Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Why Spreadsheets Are Yesterdays News

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Why Spreadsheets Are Yesterday's News On a recent Gartner webinar, research analyst Teresa Jones explained how the PPM solution market now offers dozens of effective tools to replace the ubiquitous spreadsheet. In 1979, spreadsheets changed the world. VisiCalc(for “visible calculator”) was the firstspreadsheetcomputer program forpersonal computers, originally released for theApple II. According to Wikipedia, it’s often considered the application that turned themicrocomputerfrom a hobby for computer enthusiasts into a serious business tool. VisiCalc sold over 700,000 copies in six years, and as many as 1 million copies over its history. Over three decades later, the spreadsheet remains prevalent as a valued tool in the project manager’s toolbox even though its widespread use leads to as many problems as it solves. Due to duplicated information, arguments about whose data is most accurate and the challenges of distributed teams, fit-for-purpose tools are growing in appeal. Jones offered guidance on some of the options available to project managers, and started with a bit of education on the PPM market itself. Welcome to the PPM Age Project Portfolio Management(PPM) is the centralizedmanagement of the processes, methods, and technologies used byprojectmanagers andproject managementoffices (PMOs) to analyze and collectively manage current or proposed projects based on numerous key characteristics. Within this discipline, however, you need to know exactly what you’re working on in order to identify the right tool. For example, Jones defined a “project” as a temporary endeavor designed to achieve a particular business outcome, a “portfolio” as a group of projects that are related in some way, and a “program” as a group of projects within a portfolio (CRM, etc.). Selecting the Right PPM Solution Before undertaking the selection process, it’s key to understand that PPM tools aren’t perfect. Jones cites several challenges, including that some tools can’t report the most useful information, and others are too complex or not complex enough. Some have inefficient cost models, while others have poor usability. Given that there is no Holy Grail that will be all things to all organizations, PPM software selection begins with gaining a comprehensive understanding of your company’s requirements. Who in your organization will use the tool, and what do they need the tool to do? Jones said that PPM solutions provide a combination of actual work activities and reporting, but features differ. A program manager, for instance, may need a tool with more strategic analysis capabilities, while a project manager will likely need a central dashboard. Usually, as the level of manager interaction with a tool goes up, the number of employees accessing the tool goes down. For guiding questions on how to select the right post-spreadsheet tool, visit the QuickBase Fast Track blog.

How Important Is An Office Space For Your Business - Career Geek

How Important Is An Office Space For Your Business - Career Geek Youve just crossed a milestone in your start-up or business and now looking to make the next big move. This could be a new client or a big order from your online shop. But your clients want to see some credibility and one of the way to get that is through an office space. How important is it to have serviced offices for your businesses? We know the power of online businesses, but the truth is, Amazon still has a physical headquarter. All the banks provide online banking yet they have physical branches. It is the same for you. At some point you will need serviced offices to show that you are a credible figure in the business. Now, having an office space is not that easy in traditional form. You know, you could go look for a space, big enough to accommodate you and your few team members. Then you need to look at the fittings, internet access, and other things, including bathroom facilities, etc. This will cost you a lot in upfront costs and even mean long term  commitment. And you might have to secure some debt to pay for this, this isnt necessarily your priority to secure your debt against? Your priority is doing business. So what are the alternatives? Well look at the more modern offerings. Have you thought about serviced offices? These are offices built exactly to make your job easier. You simply walk-in feel the atmosphere and see for yourself how awesome some of these serviced offices actually are. Most of the serviced offices are in buildings that have the facilities already available, for example you can sign-up and get internet access instantly at preferable rates for business (varies between organisations). Think about it, as a small business or start-up you cant afford buying office space in London! But then you find out about serviced offices and you can break deal with one. This way, you have a London office with all the facilities and you are in company of other businesses who have acquired other serviced offices too. So, your clients can look you up and have a meeting with you. Having Office Space Can Benefit Your Business You will get a sense of workplace Your team will be able to have a sense of responsibility and pride in telling where they work Your clients will get a chance to meet you in professional atmosphere You give out a serious business person image Now with all these benefits it is hard to not think of serviced offices offerings around the UK. You will always have one close to your place. Even some Universities are now offering some space in their new buildings to budding entrepreneurs and small business. Will Virtual Office Do? Well in some cases it might do. You could definitely gain more credibility with no office, but virtual offices offer slightly less attractiveness to serviced offices. Virtual offices cater to the more simple tasks of mail, call and other correspondence forwarding. You can even use these to register your business. And although some organisations offer the facilities to have meeting, these are less flexible than serviced offices. Whatever your choice, remember it is important that you consider having a physical office space. Who knows, your next client might be ready to sign the deal, but he or she wants to have a meeting at your office. You dont want to say No then. photo credit: Legozilla via photopin cc 5

The Only Finance Jobs Infographic You Need To See In 2013 [INFGRAPHIC]

The Only Finance Jobs Infographic You Need To See In 2013 [INFGRAPHIC] When we look ahead to the 2013 job market, many people are concerned they are not going to have the skills they need to land a well-paying job. The good news is that one of the fields where new job openings are plentiful even in this economic climate is finance. This field will be hiring new graduates, middle managers and there are likely to be many senior-level positions. The infographic is provided by Accounting Principals who  provide  accounting and finance jobs   for new talent. Personal Financial Advisor Those who have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting can look forward to working as a personal financial advisor. In fact, it is widely anticipated this will be one of the top ten growing fields in the overall financial industry. In most cases, this is because of the inordinate amount of baby boomers who will be retiring in the upcoming years. Estimated job growth through 2020 is anticipated to be in excess of 30 percent. Accounting and Auditing Accounting and auditing jobs are anticipated to continue to have an average growth rate, however, it is important to remember that companies of all sizes and individuals are likely to be on the lookout for qualified individuals. Nearly all of these accounting jobs will require a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, although many small businesses may be happy to forgo that formality. Financial Analysts The overall role of a financial analyst is to evaluate risks and rewards of investments. Accounting jobs for financial analysts will continue their growth, especially in the mutual fund sector. Those who are interested in these jobs will require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, though some positions may require a Master’s degree program.  Going back to school to earn a master’s degree opens up more doors in the industry and can maximize your earning potential. For example, the Master of Investment Management and Financial Analysis degree is something that you can take after you have earned a degree in finance to make yourself more employable. With this degree, you can take jobs as a chief investment officer, financial analyst, investment banker, private client wealth manager, or portfolio manager. This degree also has chartered financial analyst exam preparation built right into the course and once you pass this exam, your earnings will grow dramatically. Mortgage Market Options Some people who have high school diplomas or are working towards a degree in Finance may be interested in working in the mortgage market. There are a number of roles that those who are seeking accounting jobs may be interested in within this field. For example, compliance officers, loan underwriters and financial analyst positions are necessary at all mortgage companies and the demand for talent in these fields continues to grow. Regardless of whether you are running a household, a small business or a multi-million dollar corporation, it is highly likely you will need the expertise of an accountant at one time or another. The overall financial job industry is expected to have above average growth through most of 2013 and it is highly likely to continue to experience higher growth than other fields through 2020. Whether you are seeking entry-level or senior-level jobs, the outlook for 2013 and beyond is bright.

Dont Let Your Cell Phone Sell Your Age - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Don’t Let Your Cell Phone Sell Your Age - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today’s post is written by Gareth Parkin. About a month ago a mid-level executive I know in California asked my advice about getting a new cell phone. He said, “I don’t really need or want a smart phone, I don’t text or email from my phone. My old phone is dying though and they don’t make this brand anymore, what would you recommend?” My answer surprised him; I said, “Do you realize what your phone is saying about you? It’s something to think about.” Walk into any café or company and you develop an instant perception about people’s ages and income levels based upon their phones. As a  promotional products  company at GoPromotional, we are always interested in buying habits and marketing trends. Mobile phones are on the cutting edge of a changing marketplace. In our experience, this is what your smart phone is saying about you: If you have an old small flip phone you are probably over 40. If you have an older Blackberry you are probably over 40 and you had a good job at some point. If you have an Android phone you are probably younger than 40. Same goes with an iPhone. Cheaper Androids and Windows phones and you are probably even younger, between 20-25. Touch screen phone users (Android and iPhone) earn good money (or they are just computer geeks). Nielsen’s research  backs up what you will find in any US city. Android and Apple iPhone smart phone users are younger and they earn more money than people using other types of cell phones. This is something to think about when you are interested in personal branding. A cell phone doesn’t make the man or woman but like many other small things it does say a lot about your age, income and technical sophistication. Whether you want to believe it or not, potential employers and coworkers also probably notice this either consciously or subconsciously. As a side note, the executive I mentioned above ended up getting a new Android smart phone even though our conversation established that he really didn’t need one. Last week he got his first promotion in 7 years, probably just a coincidence. Author: Gareth Parkin  is the Managing Director at  GoPromotional  an international online marketing group that specializes in promotional business gifts and corporate merchandising. GoPromotional’s team has more than 30 years worth of experience in corporate gifts, branding and international marketing and offers an enormous selection of quality promotional items  at exceptional prices including: promotional mugs and cups, promotional keyrings, conference bags, promotional Green shopping bags, corporate promotional clothing  and much more. At GoPromotional, “We turn your marketing visions into reality!”

How to Write A Good Resume With Eress Skilld

How to Write A Good Resume With Eress SkilldBefore you move on to writing a resume, consider the amazing idea of trying Eress skills in resume writing. It's one of the most innovative and easy ways to start your resume writing in a quick and accurate manner. More than you probably know, the skilld is a most important element of any effective resume. If you're an employer who would like to give your employee the very best of resume writing, you must learn to use this innovative and effective technique of writing a resume.The skilld is a very simple but effective method to use when creating resumes for individuals who are willing to work for you. Eress has many simple techniques to teach to newbie resumes writers. One of the most common and straightforward techniques of Eress is by using brief sentences that introduce their resumes and emphasize their important achievements. Another key ingredient of an effective Press skilld is by putting specific keywords into your resume. This skill is simply by entering a specific keyword into your resume to get the best results.The skills taught in Eress are active skills rather than passive ones. These active skills include providing a link to a website in the introduction of the resume and preparing a good impact statement. The resume is the first thing that comes up when a resume seeker looks for information about the job.To be a good resume writer, you must be able to write unique and professional resumes. With this kind of skill, it is possible to make it very easy for the job seekers to find your resume among hundreds of others. With a single click on your signature, you can be able to place your resume on thousands of other websites that specialize in selling resumes.There are two main types of resumes, the formal and the informal. The formal resume is designed for employment at a corporate office, while the informal oneis designed for people who just want to increase their personal profiles. The skilld tells resume w riters how to write a detailed resume with skilld format.The skilld teaches resume writers how to write resumes that showcase their good life skills, such as having good grades, good communication skills, and being responsible and driven. Most employers want people who can show how they can adapt and adjust to change. Being able to write a good resume is a must for anyone who wants to have a successful career.With the help of Here's skills, you can write a very powerful resume that is one of the most influential parts of a resume. There are very few ways that can help you find a job that you really want. With the help of a skilld, you can help others find jobs that are better than yours. This will certainly be a major benefit to you and your family.Remember that the Eress skills in resume writing will help you to produce a resume that's one of the best. If you're looking for a way to get your resume noticed by employers, look no further than Here's. Using this skill will help you pu t together a resume that will not only get you hired, but also is something that you can be proud of.

How To Turn Around a Job Interview Thats Going Poorly - Sterling Career Concepts

How To Turn Around a Job Interview Thats Going Poorly How To Turn Around a Job Interview Thats Going Poorly If you sense a job interview is starting to deteriorate, my biggest advice to job seekers is not let it get in your head. Rather, use the realization as a good reason to take a deep breath in, clear your mind, and give it another try. If you allow it to affect your thoughts, your answers from that point on will be impacted as well. It is possible to turn things around if you stay positive and optimistic. Your follow-up letter is also a great opportunity to rebound. The letter you send after an interview can and should say so much more than thank you for taking the time to speak with me. If you feel your answer was poorly conveyed or misinterpreted or if you missed out on the opportunity to share information thats critical to your candidacy, address the issue in the follow-up letter. Alternatively, if you feel you just didnt gel with the interviewer, use the follow-up letter as one more chance to connect and/or impress him/her with your knowledge of an item relevant to the company, a concern facing the industry, or a topic discussed during the interview. At this point, you have nothing to lose. Take the extra step to attach an article or offer a suggestion. If you are interviewing through an executive recruiter, he/she can be in a great position to assist. Let him/her know immediately that you dont feel the interview went well. They may have the opportunity to address it or encourage the hiring company to still consider your candidacy. If you remain focused and positive, there are ways to work on rebound after an interview has gone south.

5 Steps For Space When You Work From Home

5 Steps For Space When You Work From Home With the rate of new start-up businesses at an all time high, many of us now count our homes as our offices before we grow to a point where moving out into a co-working space or a business premises is viable. And there are many upsides to the life of a home working solopreneur no hours wasted on a long commute, greater flexibility, and the chance to have a working space that you love. Instead of hunching over the kitchen table crammed in among cereal packets, take the chance to create a home office that will inspire and make you more productive. Balance Beauty And Functionality Pinterest boards of beautiful home offices and glossy design magazines can be a useful tool to inspire you in creating your ideal workspace. Having a great looking office can definitely increase your enthusiasm for what youre doing, but its important to balance aesthetics with practicality. You need a good desk space rather than that vintage console table and your office will have to accommodate less picturesque equipment, such as box files. Make sure your office actually works how you need it to, although a few pretty touches are also good. Make it a space you can be proud of and dont forget to include some natural greenery, a place to display some personal items like photos or an inspiration board, and if you have room, a seating area where you can take a screen break, sit to have a think or chat to clients and enjoy your coffee. Shop Around For The Best Price When youre kitting out your office, its easy to get carried away and end up spending way too much. You can get what you need without blowing the budget by shopping around for good deals. If there isnt much to spare, sites like eBay make it easy to search for used office furniture. Many companies out there have a regular upgrade schedule and will be looking to offload things like chairs and desks in great condition. The same is also true for electronics you can pick up laptops, printers and coffee machines on sale, and use specialist suppliers such as 1800scales.com to pick up postage scales. Make a list of what you need and then buy it gradually as you see a deal. Are You Sitting Comfortably? The way that your desk is set up can have a huge impact on your productivity for the day, so take the time to get it right. Make sure the surface and your chair are set up so that the top edge of your screen is slightly below eye level. You may need to use a laptop riser if you have a mobile set up. This reduces the strain on your eyes. A good office chair with ergonomic design is worth spending a bit more money on. The keyboard should rest so that your arms run parallel to the floor and your feet are flat upon it. You will need to be comfortable, or long stretches of work will take their toll on your body. Let There Be Light If you can position your desk near a natural light source, then your days are going to be happier and more creative. For best results, siting it parallel to a window is ideal and will act as a natural mood booster as well as encouraging you to take micro-breaks and take in the view, which is extremely good for eye health. Keep On Top Of Storage The number one enemy of an organised home office? That would be lack of adequate storage for all those papers and files. If nothing has a home, it will all descend into chaos and you wont be at your best in a messy, cluttered environment. Find some sleek office storage solutions it doesnt have to be a filing cabinet. Pieces of furniture which do double duty, like an ottoman with storage, can work well. If you know that you are the kind of person who needs to see something to recall it, wall storage could be a good option, or neatly labelled magazine racks organised on open shelving. The Power Of Disguise As offices are functional spaces first and foremost, by definition they contain items that arent so pretty you just have to get good at hiding them! Bulky printing and packaging equipment can easily be concealed inside a cupboard when not in use, while devices that corral your power cords and stop them running all over the place and becoming a trip hazard are a must. You can also create a charging station for your laptop, tablet, phone and other devices by drilling a hole in a letter rack or the back of a desk drawer to run power cables through.