active listening, active listener, listening

The Importance of Being An Active Listener

As communication becomes increasingly abbreviated (i.e., texting acronyms and using emojis), being an active listener is the way to separate yourself from the pack. Start with Good Listening Skills There is a misconception that being silent, engaging with facial movements and vocal sounds, and summing up what someone has just said is a sure way to be a good listener. It also involves stopping what you are doing and focusing on the person and conversation. How to Become an Active Listener What is an active listener? It involves listening with your ears but also with your eyes and body....

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live to work, work life balance

Do You Live to Work or Work to Live?

People have different values and priorities, so their approach to work may vary. Some people may feel a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment from their work and prioritize it over other aspects of their lives. They may think that their work is essential to their identity, and they live to work. On the other hand, some people see work as a means to an end and prioritize different aspects of their lives, such as family, friends, hobbies, or personal development. They work to live and may see their job supporting their desired lifestyle. Ultimately, this question has no...

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business continuity plan

7-Point Business Continuity Checklist During Times of Crisis

Suppose you’re running a very successful business with employees who depend on you for their livelihood. If a crisis were to happen  –  a tornado, fire, or intentional harmful act – would you be able to recover and put people back to work in a timely fashion? Here are seven measures that can help to protect your business and prepare it for the worst-case scenario. 7 Point Business Continuity Preparedness Checklist Know your natural disaster risks. You may be at risk for earthquakes if your business is in certain parts of California. In Florida, hurricanes. New Orleans, floods. Ohio’s...

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flexible work arrangements

Flexible Workplace Arrangements Benefit All

Are you struggling with employee turnover and high hiring costs? Do you want to boost your workers’ productivity? Want to provide more work-life balance for your employees? Consider making your business a flexible workplace. “People will not return to work as they have in a pre-pandemic world. Flexibility is the new norm and expectation from employees. This trend will continue for many years ahead. “There is plenty of debate about remote work, and I recently had a chance to experience it myself. I think remote work can be an effective employment tool. Still, in my opinion, the most effective...

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retaining customers, customer care

It’s the Little Things that Win and Keep Customers

Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to get new customers and how they keep those same customers year after year?  It’s not as complicated as you may think. The secret is good old common courtesy! Showing respect and goodwill towards your customers goes a long way to ensure they will remain loyal. Small Opportunities Translate Into Customer Loyalty Have you ever tried to call a company or organization? Sometimes there is no phone number, and even if there is one, it often rolls to voicemail. Sometimes the person on the other end of the phone or...

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cybersecurity threats, See Something, Say Something at School

7 Cybersecurity Threats Every K-12 School Faces

Ransomware. DDoS. Phishing. Identify theft. Sadly, schools across the United States are becoming very familiar with these terms. Recent research indicates that K-12 institutions will have the highest rate of ransomware attacks of any industry in the coming years. For example, releasing sensitive student and teacher information can lead to identity theft. A hacker’s encryption of students’ grades and teachers’ lesson plans can lead to a loss of productivity (especially if they are not backed up) and thousands of taxpayer dollars being spent on replicating data that is gone. This is your opportunity to make cybersecurity a budget priority....

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smart hiring

4 Keys You Must Know to Start Hiring Smarter

In business, the only thing that’s constant is that things change all the time. That includes employees. Employees leave for many reasons, from finding new and better opportunities to getting laid off. Whatever the reason, employees leaving can have a profound effect on your business, especially if you have a small business.  The void they leave must be addressed, often finding someone to pick up their workload. You now need to run an ad, comb through resumes, interview people, and ultimately offer someone a job and hope that person is the right fit. Hiring Smarter Pillar 1: Understand the...

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Safety Tips When Traveling Abroad

3 Steps to Stay Safe When Traveling Abroad

Here are some essential tips and tricks to remember to stay safe when traveling abroad. The best advice: hope for the best, plan for the worst. Research Plan Watch Research When deciding where to go for vacation, it’s important to invest a little time in finding out about the area of interest. Resort brochures are intended to entice and showcase facilities in the best possible light. It’s a good rule of thumb to look up the intended location through unbiased eyes. Check the US Department of State’s for travel advisories Look up the destination on reputable review sites (e.g., TripAdvisor,...

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