5 Lessons Learned From Failing in Business

5 Lessons Learned From Failing in Business 5 Lessons Learned From Failing in Business Once upon a time, I stood in an audience listening to a soon-to-be-friend of mine, Jason Seiden, announce his newest book, Fail Spectacularly. I was happy for Seiden and interested in the premise, but I didnt really think all these stories of missing by a mile or focusing on the wrong thing applied to me. I was in my mid-twenties and had turned a failure of a company into something that, at the time, resembled my career today. It was a post-pivotal moment, and I felt pretty good about it.And then everything exploded The failure I thought Id parlayed into two new companies (supported by a full-time job) was not sustainable with three young kids and travel. Ittook a toll on my marriage, my new companies, and my friendships. While I Tarzaned from gig to gig tomake sure my family never went hungry, I didnt feel like a success. I felt like a survivor, which is not always the best.Today, I have a wonder ful, modest, and ethical agency that is growing in all the right ways. When I started it, my confidence was not high, my expectations were extremely low, and an agency really wasnt what I wanted. The lessons Ive learned along the way aremora valuable than our revenue numbers, employee count, or awards.Here are a few of them1. Learn HumilityThis has been the hardest lesson for me. I had a chip on my shoulder about how smart and experienced I was. I felt other people were getting opportunities I should have gotten. Learning to be humble has helped ease that feeling somewhat. (I grew up with four sisters, so competition is in my blood.)Furthermore, learning humilityhas taught me toask for help, a crucial skill considering thatup to 90 percent of startups failand that failure is more likely for one-founder startups (my situation when I started the company.)I beat the odds, but that doesnt make me smarter it makes me lucky.Humble leaders are more effective because theyre genuinely liked . While being liked isnt necessarilyimportant for productivity, it is important for engagement. As we know, engagement is crucial to performance.Admit your mistakes, be approachable, and showcase your employees strengths. The organization will grow as a result.2. Past Mistakes Are Expensive LessonsThere were a lot of contributing factors to my last failure poor communication, lack of humility (me again), and lack of product (not me). Ive taken these lessons to heart, and they deeply influence my behavior today, including the way I interact with employees and clients and the products I choose to work on. Why? Because I paid for these lessons.Failing at a startup, job, or business relationship is an education, and you pay for it with the most finite of resources time.Mistakes give leaders anecdotes to inspire change in teams. They encourages employees to be resilient and accountable.They show your workforce that you are, in fact, human.The next time an employee makes a mistake, share a time when you faced a similar issue instead of reprimanding them.3. notlage Every Idea Is a Good IdeaThis was a difficult lesson to learn for myself, and its just as difficult to help my team learn it. For every amazing idea, there will likely be 10 bad ones. As a leader, you have to focus on the ideas that align with your goals and have the best chances of working. If you try to snag every idea you come up with, you willquickly deplete your energy and resources, and your customers will be upset with your lack of focus.According to a 2014 survey, more than 80 percent of small business owners dont track their business goals. If youre one of them, its time to start. Create a document to track your ideas and goals. Ideally, it should be accessible via mobile so that you can use it anytime, anywhere. Evernote and Google Drive are great tools for this.Writing down your goals makes you80 percent more likelyto achieve them, so you really have no excuse not to.4. You Cant Help EveryoneWh en you have a passion for something (mine is locating the business or revenue model at the heart of an idea), you want to share that gift. When you do, people begin to devalue it. If someone cant afford to pay you, you need to let them tackle business needs alone (unless its a really great cause). Why take on their business issues when you have your own?In a Tiny Buddha article, Annika Martins writes, Share your talents and resources. Generously give your time and attention. But you cannot pour a magical tonic on the wounds of every person walking the planet. Its not your job. And if it were, itd be a sucky job because youd fail at it every single day.5. You Will Have Your Own Business IssuesJust because youve failed once (or many times) doesnt mean youve learned every lesson there is to learn. Youre going to continue to fail, incrementally, as long as youre in business (Google Wave, anyone?).You cannot throw your arms up and walk away. Sometimes, you have to work through your failu res. Thats the most important lesson of all. Learn how to communicate with struggling employees, how to handle difficult clients, and when to confront partners who are trying to swindle you. The most important part of success is learning to identify failure and turn it into a win.A version of this article originally appeared on Forbes.Maren Hogan is founder and CEO ofRed Branch Media.You can read more of her work on Forbes, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, and her blog,Marenated.

Power of Attorney FAQ - Ireland

Power of Attorney FAQ - IrelandPower of Attorney FAQ - IrelandGeneral InformationWhat is a Power of Attorney?A Power of Attorney is a document in which one partie (the Donor) appoints aelendher rolle (the Attorney) to act for him or her. There are many reasons why you might decide to use a power of attorney. For example, if you are going to be out of the country for a lengthy period of time, you might want someone to do your banking while you are gone. If you are approaching old age, you may want to give a Power of Attorney to a person you trust so that he or she can manage your property for you.Will a Power of Attorney still be valid after the Donor dies?NO.The DonorWho is the Donor?The Donor is the person who needs someone else to act for him or her. The Donor must be an adult. The Donor must be capable of making his or her own decisions at the time the Power of Attorney is executed (signed). What is incapacity?A person is incapable of managing property if the person is unable to understand information relevant to making a decision about the management of property, or if the person cannot appreciate the foreseeable consequences of making (or not making) a decision about the management of property.The AttorneyWho is the Attorney?The person appointed by the Donor is called the Attorney. The Attorney is the person who acts for the Donor.Does the Attorney have to be a lawyer?No, there is no need for the Attorney to be a lawyer. (See below for Attorney qualifications.)What qualifications does an Attorney need to have?The Attorney must be a capable adult. The Attorney cannot be an undischarged bankrupt. The Attorney should not be the owner, operator or employee of a nursing home or extended care facility in which the Donor is a resident.What qualities should I look for in an Attorney who will be managing my property?Your Attorney must be someone whom you trust completely. In addition, remember that your Attorney will have complete authority to deal with your finan cial and legal affairs (subject to any limitations or restrictions specified in your Power of Attorney). You should ensure that the person you choose has adequate financial management skills and sufficient time to handle your affairs properly. Your Attorney must be available when required, be able to objectively make decisions and be able to keep accurate financial records.What are the responsibilities of my Attorney?Your Attorney has the following responsibilities to act in your best interest to keep accurate records of dealings/transaction undertaken on your behalf to act for you with the utmost good faith and to avoid situations where there is a conflict of interest and to keep your property and money separate from their own.Is it okay to appoint a relative as Attorney?Yes, people often appoint relatives as Attorneys.Can my Attorney also be a beneficiary in my will?Yes.What are Joint or Joint Independent Attorneys?Sometimes a Donor will want to appoint two Attorneys. In that cas e the Donor must decide whether the Attorneys will be joint Attorneys or joint and independent Attorneys. Joint Attorneys must act together. They must both agree before any action can be taken, and they must both take the same action at the same time. If one is absent, no action can be taken. Joint and independent Attorneys can act together or individually. Either one can take an action without consulting the other. If one is absent, the other can still act.Length of TimeWhen does a Power of Attorney start?A general Power of Attorney starts immediately upon execution. An enduring Power of Attorney takes effect on the incapacity of the Donor.How/when does a Power of Attorney end?A general Power of Attorney ends automatically when the Donor becomes mentally incapacitated or dies. An Enduring Power of Attorney ends automatically when the Donor dies. As long as you are mentally competent and you have not made an application to register your Power of Attorney, you may revoke your Power o f Attorney by notifying your Attorney (in writing) that the Power is revoked and destroying the original Power of Attorney. Otherwise, a Power of Attorney continues in effect indefinitely, unless the document specifies an end date.Can I revoke my Power of Attorney after I have become incapacitated?A person who is incapacitated cannot revoke an Enduring Power of Attorney. However, a general Power of Attorney is automatically revoked when the Donor is found to be incapacitated.How do I revoke my Power of Attorney?The Donor can revoke an enduring Power of Attorney at any time before an application is made to register it. Once the enduring Power of Attorney has been registered you cannot revoke it even if you are, for the time being, mentally capable. To revoke it, you would have to apply to the court and the court approve the revocation.PowersShould I put restrictions on my Attorney?When you give a general Power of Attorney, you give your Attorney the authority to do anything you could do yourself, with a few exceptions - such as areas where you possess skills that your Attorney doesnt (e.g. if you are a dentist, you cannot authorise your Attorney to practice dentistry on your behalf). But there may be some things you would prefer your Attorney did not do. For example, you may want to require that your Attorney get prior approval from you before signing cheques for large amounts on your account.Should my Attorney be allowed to personally benefit from managing my assets?If the person you are appointing as your Attorney is also a member of your family or a beneficiary in your will, you may want that person to be able to personally benefit from managing your assets, since you intend that person to become owner of the assets eventually. Generally, however, it is probably not a good idea to allow your Attorney to personally benefit from managing your assets as this creates a conflict of interest for your Attorney, who is legally obligated to act in your best interest, not his or her own best interest.What can the Attorney do?The Attorney may transact business respecting the Donors property in all areas specified by the Donor.Is the Attorney obligated to do anything?Generally speaking, the Attorney is not obligated to act for the Donor. However, in some circumstances the Attorney may agree, in writing, to accept an obligation to take action when necessary. When the Attorney acts on behalf of the Donor, the Attorney must act in the best interest of the Donor.Does my Attorney have the authority to act while I am still available and able to take care of my own finances?A general Power of Attorney is effective as soon as it is executed (signed and witnessed, etc.) whether or not the Donor is available or able to handle his or her own affairs. An enduring Power of Attorney takes effect on the incapacity of the Donor.Signing DetailsWhat does it mean to execute a document?When a person executes a document, he or she signs it with the proper formalities. For example If there is a legal requirement that the signature on the document be witnessed, the person executes the document by signing it in the presence of the required number of witnesses.What if my Power of Attorney will be used in a foreign nation?If your document is intended to be used in a foreign nation, you may have to have it authenticated or legalised. This is a process whereby a government official (e.g., Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ) certifies that the signature of the authority (e.g., notary or solicitor) on your document is authentic and should be accepted in the foreign nation. For more information about document authentication and legalisation, contact the local consulate/embassy of the foreign country your document will be going to, or one of the following government web sitesUnited States https//travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal-considerations/judicial/authentication-of-documents/office-of-authentications.htmlUnited Kingdom fco.gov.uk/en/about -us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation/Canada gov.on.ca/MBS/english/mbs/ods/authent.html(web site is for Ontario - other provinces contact the provincial geschftszimmer of the Attorney General)Australia dfat.gov.au/brisbane/index.htmlOther ConsiderationsDo I have to register my Power of Attorney with a Land Registry Office?A Power of Attorney given for the purpose of buying or selling real property (land) should be registered.

How to Seriously Love Your Job

How to Seriously Love Your Job How to Seriously Love Your Job Sure, your job is fine. But between the endless (pointless) meetings on your schedule, your mile-long to-do list, and Nancy from Finance constantly on your tail, would you really say you love it? Well, we believe that, with just a few simple changes, you most definitely can. This infographic is chock-full of easy ways to boost your 9-to-5 life, from tips for boosting your relationship with co-workers to productivity hacks that will save you time all day long. (Hey, being able to leave before dark will probably make you love your job a whole lot more.) Try one or two this week, and we bet you'll have a newfound appreciation for your gig. (And if not? Well, it might be time to get a new job.) Photo of keyboard courtesy of Shutterstock. Infographic courtesy of Adecco.

Shaqs mom inspired him to go from braggart to social media strategist

Shaq's mom inspired him to go from braggart to social media strategist Shaq's mom inspired him to go from braggart to social media strategist It’s hard to strike the right note on social media, especially when you’re a celebrity. Should you just come right out in the open about your fabulous lifestyle â€" or act like you’re just a humble working person?Former basketball player and prolific product pitchman Shaq was interviewed by Hoda Kotb on the Today Show on Monday. When asked if he had an adage that he lived by, he talked about his philosophy on social media.“When I send out Tweets [he has 14 million followers] it’s 60% to make you laugh, 30% to inspire you and 10% to promote what I’m selling,” Shaq said. “I came up with that formula because when I first started doing Twitter I didn’t really understand social media. I was kinda in showoff mode. ‘Look at my house, look at my boat.’ ”   (See below for examples).Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!His mother, with whom Shaq’s always been clo se, wasn’t a fan and encouraged him to use his position for more positive things.“My mother called me one day and she said ‘Stop showing off. Be humble. You should use [social media] to inspire people.’ ”And the 60/30/10 formula was born. So if you go to Shaq’s Twitter today, you might read something promoting The General Insurance, or his big and tall menswear line, or talking about basketball.But for a look at Shaq’s bad old days on social, one need only look no further than his older Instagram posts, from “Jump on the G5” to “Just got my Vaydor” to a stunning variety of custom wheels to finally, Shaq posing with a crown.

How Many Axes Does Your Robot Need

How Many Axes Does Your Robot Need How Many Axes Does Your Robot Need How Many Axes Does Your Robot Need? Industrial robot systems continue to transform the manufacturing landscape. They reduce labor costs and maximize quality, efficiency, and speed, driving down operational costs and getting products to market faster. Industrial robots have various axis configurations, depending on the task and the needed range of motion. The have also come down in size, which allows them to execute tasks in smaller-scale applications and reduces their footprint. An axis in robotic terminology represents a degree of freedom (DOF). For example, if a robot has three degrees of freedom, it can operate in the x, y, and z planes. However, it cannot tilt or turn. Increasing the number of axes allows the robot to access a greater amount of space by giving it more degrees of freedom. As provided below by Greg Martin, field engineer with Bastian Solutions, a firm that specializes in automation and information systems, more axes means more functionality: 1-axis robot: Linear guide system for transferring parts in a single line of motion. 2-axis robot: Typically in an XY or YZ configuration, these are often in the form of two adjoining linear guides. 3-axis robot: Typically in an XYZ configuration, these tend to be in the form of two adjoining linear guides and a third axis guide or cylinder. 4-axis robot: A more conventional arm that is typically used in palletizing applications in which the face plate is always parallel with the ground. Has the ability to rotate the object it is picking. 5-axis robot: Similar to a conventional four-axis robot but adds the ability to rotate the object it is picking. 6-axis robot: Offers the most flexibility with six axes all the way from the base axis for full robot rotation to the sixth axis for rotating the wrist or faceplate. 7-axis robot: A six-axis robot which is placed on a rail or some means to move it from one place to another in a linear direction. There are hundreds of software options that can typically be applied to a given robot and controller, adds Martin. Thus it is important to understand the robotic programming details and requirements prior to implementation. Advanced controls make the robots easier to use and program. In some cases, online tools allow operators and end users to quickly choose and configure robot features. Schematic of a six-axis robot. Image: RobotWorx Everybody Wants Six-Axis Most industrial robots utilize six axes, which give them the ability to perform a wide variety ofindustrial tasks compared to robots with fewer axes. Six axes allow a robotto move in the x, y, and z planes, as well as position itself using roll, pitch, and yaw movements. This functionality is suitable for complex movements that simulate a human arm: reaching under something to grab a part and place it on a conveyor, for example, says Richard Vaughn, senior automation engineer for Bosch Rexroth Corporation, a provider of drive and control technologies. The additional range of movement allows six-axis robots to do more things, such as welding, palletizing, and machine tending. Programming their movements in 3D is complex, so software typically maps the motion to a set of world coordinates, in which the origin sits on the pedestals first joint axis. Other advantages to six-axis robots include mobility (easy to move and/or mount) and wide horizontal and vertical reach. They are especially being used in automotive and aerospace manufacturing, where they perform drilling, screw driving, painting, and adhesive bonding. Because they are coming down in price, it is now feasible for smaller manufacturers to invest in this technology. RobotWorx, a provider of robotics systems, indicates that six-axis robot technology continues to advance rapidly. Improved wrist action and flexibility, robot software and programming capabilities, and multiple mounting options are just some of the benefits six-axis robots have to offer, the company states on its website. There is also a large range of robot sizes, payloads, and speeds to choose from. Six-axis robots are also becoming easier to maintain, repair, or replace. Collaborative Robots Advances in intelligent control systems, safety systems, and computer power have made real time, human-robot collaboration a reality across a variety of manufacturing industries. Sensor technologies with shut-off systems can immediately deactivate collaborative robots if any variance is detected in their behavior, allowing humans to work safely beside them. Collaborative six-axis robots tend to be smaller and more lightweight and require no safety barriers, which reduces their footprint on the shop floor. Whirlpool Corporation is using collaborative robots on some of its assembly lines. Collaborative robots allow us to be much more flexible, says Eric Howe, senior engineer and automation lead for Whirlpool. They also are easier to program than traditional robots, which saves time. And, theyre relatively inexpensive when compared to other technologies. The addition of the robots allows our employees to focus on tasks that require greater cognitive skill. Mark Crawford is an independent writer. For Further Discussion There are hundreds of software options that can typically be applied to a given robot and controller. Thus it is important to understand the robotic programming details and requirements.Greg Martin, Bastian Solutions

Tips for Moms Returning to the Job Market - FlexJobs

Tips for Moms Returning to the Job Market - FlexJobs Tips for Moms Returning to the Job Market Many of the clients who use are working mothers and fathers who are returning to the workforce after a break. In my career, I’ve held executive-level positions for several companies, as well as started two businesses, and when I became a mother, being able to continue my professional passions was incredibly important to me. For all our mom (and dad!) readers returning to the job market after a break, here are my top three tips. Top Three Tips for Moms Returning to the Job Market: 1. Take time to reconnect with your professional persona. You are a “woman returning to work” instead of a “mom returning to work.” Your professional self is the one that should be portrayed to employers, both in your application materials and during the interview process, but it can be difficult to locate and dust off the professional-you, when the parent-you has been in charge for so long. Take some time to return to your professional self. 2. Be honest about why you’re returning to work and what you want to get from your return. Money? Stimulation? Career accomplishments? Your motivations will guide your job search, so it’s incredibly important to know them ahead of time. Along the same lines, think about the types of job arrangements (telecommuting, part-time jobs, full-time jobs) that would be ideal for you given your dual role as parent and professional. 3. Talk regularly with other moms who have gone back to work about their experiences and challenges. There is safety and support in numbers, and speaking to people who have been where you’re about to go will be extremely helpful in plotting your own return to the working world. And, just for good measure, here are some of the most frustrating questions asked of working moms and dads who are returning to the job market. Hopefully this helps parents who are re-entering the workforce to prepare for the less-than-thoughtful side of balancing work and family. 1. Is your career more important than your family? Grrrrr!!! This is wrong on so many levels. 2. How do you let someone else raise your children?- A very one-dimensional and somewhat ridiculous statement to begin with. Simply because a mother works, that doesn’t equate to her renouncing her role in raising her children. There are a zillion examples of wonderful people who were raised with the help of preschools, day-cares, nannies, babysitters, family and friends to care for them. Whether you’re a stay-at-home or working mother, it still takes a village to raise a child. 3. Who cooks for your kids?- Um, have you heard about the multitasking skills of a mother?  My husband and I both love to cook, and we cook about 95% of our meals at home. 4. Do you have to work?- Remember that while financial reasons are probably the most common reason, not all mothers work because they “have” to… they work to fulfill their lifestyle, career, intellectual stimulation, or a plethora of other reasons. Don’t judge. Also, if youre returning to the job market, check out our telecommuting, part-time, flexible schedule, and freelance job listings available in over 50 job categories for all career levels.  Good luck with your search!

7 Big Mistakes to Avoid in Your Next Presentation

7 Big Mistakes to Avoid in Your Next Presentation 7 Big Mistakes to Avoid in Your Next Presentation For many people, presenting in front of an audience- or even just a small room filled with trusted coworkers- can be a nightmare scenario. Not only are many of us afraid of public speaking , some of us also don’t even know how to give a good presentation. And it’s all too easy to make a mistake- or 10- in a presentation when fear and inexperience combine. But luckily, the most common presentation mistakes are easy to avoid. We spoke with two experts to find out the mistakes you’re most likely to make, and how you can fix them. 1. You’re not engaging the audience. Even if you don’t have a fear of public speaking , it’s not always easy to engage an audience. “Sometimes, presenters get caught up in their own heads,” explains Emily Murphy, lecturer in business communications at Indiana University Kelley School of Business . “They forget there are people out there in the audience- people who want to make a connection with the speaker.” An easy way to engage with your audience is to use non-verbal cues, such as making eye contact. Murphy also suggests asking the audience questions throughout your presentation. This last tip packs a double-punch: not only are you engaging your audience, but they have added incentive to pay attention to you if they know you may call on them. The quickest way to bore your audience is to read straight from your slides or a computer screen. “I have literally seen people with their backs to the audience reading the slide word for word,” says marketing and brand consultant Jeff Magnuson . But, “the audience can read too,” Magnuson reminds us, which means you’re not adding any value to your presentation if you’re simply reading it. “Instead, you should know the material and tell it directly to the audience in a clear and confident way,” he instructs. “Have a copy of the slides printed out in front of you or have the laptop facing you so you can glance down to see where you are.” Your visual aids- such as PowerPoint slides and other projections- are meant to help the audience. “But they are never meant to take away from the focus of the presentation, which is you,” reminds Murphy. That’s what you risk when you build a presentation that looks too busy. “PowerPoint slides that contain too much writing, or are too busy with graphs, charts, and other visuals, will distract the audience from your words,” she says. So, in other words, apply the KISS principle- keep it simple, sweetie- to your presentation slides and art too. 4. You didn’t personalize your presentation. Fact: “No one wants to listen to a dry and data-filled presentation,” says Murphy. “Even if the topic of your presentation is mostly data, there are still ways to make it interesting and to catch the audience’s attention.” So be sure to personalize your presentation with stories and examples- and don’t be afraid to use humor. “Tell a story about yourself or someone else that fits into the subject of the presentation,” Murphy recommends. “The more ‘human’ you can make the presentation, the better the chances that someone will be listening.” You’ve heard the saying, “practice makes perfect.” Yet, Magnuson warns that many people don’t practice their presentation before giving it- and that’s a big mistake, he says. “Every presentation should be rehearsed- unless, of course, someone is asked to present at the last possible moment,” says Magnuson. “Rehearsing the material allows confidence to build and the presenter will not be hung upon details because he or she will really know what he or she is presenting. Additionally, when someone interrupts- which they definitely will- the presenter can pick up where he or she left off without issue. Don’t simply memorize.” Magnuson admits it sounds hokey, “but a smile can quickly put the room at ease and give the presenter confidence.” Plus, smiling helps avoid some of mistakes we covered earlier, such as engaging with the audience and not only reading from a screen. Magnuson says that the only time you should avoid smiling during a presentation is if you’re delivering bad or somber news. “Otherwise, relax and smile,” he says. “Along with rehearsing, simply practice smiling while you talk. It may feel unnatural but it will go a long way in your presentation.” 7. You didn’t expect the unexpected. Like it or not, something will likely go wrong during your presentation, whether a projector doesn’t work, the lights go out, or your laptop won’t load the file you need. “These issues can be unavoidable,” admits Murphy. “But the better prepared you are, the more able you are to handle when things go wrong and go with the flow. Someone who panics and appears frazzled when things go wrong can lose credibility. But if you are able to complete the presentation under difficult circumstances, your credibility and presentation will soar.”