Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Supply Chain Strategies for Smaller Businesses

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Supply Chain Strategies for Smaller Businesses Supply chain management refers to overseeing the processes that transform a raw material into a final product and ensuring that goods and services proceed smoothly from initial manufacturing to customer delivery. Effective supply chain management involves streamlining the flow in a way that maximizes the organizations bottom line and the end customers value. Experts believethefutureof supply chain management will include increased automation,along with a focus on analytics, sustainability practicesand complex supplier relationships. And womenareleading the chargeâ€"according to a 2018 survey conducted byGartner Research, there has been sustained strong representation of women in the senior-most ranks of supply chain organizations relative to other functions. We also find more supply chain leaders spearheading their own initiatives to attract, retain and advance women. To that end,I askeda few womensupply chain leaders what theyare doing to further their careers as well as the missions of their organizations. Smart Analytics Collecting datafrom a variety of sources and using it to derive relevant insights for the business can have anpositive effect on supply chain performance. Jill Keto, CMO ofEasy Metrics, a cloud-based supply chain visibility provider, has moved up in her career by developing tools that help organizations optimize their largest controllable expenseâ€"labor. “Using big datain warehouse environments to track labor is a strategy that has paid huge dividends, Keto says. “My customers see improved team engagement, 40 percent productivity improvementand 15 percent labor cost reduction simply by using data to capture the labor costs of every action. “In a tight job market where labor demand is outpacing supply, she continues, and where customer requirements like same-day shipping and small orders are the norm, distribution operators are running into challenges that didnt exist before. Keto leverages the interplay of the Internet of Things, machine learningand big data to bring a degree of calm to the chaos. Sustainability Focus Before founding her companyvirtue + vice, which advises fashion brands on impact sourcing and sustainable supply chain management,entrepreneurMelanie DiSalvo worked in supply chain management, product developmentand production for major fashionbrands. DiSalvosintimate experience with the fashion supply chain and globalmarket trends, particularly strategic regional sourcing and operations, provided the know-how to launch her own company. “My in-depth understanding of how each level of the supply chain works has gotten me ahead, she says. “My time spent living and working overseas in factories and mills was invaluable because it taught me exactly whats possible and what isnt, and shapes how I solve problems for my customers every day. Because I know what goes into making each component of a clothing item, I can come up with environmentally sustainable workarounds that most people would never think to try, she adds. For more insights, check out the full piece on the AMEX Business site.

Guest Post Pushing the Future Job Prospects for College Grads

Guest Post Pushing the Future Job Prospects for College Grads This is a guest post by Mariana Ashley. There are only a few instances in your life where you feel completely thrilled and utterly terrified at the same time. Skydiving is one of them, and college graduation day is another. College grads are faced with many prospects and overwhelming emotions. There is promise of freedom from final exams and early morning lectures; there are also the looming threats of unemployment, student loan debt, and other real world issues. College graduation is one of those rites of passage that don’t really hit us until a week after the fact. Were extracted from our college bubbles and plopped into an unstructured world where the rules aren’t clear. Then we’re told to find a job, pay our bills, and find a way to be happy about it all. Its a challenging time.  That being said, things do seem to be looking up for recent grads in many ways. While college grads in recent years past were shoved into a failing economy without much warning, graduates today knew what was coming and could brace for impact. For the past four years, these college students sat through their philosophy lectures and literature classes quietly preparing themselves mentally for the unforgiving real world that news stations, older siblings, and dejected adults have been talking about. These students have, whether they fully realize it or not, spent the past four years preparing for a miserable economy and a steady, unpromising unemployment rate. All of this means that graduates are better prepared for the brutal realities of the job market theyre entering.  The importance of networking has not been lost on the newest graduates. Campus job fairs were packed by mid-spring semester. Students are starting earlier than in the past. They go to events to seek opportunities for employment, of course, but they’re also making connections at these job fairs, taking important networking lessons from the professional world before entering it. While the economy is still struggling, there are more reported jobs in almost every market, and graduates are entering a stronger job market than they were just four years before. So, with better prepared grads and a slightly upturned job outlook, prospects are looking up.  Most new grads know (at least have heard over and over again) that times are going to be tough. A week after graduation, they hear, youll be sitting in your apartment (or at your parents house where you now live) you will have submitted your 100th resume, and it will hit you: you’re not in Kansas anymore. (or Ohio State, or wherever.)  But, youll make it, if you get out and make connections.  As you may have learned in your campus activities, networking is the key to success. It’s not just who you know; it’s who knows you. Go out, meet people in the areas that interest you, talk to them, get to know them, meet their connectionsâ€"make things happen. If you can’t find a job right away, finding the right volunteer opportunity or internship can be the next best thing. These positions, while not typically well paying, are ideal environments to expand your skills and your network. Lack of experience is often the biggest hurdle most new grads face on their resumes and it makes it harder to compete where significantly more experienced candidates are available. By volunteering, you’ll exchange cash flow for experience and references. Prospects for the future are looking up, but you may need to give the future a push of your own.  This guest post comes courtesy of Mariana Ashley, who frequently gives advice on applying to online colleges to prospective students. Reach her at mariana.ashley031@gmail.com.

Curb Your Graduation Anxiety and Profit From Harnessing It! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Curb Your Graduation Anxiety and Profit From Harnessing It! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Anxiety is the hand maiden of creativity. T. S. Eliot College seniors are getting the jitters and find the last year of their college days filled with anxiety and fear about what’s next?   They know of friends a year ahead of them who have “made it’” as well as other friends who have moved back home.   The security and prestige they felt several years ago upon receiving admittance to a reputable school is beginning to seem less important as the realities are setting in about entering a tough job market.   Those who have majored in the engineering, finance, accounting and computer science who have practical skills to leverage for a job may feel less anxious than their classmates who majored in less practical subjects.  But in general there is a lot of insecurity in the air now that this protected life in the college bubble is about to end. Try to figure out what part of the situation is under your control.  Next, come up with a plan that tackles the part of the problem that is under your control. Taking action to protect yourself is a good way to channel nervous energy and provides reassurance against your fears. It is, in most cases, the healthiest response to realistic fears and worries. There are two ways of coping with the high anxiety of senior year; Path #1: Consider Your Anxiety a Natural and Reasonable Response to a big Transition:  When anxiety mounts you can become paralyzed by it or worse become like a rocket that uses the energy to implode rather than to take off! Don’t allow your emotions to sabotage your success by letting it erode your self â€"esteem. Path #2:  Channel Your Anxiety into Action:  This proactive strategy for managing anxiety typically leads to a more successful outcome: Breaking down the “tasks” of what you need to do into daily assignments will surprisingly minimize your anxiety.  Channeling the negative energy created from fear and anxiety and turning it into action is the fuel that launches a successful career.  The same energy, if not redirected towards positive actions  can cause the opposite reactionpushing one to implode!  This is completely avoidable if you choose to harness your anxiety and use it as fuel for moving forward. 11 tasks to get you started in the right direction to becoming a proactive pre-graduate:  Check Off One Task at a Time: Recommendations from professors Recommendations from peers Complete profile on LinkedIn Join Groups on LinkedIn related to your Alumni association and field of interest Connect with friends who have jobs and recently graduated Ask for help getting an interview in their firm Qualify the skills and value you can contribute to the firm Prepare to add more skills if necessary (e.g. take more computer classes or additional coursework over the summer that could enhance/broaden your skill set) Become an expert about the firms youre seeking employment  Develop a compelling case highlighting your unique value that’s specifically tailored to each firm. Create multiple resumes tied to specific jobs that will grab the hiring manager’s attention and say this is why you should hire me!!! Once you have done all you can to tackle the next step, let go and rememberyoure only in control of your effort, not the results!  Now its time to breathe, take a leisurely walk in the park, go to the gym or read a good novel.  Focus on appreciating the lessons you learn from your journey and the whole process of pursuing your career will become a growthful experience!  Author: Beth  is Founder and President of Get Hired, LLC.   She advises students on how to bridge the gap from school to career.  Beth is the co-author of  From Diploma to Dream Job: Five Overlooked Steps to a Successful Career.  Her coaching assists students and career changers to successfully match their needs, interests, passions, skills, and personal goals with the needs of a sustainable industry in a sustainable location.  She is a resource for print and online media and offers workshops for University Career Service Departments, Executive Recruiters, Outplacement Services, College Guidance Counselors and College Alumni Associations. See website for more details about Beth’s services  www.fromdiploma2dreamjob.com.  Beth’s Webinar was sponsored by George Washington University’s Career Services Dept. for their worldwide alumni association:  Leverage Your College Diploma.  You can follow Beth on twitter @BethKuhel

How To Turn On And Use LinkedIn Open Candidates (Plus More New Features) - Career Sidekick

How To Turn On And Use LinkedIn Open Candidates (Plus More New Features) - Career Sidekick How To Turn On And Use LinkedIn Open Candidates (Plus More New Features) LinkedIn / https://www.edenscott.com/blog If youve been on LinkedIn lately you might have noticed a new feature called LinkedIn Open Candidates. You  can use it to  signal recruiters that youre open to new opportunities, without your employer seeing At least in theory. But does it really work? Lets look at how turn on LinkedIn Open Candidates and how to best use it.Well also look at the pros and cons of using LinkedIn Open Candidates so youll know whether its worth it.We  invited professional resume writer and LinkedIn expert Jessica Hernandez to reveal the details and explain  how to use this feature and a few other new  features for a smoother and more successful job search.How to Use LinkedIn Open Candidates (and Does it Work?)There are numerous ways to job searchâ€"from applying to job boards and company websites to using your network to find job opportunities. As a career search expert, I advise my clients to explore every avenue for sharing their resume and applying for jobs.One of the b est tools is LinkedIn because of the number of users  and recruiters on the platform (they have over 450 million members). And they recently released a new feature thats worth knowing about called Open Candidates.LinkedIn Open Candidates is a profile feature you can “Turn On” to let recruiters know that you are open to new career opportunities. To sweeten the deal, the signal you send out is “hidden” from your current employer and partner companies.The program also  lets you select specific positions and businesses you would like to be considered for. The exposure job seekers can get by using Open Candidates is limitless, given the fact that thousands of recruiters turn to LinkedIn each day to look for talent.“Turning On” Your SignalTo let recruiters know you are ready for new opportunities, you must turn “On” your signal. To do so, you must have a LinkedIn account. Once you have one, go to your home page and click the “Jobs” tab on the toolbar.When the “Jobs† window opens, select “Preferences” at the top of the page. When the window opens, you will see a slide button. Simply move the button to the “On” position and fill out the short questions about your career preferences.There, you’ll find options from freelance work to C-level positions to match you with recruiters looking to fill such positions. You can watch a quick tutorial on how to use Open Candidates on the LinkedIn Official Blog.What Happens Once Youre Using It?When you set your signal to “On,” your information will be shared with recruiters looking for professional talent in the areas you indicated. In addition to expanding your job search by allowing a wide variety of recruiters to see your information, your signal is “hidden” from recruiters at the company youre currently working at,  as well as partner companies.This makes it less of a worry that your employer will find out you are looking for fresh career options. I offer a word of caution, however, in regard to this last part, so be sure to read “Flaws in the Feature” below.Flaws in the FeatureJust as there is an upside to Open Candidates, there are a couple of flaws in the program. In her recent blog, “A Close Look at ‘Open to New Opportunities”, Irina Shamaeva points out that the fact you are available to explore career options is seen only by subscribers to LinkedIn Recruiter, which means many smaller companies and recruiting firms may not  receive your signal. LinkedIn Recruiter is a paid subscription and its possible some smaller companies are still not using it.The other issue pointed out by Shamaeva is that while the feature “hides” your signal from your current employer, there’s still a way they could find out youre job searching. If divisions of your current company are listed on LinkedIn as a separate company, they may still receive your signal.Third-party recruiters that may have your company as a client could also see that you are on the market for a n ew job. Plus, if your boss has friends in other companies with a subscription to the recruiter services, he or she could simply ask them to find out if any of their employees are on the hunt for a new job.If you are worried about your boss finding out that you are looking, this feature is an improvement, but isnt a guaranteed solution.Who Can Use LinkedIn Open Candidates?Open Candidates can be used on any  desktop or mobile device, and its currently available in the United States, the UK, Canada, and Australia. LinkedIn plans to take the feature global in the near future so if youre not on the list, keep checking in a few months.Other New LinkedIn Features and Benefits for Job SeekersAnother career tool offered to professionals is LinkedIn Learning.  The program allows you to take a variety of free courses to beef up your existing skills and teach you new ones at the same time. The short and easy-to-follow courses range from “WordPress Essential Training” to “How to Write a Pr ess Release.”You can even take a course on “Making Recruiters Come to You.” When you freshen your skills and learn new ones, you can add them to your resume. This will draw more interest to you as a potential candidate and makes you more appealing to recruiters.Along with Open Candidates and LinkedIn Learning, they also  recently added a feature  called Career Pages. It allows you to learn more about the culture of companies you may be interested in.Another useful tool is “Meet the Team.” The program lets you search for and view the profiles of potential future colleagues by searching company names that turn your head. Additionally, LinkedIn allows you to see the connections you already have at firms that might be able to help with positive references and referrals to hiring managers.Making Your LinkedIn Work for YouI tell my clients that first impressions are important on a resume, and LinkedIn is no different. To make the most out of your job search efforts, review your LinkedIn profile  and make the necessary adjustments  before you begin your job search.Make sure everything is up to date,  and that your past jobs are listed in a way that is going to impress as many recruiters as possible. (That link has 5 great tips to help you).Also, before  recruiters call, be sure to think about things they will likely wish to discuss such as:Career  types and positions that interest youWhether  you are willing to relocate, and wherePotential  start datesSize  and culture of the company youd like to work forI encourage you to give this a try in your next job search. Make  sure your profile is up to date. Then turn your signal to “On” to attract recruiters. You  never know who might answer the call … and the doors it could open for you.Editors Update:  If  you have interviews coming up and don’t want to leave anything to chance, I’ve created a  new guide where you can copy  my exact  step-by-step method for getting job offers. You can  get more detail s here.About this guest author:I love to connect and network. Feel free to send me an invite on LinkedIn here.You can also find me at Great Resumes Fast, where I help busy job seekers create interviewing-winning resumes, shorten their job searches, and increase their earning potential.

What To Include In Your Resume

What To Include In Your ResumeWhen you are applying for a position in the IT field, it is important to have excellent writing and research skills. In order to be successful, you need to show the employer that you are the best candidate for the job. If you want to avoid failure, then you will need to put a lot of effort into your resume writing and research.This is where research and writing skills come in. When you know a lot about the company you are applying for, it will make it easier for you to find out all the information that is needed for your resume. It is also important that you keep your resume professional and coherent. Many times, employers will ask for resumes that are concise so they can read through it quickly.When you are looking for someone to hire as a writer, you need to make sure that you choose a company that specializes in resume writing and researching. You also need to make sure that they have experience in the field of IT and computer jobs. A good resume shou ld include some personal details as well as education information.A good way to provide information for your resume is to use technical terms that are used in the industry. A word processor can help you in this area. When you do not know what something means, you can just write it out with some specific language so that you can explain it.Make sure that you include different parts of your education. After you finish college, take the time to write about the credits you have received for your degree. Some companies will ask for examples of you doing projects that you have done before so they can see how you can contribute to the business.List your help and training programs. Any company that hires IT professionals should be aware of any training you have received. They may also request for references of people who have worked with you. Keep in mind that they are looking for a lot more than just a skilled person.When you know how to share your knowledge, you can include this in your r esume. In fact, it will help to show that you are willing to learn more if you give them a little bit of something that they have never seen before. In order to succeed in this part of the interview process, you will need to have good writing and research skills.Keep in mind that your resume will be in a document that the employer will be able to view. That means that you should also be able to type clearly and write in a professional manner. You will be able to show employers that you have the ability to write a great resume if you use these tips.

Need To Plan A Kick-Ass Event Youve Come To The Right Place

Need To Plan A Kick-Ass Event Youve Come To The Right Place There’s no doubting the effectiveness of a corporate event. Getting everyone and anyone of note in the same room with booze and music is a no-brainer. It allows you to socialize and mix and talk shop in a casual environment. Plus, the company gets to show off by organizing an event that is off the chain. There is no way the guests won’t be impressed and think of you the next time they want to place an order. The above is the end goal, yet there is plenty of planning which goes into a kick-ass occasion. Get the prep right and everything will go smoothly. Below are four things you’ll need. An App Asking guests to RSVP is one of the most stressful parts. Not only do people tend to ignore paper invites, but they are expensive. On the whole, it’s a massive waste of time, money and energy. If only there were a better way. Oh, there is an app. Eventbrite is a platform that allows invitees to reply via the application. All they need is an internet connection and a mobile device. From a cost point of view, the price is minimal, plus the easier it is to reply, the more likely it will happen. Make the event accessible to everyone. A Venue And any venue won’t do. The place reflects the business, the goals and aspirations of the night. As soon as guests walk in, they’ll judge the site and therefore the company too. The problem is that an upscale function room is very expensive and you might not have the money. Fear not because they are small hacks which can keep the costs down. For example, find a hotel with a lobby and an adjoining bar. Normally, the hotel will give you the space for free or at a discounted price because they’ll make money on drinks. Entertainment When guests are invited, they are instantly excited (hopefully). In their heads, they see a night of drinking and eating and having a fantastic time. What they don’t picture is a room full of boring, corporate types standing around chatting. So, give the masses what they want by organizing things to break up the night. Vampr allows you to collaborate with musicians so that there is background music throughout. In addition, there is nothing wrong with hiring speakers with something interesting to say. Finally, don’t forget games and prizes as they’ll refocus the crowd’s energy. Small Talk As the host, it’s essential to speak to everyone that comes through the door. But, how you talk to them makes the difference. Don’t concentrate on you or the business or the event. Instead, ask them about themselves. What do they do? How did they get into the industry? Do they have any hobbies? Although these questions have nothing to do with generating leads on the face of it, they make you memorable. And, that is the entire point of the event. What do you think is the key to an excellent business event?

33 Pinterest Tips to Boost Your Job Search - CareerEnlightenment.com