Tips on creating a less stressful work environment for employees Companies can create an environment at work that can decrease stress and help prevent employee burnout. Some tips on creating a workplace that fosters employee well-being include regular break times, encouraging use of private workspaces when people need to focus, setting boundaries for time off and considering flexible work policies. Harvard Business Review online (tiered subscription model) (11/5)What makes a good leader? Bosses micromanage people while leaders set vision and direction and let employees maximize their own talents, says leadership expert Scott Miller. Among the traits he cites in good leaders are emphatic listening and modeling the right way to treat people. ThinkAdvisor (free registration) (11/7)
Making the Connection
Set a positive tone to boost the customer experience Finding a balance with good customer service is important, and columnist Joe Schultz explains how managers can better shape their culture. Stand behind the decisions of your team, remember that your employees crave appreciation, and be willing to join in and work alongside your team when there's tasks needing to be done. Retail Customer Experience (11/6)
Poll
Poll results: How well do you sleep? A New York Times article cites research that says better-rested workers are more productive and earn more money compared to people who get less sleep; and the article said where you live in the country can affect your sleep. It looks like a lot of us could use more -- or at least better -- sleep. New poll question on Monday.
Fair
43.29%
Good
30.14%
Poor
26.57%
The Landscape
Study: Walking is good for the economy By encouraging employees to add a 15-minute walk to their day, the global economy could see a boost of as much as $100 billion a year, according to a study by think tank RAND Europe and Vitality. The gains would be seen in increased longevity and reduced absenteeism. Reuters (11/5)
Your Next Challenge
Start your presentation on a high note To kick off her presentations, professional speaker Dana Brownlee uses the same ice breaker that she tailors for each audience. "A high impact successful opener generates a positive response from the group that sets a high energy tone for the presentation overall," she writes. Forbes (11/7)
As macro brewers expand their offerings by acquiring micro brews and nano brews, the parameters for defining what constitutes "craft" beer are about as clear as a hazy IPA. The industry might want to set up classifications, but some consumers don't think that's such a good idea. The Conversation (11/7)
Where there is age there is evolution, where there is life there is growth.
