Are We All Knowledge Workers Now

Are We All Knowledge Workers Now Management guru Peter Drucker coined the term knowledge worker in his 1969 book, The Age of Discontinuity, differentiating knowledge workers from manual workers and insists that new industries will employ mostly knowledge workers. The Work Foundation defines knowledge work as that which uses high level ‘tacit’ knowledge that resides in people’s minds, rather than being written down (or codified) in manuals, guides, lists and procedures. They also say that knowledge work cannot be adequately described simply by looking at job titles or education levels, two interesting facts emerge from their research: About 20 per cent of people engaged in jobs with high knowledge content â€" the core group of knowledge workers â€" are not graduates. Knowledge work is about equally likely to be done by men and women, but it’s interesting to note that the growth of more knowledge intensive work has not, of itself, overcome the gender pay gap. The term ‘knowledge economy’ refers to a transformed economy where investment in ‘knowledge based’ assets such as RD, design, software, and human and organisational capital has become the dominant form of investment compared with investment in physical assets â€" machines, equipment, buildings and vehicles. In essence our infrastructure and ways of working have changed the basis on which our organisations compete. We often hear about ‘talent management’ and ‘high potential employees’ being groomed for great things, but these days even routine jobs require judgement and improvisation and the ability to deal with ambiguity and volatility. The performance of everyone on your team counts, we are all problem solvers contributing to the overall mission. We all have our own talents and in a collaborative environment all employees help the organisation develop better products and services, improve business performance and increase profit, making better and faster decisions. Knowledge workers need to be empowered to work towards well-defined goals choosing their own routes and processes where feasible. Manage workers as though they are volunteers Drucker says we have to relearn how to manage people. We have to manage people as though they were volunteers. Volunteers get satisfaction from what they do because they are challenged and enriched by the work, not by the paycheck. They need a challenge, they need to know the organization’s mission and believe in it”. I advocate creating an environment where knowledge sharing is encouraged, but where employees can also find space to work quietly when they need to. Give them the big picture and make sure everyone knows where they fit in. Career conversations between managers and workers, so that career management plans are shared and mapped are invaluable. The truth is that the way we hire people has changed too. Now so many workers are contractors or freelance, we have perforce changed the way we manage and measure performance. It’s important that we create a workplace where these people want to work. Finding talented people is hard enough, keeping them is even harder, so it makes sense to show we value them. Goffee and Jones, authors of Creating the Best Workplace on Earth suggest that you “think not about how much value to extract from workers but about how much value to instil in them”.

How to Resume Writing a Novel After a Long Time

How to Resume Writing a Novel After a Long TimeIf you have been working on a novel for a long time, it is likely that you will want to know how to resume writing a novel after a long time. It may seem like a silly question, but writing a novel can take up a lot of your time.Once you have put all the time into the novel, you may feel that you have to rush through it to get it out and published. That is not what is best for your work. You should sit down and make sure that your novel is finished first before you even think about writing it.The reason why writing a novel after a long time is important is because there are other areas in your life that need to be worked on. You do not want to create any problems for yourself with writing. At the same time, you should be looking for ways to increase your productivity. When you have your work ready, you will be able to have more time to focus on other things.While you are waiting for your novel to come to you, it is important to keep your focus on other activities. For example, if you want to write about your vacation or your relationship problems, you should take some time off and relax. Writing on a Friday is not a good idea.In addition, while you are writing your book, it is important to be as productive as possible. At the same time, you should try to pace yourself. Work on one chapter at a time so that you can manage your time properly.In addition, if you have been working on a novel for a long time, you may find that you have reached a point where you will need to decide whether or not you should move forward with the project. If you find that it is not moving forward, it is important to remember that you are not going to be able to finish it. If you are going to continue with it, make sure that you get enough rest and relaxation between writing sessions.You may find that you can write a novel after a long time by working on it in spurts. That way, you can get rid of the clutter and distractions in your mind an d focus on the writing. By doing this, you will be able to achieve more clarity and maintain a productive pace.If you find that you cannot write a novel after a long time, then you should move on to something else. You may have to revise and rewrite several times before you get your final draft. With a little patience and effort, you can accomplish this goal.

How to Get the LinkedIn Profile for the Job You Want

How to Get the LinkedIn Profile for the Job You Want Its a question nearly every one of us gets asked at some point during our school life by a teacher, What do you want to do/be when you grow up?. And whilst that answer can change a million times from the age of five till about 12, its really after that stage that people really take into consideration the career path they want to follow. Take me for example. An eight-year-old Ushma would have happily answered that she wanted to be a midwife because of my obsession with babies at the time. I loved them and would happily coo and play with any small person I came in to contact with. But fast forward just two years later and the answer to that question had completely changed thanks partly to my obsession with American boy band New Kids on the Block and the opportunity I was given to interview them backstage at one of their UK concerts. At the age of 10, I had a double-page spread and a byline in a popular British teen magazine called Look-In. And from then on I knew I wanted to be a journalist and set about sculpting my education towards that goal. At the age of 10, I was able to change my choice of career a dozen times without it having any kind of detrimental effect on me. But what if your candidate has done what I did and followed an educational and work experience path towards that one career they set their mind on for them to want to change it? How easy is it to do this and be taken seriously? How can your candidate show experience or interest in a field so potential employers would give them a job in that area where they have very little of it? One of the first places potential employers and recruiters look is a candidates LinkedIn profile. Yes, a CV is also a very handy tool for your candidate to impress future employers but with most people having access to LinkedIn its the most obvious place your candidate should start. So how do you get the LinkedIn profile for the job you want, not the job youve got? Here 4 recruiting experts give us their tips 1.  Jon Gregory, blogger and editor of Win-that-job.com, says: Where a candidate lacks direct experience of a specific role they are chasing, they need to focus on identifying the full range of competencies that the role would require and then prop up a solid example of each on their profile summary in bullet point format. That ensures key boxes will end up ticked, securing the candidate fuller consideration. If an employer is determined to recruit someone from the same industry who has already been in the exact same role, there is nothing a candidate can do, except look for more enlightened and switched-on employers who want to go places, rather than stay stuck in the mud. 2.  Lysha Holmes, Director of Qui Recruitment, says: I would suggest that you mirror the language used by those you aspire to be like and find extra curricular experience if possible as this should demonstrate your desire to move into the area/specialism: it also allows you to establish the pattern which shows your passion for the area you want to go into. 3.  James Nathan, of Jamesnathan.com, says: This is never an easy thing to do, but ensure that you highlight the transferable skills you have and write from the readers perspective. 4.  Liz Sebag-Montefiore, C0-founder of 10Eighty, says: Craft a good elevator pitch: keep your introduction strong to catch the listener’s attention, then focus on points that are your strengths and talk about why you’d like to work for the company. Changing careers shouldnt be a frightening experience, in fact, it could improve your candidates life, particularly if theyre really unhappy doing the job theyre in. While completely changing careers may mean they need extra training or qualifications, more often than not all they need is some self-belief and a lot of determination. Because as the saying goes, If you dont ask, you dont get.

The Most Anticipated Fashion And Beauty Products Of 2019

The Most Anticipated Fashion And Beauty Products Of 2019 2019 is finally here and things are about to change big. Every year or every season for that matter it seems that the fashion and beauty industries are always changing things up or introducing new products on the market. In fact, both markets are so saturated that they can really make your head spin. And, it is safe to safe that in 2019 things aren’t going to slow down, but they are going to change big and it is time for you to get ahead of the game and know what’s going to be in and what’s going to be out. Below, you will discover some of the most anticipated fashion and beauty products of 2019. Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen Collagen is extremely important to maintaining excellent skin. The only problem is that when you age your collagen production drops, which leaves your skin saggy and wrinkly. Of course, there are tons of products and procedures out there that can help aid with this, but 2019 is about to introduce the first ever vegan form of collagen. That’s right Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen combines alguronic acid with a unique vegan formula to bring you a bedtime treatment that can prevent overnight skin dehydration while increasing the skin’s overall moisture levels. 94% of people that have already utilized this product said that their skin felt and look more hydrated after one overnight treatment. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Kiehl’s Facial Cream is already the best selling cream available on the market, but in 2019 it is getting an overhaul. The manufacturers are completely reformulating the substance and removing the paraben. In fact, they want to make all their products paraben-free by the end of 2019. However, long-term users should not be scared that their beloved product is going to change. The scientists spend five years and more than 114 different versions to create a formula that is identical to what you have come to expect from the brand. Chanel Baume Essential Multi-Use Glow Stick This multi-purpose balm first showed up on the Chanel Spring 2019 runway and fans have been hooked ever since counting down the days until this new product launches. Lucia Pica created this product and her goal was to provide users with a transparent shade that delivers a sheer glow along with dewy, pearlescent shimmer. This handy little product is perfect for the lips, cheeks, or even the eyes. Benefit Roller Liner Are you one of those messy makeup ladies that can’t highlight your lashes or draw on clean wings to save your life? Well, the Benefit Roller Liner is going to change that in 2019. Even the newbie will be able to draw on super straight, precise lines. The Roller will be available in matte black and matte brown with an extra-fine tip that glides smoothly without dragging.

High School Resume Writing - Know Your Facts

High School Resume Writing - Know Your FactsWhile writing a resume for high school students, you want to be as positive as possible so the information will get through. The first thing you should do is take off any spelling mistakes and make sure that your previous work experience is present on your resume.Then use your writing skills to draw attention to the right side of your page. You can highlight your educational achievements, using bullet points. In order to help your potential employer learns about you, you should be able to list your interests and experiences under each of the sections of your resume.Remember that you did not start out in high school years by having a full resume. Also, most high school students have gone through a year of high school before they start attending college so it's not a good idea to just give them a generic resume with a general outline. This would also show them that you are not serious about your job search.If you are a student with college ex perience, include the names of your instructors and your college's name. This will help demonstrate how you have taken classes throughout the years and have gained new knowledge. If you feel that your resume is too general, then you can always include your awards or honors as an example.When creating a resume for high school students, avoid listing everything at once. You should stick to one or two areas of your life, such as your high school or college experience. Doing this will give the resume the appearance of professionalism.However, you want to make sure that you are keeping your college experience up to date. In other words, if you worked in the corporate world in college, you want to highlight this in your resume. Most employers want to see that you were successful and learned the right lessons throughout your college career.You can also include a section on your current positions and responsibilities. Some people who already have jobs want to write down their skills and get as much information on their resume as possible. You should include skills related to the job you are applying for.When writing a resume for a high school student, be realistic about your ability to perform certain tasks and take shortcuts. The last thing a potential employer wants to see is someone who is willing to take shortcuts. A simple way to ensure that you are meeting your expectations is to focus on the skills and experiences that you are lacking instead of attempting to use shortcuts.

Want to Have A Big Impact During Organizational Change Focus on Leader Communication

Want to Have A Big Impact During Organizational Change Focus on Leader Communication Any organizational change inspires questionsâ€"lots of questions: Will we change our structure? Who will I report to? Will I still have a job? How does this impact me?Questions are powerful because they’re the way employees learn about change. The answers they get will start the process of building knowledge and commitment.evalEnter leaders. They are in a unique position to build trust, encourage engagement and provide clarity. And they have a key role to play: answering employees’ questionsâ€"often before they’re asked.Here’s why leaders should be a top priority when communicating change:Leader visibility = Trust. When employees see leaders in front of change Set leaders up to communicate change successfully by:Getting them on board. Provide the space for leaders to build knowledge of the change and decipher how it will impact their teams. A full-day collaborative workshop with the CEO ensures agreement about the change and the plan to implement it.Defining their role. Setti ng clear expectations for leaders makes it easy for them to follow through. For example, create a one-page overview that summarizes key messages they need to share and clearly identifies the support neededâ€"whether it’s hosting one virtual meeting a quarter or writing a biweekly microblog.Developing a change communication toolkit. Once leaders understand their role, they need resources to help them deliver. Try a communication toolkit, including talking points and frequently asked questions, to ensure they’re answering questions consistently. This toolkit can also include tips for communicating change.2. Create channels for LeadersNow that leaders are ready for their communication role, create channels to help them be visible and answer questions. It’s important that communication is a mix of two-way (appropriate for discussion) and awareness tools (when employees just need an update).Two-way channelsEngagement sessions â€" You have two options here: 1) Get employees involved before the change is “public knowledge.” Use these small-group forums to involve employees in the change-planning process. This early involvement will not only give insight in to what employees want and need, but will also increase employee buy in during implementation. 2) After the change is announced, ask for employees’ input as change plans are shaped. Their involvement will encourage ownership and commitment.Discussion threads â€" During change, set up a discussion board to foster an open dialogue between employees and leaders. These informal threads are a great place for employees to post questions as they come upâ€"rather than waiting for the next town hall or small group meeting.Coffee chats â€"These informal, small meetings give employees a chance to have a meaningful conversation with leaders in a relaxed setting.Web-based meetings â€" Hosting regular web updates during change is a good way to engage all employees as the change is happening. They should not just be o ne-way discussions, but include interactive techniques, such as text-polling, white-boarding or a live chat, so employees can share their thoughts and provide input.Awareness channelsMicroblogs â€" Microblogs (short, 50- to 100-word posts) give employees information straight from leaders with less formality than a company-wide email. Microblogs should be timely, address specific aspects of change as they happen and give employees a clear call to action.Video updates â€" Have leader’s record short, two-minute videos throughout the change process to give employees an idea of what’s been done so far and what’s to come.3.Understand the effectiveness of leaders’ roleGather data about leaders as they communicate. The info can help you make adjustments to your communicationâ€"from increasing visibility to focusing on hot topics. Try pulse surveys after key events, such as a town hall. And collect the questions asked during face-to-face sessions or on microblogs to assess knowledge of the change among employees.

The Pitfalls To Avoid When Seeking A Promotion

The Pitfalls To Avoid When Seeking A Promotion If you feel stuck in a career rut, your friends are leapfrogging you on the management ladder and you have been in the same role for half a decade or more, you need to consider your future. Are you happy? Do you want this to be the final position you ever have? The chances are the answer to these questions is no otherwise you wouldnt be reading this. The days of instant guaranteed promotion are long gone. You need to be proactive, seek out opportunities and put in maximum effort to just get to the interview stage. Jobs are scarce and will always go to the finest candidates. It’s up to you to ensure you can hold your own against the competition. Take a look at these three pitfalls to avoid when you are going for your next promotion. Lack Of Relevant Skills Just because you did that in-house software training three years ago doesn’t mean you are ready for a leadership role that involves managing a small team of offshore experts. You need to ensure that you have the skills and qualifications relevant to the position you are applying. If the management role requires experience in overseeing multi-million dollar projects and delegating to a staff team, then take on more responsibility in your current position ready for the next rung on the career ladder. Get some more industry specific qualifications under your belt like an engineering MBA to demonstrate your eagerness to continually grow and learn professionally. These skills can then be translated into your new role. Scattergunning If you are one of those people that might spy a dozen jobs on Linkedin and then apply for every single one using the same application, then you will never get to interview stage, and you’ll see your name firmly on the rejection pile. It’s important to be nuanced in your approach to your career path. Only apply for those roles that are a perfect fit with your personality and skill set. You need a bespoke application for each job to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the person specification. You need to be concise, match your skills to the job spec and show off a little knowledge about the company you wish to work for. This will get your foot in the door, so you can impress face to face. Rejection Even though you may have applied for a couple of jobs and been swiftly rejected, it’s essential that you don’t become too disheartened. It’s always tough to discover that your seemingly perfect job has another candidate in mind. If you are continually finding yourself opening up rejection emails, reply and ask for some constructive feedback on your application. It might be that you don’t have enough experience in a certain area, you are missing a qualification, or you are simply up against fierce competition, and it was a close call. Keep persevering and plugging away and eventually, you will secure your much-deserved promotion. Making the leap from middle management to leadership is always the hardest hurdle as there are fewer roles for greater numbers of job seekers. However, follow this advice, and you can maximize your chances of promotion success.

Debunking the Career Test Myth - Hallie Crawford

Debunking the “Career Test” Myth When you hear the words “career test,” do you roll your eyes in skepticism or do you get a bit excited hoping the test is somewhat magical in that it will unequivocally point you in the ideal career direction? Many people respond in one of these two ways and miss out on the value of assessments. The first important thing to know is that career tests are not tests at all. They are defined as assessments because, unlike a test, there is no right or wrong answer. It is simply a measure or comparison of information based on empirical research. Secondly, assessments help to describe valid, specific pieces of your career puzzle. Think of them as arrows that point the way to career fulfillment. Instruments such as the Myers Briggs and Strong Interest Inventory fortify your foundational puzzle and give evidence to the blueprint that is you. These assessments will help you articulate, define, and understand aspects of your authentic self more clearly in a way that can launch you into the research and then decision-making process. Are you ready to put your career puzzle together? Myers Briggs and Strong Assessment Atlanta Career Coach