What a CEO learned about time management working a summer job | A list of the best and worst states to work | 5 tips on how to use blogs as part of a marketing strategy
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What a CEO learned about time management working a summer job Allen Lau, CEO of Toronto-based online story-sharing and publishing platform Wattpad, says he learned how important it is to avoid wasting time while working on a summer job in 1989, writes Jeanie Tran. Lau, 50, says the job building a payment prototype for Toronto's Public Transit Authority taught him the value of time and the importance of making tough deadlines. BNN Bloomberg (Canada) (8/30)A list of the best and worst states to work The District of Columbia, California and Washington topped a list compiled by anti-poverty group Oxfam America group of the best and worst states (or locales) to work, writes Alexia Fernandez Campbell. Virginia, Mississippi and Alabama were at the bottom. Vox (8/30)
Making the Connection
5 tips on how to use blogs as part of a marketing strategy Developing a comprehensive blogging strategy that clearly defines goals, analyzes the competition and creates a content calendar are among five tips for using blogs as part of a successful marketing plan, writes Melonie Dodaro. A recent marketing report shows 82% of companies say blogs are critical to their businesses. Social Media Today (8/30)
Hire Smart
"Worker deserts" a downside of the low unemployment rate States such as Iowa, Florida and New Hampshire are having trouble finding workers due to the low unemployment rate, which is hampering business growth, writes Courtenay Brown. The labor shortage has forced companies to look for new ways to attract employees into what have become "worker deserts" in several states. Axios (8/30)
Poll
Poll question: Did you end up working on Labor Day? Labor Day was recognized as a federal holiday all the way back in 1894 and has come to symbolize the end of summer with a three-day holiday. But did you work, even by checking your work email, yesterday? I know I did. Poll results on Friday.
The pros and cons of predictive scheduling laws Predictive scheduling laws, which can help employees plan their lives away from their jobs by mandating predictable work hours, can also put pressure on businesses that must find ways to stay in compliance, write Ari Hersher and Parnian Vafaeenia. As the laws become tougher, it can become hard to find resources to keep up with state requirements. Workforce online (8/30)
Your Next Challenge
3 ways you can become an effective mentor Mentors need to think of their mentees' mindset, help them develop technical skills and advocate for them when opportunities arise, said Tamay Shannon, a consultant at WS2 Marketing. But if you don't have time to commit to being a mentor, there are other ways to help, such as donating to a cause or conference, she said. TechRepublic (8/30)
There are several scientific reasons why your surroundings could be causing you anxiety, including the color of your walls or layout of your furniture, writes Megan Buerger. Try muted wall colors, fewer rectangular pieces of furniture and more natural light and use your outdoor space, especially in the morning to regulate serotonin. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (8/28)
The Water Cooler
Teen goes blind from being a picky eater Doctors believe a 17-year-old British boy has gone blind due to avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder, which resulted in him only choosing to eat french fries, potato chips, white bread and occasional slices of ham. The boy developed nutritional optic neuropathy, which caused nerve fibers in the optic nerve to die. BBC (9/2)
It's all right letting yourself go, as long as you can get yourself back.
