Have you been established in your current work position for a while? Do you think it’s time for a raise? Maybe you’re thinking, “How do I ask my boss for more money without sounding ungrateful or unhappy?” You’re in the right place. Today we are going to discuss the do’s and don’ts of asking your employer for a raise.
TweetPublic Relations is an important aspect of any modern business. Universities are offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the subject and most companies have entire departments dedicated to it. In a world of technology and social media, it is important to be proactive as well as reactive. Think about the most recent PR crises in the news. Pepsi with their release of an ad featuring Kendall Jenner, United Airlines with their handling of a customer interaction, and Ja Rule’s Fyre Festival. were all crises the companies had to react to immediately.
Today we are discussing tips for businesses to better help them handle a PR crisis.
A business can ignore many problems; a PR crisis is not one of them. Once a problem has been identified, the best way to work toward a solution is to acknowledge what went wrong. Then address how you plan to handle the situation. Make sure your solution is well thought out, sincere, and delivered appropriately. Americans appreciate honesty and solutions.
Take Time to Listen
If there are enough complaints for an issue to be considered a PR “crisis,” there is a reason it’s a problem. Listen to the public’s opinion of the situation. By listening and specifically addressing the issue, your business can rebuild the trust of its customers and clientele.
Stay Professional
No matter the issue, handle it professionally. As a business, the stakes are high during times of PR crisis. Avoid unprofessional interactions. This is most important on social media outlets.
Avoid Crisis
Employ a team of highly skilled PR professionals. Makes sure they are up to date on technology and social media etiquette. PR is a fast-paced, ever changing environment disaster can strike due to a lapse in education and current expectations.
There are many aspects of PR and crisis handling, many of which depend on the company’s PR reputation before the crisis. The best way to handle a PR crisis is by avoiding issues in the first place with a top-notch staff and continuing education. All it takes is a PR spark to ruin an entire business.
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Finding a new job using the skills you’ve acquired throughout your career can be hard. What if your most recent resume is filled with changing diapers, breaking up sibling battles, and preparing lunch while holding a toddler? Re-entering the workforce is a challenge facing many mothers. In recognition of Mother’s Day this weekend, we will discuss tips and challenges for those parents looking to re-enter the workforce.
Modern companies are designed to embrace rapid changes in the economy, workforce, and society. This is the biggest challenge for those who have been out of the workforce for as little as a year. Many parents find that they are over qualified for entry level positions, but have missed out on experience to get them to the next step in their career. How can you translate your time as a parent into the workforce? Below are some great tips to make sure you’re ready to go when the kids go to school.
Utilize Technology
Let technology be your best resource for brushing up on your skills. From finding jobs online to taking free classes to enhance your professional skills, use technology to help you ease back into the job market and keep up on industry news.
Network
You haven’t been out of the workforce so long that networking has become obsolete. There are many ways to begin networking. Volunteer at a local nonprofit or your children’s school to meet other parents who can help you break back into the workforce. Yet again, use technology to network via LinkedIn.
Translate your skills
Take some time to sit down and think about all of the skills you’ve gained as a parent, then translate them to the professional world. Time management, leadership, communication, and attention to detail are skills that both parents and professionals need to have to make your workplace and household run smoothly.
Have you been a stay at home parent who has re-entered the workforce? What advice would you give others looking to do the same?
TweetFeeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward
This Wednesday, April 26, is Administrative Professionals Day. Because they are an important part of any business team, take a minute to celebrate by showing gratitude to your Administrative Professionals!
Here are four ideas to show your appreciation of those who support your departments.
1. Order Lunch! Have lunch in the office with the team today. Many restaurants and fast food restaurants will cater lunch for your office. Order ahead and get a variety of foods then take an hour out of the day to relax and have an enjoyable conversation. Tip: Give your administrators a break by doing the ordering yourself!
2. Swag! Order some company swag for your administrators. Polo shirts, sweatshirts, pens, blankets, and keychains branded with your company logo make great gifts. Get something exclusive for your administrators to show your gratitude for all that they do within the company.
3. Head to Hallmark! Stop into your local greeting card store and browse the Administrative Professionals Day cards (yes, there is a section for that!). Pick a card and personalize it for each administrator; express your appreciation for the work that they do for you and your department. You can also take this a step further by adding a gift card for lunch, a massage, or a local store.
4. Extra Time! Show gratitude with the best gift you can give, and extra few hours or day off. Even though you depend on them, try to fend for yourself for an extra afternoon and allow your administrators some extra time off to themselves.
These are just a few ideas to help you recognize your administrative support team. Do you already have plans to celebrate Administrative Professionals Day? Share your ideas in the comments below!
TweetWhether you are an employee thinking about leaving your current position, or a supervisor wondering why you have so much turnover this post is for you. Today we will discuss reasons good employees leave their jobs and ways to keep them.
Why do good employees leave?
Although unhappiness may be one reason good employees leave their jobs, it isn’t always the top or even the only reason.
1. Lack of growth and opportunity: The number one reason good employees leave is to pursue better opportunities for themselves. They may even leave for lateral or downgraded positions if they see better growth opportunities in a new company.
2. Poor leadership and vision: Another reason good employees leave is due to company leadership. If leadership within a company is disorganized, one-sided, or barely present, good employees will look for a new position within a company that has vision.
3. The absence of passion: Many employees will leave because they lack passion for the job, company, or field in which they are working. This is common with employees finishing degrees or training programs. They may be working in a field to get through college where they will leave to work in their field.
What can you do to keep your best employees?
1. Provide growth and opportunity: As a company leader, be sure to provide growth and opportunity for your employees. This doesn’t always have to be by way of money and promotions; organize lunch and learns, trainings, or meetings with executives to allow your team the opportunity to create their own growth.
2. Manage using strong leaders: Choose strong leaders who will lead by example for your organization. Leaders who are mentors will encourage and inspire your employees to look for opportunity within the company.
3. Create passion: Learn about your employees’ passions. If the job or field itself is not aligned with their passion, encourage employees to pursue their passions in other ways using the organization. Allow them to volunteer, promote philanthropic activity, and allow them to share their passions with the rest of the company through newsletters or emails highlighting their efforts.
Have you already tried some of these methods within your organization? Share in the comments your ideas for employee retention.
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Many leadership terms sound incredibly similar, however, when used as leadership strategies they may produce vastly different results. Today we will discuss two terms that fall into this category–coaching vs. mentoring. We will discuss what the terms mean, how they apply to organizations, and the different results each strategy can produce.
Coaching and Mentoring Meanings
Coaching is a term used to describe a leadership strategy focused on performance and goals. A coach is focused on the group and task at hand and driven by power and position.
Mentoring is a term used to describe a leadership strategy focused on facilitating individual growth and responsibility. A mentor is focused on giving advice, personal growth, and is driven by the value of growing relationships and individuals.
What do coaching and mentoring mean to organizations?
Both coaching and mentoring have a place in business and leadership. Coaching can be used when implementing new technology or systems, developing specific skills organization-wide, or helping a group of employees meet expectations. Mentoring, on the other hand, can be used as a tool for succession planning, developing expertise in specific departments, or helping individual employees grow within their roles.
Results
Coaching produces tangible results; it helps departments to meet productivity goals. On an individual level, it helps employees learn skills that may be holding them back in terms of technology or systems. As a whole, coaching helps the organization develop groups of talented individuals to accomplish organizational goals.
Mentoring, on the other hand, helps the organization develop future professional leaders. On an individual level, mentoring gives professionals access to current leaders and resources they need to grow professionally for their future roles. On an organizational level, mentoring aids the organization by developing dedicated professionals for succession planning and leadership roles.
Although coaching and mentoring seem similar on the surface, there are many different approaches to workplace development. Does your workplace differentiate between coaching and mentoring?
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In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, today we will discuss how to identify and work toward finding your own “pot of gold” in the form of your dream job. Everyone has a dream job, that one employer or position they would stay with forever. Have you ever considered what your dream job would be? Are you currently working toward obtaining your “pot of gold”?
TweetEveryone likes to feel appreciated for his or her contributions at work. Have you been making it a point to show gratitude to your employees recently? Observed on the first Friday in March each year, which happens to be today, is Employee Appreciation Day! Take some time today to participate.
Let us count the ways:
1. Organize a Recognition Ceremony
Have a ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of your coworkers. Whether it is their work anniversary year, great customer interactions, or meeting sales goals, your employees will enjoy being recognized for their accomplishments.
2. Have a Food Day
Order out for lunch, have a breakfast buffet, or bring in some baked goods. Whatever you choose, employees will enjoy free food and a reason to hang out in the break room.
3. Provide Professional Development
Become a mentor or provide training opportunities for your employees. Allow them to develop within their careers.
4. Send Thank You Notes
Create personalized thank you notes to recognize your employees. Take the opportunity to show your coworkers that you care about their work and accomplishments.
5. Small Gifts
This one depends on your company’s gift policy, so make sure to check with Human Resources before buying any gifts. If HR gives you the go ahead, buy small gifts or gift cards to hand out.
6. Take Time to Listen
Listening to your employees is one of the keys to great communication. In this case, listening does not mean only paying attention to work-related conversations. Take time to listen to your employees all the time. What do they like to do outside of work? Do you know?
7. Create Opportunity
Show your coworkers that you appreciate them by creating opportunities. Send someone to an important meeting to encourage him to step out of his comfort zone.
8. Extra Time Off
Surprise your office by sending everyone home early. If that won’t work, give out some PTO or vacation time. This will allow your coworkers to rest, relax, and be ready continue their great work.
9. Give Away Apparel
Giving away shirts, polos, sweatshirts, or blankets with company branding makes a great employee appreciation gift, boosts morale, and serves as a marketing tool. What more could you want?
10. Keep It Up
Don’t wait for Employee Appreciation Day to recognize your coworkers. Find ways to show your gratitude throughout the year.
How are you going to show appreciation to your employees this year? Share in the comments below!
TweetHappy Valentine’s Day! While everyone is discussing ways to show love for their friends, families and significant others. We are going to give you 14 ways to express love for your job.
1. Learn about Your Coworkers
Instead of always covering the same topics like weather and sports, take time to learn about your coworkers’ hobbies and interests outside of work.
2. Food
Show your workplace or department some love by stopping for bagels or donuts. Even better, if you like to bake, your coworkers will appreciate some homemade baked goods.
3. Referrals
A company’s best new hires are usually referred to the organization by its current employees. Do you have a friend who is looking for a change? Refer them to your company.
4. Participate
Does your office have holiday parties, happy hours, or birthday celebrations? If so, show appreciation to your workplace and coworkers by participating as often as possible.
5. Decorate
Add your personal style to your workspace. This helps to both make you comfortable and spark conversation.
6. Say Thank You
A simple ‘thank you’ can go a long way. Whether it is an email, Post-It, or even a more elaborate card, be sure to say ‘thank you’ to those coworkers who choose to help you out during the workday.
7. Mentor
Take time to share your knowledge with those around you. There is nothing more valuable to a new employee than a trustworthy mentor.
8. Volunteer
Does your workplace sponsor volunteer activities? If so, volunteering is a great way to help your community, while showing appreciation for your workplace.
9. Give Compliments
If you like a coworker’s outfit, tell him or her! Do you like something management has changed, let them know! Compliments can spark conversation and help create a cohesive environment.
10. Be Optimistic
Even if you do not LOVE something about your job, don’t be negative about it. Optimism and critical thinking will help solve problems in the office.
11. Collaborate
Teamwork is something we all get tired of hearing at work. However, collaboration is one of the best ways to show love for your job.
12. Gratitude Board
Inspire your company or department to create a gratitude board. A gratitude board is a space where everyone can participate in leaving notes of gratitude for the office, management, coworkers, or customers.
13. Be Present
Some days you may be just going through the motions at work. Make it a point to be present throughout the day. You will do a better job if you are sure to stay mindful.
14. Be Genuine
No matter the way you choose to show love and gratitude at your job, be sure that it is genuinely how you feel.
Do you have any other ways to show love for your job this Valentine’s Day? Leave them in the comments below!
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Are you ready for some football? Although our Pittsburgh Steelers will not be playing this weekend, many of us will be attending or hosting a Super Bowl party for the food, commercials, and Lady Gaga! Here at ABG Capital, we are not quite ready to give up our healthy New Year’s Resolutions for the big game. As an organization, we focus on creating a culture of health and wellness; for example, check out our other healthy blog posts here! Before this weekend’s festivities, we would like to share with you some ways to stick to your resolutions while still having fun.
Let’s start with the food! Here are a few of my favorite healthy party recipes:
Sweet Potato Bites with Bacon and Guacamole
These are a great alternative to the potato skins, chips or fries. They have just the right amount of protein and fat without all the excess starch and carbs. They’re sure to be a hit at your Super Bowl party.
Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce
Who doesn’t love chicken on a stick? This recipe packs a lot of flavor while being healthy. They’re also easy to make for a big crowd as they can all be marinated and grilled easily.
If these recipes aren’t enough for your party, check out this list of 20 Healthy Super Bowl recipes from Pinterest!
Another source of calories on game day comes from your drink choices. If you can’t possibly have fun while drinking water, here are some suggestions. If you’d rather keep it simple try to stick with flavored vodka, water, and ice or diet coke and rum.
Lastly, get off the couch! Use this football workout to get your exercise during the game!
![football workout[28]](http://blog.abgcapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/football-workout28.jpg)
Do you have a favorite game day recipe or cocktail? Will you be trying to lighten them up? If so, share your suggestions in the comments.
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