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Find useful resources here on various business management, public relations, and digital marketing topics that will ELEVATE your business to the NEXT level. You can also sign-up for ELEVATED NEWS to be the first to receive news of our latest blogs.
Failure is an Opportunity
Making reversible, "two-way" door decisions with quick outcomes increases the likelihood of any failure providing opportunities for personal growth, creativity, and innovation.
Get SMARTER
We’re approaching that often daunting time of year for setting annual goals. Whether it’s a financial forecast or a New Year’s resolution, it is important to set achievable, yet challenging, goals and milestones. Get SMARTER in your goal-setting process by anticipating roadblocks and detours on your path to achievement.
Failure Builds Resilience and Antifragility
True resilience means being able to persevere, despite experiencing failure, volatility, or periods of uncertainty. Demonstrating flexibility, optimism, emotional agility, and strong problem-solving skills, truly resilient individuals survive and learn from their setbacks. The antifragile, however, not only survive but thrive because of failure and adversity.
Becoming a Digital Nomad
Live a life of travel and excitement by becoming a digital nomad. According to Statista, almost half of digital nomads are millennials, but this way of life is desirable to workers of all ages. Guest contributor, Daisy Waithereo Wambua, provides planning recommendations and tips to consider before you quit your desk job and start traveling.
A Message for Dawdlers
Don’t fall into the procrastination paralysis cycle. Learn four strategies you can implement to eliminate the mental roadblock to project completion.
The Merits of Monotasking
When you receive a phone call and continue working on your current project, you’re probably not doing either activity very well. Successful monotasking, or focusing on one task at a time, requires you to ignore the myriad of distractions around you.
Finding Your Ikigai
Ikigai is the Japanese word that means your purpose for living - or the reason to get up in the morning. According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai - you just need to be patient enough to find it. To do this, the authors of Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life recommend several simple practices that can be employed by anyone at any stage in their career.
When Your Authentic Self at Work is Inappropriate
Contrary to popular thought, the Economist recently argued that "no one should actually bring their whole selves to work. People are a melange of traits, [many of which] should be kept well away from the workplace." A recent Below Deck Sailing episode provides a humorous reminder why our colleagues don’t need to know about our authentic Friday night selves.
The Women of the Suri Tribe Demonstrate 5 Leadership Traits
The Suri are a self-sufficient, agro-pastoral people rich in land and traditions. The land, which is part of the diverse Omo Valley in Ethiopia, is located in the southwest along the border with South Sudan. My impression, after a recent trek in the Suri land, is that the women are the hardest-working members of the tribe - and they represent a subtle example of strong leadership.
Sled Dogs Exemplify Leadership
I recently returned from a new experience: Dogsledding and camping in Ely, Minnesota with the Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge family. It was an amazing adventure augmented by the presence of five incredible Canadian Inuit dogs pulling my sled. These working dogs were friendly, loving, and docile, but when pulling the sled down the trail they became determined machines focused on one thing: Pulling. This display of teamwork made me think about leadership, and what an example they provided!
Proactive Crisis Management in 10 Steps
Although predicting a true crisis is nearly impossible, you can mitigate the consequences of one with a proactive, forward-looking crisis management plan. Consider these 10 steps as a checklist in your crisis management plan, which includes planning for: crisis communications, business continuity, and disaster recovery for IT systems.
Battle the Burnout Blues in 5 Steps
Have you been hit by the professional burnout bus? Learn to identify the causes and symptoms of burnout and take action with five practical steps to bring your creative side back to life.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Enhance Organizational Resilience
Companies that intentionally pursue a more diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) culture are more prone to be resilient in times of crisis. In fact, these companies tend to be more proactive in responding to change, often minimizing or avoiding a crisis altogether.
The Origins of ELEVATE NEXT
Recently, I came across a business card I saved from my very first, real career job out of college at the International Institute of St. Louis. The colleagues, volunteers, refugees, and immigrants with whom I worked at the International Institute more than a decade ago are the ones that inspired me to take a plunge and start ELEVATE NEXT.
Extolling the Virtues of the Habitually Late
Leverage technology to reduce tardiness and reframe your view of others who are habitually late. They have virtuous traits your team needs!
Active Listeners Can Change the World
One of the top traits to look for in colleagues is listening skills. A good listener is skilled at active listening. Why?
Build a Culture of Creativity and Eliminate Bullies in the Workplace
Intentionally build a network and company culture of creativity and inclusion. Ensure that there is no room for bullies at YOUR company.
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