How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Increase Employee Engagement Employee engagement is crucial to the success of your business; without engaged employees,  your business will have a tough time expanding. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, 85% of employees are actively disengaged in their workplaces. Disengaged employees are less effective at their work, and can contribute to a drop in company revenue over time. Here are some ways that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help keep your workforce engaged and working at their full potential. Robotic Process Automation Robotic Process Automation, or RPA, is a great tool to remove repetitive tasks from your employees every-day routine. RPA harnesses the power of Artificial Intelligence by using digital software robots, or “bots”, to automate existing business processes. The Artificial Intelligence aspect of the bots enables them to work with “unstructured data” without hitting snags or complications. RPA can be applied to almost every industry and can help you become more efficient and save money in the long run. RPA has the power to increase employee engagement in a number of ways, the first being an increase in their mood. An IBM study on “The Financial Impact of a Positive Employee Experience” shows that “organizations that score in the top 25 percent on employee experience report nearly three times the return on assets compared to organization in the bottom quartile.” Making sure that your employees are happy and engaged can prove helpful for your bottom line. Removing repetitive tasks can also lead to an increase in creativity for your employees as they are being tasked with more challenging and thought-provoking work. Additionally, removing the monotonous work with RPA can provide more opportunities for upward mobility for workers, as more jobs now requiring a higher level of skill and insight. Picture Courtesy: Zibtek While a business is more than the sum of its parts, the truth is that workflows can either give a business the edge or keep it from growing. Here is a resourceful guide from Quandary Consulting Group to process improvement that covers the subject in full. Read on: Process Improvement: Cut Waste and Improve Business Efficiency Professional Development & Predictive Behavior Artificial Intelligence shows great promise for being able to help in the personal development of current employees. Using AI, companies are able to create personalized training programs for employees, which can align the material with different employees’ learning patterns and behaviors. Using this, employers can then target the specific needs of employees, instead of having to create blanket training that can often be repetitive to many. If a training program is largely computer-based, then AI can actually serve as the instructor for the course, creating more time for other training. AI technology has proven useful in its predictive behavior aspect and can be used in businesses to gain detailed information on why employees leave the company, enabling them to take preventive measures in the future. Picture Courtesy: Docebo Artificial Intelligence helps human resources develop more personalized feedback on an employee’s work, and more personal responses to any issues they might be having. This helps employees feel more valued at a company and can increase their engagement. Employee training programs are crucial for keeping an employee engaged in their work. If an employee is confused about any part of their task, and feels unable to ask for assistance, they will be less engaged in their job. In addition, you can use AI to help train employees on newer aspects of the company to keep furthering their development and open up new opportunities for them. AI can help identify factors that push employees to leave a company, allowing employers to...

Common Hiring Mistakes to Avoid and Foster a Great Company Culture Mistakes made during the hiring process can cause several negative implications for a business. This is why you must get it right. After all, a single bad hire could have long-term effects on your business. Wendy Dessler, the author of this blog post  is a super-connector who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in HR, digital marketing, tech and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans. One of the first things you must understand is that recruitment is an investment in your business’s future. Not only do you need to find people who have the skills for the open position, but they also need to fit in with your company’s culture. HR payroll systems lets you find the right hires and avoid some of the most common mistakes. You can also keep reading to learn more about the mistakes that may occur and what you can do to prevent them. Posting Vague Job Descriptions If you post a job description that is too vague, you may mislead your candidates. When you do this, it’s as if you are inviting many people who don’t fit the brief to apply. You can avoid this situation by telling the whole truth in all parts of the job description. Be sure to create a detailed job description, a specific written policy, and the concise benefits you offer. When you are honest with job applications, you will begin to foster an environment of trust. Also, by posting the truth, you can avoid lawsuits for making promises that you can’t keep. Trying to Rush the Hiring Process You may feel pressure – especially from upper management – to fill a vacant position as quickly as possible. While this may be the case, it’s dangerous to make a decision too fast. You should avoid the temptation to do this. In some cases, a quick referral from existing employees could result in a good hire, but it may also limit the perspectives in the office. Remember, if you over-rely on inside referrals, it may result in stagnant growth. Avoid hiring the first person who comes along. Instead, remain patient. Sometimes it can take some time to get the right person for the job. Not Performing a Background Check When you believe you have found a perfect candidate for the open position that you need to fill quickly, you will be tempted to skip the background check. However, this is essential if you want to know how a person is going to perform in this position. Be sure to check references to see what past employers have to say. Also, confirm their education, work history, and certifications. Depending on the role, you may also need to conduct a credit check or a criminal background check. By doing this, it also assures you that your valuable company resources, such as credit relationships and finances are being put in good and safe hands. Neglecting Your Company Culture While it is necessary to find someone with the proper skills and aptitude, their resume doesn’t tell it all. You also need to find someone who is suitable for the company and figure out if they will fit in with your company culture. The best way to determine this is by sharing various parts of your company culture, which will help an applicant make the right decision regarding if they are a good fit. The way an employee interacts with clients, customers, and colleagues will impact how the company is run. If you want to ensure you find...

Tips to increase your learning efficiency This article is well crafted by Anish Passi, Director at Neostencil, an Ed-Tech startup. Neostencil is an online and unique platform for UPSC Test Preparations where you can access live classrooms from the comfort of your home. NeoStencil offers you expert guidance for Civil Services exams, from doyens in this field, top teachers from popular IAS coaching institutes in Delhi, who have had years of experience in successfully mentoring the candidates to develop a holistic approach to their preparation for the exams. Learning is a continuous process, and one should always be keen to explore and learn more, anytime and anywhere. There is no better investment you can make towards improving yourself than acquiring more knowledge. When you are eager to learn, it will automatically improve your learning efficiency. Many times we have to improve our focus to learn something specific. For example, if an individual is preparing for UPSC examination, then you have to learn or prepare in a structured manner. Your UPSC exam training is time-bound for one. So, no matter what your general approach to learning is, at this particular time, you will need to put in a directed effort to improve your chance of qualifying as an IAS officer. Monitor your routine Now that you are preparing for an exam, your focus and energy must be diverted to achieve more in the given time frame. But, that should not be a cause for worry. You can keep stress at bay if you focus on learning fast and quicker than usual. By that we mean, you should attune your mind to find the value-add at every stage of your preparation. If you start looking for something new or in addition to what you know, you will look for resources, people and interaction with a purpose. You know what you are looking for and this way, you can achieve more than you hoped for. Open your mind You can only learn more if you have an open mind to invite suggestions and guidance. If you think you can do it all on own and don’t need assistance from people around you, then, you are at the risk of enclosing yourself in a closed box. Don’t make learning claustrophobic. It is good to read books, gain insight, but it is equally important to put that knowledge in a practical and constructive framework. It can only happen if you share knowledge and invite feedback, discussions, debates and even healthy arguments. It will make you more confident, and it will help you learn from a fresh perspective as well. Start using online chats, discussion forums, etc. Discover a new learning platform every day. Be self-dependent Since it is you and only you who knows what exactly you need to learn, it is therefore vital for you to be a self-dependent person. Take the initiative to be a part of learning forums like virtual ‘live’ classrooms and do it with the intention of contributing and participating in the discussion. It is essential to be visible in the discussion, reflecting exuberance and confidence. Also, always be inquisitive and interested to find out more, whatever be your source. You can learn by listening to others, and at times, you can learn better by debating on the same topic with others. It is as simple as that. Read and Read more Reading can help you gain a competitive edge. If you have an insight on the topic, then only can you discuss or share your knowledge with others. Reading enables you to understand every subject in detail and takes you in-depth, posing new questions, points and a unique perspective on...

“A goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot.” “A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.” “If a goal is worth having, it’s worth blocking out the time in your day-to-day life necessary to achieve it.” “Set a goal that makes you want to jump out of bed every morning.” “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” “Goals are like an address we punch into our navigation system that tells us which direction to go.” “Seeing your goal written in ink, on paper will have a powerful effect on your mind.” “Decide what you want. Decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your goals and go to work.”  Share one GREAT goal you’re looking to achieve this year with the rest of the community in the comment section below! Take print-outs using the print friendly icon in the share buttons. The Five Golden Rules Set Goals that Motivate You Set SMART Goals Set Goals in Writing Make an Action Plan Stick With...

What is a conflict? An organization is a network consisting of human element as the major functional source and as such is prone to weaker vulnerable aspects of human psychology. Conflict is, of course, one such weak point. The diverse functional groups in the organization get into conflicts while setting up objectives and goals; in prioritizing and weighing the objectives, the methods of their achievement and their evaluation. Though there are numerous kinds of conflicts, this is the major one affecting the functioning of the firm. Organizational conflict, or workplace conflict, is a state of discord caused by the actual or perceived opposition of needs, values and interests between people working together. Conflict takes many forms in organizations. Certain examples of conflicts: The objective of a project manager to construct a building might go against the objective of minimizing the project cost. For work force, their personal goals come before the organizational goals. The objective of the production department to increase productivity may go against the objective of maintaining the product quality. The objectives of the marketing department to increase the sales through promotions may not be welcome by the finance department whose objective will be to cut the cost. Reasons for conflicts: Lack of clarity as to the scope and relevance of functions in achieving the corporate objectives. Clash between line and staff authorities. Ignorance or lack of knowledge needed for decision making in the part of chief executives Different sets of beliefs and views, along with one’s personal interest and ego. Different kinds of attitudes of members of the organization Absence of clarity in organizational policy, procedures, rules and guidelines. The Results of Conflict: The most affected element in a group conflict is “Employee Morale.” Conflicts undermine professionalism and lead to under utilization of organizational capacity. Loss of Importance: A particular group of employees feel that their importance is being undermined. When a manager is being inducted from an outside source, the prospective employees of the firm feel that they have been let down by the management. Frustration: There are certain rules and regulations to be stuck to when issues arise. If the finance department is not consulted regarding issues related to insurance claims, there are chances that the company might lose a good deal. In such cases frustration arises which is not good for the health of the firm. Feeling of Insecurity: This affects severely the morale of an employee. A clerical staff feels insecure if new technological system is introduced in the company where he is a novice. When one’s importance is persistently reduced, he may start feeling redundant. Blocked Personal Growth: Persons who experience reduced importance may apprehend a situation where they don’t expect much by way of personal growth through increments and promotion. Functional Conflicts: Functional conflicts support the goals of a group, improve its performance and are constructive in nature. Dysfunctional conflicts hinder the performance of a group and are destructive in nature. It has not been precisely defined, as to what criterion demarcates functional from the dysfunctional. It is only the group’s performance and the delivered result or outcome that determines the nature of the conflict. Conflicts, irrespective of their type can bring these benefits to the firm: Bring hidden issues to the surface. Encourage creativity and innovation. Improves communication and make changes more acceptable. Increases group cohesion. Conflict Management – Conflict is a Part of  Organizational Life Managers need to be alert to the presence of conflicts. Their focus should be oriented towards the goals to be accomplished. If there is a conflict, they should aim to resolve it smoothly by not over-reacting to the situation. They should take the help of persons who can best settle the issue, be ready to bargain and not issue orders. Their concentration should be on the problem and not on persons. True to the saying – Am I not destroying my enemies when I...