5 Mistakes to AVOID when Implementing Internal Collaboration Tool - Workology

5 Mistakes to AVOID when Implementing Internal Collaboration Tool - Workology Pitfalls of An  Employee Collaboration Tool Pitfalls of An  Employee Collaboration Tool The workplace is evolving to embrace social media.   A recent study of U.S. based employers by Gagen MacDonald revealed that companies are leveraging internal social media (ISM) to communicate and drive business. Employees reported: 58% would prefer to work at a company that uses ISM 86% would refer others for employment 61% feel it is easier to collaborate 60% are likely to feel their company is innovative Building and sustaining a collaborative, connected environment, requires behavioral changes, as well as technology updates.   It’s a paradigm shift from a “command and control” to an “open and transparent” environment. It’s a culture where employees are incentivized for sharing information as well as individual contributions.   Information is shared horizontally instead of vertically and the wisdom of the organization resolves issues and produces solutions! Companies realize that they need to provide tools that support internal collaboration and connect people across functions.   Interdepartmental engagement on ideas and projects leverages the power of the company and produces financial growth.  Sound simple?   NOT!   Here are a few mistakes to avoid-Lack of executive sponsorship.   Managers on multiple levels need to be involved for the transition to be successful, but the change needs to be championed by a senior executive(s). The Tipping Point and the Impact of Reverse Mentoring Program Topics Lack of Executive Sponsorship.  At The Hartford, we had a ground swell of support of social media, but struggled to hit the “tipping point.” In response, we launched a Reverse Mentor program.   In pairing our tech savvy, younger career professionals with senior executives, we were able to cross-pollinate skills.   Using internal social media and emerging technologies, combined with seasoned business experience, The Hartford gained a much needed boost in brand development.   We piloted the program with our senior executive leadership team (CEO, CFO, Chief Risk Officer, etc.) and were able to quickly establish the value of these tools AND garnered multiple executive champions. Absence of Change Management.   The biggest impediment to adopting social media is systemic resistance to sharing information and change. Implementing the technology without thinking through the shift in culture will result in frustration and numerous false starts.   It’s imperative to create the awareness and desire to change and then promote/reinforce it through multiple channels. Gaps in policies. Review your Electronic Communications, Social Media and other related policies to ensure that the rules and guidelines on the use of internal and external social media are clearly defined.   Our guiding principles:  Be professional use common sense, and be respectful of others. (Check out this series on social media workplace policies) Lack of business objectives.   Define business objectives and engage highly connected groups that can socialize your platform and deliver quick, visible wins.  Directing vs. listening. Collaboration is fluid, and you need to seek continuous feedback and be actively LISTENING!   After launching weConnect, The Hartford’s professional and social network, many of the ideas came from our users.   We incorporated their ideas, AND invited them to join our team! Employee Collaboration Tools Drive Engagement Inspire Your Workforce The shift to social business includes technology AND a paradigm shift in the way you share information and connect as an organization. You’ll need to prepare for the long haul.   These concepts/tools are “sexy” but will require significant effort to build engagement and maintain momentum. Bottom line: I encourage you to be BOLD when it comes to implementing an employee collaboration tool!   Result?   People, your workforce, customers, and colleagues will be inspired by you… and you will be inspired by their creativity and results. PS- I am thrilled to be presenting with colleagues at the upcoming E2.0 conference in Boston on Organization Operational Readiness.  Come join us! Lisa Bonner is the Assistant Vice President of Contemporary Work Practices at The Hartford.   She is the proud mother of very active 14 year-old twin boys and resides in Suffield, Connecticut. Connect with her on  LinkedIn.  The opinions expressed are personal and not related to The Hartford.

Are You Over-Preparing For Your Interview

Are You Over-Preparing For Your Interview Are You Over-Preparing For Your Interview At the point when these sound meeting tips are taken excessively far, your odds of landing the position suffer.The prospective employee meeting is your opportunity to be simply the absolute best form. This implies heaps of arrangement, considering inquiries questions and replies, looking into the organization, and getting however much exhortation as could reasonably be expected. While there is a lot of solid counsel out there that can help you along during the procedure, there is terrible guidance, as well. As you acquire understanding, you can figure out how to remove the great from the bad.These suggestions appear to be benevolent and beneficial, however can undoubtedly be taken too far.Do your exploration on the organization before the interview.This counsel is a twofold edged blade. Truly, you ought to explore what precisely the position you're meeting for is, the thing that the organization is searching for, what the organization does, and the general objectives of the organizat ion. The greater part of this can be found on the about page of the organization's site and part of the expected set of responsibilities. What you would prefer not to do is over-research. Truly, that is conceivable. On the off chance that you attempt to peruse each and every insight concerning the organization you will just prevail with regards to overpowering yourself. In case you're overpowered, you will be focused on, which will appear during the meeting and hurt your odds at handling the job.Talk about salary.There's recommendation out there that supporters discussing the compensation in advance and offering your readiness to arrange. There are proposals that you are bound to land the position on the off chance that you demonstrate you don't should be paid as much as different applicants. This ought to never be finished during the main meeting, except if started by the questioner. Raising pay shows unprofessionalism, just as an arrogance that can dismiss bosses from you. The que stioner may not be thinking about you for the position yet-why hop the weapon in getting some information about how you will be compensated?Just relax.While you would prefer not to be totally worried during a meeting (this will appear), you likewise would prefer not to be totally quiet and cheerful. On the off chance that you are excessively loose during a meeting, you may fall off to the questioner as reserved or presumptuous. You may emit the feeling that you aren't stressed over getting the position, trust you are superior to different applicants, unreasonably useful for the organization, and so forth. Rather than being totally loose, put forth sure you are placing attempt into indicating your certifiable enthusiasm for the organization and position.Dress for the activity you want.This could be useful if the activity you need is the specific one you are applying for, yet that is not generally the situation. You ought to consistently coordinate your clothing to the organization an d position you are meeting for. In the event that you are meeting for a development work, you shouldn't appear in formal attire a pleasant pair of slacks and a button up shirt will do. Over-dressing and under-dressing can seriously restrict your odds of finding the activity. It shows that you aren't proficient, however that you likewise probably won't fit in well with the company.Be yourself.While you ought to never lie on your resume or during a meeting, you additionally need to introduce the best form of yourself as could reasonably be expected. On the off chance that this is a client care work, you need to introduce yourself as friendly and accommodating, regardless of whether you are regularly a withdrawn individual. You need to show that you will have the option to fit in with the organization and with the individuals that work there. On the off chance that you are going after an administration job, it assists with being decisive and pose inquiries during the inquiries addresse s that you've thought of and drilled in front of time.Get there early.Yes, you need to get to your meeting around 5 to 10 minutes ahead of schedule, yet showing up sooner than expected can hurt your odds at the specific employment the same amount of as showing up later than expected. This could be for an assortment of reasons. For one, it might show that you don't have anything else essential to do with your time. While you may not, this isn't something to tell the questioner. It might show that you can't follow headings well indeed or overlooked the genuine time of the meeting. In the event that you arrive too soon, staff might be irritated with feeling like they need to engage you, bring you rewards, or discussion about the company.Just make up your experience/references/skills.A parcel of individuals imagine that on the off chance that they can simply land the position, they will have the option to get familiar with the aptitudes important to carry out the responsibility well. Wh ile this might be valid, lying or creating experience won't go anyplace. In all likelihood, the questioner will get some answers concerning this when they ask you inquiries that you can't reply. Not exclusively will this cost you the position you are applying for, it might likewise cost you any up and coming situation at the organization. On the off chance that this is a very close industry, these recruiting directors may know others at applicable organizations. Before you know it, your name could be on the no-employ list at various companies.Explain why you lost your employment or are jobless.You ought to consistently give an exceptionally speedy clarification that places your joblessness in a positive light. Be that as it may, you ought not wait regarding the matter for a really long time or over-clarify. Odds are, you will say something that will be off-putting to the questioner. You may raise your complaints with your past chief, which is no-no. You may speak seriously about col laborators, which may lead the questioner to trust you don't cooperate with other people. Keep your answer short and compact, at that point control the meeting toward another path.

How to Determine Ordinary Necessary Business Expenses

Instructions to Determine Ordinary Necessary Business Expenses Instructions to Determine Ordinary Necessary Business Expenses The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) doesn't clarify charge deductible costs of doing business in simple terms. In any case, it despite everything is the best spot to discover exhaustive expense data. All things considered, the IRS composes charge distributions, makes tax documents, and implements charge laws. In any case, the IRS composes with the presumption that individuals perusing their data as of now have an essential comprehension of assessment terms. On account of normal and fundamental costs of doing business, the IRS definitions are somewhat cloudy. What Are Business Expenses? Operational expense are costs related with maintaining a current business. The expenses related with firing up a business are deducted as capital costs. Many operational expense are charge deductible in the event that you are working your business for a benefit. Operational expense do exclude capital costs, individual costs, or costs used to compute the expense of products sold. These costs are recorded independently on your expenses. Costs for business utilization of your house are shared expenses (i.e., protection, home loan or lease, and service bills) since costs advantage both the business and the property holder. These expenses are viewed as business expenses but are recorded independently from different costs of doing business, on IRS Schedule C (Form 1040): Profit or Loss from Business. By Definition, Business Expenses Must Be Ordinary and Necessary To be deductible as a cost of doing business, the cost must be both standard and vital. Common and essential costs, as characterized beneath, must likewise be sensible, or the IRS may forbid the cost: Normal Expenses: Expenses that are usually utilized and acknowledged by general industry measures. This implies costs that are regular in your exchange or business that are expected to maintain your business. Normal costs should likewise be vital so as to deduct them from your business taxes.Necessary Expenses: Expenses that are useful and proper in maintaining your exchange or business. Fundamental costs are not charge deductible except if they are likewise normal costs. A case of a sensible standard and fundamental operational expense is costs related with conveying bulletins, occasion cards, or other limited time writing that are appropriated to advance client relations or create new business. A case of an absurd operational expense is paying an enormous entirety for architect window ornaments for your home office. This cost would not be viewed as normal or important. Instructions to Determine if a Business Expense Is Ordinary and Necessary On the off chance that you are not sure if a cost is customary and fundamental, pose two inquiries: Does the cost straightforwardly relate to maintaining the business? On the off chance that the cost is for individual advantage basically to make your activity simpler or increasingly agreeable (i.e., you do a great deal of driving, so you buy a seat pad for your vehicle), it isn't deductible.Can the cost be deducted under cost of products sold or capital costs? If along these lines, you can't deduct the thing as a conventional and important operational expense. It is imperative to spare receipts for each cost you deduct on your charges, including contract, lease, protection, service bills, and compulsory property holder's affiliation levy. (Note that discretionary contribution, for example, club or pool participations, are not deductible since they are not obligatory to living and working in the home.) Review Alert Note: Home-based organizations that report costs for business utilization of a house are bound to be examined by the IRS than other comparative organizations. Source: Department of the Treasury; Internal Revenue Service. Operational expense. April 5, 2008

Letter of Resignation Template

Letter of Resignation Template Best Letter of Resignation Template The letter of resignation template can be used to format your own proper resignation letter. Know what to include in your letter and how to leave your job in a professional and positive way. Whatever your reason for leaving, your resignation letter should not state anything negative about the company. Exiting your job on the right note ensures that you can rely on a positive employment reference from the company and your reputation as a good employee remains intact. Adapt this template for your own purposes. Polite Letter of Resignation Template Your NameYour Street AddressCity, State, Zip CodeDateRecipient NameJob TitleCompany NameCompany Street AddressCompany City, State, Zip CodeDear Mr/Mrs/Ms Last NameThis letter is to notify you that I am resigning my position as Job Title with Company Name effective Full Date. In accordance with my contract of employment my last day of employment will be on Full Date. I have enjoyed my time here very much and I want to thank you and the department for the encouragement and support I have received. It is largely due to the excellent experience I gained working for this company that I am now able to pursue a new career opportunity. Please know that I am available to help in any way that will make my departure as smooth as possible for the company. I want to wish everyone the best of luck and success for the future.Sincerely,Your SignatureYour Full NameYour email address Best Resignation Letter Phrases Writing a letter of resignation can be tough. You can customize the letter of resignation template by using any of these key phrases in you resignation letter. The time spent at XYZ Company has been both professionally and personally rewarding.I sincerely appreciate the support and guidance I have received.I have thoroughly enjoyed the work environment and appreciate the opportunities the company has given me.It is with sadness that I leave XYZ Company and the wonderful team I have worked with.After much consideration I have decided to move into a new job that supports my future career goals.This has been a difficult decision but I have accepted a job which will further advance my career.I have been offered a new challenge and after much deliberation I have accepted. I will do all I can during my notice period to make my departure as easy as possible for the company.Please be assured that I will put all my efforts into the smooth transfer of my responsibilities before leaving.I regret any inconvenience my resignation may cause and I plan to do all I can to help with the transfer of my duties. Resignation Letter Tips Make sure you have addressed the letter to the right person. Ask Human Resources if you are not sure who this is. Get the correct spelling of the person's name and job title. Ensure you have provided the correct notice period as stated in your employment contract.Do not use your resignation letter as an opportunity to tell the employer what you would change about the company. It is better to leave on a positive and friendly note. Your resignation letter will be kept on file and is likely to be referred to when your ex-employer is contacted for a reference. Find out more about requesting job references here.Use the essential resignation checklist to make sure you exit the company with everything in order. Sample Resignation Letters for Every Situation Looking for a resignation letter sample to help you complete the letter of resignation template? These free resignation letters can be personalized for your own use.