3 Technology Trends that are Revolutionizing Corporate Wellness

3 Technology Trends that are Revolutionizing Corporate Wellness A healthy workplace is a happy workplace, and a happy workplace is a far more productive one. A salary alone is no longer enough to retain your employees, nor is it enough to attract and recruit future talent. Corporate wellness has become a social responsibility that employees and future talent want, need and expect from you. According to Gallup, nearly 6 in 10 millennials looking for work say that workplace wellbeing is “very important to them”. As an employer, and recruiter, you really should be doing all you can to ensure that the wellness of your employees, and your workplace, is of the highest standard. Therefore we have put together three essential technology trends you need to know about, that companies from all around the world are adopting to promote a healthier, happier and more productive working environment for their employees. 1. Wearable technology Wearable technology is definitely a thing, and one of the more prevalent uses of it is to help people monitor their daily fitness activities, such as how many steps they have taken and how many calories they have burned. Its a cost-effective solution, and thats why organizations from around the world have incorporated this technology into their corporate wellness programs. The most popular wearable technology today is Fitbit, with customers such as BP, Adobe, GNC, Barclays and more all providing their staff with Fitbit’s wearable fitness trackers to help them monitor their wellbeing, and more importantly, promote a healthier workplace. For example, Barclays subsidized Fitbit devices to 75,000 employees in the U.S and U.K as part of its Global Wellness Program in 2015, in order to offer a better balance between work and life for their busy employees. Companies like Barclays understand the benefits of a healthy working environment, and continue to promote different corporate wellness initiatives to keep their employees happy, healthy and efficient. 2. Gamification programs The term ‘gamification’ revolves around the premise of a reward system through some sort of game, and it has become prevalent in the world of employer branding due to the ways in which it motivates and engages employees in exciting ways that develop their skills, and ultimately help them achieve their goals. Forbes report that organizations such as the Marriott and Deloitte use gamification programs to recruit, develop and motivate employees with specifically designed games that help them understand the role they are undertaking.   There also many health-focused gamification programs out there you can adopt such as Walkingspree, an award winning online corporate walking program that features virtual walks, challenges and competitions, or WeFitter, a mobile app that gives your employees points for any exercise they do in a manner that is designed to promote healthy competition between them. What ever method you decide to undertake, gamification programs are a great way of challenging your employees in a healthy and engaging manner. 3. Mobile Apps Nowadays there’s an app for everything, and thats especially true to health and lifestyle-based apps. They are accessible at just the click of a button, and you should be ensuring that your employees understand what tools are out there. Headspace, for instance, is a popular meditation program that promotes various mindfulness and mental health techniques, with giants such as Google and Linkedin known to be subsidizing subscriptions for all their employees. Helping your employees keep a stable and positive state of mind is a no-brainer when it comes to their productivity. Another important factor is sleep, and the effects of poor sleep are seriously damaging to the wellbeing of your workplace. A simple way to combat this is to promote sleep apps such as Clock and Sleep Genius, applications that are designed to help people monitor their sleeping patterns, as well as help them sleep with specially designed music. Lucy Tallick, Head of Wellbeing  at Reward Gateway, says: Corporate wellness is a hot topic and one that so many of our clients are focusing on. But there is no doubt it’s not easy! It can’t be treated as a band aid or a tick box solution. Preventable wellness strategies are all about helping employees to improve their lifestyle, change habits and make healthier choices. Unfortunately, this cannot be achieved in a simple fitness app or one-size-fits-all wellness solution. There are lots of fantastic tech initiatives to choose from but these alone are not going to move the dial on corporate wellness. The best tech initiatives that support a wellbeing strategy are those that the individual employee can tailor to their own needs, for example there are a number of mindfulness initiatives that the employee can personalise to their own needs, nutritional and exercise support and education that brings all levels of support into one place to cater for you whatever your choice. This way an employee can choose their own personal route to wellness. Maren Hogan, CEO and Founder of Red Branch Media, says: At Red Branch Media, were pretty small. That means our steps toward corporate wellness are pretty incremental. But we realize how important it is to have happy, healthy employees. So we have lots of opportunities for our employees to move around, the most consistent being our daily walks. Its about 20-30 minutes where the employees gets outside and walk around the neighborhood. Part of this is because getting outside is amazing for creativity but another part is just the movement of it all. We also have a bike desk that people take turns on. As weve experimented with it, we realize that repetitive tasks (editing, filling social queues, invoicing) are the best tasks for something like this. Additional, we have balance boards, stair steppers that go under the desk, a pool and ping-pong table and even a small trampoline, which is probably some sort of insurance risk. This all adds up to a company that believes in movement and wellness from the get-go. I hope we can keep it up as we grow. Of course how much time and effort your employees put into maintaining their health and fitness is totally up to them.  Although we highly reccomend that as an employer you embrace trends like the ones we have listed because it tells  your employees that they can not only thrive professionally, but also physically and mentally while at work.

How To Get A Job As A Stay At Home Mom

How To Get A Job As A Stay At Home MomWith the unemployment rate at an all time high, the chances of you getting a new job have become pretty much improbable but stay at home moms have a lot to gain from this situation. There are now many more jobs available for stay at home moms than there used to be. Women who have been out of the workforce for years can expect to see an increase in their salaries if they start working for themselves. Getting a job as a stay at home mom is actually quite easy and affordable.Many people think that the best place to start looking for a job is on the Internet. This may be a good idea for many, but don't try to get your resume posted on job portals. Remember, you need to build a solid network of contacts to reach out to. You may find that one particular networking event will produce an incredible network for you that can provide you with a great opportunity.One way to make sure that you will receive the calls and messages that you need to ask for emplo yment is to sign up with one of the many networking websites on the Internet. These services allow you to post your own job listings on your behalf, in turn, employers will contact you. These networking sites can help you make the most of your time.Even if you can't get job openings posted for you, there are still a lot of ways that you can get that network. Join organizations that help others. When someone becomes unemployed, they can join a group that has a group of like-minded individuals to assist them. Having a support group will provide you with the understanding that others are in the same position as you.If you have children, you may want to find out where they are and what the weather is like so that you can apply for jobs that pay well at the local community center or church. It is possible that the very special people who work at these centers will be able to benefit from you as a fellow volunteer and provide you with a valuable source of information that you can use when you get a job.While all of these ways to get a job should be considered, remember that if you get a job through a networking organization, you must also provide information about yourself. The company may not have the best interests of the public in mind, but if they do hire you, they want to know that you are legitimate and they don't want to be fooled.What's next? Try joining a local group in your area that helps mothers that are unemployed find work. A lot of the time, these jobs are only offered on a part-time basis, but it is very beneficial for a stay at home mom to be able to keep a steady income.Also, you may want to consider going to job fairs. While these events may not always be available to women who need help finding a job, they may be there when you do. You will have access to many opportunities, and you may be able to meet some of the people who will ultimately help you with your new career.

Be Your Own Boss - But Be a Good One - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Be Your Own Boss - But Be a Good One - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career If you’re at the point in your career where you decide, “I don’t want to work for someone else anymore. I want to do my own thing, start my own business, be the bossâ€"the CEO.” Good for you. You know what you want. But, a wish is nothing; action is everything. Venture capitalists tell me that they see, on average, 1,000 business plans a year and invest in only 8. The 8 are chosen as much for the idea as the CEO and his or her leadership skills. So whatever job or role or level you are, start today to develop the leadership and generalist skills required in a CEO. Although it takes specialist skill/knowledge to get to the top, once there you have to be the generalist running the whole show. So what are those generalist leadership skills that venture capitalists look for? You: -Know a niche where you can produce stellar results. -Will take the initiative to do whatever it takes (that’s legal, morale, and ethical!) -Never think you are smart enough or know enough. You crave more information from everyone and anything and soak it up like a sponge. -Have a fire in the belly to sustain you through rejections and setbacks and mistakes â€" because there will be many. -Think, act and look confident so that people will follow you. You believe in yourself but back it up with preparation and homework. -Are utterly trustworthy. (If you don’t have this, you have nothing.) -Listen more than you talk but when you do talk, be clear, concise, and contribute something of value. -Are decisive and fearless to address tough issues. You don’t hesitate to strike out and do what needs to be done. -Don’t spend/waste time on the wrong issues. -Seek candid feedback early and often and then do something about it. -Cause people to want to be around you by doing all of the above; follow you when they don’t need to. -Develop people around you. (You can’t move on to bigger things if you don’t have a backfill.) -Are willing to be a tireless cheerleader and coach 24/7. (Remember the first rule of starting your own enterprise: You are in sales.) -Keep your personal life in check â€" it’s what matters at the end of the work day. Before you become CEO of an organization be sure you are CEO of your Life. Do not let anyone else be in charge of your development; you are in charge. What’s cool is that you can home school yourself on being a leader instead of waiting for any big organization’s institutional rigor to click in. In fact, you can’t wait. Starting today, take on your own authority to think and act like the owner, the top boss, the CEO; do it regardless of your current job and title. Prepare before you leap, but then have the guts to actually leap. Do it for yourself, your family, your career, your future, your organization, your team, your life, and your legacy. You will work harder than you ever have in your life and it will be worth it.

A Look At The TV Industry And Becoming a TV Presenter

A Look At The TV Industry And Becoming a TV Presenter The following is a guest post by Ayala.  Her bio follows. I am a TV Presenter on a live music TV show called The Ayala Show that showcases live music and new music.   I also co-produce the show, and co-own and manage the TV Production Company, Mind Motion Media that makes it.   Before any of that happened I was and still am a songwriter and recording artist myself.   I write, perform and release music and I am passionate about the music industry, and about supporting new music and promoting live music on Television. This is the angle by which I became a presenter myself.   I am about to give you my thoughts / advice on getting into the industry and becoming a TV Presenter.   I will also say though, that as far as I can figure out, there is no strict formula in the same way as there can be in other industries (ie if you want to be a doctor, you simply study, pass your exams and you will become one).  Personally, I came into TV presenting through my love of my subject (music) as I said, and I think this is not an uncommon tale, so read the below but also keep an open mind and an eye out for the unexpected on your own journey to your dream job!     Firstly, we should all be passionate about what we do. I think it’s so important to be your true self in whatever job you do, the things you love doing are nearly always the things you are the best at. If you are sure that you are passionate about Presenting, ask yourself what it is that you love about the idea of the job, and what are the other things in life that you care about on a wider scale in life because these are also important to inform what kind of presenting/TV you should look for.   You need to really love people and find them fascinating if you want to be a presenter, but it’s also good to be informed and to know what you care about in the bigger picture.   David Attenborough, one of the most famous successful wildlife presenters of all time, studied Biological Sciences at university and became a Zoologist before he was qualified and able (and perhaps before he even thought) to present Nature programs.   His passion and knowledge combined with that voice and charisma is what makes the magic of his programs last.   If he was not passionate and knowledgeable about his subject, you can guarantee he would not have had the same success as a presenter. Can you imagine Top Gear’s if Jeremy Clarkson hadn’t cared for or had a deep knowledge of cars as well as that persona!   In my case, as a musician, it makes sense that I’m presenting a music show.   Do you love politics, current affairs, working with children or adults etc. etc..   Think about what your ‘USP’s (unique selling points) are.   Combine your character strengths with the things you care about and your natural style of communicating and you should find some ‘USP’s in there. We all have something to offer this world.   Think about who your target audience would be. Think about what kind of a show would you like to see on TV that is currently not there?   Do your research and find out what other programmes presenters there are about that would be comparable to where you see yourself fitting,  take inspiration and write down specific things you like about presenters, styles of presenting, subjects and ideas for shows etc. Always feed your inspiration regularly to stay passionate and informed.   If you definitely want to go into Television, learn how the industry works.   I’ve had a very steep learning curve, and I wish I’d had a chance to study the ins and outs of making television from every perspective the way I studied the music industry before I went into it.   If this means university (even a second course or degree!), and if you have the time and funds then go for it! You could find yourself meeting great future contacts on good media courses.   Be prepared to ‘pay your dues’ and work your way up.   This is an important point.   Don’t be afraid to work as a runner or any other more basic jobs for any TV Production companies, even if you need to work for free.   This way you can get into the TV world, and learn by seeing first hand how TV shows work in real life.   You can build relationships this way too. You might actually find it easier to find out about opportunities from the inside too if you take a job on a lower rung of the ladder but in the right area to begin with.   Put together a show reel   that demonstrates how you see your strong points, your particular unique selling points, charisma and your passion/s.   This will probably mean either roping some talented camera operator friends in to help / using equipment available at university if that’s where you are, or saving up and hiring these things/ people to help you. This process can be very inexpensive with modern technology at our fingertips with editing software readily available on our laptops etc.- depending on your vision of course.   Never let lack of funds stand in the way of achieving your dreams. Where there is a will, there is ALWAYS a way. If all else fails, even phones these days can make good movies!   Then you can start showing this around or sending it around if you hear of job opportunities. I do believe that if you are a nice person to work with, you are prepared, dedicated, hard working, passionate and confident and you put yourself out there; then one way or another your dream job will eventually come to you!   Lastly, Never. Give. Up.  J Ayala Paying her dues by performing internationally and at many private events, including being hand picked by no less than Sir Paul McCartney to perform for and share the stage with at his own private party a few years ago, Ayala also has her  own live music TV show on SKY 191  and focuses on life as an artist, presenter and songwriter.   Website:  www.musicofayala.com  Facebook:  www.facebook.com/musicofayala  Twitter:  www.twitter.com/musicofayala  Instagram:  www.instagram.com/musicofayala  Soundcloud:  www.soundcloud.com/musicofayala . Image credits. Passion.  Production.

How Resume Writing Webinars Can Benefit You

How Resume Writing Webinars Can Benefit YouMany companies and people use resume writing webinars to help prepare for interviews or to hone the professional skills they hope to display. They are a time tested way to gain some of the knowledge and experience necessary to prove that you can contribute to a company's success, and in turn gain employment.Resume writing webinars give your skills and abilities an insight that is limited by your own imagination. You are able to see things your self you may have never noticed before. People who attend these training sessions are able to learn about the company's culture, its goals, and the type of person that should be hired. This in turn gives them the tools they need to demonstrate their knowledge and ability, especially if they are applying for a position as a sales representative or when interviewing for a job.The training sessions also give people a chance to network with their peers in other locations that take place during the webinars . It allows them to meet others who have similar goals, ambitions, and dreams as they do. Once you are able to get to know people from different locations and regions, you are more likely to work with them when you meet again.Some of the topics to be covered during resume writing webinars include: becoming an agent, selling yourself and trying out your pitches, or even talking about projects in which you have had previous experience. These are all areas that will help you demonstrate that you are ready to apply for any position. If you are already working at a company or in a career-related field, this will help you stand out and show that you are qualified for the position you want.While resume writing webinars are good for gaining experience, you will find that it is equally beneficial when it comes to presenting yourself to potential employers. Many times, people simply get through a few experiences without letting their opinions and creativity shine through. However, taking the time to attend a couple of these events each year will show you that you have valuable skills. You can then use these skills to win that job you've been searching for, without having to over promise or under deliver.There are various training options available, which include; learn how to write a cover letter and showcase a solid cover letter, learn how to write a resume and showcase your skills and credentials, and learn how to write a cover letter for a job interview. Also, there are resume writing tutorials on how to make a cover letter that is effective and impressive. Learn how to impress an employer by helping them see that you are knowledgeable and prepared for the job you are applying for.Resume writing webinars are a great way to show that you have the skills needed to apply for a job. What is also great about these training sessions is that they are both informative and fun, allowing you to interact with others who have the same goals as you. This makes for an overall grea t experience that will benefit you well into your job search.There are numerous websites that offer these training events, which can be found online. The best one is to research the most popular ones that exist. They should offer a large variety of training options, giving you the time you need to customize the course for yourself.

Not Getting the Attention You Want

Not Getting the Attention You Want Are you sick and tired of your resume falling into a deep dark black hole?   Do you regularly say, I dont know people in my target companies?   Well, lets do something different! Become a Stalker Stalking, in the best sense of the word, means (according to dictionary.com) a person who pursues game, prey, or a person stealthily Now, theres nothing really all that bad about this. Here are 4 ways to pursue your targets Follow the Company on LinkedIn Simple.   Just find the company on LinkedIn and click on the follow button!   Now you will be notified when there are changes to their company profile.   While you are there, you may want to see if there are any employees you know and could invite to join your network on LinkedIn (even second degree connections). And dont forget to check out the stats on employees while youre there too! Follow on Twitter Most likely, the company will have a Twitter account.   Follow the company, but dont stop there.   Look into the profiles of the people who work there and see if they have a Twitter account.   You can follow them if you have a Twitter account too!   (If they dont have a Twitter account, do they have a personal website?   Read and follow them there). Search results on Twellow: Only 15 people mentioned this company name in their profile info.   Yes, there is some garbage, but read each bio carefully.   Even ex-employees make great folks to follow on Twitter! As you stalk these people: Observe and learn. Carefully watch what they are saying and doing. Retweet tweets that are relevant to you, such as news, trends in the market, etc. Add to or comment on a Tweet. Slow and steady wins the race, dont pepper them with Tweets.   Build a relationship. Follow on Facebook If the company has a page on Facebook, by all means Like it!   Monitor whats being said. Post updates or comment on updates, but not about your job search, OK.   You are building relationships. Find something in common or some bit of information that is relevant! Follow on Google+ Companies and Brands are now creating pages on Google+.   See if the company has a page.   If not, because it is still so newsee if there are employees using Google+. When you search Google+ for the company name, make sure you select the people and pages tab to pull from their profile information.   Add the appropriate (authentic) pages to your circle.   You may want to name your circle with the company name.   Ive only shown you some of the many many profiles that appear in this search.   Bingo! PS: You can use the Sparks tab to follow all the search results for this companys name on the web! As on Twitter, stalk these people strategically: Observe and learn. Carefully watch what they are saying and doing. Share posts that are relevant to you, such as news, trends in the market, etc. Add to or comment to a post. Slow and steady wins the race, dont be overly active.   Build a relationship. This is just the beginning.   As you do this with more companies and on new platforms, you will learn how to build relationships and get some attention to separate you from the masses!

Free Teleseminar on Resume Writing-February 4, 2009

Free Teleseminar on Resume Writing-February 4, 2009 Youve heard it beforeMost hiring managers spend less than 30 seconds looking at a candidates resume. How can you ensure that your resume passes the hiring authoritys initial screening and gets put in the yes pile? Find out on February 4, 2009 during my free teleseminar, Resumes That Pass the Hiring Managers 30 Second Test hosted by  Liz Lynch, author of Smart Networking.  I will be sharing tips from my book,  Happy About My Resume: 50 Tips for Building a Better Future to Secure a Brighter Future.  During this one hour presentation attendees will learn:Methods for incorporating on-message keywords into the resume.Exciting and compelling strategies for highlighting your core brand.How to write accomplishment-driven, powerful content that gets noticed by hiring managers.Tips for leveraging the resume content to carve out your professional brand and networking strategy.  Attendees will also be eligible to receive additional free job search resources that will be announced following the t eleseminar. Cant make it? Sign up and receive the free mp3 recording. Interested? You can  register here.