In the job search, determine a few companies that you would like to work for or that are thriving in the current economy by setting up Google Alerts for the company or following it on Twitter to begin your targeted networking from there, suggests recruiter Dawn Graham. Other suggestions include looking at tangential companies in your industry such as vendors and competitors. Full Story: Forbes (9/12)
Too much communication can harm productivity Zoom calls, Slack pings and email notifications can all drag down productivity and cause employees to feel overwhelmed, writes Aytekin Tank, founder of JotForm. Although such communication platforms are necessary, reducing the number of check-ins and allocating time to focus can "create a positive digital culture that allows people to leave work at work," he writes. Full Story: Fast Company online (9/9)
Making the Connection
5 creative ways to overcome video fatigue Video calls have lost their luster, so try substituting daily prompts, emails that recognize employee achievements and occasional intra-office competitions to shake up videoconferencing fatigue, writes Simpplr CEO Dhiraj Sharma. "[B]eing on camera feels distracting and burdensome for many employees who have come to resent the emotional effort it takes to appear engaged from beginning to end," he writes. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (9/11)
The Landscape
Amazon to add 100,000 new employees For the fourth time this year, Amazon has announced a hiring push and says it will add 100,000 workers in the US and Canada to its nearly 900,000 current employees worldwide. The company is adding 100 new operation sites this month. Full Story: CNBC (9/14)
POLL QUESTION: Would you consider working at Amazon?
IKEA will pay nearly $1.4 million to the state of Massachusetts to replace funds paid to employees the retailer furloughed because of the pandemic. The state is one of 27 slated for repayment by the retailer, and Massachusetts will use the money for workforce training and skills development programs. Full Story: The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (9/10)
If you've ever wanted to have a royal movie-watching experience, now is your chance. Sandringham, the Queen's country estate, will host drive-in movie showings at the end of the month, including flicks like "Rocketman" and "1917" -- in addition to its annual apple picking. Full Story: Lonely Planet (9/11)
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