Month: January 2018

Where did that document go…The one you need for a presentation later today? It was just under your novelty mug or was it behind that calendar….?

Having a clean and tidy desk not only prevents sticky situations like the one above, but can help you work better, faster and smarter. It can even make a positive impact on your mental health!

If you’re struggling to find things or just need some help spring cleaning your work desk, we’ve got you. Read on for our helpful tips on how to create the perfect work station, free of unnecessary clutter and mess.

Ergonomics

First things first! Get your desk set up correctly for your posture. If you need help with this, your HR officer will definitely have some information for you on correct desk and chair set up.

We spend so much time sitting down at our desks, it’s really important to ensure we are doing it the right way! The basics are; your screen should be elevated so it’s at eye level and you should be sitting with your feet planted flat on the floor, with a natural spine curve.

If your workplace has an option for adjustable stand up desks, enquire about getting one. They allow you to stand and sit throughout the day, limiting damage to the neck, shoulders and back.

Phone placement

Whether you use a work phone or a mobile, place it on your dominant side, this reduces stretching and straining and can also keep cords neat and tidy.

Blank space

Leave an empty space near your dominant hand – the same side you phone is on – that’s at least the size of an A4 piece of paper. This can be your writing space. Anytime you want to jot down notes in a pad or review paper documents, this will be the place to do it.

Personal touch

Some people like kitschy knic knacs, others like small succulents or a photo frame filled with a family happy snap – whatever you like to decorate your desk with, go for it! Bringing some personality to your desk can help you stay motivated or remain calm in times of stress.

The secret is, keep it limited. This may change depending on the size of your desk, but for most office desks, three items should be the maximum. Sticking to this rule, ensures your work station won’t get cramped – meaning more productivity and less of a possibility of accidents resulting in split coffee!

Stationery

We know it’s hard to resist the urge to horde a stapler, scissors, paper clips and highlighters – you might need them one day! We understand, but this is why stationery cupboards exist. Only keep the supplies you use daily on your desk. Use a cup or holder to keep them up off the desk.

Filing

Employ a filing system and regularly clean out unnecessary files. Stay away from the traditional in/out trays and invest in folders and stackers that use vertical space. This will keep the surface of your desk less cluttered.

We’ve all been there. It’s your first day at a new job and you’re taking in a lot of new information – including everyone’s names. Before you’ve gotten a handle of your teammates’ names, you’re already being introduced to other departments while attempting to remember the OH&S processes and how to use the office coffee machine.

It’s easy to get confused and names seem to be the first thing that gets forgotten.

So how can you avoid this? We’ve collected some handy tips for remembering names that can be used on your first day in a new role. Take a look below!  

Listen, no really listen

It’s hard to discipline your thoughts but once you get the hang of it, you can really focus in on one thing and tune out everything else. We know it sounds silly, but really listen when someone says their name. Focus all your attention to what they are saying and drown everything else out. Keep eye contact and if necessary, subtly look at their mouth as they say their name.

Repeat their name

Immediately use their name in conversation. Try using their name when you say “nice to meet you’’. Repetition is one of the ways our brains learn and names are no exception. Use their name throughout your conversation and again when you say goodbye

Association

Another tried and tested way to ensure you don’t forget names is by using visual cues and association tricks. Try associating the person’s name to something about their appearance. This is particularly successful if someone has a unique style of dress. You can use the visual association of their loud tie, for instance to trigger their name. You can also associate names to other people in your life or certain objects that may allude to their appearance or personality.

We hope these tips help you out on your first day and don’t forget, remembering someone’s name and using it while talking to them is a sign of respect. People feel appreciated when others remember and use their name. So, if you ace the introduction part of your first day, chances are your new colleagues will take a shine to you early on. Good luck!

Inclusivity and diversity are important words in 2018. Although, there are still horrible injustices happening in our world, it seems that at least most of our mindsets are changing. On the whole, people seem a little more attuned to pointing out discrimination and banding together against it.

More and more everyday people and yes, even big brands are recognising the world’s changing attitudes towards human rights, activism, feminism, sexism and racism. It makes sense that in the world of business and recruitment, things must also change and this is why we are seeing more significance placed on creating dynamic work environments with diverse teams.

Working hard to ensure your workplace is filled with people from diverse backgrounds; with a range of nationalities, faiths, genders, sexualities and abilities is of course, a step that helps make the world a better and more just place, and of course, it will keep your organisation relevant. But, what most people don’t see is that it can also have a huge impact on how your business performs.

Here’s five reasons why having a diverse workplace will positively affect your business and help make it more successful.

Employee morale

Creating a workplace that celebrates and promotes difference ensures that all staff feel welcome and safe. This is the type of environment where employees can be their authentic selves and are therefore, more confident and happy while at work. Staff who know they are valued for who they are, will then feel a sense of belonging and loyalty to their colleagues and management. This can lead to an improvement in productivity as they feel they are part of a team who sees their unique abilities.

Diversifies talent & skill pool

Ensuring your team is made up of diverse people who come from a range of financial backgrounds, cultures, faiths, walks of life, sexualities and at different ages will result in a whole spectrum of views, skills and experiences. Businesses able to draw on these vast pools of difference are better equipped to adapt to our changing world. Different skills, personalities, talents and viewpoints will safeguard an organisation from becoming stagnant, instead making it more agile than it was before.

Attracts ethical & compassionate employees

It makes sense that a company devoted to promoting equality will draw diverse candidates but what it will also do is bring in candidates that have ‘social responsibility’ high on their employer checklist. Young people looking for roles not only want a good job, they want to work for a good company too; a place they would be proud to be associated with from an ethical standpoint. The best and brightest candidates with the most up-to-date skills are most likely going to be these very same, young people. So, if you can show these candidates a diverse workplace, you are more likely to attract them to your business, snagging them before your competitors can offer them a position.

Cultural diversity helps global business

Businesses who operate internationally or those who are looking to in the future, will often have a few road blocks in the beginning. Etiquette – within business and/or social interactions – can differ vastly from culture to culture. Organisations who already have, say for instance, multilingual employees will have a leg up in establishing themselves in overseas markets or creating partnerships with international companies. While the other employees, used to cultural diversity, will generally be more understanding and patient with their overseas partners.

Diversity promotes a culture of compassion

Establishing, growing and maintaining a diverse workplace takes time, effort and education. Through these practices, you will be developing your staff to become more compassionate and understanding employees and – hopefully people. This not only benefits those that are learning, it impacts the organisation too. When you give staff education and tools for their development you show you care. You are illustrating that you are invested in their development as people. This can lead to positive employee relations and better conflict resolution skills among staff, resulting in a more stable workplace. It can also be used as a draw for prospective new employees looking for an employer who takes an interest in their self-development.