We are in the throes of an unprecedented period in history. The coronavirus has forced changes in all of our lives in ways we could have never imagined. Many of us are well into our second month of self-isolation, and like us, you may be feeling a little helpless as these strange and difficult days run together.   Businesses have responded to this crisis by implementing remote working arrangements; however, as the coronavirus takes aim at our job market, workers are being laid off or furloughed at alarmingly high rates. USA Today is reporting that over the last eight weeks, unemployment ..read more

For the last several months, we have been facing an unprecedented global health crisis, and our everyday lives are being disrupted. In an effort to contain the virus and to keep us safe, businesses and communities have implemented measures that support social distancing and limit time spent outside of our homes.   This situation has also thrust a significant part of the workforce into full-time remote working arrangements. Employees continue to look to their leaders for guidance and reassurance in the face of this uncertainty and ongoing change. To support this expectation, leaders can b ..read more

  We recently came across an inspirational 9-minute TED talk with a title that caught our eye: Why The Best Leaders Make Love The Top Priority.   In his talk, acclaimed author, speaker, and social entrepreneur Matt Tenney presents a compelling case for why making love a higher priority than profit is not only a more noble and fulfilling way to lead, it's actually the surprising secret of the best leaders. How do you lead as a leader? What are the priorities of your organization when it comes to employees, customers, and profits or other organizational goals? We wanted the opportunity to lea ..read more

  An ever-growing portion of the world’s population chooses to bask in all the conveniences brought to them by the business model of remote working. Pursuing a full-time career from your own home’s comfort (or, in choice of some people, a cozy cafe) sounds very appealing for both employees and employers.   The former relish the fact that they get to spend more time out of stressful office spaces and headquarters, while the latter gets to do some hefty office cost-saving, averaging at roughly $11,000 annually.   As remote work is getting more and more accepted in the internet era, we are cons ..read more

  What do ants and human beings have in common? They both can self-organize! How are they different? Ants continually self-organize, but humans selectively self-organize. Some people self-organize at home but not at work. Others self-organize only in certain parts of their work. In nature, without a CEO to tell species and plants what to do, nature depends on the ability of all plants and animals to self-organize.   What is self-organization in the workplace? Self-organization at work occurs when individuals demonstrate their ability to: Initiate and organize their own work Align their w ..read more

  If you’re reading this article, chances are that you’re in the same position I was a couple of months ago—trying to decide if going back to school was the best decision for me. I graduated from college five years ago, but I didn’t go straight to graduate school like some of my peers.   Instead, I worked as a history teacher and freelance writer for several years. I knew I wanted to go to graduate school at some point in the future, but right after college didn’t feel like the right time. I asked myself these four questions, and I knew I was ready when my answers were all “yes ..read more

  A common question company leaders get nowadays is: ”Does your company have a digital transformation strategy?” Regardless of how well-prepared you are to answer this question, a digital transformation strategy or form of digital change must be underway with specific attention to the people and the customers with whom you work.   In this guest post, Michael Kelly explains what it means to have a digital transformation strategy and plan, including the key things to consider when putting them in place. He addresses how industries are being reshaped, the impact on jobs, and HR's role in reshap ..read more

  We’ve written frequently about change and career transition on the AJO Blog, so when Veteran Car Donations recommended the following infographic, we thought it important to share it with our audience, along with some recommended resources for veterans and employers.  "The good news is that job options are plentiful. They range from work in a large, military-friendly company such as FedEx, which employs 425,000 workers, to opportunities with a small company employing fewer than a hundress workers. You can consider starting a business as a sinlge proprietor or purchasing a franchise. In add ..read more

  AJO's Human Resources Leader Exchange (HRLE) met recently to discuss the benefits and challenges of today’s “Gig Economy,” the decades-long practice of hiring contractors, temporary workers, and consultants for short-term positions in an organization. They concluded with ideas and best practices for HR leaders.   AJO's Bill Accordino facilitated the meeting and introduced the group to the topic. “What is the gig economy to you?” he asked. Participants immediately spoke of freelance workers, consultants, temporary manufacturing workers, and project leaders.   The Bureau of Labor Statistics r ..read more

  In this guest post, Christopher Hayman offers 11 financial tips to all professionals that will make a layoff or downsizing less stressful. He also offers advice to HR professionals on supporting employees when it comes to making financial decisions.    Personal finance shouldn’t be complicated. Sure, not everyone can be an expert in the stock market or tax code, but when it comes to budgeting, saving, and other personal finance essentials, there are some things everyone ought to know.   If you want to keep your financial health on track, these are the top eleven personal finance rules you n ..read more