Why You Should Add Analytics to HR

The university I attend for my graduate coursework has recently appointed a new president that is making efforts to change much of how the staff and faculty do their work. That is, he is placing a very real and urgent emphasis on collecting data to assess the impact of anything and everything employees do for the university. While some might see this as a pain, those of us who love assessment are breathing a sigh of relief because it means that not only will the programs for student success on campus improve (because those working in them know they will be evaluated more closely) but we will know much more about how each program affects students who are the university’s customers, after all. Continue Reading →

Communication, Human Resources, Technology in the Workplace Shortlink

The Old Ball and Chain


Take a minute and think about the resources you rely on at work. Is there a piece of equipment that you must use to complete your work everyday? Each of us is dependent on at least one resource to finish our work. But, what happens when our resources fail us? Continue Reading →

Communication, Education & Training, Human Resources, Miscellaneous, Technology in the Workplace Shortlink

Social Media and Human Resources


Facebook has received a lot of attention in light of the hiring trend. Some organizations are asking for employee login information so that they can look at a candidate’s Facebook profile, messages, and pictures. Some candidates have withdrawn from the hiring process because they do not feel it is okay for a potential employer to snoop around and look at their personal lives. What does this mean for the hiring process? Continue Reading →

Communication, Generations in the Workplace, Human Resources, Job Search, Legalities, Miscellaneous, Technology in the Workplace Shortlink

Embracing the 2020 Workplace

The workplace of the future is constantly being shaped. Every day we experience breakthroughs in technology, social media trends, and the convergence of employees from various generations. If we hope to compete effectively in this global marketplace, it is imperative to identify the tools and approaches needed in our business-minded arsenal. Such strategies will then be able to increase innovation, improve customer relations, and engage and retain talent.

Jeanne Meister, an internationally recognized leader in innovative operations, identified three major contributing factors to this shift, in her closing keynote speech during the final day of TNS and JWT INSIDE’s Engagement Summit. Naming globalization, changing demographics, and the emergence of social media and technology, it seems Meister’s research can augment an organization’s approach to achieving compelling business results for the future. Continue Reading →

Communication, Education & Training, Employee Engagement, Employee Life Cycle, Employee Retention, Generations in the Workplace, Human Resources, Job Search, Leadership, Technology in the Workplace, Work Environment Shortlink

Incorporating Engagement Into Strategic Vision

At TNS and JWT INSIDE’s Engagement Summit, Patricia Muldoon spoke about her company’s aspirations to connect employee engagement levels with customer satisfaction. The general session, titled “Incorporating Engagement in UTC’s Operating System,” looked at the data-driven company to assess the processes UTC has in place and how to implement those changes in other organizations.

UTC’s operating system was established for quality and continuous improvement, and is commonly referred to as Achieving Competitive Excellence, or “ACE.” It integrates suppliers, employees and customers with a philosophy and a commitment to employee engagement.

The statistics have proven that this system increases efficiency and improves customer satisfaction. But when you hear the acronym UTC, who actually knows all of the products and services the company has to offer? Continue Reading →

Behavioral Science, Communication, Education & Training, Employee Engagement, Leadership, Technology in the Workplace Shortlink

Perceptions Toward Rest Breaks


Consider the amount of time you spend on a computer each day. As computer use increases in the typical workplace, the number of health problems will also increase. We cause our bodies a great deal of strain when we work at a computer for 8+ hours a day. The National Institute of Occupational Health & Safety (NIOSH) recommends taking a rest break for five minutes for every hour spent on the computer. Continue Reading →

Behavioral Science, Communication, Employee Engagement, Health & Fitness at Work, Human Resources, Technology in the Workplace, Time Management, Work Environment Shortlink

How Do We Network?

As my graduation date in May 2012 draws near, I will begin the search for a full-time job. In speaking with many of my mentors, one piece of advice seems to come up time and time again: Network. A key to getting a job in our tough economy comes down to who you know. I have heard success stories from many peers who had a friend of a friend working at a particular company that eventually led to a job offer. What does networking look like in 2011? Continue Reading →

Behavioral Science, Generations in the Workplace, Human Resources, Job Search, Relocation, Technology in the Workplace Shortlink

Blink

How many hours a day do you spend staring at a computer screen? The average amount of time spent staring at a computer screen is five hours a day. Obviously, there are jobs that require constant use of a computer throughout the day while there are other jobs that do not. How do we deal with the necessary evil? So much of our lives center around the use of technology. I would not be able to do most of what I do in a day without using a computer. While I could walk to my university library to obtain a research article, it is so much easier to get it online in the comfort of my apartment. Continue Reading →

Behavioral Science, Employee Engagement, Health & Fitness at Work, High Performance, Miscellaneous, Technology in the Workplace, Time Management, Work Environment Shortlink

Why Are We Spending Money on Training?

Organizations are currently trying to cut costs wherever possible.  Unfortunately, training falls into the category of budget cuts.  Many organizations believe that training is not very beneficial and can be conducted on a lower-level.  However, organizations are not realizing that training has time and time again been strongly correlated with high performing employees.  Train employees how to complete a task and his or her performance will increase.  Continue Reading →

Behavioral Science, Education & Training, Employee Engagement, Employees Leaving, Generations in the Workplace, High Performance, Human Resources, Technology in the Workplace Shortlink

Boost That Resume

I have heard the phrase “boost that resume” more times than I can count on my fingers.  Anytime a professor persuaded me to join another club, become an officer, or participate in a research group, there main reasoning was always to “boost that resume.”  I typically took this comment with a grain of salt.  I have never been one to simply participate in an activity or club for the sole reason of an addition to my resume.  When I think of most of the activities I partook in during college were ones that I wanted to participate and be a part of.  The jobs I had during college and my summers were intended to help pay for tuition and to help me decide about career options. Continue Reading →

Behavioral Science, Ethics, Human Resources, Job Search, Legalities, Technology in the Workplace Shortlink

Always On-Call

Recent studies have investigated the inability for employees to psychologically detach from work while away from the office.  For instance, the majority of employers now supply employees with smartphone devices such as Blackberries.  With these devices comes an understanding that employees should respond to emails and phone calls even away from the office. Employees on vacation can no longer use the excuse of having limited Internet connectivity due to smartphones. Continue Reading →

Behavioral Science, Employee Engagement, Human Resources, Technology in the Workplace, Time Management, Work Life Balance Shortlink

Music in the Workplace

Take a trip to your local coffee shop and you will likely see many people with earphones in and working on something.  I was at Starbucks this weekend writing a paper and everywhere I looked people were listening to music, myself included.  Because of technology and the accessibility of music, people have integrated listening to music into every part of their day.  It is rare to see someone at the gym without a music player. Continue Reading →

Behavioral Science, Employee Engagement, Employee Surveys, Generations in the Workplace, Human Resources, Technology in the Workplace Shortlink

Good Vibrations?

Call me old fashion, but I will always feel that personal phone use during work should be restricted.  Although my thumb is quite used to texting, there is a time and place for this kind of communication.  I have always abided by the “emergency only” rule.  Unless my mom calls three times in a row, which would make me believe something is wrong, I can call her back after work or on my lunch break.  The same goes for text messaging.  If my friend texts me asking me what I’m doing later that night, I can text her after work. The world has never ended because I waited to text or call someone back. Continue Reading →

Behavioral Science, Employee Engagement, Miscellaneous, Technology in the Workplace Shortlink