Workplace 101: A Profiles Global Business Blog

Do you remember your first day of school? That moment standing at the bus stop, lunch box in hand, waving your mother good-bye, and your heart beating faster than ever. Well starting at a new job feels the same way. We’ve all been there – dressed in your finest business attire with butterflies in your stomach as you enter through the doors of a brand new job. But did you know it’s estimated that 45% of new-hires fail within 18 months?

Certification training for using assessments is a key component of working with Profiles International solutions. This week, Profiles International headquarters hosted a two-day training workshop for clients from all around the US.

At these sessions, clients received in-depth training that outlines all elements of the science behind assessments. Attendees learned how to use the products for maximum impact in their own organizations for activities such as benchmarking their employees.

Guest Post by Marvin LeBlanc

I have not failed. I have just found one of 10,000 ways that won't work.
- Thomas Edison

Failure is a fact of life. However, one bitter truth is that failure is often self imposed and invited. Don't believe me? Read along to find out what distinguishes achievers from those who never end up fulfilling their dreams and believe that they justly deserve the moniker 'failure'.

Talent Management is a key part of a business. Every now and then it is important for a company to review their employees, considering their levels of effectiveness and efficiency. Sure, there are plenty of employees who are GOOD at what they do, but wouldn’t it be better for the company to hire someone who is TERRIFIC at their job?

McDonald’s released their quarterly financial results and to say the least, it looks like the fast food giant is doing great. The company generated $6.54 billion and global comparable sales increased 7.3 percent.  

You applied, you interviewed, and you got the job; however, after celebrating, the panic attack hits. Starting a new job can be extremely exciting and stressful all at the same time. What will you wear the first day? Will you fit in with the other employees? Who do you ask when you have questions?  Answers to some of these questions will take patience and time, but there are a few things that you can do to make transitioning into your new position a little less stressful.

Guest Post by Marvin LeBlanc

Being a leader is a formidable yet inspiring task. In any setting, the leader is a representation of the morality of their group, and those who follow them, do so with trust and willingness. A good leader knows this all too well, and this is often why a large ego has too strong a place in a leadership position. One of the most important attributes of a leader is their ability to be humble. Don't let the ego run wild and remain humbled by those who support you- and yourself.

The days of marriage lasting forever and the days of an employee working at one company forever are long gone. Based on recent statistics, the average marriage only lasts 8 years, and let’s face it; it is uncommon for an employee to remain at one company for more than 5 years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average employee tenure in 2010 was 4.4 years. Although companies cannot prevent employee turnover, they can take steps to reduce their turnover rate and increase employee tenure. So, why do employees choose to end the relationship and voluntarily leave a company?

It seems that Facebook can’t go a week without making headline news. The social media mogul has now bought Instagram for $1 billion. Mark Zuckerberg posted on his Facebook feed, “I'm excited to share the news that we've agreed to acquire Instagram and that their talented team will be joining Facebook.”

We are pleased to announce that Profiles International is sponsoring Talent Management in Healthcare: Taking a New Look. This is complimentary webinar presented by Kim Lamoureux, Senior Director Research Practices and Principal Analyst Talent Acquisition of Bersin & Associates, and Michael Guglielmo, VP Talent Acquisition & Development of Genesis Healthcare.

Guest Post by John Baker www.theaskingformula.com

I was at 3M's Innovation Lab in St. Paul last year. There should be a sign out front of the building that says. "Forget ye all you've even known about innovation - enter and have your world rocked." I have worked with and worked for companies that claim they want to be innovative. 3M embraces innovation like Napa Valley embraces grapevines.

It is not a secret that many people are superstitious when it comes to the number 13, often called “unlucky thirteen.” Today, Friday the 13^th is such a dreaded day for some that they will actually call in sick to work rather than take a chance on bad luck.  The fear of this day even has its own name; Paraskevidekatriaphobia, (quite the mouthful!)

My dad has been a salesman for more than 20 years. Recently, the company where he works was bought out by another company and there was some concern as to how the customers would respond to the change. During a discussion with a long-time customer, he told my dad, “I don’t do business with companies, I do business with people.” This customer wasn’t worried about the changes because he had been doing business with my dad for years and had always received excellent customer service. His loyalty was to the person who he had been doing business with, not the new (or old) company.

Whether you’re a small retailer or the world’s largest technology company, you need the best-fit sales employees to succeed.
Recruiting and selecting effective sales reps is critical for any sales organization! Take Apple Inc. for example, when you go into Apple stores across the country, you'll find exceptional customer service.

It’s that special time of year when a new batch of college graduates are getting ready to enter the workforce. As college seniors scramble to finish final papers, pass exams, perfect their resumes and enjoy what little time they have left on campus, they’re all on a mission to find the job of their dreams.

2012 is in full swing, and according to latest research from the Aberdeen Group, retail organizations are stepping up their game this year. It’s essential that organizations keep up with customer demands, and with today's evolving technology, mobility and analytics continue to be the top two trends driving retail best-practices.

The social network was only a short time in existence before organizations began screening job applicant’s profile pages pre-hire. It is common knowledge that the majority of employers today will visit your profile page before deciding whether or not to hire you.

A Microsoft Research study conducted last year showed how 70% of recruiters said they’d rejected applicants based on the information they found online. Furthermore, in a new survey commissioned by Reppler, 91% of companies are using social networks for screening.

“Sales without Customer Service is like stuffing money into a pocket full of holes” – David Tooman, Customer Service Expert

This quote perfectly illustrates just how important customer focus is to the success of America’s Most Productive sales organizations. 

According to our latest study, America’s Most Productive Companies: Large Sales Force Analysis, the top three reasons sales close are: nurtured relationships, support and service after the sale, and product quality. And these three factors alone account for 50 percent of why sales close.

Realistically, we live and will always be living in the present. Our minds may dwell on past experiences and dream of future possibilities, but no one can question that the present moment is all we have to work with. Therefore, we must focus all our efforts on ensuring that we are as productive as possible in the present.

Focusing on current efforts now will allow for equally pleasant time in the coming future. Goals are a crucial part of building your self-confidence as they give you strength and assurance about what you are doing in the here and now. They allow you to take control of your life and career and live it to the fullest. Even more so, clear and compelling goals provide focus and direction for your actions at any given time.

Guest Post by Susan Solovic www.susansolovic.com

Hillary Clinton said “It takes a village to raise a child”; to raise a small business, it takes a strong, loyal team. One of the biggest assets any small company can have is a talented group of people who believe in the company’s vision and who are committed to helping it succeed.