Why You MUST Cultivate Innovation for Leaders

Why You MUST Cultivate Innovation for Leaders Innovation means “a new idea, device or method” and the act there of. If you are a leader, you want to encourage innovation. It doesn’t matter what kind of leader you are, whether you lead a team of bright people in business, a student leader, or a leader of a community groupâ€"you are a leader. If you want to succeed, you will have to foster an environment of innovation. Why innovation is important: Innovation equals growth. If you run a business that sells a product or a service, innovation can help with the creation of new products, better your services, and streamline your day to day work tasks. Also, innovation can grow your organization perhaps with fund-raising ideas or other ideas to make your group fulfill its mission better.  Innovation can make life better for everyone. Not only does innovation help a business grow, it also allows for better work environment and better teamwork. If your employees or group know that you want to hear what they think, they will come to with their ideas. They will be able to communicate better with you, not just about how to make something better but if there are troubles you are unaware of. When you open your door for them to talk, you will be a better leader. Just listening to your group will make them feel like they are appreciated and valued and they are more likely to work to the best of their ability because they will feel their effort is worth it. Innovation doesn’t just equal growth but communication and team work. How to cultivate innovation: You know innovation is important, but how do you start creating an environment that induces creative and innovative thinking. The first starts with you as the leader to have the desire to have creative thought. Tell your group in plain words that you want them to come to you with their ideas.  If you are a new leader to the group or team or you are trying to become a better leader, make your intentions known. Physically tell them you want to hear about their ideas and make sure to send a group email letting them know your door is open and you are looking forward to hearing what they have to say. This basic step will start the communication between you and your members. Encourage cross-training.  In an article from Business News Daily, innovative people will draw ideas from learning new skills. If your people want to attend extra school, be sure to encourage it but also encourage your team to learn other skills at the business. For example, you are a company that makes plastic pieces and some of your executives have not been on the factory floor or ever worked in a factory setting. Have them learn a worker’s job because maybe just doing the job, a fresh, new idea will come to light that may increase productivity without making more work for the workers. Share interesting articles on innovation and creativity.  When you find an interesting article that talks about creativity or how to be innovative, share it with your team and encourage the same from your group members.  Not only does this encourage communication but it reinforces your aim to be an innovative group. Perhaps one of your team members reads an article and they try one of the helpful hints, he or she just might come up with an idea that will blow your socks off. That one idea was a disaster, what now? Not every idea is a gold mine and there will be some that will fail.  You don’t want to say “failure is not an option” instead you want to say, “failure could be an option but we can bounce back.” Of course, as the leader you take the calculated risk into all the ideas brought to you. Some of the risks may not be as big as others and it’s up to you and your team to decide if something is worthy of the risk.  Things happen; the best idea can flop.  The first thing you want to do is ask “what went wrong and how can we fix this?” One of the oldest sayings is you learn from mistakes or failure is a learning experience. Be sure to make those old adages your motto when something doesn’t go as hoped. Ask your team, “how to make the problem better.”  You and your team take the failure together, don’t point fingers or blame someone else.  If you all take the responsibility of the failure then you all will work harder to make the problem better and come out ahead.  Being a good leader is to take the failure and rise from the ashes just like the phoenix. Think about the people under youâ€"think about what they bring to the workplace. Every single one of those people brings something unique to the group, appreciate who they are and what they want to accomplish, and the common goal will be easier to see. Innovation is about ideas, large or small that can take a business or a group to the next level, which is the common goal for you and your team. It’s up to you to make the decision to bring the group togetherâ€"open lines of communication and let your people talk to you and give you ideas. With an environment that encourages creative thinking, you will be a leader that people will want to work with and your people will want to stay with you instead of looking for a better position. You want to keep your talent because they make you who you are.  Amy Cowen is a professional writer and editor at AussieEssay.com.

How to Hire the Right People for Your First Business - CareerMetis.com

How to Hire the Right People for Your First Business The efficiency of every business depends on the quality of their employees. Sure, as a manager, you can do a lot to help your employees get more experience, provide them with better training and even go that extra mile to motivate them.Even with all of this, the truth is that some people simply work harder than others, which is why you need to make hiring these people your top priority.evalUnfortunately, as a young entrepreneur, you might lack the experience and insight to recognize these potential employees and reach out to them the right way around. Here are several tips that may help you out in this regard.1. Start with the adequate job descriptionThe first step in hiring right people lies in making sure that adequate people apply. In order to do so, you need to make sure to write a concise job description.For starters, you need to make a list of tasks and responsibilities that this particular post consists of. In this way, you allow people to create a realistic estimate of whethe r they’re up to the task in the first place. Moreover, you need to hint at a potential career path that lies ahead.This is particularly important in order to attract more ambitious people, seeing as how it’s vital for this particular position not to be viewed as a dead-end. Finally, it is also vital to make an accurate job title.2. Look for those with long-term plans of stayingA lot of people see working in an SMB You need to understand one thing, the way in which you hire your employee is also vital in creating their first impression of you and your business.Therefore, you need to find a way to demonstrate your commitment and efficiency from the very beginning. One of the simplest ways to do so is to draft an adequate employment letter.This way, as soon as you make a decision to hire a person, you can present them with the necessary documentation and demonstrate that you indeed mean business.4. Be on an active lookoutIdeally, all your candidates would reach out to you, however, people who are at the top of their game are not as commonly checking out new offers at the job market. In fact, they might be receiving so many offers that they really don’t feel the need to go job-hunting on their own.evalIn order not to miss out on this vital group, you need to A) be on an active lookout and B) learn how to reach out to them.Even people with zero experience in this field might have guessed that the LinkedIn might be the most logical first step, however, platforms like Craigslist, email marketing and other social media networks can be just as effective.5. Prepare for the interviewThe greatest misconception of the hiring process lies in the belief that a CV can be faked but that the interview assessment is always accurate. On the other hand, if all your interview questions are generic like “Tell me a little about yourself,” or “What are your biggest weaknesses,” it’s quite easy for your potential employees to prepare and rehearse “correct” answers i n front of the mirror.That way, they are more likely to tell you what you want to hear than what you’ve asked them. Therefore, you might want to spice things up a bit by making your questions a tad more challenging and a lot more revealing.6. Adjust for the introvertsIn the previous section, we went to lengths to discuss the importance of the job interview but, there’s a secret hazard to this issue that you need to be aware of. You see, extroverts are going to outperform introverts in an interview 9 out of 10 times.Does that make them better employees? Of course not. Some studies even indicate that introverts perform better in many areas, seeing as how they aren’t distracted by immediate rewards.In order to avoid the prospect of missing out on some of your best employees, you have to find a way to learn how to interview an introvert. Just because someone is shy it doesn’t mean that they are a bad fit for your business.7. Make a background checkFinally, before you decide to h ire someone, you need to check if they have a criminal record, while some employers go even further than that. Checking out people’s social media accounts and their digital footprint, in general, is acceptable before hiring someone.Of course, keep in mind that you too may have photos you wouldn’t want your employer to see, which is why you need to approach it with an open mind. Still, to someone careful, it’s fairly easy to spot alarming activities and indicators that a potential employee may be less than ideal for your business.ConclusionevalTo sum up, in order to hire the right people, you first need to figure out what your perfect employee looks like and make a job description to match this ideal.Next, you have to spread your message through all the channels available, prepare for the interview and have all the paperwork ready for the potential hire. As simple as this may sound, it is a skill that may take you some time to master.

Are You Good Enough to be an Expert

Are You Good Enough to be an Expert Are You Good Enough to be an Expert? Are You Good Enough to be an Expert? April 9, 2010 by Career Coach Sherri Thomas Leave a Comment I was giving a career advancement seminar in Chicago when a participant raised her hand and said she couldn’t do the exercise (identifying your signature talents) because she didn’t have any signature talents. This shocked me because I had co-presented with her a couple of years earlier and was amazed by her knowledge on the topic, which was event planning. I responded by telling her that from my opinion, clearly, she was an expert in event planning. But her response was that she really didn’t view herself as an expert in that area. If you are also having difficulty identifying your signature talents and you have more than five years of professional work experience, I have two thoughts for you. First, many times during our career we find ourselves in a negative environment such as having conflict with a manager, colleague, or client. And if you’re in a negative environment right now, you may be hearing some inner voice tell you that you are not good enough to be an expert in anything. If that’s the case, then quiet down that voice. I’m here to tell you â€" you DO have expertise that benefits your employer and clients â€" or else they wouldn’t have hired you!

How to start a business when you work full time -

How to start a business when you work full time - Have you thought about creating a side business to bring in revenue in addition to  your full-time job? If you havent already realized that theres no true job security, now is a good time to start thinking about how you could bring in additional streams of revenue. Then you never have to rely on one employer to help you pay your bills.  The book I wrote with Hannah Morgan, Social Networking for Business Success, defines a MOXIE as someone who creates a side gig â€" someone managing other, x-tra income engagements. Its not always easy to start thinking about a new business when youre working full time. After eight years in the Navy, Vinay Chadha transitioned to a civilian job in Veteran Affairs at the Office of the Inspector General, but always had plans to open his own business. When he came across Maui Wowi Hawaiian, a coffee and smoothie company, he began cold calling local venues, and was offered a vendor contract to sell at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Since Chadha was only  a franchisee  for three months, he didnt have so much as a blender. He had to quickly acquire two more mobile carts, hire employees and purchase products, all while staying afloat at work. Now he operates his franchise at least three times a month at Qualcomm. Chadha suggests the following for those considering starting a business while already employed. 1. Be prepared for the unexpected.  Chadha found himself needing to purchase extra supplies to meet the demand at the stadium. You never know when youll need extra capital to fulfill orders or to take advantage of an opportunity. Sometimes, time will be the resource you need, not money. Do what you can to plan ahead, but consider saving up your vacation time in case you need it to take care of a project on the fly. 2. Find a business model that is compatible with your lifestyle.  I think one of the worst  decisions  potential business owners can make is to invest in a business that they are not truly passionate about, Chadha says. Since youll spend a lot of your free time, not to mention money, growing your business, you want to choose carefully before jumping in with two feet. Additionally, it just makes good business sense as you will be more involved and motivated to make your business succeed, he notes. 3. Tap into the  Small Business Administration  and other small business owner resources.  Chadha suggests accessing resources via SCORE, a nonprofit business counseling association. If youre a veteran, there may be additional resources targeted to you. The SBA provides a wealth of information anyone considering owning a business would benefit from knowing. 4. Have realistic expectations.  No one said owning a business is easy. Once you launch your new venture, you essentially hire yourself (at least at first) to handle everything that needs to be done. Youre the IT support, chief marketer and customer service specialist. It can be difficult to effectively manage all of these roles, so youll need to try to pace yourself until you get a firm handle on your customers and their needs and gain access to the resources you need to serve them. Research, patience, hard work, drive and persistence will always be a business owners most valuable assets, Chadha explains. You may not see the light at the end of the tunnel and believe me as a new business owner that is the way I sometimes feel. Your investment will eventually pay for itself if you put the time, effort and energy needed into it. 5.  Have a plan  with an end goal in mind.  As simple as it may sound, knowing where you want to be and having a road map to get there is extremely important, Chadha says. Dont be the business owner that has a fully functioning ship in the middle of the ocean with no navigation system. Your plan should include consulting your networking contacts and making sure to extend yourself to your network as a resource at the same time that you may ask for help. When you coordinate your goals and your activities, youll succeed much more quickly than if you try to wing it. Originally appeared in U.S. News World Report.

The Right Way to Write Your Resume

The Right Way to Write Your ResumeIt is crucial to stay focused while writing your resume. You can expect to write several drafts on your resume for the professionals who are going to interview you. However, you must keep a professional and clear resume. Although a resume can help you get a job, you should make sure that it is in great shape so you do not waste your time.This document can prove to be very helpful for you if you provide it with only the most true value. It is up to you to craft a resume that is eye-catching and gives you the advantage. If you are planning to join a company and put your skills at its disposal, this resume must give you the information that you are looking for. If you do not, you might land up being a casualty to get a job.Here is a major mistake that many job hunters have committed. They have used sentences and paragraphs that did not describe their worth. For example, they used exclamation marks, buzzwords, and big words in their resume. Such a resume will be rejected even if you have the right qualifications.Resume writing is not easy. You need to do some research about how resumes should be written. You also need to hire someone who is a professional and can provide you with unbiased advice.If you are going to submit your resume, do not use just any word in it. Some people have also used personalized messages to spell out their messages. Most of the companies will reject your resume unless you use a customized format. If you cannot create a good one, hire someone who can.If you use your personal email, resume writing is even more difficult because your friend or family member may send you messages from their own address. Using Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, or other social networking sites may affect your resume writing unc.These tips will help you improve your resume writing unc. Use them to come up with a better resume and increase your chances of getting the job you want.

When an Employer Calls Your References

When an Employer Calls Your References You’re in the throes of your job search, and things are looking upâ€"with any luck, the recruiter will call soon to ask for your references. References are important, and definitely not a throwaway step to be considered last-minute. In fact, you shouldn’t only be nurturing your network of references when you’re seeking a job. Remember, these are people who already know and like you. Keeping your references updated ensures that you hear about trends and opportunities in your fieldâ€"even if you’re employed now you don’t want to miss a great lead. Here are the right and wrong ways to manage that process: DON’T just ask your former supervisors to be references. DO ask vendors, consultants, clients, peers and direct reports. Your supervisors will always be your most requested reference. However, over the course of your career, you work with a variety of peopleâ€"not just for your immediate supervisor. Sometimes you work more closely with others than with the person you report to on the organizational chart. Therefore, you need to think more broadly about who can speak for your work than just a boss. Furthermore, your different collaborators can speak to different elements of your workâ€"vendors see your negotiation skills, consultants gauge your teamwork skills, clients know your service quality, peers see you day-to-day, and direct reports know your management style. DON’T wait until the recruiter asks to check in with your references. DO line them up in advance. People move around. You don’t want to find out right before you need the reference that you can’t find that supervisor who knows your work so well. You also want time to find alternative references if one of your choices seems lukewarm when you contact them, or is just so tough to reach that they may not get back to the recruiter in a timely fashion. DON’T assume references know what to say. DO coach them on what to highlight. Your references haven’t worked with you in a while and have since managed others. They won’t remember exactly what you worked on. They also don’t know this job you’re going for so won’t know what to emphasize, especially if you did a lot of different things when you worked for them. Therefore, you need to help them help youâ€"remind them of that big project or key client you want them to discuss, share the job description, and tell them you would appreciate it if they talked, say, about your analytical skills. __________ Caroline Ceniza-Levine is co-founder of SixFigureStart ®career coaching. She has worked with professionals from American Express, Condé Nast, Gilt, Goldman Sachs, Google, McKinsey, and other leading firms. She’s also a stand-up comic. This column will appear weekly. Read more from Caroline Ceniza-Levine: How to Network in Just 5 Minutes a Day How Making a Friend in HR Can Help Your Career 10 Easy Ways to Make Yourself More Hireable Your Career is Your Biggest Asset. 5 Ways to Protect It 5 Ways Microsoft Employees (and You) Can Prep for Layoffs

2 Myths About Executive Resumes - Work It Daily

2 Myths About Executive Resumes - Work It Daily For the 2012 Global Hiring Survey from the global professional association, Career Directors International (CDI) surveyed hiring managers, Human Resource professionals, recruiters, and executives to find out what they really look for in executive resumes. Among the respondents, 46% typically dealt with executive and managerial clients. The CDI survey officially busted the following myths about executive resumes: Myth 1: Summary descriptions on executive resumes should be short, not detailed. Nearly half of the respondents preferred a “longer, more comprehensive summary” with only 18% opting for a shorter summary. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of writing a summary that is specific for the position, industry and applicant. In any resume, but particularly executive resumes, content is more important than any arbitrary length. Myth 2: You should add charts and graphs to your executive resume. Just under 20% of respondents found charts and graphs helpful; about the same amount found them distracting. Moreover, as one respondent pointed out, charts and graphs may not scan into a company’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Therefore, Career Directors International recommends making sure that the information in the chart and graph is also part of the text of the resumeâ€"which means you are taking up valuable resume space to give the same information twice. My take? Think twice about placing a graph or chart in your executive resume, especially if it duplicates information already in the text or is so small that it is practically unreadable. Executive resumes myths image from Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!