Why Employee Retention Initiatives are More Important Than Ever

Why Employee Retention Initiatives are More Important Than Ever Employee retention is a hot topic in business right now. With the UK’s employment figures at their highest since comparable records began in 1971, employers are having to work increasingly hard to hang on to their best staff. Add in the fact that Brexit is looming and global competition is fierce, and it is easy to see how employee retention is now more important than ever before. Here are 4 good reasons why businesses should be working hard on employee retention initiatives: 1. Brexit The UK labor market is retracting as a direct result of Brexit. Migration from the EU to the UK is at its lowest for four years. There is little doubt that the reduction in the number of non-UK EU nationals will continue as the Brexit process continues. While there has been a coinciding increase in the number of non-EU nationals coming to the UK for the last 12 months, the Government plans to cut overall net migration to the tens of thousands means non-EU workers are unlikely to fill the gap. Understandably, Brexit is a concern for businesses, especially those in the industries where employment of EU nationals is high, such as hospitality and farming. Employee retention (particularly of UK nationals) is one area businesses can work on in a bid to maintain performance and productivity. If employees leave in droves, it is not only disruptive to the business, it also has a crushing effect on the morale of the staff left behind trying to cope with the exodus. There is already evidence that Brexit is impacting on staff retention strategies. The Resourcing and talent planning survey carried out by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) in conjunction with recruitment company Hays, revealed that organizations are placing greater emphasis on developing and retaining existing staff in light of Brexit. Introducing the right benefits and opportunities in the workplace is just one strategy employers should be embracing if they want to survive the Brexit staffing crisis. 2. Company culture and productivity It’s not just Brexit that is causing businesses to up their game when it comes to retaining staff. There are other factors forcing UK businesses to push employee retention up the agenda. Positive company culture is proving to be an increasingly valuable asset when it comes to productivity. Employee engagement and retention is a big part of that. Attracting and retaining skilled employees is fundamental to business success. A large part of that now comes down to company culture. Employees are a company’s greatest asset and high employee turnover can have a hugely negative impact on an organization’s performance. Employee retention is critical. 3. Millennials In the past, Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) have been known for their propensity to job-hop. But, commitment is a two-way street. Millennials do actually care about who they work for. They are just as capable of showing loyalty to employers as any other generation before them. However, unlike the generations before, they are more likely to take risks and engage with new employment opportunities. In fact, Millennials are now getting increasingly picky about who they work for. According to Deloitte’s 2018 Millennial Survey, the Millennial generation is feeling increasingly uneasy about the future. Decent pay, flexibility and positive company cultures are most likely to attract Millennials and Generation Z (those born between the late 1990s and the mid-2000s). Millennials feel companies should be doing more to make a positive impact on society and the environment. But, in the survey by Deloitte, it was found that only a minority of Millennials believe that corporations behave ethically. The survey also found that businesses’ actions strongly influence the length of time that Millennials stay with employers. Given that Millennials comprise an increasingly powerful proportion of the UK talent pool, business leaders need to commit to building a strong company culture with social responsibility firmly on the agenda. We need to remember that Millennials are also customers. They want to buy products and services from socially responsible companies who value their employees and the world around them. Businesses who put profit above these ideals will eventually suffer. 4. Cost The cost of hiring and training employees is considerable. According to businessadvice.co.uk the departure of a member of staff could cost small business owners a quarter of that workers salary, with a potential £6,335 lost from a single resignation. As well as recruitment costs, there is the issue of dropped productivity by employees during their notice period. There is also the issue of other employees evaluating their own happiness when a close colleague decides to leave. To prevent staff leaving, businesses need to invest in effective employee retention initiatives. In a post-Brexit, Millennial world, UK businesses need to retain talent if they want to flourish. About the author:  Mike James  is an experienced business writer specializing in HR, tech, and cybersecurity. On the latter, he has contributed to many of the leading publications both online and in print â€" such as StaySafeOnline, GlobalSign, Tech London and more.

Reasons Behind the Rising Number of Women Volunteers

Reasons Behind the Rising Number of Women Volunteers A study shows that there is a growing interest in volunteering, with women taking the lead. Lets explore the reasons behind this trend! Voluntourism is the experience of travel combined with volunteering. It allows you to experience new cultures and countries while at the same time giving back. It is a new way to travel, and many people are becoming patrons of this new travel movement. Forrester Research published a report in 2007 entitled “Go Away and Do Good: Voluntourism the Noble Niche”. Travel analyst, Henry Harteveldt, presented that approximately 3.5 million Americans were involved in voluntourism, and the NBCNews.com  also points to findings that these values have tripled in 2014. This being said, voluntourism is an experience that more and more people are committing to. Another interesting finding from Volunteering Solutions is that 76% of travel junkies getting into Voluntourism are women, which begs the question â€" why is there a rising number of women volunteers? Lets look at the reasons behind the growing number of women who are voluntouring. They know how to manage time Women are more organized, and usually carry the habit of making the necessary bookings and registrations in advance, providing proper time to prepare themselves for the project. This helps them to organize their personal lives, work goals, and volunteer work better. And brilliant at money management too Women are usually in charge of managing the household responsibilities, which is an indirect training on the financial demands of volunteer work, especially one that involves travel. They are the house-makers (mostly) and manage the budget of their house. They very well know what to spend on and how much. Understand their priorities well Women would not mind over timing or skipping an excursion over a weekend in case project requires more time as that’s their main objective. Bonds more easily on the emotional level Women are supposed to have better communication skills and emotional intelligence than men. A lot of women tend to be group-oriented, and are able to bond with a number of people better. Men are less able to pick up emotional cues unless they’re clearly verbalized, which is something that can’t be expected every time during a volunteer work. It requires a great amount of emotional connection to be able to execute this act of altruism in the most effective manner. Flexible when it comes to optimizing the itinerary at the last moment Sure they plan everything before embarking for the journey, but definitely do not shy away from last moment changes, and adapt very well to it. While many men are sharply left-brain dominant, women have the tendency to be more evenly balanced between left and right-brain processing. This makes them more intuitive and able to adjust to situations. Adjustment is a part of their everyday life They can adjust with tightest of the conditions pretty well. When faced with stressful situations, men are very straightforward and would usually employ ‘fight or flight’ tactics. Women are known to employ a ‘tend or befriend’ response that comes from their motherly instincts. Adaptive in Culture and Language Women can get intrigued by things as small and generic as a differently prepared sushi or the kind of clothes native women wear. This prompts them to travel more, to discover more. Women are also more inclined to learn a new language than men, which is very important to voluntourism. Women shine at language-based tasks because scientifically, the two brain areas that process language are larger in females. Sometimes one needs to discover themselves Although women do not have to prove themselves for being an equally strong and independent gender as men; however, in a male dominating society, sometimes it is required to prove that they can handle life all by themselves, and, at times, in a much better way. Taking bold steps has its own perks Women get an incredible amount of offers as they are known to be the main consumer of a household. Special discounts for women at several occasions, such as cheaper airfares, shopping discounts, relaxation on restaurant bills, is no less a motivation in itself to finalize on that trip. These and many more such reasons are behind the idea that women are leading the volunteering world. Women are more inclined to act on their desires to donate their time and effort, and I am glad that many women are grabbing that opportunity. Whether doing it in your neighborhood or flying out of the country into another that needs your presence, any kind of help will surely be appreciated. Join the movement and be part of this amazing group of women!

My Pursuit of Good Energy

My Pursuit of Good Energy I saw this meme on Pinterest the other day and it really resonated with me. I havent been writing on the blog lately because Ive been channeling my extra time and energy into a good energy kick. I call it Good Energy in part because  Ive found phrases like healthy eating, working out and dieting too closely associated with self-deprivation, pain and dread.  Can you relate? So yes, me the laptop-addicited, Italian food-loving, Sedentary Susie has slowly evolved into a protein eating, kettlebell lifting girl over the past several months. Read the guest post I wrote on the Premier Protein blog which shares the story of my mental shift and how I slowly approached a healthy mindset  over time.  Its crazy how much more focused I am at work, how much better I sleep and how much happier my outlook on life is.  Can good energy be good for your career? Anyone else on an unexpected good energy kick?  Are you craving good energy but arent sure where to start? Lets talk!

What My 5th Grade Dance Class Taught Me About Starting a Business

What My 5th Grade Dance Class Taught Me About Starting a Business Ive loved dancing my entire life. For the better part of a decade I spent three school nights a week practicing my little heart out at my hometowns local dance academy. Dancing felt good, it was a release from the daily routine of school and homework, and even at 10 years old I knew and craved that feeling. And because it quickly became apparent that I wasnt going to make a career out of being a dancer, dance became just that: a simple and satisfying release. More recently that feeling has re-entered my life in a very different way. This year I launched a side-hustle business called Work It Web, a content strategy and consulting company. Ive been planning this venture for almost a year and as I got closer to launch, I began to feel about my business the way my 10 year-old self felt about dance. I started coming home after a long day excited to do something fulfilling for myself Now Im not saying that being a dancer as a teenager makes you a successful entrepreneur as an adult. However, as I began to think back on my countless hours spent in that Vermont dance studio, I couldnt help but draw parallels. This has since provided me some comfort knowing that my efforts in 5th grade dance class werent completely wasted. Sure, I didnt become Beyonces back-up dancer, but I learned a thing or two about starting a business. Dont get caught up in your own reflection. If youve ever been to a dance or fitness class you probably catch yourself looking in the mirror a lot. And why not right? Its fun to watch yourself doing the moves. As a young dancer, I would easily get caught up in watching myself in a routine. So much so, that I would forget to look around and see what everyone else around me was doing. Then sometimes I would be a beat behind and not know it. Or, my feet would end up in the wrong position and I would be the only one. When I started Work It Web, one of the first things I did was research the competitors in my space, what they were doing, and how they were doing it. I dont ever want to feel behind in my business because Im too caught up in solely what Im working on. No matter how good I look dancing the routine, theres always value in observing others. The solo comes to those who ask for it. So often we are under the impression that if we follow the rules and do everything were supposed to, then opportunities and success will come. When in fact, never once have I been handed something I really wanted by passively standing by and waiting. This reality became abundantly clear as an eight-year-old who danced her heart out week after week and was never given the solo. So one day I simply asked my instructor if I could have a solo part, pleaded my case convincing her I was the next broadway sensation and promised of course to practice till my feet turned blue. To my surprise my instructor didnt protest, and instead said she was glad I asked she was focused on challenging some of my other classmates and hadnt thought to give me a solo. Despite being young, I realized that my biggest advocate in this world was myself. No one was going to fight harder for my success than me. Starting and owning your own business magnifies this feeling. I didnt expect anyone to hand me a check and give me business. I knew that I would have to ask for it, plead my case, and convince them I was going to work my booty off for them. To make it, you have to love it. As I got a little older, my tight group of pre-teen dance girls began to branch off into their respective categories. Some got caught up in high school sports and extracurriculars and decided their dance days were over, while others thought about a career in dance and went into full on Abby Lee Miller Dance Moms mode. I, of course, fell somewhere in between. I liked dancing more than kicking around a smelly soccer ball, but there was no way I was going to make a career as a dancer. I didnt love it enough. And heres the crazy part: even the girls that did love it, and worked so hard, and probably sacrificed a lot for just one shot at making it, never became career dancers. The point is it, they had the drive and passion I didnt have. They took risks and made sacrifices because to them, it was worth it. And even though not all of them became prima-ballerinas, they were stars in my book because they pursued their passion in an unforgiving industry. Entrepreneurship is similar, which is why I knew that the business I started had to be something I was head over heels for. Work It Web is something I would make sacrifices for, and work day and night for. If it wasnt worth it, than I know I wouldnt have even the slightest chance of succeeding. Do you have a startup story to share? Comment on this post and tell me about it!  

#94 - Leadership Expert Series - Michael OBrien - CareerMetis.com

#94 - Leadership Expert Series - Michael O'Brien The Career Insider Podcast Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSSForEpisode 94of The CareerMetis Podcast, we will be hearing from Michael O’Brien.This interview is part of the “Leadership Expert Series“.evalGuest Introduction â€" Michael O’BrienevalIn this episode of The CareerMetis Podast, Nissar welcomes Michael O’Brien to the show. Michael is a leadership coach with Peloton Coaching, and the author of Shift: Creating a Better Tomorrow. His mission is to help leaders to lead better.Episode Summary1. Michael explains that leadership is about vision, and about taking people somewhere new, which often leads them outside of their comfort zone in order to innovate and break through the status quo.2. He also talks about the “Do, Have, Be” lifestyle and how people get caught up in it and deprive themselves of happiness.3.He shares the story of a freak accident that ultimately became his “last bad day”. He goes in depth about the flig ht to the hospital, and what was going through his mind during the time it took to get there. He made a commitment to himself that he would live his life differently has he survived, and although it went dark before he got better, his outlook on life greatly improved as a result of it.4.Michael goes into the importance of being present, and having regular gratitude practices that help us to exhibit positive emotions about our life, and the people, things and opportunities we have within it.5. He stresses that self awareness is crucial to building emotional intelligence, and that a mentor can be a pivotal piece of someone’s development.Quotes“Leadership matters so much”eval“If I’m going to be the best I can possibly be, then I’m going to have to shift my mindset”“When we’re in yesterday or we’re worried about tomorrow, we’re not here today”“When we’re present we can focus in on the task at hand.“If you change a life anywhere, you change lives everywhereâ €evalLinks ResourcesTo learn more about Michael O’Brien, you can visit his company website. He can also be reached viaLinkedInorTwitter .Intro Music provided courtesy of Accelerated Ideas (www.accelerated-ideas.com). Soundtrack â€" Siren KickbackEnding Music provided courtesy of Accelerated Ideas (www.accelerated-ideas.com). Soundtrack â€" No Need to Rush

How to Stand Out on Your MBAÂ Application - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

How to Stand Out on Your MBA  Application An MBA from a top-notch school can put you at the top of the job candidate pool, while the same degree from a lesser-known institution can leave you deep in the resume slush pile, so to speak. If youre returning to school after being in the workforce for some time, you may be understandably anxious about perfecting your application materials to ace admission into a competitive program. Some of the ways to stand out may surprise you. Use your words wisely While MBA admissions committees want to make sure you can handle the quantitative number-crunching youll need in classes (your GMAT score is proof of this) author Jeffrey Shinewald reveals in a Business Insider interview that your words matter just as much as your scores. In your application essay, stress how your skills and areas of interest make you a competitive candidate for entry and how the program can help you meet your specific career goals. Your future success reflects upon the school, so make a strong case to admissions officials to up your chances of acceptance. Along the same lines, only apply to programs that are a good match for you. If youre interested in an international business program like the one from Alliant.edu, youll be a stronger candidate if you can prove foreign language skills, international business knowledge and commitment to diversity, for example. Be cucumber-cool in interviews The group interview is a new trend in MBA programs and one that can create anxiety, suggests admissions counselor Linda Abrams in Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Less experienced candidates might feel the need to sell themselves and their credentials. Win this one by realizing that the key to looking good is letting the whole group succeed. Mention your expertise and back it up with concrete examples, when time allows, but dont hog center stage. Its all right to practice for these interviews, but avoid robotic memorization. Admissions committees from MBA programs are looking for candidates who can think on the fly and are comfortable speaking publicly. Get the right recommendations Recommendation letters help sell your candidacy, so its important to get letters from people who known you well and can speak to the quality of your work. While you may be reluctant to broach your desire to go back to school with your current employer, consider doing so anyway, especially if youre applying to part time or weekend programs. Schools want to know what youve been doing recently, and if all of your letters are from people you havent worked with for more than two years, admissions officers may view it as a red flag. So keep recommendations current and help those recommending you sell your candidacy by providing them with specific accomplishments, goals and examples of your leadership, Fortuna Admissions experts recommend in The Economist. Leave yourself several months to polish your essay, prep for the interview and connect with recommenders. As an older candidate with on-the-job experience, you are a competitive candidate. Use these surprising tips to put together a competitive application and impress admissions officers. Gary Wright Gary is a business consultant and freelance writer from New York.

The Advantages of Hiring Professional Resume Writing Services

The Advantages of Hiring Professional Resume Writing ServicesResume writing services can help you create a high quality CV that will attract the employer's attention. A decent CV not only needs to stand out, but it also needs to be compelling. When you hire a professional to write your CV, you'll get a professionally formatted CV that clearly shows the qualities that you have that employers are looking for.Don't believe the hype you see online about 'free' resume writing services. Most of them charge by the hour. In addition, there is always the risk that the person who wrote your CV has left some comments on it. These comments can make it appear that you didn't write your CV yourself.Of course, you don't need to pay for an employee to do the job for you, but you need to make sure that the CV you're getting is written by a professional. The first thing to do is to make sure that your resume is written for a particular role. If you think that your skills may not be suitable for that j ob, you need to ensure that you find someone else to do the job.Some of the best resume writing services are made up of trained professionals. These people have been trained in the latest techniques that enable them to write a CV in such a way that it attracts the employer's attention. They know exactly how to create and layout a resume in such a way that it meets the needs of the job they are targeting. This means that your CV should be tailored for the kind of job you are applying for.One of the main things that these professionals do is that they structure the resume in such a way that it stands out. Instead of having a long list of qualifications which only a few people will see, the CV template that they use shows how the candidate is unique and so is the reason why they are hiring. The CV template is developed by these professionals and it is the first impression. Since your CV will be your first contact with an employer, you need to make sure that it doesn't fall flat on its face.Another thing that the professional CV writers do is that they present the candidate in a very concise manner. The writing services that you hire will understand that when you're applying for a specific position that the short CV template will ensure that it gets seen and read within minutes. Not only will it get noticed but it will also be read quickly so that it gets noticed by the employer.In addition, resume writing services develop the CV in such a way that it contains all the relevant information about the applicant. There is a reason why you need to provide a CV, and that is so that the employer can assess the ability and competence of the applicant. In other words, the CV that you write should be able to display the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant.When it comes to CV writing services, hiring a professional means that you are hiring a writer that has had experience in this field. This means that they know what works and what doesn't. With experience in CV writi ng, they are able to provide you with a well-formatted and informative CV.