Staff
Most Australians are “creative.” At least, according to LinkedIn.
“Creative” topped LinkedIn’s list of the most overused buzzwords of 2011, as revealed through a study of members’ profiles on the global networking site. “Extensive experience,” last year’s number-one phrase, was the runner-up this year, with “effective”, “track record” and “motivated” claiming spots three through five.
Does Australia’s attitude to customer service stink?
While Australians have come to expect a casual approach to service, visitors aren’t so forgiving. “Having recently been in the USA, the standard of customer service there is great, staff actually want to help you,” says Australian marketing manager Jessica Hannant. “Here the sales assistant doesn’t get off the phone to her friend to even serve you at the checkout.” Are things here getting worse?
Do you have ‘who’ it takes? Successful businesses need ‘improvers’ on the payroll.
The gap between what your people are paid and the value they deliver determines people performance and company profit. Do you have who it takes? Andrew Horsfield delivers some hard truths.
When hiring salespeople, make them give you 35 reasons why they want to work for you.
At sometime during the recruitment process, ask the candidate to write down 35 reasons why they want to be a salesperson within your company. Allow up to 15 minutes for this process alone. I’ve conducted this exercise with hundreds of sales consultants. A common theme is that by the time they reach around the 15th reason they get stuck. Why? Because the first 15 reasons are typically high level and relatively easy to communicate.
Shape up, bosses, or your talent will ship out (and other workplace tips for 2011)
Many Australian companies don’t even provide regular feedback to their staff, let alone have a formal employee development program. This is a costly mistake. As busy managers give less and less time to developing their people, companies are losing the very employees they need to succeed in the long term.
Unfair dismissal laws introduce new definition for ‘small business’ placing more business owners under the ambit of unfair dismissal laws
More small businesses now fall under the national government definition of “small businesses”, thanks to laws that came into force on 1 January 2011. This means that countless more entrepreneurs will now need to follow federal rules against unfair dismissal. Are you a small business according to the new definition?
Seven ways to reduce overheads (because money doesn’t grow on trees, you know)
Remember when your parents said, “Money doesn’t grow on trees” or “A penny saved is a penny earned”? Employees and business owners need to re-visit these old truisms. Carelessness, complacency and failing to ask the right questions of staff and customers has resulted in Australian companies paying dearly in both time and money, according to Catherine DeVrye.
Now even unions can be crowdsourced. But weren’t they always?
The whole concept of a unionism depends on having a ‘crowd’ and harnessing the power of that crowd to gain collective bargaining power. Therefore, it might seem slightly strange to describe ThePoint’s online service, designed to help office workers anonymously organise with their coworkers, as ‘crowdsourced unionism’.
People quit managers, not jobs [It's not them, it's you]
A study of hospital workers conducted by Chilterns University College in the UK found that nurses working for hospital supervisors with poor management styles had significantly higher blood pressure than nurses working for bosses judged as understanding and considerate. As a result, the nurses with bad bosses had a roughly 20 percent higher risk of heart disease. Are you giving your employees heart attacks?
Equal pay for women? Not likely, Australians say
A new study shows Australians are largely pessimistic about the likelihood of women receiving equal pay to men, though most Australians firmly believe in the idea.
Find Us on facebook
Sponsored by How to become a Key Person of Influence
Key People enjoy a special status in their chosen field because they are well connected, well known, well regarded and highly valued.
Sponsored by Google
What do you know about Google AdWords? This hub was developed to answer the questions you already have, and those you haven't thought yet to ask.
Sponsored by AusIndustry
AusIndustry is a specialist program delivery division within the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
