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Apr
06

Cutting IT Costs

  AltDuring these lean, post-recession years, it is increasingly important to reduce costs and to make investments that will reduce future costs. IT departments have many opportunities to reduce spending by taking advantage of new technological improvements to “do more with less.”

Using the virtualization technology of a Dell Vmware server allows the IT department of a company to cut costs significantly by using server space more efficiently. Much of the capacity of large servers can go unused when a multitude of processes requiring different operating systems are relegated to different computing units inefficiently. Virtualization solutions engineered by the partnership between Vmware products and Dell engineering has produced products with the ability to more efficiently partition server space in such a way that multiple operations and operating systems can be contained within partitions made on one server. This can reduce the number of servers needed to process the computing needs of an organization, which can significantly reduce expenditures because servers are neither free nor cheap, so fewer servers needed translates directly to fewer servers that need to be purchased. Fewer servers also require less resources, such as electric power and resources needed for cooling the servers, which reduces costs and is more environmentally responsible, if you’re into that sort of thing. With fewer servers, there is also a decreased need for regular maintenance, which makes the number of servers increasingly more manageable. It is interesting to imagine the global significance of a move to more efficient computing processes; if all the server space in the world were used with maximum efficiency and all excess space was left unused, how much electricity would be saved, how much of the world’s resources could be used for other things or conserved for future use?

Dell virtual desktops also allow for the reduction of costs because they allow for centralization of computing. Virtual desktops, for example, allow employees to use their personal computers as an interface with the main server, where the programs being used are actually being run. This allows for all of the computing to take place in one location, but for access to that computing power to occur at various locations. Desktop virtualization increases efficiency by making it possible to access personal information that would be stored on a personal desktop from a number of different computing stations, which increases the availability of vital information.

When looking to cut IT costs, it is necessary to be willing to spend when investing in new technologies that will increase productivity. Although it may seem counter-intuitive to purchase new technologies in an effort to cut costs, it is crucial to remain relatively up to date on the most current, and therefore most efficient, technology. The funds spent on purchasing new technology should be seen as an investment that will pay off in terms of increased efficiency that will allow IT to accomplish more with available resources. It is important to remember that an over-zealous effort to cut costs can sometimes do more harm than good, and that it is necessary to either maintain current productivity or increase productivity while also decreasing costs.

Apr
04

Interview Etiquette

When you dress sharply for a job interview, it is more likely to go well and the odds of being offered the job are highly in your favor.

There is a certain etiquette that goes with a job interview. Much of it seems like common sense, however there is a huge amount of the American population that continues to fall victim to these classic blunders. Everyone is nervous before a job interview, it is only natural. Do not let that nervousness translate into mistakes and cause you to not think clearly. Here are some tips for any job interview.

  1. Not preparing for an interview. One of the biggest mistakes that you can make as an interviewee is not researching the company that is interviewing you and thinking that you can simply “wing it”. That may have worked for your sophomore year english project, but it does not ‘fly’ in the professional job environment. You will come off much more polished and intelligent if you look as though you know what you are doing and you really do. Know what the job is that you are applying for. Have a friend ask you some typical job interview questions so that you are prepared to answer them in a clear, concise, and eloquent manner.
  2. Dressing poorly. You would be amazed by how many people show up to job interviews at an office building in flip-flops and raggedy jeans. This is not appropriate to wear to work, why would it be appropriate when you do not even have the job yet? Dressing slovenly or haphazardly will send the wrong message across to the people who are interviewing you. Your dress represents the type of person you are. Make sure that you have brushed your hair, brushed your teeth, put on deodorant, and smell good. What you want is to make a fabulous impression within the first five seconds of the interview, and you do that by dressing powerfully and sharply. Wearing a suit is always good, and women can do so as well. Other options for women include office-appropriate pencil skirts and low heels.
  3. Do not, under any circumstances, walk into the interview chewing gum. When you do so you appear to be no more than twelve years old and you instantly send across an image of apathy and lack of seriousness. If you do chew gum, after a morning coffee perhaps, be sure that you spit it out before you enter the room.
  4. Be a real person. This may sound silly, but there are many people who freeze up during an interview and only give general answers to questions. You are allowed to smile and talk a little bit about yourself. Respond in a clear way and they will know that you are a sharp person and intelligent. Focus on the interviewer because when you stare at the back wall you are not sending a good message across. When you do so they may be thinking that you are a passive person who will not accomplish the job that they have in mind.

If you follow this simple advice, you will be fine. Present yourself in the best manner possible so that they will see the best you there is.

Mar
28

Spice Up Your Cubicle!

Studies show that people are exponentially more productive when they are in environments that they perceive as friendly and welcoming. Basically, if you are comfortable in your space, then you will be more productive and focused. If you are in a cubicle, then that can be a little hard to see. When you look up, all you see are grey walls and a small desk. You stand up and you see hundreds more just like it with people in them just like you. It does not have to be that way. You can take charge of the space you have been given and give yourself a little uniqueness that can spark attentiveness and productivity at work.

If you have pictures that you like, then frame them and get them up on your wall! Pictures of family members have been rated as the most effective, but any other picture will do. Pieces of art that have colors that you find soothing or stimulating. So long as the painting or work of art does not make you angry or lethargic every time you look at it, you should be good. This is a little piece of home and culture that can bring you the simulation that you need to keep working and focus on what you have before you.

Plants can make an environment instantly friendly and individualized. With a plant comes an aura of intelligence and brilliance, a welcome change to the bland corners of the cubicle. It will also help to purify the air in your space which helps you to think better.

Bringing your own coffee mug can be a small thing, but it can be enough to keep you feeling good about life and everything and therefore keep you on task. If you do not have a favorite mug, enlist one of your family members or friends to find you one. Try to find the most unique one you can because that will be enough to keep you going for the next little while.

Having your own calendar is also a good way to bring a piece of you into your little space. There are thousands of options for calendars out there for you to choose from, so get picking! There are photography ones with themes that range from hot people with cute animals to Italy, there are art calendars with famous paintings and sculptures on each month, there are sports calendars, and many, many more. It all depends on what you are interested in. If you like gathering factoids and stuff, you can find one that contains random bits of trivia for each day. There are also the kinds of calendars where you can rip off each day and have that satisfaction.

Whatever it is you do, make sure that it is you. When you are able to go to work and look at something fun, cute, homey, or inspirational then you are much more likely to be productive and get the work done that you need.

Mar
25

ADD and Your Job

When you assess your strengths and weaknesses, then you can find a job that fits with your ADD.

If you are one of the many people living with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in the United States, then you know how hard it is to find a job that you like and that pays well. THe job hunt is difficult for everyone, but seems to be more so when you have ADD. It is true, that ADDers can adapt well and make the most of their surroundings. The important thing, when choosing a career, is that you find something that maximizes your talents and that you would happily excel in.

There is a poll on ADDitudemag.com where various people diagnosed with ADD voted as to what they would hate most in a job. The number one aspect of a job (at 40%) they would absolutely hate is if the job gave them mindless and repetitive work. That is the ultimate in torture for an ADDer. The second highest aspect (at 18%) was if the job gave them strict deadlines and a very strict schedule. When you have ADD, you thrive off change and lenience with deadlines. As you look for a job, make sure that it is one that you can see yourself enjoying, otherwise you will not be happy or successful in it.

Below, I will list some options for jobs that tend to work well for ADDers. However, this is not a comprehensive list and is by no means strictly calibrated to fit your life and your particular brand of ADD. Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses and it is important that you know your own. If you do not then you become bunched up into the general ‘ADD’ group and while that may be more beneficial than not being grouped in there, it is not as helpful as it could be. When you know how your work best and worst, then you can use these as guidelines to propel yourself to joy and success in the workplace.

Creative jobs tend to be incredibly good for people with Attention Deficit Disorder. The ADD mind thinks quickly and critically and so careers in marketing, design, and anything artistic are generally good fits. They are able to create good and lasting ideas, others can help them with the actual followthrough. Medicine is also a good place for those with ADD minds. That career path requires quick thinking, problem solving, and someone to handle all of this under high levels of pressure. These are situations where the average ADDer works best and thrives in the creative and adrenaline filled environment.

ADD people are also great entrepreneurs, however they do need someone else there who can keep them on track and make sure that they do not lose sight of the end goal or anything in between. Thinking ahead is not the ADDer’s strong suite. The coming up with a great idea and the execution are very good for the creative thinker and allow them to come up with their own schedule and deadline and work in a place that they can create for themselves. That is the ultimate environment.

Mar
22

Testing for the Future

Career tests can help you to determine what path is good for you.

There are so many personality tests and career tests out there that it is difficult to decide if they are even worth your time. If you are having difficulty deciding what job path is right for you, these tests cannot decide it for you. They can only help you to figure out what it is that you want. Sometimes they can provide you with options that you never knew existed. Other times, as you are taking the test you decide what it is that you want to do. There is a phrase that basically says that when you flip a coin and you put the decision up to chance, that is when you decide what you want because as soon as that coin is in the air you suddenly know what it is you want. Maybe the test could even confirm a decision for you because then you know that it would really mesh with your personality.

Some tests cost money, and others are free. The ones that cost money could either be more helpful, or could just put you out of a couple of dollars with you knowing no more than after the free test.

The most useful thing that can really come out of a personality test is having options opened to you that you never knew about before. Maybe you had been stuck on a medicine track because you thought that it would be all you are good at because you love math and science. A personality test can give you options such as becoming an actuary, professor, scientist for the government, or a funds manager.

You are not limited to the few options that are the most popular in the subjects that you enjoy. If you are still unsure about what you enjoy, think about a job where you would be able to “stop working”. What is a job where you would enjoy the work so much that it would cease to be work? It does not have to be feasible at the moment, just shoot for the stars here. If you do not have dreams,then they cannot come true. What could you see yourself, in a perfect world, doing for the rest of your life? Once you have that vision, go from there. Take the tests to find out if they provide you with a dream option that you never knew of before. There are so many cool jobs out there, there is no reason you should not have one.

Mar
18

Do Something!

It is important that when you go to college, that you get a degree in something that you like but also that you can use. Recently, there has been a push to major in something that you absolutely love with no regards to the usefulness of it. While it is important to pick something that you will enjoy, you also need to take into consideration how you are going to use your degree. You are paying for your schooling and you do not want to wash those thousands and thousands of dollars down the drain. You want to make those years count for something more than just making friends and meeting people.

There is a list out there from the Huffington Post that shows the top ten most useless majors. If yours falls under this category, that does not mean that you are never going to get hired or paid an acceptable amount of money. What you can do, if your major is indeed on this list, is that you can go back to school and specialize in something relating to that field. Or you can go to a vocational school and learn a trade that coordinates with it. The point is, hope is not lost! This is just out there to help people make educated decisions.

The major with the highest number of unemployment is clinical psychology. This could be for a variety of reasons, but correlation does not necessarily indicate causation. Many people who majored in this had to go to a graduate school of some sort in order to have the skills to use the major. Often, their continuing education led to a doctorate degree of some sort and they were then able to get the kind of job they wanted after they received their Bachelors.

Another unemployable major is that of library science. This is fairly self-explanatory because this field does not allow for much upwards mobility anyways. There is only a certain number of people that can work at a library and outside of that environment, you cannot really use this degree. The unemployment rate for this major is upwards of fifteen percent, that is pretty darn high!

Working in the fine arts is also fairly difficult if you do not have a specialization in one area or another. Just having an art history degree is not going to help you at all, unless you go on to specialize in a certain geographic region or specific time period or style of art. If you want to be an artist, you need to know what it is that you want to do if you want anyone to take you seriously. When you are an artist, it is your experience that counts more than your actual educational credentials. Make sure that when you begin to actually specialize in something that you are going about it the right way!

Some of the other majors included architecture, miscellaneous psychology, and United States history.

Feb
29

Want to Become an Entrepreneur?

This post was written by Gary Lightman, a lawyer in the Philadelphia area with 30+ years experience who helps small businesses with legal issues.

 

If you’re going to school with the intent of starting a company afterwards (or during), or you are working on ramping up your start-up company already, you’ll likely have about a thousand things on your plate at any given moment: building your brand, managing damage control, looking for ways to maximize the audience you reach, and (of course) trying to stay afloat. Understandably, you own the core elements of your business; you’re the captain of the ship, and you know where you want to take her. But even a very excellent and capable captain needs a crew—there are just too many jobs on the boat for one person to handle alone. And while the captain has the ultimate say as to where the ship goes, he or she does well to try to staff the ship with the most competent sailors possible, and then listen to the advice that they give.

Staying out of legal trouble can require hiring someone else like an accountant.

Likewise, you should look at the various tasks you’re currently tackling, and evaluate whether you might perhaps need some help. Specifically, think about your finances and the records you’re keeping. Think about how familiar you are with the laws at play when dealing with taxes. If you can realistically say that you’re anything less than an expert on taxes, you might want to consider hiring a competent accountant to keep your books in order.

 

Before you get defensive, it’s no sign of weakness to admit that you need help. After all, the success of your business is the most important thing, so why not bring in an expert to make sure that you’re using the company finances in the wisest way possible?

 

A good accountant (preferably one that’s familiar with your industry) can be an invaluable resource. In addition to making sure that you’re not overextending the resources of the business, an accountant can help you greatly during tax season. This is because the IRS scrutinizes the business deductions you make when you file your taxes. If anything’s amiss, you’ll be sure to hear about it, most likely in the form of an audit. Audits can be very stressful and costly affairs, so it’s better to play it safe when making your deductions. Small business owners can get into trouble, though, if they’re not familiar with some of the tax laws that control what can and cannot be deducted. A good accountant will help you know which things to steer clear of. Avoiding an audit will help you focus your time and energy where they belong: on your business.

 

Beyond helping you know what can and cannot be deducted, an accountant can help you know whether any of your current business practices disqualify you from making a specific deduction in the first place. For example, if you run your business from a home office, you might be excluded from claiming a deduction on the office if you also use it as a guest room. An accountant can help you do things right.

 

So as you pilot your ship into new seas, consider the merits of bringing an accountant along for the journey.

Feb
25

Tip for College: Find out WHY You’re There

Tips to help you succeed in college.It should happen with every college student, but the sooner the better. You need to find out why you’re going to college. Most high school students just plan on college once they graduate high school and that’s what’s expected and they don’t have anything else to do, so they apply, get accepted somewhere, and start a long journey in college. Looking back, a lot of students realize that they didn’t get what they wanted out of their education. They either work in a field unrelated to their studies, or they don’t find that they studies helped them or prepared them adequately for their job.  And when you pay thousands of dollars to become prepared for the “real world”, the last thing you want to do is waste that money.

First, understand that college is not for everyone. There are plenty of smart people that determined that college wouldn’t help them. Sometimes this was determined during college, sometimes before, and sometimes after. They key is to determine that as early as you can.  Someone like Bill Gates who dropped out of Harvard to go on and make billions of dollars by founding Microsoft wasn’t hurt because he didn’t finish school. But that’s not for everyone also.  Sometimes trade school or a certification program in a specific field could be more valuable depending on the person and the field they want to go into. There are plenty of options there and that could take less time than a four year degree and could benefit you more.

For a good amount of high school graduates, college is the best thing for them and their career. Socially, personally, and for work, it is a well rounded experience that can greatly enhance your skills and knowledge.  But if you’re not there for the right reasons, it can also turn into a wasted four year party after which you’re kicked out into the real world without the necessary skills or experience.  So what can you do to enhance your college experience? Here are a few tips.

 

First, while it may not be possible for you, understanding your end goal is a big help from the beginning of college. The classes you take and the direction you go in school from the beginning impacts where you end up. Sure–you can make adjustments in the middle (and if you realize you want to do something else by all means make the change), but it can be a longer and more painful process to do it in the middle of your education. Remember though that while you want to be focused on taking the specific classes that will most benefit you,  remember that this is a special time in your life and take a couple classes that may not be in your major, but interests you anyways. Steve Jobs, who dropped out of school decided that he would wanted to be there to go sit in on a few classes that he really wanted to go to and ended up changing the course of design on computers because of it.  He told the story at a speech at Stanford University where he said the following:

“I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to [learn calligraphy]. I learned about serif and sans-serif typefaces, about varying the space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful. Historical. Artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture. And I found it fascinating. None of this had any hope of any practical application in my life. But 10 years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would never have multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it’s likely that no personal computer would have them.”

Simply by going to a class that he enjoyed, he took the time to learn, study, and remember the class–and then he put it to use 10 years later.  By taking the time to figure out what you want to do and then adding some classes that hold your interest you will be more engaged and better prepared to learn and utilize the knowledge. And isn’t that what school is all about.

 

Feb
23

Using Group Activities to Build Team Unity

One of the keys in an organization’s long term success is team unity, thus it is no surprise companies allot a sizeable amount of budget on group activities to foster camaraderie, develop strengths and address weaknesses of the staff.

There are actually several group activities targeting on building team unity and there are two major categories for these – one is the competitive type which pits coworkers against each other and declares someone or a group as the winner, and the other type is the non-competitive group activity that revolves in a common goal and gives rewards to those who produce good results.

If the organization is set on organizing a team unity activity, it is vital for leaders to identify current pressing issues of the organization.  Then, proper planning with employees’ involvement follows to address these team unity concerns.  The leaders have to bear in mind that the team must gain benefits from the event, otherwise, the group activity ends as a fruitless endeavor.Group activities help to build unity

You can do the popular and fun group activities as listed below.  However, you can enhance these suggested team unity activities according to the team’s culture.  It is also more interesting if the activity hits on the interest of the group to guarantee success.

  •  Halloween in the Office

A growing number of American offices celebrate the Halloween since it has become one of the popular events of the year.  Since Halloween is not tied to any religion and race, it is ideal for a team unity event.

Companies take the opportunity of celebrating a Halloween event since it boosts morale and teamwork.  Such group event creates a common activity among employees, and, improves communication and inter-departmental cooperation.  Hidden talents and creativity surface and you get to identify the people who have these qualities in the organization in a non-hierarchical setting.  Creativity, team leadership, and cooperation become evident in this scenario.

Following are various ways of having a Halloween group activity in the office that foster team unity:

  •  Halloween Costume Contest

You can set-up and publish contest rules, including categories for a Halloween costume contest.  You may also want to separate contests for teams and individuals such as Women’s Halloween Costumes for 2012, Most Original Halloween Costume, Best Women’s Halloween Costumes, and Most Scariest Halloween Costume are examples of awards you can give during this event.

  •  Halloween Party

A Halloween party usually works best at lunch time but some have it during breakfast.  You can make it as simple or massive as your budget may allow with cookies to buffet lunch.  Having a party increases the employees’ time to interact, even if they do not choose to join a costume contest.

  • Area Decorating

During the Halloween event, allow employees to decorate their group areas.  Whatever is the outcome of their Halloween decorating efforts tells you something about the people in the group and their team spirit.  You can spot informal leaders who emerge during the activity.

  • Other Games and Contests
  • Holiday Parties

Apart from the Halloween party, celebrating holidays and incorporating these in the office helps create motivational team unity.  These allow employees an opportunity to interact with other people in the organization apart from their colleagues in the same department, and allow expression of creativity and leadership talent among all people in the organization.

  •  Potluck Meals

With these few suggestions, you can head on to great group activities that aim for team unity.  Besides being good for business, these are sure fun for the employees and will help employees love their work.

Feb
15

Interviewing 101

Make your next interview the best one yet!

A good amount of these posts have been about interviews and such. The reason for that is when you find a job that is only part of the bigger issue and once you have been hired, then there is not much you can do except perform the work that is required of you. When going into an interview, it is best to get all the help that you can. Ask friends to quiz you on popular interview questions so that your responses can be professional and well representative of your character. Plan your outfit so that it is flattering and professional also. Here are some more interview tips that can help you land the job that you want.

The most important thing to remember about an interview is that it is your time to “sell yourself”. Imagine that you are a salesman and you have been given a product to sell, that product is yourself. How would you do it? You would focus on the positives and make the product look as good as you possibly can. That is what you need to do when going into an interview, sell your product (yourself) to the interviewer. Dress sharply, speak eloquently, and be respectful.

One job advice website says that “if you want to be an exceptional candidate, then you need exceptional preparation.” The times when you go into an interview and feel like you rock it are the times that you are prepared. Like I said earlier, have someone quiz you so that you know what your responses will be. Your friend can give you feedback and help you look the best you can.

Know exactly what it is that you are applying for. When a potential candidate comes in for an interviewer, they will probably be asked about the position that they applied for. It is critical that you know the tasks you will be asked to perform and the type of job that it is so you can respond to that question. Also, when you know what the job is asking of you it is easier to incorporate your own response into the interview that demonstrates you already have a bit of prior experience in a similar job or something like that. It is not bad if you tailor your responses to fit your job, it is a highly intelligent thing  to do.

Make sure that your references suit the position that you are applying for as well. You want to be their ideal candidate. If you are applying for a position in accounting, then you would not want to put down the time you worked as a summer counselor at a barn teaching kids to ride. That would be much better suited for a job where you are interacting with people a great deal. What you would want to write if you are going into accounting is a job that required a high level of organization and mathematical skills.

Do your best to become their ideal candidate using the experience and references that you have. That will make you a much more appealing candidate.