Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Citizen Development at Work

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Citizen Development at Work Alec Sprague is not an IT guy. His background is in consumer advocacy, but in his position as database developer for Work for Progress, he has instituted a culture of citizen development at the fast-growing nonprofit organization. “Our organization is scrappy,” Sprague said. “We operate on shoestring budgets to maximize our benefit to society and our return-on-investment for our funders and donors.” At the beginning of his tenure with Work for Progress, Sprague struggled with outdated systems and felt the organization’s issues were too important to waste time with antiquated technology. “In the past year, we’ve made a more intentional push atdigital transformation, moving a lot of our data out of siloed systems and into the cloud so that we could save everyone’s time andproductivity,” he told an audience at QuickBase’s #EMPOWER2016 user conference in Nashville, TN. In the last year and a half, Work for Progress has developed 22 applications, including 12 apps that are each used by more than one department and more than 80 people. This from an organization that doesn’t even have an IT department! App Progress at Work for Progress One example of this citizen developer led transformation took place within Human Resources. The group was working with paper files and using a clunky database. Sprague taught a representative to build an app that would bring all of the group’s data online in one place. He followed up with weekly calls to workshop questions and problems. The whole department now uses the app, with several team members working on front-facing dashboards and workflows so that supervisors can take action on benefits and other HR-related items. A second implementation involved grant reporting. Sprague surveyed end-users and determined that reporting grants fundraising was a complex and confusing process. He worked with the grants department on an application that could quickly and easily report grant proposals, income, and deliverables so the organization could better keep track of fundraising work and communicate with donors. For more where this came from, please visit the QuickBase Fast Track blog.

6 Ways to Thrive as an Expat

6 Ways to Thrive as an Expat Nowadays its not unusual for  many individuals to expect that there will be a need to undertake an expatriate assignment at one or more points in their careers. For many, this may be an organisation-driven opportunity but for others this may be a self-driven opportunity. Regardless of what the driver actually is, to undertake a global experience may not deliver the expected return on investment, both financial and career, if it is not managed effectively. If you are considering an expatriate opportunity, there are some key issues that you need to consider and address prior to actually committing to it. 1. What is the impact on your career? Whether youre considering a global assignment to assist in increasing your marketability within your organisation or externally, you need to understand the impact this may have on your career. It may help to engage with a career practitioner and your direct manager to map out what your career may look like whether you take the opportunity or not. It will also give you an understanding of the value an expatriate assignment will have. You will also need to consider the impact this could have on your career if the assignment is unsuccessful for whatever reason. 2. What are the skills that will be developed? Once youve decided that this opportunity is the right one for you, it is important to look at what skills you will need to develop whilst on the assignment or even before you go to make it a success. A lot of organisation-driven assignments will focus more on the skills you currently have that are needed in alternative locations. However, it is important to look at how to achieve the assignment goals whilst also developing further capabilities. International experiences provide the opportunity of becoming more globally aware and cross-culturally informed which is sought after by many organisations in today’s market. 3. Am I the right person for this opportunity? In many instances the excitement of a possible expatriate assignment, the perceived recognition that this gives you within an organisation or just the experience in itself, actually results in individuals forgetting to make sure they are the right person to undertake the opportunity. Different personalities do not adapt to change the same way and moving to another location may be more challenging for you. Also, its worth considering that living standards, culture and tradition, professional environments, work-life balance, community expectations and education are different from country to country. This may impact you and your family’s ability to settle comfortably in the environment, and therefore risking the success of the appointment. 4. Pre-departure training Many organisations understand the value of pre-departure training but some dont provide it. Without this training some people suffer from culture shock which can risk the success of their assignment. The  training needs to cover the differences between the environment you are used to living in and the environment that you will be living in. The customs, traditions and communication styles are all important in business environments and these need to be understood before you take on the assignment. Pre-departure training for family members who are also moving is also important, as it will allow them to understand the challenges and issues that they are likely to face. For many expatriates, their partners will not be able to work and they will need to develop a social network of their own which is hard if they dont understand the local cultures and customs. 5. What support is provided during the assignment? Support is vital for anyone considering an expatriate opportunity to make sure that theres an ongoing connection with their parent country and the parent organisation. Thats because change WILL occur during your assignment, and this  may impact your ability to settle back in to the environment. Monthly mentoring with a connection back home is very important as it ensures that you are aware of any changes that are happening and how these may impact your career, your lifestyle, your personal life and your job once you  return. 6. Repatriation Don’t expect your repatriation back in to your old environment to be simple. Its inevitable that there will be a number of changes whilst you are gone and for individuals, even on short assignment, these changes can impact how you settle back in to your routine. Relationships may have changed, worked structures may be different, systems may be updated and your friendship routine may have seen someone else come in where you left off. Its important then that  you start to develop a support network for your repatriation whilst youre away on assignment, and maintain the connections to ensure you are aware of what to expect on your return. For a lot of individuals, the repatriation process is far more challenging than the assignment itself and it can have a big impact on relationships and your career if its not managed appropriately. As the global economy grows, more and more individuals are  considering expatriate assignments, so its important that you do the right amount of research and planning before making that step. A failed assignment can be a great hurdle to overcome but so can the impact on relationships if it is not known what to expect during this time. Whether its company sponsored pre-departure planning or personal planning, any type of international assignments need a high level of understanding and agreement even before someone looks to commit to it.

How to Mentally and Physically Prepare For Distance Learning Courses

How to Mentally and Physically Prepare For Distance Learning Courses Distance learning has become a convenient way for people who are busy or working to advance their education and indeed their careers. This is facilitated by the fact that it is possible for people to study online at the comfort of their homes through home learning. All that such people require is a thorough knowledge of the online learning institutions and the distance learning courses available and they can then choose the most appropriate. Mental preparation for online learning courses However, to start and successfully complete distance learning requires ample preparation. This is because most people who do distance learning usually have other commitments and therefore the only time they have is after work or during weekends. One of the important types of preparation before starting any of the available online learning courses is mental preparedness. This means that one should prepare to study even during late hours and sacrifice some of the activities that are usually done by people who are not in school. A person who is not mentally prepared might find not having time to relax and enjoy with friends being overwhelming. An ideal way of preparing mentally is letting the people at home know that you will have less free time. This is especially for people with families who can even get extra support from the rest of the family if they prepare them in advance. It is also advisable if you’ve been out of study for some time to start with an introductory course so as to let the brain adapt and be able to handle the increased workload. Furthermore, making friends with other people who are also learning online while still working is a helpful way of getting the necessary moral support. Physically preparation is equally important when looking to study online courses Besides preparing mentally to complete any adult learning courses, it is also important to prepare physically. This includes preparing an ideal place to study without disturbance. Most people prefer using one of the rooms in their homes to create a conducive environment for studying. This usually include letting the other people at home who might need to use that particular room that it will be used for studies at particular times. This will prevent people coming in this study room during the time set for studying. If possible the study room should be away from the place other family members prefer to spend their evenings and weekends. Another important step in preparing physically to do various home learning courses is finding time to study. This entails preparing a proper schedule that will accommodate work, social time and study time. Having a very compressed schedule might not be appropriate because it might be hard to follow it properly. The right schedule should leave time for one to study while at the same time leave time to relax and work. It is important to factor in some wiggle room in case there is a special event you want to attend or your evening commute takes longer than usual. This will enable you to make sure you can do everything else and still get time to study. This can be achieved by creating a schedule that does not take every evening on every working day or all weekends. Engaging in social activities such as charity and other related activities might consume some time, but it is conducive to adding balance to your life and makes it easier to return to study with a fresh mind. Post Credit: Therefore, if you follow the advice above, you’ll more than likely find it is possible to complete distance learning courses from NCC Home Learning and still have a happy home life too! If you enjoyed the post, you can have a look at this in-depth article with data on MOOCs. 5

Critique pinpoints where you need to next head - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Critique pinpoints where you need to next head - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Hearing criticism of your proud moment is the worst critique of all, and it is also embarrassing to be reprimanded for an error in front of an entire group. But, with a positive mindset, it is wise to reflect upon those very remarks to truly hear what is being said. Sometimes it is the most hurtful remark that produces the best path we never before considered. The outcome proves to be fortuitous. For example, in my own case, it was a nasty remark hurled at me that propelled me to become a published author. The sojourn spiraled business upward. To help guide you to your next step, questions are provided for serious consideration Contemplate Each week take time to reflect on the past week’s activities, and then answer the following questions: Of all the activities, which weren’t worth the effort? Did I receive recognition on something specific? Which results made me the most proud? Are my proudest moments and best results a starting point for creating something extra special along with a new long-term vision? Examine Factually monitoring activities is another method to recognize where tweaks, turns and new beginnings may be to your advantage. Monitor the areas that you enjoy most to see if they are merely a hobby or they are contributing to your bottom line. And for each new strategy implemented carefully look at those benchmarks as well. It will soon become evident where to spend the majority of time. The next step is to consider getting help for those tasks you least enjoy but find necessary. Collaborate Most entrepreneurs begin solo, but it soon becomes apparent that other teammates are a necessity. For example, you might have created a marketing strategy company, but are in need of someone who knows how to fix software issues and update websites, or of someone familiar with selling services. Aligning with people who have similar values to your own, willing to provide their best effort and insights, and who are dependable when need arises, are essential qualities to seek out in order for everyone to move forward successfully. Your team should complement your personal brand in order to successfully move forward together. Wisdom Heard The best advice heard was to concentrate on the work you enjoy most. Doing so has you cheerfully looking forward to work each morning and persevering to find new and better paths. One of the biggest rewards is the similar minded people you meet along the way. Take the Challenge Take the challenge to focus on your favorite part of work. Is it possible to leverage that piece into a larger vision with the promise of it becoming highly rewarding? In your quiet time, create a file with the one word that describes the endeavor you most enjoy. Next, add all of the synonyms and related keywords to build the idea out. With the list complete, are you able to see a trend for where you truly wish to be headed? Begin charting your new course now to find the Smooth Sale!

Working With Tense in Resumes

Working With Tense in ResumesIf you are a professional writer and your client needs to rewrite a resume for a job search, using the word 'up' will often get the job done more effectively than 'on-call.' 'Up' is a much less tense word that refers to what the person has already done. 'On-call' conjures up images of someone who needs to be called back from vacation to take care of something or someone.'Up' is a well-known vocabulary that is found on many resumes, especially a new present job. The usage of 'up' creates a sense of urgency. For example, if a customer is calling in an urgent matter to discuss with a sales rep about the steps they need to take to complete the order, it will help to put the customer on-call while the rep prepares the necessary follow-up calls to discuss the customer's issue further.On the other hand, 'up' is used much less frequently in resumes for a present job. The main reason is that the person is on-time, so to speak, and there is no urgency. In addition, most companies prefer to keep current employees busy and happy, so 'up' is not usually used in this context.As you can see, one purpose of the present job on resume is to make sure that the prospective employee feels welcome and comfortable at their current work location. One word that is often used when writing about the present job is 'relevant.' A relevant present job is a job that can fill in gaps in the people seeking employment, while at the same time promoting the company and creating an atmosphere that is appropriate for all aspects of the employment.In order to do this, one may use the word 'relevant' as a synonym for 'relevant to the job description' as in: 'The candidate for this job has relevant experience in this field.' Sometimes, the word 'relevant' can be utilized, but will be used in a negative sense. This is only suggested, however, since it is a key word.In addition to 'on-call,' 'up 'relevant,' the most used words on a job on resume our 'expertise 'education.' B oth are used in order to advertise a prospective employee's ability to contribute to the organization and its overall success. Knowledge is valued and a 'proven' employee is very desirable. Education can also be used to present a more vocational approach to a particular position.In any case, it should be easy to get a job with a new job on resume by using the words that are most commonly used in that context. This is especially true if the job on resume will highlight the skills of the person and the potential for the position. In addition, it should be easy to find a job when it comes to the local area since people usually want to be the first call to the new position.It should be easy to get a job on resume using these general words that are generally used. When it comes to a job on resume, being able to find a position quickly can be very important. So, make sure that you hire an experienced writer and let them know what the right words are and make sure that they understand the importance of having the right words in your job on resume.

The leaky sombrero - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

The leaky sombrero - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog I took this picture of myself the other day one of the first sunny spring days of the year and posted it to my photo account at 23. I didnt realize the full comic potential of the picture, however, until another 23 user nailed me with this comment: Spring arrrh..time to bring out the old leaking sombrero :) (Thank you Tveskov). UPDATE: Oschlag outdoes me with leaky pants. Think we can start a meme around this? Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

No Job Search Plan You Just Missed Those Opportunities Again!

No Job Search Plan You Just Missed Those Opportunities â€" Again! No Job Search Plan? You Just Missed Those Opportunities â€" Again! “There just aren’t many jobs out there.” Really? Director of Sales â€" that’s just the job Angela wants. She spends hours every day searching for a Director of Sales position on the web. She posts résumés on job boards, participates in LinkedIn Discussion Groups, finds a few opportunities on Facebook business pages and is getting a few alerts in her inbox. But she’s been doing this for 8 months and Angela has decided â€" or rather settled on the excuse â€" that there just aren’t many jobs out there. Oh, really? Angela needs to stop, rethink, and re-boot. She needs a disciplined multi-platform plan. A new regimen will help her turn her a job search process into “job number one,” avoid wasted time, be more effective, and get on the fast track to winning a job. Are you in Angela’s shoes? Here’s how you can make sure you never miss an opportunity again. First, map out your overall job search process and commit to a certain set of activities that you will repeat every day and every week until you land your new job. Be aggressive but realistic based on your other commitments (family, current job, etc.). And don’t steal time from other important things such as exercise, time with family and friends, or sleep. Here is where you can get my Cut the Crap (CTC) Job Search Schedule template for your new plan. Activity Type Description Daily Weekly Preparing to Job Search This includes organizing your technology, job search tools, communications, documents, and much more. Initially, 8 hours, then 1 hour per week 1 hour per week Researching Internet or library research: companies for My Job Search Tracker, people, industry news, preparation for an interview, etc. 2 hours M-F 16 hours per week Networking External meetings: large group, industry events, etc. 3 hours for 1 event per week Build then refine your personal and professional network list. 1 hour per week Refine and update your social networking sites. 1 hour 1 hour per week Networking contacts via phone and email. 1 hour daily M-F 1 hour per week Applying or Cold Calling Send out “Candidate Packets” or introduction letters if a cold call. 1 hour daily M-F 5 hours per week Following Up Follow-up on external networking meetings, send thank you letters to all contacts, contact hiring managers, etc. 1 hour T, Th, or as-needed 2 hours per week Rehearsing Build then refine interview questions, scripts for phone calls, email drafts, etc. 1 hour 1 hour per week 2. Use your Outlook Calendar, other calendar technology, or a paper calendar to schedule your activities into specific times of the day. Tips: Activity description: Don’t just say “job search.” Pick a particular activity out of the description column above or make up your own list. Identify where you will do this work: library, home, office, friend’s house. Find a quiet place with internet access so you can concentrate on the information and capture what you learn. What: Put follow-up activities highest in priority on your calendar and first thing in the morning. If you have business cards from an event, follow up on them the next morning. If you made some calls yesterday, follow up on them today. Why? These are warmer than spending time cold calling companies or people you don’t know or haven’t met. Time management: If you say you will be researching for one full hour, clock yourself that you stick to that commitment. It doesn’t include travel time to the library, having that latté in the middle, or talking to the person at the table next to you. It’s an hour of work; hard, focused work. Start today and re-boot your end-to-end job search process. Map out a plan that has numerous different elements. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things. You may surprise yourself! Got a specific challenge? Let me give you a hand; I’m ready to help! Dana