The Importance of Workplace Design in Office Relocation

The Importance of Workplace Design in Office Relocation The average UK employee spends  37 hours  a week at work and with job roles occupying such a large chunk of our time, feeling comfortable while working has never been more important. Some companies go to extreme lengths to put employee satisfaction at the heart of their workplace design. For instance, tech titan  Microsoft invested in  treehouses  for its employees, claiming the proximity to nature is proven to boost workforce creativity. For most industries though, this kind of re-design (while imaginative) isn’t the best solution. In fact, for many businesses, it’s more practical and cost-effective to relocate offices completely. On the surface, this might sound daunting but, armed with the right knowledge a change of scenery doesn’t have to be stressful and could be a step towards enhanced employee happiness and productivity. A balancing act By 2025, millennials will take pole position as the  workforce majority  and they’re looking for something different from the workplace than their predecessors. Many Millennials are  less motivated by money  and more inspired by a positive working culture. Therefore, it’s essential companies begin adapting office spaces to cater to these mindsets, as well as more traditional expectations if they want to retain some of the best and brightest. Google invested in lavish office features like secret libraries and even slides to foster its dynamic work culture.  The rationale behind this being good interpersonal relationships are key to driving creativity. However, even without Google’s infinite resources, there are steps you can take to create a vibrant office culture too. A designated space for recreation can help employees feel more invested in the company because it demonstrates you care about work-life balance. This can be as simple as setting up a pool table or games room which acts as a focal point to spark conversation and foster a sense of community. Food also plays a part in creating a more balanced routine too. Workplace hubs offering diverse and tempting refreshments give colleagues the chance to communicate and foster closer bonds while providing them with a designated space to recharge and eat lunch away from their computer screens. Bringing  your brand to life An office relocation is a perfect opportunity for companies to breathe new life into their brand identity. First impressions are lasting, so it’s important your new workplace conveys what makes your business unique. Consider how you would define your office culture. If your company’s identity is more laidback and relaxed, investing in homely additions like sofas and bookshelves are a simple way to get this message across.  If you want to present something more corporate, a feature like glass walls could reflect your company’s honest and transparent nature. If your taste isn’t quite as avant-garde, one simple but effective way to portray a community spirit is to invest in greenery. You can take inspiration from the New York office of Kickstarter, which has a flowering enclosure and communal garden to underscore its creative and relaxed identity. Whatever your brand’s aesthetic, an office relocation can give you the freedom and incentive to think about the values your brand communicates.  Sizing it up One important factor to consider when planning your relocation is, of course, the size of your new office.  If you’re moving into bigger premises, you need to think about how you can retain the closeness built up between colleagues in your previous workplace. There’s evidence to suggest  open-plan offices  can  actually have  practical health benefits. An open work culture also helps promote better communications and establish better team dynamics.  Ensuring your space is collaborative, no matter what its size, can help to bring out the best in team members. If you want to encourage better team bonding, think about how you can allocate space for your employees to exchange ideas. Informal seating areas where teams can discuss projects, as well as implementing all-staff huddles are a cost-effective way to keep employees engaged and informed. Be flexible It’s well known there is now lots of research which suggests flexible working can have a  positive impact on productivity. However, flexible working isn’t simply about the hours you log outside an office environment. It’s thought that a more ‘agile’ mindset gives employees greater autonomy over their work, as well as improving cross-collaboration. An agile work environment can include designated spaces for team meetings, relaxation, and even inspiration.  For instance, Salesforce designates time and space for regular meditation sessions to boost workplace wellbeing. Even if this isn’t practical for your business, there are simple ways you can adopt workplace flexibility. Rather than opt for the traditional set-up of individual desks, you could consider shared workspaces, ‘hot-desking’ or even touchdown points to show your workplace is moving with the times. Embarking on something new like office relocation can feel like a challenge. However, if you want to get the most out of moving premises, it’s important to treat workplace design not as an afterthought, but as a major tool to support future business success. About the author:  Rachel Whitford, is the Area Retail Manager City of London, of Express Vending.

What is Biotin And How Can it Help My Hair Growth

What is Biotin And How Can it Help My Hair Growth Hair loss can cause significant psychological distress to most people â€" not just ladies, but men and children as well. Hair loss can be due to genetic inheritance, medical conditions, hormonal changes due to pregnancy or age, and drug prescriptions. Common types of hair loss include female-pattern hair loss, male-pattern hair loss, alopecia areata, and thinning of hair. Theres a wide range of treatment procedures taken that aid in hair recovery, from using natural remedies such as garlic, essential oils such as black castor or amla oils, surgery, and use of supplements, such as biotin. In this article, were going to focus on biotin for hair loss treatment. Does biotin help? And, what is biotin? Why is it good for the hair? What is Biotin? Biotin, formerly known as vitamin H and now known as Vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that is a part of the vitamin B complex. It can be found in egg yolk, liver, peanut butter, berries, legumes, mushrooms, and yeast. Its involved in many metabolic processes related to the utilization of amino acids, carbohydrates, and fats, and therefore influencing cell growth. The vitamin is always recommended as a dietary supplement for strengthening hair and nails. Its found in several cosmetics and health products for both skin and hair. While the deficiency of biotin is rare, one might get hair loss if they dont get enough biotin in their system. Although there isnt any scientific proof that biotin promotes hair growth, the vitamin improves the level of keratin in the human body. This is important because keratin is an essential protein that makes up your hair, skin, and nails. Does It Really Help? In 2015, a research was conducted by the Ablon Skin Institute Research Center in the USA. The team wanted to prove whether or not marine protein supplements could aid on hair growth in women with thinning hair. After the research was completed, it was evident that within 90 days, the volume of hair in women who took protein supplements had increased significantly, as compared to those who didnt. The proteins found in keratin produce amino acids when cells react with biotin. Biotin helps support protein infrastructures that allow new cell formation. Biotin does work. This, however, depends on how damaged your hair is. Biotin treatments arent meant for extreme cases of hair loss. Significant signs of biotin deficiency include alopecia and scaly skin. People with excessive hair damage, or alopecia areata, may need to combine both zinc and biotin to prevent hair loss. They will, however, require high doses. The fact that lack of biotin in our systems may lead to alopecia, is enough proof that, its supplementation will improve hair health, and hence making it an anti-hair loss remedy. The market today offers a lot of biotin-infused hair products that are clinically-tested and very affordable. Therefore, you dont need to just get them on foods or supplements. But then, a combination of both can give you even better results. Hair products such as shampoos, hair conditioners and treatments, hair oils, and hair growth serums are infused with biotin to help boost the growth of both head and facial hair. Hair loss is entirely different in both men and women. Therefore, these biotin-infused hair products are specific to both genders.

Creating Proposals That Sell - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Creating Proposals That Sell - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Why were you contacted? It used to be a dream contemplating the possibility of someone contacting you for a proposal versus having to go through all of the traditional steps to finally get to that point in time of presenting. Today that dream is reality, yet it sadly lacks perfection. However, merging the best of the traditional sales world with today’s online networking requests will produce excellent outcomes. Reflecting back, in the traditional sales arena, a salesperson will prospect for clients, meet with them, and should the meeting go well, will be asked to present a proposal. Today, however, the process is the exact opposite. We are contacted for a proposal with never having met. In the old days it would seem too good to be true. In fact, the process is too good to be true. Let’s take Thumbtack for example. You may have received a request for proposal whereby you are supposed to state precisely how much you will charge for a specified event. There are a lot of problems with this arrangement. Most notably you are blindly offering services, and shooting in the dark, without regard for the “who, what, when, where and why”. Once you quickly send your quote, the usual end result is no reply as in “not interested”. Would you prefer to be seriously considered rather than quickly dismissed? This is where the traditional methods come into play when using the modern technology. You are allowed the messaging option on Thumbtack to have a dialogue. I encourage you to use it! Ask the defining questions so you know how to position what you have to offer to your potential client’s interests. Begin with thanking the person for contacting you and that you appreciate the opportunity. Let them know you may better target their interests and needs by having a few questions answered. This demonstrates your professionalism. Find out what the interaction will consist of, who will be involved, number in attendance, and what are they seeking in their ideal candidate? Once you have the answers to the questions then you are ready to creatively develop three packages to choose from. Why three? If you only offer one quote, you only have a 50-50 chance of being chosen. By offering three packages with additions to each and seemingly discounted, you have a 75% chance of hearing Yes! as “No” is still an option. Let the party know whichever package they choose, you will be happy to honor their request. The idea is to provide your best, and to be called back for additional business. Your personal brand will grow remarkably in the realm of perceived professionalism. After you have delivered upon their request, write a note of thanks. If appropriate include a small gift such as a basket of fruit to demonstrate your appreciation. Everyone likes to be appreciated and those final touches will be the icing on the cake. The end result is you will encourage larger sales, repeat business, referrals and testimonials â€" all of which will put you on the wave of the Smooth Sale! Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, (800) 704-1499; was designated as a “Top 25 Sales Influencer for 2012.” Elinor authored the International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results”, Sourcebooks and best selling, “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”, Career Press.

Personal Branding Weekly - Higher Google Results - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Weekly - Higher Google Results - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career EDITOR’S NOTE:   This week the Young Entrepreneur Council weighed in on CEOs scavenging social media accounts of job candidates and author, Kristen Fisher, gave some practical tips on how to overcome horrible bosses. There’s a saying that people don’t quit companies, they quit people (supervisors/managers).   How to excel and propel your brand when “managing up” was much of our focus this week. This past week’s post: Make a Good Difference Be An Influencer by Deborah Shane Nominate Personal Branding Blog as Forbes Top Website For Your Career by Dan Schawbel 8 Ways to Brand Yourself as a SME by Phil Rosenberg Career Advice from HBR: Zig, Zag, Zoom! by Nance Rosen Why Being a Good Sport Enhances Your Brand by Heather Huhman Rules for Assuming the Sale by Elinor Stutz Branding and Career Tips from the Apple Experience by Roger Parker Barbara Walters Job Interview Questions Theyre Back! by Skip Freeman Use Your Personal Brand to Overcome Horrible Bosses by Kristen Fischer Do CEOs Scavenge Social Media Accounts of Job Candidates? by the Young Entrepreneur Council The Future of Engagement in the Social Media by Oscar del Santo Dealing with Presentation Nerves on Stage and On Camera by Manoush Zomorodi Who is Your Professional Catalyst? by Erik Deckers 5 Tips to Filling Out Online Applications by Michael Spinale Your Personal Brand is All About Them by Katie Konrath Do You Interview Like a Pro? by Rebecca Rapple How to Avoid Looking Desperate During Your Job Search by Pete Leibman This week we focus on career changes, transitions and excelling in the world of video and social. We’ll share insightful tips on: • The best ways to brag • Hair Rules and Video • Recommendations from Social Media Pros • Career changes, advancement and casting a wider opportunity net I’m very excited about the practical tips you’ll get this week. Share with us how you “apply” them! Higher Google Results for Your Personal Brand There is no doubt that Google search engine is the most used by online users to access information from the internet. In order for your brand to be visible to Google, it is good to take some important steps. Remember that online marketing is user oriented which means it is the user who takes an initiative to access your brand. Create an environment that user focused One of the ways to make your brand accessible by online users is having a great content on your home page. Make it welcoming, personal and focused on questions/needs that they have. Great and relevant content to them, on your page, is important.   If the content is a good match and of interest, it will draw traffic towards your site thus enabling your brand to be accessed by many. Great personal profile is vital Another way of ensuring that your brand is easily accessed by online users is by creating a great personal profile. What people see on your home page will go a long way in determining how many times people will visit your site. Time is such a scare commodity making online users more discerning especially given the amount of information available to them. Be sure your profiles are completely filled out and tout your best accomplishments and value. The general appearance of your first page is important because users get their first impression about you when they visit your site. The appearance and the content of your site and/or profile will determine whether your site will be ranked higher on Google or not. In most cases if online users are not impressed with your first page, they are likely not to visit it again. Therefore, utilize great organizational skills, content and a succinct profile to make a first impression that’s worth a second look. Google commands more than a billion online users each day but it does not guarantee great traffic towards your site. Online users are quick to complain whenever a page does not display faster, when internet speed is slow and when they cant seem to get what they want. Because of this, review the load time of your site, too. It will make a difference in how you rank on search engines.  Remember, that the content that appears on the first page of Google will attract many visitors while the content that is beyond the first page may not even be accessed at all. What profiles do you have that show up on the first page of a Google search?   Do they represent you best? Author: Maria Elena Duron, is managing editor of the Personal Branding Blog, CEO (chief engagement officer) of  buzz2bucks.com  â€"  a word of mouth marketing firm. She helps create conversation, connection, credibility, community and commerce around your brand. Maria Duron is co-founder   and moderator of  #brandchat   a weekly Twitter chat focused on every aspect of branding that is recognized by Mashable as one the 15 Essential Twitter Chats for Social Media Marketers.

How Many Pages Resume Should You Use?

How Many Pages Resume Should You Use?How many pages resume should you use? This is a question that many individuals are pondering these days as well. They may even be wondering how to get it right for the first time. The purpose of this article is to provide answers to questions such as this.Many professionals are wondering how many pages resume should they use to document their skills, qualifications and experiences. There are, however, numerous guides available that allow you to create an attractive resume without having to get it from a professional service provider. Here are a few things you need to take into consideration before you run out and buy one.It all starts with identifying your individual's skills and qualifications. As you get settled in your job, this may be where you begin to realize the number of pages that will fit on your resume. Now, if you are applying for a promotion, a higher position or a raise, it may be just the ticket. If you have less experience, however , it is probably going to end up being an additional document. On the other hand, if you already have your job and are looking for a promotion, you should be aiming for a smaller resume.Your employer is going to require you to come up with an estimate of how much experience you have in your position. They will likely want to know how long you have been employed and what types of positions you have held. Once you have this information, you can add on your years of work experience by doing a little research on the internet.The next thing to consider when it comes to how many pages resume should you use is your job title. When you start to think about all of the skills you possess, talents and achievements that you may have, it can be hard to remember what job title you held. Again, this information is very important to your employer. In fact, they probably will want to know your title at some point.If you have worked for a previous employer, they will probably want to know the type of job you held prior to them. Remember, it is not necessary to list any of your previous jobs. It is best to list a few of your past jobs and indicate why you were interested in the specific job, your skills and qualifications and what you were hired for.You need to find out how many pages resume should you use is the majority of your prospect employer will be reading. They are looking for something eye-catching and appealing. This is a factor that you should also keep in mind when deciding which resume to create. In fact, it is almost always better to get feedback from the prospective employer before you start a project.By asking for their feedback, you will get a better understanding of what their resume is like. If they are happy with the layout, color scheme and font, this may be the perfect type of resume you are seeking. Of course, if you are using a professional service provider, there will be no reason not to include all of this information.

2 Secret Facebook Tips for Job Seekers

2 Secret Facebook Tips for Job Seekers Facebook is still one of the top-used social networks, so it makes sense to use it for your job search. These two Facebook tips will help every job seeker tap into the power of this powerful social network! If you havent considered using Facebook for your job search, let me make it easy for you! Facebook Stats Show How Powerful  It Is 2.38 billion monthly active users as of March 31, 2019 (Facebook) 1.56 billion daily active users on average for March 2019 (Facebook)  74% of US Facebook users log in daily. And 51% check Facebook several times a day (Pew Research 2019) Average time spent on Facebook per day  is 37 minutes (eMarketer 2019) The average number of Facebook friends is 338  (Pew Research 2014) 43%  of Americans get their news from Facebook (Pew Research 2018) Who People Connect With On Facebook 93% of Facebook users say they are Facebook friends with family members other than parents or children  (Pew Research 2014) 91% say they are Facebook friends with current friends  (Pew Research 2014) 87% say they are connected to friends from the past, such as high school or college classmates  (Pew Research 2014) 58% say they are connected to work colleagues  (Pew Research 2014) Mine Facebook for Contacts Using This  Chrome Extension Why not use the tools recruiters use to search Facebook profiles? Now you can find people to network with inside companies youre interested- because your LinkedIn network may not always be able help! [Theres a lot more information available to understand how social media recruitment works.] You have access to the same tools recruiters use to sleuth. Thats why this recent post on Jobvite is helpful. 4 Ideas That’ll Boost Your Recruiting Effectiveness on Facebook  by Tony Restell of  Social-Hire.com It is where I learned about Chrome extension by Shane McCusker that allows you to easily search for people on Facebook by work, job title, education and more! This is a super easy way to find contacts inside companies to network with! Or, when you find a job you want to apply for, search for people on Facebook and reach out to them through email to learn about the company and the job if possible. Remember, referred candidates get hired more often than non-referred candidates. Heres a peek at what you can search for. Screenshot of extension provided in Jobvite post Facebook Expands Your  Work History  and Education In 2015, Facebook announced a change in how your employment and education history are displayed on your Facebook profile. According to Huffington Posts article, Essentially, the tweak causes your extended education and employment history to appear by default in the “Intro” field on your profile. That “Intro” section is the very first thing someone sees when they go to your page. This isnt necessarily a bad thing. You can and should  use it to your advantage. Just  know that any information  in your work history is now more visible. Go check your profile out now. To see what others see  on your profile, click on the three dots just below your cover image and select View As. Now you can see what the public sees or you can change that to see what a specific friend would see. So are you ready to tap into Facebook to network and search for job opportunities?  Go read this to learn more  Facebook  Is Great For Job Search.

3 Tricks to Winning a Job in this Hyper-Competitive Economy

3 Tricks to Winning a Job in this Hyper-Competitive Economy 3 Tricks to Winning a Job in this Hyper Competitive Economy Have you played competitive sports? Yes, winning takes a little bit of luck, but it mostly requires skill. In this new era of job search, you need to be the best. To win a job today, you can have no unforced errors, you need practice and preparation, and you must be “on your game” at all times. Most job seekers forget the feeling, the emotion and the discipline required to compete for employment. While there are jobs available in the market today, more people are applying per job than ever before. It’s really competitive out there! As an ex-nationally-ranked tennis player and 30-year veteran of the job search process, I’ve been there! Here are three things I recommend you do to insure you are ready to win: 1. Prepare to compete Both emotionally and physically, you need to get ready to compete. Emotionally, decide if you are 100 percent committed or if you will just dabble in the search part-time. If you are totally committed, what amount of time will you dedicate to your job search and what other things will you give up to find that time in your calendar? Many of you are currently employed or are job-searching within your own company, so you will need to slot time during the evenings and weekends. And those of you who are not working right now probably have obligations to family or charities, making time equally challenging. If you are not working and have no additional time obligations, you should spend a minimum of 20-30 hours a week on your job search. Physically, you should be getting plenty of sleep and exercise. And you should stand and sit up straight all the time in preparation to compete. Get your haircut, check out the clothes you have in case you get called to meet a network contact, and shine your shoes (no, not your workout shoes). 2. Build your job-search playbook No athlete, musician or chess player goes out to compete without having a few strategies. In tennis, a player thinks about her serve and approach shots. A football team studies its opponent and decides what plays to run against it â€" and then practice those plays over and over. Bring that back to your job search. First, “build the field.” (If you haven’t seen the movie, Field of Dreams, do so!) Have a 3-week plan, block the time in your calendar for specific job search activities, and build your activity tracking tools. Then, for each job opportunity that you identify, study the company’s website, compare your background to their job description, and develop your strategy to “win” the job. Have answers for the most commonly-asked interview questions and tailor your preparation to relevant insights for the buyer: the hiring manager. 3. Get pumped for game day! Wake up early and get all of your documents in order (copies of your résumé, the job description, and notes from your interview preparation). Insure your clothes are ironed, shoes polished, and all grooming is in good order. Be in the lobby or parking lot of your appointment location 30 minutes prior to the start time. If youre not 30 minutes early, you are late. You can use the extra time to read over your interview question notes and the job description. Most importantly, remember one thing: This is NOT about YOU. It’s about the interviewer or hiring manager. Yes, all about what they are looking for, what needs they have for a great new employee, and whether you will be a good fit in their organization. Introduce yourself with a smile, sit up straight, and take notes. Listen more than you talk and ask great, insightful questions. Finally, express your interest and ask how you did in the interview at the end. Write or email a thank you note within 24 hours. Be the best candidate on every level to WIN a job in today’s competitive era. What are your challenges? Write them in the comments section below. We want to hear from you!