Recently in Employee Relations Category

An initiative we are running this summer at Braathe Enterprises is to help 100 Business Launch in 100 Business Days.

What will make this initiative successful is the human capital involved. With a recruiting effort internationally to find college interns passionate about business and startups, we've been able to leverage over 50 college interns to join us to gain real world experience. In concert with our mentors and professionals who are interested in being part of this effort, we look to make a huge impact on the world through some innovative planning and execution.

Projects aren't daunting if you get the right people on board. Get the people, then create the projects!

Nicknames are often used to create or show a sense of comfort in the presence of another. When you give someone a nickname (or use the name they prefer), it creates a feeling of camaraderie and a greater sense of belonging.

It's important, however, to ask the person what they prefer to be called rather than just assigning a nickname to them.

I always am amazed when people just assume that they can call me Bob or Rob when they meet me. When I lived in Boston, I was given the name Bert Sterling because I didn't want to be called Rob and I had an overly excited reaction to the Yankees getting Sterling Hitchcock in a trade.

To this day, people closest to me call me Bert or Robbie or Bobby. But don't even think about calling me Rob or Bob!

I have been writing for Albany.com since 2008, and recently found out that there are over 35,000 page views of Robert Braathe's HR and Career Guide each month. It astounded me to discover today that we have managed to draw that many people to my three times a week posts about careers, jobs, and human resources.

To attract this many visitors, I'd attribute it to some of the following best practices:

1. Regular content - posting three times a week, 200 words or less with a back link, photo or video that engages the audience.

2. Catchy headlines. Google "How Urinal Walls Predict The Future of Your Business" or "NFL Injury Report - Peyton Manning Chafing" and see what comes up. A catchy, timely headline will attract an audience.

3. Real language, real results. I try to share relevant content and best practices, and often will engage others to write guest blogs for me to share a different voice.

4. Topics that people are concerned about. Finding jobs, improving your resume, getting trained all have been hot topics. The more you post about things people need and want, the more visitors you will get.

I love to blog, and I think any HR professional would be wise to spend more time blogging about what they know and sharing some of the things they have experienced, and spin in some intentional (or unintentional) humor from time to time.

Blogging has enabled me to make new relationships in the Capital Region and beyond, meet new clients, and create more general awareness of what I do and who I am.

For more information (and to see some other blogs I have written) visit http://www.braatheenterprises.com/

I used to play a game with my dog Zoey where I'd ask her if she'd like a slap in the face or a punch in the mouth. She wouldn't answer (obviously because dogs don't talk), so I'd proceed to pretend to slap her in the face and punch her in the mouth and then give her a treat.

As goofy as it sounds, Zoey always knew when I'd start this insane dialogue, that a treat was on its way. It was our little way of communicating with each other that she got used to and enjoyed.

What goofy dialogue can you have in the workplace to keep in entertaining without crossing the line? You should always try to find ways to develop some catchphrases or unique ways of dealing with each of your employees.

There comes points in our lives when many of us realize that the best job we can have is to work for ourselves. While this doesn't mean you have to give up the job search, having your own business allows you the flexibility to work for others but on your terms.

Join us at the Business Lab in Latham on Monday Tuesday or Wednesday from 3-7pm at the Manfred Learning Center at 920 Albany Shaker Road.

http://businesslab.eventbrite.com

We feel spending 30-45 minutes with us discussing your business and ideas could lead to the next big idea for you. Look forward to seeing you!

The adjunct professor plays a critical role at many universities. Business professionals with a variety of expertise are brought in to teach subjects that require subject matter expertise or to fill roles that cannot be filled by existing faculty.

Many businesses would do well to consider the "adjunct" role for management or key leadership or training roles in their organization.

While most companies may provide incentive for their existing workforce by providing short-term opportunities to advance in critical roles such as on a training team or for holiday management roles, having seasoned professionals that companies can turn to on a less than regular schedule can be extremely beneficial.

Without the need for paying benefits or the need for retraining, companies who lose valuable full-time staff members to new positions can have a trusted resource to turn to during staffing downturns or business upturns.

The next time you have an employee who leaves, give some consideration to keeping them on as an "adjunct".

When I was in college, I worked as an "adjunct" at a couple hotels and a gas station on weekends. Although I wasn't a regular member of the payroll, I'd call up a couple days before the schedule would be posted to see if they had any needs for the week, and depending on the weekend, I'd work either at a hotel or the gas station. It gave the businesses some needed bench strength and it gave me the flexibility to concentrate on my studies.

Now that I am full-time in my business, it would be a delight to return from time to time to some of my former places of work as an adjunct.
Wouldn't you like that opportunity as well?

by Jonathan Nguyen, Braathe Enterprises Virtual Intern

I know it's a little rough. You have stomach pains. You have cramps. It might come up in a conversation with a coworker if it's really bothering you.

People who are ailing from things like a terminal illness, broken body parts, and any other condition under the medical rainbow don't always work their illnesses into everyday conversation. Many of them approach life from a hermeneutic of wellness. Instead of taking every opportunity to outline a litany of medical tests and prescription drugs, they cherish the opportunity to go to the office, take stupid meetings, and talk about celebrity gossip.

So here's what I learned: health issues shouldn't be minimized, but it's important to realize that it's the least interesting among us who hijack a conversation and talk about health.

I'm no downer and neither are you. Let's take some medicine and get on with the business of life.

How you are with deciding is one of the true tests of how successful you are and how successful you can be. If you can't give someone a yes or no decision, you are wasting opportunities to be open to new opportunities.

The next time someone asks you to do something, be part of something or be somewhere, respond with a decision or an alternative.

Two of my new favorite people live the same busy lives that I do, but they always respond with a decision and or an alternative. One I've been trying to meet up with for a few weeks, but we always get back to each other with alternative days to meet up to keep the communication open.

Be decisive!

Inside of each of us is a beautiful soul with tremendous gifts to offer to the world. You don't need anyone to tell you how great you are; you need to have some "inner conceit". Let others see your gifts by being a confident, classy person in all your interactions.

Have you seen the truly beautiful people you work with? These people walk around with grace, poise and confidence in every interaction.

Know that you are beautiful!