AUTHOR

Samantha Pena

LATEST STORIES

How to build relationships with customers

Communicate with your customers often, preferably in person. Even sending a monthly email can remind people about the deals your company offers and how it’s superior to similar companies. No matter how charming, persuasive, or enthusiastic you are, customers will forget about you after a one-time meeting. After you meet with a new customer, send […]
How to deal with difficult coworkers

Unfortunately, difficult people are in every workplace, and they come in many varieties. The person at the desk next to you could be so talkative that it’s hard for you to get your work done, or you could smell a coworker with poor hygiene from across the office. Instead of telling a person he or […]
How to make a good first impression

First impressions can determine if you land a job, whether you will get a second date, the odds of making new friends, or getting picked for a team. If you don’t give off a good first impression, then you could constantly struggle to get ahead and move your life forward. However, there is good news […]
How to recover from a bad meeting

Middle managers spend an average of 35 percent of their day in meetings, while upper management spends more than 50 percent of their day on calls, in meetings, and talking in groups. Are you able to give up a third or half of your day to wasted time and bad meetings? If you’re attending bad […]
How to ask the right questions in a meeting

IN THIS STORYClarify the purpose of the meetingQuestion the questionsBroaden your groupDraw in quiet participantsLook to sustainability and scalabilityLook for faultsIdentify the next step Meetings are a major part of most businesses. According to Verizon Business, Americans attend an average of 61 meetings every month. Only about half of in-person meetings take place on-site. Others […]
How to host a web conference

Web conferencing is a powerful tool in today’s high-tech workplace. With the right online collaboration tools, you can bring employees together from around the country or around the globe with just a few clicks of your mouse. You no longer need an expensive brick-and-mortar office to house your startup. You can work from home or […]
How to think differently from other startups

These days, so many people have great ideas for startups that having a fantastic idea isn’t enough anymore. Startups often try to take the same path to success that forebears have followed. Instead of trying to emulate someone else’s success, focus on how to think differently. Set yourself apart by crafting a business model that […]
What is a startup incubator?

If you own a small business, a new startup, or a company that needs a boost, consider looking into the variety of startup incubator options out there. A business incubator is a program designed to bring a collaborative atmosphere to small businesses. An incubator helps small businesses figure out the right answers to common startup […]
How to increase focus at work

Improving your focus at work is essential to meeting deadlines and completing tasks correctly. Unfortunately, with the invention of mobile technology and on-demand information, our attention spans are dwindling. According to a 2015 Microsoft study, the average human has an eight-second attention span. This number has decreased due to our increasing reliance on digital technology, […]
How to delegate work on your team

Business owners and managers might find it difficult to let go of tasks that other team members can handle on their own, especially if those tasks fall outside an employee’s typical set of responsibilities. However, delegating work allows you to make the most of your team and force employees out of their comfort zones. By […]
What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence, also called EI or EQ, is a set of skills that includes empathy, social competence, and the ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions. The psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer coined the term in 1990, which became popular in 1995 when Daniel Goleman published his best-selling book, Emotional Intelligence: Why it […]
Surviving your first annual performance review

Your first annual performance review with a new boss, in a new job, can be nerve-racking. If you’ve never had one at all, that’s even scarier. But you don’t have to feel afraid when your performance review is around the corner. Performance reviews are chances for managers to let their employees know how they’ve been […]
How and when to say no at work

Many people are in the habit of always saying yes to new tasks and responsibilities at work. Agreeability seems like a highly sought-after trait, but there are times when it can actually put you at a disadvantage. Sometimes saying yes is the right decision, but sometimes you do need to say no. The way you […]
You were passed over for a promotion. Now what?

You’ve been working at an amazing startup or established company for a few years now. You’ve gotten along great with your colleagues, you’ve impressed your employer, you’ve put in tons of extra hours, and you’ve stayed late in the evenings. Yet when the next promotion became available, you didn’t luck out. Why? It’s hard to […]
Why you should write a welcome letter to a new employee

When bringing new employees into your company, it’s important to focus on integration and to help them feel welcomed. Composing a welcome letter to new employees is an important first step to helping them feel at home. Here’s why a welcome letter can help make a difference in the experience of an incoming employee. They […]
TED Talks presentation skills you can use

Are you looking to make a great impression in an interview, in a talk, or during a meeting? Even if you are a confident and grounded person, it can be difficult to convey your intention when you are put on the spot. Thankfully, TED Talks presentations offer a great deal of insight, with tips we […]
Best practices for employee payroll management

No business owner likes to run payroll; it’s one of the least fun jobs that a business owner might do throughout the week. A payroll management system helps employers more easily pay their employees. Simplifying this process makes running payroll less time-consuming and less stressful for business owners. Let’s look at some tips and tricks […]
Benefits of a dog friendly office

Workplace benefits have changed over the years, and each generation has a new set of ideas of what they should receive. Paid vacation and a bonus may have been one of the best benefits packages for your parents, while your thoughts may stand in sharp contrast. One of the most popular perks that are popping […]