7 Ways to Improve Productivity in Your Office

7 Ways to Improve Productivity in Your Office The word “office” doesn’t usually inspire visions of a beautiful place and, as many know, working in one can get stagnant and boring. Being indoors under artificial lights for 8+ hours a day can be draining, and well, downright depressing. Research has even confirmed this, with studies showing that people subjected to artificial light for a set period of time showed a decreased quality of sleep, amount of sleep and even in some cases created daytime dysfunction. So what can you do to help improve this, whether just an employee wanting to improve your own space or the owner looking to renovate/design a friendlier and more productive office space? Here’s a few tips to help you out: 1. Natural light Try to incorporate natural light into the office space. Of course not everyone can have large glass windows and, in some cases, large offices will have areas that aren’t even near a window. If this is the case look at making one room (lunch room or just a quiet area) a sanctuary with natural lighting where employees can go to relax, away from the flickering fluorescent lights many offices use. If you’re an employee, look at going outside for lunch or just make a note to walk around every few hours for 5 minutes to refresh and recoup, which is also good if, like me, you stare at a computer for hours on end. 2. Maintain 22 °C Studies have shown that people work best when the temperature is within a range of 22 °C 25 °C. They also showed that below these temps there were more office errors, but as the temperature was increased to 22 °C errors dropped by 44% and typing output increased by a massive 150%, showing that a small thing like regulating your office temperatures can play a significant role in productivity. RELATED:  How to Troubleshoot  Productivity 3. Neutral colours Try to use neutral colours were possible. Many experts believe that colours play an important role in shaping a persons mood. Grey/White/Neutral colours breed a cool, open, relaxed atmosphere. If you want some colour go for Yellow which will help produce a bright, creative environment which would work well for a Design Company etc…, or Green helps will communication, balance, being social. Try a Blue colour for a relaxation room/ lunch area which helps promote peace, honesty, kindness. Try to avoid Red whenever possible as although it helps with vitality/energy it also produces a bold, independent feeling which could cause conflicts in an office space. If you don’t have the luxury to renovate or you’re just an employee look at adding some pictures/art with these colours into your office space, I personally have a beautiful landscape picture of the Yorkshire dales adding greens and blues creating something tranquil to look at during my busy day. This can also mean you’re addin g a personal touch, helping to create a more comfortable area to spend your working day in. 4. Nature = nurture Add some plants to your office. It’s been long established that plants can help reduce stress in the workplace, so go green and add some plants to help productivity in the office. Plus this can also improve air quality, help regulate humidity (I felt my old office had a dry and almost suffocating air quality before introducing a plant) as humans prefer a humidity factor of between 30-60%, and some well-placed greenery can even help to reduce noise levels (For me phone calls, typing, general chatter really annoys me and distracts my thought process). 5. Ambient sound Many offices are now being created with the idea of open plan work areas which helps employees feel connected but this can also produce noise factors which can lead to distractions, which further lead to reduced productivity. Many offices have the radio on to help drown out the sound that one can generate. This can help by allowing people to concentrate on an ambient sound over the general noise, but be careful as not every ones taste in music is the same and choosing the right station can also be a key factor otherwise for some the music could just add to the distractions. I personally bring my own music to work, but of course this isn’t applicable to all working situations. One solution could be introducing a quiet room, were people can work in a peaceful environment away from the general office distractions. 6. Keep healthy Take away the sweets and go for healthier options like fruit, nuts etc… when that belly starts rumbling. Studies have shown that people who snack on sugary treats have a lull in their productivity in the afternoon compared to non-snackers (Yes I know that’s not a word) which is due to the fluctuations in your blood sugar levels. If you really can’t live without something sweet, then try things like grapes, which are a great source of natural sugars. 7. Keep tidy Maintain the office, keep things tidy and organised. Keep your desk free of clutter, make essential things handy to get by organising what goes were, this will then create a more pleasant working atmosphere for yourself. Also don’t get annoyed by others who don’t keep organised, not everyone is the same (I’m terrible at maintaining a tidy desk but I stay 5 minutes at the end of the day to make sure I organise and clean it, and it definitely helps me get started the next morning), so if you do see a colleague that always has a messy desk, help them out to better organise and get them started on the right path. This will improve their productivity and help the general office ambience. Finally don’t be afraid to put your own feeling and creativity into either your office space or if you are renovating/designing a new office space putting in unique ideas. This can come from including a bizarre logo placement like at the Google office in London, or creating an unusual office seating arrangement (the Office Greenhouse in Riga, Latvia has a unique design) and using wacky materials (Amsterdam company BrandBase with their pallet office) which visiting clients will see creating talking points once they have left, helping to further generate exposure for your company. I love to see the wonderful way people have taken the ordinary office concept and turned it into their own individual space, take the Selgas Cano architecture office for example, a perfect combination of the principles for office harmony. This to me helps promote the company, create a positive working environment which helps increase productivity. If you can unite everyone in the common cause to produce top products for your clients, and if you consider the basic points I’ve highlighted in this blog I’m sure you will have a happy, productive workforce. Author: Liam Coleman is Joint Managing Director at Blue Octopus Recruitment, an honest online recruitment company with a difference. From Yorkshire and proud.

Resume Template - Creating a Career Resume in Open Office

Resume Template - Creating a Career Resume in Open OfficeBefore you open an office, you have to take the time to think about what kind of resumes you need to write and how you will best display them. An open office template can be your answer for both.The secret to creating a quality resume is thinking through how you will present it and using what types of materials that are available in an open office. You can consider a resume template, or you can create one from scratch, but whichever path you choose, you need to take some time to think about the content and the look of your resume.Creating a custom resume is very simple, but there are several considerations that will make it more effective. Most importantly, you want to focus on the most important parts of the resume that will get your information across. You will want to highlight your achievements, educational background, education and training, work experience, awards, leadership roles, and key accomplishments in each of thes e areas.In an open office, you can use the provided glass panels to help you focus on your achievements. Instead of having to remember where the other sections of the resume are located, you can simply focus on highlighting your career accomplishments as you go along.In addition to highlighting these important elements, you want to include jobs that demonstrate the key qualifications you need for the position, job responsibilities that illustrate your skills, and any achievements that demonstrate how you help your team members to do their jobs. This will help people remember your accomplishments and your key role in helping the company achieve its goals.There are many templates that are available for use in an open office. In order to create a custom resume that is suited for an open office, you can consider one of the many templates available. These open office templates can include section headings that highlight what you would like the reader to see, and you can also include the interview with the interviewer.However, there are some tips you should consider when you use an open office template. First, you will want to ensure that your resume is formatted so that it is able to be submitted quickly and easily to the employer.Some formats that you will want to use include text only, HTML, and Braille. These formats are going to give your resume more attention and make it easier for the recruiter to scan over your resume as well as read it when they review your resume.

Turning Business Plans Into Action Plans With Char Stackle (Case Study) - Classy Career Girl

Turning Business Plans Into Action Plans With Char Stackle (Case Study) Today I am thrilled to introduce you to Char Stackle, Founder of Lifeonherown.com. Welcome Char! Thanks for being here and sharing how you turned your business plans into action. Turning Business Plans Into Action Plans With Char Stackle Where are  you at in your business journey right now? I am in the planner phase and the side hustler phase of Corporate Rescue Plan. One thing about CRP is that it moved me through the planning phase pretty quickly. I  progressed really fast which is great because sometimes you get wrapped up in the planning and dont actually do the action. So thats one great thing about  CRP. What fears and challenges did you have when starting? The hardest part was figuring out where to begin. You have this great idea but you dont know what to do to get it. That was my biggest challenge. One thing with CRP I was able to go through the modules and just do the steps. CRP had the three biggest extraordinary things for me when starting. 1. A community. There is a great community of women that help support you and you can get great ideas and know you arent alone. 2. Content. Just follow the steps and go along.  I can plan all day but I dont know where to go. CRP gave me the avenue to keep going. 3. Customer service and Commitment. You are so committed to helping us out and making sure we are progressing along. Before I had signed up for other internet business programs that had a  community but the community was so huge that you were talking to a crowd of no one. CRP is small enough and intimate enough that you can get a lot of feedback. I was a recipient of help when designing my business cards and I have helped others on their sales letters. Its a two-way street. [RELATED: How I Left Corporate Without Burning Bridges] Where and when did you learn about  CRP? I learned about Anna from her blog and a webinar that I had taken. I was struggling about whether or not I wanted to further my career or start my business. Instead of going through the career path that Love Your Career Formula does, I went with CRP. What did you think when you first joined? I was excited however I was a little nervous because I wasnt sure what to expect. My fears were not founded in anything because you can take 30 minutes per day to work on what you are given in the program. You dont have to spend hours and hours. You can go it pretty quickly. I was dragging my heels doing my business plan. But there was a business plan challenge and at the end, Anna reviewed my plan. Every morning I worked 30-45 minutes on my business plans and I was done in a week. Sometimes the business plan can be overwhelming but just take small steps here and there. When did you make the commitment to  move forward with your business plans? I made the commitment right at the beginning of creating that business plan. If I am putting this down on paper and saying what I want to build, I better stick to it. It wasnt a dream anymore, it was a goal on paper. Did you follow the modules inside of CRP? Yes, I am following the modules. Its a nice balance between doing and the challenges in the Facebook group. Sometimes I have to let go of the challenge and realize it isnt the stage I am in and  I can always come back to it later. I keep the checklist going which really helps me stay on track. If I ever feel lost, I can go back to the modules and pick up right there. What has been the most important thing you have learned so far? You arent alone balancing work and trying to start a business. Often, its hard to balance. The world at large doesnt understand  what is involved in starting a business. Having a community that is on the same path makes me feel like I am not alone doing this. Especially when we are from all over the world and you get to see amazing women doing some great stuff out there. Also, I have learned how to network. how to network. There is a great community of women in my town that I have gotten to learn and meet face to face. Just having the small Facebook group launched me into networking outside offline and getting used to how I can be more comfortable networking. Currently, I am on a goal to get 12 clients by May 31st. Thats my  goal that I have set for myself. Those actions and things I am working on is networking more and meeting with someone locally just today who is interested in working with me. What would life had been life without joining CRP? I would still be dreaming  about starting my business and helping other women get their time management and productivity in their lives together. I was a professional organizer before and I was passionate about helping women own their lives. Organizing their house is a huge thing so I worked with a lot of them but no matter how much I organized their closet or their kitchen, they still couldnt get their head around being in control of their lives. I thought that there has to be a larger and even bigger thing that isnt just a quick fix I can do that really helps them  and eliminates the overwhelm. What are you the most proud of since you started your business? What I am the most proud of is coming up with the vision for my company and that I am here to help other women. I know how important our lives are when we are busy. Its so important to put together a life that we want to create and spend with family and friends. To me, that is what I am proud of because I want to see my client say she really succeeded. She is now able to de-stress and able to be present. Many times we arent present. This is what I am here for in the world. How can we find out more about you? You can find out more about lifeonherown.com.. You can also find me on Pinterest as well. I have a pretty big following with ideas and projects about time management and organizing. Your last words of wisdom for someone just starting out creating her business plans? Business owners are the next wave of where we need to go. We see the need to stay at home. This is where many of my clients want to be to spend time with their families and friends. This is an exciting time for us because we can do this with the  technology and community online. There are so many resources and even it seems you are in your own little world because everyone else is doing the 9-5, this is the way we are doing it. There is so much opportunity here. Dont get discouraged. If you want to learn how to become your own boss in 2018 and grow and scale your business like Char is doing, make sure you grab your free spot to our upcoming Freedom Workshop starting May 31st. Sign-up here.

How Management Could Be The Answer To Your Career Questions

How Management Could Be The Answer To Your Career Questions From a seated position, careers often appear to be monstrous behemoths of potential disaster, obscured by never-ending reams of indecision and made all the more difficult to tackle by their sheer life-altering weight. You’ll be pleased to hear, though you may not believe it, that this isn’t the case at all. In fact, careers are quite tameable, malleable and manageable, that is, once you know where you’re going. Symptoms You Are Good at Management Finding a career direction may be the only thing more daunting than getting started on the career itself. Are you unsure what you want to do? Do you know what you’re good at, and how that might be workable in a professional capacity? Quite often we know our skill-set, but don’t know how it fits into a job sector; we know what we can do, but can’t find any area these abilities relate to particularly.  Chances are, if you’re organized and have a dynamic social aptitude (which is a long way of saying you’re good with people), management might be the solution! Of course, you’re no doubt wondering how the broad and rather general idea of management could be a definitive career choice, and how it would be applicable to you in particular. One thing about a management or a leadership-based role is that the two main factors are, quite simply, organization and people skills. If you can stay on top of everything, connect to people effectively, the innate qualifications are already there, and you can develop these skills into almost any management role out there. Better yet, you can develop into a genuine, positive leader, just by properly grasping the basics. Is There a Career in Management A career in management can open so many doors, they’re incalculable. You may go from thinking you have   a comparatively limited range of options, to choosing management and suddenly finding opportunities left, right and centre. Why is this? Because, in fact, the social skills required for effective management are quite particular, but once you develop them, you can apply them to just about any management situation available, and beyond. Knowing what management is and is not could be a good indicator of whether it’s something that you feel suited for, so we’ve compiled a short cheat list below with things to remember as you embark on your career to the pinnacle of management success! Management is NOT (or shouldn’t be): Enforcing Derogatory Negative Punishing Restrictive The world of management is full of people in positions who think that simply exerting their power for the sake of doing so is worthy of the label management. This certainly isn’t the case. But then, how would you deal with certain managerial situations without restricting, or enforcing, or in some cases, punishing? Take a look at this list and see if it gives you any ideas: Management is: Motivational Encouraging Forthcoming and open Understanding Based on a culture of two-way feedback Focused on relationships A dialogue, not a monologue By utilizing those social skills to build an environment where your people can feel comfortable talking to you, where they are listened to, and formalities are dispensed with if they come at the expense of a working relationship, you’ll create a team of dedicated, motivated individuals and best of all, you’ll lay the foundations for you to become that revered, positive leader. Does this sound like something you could do, or learn to do? Management offers illustrious career opportunities that provide variety and job satisfaction by the bucket load â€" consider your tomorrow today!

How to Write a Really Good Doctor on Job Resume

How to Write a Really Good Doctor on Job ResumeIn order to write a really good doctor on job resume you need to get over your anxieties that will surely show up the day you submit your resume to a company. You may be apprehensive due to your serious nature, or you may simply be nervous about the interview, or you may be anything but confident about the question you're asked. These nerves can and will show up in your document. Learn how to deal with this so you can create a great Doctor on Job Resume.Writing a really good Doctor on Job Resume is hard. It's like trying to build a castle from the ground up. This job position entails long hours and little pay. Your needs and skills may seem basic to the person who reads your resume, but that basic nature requires you to put in extra effort.The first thing you need to do in order to write a really good Doctor on Job Resume is to stop worrying about it. You'll always be nervous and anxious about the interview. This will only be magnified w hen you are just sitting across from someone, one-on-one, and they want to know what you do for a living. If this happens, start to relax and pretend you aren't even in the room. Do this until you get through the question without even thinking about it.Next, learn to relax and let go of any kind of stress. You can't do this if you're under a lot of pressure or stressed. Try to find a spot where you can sit quietly and focus. Allow yourself to process things in a calm manner.Finally, in order to write a really good Doctor on Job Resume you have to be able to answer their questions with confidence. You need to respond quickly and truthfully. Always tell the truth and be prepared to answer the question they ask before they even ask it. Never try to hide anything or make a big deal out of anything.Writing a really good Doctor on Job Resume is no easy task. It takes a lot of work and time. Just take some time and be patient and you'll get there.Lastly, develop a sense of self-confidence. It's not about who you are, but it's about who you will be and what you can do for the company. Take some time and be realistic about your chances of getting the job.These are some of the things you need to do to write a really good Doctor on Job Resume. Being able to do these things will help you get over your self-doubts and give you the ability to provide the best service you can.

5 Tips to Make Your Resume Pop

5 Tips to Make Your Resume Pop When it comes to constructing a resume, there is no doubt â€" content is king. However, if your resume is ugly, your potential value to a company might be unclear or could even go unnoticed by the hiring manager Don’t want to spend money on a resume builder? Want something quick and easy?evalUsing a professionally designed resume template is a nice, efficient way to get yours in tip-top shape. If you don’t want to follow a template 100%, no problem â€" modify it to your own specifications, input your information and voila! You’ve got your own visually appealing resume.Many of the templates available online have been crafted by experts well-versed in the art of resume building, and are structured in a variety of ways to fit an array of personalities and careers. People looking to shift gears and try a new field, those who might be accused of being “job hoppers,” and others who may have gaps in their work history can all use formatting to strengthen their application.2. Mind the marginsIt may seem marginally important, but margins do play an important visual role on a resume. For instance, using wide margins can make your content seem a bit lacking. On the other hand, if the margins are excessively narrow it could appear too wordy.Thankfully there is a sweet spot â€" by keeping your top to bottom margins at 1” My favorite non-serif font is Verdana. Verdana is spaced out a bit more than your average non-serif selection, which gives the reader a nice open feeling. It’s a breath-of-fresh-air font that can help bring out the content of your resume.Both are solid options, but feel free to explore other fonts if you’re feeling adventurous! Just remember â€" every font handles sizing differently, so it’s important to experiment before sending out your resume. At the end of the day, readability is key!4. Bust out the bulletsWell-placed bullet points are embraced by hiring managers because they communicate information efficiently. The traditional bullet is a solid black circle, but if you want to add a bit of style you have some alternatives.evalSquare and diamond bullets are a great way to add some weight to your listed abilities skills. Arrows and check-marks are a nice option to emphasize your past achievements accomplishments. Using different types of bullets is a pleasant and inoffensive way to break from convention, so give it a shot Although we’re living in the digital age, it’s still important to bring a few hard copies of your resume to an in-person interview. Show your potential employer you mean business by printing it out on a weighty, solid piece of paper.You don’t need to engrave your resume on a stone tablet, but the difference between a 24lbs piece of printer paper and its 32lbs counterpart is night and day. Go to an office supply store and see what I mean â€" you’ll understand.ConclusionRegardless if you’re a rosy-cheeked entry-level applicant or a seasoned veteran, being able to create an attractive re sume is a valuable skill that will last a lifetime. It’s an important document for anyone from teenagers to baby boomers, and shouldn’t be slapped together haphazardly.Although ultimately the content is what gives it weight, the appearance of your resume can be the difference between moving onto the interview stage and getting your resume binned.Make it look good and land that interview!

Toxic Colleagues and Office Bullies - Jane Jackson Career

Toxic Colleagues and Office Bullies - Jane Jackson Career Toxic Colleagues Office Bullies: NOT TO BE TOLERATED!  You do the right thing, you care about others, you work hard, and you think before you speak, you were brought up well. However, there are those who insidiously weave their way into your life … the toxic colleagues or office bullies. They turn up and test you, they try a little intimidation, they say things that don’t quite seem right and you wonder if there’s something wrong with you. They push you a little, if you don’t push back, they push more and after a while you wonder why you feel so bad about yourself. You feel trapped, your values are compromised and you wonder why you are so unhappy.So what are you going to do about it?Have you been tolerating any of the following?BULLYING  NO ONE has right to assault who you are as a person. NO ONE. Bullying can come from all sources â€" it’s not always the ‘bad people’ out there who are bullies, your own family members can be bullies and they are the hardest to deal wi th if you live with them as they are there day and night, night and day, ready to strike at your ego, your self worth, hungry to make you feel small. There are some menacing manipulators who love to put you down, make you feel bad about yourself, intimidate you while smiling in your face. Sometimes it’s the subtlest of comments that can trigger your emotional reaction. Stare them down. You will feel small if you let them make you feel small. Be courageous, confront them â€" no one has the right to make you feel bad about yourself.Sometimes you need to gain that courage through coaching â€" it helps so much to have an  objective professional  work with you through this.FEELING HATRED  No matter what has happened to you, do not let hate build within your heart. Feeling hatred does not harm anyone except you. Feeling hatred means that you are insisting that you are owed something that is not forthcoming. Gandhi, always wise in his words said, “An eye for an eye will only make the w hole world blind.” It may be hard to forgive, so it may be best for you to let go. If you can let go, you may not forgive or forget however you will be able to move on and create the space and the love that needs to live within your heart. Feeling love and being at peace with yourself is the best revenge!To gain inner peace, listen to these  positive affirmations on iTunesI realized that bullying never has to do with you. Its the bully whos insecure.  Shay Mitchell  NEGATIVE PEOPLE  Why is it that when it comes to small minded, ignorant and negative people, they are the ones who enjoy being generous with their small mindedness? Whether or not it is directed at you, to be around such people is to feed more negativity, ignorance and pettiness. Be careful of who’s feeding this to you. Who is draining you of your energy? Is it time to let those people go? Surround yourself with those with positivity, kindness and joie de vivre. It’s time to let yourself be happy for all that is g ood in life!Here’s something to help with your  inner strength.DO YOU REALLY NEED A SAVIOUR?  When you feel lost and don’t know what to do, it’s so tempting to let someone take charge. Before you do that, think! If you are making decisions about what is right for you, if you hand over the reigns and allow the decisions to be made by someone else, are you staying true to your Self, your own values or are you living the life that other person wants for you (or wanted for themselves?) What feels right for YOU? Seeking advice and guidance from trusted mentors and advisors is a positive experience as long as you make your own decisions with the facts you are provided. There is a reason why people speak about gut feelings â€" if you think with your head and your heart it is so hard to come to a decision however if you let your gut guide you, deep down inside, you know what is right for you. Give it a try, as you will always know you are living your own life, not the life that someon e else has mapped out for you.OVER TO YOU!How do you choose to live your life? Change what needs to be changed â€" whether it is your attitude, your physical environment, your relationship, your career â€" for your own sanity. Accept what cannot be changed, and then change your attitude towards it. Allow peace into your life. Choose your companions wisely. Surround yourself with those who lift you up and respect you for who you are. Say goodbye to negativity and say, ‘Hello’ to YOUR Life.Let me know your thoughts how do you handle toxic people?

How Can Resume Distribution Benefit Me

How Can Resume Distribution Benefit Me If you are serious about job hunting, then you need to make sure that you approach it from every direction. It is all well and good checking job websites and applying for vacancies, but this isn’t always enough when it comes to finding your perfect job position and resume distribution might be able to help! When firms are looking for people to join their team they don’t always go via job vacancy websites and newspaper adverts. They are often in a rush to find someone or feel that they need someone with the right skills so they tend to go via agencies to find who they need. Of course, if you are out of work then being head hunted probably won’t happen, which is why you need to make the job vacancy opportunities come to you! There are companies that specialize in getting your resume out there to the relevant people. This means that when big companies are searching for people, you can ensure that you are at the top of the list. When you contact a company about resume distribution they can usually make sure that your resume gets out there to the right people at the right time. This means that your resume goes to the right industry people and therefore you have the best possible chance of being successful when it comes to your ongoing job hunt. Inquire about targeted distributions, not just distributing to anyone. Our resume distribution process asks for specific industries, desired positions and salary ranges so we can get the most targeted distribution possible. We dont want to waste your time OR the recruiters time. Just make sure that the resume distribution service you sign up for has the resources to get your resume out to the right places so that your skills are showcased to the right people!