working environment

Should You Consider Work Abroad

January 2, 2013 by Donald Turner

It is no secret that the economy in the United States has been lagging quite a bit over the past few years. Job growth, though better than it was in much of 2008 and 2009, is still very anemic. Many people who had six-figure incomes before the latest recession are still struggling to get back on their feet. Those who struggled before the economic downturn are especially vulnerable. What can be done in such a sluggish economy to get ahead? While many people would not consider it an option, working abroad may be just what a person or family needs to get ahead.

The United States Department of State estimates that about 6.3 million American citizens are currently living and working in other countries around the world. The majority of these people live in developed regions like Canada and the Western European nations, but the number of Americans moving to Asia has increased greatly in recent years. And over 160 countries have Americans living among the locals.

Benefits of Working Abroad

One of the major benefits of living abroad is the international experience that ex-pats can bring to an organization. Recent studies have shown that those with international experience are better at solving problems and thinking outside of the box. These attributes are highly sought in many corporate structures. Those who live abroad can also become better managers because of their expanded understanding of how the world works. Expats can cater to those who live in other countries and expand business opportunities within an organization. Promotions are more likely for those who have international experience and show an aptitude for creativity.

Cultural Experiences

Another major benefit of living abroad is the cultural experience that it can provide for individuals or families. Rather than taking a weekend trip to the Fayette County Historical Society, an ex-pat can take his or her children on an excursion to the Louvre. Children who live abroad are more likely to learn about their adopted culture and become useful for global companies in the future. The benefit of working abroad can cross generations in this way.

Learning a New Language

The world is getting smaller because of the internet and the ease of travel. Many organizations have a high demand for [Read more…] about Should You Consider Work Abroad

The True Meaning of Success

April 13, 2012 by Guest Contributor

I’ve always liked this definition of success from Dave Kekich. He wrote, “You’re successful when you like who and what you are.

Success includes achievement…while choosing and directing your own activities. It means enjoying intimate relationships and loving what you do in life.”

Today, Bob Bly gives you his own definition of success and a secret to achieving it. Craig Ballantyne, editor “Early to Rise”

You control your life.

Your success is your responsibility.

If you don’t know what success is, how are you going to get there?

By Bob Bly

A few years ago, I was part of a panel of supposedly successful people speaking to a room packed with about a thousand college seniors.

Our topic: how to be successful.

When it was my turn, I asked the students: “How many of you want to be successful?” Every hand in the room shot up.

I then asked: “Who can tell me what success is?” Not a single hand in the room was raised. “If you don’t know what success is,” I asked the students, “then how are you going to get there?”

This is the dilemma facing many people I meet today. They desperately want to be “successful.” But when you ask them what that would mean, they either can’t give you a definitive answer, or they say it would be becoming a millionaire. They define success by how much money they have because that’s how the world keeps score. But does becoming a millionaire really make you successful? [Read more…] about The True Meaning of Success

Simple Steps to Improving Employee Productivity

April 2, 2012 by Guest Contributor

By Steve Hutton

In the current economic climate it is vital that firms look to their own in-house policies to ensure that efficiency and productivity are maintained to give them the very best chance possible of enduring these uncertain times. One area in which companies can increase productivity is through reducing absenteeism and attrition, whilst also maintaining morale at the highest level possible. As they say “a happy workforce is a productive workforce”. There are a great number of ways that this can be achieved but the one I would like to focus on most is that of the working environment.

Often companies will prioritise the budget they have available to be spent on new systems, training and improving existing policies and procedures at all levels of the business. Whilst I agree that these can have an impact on improving productivity and output within the firm, they can be expensive and often are only be of limited duration. Often, by the very nature of these programs as soon as the projects have been completed, the Human Resources department suggests further programs and the cycle begins again.

The Importance of the Working Environment to Productivity

A more cost-effective method would be to improve the working environment on the company premises. Often simple updates can have a significant impact on morale and productivity. For instance, [Read more…] about Simple Steps to Improving Employee Productivity