Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Evolving in 2015 Workplace Communication and Collaboration

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Evolving in 2015 Workplace Communication and Collaboration In 2013, entrepreneurToni Loprestiand a few IT expert friends foundedIntellinote, an enterprise software company based in Reston, VA. Tony and I recently got together to talk workplace productivity andteam collaboration. In our interview, he discusses the evolving role of email, communication, and what companies can do to boost overallproductivity in the workplace. Tony, where do you see workplace collaboration heading in 2015 and beyond? The modern workforce is embracing lightweight, easy-to-use software tools that can be used anywhere, anytime. I fully expectworkspace collaboration toolsto support this paradigm too. Complex and unwieldy solutions will continue to fall out of favor with businesses going forward. How do you think our methods of business communication are changing? Unified communications will continue to gain significant traction in 2015 and beyond. Business users are unhappy with the fragmented nature of communications â€" spread across email, messaging applications, video conferencing solutions, etc. They will look to unify and bring business communications together. This approach will make meetings, discussions and conversation, which often result invaluable insightsand to-dos, more actionable. Fewer things will slip through the cracks. What should companies do to improve employee collaboration? Collaboration has both a physical aspect and a virtual aspect. On the physical front, companies need to keep an eye on the evolving science ofopen officesand floor plans to determine what’s best for their teams. On the virtual front, where software has a major role to play, companies owe it to themselves and their employees to foster collaboration. A sensible approach is to use tools that capture and organize business content that’s created by employees on a daily basis, that turn static content into actionable content with a click, and that consolidate their typical 6+ specializedcollaboration tools into a single platform. For more from Tony, head over to the full post on Intuits Fast Track blog.

How to Find a Free PDF Maker Online

How to Find a Free PDF Maker OnlineFinding a PDF maker online can be a chore. If you have ever browsed the first few pages of the search engines you would probably get dozens of results, then you may find yourself on another page with new links. In order to find the best PDF maker for your needs, it is best to use a tool called a Google search.A PDF maker online will usually contain tools that can help you create the file you need. These tools can range from very simple and useful to quite complicated and full featured. Not all PDF makers are created equal. To find the best free pdf maker, you will want to avoid the tools that are actually free and concentrate on the ones that are downloadable.There are many ways to make a PDF file. Some programs offer tools that will allow you to make the documents on your computer and others offer tools that will convert a file that is already on your computer. You will want to decide which type of program you want to use and look for one that offe rs all of the features you will need.In order to begin to create a PDF, you will need to download some software. Look for tools that offer many different templates for the document you will be creating. These templates can make it easier to make a flyer, letter, catalog or any other type of paper file.You will also want to choose a color scheme for your document. Use some bright colors for your letterheads and envelopes and put a little bit of gray in the front of your text. This will give it a professional look and make your project look much more professional.Once you have selected a template and a color scheme, you will be ready to begin creating a PDF. Just make sure that you give your PDF enough space to print, even if you are only going to be using the first few pages. Otherwise you will find that your files will get smaller as you go along.In order to maximize the productivity of your project, you will want to make sure that you use the best paper that you can afford. Many pe ople choose to use A4, letter-size paper for their PDF files. They do this because they save money and because the paper is quite thick.Before you start looking for a free PDF maker online, you will want to make sure that you are using the highest quality that you can afford. With just a little research and some trial and error you should be able to find a program that will work for you. Make sure that you know what you are looking for and then you will be able to quickly find it.

9 Social Media Tools to Enhance Your Content - Classy Career Girl

9 Social Media Tools to Enhance Your Content In my previous social media intern diaries, I shared the best scheduling resources for Social Media Managers that can assist you with posting content on your social media platforms consistently. Today, I am  sharing some other great social media  tools for creating and posting your images and photos. These resources will allow you to create images for your social media platforms that will surely increase your engagement. Here are the best social media tools for creating and sharing images: 1. Canva Canva  is a free tool that allows you to design presentations, social media graphics, and lots more with beautiful layouts, with images, filters, free icons shapes, and fonts. You can you your own photos for free or use their various free photos; however, you do have the option of using some premium graphics for about $1 each. 2. PicMonkey PicMonkey  is one of our favorite social media tools here at CCG. It is an online editing tool that you can use via your browser that allows you to edit your photos or images with beautiful filters, borders, and text. If you’re not a designer this would be perfect for you. 3. Befunky BeFunky  is another online editing and social media tool that allows you to edit your photos, create collages, or design your own beautiful graphics without the need of Photoshop. BeFunky is fun and easy-to-use. 4. Aviary Aviary  is an image editing on-the-go tool that you can use directly from a mobile app. Aviary is a mobile app for iOS and Android. It not only has filters and effects that you would normally expect to find on a mobile app but it allows offers, stickers and frames, crop, rotate, and straighten tools and allows you to add text to your images. Need to edit an image on-the-go before posting then this is the tool for you. 5. Subtle Patterns SubtlePatterns  allows you to download patterned backgrounds for free. There’s the catchâ€"it is for websites. However, here’s a quick tip…if you screenshot the background you can then upload and add to your image editor and use the image. 6. Pictaculous Pictaculous.Okay so you have the images you want for your graphics but you’re not sure of the colors you should choose; Pictaculous is a color palette generator. This tool studies your image and returns recommended palettes you can select from. 7. TypeGenius TypeGenius  is similar to Pictaculous; whereas, Pictaculous is a color palette generator, TypeGenius is a font generator that allows you to create the perfect combination of fonts. 8. Wordswag Wordswag  allows you generate text, words, and quotes with beautiful custom text layouts; now you can easily create amazing Instagram quote images. 9. Creative Market-Scene Creator CreativeMarket  Scene Creator allows you to create graphics with scene creator with no props or cameras required; now you can create designs and mockups in beautiful, realistic environments. Unfortunately, these are not all FREE; however, this is useful if you are unable to take your own great quality images. I hope these tools help you to get original, be creative, and be the designer you can be. What social media tools do you use? Let me know what we missed! I’d love to hear which ones you use!

How to Make Joint Custody Work for You, Your Ex, and the Children

How to Make Joint Custody Work for You, Your Ex, and the Children It’s hard enough to be a working parent. It’s even more challenging when you’re going through a divorce and trying to develop a plan that works for you, your soon-to-be ex, and, of course, the children. Knowing how to navigate this situation is key to a healthy outcome. Creating a Mutually Beneficial Child Custody Plan Joint custody is the ideal scenario in a divorce case. Children need both of their parents, and it’s always nice when parents can get along â€" even if it’s only for the sake of the kids. But for joint custody to work, you need to develop a plan that’s mutually beneficial. Here’s some advice on how to do just that: Get on the Same Page The first step is to sit down with your spouse and have a cordial, productive conversation. To ensure emotions don’t sidetrack the discussion, focus entirely on the children. Make a list of your short-term and long-term goals, so that you can both get on the same page. Even though you’ll soon be divorced, you’ll forever be co-parents. Negotiate a Parenting Agreement The court can mandate child custody terms for you, but it’s much better if you and your spouse can reach an amicable parenting agreement. “When negotiating a parenting agreement, the key is to craft an arrangement that is practical,” attorney Charles R. Ullman writes. “It should allow both parents to maintain a meaningful and consistent relationship with their child. It can’t be generic. It has to address a family’s unique existing and future needs.” Feel free to outline the agreement in private, but it’s smart to meet with a child custody attorney to make sure the arrangement promotes the child’s best interests and protects your rights as parents. Separate Spouse From Parent You and your spouse may be on bad terms, but remember that the focus is on the children. In fact, the kids are the only ones that really matter in this equation. It’s crucial that you understand a bad spouse doesn’t equal a bad parent. Your spouse may treat you terribly, yet still be an excellent parent. As difficult as it can be to separate one from the other (in your mind), you have to find a way to do it. Otherwise, you’ll never be at peace with your joint custody agreement. Discover the Best Method of Communication Communication is paramount to successful joint custody. If you’re on good terms with your ex, this won’t be super challenging. But if you’re on bad terms, it’s necessary to create some structure and discipline in how and when you communicate with one another. One helpful tip is to focus on the best method of communication â€" i.e. the one that results in the least amount of friction. Many co-parents find that text and/or email are ideal for this. Others discover that phone calls are best, as voice conversations are harder to misinterpret. Pick Your Battles You won’t agree with everything your ex chooses to do when they have custody of the children, but you have to learn to be okay with the small things. Pick your battles and don’t get caught up in the inconsequential things â€" such as what they eat for breakfast or whether they brush their teeth before bedtime. There are much bigger fish to fry. Save your energy. Put the Children First When you have children, you’re making the declaration that you will put someone else’s life above your own. There are thousands of situations where this comes into play, but it’s particularly evident in a divorce proceeding. While it’s easy to focus on your comfort, needs, and security, it’s absolutely imperative that you put your children first. With a purposeful joint custody agreement, you can take positive strides towards making this happen.

Cashier Resume Skills

Cashier Resume SkillsIn order to be successful in finding a job as a cashier, you'll need to have cashier resume skills. Although you won't know how to write a great resume until you've done the job for some time, it can help to see how the most successful cashiers do their job in order to understand what your cashier resume should be like. The resume is your chance to make a good impression with potential employers, and if you know how to write a great resume, you'll get noticed and get hired!First, a cashier resume is required by law in all states and many cities. It's important that you know exactly what to include on the resume so that you don't need to rewrite your resume again. Write down everything that can be included, including your education, work experience, and education by education. Also, be sure to list any awards you may have received, and try to indicate if you are currently working with children or if you have experience with prescription drug abuse.Include the hour s you worked, and also include your supervisor's name and number if you know them. You can also include if you were supervising other cashiers, or if you are a retail cashier. Be sure to include as much information as possible. Your cashier resume should be concise, and your employer will be able to tell from the cover letter alone that you are professional and honest.In addition to knowing how to write a cashier resume, you'll need to make sure that it is easy to read. Choose a font that will make the information easy to read and legible. Remember, the employer will be scanning your resume as soon as they receive it, so make sure to look professional. Also, choose a font that is easy to read, but make sure that the lettering is legible.Next, you'll want to make sure that you follow up your cover letter with a thank you note. Remember that you should always send a follow up thank you note as well, just as soon as you send your original. Having a thank you note means that you didn't just send your resume to one person and not the other. The more people you send your resume to, the better chance you have of being hired. When you send out a thank you note, be sure to include the contact information of any other job references that you may have.After you've written a cashier resume, you'll want to review it. You'll want to check it for spelling and grammar mistakes, and you'll want to review it for syntax and flow. A cashier resume needs to be extremely organized, and that means taking a few minutes to rearrange the information in your cashier resume. You can also have the company have someone look over your cashier resume, so that they can give you any corrections that you may need.The last thing you need to do is make sure that you know how to get the message across to the prospective employer. This is a skill that you'll need to practice, but this is one skill that you will want to master! The best way to practice your cashier resume skills is to take a practic e test, and writing a practice test will give you an excellent practice lesson.By knowing how to write a cashier resume, you'll be ahead of the game. Your cashier resume will be your best weapon against being overlooked, and you'll become much more likely to be called for a second interview. Cashier resume skills are a must, and you should take the time to learn them.

5 Essential CV Writing Rules

5 Essential CV Writing Rules When you’re on the hunt for a new job opportunity, it pays to understand the rules and guidelines of employer CV expectations. So StandOut CV have provided 5 essential CV writing rules to follow if you want to ensure your CV gets attention for employers.Ensure that your CV is specifically targeted towards one type of role to give it maximum appeal in that area. Trying to please everyone with your CV will make it appear to generic and weaken it’s effectiveness.Make sure that your CV makes a big impact on opening by heading it with a persuasive profile and tailoring it to include the most important requirements for the roles you are applying to.evalCreate a flawless appearance by using professional language throughout your CV and triple checking it for errors â€" as just one mistake could cause recruiters to start doubting your credibility.Prove your value to employers by including key achievements that have impacted your previous workplaces and quantify their importance by includi ng some impressive facts and figures.Your CV needs to be easy for recruiters to read and digest information so use a clean simple font and break the text up as much as possible.Infographic Credit â€" standout-cv.com

Im in the paper in Argentina - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Im in the paper in Argentina - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Argentinian magazine ?mbito recently featured us and our awesome partner in Buenos Aires, Martin Leroy of Grupo Aukera?in a number of articles about happiness at work. You can read all three here: Animarse a renunciar al trabajo Se deben priorizar las relaciones Nuevos cargos gerenciales para potenciar las organizaciones Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

ROI, your job search and social media -

ROI, your job search and social media - Whats the ROI? How do you know you are GETTING something from it? How much time do you spend? These are questions a friend of mine asks when I talk about how much I enjoy using Twitter to connect with colleagues and job seekers. She wants quantified RESULTS. How much money did I earn from it? How many clients do I have because of Twitter? Shes busy. She needs to make every second count. Im thinking, Do you ask about the ROI and decide if you are going to use the phone for your business? Email? Do you know much MONEY you made last month because you use the phone? Im thinking, If you want to move your business to the next level and doing what you have always done is not working, it is time to try something new. Something new does not always come with any immediate ROI. It builds. Snowballs. When that something new is Twitter, the impact could come in drips a new client here and there a retweet or two, or it may come in a wave a new business opportunity or partner, a new friend. We have lots of opportunities to expand our circles. Entrepreneurs have opportunities to share our expertise and sell our services. Similarly, job seekers can dive in, stake a claim online and lay claim to their own brands. Are you going to see an immediate return on your investment in social networks as a job seeker? Probably not, although you never know. (After all, it only takes one good contact.) Certainly, you can sit on the sidelines, shaking your head and saying, That will never work. I cant do that. It takes too much time. It is your own choice. My vote? Dive in with wild abandon, as my English teacher used to say. (Although, he was talking about great books, not Twitter!) Do something new! Try something different. Its a chance. A risk that you will be wasting your time. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you have something to offer, get out there and offer it or no one will know. Just do it. What is stopping you? If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While youre at it, be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on FacebookId be thrilled to have you as part of the community! photo by nolly