Saturday, March 14, 2020
Upcoming Changes to Interstate Driving Ages Open New Possibilities
Upcoming Changes to Interstate Driving Ages Open New PossibilitiesAccording to the American Trucking Association, the industry is currently facing a shortage of more than 30,000 drivers many eligible drivers have been unable to secure cross-country or interstate routes because of insurance regulations that prohibit drivers younger than 21 from crossing state lines. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1472832551951-0) ) Young drivers are eager to take more lucrative opportunities insurance companies are often leery of trusting younger drivers for safety concerns, but according to Ken, Vice President of Spirit of CLD training services, If theyre getting trained properly and youre helping them grow up and realize their responsibility and obligationI dont think age should matter. He has even trained his daughter, Cheyenne, 18, to follow in his trucking footstepsshes looking forward to the profil jobs this change in regulation could open up for her.A bill coming be fore the Illinois legislature would allow bordering states to partner with one another in individual or group compacts that would allow 18-year-old drivers to cross between participating states. Detractors say a bigger pool of younger drivers would take jobs from more established operatorsbut the ATAs deficit of drivers would seem to counter those concerns.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Complete These 3 Tasks Before Q2 to Succeed Professionally This Year
Complete These 3 Tasks Before Q2 to Succeed Professionally This Year Many professionals set work-related goals for themselves right around the New Year. But like most other New Years resolutions, these lofty plans frequently taper off by the time February rolls around.But weve still got another full month left in Q1, which provides plenty of time to make plans for this first phase of the year and to take active steps to put them in motion. If you need a starting point, try these moves to make sure you have a successful year in your career.1. Make sure that your goals for the year are clearly defined during Q1.A clear and workable game plan for the year is predicated on well-defined goals. If you know your desired endpoint, you can more effectively design a route leading you in that direction. During the first 3 months of 2019, allow yourself the time and opportunity to evaluate your work situation and to decide what changes you want to landsee over the course of the next 9 months. Wr ite down your goals, and even if they seem overwhelming or unrealistic, try to come up with 3-5 immediate steps you can take to better position yourself to achieve them.For example, if you want to helm a major project by the end of 2019, plan to ask your manager for details before Q1 ends, do some research on your own, and draft a proposal. Even if your manager doesnt start making concrete plans for the project until Q2, youll have your materials in order ahead of time and will be amply prepared to throw your hat into the ring when the time comes.2. Reflect on your mistakes from the previous year, and devise a plan for improvement.Its a natural impulse to shrug off embarrassing or disappointing performance snafus in all aspects of our lives, and work certainly isnt an exception. However, youre better off looking critically at your own 2018 missteps and considering how you can upgrade your work quality in 2019. If your babo brought up specific weak spots during your end-of-year revie w, use those to motivate your improvement plan. But be careful to avoid vague, Ill do this eventually self-assurances direct actions with a defined timeline will serve you better here.3. Open a clear path of communication between yourself and your boss.Speaking of end-of-year reviews these annual sit-downs with your boss should definitely not be the only chance for you to sit down with her and discuss your progress. Ideally, your boss would schedule regular check-in meetings with you. But if thats not her style, you can and should take the manahme to request conversations with her. Start the pattern in Q1 by asking your boss for a 15-minute chat to talk through her plans for you and your team during this first phase of the calendar year. This meeting can also provide an excellent opportunity to mention the projects youd like to take on, and to establish yourself as a goal-oriented employee eager to embrace more responsibility (and, therefore, a prime candidate for your bosss trust) .
Monday, January 6, 2020
How to Keep Candidates Engaged After Extending a Job Offer
How to Keep Candidates Engaged After Extending a Job OfferThe current length of the hiring process is frustrating for employers and hiring professionals alike. Due to low unemployment and scarce talent pools, its taking longer to fill vacancies. In fact, a 2018 survey by CareerBuilder revealed 23 percent of employers have landseen their time-to-hire increase by three or more weeks.When you finally find the perfect candidate, it takes a huge weight off your shoulders. Theres just one problem extending an offer doesnt mean the hiring process is over. The CareerBuilder survey showed that 51 percent of job seekers continue to look for a job after theyve received an offer.Its time to focus on an aspect of the candidate experience that is often ignored what happens after the job offer. By finding ways to continue to nurture your relationship with candidates, you increase your odds of their acceptance.Here are three ways to keep candidates engaged after offering them a jobCreate a post-offe r packageOnce a job offer is extended, its appropriate to give the candidate room to think. Slamming their inbox with have you decided? emails scares talent off. But theres totenstill an opportunity to offer valuable information about your company.Even the most effective hiring process cant delve into all the details of an organization and its team. And given the high-stress environment of job interviews and other screening steps, many candidates cant fully digest all the details. This is where a post-offer package comes into play.A few days after extending the offer, send the candidate resources like company culture videos or introductory video messages from leaders. The candidate can peruse the information whenever its convenient for them. Encourage them to reach out if new questions pop up. If you cant provide answers, pass along the contact information of someone who can. As a more complete picture of the organization forms in their mind, it increases the odds theyll make a hard stop on their job search, accepting your offer.Remind candidates about important aspects of your company by sending them a post-offer package. talentacquisitionClick To TweetIntroduce current employeesJob seekers are always looking for networking opportunities. While you wait for a candidate to decide, offer to arrange meetings with current employees. For candidates, this creates a chance to grow their professional network, no matter their final decision. For your team, it increases the odds the candidate will say yes. Meeting with current employees during the hiring process creates opportunities for relationships to form. Candidates can imagine what it would be like to interact with these team members and how their happiness will be impacted in the workplace daily. However, these meetings need to be casual and not forced. After extending an offer, make a short list of employees who have shared interests with the candidate. Focus on educational background, hobbies, job history, and personality. Ideally, both the employee and the candidate will enjoy the meeting and easily discuss both professional and personal topics.Approach employees on the list to see who has time to have a short meeting with the candidate. Once you have a volunteer, have the employee be the one to invite the candidate to meet. While you can ask the employee for feedback after the meeting, make it clear they are not spying on the candidate. This will ensure the atmosphere of the conversation is relaxed and natural.Provide constructive feedbackFor candidates, the hiring process is their chance to gauge how theyd be treated as an employee. In fact, the previously mentioned CareerBuilder report revealed 68 percent of job seekers believe candidate experience is a big indicator of the employee experience. Any way you show candidates they will be valued has a positive impact on their employment decision.Career development is one factor that is very important to candidates. They want to know the organization will support their continued learning. By providing constructive feedback during the hiring process, candidates see you care about their development, even if they dont end up with your company.Identify ways to give feedback after every step of the hiring process. For example, after the video interview, send an email that outlines what stood out about the candidate. Be specific. Show how their responses indicate theyll be successful in the role. Also, include suggestions on how candidates can better present themselves in the future. If there is a particularly impressive resume point they didnt talk about, explain why you wouldve liked to hear about it.68% of job seekers think their treatment in the hiring process reflects how theyd be treated as an employee (CareerBuilder).Click To TweetYour part in the hiring process isnt over just because youve made a job offer. Showing candidates you are still communicative and supportive through day one enriches the candidate experie nce.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
How to Start a Doggy Day Care Business
How to Start a Doggy Day Care BusinessHow to Start a Doggy Day Care BusinessThe popularity of doggy daycare geschftliches miteinanderes has skyrocketed. By following a few simple steps, you can successfully start your own doggy daycare. Canine Experience If you are interested in opening a doggy daycare business, you should be knowledgeable in the areas of animal behavior, canine CPR, and canine first aid. Prior study in an animal-related field or experience as a veterinary technician, pet sitter, dog walker, or animal shelter volunteer is desirable. If you do leid have prior experience, try to find an animal rescue group or vet clinic where you can volunteer. Business Considerations Before opening your doggy daycare, you must deal with various business and legal considerations. Consult your accountant regarding the advantages and disadvantages of forming your business as a sole proprietorship, limited liability company, or other entity. You also shouldbe in touch with your lo cal government with regard to any permits or zoning considerations for your intended business location. If you are opening a small daycare operation, you may be the sole employee, but most doggy daycares have a few full- or part-time employees. Be sure to hire people with experience or certifications in animal careers. They also shouldbecome certified in pet CPR and first aidas a part of their training. Additional items to consider include obtaining an insurance policy, drafting release forms to prevent legal repercussions if dogs are injured while at daycare, and establishing a contingency plan with a nearby veterinarian for potential emergencies. Fantastic Facilities The trend in todays doggy day care industry is toward cage-free facilities, where dogs are kept in groups for the majority of the day. Most daycaresseparate the dogs by size during play time. It also iscommon for puppies to be separated from adult dogs. Kennel areas should be available for feeding the dogs separat ely, or for a scheduled break time from the pack environment. The facility should offer play areas, rest areas, outdoor areas, and kennels for potential overnight boarding. Splash pools are becoming a common feature. Water needs to be freely available to the dogs so that they can stay hydrated while they play. Air conditioning is an expected feature. Many facilities are now wired for live streaming webcams so that owners can log in and check on their dogs throughout the day. This is a highly sought after feature and should be heavily promoted in your advertising materials if you are able to offer it. Above all, provide a clean and safe environment for the dogs and for the peopletaking care of them. Cost Effective Advertisement Create a personalized web page or take advantage of advertising opportunities with local newspapers, magazines, and websites. You also can apply large logo magnets to the sides of your vehicle, and leave flyers and business cards at pet supply shops, veter inary clinics, supermarkets, and office complexes. Advertising in large office complexes is a particularly good idea, as many potentially interested office workers- people who by nature are gone from their pets all day long- may landsee your information. Define Your Services A doggy daycare business generally opens for drop-off service at about 7 a.m. and remains open until about 7 p.m. for pickups, Monday through Friday. Some offer weekend daycare service as well, though weekend hours usually begin mid-morning and require a pickup in the late afternoon. A few daycares even offer a shuttle that will pick up or drop off a pet for an additional fee. Some doggy daycares offer overnight or weekend boarding services, or at least have an emergency option for boarding if an owner is unable to pick up a dog as scheduled. Some daycare facilities also offer bathing, grooming, or obedience training services, in addition to pet supplies or pet food for sale. Most daycares require your dogs to be fully up to date on vaccinations such as rabies, distemper, parvo, and bordetella. A copy of current vaccination records is kept in a dogs file. Also, most daycares do not accept adult dogs that have not been spayed or neutered. Price Your Services The best way to figure out a pricing structure is to call around town and see what the competition is charging for similar services. Generally, doggy daycares charge between $18 and $32 per dog, per day. The cost varies widely based on where in the country a daycare is located and the specific services offered. You also mayconsider offering different rates for daily and monthly membership plans. For families that board multiple dogs, consider offering a discounted rate for each additional pet. Full- and half-day pricing also shouldbe an option. Consider Interviews for New Clients When accepting a new dog to the group, it is advisable to make sure the dog is socialized and can interact positively with other dogs. Many facilit ies conduct an interview with pet and owner. During this time, the pet owner should complete a contact sheet that includes an address, phone number, email address, and emergency contact numbers. The sheet also shouldinclude dog breed, color, date of birth, health history (allergies, previous injuries), veterinarians name, and clinic contact information.
Friday, December 27, 2019
How traveling helps entrepreneurs get good ideas
How traveling helps entrepreneurs get good ideasHow traveling helps entrepreneurs get good ideasEntrepreneurs often cite travel as a key ingredient for success in an increasingly globalized tech world. And its true- all businesspeople can benefit from getting outside of their comfort zones.When I was a kid, my family lived in three different countries- Ghana, Gambia, and Botswana. I returned to Ghana for college before moving to the U.S. Growing up abroad forced me to frequently make new friends, adapt to unexpected power outages, and navigate unfamiliar cultures.While moving around a lot came with many challenges, there were even bigger benefits, both for my personal development and, later, for the development of my software company. Specifically, my early experiences prepared me to handle the constantly shifting tech world.You dont have to move to new countries to establish adaptability. Its more about going out of yur way to meet new people and welcome foreign experiences.Heres wh y all tech entrepreneurs can benefit from experiencing some momentary discomfort in order to open up their mindsWhen unforeseen business challenges arise, I roll with the punches.Company leaders face unexpected challenges nearly every day. Sometimes you lose a major customer you were counting on to meet your goals. If you dont have a Plan B or Plan C, youll be completely caught off guard, so its important that youre flexible and remain calm under pressure.In some countries Ive lived in, for example, you couldnt take for granted the fact that there would always be power or water. Often there was power rationing, or youd randomly lose water for several days. Youd just deal with it.Weathering the obstacles of daily living in various countries continues to aid me in running a successful tech company.A few years ago, for example, our software platform went down due to some issues with our hosting provider. Without warning, we suddenly had thousands of unhappy customers. Our customers did nt know the backstory with our hosting provider they just knew they couldnt access our service. Keeping my cool in this situation was crucial to making sure we didnt lose too many customers from this glitch.Growing up in unpredictable cultures better prepared me for this situation, and for the many ones like it that inevitably come with being a tech entrepreneur. In fact there is a military acronym (VUCA Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) that describes this sort of environment. In the business environment we live in today, leaders need to learn to operate in a world that is constantly in flux.Forging new friendships as a kid has helped me build relationships with a global team.Several times during my formative years, I was plucked from my life as I knew it and dropped into an entirely foreign environment. The first few days were always horrible because I didnt know anybody and felt completely isolated.But the anfangsbuchstabe difficulties were well worth it. I was for ced to adapt, make new friends, learn new social rules and- ultimately- come to welcome the novel.Later on, I applied the receptivity I cultivated growing up to building my companys team. When you look beyond your immediate surroundings, you might realize your perfect programmer lives in Alaska. Maybe 20 years ago, this wouldnt have been possible, but now with tools like Slack and Skype, you dont have to always be in the same place as your team. You can always organize retreats where you all get to know each other on a more personal level.When you try to source talent outside of your comfort zone, youll find skilled employees you never expected.Regardless of where you are, its important to remember that everyone is different. Remaining open and receptive to different types of people is key to building a stellar team.Travel inspires me to think outside of the box.Although Im no longer moving around, I still travel often. When I do, I like to experience new cultures the way local peop le do. If I go to Mexico, for example, I skip the sanitized tourist version. Rather than visit a chain restaurant or a beach filled with Californians on Spring Break, I go out of my way to experience the local food and the local culture.When you immerse yourself in different cultural experiences, opportunities for personal development abound. But travel can also help you grow as a business-person.For example, Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz got the idea for Red Bull when he traveled to Thailand and tried a similar local drink. He modified the ingredients slightly to suit Western tastes, and founded Red Bull in partnership with the Thai company, Krating Daeng. If Mateschitz had never gone to Thailand, the worlds leading energy drink would not exist. Because he opened himself up to different cultures, he reaped major rewards. Red Bull has the highest market share of any energy drink, and sells roughly 6 billion cans a year.But you dont necessarily have to leave your continen t to think outside the box. Even in your own city, you can see things in a new light simply by shaking up your routine. You can take a different street home from work, or try a new restaurant or cuisine. In doing so, youll probably learn something about yourself or other people you didnt know before.I was lucky in that my childhood experiences encouraged me to become open-minded from an early age. But even if youve lived in the same place your whole life, its possible- and important- to court the novel whenever possible. If you want to succeed as a business leader, its crucial to cultivate a broad outlook.Peter Swaniker is theFounder and CEO at XimbleThis article was originally published on Quora.com.
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Customize this Outstanding Office Space Planner Resume Sample
Customize this Outstanding Office Space Planner Resume SampleCustomize this Outstanding Office Space Planner Resume SampleWhen applying for a job opening, you need to focus on standing out from the crowd, because that is the only way employers will consider you for the position. Do not forget that you will almost always be applying for a position alongside many other candidates, so submitting a resume that is just like all the others will significantly hurt your chances. Instead, learn what employers are looking for and craft a document that will catch their attention immediately. We made this bro space planner resume sample to help you understand what it is that sets strong resumes apart from forgettable ones. To get started on the right foot, check out our resume builder as well.Create Resume Elizabeth Jones100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell (555) 987-1234example-emailexample.comProfessional SummaryTrained and educated Office Space Planner capable of meeting with clients and delivering designs based on their needs and wishes. Adept at using interior design software, creating 3D online and offline models of office spaces and updating those plans to include feedback from clients. Experienced in creating new office spaces and updating existing spaces.Core QualificationsAttention to DetailInterior Design SoftwareModel BuilderStrong CommunicatorLocal Building CodesCustomer ServiceExperienceOffice Space Planner, November 2012 December 2015Office Spaces, New Cityland, CACreated designs on budgets ranging from less than $5,000 to more than $100,000Built 3D models and computer representations to show clients how the finished spaces would lookTook detailed notes and the feedback given by clients to make changes to designsDeveloped designs that incorporated flooring, wall coverings, furniture and other design elementsManaged a database of vendors dedicated to providing construction and design supplies for projectsOffice Space Planner, May 2010 October 2012C alifornia Architecture Associates, Los Angeles, CAMet with clients in existing office spaces and offered suggestions before developing designs to update those officesVisited job sites in person to monitor construction and design workDeveloped designs using AutoCAD and similar software and made traditional modelsIncorporated elements from the beach and nearby attractions into local office spacesKept clients up to date on all stages of construction and other projectsEducation2010 University of California, New Cityland, CABachelor of Arts, Interior DesignCustomize ResumeWhy Is This a Good Office Space Planner Resume Sample?The best way to learn from this office space planner resume sample is to understand what it does most effectively. Pay close attention to the formatting, because it follows a specific voreingestellt that employers expect when they read resumes.First, look at the first two sections. The summary statement and the skills sections are both very brief and concise. It shou ld be your goal to keep them to a minimum length but make the information included be dense enough to communicate a lot in few words. It is important to remember that many hiring managers only skim resumes until one catches their attention. These opening sections are meant to hook the readers and quickly guide them into the work history section. If this introduction is too long, employers might lose interest and skip to the next applicant. Best practices recommend that your summary be three sentences or bullet points and the skills section, between five and eight bullet points.Next, pay close attention to the work history section. This is at the core of any resume, so you need to get the formatting just right. The first thing you will notice is that this section is much longer than the previous two. Employers are interested in your previous working experiences, so include the most and strongest information here. Begin with the most recent position you have held and list the rest in reverse chronological order. Current positions should also be in present tense, while all others should be in past tense. This office space planner resume sample also demonstrates that every bullet point in the experience section should begin with a strong action verb. The verbs you choose to include should reflect the daily responsibilities you had. The resume sample shows some especially strong verbs for office space planners, including developed, created, and managed.Why You Need a Strong Office Space Planner ResumeYou should not underestimate just how important your resume is to your job application. Many employers use this document exclusively when choosing candidates to bewerberinterview. Beyond that, it is also common practice for hiring managers to spend nearly no time at all reviewing each resume. In fact, one study suggests the average amount of time employers spending reading any one resume may be as low as six seconds. That means your resume needs to be polished as much as possible so it will stick out the moment they begin reviewing it. The office space planner resume sample is exactly this kind of resume.Costly Office Space Planner Resume Mistakes To AvoidThe biggest mistake you can make when writing your resume is making it vague, bland, or forgettable. Instead, it should be specific, unique, and eye-catching. Notice how specific the office space planner resume sample is. It mentions exact software used and goes into detail about particular daily responsibilities. Another strong technique you can use to make your resume more specific is including real metrics, such as how much you have improved efficiency by or how many offices you have worked with. This also adds credibility to your application and gives employers a better idea of the benefits they would enjoy if they chose to hire you.You should always take the time to proofread your resume, and skipping this vital step is a huge mistake. In fact, you would be best to read it over multiple tim es to be sure you have caught every typographical error and tightened up your writing wherever possible.ConclusionBy utilizing this excellent office space planner resume sample and following the advice in this writing guide closely, you can prepare yourself to create a resume that paints your professional qualities in the best light possible. Impress employers and land yourself an interview to find your next job as an office space planner.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
How Many Axes Does Your Robot Need
How Many Axes Does Your Robot Need How Many Axes Does Your Robot Need How Many Axes Does Your Robot Need?Industrial robot systems continue to transform the manufacturing landscape. They reduce labor costs and maximize quality, efficiency, and speed, driving down operational costs and getting products to market faster.Industrial robots have various axis configurations, depending on the task and the needed range of motion. The have also come down in size, which allows them to execute tasks in smaller-scale applications and reduces their footprint.An axis in robotic terminology represents a degree of freedom (DOF). For example, if a robot has three degrees of freedom, it can operate in the x, y, and z planes. However, it cannot tilt or turn. Increasing the number of axes allows the robot to access a greater amount of space by giving it mora degrees of freedom.As provided below by Greg Martin, field engineer with Bastian Solutions, a firm that specializes in automation and information sy stems, more axes means more functionality 1-axis robot Linear guide system for transferring parts in a single line of motion. 2-axis robot Typically in an XY or YZ configuration, these are often in the form of two adjoining linear guides. 3-axis robot Typically in an XYZ configuration, these tend to be in the form of two adjoining linear guides and a third axis guide or cylinder. 4-axis robot A more conventional arm that is typically used in palletizing applications in which the face plate is always parallel with the ground. Has the ability to rotate the object it is picking. 5-axis robot Similar to a conventional four-axis robot but adds the ability to rotate the object it is picking. 6-axis robot Offers the most flexibility with six axes all the way from the base axis for full robot rotation to the sixth axis for rotating the wrist or faceplate. 7-axis robot A six-axis robot which is distribution policyd on a rail or some means to move it from one place to another in a linea r direction.There are hundreds of software options that can typically be applied to a given robot and controller, adds Martin. Thus it is important to understand the robotic programming details and requirements prior to implementation.Advanced controls make the robots easier to use and program. In some cases, online tools allow operators and end users to quickly choose and configure robot features.Schematic of a six-axis robot. Image RobotWorxEverybody Wants Six-AxisMost industrial robots utilize six axes, which give them the ability to perform a wide variety ofindustrial tasks compared to robots with fewer axes. Six axes allow a robotto move in the x, y, and z planes, as well as position itself using roll, pitch, and yaw movements. This functionality is suitable for complex movements that simulate a human arm reaching under something to grab a part and place it on a conveyor, for example, says Richard Vaughn, senior automation engineer for Bosch Rexroth Corporation, a provider of d rive and control technologies. The plus-rechnenal range of movement allows six-axis robots to do more things, such as welding, palletizing, and machine tending. Programming their movements in 3D is complex, so software typically maps the motion to a set of world coordinates, in which the origin sits on the pedestals first joint axis.Other advantages to six-axis robots include mobility (easy to move and/or mount) and wide horizontal and vertical reach. They are especially being used in automotive and aerospace manufacturing, where they perform drilling, screw driving, painting, and adhesive bonding. Because they are coming down in price, it is now feasible for smaller manufacturers to invest in this technology.RobotWorx, a provider of robotics systems, indicates that six-axis robot technology continues to advance rapidly. Improved wrist action and flexibility, robot software and programming capabilities, and multiple mounting options are just some of the benefits six-axis robots have to offer, the company states on its website. There is also a large range of robot sizes, payloads, and speeds to choose from. Six-axis robots are also becoming easier to maintain, repair, or replace.Collaborative RobotsAdvances in intelligent control systems, safety systems, and computer power have made real time, human-robot collaboration a reality across a variety of manufacturing industries. Sensor technologies with shut-off systems can immediately deactivate collaborative robots if any variance is detected in their behavior, allowing humans to work safely beside them. Collaborative six-axis robots tend to be smaller and more lightweight and require no safety barriers, which reduces their footprint on the shop floor.Whirlpool Corporation is using collaborative robots on some of its assembly lines.Collaborative robots allow us to be much more flexible, says Eric Howe, senior engineer and automation lead for Whirlpool. They also are easier to program than traditional robots, which saves time. And, theyre relatively inexpensive when compared to other technologies. The addition of the robots allows our employees to focus on tasks that require greater cognitive skill.Mark Crawford is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionThere are hundreds of software options that can typically be applied to a given robot and controller. Thus it is important to understand the robotic programming details and requirements.Greg Martin, Bastian Solutions
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