Why competence will always beat charisma at work February 19, 2015 In an age when soft skills are all that matter, Elena Shalneva still prefers ability and rigour. A headhunter calls about a job. It’s in Amsterdam, starts next month, requires fluent Dutch and pays about half of what I used to earn when I last worked in an office. The job is fairly basic, but [...]
Why the soft skills generation is an asset – ACCA Comment February 18, 2015 It’s easy to criticise the young for their lack of business savvy but we may be missing a trick. Our young people aren’t up to the job. They just don’t have what it takes.” It’s a familiar refrain, isn’t it? Hardly a day goes by without a high-profile business leader expressing grave concern that the [...]
Could your staff benefit from team coaching? February 18, 2015 Hitting on the ideal group dynamic is hard but transformative. Team coaching is a complicated but rewarding task. For starters, it’s difficult to define: is it individual coaching with team members, or is it team building exercises? Is it coaching in a group, or organisational development? The point is that it’s all of these things: [...]
Ideal interview: Why preparation is indispensable February 17, 2015 If life boils down to a few decisive moments, a job interview is surely one of them. Arguably, your time, money, health, social status and happiness can all be determined in part by the work you do. So when going for the job of a lifetime, how can you give yourself the best chance of [...]
Three new ways you can improve your networks February 16, 2015 To expand your contacts, you may have to refresh your tactics. There are countless anecdotes that teach the importance of building a strong network. And whether you’re talking about old boys clubs or the ever expanding world of social media, the adage “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” has never been more [...]
How employers can deal with office lovebirds February 15, 2015 In some instances, you can require that staff disclose a relationship. Do you know how many people in your office have had an in-house romance? Valentine’s Day might have been and gone, but trysts are a staple of the UK workplace. According to research carried out by the Institute of Leadership and Management, 41 per [...]
Would you get a chip in your hand for work? February 12, 2015 The days of security codes and swipe cards could be soon forgotten. Microchips are commonly found in our computers, mobile phones, cats and dogs. But office workers? Not unless we’re suddenly about to become part cyborg. Yet that is exactly what the staff at Epicenter, a high-tech office block in Sweden, are currently being [...]
Why it’s time to embrace new tech February 11, 2015 Many modern workers struggle to tune it out, but you can use it to your advantage, says Microsoft’s Dave Coplin. Ever get frustrated that despite all of the advances in technology and how hard you work, you never really seem to get anywhere? Chances are that you’re struggling with 21st century working in a 20th [...]
How introverts can succeed in the workplace February 10, 2015 Even if you’re not the loudest in the office, you can still be heard. Everyone has days when they would prefer not to be involved in office chit chat and when continuous meetings bring a sense of dread. But for the introverts among us, the need for constant interaction can be not only draining, but [...]
How to boost workplace productivity February 9, 2015 Don’t shy away from inclusivity, transparency and a flat-management structure. Businesses are constantly searching for new and innovative ways to engage with their workforce and increase productivity and contentment in their employees. The logic is simple: if employees enjoy their work and feel valued in their role, then they will excel and deliver strong results. [...]