Tread Carefully With Unpaid Internships

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Unpaid internships used to be rather common in the United States. That's no longer the case, thanks to federal regulations that have tightened control over how people are compensated for the work they provide. Unpaid internships still exist, but they are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Companies should tread very carefully with any plans to offer an unpaid internship. 

Rules set forth by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) stipulate that employees meeting minimum requirements must be financially compensated for the work they perform. The rules are rigid enough that it is very difficult to establish an unpaid internship that actually qualifies for no salary arrangement between employer and employee. Numerous court cases over the years have demonstrated as such.

In order for an unpaid internship to be legitimate, it must pass the scrutiny of a six-point test established by federal rules:

• Both employee and employer must agree that no wages will be paid for the internship.

• Both employee and employer agree there is no guarantee of employment at the conclusion of the internship.

• The experience received through the internship must be similar to the training the employee would receive in an educational setting.

• The experience of the internship is solely for the benefit of the intern, not for the employer.

• The intern cannot displace a paid employee.

• The employer cannot derive any direct or immediate advantage from employing the intern.

BenefitMall a payroll and benefits administration company says that the stipulations for unpaid internships are clear. If a position cannot pass all six points of the federal test, interns must be paid at least minimum wage.

Minimum Wage Determined by the States

Companies and their payroll departments also need to be aware that the individual states set their own minimum wage requirements. Such requirements are often higher than the federal minimum wage mandated among companies seeking federal contracts. That means that even though the FLSA regulates how interns must be paid, the actual rate of pay is most often set by the state.

Offering paid internships in multiple states means paying those interns based on individual state minimum wage requirements rather than a uniform wage established company-wide. There are some variations in these rules, especially when a company might be based in one state but sending workers to another on temporary assignments.

BenefitMall says that most payroll processing companies are very familiar with the laws surrounding paid internships and state minimum wage requirements. They are in a unique position to handle these sorts of things on behalf of their clients because they already possess the knowledge required to make sure interns are paid properly. However, it is ultimately the employer's responsibility to maintain compliance.

Internships Can Be Beneficial

In closing, internships can be beneficial to both parties whether they are paid or unpaid. Benefits for the intern include on-the-job training, real-life experience, an open door to future employment, networking opportunities, and even opportunities to earn class credits through internship training programs.

Employers benefit from internships as well. They are able to offer educational opportunities to workers who may return in the future with that experience under their belts. They have an opportunity to contribute to the education of the next generation of workers who will support their industry. They can also use paid internships as a form of supplemental labor when creating full-time, salaried positions is impractical.

Unpaid internships are quickly fading away in favor of the paid alternative. If your company is planning on establishing internships, make sure it's done according to the law.

YOUR NEXT GREAT READ: Is the Nearshore Trend All about Cost?

Now over to you. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇

*by andreascy*

The Evolution of Social Platforms and Their Influence on Daily Life

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Over the last decade or so, the evolution of social platforms has both been hard to keep up with and understand. The turn of the century had seen the internet become a mainstream platform, with the creation of online chat messengers becoming commonplace across the web. Today, though, we have the power of social media – the websites that allow us to keep in contact with friends and family, and make new friends from all across the world. 

However, for many, social media is a monster – one that won’t be going back in its box anytime soon. This is a major issue; as social development is going to be majorly dictated to by the evolution of social platforms. So, how does the development of social platforms have an impact on our daily lives? Is it possible that Facebook and Twitter etc. now help to determine the day-to-day existence of many people?

We’ve moved long beyond that period. In fact, many people believe there might be a pretty strong correlation between the rise of social media and the total change in the political sphere across the world in the last decade.

A New Political Climate

One part of everyday life that has changed irrevocably due to social media is politics. Today, if you spend long enough on political debate from the United Kingdom or United States is social media, you can find a few typical terms and phrases.

- “If we had social media, Iraq and Afghanistan could have been avoided.”

- “We voted for Trump/Brexit because of social media lies.”

- “The mainstream media does not inform us anymore – social media does!”

This idea now that we are being lied to by all mainstream media sources, or that the current political climate could have been avoided if social media was faster, is an interesting one. Many people now happily accept that they were lied to by government, and that this has been a major factor in leading society to where it is today.

With so many government lies and scandals being uncovered since the development of social media, and the implication of the media in many scandals, it’s easy to see why people trust social media over mainstream media. This has helped to shape a new, post-truth political climate.

More people than ever, it would appear, are engaged and interested in politics. The only problem is that social media has created a ravenous location for half-truths and full-on fiction be pushed.

Now, people prefer to listen to trusted social media accounts or people who agree with their general view of things. This leads us to another everyday social problem. 

Filling the Echo Chamber

Now that many of us are happy to pigeonhole people into certain tags and themes, we can avoid talking to them. Social media, for all its positive function, has created massive divides in many parts of society. Whereas in the past we would be forced to be around people with differing and even uncomfortable points of view if we wished to be in public, social media changes that.

Now, we can be surrounded by thousands of people and have massive amounts of human interaction all day – with only the people we choose. This is a bad thing in many ways, as it creates the ability for people to deliver themselves to dangerous echo chambers.

These limit debate and stifle the truth of what is being said. When five people all meet on social media today, they are either in full agreement and wish to discuss how right they are, or they are polar opposites and are likely going to start abusing each other for being “deluded”.

This is the modern position of social media. We ignore and revile all those who sit on the other side of the fence of us. Unlike before, in reality, whereby we are forced to interact with people who have different or even opposite views, social media allows us to only speak to people that agree with us.

This is good for self-confidence, but bad for finding the truth. How can you be sure that what you are saying or thinking is going to be right when it’s come from a group of sources who completely ignore any opposing or alternate view?

It’s due to this kind of thinking that the rise of fake quotes, ‘memes’ and partisan social media groups has become a thing. If social media has eroded one thing besides from our privacy? It’s our ability to listen to opposing views.

The Raw Human Emotion

One positive aspect of social media, though, is that it allows those without the social stability or availability to be a major part of society. Many people now have large followings and have influence in their industry due to the awareness of social media. From campaigns to raise awareness for illness to a powerful story of overcoming fear and repression, social media allows those without a voice in person to have a megaphone to use online.

From there, people who had no social mobility or potential can use their sheer emotion and determination to make a critical difference. In the past, man people were not afforded this luxury and instead would spend huge chunks of their time hiding emotions and allowing them to fester inside.

Social media has opened a new age of expressionism. Whilst it can feel suffocating when on the wrong end of it, this kind of open-minded approach (especially for those without the capability to do so themselves) makes for an interesting new take on society as a whole.

If there is one thing that we can agree upon, it's that social media has changed the way that everyone lives. From how we consume media to the kinds of media we would even listen to or trust, social media has transformed how we think, how we feel and how we act.

Even if you aren’t on social media, its overall effect on society is so profound that you cannot help but feel changed by it.

INTERESTING ARTICLE: How The Internet Changed The World We Live In

So ask yourself - and please comment - how does social media impact your life and what does this mean to you?

*by andreascy*

6 Steps to Help Startups Establish as Businesses

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Starting a new business is not an easy thing to do under the prevailing economic conditions of competitiveness. Once you manage to launch your startup, still you will have to go through a lot of hassle in order to establish it as a business. We’ve gathered a list of some useful tips that you can keep in mind in order to establish your startup as a strong business within a short period of time. 

As a young entrepreneur, you need to be equipped with a good sense of timing. In other words, you need to figure out the best moment to launch the company. This can be considered as a balancing act, which is influenced by many different factors such as the floes and ebbs of your industry, your personal circumstances and the faltering or success of competitors.

1. Business Plan

Before you start the business, before anything, it is recommended that you develop a solid business plan, although some successful entrepreneurs suggest this is not a prerequisite to launching a startup. However, it is considered a safer route as it can assist you to make decisions quickly and move forward with your business. This doesn’t mean that you need to rush through things. You need to stick to your plan and develop it carefully. 

2. Self-Discipline in Financial

It is also important for the aspiring entrepreneur to be equipped with self-discipline. You need to have complete control over your finances and stick to the budget at every time. In other words, you need to have discipline in all aspects when you are starting a new business. You should always seek to make important decisions ahead of time. Otherwise, you will end up doing silly mistakes in the last minute. You should also take necessary measures to figure out the perfect balance between work and life. Many startups fail because the entrepreneurs tend to let their business take over their lives. Every business requires a bit more nurturing at the initial stage. Therefore, you need to figure out what needs to be accomplished in your business and what is the perfect time for it. It might be necessary to force yourself in order to stick to the benchmarks. 

3. Conquer the Networking Game

If you take a look at the lives of successful entrepreneurs, you would realize that all of them are equipped with excellent social skills. They have a clear understanding about key people who are at high places. As a result, they always prefer to get in touch with the individuals who are at the top positions of the industry. This can contribute a lot towards their success in the long run. Networking is extremely important for the success of modern world businesses. The sharp social skills of entrepreneurs can help them to create excellent relationships within the industry and make their businesses grow within a short period of time. 

4. Be Flexible

Flexibility is another vital aspect that a startup should have in order to establish as a successful business within a short time period. You put a lot of faith, effort and time on your new business. Therefore, you don’t want to change the plans that you have created any time soon. However, it is essential to be flexible; especially during the startup stage in order to make sure you don’t run into trouble after a couple of months. All the successful entrepreneurs who live out there in every corner of the world invest their emotions and energy on the business plan. However, they do not prefer to get married to a specific course of action. They do a background study and figure out the best possible option available for them. Then they implement it at the right time in order to achieve success without any hassle. 

5. Manage Your Budget 

As you already know, every startup requires money to survive. Without funds you will find it as a difficult task to execute your plans. However, the amount of money you need depends on the type of your business. Whether its angel investments, seed money from your own wallet, or small business loans, you need to figure out the best method available to invest it on the business. Otherwise, you will be just wasting your money. You need to fund your business appropriately and if you can’t stick to your plans with the funds you have, you would need more money. It is extremely important for a startup to be equipped with the cleanest budget on the block. In other words, you need to create a detailed budget and stick to it before you spend even a single penny. The investments should be done at the right time according to a proper plan. 

6. Follow Up – Take Risks

Last but not least, all the entrepreneurs who are planning to establish themselves as successful professionals should make it a habit to follow through. Even the most thoughtful business plan will not be able to deliver positive results if you don’t follow up in a proper manner. You should have the ability to get things done at the end of the day. That’s where experience comes into play. If you have some sort of experience in the industry, you would not think twice before taking risks. Your ability to take risks has the potential to create a tremendous impact on the business. In addition, you should have the energy to get your hands dirty. 

Summary

The above are not meant to be used blindly as a recipe for success. However, these simple tips can contribute towards establishing your business as they cover almost all the aspects of a startup. Successful entrepreneurs have reportedly utilized these methods and appear to have enabled them to establish their business. 

To conclude, if you want to achieve success in your business, there are some practical steps analyzed above which can be followed. These steps will possibly offer positive results to any type of business out there. You just need to follow through and you will be rewarded in the longterm.

NEED MORE? -> The Importance of Leading by Emotions

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*by andreascy*

Emotional Intelligence and Leadership: The Importance of Leading by Emotions

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

"A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them." - M. D. Arnold

Effective leaders share their own unique qualities. Emotional intelligence (EQ or EI) holds a prominent place out of them. In fact, emotional intelligence has been identified as one of the prerequisites for business success in the 21st century.

What Exactly is Emotional Intelligence? 

The term introduced in 1990 by Salovey and Mayer refers to the “accurate appraisal and expression of emotions in oneself and others and the regulation of emotion in a way that enhances living” (Mayer, DiPaolo & Salovey, 1990, p. 772). In other words emotional intelligence is defined as the act of understanding, knowing, overcoming stress in the moment, responding to emotions and being aware of how your actions or words affect others. This sort of qualities would assist you to perceptive in tune with your emotions and developing is crucial for understanding, empathize and negotiate with other people.

When it comes to leadership, emotional intelligence can be described in five different attributes. They include effective communication, relationship management, empathy, self-management and self-awareness. Natural born leaders are thought to share these attributes whilst aspiring leaders should pay special attention towards the aforementioned attributes if they are to develop a sufficient level of emotional intelligence. 

It is critical for leaders to tackle EQ since a leader who lacks emotional intelligence will have difficulty to gauge the needs of employees and the public in an effective manner. Furthermore, leaders who act without emotional intelligence would run into hassle in the long run. For example, some leaders tend to spontaneously react to different situations in life without filtering their emotions. Such a stance can create serious issues in relationships and negotiations which can prevent from closing deals. Therefore, it is extremely important for the great leaders to be self-aware about themselves. They need to have a clear understanding about their verbal as well as non-verbal communication and attitude. This approach could create a tremendous impact on their lives in the long run. 

In order to understand the core of emotional intelligence that is required for effective leadership, the below elements are crucial. 

1. Effective Communication 

Effective communication can be considered as one of the key elements of emotional intelligence. If you are a leader, you should know how to appropriately communicate with whoever you deal with. Lack of effective communication can often lead to misunderstandings. Effective communication is not just focusing on your words. Recent studies have indicated that only 7% of effective communication comes from words. The remaining 93% comes from body language and tone. 

Misunderstandings can be considered as one of the major reasons behind issues that take place among individuals. For example, if you fail to communicate effectively at your workplace, you would have to experience confusion among employees along with bitterness and frustration. On the other hand, effective communication has the potential to strengthen the relationships at your workplace. When the employees have a clear understanding about their specific role within the company, they would stick to their job description. It could benefit the company at the end of the day. 

2. Relationship Management 

If you are distracted, it will most likely be a hard task to establish deep connections with other people. Almost all employees will have their own families as well as other obligations. However, it is important to maintain productive and healthy relationships in order to achieve higher emotional intelligence at the end of the day. In other words, leaders should have the ability to manage relationships properly to move a team forward in the desired direction. 

3. Compassion and Empathy 

Empathy can simply be defined as the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Then you will be able to get a better understanding on how others feel. You will even manage to predict how others react in different situations. When a leader has empathy, he/she would be able to open up the capacity to feel compassion. This can create the desire within leaders to help others. In other words, leaders with compassion and empathy will be able to relate to others in an effective manner. 

4. Self-Regulation 

Self-regulation can be considered as another important element that leaders should have in order to gain a high level of emotional intelligence. Self-regulation is simply defined as discipline. This involves redirecting or controlling all your disruptive emotions which in return will allow to adapt accordingly to different circumstances and guide your team in the right direction. As a result, you end up with positive results at the end of the day. Leaders do not afford to lose their coolness under any circumstance. Instead, they should remain calm and act completely natural in such instances. This will allow to communicate the company objectives to relevant team members in a clear manner. Concurrently, it is a strategy that will help to ease things and contribute to stay away from frustration. 

5. Self-Assessment 

Self-assessment is the ability to figure out your own values, weaknesses, strengths, emotions and drivers. It also rotates around the ability to understand how those values can create an impact on others around. Therefore, leaders with emotional intelligence should have this quality. Without the ability for self-reflection, we would not be able to figure out who we are. In addition, we would not have been able to realize where we fall short, what we are good at and why we make certain decisions in life. In order to achieve your maximum potential, you need to be confident about who you are. As a leader, you need to have a clear idea about your good and bad qualities. Then you will be able to use them accordingly in your day to day life, especially when dealing with other people and constantly having to make important decisions. 

As it appears from the previous, it is important for a leader to have innate highly developed emotional intelligence. The aforementioned can directly contribute towards the emotional intelligence of a leader which in turn can contribute to eliminate mistrust among team members, and maximize productivity in the workplace. If you do not feel you naturally exhibit high levels of emotional intelligence, you should not despair since there are ways to improve your emotional intelligence. Unfortunately, emotional intelligence is so complex that it cannot be simply acquired through reading a book or attending a seminar. However, when put on a practical basis, within a rapidly demanding daily routine such as is the case in a fast-paced growing company, for a person to learn EI requires: team-based learning, practice, and accountability. 

The following infographic draws on the work of Gordon Tredgold and provides with some further practical tips on how to improve your emotional intelligence and become a better leader.

 

Source: Inc.com

Conclusively, building on your emotional intelligence is considered as an excellent investment done towards the future of your business. It is incremental to strive for empathetic, thoughtful, responsive and reflexive leadership, be open to conversation and listening to others’ needs as well as be willing to present yourself as vulnerable and put yourself in others’ shoes. Such attitude will lead to a positive environment where employees will be inspired to bring out their best self.

DON'T MISS THIS READ: How to Dress for Success

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*by andreascy*

There Is a Shirt Out There for Everyone

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Everyone comes in different sizes. It can be hard to find the right size shirts for you, especially if you differentiate of the “standard” male. Maybe you are a tall man with long arms that don’t fit into any regular fit dress shirts for men. Or maybe you rather go with classic fit shirts. Nothing wrong with a little class.

You will need a good shirt to look good for work or that dinner, so better get one now. Want to know more on what to look for?

Regular Fit Dress Shirts for Men

Regular fits dress shirts for men are a little wider around the waist and the sleeves. They leave plenty of room for you to move around in. They are and stay comfortable, even on those long work days. You have them in all sizes, colors and patterns. A few fine choices to wear are a light blue and white striped shirt for example. Wear a regular fit dress shirt when you are up for a work day at the office. 

Men’s Extra Long Sleeve Shirts

Are your arms too long for normal shirts? Time to get some men’s extra long sleeve shirts! You can find both slim fit and regular fit shirts with extra long sleeves. Regular fit shirts are by far the most comfortable, though! Just like normal regular fit dress shirts you have a very broad choice in sizes, colors and patterns for those shirts with extra long sleeves. Go for something a little bright and wear a shirt with pink, green and white in a checkered pattern. Cheerful and yet subtle. 

Classic Fit Shirt

Do you like it a little authenticity? Classic fit shirts have just the right amount of class and give off an authentic feel. Making it possible for you to look your best. They are comfortable and roomy and men have been wearing this kind of shirt for centuries and they have always looked good in them. Wear a classic fit shirts when going out to a romantic dinner with your wife, a meeting with your boss or when you are meeting new clients. A classic fit shirt is also perfect if you are giving a speech or an elevator pitch. Try wearing a nice classy white shirt with a black or dark blue tie.

The Best Colors and the Best Patterns

It’s not enough to just wear the right shirt. It has to have the right color and pattern for whatever you are about to do. You can’t go to a dinner with clients in a murky green blazer with a mustard yellow striped shirt. That is just not the right choice, especially not when you are trying to dress to impress. No, what you want is something quite the opposite. Just a regular day at the office? Wear a shirt with a light color. Think pastels or white. Shirts with just one color or a pattern of either checkers or stripes are the best. 

Meeting with the boss? Go classy with a white shirt and a black or dark colored tie. Don’t wear a grey shirt, as those are a little bleak, but you could definitely go for a grey blazer. When you have a meeting with your boss nine out of ten times you will want to impress him or her. Keep that in mind when picking what shirt to wear in the morning. 

Got a fancy gala to attend? Go for wealthy colors like purple and red, or for the classical colors like black, white and grey. Even better is to mix it up a little. A grey blazer can never go wrong and with a beautiful bright, but subtle purple or red shirt underneath it you will steal the show. For those of us who don’t like to stand in the spotlights it is an option to go for a black blazer, with a nice white and cream colored striped shirt and a black tie. 

Measurements 

Every shirt has a certain standard measurement. Get to know what your measurements are so you can find the right shirt of whatever type you like for you. It might be a good idea to get your shirts hand tailored for your measurements so you will be able to wear a shirt that fits you perfectly, no matter what shape or size you are. There is a perfect shirt out there for everyone. Now it’s time to find yours!

WHAT TO READ NEXT: The Best Men’s Dress Shirts to Wear this Summer

THE OFFICIAL ANDREASCY will tell you what's happening around the world, on what you care about. If you like it, just 'spread the love'. 😊😉

*by andreascy*

The Best Men’s Dress Shirts to Wear this Summer

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Don’t you love the summer? Lovely hot weather, a holiday in sight, being able to barbecue at night. Summers are amazing, even when you’re at the office. So dress for the occasion with a few of the amazing men’s dress shirts we have coming up for you.

Don’t worry, you can roll up those sleeves when it gets too hot during those long summer days. Wear some regular men’s dress shirts, go amazing with Thomas Masons shirts or wear an exclusive handmade men’s slim fit dress shirt!

Men’s Dress Shirts 

Your office attire isn’t ready until you have a great men’s dress shirt to wear. The options are limitless. Go with or without a pattern, in all colors of the rainbow or just one. Dare to be different and go with a striped shirt with bright colors like pink, purple or green. Great for those summer days. Or go dark and keep it classic with colors like dark blue mixed with black stripes, a dark purple shirt under a nice quality blazer or a red shirt with a gorgeous black tie with gold stripes. Those are especially good options for a dinner with colleagues in the warm evenings. 

Thomas Mason Shirts 

Thomas Mason shirts are definitely a great choice for this summer. Want to know why? Thomas Mason is a great, over 275 years old company that offer amazing quality fabrics, with great original and sometimes even eccentric patterns and colors. Their fashion designers get inspiration for their shirts from anywhere and everywhere, like for example the English landscape, an album of the beatles and of course from the themes that the season bring with them. They are loyal to their British heritage and that is something you can definitely see when looking at the work they did when they made in collaboration with J. Crew. Thomas Mason shirts have an authentic, classical feel that not many brands out there have, plus they make sure to use a wide variety of colors and patterns. That is what makes this brand a must have and must wear around the office this summer. 

Want Something Exclusive this Summer? 

A few amazing handmade men's slim fit dress shirts shouldn’t be missing from your wardrobe. Handmade shirts give you an exclusive one of a kind edge. Get it hand tailored exactly to your measurements so it’s comfortable for those long summer days when you need to be anything but uncomfortable. Have a beautifully handmade slim fit shirt will also give you that extra boost of confidence you might need for that meeting with your boss, investors or clients. Or maybe to finally ask that girl out you have been wanting to ask out on a date for a long time. She won’t be able to resist you in a handmade men’s slim fit dress shirt! 

What Colors Should you Wear this Summer?

The colors you wear are very important. There is a lot of scientific research that shows that our brains associate colors and emotion. For example: White gives people a very neutral, sterile feeling, while blue gets people relaxed, focussed and awake. Why do you think Facebook and Twitter are blue? That is some fine psychology at play right there. You can use these proven scientific facts to influence your clients, colleagues and even your boss a little. Wear a shirt in a certain colour to make them associate you with a certain feeling. Of course, they won’t suddenly start to like you if you wear a certain colour, but it will get you in the right direction. And, you can use it to influence yourself, too! Got the feeling you are trapped in a cubicle too much? Wear a green shirt. Your brain has associated the colour green with the great outdoors, so by seeing the colour green you will immediately start to feel way less trapped. This may come in handy when it’s a hot summer day and you’re working inside an office. 

Match It Up 

Match your clothes up. Not just the colours and the patterns of your shirt, but also things like ties and blazers. This summer ties don’t just have to be made of silk. Try a denim tie for a change! Looks great, especially with a nice white or dark blue and white striped Thomas Mason shirt. Wear a nice and classy blazer every once in a while. 

YOU WILL LIKE THIS: How to Dress for Success

 This summer will bring a lot of opportunities and if you look right you will be ready to take them on!

*by andreascy*

You can't Attend a Business Meeting Without the Right Shirt

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Everyone has to attend a business meeting every once in a while. It’s important to make a good impression during every meeting, but you can’t do that without the right shirt. 

Whether it’s a meeting with your boss, your colleagues or new clients, if you don’t wear the right clothes you are probably not making a very good impression. It’s time to change that!

What Shirt Should You Wear During What Meeting? 

Each type of meeting has their own “dress code” so to speak. The clothes you wear, and especially your shirt tells the people you have a meeting with a lot about your attitude towards your work. So, what shirt belongs to what meeting? 

1. A Meeting With the Boss 

It’s time to look as professional as possible. Think Van laack shirts in Van Laack tailor fit. These shirts have an amazing professional feel about them. The Van Laack shirts are completely tailored to fit you smoothly to give you the perfect professional look you need during a meeting with your boss. 

Examples of what to wear: A blue or white shirt with a matching tie. Also consider wearing a blazer in a matching colour. Match a light blue shirt, with a black or grey tie and a dark blue blazer. Or go classic with a white shirt, a black tie and a black blazer. 

2. A Meeting With Your Colleagues 

The number one reason to dress like a professional is so other people perceive you as a professional. Keep this in mind when you have a meeting with your colleagues, because their impression of you matters when it comes to your work relationship. Dress like a professional, but don’t overdo it. Don’t make it too flashy. 

Examples of what to wear: Go with the flow of your colleagues. Do they wear business casual then you should, too. Professional? Wear a tie. Unlike in meetings with your boss a little more colour is appreciated! 

3. A Meeting With Your Clients 

Dress for success and make sure you don’t differentiate too much of what your clients wear. Are they in suits, then you should be as well. Do they wear business casual shirts? You might want to do that, too. This helps to influence the way your clients feel when they have a meeting with you. 

Examples of what to wear: Go for cheerful colours if the dress code of your office allows this. Think something like a white and soft yellow striped shirt, or maybe one with blue plaid. Go casual with short sleeves or stay with long sleeves. Anything is possible. 

4. A Job Interview 

This is a business meeting, too, and as such you need to dress to the occasion. You want to have a good first impression and as you probably know people judge a book by its cover. You need to look professional, like you can handle anything the new job will throw in your way. Especially when you are applying for a job at a large firm. Maybe it’s time to get a handmade men's regular fit dress shirt that will look extremely well on you with a tie and a blazer.

Examples of what to wear: Just as the meeting with a boss you should think grey, white, black and (dark) blue colours as these give you a professional look. This depends on the tone of the company, of course, but especially large firms prefer that their employees dress according to the sometimes unwritten dress code so it’s good to immediately start off on the right foot. 

5. The “Casual” Companies 

As you’ve probably noticed the aforementioned meetings are all focused on companies that have a few strict rules on how their staff should dress. But, what about companies that focus on design and other creative artworks, or small businesses? What do you wear during a meeting of a company that isn’t as strict on dress codes? It’s time to go business casual! Of course this doesn’t go for all small businesses, but most startups and small businesses want to keep that comfortable, familiar feel. Suits just don’t cut it, although a nice dress shirt without a tie might. 

Examples of what to wear: Think about a plaid casual shirt, with for example jeans. Keep it neat and professional, but loosen it up a bit. Roll up those sleeves, keep the top button open. Keep it both casual and professional!

Conclusion

Getting ready for your next business meeting? Then you should look and feel good! Depending on the industry, consider those 5 real life examples that will get you through the meeting. Start dressing for success!

READ ALSO: Tech Gadgets That Make Traveling a Breeze

Do you have any tips? Your help and feedback is always appreciated!

*by andreascy*

How to Dress for Success

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

We all know it’s important to dress for success, especially around the office. The way you dress tells people a lot about how professional you are, what your role is in the company and how serious you take your work. It’s the number one thing people notice during that first impression and therefore it is extremely important to dress the right way. 

Want to know how you can do that? Here are a few business shirts and mens blazers that will get you in the right direction.

Thomas Mason Shirts 

Have you ever heard of Thomas Mason fabrics? We have, and it’s definitely one of our favorite brands. Want to know why? Thomas Mason offers a wide arrange of fabrics that feel professional, authentic and above all classy. All important for the workplace. Together with J.Crew they have designed a ton of great and amazing shirts that range from clear and classy blue to cheery red, green and white stripes. All Thomas Mason shirts are influenced by certain themes, people and places. For example; A few fabrics of their Autumn/winter 2014 line were influenced by the Beatles and the English landscape. 

What does your business shirt say about you 

There is a pattern and color for everyone and whatever shirt you go with tells a lot about who you are and how serious and professional you really are. 

Colors:

Pastel colors - Pastel colors are the most popular colors used for business shirts. Pastel colors give off a relaxed and professional vibe that’s especially important if you work in an otherwise chaotic environment. This also counts for white shirts. 

Dark colors - The only time shirts with dark colors really work is if they are either mixed up with some lighter or brighter tones, or during a special occasion like for example a gala, dinner or fundraiser. Dark colored shirts can be very classy, but only on those occasions. 

Bright colors - People who wear shirts with bright colors often want to get noticed and are confident about themselves and their work. If you need to get noticed during an interview or a meeting make sure you wear something that is bright, but at the same time discrete. If you wear colors that are too bright people might start to view you as obnoxious or unprofessional. 

Patterns: 

No pattern - Shirts with no patterns are by far the most popular and professional shirts out there. This is because they offer no distractions and can be mixed and matched with any men's blazers or other accessories, but more on that later. Go for a shirt with no pattern when you want to look like you are a serious professional. 

Stripes - Big stripes, small stripes, blue stripes or white stripes. You can find all different variations of striped shirts. It’s a very common pattern for business shirts after all. A shirt with stripes can be very classy and professional, as long as it’s not all colors of the rainbow. 

Checkered or plaid - Shirts with a checkered or plaid pattern are a little less professional than stripes or a shirt with no pattern at all. However in an environment that allows business casual they are a perfect fit, because of the cheery combinations of colors used in checkered or plaid shirt.

Men's Blazers

Honestly, a nice business shirt is nothing without a tie and a blazer. Men's blazers come in just as many colors and patterns as shirts. You have them in an even black, blue or grey, or with stripes or without them. Anything is possible and by matching a nice grey blazer with for example a few black examples at the hems of the pockets to a white shirt you will definitely be well on your way to dress for success. 

So what do I choose when I want to dress for success...

You choose clothes you are both comfortable in and that are appropriate for the work you do. If you work at a bank, for example, it’s probably not the best idea to go in checkers. Instead go with some classy grey, dark blue, white or black tones. Do you work at an office that allows business casual and you are confident of yourself? Go with something with bright colors and a striped or plaid pattern. When you dress for success you want to get noticed, and the way you do this is completely up to you!

YOU MIGHT LIKE: Five Keys To Launching A Startup

I'd be happy to hear from you in the comments! Let me know down below what you'd like to read in our upcoming stories. Stay well!

*by andreascy*

Trying to Improve Productivity in the Workplace? Try These Unconventional Methods

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

As business owners, you’re often evaluating business practices and looking for ways to streamline them. The basic understanding is that through improved productivity is the ability to succeed as a business. However, improving productivity within the workplace is not only about integrating new systems and processes, but also about motivating and encouraging the staff. 

Essentially, if the staff is not given the right amount of support and motivation, the business processes can decrease significantly. So, how does one motivate their staff to improve overall business productivity? Consider these methods below: 

1. Flexible Working Options 

Employees have a lot of responsibilities outside of work. Whether it’s raising their children, taking care of their health, or maintaining a household, they have a lot going on at one time or another. While employees are grateful for their jobs, many times, they are left to choose between having a successful career and taking care of personal responsibilities. 

If employers took the time to show their staff that they understand they’re not robots that essentially eat, breathe, and sleep work, chances are productivity would increase immensely. Offering flexible working options is one way to do this. By giving employees the ability to choose working schedules that fit best into their daily routines, absences decrease and productivity increases. Some ideas of offering flexible working options might include: 

• Varying Shifts – While most might assume that shifts are only for warehouse workers, this can be offered in just about any working environment. For example, a company that is open from 8 am to 6pm might offer the options of 8-4, 9-5, and 10-6. 

• Telecommuting – There are times in which you need staff in the office physically, but not in all instances. Why not allow your staff to work from home several days out of the week? Not only does this improve morale, but it also saves your business on overhead expenses such as utilities. 

• Days Off – some companies have programs that allow employees to have one day off per week during the summer seasons. This means that employees might work an extra hour on the days they’re in the office, but then be able to take off on the day they choose. Again, this allows them to enjoy their families, while saving you money. 

2. Encourage Breaks

Again, employers have to let employees know that they don’t look at them as robots. Encouraging breaks amongst your staff is a great way to improve morale and productivity in the workplace. Encouraging employees to take a break and stretch their feet or even take a little walk is a great way to show them you care. Making sure they’ve had their lunch and even one or two fifteen minute breaks per day gives them to opportunity to step away from the computer screen (or business equipment) and refresh their brains. 

3. Promote Wellness in the Office

According to a report by St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the average American worker takes off approximately 14 sick days per year... talk about slowed productivity. Employers can address this issue by caring about the health and well-being of their staff. Encouraging wellness within your workplace allows employees to get informed about their health, thus keeping them from using so many sick days. Some options for promoting wellness in your office include: 

• Offer exercise classes – having a yoga or zumba instructor come to the workplace on a weekly basis during lunchtime is a great way to promote wellness in the workplace. For a discounted price (or free if you’re willing to foot the bill), employees get to have fun while exercising which is great for their overall well-being. 

• Keep Healthy Options Accessible – most companies have vending machines that are filled with high calorie, sugary and salty foods and sugary drinks. Since this is the most accessible option for employees, they consume these things which cause them to gain weight. As you know, weight gain can open up the floodgates to health issues. Instead, try having healthier options that your staff can easily access. For instance, installing bottleless water coolers for your office will give your staff another beneficial drinking option besides coffee and soda. Also, opt for healthier selections in the vending machines. Instead of chips and candy, have the vending company put alternatives like wheat crackers, trail mix, and even baked chip options. 

• Offer Wellness Education – There are several companies that have started providing wellness education classes for their employees. Such programs give employees ideas on how to make better choices as it pertains to their health. WeightWatchers is often a popular program to consider. Employees get to attend meetings, and even participate in friendly weight loss competitions. 

Conclusion

What it all boils down to be is showing your employees that you care about them as individuals. When your staff understands that they’re more to you than just robot coming to work each day, they are more willing to get the job done quickly and efficiently. While investing in new systems and training is also a great way to streamline business processes and improve productivity, it is always important to consider those who have helped your business to be a success in the first place – your staff.

YOU MIGHT LIKE: How to Keep Employees From Texting Too Much

 Your support is always appreciated!

*by andreascy*

Litigation Manager & Financial Services Team Leader Vacancies‏ in Cyprus

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Welcome back for another post! 😍 

If you're interested in pursuing a litigation or a financial career, please don't miss this opportunity to get direct insights and advice from specialists in the field.

NBS Recruitment Consultants is a newly established recruitment firm that provides a quality recruitment alternative to the traditional recruitment providers. They focus on delivering the outcomes that clients expect in the industry sectors where they have experience and expertise (locally and internationally). Locally, they cover all industries from mid to senior level and internationally they cover senior positions for the Construction, Oil and Gas and Shipping Industries.

One of their clients is a Law Firm based in Nicosia, Cyprus which has an ever growing reputation as a commercial legal practice that can handle a broad range of litigation and non-contentious matters. The Firm has a broad local and international client base and service individual and corporate clients, involved in complex commercial transactions in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the rest of the world and advises individuals and corporations throughout three broad areas, corporate-commercial, wealth management and litigation-arbitration.

Work is undertaken with a strong focus on achieving the goals set by the client, resolving problems and creating long term mutually beneficial relationships with their clients.

The remuneration package will depend on the qualifications of the candidate. Please note that the client is open to negotiation, if the CV is of interest, they will arrange an interview and discuss remuneration at the interview. If you are still interested in the position and find the position matching your skills and requirements, please send your résumé for review or refer someone else to them, so as to proceed with matters. 

They are currently looking to hire highly motivated and career driven individuals for the positions of Litigation Manager and Financial Services Team Leader.

Brief requirements for the positions:

1. Litigation Manager 

- LLB degree

- Minimum of 5 years post qualification experience within a law firm

- Member of the Cyprus Bar Association

- Fluent in Greek and English language

- Strong technical background

- Team-oriented

- Client-service oriented

- Hard working

2. Financial Services Team Leader 

- Minimum 3 years post qualification experience

- Preferably English trained

- Fluent in Greek and English language

- Computer literate

- Specialist in Financial Services, Compliance, AML, KYC, MiFiD and Cysec related work

NBS R.C mix their unrivalled expertise, specific industry knowledge and extensive network with the largest candidate database that gives their clients access to the best human capital and talent. Contact them. Their team is always available at any time to answer any questions you may have:

Email:

info@nbs-recruitment.com

Tel: 

(+357) 25590136

(+357) 25590259

(+357) 25590264

Fax: 

(+357) 25590183

Update As Of 1st of August, 2014

The operating activities of the company have ceased.

SEE ALSO: What to Look for When Hiring a Consultant for Your Company

Thanks for taking the time to read through my blog post, I hope you have gained some valuable information. Please, kindly share your opinions and additional details through the comment section.

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*by andreascy*

Entrepreneurial Businesses You Never Thought to Start

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

There are countless opportunities out there for the creative entrepreneur. In fact, according to Forbes, approximately 543,000 businesses are started every month. 

With so many small businesses opening all the time, it can be hard to think of an idea that hasn't been driven into the ground. Here are just a few interesting entrepreneurial businesses that you might not have thought of.

Food Truck

Food trucks are springing up all over the country, and for a good reason. A study by Intuit and Emergent Research states that the total revenue from food trucks is predicted to reach as high as $2.7 billion in 2017. Why are food trucks such a great opportunity? They are much less expensive to operate and own than a traditional restaurant and can go where the crowds are instead of being a slave to location. With the right skills and knowledge, as well as a small starting investment, an entrepreneurial restaurateur can make his way on four wheels.

Photo by David Stanley via Wikimedia Commons

Gunsmithing

Gunsmithing is the noble art of designing, repairing, modifying and building guns and other firearms. Gunsmiths are skilled craftsmen who offer a service that cannot be done by untrained hands. They often do custom work for clients based on their specific needs. While gunsmithing does require special education, many school offer career diplomas in gunsmithing, and Penn Foster even offers a program that can be completed in just three months. Making money as a gunsmith requires drive, dedication and knowledge— and it doesn't hurt to have previous training in metal or plastic fabrication.

Electronics Recycling

While most homes have a recycling bin that can be used for papers, plastics and glass, they do not have curbside recycling for used electronics. Used batteries and electronics can be dangerous to the environment if they aren't disposed of correctly, and most people do not want to drive to the electronic recycling facilities. By offering your services as a private recycler, you can charge to pick up customers electronics and drive them to local recycling facilities. Chances are, you won't run out of business any time soon — Investopedia reports that we generate more than 2 million pounds of electronics waste every year in the form of discarded computers, cell phones and other devices.

Photo by Bluedisk via Wikimedia Commons

Translation Services

We are living in a global marketplace and one of the best ways to take advantage of the now-international business community is to offer your skills as a translator. Obviously, working as a translator requires that you speak at least two languages fluently and requires that you have a good grasp of cultural ideas so that idioms and turns of phrase aren't lost on you. Interpreting for two speakers in the same room requires a focus to attention and swift wits, but translating the written word for overseas businesses is also a viable form of translation services. If you've ever used an automated translator program to decode a webpage in another language, you can see how valuable the services of a real-life thinking, adaptive human translator are. 

SEE ALSO: 3 Best Tools For Construction Project Management

Honored reader, it’s so good to see you’ ve returned! What ideas do you have? Let us know in the comments. Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts.

*by andreascy*