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Heads Up Business Grads! Here are the States with the Most MBA Holders

by Jennifer Dillon | February 9 2021

 

A new study ranks Washington, D.C., New Hampshire and Massachusetts as the states with the most MBA graduates per 100,00 people. In the top locality, Washington, D.C., over 336 residents per 100,000 hold an MBA degree. 

The rankings are part of a larger study that ranked the best cities for business graduates according to a 50-point score that factored in the number of business professionals, median salaries, average living costs and a quality of life index. 

Washington, D.C. is a unique case as its city/district status makes it uniquely attractive as a home for business degree holders. However, the number of MBA degree holders still is quite striking. In Washington, D.C., MBA graduates don’t just occupy finance or consulting roles, but also serve within government departments and lead national advocacy and lobbying groups. With jobs attracting candidates from all over, it would be interesting to tally up how many MBA holders in Washington, D.C. actually earned degrees from top-ranked local schools like Georgetown University and George Washington University. 

On the other hand, New Hampshire is far from an urban state, making its high ranking for MBA graduate holders that much more unique. Certainly, there are great options in New Hampshire for those looking to earn an MBA. The University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College both host nationally-ranked business programs. Interestingly the presence of these programs may actually employ some MBA-holding residents. According to statewide business statistics, the University of New Hampshire, Keene State College and Dartmouth College are among the top employers in New Hampshire. 

The study also highlighted the states with the lowest number of MBA graduates were Wyoming, Alaska and Idaho. In Wyoming, only about 10 people in every 100,000 hold an MBA. These numbers make considerable sense given that most residents working in these states are trained in other skilled jobs in agriculture or manufacturing. However, for MBA graduates looking for a faster path to statewide leadership across the business sector, perhaps moving to a state with less competition could offer its own perks. That’s just supply and demand, right?

Overall, it was interesting to see such a range in the density of MBA holders across different states. With such a wide variety of MBA populations, it’s definitely worth it for MBA holders to compare different states. After all, more MBA graduates in the area means more possible connections, colleagues and opportunities. You can check out the full study here

 

Here’s How to Break Down Work-Life Boundaries

by dev | December 9 2020

Did You Know Over 50% of Professionals Work More Than 40 Hours a Week?Person Using Macbook Pro on White Table

Did you know burnout is actually a health condition, rather than just a phrase? 

Burnout is a health condition recognized by international medical bodies such as the World Health Organization. This condition, more easily recognizable as workplace stress that goes unmanaged, impacts both employees and organizations. That’s why it’s imperative that employers take a vested interest in their employees’ mental health and performance. Keeping an employee engaged can be a make-or-break scenario, especially if their motivation, work performance, and efforts have been suffering.

Working from home is part of the culprit in the increase of burnout as well as poor mental health in employees across all industries. Over 42% of the United States workforce is working from home — that’s twice as many as before March, 2020. 

No profession is left untouched! 

During 2020, so many companies established new policies about working from home in order to keep both staff as well as clients and patrons safe. Regardless of what industry you might be working or professionally tied to, work-life balance changed in many ways throughout the course of this year, leading to more burnout than ever before. The boundaries of work and home-life have all but evaporated, leaving employees reaching their breaking points sooner than they might have if they were able to be in the office with colleague support, instead of working in an isolated fashion. 

To get a better look at the breakdown of work-life boundaries and a work-life balance, the remote educators of Grand Canyon University explored how professionals experience the hustle-and-grind of a 9-5 job by surveying professionals across different industries. Their survey, in part, was to get a better understanding of the current standard of work-life balance, and also in part to give new graduates or soon-to-be graduates a better understanding of the working world. 

Over 50% of professionals in the early, entry stages of their careers are spending 40 hours or more on their work throughout the week. In fact, currently, that number only increases with the time in career. It’s clear either a societal shift is a must, or we’ll see higher numbers of burnout among expert professionals in year to come. 

Aside from spending a lot of time at work in the early stages of their career, professionals are suffering in their outside relationships due to the increased pressure and expectations of work. With less boundaries, it’s easier to neglect relationships in lieu of an email, or even your own physical health while you sit through another video call. 

The end of the year is a time for reflection, intention setting, and inspiration for the upcoming year. It’s also the perfect time of year to take a look at the way we would like to make sure we take care of ourselves in the year to come so that we might be able to reach our goals the upcoming year. To learn more about how to prevent burnout on your team, these empathetic leadership tips will help.

Who Drives You Crazy at Work?: A New Survey Reveals the Most Annoying Type of Coworkers

by Cassie Dorian | September 23 2020

For many people, slow returns to in-person work brings lots of excitement of getting back into office spaces that encourage their productivity, bring together their teams, and give them a break from their apartments. But, returning to offices also brings one huge downside: the return of annoying coworkers in our everyday lives. A few months of respite from the chatty cubicle neighbors or the domineers of meetings have been especially welcome, but we will all have to brace ourselves for these annoying personalities.

Interestingly, a new survey from Moneypenny shows the most annoying co-workers whose presence might induce special dread in those returning to work.

According to more than a quarter of respondents, the most annoying coworkers are those that are overly lazy. This certainly makes sense as nothing weighs down a team like a co-worker who isn’t actively doing their part.  So how can employees best deal with these personalities? According to a list of tips from Forbes, the best way to deal with lazy co-workers is to focus on your own diligence. The Forbes article suggests that annoyed co-workers use uncomfortable situations to rise into leaders.

The second most-annoying office persona was, “the gossiper”. Certainly, the temptation of office gossip can be hard to resist, with more than 20% of individuals regularly gossiping at work, according to a LinkedIn article. Still, to maintain a positive reputation in the office, it’s important not to become the office gossiper.

Other top-ranking annoying personalities were, “The Complainer”, “The Bragger”, and “The Know-It-All”. Here’s hoping that time away from the office will quell some of these annoying habits and our teams can be as happy and compatible as possible. 

The Changing World of Women, Computing and Higher Education

by Jennifer Dillon | August 4 2020

The conversation around women in the tech world has exploded in the past few years. One topic that has garnered particular attention is women’s experience in computing and tech programs in higher education.

 

According to a new study from Grand Canyon University, after a peak of about 37% in the 1980s, the ratio of women to men studying computer science dipped back down to a mere 20% in 2017. Many factors may have contributed to this drop including poor classroom culture, lack of female representation in professional networks, and lower salary offerings, according to a report from The University of Colorado at Boulder. By looking at solutions to these concerns, we can see how the number of women studying computing may rise back up.

 

First, in response to negative classroom culture, a number of student organizations have sprung up created by and for young women. Groups like the collegiate chapter of the Association of Women in Computing at Penn State University plan campus events, provide tutoring and look to forge bonds of female friendship that can be taken into the classroom, making its members’ college experience less lonely.

 

Similar networking groups have been formed outside the classroom to address the lack of professional role models for female computing students. The Association for Women in Computing and similar groups like Ada’s List and Black Girl’s Code provide opportunities for mentorship, digital training and major Hackathon events to connect females in computing at all ages and encourage young girls to study computing and technology.

 

Finally, in regards to the low salaries, fights for equal wages are being won for women every day. According to TechCrunch, the gender wage gap in programming has dropped from a 28% gap to an 11.6% gap in three years. This progress results from a combination of legal wins like the Paycheck Fairness Act as well as private efforts from groups like the National Center for Women in Information Technology. 

Overall, changes are certainly being made to meet the needs of women pursuing computing in higher education.  You can read a full analysis of women in computing from Grand Canyon University here

This Is How To Be More Efficient in the Workplace

by Cassie Dorian | November 26 2019

 

Although we have dozens of methods of getting in touch with people, there is still a lack of communication between professionals as far as prioritization goes. We’re all constantly being distracted by notifications of something new, and it interferes with our productivity and our ability to communicate efficiently. With dozens of emails and hundreds of chats coming across our desks each day, it’s tough to sift through the communication and prioritize what needs to get done today, what people say needs to get done today, and what’s just noise.

If you’re looking for a way to be more efficient in your day to day work life, these are a few ways you can set yourself up for success.

Know your communication style.

In spite of the fact that most of us would like to leave high school firmly in our rearview mirror, the business world is a perfect example of how that culture functions beyond the age of eighteen. Although there might be less emphasis on the State Championship game or who’s got the highest GPA, the habits you build in high school often translate into your business approach. Your communication strengths and weaknesses are built on the personality you have in high school and how it evolves as you grow up. Knowing what your style is ane conveying that to your professional partners is a good way to let them know how you plan to communicate with them and what you need from them in return.

Filter Out the Noise

Turn off notifications when you need to put your head down and work. This goes for work communication too! If your team has a chat where they tend to talk all day and it distracts you, you can let them know where to find you and shut it down while you focus. This way they know that whatever it is that they want to interrupt you for, it needs to be important enough to break your concentration.

Look at Your Week as a Whole

Looking at not only what needs to be done today but also what is coming up tomorrow and the rest of the week gives you a more accurate idea of how much time you have to devote to a task per day and how your project timeline will be affected if you have to push out a task. This will help you prioritize your major items each day to make sure you don’t push a task that messes up the rest of your week.

Use a Focus Technique.

For a lot of people, the Pomodoro technique is a good way to help them settle and focus on one thing at a time. For others, they opt for focus apps. Whatever your technique, don’t be afraid to experiment to see what gives you the best chance of getting your projects done on time.

With New Year’s Resolutions coming up, this is the perfect time to adjust your approach and figure out what will make you more efficient and productive in the year to come!

Should You Own a Franchise?

by Melody Bryn | October 25 2019

Owning a business is an accomplishment a lot of people dream of, but few people actually achieve. From having an idea creative enough to stand out to owning the resources to actually starting a business, there are a lot of roadblocks that interfere with one’s ability to turn this dream into a reality. 

Luckily, there are tons of ways around these hurdles. Owning a business doesn’t necessarily mean you have to start everything from the ground up. The franchise world is an easy way to get around this startup process while still having a business to call your own. 

Like any major decision in life, there are pros and cons to owning a franchise. One one hand, you’ll have access to resources and support from corporate that will make your life a whole lot easier. On the other hand, you have very little freedom on what you can do with the business – you’ll likely be held to corporate standards in order to ensure consistency. 

It’s definitely not for everyone, but it’s also worth considering if business owning is a career path you think you’re interested in. Either way, you need to be well informed before you take the plunge so you don’t find out that franchising isn’t for you after it’s already too late. 

Research Whether It’s Right For You 

It takes a certain type of personality to own a franchise. Take a personality test to see if this career endeavor is something that would complement your lifestyle. Just because you aren’t a fit doesn’t mean you’re a failure in the business world. For example, people that are more creative may not enjoy the process as much as the logistical thinkers solely due to the strict nature of franchising. A personality test will simply help you figure out where you will thrive the most. 

Research Whether You’re Right For Them 

If you’ve decided that your personality is compatible with franchising, the next step is figuring out which franchise you should invest in. Selecting a franchise may sound like an easy task, but there’s actually a lot to consider when it comes to picking the perfect business. You may be tempted to go to your favorite childhood fast food chain because of the good memories associated with it, but there’s a lot of factors to consider outside of whether or not you liked the menu offerings. 

The financial structure of a business is one of the most important considerations, because this is what will ultimately lead your franchise to success or failure. Additional important factors to think about are the people that make up management, number of competitors, prevalence of the franchise in your area, and target audience composition to name a few. 

Once you’ve done your research, you’re ready to take the next steps. It may seem like a scary risk, but owning a franchise can be extremely rewarding in the long run. Not only is this an opportunity for you to get some experience in owning a business, it can also lead to large payouts when done correctly.

Reasons You Should Consider Buying a Business

by Cassie Dorian | October 2 2019

businessmen shaking hands in photo

Sometimes all you need in your professional life is a little change-up in routine to get your motivations and priorities back on track. Doing the same thing day in and day out can get exhausting, it’s natural to start to feel burnt out. 

It’s probably not advisable that you ditch your day job altogether and make a dramatic career shift, but there are things you can do with your time and money to add some excitement to your boring habits. 

One of these things could be to make a major investment you’ve dreamed about since you were little. Most of us probably didn’t dream about investing in stocks or bonds, but you might have had the aspiration to own your local Chick-fil-a, for example. 

Now that you’re a working adult, those dreams very much could become a reality. Buying a business could be that next step in your professional career that gives you the ultimate boss status you deserve. 

There are tons of resources to help you

Buying a business sounds horrifying. Unless you have a lot of experience with purchasing and ownership of a business or corporation – there’s a lot of unknown and it can become incredibly overwhelming. Luckily, you’re not alone. You’re not the first person to consider buying a business and you definitely won’t be the last. 

There are endless online guides waiting to help people just like you. This will help you know what to expect and give you tips on how to survive the process. Do your research before you dive in, that way you’ll feel significantly more prepared once you’re actually going through the motions. 

The hard part is already done

The beautiful thing about buying an existing business is that it’s already existing. The founders dedicated an immense amount of time to get the concept off the ground and form the business model, so you don’t have to worry about any of the creation process. 

This also means that you probably have a large team of former employees, managers, and owners that can share their expertise and advice on what worked and what didn’t. This experience can be incredibly beneficial in figuring out where to take the business next. 

It’s important to note that you should definitely consider why the current owner is selling before you make any decisions. Experts recommend that you be wary of things like financial turmoil, internal issues, and burnout – all of which could make your job a lot harder. 

The right investment can be very financially rewarding

Not all businesses will make you a millionaire if you buy it. Like everything in life, there are certain financial benefits and drawbacks of a large investment like this. However, if you do it right you’ll see major rewards, and you’ll definitely be thankful you took the risk. 

So if you’ve always contemplated buying a business, or maybe now you’re interested, consider this a sign. Take the leap, you’ll never know until you try!

The Most Underrated Leadership Positions

by Jennifer Dillon | September 14 2019

boss cfo ceo cmo

Some kids dream of becoming a CEO when they grow up — though they may not know that those letters stand for Chief Executive Officer. Why is this? Perhaps it’s the idea of central leadership, being the one person everyone looks to. Or perhaps it’s the glory of having that title, being respected as someone who has earned the highest role. Regardless, it’s not just kids that think in simple terms like these — many adults love the idea of being a CEO. However, there are plenty of other high ranking positions out there, such as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), plus more.

So, what do these positions entail? Well, that’s what we’re going to run through today.

Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)

The CHRO is also sometimes called a Chief People Officer (CPO). This role oversees human resources management, and takes ownership of the organizational strategy of their organization. Unfortunately this position isn’t as coveted a role as it should be. Based on interviews done by Harvard Business Review, the misconception is that someone won’t be impactful in this role, compared to another role, or that he or she needs a certain certification or background to be successful. However, many business leaders who got their start in business development or finance have found their place in the CHRO or CPO role. It’s a good fit if you enjoy organizational management, personal relations, or hiring.

Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

The CMO position is another that doesn’t get enough love. This role oversees the marketing functions of a company, and this can vary quite a bit from organization to organization. According to LeadMD, someone in this role should be comfortable with public speaking, excited about innovation, and have a background in data analysis. Unlike the CHRO position, the CMO role is one where you should have a solid career in marketing before taking on leadership. You should have a strong grasp of the types of marketing operations that you’ll need to manage. So study up!

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Last but certainly not least: the CFO. This person manages the financial operations of a company or organization, so says Investopedia. Someone in this role is tasked with looking forward and backwards — they have to analyze and report on what happened with the financials, and then chart out what they expect into the future. These numbers play a huge role in decision-making for the rest of the company, so it can be a thrilling and fulfilling position. You’ll want a background in financial analysis or accounting if you’re aiming for this job. Certainly, a CPA certification cannot hurt.

Plus plenty of others…

This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are plenty more C-blank-O roles out there, as well as plenty of other leadership positions with wholly unique titles. You should think critically about the type of role that would give you fulfillment — maybe that’s not a leadership position at all! At the end of the day, you shouldn’t just chase the title. Cheers.

Revitalizing Your Vehicle After Winter

by Melody Bryn | March 25 2019

Spring has finally sprung and that is really good news because this winter has been a tough one for many Americans. Blizzards, ice storms and temperatures so low throughout the north and midwest that planes in Chicago were grounded due to frozen jet fuel. Thankfully, the polar vortex is behind us and soon we’ll be experiencing warmer temps, sunny days and much less snow and ice. During the winter, you were probably too concerned with the health of your family and your furnace to focus on the toll this weather has taken on your car. And that’s okay because here’s a list of ways to breathe life back into your vehicle when your able to go outside without getting frostbite.

  1. Restore headlights

Let’s face it, this one is easy to forget. As long as our headlights turn off and on and allow us to see the road at night, we don’t tend to worry about how dirty they can get. That is, until the protective plastic starts to collect moisture and grime which dampen the lights, making it harder for you to see in the dark. Cleaning inside of your headlights can help brighten your night drive and helps your car’s appearance.

     2. Check oil and other fluids

During the winter, oil changes and fluid top offs may not be your top priority. Now, is the time to get that oil change you’ve been putting off and have your mechanic check your transmission, steering, break, and windshield wiper fluids to make sure you are road ready for spring.

     3. Test Battery

Cold weather can have a bad impact on all electronics and this is especially true for your battery. If you’re having trouble starting your car or your battery is getting up there in age, it’s a good idea to have it tested at your local auto shop. 

     4. Visit the car wash

Of course, a car wash is great for keeping your car looking shiny and new, but it’s also a good way to make sure there aren’t any cracks in your windshield or a nail in your tire under all of the dirt and debris you’ve collected over the winter. This is especially true in the mid Atlantic region,  which has the worst winter driving in the entire US. Salt may keep your car from sliding on icy roads, but if you don’t wash it off, it can start to strip the paint on your car.

     5. Check tire pressure and replace lost air

As temperature decreases, so too does pressure which can cause you to lose air in your tires. This will be most noticeable when the temperatures begin to rise again. Make sure you replace the air you may have lost in the winter because uneven pressure can cause bigger problems than just a blown tire.

     6. Clean the interior

Now that it’s warming up, it’s time for spring cleaning. Clear out those old water bottles and receipts and anything else you may have collected over the winter. And while you’re at it clean the inside and outside of your windows to make sure you don’t have any visibility issues in the future.

These are a few of the best ways to make sure your car recovers from the winter weather. They will make sure your car is safe and clean and ready for the road trips you have planned this spring and summer.

 

Job Satisfaction: Helping Gen Z Employers Find What Motivates Them

by Cassie Dorian | February 1 2019

environment at work

Why company culture and workplaces that work are important in 2019

One of the key goals in many organizations – especially in the HR departments – is to make sure employees of the organization are satisfied with their jobs. Satisfied employees often work heads-down, enjoy their jobs, and bring a lot of assets to the table. Dissatisfied employees can contribute to a high turnover rate within the organization or company, which can lead to negative impressions of the entity’s reputation.

As the amount of Gen Z graduates entering the workforce, the wave of new workers has employers considering what will satisfy their newest recruits, and the answer is company culture. Their entrance to the workforce has begged for some answers to old questions like what are the core hours of the company’s workday? What kinds of benefits are really offered to employees – not just health, dental, and vision – that influence their satisfaction with their job? Gone are the days when people would stay at a company or in the same role in a job they’ve had for years, which is to say employers are considering what will satisfy their new recruits.

According to a recent survey on what really satisfies employees, the most important thing they consider in determining their workplace satisfaction is the company culture of their organization. Company culture, overall, includes the types of benefits offered to employees like delicious snacks stocked in the break room, tuition reimbursement, and flexible hours or remote work opportunities.

Gen Z employees want to be able to do their job unattached to workplace norms of the previous generations. They don’t want a 9-5 job where their cubicle or desk is where they spend most of their time. Thanks to the availability of high-speed internet, regardless of where you are in the world, for the most part, there’s a way to tune in for that 9:00 AM EST staff meeting. But flexible hours and remote work aren’t enough to keep the upcoming generation interest in the job openings that don’t allow for this type of work.

Satisfying Gen Z employees means focusing on the types of perks you offer, considering the way your company pays attention to communication and internal issues, as well as a work-life balance that doesn’t leave your recruits feeling overwhelmed and burnt out.

Employee retention at companies focused on making sure their employees are happy isn’t difficult, but it does beg for employers to keep on the pulse of how their employees feel. That means having an understanding of the general workplace satisfaction level which is more simple than it sounds, especially with the variety of tools available to help create a workplace satisfaction survey to be circulated within your company or organization.

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