Why I Killed My LinkedIn Account

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In a new article on HRExaminer.com, Heather Bussing details why she deactivated her LinkedIn account.

“I deleted my Linkedin Account last week. It’s not because I hate Linkedin…I killed the account because I don’t agree to their Terms of Service, and I don’t need LinkedIn enough to put up with it.”

Read the full article here.

Five Signs That Workplace Technology is Not Being Fully Utilized

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Having appropriate technology in the workplace can increase efficiency, reduce costs and cut down on human error. However, even companies that incorporate technology may not be fully utilizing the best options. Here are five signs that workplace technology is not being utilized to the fullest in your business:

1. Employees Spend a Lot of Time Traveling

While some in-person communication will always be necessary, employees who are traveling regularly may not be utilizing modern communication methods, such as video conferencing, fully. According to the Houston Chronicle, for example, “Technology reduces travel costs because businesses can set up virtual meetings and distribute data without the need to be in the same room[1].”

2. There is No Single Means of Digital Communication

A McKinsey Global Institute Study quoted in Forbes reveals that some employees spend 19 percent of their work week searching for past information, emails and correspondence[2]. Streamlining communication and data storage with a single means of digital communication can help cut down on this waste of time.

3. Customer or Client Questions Are Going Unanswered

Between Facebook, Twitter, Google+, website forums and answering machines, there may be customer complaints, requests or potential orders slipping through the cracks. If you have a presence on these platforms, it is vital to respond to them all, or simply pick the most effective ones and maintain them properly.

4. Employees Know How to Use Their Technology

Even if a business invests in the latest and most expensive items for the workplace, they simply won’t be beneficial unless they’re being used correctly. When new programs, software or devices are introduced to the workforce, consider a short training session to ensure that employees understand how to use the new additions.

5. Technology Isn’t Regularly Being Updated

Technology changes at a lightning-fast pace, and the NY Times understands that many consumers aren’t sure when it’s necessary to upgrade[3]. While investing in new laptops and printers each year is likely not a good use of company funds, an inventory of most-used items every few months is a smart place to start.

With these five signs in mind, companies can begin to fully utilize the technology they already have in their workplace.

[1] http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-technology-workplace-10607.html

[2] http://www.forbes.com/sites/unify/2013/12/10/how-technology-has-changed-workplace-communication/

[3] http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/18/technology/personaltech/is-it-time-to-upgrade-your-gadgets-do-the-math.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

Buyer Solutions: Mobile/Responsive Career Sites

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Did you know that over 1 billion job searches are done per month on a mobile device? At Buyer Advertising, our custom mobile solutions will help optimize your jobs for candidates on-the-go!

Buyer’s mobile recruiting solutions offer:

  • Cohesive employer branding
  • Compelling custom content
  • Responsive/mobile ready interfaces
  • Geo targeted job search capability
  • Quick apply functionality
  • ATS/social media integration

Learn more by clicking here, and contact us today to discover how our mobile recruiting solutions can help you!

How to Delegate Work Appropriately for Top Results

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In leadership positions, success most often comes not from individual results but from the ability to delegate work appropriately to subordinates. Despite this, John Hunt, a leading London business school professor, is quoted in Forbes as saying that, “Only 30 percent of managers think they can delegate well, and of those, only one in three is considered a good delegator by his or her subordinates.[1]” Here are some top tips for delegating work more appropriately in business:

Teach – and Delegate – Repetitive Tasks

Repetitive tasks, or ones that need to be completed over and over again in the same way, are the ideal job to delegate. Have a subordinate or peer work with you carefully in order to understand the process, and then let them take the reins subsequently.

Stop Micromanaging

The Fast Track by Intuit says that, “Delegating but then continuing to control responsibility and authority is micromanaging.[2]” If you are watching every step of the process, you won’t truly be delegating, and you will be so invested in the job that you can’t focus your energy on more important tasks. While the best managers will be liable and take responsibility for these delegated tasks, you should provide others with the independence to follow your instructions however they see fit.

Provide Complete and Detailed Instructions

All too often, superiors provide incomplete instructions when delegating tasks, and then they are not happy with the final result. It is far more effective and efficient to spend a little more time upfront creating clear and detailed instructions. As Inc.com reminds, “Make sure your employee has all the information needed to complete the job.[3]” Then, those carrying out the tasks can refer to your instructions rather than coming back to you for pointers or confirmation.

James Cash Penney, the man who founded the J.C.Penney chain, is famously quoted as saying that, “The surest way for an executive to kill himself is to refuse to learn how, and when, and to whom to delegate work.[4]” That sentiment rings true today, but these tips can help a manager delegate more effectively in the workplace.

[1] http://www.forbes.com/sites/martinzwilling/2013/10/02/how-to-delegate-more-effectively-in-your-business/

[2] http://quickbase.intuit.com/blog/2013/03/28/how-to-delegate-work-effectively/

[3] http://www.inc.com/harvey-mackay/6-keys-effective-delegation.html

[4] http://harveymackay.com/column/when-you-delegate-you-elevate/

Search Engine Optimization for Jobs

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Your career site’s ranking on search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo is based on what the search engine considers most relevant to user. Our Talent2You Job Optimization SEO solution from Buyer Advertising delivers an automated way for recruiters to attract talent directly to your career site!

View our YouTube video which goes into detail about SEO and how our Talent2You Job Optimization platform can help you:

Learn more by clicking here, and contact us today to discover how our Talent2You Job Optimization SEO solution can help you!

How to Diffuse Conflicts in the Workplace Before They Begin

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In any workplace, tension is a big concern for managers. According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, “Managers spend about 25 percent of their time resolving conflicts[1].” Employees will work better when there is a tension-free environment, but achieving that may be a struggle. These methods are effective for diffusing conflicts between employees, co-workers and managers before they even begin.

Eliminate Individual Stress Through Workplace Flexibility

When individual employees feel stressed, they may be more likely to create conflicts with others or feel vulnerable to the remarks of others. While personal stress is often beyond the scope of a manager, there are ways that flexibility in the workplace can significantly reduce stress. Flexible schedules and the option to telecommute, for example, can mean that parents don’t have to come in when their children are sick, and they won’t have to rush into work after oversleeping for fear of being reprimanded.

Give Credit When and Where It’s Due

According to Steve Dinkin, president of the National Conflict Resolution Center, “The most common workplace conflicts stem from someone taking credit for another person’s work[2].” In order to ensure this can’t happen, clearly investigate who is responsible for successful action, and then reward these individuals appropriately.

Encourage Employees to Find Common Ground

When the relationship between managers and employees or between co-workers is shaky, there is a greater chance for resentment to build and tension to present itself. Dr. David G. Javitch, writing for Entrepreneur, remarks that common ground can, “…become the foundation that enables you to bridge the gap that separates the parties involved.[3]” Common ground can be established through monthly group lunches, a collaborative work environment or any situation where individuals are brought together without a distinct work-related purpose.

Reward Open Dialogue With HR Staff or Managers

Finally, it is important for employees to feel encouraged to bring their concerns to human resources before they become significant. Rather than dismissing minor complaints, embrace this open dialogue and address the issues immediately.

These tips are all key ways that managers and supervisors can help to diffuse conflicts in the workplace before they ever even begin.

[1] http://smallbusiness.chron.com/techniques-diffuse-conflict-within-workplace-22007.html

[2] http://www.cio.com/article/688365/Workplace_Conflict_How_to_Diffuse_Battles_with_Co_Workers

[3] http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/207680

The Four Main Reasons that Employees Leave

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One of the biggest struggles for businesses of any size is employee retention. The cost of recruiting and hiring new applicants can be expensive, so retaining the best employees on staff is important. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employee tenure is at an average of 4.6 years, which is down from decades past[1]. Human resources should aim to identify the four main reasons that employees leave and address these issues in their own business.

1. The Job Wasn’t What They Expected

One of the biggest reasons that employees leave their positions after a short period of time is because their expectations of the job didn’t match up with the reality. The Center for Association Leadership remarks that, “More than six in 10 turnovers begin with some kind of post-hire shock.[2]” To combat this, hiring managers should be very straightforward about the concerns of applicants and clearly communicate the job description before hiring is confirmed.

2. There Aren’t Opportunities for Advancement

Another common reason that employees leave their current place of work is because they don’t feel like there is sufficient opportunity to advance. If they have been in the same position for years without even the possibility of a promotion, they may start looking elsewhere for a career upgrade.

3. They Feel Their Work Isn’t Meaningful

A Gallup survey quoted in Forbes remarks that, “The best workplaces give their employees a sense of purpose, help them feel they belong and enable them to make a difference.[3]” Without this, employees may think that their work isn’t meaningful, and they may not feel fulfilled at the end of the workday.

4. The Workplace Doesn’t Offer Fringe Benefits

Finally, many employees leave not simply because salaries are higher elsewhere but because they aren’t currently getting the fringe benefits they desire. These might include flexible hours, overtime pay, sick leave or the option of telecommuting.

By addressing these four main reasons that employees leave, companies can retain their best staff for longer and save money by recruiting, interviewing and hiring new employees less often.

[1] http://www.bls.gov/news.release/tenure.nr0.htm

[2] http://www.asaecenter.org/Resources/EUArticle.cfm?ItemNumber=11514

[3] http://www.forbes.com/sites/louisefron/2013/06/24/six-reasons-your-best-employees-quit-you/

Three Ways that the Recruitment Landscape is Changing as the Economy Rebounds in 2014

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After several years of economic depression and stagnation, the United States is seeing a rebound in 2014. While this affects businesses of all types in a variety of ways, it also plays a big role in the look of the recruitment landscape. Here are three of the key ways that recruitment is changing thanks to economic rebounding:

1. More Competitive Packages for Best Candidates

In 2009, there were six applicants vying for every single job opening. In 2014, that ratio has halved, leaving just three applications for every position, according to U.S. News & World Report[1]. While this still gives employees the upper hand in negotiations, the most highly qualified candidates will be harder to recruit. This creates the need for more competitive packages for applicants. These packages will focus on salary, but they may also include fringe benefits, like the option of working from home or flexible hours.

2. Faster Recruitment Process

Ken Sundheim writes that, “An improved economy means heightened opportunity costs (i.e. lost potential sales) when organizations don’t have the manpower to service clients.[2]” In a stronger economy, companies need to cut down on recruiting times in order to be fully employed on a consistent basis. Hiring managers may have to conduct fewer interviews and make faster decisions when recruiting in order to cut down on the time that positions stay vacant within a business.

3. Increased Use of Outside Recruitment Providers

Perhaps the biggest change in the recruitment landscape is that in a booming economy, companies are willing to spend more on the hiring process and pay outside companies to do it. As the recruiting process becomes more complex, Forbes reports that, “U.S. corporations spend nearly $72 billion each year on a variety of recruiting services, staff and products.[3]” Outside recruitment companies are the natural choice for selecting key applicants when time is of the essence for hiring managers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in January 2014, unemployment had dropped to just 6.6 percent in the United States[4]. This along with other signs of a rebounding economy signal the three changes listed above, which will play a role in today’s recruitment landscape.

[1] http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/01/08/8-ways-the-economy-is-still-affecting-the-job-market

[2] http://www.ere.net/2013/12/18/how-an-improved-2014-economy-affects-recruiting/

[3] http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshbersin/2013/05/23/corporate-recruitment-transformed-new-breed-of-service-providers/

[4] http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

5 Tips for Creating a Positive Working Atmosphere That Increases Productivity

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The most productive employees are often such an asset to their employers because they are allowed to thrive in a positive and motivating environment. To increase productivity in any workplace, these five tips can create a more motivating and uplifting office for staff:

1. Forget Intimidation Tactics

In the short term, intimidation might get an employee to complete a project on time or work hard to please a client. In the long-term, however, that intimidation could backfire. According to Forbes, “Employees who feel satisfied, valued and happy at work typically do far better than those who feel disgruntled or overlooked.[1]”

2. Allowance For a Work-Life Balance

Some managers think that setting strict office hours boosts productivity, but some experts argue with that line of thinking. Michael Poh, contributor at Hongkiat.com, believes that a flexible schedule and better work-life balance allows employees to focus completely on their tasks at the office.[2]

3. Embrace Comfort

A depressing, dark and ordinary office may be best for the budget, but it can limit the creativity and productivity of employees. Smart Business Trends suggests that companies allow their employees the freedom to create a warm space all their own, and they acknowledge that factors ranging from adequate light to a comfortable temperature all play a role in creating a more productive workplace[3]. The aim should be to, “Create a pleasant work area for each employee, and give them their own space.”

4. Take Advantage of Technology

Although social media websites might be the bane of many managers trying to keep employees on track, technology still has an integral place in a productive office. Tablet computers to take notes or switching to emailed agendas rather than physically copies are all ways to cut down on wasted time. Chris Johnson, contributor at the The Houston Chronicle said that, “Encourage your employees to make use of technology, whenever possible, to save time.[4]”

5. Offer Confidence

Perhaps one of the most significant ways that a company can enjoy more a productive atmosphere is by having managers and bosses that are confident about the success of their employees. One way to do this, according to expert Andrew Jensen, is to, “Show that you trust your employees to make the right decisions for the overall well-being of the company.[5]”

Increasing productivity should be a constant goal for businesses of any size. These tips can help create a positive and motivating environment that is perfect for inspiring productivity in staff.

[1] http://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2012/08/08/5-quick-ways-you-can-bring-positive-psychology-to-your-workplace-without-earning-a-degree/

[2] http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/positive-working-environment/

[3] http://smartbusinesstrends.com/tips-creating-healthy-efficient-positive-work-environment/

[4] http://smallbusiness.chron.com/tips-improve-productivity-2222.html

[5] http://www.andrewjensen.net/5-ways-to-create-a-motivating-work-environment/