Month: March 2019

You probably remember the team projects your teacher would assign in high school. You may have been grouped with others your teacher selected, and chances are, at least on person in your group was not interested in helping or putting forth any effort. These types of projects were dreadful; however, teamwork doesn’t always have to be this way.

Teamwork is a valuable tool, and it’s often underutilized. Sure, it’s easier to let everyone simply do his or her own thing and not worry about making people work together, but this may be a mistake. When done the right way, teams can provide wonderful results that can benefit everyone. Don’t overlook how beneficial this can be simply because you had bad teamwork experiences in the past.

Working as a team has many benefits. One is that you will have access to thoughts and ideas that maybe you didn’t have. Every person has a unique perspective, and you can glean so much simply by seeing how someone else views the challenges presented by the project.

Teamwork only works when each party is willing to do his or her share. When you have the option to work with a team, strive to delegate tasks in a way that is intentional and lines up with your teammates’ strengths, ideas and passions. When teams can work together well, the result is often much more creative, effective and impressive than one person could accomplish on his or her own. If you’ve had trouble working with teams in the past, don’t let it dissuade you from working with others now.

You’re perfectly capable of doing amazing work and accomplishing many things on your own. However, occasionally working with others can add a richness and excitement to your work experience. Whether you’re the boss or an employee, think about ways you can implement teamwork to push yourself and others beyond what was possible with just one person.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Are you starting your own business? Are you ready to take your side hustle and make it your only hustle? If you are ready to jump into the world of entrepreneurship, the excitement of what is ahead can quickly overwhelm you. Eventually, this excitement will die down, and you will be left to manage the day-to-day — and often not-so-fun — aspects of being a newbie entrepreneur. The first months and years can be especially difficult, and it can be beneficial to learn a few helpful tips that can help you navigate some of these early challenges.

It’s easy to look at where you are starting out and become discouraged by your humble beginnings. One tip for new entrepreneurs is to avoid becoming too focused on where you are. Instead, try to focus on where you want to go. Many of the most recognizable brands and most successful companies started out in basements or in the corner of a living room. It’s okay to start small.

Another tip for those starting out in the business world is to have clear and specific goals. Simply saying that you want success is not really a goal. When you have specific benchmarks to follow and measurable goals to pursue, it can help propel you forward. You won’t become a profitable success in just one day, but each day you can move forward, get a little closer and mark other things off your list. Don’t overlook the importance of seemingly minor progress. Any forward momentum is good momentum.

One of the most helpful tips for any entrepreneur or business owner is to remember that it’s important to fail well. It’s inevitable that you will fail at some point, but it is beneficial to learn how to handle these setbacks in the right way. Learn from mistakes, and never assume that one setback or even multiple setbacks is the end of the road for you. Keep learning, growing and fighting for the next success.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

No matter your job, the role you have in the workplace or the goals you have for the future, having leadership skills is important. Whether you want to be boss some day, start your own company or simply thrive in the role you have, developing the right habits and working on self-improvement can help you take on more qualities of a strong, successful leader. Self-improvement and personal development can help you reach both your personal and professional goals.

One of the ways you can mark yourself as a leader or hone your own leadership skills is to over-deliver. Going above and beyond will not only make a good impression, it will help you distinguish yourself as a hardworking individual dedicated to producing quality results. Strong leaders are motivated, driven individuals who also encourage others to do their best work. On the other side of that, being a strong leader means that you are willing to own mistakes and learn from them. When things don’t go as planned or you commit a misstep, admit you were wrong and move forward.

Leaders are often required to act in the moment and make difficult decisions. One skill you may need to develop is the art of remaining calm in a crisis and thinking clearly when things seem chaotic. You will almost certainly experience stress, but it’s important to know how to deal with difficult times while still treating others well and making practical choices. Temporary emotions can be overwhelming, but it’s a valuable skill to be able to set those feelings aside and make decisions based on other factors besides how you are feeling in the moment.

Finally, to be a good leader means you are able and comfortable with empowering others so they can succeed as well. Let your co-workers and team members shine — allow them to use their skills and unique traits to move the entire team forward. Someone else’s success in something does not diminish your leadership or the value of what you bring to the table.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

One of the blessings of growth and success is the need to hire employees to help run your company. Working with others can take some time to get used to, especially if you are an entrepreneur who has been working independently for a long time. After awhile, you will become more comfortable with navigating interpersonal relationships, scheduling, compensation and management of your staff. It is important, however, to avoid becoming too comfortable in your position, which can lead to a sense of complacency and a desire to ignore employee problems because it is simply easier than confrontation.

Unfortunately, there will likely be a time when you will have to deal with a problem involving one of your employees or staff members. It is always optimal to deal with these issues head-on, as avoidance will only lead to additional complications. You may not think that you have a strong leadership style, but dealing with employee problems is not something to resolve with passive-aggressive tactics. It may be uncomfortable, but it is always better to use the following tactics when speaking with an employee about a negative situation:

• Do not give hints or talk around the subject — be direct
• Be polite, but straightforward
• List the problems specifically
• Offer the employee an opportunity to respond
• Outline your expectations and demands going forward

You worked for years, maybe even decades, to start your business and make it succeed. Personnel problems can quickly sink the ship, and you have the right to diligently protect the business you poured your time, effort and money into. Employee problems are not something to ignore, and you should not sit idly by or drop hints and hope things get better. Mutual respect is an important part of making the employee-employer relationship work, and you can cultivate this by being direct and honest about expectations and dealing with problems in the right way.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC