When asked what they most want from their employers, four categories are always at the top of a young workers' list
Kendra is majoring in Finance in of one of the top universities in the United States. With one semester of schooling to complete, Kendra spent the summer as an intern in one of the leading high-tech companies in Silicon Valley. That company just made her an offer for full-time employment after graduation, which Kendra will…
The leader's job is to encourage people to excel by using the soft skills needed to create an atmosphere of caring, trust and inclusion
At a claim office of about 125 employees, the head of Human Resources spent the day observing the local manager. Not only had the office ranked high on productivity, but this particular manager had received fantastic feedback on her company's Leadership Measurement survey. So the HR executive was curious to watch her interact with employees…
So why aren’t we making use of this important human resource?
By Linda Silas Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions and Ivy Lynn Bourgeault University of Ottawa You can be forgiven if you’ve never heard of nurse practitioners. Most Canadians haven’t – and most don’t know their value to our health-care system. You may be even more surprised to learn that nurse practitioners could be the innovative…
It is time for a new social contract between employers and employees
It's time for a new social contract between employers and employees. Chances are, if your organization is like many others described in numerous studies, half of your workers are doing just enough to get by, 25 per cent are totally turned off and only one quarter are usefully engaged in building your organization and helping…
Robert Half survey says employee appreciation is a powerful motivator
Two in five workers in Canada have quit their jobs due to a bad boss, according to a new survey. The research was released on Wednesday by global staffing firm Robert Half. “Managers set the tone for the office and have a considerable amount of influence over the daily experiences and satisfaction of their employees…
If you want to motivate people, setting a good example is a good place to start
Motivating yourself can be difficult at times, but motivating other people offers a different kind of challenge. Short of standing behind them with a pitchfork and an evil grin, or offering them a gazillion dollars, what can you do to get the best from others, be they employees or colleagues or even family (although that’s…
Lessons learned on the playing field have shaped many a business leader
Professional sports teams are in a unique position - their sole purpose for being is to win championship cups and their only significant advantage is people. How does that affect how teams manage their human resources? What if companies approached human resource planning and management in the same way? Business, and society, would think about…
Susan Kandalaft of Executive Solutions talks about building a placement business on relationships and quality
Susan Kandalaft is president of Executive Solutions Ltd. What is Executive Solutions and what do you do? Kandalaft: Executive Solutions is a Calgary-based, boutique staffing firm that specializes in all types and levels of positions, primarily in the office, including temporary, temp to hire, contract and permanent placements. Our searches can range from reception to…
The real problem with a lack of role clarity is that it cascades into a much bigger problem for organizations: misalignment
I am convinced that one of the key things getting in the way of individual, team and organizational success is a lack of role clarity. This point was reinforced during a meeting I attended to help a client establish her development plan which ended up being a conversation about role expectations. Or, specifically, her lack…
Make innovation a priority with these six tips, and you'll be surprised at the ways your workplace and employees transform
While not every company aspires to innovate, every company would nevertheless benefit from increased creativity in the workplace. Whether it ends up revolutionizing your product line, improving your supply chain's efficiency, or simply boosting your office's morale, innovation in the workplace should not only be welcome but encouraged. Instead of waiting for the lightning of…