Category: News

How to find and implement the right technology for your business

Companies face challenges in selecting and implementing technology solutions that align with their business objectives. For instance, a manufacturing firm improved efficiency by adopting cloud-based tools, resulting in a 20% reduction in operational costs. Another example includes a retail business that integrated a customer relationship management system, leading to a 30% increase in customer retention rates. These cases demonstrate how strategic technology adoption can drive significant operational improvements and customer engagement.

By J-Ann Tio Toles | FEB 04, 2025
Read the original article at fastcompany

9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2025 and Beyond

Gartner research identifies three key challenges for company leaders in 2025: the need for a future-ready workforce, the evolving role of managers, and emerging talent risks. These challenges underscore the importance of adapting to technological advancements and shifting employee expectations. Companies must stay ahead of these trends to maintain a competitive edge.

The report emphasizes that organizations should proactively identify trends that will impact their operations, particularly in areas like AI, collaboration, and employee retention. Companies that effectively leverage these insights can secure a comparative advantage in a rapidly changing work environment, demonstrating that strategic foresight is essential for long-term success.

By Emily Rose McRae, Peter Aykens, Kaelyn Lowmaster, and Jonah Shepp | JAN 22, 2025
Read the original article at hbr

Breaking Barriers to Business Growth: Strategic Hiring and Overcoming Fear

A small business once struggled because its leader didn’t know how to promote it. Hiring someone with better skills helped the business grow, showing how critical it is to invest in people with the right talent. When that person left, the leader realized that strategic hiring was key to further growth. Investing in the right staff helps companies break through stagnation.

A car sales business grew from £1 million to over £4 million by taking risks. The owner had to overcome fear and make dramatic changes to the business structure. Without this bold move, the company would have stayed stuck. Facing fear and stepping into the unknown can be a crucial driver of business growth.

By Adam Stott | OCT 09, 2024
Read the original article at FORBES

The Power of Internal Drive: Sam Altman’s Five-Word Secret to Exceptional Motivation in Tech

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasizes the importance of being “internally driven” rather than competing with others. This unconventional approach focuses on self-improvement and personal satisfaction rather than external benchmarks. Altman believes this mindset leads to unlimited performance and motivation, helping OpenAI compete effectively in the highly competitive AI industry against tech giants like Google and Meta.

Both Bill Gates and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai suggest that people have the best chance of making world-class contributions in fields they enjoyed as teenagers. This unique perspective on career development emphasizes following internal interests rather than external pressures. This approach can help companies foster innovation and compete by encouraging employees to pursue their genuine passions, potentially leading to groundbreaking advancements.

By JESSICA STILLMAN | OCT 09, 2024
Read the original article at INC

Tech Talent Strategies: Fractional CTOs and Tech Sabbaticals for Non-Tech Companies

Peter Stewart of Stewart Leadership suggests hiring a fractional Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or tech consultant to manage a non-tech company’s needs temporarily. This unconventional approach helps set up processes, build the tech stack, and assist with recruitment. Once an established tech team is in place, the company can partner with local universities for internships, creating a pipeline of future hires familiar with the business.

Inga Bielińska from Inga Arianna Bielinska Coaching Consulting Mentoring proposes offering tech sabbaticals to current employees. This unique strategy encourages and incentivizes staff to take tech-related courses or certifications during their time off. It builds internal expertise, makes employees more valuable, and addresses tech needs without external hires, giving non-tech companies a competitive edge in developing tech talent.

By Expert Panel® | OCT 09, 2024
Read the original article at FORBES

Innovative Strategies for Managing Challenging Employees: O.I.R. and C.T.R.M. Frameworks

A unique management strategy for dealing with toxic employees is the O.I.R. approach: Observations, Impact, and Redirect. This method involves having a one-on-one conversation with the employee, focusing on observed behaviors, their impact on the team, and ways to improve. Unlike confrontational methods, this approach emphasizes listening and understanding, helping managers address issues without making employees defensive.

Another unconventional leadership strategy is the C.T.R.M. framework: Clarity, Training, Resources, and Mindset/Motivation. This helps managers systematically address employee issues by ensuring they’ve provided clear expectations, adequate training, and necessary resources before addressing mindset and motivation. This structured method can help companies of all sizes improve employee performance and workplace culture, giving them an edge over competitors.

By Vincent Sanderson | OCT 08, 2024
Read the original article at FAST COMPANY

Clearing the Path to Innovation: Roblox’s Bureaucracy Busters and Workato’s Creative Priority

Roblox, an online gaming platform, created an internal tool called “Bureaucracy Busters” where employees can post about time-wasting processes. Coworkers upvote posts, and leaders review highly-voted issues to eliminate unnecessary procedures. This unique approach helps Roblox clear “process debt,” freeing up time for innovation and giving them an edge over larger, more bureaucratic competitors.

At Workato, an automation company, CIO Carter Busse made “innovate and lead” his team’s top goal. This shift in focus encouraged employees to apply creative thinking to their daily work. Quarterly innovation sprints and hackathons provide dedicated time for inventive projects. This strategy helped Workato compete by fostering a culture of innovation, even in traditionally operational roles.

By Eric Athas | OCT 08, 2024
Read the original article at HBR

Skill Perception Gap: How Workera and LinkedIn Expose

Workera, a skills development platform, conducted an analysis revealing that 56% of employees underestimate their skill levels, while 32% overestimate. This insight challenges traditional self-assessment methods in workforce development. By recognizing this trend, organizations can implement more accurate skill evaluation strategies, potentially outperforming larger competitors in employee development and task allocation.

LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report found that only 4% of organizations have reached the measurement phase for large-scale upskilling projects. This surprising statistic highlights a significant gap in skills assessment practices. Businesses that prioritize objective, data-based skill measurements could gain a competitive edge over larger organizations by more effectively aligning employee skills with needs and optimizing training resources.

By Bernardo Nunes | OCT 07, 2024
Read the original article at FORTUNE

How Union Leaders are Tackling Social Issues and Workplace Safety for Broader Impact

The Chicago Teachers Union, under Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership, used an unconventional strategy called “bargaining for the common good.” During a 2019 strike, they demanded citywide affordable housing, going beyond typical wage and benefit negotiations. This approach shows how unions can address broader social issues, giving them a unique edge in negotiations and community support.

Maria Mata, a Hispanic housekeeper and UNITE HERE union leader, spearheaded a successful campaign to equip hotel workers with panic buttons for emergency security. This innovative safety measure, now adopted by several major hotel chains, demonstrates how diverse leadership can identify and address specific workplace safety concerns, improving working conditions and competing effectively with larger industry players.

By Associated Press | OCT 07, 2024
Read the original article at FAST COMPANY

Hockey to Hustle: Doug Adlam’s Entrepreneurial Hat Tricks

Doug Adlam’s tech startup, Finmo, faced bankruptcy when an investor pulled out. With only 11 days left, they managed to secure funding just 22 minutes before payroll was due. This experience highlights the importance of perseverance and quick thinking in crisis situations. Companies can learn from this to develop resilience strategies, potentially outperforming larger competitors in adaptability during financial challenges.

Adlam’s mortgage company won “Brokerage of the Year” at the Canadian Mortgage Awards in 2017, despite having fewer than 25 employees. This unexpected triumph demonstrates how smaller firms can compete with industry giants by focusing on client commitment and team values. Companies can leverage this lesson to build strong company cultures that attract top talent and clients, potentially outshining larger competitors.

By ENTREPRENEURS’ ORGANIZATION | OCT 06, 2024
Read the original article at INC