What You Need to Know About the Four Pillars of Sales

What You Need to Know About the Four Pillars of SalesWhat You Need to Know About the Four Pillars of SalesEvery sale kollektiv is supported by the saatkorn four functions, whether its composed of an entrepreneur selling his own product or thousands of professional salespeople working for a huge corporation. If any one of ansicht supporting functions is not up to par, then the team will not be able to work up to its full potential. The four pillars of sales are Sales Operations Operations provides the day-to-day structure of sales. Weekly meetings, call logs, schedules, forms, and contracts, sales goals and quotas these are all part of the sales operations for a company. This pillar provides a framework within which the sales team can function. A well-designed sales operation helps the teamwork at maximum efficiency, letting salespeople spend as much time as possible doing actual selling. At the same time, it should provide the necessary data to track each salespersons performanc e. A poorly designed sales operation bogs the sales team down in endless reams of paperwork and pointless meetings while failing to provide a means of tracking their performance. Sales Process The sales process is the specific A-to-Z approach that the sales team takes to close a sale. It starts from the moment they open a lead list and ends either with a successful sale or with abandoning the attempt to sell to that particular person or business. Some companies have sales processes that continue even after a sale is closed, to cover how salespeople handle existing customers. A good sales process provides a clear, defined path for each salesperson to take yet has enough flexibility to allow for some improvisation. Its a roadmap that allows the sales team to secure as many prospects as possible. A poor sales process is an impediment to the team, requiring them to take unnecessary steps or simply leaving each salesperson to make up his or her own process. Sales Coaching The s ales manager is usually responsible for coaching her sales team. Coaching is the process of keeping a close eye on each salesperson to see how they are doing from day to day and week to week. A salesperson who is struggling can turn to the coach for help and guidance. One who is doing well can expect praise and rewards from the sales coach. A good sales coach is on top of the performance data gathered by the sales operation and uses it to detect problems. She talks with her salespeople on a regular basis, whether or not they are having trouble. She knows what assistance to offer and when a particular salesperson simply isnt cutting it and needs to be removed from the team. And she is lavish and public in her praise of salespeople whose performance goes above and beyond. A poor sales coach either leaves her team floundering, or takes the opposite approach by putting them under a microscope and monitoring their every second, giving them the impression she doesnt trust them. Sales Training Every salesperson, from the guru whos been in the business for decades to the brand-new rep who was hired last week, must keep learning and growing to be effective. A sales training plan, usually executed by the sales manager, is an essential tool for keeping the team up to date and offering them new and different ways to sell. The market is constantly changing and salespeople must keep up with those changes. Often a companys product offerings shift over time, meaning salespeople need to be informed of those changes and understand what they mean for the customer. And salespeople are prone to falling into ruts when they use the same script or presentation every single time. Such salespeople need to shake up their approach and try something new before they get totally stale. A good sales training plan allows for all of these factors and makes it easy for salespeople to acquire the knowledge they need in a form that works for them. A bad sales training plan either eats up to o much of the sales teams time, provides knowledge that they dont need, or leaves salespeople struggling to craft their own training systems.?

Ways to Recover from a Job Interview Mistake

Ways to Recover from a Job Interview MistakeWays to Recover from a Job Interview MistakeHow to Recover From Common Job Interview MistakesNobodys perfect. Heres the right way to recover from an interview mistake.Spending hours in front of the mirror preparing for an interview doesnt always prepare you for every contingency. Hiring managers love to throw a few weird questions, quirky comments and outright absurd statements out there to catch us unaware. Dont worry weve all been there.Rest assured, the hiring manager knows you can and probably will stumble at the awkward questions and maybe even make some interview mistakes. Its not the mistake that marks you for doom however, its your rebuttal and recovery. Compare interview mistakes to sporting events. Players fumble, trip and fall in every game. They never cry and run off the court. No, they stand up and keep playing.Fortunately, there are several options and recovery techniques to help you stay in the game. Dont let your interview fumbles and fouls send you packing. Try these top ways to recover from a job interview stumble. Its all a part of preparing for an interview.1. Unanswered questions.If you make the fatal interview mistake of telling a hiring manager you dont know the answer to their question, make a quick recovery. Tell them Thats an interesting question and one I havent considered. May I take a few days to consider it and send my answer then? If they accept your offer, be sure to follow up within the stated timeframe and research the question on a professional level.Yes, hiring managers know you dont hold the answer to every problem. They arent looking for know-it-alls who have a quick answer to every question. Instead, they want candidates who take the time to think about the question and answer with a little wisdom.2. Wasted time.Potential employers who ask about your typical day and hobbies outside of work arent looking for welchested time. Theyre checking to see if you manage your time effecti vely. Even if you use your free time to search the Internet and peruse social media, dont admit to it. Make it sound professional Communicating with new people and connecting with friends and family is important to me. Or connect your free time and interests to industry topics. Try to steer the conversation towards professional development.On the other hand, in this day and age employers prefer candidates who maintain a familiarity with social media. Social media always has intrigued me. Its fascinating how people from around the globe break down barriers and connect on a mora personal level. Im very active on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I like to keep up with new and exciting platforms and communication arenas. Is a fine answer to include. Relating your social media activity to your industry and industry influencers is even better.Not getting as many interviews as you hoped?Find out if your resume is to blame.3. badeanstalt experiences.We have all had bad experiences at previous positions. A major interview mistake is to complain to the hiring manager about it. For those who cant help themselves, theres still time to recover. Tell the hiring manager I apologize for that. What I was trying to say is, I currently feel underutilized. Being productive and helping clients grow is my main goal. I dont feel like this is happening to its full potential right now.No one wants to hear someone cry about their bad work experiences especially the hiring manager. Telling them you dont like your former or current boss sends red flags, correction, emergency flares telling them you arent loyal to your company. Dont let this happen to you. Apologize for the blunder. This tells the hiring manager you recognize your mistake and are willing to correct it.4. Lack of future plans.Graduates and new hires often start their venture with little idea of future plans. Even seasoned veterans often lack a solid growth outline. Just dont advertise it. Telling the interview t eam you have no idea where youre headed is like saying I dont care about myself so you shouldnt expect me to care about your company. Who wants to give that impression?Should you make an interview mistake and accidentally convey your lack of plans, recover with a simple explanation. Before advancing in the industry, I want to learn valuable skills and experience working with clients. Updating my industry knowledge helps distribution policy companys name ahead of the competition. Or tell them your core commitment is to companys name at this time. The point is to let them know you want to advance but that you arent planning to abandon them within the next few years.5. Complacent careers.Change is inevitable. Companies have learned the hard way that they need to follow the employees wishes and compete with current trends. They want like-minded candidates who are versatile and can handle change. Should you tell them change is not up your alley, dont give up. Theres still a chance to rec over from this interview mistake. Let them know change isnt good or bad, but, rather, it is something we all must accept and learn to handle.You may not like change, but you should be open to the unknown and comfortable working with teams that endure change and fast-paced environments. This tells employers you are able to go with the flow and help deliver client needs in an ever-changing environment. Once you make the blunder, try to follow up with examples of a major change and how you helped the company endure.Is your resume holding you back from landing interviews?Request a free resume review today.6. Making due.Sometimes we are forced to apply for positions that may not be ideal. If youre interviewing for a job that you know isnt your dream job, bite your tongue, press forward and dont hint at this. Hiring managers know which positions in their company are generally known as the plague of the company. Chances are theyve been in your shoes and may be empathetic.While you may not love the job, be sure to tell them you love the company and what it stands for. Give a few examples of engagement and service you admire. Just explain why you want the job, make them feel like you have something to offer and hope for the best. Be sure to provide real examples for your motivation. Tell them how you will benefit the company.7. Resume mistakes.Wise job applicants who seek professional advice realize customized resumes win more interviews than a standard one-size-fits-all template. Chances are youve made one common mistake sending the wrong resume to the wrong employer. Hiring managers may call you on the irreverent information. Should you slip and say I have no idea why that is on there. Please be sure to follow up with an explanation. Be honest. Tell them you customize your resume to fit each opportunity. I apologize. I customize each resume so it helps the recruiter determine my skills. I must have left that part in there by mistake.First, explaining that you custom ize each resume you submit demonstrates your attention to detail, versatility and your ability to create unique ideas. Admitting your mistake shows a willingness to own up to your errors and take action to correct them. This also presents you with the chance to display additional, supplemental skills not relevant to the position.8. Work style preferences.In the new, virtual age, companies have increasingly started offering remote, work-from-home positions. While there are pros and cons to this opportunity, dont make the mistake of telling the interviewer I prefer to work from home. Unless the position listing specifically lists the opportunity to telecommute, assume it is an in-house position.Making the interview mistake of telling the hiring manager you prefer at-home work doesnt have to be a deal breaker. Follow up to the statement by asking if they offer any opportunities to telecommute. I was just curious. Does companys name offer remote or telecommuting opportunities?How to avo id the common interview mistakes.Cleaning up our interview mistakes never is easy. The best way to clean up a mistake is by preventing it in the first place. Though this isnt always possible, interviewpreparation helps reduce anxiety, accommodates potential problems and makes the interview smoother. Practice your techniques with friends and colleagues. Visit career blogs to develop a list of themost common interview questionsasked by hiring managers. Then, practice until you can answer the questions in your sleep.Click on the following link for more job interview advice.Related Articles

Become the Most Productive Person at Work

Become the Most Productive Person at WorkBecome the Most Productive Person at WorkIncrease work productivity and get noticed for executing tasks efficiently.Everyone assumes that being more productive means working more in less time. In essence, this is true. Those who efficiently manage their projects definitely tend to accomplish more than other people do in years.However, productivity is more of a way of being rather than arbeitszimmer hacks. Get into rhythm with these career tips and advice.Take some downtimeYoure probably going through your emails within the first ten minutes of your workday. This puts you in a reactive mindset rather than a proactive one. Instead of taking control of your agenda, youre allowing your inbox to do it for you.Start the day off managing your time proactively. Get up 20 minutes before you normally would to send important emails before entering the office. Devise a to-do list beforehand so you can direct your full attention towards the tasks to come.P rioritize your workYou probably have a mountain of work for the week, never mind each day. Although it sounds counterintuitive, minimize stress by organizing assignments regularly.Start off with the tasks that take the most willpower and focus. Grunt work and the more enjoyable responsibilities should be set off for the end of the day. Just like a track star, its important to pace yourself and finish off strong.If you are a bit of a slacker, try using Carrot. Unlike general to-do apps, Carrot is a gamified task manager with a sassy personality. Shell reward you for completing tasks and reprimand you in moments of laziness.Block out potential distractionsReduce the number of frivolous meetings.According to the DailyMuse, office workers get distracted every 11 minutes. Constant emails, text message notifications, and chatty neighbors can constantly get in the way of staying focused. Grabbing a pair of noise-cancelling headphones and playing ambient music can improve your focus by 35 p ercent.Your co-workers are not going to be put off if you shut the door to your office a few times. When you have important projects to work on, close yourself off from office noise. Speaking of chatty neighbors, hold off the personal conversations to happy-hour after workRegulate weekly meetingsWe all know that one worker who loves to arrange a number of meetings throughout the week, but with no clear objective or cause. Most workers attribute most of the time they waste in the office is with these conferences.The best way to manage your time more efficiently is to avoid these frivolous arrangements. First, it is important to determine if your presence is absolutely necessary. If not, tentatively decline invitations for these kinds of meetings. Another vorkaufsrecht is to provide an alternative method of communication or resolution. If all else fails, suggest an objective list for the meeting and provide constructive feedback.Stay in for lunchLunch break can take a lot longer than planned due to the sheer volume of workers going out for a bite to eat. Rather than stepping out for lunch, pack your lunch instead. Not only does this give you full control of what you eat, but you can also pick foods that are great fuel for your brain. These include fish, nuts, and whole grains.Choosing to stay in the office during your precious leisure time does not mean you have to be slouched over your computer screen. In fact, you should take this time to rest and regroup. Even if it is for 15 to 20 minutes, a moment of relaxation can help you in the long run.Posture is everythingWe spend most of our days sitting at the office. An unhealthy posture can negatively affect your spine and cardiovascular health. While you may think that exercising after work would make up for the hours hunched over your desk, this does not fully compensate for your health.Contrary to popular belief, sitting totally upright may cause stress on your vertebrae. Instead, find an ergonomic chair that h as back support. Alternatively, an active seat will force your body to work even as you are sitting. This can improve your core strength and burn calories. A standing desk can keep you fresh since your body fares the best if you change positions frequently.Take regular productivity breaks Summers sweltering heat and post-lunch fatigue are key players in afternoon lethargy. Take your focus off of work and look around. Listen to your surroundings and take a timeout. Its important to be mindful of your environment and momentarily stop reacting to external stimuli.Make sure to stand up and walk around every hour to get the blood pumping. Since you are sitting down for the majority of the day, it is important to rotate your shoulders and stretch your muscles. Circulation will make your mind stay sharp and improve brain function.Eat chocolateMorning coffee gets the mind going, but what about later in the day? After lunch you may be suffering from food coma and feel sluggish. Eating a piec e of dark chocolate will activate your brain and make you sharp.This confection has a small amount of caffeine. It also contains magnesium which stimulates the production of endorphins and serotonin.

Searching While Employed Play It Safe

Searching While Employed Play It SafeSearching While Employed Play It SafeMaking a job switch requires balancing ambition and savvy. Follow these five steps to keep your reputation intact and your income secure.Ideally, senior executives have gotten where they are because of a combination of qualities Personal drive and ambition coexist with the ability to analyze, plan and execute creative tactics with integrity.And when theyve decided theyre ready to move to new work and opportunities, they exercise the same skills to conduct a confidential job search with decorum and etiquette toward their current employer.What can happen if youre indiscreet about your job search? The rumor mill can start generating reports about your desire to leave, and your current company may start making plans for your departure without letting you know.There are plenty of clues that can start this cycle of speculation. Supervisors, peers and those who report to you notice more than you might think. Distribut ing your resume carelessly changing your workplace behavior even new, aggressive networking habits on sites like LinkedIn can alert those who recruit for your company that something is up. And nowadays, online search tools make it even likelier that these indiscretions will be noticed. If you dont combine confidentiality with consideration during your job search, the consequences at your current job can be awkward or worse. Moreover, it can tarnish your reputation with future employers.How do people view the relationship between their job search and their current work? Over many years in career coaching and career services, Ive become familiar with the thinking of people in transition. The way they think and behave on the job search can do some funny things to their personal brands. Who are you in transition? Look at the examples below and ask yourself if you are demonstrating the behaviors of a Savvy or Careless, Selfish job seekerThe Selfish, Careless Seeker I dont know about how it should be done, but I deserve to make a change, so I am going to cut out time during the day to search when I should be working for my employer. Ill do what I need to, both online and offline. I really dont know if my employer checks online search engines and frankly, I dont care much anymore. Its gotten to the point where I just need to get the word out and make a move.The Savvy Seeker My current position is still a priority. Since my integrity is on the line, I will continue to give my current company everything it expects and deserves but I will develop a job-search methodology that lets me be productive but without shortchanging my current employer.Here are five ways to endanger your current position and compromise your reputation, along with alternatives to reach the same goals with integrity1. Use company e-mail to interact with recruiters or potential employers without your companys knowledge.Savvy alternative Use your own e-mail address and network to conduct your searc h and reach out to prospective employers.2. Use your company phone to communicate with potential employers and recruiters. Savvy alternative Stick to your home and cell phones for your job search, and only make work-hours calls when you are on a break or at lunch. When youre on the clock, dedicate your efforts to your current company.3. Let your work performance drift and start underperforming while you focus on your search.Savvy alternative Keep striving for top results and maintain your performance at work. The top job seekers I have ever coached used the last weeks or months of current employment to finish strong and looked at their top performance as a fiduciary duty. This attitude fueled a more powerful, productive search.4. Be aggressive and cavalier in communicating your intentions to friends, colleagues and recruiters.Savvy alternative Know that not everyone has your best interests in mind or will treat your communications as confidential. A senior executive I know once talk ed to some neighbors and acquaintances in his home about his interest in several area companies. Weeks later a friend who hadnt been at the feier asked him, I heard you were looking whats up? That shocked my executive contact, who said to me, I didnt think I had to watch myself. You do.5. Launch digital posting or fishing expeditions without thinking about the trail you leave behind. More executives than you might believe throw out some bait on the Web. Most recruiters can hazard strong guesses where you work, including the ones at your current company.Savvy alternative Recognize that everything you do may be noticed online. Yes, you need to distribute a powerful resume to open leads, but you should thoroughly research each and every opportunity before you apply.You may have heard that it is easier to get a job when you have a job. That may be true, but only if you have developed a clear plan for your search, a powerful resume and sound practices for conducting your search on- and offline.If you keep control of your current job and plan your search not out of desperation but with a clear-cut career goal and focus, searching while employed can be empowering. But new journeys remain rife with danger. If you want to be perceived as the best, execute your job search with savvy and integrity.

Call Center Agent Job Description Sample

Call Center werber Job Description SampleCall Center Agent Job Description SampleCall Center Agent Job Description SampleThis call center agent sample job description can assist in your creating a job application that will attract job candidates who are qualified for the job. Feel free to revise this job description to meet your specific job duties and job requirements.Call Center Agent Job ResponsibilitiesEstablishes insurance policies by obtaining client information determining eligibility maintaining database.Call Center Agent Job DutiesObtains client information by answering telephone calls interviewing clients verifying information.Determines eligibility by comparing client information to requirements.Establishes policies by entering client information confirming pricing.Informs clients by explaining procedures answering questions providing information.Maintains communication equipment by reporting problems.Maintains and improves quality results by adhering to standards and guid elines recommending improved procedures.Updates job knowledge by studying new product descriptions participating in educational opportunities.Accomplishes sales and organization mission by completing related results as needed.Call Center Agent Skills and QualificationsVerbal Communication, Phone Skills, Listening, Data Entry Skills, People Skills, Informing, Customer Focus, Customer Service, Attention to Detail, Professionalism, Multi-taskingTake the Guesswork out of Hiring your next Call Center AgentStaffing the best call center agents will help your business thrive. Struggling to find qualified candidates? Were here to help. Sign up for exclusive https//www.youtube.com/ advice and well send you helpful hiring tips delivered right to your inbox. Well even throw in a special job posting offer to get you moving in the right direction. Lets get hiring

Possible Warning Signs on Volunteer Experience Resume You Need to Know

Possible Warning Signs on Volunteer Experience Resume You Need to Know In some instances, the hiring manager may be scared to call you in for an interview in any respect if you include church references in your resume, as stated by the Business Insider site. Creating a cv allow you to relate well to as. Theres no application for community service and you dont have to schedule your hours beforehand. There are many types of resumes catering to various kinds of nursing jobs. The Start of Volunteer Experience Resume The concept is to assist prospective volunteers find themselves in the description of the kind and number of volunteers you demand. The very first thing that you ought to know is there is nobody right method to craft your volunteer resume. So, you can want to look at leaving potentially-revealing volunteer work out. Before you only begin listing every bit of volunteer experience youve got, take a small time to study the business. Crafting your document gets easie r when you group items into their various sections. Formatting a campaign resume can be difficult. In fact, the majority of employers are looking for a person who has leadership and extensive volunteer experience under their belt. You also shouldnt list whatever would permit the employer know things about you which you dont wish to share. Your experience for a cashier at hamburger King isnt likely to help you to get work at an IT consulting firm. Regardless of the fact you dont needs to provide a reason Behind your resignation, you might still will need to consider it especially, if youre leaving with immediate effect. Your academic CV is a crucial part of your job search and might be the difference between finding your fantasy job and ongoing on the search. Regardless of what profession youre seeking, a site can display your work. For those who have information regarding technical experience, list it in bullets just like you would under work. Therefore, if youre trying to receive a job ( not just all sorts of job, but the job which you want), make sure to do things proper and determine how to make an outstanding resume. If it directly is related to the position youre applying for, however, include it below your Work History instead. To find out more on what it requires to be a Volunteer, take a look at our complete Volunteer Job Description. For instance, in CV, if youre applying for work in education, you can want to make your coaching experience as well as the CV. If needed, you can find a small creative in regards to selecting a Job Title for your volunteer experience. Volunteering helps you to earn a difference in the life span of some other individual and shows your dedication to community efforts. Interested volunteers have to be comfortable with dogs. Volunteer work covers a wide selection of activities and can vastly enhance your odds of receiving an interview for your perfect job if you learn how to put volunteer work on your resum e in a manner that shows your strengths, dedication and enthusiasm. In case you have any certifications applicable to the job, make certain to add them alongside your degrees. Lots of people work unpaid in order to add experience in rather competitive fields like television, but some people can not describe them as volunteers. Maybe you were made to devote some time outside the workforce. There are a couple of unique places where you could incorporate volunteer experience on your resume the placement is really going to depend on just what the remainder of your professional experience appears like and your present job targets. Volunteer Experience Resume - Overview Whether youre in high school or college, volunteering is a wonderful thing. Volunteers perform various distinct activities, based on the sort of organization for which theyre volunteering. Volunteering Shows Dedication Volunteer work may also demonstrate a possible employer that it is possible to dedicate yourself t o a job. It can be especially useful if you are a recent graduate or trying to change career paths.

Professional #8216;Ghosting#8217; What Is It, and Why Is It So Horrible

Professional 8216Ghosting8217 What Is It, and Why Is It So Horrible Urban Dictionary defines ghosting as The act of suddenly ceasing all communication with someone. While the term originated in the dating world, it seems to be slithering into the workplace, too.Professional ghosting is horrible when youre on the receiving end, but it can also be disastrous for your reputation ifyoure the one doing the ghosting.According to a study done at the University of Southern California,more than 90 percent of email replies happen within a day of receiving the message. If you havent received a reply within a day or two, theres a good chance youre being ghosted. And if you havent sent a reply within a day or two, theres a good chance youre doing the ghosting.Getting GhostedNo one likes to be on the receiving end of a professional ghosting. It can hurt your self-esteem, leading you to question yourself and your competency Did I say something wrong? Could I have do ne this differently?The important thing to remember if youre being professionally ghosted is to take the high road. Learn from the experience and dont ghost others. If you come across the person who ghosted you at a later time, keep calm and act professionally.While its okay to mention that you sent them an email (or many) without getting a response, its important to clearly demonstrate that you arent holding a grudge. Its fine to feel negatively on the inside, but you should keep your outward presentation pleasant. No one likes someone who holds grudges, especially at work. Plus, ghosting may be unprofessional, but you never know what may have come up to prevent that person from responding to your email.Being the GhostIt may seem easy to just brush off an email without responding, but on top of being extremely rude, professional ghosting hurts your own reputation.Have you decided that you dont want to work with someone or that a project isnt the right fit? Totally your choice, but take action and tell your profil partners whats going on. Theres bedrngnishing worse than negotiating with someone only to have them cut contact all of a sudden. Its okay to pull out of a project, but you should communicate that. Dont burn any bridgesWhen you ghost someone, you send some unprofessional signals, like- You dont care enough or respect the other party enough to respond.- You arent professional and do not handle professional situations with class.- You cant take responsibilityfor your decisions.Do you want to send these messages to your professional network? Hopefully notSo You Ghosted Someone How Do You Fix It?It is better to respond late than never to respond at all. Sure, long response times are still rude, but if you want to remedy the situation, the best way to do so is to take responsibility.Heres a great sample message you can send after ghosting someoneHi ___,So sorry for the delayed response. This email should have gotten out to you sooner. Unfortunately, weve decided to go with another option, but we appreciate your hard work and would love to keep in touch about future opportunities. Best of luck in your endeavorsThis response shows that youre sorry, takesaccountability for your actions, and lays out the situation clearly. All you can do is take responsibility, learn from your mistakes, and not do it again. A simple email like thistakes seconds to craft and shows the recipient that you care enough to take the time to respond. No one can hold it against you if youve gone a different direction as long as youve been clear with your communication.Professional ghosting is a bad situation, no matter which side youre on. If youve been ghosted, take the high road and move forward, knowing that you deserve better. If youre the ghost, rise to the occasion and take responsibility for your actions. Is one email really worth ruining your reputation and, potentially, your career?Michele Lando is a certified professional resume writer and the founder ofWrite Styles.

5 Stages of Team Development

5 Stages of Team Development5 Stages of Team DevelopmentOrganizations have used gruppes for years with some mora successful than others. In a quest to determine why so many teams failed to achieve their goals, team development became a hot topic. The differences between successful and unsuccessful teams were studied, and organizations gradually learned to manage teams more effectively through all of their stages of development and contribution. Successful Team Development Traditionally, a team goes through five stages of development, with each stage presenting its own challenges. The goal is for a cohesive team of people to produce a positive outcome that contributes to the success of the organization. Proper Team Support The team and the organization take specific actions at each stage to support the teams success inaccomplishing its mission. Supporting the team at each stage of development will help it accomplish its goal. With a thoughtful look at each stage of team developmen t, you can solve problems before they derail the team. You canleid treat a team the same at each stage of its development because the stages dictate different support actions. behauptung support actions, taken at the right time, will allow your teams to develop and successfully meet their challenges. Leadership Is Key Most importantly, at each stage, the behavior of the leader must adapt to the changing and developing needs of the group. An effective leader who other members of the team want to followis indispensable when the group is trying to progress through the stages of development. Generally, the leader reports to a manager. The manager, as the team sponsor, must understand how to support the team at each stage of development. This understanding by company leadership is critical to the teams success. Stages of Team Development Dr. Bruce W. Tuckman, a professor of educational psychology at the Ohio State University, who researched the theory of group dynamics, published one of his theories in 1965 called Tuckmans Stages of Group Development. Thus, emerged a four-stage team development model, Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing, with a fifth stage, Adjourning, added in 1977. The five stages of team development include suggested actions to best support the team Forming A group of people comes together to accomplish a shared purpose. Their initial success will depend on their familiarity with each others work style, their experience on prior teams, and the clarity of their assigned mission. As a sponsor, your role is to help the team members get to know each other whether you offer team building activities or just a listening ear.Storming Disagreement about mission, vision, and ways to approach the problem or assignment are constant at this stage of development. This struggle is combined with the fact that team members are still getting to know each other, learning to work with each other, and growing familiar with the interaction and communicatio n of group members. As a sponsor, once again, your role is to help the team get to know each other whether you offer team building activities or just a listening ear. Help your team leader clarify each of these assignments so that the team succeeds. Norming The team has consciously or unconsciously formed working relationships that are enabling progress on the teams objectives. The members have consciously or unconsciously agreed to abide by certain group norms and they are becoming functional at working together. As a sponsor, ask for periodic updates from the team. Regularly check the teams progress at agreed-upon intervals and critical steps on the path to a successful conclusion.Performing Relationships, team processes, and the teams effectiveness in working on its objectives are syncing to bring about a successfully functioning team. This is the stage at which the real work of the team is progressing. As a sponsor, ask for periodic updates from the team. Help solve problems and provide input as needed. Make sure that team members are communicating with all of the other appropriate parties in your workplace. Adjourning The team has completed its mission or purpose and it is time for team members to pursue other goals or projects. As a sponsor, make sure that the team schedules an ending ceremony. Whether they debrief the project and discuss how the team could have been more successful or they just order pizza, you will want to mark a clear ending to the team or project. These stages can be applied to all teams. However, in the case of ongoing teams, such as a department team, social media team, a customer service team, the Ending stage is not applicable. The length of time necessary for progressing through these stages depends on the experience, knowledge, and skills of the members and the support they receive. In addition, teams may work at varying rates based on issues and obstacles they may encounter, such as changing team members, tasks, and goals. Closing Thoughts The purpose of creating teams is to provide a framework that will increase the ability of employees to participate in planning, problem-solving, and decision making to better serve customers. Increased participation promotes A better understanding of decisionsMore support for and participation in implementation plansIncreased contribution toproblem-solvingand decision makingMore ownership of decisions, processes, and changes In order for teams to fulfill their intended role of improving organizational effectiveness, it is critical that they develop into working units that are focused on their goal, mission, or reason for existing. They do this by effectively progressing through the stages of development.

Dalai Lama has the antidote to destructive emotions

Dalai Lama has the antidote to destructive emotionsDalai Lama has the antidote to destructive emotionsEmotions are deceiving - some can even pollute urmind.In a groundbreaking move, the Dalai Lama joined forces with top Western psychologists with a lofty mission. He purposefully wanted to put religion aside. hThe ultimate goal?He wants to help turn people into mora self-aware, compassionate humans. If we can learn to navigate ur (destructive) emotions, we will be able to achieve calmness and inner-peace.Any person capable of angering you becomes yur master. EpictetusOur emotions shape our lives, not just our thoughts and behavior. However, in western culture, managing our emotions is associated with moral and social interaction, not for being a good person. Unlike Buddhists, we dont think of emotions as a way to a harmonious inner-life.But, what happens when we bring both science and Buddhism together? Thats what the Dalai Lama found out.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders mag azines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraThe Science ofEmotionsWestern science has been measuring what mental hygiene looks like for ages - unfortunately, most studies have created division, rather than alignment, among experts.The Dalai Lama imagined a map of our emotions to develop a calm mind. He asked renowned emotion scientist, Dr. Paul Ekman, to realize his idea but to keep religion out of it.The first step Ekman took was finding some common ground among scientists - his survey provided a shared foundation to how emotions work. The majority of experts agree thatEmotions are universell - facial signals to emotions are similar across cultures tooWe all experience five fundamental emotions anger, fear, disgust, sadness, and enjoymentThere are universal triggers to emotionWe getangrywhen something blocks us or when we think were being treated unfairly.Sadnessis a response to loss - feeling sad allows us to take a timeout and show others that we need support.Feelingdisgustedbywhat is toxichelps us avoid being poisoned - both physically or socially. Ourfearof danger lets us anticipate threats to our safety.Enjoymentdescribes the many good feelings that arise from experiences both novel and familiar.Thoughts are private emotions are public.According to Dr. Paul Ekman, Professor of Psychology at UCSF we can know someones emotion, but not the thought that provoked it. He cites the example of someone whos fearful when arrested. Is he afraid because he was caught or because he is innocent?Emotions are an instant brain response - they happen to us, we dont choose them.But, when do emotions become destructive?Science says all emotions are natural and okay, and that emotions become destructive only when they are expressed inappropriately. For example, its normal to experience sadness when someone dies, but a depressed person is sad in an inappropriate way.Buddhism, on the other hand, believes that destructive emotions are obstacles - we must overcome them to achieve happiness.Constructive emotions help improve a situation destructive emotions make it worse.The Emotional TimelineThe Atlas of Emotions is a visual representation of what researchers have learned from studying emotion. It helps us be aware of our emotions - how they are triggered, what they feel like, and how we can respond.Dr. Ekman, who formerly worked as an advisor in Pixars Inside Out film, recalled the Dalai Lama telling him When we wanted to get to the New World, we needed a map. So make a map of emotions so we can get to a calm state.Our emotions unfold on a timeline - they begin with a trigger that initiates the emotional experience and ultimately results in a response.The trigger occurs in a context defined by our circumstances and feelings, the event itself, and our worldview. The same stimulus can lead to different responses.For example, we might suppress feelings of frustration at work, but express our frustrat ion by yelling at a family member at home. Emotion suppression can create a short-term win - like avoiding an argument - but can become destructive if you are hurt by not speaking up for yourself.Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame. BenjaminFranklinNot all emotions are equal - they have varying shapes and intensities. For example, annoyance is a mild expression ofanger, while fury is the most extreme version of that same emotion.Our emotional experience clouds our perception of a situation - we filter people and events through our emotions. Your reaction can turn an emotion into a destructive one.Emotions are a signal - they can prevent danger, or get you in trouble.Our response is the last element - and the most important one - of the emotional timeline. Although its not always easy to control our emotions, some responses are moredestructivethan others. Rather than reacting to them, we must learn to understand our emotions.In the past, compassion was something of a sig n of weakness, or anger a sign of power, a sign of strength. Basic human nature is more compassionate. Thats the real basis of our hope. Dalai LamaDestructive emotions, according to Daniel Goldman, refer to an emotion that can lead us to harm ourselves and others - either mentally or physically.Though anger, paralyzing fear, and depression are the most frequent ones, almost any emotion can cause harm. Craving and addiction - even an obsessive pursuit of happiness - can become destructive.Emotions distort our ability to think clearly making it more difficult to choose the right response. After a destructive emotion arises, there is a refractory period - we dont let new information enter our mind, andwe keep rehashing one particular emotion.Time and distance help us gain clarity and make better choices.Take the example of a colleague that frequently arrives late to a meeting. You might think s/he is deliberately insulting you and interpret everything s/he does as a personal attack .Therapy, mindfulness, and meditation train our mind to shorten the refractory period - we learn to reflect rather than being blinded by our feelings.By increasingself-awareness, we learn to pause before we respond and choose a constructive reaction.The Antidote to Destructive EmotionsScientists have learned that recurring negative emotions can create long-term harm.Thats the case of people who suffer fromcynical hostility,a pattern defined by high anger and frequent thoughts that others cant be trusted. People who experience cynical hostility tend to get more cardiovascular disease and oftendie at younger ages.The antidote to a destructive emotion is a constructive emotion.To fight anger, hatred, and fear, we must develop compassion, love, and patience. Destructive emotions are impulsive - they are based on misconceptions and illogical reasons. Constructive emotions are realistic - they are grounded in valid observation and reasoning.The Dalai Lama recommends we use valid reason ing to develop a mental state to overcome destructive emotions.For example, love, as an antidote to anger, must be cultivated through reasoning.A calm mind directly leads to peace of mind DalaiLamaThe result of constructive emotions is a calm mind - we see and experience life more vividly and realistically.What destroys a calm mind?Fear, suspicion, hatred, anger, greed, and too much ambition.The Dalai Lama believes that Just as we teach about physical hygiene in the interest of good health, we now need to teach about emotional hygiene.Dr. Mark Greenberg, Professor at Pennsylvania State University, trains young children how to manage their destructive emotions, especially anger. His program helps children calm down - to decrease the refractory period - and become more aware of emotional states in themselves and others.The programcoaches kids to discuss their feelings as a way to solve problems, plan ahead to avoid difficulties, and be aware of the effects their behavior has on oth ers.Children learn to identify the various emotions and their opposites. They use a set of cards with different facial expressions of emotions, so others know how theyre feeling.Greenbergs approach teaches that emotions are important signals, but we must be calm to behave appropriately.The Dalai Lama coined the termEmotional sauberkeitto encourage us to get anger, frustration, and anxiety, under control. Negative emotions cloud our mind - we must wash them away.The spiritual leader believes that, in plus-rechnen to managing destructive emotions, we need to cultivate positive ones as well. Although they may not be usable in the heat of the moment, positive emotions build a good foundation - they strengthen your emotional immune system.Scientists agree that when we practice something positive often, our brain changes for the better.How to Develop Emotional HygieneThe same way we learn standards of physical hygiene, we must develop our emotional hygiene. Start by increasing your emot ional awareness - you want to understand your emotions, not get rid of them.1. Recognize emotionsTake time to step back and observe your emotions. How do you feel? What do you experience? Naming our emotions is the first step to increase awareness.Learn to discriminate your feelings - some people confuse anger with fear. Get familiar with how each emotion manifests. The post below can help you dive deeper into each emotion.2. Know thetriggersUnderstand what sets you off. Recognize the signals or stimuli that can cloud your judgment. Are there any particular event, context, or person that usually triggers destructive emotions?Review recent incidents and use the Emotional Timeline to reflect on your reactions.Trigger ? Emotional Reaction ? Behavioral ResponseWhat have you learned? What would you do differently next time? Why?3. Connect with yourbodyOur facial language is not the only way we communicate our emotions. Recognize how your feelings affect your body. Notice changes in you r breathing pattern, body temperature, heart rate, muscle knots, skin sensitivity, etc.Our body is a great emotional conductor - notice your physical well-being and reactions. Learn to prevent tensions or to avoid damaging your body, by making space before you act - dont let emotions create damaging patterns.4. Manage your reactionsReflect on how you usually react to a specific situation? Learn to pause before you respond. Emotions usually create a quick impulse to react, by training our mind, we make room to think before our emotions hijack our behavior.The following mindfulness exercises are a great start to help you pause, reflect, and be more present.5. Adjust andlearnEmotional Hygiene requires learning to perceive, appraise and express our emotions accurately. You emotion-management ability not only improves well-being and social interactions but will also help you overcome limiting behaviorssuch as procrastination.Training your mind is not a linear path - it requires ongoin g practice and adjustments. If you feel angry, learn to deal with that anger. You need to let go of that emotion to act more skillfully.Practice will improve your ability, but dont get frustrated when you get back to overreacting mode. Be patient and kind to yourself.A clean mind creates space for loving-kindness, compassion, and happiness. Emotional Hygiene is the antidote to destructive emotions.The Atlas of Emotionsis a powerful visual tool to help you familiarize with your feelings. Play with it. The interactive map lets you click through the emotional timeline from identifying emotions to exploring its multiple layers and expressions.This article first appeared on Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Save HR Dollars, Learn to Onboard Like a Pro

Save HR Dollars, Learn to Onboard Like a ProSave HR Dollars, Learn to Onboard Like a ProIts a well-known fact that one of the largest staffing related costs businesses face is employee turnover. During the hiring and firing process, employee turnover costs the average company approximately 150% of an individuals total compensation package. Whats perhaps not as well known is that an effective onboarding plan can help drastically decrease employee turnover. The result is not only seen in immediate dollars and cents savings. A successful onboarding strategy also contributes to employee productivity which has a corresponding effect on staffing output and your ultimate bottom line. While developing such a program may seem like a time and resource consuming task, in reality, many of the most common solutions require little in the way of resource expenditure and a modest amount of planning. The three largest goals of any onboarding plan should include helping your new hire get up to speed i n their job role, orienting the employee on company culture and policies, and integrating the individual positively within the new team. The best onboarding processes begin early at the recruiting stage and continue throughout the first six months to a year of employment. Here we break down how to craft an effective onboarding plan and provide advice for implementation that cost less than $100 total for each new role.Stagger Your New HiresWhile the tendency may be to combine multiple hiring opportunities into unified start dates, the reality is that this approach often stretches existing limited HR and training resources. Whenever possible, stagger your new hires by several weeks to allow your key onboarding professionals time to get back to tackling their everyday tasks. Even in larger companies that have dedicated training and hiring personnel, scheduling your new groups of candidates by priority will allow the best application of resources and will keep your existing team fresh a nd energetic.Take Advantage of EfficienciesThat being said about staggering if you have the opportunity to onboard several new hires within the saatkorn department or with similar job functions every effort should be made to bring the new employees on with the same start date. Not only will you save resources by offering one training to several individuals, but there are also proven benefits to establishing strong working and team relationships at the outset of any new employment. Evaluate your anticipated and one-off hiring needs in order to determine the right balance between optimization and over taxation of your hiring and training staff. Treat Each Position IndividuallyWeve all heard the common idiom about trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Much like our childhood building blocks games, treating the onboarding process the same across all company job levels and descriptions often lead to a one-size-does-not-fit-all scenario. While there will be certain essential HR or ientation and company-wide training that apply to all hires, individual department and seniority level specific training strategies should be utilized to help make the onboarding process as impactful and useful as possible. Create a Mentorship StructurePerhaps one of the most vital tools in any successful onboarding process is a companys existing talent pool. Current longterm and otherwise standout employees can provide vital support, mentoring, and leadership to newer counterparts. Hiring managers should identify current team members that display an acumen for guiding and mentoring current staff. These individuals should be partnered with new hires to help provide the kind of firsthand guidance that cannot be replaced by an employee manual or first-day hire presentation.Utilize 360 FeedbackGoing hand in hand with mentorship, allowing new hires to provide feedback on the hiring and training process is an important step to crafting and refining a successful onboarding program. Oftent imes a new set of eyes can provide crucial insights into the efficacy of existing policies and procedures. Allowing new hires to provide feedback on their individual experiences can also create opportunities for these individuals to feel appreciated and involved in their hiring process and the larger company. At various stages throughout the onboarding process, be koranvers to provide prompts for feedback on both structure and various individual interaction. Utilizing this information will allow leadership to fine-tune individual policies and procedures and will return dividends beyond a single new hire experience. Successful Onboarding as Company CultureLast but not least, when it comes to creating and maintaining a successful hiring and integration platform, hiring managers should remember that onboarding isnt as much a one time process as it is a company culture phenomenon. An impactful onboarding program will speak to both a commitment to finding quality talent and your internal company culture. Both of these aspects will resonate with both current and incoming candidates. The result? The ability to not only attract but retain top-notch quality individuals for all of your essential job roles. Want to learn more about how to improve your hiring process? Stay tuned to the Simply Hired blog for the latest and greatest advice from those in the know when it comes to best practices and impactful trends in the world of recruiting.