Things to Consider About Using Twitter For Business

Things to Consider About Using Twitter For BusinessThings to Consider About Using Twitter For BusinessIf you are a business owner considering social networking, do not overlook Twitter. Yes, it is simple and seems like a waste of time, but it is not. Businesses that useTwitter for social networking are smart. They know that Twitter can be a fast and powerful way to deliver important messages about your business events, sales, and even to offer coupons or just connect with your brand followers. Twitter may be near featureless but what it lacks in polish, it makes up for in practical use due to its departureling popularity. But Tweeting the wrong information can hurt your business. Here are important Twitter tips to consider before you start a Twitter account for your business, as well as basic tips to help get you started on Twitter today Ignore the Nay-Sayers and Use Twitter for Your Business I am now convinced that any business owner who tells you not to use Twitter because it w ill ruin your professional image is a) a business owner still communicating with customers in the dark ages or b) a really savvy business owner already secretly Tweeting your clients. According to Mashable, in 2008, Twitter had about 6 mio users. Even with a high user drop-out rate (60% of people abandon Twitter accounts after one month). As of the first half of 2016, there have been over 300 million Twitter users. Before You Begin Using Twitter, Write a Twitter Business Plan If you are interested in preserving (or restoring or building) your business reputation, take the time to develop a Twitter business plan before you start sending out Tweets. The three most important questions to consider are Who are the people we want to reach? Clients? New customers? Private Investors? The general public? This is important to establish before you create an account because you may need mora than one account, and some accounts may need to be kept private.Will Your Tweets be Interactive? Wil l you allow people to comment back? Or just get updates? Will your subscriber list be public or private?Who Will Monitor the Account? Decide who will Tweet and what they will Tweet. For example, if you have a blog will you have your blog automatically send out a Tweet for you? Or will you need to hand-pick blogs to Tweet? Twitter has the social media power to help you build your business, but if you just start an account without a plan, you will not maximize its potential or worse - you could make your business look bad. Micro Twitter Your Business Many businesses can get by with one main Twitter account, but if your business is highly diversified, you may do better to Micro Twitter. I do need to clarify there is a Micro-Twitter service from Japan that only allows 14 characters in a post. I am not talking about that kind of micro-Twittering. I am referring to serving micro-needs of your business through Twitter subscriber segregation. Twitter is a microblogging tool. You can on ly send short quips and updates to your subscribers. I have found you get more followers and better response if you micro Twitter. Set up more than one Twitter account for your business if you normally segregate customer interests. For example, if you send a newsletter out to different types of customers, you might do better to give selected customer groups their own Twitter feed. Your Tweets are more likely to be read and reTweeted when a message hits home. Remember, any account you set up will need to be active, monitored, and serve a purpose to be a successful business tool. Try to limit your Twitter accounts to no more than two or three to avoid confusing your customers about which Tweets they should be following. Plus, the more accounts you have, the more work you create for yourself. Dont Say Anything Just to Keep Communications Open It is almost impossible to bloviate on Twitter, given its extreme limitations on how many characters you can Tweet, but it is important to se parate your business from personal Tweeters by sticking to relevant, timely, and important business updates. For the most part, your customers will probably not care if your photocopier is down again. Or that all your employees are wearing jeans on casual dress day. But they will be happy to hear you are offering 15 percent off this week only for walk-in customers. The best rule of thumb for business Twitter is that if you dont have something interesting to say, it is better to not Tweet until you do.

Accounting for Experience

Accounting for Experience Accounting for Experience ACCOUNTING FOR EXPERIENCEThe top skills and experience that CFOs value most when hiring new accounting and finance graduates1 Prior work experience2 Interpersonal/soft skills3 Software skills/technology proficiency4 College performanceHow important is it for entry-level accounting and finance professionals to have work experience in the field while in college?62% Very important33% Somewhat important5% Somewhat unimportant1% Not at all importantResponses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

This is why you shouldnt accept a stretch assignment

This is why you shouldnt accept a stretch assignmentThis is why you shouldnt accept a stretch assignmentFour Rules for Accepting a Stretch AssignmentWant to connect to a bigger, bolder vision for your career? Try taking on a stretch assignment A new project, role or task that is beyond your current expertise. Whetherbei its turning around a struggling product or team, automating an inefficient process, or delivering a big presentation to a VIP client, youll rapidly develop new technical, business, or leadership skills.There is towering evidence confirming the power of stretch opportunities. Just ask any experienced leader. Egon Zehnders survey of 823 international executives found that71% of senior leaders said stretch assignments had the biggest impacton unleashing their potential. Also, research from Korn Ferry identifies stretch or rotational assignments asthe most valuable leadership skill-building experience, ahead of action learning, mentoring, relationships, 360 assessments, e xposure to mora senior leaders, and formal classroom training.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreRecently, my colleague Selena Rezvani and I conducted original research about stretch assignments. What we discovered after surveying 1,500 professionals is detailed in our report,Out of the Comfort Zone How women and men size up stretch assignments - and why leaders should care.What makes a stretch assignment yes-able?We found that women and men factor in similar motivations and roadblocks when deciding whether to accept a stretch assignment. For both genders, the top criteria for saying Yes to a stretch are having the personal influence to drive a successful outcome, and alignment with their career goals. Women and men agree that office politics, not lack of time, is the biggest practical challenge to taking on a stretch assignment.There are also some differences. When deciding whet her to say yes to a stretch assignment, women are more likely than men to prioritize exposure to key mentors and sponsors (18% vs 11%.) Meanwhile, men are 3.5 times more likely than women to cite pay as a factor that makes a stretch assignment appealing.Make no mistake A stretch assignment is no small commitment. One exec jokingly referred to them as night jobs. You wouldnt want to accept, or overextend your stay in, a thankless job. So why accept a thankless stretch assignment? One survey respondent, a senior manager with a cloud-based software firm said he looks for a balance of challenge, risk, and reward when evaluating whether to accept a stretch, and you should, too.Ready to tackle a high-intensity, high-profile project? Go youHere are four rules for assessing whether an assignment is the right fit.1. Dont be afraid to take a riskStretch assignments come with tradeoffs. Its risky to commit to high-stakes, work that adds to your workload. But its a chance to develop new skills, discover new strengths, and build influential networks. I ask myself,Am I ready for change? Am I ready to be uncomfortable? Am I ready to make a mistake and learn from it?wrote a woman working as a senior manager in consumer goods manufacturing.2. Define your directionThe ideal stretch fuels your passions, plays to your strengths, and allows you to make a measurable business impact. Scan your orgs landscape for business opportunities that match the challenges youd like to solve.I look for a complex challenge so that I can learn and grow, make impactful change, and prove my abilities, said one survey participant with ambitions to make her mark within a multinational manufacturing conglomerate. Once you have ideas, find evidence to support why they are helpful. Show your management whats needed and why youre excited about the part you could play.3. Go after a project no one wantsSure, everyone wants the stretch assignment associated with the cutting-edge trend or cool new client. But what about the assignment that makes people uneasy or nervous? One male senior manager at an e-commerce company said, Thinking about it has to make me feel uncomfortable. A person who volunteers for riskier stretches shows unique confidence in his or her abilities and commitment to the organization. Although management may have lower expectations for these assignments, such opportunities are proving grounds for problem-solvers, change agents, and fledgling leaders.4. Negotiate for what you need to be successfulGather as many details as possible about the opportunity, including compensation, recognition, and career options. In addition, prior to starting a new role or assignment, negotiate the authority, resources, and support needed for success. Then, enlist mentors and influential allies to help navigate office politics. One entry-level woman in the medical devices field weighs the following criteria Do I have a manager and colleagues who agree that I am ready for the next step an d who are confident in my abilities? Finally, dont be afraid to ask, If I do an excellent job on this project, what can I expect as a result?Taking on a stretch assignment is not for everyone. But if youre ready to place a bet on yourself, a well-chosen stretch assignment can pay off, making your skills, value, and work ethic known beyond your immediate workgroup. Stretch assignments are proven shortcuts to advancement, so dont underestimate their career-making potential.This post first appeared atForbes.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

How to Prepare for a Job Interview an Essential Checklist

How to Prepare for a Job Interview an Essential ChecklistHow to Prepare for a Job Interview an Essential ChecklistJob interviews are the equivalent of first dates. They are extremely stressful and can sometimes make you question your abilities and self-worth.The good news is that, just as with a regular date, there are plenty of tips and advice that can help you make a good impression. Knowing how to prepare for a job interview, can take away some of the stress and make you feel more confident about your chances.Heres an essential checklist to keep in mind when preparing for an interview.ResearchBe well informed and not only will you have better answers to the questions the recruiter might ask, but youll also determine if the job actually suits you.Read the job description carefully to get a clear understanding of the company, their expectations, their culture, and anything you might find relevant.Does this job seem right for you? Can this job help you advance your career? Is the com panys culture congruent with your professional aim and your personality? What can you bring to this job and what can it bring to you?List Out all the Skills, Abilities and Personal ObjectivesNow, get deeper into what your best assets are and what you want to develop. Being clear on unterstellung and being able to name them is important. Once you understand what the job is all about, you need to focus on yourself. Make a list of your skills and then compare these with how well they match the job requirements. Prioritize what feels most relevant. You will have to play up your best assets.PracticeOnce youve finished your research, its time for practice. Knowing your best assets might not mean a thing if you cannot express them appropriately. Be ready to answer any question by reviewing all the common interview questions we recommend simply googling common interview questions and checking out a few articles. Many interviews start out with you going through your background. This may see m repetitive since the hiring manager likely has your resume in front of them, but this is typically a good way for the interviewer to get the conversation going. You will then likely go through a series of questions that relate to both you and the position. Some of these questions will be very general and could apply to many different types of positions and some might be more job specific. If you are asked any negative questions, such as talking about a mistake youve made professionally or being asked about any flaws you have, it is best to own up to these things and talk about how youre working on them or what youve learned from your experiences never place the blame on someone else.Be sure to research the company and the types of interviews they do. Some companies may utilize a presentation interview or another format that isnt as common you will typically be told if youre needing to prepare something or if the interview will be out of the ordinary, but its best to double check so youre not surprised.Learn the STAR TechniqueYou want your answers to be sharp and relevant during the interview. To ensure youre not getting sidetracked, use the S.T.A.R. technique to provide your responses. Present the Situation or Task, explain the Action you took and then present the Results you achieved. You can even elaborate here by concluding with what youve learned from the experience. For example, a common interview question is, Tell me about a time you made a mistake. In this example you will ideally use the S.T.A.R. technique to respond and then conclude with what youve learned from this mistake showing that youre not likely to make the same mistake again.Arrive EarlyBeing late to a job interview can simply take you off the list in a blink of an eye. The interviewer will dismiss you quickly, as you have just shown that you are disrespectful, disorganized, flaky or unable to follow through with commitments. To avoid being late because of an unexpected traffic jam, plan your day carefully. Allocate a generous amount of time for getting dressed up and commuting to the meeting place.Come PreparedBring some interview essentials with you. These include a pen and a notebook, a couple of copies of your resume ideally placed in a nice portfolio/folder of some sort, and any supporting documentation reference lists, brag sheets, cover letter, etc. Be sure to write down some questions that youll ask at the end of the interview. Some interviewers will automatically eliminate candidates who dont have any questions at the end. Youll want these questions to pertain to the position and the company specifically as much as possible. Finally, dress presentably if you know the office environment is casual youll still want to dress up a bit for the interview, for example, wearing khakis and a button-down/blazer. If the environment is business casual or business professional youll likely want to wear a suit. It is always better to be a bit overdressed than to be und erdressedBe Confident, Listen and Ask QuestionsMaking eye contact and giving your full attention to the recruiter is essential. It will make you look trustworthy, intelligent and motivated. You might not give body language much credit, but it can reveal just as much as the answers you give. You might have a lot of experience and know everything there is to know about the company. But, if you are too timid or too outgoing, for instance, the recruiter might not consider you a good match. So be confident yet considerate listen and ask questions.As mentioned above, write down what youve prepared, you want to bring along a list of relevant questions to ask during the interview. You wouldnt want that research about the company to be in vain.Job interviews are no piece of cake. They can be extremely stressful, especially if you have no interviewing experience, or simply havent interviewed in a long time. Follow these tips to ensure you land the job of your dreams.

To Succeed in Retail, Find a Career Where You Create Experiences

To Succeed in Retail, Find a Career Where You Create Experiences To Succeed in Retail, Find a Career Where You Create Experiences Think about the times when youve been turned off by an in-store shopping experience. Has a disorganized sales floor or a rude associate ever dampened your day?Now, think about the times youve been impressed by an in-store shopping experience, like an unforgettable display or an associate who had all the time in the world to assist you. Did you feel much mora loyal to the store afterward?As a retail employee, you have the chance to directly influence customers experiences on a daily basis. Retail doesnt always get the best rep in the media, but one need only look at todays booming industries to see where the fields fhigkeit lies. Americans are spending more on experience-driven industries, with travel, recreation, and restaurants now accounting for more than 20 percentof consumer spending. If retail can learn from these industries and apply the lessons to itself, there will be an opportunity to bring people back to brick and mortar stores.To compete with the convenience of online shopping, the new goal for physical retail locations is to become destinations that offer experiences shoppers just cant find on the internet. Consequently, the key to future success in a retail career is to find the roles where you can create such experiences.Add Value Beyond the MerchandiseWhat physical stores have over eCommerce outfits is the element of humanity. All of the chat assistants in the world cant replace the interpersonal relationships between customers and in-store associates.While every online shopping experience generally follows the same, generic model of search, add to cart, and check out, each in-store experience has the opportunity to be different. For many shoppers, it is the relationships they develop with sales associates and the special treatment they feel they receive that establish brand loyalty. Associates can add value to each step of the shopping experience, whether by aiding customers in making decisions, offering styling advice in the dressing room, or wrapping impeccable holiday gift boxes at checkout. Its crucial to provide an experience customers will remember because that is what will bring them back.To have the greatest impact in retail, look for the roles that are the fruchtwein customer-facing. If youre just starting out, try a role as a cashier or sales associate. As you gain more experience, you can move into roles like floor leader and customer service representative on your way up to sales management.Adapt to New Shopping HabitsStores wont become ever completely obsolete because humans are sensory beings. We like feeling the different fabrics at HM, comparing the array of fragrances at the Macys counter, and observing the newest window displays at Anthropologie. However, the way we shop has changed, and retail employees must adapt to meet new expectations.The shift to experience-based spendi ng among American consumers is largely due to social media. People - teenagers and young adults especially - choose their experiences based on what makes for the best Instagram posts or the most interesting Snapchat stories. Retail outlets must keep in mind that visual appeal will be key in getting customers to come. Lighting, color, and unique design details are chief components of the visual story.Once customers have been enticed in by visual appeal, stores must take their experiences to a new level through things like memorable scents (think Abercrombie) or in-store coffee bars (think Barnes Noble).If youre more interested in the sensory experience than in customer interaction, look for roles in visual merchandising, retail design, or boutiques. These careers require more creative and analytical thinking. Professionals in these roles must find ways to appeal to the senses and speak to the specific experience the brand wants associated with its merchandise. It is someones job t o design store layouts, window displays, and mood lighting - and that someone could be youGlenn Laumeister is the CEO ofAllWork, a talent-matching platform for brands and retailers.

Choosing High School Resume for College Is Simple

Choosing High School Resume for College Is Simple High School Resume for College - Overview You want to select the most suitable specifics. Every object of information ought to be presented in a straightforward way. One resume tip that is extremely important is to make sure you include all your contact information at the peak of your resume. Should you need a resume where seemingly unimportant high school information might become relevant, you will be pleased you saved it. Writing is a present that comes naturally. Including details in the resume will force you to stick out among thousands of different applicants. Students lead busy lives and frequently forget about a coming deadline. What to Expect From High School Resume for College? You may incorporate coursework which you think is noteworthy that would be a superior add-on to the total document. The majority of the time when writing a high school resume, an individual might think whats the usage of mentioning the per sonal details in the resume. Not just that, but it makes it less difficult to document that which you have achieved and been a component of, making the college application process that much easier when it has to do with thinking about what things to write in your essays. An excellent way to start on your resume as a high school student is to take a look at examples of resumes and read tips about what to include and the way to format your resume. Before you sit down at your computer and begin hammering out all the things which force you to look good on paper, take a while to sit down and really ask yourself what you desire. You are likely to love our work. So, youre in the procedure for creating your resume so you are able to acquire your fantasy job. The summertime provide an ideal chance to explore something which intrigues you. Employers search for candidates that have a true interest in the job and industry and might question yours. Since a resume isnt only employed for applying for internships and jobs, it is critical to receive one going as you will probably need it when applying to colleges also. An internship is a superb method to obtain career experience, and itll score you extra points on your resume. Resumes give potential employers a means to learn about applicants quickly and readily, and theyre your very first step toward new job opportunities. If you arent getting calls for interviews, you will need to reassess the documents and data employers are receiving from you. In the event the admission officers are interested in your application, they will be ready to look at the info youve provided. In any case, youll certainly like our price policy. Theres constant stress because of subject exams Almost every second, students face several problems or difficulties they need to overcome so as to get the wanted rating. Student life is full of surprises, and at times, you might require assistance with essay writing or maybe to compose a p aper or essay from scratch. Performing arts curriculums arent the exact same as standard curricula. Furthermore, students may want to learn to compose a cover letter for an internship. Today, most college students find it difficult to compose an essay on a particular topic. The education section remains at the peak of your resume if you have lately earned a graduate or professional level. The resume should contain only what a particular school will want to understand, as stated by The College Board. Dont be tricked by the thought that a student whos in 300 distinct clubs will secure a spot at a top college. Dont consist of anything from before higher school. Theres no clear-cut formula for an ideal college admissions resume. Writing a resume for college admission may also help prepare you to compose a more effective resume when youre prepared to find employment. Youre going to see the ideal college application resume on Earth. A typical college application doesnt always o ffer a student room to highlight all her or his accomplishments and experience. Things You Wont Like About High School Resume for College and Things You Will In competitive programs, the appropriate numbers allow you to be considered, but its your involvement in activities which will help get you selected. Admissions officers are considering seeing commitment to your activities, so decide on an activity and stay with it. Because colleges receive a lot of applications. Learning a language isnt only a resume booster, it is going to provide you with a legitimate advantage when you enter the workforce. In terms of the communication skills, the majority of people have them a priori. For you the second area should be Education and make certain you list the classes that may pertain to the work description. Its a good idea to show what its possible to bring to college organizations from your previous expertise in extra-curricular pursuits. Employers can learn all they will need to understand about a candidate from their school performance, which means that your Education section should reflect well on you. Career Objectives are excellent for resumes with a particular function. Regardless of what genre you would like Business Studies, Microeconomics, Business Management and Financial Accounting, were here to serve your needs. High School Resume templates are a valuable resource for such students.

Addressing the Hiring Issues Faced by Small Business Owners - Spark Hire

Addressing the Hiring Issues Faced by Small Business Owners - Spark HireAny small business owner knows that finding and retaining strong talent is an essential part of that companys success. While turnover is damaging to any organization, its especially traumatic to a small business. However, when youre hiring for a startup or a small business, you face a unique set of challenges that larger brands just dont have to deal with. Here, we tackle these problems and offer solutions that will allow you to make great hiring choicesThe problem Employees reluctance to deal with the unpredictability of a small business.Lets face it there isnt as much routine and stability in a small business. Things change daily, and your employees will need to be able to roll with the punches.The solution Seek out team members who thrive in this environment. While some people like being able to come into work each day knowing what to expect, many people hate the idea of the same old routine. These kinds of em ployees thrive in a small business or startup setting. They love being kept on their toes, and do best when theyre constantly responding to a changing work environment.The problem A limited budget makes it hard to bring on all of the staff members necessary to take care of the required tasks to keep the business running.When youre a small business owner, you probably dont have the budget to hire a marketing department, an HR department, and the dozens of other people necessary to keep the operation afloat.The solution Youre going to have to get creative in your hiring process. You want employees who can wear multiple hats. Is your receptionist also a talented graphic designer? Great, she can get to work on a new logo for your business. Maybe the person umgang your billing can also deal with HR concerns. When youre bringing new team members on board, make sure that theyre okay with a fluid job description, as they will have to be able to do more than just one or two things.The proble m When youre a startup or small business, your salary and benefits offerings probably cant compete with those of larger organizations.Unfortunately, its hard for small businesses to go up against Fortune 500 companies when it comes to salary and benefits packages.The solution Seek out people who are motivated by more than just money. If they believe in your businesss mission and values, the money will be secondary. Have a strong, positive company culture and youll be able to attract top-tier talent, even if your salary offerings cant quite keep up.How do you make strong hiring choices as a small business owner? Let us know in the commentsleumund Wavebreak Media Ltd/BigStock.com