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Small actions, taken consistently, can move mountains

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When Rosa Parks decided she wasn’t going to give up her bus seat, she may not have had in mind kicking off a movement that would change life in America.

Herman Melville, writing the sentence “Call me Ishmael,” probably didn’t sit down to write “the novel of the century.”

Mother Teresa simply decided to care for one person at a time. She had no thought of becoming beatified by the Catholic Church.

We all have to find our own first small action.

One organization that is truly living this credo is Milaap. It’s a crowdlending platform that has raised more than $1.5 million, with a 98.48% repayment rate. They are celebrating their fourth anniversary with a 24-hour online conversation about sustainable giving.

Members of the site choose a project/borrower to support, and how much they wish to lend, and Milaap gives 100% of your loan funds to the borrower.

You then receive updates on the project via email, and get repaid. The funds can be reinvested in another micro-loan if you wish.

The concept is so simple. With each small loan, lives are changed. With each changed life comes promise and possibility for everyone touched by that life.

Reading through the available campaigns to support, you see families who can use a $100 loan to buy chickens to expand their chicken coops, to help abused women start their own businesses, or bring potable water to underserved areas. Each of these project groups are taking a single small action to improve their lives. The ripple effects over time will be enormous.

Maybe today you’re reading this post with a mountain sitting in front of you.

Is it a physical disability?
A financial hardship?
Do you have an enormous challenge at work?
A burning idea for a new business?

Whatever the mountain is, you can find a first step. Even if you’re moving it with teaspoons, you can make progress right now in this moment.

Maybe you can be inspired by Milaap and gather supporters to help you carry teaspoons.

Molly’s lovely post from this past Monday reminded us that we can’t do it alone. That’s even more true when the mountain looms large.

If you’d like to learn more about Milaap and the work they’re doing, visit their site at Milaap.org.

If you’d like to get help and support from your fellow teaspoon carriers, let us know in the comments. Let’s take the first action together.

Milaap infographic
Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for social strata — a top ten company to work for on the Internet . Check out the Social Strata blog. You can find Rosemary on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee

The Formula for Better Business Productivity

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asuccesssFor your business to truly prosper and ultimately achieve its goals, you must look for ways to increase productivity or, simply put, find ways to get more done without sharply increasing your expenses.

Before exploring measures you can take to boost productivity in your workplace, it may be helpful to look at some of the things workers consider major obstacles to achieving optimal productivity.

Workplace Productivity Survey

Harris Interactive, a market research firm best known for its Harris Poll, in late March 2013 conducted a survey of just more than 2,000 professionals to get their views on productivity. The survey, commissioned by Ask.com, was designed to gather input on the factors that both hinder and maximize productivity in the workplace.

Reporting on the survey’s results in “Forbes,” Jacquelyn Smith said more than 60 percent of respondents cited noisy co-workers as a major productivity killer.

Somewhat surprisingly, 63 percent of those surveyed said they feel they can be more productive in a quiet personal workspace in the office than if they were working from home. The emphasis here is on quiet and personal.

Cubicles Rejected

More than a quarter of the survey’s respondents said they believed they could be most productive in an open office setting as opposed to a cube farm or a workplace that consists of separate offices.

The opposition to cubicles came as no surprise to Lisa Ross, vice president of human resources at Ask.com.

In the interview with “Forbes,” she said cubicles “are great for maximizing office space, but cubes are not known for being particularly exciting or inspiring. Your personal workspace is where you spend the bulk of your time, and I think office workers in general are hungry for something different.”

Impromptu Meetings

Another widely cited productivity killer is the impromptu meeting that occurs when co-workers drop in at another employee’s workspace.

Although these so-called meetings may begin with a work-related matter, they all too often devolve into conversations about issues that are totally unrelated to business. Nearly half of all survey respondents said they prefer to hash out work-related questions via email, instant messaging, or by telephone.

Other obstacles to productivity cited by survey respondents include group projects and sitting next to a supervisor.

Eliminate Productivity Killers

Hopefully, you can realize some productivity gains by eliminating some of these productivity killers in your workplace.

To do even more, here are six ways to take your office productivity into the next generation:

Five of these suggestions for increasing productivity come from Odessa Hopkins, owner of a marketing and advertising consultancy in Greenbelt, Maryland.

She shared her tips with writer Kelly K. Spors, who summed them up in an article for Entrepreneur.com.

Prioritize To-Do Lists

1. Prioritize projects based on their revenue-generating potential. It’s also helpful to take complex projects and break them into more manageable segments and attach a deadline to each.

2. Delegate or outsource tasks that don’t generate revenue. As a business owner, you may be tempted to try to juggle such essential tasks as bookkeeping, copywriting, and payroll, even though you may not be fully qualified to handle these responsibilities. This creates a time-consuming distraction from the all-important task of making money, which should be your top priority.

Don’t Over Check Email

3. Don’t interrupt your workflow by constantly checking your email inbox. Set your email server to retrieve messages only manually or at less frequent intervals — such as every 90 minutes. Respond immediately to email messages that require only a simple reply so that you don’t end up reviewing the same message two or more times.

4. Maximize your use of technology shortcuts. The inexorable advance of technology means that new tools become available every day that can streamline office and other workplace procedures significantly. Try to stay abreast of such new technology and the time savings it offers.

Train Employees Well

5. Train your employees well. While it may take a bit more time during the employee orientation process, it will save a great deal of time in the long run. Make sure your employees fully understand the jobs they are to perform and all the individual tasks involved. Otherwise, you and other workplace supervisors will be constantly interrupted by questions from employees who are unsure of themselves and how to proceed with various tasks.

Our sixth suggestion comes from an article posted at NevadaSmallBusiness.com and focuses on the importance of keeping your employees healthy.

6. Move proactively to increase workplace health. This might include the establishment of programs to help employees quit unhealthy habits, such as smoking, or the replacement of high-fat, high-sodium vending machine options with healthier choices. As a business owner, you can also encourage exercise programs and make sure that employees have adequate protection against workplace safety hazards. Cutting down on absenteeism due to illness or injury is a sure way to keep productivity at high levels.

Photo credit: newlifeoffice.com

About the Author: Don Amerman is a freelance author who writes extensively about a wide array of business and personal finance topics.

 

5 Reasons Temp Employees Will Replace One of Your Workers

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It is true that people seek temporary employment mainly to earn some income, but some temp employees may also hope that their temporary jobs may lead to permanent employment.

A permanent job is desirable to temps, because it gives them a steady flow of income, a sense of security and an opportunity to develop a certain set of skills.

So, when your small business is hiring temp employees, you should also be open to the possibility that they may one day work for you on a permanent basis.

Here are 5 reasons why temp employees may replace your current employees:

Eligibility
Many people were laid off during the recent economic crisis, and some of them have extensive work experience and strong academic backgrounds. As such, you should not be surprised that some of the temp employees you hire may be more qualified and skilled in handling certain duties than some of your current employees. These temps can be a valuable asset to your company.

Performance
The abilities, industriousness and work ethics of temp employees can vary greatly. If you are fortunate, you may get temps who are committed to delivering competent performance. It is a good idea to offer high-performing temps permanent positions if some of your current employees are under-performing.

Motivation
The opportunity to get a permanent job can be a big motivational factor for temp employees. As such, they may be more willing to go the extra mile than your current employees. This can truly make them stand out in the workplace.

Employee Relations
Temp employees are less likely to develop a negative attitude towards their colleagues because they are less exposed to workplace politics. So, they are able to establish amiable relationships with their colleagues, which can contribute to a more harmonious work environment if they become permanent employees.

Safe Hiring Option
Another reason why you may consider replacing your current employees with temp employees is because you already know the work performance of your temps. If you have permanent employees who are underperforming, offering their jobs to your temp employees may be the safest solution.

Should Current Employees Fear that They Will Be Replaced?

Your current employees have a good reason to worry that they will be replaced by temp employees if they are lacking motivation and not performing according to expectations.

As long as they maintain a high level of competence, they will most likely be able to keep their jobs, unless you are planning to reduce your workforce. Temp employees who are really capable and hardworking can be a big threat to your current employees, but in the end, it comes down to who is more valuable to your company.

Whether they are hired on a temporary or permanent basis, all employees are essential to the success of your company.

If you are unsure whether or not to replace a permanent employee with a temp employee, just make a decision based on the best interest of why is small business management important, most notably for your company.

Photo credit: blog.intuit.com

About the author: John McMalcolm is a freelance writer who provides useful information and tips on small business management.

Great Team Ice Breakers To Loosen The Group Up

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By Deb Bixler

Whenever a group of adults come together for the first time, be it work-related or otherwise, the atmosphere can be a little bit uncomfortable.

After all, making friends and getting to know someone is oh so much easier as a kid than it is as an adult.

team meetingAll leaders involved in team meeting planning should consider incorporating ice breakers into every event.

When multiple people are coming together for the first time, you may want to try some team ice breakers.

These activities are great as group team building exercises and really allow people to get to know one another.

#1 – The Team Interview

You’ve all probably done this exercise at some point growing up, most likely at school. Interview is a simple game in which you divide your group into pairs. Each pair is responsible for interviewing each other and reporting their findings to the rest of the group. Encourage the participants to find at least three interesting facts about their partner to share with the group. This is a great way for your group to learn about each individual without the awkwardness of having to talk about yourself in front of a room full of strangers.

#2 – Fact or Fiction?

This is among the most popular team ice breakers out there. Have each person in your group write down two facts about themselves that most people don’t know and an additional fact that isn’t true. The entire group can then go over each list together and try and determine which two facts are true and which is the lie. It is a fun game that really gets people out of their shells.

#3 – My Name Is?

This fun activity is super easy. Have each person go around the room and tell everyone their name. They must also add an adjective starting with the same letter of their name that describes themselves. For example, someone named Joe might go with “Joyful” Joe. For the remainder of your time together that day, each person must refer to each person with their new name.

Getting a group of individuals together for the first time can be hard to do. Most people are very reserved and have their guard up to some extent. These team ice breakers are a great way to make people feel more comfortable in their new environment. It will make your team more productive and easier to work with. Give them a try!

Author’s Bio:
Deb Bixler retired from the corporate world using the proven business systems that made her a success working for others by incorporating them into her home business. In only 9 months Deb replaced her full time income with the sales and commissions from her home party plan business. Find her on Twitter at: http://www.Twitter.com/debbixler

If you want to be happier at work, quit doing these 5 things

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By John Murphy

Forests have been demolished for the paper that has been taken up by books written about things to do to be happy at work, and in you life overall. In my experience, I think it has been an awful waste! I would say that 10% of those books have been great, 50% are pretty ok, and the other 40% absolute rubbish!

However, I have not come across too many that talk about things NOT to do! Maybe it is just me, but I learn best by not just knowing what I should do, but also by what I should not do!

So, in the interests of those like me, here is a list of 5 things to quit doing – and I promise you that not doing these will make you happy!!

1. Being fearful

Fear is something that is so prevalent, but no one wants to talk about it. People fear losing their jobs, not getting their targets, not getting that promotion – and even, people finding out that they are not as good as they think they are.

They are afraid to start that new business, go for that new job, change their career. And what happens? They do nothing!

They do not take that first step today because they are afraid that this is not the right moment, the right time of the year etc.

Now is the right moment – take the first step today!

2. Moaning

Moaning about anything only makes you feel worse – along with those who have to listen to you.

There will always be something that is wrong or not to your satisfaction, but don’t moan – do something to correct it!

Focus on doing whatever it takes to make it right. Also, don’t participate in general moaning – be the one who demands that you all do something about it. Show leadership!

3. Interrupting

Let others speak! Yes, I know you have loads of pearls of wisdom to share with all and sundry, but remember the golden rule – if you want to be listened to, you must first be a good listener.

No one listens to the orator on the orange box! So, practice the art of listening, and then you will become the person whose opinions are valued.

Also, just so we are clear – being silent is not the same as listening! For most, when they are silent they are not listening, just thinking of what they are going to say next!

4. Lecturing

There is nothing worse than being that boring “know it all” who keeps telling others what they should know, and, by definition, what he or she knows!

I have seen it far too often as people progress in their careers they take on the air of the pontificator and the fountain of all knowledge. Very often it is well meaning, but it just doesn’t work – you sound like a bore!

The sad thing? Even when you do have something to contribute, no one notices!

Share knowledge with humility, don’t lecture.

5. Not letting go

Last, but not least, and this one is a biggie. Let’s be honest, this challenges us all! This creates such a bad atmosphere and destroys the culture you want.

We all work in teams, and not letting go destroys any hope of that team growing and flourishing.

We all make mistakes, we all get things wrong – so forgive and move on. If you don’t, you will let this become a cancer in your business – and I don’t say that lightly or glibly.

What would you add to this list?

Author’s Bio: John Murphy a business coach who writes about what makes executives and business owners more productive at www.johnmurphyinternational.com. You can find him on Twitter as @jmicoaching.

How to learn from your mistakes

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Rosemary O’Neill

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What? You’re not perfect? Nah, me neither. But here’s a little secret: it’s what you do after a problem, crisis, or failure that really counts.

As an entrepreneur or small business owner, every day offers new opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen your enterprise. When you take the time to document your learning experiences, you’re getting leverage for the future. I’m the child of an Army officer, so I refer to these as “after-action reports.”

Once you’ve weathered the storm, and the dust settles just a bit (not too much), do the following:

Bring together all of the players
It’s essential to get together in an atmosphere where there’s no blame assigned. It should be in the spirit of doing things better next time.

Figure out whet led up to the crisis and whether it could have been avoided
Was there a broken process that led to the problem? Perhaps you’ll decide that the problem could not have been avoided, and focus on how to respond next time.

Assign someone to document and make recommendations for change
Ask someone on the team to write a summary, and suggest ways it could be done better next time. If you’re a solo entrepreneur, this would be an ideal time to tap into your mastermind resources or your mentor. It’s possible they have already been through a similar situation.

Share the recommendations
Be sure to share the recommended changes with everyone on the team. Sometimes retraining or new training is necessary. Reinforce the training with some roleplaying if it’s helpful.

How do you formalize your “lessons learned?”

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Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for social strata — a top ten company to work for on the Internet . Check out their blog. You can find her on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee
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