3 Way-Better Ways to Measure Your Success

3 Way-Better Ways to Measure Your Success3 Way-Better Ways to Measure Your SuccessLast week, I conducted a workshop for a team of healthcare professionals as they kicked off a new fiscal year. Prior to the workshop, I had the attendees complete a survey about their work what was going well and wherbeie they encountered challenges.Not surprisingly, a few very common themes emerged, which we addressed during our time together. The big three included the size of their workloads, the poor quality of communication, and the difficulty of working with others unlike themselves. Who cant relate to those workplace challenges? As we worked through each topic, the discussion certainly provided tools to help them resolve the issues we identified. However, I also realized that if they took proactive steps every day to prevent those issues, they could alleviate a lot of their daily job stress. Bonus Future meetings could focus on exploring more innovative and creative concepts. To that end, here ar e three measures you can use in your work each day to stay ahead of the challenges that bog down many teams. As you read, consider how, if you looked at these three key performance indicators each day, your work life might transform. 1. Percent of Time You Spend on Your Three Critical PrioritiesNearly every client I binnensee struggles with an oversized workload. However, when we take the time to really break down the work, it usually involves a lot of wasted time and energy. Work avoidance, procrastination, multi-tasking, and distractions all sidetrack essential work, add stress, and make any workload seem bigger than it is.If you are workload-challenged, heres an exercise to complete each day Put two columns on a page. On the left, record your three to five biggest, fruchtwein important, most performance-influencing priorities- you know, the ones that are going to show up on your year-end review, get you a raise, and make the department score a touchdown.On the right side, each da y, keep track of the work you actually do and the amount of time each task takes. Then, track the percentage of time youre spending on your most important priorities versus everything else. What do you notice? If theres a gap between your most important priorities and what you spend your time on, youre likely suffering from workload inflation. Youre working on lots of tasks and staying late, but not getting the most important stuff done. On the other hand, if youre giving your priorities the right amount of attention and leaving the less critical work until later (or undone, if thats what it takes), your workload will seem more realistic. Bonus Youll feel much more focused and accomplished in the process. Heres another tip As a manager, if someone came to me saying his or her workload was too big, Id want to see this analysis before any further conversation. Before you take your workload issues to your manager, be sure you have the facts about whats really driving its size.2. Percen t of Your Communication Thats Tailored to Your Listeners StyleAh, communication. I love the quote from George Bernard Shaw, The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. How right is that? Poor communication between and among team members (and bosses) gums up the works and makes everything harder. Though there are many reasons for this, theres one major cause that came up in the workshop, and its one that I see frequently When communicating, you often think more about what you have to say, rather than how the other person needs to hear it.Let me give you an example. All of us have different strengths, work styles, and personalities. I tend to be a driver, which means I have a very direct, straight-to-the-point communication style. At times in my career, Ive been told I was intimidating or unapproachable. Hard to believe, I know- I never considered myself to be either. But my audience did, and thats all that mattered.In response, I learned to tailor my communication style and content to my audience. So, if my target is someone whos very relationship driven and concerned with the social aspects of rapport-building at work, my direct, to-the-point style may feel intimidating or overwhelming. By adjusting my approach- delivering the same message, but slower, with more social grace and a focus on tending to the relationship with that person- that person can better hear me. Then, they actually listen, instead of feeling intimidated and growing defensive. You will communicate more effectively when you keep your audiences needs in mind. Look at the different communication styles in your workplace and see how you can reframe your messages so that others will better receive what youre saying.Remember, its not your audiences job to interpret your message. Its your job to communicate in a way your audience will understand. 3. Actions Youve Taken to Nurture Relationships in Your WorkplaceLets face it The way work gets done today is through the relationships you have with those around you. When you dont have strong relationships, your work will suffer. Weak workplace relationships create a negative environment. Think about it Are you likely to go to bat for someone you dont really care that much for? What will morale be like if there are weak or indifferent relationships in the office? Will you enjoy going to work as much?Our workshop attendees strained under the challenges of coming from different departments, different cultures, and different generations. In the workplace, you can easily choose to let those qualities divide you. Or, you can work toward overcoming those divides by intentionally creating and nurturing relationships with those who arent like you. There are many ways to build rapport with others- and it doesnt have to be difficult or time consuming. For example, make it a point to meet one person for coffee each week, or to sit with a different group at lunch. Compliment others (authentically) on the work they do send notes of appreciation when warranted.And if you sense conflict between yourself and another co-worker, dont avoid it (and stress out about it as a result)- invite him or her into a conversation to discuss and resolve your differences. Taking action to nurture relationships strengthens your ties with the team and boosts your own self-confidence, as well. Now, youre equipped to assess your workday through a very new lens. If you can focus on priorities, the effectiveness of your communication, and the quality of your relationships, youre going to have amazing results. Photo of rulers courtesy of Shutterstock.

Greener Aerospace with Nanotechnology

Greener Aerospace with Nanotechnology Greener Aerospace with Nanotechnology During flight, aircraft parts are subject to varying loads, and can develop cracks in high-stress areas. If structural parts are not regularly inspected and repaired, cracks could increase, eventually causing structural failure and loss of life. But aircraft inspection and repairs are costly to airlines. moraover, high fuel prices and international efforts on climate change have brought attention to the need for greater fuel efficiency. Increasing international competition favors the rapid, low-cost production of reliable, efficient, and easy-to-maintain aircraft capable of increased load and range. In short, the aerospace industry faces a challenge to develop advanced materials that are simultaneously stronger, lighter, safer, fuel-efficient, and cost-effective. With nanotechnology, it now may be possible to create almost perfect materials that can increase performance and passenger safety while saving signi ficant money. Improving Aluminum Aluminum alloys have long been materials of choice for aircraft fuselages. But viewing the microstructure of a typical aerospace aluminum alloy through an electron microscope reveals that the arrangement of atoms is far from perfect. Dislocations, grain boundaries, and voids all weaken an alloy. Indeed, analysis reveals that the theoretical strength of a defect-free aluminum alloy can be 100 times greater than actual measurements in a mechanical testing lab. That suggests that fabricating defect-free aluminum alloys could allow structural parts of required strength to be made of less material, and thus be lighter weight. Perfect alloys could be produced using an atomic force microscope or a scanning tunneling microscope to position the arrangement of individual atoms without voids, displacements, and other defects. Such capability was demonstrated as far back as 1989, when researchers at IBMs Almaden Research Center in San Jose were able to spell out their companys name in xenon atoms. More recently, researchers at the same lab were able to measure, down to the piconewton, how much force was required to move a cobalt atom across a copper surface. Exploring Composites Composite materialsthose in which fibers, commonly of carbon, are embedded in a matrix of resin or other polymer-are increasingly used for structural components in aircraft and space vehicles. Composites are exceptionally light and strong. But their behavior is not yet well understood in the presence of damage by lightning (composites have poor electrical conductivity), exposure to the suns ultraviolet rays, or delamination caused by out-of-plane load, impact, or moisture. A composite in which nanoparticles are dispersed into the polymer matrix may be more resistant to fracture and fatigue. Distributing nanoparticles throughout a polymer matrix is quite difficult, however, and strong chemical bonding between the nanotubes and the matrix are essential to the ultimat e performance of the nanocomposite material. Because experimental trial-and-error is costly and time-consuming, multiscale modeling may prove useful in establishing a link between the nanoscale chemistry and a materials macroscopic behavior when subjected to flight load. The Bottom Line That such advanced materials are possible is not enough to warrant their use. They must also be cost effective to employ. A back-of-the-envelope calculation reveals that advanced materials, even if quite expensive, are economically viable to research and develop. Consider a simple cost analysis for the fuel consumption of a typical commercial aircraft for a nonstop flight from auf auf Angeles to New York. The total weight of a medium-range aircraft after takeoff is approximately 500,000 pounds, including the 40,000-gallon weight of fuel that yields a gallons-per-pound ratio for this aircraft of 40,000/500,000, or 0.08 gallon/lb. Assuming there is a 20 percent reduction in weight as a result of new na noscale-assembled aluminum alloys or nanoparticle-reinforced composite materials, let us calculate the total monetary savings during the life of the aircraft The gallon/lb. ratio (0.08) x The cost of jet fuel (typically $5 per gallon) x The weight savings (500,000 pounds times 20 percent, or 100,000 pounds) x The number of flights in the life of the plane (about 60,000) The savings is an astonishing $2.4 billion per plane. Furthermore, if we assume the total number of aircraft that will be fabricated with the new material is conservatively estimated to be 1,000, then the total monetary savings throughout the life of a 1,000-aircraft fleet will be almost $2.4 trillion. I am optimistic that advanced aerospace materials for lighter-weight aircraft are worth the investment. The fuel savings would be significant for airlines, while increasing strength and safety. Adapted from Can Nanotechnology Make for Greener Aerospace? by Bahram Farahmand, for Mechanical Engineering, March 2010.With n anotechnology, it now may be possible to create almost perfect materials that can increase performance and passenger safety while saving significant money.

3 Bad Habits Successful Jobseekers Will Never Have

3 Bad Habits Successful Jobseekers Will Never Have3 Bad Habits Successful Jobseekers Will Never HaveINBOX Hi, Jewel. Im getting more than a little frustrated because I keep on getting interviews even 2nd interviews but time and again Im given some excuse about why I wasnt the person hired. How can I know what the problem is?Job search need not be an emotional roller coaster, with you constantly going 2 steps forward, but 1 step back. Interviews are great. Interviews that dont ultimately bring you around home cousine are frustrating.Lets talk about what you may be contributing to your own frustration, and, more importantly, how to fix itYour job search can and should actually just be a straight line that goes from Point A to Point B. Our new online job search training shows you exactly how to triple your responses, get off the emotional roller coaster, consistently get interviews, and turn those interviews into offers. Join us for The Perfect Job Game PlanYoull find out the simple, clear things you can do immediately to get off the long and winding road, and jump into the fast lane. Make sure to register today.

How to Make Money With Beekeeping

How to Make Money With Beekeeping How to Make Money With Beekeeping Beekeeping has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, and it continues to be a profitable endeavor for many hobbyists and professionals. While honey is the obvious source of income for beekeepers, you might be surprised to learn that there are many other streams of revenue connected to beekeeping. Here are some of the many ways you can make money with bees: Honey Honey is the most obvious yield from beekeeping and it enjoys a high level of popularity with consumers, making it a highly marketable product. Each hive of bees can produce anywhere from 20 to 60 pounds of honey on average per year (depending on a variety of factors such as geographic location, weather, temperature, pests, local flora, and more). Some hives can produce much greater amounts under ideal management conditions. Beeswax Beeswax can be converted into many different products including candles, soap, and lip balm. You’ve probably heard of Burt’s Bees, a highly successful company that began with the creation of beeswax based candles and lip balms. Beeswax prices can vary widely based on the quality and color of the wax.  Handmade beeswax based products have been particularly popular in recent years, both in retail stores and online craft markets such as Etsy. Bee Pollen Bee pollen granules are cited by many health food enthusiasts as a “superfood” that can boost immunity and provide other health-related benefits such as minimizing seasonal allergies, treating osteoporosis, and acting as an antioxidant.  Bee pollen is usually available at natural food stores, health stores, and some drugstores. Propolis Most people have never heard of propolis, a sticky and resinous substance that bees use to seal small gaps in the hive. It is purported to have a variety of medical uses including the treatment of sores, acting as an antioxidant, and boosting immunity. It is also used in commercial products like cosmetics, car wax, and chewing gum. Commercial Pollination Services Many agricultural producers will pay to have hives temporarily relocated to their fields to provide pollination services. Hives are generally contracted for service for a period of three to five weeks. Most commercial pollination service operators are located in California, followed by Texas, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. Almond crops have the highest demand for commercial pollination, followed by sunflower and canola. Starter Hives or Replacement Bees New bee operations always need stock for starting their hives, and established beekeepers may need replacement bees due to swarming or disease. Many beekeepers establish a profitable sideline for their own honey making or pollinating businesses- providing bees (and custom-built hives or kits) to others in the industry.   Bees can, in fact, be shipped through the U.S. Postal Service, making for an interesting visit to the post office for a new hobbyist (and you can be sure everyone will want to get out of your way when they hear the buzz of that shipping container). Beekeeping can be a fun and profitable hobby or business venture, and it is fairly affordable to start up.  With proper management, a hive can turn a profit relatively quickly, especially if the beekeeper is willing to consider all the potential streams of revenue.  It may be an unusual animal business  idea, but beekeeping is certainly something to consider for aspiring animal professionals.

Virologist Career Overview - Job Description, Skills, Duties, Education, Training, Job Outlook Salary

Virologist Career Overview - Job Description, Skills, Duties, Education, Training, Job Outlook Salary Virologist Career Overview - Job Description, Skills, Duties, Education, Training, Job Outlook Salary Virologist Job DescriptionA virologist is a professional who studies the growth, development, structure and characteristics of different viruses. He isolates and makes cultures of significant viruses in a standard inhibitory medium, controlling certain factors, like, aeration, moisture, temperature, and nutrition.He will identify different viruses via microscopic examination of the morphological, physical and cultural traits. He also observes the action of a particular virus up on living tissues of plants and animals.A virologist also makes chemical analyses of various substances, like acids, enzymes, and alcohol released by viruses on organic matter.Create this ResumeVirologist Skills/DutiesA virologist has to study the growth and development of viruses and how they interrelate with; and have an impact on human beings, plants, animals and even dead organic matter.Virologists are employed by medical schools, hospitals, laboratory centers, medical research companies, governmental agen cies, pharmaceutical companies, laboratory testing companies, or cancer treatment or research companies, depending upon the specialization.Virologist Education and TrainingWondering what qualifications you need to be a virologist? Here are some of the critical credentials:Virology is a subdivision of Biology, so, you need an undergraduate degree in Biology. You will also need to take Physics and Chemistry at the university level.A graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology is qualified to work at various research and technical positions, including veterinary microbiologist, research assistant and food microbiologist. Laboratory and clinical experience is decidedly important for a virologist, and most virologists get this experience in graduate school.With a Master of Science in Microbiology, you can hunt for positions as a supervisor or laboratory manager, research associate or instructor on the community college level.A Doctoral Degree, Ph.D. in Microbiology is necessary f or the uppermost posts in this field, such as a professor at a college / university, researcher, or a research director.There are a host of opportunities available. You may reflect on what aspect of virology you are interested in (i.e. research, public health or medical doctor), since, each aspect needs different education and training.Virologist Job OutlookAccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job prospect for virologists is projected to increase by 11 % between 2006 and 2016. The employment opportunity for virologists looks good, more so, with the appearance of new viruses everyday and the process of constant research.Virologists are employed in just about every industry; food, health, agriculture, control, pollution, bio-technology, and pharmaceuticals. They are also engaged in government agencies and laboratories, such as, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institutes of Health, water treatment facilities, and hospitals. Whats more, a virologist ha s an option of having a career in research and education as well.What is the Average Salary for a Virologist?The mean annual salary for a virologist is about $53,000. The salary greatly depends on the education and training, experience, and where they are employed. Customize ResumeMore Sample Career Articles:Rheumatologist Career Virologist Career

Privacy Why It Should Factor Into Your Job Search

Privacy Why It Should Factor Into Your Job Search Privacy Why It Should Factor Into Your Job Search Exposure is key when looking for your next position, but is there such a thing as too much exposure? When it comes to your privacy, there certainly is. In such a competitive job market, concerns about privacy generally fall to the bottom of the list for most job seekers. During the search, you’re too busy looking anywhere and everywhere for a position to even consider that our information might be used against us. Your privacy is at stake during your search for a new position. Although we’ve be conditioned to carefully distribute our information online, job seekers tend to throw caution to the wind when it comes to employment applications and resume postings. The fact of the matter is that your job search often depends on the distribution of relatively private information to a variety of different sources. Identity theft, fraud, and job scams are very real and dangerous possibilities that many job seekers fall prey to. When utilizing the Internet for your job search - which is more common than not nowadays - it’s important to understand what kind of schemes are lurking out there. And while most feel that they are immune to scams, all kinds of job seekers are still being taken advantage of. Verse Yourself in the Warning Signs No one enjoys keeping a guard up during their search, but it’s best to stay vigilant when it comes to your privacy. Here are a few warning signs to look for when considering your privacy: Job listings with poor grammar and misspellings: No worthy employer has a job posting riddled with mistakes. Paying money upfront: Paying for training fees is very rare, and if so, it’s usually not brought up directly in a job listing. No available company information: Do not apply to postings that do not provide a company name or email. On occasion, scammers will borrow company names but lack the email address. Requirements of personal information: Never give out your social security number or bank information on an application. Protect Your Privacy Before you call off your online-based job search and head for the hills, keep in mind that there are many ways you can protect your privacy during your search. In fact, many of these things are easily overlooked: Secure login: Only fill out online job applications that provide your browser with a secure login feature. This generally shows up as “https://” prior to the website URL. Also, your login information should always be quite different that the information you use on other sites. Alternative email address: For security reasons, and simply to cut down on the clutter, many job seekers dedicate an email address specifically to their job search. Show caution when listing your home address: While it’s often necessary to use your home address on your resume, it may be safer to rent a post office box to use during your job search. Contact directly: If at all possible, contact the the company and submit your materials directly to the hiring manager. Keep track: It’s common to post your resume freely during the job search, but this is can be dangerous. Keep a list of everywhere your resume is posted, along with your username and password. Sharing information: Never share information with a potential employer before you feel assured that they are legitimate. Do your research! Be conscious of your level of privacy throughout your search for a job. Look for warning signs that could potentially lead to privacy infringement, as well as doing your best to combat any opportunity to put your information in justice. Have you ever been faced with the threat of privacy infringement?

Improve Leadership Skills

Improve Leadership Skills Improve Leadership Skills Improve Leadership Skills Blanchard A lot of people ask me about leading in tough times and managing in a recession. I remind them of these three irrefutable principles: A leader should be a bearer of hope. Be positive and optimistic. When morale goes down, dont turn your back on the reality. Think of yourself as a chief spiritual officer. I leave a message every morning at my company for employees that includes three things: I tell people who to pray for, praise people for their efforts and I include a motivational message about how were moving forward as a company thats consistent with our core values. Focus on what people can grow. The brain and the computer are alike both dont know the difference between the truth and what you tell them. As leader, its your job to keep them straight. Refocus people on what can grow. Share what you know with them, even if its the wait and see part of the process of cost-cutting measures. If you do, they will not be so anxious. Treat employees as business partners. Top managers often work behind closed doors, which plummets morale. Remember that none of us is smarter than all of us. Teach people how to read a balance sheet. Empower people with information. Southwest Airlines did that they asked for ideas on how to increase revenue and got some great ideas from their employees that have shaped their companys brand and success. Use your people as business partners. Its said that ten to fifteen percent of an organizations vitality comes from strategic leadership. The rest is operational. If people dont know your strategy, theyll focus on how theyre being treated. And if theyre not being treated in a way that encourages their spirit, theyre not going to be passionate about what they do. Another company thats been successful with these principles is Chick-fil-A where manager turnover is less than two percent. How do they do it? They train their managers with this SERVE acronym: See and shape the future Engage and develop your people Re-invent continuously dont get mired in policy Value both people and results Embody the values Frankly, the problem with leadership is often the human ego. Top managers develop a false sense of pride in their management style that makes them think theyre above it all. The other problem is doubt or fear when people feel that theyre less than, they become too insecure to speak up. An antidote for both is humility. People dont need to think less of themselves, they just need to think about themselves less. I lead Egos Anonymous seminars with top managers at large corporations. During these meetings, people volunteer to share their doubt and false pride.We work on cultivating a belief in unconditional love whether its from God or not the kind of love that you give your kids. It starts at home with how we treat those closest to us. Treating your kids as subordinates is false pride. Not calling your spouse to say youll be late is false pride. Its about changing yourself first and having a servant heart. In the same way, its about how your company culture treats its own workers. Garry Ridge, the president of WD-40 Company, changed their companys hierarchy to a tribal culture. The term conjures up an image of people sitting around the fire with elders, sharing information with younger community members. In practice, its about building cross-functional teams that cultivate a we mentality, rather than us versus them. People sometimes confuse servant leadership with soft management skills. Servant leadership is not about the inmates running the prison its the only effective way to lead. Leadership is the vision, direction, values and goals. Managers should shout out where the company is going. The responsibility of your companys hierarchy is to set the vision and move it to implementation. Philosophically, its about turning the pyramid upside down so that everyone is working for the customer. Thats the servant part of servant leadership. I encourage managers to be called rather than driven. Remember that your actions have a ripple effect that is limitless in its potential, both good and bad. Demonstrate respect in all your personal interactions and youll cultivate a foundation of employee trust that will buoy your company through these challenging times and position it for future success. Author Bio Ken Blanchard is Chief Spiritual Officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies, a global leader in workplace learning, employee productivity, leadership and team effectiveness. Dr. Blanchard is a New York Times best-selling author of over 18 million books, including the bestseller, The One Minute Manager, coauthored with Spencer Johnson. A revised and expanded edition of his book Leading at a Higher Level was recently published.