13 Steps for Effective Problem Solving in the Workplace

    So, what is conflict, what causes it and how do we best deal with it? What is workplace conflict? Is a sharp disagreement or opposition of interests or ideas. When people work together, conflict is a part of ‘doing business’. Conflict usually leads to lowered morale, an increase in absenteeism and decreased productivity. It has been estimated that managers spend almost 25 percent of their time resolving workplace conflicts – resulting in a decrease in focus and thus lowered work performance.   What creates conflict in the workplace? Some of the primary causes are:   Poor Communication: different ...

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How to Update Your Work Wardrobe on a Budget

Find out how to save on your favourite everyday looks with these budget style tips.    Focus on Staples First
 Before spending money on anything else, make sure you have staple work pieces in your wardrobe and select a few pieces that will work with what you already own.    De-Clutter and Organise
 By cleaning and organising your wardrobe you can easily determine the items you really need to buy for yourself. Categorize your clothes into dresses, blouses, jackets, skirts, pants, etc. to find out which types of clothing you need more. Keep casual and workout clothes separate. It is ...

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12 Simple Ways to Improve Your Relationship With Your Boss

  Having the support of your boss is important to your job and your career, so it’s worth it to try and improve or develop a relationship with your supervisor. Keep reading for some simple strategies to improve your relationship with your boss!    Go the extra mile. The next time you’re on the job performing your job tasks, why not go the extra mile? Remember that your job description outlines the basic tasks and duties required to maintain employment. Occasionally going above and beyond the call of duty can really help others out and help you stand out in a positive ...

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How to Throw a Summer Office Party

  Company summer parties give the employees an opportunity to relax and have fun with the other co-workers  and your boss has finally realized that a summer office party is a great way to boost morale and camaraderie and you have been chosen to organize it. Never organized an office party before? Don’t worry, unlike winter office parties, the summertime is full of activities and venues to choose from. We have some great tips on how to make it a party that will make summer last a litte bit longer.    Budget Confirm with your boss the budget, the scale of the ...

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Best Apps for Travel & They’re Free!

It would be impossible to list all of the great apps that are out that make travel better and easier, but here are some of the top ones:       TripIt easily turns flights, hotel, and car reservations into a simple itinerary. Additionally, the app allows you to get flight status, driving directions, and more.   SeatGuru gives you detailed airline seat analysis, comments about seats which have limited recline (yes!), less legroom, bad windows, etc.   GateGuru Stuck at the airport? GateGuru app has information and maps for gate locations, food vendors, stores, ATM’s, places to plug in, airline ...

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Business Travel Tips for Smart Women

Here are some practical tips to make business travel run more smoothly      Sleep smart. Dark circles under your eyes aren’t good for business. Many road warriors know that you can only use a certain amount of concealer to cover bags under your eyes to mask jetlag or poor sleep nights. Carry eye masks and earplugs.    Get elite status. Nothing beats having being an elite member of an airline insofar as travel goes as the perks are just great: Faster lines, free upgrades, first class upgrades, the ability to use their lounge in the airport, etc. how do you get that ...

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10 Questions To Ask Before Buying a Business

  There are no stupid questions. This is what you should consider when doing your research before buying a business. The more questions you ask, the less risk you will have.  But just in case you have no idea where to begin, here is a list of ten questions as a starting point of a thorough investigation.    1 – What are your biggest challenges right now?  You want to be aware of potential issues. For instance, if you’re buying a company that will need improvements, you need to know that before deciding to acquire the business.    2 – ...

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How To Boost Workplace Happiness

Research continues to show that a happy and positive workplace increases productivity, reduces staff turnover and engenders employee flexibility.  Basically happy workers are more likely to say yes to extra responsibilities, stay for longer, collaborate and help boost morale.     Incorporating the following ideas into your workplace will soon have everyone smiling! Do Something You Love Every Single Day. Trust your team. Step out of approval. Instead, pre-approve and focus on supporting your people. Make your people feel good. Make this the focus of management. Pass the knowledge on to your people, so they don’t need things approved. Find ...

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Great Apps for Executives

There are lots of lists out there and they are all different because new apps show up everyday. Here are some top apps for executives that we have hand picked for you. Docs-To-Go This is essentially a mobile version of Word, Excel and Powerpoint. It will not be a replacement for the desktop version but it is great for a quick edit or to jot notes or review information in transit or before a meeting. Very stable app with a strong history   Scanner Pro Paper meets the iPhone in Scanner Pro, which turns the iPhone’s camera into a simple scanner for ...

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How to Boost Team Creativity

  Being creative is more than just coming up with new ideas for products, or cost reductions. It’s a tool that can be used in many ways and situations. Creative people are better problem solvers and tend to overcome obstacles to reaching goals better than plodders. Research shows that people are much more creative and productive when they feel happy says Daniel Gilbert, a psychology professor at Harvard University.     Having a hard time coming up with new ideas with your team? A few practical tips to build a more creative team.    Learn each team members’ distinctive talents  The areas ...

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