Tag Archives: work

Three Ways to Follow the Olympics from the Comfort of Your Desk

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The Summer Olympics come but once every four years, and social media has evolved fast since 2008′s games. Facebook had only just cracked 200 million active users, overtaking MySpace for the first time. Twitter was also really beginning to grow with six million users, and many of us often spent hours staring at the infamous ‘Fail Whale’ wondering how the heck this service was going to make money. YouTube, though well established, had only just begun to make a name for itself as a source of Olympic coverage as people who had never used the service began passing links to the outstanding opening ceremony at Beijing.

And now, in 2012, most of these services have matured. Social media is the number one activity on the internet, and the International Olympic Committee has decided to release (some very strict) guidelines on social media to its athletes. But despite the muzzle, there are still a few great ways for you to get your Olympic fix, even from your work desk.

Make use of that Google+ Account you signed up for

Now that Google+ account you were dying to get but have sadly neglected after absolutely no one made the transition from Facebook can get some much needed love. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) announced that they’ll be utilizing the Google’s native social media service and fans of Google+ are ecstatic that they haven’t been overlooked. Of course they’re also running coverage on Facebook but the Google+ feed has shown a much more aggregated approach to its coverage of the pre-game festivities, at least so far. Compare the two pages and you’ll see blurbs from major news outlets filling up the Google+ page, while Facebook is relegated to a few pictures posted by the IOC. Of course we’ll be following both, but if you really want to stay on top of things it looks like Google+ may be the go-to outlet for updates.

Check out the IOC Hub

The IOC has accomplished something wonderful for us Olympic fans – it’s centralized its social media campaign. The IOC hub lists the twitter feeds of thousands of athletes, offers its own coverage, and even has a cute little community with rewards and tiers for those who want to try and connect a bit more closely to the action. If that doesn’t suit you, you can always just sit back and let the news updates/tweets roll in after merging your account with the Hub. The whole idea behind the Hub is actually quite astonishing, as putting all that information into one place is a fairly behemoth undertaking, but it seems to be working, and we’re all the happier for it.

You can still follow your favorite athletes on Twitter

Don’t let that IOC muzzle scare you away – many analysts are guessing that the IOC won’t be chasing down athletes who post pictures of themselves warming up or tweet about their joys and disappointments on the road to Olympic gold. Really, they’re just trying to make sure that an athlete sponsored by Coca-Cola doesn’t tweet about how much they enjoy Pepsi. The involvement of advertising dollars sort of sullies the experience, but at least the tweets won’t have to pass an IOC committee before being sent out. It is still a great idea to follow the athletes, if for nothing else to connect that much more closely to the men and women representing your country. And how else would you know that Michael Phelps isn’t a fan of the new Team USA swim caps?

At the end of the day, social media is about enjoying yourself online. It allows you to connect with other people – people you may never have had a chance to connect through any other medium. And while we’d never recommend loafing on the job so you can scan pages of tweets and status updates, following all of these wonderful outlets is a great way to stay up to date while at work.

Just remember to go back and look for what you missed once you get home!

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How Employers can link into Linkedin

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A lot of social media analysts see LinkedIn as being a tad one sided – there are plenty of people who consistently update their profile anytime they think of something new to brag about, but there aren’t many employers looking for new hires on the service. Most sectors have more jobs than people, so employers don’t feel compelled to strike out and search for that perfect new hire.

So LinkedIn sadly stagnates with page upon page of resumés.

I find this extremely disappointing - LinkedIn should be just as widely used by employers as it is by people looking for a job. Employers just need to learn how to make the leap and start using LinkedIn properly.

1. Compare and contrast applicants to their peers.
After a day of interviewing a barrage of candidates, you’d hope that at least a few of them would stand out. But sometimes they all kind of stink – it’s unfortunate, but it happens. When I’m stuck with a big pile of resumés from people I really don’t want to hire, I like to log onto LinkedIn and try to find the type of people I would like to see apply for this position. And, honestly, sometimes I can’t – I occasionally have an off day and just have to head home and tackle the stack of applicants the next morning. But if I can find a few people who are closer to the type of person I’m looking for, I know I should start my search over to target that sort of person. By simply tweaking the job description or the experience required, you can get an entirely different batch of candidates.

And, thanks to LinkedIn, you should be able to find a few great applicants in that bunch.

2. Check on employment history
LinkedIn should be the first place you check when you are thinking of hiring a new employee. After all, the website gives you every detail the applicant made public for absolutely free, allowing you to both cross-check their resumé and see what other experience they have. There could be quite a bit about your new hire that you didn’t know and never would have found out – now, no one is going to put anything negative about themselves on their LinkedIn profile, but at the very least you’ll be able to read any details that they could not fit onto a one-page resumé or application.

I warn you though – don’t go too far down the rabbit hole. Keep your searches professional and allow your employees to have their personal, social lives without having to worry about future employers scrutinizing every single one of their life choices.

3. Don’t be afraid to reach out and contact people!
A lot of employers are afraid to do this. It goes well beyond what we, as business owners, are comfortable with. Unless someone came highly recommended, I would never actually reach out and contact them. I’d expect anyone interested in a position to take the initiative and contact me. But you could be missing out on some great employees if you cling too tightly to that old world view. If you are looking around LinkedIn and see someone you’d think would be perfect for a particular job, someone who just screams management or sales or tech or whichever department you are hiring for, send them a connection request. If they accept, and their profile says they are looking for a job, send them a message asking that they apply. If they say no thank you, oh well, but chances are they’ll be flattered and willing to talk. Remember, a message over a social media tool is not a binding job offer – you can choose not to hire them if you’d like. But just taking the initiative could lead to some great new employees.

LinkedIn was made for employers – it allows anyone to post, in as much detail as they want, about their professional lives within an aggregated, easy to use database. But it still remains grossly underutilized by the business owners, managers, and HR representatives who have no idea what to do with it.

Trust me – spend some time actually using the website, and you’ll wonder how you ever hired anyone without it.

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My Job Title, Myself

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“What do you do?”

A loaded question. In many cases it’s easier to do the duties of the job you were hired for than explain what this position has you do all day to someone. Stating your job title is simple enough but even that can be difficult in defining what the roles within that title entail. Especially if you have a job title that isn’t easy to figure out in the first place. Account executive, digital outreach coordinator, community evangelist- with such overwrought, seemingly important sounding position names figuring out what the job at hand really is can get lost in translation. Take our 3 tips when it comes to decoding the mystery behind the question, “So, what is it you do exactly?”

Start with industry and company type

While this information doesn’t really say much about you or what you do, it can help begin painting a picture for a person that may not know anything about the type of industry you work in. A business card with a website URL can paint that picture even better sometimes too.

Provide a specific example of work you actively do

This is where you really get to shine! After a basic framing of your company, you get to talk about what you do at work, and most importantly, what you like to do intertwines with that. For example; “I blog, write, and manage the social media content for a local company. This means I am responsible for managing 15 different outlets and creating new and original content to post multiple times per week.”  Here, you also get to show your passion and enthusiasm for your favorite project. Providing a description of a specific work sample is a concrete way to show exactly what you do and the quality of your work. Create an online portfolio of your written work to show when inquired about.

Always have a pitch

You never know when your next conversation about what you do could turn into a job opportunity. If you practice what you want to say before you have to say it, you can ensure you get to the point. The more you give a practiced yet easygoing pitch, the better you will be at giving it. Whether you are at a job interview or a networking social, helping others understand what you do enables them to discover more about you in the process. It could help bring in business, help land a job, or may even open up opportunities that didn’t previously exist!

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Would You Rather Take a Monday or Friday Off?

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Q: What’s better than having a three day weekend?

A: Having a four day workweek that follows!

Ever notice how the beginning of the year starts off with a string of holidays? After Christmas and New Year’s Day we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, spring break (for the lucky few) and Easter. Yet from Memorial Day to Labor Day there is only one day off – the Fourth of July.

Why are June and August the only months that don’t have holidays? Do you feel more productive during these months, or less? What about the current (late winter / early spring) season? Are you more productive now with various days off each month?

What about this past Presidents’ day week? Were you more productive then? We want to know whether you would take a Monday or Friday off from the workplace.

Pros for having Monday off:

-          The Friday before a long weekend feels great knowing you have three full days off.

-          When the thought “Monday is around corner” arrives, you can laugh it off.

-          The four day workweek that follows.

Pros for taking Friday off:

-          The four day work week that precedes a long weekend.

-          Getting the day off when you you’re not going to be that productive anyway.

-          Waking up Saturday knowing your normal weekend would have just started.

I suppose the cons are about the same for each; some people want a 4 day week first, others want it second. Some want longer to recover, others want longer to party. We can all agree that any day off is great, but which do you think is better? Monday or Friday? See what other think here.

I suppose the next question is if you can accomplish in 4 days what you usually do in 5 days, shouldn’t every week be a 4 day week? How does your company handle this issue? Does your company have flex days or other benefits you love? What are your thoughts about work hours, work/life balance, or Monday vs. Fridays off?  Comment below or check our Facebook!

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Help Your Small Business Dream Take Flight!

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Where I grew up there is a little outdoor sporting goods store that I love to visit. It is sandwiched between a Mexican restaurant and an old magazine and tobacco store. Its location is nondescript and doesn’t get very much attention. However, once you’re inside – it is a whole new world. The sights, sounds and smells take you somewhere special. There are pictures of world famous climbers. They are always the first to have the newest climbing, skiing, and camping equipment. The employees actually use the gear they sell. They can tell you where the best snow is, or where the best campsite is. They recognize you when you walk in and will ask how the jacket you bought last winter is holding up. Sure, there may be illicit smells wafting from the employee break room, but that’s just how it is. That is what small businesses are- unique and custom tailored to the local community; providing a product or a service with you in mind.

Many people dream of running their own business, setting their own hours, and getting involved with their local communities. How do you make it happen?

1) Recognize something you have experience in, knowledge of, or are just plain passionate about.

Consider your favorite small business, and what you love about it. Why you shop there and not somewhere else. What is it that they offer that the big box stores don’t? Can they give you specific answers to your questions? Help pick the best product for you and your situation.

2) Determine a location that fits your target customer.

You don’t see many surf shops in the desert, likewise your location should be close to your customers! Not sure where to locate? That leads us to our next point…

3) Be found.

This is an important step for most small businesses. What if you’re a plumber and could be located almost anywhere? How will customers find you? You also need to be discoverable. Make sure your business utilizes the internet; so people can find you on Google maps, or on review services like Yelp or Trip Advisor.

4) Spread the word.

Get out there and talk about your product. Get to know other small businesses. Use social media. Subscribe to newsletters, publications, or journals that discuss issues in your local community that will affect your business. Offer special deals, because sometimes all it takes is a foot in the door!

Running a small business is exciting and rewarding. Not sure where to start? Check out the resources on our site to help. Got questions? Post a comment here on our blog, tweet us @mycorporation or ask a question on Facebook!

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Working at Home: What They Never Tell You.

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Employees used to see the option of working from home as some sort of gift, bestowed by the management for hard work and sacrifice. A day at home meant a day of sleeping in, watching trashy tv and, maybe, calling in with a made up list of all the things you accomplished while at home. Then the next day you pay for your twenty-four hours of debauchery by making up all the work you missed, cursing yourself for not actually doing anything while at home.

That’s no longer the case. Thanks to the wonders of online hyper-connectivity, now your boss can actually check in with you at any time, be it through e-mail or Skype, and ask to see exactly what you’ve been doing all day. And, sadly, watching a Maury marathon and making a chocolate shake doesn’t count as work. Despite this, many people still see the option of working at home as the easier route. Most business writers will just tell you to find a nice quiet corner, away from distractions so you can get some work done and let things rest at that. But there are some things that people just don’t warn you about…

Doing your job from home isn't just about being able to go to work without pants.

1. The fact that people are going to want to see your face.
Remember when I said your boss or manager may end up Skyping you throughout the day? Well that means you are going to have to show yourself to other people, which also means you should probably take a shower and get dressed. I know, I know – you thought you could wear your sweatpants and Team Building Exercise ’99 shirt all day. The last thing you want is to look like you just woke up when you get a random call from your office.

Also, this means making sure you have a good spot for receiving Skype calls. Is your floor covered in pizza boxes and clothes? Well, then you better make sure no one can see your floor. Clear out a corner and a nice, clean wall and set up shop there. Whoever ends up calling in probably holds steadfast to the old image of an employee lazing around all day at home on the company’s dollar, so make sure it doesn’t look like that’s all you did.

2. You are going to have to prove you are actually doing work, which may mean working harder.
Life isn’t fair. Even if you do the same amount of work at home as you do in the office, management may still think you are lazing around all day at home. This is especially true if you regularly work from home – like I said, the old stereotypes are hard to shake. And it is up to you to prove that you are a hard worker, regardless of the setting. That means taking on extra tasks, finishing work early, and making sure to consistently update your office about what you are doing.

You may be able to avoid morning traffic but in turn you have to prove you are worth keeping on board. There are plenty of employees out there who would love the opportunity to work at home, so you are not only fighting against those normally gunning for your job, you are fighting against people who would do anything to never have to drive on the freeway during rush hour again. And that is a strong motivator.

3. You’re going to miss the office, or at least the free coffee.
Remember when you looked in the mirror and said you’d give anything to get away from all that gossip, bickering and noise in the office? Well, I’m sorry to report that you will miss that noise after a while. Human beings are social creatures, and though we get upset when our coworkers ignore us or refuse to turn down their music, we still like to be around other people.

You may soon find yourself looking forward to the check-ins from work, staring longingly at your Skype window, hoping someone will call you. Or, at the very least, you’ll start e-mailing silly pictures of cats to other people in your department on a much more regular basis than you ever thought possible. Plus you’ll now have to pay for all that coffee you drink, and when the pot is empty you’ll always be the one who has to refill it.

So while working at home can be very enjoyable, you should not treat the opportunity like a chance for a vacation. You still need to get dressed and work hard, even when there isn’t a manager looking over your shoulder. So the next time you are angrily stewing over office life, remember that some things, like work, are simply inescapable.

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Balancing Sleep and the Mid Afternoon Lull

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Sleep. Just the word is fabulous, right? Despite our love for sleep, it seems to be the norm that most adults don’t get enough sleep. Sure, we can all pull the occasional all nighter, but running on three to four hours of sleep night after night will definitely start to take its toll. So what can you do about it? Believe us, we know that there are not enough hours in the day. We wish we had more time to sleep! Unfortunately, taking a quick catnap under your desk probably isn’t an option. Next time you feel the urge to doze, nod off or “rest your eyes” at the office, keep these helpful hints in mind.

Eat small nutritious meals

Yes, you have heard this before. Eating small meals throughout the day is not only a good tool for weight loss. By nourishing your body periodically during the day, you are also nourishing your mind, thus keeping yourself alert. The common cure for the mid afternoon lull is usually a choice between a snack and caffeine. Instead of boosting your body once a day, consider feeding it gradually. This way, you will avoid the dreaded 3pm crash and you may even lose a few pounds!

Avoid too much sugar or caffeine

We here at MyCorp love our coffee, so don’t sound the alarm quite yet. Remember, too much of anything can be a bad thing. Yes, coffee in the morning is vital to the vast majority of adults. However before reaching for your third or forth cup, or your second soda take a second to pause. Sugar and caffeine will give you a boost, but only for a short while, after which you will crash. This creates a caffeine roller coaster. Get off that ride! Consider instead, as mentioned above, eating smaller meals or snacks such as almonds and celery. Also, try drinking additional water. Although it does not have caffeine, water is vital to healthy brain function and it will give you a boost!

Get your walk on!

We all know the benefits of exercise. Many forget the benefits of taking a simple stroll. Set out a chunk of time each day, maybe 10-15 minutes, to walk around your office building or outside. Standing up and moving around will get the blood flowing in your body, increasing both your circulation and body functions. When you start to feel yourself doze off, stand up! Walk off that tired feeling and prepare yourself for a productive end of the day.

Love thy neighbor.

Love thy neighbor, in our opinion, simply means strike up a short conversation with your co-workers. Take a few minutes to look away from you work and take your brain out of the office. What is Sarah cooking for dinner? Do John’s kids have soccer tonight?  Breaking the monotony of the day by engaging a different part of your brain through conversation will help you to snap out of the funk. Who knows, you may learn something new, make a new friend or establish a better relationship with your coworkers. Loving thy neighbor is clearly a win win!

There you have it. Now you are prepared to fight your afternoon nemeses. Keep these tips in mind and enjoy a day full of productivity!

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Five ways to effectively communicate with your boss

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Bosses. Everyone’s had one, if not more. Finding effective ways to communicate with your boss is paramount regardless of what industry you are in.  Of course, not everyone loves their boss, thus making communication difficult. Thankfully, we here at MyCorp are led by a pretty awesome team. However, we know not everyone can be as lucky as are. So what are the most effective ways to communicate with your boss? Why does it even matter?

First of all, open lines of communication are essential to any successful business. Think of communication as water in a pipe line, if not water is flowing there is bound to be a buildup. This buildup will eventually burst causing severe damage. Let that water flow! It may sound easier said than done, however keep in mind the following tips and you should be smooth sailing.

Be Professional. Even if your boss is a close friend, remember that you are in an office and certain rules apply. Professionalism is a must! Your boss is your boss for a reason. Regardless if you like it or not, being polite and polished is always a good idea. Even if the topic of conversation is not work related, such as weekend plans, the same rule of courtesy should apply. Present yourself in a thought out, polite manner regardless of the situation.

Be Honest. We all know that time is money. When talking to your boss, make sure to keep that phrase in mind. Make the conversation to the point and concise. Embellishing, sugar coating and rambling are all in direct opposition to using your time wisely. When you talk to your boss, be honest, be direct and straight forward. Cut to the chase! Addressing issues head on will allow both you and your boss to discuss the issue, find a course of action and proceed easily and in a time effective manner.

Take a Step Back. Remember in 1st grade when Sam pinched you and you chased after him so that you could pinch him back? Let’s take a lesson from the playground, instant retaliation, or perceived gratification, is not always the best step. Take a moment to step back. What really is the issue here? Do I really need to take this to my boss, or can I resolve the problem on my own. Are there others that I could talk to in order to figure out the situation? Take some time to consider what you are bringing to your boss and ask yourself whether or not the course of action you have chosen is the right one.

Find Your Inner “Gumby.” When you think Gumby, what do you think about? Flexibility right?! Finding your inner Gumby means being flexible. Understand that your boss is busy and you can’t always have the conversation you want to have exactly when you want to have it. In fact, some things may never reach your boss. This idea falls in line with the mantra, pick your battles. Work with your boss. He or she will appreciate your patience and flexibility, and, in turn, will respect you more for it.

Whether you have the greatest boss in the world or your boss asks you to come in on Saturday to finish your TPS reports (hey hey Office Space), keep the above tips in mind. Forming open and functional lines of communication will ensure stability and smoothness in your workplace. Happy chatting!

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