Nothing happens until we plan, and good plans have goals and objectives. Setting goals and objectives correctly provides the necessary support and aids in their achievement. Before we dive into how to go about getting SMART and setting objectives, it’s important to understand that there is a world of difference between goals and objectives. • Goals relate to our aspirations, purpose and vision. For example, I have a goal of becoming financially independent. • Objectives are the battle plan, the stepping stones on the path towards the achievement of my goal. The most well known method for setting objectives is the S.M.A.R.T. way. The SMART approach is well understood amongst managers, but is poorly practiced. S.M.A.R.T refers to the acronym that describes the key characteristics of meaningful objectives, which are Specific (concrete, detailed, well defined), Measureable (numbers, quantity, comparison), Achievable (feasible, actionable), Realistic (considering resources) and Time-Bound (a defined time..
Read More Husband-wife duos are behind many successfully owned family businesses. For some, this kind of an arrangement may seem ideal; to others, maybe not. So how do you know if starting a business with your spouse is for you? Here are some pointers: If you and your spouse choose to collaborate in your professional lives, both of you must be willing to share not only your domestic lives, but also work problems. Those couples that are successful in such an endeavor usually have a strong marriage to begin with, and their compatibility lends itself to running a business. Often however, the stress of having to share nearly every responsibility can become too much, and either the business will fall through, or the marriage will. So, if you do not feel 100% comfortable with the idea, it is probably not for you. Couples who balance each other out in daily life especially..
Read More
Yahoo's CEO Scott Thompson resigned last week after the discovery that his resume contained false information. So the question applies to resume padding in general: is it really worth it? Thompson changed his bachelor of science degree in business administration with a major in accounting, to a bachelor's degree in accounting and computer science with a couple clicks of the keyboard. It got him the job, and it also lost him the job. We can empathize with the man. In a 2010 survey of 1,818 organizations, 69% reported catching a job candidate lying on his or her résumé. That's the weakness of the honor system involved with resumes: it can take 5 seconds to add an extra 5 years of education under your belt. No wonder so many people fall prey to the temptation. However, we see these oustings more and more frequently: former RadioShack CEO Dave Edmondson underwent the same "resignation" process..
Read More The phone screen is the bridge between sending in a resume and performing a live interview. It provides a window into what kind of employee you are, a look at your behavioral tendencies, and an opportunity for the employer to get excited for the official interview. However, it can break a candidate-- the employer may decide that you aren’t the right fit. This is why it is paramount to nail the phone screen. The benefit of the phone-interview is that you could be lounging in your pajamas on your living room sofa, and still have the professionality of a formally conducted live interview. No matter what your situation, you should sound like you are sitting in an office dressed in slacks and a tie. There should be no children screaming, no dogs barking, no TV programs- no interruptions. If you are expecting a phone call, have a designated space to..
Read More