In a fast-growing business it can be difficult to maintain a positive company culture, if you're missing these three fundamental steps, writes Raj Jana, founder of JavaPresse Coffee Company. Hold company-wide meetings, stay involved in the hiring process and ensure you maintain strict standards for every new employee, recommends Jana. Inc. online (1/16)
Hire Smart
Make sure your diversity efforts focus on inclusion Hiring a diverse team that includes women, racial minorities, members of the LGBT community and people with disabilities is only the first step toward building a healthy, inclusive workplace culture, writes Sonia Thompson. Create a workspace where everyone feels comfortable by getting to know your staff and helping them connect with the rest of the team, Thompson advises. Inc. online (1/16)
Poll
Poll question: Do you use a productivity app? Whether you need a project management app such as Basecamp or one like Habitica to track how much time you spend on a task, it seems like you could spend all your day tracking how you spend your day. See which one might work for you. New poll question on Monday.
Glassdoor has released its annual ranking of the top 50 jobs in America based on salary, number of opening and satisfaction ratings. Front end engineer, Java developer and data scientist took the top three spots on the list. Fast Company online (1/16) Trends are shifting to benefit freelancers Open business models are booming right now, bringing more choices and fluidity to businesses and workers through on-demand freelancing, writes John Winsor. New trends in the workforce allow freelancer to be in control of their work with platforms such as Upwork, Topcoder and more that improve their experiences and can even provide benefits, he adds. Forbes (1/16)Employers reconsider need for a college degree Employers are starting to ease the requirement for a bachelor's, or other advanced degree, for certain jobs in this low-unemployment environment. "We're definitely seeing employers back up from some of the credentials that they would require in the past and looking at workers in a different way," says Meg Shope Koppel of Philadelphia Works. The Business Journals (tiered subscription model)/Philadelphia (1/14)
Your Next Challenge
Don't give up your new habits According to US News & World Report, about 80% of the bad habits people give up as a New Year's resolution will come back in February. To be one of the 20% who makes it, focus on perseverance and planning to break those habits, and don't let lapses discourage you, advise University of York associate professor Ian Hamilton and King's College London researcher Sally Marlow. The Conversation (1/3)
The Water Cooler
"Smart" contact lenses are on the way Tech startup Mojo Vision is developing contact lenses that feature a display screen that can be used by the vision impaired. The team brought a prototype to CES 2020, which the company still needs to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The Verge (1/16)
Editor's Note
SmartBrief will not publish Monday In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the US, SmartBrief will not publish Monday. Publication will resume Tuesday.
You know there are moments such as these when time stands still and all you do is hold your breath and hope it will wait for you.
