How to Prepare the Workforce of the Future

How to Prepare the Workforce of the FutureHow to Prepare the Workforce of the FutureThe rapid pace of technological change has businesses scrambling to keep up. But staying on top of digital innovation isnt just a matter of migrating to the cloud, handing over routine tasks to robotic process automation (RPA), or experimenting with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Its also about helping todays employees evolve into tomorrows workers. And a key question on many employers minds today is, What do we need to do to build ur workforce of the future?Robert Halfs new report, Jobs and AI Anxiety, explores the impact of digital change on jobs, including the transformative aspects of AI, immersive technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), cloud computing and more. The technology and business experts interviewed for our report also shared their insights on how companies and their workers can step up to embrace change and succeed in the workplace o f the future.Across the board, these experts emphasized the importance of businesses and employees taking a we-are-all-in-this-together approach to digital transformation. In short, youll need the partnership of your employees and their buy-in to build your companys workforce of the future. With that in mind, here are five strategies you can use to help make the transitions ahead a positive experience for you, your company and your gruppe members1. Communicate (or even over-communicate) about changeWhen it comes to digital disruption, which is now a constant state in most organizations, ongoing communication is vital. When a company is in a period of transition, uncertainty can easily breed rumors, resentment and stress among workers. Thats partly because change can make employees feel insecure about their jobs.Business leaders should instill the idea that digital disruption can be a positive force rather than something to fear, says Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Rober t Half. For example, when adopting a new system or application, explain how that technology will allow team members to work more efficiently.Underscoring how new technologies, like RPA and AI, can free up time to focus on more challenging, interesting and impactful projects will help workers embrace change. Also, sharing accurate and pertinent information with employees about digital disruption helps to promote a healthy dialogue that can keep everyone focused on the facts, McDonald says.2. Give workers the opportunity to evolve their skillsA big part of preparing the workforce of the future is retraining and reskilling your employees. This investment makes good business sense Providing team members with access to new technologies and the associated training to use them in their jobs can give companies a recruiting, retention and performance boost.Dan Schawbel, research director at Future Workplace, who was interviewed for the Jobs and AI Anxiety report, says, Investing in your work ers is smart. Retraining employees not only can help save the business money in the long run but also helps them advance in their career.Retraining and reskilling is a two-way street, though Companies can provide support, but employees also have to be willing to adapt. Our research for the Jobs and AI Anxiety report finds that managers in the United States binnensee evolving workers tech skills as a collaborative process. Their top response to the survey question, Whose responsibility is it to help employees gain the skills needed to work with new technologies? was Primarily the companys, but with some help from the employee.The survey of 1,200 U.S. managers also suggests that many companies recognize the importance of investing in their current employees as a way to build their workforce of the future. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of managers surveyed said they intend to train their current staff to ensure they have the requisite skills to take advantage of new technologies.START HIRING NOW3. Let go of yesterdays approaches to learningDeveloping your workers so they can stay relevant in the workforce of the future will require you to rethink how you train and develop them. That once-a-year seminar or online training course probably wont be enough. In an interview for the Jobs and AI Anxiety report, Colin Mooney, chief digital officer at Robert Half, said, Leaders need to look regularly at their professional development programs, and not rely on whats worked in the past.Continuous learning - encouraging employees to keep growing their knowledge and skills and providing them with the support and resources to do so - is a more effective strategy in a rapidly changing technology and business environment. So, too, are mobile learning programs and tools, which allow employees, including remote workers, to expand their skills from anywhere.The career discussions you have with your employees also need to occur more often if you want your workers to prepare adequately fo r coming changes. Thats the advice of Dr. Tracey Wilen, a researcher and speaker on the impact of technology on society, work and careers, who was interviewed for Robert Halfs Jobs and AI Anxiety report. She recommends that employers provide their teams with targeted and meaningful professional development and training opportunities.Listen to what your workers want and need, Wilen says. Also, let them know its okay for them to look for new job opportunities within your organization when they feel its time to make a change.Another tip from Wilen Create, and keep evolving, a basic techno-literacy plan for all of your workers. Components of that plan might include cybersecurity best practices, understanding how to share confidential information electronically, and how to get the most from the companys collaboration tools. Technology is a language, and anyone can learn it, she says.4. Dont dismiss rechtevergabe as a tool for preparing workersWhen your organization is undergoing disrupti ve digital change, you may not feel comfortable delegating tasks to your team members. But if you dont, youll rob them of valuable opportunities to grow professionally. That also means theyll miss out on gaining knowledge and skills that will help them succeed in the workforce of the future. (Plus, not delegating can shorten the path to burnout for you.)Delegating work is one option for helping your team build skills, Wilen explains. Sharing insight into how the business makes decisions, such as how it budgets for new technology investments, can be valuable.Encourage your workers to take ownership of their assignments and dont micromanage. Let them know you welcome their ideas for improvement or suggestions for taking a different approach than you might have considered. Keep the door open for them to ask questions or share their thoughts or concerns about how they see digital projects changing the work environment.McDonald says to make delegation effective, managers should also offe r recognition and praise to the individual doing the work, along with any constructive criticism, if needed. He adds, Dont forget to ask how you could make the process better and help them be more successful.5. Watch for tech-related stress in your teamDigital change can be exciting, but it puts a lot of pressure on companies and their employees. That is reflected in our research for the Jobs and AI Anxiety report Nearly half (47%) of the U.S. managers who said that their companys increased reliance on technology has had a negative impact on employees pointed to added stress as the top side effect.So, pay close attention to workers who are feeling stressed out by technological advancements and the changes being introduced. Be sure to emphasize the positive aspects of digital disruption For example, underscore how automation can reduce the amount of mundane work employees need to perform, or how technologies like VR and AI can help them interact with their colleagues and solve busine ss problems in entirely new ways.Still, positives aside, too much digital change too quickly can be hard for some employees to digest. As a result, their morale, job satisfaction and productivity can suffer. And if enough employees start feeling that way, it can be a drag on the companys organizational culture.McDonald explains why The tech-induced stress level in a companys work environment can have a direct impact on the quality of employees workplace relationships. High levels of stress, and persistent stress, can hurt retention efforts and even the companys ability to recruit talent. So, if an employer manages digital disruption poorly and allows it to erode its employees job satisfaction, you can be sure that word will get around.6. Let your team know they have what it takesFor some of your team members, preparing to be a productive member of the workforce of the future may be a formidable prospect - especially if they are generally uncomfortable with change. But you can help by reminding them not to underestimate their ability to adapt.Mooney says he believes anyone is capable of building new skill sets and gaining an understanding of emerging technologies to compete in the workforce of the future. Its really a level playing field out there in terms of learning the newest tech skills, he says. No one has all the necessary skills for the future of work, at least from a technology perspective, because everything is changing so rapidly.It can also be helpful to remind your employees that they are digital changemakers themselves. After all, who started the bring your own device (BYOD) revolution? Who essentially forced their companies to take social media seriously and allow safe access during the workday? Who introduced collaborative tools like Dropbox, Slack and Skype into the workplace? It was employees at all levels who found a new tool or app that works better than what was in place, and then it caught on with the team - a further proof point that dig ital disruption is just as much about people as technology.

5 Motivational TED Talks for Your Job Search

5 Motivational TED Talks for Your Job Search5 Motivational TED Talks for Your Job SearchTheres nothing like a little surge of motivation to keep your job search revved up. No matter the source, finding ways to keep your job search energized can make a huge difference. If youre seeking just the right career inspiration, listening to a few motivational TED Talks might be just the thing.Could be youre struggling to find flexible work thats a good fit for you, having doubts about your skills and qualifications, ordealing with rejection. No matter where you are in your job search, hearing encouraging advice, especially when its delivered with humor and wisdom, can recharge you when youre in the thick of the job hunt.Here are five great motivationalTED Talksto help stay inspired during your job search1. Susan Colantuono The Career Advice You Probably Didnt GetThis inspiring talk is aimed at people who feel theyre doing everything right in the jobs, but just arent moving up, Coleman posits If you, like me, believe that leadership manifests at every level, you would see that theres a tremendous, awesome resource of leaders who are leading in middle management. which raises a different question why are there so many women mired in the middle, and what has to happen to take them to the top?Coleman, an expert in finding solutions to close the leadership gender gap, offers illuminating insights for jobs seekers of all levels, with advice thats aimed primarily toward women but useful for men as well.2. Carol Fishman Cohen How to Get Back to Work After a Career BreakAfter taking break in your career, no matter the reason, it can be difficult to get back on track. Cohen, a career reentry expert, suggests that an adult internship could be a way back in. A career re-launcher herself, Cohen tracks how many job seekers have successfully re-launched their own careers.Returning to work after a career break is hard because of a disconnect between the employers and the re-launchers, Cohen says. This disconnect is a problem that Im trying to help solve.3. Larry Smith Why You Will Fail to Have a Great CareerIf you feel youre failing to pursue your passion, whats your excuse? Larry Smith, an economics professor, uses wry humor and sharp insights to inspire his audience- in a counterintuitive way.There are great jobs and great careers, and then there are the high workload, high stress, blood-sucking, soul-destroying kinds of jobs, and practically nothing in between, Smith says. So the people looking for good jobs are going to fail. Smith offers sage advice for people who may approach their careers with hesitation and fear of everything from failure to regret.4. Angela Lee Duckworth Grit The Power of Passion and PerseveranceThe focus of this talk is the almost intangible quality of grit as a predictor of success in many of lifes endeavors (like having a successful career). Duckworth, a psychologist whose academic and in-the-field work focuses on character developmen t, talks about how perseverance can make a huge difference.What if doing well in school and in life depends on much more than your ability to learn quickly and easily? Duckworth asks. Growth mindset is a great idea for building grit, Duckworth says. In other words, failing along the way is often key to succeeding in the long run.5. Alain de Botton A Kindler, Gentler Philosophy of SuccessA British philosopher and author, de Botton uses this TED Talk platform to explore how we view success and failure. We live in an age when our lives are regularly punctuated by career crises, by moments when what we thought we knew about our lives, about our careers, comes into contact with a threatening sort of reality, he says.De Botton espouses a kindler, gentler approach to our careers that may help free us from some of the anxieties. Taking a fresh look at what success means to you can and choosing where to focus your energies and understanding you cant have it all.Looking for more job search in spiration? Check out ourjob search motivation category

Finding the Heat in Brain Surgery

Finding the Heat in Brain Surgery Finding the Heat in Brain Surgery Finding the Heat in Brain SurgeryTheres a reason brain surgery is used as a way to describe something that is challenging. If a surgeon is off by a certain percentage from the target on your leg or your arm, the odds of serious repercussions are less than if it happens with our most important organ.The NeuroBlate System, once called the AutoLITT System, may become an addition to many surgeons tool kits. According to the Dayton Daily News, the heat-focused device has been utilized by the Kettering Medical Center for brain tumor surgery.Soft TissueRichard Tyc, vice-president of technology and advanced development for Monteris Medical Corporation and a mechanical engineer, explains the workings of the device.Our device is cleared for use by the FDA and Health Canada, but cleared as a tool, he says. It is for soft tissue coagulation.The device typically raises temperatures to 60 degrees Celsius or less, says Tyc, who has both a bachelors degree in mechanical and industrial engineering from the University of Manitoba and a masters degree in mechanical engineering from the same university. But part of the key to its function is how it drills small holes to gain access to a target, something far from easy when it comes to the brain. In fact, the smallest probe is 2.2 millimeters in diameter, he says.The NeuroBlate System is a combination of hardware, software and disposable surgical devices used with an existing MRI abtaster. Image MonterisAccording to Monteris.com, the laser energy comes from a gas-cooled fiber-optic probe, and its minimally invasive nature may help when it comes to blood loss.The technology monitors in real time and gets real-time feedback, Tyc says.The NeuroBlate provides control so the heating progression can go where someone wants it to go, he says. This can be an advantage when trying to get to a target that is irregularly shaped.The probe inserts to a target through a minibolt. Titanium then attaches to what is being drilled through, Tyc explains, adding that the probe flies through that, going through a probe driver.It attaches to the bolt and probe with motion, he says. You can work with the position of the target.The robotic driver probe can manipulate the tip of the probe while the surgeon can work remotely, he says. All equipment, including the cooling technology and the laser, pass through an equipment room. There is a remote monitoring station where an MRI technician works with a scanner and, in the same room, the surgeon is interfacing with a work station.MRI imaging is definitely a core technology for this system, he adds.But its not just heat thats involved. According to Tyc, the probe is also cooled, which is critical to preventing heating-related problems and protects the tip that delivers the energy, along with tissue near the probe.As for the future of the system, more research is needed, says Tyc.Having technology in neurosurgery be adopted can be a process. Were pursuing more evidence-based work when it comes to its success. We have a clinical trial program. Were looking for new ways it can be used for simplicity and ease of use.Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionHaving technology in neurosurgery be adopted can be a process. Were pursuing more evidence-based work when it comes to its success.Richard Tyc, Monteris Medical Corporation

Can You Spot the Scams in These Work-from-Home Jobs

Can You Spot the Scams in These Work-from-Home JobsCan You Spot the Scams in These Work-from-Home JobsAlthough there has been a lot of progress in the area of remote work, the process of finding work-from-home jobs is still similar to finding a needle in a haystack. The reason for the difficulty can be summed up in one du sagst es scams. So with all of the scams out there, can you spot the scams in these work-from-home jobs?Since there are an abundance of fake opportunities, learning how to recognize signs of a job scam is important. Below are several job listings- some are scams, while some are real jobs. Can you tell the difference?Check out the following work-from-home jobs and see if you can spot the job listings that are scams1. Shipping/Package Manager Honest workers needed for a package processing company located in NY, but any location in U.S. are welcome We have customers worldwide and started that position to suit they needs. We offer you 40$ for each processed package. The payment shall be made twice a month. The Company shall also bear all shipping expenses. Your salary totally depends on your ability to work fast and handy.2. Telesales Representative Bilingual sales professional needed to work from home while soliciting sales in a cold-calling position. Will sell to new clients as well as up-sell to established accounts. Diploma or GED required. Telesales experience nice to have, but notlage required.3. Rebate/Forms Processor Make money simply by filling out online forms Enter the data into the forms that we provide you, click submit, sit back, and collect the money. Youll earn $15 per rebate processed. Opportunities like this do not come by every day act now4. Product Assembler The first thing that youll be receiving is a portfolio of all of our companies, their pay scales, and the things you can assemble. Thats so you can pick out your job because there are about 85 different jobs for you to choose from and you are guaranteed any of those jobs. We do have a one-time, lifetime enrollment fee of only $38.95. Now, that enrollment fee is backed with a 90-day Satisfaction Guarantee. All we ask is that you participate in the program for 60 days.5. Lucrative Sales Representative Private club seeks a sales professional to build memberships through a consultative support. Salary is lucrative and competitive for those with excellent communication and listening skills as well as sales experience. Work from home.6. Data Entry Numerous companies are looking for workers to submit information into online forms and they will pay you nicely in return. This is not a get-rich-quick scheme but a legitimate way to earn money from home. For Full Details please read the attached file.7. Survey Clerk Experienced administrative workers are needed to manage files, perform data entry, and perform a sortiment of other clerical duties. The position is temporary and works part-time. Computer skills are required, Spanish fluency is desired.8. Telephone Interviewer Work-from-home full-time or part-time while making outbound phone calls to conduct surveys on a range of topics. Pays per completed survey and you can make your own schedule. Excellent communication skills needed.So, how did you do? Were you able to tell the scams from the real job listings?The Scam Jobs 1, 3, 4, and 6The Real Jobs 2, 5, 7, and 8 (Telesales Representative, Lucrative Sales Representative, Survey Clerk, and Telephone Interviewer). You can find these legitimate work-from-home job listings on.Many scam jobs try to obtain your personal information through a number of techniques. Looking at the above descriptions, there are a few warning signs the necessity to pay for a job, the requirement to provide sensitive and personal information, and a sense of extreme urgency. For more great information about spotting scams, protecting yourself, and avoiding scams, check out the blog.Readers, do you have any tips for identifying work-from-home jobs that are scams? Sha re your tips with us in the comment section below

9 truths Legally Blonde taught us about life

9 truths Legally Blonde taught us about life9 truths Legally Blonde taught us about lifeWhether youre watching Legally Blonde for the first time or the fortieth time, you know Elle Woods is a true icon. Girl got into Harvard Law School when everyone was doubting her, left her sexist ex-boyfriend in the dust, dodged predatory creeps in her workplace, supported other women and kicked ass in her career. She is the ultimate hero you can always turn to when your days get a little bleak and you need to snap them up. Here are nine truths Legally Blonde taught us (and continues to remind us) about life.1. Go for your dreams, no matter how crazy they sound.Let your dreams motivate you to make even the smallest, incremental changes. Thats how you reach what may seem like an unreachable goal. Everyone around you might not understand, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt try.2. Dont let anyone tell you what you are or arent capable of.The only person who truly knows your limitations is you. If some one thinks you cant get into Harvard, prove them wrong. Do the work, study hard, work harder and dont let anyone slow you down and tell you that you cant do it.3. Your real friends are the ones who support all of your goals.Your real friends are the ones who will shop for the perfect outfit with you and help you prep for the important test, business meeting or interview. Those are the people you want to keep around forever.4. Its okay to aim high.You can and should apply for jobs, schools and promotions where you dont fit 100 percent of the criteria. (And women are notorious for sticking too closely to job descriptions.) Its always worth a shot to aim high because youre capable of more than you think.5. Own the little things that make you feel extra confident.If a pink pen makes you feel more ready to take on the day, then buy a pack of pink pens and run with it. People who make fun of other peoples quirks are stupid and probably dont have a lot of joy in their days anyway. Rock tha t fluffy notebook (or beige planner) if it makes you happy.6. Sometimes, you gotta let yourself wallow.We all need days where we let ourselves feel. Bottling up feelings does no one any favors, so its okay to have a day where you eat that extra chocolate and watch a whole lotta TV. Just sit in some sadness and pull yourself out of it the next day.7. You dont have to compete with other women.Society does us a disservice in training women to feel like were always competing with other women. But it doesnt have to be like that. Just like Elle and Vivians eventual friendship reveals, we all get farther and succeed more when we lift each other up, celebrate each others victories and assist each other with our respective challenges.8. Know when to walk away from people who dont appreciate you.Some people will never be able to see past their first impression of you or the person they think you are. If someone doesnt think youre good enough to be their employee, friend or even significant ot her, its time to walk away and find people who do appreciate you.9. Never doubt yourself.Lets just let Elle take this one. As she says in the movie after shes blown everyones expectations out of the water, You must always have faith in people, and most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself.BRB, going to watch the movie three times in a row and then buy a bright pink suit.This articlefirst appeared on Swirled.

Uncommon Article Gives You the Facts on Writing Rules That Only a Few People Know Exist

Uncommon Article Gives You the Facts on Writing Rules That Only a Few People Know Exist Typical phrases are now so comfortable they create no emotional reaction. Foreign words and phrases arent apropos. British English is only the opposite. IELTS writing is different and demands using a wide variety of linkers. Utilizing proper vocabulary is among the hardest aspects for the students. You have to use a greater level language in your writings. Writing Rules and Writing Rules - The Perfect Combination Formal writing is frequently the most difficult to write, but the simplest to read as a result of the information being presented in a format that may stand alone without further clarification. That means you will possibly say you have your own tischset of writing rules. Its important for a person to develop the appropriate writing skills as a way to communicate clearly and properly. Formal writing is essential for academic and company conditions. It would be better to compose The most important aspect or One of the main issues is as theyre more natural to utilize in writing. In business, written communication is crucial in many ways. Otherwise, your reader is going to have a tough time understanding the message you wish to get across. You dont need to provide the reader each detail about it. You have to have a smooth flow by means of your report writing. Like both of the other rules, following it just depends on whom youre writing for. To learn ways to begin your conclusion, follow the hyperlink. Listed here are the fundamental features of formal writing. How to Find Writing Rules on the Web Most essay questions are about current issues so that you dont will need to devote a time frame unless its about an issue in the past when compared with the present. You, clearly, steal stories and attributes from loved ones and friends, fill in filecards after lovemaking and so on. Write a book youd love to read. 2 The way to compose a book is to really co mpose a book. 2 Listen to what youve written. The aforementioned rule has to be repeated. Block quotations are generally introduced by means of a clause ending with a colon. Writing Rules - Overview The thing about formal writing is it is notlage exactly the appropriate way, but its whats regarded as appropriate under a given circumstance. The issue with the corrected first instance is the fact that it makes the sentence somewhat unclear. If you are able to explain a thought in a couple of words, prevent the very long cut. Whether to use a numeral or maybe to spell out a number for a word is an issue of style. Write A duplicate of the document is going to be mailed to you whenever possible instead of I will mail you a duplicate of the document asap. Paragraphs are so long as they should be. First paragraphs may often be struck out. A great paragraph is a string of clear, linked statements. 3 Only bad writers believe their work is truly great. Individuals rarely attempt the things that they do not believe possible. 1 Write only whenever you have something to say. 5 Write whatever way you want. For lots of people, its acceptable to compose sentences starting with coordinating conjunctions. In many instances it isnt their teacher whom theyre attempting to influence. In many cases, imprecise language is used intentionally to prevent taking a position and offending different demographics. Whats more, it can cause weight problems that are really common nowadays.

Take a Balanced Approach 3 Tips for Developing Your Organizations Talent

Take a Balanced Approach 3 Tips for Developing Your Organizations Talent There is a lot of pride to be had in recruiting a top worker for your company. A new hire especially one with a great background can be a badge of honor for an HR professional. If this person lives up to their promise? Even better.Buteven if everything seems togo amazingly well, a new employee may still decide to leave relatively quickly. We all know this. Sometimes your organization isnt a good fit, or a better offer may come along. Maybe boredom sets in, the employee grows disengaged, and you dont even realize it before its too late.Thankfully, there are stepsyou can take before any of this happens. Yes, opening up the company coffers (with or without a promotion) can help, but thats often just a band-aid. The long-termsolution is developing your employee andinvesting in their talents. The more an employee grows, the more they will be engaged and the more your company will b e enriched as well.That said, no two people develop inexactly the same way. Your employees are unique, and notlagehing will make them feel worse than a one-size-fits-all approach to learning and development. Lets take a look at a few ways tohelpboth your workers and your company grow and prosper for years to come1. Know Your EmployeesDuring the hiring process, you should be carefully evaluating candidates to understand their unique situations. What are their working styles? What are their interests? What are their aspirations? The answers to these and similar questions are invaluable to building the strong employee-employer relationships necessary to keep zurckhalten high and workers engaged.This information will also help you tailor a professional development plan to your employees particular wants and needs. For example, theres a big difference between the right plan for an employee who wants to move into the managerial track and the right plan for an employee who wants to grow wi thin the same role going forward. Knowing exactly what your employees are aiming for is the first step in putting together a program that helps them reach their goals.2.Support a Variety of Learning StylesAfter areas of interest are identified, the road to professional growth can be determined for each employee. That said, individuals learn in different ways, soa variety of trainingoptions should be available.For more expert HR advice, check out the latest issue of Recruiter.com MagazineFor many companies, eLearning is the easiest offering. Moreover, todays workers are by and large comfortable with computer-based learning activities. That said, some workers do prefer the in-person, classroom-styleapproach and not just older employees. Plus, instructor-led training has its own benefits Burning questions can be answered, and employees can find strength in numbers when it becomes apparent that their coworkers are facing similar challenges as they are.Of course, traditional learning is costlier in terms of both time and money, and you cant take an instructor-led course on the train ride home like you can with eLearning. You also wont be able stop the course and return to it at your leisure.The right answer for most organizations will be a mix of these two delivery methods. The bulk of professional development might occur online these days, but classroom-style instruction shouldnt be discounted entirely. Even if convenience wins out, there are still leadership conferences, business forums, and industry events to send employees too. A balanced approachdelivered through diverse channels can enrich the experience and satisfy the needs ofall your employees.3. Offer Experiential LearningThere are other professional development approaches to consider, especially at large companies with varied departments, positions, and job duties. Many workers in these organizations are highly interested in making later moves and trying new opportunities in new departments. If you want to keep retention high, it is in your best interest to support these desires.One simple way to do so is by instituting a shadowing program in which one employee can follow another to get a feel for a day in their life. This territory doesnt just belong to students, interns, and young workers starting out Everyone should be able to take advantage of job shadowing.If the worker doing the shadowing enjoys their coworkers role, they could gradually begin to move in that direction professionally, possibly with the aim of gaining that role over time.And ifthe employeedoesnt like it?Their current position will beginto look a lot better than it did before this experience.You can even go a step further and allow interested employees to try their hand at some of their coworkers duties. Of course, this should be arranged during downtime so as not to impact either employees responsibilities, and the coworker being shadowed should fully understand that their role is not in jeopardy.As corporate structuresare loosened around the world (think unlimited PTO policies, work-from-home options, and flexible dress codes), companies that appear accommodating and progressive will have an edge on retaining talent almost every time.Employees always appreciate the opportunity to enrich themselves professionally, and they especially like when development opportunities are tailored to their specific career aims and learning styles. Getting to know your employees and fostering their growth is a win for everyone in your company.Joan Burns is executive vice president of human resources, marketing, and communications and chief diversity officer at IDB Bank.