Why Company Culture is Essential for a Successful Business

Why Company Culture is Essential for a Successful Business Every company has its own unique culture, made up of the working environment, the special ways that things are done and the people who make up the team. The culture of a company can affect lots of aspects of the business, from talent attraction and the  retention of existing staff, to the brands reputation among the public and the industry. The company culture plays a large role in your job satisfaction, as if the work environment doesnt match your personality and working style you could experience a clash of interests. Therefore, for a business to build a workforce of staff who are motivated to achieve their best and are going to stay with the company long term, its important that they hire people based on their culture fit. This infographic from Washington State University explains just how important company culture is and the impact that it can have on employee happiness and attracting the top talent to the organisation. A few  examples of a really strong company culture Walt Disney Corporation  are one of the most widely known brands in the world and they have built a fantastic employer brand by getting their employees involved.  The brand focuses on making dreams come true, so staff are trained to treat all of their guests like royalty. SouthWest.com focus on providing exceptional customers service and one of their employees volunteers at Ronald McDonald housing, making balloon animals for kids. Zappos  pride themselves on the great customer service that they provide and their staff are well known for going the extra mile to help customers. How does culture affect the hiring process? Talent attraction College students were willing to receive 7% in starting pay, if they could work for a company who shares the same values as themselves. Employee fit  Employees who are hired based on their fit with the company culture are more likely to build stronger bonds with colleagues, contribute their ideas to the organisation and stay at the company for longer. Employee retention 46% of new hires quit or are fired within 18 months. Some of the reasons are a differing preference of communication style, the way feedback is given and the amount of openness that is expected. How does culture affect  employee happiness? Companies with a strong culture have less staff turnover than those who dont. Happy employees can be as much as 31% more productive. Employees who are actively engaged in their company culture are more likely to receive a promotion and report high levels of job satisfaction and engagement. How can your business create a great company culture? Acknowledge good work from your staff, as employees are more likely to continue putting in a high level of effort if they feel their work has meaning and is appreciated. Offering incentives to encourage employees can actually be counterproductive.  Qualities that work as better motivation are autonomy, mastery and purpose. Employee motivation can be improved by allowing employees to manage their own work, offering training opportunities and making them feel like their work matters to the business as a whole.

100 Executive Power Words for Resumes INFOGRAPHIC

100 Executive Power Words for Resumes â€" INFOGRAPHIC Executive power words. They belong on executive resumes. We know they’re mostly verbs â€" words with great emotional power.We also know theyre embedded in your descriptions of your responsibilities, skills, and accomplishments.However, we don’t know which words deliver the best results â€" interviews and job offers.Power Words That Won JobsLast year, several of my resume clients got new jobs very quickly. For example, I sent one client a draft of his resume and then didn’t hear back from him. Odd. After a month, I emailed him a “What’s up?” and he replied that he had a new job. Best answer!Given this, I decided to review the resumes of my most quickly hired clients and pull together a list of market-proven power words.What and How VerbsThe first pattern I noticed was that I could easily classify the words into what and how groups.It’s no surprise that my clients who showed their ability to make things happen at work landed new jobs quickly.My study revealed that resumes that emphasized “what,” the change, progress, and results my clients obtained, quickly won interviews and job offers. 72% of the words on the executive power words list are “what” verbs.“How” my clients achieved their “whats” mattered too. Resumes that highlighted classic managerial and situational awareness skills got attention. In addition, resumes that described “how” my clients related to and led people got the nod. 28% of the words on the power word list are “how” words.4 More PatternsBeyond what and how verbs, the executive power words broke into four more groupings:Results.Change.People.Management.ResultsFirst, the most effective resumes described results using verbs such as:awarded, completed, decreased, exceeded, increased, delivered, differentiated, doubled, earned, executed, gained, grew, met, monetized, netted, optimized, patented, performed, produced, progressed, promoted, received, recognized, recruited, resulted, retained, saved, secured, sele cted, sold, solved, wonWhile you wouldnt think of those as keywords that recruiters look for, they are power words that cause recruiters to schedule interviews and hiring managers to make job offers.ChangeSecond, the only constant is change.   Thus, executives who show they can plan and execute strategy and lead change make attractive candidates. The best resumes described change using verbs such as:accelerated, advocated, built, centralized, changed, cleared, converted, defended, defined, eliminated, escalated, established, exited, expanded, formed, fostered, founded, generated, institutionalized, integrated, initiated, introduced, invented, invested, launched, opened, packaged, pioneered, positioned, procured, proved, reduced, renewed, shifted, simplified, sourced, standardized, started, systematized, tightened, turnedPeople Third, companies want executives who can lead and work effectively with others. Thus, people verbs such as these mattered:brokered, coached, collaborated, con tributed, convened, cultivated, engaged, facilitated, led, negotiated, partnered, presented, represented, servedManagerialFourth, beyond leaders, organizations also need managers. The best resumes contained many of these managerial words:anticipated, avoided, controlled, ensured, evaluated, focused, highlighted, identified, investigated, monitored, prevented, prioritized, protected, reviewed, specifiedCompare Your Resume to the ListCheck your resume. Look for about a 70/30 distribution between “what” and “how” verbs. If you want a better balance between what and how verbs, the lists give you market-proven performers. They helped my clients get interviews and six-figure jobs very quickly. I hope they work for you too.The InfographicMany people enjoy visualizations, so I put together this infographic that summarizes all of the information above:Embed Code    Words to AvoidBTW, if youre wondering about words to avoid, read this post: 10 Most Common Resume Words People Hate. The res also a link inside the post to a longer list of resume words many people dont like.    Image: Fotolia/melpomeneUpdated May 2019 2014 2019, Donna Svei. All rights reserved.Donna SveiDonna Svei, an executive resume writer and former C-level executive, retained search consultant, and CPA, writes all of AvidCareerists posts. She has written for and been quoted by leading business, general, and career media outlets, including Forbes, Mashable, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Lifehacker, Ask.com, Social Media Today, IT World, SmartBrief, Payscale, Business News Daily, and the Muse. Let her background and experience inform your job search strategy and decision making.Learn more about Donnas executive resume writing service or email Donna for more information. Resumes â€" Best Worst Words (4 Posts)

Productive Use of HR data

Productive Use of HR data Productivity growth since the late-2000s recession has been relatively weak and evidence supports the suggestion that SMEs have seen a bigger hit to productivity than larger firms; however, the UK stands out as one of the worst productivity performers among its peers, persistently ranked toward the bottom of a sample of advanced economies. Small improvements in productivity and retention can have a significant impact on the bottom line. HR professionals ought to be productivity experts, looking at how work is done, with an open mind, so as to educate management and help them reorganize work and teams around the best way to get stuff done. Using business data to try to help figure out why things are happening and the people piece behind that; that’s where data analytics really come into play in a truly useful way. Relevant data I think that a lot of HR data is not particularly relevant or enlightening; what is needed is a shift in the mindset from HR measuring HR to HR enabling the business to deliver”. Employers collect a mass of data on employees and use it to report on areas like diversity, gender pay and staff turnover, but we should be using robust people analytics to understand how poor productivity, skills gaps, and long-term trends affect the organization. It’s about understanding the business impact that drives profit and loss so that the data is put to best use; using it to review business objectives and identify opportunities to enhance and influence workflows. If employees really matter, then the organization will recognize that engagement, recruitment and retention become problematic if workers don’t feel that they have a stake in organizational success. Employees are entitled to expect that both the data generated from their employment and insights that derive from the data, will be used to benefit them as well as the organization. At 10Eighty, we prefer to focus on analytical techniques that enable employers to assess and develop talent, managing skills and aligning them with training investment that empowers workers to engage with development opportunities and invest in their ongoing employability. The CIPD suggests we consider three key areas when interrogating HR data: Is it insightful? Does it tell something you did not already know? Is it relevant? Does it concern something that matters? Is it actionable? Can it be used to trigger a meaningful intervention? Changing work practices New technologies that allow employees to work remotely and change in work patterns and contracts mean that employees have greater flexibility and more control over their working lives; these changes benefit employees and employers. Given these new workplace dynamics, it is apposite to enquire whether the HR data currently collected is entirely relevant and useful in the current environment; ensure that what is collected is what is needed and that it means what you think it means. Giving employees freedom with accountability allows them to incorporate creativity and purpose into their work and to focus on development opportunities. Good employees want to map a career path with an employer of choice; they want managers who give them a voice and they want to see how their contribution fits into the bigger organizational picture. Ensure the organization has the data to build a collaborative and supportive culture that will help to tackle the productivity puzzle. It’s also important that HR analytics are integrated into evidence-based HR practice in order to improve the use of people data when informing or advising on decision-making. Used appropriately, the data may improve trust and transparency within the organization and improve outcomes for employees. Robust, realistic and sharply focussed HR analytics allow the creation of HR strategies and policies that will facilitate an employment relationship based on trust and an environment that fosters creativity, exploration, versatility, and risk-taking.

Born For The Silver Screen Maybe Its Time To Go After Your Big Break

Born For The Silver Screen Maybe Its Time To Go After Your Big Break Pretty much everyone has the dream of getting to be up on the silver screen at some point in their lives. Even if its just a simple daydream, its the kind of thing that everyone has imagined once or twice. Of course, then there are the people for whom its far more than a daydream. The people for whom the idea of standing up there on the big screen pretty much consumes their every waking hour. If youre in the second category, then it can often feel like youre waging something of an uphill battle trying to turn that dream into a reality. With that in mind, here are a few things that you can do to bring your silver screen dreams just that bit closer to being real. Find the right opportunities One of the biggest problems for a lot of people who dream of being able to act as a career is that they have no real idea where to start when it comes to trying to find the right opportunities. Because of that, they end up sitting around hoping that some big break is just going to fall into their lap. Well, you can stop waiting because thats not going to happen. If you want your big break, go out and find it. If youre looking for somewhere to get started, check out this list of auditions for Netflix shows. By seeking out auditions and opportunities, youre going to be in a much better position to start really pursuing your dream. Never stop learning Never assume that raw talent is going to get you to where you want to go on its own. The truth is that its pretty rare that an actor appears fully formed, ready to star in the next big Hollywood hit. In reality, the people who succeed are the ones who work on their craft tirelessly. Attend workshops, go on acting courses, obsessively study your favourite actors and scripts. When it comes to the acting profession, there really is no such thing as being over prepared. Get to know people It might not be the ideal scenario, but its important to be aware that, when it comes to acting, its just as much about who you know as it is about how talented you are. The truth is that, while your talent might get you the part, knowing the right people could be the thing that gets you the audition in the first place. Thats why you have to get out there and meet the right people. Join acting groups, connect with other professionals, and try to build up as many contacts as possible. Of course, its important to remember that there are few industries more competitive than film and TV, even if youre amazingly talented and put in a lot of work, theres still a chance that youre going to end up getting rejected more often than not. Every successful actor or actress in the world has hundreds of failed auditions at their back. Make sure that you dont get discouraged and that you always bounce back and try again, no matter what.

Resume Writing Service Reviews - What To Look For When Deciding On A Resume Writing Service

Resume Writing Service Reviews - What To Look For When Deciding On A Resume Writing ServiceA job seeker can take advantage of resume writing service reviews to gain an understanding of what their options are as far as online job searching is concerned. Most resumes that are found online are created and submitted by the companies themselves, and job seekers don't have access to this level of information, unless they go to websites that offer services for employers and job seekers alike.In the past, several clients have been able to obtain great results by examining the various companies that specialize in creating resume templates. Resume writing service reviews do not allow for such a thing. They simply review and rate websites that offer the ability to create custom resume writing services.Some of these websites will only provide a brief synopsis of their offerings and will not even offer a complete service to the applicant. Instead, the job seeker is provided with a list of templat es they can choose from. The client will then be charged based on the size of the resume they require.While some businesses may offer simple resume templates that can be changed around according to their personal style, it is important to understand that resume templates are not the same as a resume that provides the detailed information needed by the job-seeker. Instead, resume templates are meant to be used as an aid to get a head start on creating a resume that includes all of the required details. It is important to understand that there are many options available to the job-seeker that will be much easier to create than a full resume.Job-seekers will benefit from taking advantage of resume writing service reviews if they use them as a guide and move quickly after the search has begun. It is crucial to understand that the submission process takes time, so the client should not be frustrated if they find out that the job they were looking for took weeks to submit. The job-seeker should go back to the drawing board and try a different approach.The resume is a necessary tool that allows the potential employer to get an idea of what the job-seeker is capable of. The best way to use resume writing service reviews is to take advantage of the opportunity to get an idea of what the company provides. Job-seekers should make sure that they understand all of the services offered and follow through on those options that will be most helpful.The best way to use resume writing service reviews is to take advantage of the opportunity to receive a free sample. This is an excellent way to see if the business provides what the client is looking for without having to invest any money. This can also help the client become familiar with the company's website and to ask questions about anything they are unsure of.The best way to use resume writing service reviews is to find a company that is professional resume writer that offers different services. In order to get the best resu lt, the job-seeker should ask specific questions. While there are many free samples available, most online job sites do not offer this and must be paid for to get the job-seeker what they need.

How To Get Moving In 2019

How To Get Moving In 2019 How To Get Moving In 2019 It’s 2019. Are you ready? A lot of people casually looking for new jobs, put their job search into high gear in January. The holidays are over. They’ve taken vacation and gotten year end bonuses. If you want to find a new job this year, it’s time to get moving. Time to do all those things you planned to do in the last few months of 2018. Get Your Tools Together First, make sure you resume is recruiter and hiring manager ready. Your resume is your calling card so make sure that it is a compelling marketing document not the boring list of duties you used 5 years ago. A boring employment history is not going to impress anyone. Employers want to know how you can solve their problems, you resume should clearly demonstrate your value in modern, easy-to-scan format. And if you’re a senior executive, don’t forget to show momentum.   Next, finish completing your  LinkedIn profile so recruiters can find you.   Finish that that summary you’ve been meaning to for the last 4 months. Now that LinkedIn has changed their user interface, pay particular attention to the first 240 characters in your summary. Write something that will encourage them to click “Show more.” Write in the first person and show some personality. Talk about why you do what you do, not just about your experience. But do fill out the employment section with more than just job titles. Finally, if you don’t have them already, get some  personal business cards.   Don’t make the mistake of using your company business cards as many employers monitor employee email today. If they see emails from recruiters, resume writers, or other career professionals they may let you go. It happened to a guy I met when I was working as a recruiter. When creating a card include your name, contact information, and a brief blurb about you. Don’t forget you can use the back for additional information. Set Your Strategy If you haven’t already, create a list of  target employers.  Ask everyone in your extended circle â€" your friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, alumni association, etc. â€" who they know who works at any of your target employers. Follow your target employers on social media, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. Set up Google alerts for each company so you’ll be aware when they are in the news. This will help you when they as “why do you want to work here?” Research and select a few online job resources that might work for you. While you shouldn’t rely on job boards, they can be one part of your job-search plan. Continually monitor the career pages on your target companies’ web sites. Unless the jobs are confidential, usually when the person doesn’t know they’re being replaced, companies post open positions on their own sites. Develop a list of  networking opportunities. Many industries have national organizations with local chapters that hold monthly meetings. Join your University alumni association, many of them have events nationwide as well. Remember to use the secret to networking success. Get Moving Now you’re ready to create your job search plan. If you’re actively looking, try to schedule one networking event a week. If you’re passively looking or incredibly busy plan to attend one event a month. Avoid opening your conversations with pleas for help because you’ve just lost your job. Don’t tell people you’ve been too busy to network either. Everyone is busy. Don’t force your business cards on everyone attending an event. Or be the person who puts their cards down at every place setting. If people haven’t spent some time talking with you your card will likely end up in the circular file. Schedule some time each day or week, depending on how actively you’re looking, to peruse the job boards and your target company’s websites. There’s no more time to waste. January 2019 is here. It will be 2020 before you know it.

The Great Cover Letter Debate

The Great Cover Letter Debate I recently sat in on a panel of staffing professionals representing such prestigious companies as Microsoft, Starbucks, and PacSun. One of the questions that came up in the audience was Do you read cover letters? All three representatives of these companies said they do not. But is this representative of most recruiters and hiring authorities? I decided to conduct my own  informal survey  and quickly realized that peoples reactions to cover letters are all over the board. So here are my conclusions:Half the people you send your cover letter to will probably read it and the other half will not. Since you can never be sure who your audience is, it is best to cover your bases and send a cover letter.A strong cover letter might distinguish you in a sea of mediocrity. Most peoples cover letters fail to convey a message of value to the employer. But a strong cover letter can help you customize your resume and grab the attention of a hiring authority.A resume is fairly formulaic; a cover le tter is not. Cover letters can be used to communicate interest, passion, and enthusiasm regarding a job opening. They are often used to build the initial rapport between the job seeker and the employer.Specific action-oriented cover letters work better than generic ones full of fluff. Showcase strong accomplishments that are relevant to your reader and use metrics whenever possible to validate your competencies. Stay away from tired cover letter phrases such as team player, strong communicator, or detail oriented. Hiring authorities assume you have these competencies. Leverage accomplishment statements to prove your success across these competencies.What type of content is included in a strong cover letter? Check out our samples  here