The Workplace

Communication is important in any environment, and is especially important in the workplace.  Miscommunication can result in low employee morale and motivation, decreased productivity, and increased employee conflicts.  As simple as communication may seem, it is not always easy to communicate at work. It is important to choose your words wisely, listen intently, and verify that you are understood.

Here are a few simple tips you can use to be a more effective communicator:

Whether you have a remote job or just work from home occasionally, here are 7 great tips to help you make the most of your workday:

1. Set aside a place exclusively for work
Laying in bed while you try to crank out a report won’t really feel like work, will it? Set aside a place in your home, whether it’s an office or not, that is intended only for work. This will help  eliminate distractions and increase productivity.

2. Create a daily work schedule

Support

Valentine ’s Day is right around the corner. If you haven’t prepared any celebrations for your office yet, we are here to help!  Below are 5 HON-inspired Valentine’s Day greetings that you may share with your coworkers this holiday:

Here in the cold Midwest, it’s easy to fall into a boring routine during the winter months. Every day is a battle to stay warm. Thick tights and tall boots conquer my wardrobe in drab colors. I drink black coffee every morning. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Here are some of my favorite ideas for injecting a little color into your work day:

‘There’s an app for that!’ is a phrase I commonly hear from my younger, technology-immersed brother.  Much to the dismay of my fellow Millennials, I rarely use my phone as anything other than a communication tool. However, as I wander down technology lane, I admit that I find myself drawn to its efficiency.

As a child of the ‘Era of Efficiency’ that is today, I find that effective productivity delivers results. Here are a few pointers from a self-proclaimed Task Master:

Aside from the obvious perks of being in an engineering rotational program, I have also had the opportunity to learn a surprisingly difficult lesson in project management: the challenge of taking on and handing off partially-complete projects. Whether it is in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, Engineering, or any other area of a business, knowing how to successfully hand off a project in an ever-changing work environment is a skill that is often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of your everyday job.

Move.