LeadingEdge Personnel Tag

If you’re among the countless people who are new to working at home or are currently working remotely on a more long-term basis than before, it’s ok to feel a little untethered. It’s a big change! Especially right now, as we were told to stay home without much warning or preparation. The good news is, there are lots of people who have worked remotely for a number of years and have grown to love it. There are plenty of ways to make it work, so you’re just as productive and efficient from your home office (or dining room table or couch) as you would be at your desk in the office. Here’s how to make your working from home days successful and productive ones: 

Who doesn’t love summertime? Nice weather, picnics and patios, long days and beautiful sunsets and so many fun things to do with friends after the workday ends. But that’s the issue faced by many managers: How do you keep your focus sharply fixed on the task at hand and not lose track of projects at work when there are so many fun distractions to consider? Here are some tips on how to keep your productivity in place during those lovely summer months: 

Let’s be honest: We all need a little help getting motivated some days. Whether due to a lack of sleep, too many projects at once, a lack of passion about a task, or just feeling a little blah, it can be challenging to meet the day with vigor all the time. When you’re feeling a little low energy, here are some podcasts that can help regain the pep in your step and give you new energy to stay focused and motivated to complete the work at hand.

There might not be a cure for the summertime blues, but there are ways to help stave off slacking and low morale among employees in those potentially lazy, hazy crazy days of summer. It’s the time of year most people dream about -- long days, warm temperatures, patios and picnics and picturesque times of leisure. But when you have to work, how do you maintain momentum and ambition? How do you keep your team focused when you’d all rather be somewhere else? It’s not impossible. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

Whether you're just starting out in your career or you've decided to become a legal secretary after a few years spent in other jobs, there will be plenty of responsibilities on your shoulders in this position.How will you set yourself apart from other legal secretaries -- especially if you're looking to make a strong first impression in a new firm? 

Often a go-to for seasonal businesses or retailers who need extra help around the holidays, temporary workers could be a perfect solution during uncertain times. When a company needs extra hands to finish a project, fill a backlog of orders, prepare for a new product launch or to help meet a deadline, temporary workers are just the ticket: People who are available, eager to work, ready to join your team for a short time and then move on to the next job. Temporary work benefits the employees as it’s an avenue for income for a set length of time, plus it gives them new work experiences that can help point them in the direction of a new career (if they so choose). But there are plenty of advantages to managers and companies as well! Consider these benefits of hiring temporary workers: 

If your team has not worked remotely before, it can be a big and unsettling change from the routine of working in an office environment. Suddenly there are more distractions and temptations within arm’s reach, to say nothing of pets or kids or noisy neighbors. As a manager, your team will look up to you and follow the direction and example you set. It’s possible to work successfully from home, after making some adjustments in expectations and priorities. Here’s how to establish realistic goals for success while working remotely: 

Whether due to record-breaking success, explosive growth, or turnover, every office needs a little help adding good, high-quality employees to their ranks from time to time.Hiring can be a time-consuming and stressful process, one that managers and team leaders probably don’t have time to do while they’re trying to keep the office running smoothly. 

If you think an administrative assistant as someone who fetches coffee, sorts the mail, and spends all day just answering phones and taking messages, it’s time for a reassessment. An administrative assistant is a manager’s right and left hand. They keep the office running at top speed, with everything in its place and all deadlines kept top of mind. Administrative assistants are of the utmost importance in busy offices and need to do a little bit of everything each day to be their most successful. 

There are only so many hours in a day and so many days in a week. As a leader, one of the most important skills you can cultivate is knowing when you take a task on yourself and when to delegate it to someone else. Delegating responsibilities is not a symptom of laziness or ineffectiveness. It’s a way to prioritize your time while allowing others on your team to rise to the challenge and expand their skills. It’s also a way to show you trust your team to contribute, in an important way, on a big project.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re delegating enough, that’s usually an indication you’re not.