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Mastering basic business skills will improve your confidence and give you a can-do attitude. Use these business skills hacks to kill it in your next performance review
Skills are the keys to opening doors in your career. Without them, you might never see progress or be able to make meaningful professional connections. Having the right skills for your field is an essential part of your professional development.
Different skills unlock different kinds of doors—the question is, which door are you trying to open?
People skills and soft skills—those that allow you to work effectively and harmoniously with others—are the foundation of business skills. Do you know how to adapt, analyze, collaborate, communicate, and manage your time and tasks? If so, you have the soft skills needed to master business skills.
If you want to make a memorable impression and get in the business of being the best, sharpen these skills:
Time Management
You’ll never get a chance to show off your business skills if you miss appointments and deadlines. Time management is an essential element in all business skills, especially in a fast-paced environment. Luckily, there are some great time management tools you can use to keep you on your game. The golden rule for time management is simple: always be on time, and never miss a deadline.
Organization
When you’re given an assignment, make sure that you understand exactly what the expected deliverable is. Use your organizational skills to put together a project plan. Ask questions. Use your analytical skills to identify potential problems and problem-solving skills to preemptively find solutions.
Communicate
You already have years of experience talking with friends, family, teachers, and supervisors, but business and corporate communication requires a more formal approach to messaging—whether it’s a text, a phone call, an email, or a face-to-face meeting. Make sure you understand the expectations for communication in your workplace.
Customer Service
It’s your job to provide your customers with the solutions and services they need. Always make time for your customer. If you don’t deal directly with customers, remember that every task you complete is an opportunity to strengthen—or weaken—your company’s connection with them.
Ongoing Education
Look for opportunities to learn more about your business and the business world. Attend workshops, classes, and seminars. Understanding current issues impacting the world and the world of business will improve your abilities and your authority as a trusted resource.
As your career develops, your business skills will grow and change. Mastering these business skills is an ongoing process. Keep and open mind and accept new opportunities to learn and you’ll soon master all of these business skills.
How do you develop your business skills? Please share your ideas in the comment area below. Don’t forget to share this article on Twitter and follow us @Cydcor.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada, to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
It’s time to spring forward! Use these ten terrific tips to energize your attitude and get the most out of your workday.
Your customers’ wants and needs are what matters most. Figure out what they expect and then exceed those expectations. Take the time to become extraordinary.
Smiles often change attitudes—your own and your coworkers’. People usually like to be around people with a happy demeanor. Think about the times when you were having a rough day and seeing some else’s smile encouraged you to smile. It may be a simple thing to do but making an effort to smile will make an impact on the rest of your day. Smiles work from the outside in, so practice smiling often. You’ll improve your outlook and strengthen customer and co-worker connections.
It is important to look for ways to keep you in a positive state of mind. Perhaps have lunch with a friend, join the fun and be part of the office team night, and listen to upbeat music on your way to and from work. You’ll bring back authentic energy to your workplace.
Record your accomplishments in a notebook or in your smartphone. When you need a boost, you have a resource that will transform a challenging day to a great day.
Putting off a difficult job never turns out well. Procrastination sows, and that can ruin your day. Attack your hardest task first; once it’s out of the way, you’ll feel accomplished and ready to meet anything else that comes your way.
Reach out to your team to see if they need help with their tasks. Doing something for others is a great way to get out of your head and gain a positive perspective.
Consciously remind yourself to see the positive side of every situation that you’re in. You can learn from every experience at work, and that’s an exciting possibility. Looking at things from a positive perspective will also help you be more solutions-minded and a proactive teammate.
Think like an Olympic athlete when you are working—don’t let anything stop you from living up to your full potential! Master your tasks and core assignments first, then tap into your entrepreneurial spirit to find opportunities to do more and exceed expectations.
Show up twenty minutes early. Get a head start on your day by avoiding last minute traffic that can make you late for work. Getting to work early will also give you some time to think on the tasks you need to accomplish for the day. Perhaps you can use the time to read a section of a motivational book or reflect on your goals. Not only will your day start off better, but you’ll also get noticed for taking the initiative.
Let your boss know what you’re doing. Share your career plans. Asking for advice is a great way to let your boss know that you’re committed to the company.
What are some tactics you use to stay positive at work? Share your tips with us on Twitter @Cydcor or Facebook, and show this article with your friends to start a conversation with your community.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
Clutter is anything that prevents you from achieving your goals, learning new skills, and getting your job done. Follow these five tips and get your clutter under control.If you’re drowning in clutter, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Don’t go there. Clutter makes you less productive, but it’s not a reflection of your character. With a little concentration and some hard work, you can fix your clutter problem. We’ve put together five tips to finally get your mess under control.
Schedule a monthly review of your paper and digital files. And don’t just think about doing it—actually do it! Pick a date and mark it on your calendar to make this procedure a regular part of your workweek. Review everything in your inbox, on top of your desk, and in your smartphone. Get rid of any files and documents you no longer need. File or scan and save documents that matter.
Pick a time at the beginning or end of your day for a 5-minute review of your workspace. Go through your inbox, review paperwork on your desk, and identify any items you can resolve with immediate action. If there are items that you can recycle or file, then take care of them right away.
Get familiar with the items in your workspace and how often you need them. Make sure that your tools have a place to call home and that they don’t migrate around during the week. To work efficiently, you need to be able to reach your supplies easily; make sure that all your most frequently used supplies are close at hand.
It’s great to keep personal knick-knacks on your desk—family photos, Star Wars action figures, or snow globes from all of your vacation—but if your collectibles get in the way of getting things done, then it’s time to reduce your collection. Also, be aware that this kind of clutter may send the wrong message to supervisors--it could tell them that you’re not the serious person they’re looking for to advance in their company. Have a friend or colleague take a look at your workspace and ask them what they think it says about you.
Schedule one day per quarter to go through all of the drawers, file cabinets, and storage areas in your workspace and clean them out, one at a time. Have a roll of paper towels and some spray cleaning fluid on hand. You’re going to empty every drawer and wash it out. This task will force you to decide whether to keep, recycle, or discard the items you find. Clean and wash your work surfaces. When you are finished, you will finally have a clean place to work, and that will motivate you to keep your workspace free of clutter.
How do you keep your workspace free of clutter? We want to know your secrets to staying organized and maintaining order with your print and digital files. Please comment here, share your tips on Twitter, and follow us @Cydcor. Invite your friends and colleagues to participate in this discussion so we can learn to do better together.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
About The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
The power to change is always in the hands of the beholder. The Compound Effect is based on the fact that decisions can shape a person’s destiny. Even the smallest decisions can have an effect on the future. Written by Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine, The Compound Effect analyzes the how to earn achievements in business, relationships, and more through decision-making. This easy-to-use, step-by-step guide can show readers how to increase successes, keep track of progress, and achieve their biggest goals.
Why Cydcor Reviews recommends this to future leaders:
Only the biggest decisions we’ve ever made come to mind when we look back at the choices that have shaped our lives. However, it’s not only big decisions but also small ones, even ones that we tend to not notice, that we make on a daily basis. This is the basis of The Compound Effect. It's very similar to making small financial decisions that ultimately add up to a large sum. If you’re serious about wanting to change for the better, smaller decisions need to be kept on track. The frustrating part is that many of these small, unnoticeable decisions may affect us negatively. The Compound Effect aims to help readers realize where their blinders are.
Our favorite part:
Consistency, hard work, and patience are all of utmost importance when it comes to decision-making. Making simple improvements every single day, even if it feels insignificant, can make a drastic impact. Hardy does an excellent job of pointing out how the reason WHY we do something is important. He describes the things that undermine our ability to change. Readers will be able to pick up this book and instantly begin implementing things that can have lasting and positive impacts on their life. This is a book has the potential to be re-read regularly—you’ll still find new tips to compound your success.
Cydcor is the market leader in outsourced sales. Learn more about Cydcor by visiting our profile on Flickr.
About Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
What most people typically do to be productive does not work as well as it used to. In Getting Things Done, veteran coach and management consultant David Allen shares the best ways for people to figure out a system that works for them. His advice has helped thousands of people across the country since the book was first published in 2002. Allen's method isn’t difficult to understand: productivity is strongly tied to how well we can relax. The key to freeing up more time for leisure and bettering ourselves is to have a clear mind, unleashing our creative potential. Allen has created an excellent guide on taking the right steps to getting back on track.
Why Cydcor Reviews recommends this to future leaders:
Although it will take some discipline and determination to make real changes to productivity, Getting Things Done is a great starting point. From core principles to proven tricks, this book can transform the way a person does their job from day-to-day. It shows the best ways to pick up the pace without exhausting yourself. The more meaningful points of the book deal with reassessing goals, staying focused in new environments, planning projects the correct way, overcoming anxiety when overwhelmed, and positively accepting what is currently going on. This is an excellent read for business professionals looking for more control of their daily life, and it lays the groundwork for being an excellent leader.
Our favorite part:
If there’s anything to take away from Getting Things Done, it’s that every task, promise, or assignment has a place and a time. With everything organized in its own space, you feel more in control and can replace the time spent on anxiety with effective and timely effort. This in turn can lead to more accomplishments and growth as pressure starts to fall. Allen gives down-to-earth advice for anyone who wants to truly be more constructive. This book may not be for everyone, but many leaders can walk away with learning a few new things. Applying these rules can lead to a much more stress-free day.
Are you finding yourself with a lot less time on your hands than usual? Life can get hectic, and it’s easy for someone’s schedule to get too full. Here are a few simple tips to do today that can help anyone get more things done!
Stick To a To-Do List
Every morning, create a to-do list with the things that MUST be done today. Even if there are only a couple of things on the list, it’s always nice to be able to cross something off.
Wake Up Earlier
How early do you wake up before work? If possible, try and set your alarm at least 30 minutes earlier than usual. Those 30 minutes can be used for things such as exercise, relaxing hobbies, or even starting on work earlier than usual.
“Eat the Frog”
One of the most famous phrases used for procrastinators, “eat the frog” means to finish the most dreadful task before anything else. It will make the day much easier, as well as give you motivation knowing that you accomplished the hardest thing for the day.
Clean Things Up
Is your workspace as tidy as it can be? Cleaning and putting things away can replace chaos with order. This can also lead to fewer distractions, and maybe even a few positive comments from co-workers!
The Don’t Do List
So we’ve now set up our to-do list, but have you ever tried a don’t-do list? This is a list of things you never want to do during the day. Some examples can include procrastinating, checking social media, or even day dreaming too much. Write them down, and be sure to avoid committing the crimes.
Stay Healthy
Exercise has been proven to be a great way to relax. It also is an outlet to get any frustrations out. For those that have no interest in intense workouts, try out some yoga!
Meditate
Even 10 minutes away from your desk can help you clear your head. Trying meditation is one of the most beneficial things you can do; plus, it can also help to make better decisions when you can think plainly.
Get Off the Grid
When we participate in social media or text with others, it can become too easy to get distracted. Put your phone away for thirty minutes and bust out some work. You’ll be thankful that you’re in the zone without anyone bothering you.
Take a Break
Working for eight hours straight with no breaks is not healthy, and can lead to more stress and anxiety. Don’t feel guilty for taking a break from time to time. Just make sure you’re working hard enough to deserve it!
Read More
Reading can make you smarter and also more informed. It’s also a great getaway from the business of life. Go outside and read a chapter of a book that interests you. It’s a great way to accomplish a small goal while getting intellectual benefits.
What are your favorite ways to be more productive and get more things done? Let us know in the comments!
When you think of productivity, being constantly active might come to mind. But while always being in motion can improve your productivity at times, it can also lead to mindless “productivity” where you waste time doing something that you don’t need to do.
The real trick is to work intelligently. Great time management skills are the first step to becoming a smart worker. Here are some helpful time management techniques that will help increase your productivity.
Do regular reviews of your productivity and take action to resolve issues with your productivity. You might want to do reviews either weekly or monthly—not so often that you begin wasting time evaluating everything, but not so far apart that their benefit is diluted.
Be sure to follow Cydcor on Facebook to keep up with our latest news and updates, including our upcoming Bahamas event, R&R 2014!
Delegation: Learning to trust your colleagues in helping you complete work is an ability that some struggle with. However, everyone will need help every once in a while; be it covering for you while you are on vacation, handling an emergency situation, or taking on a task simply too large to handle alone.
Communication is important. Be sure to tell your team member or co-worker the key goals of your project or work being handled with a client. Also be sure to give them all the resources available, along with relevant contact information and documents.
Lists: Despite our best intentions, many to-do items can get lost in the fray of our everyday lives. Writing things down and creating lists is a great way to manage and check-off tasks that have been completed.
For larger tasks, break them down into multiple, smaller tasks. For example, writing a ten-page document can be pared down to creating two pages a day up to its deadline.
One of the most satisfying aspects of creating a to-do list is crossing off things when they are done. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and gives you a visualization of progress for tasks both large and small.
For our latest job openings, be sure to check out Cydcor on CareerBuilder.
Breaks: Studies have shown that spending more than eight hours a day at a desk without moving around much is detrimental to one’s energy level and focus. Productivity is not measured by the number of hours sitting at your desk, but by how much work you get done.
Many recommend getting up every hour for a ten-minute break to walk, stretch and drink some water and socialize with your co-workers.
Goals: Set ambitious, yet realistic goals. Create goals both in your professional and personal lives. One of biggest reasons why people don’t succeed with their goals is because they didn’t set a deadline. Goals should be specific, measurable, and they should be written down. It is also good to get feedback about the goals in order to refine them.
Networking events can be a bit overwhelming, and if you don’t know what you're doing, they can feel like a waste of time. Follow these 5 tips in order to get the best return on investment at a networking event.
Be Prepared
Look over the list of attendees if possible. If a name strikes your eye, Cydcor recommends checking out their LinkedIn profile, or other social media or website and find out a little more about him or her. It’s easier to strike up a conversation with someone you’ve never met if you come prepared and can ask them specific questions about their time working at Apple or if they enjoy being a sales manager.
Make sure you have several business cards on you to hand out when you meet people that you’d like to chat with again. You can even go higher-tech and use apps like Bump to share contact information. Also remember to bring pens and a small notebook or tablet; they can be helpful if you need to take notes or jot down a piece of advice.
Come Prepared with Goals
What are you hoping to get out of the event and learn from the people you meet? Whatever it is, make sure you figure this out before you attend the event – that way you’ll know what to bring up and the type of people to talk to. Since some networking events cost money, only attend the ones that will help you reach your goal.
Show Up On Time
Unless the event is a “come as you please” event, don’t be the one that shows up late. Chances are that if you are going to an event at a place you have never been before, it is going to take longer than Google Maps estimates. Look at the route beforehand, and give yourself an extra 10-15 minutes to find the place—and parking.
Check out our job openings on Cydcor's LinkedIn for more information on joining our company.
Don’t Throw Yourself at Everyone
No one likes the person who talks with everyone in the room for two minutes, gives them their contact information, and heads to the next person. Networking is about making real connections; it’s not a contest to see who can pass out the most business cards. If you don’t think someone will be a good connection, you don’t have to give him or her your card. On the other hand, take your time talking and getting to know people that could become valuable connections. You don’t need to spend a half hour chatting with someone, but learn a little more about the people you talk to than just his or her job title.
Follow Up
This is by far the most important tip for networking. Who cares if you dressed well and came prepared – if you don’t follow up, that relationship means nothing. Connect on LinkedIn or send a quick coffee invite. Relationships take time to cultivate so make the most out of what you started.
Motivation, despite our best intentions, is never a constant state. Everyone wants to achieve something in their life, but sometimes one can struggle with the desire to stay committed or to make the changes they know they need. Cydcor is a firm believer that getting your motivation back is key to achieving any goal. Here are five tips to help you whenever you feel stuck:
Inspiration. Find the source of your drive. Figure out what gets you fired up and in tune with yourself. It can be family, friends, music, exercise or even inspiring stories of others who have achieved a similar goal. Once you identify your source of inspiration, you can be assured in times of doubt that you know what can get you going again.
Realistic goals. One of the biggest reasons people find themselves setting up goals and not achieving them is that they set the bar too high. Don’t sabotage yourself by not being realistic. Set your major objective and have smaller steps along the way that can help you get there. Breaking it down into smaller, more manageable goals will help motivate you. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being able check off a goal from your list and track the progress you’ve made.
Anticipate. When setting your objective, anticipate potential pitfalls that might occur and create solutions before the problem arises. A study done in 2009 regarding goals found that those who were taught to foresee obstacles were able to quickly find workarounds by having a back up plan already in place. By knowing in advance of potential hurdles, those who anticipated were then mentally committed to following their backup plan instead of becoming discouraged and giving up.
Step Back. While you move forward with your goal, sometimes stepping back can help you. You can gain clarity by stopping to re-evaluating your goals and remembering why you set them. This can help motivate you to move forward, and you’ll make better progress.
Find encouragement. Make a commitment to those around you by letting them in on what you’re trying to achieve. Telling others can get them excited for you and keep you accountable. Friends and family are excellent sources of motivation because they generate enthusiasm for your project. Most people are better at keeping promises and commitments to others than they are to themselves. Committing to others can make it more likely that you will reach your goals even when faced with challenges along the way.
Team member happiness and engagement is a priority at Cydcor (have you seen our Cydcor Harlem Shake video?). As office party experts, we wanted to share some tips to make your office party a success. Planning a holiday office party doesn’t have to be stressful. These suggestions could make your holiday party one of the best ever!
Have food that everyone can enjoy.
It can’t all be sweets. Have food that can accommodate all diets found in the office. Gluten-free or vegan options can add some variety to the typical holiday nourishment. Try this gluten-free Christmas cookie recipe here.
Create a holiday dress theme that will be memorable.
A holiday festivity isn’t complete without a suggested dress code. Be it an ugly sweater party, to dressing up as famous holiday movie characters, the theme of your holiday party can add a new dimension of fun to the typical work gathering. You could even make it holiday-colored formal wear only!
Incorporate community service or charity into the party.
They don’t call it the season of giving for nothing. While collecting money for food and supplies for the party, donate a portion toward you’re a holiday charity. Not only will you be helping a good cause, but you will also be promoting a theme of the holiday season! Even better, have the party after a community service event that will aid those who won’t have a place to stay for the holidays. At Cydcor, we try to incorporate our fundraising partnership with Operation Smile into many of our events and activities.
Keep the holiday jams coming (but also be negotiable).
Christmas music on repeat may be enjoyable to some but there are also people who aren’t big fans. Mix it up with a few classic party songs as well as some songs to sing along to, like Frosty the Snowman or Baby, It’s Cold Outside. You could even have an employee perform if there happens to be a musician in the office.
Decorate the office with attractive adornments.
It can be tough to get people into the holiday mood without some merry decorations. From fresh wreaths to ribbon garland, there really is no ceiling when it comes to making your party as festive as possible.
Keep everyone amused with fun activities.
There’s always the classic Secret Santa or White Elephant. People love stations for decorating Christmas cookies or building gingerbread houses. A raffle with prizes is a great holiday staple.
