Are you okay with your boss following you on social media?

by  in Career and Enterprising, Lifestyle
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social media apps

Aha.

A tricky question to tackle on 4.4.

While it’s not uncommon for bosses and employees to become “friends,” or rather, have a friendly relationship outside of working hours, being on social media can be a little…

Ehem.

Up to this point, some of you may be secretly laughing inside since it seems like a no-brainer.

“Aiyo, just don’t post anything you won’t say in front of your boss lah.”

But hey, isn’t that an invasion of privacy? It’s social media after all, and not connected to work. Isn’t it stressful to have to “censor” yourself because your boss is part of your friend/follower list?

Let’s delve deeper into this.

What are the downsides?

Numerous.

Since bosses will be able to see what you “like” and your comments on posts, they may form an opinion of you that may not be part of your “professional reputation.”

And if you’re friends with your colleagues, that’s extra stuff to worry about. But but, we won’t get there for this post. Simply put, life is stressful enough to have to worry about what you post online.

Play around with privacy settings

Not all social media platforms allow you to play around with privacy settings. For example, TikTok and Instagram probably can’t (unless you go private).

But for Facebook, you can limit who sees your posts. I mean, if you have no choice but to accept that friend request from your boss, you’ve got to take some safety measures, isn’t it?

Though it would be a pain in the a** to have to constantly keep this at the back of your mind—being careful with what you share and whom you share it with.

What to do when things don’t go your way

Called in sick and took a day off on Monday but posted that photo of you drunk on Sunday night?

A cliche scenario, but it happens.

If you find that things don’t go away no matter how careful you’ve been on social media, take this chance to disconnect.

And when asked or questioned, just explain that you think it’s better to draw the line between personal and professional.

Is it really a no-no to connect with your boss?

Well, not really.

This is especially for people who don’t have much of a social life. Oops, I’m sorry to be blunt but it’s true.

Or for folks who tend to be on social media to “stalk” or get updates on events, friends, and loved ones.

In such cases, then it’s okay to connect. In fact, you might be on the “winning end” because you will be stalking your boss’ social life instead. Ha!

Jokes aside, I have a few friends who are on social media to showcase their work—designs, and drawings—so there are no danger zones there yeah.

As we close, just know that accepting a request without putting much thought into it may be disadvantageous to you. Ultimately, a boss is a boss and professionalism should come first in the majority of your interactions. Why sabo yourself?

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Strategies to ensure everyone on the team contributes equally

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team meeting

Managing a team is never an easy task.

You can curse out your ex-manager for being this and that but truth be told, it’s a challenge. And now that you’re in a managerial position, are you in a dilemma?

How on earth do you ensure that your team members are contributing equally? Well, we will be delving deeper into this topic in this post. So buckle up, and let’s roll.

Invest in team building

Depending on companies, some management groups think that team building is necessary at least once a year.

For me, I guess you set your own rules—once every quarter isn’t that bad. If it’s too much, then go for once every 4 to 6 months.

Team building is a good investment if you want a cohesive team. Duh. How can anyone work together in harmony if they don’t know each other well, don’t have common topics to talk about, or don’t see eye to eye?

Have clear sub-goals

Anyone who has walked into a project managed by a manager who does not know how to create clear objectives knows how it feels.

GG.

No, not good game, but good grief.

If you want every member of your team to get a slice of the pie, then make sure you map out your overall objective(s) and concrete sub-tasks.

For example, if you’re a team working on launching the latest summer collection of a fashion brand, then make sure every headcount involved in the project knows what they are doing. From the most senior executive to the newest intern, everyone should have a defined (quality, not quantity) task to work on.

And yes, keep those deadlines in check too.

Create an evaluation system
sample peer evaluation form

Image Credits: jotform.com

I’m not going to lie, I’m not a huge fan of evaluations. Why? Because it keeps me on my toes.

Knowing that I’m being “watched” not just by my boss but also by my colleagues leads me to pull my weight a little more.

So if you’re a manager who wants to play around with some psychological motivational forces, focus your attention on these:

  • Step 1: Peer reviews

To ensure that peer reviews work and not harm, it has to be done right.

I suggest making peer reviews anonymous. Whatever means you use to evaluate—the old-school way of paper forms or online ones—the only person that should be able to view those feedback would be you, the manager.

There’s no need to, as the Chinese saying goes, 挑拨离间 (sow discord).

  • Step 2: Analyze feedback

Once you’ve gathered fellow responses from your team, it’s time to analyze them.

Anonymous peer feedback is the best feedback if a certain point raised is rather consistent across teammates.

For instance, you may get comments such as:

“Meixin is quite slow in the work assigned to her. She doesn’t keep to deadlines.”

If just one person raises this point, then maybe it wouldn’t be that credible. But if you have a team of 10 and more than half has somehow or rather given such feedback, it shows something.

But I understand no one has the time to do such detailed feedback like that all the time. Maybe twice a year or once at the end of the year may work. Or you can consider using automated tools to track project progression and workflow completion ratios. This is wiser for managers who have to take care of >1 team.

In a nutshell, we have raised 3 main strategies in this article to ensure that everyone’s pulling their weight in the company. As a manager, the responsibility is on you to build a team that can work together. While you can’t guarantee everyone will like each other, teamwork can be built based on respect and regular conversations. And don’t forget to always pen down clear tasks for your teammates to work on. Lastly, have an evaluation system in place so there’s a proper outlet for peer reviews that can help you gauge the strengths and weaknesses of each team member.

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Extremely Drained from Work? Here are 5 Ways to Feel Less Tired

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There’s something about working eight hours a day that leaves us feeling exhausted. Whether you constantly deal with difficult clients or completing an important project, a day at work can leave you unmotivated to do anything else. How are you supposed to meet up with your friends or to teach your child how to accomplish his homework?

Feeling depleted or burnout due to work demands can manifest in a variety of ways such as:

a. having negative, cynical, or pessimistic feelings about your job,
b. finding it difficult to be productive, and
c. feeling less confident about your work.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it may be time to start identifying the triggers that may contribute to your fatigue and consider making changes to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

WHAT IS STRESS-RELATED FATIGUE?

When you are heavily suffocated with stress in the workplace, you can experience stress-related fatigue. Feeling emotionally and physically down can be due to being sedentary at work, consuming too much sugar and caffeine, not taking enough breaks, and being in a stressful work environment. You may deal with this type of fatigue because of heavy workload, job insecurity, or other life and work stressors.

#1: SKIP ON CAFFEINE

We cannot deny the stimulating effects of caffeine, but if you do not want to spend the entire night scrambling around, drinking espresso after work is probably not a good idea. Try munching a banana instead.

You will be surprised by how a banana boosts your productivity! Bananas are a fantastic source of carbohydrates, natural sugar, and vitamins. All of these helps increase your energy levels.

#2: TAKE A POWER NAP

During your lunch break or after work, you can consider taking a power nap. If you can find a quiet space to rest, napping earlier in the day is better to avoid ruining your nighttime routine.

Even a 20-minute nap will help revitalize your body and make you feel fresh. However, be sure to set your alarm to prevent oversleeping. Otherwise, you’ll wake up feeling groggy.

#3: EXERCISE REGULARLY

After an exhausting day at work, you might feel that exercise is the last thing on your mind. Believe it or not, regular exercise will make you feel less tired in the long haul. Walking and physical activity can help manage stress and increase your energy levels.

Do this gradually. Build up your stamina over time until you reach the recommended goal of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (e.g., cycling, doubles tennis, or brisk walking) as well as strength exercises on 2 or more days a week that work all the major muscles (i.e., legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).

#4: DRINK MORE WATER

You’ll likely notice a change in your mood, ability to concentrate, and energy level when you are dehydrated. In fact, studies have shown that being just half a liter dehydrated can elevate your cortisol levels. So, keep fatigue at bay by drinking water sufficiently. Drinking enough water can help reduce the negative psychological and physiological impacts of stress.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#5: CONSIDER TALK THERAPY

Research shows that talking therapies such as counselling or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) might help fight fatigue or tiredness, caused by stress, low mood, or anxiety. Ask for support from your trusted social circles or seek professional help.

Sources: 1, 2, 3,  4, & 5

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An unconventional asset: The reasons why you should hire a highly sensitive person

by  in Business Solutions, Career and Enterprising
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two men shaking hands

Why on earth would you even consider hiring a highly sensitive person for your team? Are they worth the “trouble”?

Let us take a moment to tell you why you should seriously consider hiring such people. Hiring the right person for a job can have a huge impact on your team and organization, and hiring someone with a high sensitivity level can open up new areas of possibilities and benefits that other candidates simply can’t offer.

From their sensitiveness to their motivation and dedication, these people have much more to offer than what meets the eye. Let’s dive in!

What is a highly sensitive person (HSP)?

Are you an employer in need of an unconventional human asset?

One who understands the subtleties of any working environment and can connect to the feelings of those around them? Consider hiring a highly sensitive person (HSP).

What is a highly sensitive person? They are individuals who tend to be deeply moved by the emotions around them and are more aware of subtleties than others. HSPs can often sense what’s going on with people before they even speak up.

This awareness allows them to be sensitized to how their team members or customers may be feeling, and therefore able to make better decisions. In addition, HSPs are highly adept at noticing patterns in data and then connecting that data to what they pick up emotionally. Their decisions come from a deeper place of understanding and empathy.

Benefits of having an HSP on your team
listening to a coworker

Image Credits: unsplash.com

When it comes to hiring, it pays to consider people with a little something extra.

HSPs bring some unique advantages to the table that can make them the highest performers on your team.

Just think of all the benefits you will get with an HSP on board:

  • They have sophisticated people skills—they intuitively understand how to make individuals feel heard and cared for, so interpersonal relationships can develop more easily.
  • They are empathetic—they take into account other people’s feelings and use those insights when communicating with others.
  • They bring a creative, curious mindset to their work—HSPs have an eye for detail and think outside the box when it comes to problem-solving.
  • They are highly tuned into their environment—paying close attention to changes in atmosphere, mood, and culture to create a better working environment for everyone.

By considering highly sensitive candidates as part of your recruitment process, you will be able to benefit from these qualities and gain a valuable asset for your team.

Challenges when managing highly sensitive people

You may find yourself wondering—are highly sensitive people tough to handle? That’s a fair question.

The fact of the matter is, managing and working with highly sensitive people can be challenging if you’re not prepared.

For one, highly sensitive people tend to be overwhelmed by too much stimulation in the workplace. Too much sound, smell, or intensity of interaction can lead to stress and ultimately result in decreased performance. HR managers and bosses need to take this into account when managing HSPs.

Strategies to assist HSPs in the workplace
an open office space

Image Credits: unsplash.com

When you hire an HSP for your team, you needn’t worry—there are a few strategies that are easy to implement to help them succeed and boost morale in the workplace.

  • Abort your open office plan

The first step is to consider whether an open office plan is the best fit for the workplace.

While it may be the norm, it can be difficult for HSPs to thrive in this kind of environment since too much noise and too many distractions can cause them to become overwhelmed or anxious.

When considering hiring an HSP, make sure you have safe, quiet spaces away from the noise for them to work.

  • Don’t criticize them upfront

HSPs may take feedback differently than what you expect from someone else on your team because they tend to process information deeply and intensely.

Whenever you provide feedback on their work, be mindful of their needs and make sure they understand it’s just constructive criticism—not a personal attack.

This will help prevent feelings of hurt or resentment that could stem from bluntness or misunderstanding later down the line.

  • Look for opportunities to help HSP employees apply their empathy skills

One thing HSPs are often great at is empathizing with people—so look for opportunities where they can bring it into the workplace and apply it in useful ways.

For example, having conversations with customers or meeting with vendors for project management roles are great ways for HSP employees to demonstrate their empathy skills while also proving themselves valuable within your organization.

As we close, know that while there may be challenges in managing highly sensitive individuals, they also come with significant benefits. Not only are they able to pick up on subtleties and nuances that other people might miss, but they are also able to bring a creative, open-minded, and emotionally aware approach to your team. Highly sensitive people can be a valuable asset to any organization and should not be discounted.

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Make the most of your newsletter: Monetizing strategies that work

by  in Business Solutions, Career and Enterprising
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popup newsletter sign up

Would you like to make some extra cash without the extra effort?

Well, if you have a newsletter, you’re already halfway there. Since you’ve already built an audience who knows and trust you, now’s the time to make the most of that relationship and monetize it.

There are dozens of ways to monetize a newsletter, from selling digital and physical products to sponsored content and affiliate marketing. But the even better news is that you don’t have to do them all—just pick the strategy that works best for your target audience.

Offer exclusive content to subscribers

If you’re considering monetizing your newsletter, one of the best ways to start is by offering exclusive content for a small fee.

Paid newsletters provide subscribers with access to content that isn’t available to the general public—and depending on the content, it can be very attractive to potential subscribers.

You can start small by making some of your content exclusive. Choose articles or topics that you feel are of special interest and create a few premium newsletters on those topics each month.

In addition to offering exclusive content, you could include behind-the-scenes videos or podcasts, special discounts on products or services, or even amplify the credibility of your brand or business through interviews with industry experts. Whatever you choose as an incentive should be seen as a bonus that offers extra value for what your subscribers are getting.

Leverage affiliate marketing

First, find an affiliate program associated with products or services related to the content of your newsletter.

Once you become an affiliate partner, you can add corresponding links to your newsletter. When your readers click on these links and buy something, you get a commission as a reward for helping them out!

You can also introduce readers to new services and products by mentioning relevant companies in your content and including appropriate affiliate links. Furthermore, if you have any special discounts or offers from vendors, don’t forget to promote them! Affiliate marketing will let you maximize the earning potential of your newsletter.

Engage in sponsored content partnerships
sponsored newsletter sample

Image Credits: workdesign.com

Offer your readers exciting, quality content from sponsors that aligns with your newsletter’s theme.

This can be in the form of articles, podcasts, videos—whatever you choose! And don’t forget to include the link where readers can find out more about the sponsors and whatever product or service they are offering.

But how do you go about finding sponsors? Well, having a media kit will help you start the conversation! Your media kit should include things like:

  • Your newsletter’s demographic information
  • Your readers’ interests
  • The frequency of your emails
  • An overview of what topics you cover
  • Your newsletter’s reach and engagement rate from past campaigns

With an impressive media kit that shows off just how amazing and engaged your community is, you will be able to grab the attention of potential sponsors easily.

How to increase your subscribers

You want to reach as many people as possible, and there are a few simple strategies that can help you do this.

  • Run contests

If you run contests or giveaways in your newsletter, it can help drive people to subscribe.

Not only is it a great incentive for readers, but it can also help promote brand awareness and loyalty. Also, if you offer something FREE, more people will likely sign up for your newsletter—after all, who doesn’t like free stuff?

  • Use exit intent popup offers

Having an exit intent popup offer (when viewers are about to leave your page) is another powerful way to increase subscribers.

If someone is about to abandon your page without subscribing, offering them a discount or other incentive may encourage them to stay and join your list.

You can also provide info about the benefits of signing up for the newsletter—special coupons or discounts offered exclusively to subscribers, access to exclusive content, and more—so they know what they’re signing up for before they commit.

Taking people’s time and attention is a precious commodity—so make sure you’re treating it as such. By monetizing your newsletter, you can increase your revenue streams, build a slower, sustainable form of income, create multiple entry points for customers into your funnel, and most importantly, continue to bring value to your readers. Whether you’re looking to make the most of your newsletter or just trying to find new revenue streams for your business, email monetization is a great way to get more out of your newsletter. With the right strategies in place, you can take your newsletter from a passive income stream to a powerhouse for your business.

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