6 Ways That Gamification Can Help Your Business

6 Ways That Gamification Can Help Your Business Gamification is a concept that has existed  in  marketing for years, with tactics such as points rewards schemes and prize draws proving a massive success with customers. So how could this practice be adopted for the workplace? The idea is to make work more enjoyable and by integrating game elements into daily work functions    it can help to keep employees engaged and motivated when completing tasks that may otherwise feel a bit tedious or mundane. If your workforce could do with a bit of a productivity boost, here are a few ways  that gamification could help. 1) Boosts  teamwork If you would like to create a more collaborative environment within your company, setting tasks such as increasing social connections, attending events, undertaking group projects etc. with a chance of winning a prize, could be what it takes to spur on  teamwork in the office. 2) Encourages referrals Referrals are one of the most valuable sources when hiring new staff, so to encourage your employees to get involved an employee referral scheme that offers rewards could be an effective incentive. 3) Lift  the spirits of your staff Dragging yourself into work each day can be a bit of a chore if you dont enjoy your job. By adding gaming elements to daily tasks, you can make the workplace a more pleasant environment and ensure that employees are enjoying their jobs. 4) Spurs on further training Gamified learning can make training more fun and encourage staff to get involved in self-directed learning and professional development. Whereas supplying textbooks or reeling off facts from a dull powerpoint presentation may send people to sleep, quizzes and games may help to maintain interest. Making learning fun also helps with retaining knowledge, so  games can  make information stick. 5) Boost sales/ meet goals Bring out the competitive side in your employees by setting a competition to see who can make the most sales/ reach a set goal first. No one wants to come last, so it will really get staff fired up. 6) Inspire creativity People can often be hesitant to offer their thoughts and ideas in brainstorming sessions; however if there was an element of competition or incentive it could encourage employees to think more creatively and come up with innovative ideas for the business. [Image Credit: Shutterstock]

14 Ways to Develop Confidence at Work for Better Personal Branding - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

14 Ways to Develop Confidence at Work for Better Personal Branding - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career What are some resources for developing confidence at work (for me, or for my employees) for situations where you need to present, lead or even criticize? The following answers are provided by members of  Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, YEC recently launched  BusinessCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. 1. Learn Authentic Body Language Body language extends your message, strengthening a presentation or softening criticism. It also affects how your mind works â€" Harvard researcher  Amy Cuddy  found that a confident  pose could decrease stress hormones by around 25 percent and increase confidence hormones similarly. But like a business suit, different body language fits each person differently.  So getting professional training in it could be a great investment.   â€"  Alan Carniol,  Interview Success Formula 2. Take an Improv Class Enrolling in an improv class is a great  way to develop  confidence in presenting or leading a discussion. Improv encourages you to be ready and respond to anything that may come your way. Classes like these can help develop public speaking skills, problem-solving and tact to move an idea along in a group setting. The common Yes, and language is also a fun addition to team brainstorms.   â€"  Kim Kaupe,  ZinePak 3. Hire a Speech Coach Even if you dont intend to ever speak at conferences, learning to speak with confidence will make a difference in all parts of your life â€" business and personal. Ive found lots of good material on  Level Up Living. Of course, you need to go beyond the classroom. I found filming myself presenting (for example) was super helpful to my continued improvement.   â€"  Adam Steele,The Magistrate 4. Write Down Your Successes Before the big event, increase your confidence by jotting down all of your work-related accomplishments in the last year.  You may be surprised by all of the achievements on the list. Its easy to recall negative things but tougher to give yourself credit for your successes. That credit, however, is essential for combating the self-doubt that often comes with pressure-filled situations.   â€"  Alexandra Levit,  Inspiration at Work 5. Develop Closer Relationships There are a lot of tricks to developing confidence, but they aren’t as necessary if you’re already at ease around the people you’re working with. It’s not usually a good sign if you feel intimidated about speaking with a co-worker. It’s a sign that the two of you don’t know or understand one another. For the best results, work on getting to know them while you’re working to develop confidence.   â€"  Matt Doyle,  Excel Builders 6. Pair a Senior Employee With a Newer Employee Your senior employees have already experienced leading meetings hundreds of times, and they carry valuable insights into what works and what not to do. Building mentorship-type relationships within your organization lead to senior employees pushing the shyer employees out of their boxes and builds their courage to try new things.   â€"  Simon Casuto,  eLearning Mind 7. Create Opportunities to Speak Each quarter, we recruit five new Huddle Masters to run our daily Huddle, an all-hands meeting that occurs right before lunch. Their job is to kick-off the meeting, get  through the agenda and end it on a positive note all in 10 minutes. Employees have told me that  leading  the  huddle boosted their confidence when speaking before groups, and that they  were  grateful for the opportunity.   â€"  David Ciccarelli,  Voices.com 8. Realize Its Not About You Feelings of insecurity often arise when  we attach too much personal meaning to an  outcome.  We  become so focused on  proving our own adequacy that we forget  its not even about us! The crowd youre speaking to  just wants to be  inspired. Your  potential client just wants to  know  if you really can  fix her problem. They arent even thinking about you, and you shouldnt be either.   â€"  Jesse Lear,  V.I.P. Waste Services, LLC 9. Practice Practice is the often forgotten yet  most successful form of self-improvement. In this day and age, we all want  an e-book, Wiki entry, YouTube video or gamified website learning tool to improve our skill set and become more confident in our daily routines. These are all fantastic resources, but the simple act of practicing for improvement is more rewarding and  is more applicable in the real world.   â€"  Blair Thomas,  EMerchantBroker 10. Make the Best of Every Situation Every event presents itself for a reason, positive or negative. Take advantage of each situation and learn how to tackle situations that might cause discomfort at times. Being in control of the butterflies in your stomach is crucial. Channeling that nervous energy and using it to focus will help strengthen not only your confidence but your employees as well.   â€"  Hank Ostholthoff,  Mabbly 11. Put Yourself out There I think the best resources are natural, positive experiences gained through completing goals together. You have to put yourself and others in situations to succeed. After a couple of positive experiences in uncomfortable situations, individuals develop self-confidence that can’t be attained any other way. That confidence should then emanate in multiple aspects of office life.   â€"Chuck Cohn,  Varsity Tutors 12. Education and Increased Responsibility Send your employees to a training course on something that will help improve your product, marketing, sales or customer success. Then have the people who took the course host a learning lunch for the rest of the department â€" or better yet, the entire company. This makes them visible to senior leadership and motivates their peers to do the same.     â€"  Adam Root,SocialCentiv 13. Learn to Meditate I’m a naturally confident person. And as I navigate more high-pressure situations, I find my confidence gets tested. So, I’ve spent a lot of time focusing on what increases and decreases it. One of the best tools I’ve found is meditation. The simple act of paying attention to the present moment, unattached and with no judgment, helps put everything in perspective. Awareness builds  confidence.   â€"  Alexandra Skey,  Rallyon 14. Show â€" Don’t Tell Lead by example. People will take your advice seriously if they see you live by what you preach. Give and receive advice. People will follow someone who is open to feedback. Openly share your ideas. Make a point, and people will follow you without doubts because you give them a sense of security.   â€"  Alfredo Atanacio,  Uassist.ME

How to Use a Personal Value Proposition to Land Your Next Job -

How to Use a Personal Value Proposition to Land Your Next Job - You want the kind of job that is suited to your skills and talents. A career that will keep you challenged just enough to stay interested. Finding that career, however, is not a simple task. Especially in this day and age, when there are thousands of job openings, and hundredsâ€"if not thousandsâ€"of applicants for each job. With the globalization of the job market, digital work, and digital application processes, anybody can apply to any job. No matter how successful you are, it is no longer even possible to be a big fish in a small pond. Even for incredibly niche specializations. One of the most effective ways to show prospective employers that you understand what it takes to succeed, and you have the skills to make it happen, is through a powerful value proposition. A value proposition is often used to show a potential customer why a particular brand is their best option for a certain product or service, but using a personal value proposition to sell your skills and talents sends a compelling message to employers as well. What is a Personal Value Proposition? A personal value proposition is conceptually very similar to a value proposition intended for businesses. It communicates in a clear, direct, and concise way, why an employer should hire you over another applicant. While resumes and cover letters are an important part of the hiring process, they focus on the past. A personal value proposition will take the focus off of everything you have done, and instead divert the focus to everything you will do for the company you are applying for. A quality value proposition for a brand or business has three elements. The proposition tells consumers that they will receive, how they will benefit, and why they should choose one brand over the other. A personal value proposition will communicate your personal brand with a potential employer. You want them to know exactly what you will do to improve their company, what the results will be, and why you can do it better than anyone else. Important Considerations While your value proposition needs to be simple, clear, and concise, it may not be so simple to write one. You need to know your skills, your accomplishments, and your personality, quite well in order to distill what you have to offer into a personal values proposition. Your personal values proposition should be between 100 and 150 words. So it really needs to be the best of what you have to offer in short summary form. Evaluate Your Options In preparation to write your personal values statement, you should take some time to evaluate what exactly you would like to do, and where exactly you would like to work. Think about how well that matches what you have done in the past and what you are capable of doing. Really nail down precisely how you will serve the companies you work for, and what you will do that will improve them. Many people have not put much effort into thinking about what they will do for a company. And maybe in the past, your job search has been more imbalanced, with a focus on how great it would be to work for xyz company. Get control of your job search by figuring out why it would be great for xyz company to have you working for them. Know Your Skills and How They Fit Into Each Company You Apply For This is often the hard part. It is not so much about what you have done, and more about what you can do. Of course, it is a good idea to have some examples to back up what you say you can do, but a personal values statement focuses on the skills you currently have and how they will benefit the company to which you are applying. Making a list of your accomplishments and your skills is an excellent place to start. You want to tailor each personal value proposition to the company you are applying for, so make sure you create a thorough list. You want to have plenty of skills to draw from so you can highlight the most unique ones that serve each company best. Be Prepared to Back Up Your Statements This will likely look different for everyone, depending on the industry you are in, and the employment level you are seeking. But you want to provide proof of your claims and give examples of how you accomplished some of your statements in the past. Conclusion Writing a personal values statement is not easy. It will take a bit of introspection and insight on your part. But if you take the time to put one together for each company, you will stand out in a crowded field and get the attention of your potential employers. Take control of your job search by giving yourself a brand, and letting everyone know just how confident you are.

Are You a Bad Manager

Are You a Bad Manager One third of American workers want to leave their jobs right now. Incidentally, one third of American workers also say that their bosses make them feel unmotivated and underappreciated. A bad boss can ruin the best job, and the demotivation caused by working for one of these people is directly damaging to the success of any business. Most of us have had to, at one point, worked under a bad manager. Sometimes it seems like they’re genuinely malicious, but more often they’re just terrible at their job. What we don’t really think about is what our managers think about themselves. Realistically, most of us would probably blame our failures on extenuating circumstances. How can we tell if we’re the problem, rather than a victim of circumstance? The answer is communication. Here are the two biggest communication issues that I’ve come across that signal a bad manager. You Don’t Think Your Job is About Your People As a manager your main job isn’t accomplishing client goals, it’s facilitating your team’s success. Your team is handling the client related work, you’re the mechanic that keeps the machine running smoothly. The thing is, that machine is made of people, and managing people requires emotional intelligence. That means knowing individual people, understanding how they work together, and being able to tell when one of them is having a problem. It means having the necessary empathy to understand the needs and wants of the people under you, and going out of your way to make sure that they feel valued, and that they are able to progress toward their own individual goals. You Don’t Know What’s Going On Knowing what’s going on with the projects that you’re working with is essential to doing your job, and, as a manager, it’s tempting to blame your team when you don’t know the answer to a client’s question about their project. Unfortunately, this is usually a management issue. Either the team doesn’t have the proper procedures in place, they don’t feel comfortable communicating with you, or the existing procedures are too inefficient, forcing them to choose between doing work and keeping you informed. Fixing The Problem There are a lot of different ways to address management problems, and a lot of larger businesses have built-in management training to help you become a better boss. Besides those there are numerous online communities like the American Management Association dedicated to helping you develop your leadership skills, and a lot of high-level universities are starting to offer online degrees that range from general business, to highly specific management jobs like political Management. You may be that manager, but you don’t need to remain that manager. Samantha Stauf has spent the last two weeks working with wet behind the ears managers. She’s found they improve with a little experience and training. You can find her on Twitter at @samstauf.

How to Utilize Networking to Land Your Next Interview CareerMetis.com

How to Utilize Networking to Land Your Next Interview Looking for a job can be a daunting task no matter how skilled or experienced you are.Even when you find an opening that you know would be perfect for you, another obstacle comes along â€" according to recent stats, more than 85% of all jobs are filled through networking, which means that most employers aren’t ready to give you the benefit of the doubt and invite you to an interview without any referrals or recommendations.evalGenerally speaking, companies nowadays use the power of advanced technologies to cherry-pick the best people for the job from a large online pool of top talent, so that the competition is fierce. It’s clearly not enough to merely polish your CV, craft a compelling motivational letter, and expect to land your next interview.You need to leverage your resources if you want to penetrate the so-called hidden job market full of jobs that aren’t widely advertised and distinguish yourself from other potential candidates with the same or similar skills and experie nce.1) Do Your ResearchevalIn case that you hear or see an ad about a vacancy in a company, make sure to find out as much as possible about it. Browse through the company’s website and social media channels and learn the most critical information about its culture, vision, mission, goals.This will help you see if you’re cut for the job and prepare for a possible interview. It’s also a good idea to read articles from trustworthy sources and try to align your passions and interests with the company’s goals. The purpose of this research is also to find mutual connections that you can contact and inquire about the position in question.There’s always a possibility to benefit from “a friend of a friend” concept as maybe somebody you know virtually or IRL might know an employee of the company who could offer more details about the job itself or introduce you to a recruiter.2) Use LinkedInMake sure to update and optimize your LinkedIn page, as that’s your online ID when it c omes to the business world.Remember that this social media platform for business professionals boasts about 562 million users from all around the world and that it can help you connect and in touch with numerous people from your industry. When it comes to networking on LinkedIn, it’s extremely simple.evalFirst of all, you need to be active on a regular basis. This means posting updates, articles, and sharing other people’s posts every day. Commenting on the topics that you’re interested or experienced in, is also highly desirable, as professionals from your niche as well as potential employers might notice you.You can start expanding your network by visiting profiles of the people suggested to you based on your skills and interests. You should also send them connection requests and start chatting with them directly. One of the most important things is to engage in meaningful conversations with others and offer them help, and you can expect that people will be glad to return th e favor.Also, by sharing your thoughts and opinions on relevant topics is the way to start building authority in your industry, and that way to make a lot of job offers and opportunities come your way.3) Nurture Your ConnectionsYou might be neglecting connections that are within your reach â€" your family and friends.evalShare your business goals and plans with them and keep them posted about your aspirations because they can help you or think of someone who could give you valuable advice.Besides, by talking about your business pursuits with someone outside of a professional context might be a good exercise for the real thing.4) Attend Conferences and Formal Industry EventsSuch events are an excellent opportunity to master your existing skills, learn new ones, and expand your network. If there are some notable speakers at the conferences you attend, run a background check on them and prepare some questions that you might ask to strike up a conversation with them.As lots of people fr om your industry will be present, don’t forget to bring some promotional materials such as business cards and flyers that you can hand out. This is a nice touch even nowadays when communication is mostly carried out through digital channels. Moreover, this old-school approach can set you apart from the others and keep you on potential employers’ radar.In time, you might even summon the courage to apply as a speaker at some of these events, and thus additionally improve the likelihood that you’ll be noticed and recognized as a valuable employee.eval5) …And Informal MeetupsMeetups are great for breaking the ice when it comes to networking as people who will be there have similar interests and a set of skills so that it will be easy to find common ground.Since the atmosphere is much more relaxed, you will be able to let your hair down and share your business ambitions and aspirations without any hesitation. Besides, you can also hear tips and experiences.6) Volunteer in Your Co mmunityVolunteering is a win-win situation. You help others while gaining some valuable skills and experiences as well as growing your network.The fact that the people you meet might not be from your field of work is even better because you can learn some new things and expand your horizons.evalAccording to a survey, 76% of career advisors say that volunteering increases your likelihood of finding a job. You can’t deny that the information that you contributed to the higher good paints you in a very favorable light in your potential employer’s eyes.Volunteering based on your skills is something that can additionally improve your resume and make you stand out among other candidates for the job.7) Join Groups on Social MediaThere are different Facebook and LinkedIn groups for people from various niches. By participating in discussions, you can start building relationships with other members and establishing yourself as an expert.Besides networking benefits, such groups are frequen ted by managers and recruiters who post job openings. When you’re interested in a particular job, it’s easy to directly reach out to the person who posted it and talk about their offer.Needless to say, if you’ve built a strong reputation in a group, and if your posts and answers to questions related to your field reflect your expertise, you stand a good chance that you’ll be noticed by recruiters and be taken into consideration for different interviews.eval8) Stay in Touch with Your Fellow AlumniIt’s only logical that you share professional interests with your college classmates or that you’re even in the same line of work, which means that keeping in touch with them on a regular basis also counts as networking.Nowadays with some available social media platforms and IMs, it’s easier than ever to grow and develop relationships that you built while at uni. Drop them a line or send them a blog post or research that they might find useful.It’s as simple as that. The chan ces are that either some of them or a person they know work for your dream company. So, make sure to nurture these relationships even if you don’t live in the same city or state as they have massive potential regarding referrals as well as business opportunities and collaborations.9) Don’t Forget About Your Former Professors, Clients, and EmployersIt’s of vital importance to have the people you worked within your network. They are those who can vouch for your credibility and expertise, and even write you a letter of recommendation and put in a few good words for you with your potential employees.This also means that you should try to stay on good terms with your previous employers and bosses. These people have many business acquaintances, and it’s good to have them on your side because lousy news and gossip spread like wildfire and a petty quarrel in the workplace can hurt your reputation.So, no matter what, don’t burn the bridges behind yourself. All these practical netwo rking tips can make all the difference and dramatically increase your chances of landing your next interview.

Summary Sunday Tips for Commenting on Blogs

Summary Sunday Tips for Commenting on Blogs Have you ever thought to comment on a blog? Not sure what to say? Before we even go to how, lets look at why you want to comment on blogs.   It creates a richer experience for everyone! Comments are a chance to give back! Adding a comment shows you are listening! Comments can validate/convey your expertise/wisdom/brand! It can facilitate the start of a relationship/networking opportunity Be sure you are posting comments in areas where the right audience will notice.   You want to be recognized in your industry, not necessarily among a pool of job seekers.   Ive rounded up some posts by sources I value and hope you too! Online reputation Management: Leaving Effective Comments for Your Online Reputation Pete Kistler, Brand-Yourself.com Blog Commenting: Build and Brand Your Online Identity and GQ (Google Quotient) by Meg Guiseppi, Executive Resume Branding How to Build Your Brand Through Blog Comments Pete Kistler, Personal Branding Blog The Simple Math of Blog Comments Hubspot 5 Personal Branding Tips to Help You Gate Jump Chad Levitt, Personal Branding Blog Have you set rules, guidelines or best practices for yourself when commenting on blogs?   Does this same logic apply when posting discussions or news within LinkedIn Groups?

Writing a Resume For Medical Sales

Writing a Resume For Medical SalesThe best way to write a resume for medical sales is to be clear and concise. It should be structured so that it will help the applicant find his or her way into the job of his dreams. This is an important part of the process in landing a position as a medical sales professional.The entire resume should include a summary of the candidate's educational and experience, along with the overall structure of the application. In order to make a professional looking resume, a medical sales applicant should make sure that he or she includes only the most important information. There is no room for filler information, as this will be ignored by the employer.When trying to write a resume for medical sales, it is essential to have at least one page that has a professional font. The best type of font for a resume is Times New Roman. If the person has already been working in the medical field for several years, it would be good to include the information on his or her education to ensure that there are no gaps in education.The structure of the application is also very important when trying to write a resume for medical sales. There should be a section dedicated to education and then another section for experience. In this section, the candidate should list the degree, bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees, along with the job titles and positions held within the organization.Many people often do not realize that they need to list every level of education when writing a resume for medical sales. If the candidate does not list all of the levels, the employer may not know how much more experience the applicant has gained. It is important that any information included on the application be specific. The applicant should make sure that the individual who is reviewing the application is aware of the details.As an applicant, it is important that you provide a good amount of information for the employer to review. Be sure to include the amount of education the applicant has received as well as the names of each institution where the person has earned the degrees. Be sure to list the dates of each degree as well. This will give the employer a good idea of what the future employer will see when viewing the resume.Be sure to include all of the details about the position that the applicant is applying for. The employer will want to be sure that the candidate can handle the duties associated with the position. If the job is fairly simple, it may be a good idea to add a few lines about the amount of the salary, as well as the job duties.Of course, when trying to write a resume for medical sales, the applicant's education and experience are only one aspect of the process. One of the biggest mistakes many people make when trying to write a resume for medical sales is to include information that is irrelevant. If the information provided is simply going to get the person dismissed, it is often better to remove it and focus on the rel evant information.