6 Ways to Manage Your Workload this Summer

6 Ways to Manage Your Workload this Summer It happens every single year, yet we always seem surprised when the schools break up and summer arrives, as it often feels as though it has come from nowhere. It’s therefore easy for small businesses to feel overwhelmed during the seasonal rush, especially those who rely on the summer peak to support the quieter months of the year. Opus Energy, the leading independent renewable energy provider to businesses, has shared 5 tips to cope with this year’s summer rush. 1. Make sure your staff are ready As a small business owner, you might be willing to work around the clock to ensure the shop floor is stocked, your online orders are fulfilled, and any other outstanding jobs get completed come rain or shine. However, your staff may not feel the same. In fact, even if they are completely willing to pitch in and get their hands dirty, you need to think about who you’ll need around you to help get the job done. Will you need to increase working hours or offer overtime? Will your rotas need amending to allow for enough coverage during the busy periods? Perhaps you’ll need to hire a temporary worker, or several, to see you through a busy spell â€" in which case you’ll want to contact employee agencies as soon as possible to ensure you recruit a suitable hire. During these periods, try to support your employees as much as possible too. Be flexible where you can and try to maintain morale. Paying for a lunch every now and then, or even just a round of ice creams on a particularly hot day will go a long way in making your employees feel rewarded and part of a team. 2. Ensure your stock levels are right You never want to over-order and be stuck with a backroom full of products or produce you can’t shift. On the other hand, being short of something your customers are clamoring for is enough to make you grit your teeth. Try to be analytical about what you’ll need. If you’ve been selling for a few years, look at previous years’ records and measure the kind of uplift in sales and footfall you saw around seasonal periods. You might notice a pattern â€" do you get a steady 10% increase in custom over the weeks leading up to a big seasonal holiday, or do you see a large spike just days before the big calendar event? By finding your pattern you can better predict your potential stock levels. 3. Look at increasing your conversions In seasonal periods when consumers are in spending mode, now is the time when you might convince them to add something extra to their basket. One tactic is to place small add-on items close to the tills, in high traffic areas or before the online purchasing process. Ensure the items aren’t off-putting and will appeal to a larger majority of shoppers. Try to showcase local products as much as possible. Edible goods, handmade gifts, and local specialties make great gifts and mementos for holidaymakers and visitors. Use these to draw customers in and celebrate local talent. It’s not just about pushing the big-ticket items â€" small purchases and multibuys can be an easy way to push up the spend-per-customer and boost your overall revenue. Don’t forget that the Great British summer is prone to dramatic changes in weather. So, if you run a physical store, be prepared to adapt the front of your store quickly and ensure that umbrellas and waterproofs are accessible and to close to hand when needed. 4. Stand out from the crowd The chances are, if you operate a small business on the seafront or in a busy town, there are a handful of similar companies operating a set-up not too unlike yours with similar stock. Standing out is crucial for attracting customers in. Visual merchandising is key, so make your storefront look as attractive as possible. By keeping an eye on what the competition is displaying, you can offer alternatives and attract your share of the passing trade. Restaurants, cafes, and bistros could rotate their special menus regularly to keep generating interest and shout about using local produce 5. Work out what your weak link is If there are any cracks in the veneer, you’ll notice them grow bigger when put under the strain of a bustling seasonal patch. What’s holding you or your customers back? Perhaps your point of sale technology needs an update and takes a while to process sales. Maybe your staff aren’t trained to attend to customers quickly enough, so they end up waiting. Maybe your online shop is hot on its stock, but delivery times are disappointing â€" all pain points that can reduce profits and increase customer and employee dissatisfaction. Find and fix the weak link to reduce the chances of snapping when put under pressure. 6. Prepare yourself Whilst it’s crucial to ensure that your premises and stock are prepared, it’s easy to forget about taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Making a couple of small tweaks to your routine could make a huge difference to your mindset. For example, if you’re on your feet all day, get comfy hard-wearing shoes that won’t give out before you do. Mark out a day off in advance (and let your staff know) so you have time to enjoy the holiday season yourself, particularly if you want to spend time with family and friends. Perhaps you need to set holiday-specific working hours if you think you’ll be working overtime, or plan to reduce your hours in the post-seasonal lull to compensate. Remember, if you’re tired, you’re more likely to make mistakes and increase your stress levels, which can ultimately lead to poor health later down the line. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your business is not only prepared for the holiday rush this summer but that it can thrive and be as successful as possible. About the author: Retail Performance Director, Richard Shakespeare, joined  Opus Energy in 2018 to lead the Retail Propositions and Performance team. Richard is responsible for driving commercial performance through a customer-focused approach, including go-to-market execution, proposition development, and business intelligence.

9 Easy Ways to Save Money and the Planet - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

9 Easy Ways to Save Money and the Planet - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career For the penny-pinching entrepreneur, cutting down on overhead costs and long-term operational expenses can go a long way in maximizing profitability. This is especially helpful when launching a new startup business, as quick and significant income is often essential to the longevity of any business. Here are some easy ways to save some green and also go green by helping the environment. Install Energy Efficient Lighting Although todays energy-efficient lighting options â€" which primarily consist of compact-fluorescent or light-emitting diode systems â€" have a higher price tag than traditional bulbs, studies have linked these appliances to tremendous cost savings in the long run. CFL bulbs cost $89.75 to run over the course of 50,000 hours, while traditional, incandescent bulbs cost $352.50 over that same time period. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle The three Rs are relevant now more than ever, and there are a number of ways to implement strategies aimed at reducing waste, reusing office supplies when applicable and recycling on a consistent basis. For starters, make sure to spread awareness about the three Rs among your peers and teammates, especially those who work in your companys building. Youll also want to make sure recycling bins are accessible to your employees. By placing bins in strategic and highly visible locations, youll automatically attract the attention, interest and compliance of your employees. Furthermore, these receptacles will also serve as ever-present reminders of the three Rs, thereby promoting the ideas of sustainability and environmental protection even further. Take Advantage of Power-Saving Technology Power-saving technology, such as computers that automatically enter hibernation, monitors that turn themselves off and even lighting that dims or brightens according to the time of day, can result in greater energy efficiency and lower utility bills. Although many computer users are under the impression that a personalized screensaver can reduce energy consumption, this simply isnt true. These programs, which were created as a way of mitigating the risk of screen burn-in on older monitors, serve no real value other than workstation customization at this point. Controllable Heating and Cooling Heating and cooling costs can wreak havoc on an otherwise efficient and affordable business model. Programmable thermostats, which can adjust your offices temperature based on the open hours of your company, are an ideal solution for keeping such costs in check. However, simply lowering the temperature of your office by 1 degree than what youre used to during the winter and raising it by 1 degree in the summer can go a long way in achieving the perfect balance between cost and comfort. Alternative Energy in the Office As interest in alternative forms of energy begins to increase across the globe, many entrepreneurs are starting to realize the value of solar, wind and even compressed air systems. The latter can actually reduce commercial utility bills by as much as 30 percent in some cases, which can result in significant savings for some. Green Architecture and Construction Next-gen construction technology has recently paved the way for huge breakthroughs in green architecture and design. Those who are launching their business within an established structure might find their options limited in this regard, but those who are eyeing brand new construction can do themselves â€" and the environment â€" a huge favor by taking advantage of some of the latest industry trends. Tap Into the Mobile or Remote Workforce Given the average consumers reliance on mobile technology, some innovative entrepreneurs have begun offering their employees the opportunity to work from home, or wherever else they have a solid internet connection, as much as possible. Not only does this provide your workers with increased flexibility, freedom and comfort, but the lack of daily travel can also have a substantial impact on your communitys carbon footprint. In many cases, the luxury of working from home simply isnt feasible. However, this doesnt mean you have to ignore mobile communications altogether. Utilizing the technology for meetings, interviews and companywide presentations can still work to counteract the growing problem of environmental pollution. Clean the Office With Biodegradable Products Biodegradable cleaning products have become quite commonplace among the tools of the average housekeeper or homeowner, but they can also be used around the office in order to reduce your businesss carbon footprint even further. When sourcing such materials, be sure to look for products that are a part of the EPAs Design for the Environment program. Easily identified by the label, these cleaning solutions have been highly scrutinized by the EPA for their ingredients, byproducts and any chemical interactions. Pursue Tax Breaks, Credits and Incentives Although some new entrepreneurs might not realize it, contributing to the long-term preservation of our environment can actually result in numerous tax breaks and credits on both state and federal levels. Most of these incentives fall within the Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2010 or the Energy Policy Act of 2005, but others rebates and benefits may be available depending on your exact case. Bolstering Entrepreneurial Success While Safeguarding the Environment Contributing to the long-term protection of our environment doesnt have to be a costly endeavor. When done wisely and strategically, such acts can actually bolster the success of your company as well as your reputation as a wholesome, ethical and caring business leader. Moreover, it can save money that would be better served in other areas of your operation.

6 of the Highest In-Demand Tech Jobs for 2018

6 of the Highest In-Demand Tech Jobs for 2018 Companies are scrambling to adapt to today’s modern workforce and they will be pulling out the stops to find the best talent in 2018. If you are looking to change careers or currently work in one of the positions mentioned in this blog, it is a good idea to start preparing yourself now for the most in-demand tech jobs of 2018. If you do not have experience, this is a great list to see what you should be taking classes for.1. Business Intelligence AnalystBusiness intelligence analysts require experience in database technology, analytics, and reporting tools. Typically, candidates will have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems or engineering.It also helps to understand the business’ data so they will be able to communicate the needs of the business to the company stakeholders. This role is growing in importance as business needs frequently pivot to relying on harvesting and making sense of data.Skills and experience required:Experience with databa se queries Stored procedure writing Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) Data cube technology Strong written and verbal skills2. Data ScientistData scientists help gather, process, and analyze data. They are skilled communicators to understand the findings well enough to offer recommendations to others in the business.Skills and experience required:Programming languages (specifically Python or Java) Strong analytical skills Strong mathematical skills Masters or Ph.D3. Database DeveloperDatabase developersdemonstrate analytical and problem-solving abilities that will be in high demand in 2018. They are responsible for developing and managing enterprise databases.Skills and experience required:Bachelor’s degree in computer science or database experience Skills in Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle or IBM DB2 Certifications for Microsoft Certified Database Administrator or Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional4. Network AdministratorNetwork administrators handle LAN/WAN proto col, software, and hardware. They spend time troubleshooting and typically need to be on call just like any firefighter would be in case of an emergency. Your network needs will help you determine the required experience from your job candidates.Skills and experience required:Troubleshooting and communication skills Analytic and diagnostic skills On-call availability A bachelor’s degree or five-plus years of related work experience Professional certifications5. Data Security AdministratorData security adminsareresponsible for handling large amounts of data and that requires a dedication to security to protect your business, employees, clients, and customers. Data security admins are responsible for defining network security requirements, ensuring all security measures are up to date, monitoring company-wide security practices and implementing security strategies.Skills and experience required:Critical thinking and complex problem solving Innovative and proactive thinking Desire fo r continuing education and learning new skills Strong programming, mathematics, and engineering skills Bachelor’s degree, certifications, and background in computer science6. System AdministratorSystem administrators should demonstrate strong problem-solving, communication and analytical skills. System admins also need a strong technical understanding of the company’s specific hardware and software. The required skills for your system admin will depend largely on the services provided by the company. A system admin must understand the hardware and software you rely on.Skills and experience required:Experience with servers, backup, recovery, installing, patching and upgrading software Experience troubleshooting and resolving hardware, software and networking problems Bachelor’s degree in computer science, associate’s degree or technical training certificate Certifications include Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or Sun Certified System Administrator (SCSA).Good luck in 2018 and we hope the right company hires you for your job title mentioned above!

How and Why You Need To Make a Professional Portfolio

How and Why You Need To Make a Professional Portfolio So what is a career portfolio? A career portfolio is a support document used to support what your resume claims. The students in my career development class I am teaching have to make a portfolio this week. I also had to make a portfolio in college, too. But, I dont think this is a requirement for most because I know very few people who have them. Do you? Well, I HIGHLY recommend that you create one, so that is why I am writing a post about it today! Here are a few ways I have used my career portfolio: 1. Organization: When I was in college, I was required to create a career portfolio. This portfolio was a physical binder where I included things that I could use during upcoming interviews. I kept my resume and transcript in there my portfolio. The best thing about starting a portfolio in college was that I consolidated everything and had it in one place. You would be amazed how after college you just lose all the things you have done (especially when you started college you had floppy disks  embarrassing). The portfolio allowed me to save work samples and projects that I did in college that I wanted to have in my career portfolio for the long term. It also included my grades and the  descriptions  of the classes I took. There was so much stuff I put in that binder that I ended up referencing later on. I even just ran across my 10-year goals and mission statement that I created in college which was awesome to read! (I even put that I wanted to be married, have a few kids, have a summer home and live in a house with a white picket fencehaha! What a vision for only ten years out of college!:) I have a ways to go still. [RELATED: 3 Job Search Strategies If You Have Limited Time] 2. Interview Backup: When you are in an interview, and you have your career portfolio handy, you have everything ready in case you get asked a question. Say you get asked a question about some work that you did previously, well in your portfolio you have a copy of that project you did. Let me tell you THIS WORKS! At my current company, we interviewed a candidate who did exactly this and he got hired immediately. We asked him what his Excel proficiency was and he pulled out this binder with excel sheets that he created and explained to us how he created them. That is the closest you can get to actually demonstrating your proficiency live! Tangible examples of your skills and abilities are powerful weapons! 3. Annual Reviews: I created my portfolio in college and then changed it to work for me when I started a new job for annual performance reviews. I kept most of the same categories but added a few more to demonstrate that I was meeting all of the competencies at my company. I had the training certificates I did over the last year in my portfolio. I added in emails where I got feedback from the client saying thank you! to demonstrate my hard work for the client. I included my self-assessment and my sources of input to get further feedback about my performance. I included everything in there for the person that was going to assess me. This was such a nice way for the other person to keep everything handy and organized and they always  really appreciated it. Not only was I making it easy for them, but I was showing the competencies I was meeting just by having that binder and keeping everything organized. I like to think that was a huge reason that my promotions came very quickly when I first started working at that company. If there is someone else assessing you, make it easy on them and they will be happy to say and write good things about you!  What should you include in your portfolio?   Here is a list of things that can be included. Feel free to change this to match your career history and experience! You are lucky; I am not grading you, so you wont lose points if you miss any of these! Title page Table of contents Personal Mission Statement Your Elevator Speech Course descriptions Academy history and transcript Resume Professional development and training certificates Recommendations Reference List Awards and Accomplishments Volunteer history Professional Affiliations 1,2 and five-year goals Work samplesâ€"Proposals, presentations, manuals, employer evaluations (Make sure that none of your previous work samples are confidential if you are taking it to another company!) A list of your skills or an online personality assessment A statement of originality this is a statement that may say that the portfolio is your original work and cannot be copied without permission One thing to remember is that your portfolio is not going to be huge when you are just first starting it. The goal is just to create it and have a place to put all the information that you gather over the next couple of years. Heres how to make the portfolio Before you start, think about what you want your portfolio to say about you. What is the story that you want to come out when someone looks at it? Remind yourself of the end goal and the impression you want your portfolio to give before you even start creating it. What is the goal of your portfolio? I HIGHLY recommend making a physical portfolio just to keep all your records in one place and to be able to take it with you during interviews. But, if you think I am old school, feel free to make an online portfolio. You can you Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint, or you can create your own website as your portfolio! Just try to include as many of the above sections as possible. Make sure it is formatted professionally! Remember that this is an extension of your resume so you have to be honest and have NO grammar mistakes. Make it attractive and include titles, headings and images that are attractive to the eye. Include graphic images such as photos, maps, charts or other visual aids. Supplies you need for a physical portfolio: Three ring binder Plastic sheet protectors for important documents Table of content tabs Pouches for additional samples that arent documents such as CDs, photos or other bulky items First, collect everything that you want to include in your portfolio and print everything out. Then organize it into sections to create the table of contents. Then put it all together and insert the materials in the binder in the correct tabs. Proofread the portfolio carefully and review it with a friend or family member to get  their feedback and to get used to talking about yourself! You will be doing it in an interview very soon! Remember that less is more and you dont want to present too much information. Dont clutter your portfolio and your message. Make sure that you keep formatting consistent throughout the portfolio. How to use your portfolio in an interview As soon as youre comfortable in an interview discussion, mention that you brought along some materials or samples of your work for review. Use it to demonstrate your skills and abilities that you are promoting in the interview. Dont push it too much but if they look interested and want to see it, break it out! This gives you a great way to present yourself and show work samples as a demonstration. Whatever you do, dont be ashamed or  embarrassed  to bring it out. Be proud of the work that you put into it because it is just evidence that shows how you are the perfect fit for the job. Although you should always reference your portfolio and have it available for the interviewer to look at, you should never force anyone to look at it. My favorite part of the portfolio is that is a great way to reflect back on some of your best work and bring that positivity to your next company or opportunity. Keep updating it as you continue in your career and you will be so happy you did!! You will thank me later!:) Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence. -anonymous Ok, class dismissed! Now go start creating your career portfolio! Do you have a career portfolio?

3 Skills Every Digital Marketing Hopeful Should Master

3 Skills Every Digital Marketing Hopeful Should Master Years ago, digital marketers stood out with their suites and ties. Today, for a digital marketer to be recognizable, he or she must be insanely skilled. For those entering the field, the journey to stardom is a little murkier than in the past. Competition is stiff, yet the digital marketing field is always on the move.The evolution in the digital marketing industry gives a newbie no time to settle. How can new marketers succeed? A prospective digital marketer must learn the following three skills to start.Skill #1: Basic CSS and HTMLevalevalBuilding a website from scratch may not be the intention here, but having a grasp of basic coding skills is a great skill for new graphic marketers. This is because presenting images clearly and professionally is part of a digital marketer’s career life. Armed with these skills, one is able to adjust everything accordingly.We are talking about critical components such as landing pages for an email campaign. There is no point in an organization o utsourcing skills for a job that an in-house marketer can do. Having a digital marketer who can modify websites and design email campaigns not only saves time, but also saves the organization loads of money.Skill #2: Search Engine Optimization As an entrant to the dynamic digital marketing world, you need to develop the relevant skills to lay the foundation for a flourishing career. Demand for digital marketers is increasing, but the skills gap is also widening. This situation is the perfect platform for a budding professional to highlight ability.Knowing which skills count and establishing yourself alongside that line will give you competitive advantage. We have shared three skills here, but you canlearn more about digital marketing from similar articles on the topic.

Time Management in Job Search

Time Management in Job Search Ok, I am officially in love with Jason Albawell, his advice.   I preach the same lesson. This is Jasons post from his Jibber Jobber blog Here is how he recommended spending those hours Lunches and/or breakfasts and/or “coffees” every single day.   (10 hours a week) Network meetings weekly there were 3 or 4 for professionals in transition, and others for working professionals that I could have gone to. (10 hours a week) Computer time crafting cover letters and tweaking resumes for different job postings, checking emails, responding to emails, etc. (5 hours a week) LinkedIn Strategy searching for contacts and target companies, reaching out to them on or outside of LinkedIn (5 hours a week) Calling people, and networking my way into target companies This is time consuming, and takes guts to pick up the phone (even if it’s to contacts you know) but more effective than combing the job boards all day. (10 hours a week) Learning.   Make sure what you are doing is principle-based my job search wasn’t, and that’s why I was spinning wheels.   Read the Career Hub and blogs from real coaches and resume writers who are in the thick of it with their clients. (5 hours a week) Here is why: The majority of jobs are filled before they reach the public.   If you are relying on job postings that means you are only responding to  some of the available jobs.   No wonder you arent seeing any good jobs online. In a classic breakdown of how people land jobs: 10-15% got their job solely based on a job posting online or in print. 10-15% got their job based on connecting with a recruiter 10-15% got their job based on direct company contact (co. website or career fair) 70+% got their job based on a networking contact This percentage break down is how you should divide your 35+ hour week. Cut back on the time you spend applying for jobs on-line.   Apply for lots but dont obsess. Connect regularly with recruiters Create a target list of potential employers so you can keep them on your radar Network your tail off Having a plan and following it will allow you to manage all these activities.

Writing a Resume Objective Example - Writing a New Formalized Format

Writing a Resume Objective Example - Writing a New Formalized FormatWriting a resume objective is not the most popular part of preparing for a job interview. There are many who find it too formal and it takes too much time to write it. What they really need is a resume example that can be used immediately, not a resume objective written by a ghostwriter.You have a resume already, so why not use it? There are plenty of good examples of resumes online but they are not always appropriate for your needs. They might not take into account all the things you might want to put on your resume.Writing a resume example will cover all the bases. It will cover your experience and help you show your potential employer that you are a good fit for the job. There is nothing more frustrating than an employer who finds out about your resume after you have already been hired.If you are looking for something shorter than a resume objective, you can also use a resume example. Resume examples are available in a variety of formats including Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint slides, HTML, and Word processing documents. You can also find free examples in the internet.Writing a resume objective will only take you a few minutes. All you need to do is fill out the proper sections, enter your contact information, and enter your resume details. These are the basic parts of a resume and there are plenty of other sections that you can add to your resume to further enhance your resume.Include your contact information with your resume example. This includes a phone number, e-mail address, and home or work address. This is to give your potential employer a way to reach you if you are unable to answer their questions about the job.Writing a resume example does not mean you need to follow any templates. It simply means you can customize it to be exactly what you need. Most of these examples are also geared towards career positions, but it doesn't hurt to personalize it so you know exac tly what you will be presenting to your employer.When writing a resume objective, make sure you do not include anything that could be taken out. For example, do not include an attachment to a resume; it will just confuse the employer and make him or her think you have forgotten about the job. A resume example can be used to create a great resume and to make your resume stand out from the rest.