Tag: career Page 1 of 3

Emotional Wellness at Work

On February 24, 2022

In Career, Leadership, Nicholas Fainlight

During the pandemic caused by the Covid-19 disease, around half of US workers admitted to experiencing mental health issues. Leaders are certainly not immune to this experience amidst the challenges of running a business. However, the reality is that without a healthy and psychologically sound leader, an enterprise cannot thrive. Take some time to focus on the emotional wellness of your team.

Many people have experienced both ups and downs with emotional health and have learned to manage it better. Two critical practices used are transparency and ownership. It’s natural to focus on the good in life. However, ignoring the bad can allow stress and anxiety to build beneath the surface. Encourage your employees to express frustrations and stressful situations. Excessive negativity isn’t helpful either, but if you promote an environment where people are afraid to be anything less than positive, you might end up with employees harboring resentment.

Being Transparent

Keep your employees in the loop about developments in the company that might affect them. Pandemic effects have led many companies to downsize and change processes, and employees don’t want to learn about these things at the last minute. Your team is often more intuitive than you think–if the management is stressed, they’ll pick up on it. Rather than letting speculation and anxiety build, communicate with them. Even if you don’t have answers or details, just acknowledging that things are stressful and uncertain will help them feel heard.

Taking Ownership

The second key to keeping good mental health is taking responsibility for what goes wrong. When things go wrong, leaders are those who take ownership. As a leader, you have to own up to your mistakes and learn from them. It motivates leaders to hire people with integrity and create companies that excel by attracting and keeping talented individuals.

As a leader, inevitably, you will make decisions that don’t play out as expected. Whether you snap at an employee or make a catastrophic business decision, you must own up to your mistakes and apologize to the people affected. You set the tone of your team, so if you aren’t being honest and taking responsibility for your actions, your team probably won’t either.

These two steps will help you foster a healthy emotional environment in your workplace.

Understanding AI in Healthcare

By Nicholas Fainlight

On February 24, 2022

In Career, Nicholas Fainlight, Technology

Technological innovation in healthcare can make drastic improvements in the care patients receive. Co-founder and CEO of Penumbra Inc., a global healthcare company, talks about his top tips for making healthcare more effective through technology. Being able to invent and develop new products is essential when addressing the complex needs of patients. Doing so could help your company stand out from the competition or allow it to provide new and more effective solutions.

Penumbra’s technology has been shown to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from vascular disorders. The company was founded in 2004 to develop a way to remove blood clots from the brain effectively. Currently, treating these clots with anticoagulation medication can lead to severe complications. Penumbra’s technology offers a revolutionary alternative.

Through its commitment to improving the quality of life for people, Penumbra sees the potential of immersive healthcare as a way to help millions of individuals. This technology, which is already being used in healthcare, can provide patients with various experiences and support their physical rehabilitation.

As a company that values continuous improvement, Penumbra encourages its employees to try new things and develop new ideas. One of the company’s fundamental values is its belief in its employees. This is evidenced by the way it treats them throughout its projects. Most companies structure their work environments so that it’s difficult for people to come up with new ideas. This can prevent them from developing genuinely revolutionary ideas that drive further breakthroughs. According to Elsesser, cultivating a culture that encourages people to share their thoughts and develop new ones is very important to ensure that the company’s continuous innovation is successful. To achieve this, leaders should regularly hire the best candidates and ensure that the people they hire can contribute to the company’s success.

Sometimes, an idea can be truly transformative, but Elsesser warns that it often takes a long time to develop new ideas due to the various steps needed to get them to fruition. The company’s continuous improvement program is focused on identifying and improving key product lines. This strategy has allowed Penumbra to expand its reach beyond the acute stroke intervention space and into other areas such as rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Are These Obstacles Holding you Back from Success?

By Nicholas Fainlight

On February 24, 2022

In Career, Leadership, Nicholas Fainlight

Some obstacles prevent people from becoming influential leaders.

Exceptional leadership can build an outstanding business, but doing it effectively requires a lot of planning and discipline. A leader is expected to keep his team motivated, but helping them stay positive can be challenging. You also have to be able to connect with others.

Not Having a Set Purpose or Goal

One of the most effective ways to motivate people is to have a clear purpose and set goals. This can be communicated clearly to the team and the people around you, and it can ignite passion and drive them to reach their potential. Each team member has their individual talents and personal interests. This makes it hard to maintain a cohesive and well-defined team vision if you can’t unite everyone around a common goal. Disharmony can then develop quickly, which can derail projects and cause long-term damage.

No Connections Outside of Work

Team building and training are also powerful tools to help unify and bond your employees. Having an event or two can help break down barriers and provide employees with opportunities to connect and learn new skills, enabling them to collaborate more effectively. It’s possible to get carried away with too much control over everyone and over-focusing on work-related topics. This can be counterproductive, preventing people from learning and growing and increasing stress levels.

Not Delegating Tasks

Instead of focusing on your personal to-do lists, take a moment to consider what tasks you can delegate to employees. Doing so can help you get more done and motivate them by entrusting them with tasks outside their regular routine. It’s also important to remember that as a leader, you’re expected to provide the people with the training and resources they need to complete the tasks, so make sure you equip your team with what they need for any new projects.

Poor Communication

Communication is key to team success, but it also has to be reciprocal. The people must feel that their concerns will be addressed and that they can express themselves freely. A good culture is also influential in attracting and keeping top talent. It should encourage a positive attitude and foster people committed to continuous growth. Leaders can also help promote this environment by providing opportunities for team members to celebrate and motivate each other.

Inspiring Business Documentaries to Watch

By Nicholas Fainlight

On September 23, 2021

In Career, Investing, Leadership, Nicholas Fainlight

We all know that business is tough, and sometimes we need a little inspiration to keep going. Luckily for us, there are plenty of inspiring documentaries out there on the subject. Whether you want to learn more about how other businesses succeed or need some motivation, these 6 documentaries will give you what you need.

Searching for Sugar Man

This documentary tells the story of two men who set out to find Sixto Rodriguez, an American singer-songwriter that they had heard rumors about. The film explores how this man became a music superstar in South Africa while his own countrymen knew nothing. This is sure to inspire anyone struggling with their art.

An Inconvenient Truth

This documentary follows former Vice President Al Gore as he shares his concerns about global warming. While it may not be specifically about business, this film will certainly inspire you to think more responsibly and leave a positive impact on the world around you.

The Corporation

This film explores the nature of corporations and how they tend to put their own interests above all else. This is great for business students who want to learn more about corporate culture or those in positions of power in big businesses. It’s sure to give you some food for thought on your career path.

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

This is a great documentary for those interested in business history. It follows Enron, one of America’s largest energy companies, as it begins to crumble after its shady practices are revealed. This film will show you how quickly things can go wrong and inspire you to be more honest when dealing with business.

Everything is a Remix

This film describes the history of remixing, especially in relation to media such as movies and music. It also argues that everything builds off of something else, so we should all be more open about our work with each other. This documentary shows how powerful collaboration can be for business people who are willing to share their ideas.

Capitalism: A Love Story

This documentary explores the modern state of capitalism and how it has changed over the years, especially since President Reagan took office. It also looks at some other ways people are trying to improve our financial system to benefit society as a whole rather than just privileged individuals. This is sure to inspire you if you want to have a positive impact on our world.

Great Business Books to Read Following the Pandemic

By Nicholas Fainlight

On August 24, 2021

In Career, Education, Finance, Investing, Leadership, Nicholas Fainlight

Last year’s pandemic made running a business harder than it’s ever been. Even with government aid, business owners had no time to cope with their new way of living, causing over 100,000 small businesses to close for good. As the pandemic finally reaches its close, businesses are facing a promising future. This new future isn’t without its challenges, such as providing new strategies to help businesses succeed in the post-pandemic world. Below is a list of books designed to help business owners cope with new challenges after Covid.

Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And how anyone can harness it. Even you.)

Everyone’s had a rough year with Covid and politics. Tensions are high, and what better way to combat that with a little bit of humor? This book explains why humor is important in the workplace and how business owners can apply it to their own company.

Lives of the Stoics: The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius

If anything the pandemic has taught everyone, it’s that they need to be tougher in this unpredictable world. Self-discipline is key to facing new challenges facing business owners, and this book gives a complete guide on the history and application of Stoicism.

Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance

The pandemic has taught everyone a new way to do business, and that’s through the use of digital means. If someone wants to work remotely, that can happen. However, without that face-to-face value, building trust and communication is more difficult. This book teaches how to cope with not having employees around anymore to talk with, leading to a more successful business.

Remote Work Revolution: Succeeding from Anywhere

Remote work is still a staple after the pandemic. It opened a new way for employees to work for businesses, and it turns out that it’s very effective. Whether this trend will disappear with the pandemic or not, it’s still a good idea to learn the ropes of succeeding in a remote working environment.

No one knows exactly what the future is for businesses. So it’s best for business owners to equip themselves for anything. Whether it be another pandemic or if they want their business to go in a new direction, these books are here to help.

Tips to Launch Your Side Hustle

By Nicholas Fainlight

On February 6, 2021

In Career, Finance, Leadership, Nicholas Fainlight

It seems that every year, the marketplace becomes more amenable to side hustles. With the digital revolution democratizing many industries, you can make some money on the side without quitting your day job. This ability to pad your earnings without sacrificing your main source of income represents a truly irresistible opportunity. If you’re lucky, your side project could even become more lucrative than your current job, allowing you to focus on the new venture exclusively. You never know when an entrepreneurial venture could be the start of something truly special.

Launching a side hustle is an appealing option, but it certainly isn’t easy. Keep these tips in mind to maximize your chances of success.

Make Sure You Have A Profitable Idea

Before you actually start your business, you need to make sure your idea can actually make you money. Do some market research to see if the product or service you’ll offer is really in demand. Then, do a quick analysis to determine whether you’ll be able to consistently cover your expenses.

Identify Your Potential Customer Base

Once you’ve got your general idea in place, it’s time to determine who you customers will be. If you’re planning on running a food truck, determine what sorts of people would be most interested in your food. After you’ve developed a general buyer persona, you can build your marketing strategy accordingly.

Approach Potential Clients In A Professional Manner

When starting a business from scratch, you need to be aggressive about pursuing potential clients. If you hope to be a freelance writer, for example, you can’t simply wait for companies to reach out. You’re the unknown entity, so it’s up to you to initiate contact.

Don’t Fear Failure

Nothing paralyzes a new entrepreneur like the constant fear of failure. In order for your business to succeed, you’ll need to remain an optimist through thick and thin. Only by keeping your eyes on the prize will you overcome obstacles and resist the urge to quit.

Avoid Burnout

Starting a business is a lot of work, and it can be especially taxing when you’re working another job at the same time. Give yourself plenty of time to relax, and prioritize the maintenance of a proper work/life balance.

Ways Working From Home Can Cause A Team To Be More Proactive

By Nicholas Fainlight

On November 4, 2020

In Career, Nicholas Fainlight, Uncategorized

As technology advanced, companies began to question whether they should set up their employees to work from home. But, once the health of their employees became a national issue, many companies had no choice but to allow this arrangement. Although it may seem that employees will become less aggressive about their duties, that won’t be the case. Here are the ways working from home will make their team more proactive.

Increased Performance

Managers and supervisors often feel they have to make their presence and opinion known to their staff throughout the day. They do this in hopes it will keep employees from slacking off on the work that needs to get done. But, when employees are constantly observed and critiqued, it causes them to work in response to your actions rather than by their initiative.

Working from home gives them more opportunities to make choices for themselves. And, it empowers them to tackle issues without interference. With the weight of reaching their goals lying more on their shoulders than before, they will rise to the occasion and perform better. Also, because they will feel appreciation for your trust, your team becomes dedicated to efficiently handling their time and goals.

Increased Productivity

Whenever your staff can predict how every day, week, and month will go, they will become bored with their work. It can be hard for them to continue with proactiveness when there are no longer any challenges with getting their work done. Your team won’t maintain productivity when there is no variety with their responsibilities.

A home-based office takes away monotonous tasks like a daily commute and getting dressed, so more time and energy is given to genuine work tasks. Without being in a traditional office, employees may be able to use unconventional tactics to make their day more interesting. They will have to find their ways to keep themselves comfortable and motivated. Just the challenge of being productive while at home stirs up their creativity and problem-solving techniques to be more productive.

Increased Talent

In traditional settings, management can evaluate the skill level of their staff during performance reviews. The normal rhythm of the year will stay in place until that season comes about. But while working from home, supervisors can see their teams in a new way.

The unexpected curve-balls of a home setup will highlight what each team member is better at than others. Plus, the management team will have less distraction so they can better see how each team member behaves.

Boosting Sales Through Blogging

By Nicholas Fainlight

On November 4, 2020

In Career, Nicholas Fainlight, Uncategorized

The world of social media is a big and broad one. However, there are some constants out there. One of them is blogging, which remains a highly useful and relevant way of boosting your sales.

So, what are the benefits of blogging, and how is it worth the time and investment? Here are some thoughts.

Expert Positioning

Blogging gives you a chance to discuss a highly relevant topic in your industry, share your expertise, and give advice on a particular topic. This is about much more than just showing off or looking smart, as it gives you a chance to subtly demonstrate your expertise. This means that you can position yourself as a leader in your field and ensure that people will return to you or your business if they require your industry’s services.

Search Engine Optimization & Social Network Placement

Here’s a simple truth when it comes to Google: Search Engine Optimization is critical. This means that you must do everything in your power to create content that is useful, engaging, and relevant to your line of work.

Blogging is fantastic for that. Google loves frequently updated content, so the more content you can create, the higher your SEO will rank. This means that people who are looking for your line of work are more likely to find your blog, and this makes it more likely that they will find your website.

Furthermore, creating good content makes it more likely that your content will be shared on social networks by others. This is a great way of getting more exposure, and potentially increasing your sales.

Effective (and subtle) Calls To Action

When creating good content, you shouldn’t be overly sales-oriented. Indeed, broadly speaking, you shouldn’t sell too frequently on your blog, as this turns people off and makes them less likely to read your content.

However, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t have a Call to Action. This means that every blog entry should conclude with some sort of action the user should take, and an easy way to commit that action. It may be “read more” or “subscribe to our email list,” but every blog entry should conclude with a specific action that a user should take.

Tips To Help You Be Better At Networking

By Nicholas Fainlight

On August 18, 2020

In Career, Education, Finance, Nicholas Fainlight, postgraduate

Whether you’re running a business or trying to work your way up the corporate ladder, networking is something you’re likely going to have to engage with at some point in your career. Networking helps us meet other likeminded individuals that can help us strengthen our businesses and careers as well as learn more about success and failure. Of course, networking isn’t always easy. Most people aren’t fond of walking into a room and introducing themselves to a bunch of people they’ve never met, especially if they’re all intelligent and skilled business professionals. If you’re someone who struggles with networking or are going to your first networking event, here are a few tips to make things a little easier.

Be Informal

While you might have the urge to be as professional as possible, it’s important that you show potential customers and business partners the human side of you. If you be yourself, it’s more likely that a person will enjoy your company and then want to work with you. Of course, that isn’t to say you can’t talk about your career or business – sometimes people will decide to ask you about it and it’s perfectly acceptable to have that conversation. You just want to be sure you don’t come off too strong and that it isn’t all business, otherwise they may think you’re just trying to get a new customer.

Don’t Have A One Way Conversation

One of the most important aspects of networking is actually having a conversation – that means letting the other person talk while you listen intently, and then responding properly. While you may feel the urge to talk their ear off about you and your business, it’s important that conversations aren’t one way otherwise they may lose interest in you quickly. It’s also important that you don’t let them be the only one talking. Conversational skills are extremely important when it comes to networking, and if you’re shy then you won’t stand out.

Follow Up

If you feel that you’ve had a good time networking with someone, it’s important that the relationship doesn’t end when the conversation does. Be sure to ask them for their contact info. If they give it to you, it likely means that they also enjoyed your time together and chances are they’d be willing to get together again, which could lead to potential partnerships down the line. Everyone likes to connect differently, so make sure you’re available in various forms – phone numbers, emails, LinkedIn pages, Twitter – it’ll be different for everyone. Once you have this information, be sure to reach out the next time there’s a similar event to let them know that you’ll be there and that you should connect.

Tips For Building A Great Resume

By Nicholas Fainlight

On July 18, 2020

In Career, Education, Nicholas Fainlight, postgraduate

Having a stellar resume is one of the most important aspects of applying for jobs. The hard part is actually building one. A lot goes into building a resume and you’ll likely hear many different things about what makes one great. It’s important that your resume is easy to read and that it highlights your relevant experience in a clear and concise manner. You might even want to seek out professional help when building or updating your resume to make sure it’s up to snuff and gets past the computers that screen resumes and into the hands of a hiring manager. Read on for a few tips to help you build the best resume you can.

Research Examples For Your Industry

A great place to start when building your resume is researching examples of great resumes that other people in your industry have used. This can give you a good feel for the type of experience you want to include and how you want to describe the roles or projects you’ve worked on previously. When looking at examples, you’ll notice that the best examples tend to be brief and simple to read for anyone looking at them. You’ll also notice that they tend to include numbers. Numbers are good because they help an employer get a better sense of the value you can bring to the position you’re applying for.

Put The Most Important Information First

Depending on how long you’ve been working, you may have a lot of relevant experience to put onto your resume. While you may want to share all of this experience with potential employers, it can end up causing your resume to be bloated with information which may ultimately lead to a hiring manager passing on it. You want to make sure that the information on your resume is only the most relevant information to the role you’re applying for and that you put that information at the top of your resume so it sticks out to employers. If you’re applying for a customer service role in an office, you likely don’t need to include that warehouse job you did in college.

Proofread

This might seem obvious but you’d be surprised how often employers receive resumes that have grammatical errors and the like in them. Before sending your resume off, be sure to proofread it several times. You should go through it yourself but you can also use various proofreading programs and tools on the internet. Ultimately, it may be best to have a few colleagues or friends who you trust to take a look at it and see what they say. An outside source is more likely to catch mistakes and unnecessary information than the person who worked on it.