2015 Speaking Tour

2015 Speaking Tour A couple of years ago I spoke at the Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago.   Heres an email Chris Campbell, Executive Director of ENG, wrote: Jason was a keynote speaker to the Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago, which is a group of six figure individuals who are in job transition.   He spoke about his own job search stories and focused on  JibberJobber.com, which he founded.   Jason is an excellent speaker with a wry sense of humor that keeps his sessions lively and entertaining, as well as informative.   JibberJobber is one of the best online tools for individuals in job search and we recommend it to our 250 members. That was pretty cool I reached out to Chris because Chicago is on our list of places to travel through this summer, as we head to D.C. and back heres the list of places I hope to speak. If you know of any job clubs that would be okay with me speaking, let me know! Minneapolis Madison, WI Chicago Indianapolis Cincinnati Columbus OH Pittsburgh Rochester Philadelphia Maryland (Columbus?) McLean, Virginia Louisville, KY St. Louis, MO Kansas City, MO Denver Fort Collins, CO Will I see you this summer? 2015 Speaking Tour A couple of years ago I spoke at the Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago.   Heres an email Chris Campbell, Executive Director of ENG, wrote: Jason was a keynote speaker to the Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago, which is a group of six figure individuals who are in job transition.   He spoke about his own job search stories and focused on  JibberJobber.com, which he founded.   Jason is an excellent speaker with a wry sense of humor that keeps his sessions lively and entertaining, as well as informative.   JibberJobber is one of the best online tools for individuals in job search and we recommend it to our 250 members. That was pretty cool I reached out to Chris because Chicago is on our list of places to travel through this summer, as we head to D.C. and back heres the list of places I hope to speak. If you know of any job clubs that would be okay with me speaking, let me know! Minneapolis Madison, WI Chicago Indianapolis Cincinnati Columbus OH Pittsburgh Rochester Philadelphia Maryland (Columbus?) McLean, Virginia Louisville, KY St. Louis, MO Kansas City, MO Denver Fort Collins, CO Will I see you this summer?

What Role Does Mindfulness Play in Employee Wellness

What Role Does Mindfulness Play in Employee Wellness Mindfulness  is something we all naturally possess. It can be easy to rush through life without stopping to notice much. Paying more attention to the present moment â€" to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you â€" can improve your mental wellbeing. But can the same be said about your place of work? With more and more companies incorporating mindfulness in their employee wellness programs, our 10 corporate wellness experts explain why it is important to consider. Nick Patel Mental health is becoming an increasingly important part of employee wellness programs, and mindfulness training is one of the tools employers are using to help employees improve their mental well-being.   In addition to being an effective tool for mental health, mindfulness has other benefits that is increasing its importance to employers.   For example, it is free to practice, helps employees accept things they cannot change, and can be done anywhere. Nick Patel, CEO of Wellable. Liz Walker   Encouraging employees to learn skills such as mindfulness can help them build resilience and learn to cope in difficult situations. Practising mindfulness in the workplace like meditation, reflection or setting small, regular actions which help employees strike a healthy work/life balance can result in positive behavior changes that enhance and prolong mental wellbeing. Long-term, it might help prevent further aggravation of stress, difficulty coping, or mental ill-health for employees. Liz Walker, HR Director, Unum UK. Sammy Courtright Here’s a sobering stat: According to the American Institute of Stress, 80% of workers feel stressed on the job. Nearly 50% say they need help in learning how to manage stress, while 42% of people say their coworkers need such help. Dealing with stress isnt just a minor annoyance; it can lead to serious health and performance issues, including frequent headaches, irritability, insomnia, difficulty making decisions, and trouble remembering. Not exactly the formula for a healthy, productive workplace. Unless youve been living under a rock, chances are youve heard about the benefits of meditationâ€"including reduced blood pressure, less stress and anxiety, lengthened attention spans, and improved sleep. Whether you offer meditation sessions, yoga classes, or mindfulness workshops, any element of mindfulness can go a long way in improving employees’ health and well-being at work. Sammy Courtright, founder and CEO of Fitspot Wellness. Lucy Tallick There are mixed views on mindfulness in the workplace and mindfulness as a practice, which doesn’t mean it’s a right or a wrong practice to introduce into your wellness strategy. In fact, there is a large amount of research showing only positive results when mindfulness is a key part of a wellness strategy.   There is definitely a valid benefit to your workforce in practising mindfulness, however, I think that you need to also be aware that not everyone is completely ready to embrace these practices just yet. Having a mindfulness partner/provider/solution as part of your strategy means you can promote it as a self-serve option. This gives those that are interested a great benefit, creating champions or advocates that can help promote it to the rest of the business. Lucy Tallick,   Head of Wellbeing at Reward Gateway. Alaana Linney The pace of modern living is incredibly fast and today’s “always on” culture can lead to employee burnout. Mindfulness is the ancient practice of being in the moment to reduce stress and encourage self-awareness and clear thinking. Incorporating mindfulness training into your wellbeing programme can improve efficiency, resilience and better communication. In collaboration with Mindlab, Nuffield Health deliver bespoke mindfulness workshops, including ‘lunch and learns’ and themed days, as well as foundational training courses in the practice. Sessions can be delivered live, either face-to-face or via webinars to increase accessibility. Alaana Linney, Director of Business Development at Nuffield Health. Joe Gaunt Work life integration is key it’s not about trying to split one or the other but being in a job/ company you love that matches your values and respects the little or regular time you do wish to be away.  Mindfulness is becoming more popular in the world of employee wellness.   Many employers are now embracing mental resilience and mindfulness education as a part of their workplace wellness programs. With 84% of employees experiencing physical, psychological or behavioural symptoms of poor mental health, it’s essential we open up, talk more and break the stigma of mental health issues in the workplace.  Expect to see more employers promoting the use of mental health initiatives and aiding therapy or counselling services and encouraging employees to practice self-care. Lastly, always try to get enough sleep (7-9 hours a night is recommended).   The benefits are immeasurable and affects all areas of physical and mental health and wellbeing. Joe Gaunt, CEO of Hero Wellbeing. Shaun Bradley Nearly 6 out of 10 of UK adults feel work is a common cause of stress according to recent research we conducted. In most instances it’s because we don’t know how to switch off from work, reflect on our state and just relax. We live complex lives, phrases like ‘spinning too many plates’ are now familiar language at work. We are finding it more and more difficult to concentrate and as a result may increase our stress. Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing attention on the present moment. The practice has been found to be a key element reducing stress and enhancing overall wellbeing. Being mindful makes it easier to become fully engaged in activities and creates a greater capacity to deal with the challenges of organisational life. Shaun Bradley, Director of People at  Perkbox. Ruth Tongue Mindfulness is simply being in the present, so in the workplace, it means not being continually distracted and pulled away from what youre working on. Its spotting when you do become distracted and making a conscious decision around that distraction. I.e. Ive noticed 9 new Whatsapp messages come through from my holiday group, but Im working on this task at the moment and Im going to  choose  to continue doing so. Ill then  reward myself by looking at the messages, when Im done. Ruth Tongue, Co-founder of Elevate. Sam Fromson From the moment we open our eyes it’s all go!   Little surprise therefore that for many us the thought of taking time out at work to be mindful is difficult to visualise.   However, allowing your people time every day to relax, be still and show gratitude is as important as encouraging them to be active and eat well. Not only does it re-energize them, it also helps your people focus, compartmentalize  and prioritise, all of which are useful skills in their own right.   In addition, it can help reduce emotional exhaustion and increase job satisfaction which is good for everyone. Sam Fromson, Co-founder of Yulife. Jill King Thousands of studies have shown that mindfulness training reduces stress, anxiety and depression while improving the immune system and the cognitive skills that are key to high performance. We all know that work can be stressful. This stress can negatively impact employee engagement, retention, and productivity. Virgin Pulse State of the Industry report revealed that 98% of companies believe that workplace and personal stress adversely affect employee engagement. Many of us have felt this impact in our own lives; when we feel overwhelmed or spread too thin, our energy levels decrease and our immune system becomes compromised. Stress can literally make us sick, and when we’re sick or overwhelmed we can’t properly engage. Businesses that prioritise mindfulness training can mitigate these effects by helping their employees learn how to focus the mind and relax the central nervous system to better handle stress. Jill King,  Director of International Markets at VirginPulse.

Does Office Design Really Affect Productivity

Does Office Design Really Affect Productivity Over the years, there has been a drastic change in the way office space is designed. From large offices crammed full of desks, to the more recent open-plan, collaborative spaces office interiors have evolved to reflect attitudes to work and changes in the economy. So does office design really effect productivity in the workplace? In the infographic below, from  USC  have shed some light into the evolution of the office space, and how each design has affected workers. Takeaways: In the early 1920s, the goal of the office space to to create an environment for maximum productivity. All desks faced a supervisor and each worker sat alone at a forward facing desk. The 1930s and 40s bought air conditioning and fluorescent lighting to offices. This changed interior design of offices as office furniture was no longer limited to being near  windows or plug sockets. The 1960s saw the rise of the cubicle. Now this word may strike fear into your heart, but it actually worked in improving productivity and gave workers there own makeshift offices. The recession between the 80s and 90s saw cubicle design to the extreme companies were cramming as many people as they could into whatever space they could find  to save money. In more recent times, the world has embraced a more open plan type office, with space for collaboration and discussion. It has been argued that this causes distractions in the workplace. Distractions, air quality and office lighting are the top  3  factors which decide whether or not your office is a productive one. Having a nice working environment means workers are going to be happier. Unmotivated workers cost money! RELATED: What Office Design is Best for Creating a Happy and Productive Workforce?

Whats in a Desk

Whats in a Desk As far as inanimate objects go,  desks  are a crucial part of corporate life.  We sit shackled to  them all day, minus  a few meetings, lunch and bathroom breaks.  When it comes to workers  welfare, it would be remiss of business leaders not to include work stations  in the wider strategy of getting the most from people. Take Swiss banking giant UBS, one of the latest  companies to get creative about its workspaces.  Its new building  in London flaunts  a reduced amount of individual offices (by 40 per cent), and an uptake of  mobile  desktops. Employees will no longer  carry laptops or phones around with them, but sign into virtual desktops at any computer, at work or home,  sporting  personalised headsets. According to NY Times, its all about optimising space, money and mobility; doing away with clutter. How does this minimalism sit with the masses? Theres never going to be a universal approach that suits everyone. Organisations can talk about health, productivity and cost benefits of their  approach as much as they like, still,  the idea is sure to excite some and irk others. As with any major change,  its important to understand the different reactions people might have,  and take peoples preferences into consideration. Decorations personalisation Just as some people will love the flexibility and mobility of a minimalistic  approach to workspaces, other will loathe  it. Theres significant research to suggest there are loads of benefits to people personalising their desks, helping them become  inspired and productive. Many people feel more comfortable when they have photos, wall calendars, filing systems, notepads and other stationery at their disposal. For these types of people, setting up shop for a few hours at different monitors each day to the next is likely to unsettle these types. Standing  sitting We are increasingly becoming aware that  sitting down all day is really bad for us (humans werent designed to be in that position all day). Research about the terrible effects it has on our health, posture and productivity is alarming. On the other hand, we also dont want to have to stand up for hours on end, as being on our feet can be tiring and its also important to feel comfortable while we work. Messy or clean Some research claims people who keep their desks clean  and organised are more productive; perhaps more inclined to  eat better and look after themselves. Similar research also connects messiness with laziness and disorganisation but also with increased levels of creativity (read more in this  NY times  article). I guess it depends whore talking about, then? Remote float your boat? According to this Forbes survey, remote workers are happier  and more productive than office-bound employees. On the other hand, we know that those who work from home or in isolation often have trouble with distractions and feeling separated from colleagues and managers. Again, it would appear that its down to personality type and how individuals work best, as to whether being on their own or in a supportive team environment is more effective. Everyones different Jobbio, an online marketplace for jobs and talent, recently conducted research into Generation Z and their career priorities  in comparison to millennials and Gen X. The findings? Major differences exist between generations, and this is also likely to come into play when it comes to things like  desks. Millennials and Gen Z are big on giving back to the planet, going green and opting for healthy alternatives. Perhaps theyll be more likely to respond well to UBS new approach to desks than employees who have worked for longer in traditional office settings and dont fancy a major overhaul? At the end of the day, not everyone gets a choice  about their desk arrangement, and will simply have  to cooperate with what their employer offers them. Employers are often in the touch position of trying to cater for many different needs, while maximising office space and continually cutting down costs. Theres no one size fits all solution: there rarely is where people are concerned. Sometimes  the best method of problem solving is trial and error, learning what works and what doesnt. Good on UBS for being brave and trying something new!

4 Ways to Turn a Hobby into a Career CareerMetis.com

4 Ways to Turn a Hobby into a Career â€" CareerMetis.com What do you love doing?If the answer to that question involves one of your “hobbies” rather than your regular 9-to-5, then it may be time you do some reevaluating and make a bit of a switch.evalWhile there is a lot of pushback right now on transitioning a hobby into a profitable career option, there literally is no better time than now to make the switch, especially if your interests lie in an already marketable arena, like coding or another form of technology.You’ll hear all kinds of recommendations when it comes to making your hobby your full-time profession, but the reality is if you employ a few simple strategies and focus on an already profitable option, you could be a success story too.1) Develop your Photography SkillsIf you already have a photographic eye, why not really go for it? The most successful wedding photographers make upwards of $100,000 a year.Obviously, you won’t start out at this point, but if you’re innovative and focus on being a little strategic, you could definitely get there. As a photographer, you’ll need to do two primary things: set yourself apart and make connections. People want a unique look when they’re choosing a photographer, so be sure to invest in yourself by taking some classes, practicing your skill, and really developing your own style. And once you are comfortable, start networking.Create a website to market your skills, go to local events, and advertise your services effectively. As you begin picking up clients, you’ll be able to start making the transition to a full-time photographer.2) Go into VideographyAn offshoot of photography, videography is one of the next big things on the market. People are looking for video producers to make everything from family films to wedding day memoirs and more. Likewise, companies are constantly looking for innovative ways to market their products and set themselves apart.To break into this field, you’ll want to invest in effective equipment and start building your p ortfolio. Even creating your own YouTube Channel can be a great way to start bulking up your portfolio and get your name out there.3) Establish yourself as a Data SpecialistevalInformation technology readily lends itself to hobby-turned-job opportunities. If you’ve always had an interest in technology and pursued professional training in the field, data analysis and support is a field that is rapidly expanding today.7Having a master’s in computer science and more specifically a master’s in database systems opens the door for you to establish your own technical support and data analysis business. Start marketing your services, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you can transition into a full-time career with this option.4) Become a Virtual AssistantMany businesses today have the understanding and desire to create content but not necessarily the means to effectively provide it. Few people have the skills to effectively create a website and code it to make it unique and effect ive.If you already have these skills, consider developing them a step further and going into business for yourself by offering your skills as a virtual assistant. There are a number of other tasks that you can tie into this position, but the understanding of website creation and development will set you apart in the market.evalIf you dread going to work every day because you’re not doing something you love, it’s high time that you start making your hobby your job. Consider these four options and employ a little innovation to start creating your own options today.

Happy hiring - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Happy hiring - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog I found a great interview where Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines explains some of their thinking behind leadership and culture. Heres what he says about hiring leaders: For our interviewing in general and looking for leadership in particular, we use model employees to do it. We bring in our mechanics to interview mechanics, pilots to interview pilots, flight attendants to interview flight attendants, etc. We want their insights. They?re out in the field, they know the kinds of people we want and so we involve them in the hiring process. And of course they can give us some pretty good insight. Most of our pilots have a fairly keen sense of humor. One day a bunch of applicants thought one of our pilots was also an applicant and sat down and started discussing things very frankly and two or three of them eliminated themselves from consideration by their comments. We also watch applicants when they go to the cafeteria and watch how they relate to our people while they?re up there. So it?s not just a question of sitting down with them and asking, ?Are you a good person? Do you have great leadership qualities???? We try to put them in situations and have conversations where this naturally comes out. This is a fine application of Southwests hire for attitude, train for skill principle. When you put people skills and being a nice person first when hiring or promoting leaders, you get waaaaay better leaders. And waaaaay better employees! UPDATE: And this is what happens in real life, when you hire your employees that way (a great story about Soutwhest from Church of the customer). Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Writing a Resume For Career Change

Writing a Resume For Career ChangeFor people that are looking to change careers, writing a resume for a career change can be a very tedious task. It is very important to take time out and find out what information a potential employer would like to see in order to make a decision as to whether they want to hire you or not. If you are looking to get a job in an organization with the resume you have created for yourself, it will be beneficial to take time and do the research needed to get it right.It is always a good idea to have a basic knowledge of how resumes work before beginning. In this case you will have to be thorough when it comes to the information that you are going to include on your career change resume. Here are some basic steps to take in order to write a resume for a career change:First off, you will need to create a list of the things that will be included on your resume based on your current situation. You will then need to start gathering as much information as possi ble. If you are unsure as to what to put on your resume, it is a good idea to take some time and consult a professional.After you have taken some time to write a resume for career change based on your current situation, you will then need to start gathering information about the organization that you are thinking about getting a job with. In this case you will need to visit the business office of the company where you are currently employed in order to obtain the information they are looking for. Make sure to fill out your resume as completely as possible and get everything written down on paper.When filling out your old resume, make sure to include all of the relevant information that you know the organization is asking for. For example, if you know that you have not done any experience in your previous position, include this information on your new resume. While you may think that this is an inconvenience, it will help to get your resume noticed by the company.Once you have gather ed all of the information that you need, it is time to get your resume ready for submission. The best way to go about this is to use a professional resume writing service that has been reviewed by professionals that are in the business. You will be able to see what your resume is going to look like before you even start writing it. They have the most up to date resources on how resumes should be written and what information should be included on them.When writing a resume for a career change, don't rush through the process. Take the time to be thorough and get all of the information that is needed. A professional resume writing service will be able to assist you throughout the entire process. After you receive the best possible help for your needs, you will find that it is a very easy task to create a great resume.Writing a resume for career change doesn't have to be difficult at all. By using the services of a professional resume writing service, you will be able to avoid any probl ems that are normally involved with changing careers.