What You Need To Remember For An International Business Meeting

Often, when people have to go on a business trip to another country, they forget to pack some important things because they treat it as a vacation, not a work trip. Here's a packing checklist to make sure you don't overlook anything crucial while you're packing.

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Presentation

This should be your first item to pack. Traveling for work is often justified by the need to pitch to a potential business customer. Make sure to bring a laptop or usb stick with you to the meeting so that you'll be ready to go when you arrive.

It is a good idea to prepare a failsafe strategy in the event that your presentation is interrupted by technical difficulties. Ensure that you print out your proposal so that you could photocopy the pages if necessary and still provide a strong presentation in front of your prospective clientele.

Credit cards

Regardless of how big your business is, it's always a good idea to get a credit card so that you can pay for things that come up at the last minute. Having your company credit card with you when you travel is vital in the event that you require emergency funds while you're overseas. Consider the following scenario: If a natural disaster strikes and you are unable to return home, you will want money to help pay for food and lodging until you can return home.

A full bill of health

Okay, so you can’t pack this, but making sure you’re as healthy as possible will ensure everything will run as smoothly as possible. Visit your local CBD medical center to get travel vaccines and ensure you’re as healthy as possible in plenty of time before you travel.

Business cards

Even if you're attending a business conference overseas, there's no reason why you shouldn't take advantage of the opportunity to network. Distribute business cards to anybody who may have the potential to become a client. Your business card may be a great conversation starter while you're waiting in the hotel's lobby and you're struck up with a conversation with a stranger. Obtaining leads away from the office could result in an increase in business.

Something to help you unwind

If you're going on a long trip, be sure you bring something that will help you unwind at the end of the day. An iPod loaded with your favorite music could be a wonderful option if you want to fall asleep and unwind after a tough day at work.

This may possibly be of use to you the night ahead of your presentation as well. You'll do better at the meeting if you keep your cool and get some shut-eye.

Other necessities include:

• Clothing (including smart attire for your meeting).
• Toiletries.
• Camera. Although you're on business, this is a terrific chance to document a slice of the planet.
• Traveling someplace exotic? Don't forget your sunscreen.
• Laptop, phone, and other electrical device cables.

Making use of this checklist while preparing for a business meeting will ensure that you don't overlook anything crucial. Have a safe journey!

Experiencing Job Burnout? Here’s How To Deal With It

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A 2021 Deloitte survey involving 1000 respondents revealed that approximately 77% had experienced burnout in their jobs. This type of burnout occurs when you feel physically and emotionally exhausted due to your job. Moreover, you experience a loss of personal identity and reduced accomplishments. Career burnout can be devastating to your health, as it can increase your risks of developing cardiovascular diseases, respiratory conditions, type 2 diabetes, etc. You also risk getting anxiety, irritability, depression, anger, and other mental conditions. If you’re currently experiencing job burnout, here’s what you can do to fix it. 

1. Take a break 

Sometimes, a break from the usual work routine is enough to regain your desire for your job. However, this isn’t the usual five-minute break or a few days off work. You may need to take a full vacation to destress and practice self-care. Indeed, taking a vacation comes with its benefits. For starters, you can decrease your cortisol levels when you hang out and have fun with loved ones without the thought of work deadlines. Moreover, you’ll find it easier to get new energy and motivation for work after relaxing your body and mind. According to Forbes, many companies leverage vacations to battle high burnout rates among their employees, crediting their benefits. 

However, your vacation may be pointless if you still attend to work-related tasks. Therefore, ensure that you’re away from work. You can begin by effectively communicating with your team members that you wouldn’t be available during your vacation. Also, it’s prudent to keep your replacement up-to-date with important contacts and notes to prevent them from calling you when you’re away. 

2. Switch up your work responsibilities 

Another factor that causes burnout is boredom at work. A Udemy survey revealed that approximately 43% of workers feel bored at their jobs. Another research indicates that workers feel bored for 10.5 hours weekly, amounting to 68 days annually. Other research articles state that workers leave their jobs because they aren’t being challenged. Workplace boredom can lead to sadness, demotivation, and anxiety if not addressed immediately. Also, killing work time, low self-esteem, and feeling disconnected at work are signs that your job is tedious. 

Therefore, it’s important to look out for these signs and deal with them effectively. It’s prudent to speak to your HR manager about other career options that fit your skills, experiences, and values. Moreover, you can request that they include tasks that challenge you and increase your motivation. 

3. Change your workspace

Your workspace can cause your lack of motivation for your current job. You’d find it helpful to change where you work to reduce your risks of developing burnout. Research by Becker Friedman Institute for Economics indicates that 30% of workers were more engaged and productive when working from home. If you feel that working in the traditional workspace setting stresses you out, you can arrange with your managers to work from home. 

It’s also prudent to separate your work life from household activities to avoid increased stress. Fortunately, you don’t have to be stuck at home when remote working. You can choose to work from a coffee shop, a park, or a place that keeps you less stressed.

There are several ways to combat job burnout without leaving your current job. However, you can consider changing your career if you’re still demotivated after trying several options. That said, going for a job you enjoy will prove helpful. For instance, a career in direct care services will be a great option if you enjoy working with seniors or people with disabilities. 

Working for Yourself Teaches You These 4 Important Lessons

Starting a company will teach you many new skills. Daily learning opportunities range from negotiating agreements to managing funds. It's a steep learning curve, particularly if you're accustomed to working in an office. After you've negotiated these stormy seas, you'll actually enjoy being self-employed.

Even so, having a plan is helpful. Many of the things that previous generations wished they had known may be learned by being well-prepared. Learn about what you'll encounter as a self-employed person by reading this post.

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The best laid plans of mice and men will not come to fruition.

Even the most well planned company may suffer failures. You can't control the economy or the weather, but you can control how you respond to failures. If you have a strong desire to succeed in your company, you can weather the storms. Even if you have a plan in place for your money, it may be you who decides whether or not you succeed.

Good health is critical for survival.

There is no one to pick up the slack if you become sick or have an accident while you are working on your own. It's now more critical than ever to live a healthier lifestyle. Living a healthy lifestyle is critical to the success of your company, and this includes not just what you eat but also how much exercise you take. A health insurance broker may help safeguard your company and your earnings in the case of an accident or a significant health condition.

Knowing that it might be lonesome

Many people find working for themselves to be a lonely endeavour. As a freelancer or small company owner, you should anticipate spending a significant amount of time alone, despite the fact that you may speak with and meet with customers from time to time. The good news is that there are solutions to fix the problem. If you spend a lot of time working from home, you may want to think about joining a coworking space or finding another place to work. As surprising as it may seem, there are some advantages to working with outsiders that are well worth the effort if it involves spending less time on your own.

Take a vacation when you need it.

One of the most challenging aspects of being your own boss is figuring out when to take some time away. No 'good time' seems to exist, and you quickly lose sight of the pleasures of being able to unwind and not worry about your job. Make an effort to allow yourself as many vacation days as you would have gotten at your previous work. Taking a break and recharging your batteries is an important part of managing your money, so don't forget to account for it. When you can, take a break, tell customers you're unavailable, and learn to unplug. A well-earned rest will make you a new person, so take advantage of it.

The ups and downs of running your own company will come and go, but the lessons you gain will make you a stronger person as a result of your experiences. While many things may only be learned via personal experience, there is a lot you can learn right away. In order to flourish in your company, you must learn from others.

How To Boost Staff Morale

Your employees are an integral part of your business and its daily success. You need and rely upon your staff daily and as such, it is important that your staff feel valued and appreciated in their working environment. Moreover, it has long been accepted that staff who enjoy a positive working environment are more productive in the workplace. If you have concerns that your staff morale may be languishing then here are some proactive steps you can take to boost the working environment. 

Photo credit Annie Spratt from Unsplash 

Offer perks 

The relationship between staff and employees can be more than a transactional ‘paid for services rendered’ setup. Employees around the world are taking steps to offer more and more perks to their employees. Not only does it make them feel appreciated but it provides a strong incentive to remain within the company. Popular perks will often include comprehensive medical or dental cover that extends beyond basic care to cancer care or metal-free dental implants for example. Other incentives might also include gym membership, discounted share buying options, or discounted travel options to aid the daily commute costs.  

Flexible working 

The last two years have seen a real shift in the way people work. Employees all over the world were forced to stay home and work from their spare room or kitchen table. The result has perhaps been unexpected. It has given employees great freedoms and flexibility in their personal all the while maintaining their work commitments. As such, there has been a significant shift toward flexible working and the importance employees place on it. If you are in a position to offer flexible working to staff then do not overlook it. A good working relationship is built on trust and if you can trust your employees to develop a working schedule that benefits both parties it will do wonders for job satisfaction and in turn performance.

Show your appreciation  

Your staff needs to know that they are appreciated and there are many ways you can show your appreciation from financial incentives to verbal recognition. Of course, many members of staff will want their efforts rewarded with financial gain but that does not mean managers or leaders should overlook the simple act of saying ‘thank you’ or offering verbal praise for a job well done. A member of staff who has been told their work is of a high standard and gratefully received will benefit from an instant boost in confidence and mood. The power of positive words should not be overlooked. 

Ask for feedback 

A great way to avoid second-guessing is to be direct about the matter and ask your staff what would improve their working environment and make them feel better about the workplace. This can be done by arranging a series of one-to-ones, team meetings, or confidential feedback forms. Once you have all the information in be sure to give it the due care and attention it needs - and be sure to act on the recommendations where you can. This is one instance where actions speak louder than words. 

Practical & Professional: The Right Approaches To Secure Home-Based Business Success

 

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If you are determined to turn your hobby into a business you need to get into the right mindset. Starting a business at home is an essential practice, but for many, this is the biggest battle of all to keep themselves focused and professional. So what are some of the most important rules to guarantee your home-based business is a success? 

Branding Is Everything

Branding is an amazing way to show your business as a key competitor in the market, but it also can help to cover up a multitude of home-based sins. A lot of people focus on the fact that they are a home-based business and this is part of their charm, and if this is something that really works for you, you can embody this within the promotional and packaging materials. But make sure you stick to your home-based ethics, which is why a business plan is so important, as you can lay out all your goals in one handy place.

Stay Practical 

Running a business at home means that you've got to have a practical approach, not just to how you run the business, but also how you run your life. If you are looking towards mass manufacturing, you've got to have the right support on board so you can keep your head above water in terms of your mindset. For example, if you are looking for support when it comes to packaging, you can click here and see the benefits of high-quality roll stock packaging for bulk items. Practicality is such an important thing that we can overlook especially when we turn around and realize that our home is strewn with packaging and promotional materials. Instead, focus on putting your working life into one simple part of the home and ensure you have the right professional and personal support on-side. 

Be Serious (but Not Too Serious)

You've got to have a professional facade, and when customers come to your place of work but you are still living at home, you've got to remember this may very well take the shine off what the customer thinks of you. In order to make a business that goes somewhere, thinking about that whole professional image in terms of your branding and how you conduct yourself is pivotal. One of the best ways to actually offset this potential lack of faith in your professionalism is to have a mailbox registered to a central location.

Customer Care Is Crucial

When you get a call, you’ve got to focus on that and give it everything! This means you’ve got to stop everything, which could mean keeping the kids occupied or letting the dog out. And while we've all learned about working from home, the fact is that if we are going to run a professional business we have got to be professional in every single way. Of course, there are so many things that we can do to make sure that our home-based business is a success, but a lot of it is how we conduct ourselves. 

It takes a lot of effort, especially during those first 12 months. But while working from home may seem like a benefit, in many ways it is a distraction. Make sure that you have the right mindset.

Getting Relationships Through Remote Working

Of all of the ways that the ongoing pandemic has been affecting our relationships, it might be a surprise that remote working is one of the elements seemingly taking a toll on how we get on with our partners. If you feel like this new arrangement has added some strain to your relationship, here are some of the potential causes, as well as what you can do about it.

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The relationship needs new boundaries

It might seem like having a partner at home all the time can seem like a joy, but the truth is that both of you are going to need space and time to yourselves and now, with one or both working from home, it’s up to you to create that yourselves. Otherwise, you can run into not just the problem of feeling like you have zero personal time, but the interruptions and distractions caused by living together without boundaries can start to affect your work-life balance, which can cause a lot of stress and productivity problems.

The physical side of staying at home

Working from home has a range of benefits, but it also brings with it some uncomfortable challenges, which can include the fact that many of us are moving much less than usual. A lot of people have packed on some “pandemic pounds” but it can be even worse for those who are working from home, which can lead to problems with self-esteem and even some loss of attraction. As such, care should be taken to live a more active life, even if you have to work out at home.

Changes in lifestyle can affect intimacy

A lot of us have seen some major mental and physical health changes as a result of being stuck at home all the time. Things like weight gain, loneliness, and frustration can start to affect how we experience and give intimacy. However, it is important to manage these things rather than simply ignore them and, to that end, a relationship counsellor might be a very valuable ally to bring into the relationship. Learning new ways to stoke and to appreciate intimacy is important in a relationship, even if things aren’t going to be the same as before.

Uncertainly plagues us all

It’s not uncommon for people to have doubts about their future plans, given that the pandemic and change in work-life has already introduced a lot of uncertainty. To that end, you might be putting a pause to future planning and this can give you doubts about your relationship or concern your partner about where the relationship is going. It’s time to take a moment to talk about the future of your relationship, where you want to be in a few years, and to understand that you might need a little leeway for that time to come just yet.

Any major change to how we live and spend time with our partner is likely to stress the relationship. However, this is far from unfixable and hopefully, the tips above give you the direction you need to work through it.

Five Team-building Activities to Boost Employee Morale

 

Employees are the greatest assets of any company because, without them, success will be unattainable. No one succeeds on their own; everyone needs a team of like-minded individuals working towards the same goal to make the impossible possible. And that’s why boosting employee morale is important.

Happy and satisfied employees are more productive because they know that their contributions to the company are being valued. These employees are motivated to give their 110% because their employers treat them right, which often leads them to become loyal employees who stay even when the company is facing adversities.

By working on employee morale, you can establish a strong workplace culture built on trust and mutual collaboration. If you feel like the people in your workplace isn’t there yet, here are five team-building activities that you can do to get there faster:

Schedule a Karaoke Night

Every company needs a chance to bond outside of the office, and the best way to do this is by holding a karaoke night. You can schedule the activity on a random Friday night so that everyone can bond over food, drinks, and a showcase of hidden talents. And it can be a nice way to relieve stress after a long work week.

It may not be as helpful in establishing teamwork as other team-building activities, but it sure can be a great chance to create strong workplace relationships. During a social event, you’ll be able to see one another in a different light and learn more about your colleagues outside the bounds of their jobs.

Going on a Fishing Trip

Not everyone enjoys being out in the open waters, but some people enjoy fishing trips to bond with their colleagues. If you prefer spending time in a more relaxed environment and have a friendly competition over who catches more fish, then you should go fishing for your next team-building activity.

Fishing charters are perfect avenues to develop patience and work on delayed gratification. Plus, with all the idle time you’re going to spend waiting for the fish to bite, you’ll have plenty of chances to share life stories and discuss things that are beyond the scopes of work. Besides, everyone deserves a day like this.

Book an Escape Room

There’s nothing like putting heads together to solve impossible puzzles and escape impending doom, or at least until the time is over. If you want to test your and your colleagues’ teamwork, patience, grace under pressure, and attention to detail, you should book an escape room for your team-building activity.

Plus, escape room themes can be very entertaining. A few of the most common themes for escape rooms are being trapped in a room with a zombie or solving a murder, which is great for thrill-seekers. But of course, you can choose a theme that will work best for your company because zombies are not for the fainthearted.

Plan a Boot Camp Weekend

Many people rarely have the chance to experience obstacle courses and physical challenges once they enter the corporate world, but you can change that. If you want a team-building activity that centers on athleticism, cooperation, teamwork, leadership, and competition, then a boot camp will be perfect for you.

Spending an entire weekend in a boot camp will increase your trust in one another and help you work on your communication skills. It will also encourage collaboration and stimulate creativity when building strategies on how to defeat the other teams. Plus, boot camps are perfect avenues to release stress.

Give Back to the Community

There are various ideas you can explore to give back to your community and support good causes. It’s a great idea to ask your employees for suggestions and to think carefully about the charities or organizations you want to help. Encourage your team to donate items for Goodwill Pickup, organize a charity gala, sporting event or fair, or choose a nonprofit every month and donate a portion of your profits. Doing something positive in the community is not only beneficial for organizations and the people they support, but it also brings employees together and it can encourage stronger relationships. 

While most team-building activities revolve around the idea of fellowship within your organization, you can also take this opportunity to give back to the community your workplace belongs to. Or you can choose a deserving cause that you want to support and hold a fundraising event in their honor.

As long as you’re all working towards a common goal, it can count as a team-building activity to boost employee morale. And what better way to bring people together than to find a good cause that everyone cares about? So, on your next team-building event, choose to support your local community. 

Team-building activities can only do so much to boost employee morale, and that’s why you can’t rely on them alone. The events will help strengthen your bonds with your colleagues, but they have to apply to your day-to-day lives as well. After all, the whole point of creating social interactions outside of the workplace is to forge stronger relationships that will help you work better as a company.

How To Manage Your Health When You're A Freelancer

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Self-employment has become a much more popular way of working for a lot of people. The COVID pandemic has also led to many more companies introducing remote and hybrid working as standard. There are huge potential benefits to this way of working, including creating a much healthier work-life balance for yourself. 

Yet many freelancers are finding that the opposite is true, and their health and wellbeing take a backseat as they build their freelance careers. 

So what are the health implications for freelancers and what can you do to keep yourself happy and healthy. 

Here are our top tips to get yourself into a great routine. 

Get the right insurance

If you don’t live in a country with free health care, it can be tempting to try and save money by skipping health insurance and hoping that you won’t fall ill. However, you need this safety net should you become ill or injured and unable to work. Many policies will also cover things like mental health support and alcohol rehab as part of their terms. 

Another good insurance policy to have is to have in place is income protection. This provides you with a percentage of your monthly income should you be too ill to work. You might wonder how this affects your health. If you do become ill and don’t have any income protection in place, you may keep working when you shouldn’t and prolong your illness or even make it worse. 

Keep regular working hours

One of the great things about being your own boss is deciding when you’ll work. This can be especially helpful if you have family or other commitments, or something crops up unexpectedly. But many established freelancers recommend setting a schedule and sticking to it as much as possible. Otherwise, you will find yourself working longer and longer hours and never being able to truly switch off. 

Set boundaries with clients and suppliers

The technology that allows us to work remotely, also means that we rarely switch off completely. Establish your working hours communicate these to your clients and protect your personal time as much as you can. 

If clients insist on trying to contact you outside of these times, stand your ground. Turn on your out-of-office if necessary and get yourself a separate phone number for your business calls. You can then leave it switched off or send all calls to voicemail after a certain time. 

Schedule exercise into your week

If your work involves working at a computer for long periods, then you’re at risk of a lot of different health issues. Initially, there are the aches and pains which come with sitting for long periods. Your muscles become tight and this can lead to backache, neck ache, and cramps. If this continues for a long time, then a sedentary lifestyle can result in weight gain and higher risks of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and a host of other conditions. 

Schedule exercise as you would an appointment with a client. Whether this is going out for a run, the gym, or doing a fitness video in from of your TV, find what works for you. Some people prefer to get out of the house to exercise, especially if they work from home, but if time is very tight then setting up an area in your home might be a good alternative for you. 

In addition to keeping you physically healthy, regular exercise can help you sleep and give you a mental boost too. 

Adopt a healthy diet

When you work from home, you’re never too far from your fridge, which can be a bad thing if it’s full of unhealthy snacks. A balanced diet is vital for good health so make your life easier by keeping tasty and nutritious food around and preparing your meals in advance. This way you’re more likely to avoid snacking or ordering takeout. 

Designate a workspace

While it’s nice to have the option of sitting on the sofa on your laptop to do your work, it can sometimes be helpful to have a clear distinction between your workspace and personal space. Whether you have a dedicated room or a corner of a kitchen table, you can increase your productivity and learn to switch off after you’re done for the day. 

Set your workspace up correctly

A poorly designed work area can cause you a lot of problems with posture, neck ache, and eye strain. Learn how to set up your workspace in a way that works for you. This includes where to position your computer, the correct angle for your wrists as you type, and the height and lumbar support of your chair. 

It’s worth paying a little extra money for a good ergonomic chair as it can prevent you from losing precious working hours to backache in the future. 

Work smarter, not harder

Running your own business means that you have a lot of different responsibilities alongside your core activities. Find ways to delegate or automate as much as you can. 

Network

Being self-employed can be an empowering experience, but it can also feel quite isolated at times. Especially if you are in a remote role with little face-to-face contact with people. 

A way to prevent this feeling is to network with other freelancers. Being around others who are dealing with a lot of the same issues as you are can be very liberating and is less stressful than networking for new business. Check what opportunities there are in your local area. If there is no face-to-face events, then you will be able to find a virtual one. 

Building connections with people is great for your confidence and mental health. 

Final thoughts

There are many advantages to the freelance lifestyle, but it’s still very easy to fall into bad habits that can have lasting consequences for your health. With some careful planning and some self-discipline, then you can ensure that you keep yourself mentally and physically healthy throughout your career. 

The Role of Organizational Culture in the Modern Workplace

 

The war for talent has gone more intense every year. To score top talent, companies are flaunting their work culture to appeal to job candidates, especially the millennials and Gen Zs.

In Singapore, SMRT CEO, Neo Kian Hong has done critical steps to promote a positive and structured work environment across all departments. This approach helped his company produce a professional workforce equipped with world-class skills.

Organizational culture matters a lot for companies, especially those who are conscious of how they are being perceived by their employees, customers, and media. This is because a strong culture has a great impact on the company's overall performance, retention, recruitment, and employee performance.

In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the role of organizational culture in the modern workplace and how it affects the way people work.

Defines the company's corporate identity

Organizational culture defines how the organization does business and how it interacts with its employees, customers, media, suppliers, partners, and other stakeholders.

This means the organizational culture is a reflection of your business because it embodies how you do business. Similarly, it also represents your identity and brand image, which determines how employees and consumers perceive your company. Although you can easily share the cultural values of your organization through the company website and social media, it still pays to make it more apparent throughout the company by applying it to everyday operations and interactions.

Increases employee motivation

Most employers think that motivation to work lies in salary increases, paid holidays, flexible schedules, and health insurance. Truth is, organizational culture also helps in building motivation by providing an environment where employees feel their values are represented. From marketing products or services to employer-employee relationships, a strong organizational culture motivates people to work harder.

Employees take cues from the management when forming opinions about the workplace culture. Once they have adapted to the company's shared norms, this unifies management and employees. In turn, the unity will make employees feel they are a part of the organization. This leads them to feel more involved in contributing to the success of the business, not just for their personal accomplishments.

Nothing feels better when you're excited about coming to work every morning. You feel motivated to do your best not only for your professional development but also for the success of the company and your colleagues. This can only happen if you provide a supportive culture where everyone feels valued.

Better recruitment

First impressions are essential when attracting and recruiting top-performing job candidates. The young generation of job seekers, particularly millennials and Gen Zs, are now considering company values when choosing an ideal employer. For them, the hiring experience is a reflection of how the company cares for its people. They also prefer working environments with a clearly defined value and a strong sense of purpose.

Some companies recruit candidates based on whether they are culture-fit for the workforce, while placing experience as the second priority. This approach is called team-first corporate culture. It means if employees value their coworkers and feel at ease in their current work environment, they are more likely to be motivated to work harder.

Determining if a candidate fits the company culture is an effective deciding factor in the event when two potential applicants are neck and neck in the recruitment process. This can be done by providing personal tests that include a section on culture-fit to evaluate the applicant's workplace values.

Higher employee retention

Recruiting top talent is just half of the battle. Knowing how to retain them is where the real challenge begins. HR leaders reveal that employee retention and turnover are the biggest challenges in managing employees.

People who feel respected and valued at a company are less likely to leave. That's why companies need to create a strong organizational culture that reflects their mission statement and core values. Satisfied employees mean higher retention, which saves employers time, money, and effort in the recruitment process. But this isn't just a one-time thing. To make this possible, companies should take time to maintain and further enhance their culture.

Employees are expecting more than health insurance, paid time offs, and a large paycheck. They now crave a workplace that is supportive, rewards good performance, and offers plenty of opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing. This explains why engaged company cultures have lower rates of turnover.

In the end, the main purpose of a strong organizational culture is making employees feel comfortable and satisfied at work. The office becomes a place where they can be themselves and can drive career to its fullest potential.

Career Opportunities for an MSCJ Holder

 

If you have a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) or you are planning to get one and you are wondering what jobs you can do with such a degree, you can rest assured that we have your back. 

The fact is that there are several jobs that you can do with an MSCJ. Therefore, in this article, we will look at a few of these jobs to help you choose your career path. Visit https://post.edu/blog/challenge-choosing-career-path/ to learn how to choose the perfect career.

Let’s begin, shall we?

1. Criminal Profiler

This involves the literal design and creation of criminal profiles that will enable law enforcement personnel to solve crimes. 

Such an individual will have to go through the process of examining different characteristics regarding a crime or crimes that have been perpetrated by a particular criminal. This examination will then allow the profiler to build the criminal’s personality profile. 

With this developed profile, the whereabouts or the criminal’s next move can be tracked down to enable the police or other law agents to apprehend such an individual.

2. Director of Court Services

For this professional, their primary duty is to plan and execute compliant processes and practices that will be carried out in court systems. 

Apart from the above duty, some directors handle certain specific projects in different programs which include financial auditing, jury systems, child support prosecution, records management, forms creation, court operations, etc. 

Furthermore, the director might be tasked with hiring and firing staff and will oversee coaching, training, as well as the orientation of subordinate staff. 

3. Criminologist

The job of a criminologist is to study the basic factors that motivate folks into committing crimes and breaking the law. 

This individual makes use of conducted research to define these motivating factors responsible for illegal and criminal behavior. When these factors are well-defined, the criminologist will use the knowledge acquired from the MSCJ programs to develop tactics to stop such crimes.

4. U.S. Marshal

U.S. Marshals carry out different kinds of law enforcement duties which include high and basic profile tasks. They can be part of different types of operations to bring felons to justice. 

In most cases, they aid of task forces assigned to track and arrest felons, protect judges or jurors, transport prisoners, protect witnesses, etc. 

5. FBI Agent

These federal agents are involved in dealing with national-level criminal investigations. The kind of crimes they deal with includes organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, foreign counterintelligence, extortion, white-collar crime, etc. 

FBI agents can obtain and execute warrants and even collect evidence. They are also allowed to appear and testify in court. They regularly interact with witnesses and even suspects as they gather evidence to aid them to close a case. 

6. DEA Agent

Agents under the Drug Enforcement Administration deal primarily with drug crimes. They investigate happenings within the drug industry and apprehend any perpetrator of illegal activities. 

Due to the vastness of the industry wherein they operate, the locations of operations of these agents are scattered across the globe. Hence, as an agent, you might be sent to a different country for an assignment. 

Some of the duties an agent will carry out include writing reports, monitoring activities that are drug-related, aiding undercover operations, organizing and handling efforts of anti-drug task forces, appearing in courts as a witness, arresting criminals, seizing evidence such as drugs, weapons, or money, etc. Click here to check out the DEA’s most wanted fugitives.

7. Forensic Psychologist 

This type of psychology deals with behavioral study to enable problem-solving such as lawsuits, insurance disputes, and custody conflicts. 

Forensic psychologists are usually found in civil courts where they work in association with felons to decide on the best solution for the case at hand. 

Furthermore, they are tasked with the assessment of persons to ascertain their proficiency regarding a case. They also administer therapy to crime victims and serve as second opinion providers in certain difficult cases. 

These professionals can also be given the duty of working with/on child witnesses to enable such children to provide the required information for that case. They can also be asked to provide a general evaluation of an offender to determine his culpability.

When it comes to cases where children are involved, it is the duty of the forensic psychologist to assess custody cases, provide follow-up to abuse reports, and also assist in deciding if a particular individual is qualified to take care of a child. 

8.  College Professor

With an MSCJ degree, you can become a college professor who teaches students a wide range of topics which include society criminology, law, crime patternism, and psychology, etc. 

Some of the duties that accompany this job include developing assignments, creating lesson plans, monitoring the progress of students via their tests, papers, and grades. 

A college professor will sometimes offer career path advice to students to enable them to select the best career path.

Conclusion

With so many job opportunities, you can see that you haven’t made a mistake in bagging or planning to bag an MSCJ. From the jobs above, you can decide on which one is best for you, and begin the process of applying for that job.

Cheers to your success!

Five Business Management Tips

Running a business can be a deeply exciting time, but if done wrong it can also be a time of great stress and anxiety. That's why it's important to know all the different tips that allow for smooth and easy business management. Whether you are a project manager, CEO or office manager, you have come to the right place as this guide has been created to recommend a few key ways that you can ensure solid business management. Read on now for all you need to know about smooth business management now. 

Know When to Outsource and When To Create In-House

To outsource or not to outsource: this could be the question that you are asking yourself when it comes to finding that balance between efficiency and cost. It is worth having a long think about the needs of your company and the cost of in-house teams. For example, when it comes to managed IT services then it's worth looking for a cheaper outsource-able option rather than hiring your own IT team. 

Ditch The Flat Hierarchy and the Open Office

Despite the best wishes of many people, businesses are not actually democracies. While it's important to make sure that everyone in the office feels respected and that their voice matters, having a flat hierarchy can often lead to confusion when it comes to people figuring out what they should actually be doing and who to look to for authority. That's why it's much better to have an established structure so you can have a proper decision-making workflow. Additionally, the open office — once a utopian idea for communal thinking — has been pretty much debunked as it increases paranoia and encourages an always-on culture that stifles productivity. Get rid of it. 

Pay Everyone on Time 

When it comes to paying your employees, the more often that you pay them on time — or if possible, even ahead of time — the more likely that they are to respect you as a business manager. Therefore, it is always worth making sure that you have the process and the money in place to ensure a smooth cashflow. 

Use Cloud Computing 

The days of emailing important documents is over, with the latest generation sick and tired of using email, which they consider an antiquated method of communication. As a result, it's better to use the latest technologies in order to understand what everyone is working on and when. Consider downloading a solid cloud computing package that can have your employees working on shared tasks together with minimum fuss. 

Listen to Others 

No business is a one-person job. Instead, it requires collaboration between a variety of different partners in order to be a success. That's why, as a business owner, you should definitely make sure that you are listening to your other employees when they raise concerns. You can actively court feedback by having an anonymous drop box or scheduling one-on-one sessions. Don't just listen either: make sure to take their advice and to convert it into actionable goals. 

8 simple ways to foster a positive work environment

If you run your own business, you need to create a positive work environment. Otherwise, you will have a high staff turnover rate and an unhappy workforce. This guide will provide eight simple ways to foster a positive work environment. 

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Prioritize onboarding and training

As new employees learn the ropes and take on more complex tasks, they will become happier with their work. You can prevent a high turnover rate by having effective onboarding and training plans in place that detail what's expected of every person joining your staff.

Introduce new hires to their colleagues

Take the time to introduce new employees to the rest of your staff. If you are a larger company, it's possible that they will never meet people in other departments and may feel disconnected from the company as a result. Be sure to make introductions at both an upper-management level and with new hires working directly with the new employees.

Create a comfortable work environment

The workspace should have comfortable furniture, sufficient lighting and air conditioning, and a relatively quiet environment. Employees should enjoy being in the office, which will encourage them to work for the company instead of looking for somewhere else to work. You should also provide a comfortable area for employees to relax during their breaks.

Conduct regular check-ins

As the founder or manager of a small business, you should regularly meet with your employees to check on their progress. This is especially important at the beginning of their time with your company because you can help them adjust to the workplace and establish clear career goals that tie into the overall goals of your company.

Get employees the equipment they need

Help your employees by investing in the necessary equipment for them to do their jobs better. This could be anything from a laptop or tablet they can use to more complex items including tools, engineering instruments, and chemicals. You can often find excellent equipment at trade prices. For example, if you run a healthcare business, you can use medical-supermarket.com.

Encourage collaboration and communication

Every workplace can benefit from establishing a more friendly environment that allows employees to communicate with each other more easily. You should create workflows so that team members will be able to talk with one another and share ideas. For example, if you're an accounting business, you may want employees to use a cloud-based accounting software solution such as Wave to keep everyone updated on company finances.

Develop a strong workplace culture

Let your employees know that you respect their efforts and acknowledge positive contributions. For example, you could make a rule that all employees will receive healthy snacks and drinks once they've finished a major project near the end of the week, so everyone is able to relax and celebrate on a Friday afternoon. This will let them know that you care about their well-being and want to make sure they have positive experiences.

Facilitate opportunities for learning

If your company offers continuing education, let employees know that you will pay for them to study in university. This could be either through tuition reimbursement or even an educational stipend. You should allow staff members to choose at least one course each year to pursue, as long as they agree to work towards a degree related to their roles in the business.

How To Write A Good Resume

Did you know that most hiring managers only glance at a resume for five to seven seconds before deciding whether the candidate is suitable or not? That might sound like a terrifying figure, but with a good resume, there is a lot you can do with those few seconds, and you can undoubtedly secure an interview, which is really what a resume is geared towards. 

If you want to make the best impression through your resume, there are some things to bear in mind. Read on to find out what they are. 

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Use Keywords 

Understanding the importance of keywords is one of the best things to think about when you are learning how to create a fantastic resume that gets results. Many companies search for particular keywords in resumes, and if they can't locate them, they move on. Keywords that you should include will be ones that are stated in the job description for the role you're applying for. If the job advert talks about trading forex, for example, then make sure your resume has details about your work in this area. If the ad mentions organizational skills, give examples of how organized you can be – and mention the exact words that the business used. 

In essence, by including these specific keywords, you are showing the hiring manager that you carefully read the job advert and then chose to apply, helping them know that you are qualified and that you want the job. 

Limit Descriptions 

Finding the right balance between too much and too little information is one of the most difficult aspects of enhancing the quality of your resume. Your resume should be a snapshot of your achievements, so don't spend too much time providing work specifics for prior positions that aren't the one you're applying for. Only mention the essential facts; you can expand on these much more when you get to the interview stage, and remember, with just a few seconds to make an impression, the more succinct the information, the better. 

Plus, if you just throw everything at the resume, even things that are just not relevant to the position you're applying for, the hiring manager will have to skip over a lot of what you wrote, potentially missing out on the most useful elements. As well as this, having too much irrelevant information shows you haven't read the job description properly, which will give a bad impression. 

Keep The Font Clean

Many employers notice candidates attempting to make their resumes stand out by choosing a colorful and unusual typeface. Unfortunately, these typefaces may be distracting and draw attention away from essential information about you. It's far better to use standard fonts and write the resume in black ink on white paper. Although this might not look as though it will stand out in a crowd, whoever has to read it will be glad you kept things simple as it will be easier on the eyes. 

If you're not sure what to do to make your resume look neat, use a resume template. There are hundreds to choose from online, and they will show you just what font to use and even how to layout the resume for the best effect. 

Will Driving To Work Be A Thing Of The Past?

 

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As you may have noticed, we have been working from home for a few months now. This has led people to ask, what things about their work lifestyle could they change forever, since they have managed to continue being productive and effective in their roles at home? Lots of industries are in the firing line. Chief among them is the commercial real estate industry, but so too is the car industry. Driving to work might be a thing of the past, if you can work from home for 2-3-4 days of the week. Does this mean, public transport will get a boost in funding? Maybe it means that more eco-friendly personal transport will become popular. Here are the many reasons why taking a car to work is perhaps a soon to become a pastime.

Not as much stress

As the population of human beings on earth punches through 8 billion people, more and more people are on the roads. This has led to massive and common traffic jams around the world. As millions have been without the need to drive to work for so long, the stress of driving has been replaced with the calm of a morning stroll. 

Not to mention, you won’t be risking your life to some degree if you’re not on the road. If you have ever been in a car accident and have suffered a life-changing injury, you probably don’t see commuting to work by car the same anymore. But top car accident lawyers are still going to be needed for this reason. They'll still be needed to fight for compensation, so you can pay for medical bills and time taken off work.

A new wave of tech

It's not just cars, but every form of ‘old’ commuting type that is under attack from new technology and new lifestyles. For instance, if the hyperloop is successful, it could mean, you could hurtle from city to city, at around 300-400mph. This cuts every single train journey you can think of, (including the Japanese trains), in half. So you can get from Pittsburgh to Chicago, in about 41 minutes compared to 67 minutes by plane, and 125 minutes by train. 

Not to mention, this is also a safer form of transport as it will not be open air like trains are. Trains are subject to the weather, such as wind, rain, hail and snow. But, since the hyperloop is encapsulated, it can continue to function through heavy snowfall, monsoon season and more. Another reason why driving just seems old-fashioned. 

Great personal transport

Personal transport has made leaps and bounds in technology. Electric bikes can reach 20-30mph, allowing for riders to really make time if they are getting to work using their own steam. This is brilliant for those that live in the city and even for those that live in rural areas close to towns and cities. The ranges are generally about 10-20 miles, depending on the internal or attachable external battery packs. 

Rutland bicycles have made some great designs, such as the Levo and Creo. The batteries are situated in the front support bar, so it's out of the way and doesn’t upset the balance of the bike. With a 320Wh battery, you have lots of power and range. 

Not to mention you have electric scooters, skateboards, monoboard, and even electric roller skates. There really is no shortage of electric personal transport vehicles you can choose to help you get to work. And with ranges and power set to only improve as battery technology and efficiency motors are designed, commuting to work by car in a city or town, could be a thing of the distant past.

Love of driving

Some people just love to drive and they don’t want to give up the joy that it gives them. So perhaps, there will always be people who want to drive a car to work and back. For them, smart highways will be the future, as technology is integrated into the highways to make them more informative, more friendly to self-driving cars, as well as monitoring road conditions, vision distances, and traffic updates. This will all be displayed into your car’s computer console, so you can get seamless updates using the voice alert options. 

4 Steps for Setting Company Goals in the Workplace

 

Are you scratching your head right now trying to figure out if your company is meeting its goals? You are not alone. A big percentage of small business owners have not set their goals clearly. Sure, they have a vision of where they want to be in the future, but they haven’t laid out the plans on how to get there. Goal setting is the most important thing in achieving success in business.

Not only will setting goals provide direction for the company, but it will also keep your employees engaged. When they know the company is focused on achieving these goals, they are more likely to be more productive in the workplace. You should keep them informed about the metrics you follow, too, so they will understand the impact of their work on the company goals.

Identify Long-term and Short-term Goals

What are your long-term and short-term goals? For example, the short-term goal is to get 50 more followers to your social media pages in three months. You want these followers to be highly engaged with your brand. Choose quality over quantity always, but numbers will be a great measure of how successful you are in your short-term goal.

Commit to Your Goals

Show devotion to your goals. Seah Moon Ming wanted to change the culture in the company from a blame-seeking one into a problem-solving one. But to do that, the SMRT Chairman had to resign from his day job, which he did to spend more time focusing on the goals of the company. This is one example of how leaders and business owners sacrifice their own conveniences (and even money) to achieve the company’s goals.

Once you have set the plan, commit to it. Don’t second-guess yourself and don’t procrastinate. This will only delay the progress of reaching your goals. Staying focused on the goals of the company is the single most important thing that you can do to achieve the short- and long-term goals.

Make Your Goals Public

The most effective way of staying committed to your goals is by sharing them with others. Bring the goals to everyone’s consciousness. Share the list in an email or a company memo. This will make you accountable for your goals. The people who know about them will push you to work harder. It also works to make your employees look forward to fulfilling these goals. The demands of their everyday work will be more acceptable because they know these are in preparation to meet the goals you set.

Make them physically visible, too. You know what they say, right? Out of sight, out of mind? Print them and put the list on your wall, so everyone remembers it (even you). Aside from physically posting the list in your office, create an office document that will keep track of the goals, too. Share this document with your employees, so they can understand the importance and impact of the work they do.

Create Milestones and Connect Them With the Goals

You cannot have one lofty goal and try to reach only that. Create instead small milestones that are achievable in the short term. This will give you an excuse to celebrate these little wins. It’s a morale booster. Plus, it also keeps employees engaged in their work.

But more than creating milestones, you should also connect these milestones with your long-term big goals. The employees have to know that whenever you hit these milestones, you are getting closer and closer to your goals. It will benefit your company not only in terms of productivity but also in terms of retaining highly skilled workers. Engaged employees are more likely to stay at a company, becoming productive contributors and effective brand ambassadors.

The goals of the company are your destination. This is where you are headed. Every time you make decisions for the company, you have to consider where these decisions are going to take you. But more than just creating goals and tracking them, you need your employees to be in the same boat as you. This is truly the mark of how successful your company can become in the future.

First Impressions: Looking Great for Your Next Job Interview

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2020 has been a difficult year when it’s come to employment. The coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic hit and the measures that governments around the world put in place may have slowed the spread of the virus, but they have also had a profoundly negative impact on a huge number of professional industries. Countless companies have collapsed, as they haven’t been able to operate under new laws, rules and guidelines. People have lost their jobs outright. People have been made redundant. Self-employed people have struggled to secure clients and work. So, if you’re looking for a new job, you’re not alone. The issue? Competition in pretty much any field for pretty much any role is harsh. So, you’re going to have to go above and beyond to secure the position you’re aiming for. Now, interview prep is essential. Practice answers to common interview questions. Research the company. Know what you’re talking about. But how you present yourself is important too. Even if your interview is over video chat, it’s still important to look good and make a positive first impression. Here are some steps you can take to achieve this!

Consider Your Outfit

First, think about what you’re going to wear. Sure, you may be on video call. But people can still see a proportion of what you’re wearing and you never know when you might be encouraged to stand up as part of an interview task. So, choose your outfit carefully. Generally speaking, smart is better than casual. But consider the company, determine what you think their expectations will be and match them. If it’s a formal and professional company, a suit or formal business wear may be appropriate. If you’re in a creative industry, you may be able to wear something more casual. But make it nice - maybe something from engineered garments. If in doubt, simply ask for a dress code recommendation when you are asked to attend the interview. The person at the other end of the line or email will be able to let you know what’s expected.

Make Sure You’re Groomed

Clothing isn’t the only part of your personal appearance that you should focus on. You also need to make sure that the rest of your appearance is taken care of too. Make sure you’re well groomed. Make sure your hair is clean and neat. Make sure your nails are clean using a nail brush and nail file. If you have facial hair, make sure it’s trimmed and in shape. If you wear makeup, make sure it’s subtle and done well.

We can’t emphasize how stiff competition is when it comes to job hunting right now. So, make sure you don’t neglect your personal appearance when interviewing. This is the first impression the company is likely to have of you. So, make it a good one! Hopefully, some of the above advice will come in useful and get your interview started on the right foot!