paid media.

Personalization

Personalization is important in todayâs digital landscape, and there are some effective ways to tailor marketing messages and content to individual customers. The first thing is to break out your data into customer segments and understand their needs (and the benefits your brand can bring them) and then how they consume media / what channels they are on and everything about them so that you can present your brand as a solution to fit their needs. Then create personalized messaging, content, and offers per segment.

For example, in broad strokes, older audiences will be on Facebook and reading emails, while a younger demographic will typically be on TikTok and Instagram, viewing YouTube Shorts, and getting their marketing messages via opting into SMS text messaging.

Build Trust & Credibility

In the digital world, building trust and credibility is essential for brands to succeed. However, it can also be one of the biggest challenges they face. One of the main obstacles is the abundance of fake news, misinformation, and online scams that can damage a brand’s reputation. Another challenge is the lack of face-to-face interactions, which can make it harder for customers to trust a brand. Additionally, there is the issue of data privacy, with many customers being concerned about how their personal information is being used.

To overcome these obstacles, brands need to be transparent and honest in their communications and actions, provide quality products or services, and prioritize customer satisfaction. They can also leverage social proof, such as user reviews and testimonials, to build credibility and trust. Moreover, brands should establish a strong online presence and engage with customers regularly through social media and other channels to foster a deeper connection and build a community of loyal customers.

Social Listening

Social listening has become a critical component of any brandâs digital strategy. It is important for brands and is often overlooked, even though there are a lot of lower-cost social media management tools that now offer social listening for a fee. Social listening can help brands see what social conversation is happening (and trending) about their brand globally and nationwide. Consistent social conversation volume can help drive brand awareness. Social listening can also help you discover influencers talking about your brand, and you can reach out to them for influencer campaigns/partnerships.

A second way you can use social listening is for customer service. You can see customers discussing issues about a product or if theyâre unhappy with a brand. You can respond with corporate communications as needed to customers or use the information to inform your product development and marketing teams. You can also use it for crisis management. I remember being at a Fortune 500 brand, and a licensee had changed the interface of a popular game. Social listening had picked up the noise of angry fans coming to the corporate office to protest. Because we picked this up with our social listening tool, we triggered a corporate crisis plan immediately, and it defused the situation.

Lastly, you can use social listening for real-time analytics at conferences or events. For example, I ran the social media war room for a major gaming brand at E3 (the Electronic Entertainment Expo). We picked up consumer sentiment on the games and gaming platforms in real time and were able to flex our marketing/PR events and communications in real time to react to our competitors’ messaging.

Data & Analytics

Data and analytics have become essential for brands to understand their customers, track their marketing ROI, and optimize their campaigns for maximum impact. Brands can leverage data and analytics in several ways to better understand their customers and improve their marketing efforts.

First, brands can use data analytics to track customer behavior and preferences across multiple channels, such as social media, email, and website interactions. By analyzing this data, brands can identify patterns and trends in customer behavior, preferences, and sentiment toward their brand. This can help brands develop more targeted, personalized marketing campaigns that resonate with their customers.

Second, data analytics can help brands measure the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns and track their return on investment (ROI). By analyzing metrics such as website traffic, conversion rates, and sales, brands can determine the most effective campaigns and make data-driven decisions to optimize their marketing spend.

Finally, data analytics can help brands optimize their campaigns for maximum impact. Using A/B testing and other analytical techniques, brands can test different campaign strategies and optimize their messaging, targeting, and creativity to improve engagement and conversions.

In conclusion, the digital landscape provides vast opportunities for brands to connect with their audiences and achieve their marketing goals. By staying attuned to customer feedback, personalizing messaging, leveraging data and analytics to optimize their campaigns, and prioritizing transparency and authenticity, brands can establish a strong digital presence and drive meaningful results. The digital world is constantly evolving, but by keeping these key strategies in mind, brands can stay ahead of the curve and thrive in the digital age.

For a step-by-step guide on how to develop a brand strategy, check out How to Develop a Brand Strategy by Lisa Perry. For more digital marketing insights, follow Dana Long and Lisa Perry.

This article was written by Lisa Perry and Dana Long.

How Important Is Up-To-Date System Documentation?

May 11, 2023

Your organization bought an expensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, and it came with a comprehensive set of documentation including user manuals, training materials, and technical guides. You utilized the documentation and successfully implemented the system, but how much have you used the documentation since then?

Technology is an investment. You want to maximize the use of the system, including that the systemâs operations are consistent and reliable. You regularly update the system for upgrades and patches. Itâs crucial to make sure your corresponding documentation is up to date because it enables employees to be knowledgeable about the updated system.

Documentation captures critical information preserving that knowledge and making it available to all appropriate individuals. If only a few specific individuals know how the system works, what happens when they get sick, go on vacation, or resign? The solution is to make sure the information is written down and to document that knowledge.

User-Related Documentation

User documentation supports onboarding and training to ensure employees know how to properly use the system. This allows employees to get familiar with the system so that they can leverage it effectively. User manuals provide end users with guidelines including step-by-step instructions on how to use the system. Security roles identify what the staff can/canât do versus what requires a supervisor to override. If youâve added a module, make sure you add the new feature/functionality details so that the documents arenât incomplete or missing information.

Training materials (e.g., instructor/student manuals, cheat sheets) are used to train both new and existing employees poised for promotions and transfers. Training materials can be used for scheduled training classes or for train-the-trainer scenarios wherein designated trainers (department super users or subject matter experts) train the rest of the organization.

If the documentation isnât up to date, it can confuse or make it difficult for end users to properly use the system. Allow users to submit feedback (e.g., via a service ticket) regarding documentation such as unclear steps, incorrect screen print, or missing information.

IT-Related Documentation

For the IT staff, documentation serves as a reference for how the system is intended to be used. This includes system setup/configuration, system maintenance, as well as troubleshooting.

Many organizations operate 24/7 so itâs crucial that the IT staff be able to minimize any downtime. Some key documents are:

1. System architecture documents â provide an overview of the system components and interfaces that are interconnected. If you need to migrate your environment from on premises to the cloud, having current architecture documents can minimize the uncertainty of what components you have and how theyâre connected.

2. Data-related documents (e.g., data dictionaries and data flow diagrams) â document the data structures. If a table is dropped, do you know which processes including reports will be affected?

3. System maintenance documents â did the upgrade affect the patching process? Does the nightly processing schedule need to be updated? Or any of the backup schedules (daily, monthly, quarterly, etc.)?

4. Troubleshooting documents â guidance on diagnosing and resolving common technical issues. When you upgraded the database version, did you become familiar with the new system messages and codes in advance?

When the system has been changed, make sure the documentation has been updated to reflect those changes. You can use a date stamp in the footer and turn on versioning to identify when the documentation was last updated.

Also, donât forget to update the disaster recovery and business continuity documents. In the event of a disaster, you want to ensure the organization can minimize any business disruption. It can be chaotic when a disaster occurs, and up-to-date documentation can reduce stress, especially for employees filling in for absent employees.

For more information on the importance of keeping system documentation up to date, follow me on LinkedIn!

Reinventing Your Career? 5 Steps To Assess Your Transferable Skills

May 11, 2023

As we all know, most of us will reach a time in our work life when we have to reinvent our careers for an evolving economy. Some of us go back to school while others enter new businesses.

The first thing you want to do when considering a career change is to stop thinking of yourself as just a job title, whether that be financial analyst, human resources specialist, manager, teacher, or homemaker. No matter how you spend the first part of your career, whether it’s coaching soccer or fully entrenched in corporate America, we all end up developing specific expertise.

If you start your own independent business from scratch, you will need to know something about every aspect of the business, from managing staff to selling your product or service.

If you’re interested in switching to a new industry, you might want to consider a franchise, which comes with a tried-and-true business model, a brand name, and marketing expertise, as well as a training program and ongoing support. With a franchise, you get to operate your own business while having a team of experts behind you.

To accurately gauge your preparedness for any new endeavor, you should consider all the skills you have accumulated that can be transferred to a new career.

As you take inventory of your transferable skills, you want to dive deep into the details of your day to accurately assess your strengths for a successful career change.

1. List What You Do In An Average Workday

Make a list of all the activities you perform on any given workday over a week, since not everything you do happens daily. And don’t skip anything you may consider “a no-brainer” or insignificant because these little things can add up to a very significant skill that could transfer to another industry seamlessly.

So, if you sometimes have to field phone calls from disgruntled clients, and you’ve discovered you’re really good at calming people’s nerves, that’s a valuable skill. Even if your job title is “financial analyst.”

You never know what skill could make all the difference in your career change.

2. Realistically Assess Your Personal Strengths

You don’t need to be good at everything, but if cold-calling is an essential aspect of the company you want to apply to in your career change, you need to know you can do this day in and day out.

Consider core skills such as communications, business acumen, managing people, marketing, and so on. Be honest with yourself and stay clear of jobs that rely on skills that are not among your strengths. Changing careers is a lot easier when you know all of your strengths and how they can help you succeed in your next job.

3. Are You Detail-Oriented Or More The Big-Picture Thinker?

If you’re a numbers person and love tabulating figures, you may want to find a business that can capitalize on this valuable skill. Or maybe you prefer creating strategies that can make the whole operation run more smoothly.

Being detail-oriented or a big-picture thinker aren’t hard skills. They’re just adjectives and definitely DON’T belong on your resume. But knowing which category you fall under should help you identify the hard skills you possess that make you one or the other.

4. Do You Have Good Follow-Through?

Building a clientele involves not only making good connections but following through to convert these new contacts into lasting relationships. Follow-through can also be an essential attribute in managing staff. A good franchise program can help you learn this skill.

While you don’t want to state you have good follow-through on your resume, you should quantify your work experiences so that employers will get that impression when they read your job application. When trying to change careers, quantifiable skills and accomplishments are a necessity.

5. Are You A People Person?

Do you love being around and meeting new people? Do you strike up conversations easily and enjoy learning about other people’s interests and goals? Many businesses require a whole range of people skills in hiring and managing staff and attracting and keeping customers, but there are lots of businesses where the role of the owner mainly involves working alone at your computer.

No matter where you end up after your career change, you will have to deal with people in some way, shape, or form. But if you don’t want a customer-facing role, it’s good to know that so you can choose which transferable skills to highlight in your resume and which to omit.

With personal skills inventory in hand, you’re now ready to begin researching businesses that would best match your skills and interests. A career change can be scary. But if you’re confident about the skills you’ve developed in your career up to this point, you’ll be just fine.

Need more help with your career change?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Member Spotlight: Dale Herzog, Medical Device CAD Engineer

May 11, 2023

At Work It DAILY, we call our members “Workplace Renegades.” A Workplace Renegade is a person who believes in themselves and joins our community to finally take control of their career. They believe in working to live, NOT living to work. Dale Herzog is a top member in our community who exemplifies these qualities.

Below, Dale Herzog answers some questions about his career field and explains why he joined (and continues to participate in) the Work It DAILY community.

Why I #WorkItDaily

@workitdaily Thank you Fatima for being the first to join our @tiktok social media campaignâ¥ï¸â¥ï¸â¥ï¸@fatimalhusseiny We can’t wait to share your story with the world! Check out our campaign to learn more! @workitdaily #workitdaily #WhyIWorkItDaily #careertiktok #careertok #jobtok #edutok #mywhy #purpose #passion #worktolive #live #life #love â¬ Epic Music(863502) – Draganov89

Work It DAILY provides a great library of resources and a supportive community. Of the millions of sources on the internet that I came across before working with J.T. and her team, none created an organized and encouraging path like the one they provide.

Benefits Of Being A Medical Device CAD Engineer

I think the most exciting part of the job is working with passionate engineers, researchers, and manufacturers to create new tools that will improve how people are cared for. Translating the inspiration of physicians and researchers into a new device is an exciting and humbling opportunity.

Work-Life Balance For Medical Device CAD Engineers

I try to build the habit of consistently reassessing what âbalanceâ means and treating the process like you would scheduling trips to the gym. I have to say that Iâm more grateful for the support of my family every day and I appreciate their interest in my occasional DIY home improvement project immensely. Even if a few relatives started out a bit nervous when they saw me at their door with power tools, I think they understood the therapeutic power of sawdust.

Reasons To Work In The Healthcare Engineering Industry

Iâve seen how my family has been affected by diseases that will be treated with the equipment I intend to develop. Having the opportunity to save someone else from some of those experiences makes it difficult to imagine pursuing anything else.

Advice For Medical Device CAD Engineers

Reach beyond general career planning by applying the âdaily workâ philosophy to building and rewarding habits that nurture curiosity in growing your unique career. In addition to the Work It DAILY course material, I try to design a daily model and spend time learning about the needs of patients, researchers, and the environment in which the design will be used. Iâm no expert, but itâs always great to share a job with those who are passionate about the work and enjoy exploring ways to make a patientâs experience as pleasant as possible.

We hope you enjoyed hearing from Dale about his career and experiences inside the Work It DAILY community.

Do you want to become a Workplace Renegade?

Join our community to learn how to UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

Recruiter Spotlight: How To Create A Job Description That Sparks Interest

May 11, 2023

A good job description is priceless in the hiring process. Many hiring leaders struggle to create job descriptions that attract the right candidates. What should you include in a job description to spark interest and find the perfect candidate for the job?

In this article, learn from members of Duffy Group on how to write compelling job descriptions that attract the right candidates. You’ll discover practical strategies for creating job postings that effectively communicate job responsibilities, qualifications, and company culture, leading to increased interest and better hiring outcomes.

Develop The Company’s “Sizzle”

Hiring leaders often start the recruiting process by developing the mechanics of a job description. However, a job description without attraction often fails to tell a compelling story about the position’s value. There are several steps to increase awareness and interest in a post.

First, develop the companyâs sizzle. The sizzle is an authentic representation of your company by expanding on the job’s exciting features, resulting in the chances it will resonate with suitable candidates. It begins by establishing a framework of critical questions directed to the hiring leader.

At Duffy Group, our framework is built during the first step of the recruitment research process, the strategy development. Recruiters ask targeted questions and assess the new role situation with the hiring manager before marketing any position. The objective is to expand on the duties and responsibilities of the job to create a buzz and bring the job description to life.

Another necessary ingredient is ensuring the hiring process quickly identifies the applicants with the right motivation and gets them anchored on the attractive features of the job as quickly as possible.

Georgia Musgrave is the VP of Strategic Initiatives at Duffy Group. She educates leaders on the value of “passive talent” as a means of attracting the best human capital to their company.

Tell A Story

I recently met with a group of HR and talent leaders at a conference. One of the pain points they shared was not posting job descriptions that were enticing enough for candidates to apply. They were looking for ideas to not make their job descriptions look so mechanical with the job responsibilities and requirements listed. I began to ask them questions to learn more about the entire opportunity and not just the day-to-day responsibilities and requirements.

Examples of the questions included in addition to salary, bonus, and benefits:

Describe the company culture, style, values & traits of people who’ve had success here.
What are the company characteristics that would entice a candidate to come aboard?
What are the key strategic issues you are working on?
What is the hiring leader’s background?
What makes this group attractive to a potential candidate?
What might distinguish this group from similar departments in other companies?
What is your leadership style and approach?
Is the position remote or hybrid?
Is the position a newly created position?
Are there direct reports? How many, and what are their titles?
What are the career growth opportunities?

It is quick and easy to post a job description the way it is written. I suggested telling a story about the whole opportunity will give the job seeker a reason to be interested and apply.

Sharon Grace is a veteran search executive at Duffy Group who helps hiring leaders hire great people because of her proven track record as a strategic partner and advisor to recruit, identify and assess talent.

Utilize The “Location” Section

If you want to recruit the very best talent, then you need to make sure you have the very best job descriptions to share with candidates. Job descriptions can be used to attract active job seekers by being used in job postings, but when it comes to recruiting the passive job seeker, you need a job description that is going to catch their attention. The job description should include information on the company, the position, the requirements, and if the position offers relocation, the location as well.

Many recruiters and hiring leaders neglect to utilize the “location” section on a job description as a way to attract candidates. Itâs important to include a location section that includes the address, as well as a good description of the city and state. Itâs important to do some research on the location. The Chamber of Commerce and tourism sites are great resources. Make sure to describe the location in a way that the candidate can picture themself relocating there.

We have had a lot of success recruiting to locations that are not necessarily “attractive” by reputation but when we highlight the positive attributes and share data, statistics, and even photos, weâve been able to generate interest in traditionally hard-to-recruit-to locations.

Colleen Neese is a practice leader at Duffy Group. She specializes in recruiting executives in non-profit and healthcare.

Share Compensation & Benefits

Job descriptions can be extremely detailed, with long lists of responsibilities and required skills. Disclosing and promoting pay and benefits in your job description can be a valuable recruiting tool and make the process more efficient overall.

Here are five things to consider when sharing compensation and benefits in your job description:

Compensation is typically the most critical concern when job seekers search for work. So if they don’t find the salary information they need, they may not waste time reading the job description.
Pay transparency (now required by law in some states) saves recruiters the time and energy of searching through candidates who will never accept the job, as candidates will self-select out when the compensation is too low.
When companies are more upfront about salaries, it can help create trust. Candidates feel more respected and apply more when there is more information.
There’s more to compensation than what’s on a paycheck. List all of your benefits and perksâdepending on the candidate, some will resonate more than others.
Out-of-the-box examples: signing bonuses, stock options, flexible work schedules, mental health benefits, learning & professional development, ERGs, volunteering, dress codes, PTO, holidays, gym memberships, and pet insurance.

Kristin Pozen is a research recruitment recruiter at Duffy Group and a former HR recruiter.

Emphasize The Company Culture

Think back to high school when your English teacher would knock points off your essay because you stuffed it with common cliches. Well, it happens with job descriptions too. âWork hard, play hard,â âFast-paced environment,â and âWeâre all a big family.â The meaning is lost to candidates reading them.

In Duffy Groupâs job descriptions, we highlight our core values. One of our core values is to promote work-life balance. Our work-from-home program gives our team members the flexibility of managing their day-to-day activities, with home office support that offers the tools to conduct day-to-day operations. A result of this benefit is increased productivity, team member satisfaction, and retention.

Make sure your social media supports your company culture; candidates are looking at your website and social media to ensure you walk the talk when it comes to culture. Your job description is a piece of your story. You want candidates to be curious to learn more about your company.

Kathleen Duffy is the founder, CEO, and president of Duffy Group. The company’s vision is to elevate recruitment research as an alternative to contingent and retained search. Since its founding, Duffy Group has been a remote workplace and a culture of work/life harmony.

Need help recruiting talent for your organization? Check out Duffy Group today.

How Recent College Grads Can Find A Job Despite Mass Layoffs

May 10, 2023

When times are tough, mass layoffs happen in almost every industry. But what do you do if you’re a recent college graduate looking for your first job? How can you find a job when those around you are getting laid off?

Your first job search after college is hard enough without dealing with bad economic conditions. You need to prove your value to an employer with limited to no experience under your belt. Even before that, though, it can be incredibly challenging trying to get your resume past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager.

If you recently graduated from college and don’t know where or how to start your job search in these trying times, we have some simple but effective tips guaranteed to help you land your first job.

Here are three things recent college graduates should do to find a job despite mass layoffs:

1. Be Intentional With Your Networking

At Work It DAILY, we firmly believe your network is your net worth. Approximately 30-50% of all jobs today are gotten via referral. Utilize the connections you’ve made in college or in past summer internships to get your foot in the door somewhere. It’s always easier to get a job when you’ve been referred internally by someone who already works at the company.

It’s not enough to simply ask your connections about any employment opportunities they know about, though. You need to be intentional with your networking, or your job search will feel aimless.

Build a list of companies you’d like to work for so you can focus your efforts in those areas. This is your interview bucket listâall the companies you would love to work for that hire for your skill sets.

Creating this list is going to help focus your job search in terms of who you need to network with, reach out to, and start to connect with in order to find the job opportunities you want.

Remember: You’re not asking them for a jobâyou’re asking them for information that could help you land an interview.

2. Write A Disruptive Cover Letter

The cover letter is the “voice” to your resume. If you want to land yourself an interview while layoffs are happening left and right, the key is to write a disruptive cover letter.

If you’re not writing disruptive cover letters in your job search, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to stand out to employers. The ultimate goal of a disruptive cover letter is to tell a story so compelling about why you feel connected to the company that they’ll want to pick up the phone and get to know you a bit more.

What you lack in experience you can make up for with enthusiasm and a great connection story.

3. Consider An Unpaid Internship

Even when there aren’t mass layoffs going on, getting an internship after you graduate from college can be a very strategic move for your career.

If you’re struggling to find a job right out of college, consider applying for an internship position. Preferably, you’d want a paid internship, but if a lot of companies are laying off employees, ask if they have an unpaid opportunity available. You won’t get paid, but you will gain a lot of experience. And if the internship goes well, they may offer you a full-time position after a few months of hard work and proving yourself as a valuable employee.

At the end of the day, experience is what will set you apart in the current job market, because it gives you the ability to develop your skills and show how you made or saved a company moneyâsomething every employer will want to hear when you interview with them.

School teaches you everything except how to get a job. No matter how competitive or disrupted the job market may be, recent college grads can stand out to employers with these three tips, and find a good job soon after graduation.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Executive Spotlight: How To Delegate While Remaining Accountable

May 10, 2023

An essential part of being a leader is knowing how and when to delegate tasks to co-workers, direct reports, and other team members. The best leaders use delegation to be more efficient, increase team productivity and confidence, and give team members professional development opportunities. While delegating work is a sign of a good leader, how can you remain accountable when assigning responsibility to someone else?

We recently asked our leading executives for their expert advice on how to delegate while remaining accountable.

Here are their responses…

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive

As an executive, I always take the position that I am responsible for anything that happens, good or bad, in my operations. I am responsible for the outcome.

Unlike authority and responsibility, accountability cannot be delegated. I own accountability.

The Team

Itâs my responsibility to build a team that can achieve the deliverables. My job as a leader is to ensure that the right people are in the right place.

I am responsible for each team member being equipped with the technical knowledge to perform to their full potential. But more importantly, leadership must let the team know why the task matters and how they fit into the big picture. The team needs to know whatâs at stake.

As the companyâs mission, goals, and competitors change, leadership is tasked to make the necessary adjustments to ensure the team can pivot to meet upcoming challenges.

Lastly, the teamâs leader inspires the commitment of the team. People get excited about whatâs possible but commit only when they understand their role in meeting challenges.

Ana Smith, Talent Architect & Global Learning Strategist

Delegation is the act of entrusting tasks or responsibilities to others while still retaining ultimate accountability for the outcome. An effective delegation is a powerful tool for leaders as it helps to increase productivity, build trust among team members, and allows leaders to focus on higher-level tasks.

One critical aspect of delegation is ensuring that the delegated task is clearly defined. This means being specific about what needs to be done, the deadline for completion, and the desired outcome. When the person taking on the task fully understands what is expected of them, they are more likely to succeed, and there is less risk of misunderstandings or delays.

Choosing the right person to delegate the task to is also essential. It’s important to consider the skills and experience required to complete the task successfully. When delegating tasks, choose someone who has the necessary skills and experience, which will increase the chances of a positive outcome and minimize the risk of errors or delays.

Providing the necessary resources is another crucial aspect of delegation. Leaders must ensure that the person taking on the task has access to all the resources they need to complete the task successfully. This could include information, tools, equipment, or budget.

Regular check-ins are also essential to ensure that the task is on track and that any issues are addressed promptly. Even if leaders trust the person taking on the task, it’s important to set up regular check-ins to monitor progress and offer support if needed.

Leaders must also hold themselves accountable for the success or failure of the delegated task. As the leader, they are ultimately responsible for the outcome, and they must be ready to take responsibility and provide support if things don’t go as planned.

Finally, learning from mistakes is essential when things don’t go as planned. Leaders should take the opportunity to analyze what went wrong and identify ways to improve the delegation process for next time. By doing this, they can improve the effectiveness of their delegation skills and, ultimately, lead to better results for the organization as a whole.

In summary, effective delegation requires clear communication, careful selection of the right person, provision of necessary resources, regular check-ins, accountability, and learning from mistakes. By following these guidelines, leaders can delegate tasks effectively while still remaining accountable for the outcomes.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive

Delegating tasks to others is an essential skill for leaders, but it’s important to do so in a way that ensures accountability for the ultimate outcome. Here are some tips on how to delegate while remaining accountable:

Clearly define the task: Ensure that the person you are delegating to understands exactly what needs to be done, the desired outcome, and any relevant deadlines. This will help to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Assign responsibility: Make sure the person you delegate the task to has the necessary resources, responsibility, and support to accomplish the task. This includes any training, equipment, or other resources that may be needed.
Set checkpoints: Establish regular checkpoints to review progress and make adjustments as necessary. This helps to ensure that the task stays on track and that any issues or concerns can be addressed in a timely manner.
Provide feedback: Provide regular feedback to the person you delegated the task to, both positive and constructive, to help them improve their performance and ensure that the task is completed successfully.
Monitor progress: Keep an eye on progress and be prepared to step in and provide additional support or guidance if needed. This will help to ensure that the task is completed successfully and that any issues or challenges are addressed in a timely manner.
Take ultimate responsibility: Ultimately, as the leader, you are responsible for the outcome of any tasks you delegate. It’s important to take ownership of this responsibility and ensure that the task is completed successfully, even if you are not directly involved in the execution.

By following these tips, you can delegate tasks effectively while remaining accountable for the outcome. This not only helps to ensure successful outcomes but also helps to build trust and confidence in your leadership among your team members.

How do you delegate while remaining accountable? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily’s Executive Program.

3 Tips To Recover After Not Getting The Job

May 9, 2023

It can be hard to recover after not getting the job, especially after all of that time and effort you put into your research, application, interview, and follow up. The good news is that, even if you didn’t get the job, you can still come out on top.

Instead of falling victim to your frustration, you can turn this situation into a positive. But how? Here are a few tips for recovering after not getting the job:

1. Step Back & Reflect On The Situation

“Take a deep breath,” says J.T. O’Donnell, founder and CEO of Work It Daily. “They didn’t say, ‘No, not ever.’ This wasn’t a personal attack on you. They just said, ‘No, not today.'”

You need to realize that a lot of talented people applied for that job, and the fact that you made it to the very end is awesome. Just because you weren’t considered the “perfect” match doesn’t mean you weren’t a great match. Take a step back and get some perspective on the situation.

2. Step Up & Be ThankfulÂ

“You need to step up now and show your character, your authenticityâprove that you mean what you said,” says O’Donnell.

Send a note thanking the hiring manager for letting you know you weren’t selected and let them know you’re happy they found a great candidate. Even though this might be hard for you to do, it’s very important that you take that responsibility, according to O’Donnell.

Also, let them know you’re still interested in working for the firm in the future and touch base with them every now and then. Make it clear that you’ll be proactive in your efforts to work there, even after getting rejected this time. It’s going to show them that you really are the professional you said you were during the hiring process.

3. Don’t Let Your Pride Get In The Way

“It’s really easy to say, ‘Forget them! They had their shot!'” says O’Donnell. “But you know what? You know you want to work there, it’s just that your feelings are hurt.”

Don’t let your pride get in the way. You need to push it aside and be the bigger person. Focus on the future. What if another job opens up at the company? If you really were one of the top choices, they may just call you and skip the hiring process altogether. Wouldn’t that be nice?

We understand how soul-crushing not getting the job can be, especially if you’ve been looking for a job for months. Keep your head up. The right job opportunity for you is out there.

In the meantime, we hope these tips will help you recover from the disappointment that comes with a long job search. You got this!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.