With so many lists circulating the internet about how to be more effective, productive, and happy when working from home, we felt it would be helpful to offer advice from a different perspective-one that we, as ActivTrak executives, consider on a daily basis. Because, while it’s vital for individuals to identify the best ways to work from home, it’s even more critical for leaders and managers to develop work environments that allow for at-home practices while still achieving critical company goals. Here are three key concepts for leaders looking to create and sustain a post-pandemic remote or hybrid workplace that fosters innovation, engagement, and success.

1. Trust & Transparency

In some capacity, managing in a hybrid or remote work environment will be a change for your company. Perhaps it was something that was implemented during the pandemic, but the environment six months ago looked nothing like it does now. With travel on the rise and eateries hitting capacity, it’s evident that, while people can still work remotely, their working conditions have changed dramatically. Some people prefer to work from home, while others prefer to work from a coffee shop or co-working facility.

We now have to deal with competing priorities at all hours of the day and in greater abundance. This isn’t a reason to return people to the office; rather, it’s a reason to foster a culture of trust and transparency in which employees feel comfortable disclosing their work schedules, at-home responsibilities, and ideal concentrate time. We foster an environment that leverages people’s strengths while remaining inclusive when we allow this knowledge to be shared openly. To build a productivity improvement culture, trust and transparency are essential.

2. Strategy Alignment & Accountability

With the workforce increasingly being spread for all or part of the week, it is critical for enterprises to ensure that a clear plan is communicated from the top. Then, to ensure that each team and employee understands how their work contributes to the company’s overall goal, we advocate defining OKRs (objectives and key outcomes) that may be cascaded across the business.

Each manager is then held accountable for these OKRs, ensuring that work is finished on schedule so that other departments may get on with their jobs. Flexible work arrangements necessitate close coordination and clearly defined tasks.  A software product called Lattice at ActivTrak to help us design and manage OKRs set deadlines, and provide performance feedback in order to improve accountability and results.

3. Explore how managing and coaching have changed

The company is undergoing significant transformation as it transitions to a hybrid and remote work environment. This is true for businesses that had remote procedures in place prior to the epidemic, as well as those that were forced to try it for the first time in response to the pandemic. As a result, it’s critical for us as leaders to remember that change requires time, careful planning, and ongoing two-way communication between managers and employees.Managing and coaching have taken on new meanings. We must discern what we used to see in a conference room from behind web-conferencing programs, messaging tools, and productivity indicators.

The managers at ActivTrak use our own workforce analytics software to evaluate productivity data so they can see when employees are most engaged in their job if they are taking enough breaks  and where they might need extra help. The managers monitor the most essential productivity indicators on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to help their teams provide the personalized, timely, and relevant support that their employees require, but that they would otherwise be unable to see in remote settings.

The post Three Leadership Principles for Remote Teams appeared first on Enterprise Viewpoint.

After all, a wise leader learns from their success and their failures, and business analysts can help them do just that by assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a company. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this field, then these are the skills and steps that you need to know.

What are the core competencies of business analysts?

As one of the top careers in business administration, business analysts are seeing far greater growth than the average business role at 27%. More and more leaders are seeing the value of business analysts in ensuring corporate success, and schools have responded to the rising demand by offering more business analytics programs to train the next generation of professionals that can lead organizations towards more informed data-driven decisions. To perform the duties expected from business analysts, you must acquire the following competencies:

Business Administration Skills

Business administration skills are foundational in this field. Your knowledge on business trends, conventions, and practices will help you in identifying problem spots and in creating solutions for your organization. Furthermore, your understanding of the dynamics within the company will guide you as you implement your projects.

Computer Skills

Proficiency in various computer applications is necessary in this field, because business analysts collect and present a lot of data. You will need to be proficient in simple programs, such as Excel, and even in advanced ones, such as Python, which will be necessary in accessing and analyzing data.

Communication Skills

Business analysts need to communicate a lot. Having good communication skills will help you in all kinds of tasks — from gathering data to offering solutions. These skills will also shape your success in convincing, explaining, and negotiating with various individuals in the company.

Stakeholder Management

Analysts will have to work with stakeholders, which are individuals that can either be affected or have an influence over your project. They have a key role in your company, so stakeholders can affect its success. As a business analyst, you should be able to identify all the stakeholders, their authority over your project, and how to best manage them.

How can you become a business analyst?

It takes a lot of hard work and effort to provide data-based solutions that can ensure a company’s success — and this starts with honing the skills above through both education and experience. Here are the steps you need to take to become a part of this profession:

Get an undergraduate degree in business

This field requires a wide range of skills and knowledge that you could acquire from an undergraduate degree, especially one in business administration. Getting a degree related to business helps analysts understand the processes and structures that are pivotal in every organization. While business analysts can come from different educational backgrounds, a good foundation in business administration will help in making well-rounded decisions that are rooted both in research data and business theory.

Build up your work experience

You can develop your skills by taking advantage of internship programs or by volunteering in organizations. If you’re in a different role in a company, you may also try doing tasks or projects that business analysts usually undertake so that you can improve your communication skills, research skills, computer skills, and critical thinking skills. You should also learn advanced skills that can increase your salary as a business analyst, such as data management, product support, and SAP quality management.

Author Bio

Jerah Boyles is an EV contributor and a business consultant with a passion for helping individuals do and be more. When she’s not at her desk or chatting with clients, Jerah enjoys urban gardening

The post How to Build your career as a Business Analyst appeared first on Enterprise Viewpoint.

Yes, productivity has become one of the major metrics to discern the performances of an individual or a group, but the way we use it is quite erroneous. Productivity is not slogging all day long. It has more to do with the application of your time and energy. You can work for the entire day, but as per your strengths and work-ethic, you might still be underachieving. This is valid the other way around as well. A scenario where you work for just for a few hours and still produce a breakthrough is not unrealistic at all. It’s important to not get caught up in the cultural definition of productivity, which preaches the commitment of all the time you might have at your disposal.

One of the other crucial building blocks of a truly productive culture is to work towards developing a sustainable model of productivity. What we usually see today is people working incessantly before an eventual burnout kicks in. This is because we go into our work without viewing it through the long-term lens. You have to be almost strategic about it. If you go all in within a shorter span, your long-term objectives are more or less sacrificed. This is not an ideal route to take when you are expected to work for more than just a limited period of time. This, by no means, should imply that one must not focus on the granular level details to enhance their productivity. The right approach is where you are pulling the little strings to achieve success on the big scale.

We as a modern society often associate pushing ourselves to our limits with being productive, and that’s exactly how it shouldn’t be viewed. You can be fairly productive by structuring your methodology in a way that it helps you in getting an optimal amount of work from your skill-set. At the end, it’s an essential thing to bear in mind that productivity is just a medium to reach our goals, and we can tinker with this medium until we find the best fit for us.

The post How Being Productive is not what it looks like appeared first on Enterprise Viewpoint.

1. The Mental Shift

It’s not very uncommon to get lost in your fear of how intimidating a task looks. Nevertheless, you can give yourself a nice motivation boost by switching your focus to that feeling of satisfaction you know you’ll get once you have completed that task.

2. Focus on the Purpose

We often allow ourselves to mull too much on how we can do something to get a perfect result. If we can change that by focusing on why we are doing something, and what purpose it serves, then maybe we can receive that much needed push to get it over the line.

3. Less is More

When you are running short on motivation, it’s important to value your little steps more than you would do usually. You are making an extra amount of effort, and for that you deserve to be appreciated. Use these little steps as building blocks for your motivation.

4. Keep it within reach

When we want to do something, but we are not able to find any motivation to do it, we fall into a tough moment. In this moment, everything looks like a difficult task, therefore it’s crucial to ensure that the goals you have set for yourself are within your range. Keeping an unrealistic goal will only further dampen your motivation.

5. Don’t shy away from responsibility

Create some healthy pressure on yourself by setting up an accountability system. This can be done by simply telling someone that you are taking responsibility of a particular task. Share your progress with that person later on. The eagerness to make a positive statement in front of someone else will keep you going in your sluggish moments.

6. Reward Yourself   

Nothing pushes you forward like a nice little reward system. As you work on your task, make little targets along the way. Once you have achieved a little target, reward yourself with something of your choice. The thought of getting something you love will keep you from going all slothful after a while.

The post The Science of Motivation and how you can master it appeared first on Enterprise Viewpoint.

In today’s day and age, everyone wants to leave their footprints on that mountain of success. However, only a small chunk of people are ready to actually climb the mountain for it. We live in an era of shortcuts, and that’s partially the reason why we don’t see many people getting to the top of that mountain. So, how do you figure out what works and what’s something you should steer clear off? While there is no textbook method to success, there are some elements you can integrate in your methodologies to make your climb to success a lot steadier. These elements are as follows:

1. Back your Vision

One of the traits that successful people have in abundance is that they always back their vision regardless of how ridiculous it sounds to the world. They know their idea is a game-changer and their belief isn’t wavered even when no one else seems to share that belief.

2. Keep an Open Mind

You have to bear in mind that you cannot be right all the time. There will be something that you are not doing in the correct manner, and in that moment you must remain all ears, if someone is trying to help you out. This openness to learn is what sets the successful people’s bunch apart from others.

3. Know that you Belong there

When you are vying to be successful, it’s of great importance for you to think that you belong to that elite sphere. Nothing is too good for you. Having a fine level of self-confidence steers you forward when circumstances are tough. You need to know that these are the moments you must get through to prove that you are good enough.

4. Keeping Complacency at Bay

This is one tricky thing to pull off. We, as human beings, have this tendency to get all smug once something goes our way. Caving in here is one of the biggest detrimental components in your journey to success. You must always have your feet on the ground. Instead of getting supercilious, think about your next move, and how you can further improve yourself.

5. Be Passionate about your Pursuit

If you are genuinely passionate about what you are doing, only then you can unlock the peak level of success. You need to have that burning desire to give your best. You need to care about what you are doing. If you are not passionate about your pursuit, no matter how much you hustle, you’ll never be able to make the most of yours and your project’s potential.

6. Be Opportunistic

On your pursuit of success, you’ll be presented with a fair amount of opportunities to get to the next level. Sometimes, these opportunities will turn up in a very subtle manner, therefore you must always be on the lookout for such chances. See the opportunity, assess it, and take the risk. To be successful, you are required to go all in at times. Be prepared to do it, if that’s what it takes.  

The post How to Climb the Ladder of Success? appeared first on Enterprise Viewpoint.

From Thursday 28 January, Andy Lambert, growth director at ContentCal, will provide a monthly Social Snapshot – a live briefing session including the latest changes in social media, and what they mean for marketing – exclusively for #EthicalHour paying members.

On the last Thursday of each month, Andy will deliver an overview on matters such as social media algorithm updates, content creation and strategy, so members can learn new skills and how to focus on audience engagement, which is key to growth.

Founder of #EthicalHour and award-winning ethical marketing strategist, Sian Conway, says: “We’re thrilled to have ContentCal as our partner in supporting our members, who are mainly micro and small business owners in the ethical and sustainability sectors. They are often overwhelmed by trying to keep up with fast-changing social media trends.

“The ethical and sustainable sectors are growing rapidly, as is consumer demand for ethical brands. So helping such businesses engage with the public is crucial, but they have specific marketing requirements. By bringing #EthicalHour and ContentCal together, these amazing entrepreneurs will get the support they need. Every Social Snapshot will be available for replay for members, adding to our existing collection of expert resources. We’d love to welcome new members who’d like to benefit from our thriving community.”

Andy adds: “We at ContentCal are on a mission to simplify social media marketing to help businesses of all sizes be found online. As such, we are thrilled to be working with #EthicalHour to help deliver this education to an incredibly valuable community.

“I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge honed over 12 years of growing multiple SaaS businesses. I’m especially excited about helping ethical enterprises to develop so they can have an even bigger impact, whether it’s social or environmental.”

As part of the new membership perk, #EthicalHour members will also be given a free content calendar and planning template, 10% discount on ContentCal’s paid plan, and two online masterclasses on content creation.

Ethical business owners can join the community here: https://ethicalhour.co.uk.

The post Online ethical B2B brand and ContentCal join forces to boost small businesses appeared first on Enterprise Viewpoint.

On another note, some cyclists want to get equal rights like other drivers on the path but are not ready to follow the necessary steps for that. They want the same attention as other vehicles but are not prepared to do something that their vehicle special.

Therefore, the number of people who believe that cycle lights are important is decreasing day by day. Anyway, here we are elaborating on some points that may help you to realize why it is necessary to use lights no matter when you are riding it. Let’s proceed!

Responsibly Riding

On the path, many cars use lights even in the daytime. What’s the reason? The reason is to be more visible to others. Don’t you think that this reason is wise enough for cyclists too? To be precise, if a cyclist is riding without lights, he is not visible enough to other vehicles, and therefore crashes and accidents may take place there.

On the other hand, if one is using strong lights that are seen even from very far, others see it clearly and get alert to drive more carefully. As simple as that! So, using sunlight all the time makes you a responsible rider that is not only saving his life but also helping others drive safely.

To See

This point doesn’t even need any explanation. When you are riding at night time, you need to see the road. Since the road is not as smooth as you see in the video games, there are debris, road furniture, drain covers, and many other hazards.

Therefore, a clear vision is crucial for a safe ride. So, how can we expect a safe ride without even seeing the road? Also, there are pedestrians over there, and you have to safe ride for them.

Although many countries made a law for implementing the idea of using bike running lights, still some of the cyclists don’t take is sincere. However, it’s high time to follow this, and there is no chance to take it for granted.

To Be Visible

Hopefully, the title said it all. To tell people that you exist on the road, what do you need to do? You cannot shout, make noise, or keep waving all over the rude, right? Therefore, your lights should be there to warn people that you are around. This is not something you can easily ignore.

To avoid crashes, you have to warn others about your existence. For instance, you are riding at high speed, and there is a car coming towards you from the other side. So, how does that know that you are on the line? Only your lights will say that.

Be Aware of Changing weather.

Many areas have rapidly changeable weather. If you are a resident of such a place, having lights on your cycle is crucial. Some countries have such changeable weather that sometimes it just takes less than a minute to get dark even on a sunny day.

Especially for those people, using lights can be a life savior.

Law Requires It

As we said before, many countries made laws to implement the idea of using light, especially at night time. Therefore, not using lights while riding in the dark can be a punishable crime.

Although many regions are out of this law, you need to check out which area you live in. Generally, white frontal light, along with a red one at your back, should be attached according to the.

The same law goes for the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Gradually, the law is accepting the flashlights, too. Therefore choosing your favorite lights became easier,

The Bottom Line

Initially, there were fewer options for bike lights. However, the possibilities for light lovers are increasing with time. However, it doesn’t matter what lights you are using and which brand it comes from, using lights is a must.

Also, lights should be there to make you more visible and no other purpose. Although people are fancier nowadays and started buying different types of lights according to their choice and sometimes matching with their bikes, the primary necessity has focused on is the best o

The post Should Cyclists Use Daytime Running Lights? appeared first on Enterprise Viewpoint.

Cigarette smoking has been in the limelight for centuries now. Believe it or not, there was a time when everyone believed smoking cigarettes was a relaxation habit, but as science progressed, it was discovered that it caused more harm than good. On that same note, we now know the repercussions of smoking tobacco cigs.

Unfortunately, quitting smoking is better said than done, but now using CBD cigarettes, a tobacco-free world might be nearer than we thought. Wondering what CBD cigarettes are? In simple terms, they are just like traditional cigarettes with only cannabidiol minus all the other harmful traditional cigarette ingredients like nicotine and tar.

That said, let’s find out the ten best cannabidiol cigs brands in the market.

1. Sweet Cake

This brand offers special CBD cigarettes with a well-thought blend of earth, gelato, and cake flavors that stimulate the senses. These cannabidiol cigarettes are immaculately sealed in a glass tube, and each joint has 0.6 grams of organic hemp and crutches. The cannabidiol concentration is at 18.5% and is from an Indica strain of the hemp. It is best for sleep induction, relaxation, and pain relief.

2. Dough Boy

This brand of CBD cigarettes consists of hybrid cigs available in either a 7-pack or a 2-pack. One Dough Boy has 0.6 grams of organic hemp with an 85 milligram content of cannabidiol. Also sealed in a glass tube, this CBD cigarette is perfect for a relaxation session. The terpene formulation consists of an earthy scent, creamy aroma, and a sweet smell.

3. Sour Gummi

Sour Gummi is one of the best CBD cigarettes, and it is also a hybrid strain available in a 2-count pack. Each joint has a CBD content of 16.9% flavored with sour, fruity, and sweet aromas when lit up. The total cannabinoids percentage for each cig is 21.7%. The sour Gummi is perfect for a boost of mood to get you focused and productiv

4. Plain Jane

The Plain Jane CBD cigarettes come in 2-pack, 10-pack, or 20-pack, each stick having a 72 mg CBD content. This brand has an odorless aroma that is great for staying conspicuous. One of the CBD cigarettes health effects Plain Jane offers is fewer toxins’ inhalation. It is excellent for outdoor smoking due to the reduced odor effect.

5. Mr. Rainbow

Mr. Rainbow is a great hybrid mood booster that comes in either a 2-count or 7-count package. The joints are well stuffed in a glass tube and have a CBD content of 22.3%. The 0.6 g joint also has 24.2% cannabinoids. The tastes used in these CBD cigarettes are cream, haze, and cookies.

6. Frosted Kush

This brand is an Indica strain purchased in either 2-count or 7-count casings. Sticks are enclosed in a glass tube, and each weighs 0.6 g with a 19.5% CBD content. When burned, they give out berries and cupcakes aromas.

7. Papaya Nights

Papaya Nights is a Sativa strain designed for relaxation with the tropical fruit, earthy and sweet scents. The glass sealed CBD cigarettes; each has 76 mg cannabidiol content with 95 mg cannabinoids. They each weigh 0.6g.

8. The Secret OG

An Indica strain with four distinctive aromas, kush, bubblegum, diesel, the Secret OG is available in a 2-count or 7-count packet. The cannabidiol content per joint is 18%, and the available cannabinoids are 19%. The Secret OG is perfect for a chilling session.

9. Colorado Hemp Sticks

This brand has a catchy flavor majorly of hemp, which gives it a natural feel as you smoke into relaxation. The Colorado Hemp Sticks have a shallow THC content at 0.3%, which provides you with a mild high feeling. Each packet comes with 20 joints.

10. LiveHemiply

One packet of LiveHempily comes with 20 CBD cigarettes, each containing 25 mg of CBD. The hemp used is GMO-free. They are highly potent and handy for pain relief, inflammation, and curb anxiety and depression.

Conclusion

If you compare the use of CBD cigs and tobacco cigs, CBD cigarettes are safe for you. They have fewer toxins in their composition and offer you extra benefits like relaxation, pain relief, pain relief, and quitting tobacco cigarettes.

Do CBD cigarettes work? Yes, they do! Just make sure you have the best CBD content for your condition and smoke the problem away!

About the author

Rae Hudson, EV Contributor

Rae Hudson tried to quit smoking tobacco cigarettes for three years. But all that changed after she gave CBD cigarettes a try. So far, she has reduced her smoking habit and hopes to eliminate it by the end of the year entirely.

The post The Ultimate Guide: 10 Best CBD Cigarettes In The World Right Now appeared first on Enterprise Viewpoint.

As the employer wellness market continues to grow, valued at $90B according to Grand View Research, there are key elements that are helping to capture the attention of the market and gain traction among employers and participants. And with wearable devices to AI to athleisure wear, more individuals are taking an active role in their health and wellness, making the new year a prime opportunity to invest in new trends.

“Employers continue to see strong outcomes and positive return from investments into employee wellness programs, with increases in productivity, stronger engagement, and a positive company culture,” said Mitch Collier, senior vice president of product management for StayWell. “More companies are taking a proactive approach to health and wellness benefits, adding new concepts and programs that have received positive employee support in boosting workplace wellness.”

Five Wellness Trends to Watch in 2020:

1. Financial Wellness: With 64 percent of Americans experiencing stress about money¹, getting finances under control can help to improve employee health and productivity. Look for more employers to offer financial wellness programs for employees, including those like the new online offerings from StayWell, to reduce employees’ anxiety related to a lack of financial knowledge.
2. Technology Integration: As wearables and online platforms allow users to sync data in real-time, expect more employers to move to a mobile platform as the hub of information for all health interactions. Allowing employees to connect with their health info via smartphones makes employer health programs more accessible to remote workforces and those outside a traditional office setting, encouraging an even more accessible approach to employee health and wellness.
3. Wellness at Work:  From company walking groups to onsite fitness facilities to treadmill desks, wellness is making its way into the office. More employers are seeing the benefits of even small investments in workplace health, through offerings like standing desks and healthier food options in breakrooms. This trend will continue to trickle down to small-to-medium sized businesses throughout 2020 as prices become more accessible.
4. Flexible work/life balance: More employers are embracing flexible working hours and remote work in response to Gen Z and Millennials pushing for greater work/life balance. Advanced technology and an always-on culture mean that work isn’t restricted to an office or from 9-5. Expect more employers to offer flexible work options and generous leave policies for employees in 2020.
5. Health Coaching: As access to care providers is increasingly strained, more employers are utilizing health coaches to bridge the gap between health and wellness. StayWell provides health coaching on behalf of employers to help employees set goals, identify obstacles and find solutions, creating buy-in and tailored experiences. More employers will be adding health coaches as an extension of their benefits in the new year, helping to create workplace cultures of healthier, more productive employees.

Collier says other employer benefit trends on the rise include stress management and meditation, wellness programs to improve workplace safety, and greater parental leave policies for new parents. He adds, “more companies are starting to view wellness programs as a business objective instead of an employee perk, understanding the correlation between improving employee health and company performance.”

StayWell provides innovative health and well-being solutions to leading employers across the country. For more than 40 years, the company has been a pioneer in employee well-being solutions that lower health risks, increase program engagement, and reduce costs for large businesses and public sector clients everywhere.

The post Top 5 Employer Wellness Trends in 2020 appeared first on Enterprise Viewpoint.

It is one thing to learn to design as a business leader, but if you wish to take up a career in designing then it becomes ever more important. As a designer, you will have to stay top of the latest trends and concepts in the designing world. So how do you do that?

No matter whether you are a business leader, looking for a career design or an established designer there are always ways to learn to design even more.

Take a look at this info-graphic from the creative market on 12 free ways to learn to design

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