It’s hard to reckon back to the days when a paper resume and three reference calls summed up what you could learn about a job candidate. In today’s world, a few quick keystrokes on Google, Facebook, and Twitter can tell you a lot. But should you listen? Suzanne Lucas, aka Evil HR Lady, contributes regularly to Inc. and recently posted an article on why you shouldn’t necessarily care what your job candidate did five years ago. Her point is that we’re all human, and we all make mistakes. It’s a refreshing read and an insightful take on how you could overlook the best person for the job.
Archive for the ‘Human Resources’ Category
Green It Up: The Earth Will Thank You
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, April 25, 2013
Earth Day was celebrated April 22. In the spirit of what Earth Day means – being kind to the earth and to our environment – what are you doing in your office to go green? Do you recycle? Do you use “real” dishes rather than paper plates and Styrofoam? Going green doesn’t need to be difficult. Check out these ideas from Entrepenuer.com, and make it a priority to add at least one new green initiative at your workplace.
Bad Work Habits? Change Them in 8 Steps
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, April 10, 2013
We’re all given 24 hours a day, yet some people seem to accomplish so much more in that timeframe. As a small business owner, every minute counts. But do you ever wonder where the last hour went? Or the last 24? The first step in figuring out where all that time is going is to identify potential bad work habits. A recent post in OPEN Forum can help set you in the right direction.
You’re Fired: Stepping Away to Grow Your Business
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, March 29, 2013
It’s a classic catch-22 for small business owners: how do you have time for strategic planning and thinking when you’ve got a business to run and clients to serve? So many clients, in fact, that it would seem that business is moving along just fine without any long-range planning. Or is it? If you don’t take the time to plan, business will suffer…and so will you. According to Donald Cowper, a successful entrepreneur, seasoned coach, and best-selling author, the answer might lie in firing yourself. Yes…you’re fired.
Personality Plus: Finding What Fits Your Culture
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, February 27, 2013
It’s a real stretch to expect that all employees in your company will get along with each other 100 percent of the time. A real big stretch! But it’s incredibly important to be aware of what personality types will fit well with your company culture and which ones won’t. Entrepreneur recently shared insight on hiring tips that can help you put the right people on the right team.
The 5 Employees You Need
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, February 11, 2013
For small businesses looking to add employees, the hiring process can sometimes be exhausting. It’s vital to have the right mix of skills and personalities; it can mean the difference between success and closing the doors. We often hear about what to look for in prospective employees. How about looking for a specific employee “type”? That exact concept is outlined in a recent article by Entrepreneur.
Getting It All Done: 12 Time Management Tips
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, December 28, 2012
With 2013 right around
the corner, we’ve been thinking about a lot of things. One of them is time management. Over and over and over again, many of us feel that we just don’t have enough time. Ever. But we all are given the same 24 hours in any given day. How do some people get more done with their minutes? We revisited an article that appeared in Entrepreneur this fall. Great tips, and we look forward to implementing a number of them in 2013.
Think You Get More Done by Multitasking? Think Again
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, November 29, 2012
In a world of get more done in less time, multitasking has become the name of the game. But is it a game you’re winning? A recent article in Entrepreneur says not so much and shares interesting insight from David Meyer, a cognitive scientist at the University of Michigan. Meyer serves as director of the Brain, Cognition and Action Laboratory at the U of M; he knows a thing or two about how the brain works.
So, put your cell phone down, leave your email alone for a few minutes, and read the article. In the world of multitasking, it could very well be that less is more.
Sshhh: Here’s the World’s Simplest Management Secret
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, November 13, 2012
While a recent article in Inc. says that management books don’t get it right, we’re not advising that you get rid of all of them. But there is something to be said for the management insight shared in the article that talks about managing individuals, not people. Continue to glean the info from management books that fits and works for your company but remember: one-size-fits-all doesn’t work for a company made up of individuals.
Want to be Happier? Stop Doing These 10 Things–Now
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, October 19, 2012
There’s lots of advice out there (books, websites, blogs, podcasts–you name it) on what a person should do to be happier in both the personal and business sides of life. Jeff Haden, a regular contributor to Inc.com, recently took a different approach by outlining what not to do. From blaming to fearing, he asks us to consider what happens when we stop doing certain things. The article is eye-opening and enlightening.
And judging by the shares, tweets, and likes the article has gotten, he’s on to something.
