Seven steps to eliminate paper from your workplace
Eight years ago we went 100% wireless and paperless. I have never looked back. I made the decision after reading a success guide from the Google CEO. I was becoming increasingly irritated with the state or our office and all the clutter that was amassing – most of which was paper-based. Not to mention the waste, cost and environmental conscious. I also found that some members of my team got into the habit of printing everything. Print, photocopy and file. Repeat. Because a printed email is clearly very useful to nobody ever. I also noticed that if you give people paper they will find a reason to use it. They will print something onto it, photocopy something onto it or write onto it. These ‘uses’ all come with hidden costs to the bottom line, the planet and the office aesthetic. Remove the paper and you remove the root cause.
Twenty top tips for a lower-stress PR career.
The media is ‘always on’ and social media is an intrinsic 24/7 part of our lives. As such, PR professionals often have to go the extra mile to maintain momentum and win. PR is no longer a nine-to-five occupation - it is a lifestyle career choice. By default, we work in a profession that is run by deadlines, long to-do lists and high expectations. Not to mention the energy, drive and emotional input needed to achieve cut through. This means that at times it can be stressful because client demands are high and the flow of media opportunities never ceases.
What to wear to work?
What you wear to work speaks volumes. One of my standard interview questions is “How did you decide what to wear today?” This isn’t a question about fashion, taste or style - it’s about confidence, forward thinking, analysis and mindset. Many people have a ‘go-to’ look for business and don’t actually think about what they wear. Other than what’s clean and ironed. The weather may play a small part in that decision too. Attire is a very clever way to present oneself in different workplace situations. To me, as an employer, it conveys many personality traits and can give an insight into attitude.
Successfully on-boarding new team players.
Fail to plan, plan to fail. This is a mantra we often hear at We Are MANDATE. Inducting new starters is crucial to making sure they have the best possible chance of success. Preparing onboarding materials for new employees can be time-consuming and seem like another dull admin job which often ends up at the bottom of your to-do. A positive onboarding experience helps settle new people in and avoids issues in the future. Investing time to thoroughly induct your new employee makes for happier and more successful teammates. Over the years I have tried numerous formats and ways of doing inductions - these are just some tips I have picked up along the way.