5 Tips for Leaders During Layoffs

By Rocki-Lee DeWitt
Downsizing a company provokes anxiety at all levels – from those who will be let go to those managers who are responsible for carrying out the layoffs. As a business leader overseeing this process, it is important that you work to retain your managers and build their commitment to the organization’s future.
By understanding how workplace tensions impact managers’ views of you and the company, and working to support managers through this challenging process, you can engage them in leadership and use this transition as an opportunity to elicit greater commitment to your company’s future.
Are you leading your company through downsizing? Here are five tips effective leaders can use to engage managers in this process, based on research into the roles of lower- and mid-level managers who work at companies undergoing downsizing:
Be sure to incorporate managers’ knowledge in your layoff decision-making. Everyone knows that layoffs are not unusual in a competitive global marketplace. Your company is one small part of a complex economy where buyer preferences shift. Your managers often have a perspective that needs to be considered in the decision-making process.
Use your managers’ understanding to hone your message. Explaining how the layoffs contribute to the company being stronger going forward is crucial. Credible communication depends upon accurate representation of the situation facing the company and upon the strategy that will be used going forward. Give your managers a chance to probe the future business logic before you place them in the communication hot seat. If they have had an opportunity to air and reconcile their own misgivings they will be more capable of addressing the misgivings of others.
Be honest with your team as you come to terms with and accept your role in the layoffs. Were you deeply involved in top-level decisions leading up to the downsizing? Or were you put in a position of being giving a choice between initiating layoffs or keeping your job? Accept your role and explain it to your managers. Doing so will help you, personally and professionally, in the long run.
Connect and network with other leaders outside your industry who are experienced with downsizing. How do they see your proposed downsizing as fitting into its overall strategy and marketplace position? Hearing their perspectives may help you understand the challenges of using downsizing to business performance. Connecting with others also might help you if you need to look for another job.
Study the severance packages in detail to prepare for questions from managers. Again, consider the global economic context in which the layoffs were made and consider how generous the severance packages are. If you believe the packages are fair, communicate this to employees. If you don’t believe they are fair, and you find yourself becoming angry with your company, then it’s probably time to look for another job – or even think about leaving the industry. You can be support your employees, organization or business if you feel good about the manner and work you are achieving.
It goes without saying that downsizing can be stressful for everyone involved. However, it’s part of reality in today’s global marketplace. As a leader, your organization will benefit by your preparedness and level of engagement with this critical process. By following these practices you can plan ahead for how you might deal with downsizing, should it occur in your company.

Instructor Blog: The Importance of Reflection

Some students may wonder why there is such a focus on reflection.  Reflection is not only about helping you remember what you learned, it is learning. The results from a Harvard Business School study confirm that reflection is essential to learning.  A study was done with two groups of people. Both groups were given a test. One group was asked to write down strategies that would be helpful in a future test. The other group was not. The group that reflected performed significantly better (Christensen, n.d., para. 5).  You can follow the link below to read more and also follow a link to the study itself.Student working on homework from bed on lapotp
Reflection serves two main purposes. By reflecting on content again, you are helping it move from short term to long term memory. Connecting learning to how you will use it in your field helps it become more relevant. Also, by reflecting on strategies, you are becoming a stronger learner. This process is also known as metacognition, which is thinking about thinking.  This sounds really academic, but it means asking questions like “Did I study enough? Did I study effectively? What can I do differently next time?”
While courses are structured to encourage reflection, students will get the most benefit by putting reflection into action. At the end of session, many students say they will log in to the course on Sunday to look at the week’s assignments, or begin assignments sooner. Obviously, this knowledge is only valuable for students who actually implement these strategies.
Even beyond courses, the habit of reflection is part of being a successful professional.  In the workplace, there will be approaches to procedures. Taking the time occasionally to examine whether or not a process could be improved is valuable.  Also, after a problem arises, reflecting afterwards can help prevent the same issue from occurring. This would be asking questions like “Is email the most effective way to handle this issue? Should a manager have been alerted sooner? “ An article titled “Understanding Yourself and Increasing Your Professional Value through Self-Reflection” offers some additional insight on what it looks like to reflect in the workplace and why the skill is valuable. Read about it here: http://intercom.stc.org/2014/01/understanding-yourself-and-increasing-your-professional-value-through-self-reflection/
By taking full advantage of the opportunity to reflect and make changes based on those reflections, you will be able to present that critical thinking skill to future employers in an interview. Reflection is one more skill to set you apart from other candidates!
Christensen, T. (n.d.) Reflection Is the Most Important Part of the Learning Process. Retrieved from http://99u.com/workbook/25481/reflection-is-the-most-important-part-of-the-learning-process

Career Tips: How to Ask for a Job Referral

We often hear the saying, “it’s not what you know; it’s who you know,” an idea that may ring true for many job hunters. In addition to learning and developing valuable skills, polishing your resume and preparing for job interviews, it’s important to use your interpersonal skills and tap into your network of personal and professional connections when applying for a position. Getting a referral from a friend or colleague is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door at a company. Not only that but you could be doing your friend a favor since many companies have an employee referral program policy that could lead to a referral bonus for your friend.
Even so, when asking for a job referral, it’s important to think things through. Here are four tips on how to score a quality referral.
1. Utilize your resources. In the digital age, one of the best ways to figure out where your connections are is to use social media. LinkedIn allows you to see which of your contacts are associated with the companies and professionals of your interest. LinkedIn also allows you to display your professional skills and qualifications, as well as your education and employment history so that your contacts have easy access to this information.
2. Think before you ask. When identifying an individual to reach out to, it’s important to think before you ask. Does this person know you well? Are you on good terms with this person professionally and personally? Make sure their referral will be of value – if they say yes, but aren’t a strong enough contact, it may result in a half-hearted referral, which won’t do you much good in your job search. It’s also important to be realistic, and know the power and reach of your contacts. Just because someone has ties to a company doesn’t mean they can introduce you to the CEO.
3. Ask in writing. Whether you choose to reach out via a letter, an email or a message on LinkedIn, asking for a referral in writing is always best. Doing so gives the individual a chance to think things through before they give you an answer. If they feel uncomfortable providing you with a referral, it’s easier to say “no” in a written response. This ensures you will get an honest answer, and therefore a more meaningful referral from the person who says “yes.”
4. Be clear in your intent and provide necessary information. When asking for a referral, give a brief explanation of the job you wish to apply for, state why you think you would be a good fit, and attach a copy of your resume or a link to your profile on LinkedIn for the person to reference. Regardless of how well you know the person, don’t assume they know everything about your professional background.
Professional development is an important component to look for in a college program. Bryant & Stratton College offers a variety of online degree programs that incorporate career preparation into the coursework in order to ensure that students are ready to enter the job market upon graduation. To speak with an admissions representative, call 1.800.895.1738.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

DEAR REWORKER: CAN I SEND A SICK EMPLOYEE HOME?

Dear ReWorker,
I\’m sick because one of my employees came to work with symptoms, and we work in close quarters. Now I have to use my vacation time to get well. Can I require someone to go home if they come in sick to prevent illness from spreading to other workers?
Sincerely,
Curbing Contagion
___________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Curbing Contagion,
Here is the short answer: Yes, you can require employees to go home if they come in sick. But your company has a bigger problem than the bug that\’s going around. Let\’s start with the fact that you have to use vacation time while you\’re sick.
Vacations should be used for traveling the world, lounging around on beaches with fancy drinks or cleaning out the basement. But, you know what vacation time shouldn\’t be used for? The flu.
Lots of organizations don\’t provide sick days at all, and some companies simply offer general paid time off (PTO). A PTO policy is better than nothing, but there should be designated sick days—otherwise, people often hesitate to use their PTO to cover times when they are unwell. If the PTO bucket is generous enough, it\’s not a problem. However, at companies with stingy PTO policies, people come to work when they shouldn\’t. After all, if they\’ve already booked a flight to go see the in-laws, they can\’t take time off for illness without canceling those plans.
Additionally, even at companies that provide sick time or adequate PTO, many people don\’t take sicks days because they don\’t want their manager to think they are slackers. Remember perfect attendance awards back in elementary school? Those were dumb back then, and they are dumb now. Contracting an illness isn\’t a moral failing or a sign of disengagement—it\’s a sign that we are human and sometimes we get sick.
So, what should you do to prevent sick employees from coming into work in the first place?
  • Establish a reasonable sick policy. Check with your state and local laws, because places like Connecticut and New York require employers to offer sick leave.
  • Allow people to work from home (if applicable) when they are feeling under the weather.
  • Tell employees that they should stay home if they have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Do not punish people for staying home. You can require a doctor\’s note, but that places an unnecessary burden on employees, since many illnesses don\’t require a doctor\’s visit. If employees are lying about sick days, chances are they\’re not performing well in other areas of his job. Focus on those.
It may seem expensive to allow people to take time off for illness, but one sick person can spread germs to everyone else, which will drop your overall productivity as everyone drags themselves around, trying to work while feeling terrible.
We all need sick days once in a while
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Two Easy Steps for Comparing Job Offers

Surely someone in your family still talks about the fact that ‘back in the day’ people stayed at the same job for many, many, many years – sometimes for all or most of their careers.
But, in recent years, at least the past 10 years, the length of that perceived loyalty has dramatically decreased. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in a September 2014 press release (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/tenure.pdf) the median number of years workers held their jobs was 4.6 in 2014 and in 2012; 4.4 in 2010, 4.1 in 2008 and 4.0 in 2006 and 2004. But really, it isn’t at all about loyalty to your employer. It is about loyalty to your own career and the reality of the job market.
Tony Beshara, president and owner of Babich & Associates employment and recruitment firm, advised in an email interview that job hunters focus on the short-term rather than the long-term when evaluating job offers.
“If and when a company talks to you about the long-term possibilities of promotion opportunities, don’t buy into it. Instead, judge a job offer based on what it can do for you and your career now and over the next two or three years,” he said.
And, if you have two (or more) job offers, follow these two easy steps to make the best decision. Step One: Judge each of them separately, using these questions from Beshara:
Q: If I get two to three years of experience in this job how have I enhanced my experience for the future?
A: Look for aspects of the job that stretch you into doing things you haven’t done before.
Q: If I get two to three years experience with this company, will having worked there be of any value.
A: Look for the kinds of companies that people in your industry or profession recognize and respect.
Q: Can this type of company help me down the line?
A: Try to work for a variety of firms within your profession to show your range of flexibility.
Q: Does this organization offer positions that I can build upon from previous ones?
A: Avoid becoming a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. “That will make it difficult to ‘reach higher levels of the profession because you can never get beyond ‘first or second base’ in any one arena,” Beshara said. “Hiring organizations want to hire the best quality of candidate they can, with the documentation and track record in what they do.”
Step Two: Compare the jobs to each other. Remember, to make the best decision, you have to compare apples to apples, so use the same ideas from the questions above. Job hunters who have a career goals and/or a career plan will fare best in the step because their milestones will guide them. So, if you have neither of these, don’t go any further until you do. Based on your goals, answer these questions.
  1. Of the two jobs, which will prepare you better for your next goal?
  2. Of the two companies, which is more respected by your colleagues?
  3. Of the two types of companies, which one exposes you to a culture or experiences that are different from your past experiences (for example, start-up company versus traditional company)?
  4. Which of the two positions moves you closer to being a specialist in your field and therefore a candidate who can compete with colleagues who have the same amount of time in the field?
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Portfolio Development Seminar: A New Process for Student Success

Bryant & Stratton College has changed a lot throughout its 157 years of operation, but a few things have remained the same. We have always put student success and preparation for a career as our top priorities.
One of the ways we are helping to add value to your education as an online student is a process called Portfolio Development Seminars (PDS), which are modeled after Portfolio Development Days held for our campus students. This process includes four career preparatory seminars that all Bryant & Stratton College Online students will eventually take as they progress through their respective programs.
Three of the four seminars will be attached to three general education courses: SOSC102: Introduction to Sociology, PHIL250: Practices in Analytic Reasoning & Critical Thinking, and the Capstone course unique to each major. The fourth Portfolio Development Seminar stands alone in the form of the Career Management Seminar, which is meant to be taken before a student enrolls in their Capstone course.
The launching of Online’s Portfolio Development Seminars started about a year ago when the Career Management Seminar was introduced for the first time. The second installment will commence this fall with the first PDS attachment to SOSC102. The goal of these seminars is to help students prepare for their career by building portfolios in the Optimal Resume program, creating and updating a resume, learning job searching and interviewing skills, as well as many other subjects to increase your chances of landing your dream job and advancing beyond graduation!
Keep an eye out as Bryant & Stratton College continues to add programs and benefits to fulfill our goal of producing prepared and competent graduates ready to succeed in a competitive economy!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

5 Tips for Leaders During Layoffs

By Rocki-Lee DeWitt
Downsizing a company provokes anxiety at all levels – from those who will be let go to those managers who are responsible for carrying out the layoffs. As a business leader overseeing this process, it is important that you work to retain your managers and build their commitment to the organization’s future.
By understanding how workplace tensions impact managers’ views of you and the company, and working to support managers through this challenging process, you can engage them in leadership and use this transition as an opportunity to elicit greater commitment to your company’s future.
Are you leading your company through downsizing? Here are five tips effective leaders can use to engage managers in this process, based on research into the roles of lower- and mid-level managers who work at companies undergoing downsizing:
Be sure to incorporate managers’ knowledge in your layoff decision-making. Everyone knows that layoffs are not unusual in a competitive global marketplace. Your company is one small part of a complex economy where buyer preferences shift. Your managers often have a perspective that needs to be considered in the decision-making process.
Use your managers’ understanding to hone your message. Explaining how the layoffs contribute to the company being stronger going forward is crucial. Credible communication depends upon accurate representation of the situation facing the company and upon the strategy that will be used going forward. Give your managers a chance to probe the future business logic before you place them in the communication hot seat. If they have had an opportunity to air and reconcile their own misgivings they will be more capable of addressing the misgivings of others.
Be honest with your team as you come to terms with and accept your role in the layoffs. Were you deeply involved in top-level decisions leading up to the downsizing? Or were you put in a position of being giving a choice between initiating layoffs or keeping your job? Accept your role and explain it to your managers. Doing so will help you, personally and professionally, in the long run.
Connect and network with other leaders outside your industry who are experienced with downsizing. How do they see your proposed downsizing as fitting into its overall strategy and marketplace position? Hearing their perspectives may help you understand the challenges of using downsizing to business performance. Connecting with others also might help you if you need to look for another job.
Study the severance packages in detail to prepare for questions from managers. Again, consider the global economic context in which the layoffs were made and consider how generous the severance packages are. If you believe the packages are fair, communicate this to employees. If you don’t believe they are fair, and you find yourself becoming angry with your company, then it’s probably time to look for another job – or even think about leaving the industry. You can be support your employees, organization or business if you feel good about the manner and work you are achieving.
It goes without saying that downsizing can be stressful for everyone involved. However, it’s part of reality in today’s global marketplace. As a leader, your organization will benefit by your preparedness and level of engagement with this critical process. By following these practices you can plan ahead for how you might deal with downsizing, should it occur in your company.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Instructor Blog: Home Study Skills for College Students

I’ve been teaching online since before my three-year-old was born. So when students share how difficult it is to complete assignments with young children at home, I understand! While everyone enjoys working from home, there are some disadvantages. I wanted to share some study strategies for college students to use amidst the distractions at home.
Create a Study Schedule
One disadvantage to attending class online and studying at home is that there is not always a set time to spend time on schoolwork. There is always something that seems more pressing like housework, or more enticing like the internet. I encourage all online students to log in on Sundays to look at the discussion topic and the assignments for the week. Writing down all of the tasks for the week (four days in discussion, reading, activities) can ensure you allow time for everything. If it helps, you can write specific assignments into your calendar. For example, “Monday, 10 p.m., write initial post for discussion and read textbook reading.” Writing deadlines on the family calendar will help your family remember your commitment. Setting boundaries that you can live with- such as staying off social media during your study time, or waiting to answer a text- can provide some accountability.
Manage Distractions
The most challenging distraction is, of course, children. While children naturally want your attention, there is a benefit to them seeing you study. Treat studying with the seriousness of going to a job, and you model healthy habits to even young children.  Explain why you are studying and what the benefits will be for completing your degree. For older children, connect your homework to the importance of theirs. Your study time can be time for them to play on their own, or, depending on their age, “lesson time” for them to color while you study and complete assignments.
There may also be times when it is necessary to arrange for childcare. I tell my daughter she will have more fun playing with friends than playing by herself while I am working. Paying for childcare (or swapping with friends, if possible) also helps me be the most productive.  It can be hard to invest in childcare, but, remember, your degree is the ticket to a new career. Devoting time to understanding the course content and producing your best work is an investment in your future. I’m also able to enjoy my time with daughter knowing the work I completed.
In the short term, it can be hard to plug in the headphones, turn off social media and open a textbook.   But the rest of the world will be waiting, and you will be proud of yourself for each well-completed assignment!
If you are interested in knowing more about online study at Bryant & Stratton College, check out our online degrees and contact the Admissions office at 1.888.273.2758 for information on how to get started.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

YOU HAVE A BAD REVIEW ON GLASSDOOR. NOW WHAT?

Hiring used to be a one-way street—employers held the key to dream careers, and hopeful job seekers waited for them to open doors. After a great interview, companies could call up former coworkers for references on a prospective employee. But what could the applicant do?
Unless they knew someone personally who worked at the company, candidates were traditionally out of luck when it came to getting a second opinion on the culture, work and leadership of a company. But today, with sites like Glassdoor, Paysa, and Fairygodboss, candidates can read all about what employees (current and former) think about your company in just a few clicks.
It’s a new world for employers, and it’s a difficult one to navigate. If an employee writes a bad review about your company, how should you react?

Ignore the Extreme

I recently received an email from a reader who wanted to know if they should respond to online attacks on their company from an employee who quit in… 1986. He liked to post Glassdoor reviews and even created blogs to smear the company. The posts were filled with grammar and spelling errors, and were clearly meant to do more harm than help potential candidates avoid a bad job. I advised the reader to leave the posts alone—these sites will remove posts that are fake or unreliable, and, like any crowdsourced content, one horrible review won’t mean much to prospects if it doesn’t match up with the rest of the comments.

Reflect on the Feedback

If your reviews claim the culture is negative, salary is under market, or vacation time isn’t possible, don’t dismiss them. Sure, your company policies may be impeccable, but if individual managers aren’t treating team members with respect, alerting leadership about high performers or approving time off, it doesn’t matter what the policies say.
This does not mean going on a witch-hunt to figure out which employee wrote the review in order to set him or her straight. It means reflecting on the feedback, and evaluating whether or not it’s true. If the complaints are about a lack of vacation, run a report on vacation usage. Does one department have a ton of unused vacation on the books? If your company is small, you can probably see for yourself that no one in IT has taken a vacation recently.
But what if the charge is more subjective, such as “the culture is oppressive”? The answer is to talk to employees, management and your executive team. You can hold in-person meetings, or run an anonymous feedback survey.

Review Your Policies

After researching the verity of a review, take a closer look at your policies. You may find that certain policies, even those created with good intentions, have backfired.
For example, let’s say you have a strict policy of no more than a 10 percent raise with a promotion. That sounds fair, until you realize that the 10 percent raise rarely brings employee up to a market rate salary when they reach the manager level. You may have a huge drop-off of employees in that position, and turnover is expensive—especially for more senior roles.
The same is true for onerous review processes or forced rankings. There may be good reasons behind these policies, but they may not be creating the results you hoped for. Practice more transparency with employees, and consider weighing the eventual impact of certain policies on your retention rate and engagement levels.

Respond—Yes, Really

Review sites like Glassdoor actually want you to respond to reviews. As Lisa Holden, Employer Communications Manager at Glassdoor, wrote to me, “Glassdoor makes sure everyone is entitled to their opinion about a company, and that includes the employer… Since 90 percent of folks find the employer perspective useful when learning about jobs and companies, [responding] is a great way to make sure your voice is part of this discussion.”
In your response, just remember to state the facts and offer your support either way. For example: “Our policy at Acme Inc. is to allow everyone 3 weeks of paid time off, in addition to holidays. We’ve looked into this allegation and found that some managers were preventing employees from using their vacation, and we are working to rectify that situation. Please come to HR if you’re not able to use your vacation. We have your back.”
When it comes to more subjective reviews like culture, respond with care. Instead of, “Yeah, well, we like it here! Good riddance!” or “We’re sorry you feel this way,” try “Thanks for bringing this to our attention! We want to make sure everyone feels comfortable and will take your thoughts into consideration.”
Don’t forget to respond to positive comments as well. Overall, feedback that goes two ways is a great thing—just as your employees develop throughout their careers, your business should develop as it grows and expands. A listening ear, clear communication and thoughtful policies can go a long way toward making your company a great place to work.

Earn up to $6,000 in Grants Towards your Medical Assisting Degree!

UPDATE: The Medical Assisting Grant offered for the May 2016 semester is no longer being offered. To determine if you’re eligible to receive grant, scholarship or loan funding to help pay for your education, please contact the financial aid department at Bryant & Stratton College.
Bryant & Stratton College recently introduced an exciting educational grant program for new Medical Assisting students who began their degree program in May 2016.
Qualifying students enrolling in our Medical Assisting associate degree program were eligible for up to $6,000 in funds, awarded through the Medical Assisting Opportunity Grant Program. This new grant provided students with valuable savings as they pursue a rewarding degree in Medical Assisting.
The Medical Assisting associate degree program provides a high-quality education designed to propel graduating students into the medical assisting career field. In addition to academics, Bryant & Stratton College focuses on career-ready education as a cornerstone of this program.  Key employer feedback was utilized in determining the courses and career preparation which make up this degree program. A strong mix of classroom and lab work ensures that students complete the program with a foundation in the theory and practice necessary to succeed as a Medical Assistant.
With the Medical Assisting Opportunity grant, students gain a decided financial advantage towards a degree program in an exciting, growing professional field.
Upon applying for the Medical Assisting program, students work with their personal admissions and financial aid representatives to apply for any medical assistant scholarships or grants available. All courses must be completed and GPA requirements must be met for the grant to be awarded.
To find out if you qualify for a Medical Assistant grant or scholarship call 1-888-836-9748 or apply today!

THE SECRET TO MEANINGFUL GOALS IS ASKING ‘WHY’ FIRST

During the first few weeks of every year, the majority of our conversations in the workplace are centered on goals. What are your personal resolutions? Professional resolutions? What are our team\’s objectives? How should our company change or advance this year?
We eventually come away with plans, timelines, and both \”safe\” and \”reach\” goals. I have no doubt that, for most of us, a considerable amount of time and thought goes into planning these annual objectives. But do we understand why we\’re setting goals in the first place?
In order to set meaningful goals that truly push our limits and help us improve, it is crucial to understand what motivates us to set goals — and whether those are meaningful and healthy motivations.

A Toe-Dip into Goal Theory

The literature of goal-setting theory offers two different psychological approaches: performance-oriented goal setting and learning-oriented goal setting.
People who are performance-oriented are also known as \”extrinsically motivated.\” They determine their success by the amount of recognition they receive from others. Performance-oriented people like awards, money and recognition. They want to be the best on the team, in the company and in the industry. And generally, they don\’t mind finding the easiest way to get there.
Learning-oriented people, on the other hand, are \”intrinsically motivated.\” They measure success by the process as opposed to the destination. They enjoy learning new things and often engage in activities for the sole purpose of trying something unfamiliar — even if they are not the best at it. They don\’t like cutting corners, and instead prefer to fully immerse themselves in a new project, activity or topic until they fully understand it.
But perhaps the most significant difference between performance- and learning-oriented people is how each group views failure. As you might guess, performance-oriented people avoid failure at all costs. Learning-oriented people? They tend to see failure as necessary.

The Importance of Balance—and Falling

Originally, psychologists categorized people as either performance- or learning-oriented people, until studies emerged showing that people can be multiple goal-oriented. In other words, we may be extrinsically motivated in some areas of life, and intrinsically motivated in or for others. Sometimes, it\’s a mix of both.
This range of motivations begs us to be honest with ourselves and others when setting goals: Are you taking a performance-oriented approach, or a learning-oriented approach? Both are of value, but relying too much on one or the other could be harmful. HR pros should ensure that managers are providing their individual employees and the team with a mix of both — you can have a sales quota, but it shouldn\’t come at the expense of great customer service, management skills and creativity.
Most importantly, while goal setting requires striking a balance between performance and learning, it also requires not being afraid to fall along the way.
During your goal setting meetings this month — whether it\’s with your direct team, the C-suite or an individual employee — focus on penning down a few objectives outside of the collective comfort zone. Demonstrate that failure is integral to success. (And for those performance-oriented people, try framing failure in a new light with a \”Best Failure of the Year\” award — making a gusty risk may not go as planned, but there\’s always a lesson to be learned.)

Always Be Developing

As you finalize your goals for this year, also remember that progress isn\’t just annual — it\’s ongoing. Continue to revisit the goals you set, and continue to think about the creating a balance between performance and learning, and success and failure.
I often repeat the phrase \”always be developing\” to my team at Cornerstone, because I believe that our potential is limitless — we can always do more, learn more and see more. This can be a scary thing, yes, but it should also be exciting. If you apply the same mentality to your goal setting and development this year, I guarantee you will be surprised by the things you never knew you could accomplish.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Should I Stop Using Social Media?

We’ve all heard horror stories about individuals who have gotten fired from their job or weren’t considered for a job because of something they posted on Facebook or Twitter. These cautionary tales have us double and triple checking our privacy settings.
Does this mean you should stop using social media if you are on the job hunt or as a safe way to approach career management? According to panelists from the “Job Ready or Not?” event, hosted by Bryant & Stratton College Online, if used appropriately, social media can be an asset during your job search. The event’s panel consisted of HR and hiring experts from CareerBuilder, Enterprise, Humana, Marriott International and Microsoft.
Rather than offering anecdotes about why you should be careful about what photos you post, panelists focused on how to leverage social media to your advantage. Become an expert According to director of digital talent for Marriott International, Jessica Lee, one of the best ways to leverage social media is to position yourself as a subject matter expert.
“You have people who are accountants, for example, who are blogging using social media to share best practices,” she says. “You have healthcare experts, everyone from people in the pharmaceutical space to hospitals, who are sharing articles, having conversations, and putting themselves out there so that they can position themselves as experts.”
How can you position yourself as an expert? Share relevant industry articles on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or LinkedIn and remember to add your own thoughts and commentary to the post. Join the conversation Maybe you don’t feel comfortable enough to become a subject matter expert. That doesn’t mean that you can’t use social media to your advantage.
Another option is to join the conversation already being held about your industry. Pay attention to major influencers and pipe in when you have something to contribute. Doing this will not only show off your knowledge but also has potential to help you grow your network.
“It’s a bit of an organic process,” explains Lee, “and over time, I think that’s where things can grow and flourish.”
Have you recently worked on a project you’re especially proud of? Use social media to share your projects or portfolios with others and get them noticed. LinkedIn recently added functionality that allows individuals to upload files. Take advantage of this to bolster your profile. While you’re on LinkedIn, Heather Tinguely, program manager of Global Talent Labs at Microsoft, also suggests checking that your profile is up to date. Update your employability skills and make it a habit to update your profile with relevant achievements as they happen so you don’t forget about them when it’s time to update your resume.
Also, don’t be shy about asking colleagues and supervisors for recommendations.
“Make sure that you have references on there, because that’s your virtual [resume],” says Tingly.
Bryant & Stratton College Online is dedicated to helping students improve their employability skills and become job ready. Through outcomes-based education and career training, Bryant & Stratton College Online helps students learn the technical skills as well as the soft skills they’ll need to be successful in a career. If you are interested in learning more about the online degree programs at Bryant & Stratton College Online, please call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

UVM Students Find Local Food Hub Inspiration in Vermont

The temperature was 12 below when a busload of UVM students arrived at a nondescript business park off Route 100 in Waitsfield.
From the outside, the green, industrial building didn’t look like a thriving food enterprise. But on the inside – with 4,000 square-feet of freezers, storage, a loading dock, and processing space – it became immediately clear to students that local food was the mission.
The Mad River Food Hub hosted 25 students in UVM’s new Food Hub Management Certificate Program for a two-hour tour and Q&A session last week. Students in the program met in Vermont last week to attend lectures and visit local food hubs, distributors, businesses – including The Intervale Food Hub, Black River Produce, and the Mad River Food Hub.
The visits gave students a powerful impression of Vermont’s commitment to the local food system.
“The food hubs we visited this week varied greatly in size, strategy and incorporation, but one common thread was the passion and drive of the managers and employees,” said student Benjamin Bartley, food access director at The Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture in Alexandra, Va. “As one food hub owner explained, this is a dynamic business, built on the strength of relationships. We need more people in the good food movement.”

Touring the Mad River Food Hub

Robin Morris is the founder of the Mad River Food Hub. He is teaching UVM Food Hub Program students two modules on finance in February. Joshua Gibbs, the Mad River Food Hub’s General Manager, will be teaching students about food safety in March. Last week’s tour gave students an up close look at the facility’s operations and space.
Morris, who was instrumental in getting the UVM Food Hub Program established, told students he saw a need to help train food hub employees the essentials of food hub management. High quality staffing is one of the greatest challenges food hubs face and remains a key factor to their success.
The Mad River Food Hub’s facilities and services include shared-use meat and vegetable processing rooms, dry and cold storage, logistics, management, and local distribution. The facility is also a food business incubator that provides producers with the space and equipment to start a business without having to take on debts up front.
“We’re helping early stage food businesses scale up their production to meet growing demand for fresh, local food year-round,” Morris told the students, walking them through a large freezer (formerly owned by American Flatbread) stocked with beef, produce, and dairy.
Open since 2011, the Mad River Food Hub is a fully equipped, licensed vegetable and USDA inspected meat processing facility. It’s currently the only food hub in the Northeast to have a USDA inspected meat processing facility that is available to local farms and meat processors for shared use.
Morris, the former CFO of American Flatbread, told students how helping to build local, small food businesses supports the local economy and increases local food production, thereby contributing to a more robust food system.
UVM students tour one of the freezers at the Mad River Food Hub.

Students look around a freezer at the Mad River Food Hub.
Still, with food hubs popping up around Vermont and the rest of the country, Morris told students he needed a way to differentiate his business. He accomplished that by offering meat processing at the Mad River Food Hub.
“There is a clear need for meat processing and distribution in Vermont,” he says, noting that the Vermont Farm to Plate’s Strategic Plan calls for additional meat processing facilities by 2020. “Also, with the short growing season in Vermont, the best way to make the Mad River Food Hub financially viable was to add meat processing. When we included meat into our business plan, we saw that we could be financially viable.”
But it’s not just about the bottom line. “The number one thing you need are customers,” he explained. “Here at Mad River Food Hub, our customers are our partners.”

Finding Success with a Local Food Hub

The focus on customer service is why Greg Bove loves his job. Bove, a UVM alumnus who lives in Montpelier, works for the Mad River Food Hub as the facilities and operations supervisor. He’s also a student in the UVM Food Hub Program.
Bove wears many hats at the Mad River Food Hub. His job mainly involves making sure the production rooms and loading dock are clean and sanitized; stocking the food hub with sufficient paper goods, cleaning supplies, and packaging materials for customers; and helping the food hub’s driver prepare the day’s delivery route.
“My ultimate goal is to maintain customer satisfaction. Our customers rent space in our shared processing facility to create foods ranging from soup to pet food and chorizo to bean cookies,” Bove said. “While each customer is truly unique, all customers require a clean and safe environment to make their goods, a well-orchestrated facility where they can make the best use of their rental time and storage space, and an efficient distribution route for our driver to distribute the goods through central Vermont.”
Bove echoes Morris’s commitment to the importance of building and maintaining relationships with food producers, farmers and customers.
“While working here at the Mad River Food Hub, I have witnessed a culture of maintaining long-term relationships with our clients,” Bove said. “Good food is made when you have good relationships. Especially when dealing with local food and farmers, relationships are far superior to rigid rules and binding contracts. Seasonal crops can fail and the winter may take away real incomes. Any good food hub should harbor these enormous risks a farmer takes on independently.”

The Rise of Food Hubs

There are about 300 food hubs around the country. Sixty-two percent of food hubs in the United States have been in existence for five years or less.
By USDA definition, a food hub is a business or organization that actively manages the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of source-identified food products primarily from local and regional producers to strengthen their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand.
“Food hubs are important because they serve the needs of both farmers and consumers. Our current food system values efficiency and corporate profits at the cost of producing truly safe food and system resiliency,” explained Bartley, the food access director of The Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture. “Food hubs are helping to reverse the commodification of what is inherently best when it’s most fresh and the genuine result of an organic, biological process. Food hubs value source identification, responsible production and farm viability, and these values help to strengthen local communities and the food movement.”
Vermont is home to several food hubs, including the Intervale Food Hub, Windham Farm and Food Network, Rutland Area Farm and Food Link, and Mad River Food Hub.
Vermont food hubs – and their values – are clearly setting an example for the rest of the country.
“Vermont is definitely a beacon of hope for those of us trying to improve our food system,” said student Kim Bayer, who is involved on developing the Washtenaw Food Hub in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “The growing mainstream support for local food, the diversity of food hub business models, and Vermont’s progressive legislative support and funding for its food community in general are all very inspiring.”
UVM Food Hub Program students toured the Mad River Food Hub.

UVM Food Hub Program students recently toured the Mad River Food Hub

Study Links Childhood Trauma With Chronic Disease in Adults

A major study has found that childhood abuse, neglect and other traumatic stressors are major risk factors for chronic health problems later in life.
Almost two-thirds of the participants in the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente reported at least one case of a childhood stressor, and more than one out of five reported three or more stressors. As those stressors increased, so did the risks for various adult health problems ranging from alcoholism and alcohol abuse to sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies.
“Using epidemiology and biostatistics, tools of public health education and training, these researchers were able to discover something very important about the breadth of factors that impact children’s health during their childhood, and years later, when they are adults,” said Jan Carney, M.D., M.P.H., associate dean for public health, professor of medicine and lead faculty for the University of Vermont’s online graduate public health certificate program. “Their findings have broad implications for prevention, and are being used by public health, mental health and social service agencies, and healthcare leaders and professionals, both in the U.S. and internationally.”
Participants were asked to report whether they had experienced these stressors:
  • Childhood abuse (emotional, physical or sexual)
  • Neglect (emotional or physical)
  • Household dysfunction (mother treated violently; household substance abuse; household mental illness; parental separation or divorce; or incarcerated household member)
The initial phase of the study was conducted by Kaiser Permanente from 1995 to 1997, when more than 17,000 participants – all Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) members – had standard physical exams and answered questions about their childhood experiences. The study used an ACE score to determine the total amount of stress during childhood.
The study’s principal investigators – Robert F. Anda, M.D., M.S., with the CDC and Vincent J. Felitti, M.D., with Kaiser Permanente – used this information as baseline data. They now are tracking the medical status of the 17,337 participants, 54 percent of whom are female and 46 percent male.
Interest in the study is growing. Recently, the CDC notes, investigators in Canada, China, Jordan, Norway, the Philippines and the United Kingdom have replicated the ACE Study or used its questionnaire. The World Health Organization and several American cities and states are also accessing and applying the data.
In addition, the study has resulted in more than 50 scientific articles and over 100 conference and workshop presentations. Recently, Dr. Felitti presented his findings in October at a Vermont conference of health care leaders, including public health and medical professionals.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Impact on Adult Health
Participants in the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente reported the number of childhood stressors they had experienced, resulting in an ACE Score. As the number of ACEs increased, so did the risk for the following health problems:
  • Alcoholism and alcohol abuse
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Depression
  • Fetal death
  • Health-related quality of life
  • Illicit drug use
  • Ischemic heart disease (IHD)
  • Liver disease
  • Risk for intimate partner violence
  • Multiple sexual partners
  • Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  • Smoking
  • Suicide attempts Unintended pregnancies
  • Early initiation of smoking
  • Early initiation of sexual activity
  • Adolescent pregnancy

Bryant & Stratton College Allied Health Club Helps Community and Each Other

The most important word in this student groups’ title, is “allied”. Together, they raise money to help local nonprofits. Together, they host blood drives to bring much needed blood to the sick. Together they are students in both medical and non-medical fields driven by a single mission: to help their community. 
“I personally like the enthusiasm our club brings to brain storm ideas on fundraisers and where to donate our fundraising funds to,” said Len Lukasik president of the Allied Health Club, at the Bryant & Stratton College Milwaukee campus. “we work together to help out each other in so many different ways, that we are almost like a big family. it shows how our club members get behind one student who is asking for club participation and then receives a bunch of volunteers to help out in an event,” he said.
every year the club holds a minimum of six fundraisers. each time, the profits are donated to a local organization such as the american red cross, the aids resource center or the milwaukee women’s center, among others. and, each time you see a blood drive on campus, that too is the work of the allied health club as they partner with the blood center of wisconsin. student membership is free. each member is only asked to give “time, treasure or talent,” lukasik said.
what they gain is immeasurable. lukasik said through their volunteer work, the students have an opportunity to build soft skills in teamwork and leadership roles. they are also able to network with executives in each of the local organizations and build connections that will help them in the workplace after graduation. allied health club director, boakai paasewe, md, said this opportunity for students to work in the community gives them a competitive advantage.
“these students learn the importance of giving back to the community which is very important for their chosen field of work,” he said. “in addition, they learn about time management and prioritizing.”
club members not only help the community outside campus walls, but inside their own classrooms as well. students in this club look to each other for guidance when they are struggling with a class assignment. paasewe said since the club is made up of students from various academic levels, it is easy to find a mentor or tutor in the group if you need help.
“a student who is working (and going to school) and finding it difficult to find time to study, will find a student with a similar situation who is succeeding,” he said. and working together, they will both succeed.