Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Characteristics of the Best Digital Transformation Leaders

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Characteristics of the Best Digital Transformation Leaders In its 2015 research, executive recruiting firm RRA uncovered 21 attributes of the best digital transformation leaders. The analysis revealed that digital transformation leaders are defined by their ability to serve as productive disruptors: leaders who transform companies not by simply generating bold strategies but also by engaging people in the hard work oftransformation. These leaders are more disruptive and innovative than other executives. But, equally important, they are more socially adept than other executives â€" as well as bolder and more determined in translating ideas into action. They recognize that ideas without execution are hallucinations, and they understand that execution hinges on an ability to marshal the energies of the broader organization. These leaders don’t simply aim to disrupt â€" they leverage their interpersonal skills to productively disrupt. They not only see the future and understand how to get there, they energize their colleagues to take the journey with them. Here are their five core characteristics in a bit more detail: Innovative The top digital transformation leaders excel in innovation. As Tanya Cordrey, Chief Digital Officer of Guardian News and Media told RRA: “My primary role when I’m meeting with my fellow C-level executives is to be looking toward the future, but you should not make the future feel like science fiction. You achieve this by painting a picture of an ambitious, bold future that feels possible but is also realistic. You have to be innovative within the bounds of what is possible.” Top digital transformation leaders also highlight the importanceof relentlessly linking innovation to clear business outcomes. They recognize that their capability to sell untested ideas hinges on the ability to establish a clear line of sight to revenue growth or cost reduction goals.? Disruptive Successful digital transformation leaders bring an entrepreneurial spirit to their work, have little tolerance for the way things always have been done in a company, and are comfortable managing ambiguity and uncertainty. The most dramatic difference between digital transformation leaders and other senior executives is the inclination to cut through bureaucracy. Large companies need some bureaucracy to manage risk and reap the benefits of scale, but top digital transformation leaders are adept at removing the clutter of unnecessary processes and turning decisions into action. Bold The best digital transformation leaders may be more comfortable with uncertainty than their peers, but that doesn’t stop them from being more decisiveas well. RRA’s research revealed that it is that comfortwith ambiguity that allows transformation leadersto set direction without fear. When digital transformation leaders take initiative, they do so publicly. The data showed that these leaders are 21 percent more likely to lead from the front than the broader population of senior executives. For the rest of the post, head over to QuickBases Fast Track blog.

Advice on Training to Be a Carer

Advice on Training to Be a Carer Many people think about becoming a paid carer for lots of different reasons, but starting the process can be confusing if you don’t know what the right kind of training is or what steps you need to take. So whether you’re changing industries or just starting out on your career, here’s a quick guide to help you figure out what you need to do in order to become a qualified carer. Consider Affordability Before you make the decision to train as a carer, the first step will be to ensure that being a carer is an affordable choice. Wed all love to be able to work for nothing, but for most of us this simply is not an option â€" so you need to know whether you will be able to pay the bills once you’re qualified. There’s a wealth of useful tools on the Internet to help you figure this out, so do a quick search and start the sums. Think about the number of hours that you need or want to work, and the hourly rate you need to charge to be able to pay your bills â€" then make a decision about whether it’s realistic. If you’re thinking of working for yourself, there may be additional financial implications you need to take into account, for example if you have a mortgage and you want to change mortgage provider you will need two years of accounts from your business to show you can afford the repayments which isnt an issue for someone who is employed. Also, if youre currently on any ben efits and thinking about becoming a paid carer, then, as with any job, youll need to look at how your benefits could be affected and whether your new income will be able to make up the shortfall. Getting Qualified To be a carer you’ll need to have a good knowledge of the social welfare system, as well as an understanding of the law. But you don’t usually need any specific formal qualifications to start working.   Experience counts for a lot, and there are many examples of experience being used in place of formal qualifications to gain access to college or degree courses. If you’re changing career at a later stage or just want to improve your skills and knowledge, a formal course such as an NVQ in health and social care can be a good idea. 0

7 Steps for Getting Your Life on The Right Path - Classy Career Girl

7 Steps for Getting Your Life on The Right Path If you’re feeling a bit directionless, youre not alone. Maybe you’re unhappy with your job, or you just feel as if your life lacks purpose. Maybe things just aren’t moving forward for you. It’s especially common to feel this way during a period of change. The worst part about all of this is that it’s difficult to get motivated when you’re already down about your current situation. However, the only way to make things better is to find that motivation and start making some changes. Keep reading to learn seven steps you can take today toward getting your life on the right path. 7 Steps for Getting Your Life on The Right Path 1. Be Honest About What it is That You Really Want One source of dissatisfaction for many people is the inability to be honest with themselves about what they really want out of life. Instead of defining what they want out of life and pursuing that, many pursue the lifestyle they believe they are supposed to desire. There is no right formula for a happy life. If you want a career as an executive at a Fortune 100 firm, that’s great. If your dream job is something low key that allows you to pursue passions outside of work, that’s fine too. The same thing applies to your personal life. Married with kids is a valid choice. So is forever single. Don’t let societal pressures set your life goals for you. 2. Commit to Getting or Staying Healthy This is really the core of it all. If you are not physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy, nothing else matters. Getting your life on the right path isn’t something that is going to happen if you don’t take the time to get your health in order. If you haven’t been to the doctor in awhile, go. Join a gym. Schedule a daily walk. Do a bit of yoga. Add some more fruits and vegetables to your plate. Finally, if your general dissatisfaction with your life takes a darker turn seek help for that. 3. Get Passionate About Something Find your thing, then pursue it. It can be work-related, but it doesn’t have to be. It should simply be something that gives you a zest for life and makes you excited to get out of bed each day. It could be work-related or a hobby that you pursue during your off hours. Why does passion matter? Passion gives you a purpose. Sometimes, it may be the only thing that motivates you when nothing else in your life is going right. It’s also a great motivator. If your passions are work-related, for example, that will encourage you to seek out great career advice and work towards your goals. [RELATED: The 3 Reasons Why You Havent Found Your Passion Yet (and What to Do Instead)] 4. Help Others Self-centeredness is a huge problem. Finding a way to focus on others instead of self is a great way to combat this issue. It’s also key to getting your life on the right path. By helping others you increase your sense of purpose and improve self-esteem. There are limitless opportunities to do this! You can volunteer through organizations in your community, start a fundraising drive, mentor young people in schools in your area, help students with writing their dissertations, or even find mentorship opportunities where you work. 5. Find Your Real Dream Job It’s time to polish off your resume! Finding the job of your dreams one of the most important things you can do. Remember that this is where you will be spending forty hours per week. Shouldn’t your work be fulfilling? Remember that your job doesn’t need to be the most important thing in your life, however, it should be enjoyable. If you are ready to move into a new career, getting professional help can be a good idea. A career counselor can help you to determine the ideal path for you. It’s also wise to use a professional resume writing service. A resume expert will help to craft a CV or resume that is nicely designed and contains all of the elements that hiring managers look for. 6. Get Your Finances Together Your financial well-being is very important. It not only has a significant impact on your quality of life today, it impacts your future. Your ability to buy a home, purchase new cars, and retire comfortably all hinge on you having a decent credit score and having the ability to save money. The best way to start is to first educate yourself about your own financial situation. Check your credit. Begin tracking your spending. Then make the adjustments that you need. There are many free or inexpensive apps to help with this. Once you’ve taken care of that, you can begin creating a savings plan. 7. Learn to Enjoy Where You Are Finally, remember that there is no such thing as a perfect life. This is why it is imperative that you work hard to find things to be happy about and grateful for today. Doing this not only improves your happiness today, it can help energize and motivate you to make meaningful life changes. It’s never too late nor too difficult to get your life on the right path. By taking positive steps to improve your well-being, help others, pursue your interests, and find the career that you love, you are ensuring a happier future.

Three Ways You Can Upgrade Your Beauty Regime For The Better

Three Ways You Can Upgrade Your Beauty Regime For The Better Three Ways You Can Upgrade Your Beauty Regime For The Better Humans are creatures of habit. Once we find a solution or a routine that works for us, we are very unlikely to leave it for something new. Change, after all, can be intimidating.   Especially when we have been used to doing something a certain way for so long. But just because we are used to a particular routine doesnt mean we need to stick with it forever. This is especially when it comes to our personal beauty regimes. Many of us have used the same products for so many years that the prospect of swapping them for something new seems almost absurd. However, would you be willing to make a change if you knew that it was definitely going to benefit you? Here are some easy ways you can step outside your comfort zone and potentially upgrade your beauty regime for the better. Upmarket makeup Take a good look at the contents of your makeup bag. Okay, so this might mean spilling it all out on the floor in order to actually see everything in one go. But what do you have in there that you have been using for years? Sure, your mascara may be great and you might swear by it. Some products, such as Maybellines Great Lash Mascara, have truly stood the test of time. But if you have never tried and tested a number of different products, how will you know which one does the best job? If you have a LOT of half used makeup from different drugstore brands, it may be worth trading some of those in for fewer upmarket items. Sometimes, you need to be prepared to part with a bit of cash in order to get the best results. The best hair drying technology When it comes to choosing a hairdryer, most of us just tend to go for whichever one is the cheapest on the shelf. But if you have been doing this for as long as you can remember, you may have actually been doing yourself a disservice for many years. Not all hair dryers are created equal. You should look out for hairdryers that possess ionic technology, as this is what helps to dry the hair faster. Also make use of a hair dryer that has a cold air setting.     This is what can help seal the hair cuticle to give you that shiny salon finish. Keep an eye out for Superdrug discount codes so you can snap up a great deal on a quality hairdryer. Image Source Good skincare Been washing your face with the same face wash you used as a kid? If its worked fine for you so far, great. But you need to be aware that our skin changes drastically as we age whether thats through puberty or right up until our senior years. We need to treat our skin accordingly. Pay attention to the general feel of your skin.   If it feels tight or itchy it could be a sign that it needs more moisture. Using a product that your skin is clearly crying out for can make all the difference to your appearance and the health of your skin, so dont be afraid to try something new. Title Image Source

How to keep your career dreams alive when you feel like giving up

How to keep your career dreams alive when you feel like giving up This post was written by an external contributor.  Lucy Skoulding argues why its never too late to pursue your career dreams.   To anyone who asks me, I would say never give up on your career dreams, no matter where you come from and how far away you feel you are from achieving your ambitions. Pursuing a certain career path is never easy. People can sometimes look enviously upon someone that may have appeared fallen into their dream job. However, they’ve probably worked their socks off to get there. If you have big ambitions, its going to require a lot of work. While there is still a very long way to go to give everyone an equal chance of entering the industries they want to work in, dont ever give up on following your dreams. There are lots of ways to do what you want to do now, no matter what stage of life you are at. Get a mentor When youre trying to get into a job or industry, a mentor who already has experience can be invaluable. They can give you advice about the skills you need, help you on your career journey, and be your general guardian angel as you work hard to do your thing! Some companies or industries have official mentorship schemes out there which you might find by doing a simple Google search or following specific industry job companies on Twitter. Equally, a mentor can just be a contact you have in the industry who you can call on to help you with applications or choosing where to work. Distance or part-time learning You dont have to follow the traditional route of doing your A-Levels, getting a degree and then getting a job. In fact, some professions dont even require you to go to university at all. But even if you do need a degree, or some other qualification, there are different options available. You could consider studying for a degree or professional qualification while youre working. Im doing the NCTJ journalism qualification part time while working full time and its not a walk in the park, but its doable. Places like the Open University allow you to study 100% of your course via distance learning if getting to classes wouldn’t work for you. Have a side hustle If theres something youve always wanted to do, or a new interest youve developed, you could start working on it while youre still in your current role and formulate a plan. I was working in IT before journalism, and I used to do freelance writing whenever I could find the spare time to build my portfolio and earn extra cash. If you want to do something creative theres plenty of opportunities to write, edit, do social media, or video on a freelance basis for publications and companies. Or you might prefer making/buying and selling your own products on platforms like Etsy and eBay. You could design an app, write a book, or tutor people. Whatever your interest, make it into a side hustle as you will build experience to then apply for a job later. Write your goals down Studies have shown that putting your dreams down on paper can significantly improve the chances of achieving your goals, especially if you share them with a friend or peer. The idea of committing to something in writing makes a promise just that little more official. Writing down what your goals are and making specific step by step plans for how you will get there will really help you work towards your goal. If it is a long journey, with hard work and studying involved, a goals planner with deadlines will help you stay on track and motivated. Start your own thing This could be the next step in your side hustle, or something completely different to what youre currently doing. Starting your own business or becoming self-employed could be the key to following your career dreams. Having your own business will not be an easy ride, but thats balanced out by working hard on something you love and something you are proud of. Many people start their business while still working elsewhere to maintain a steady income, but it depends on your financial situation and whether youre working with other people or not. Download Debut  and  connect with us on  Facebook,  Twitter  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.