What to Know About Throwing an Office Baby Shower - The Muse

What to Know About Throwing an Office Baby Shower - The MuseWhat to Know About Throwing an Office Baby Shower Your colleague just announced his wife is pregnant. Or maybe your teammate just sent an email letting you know shes expecting.Either way, your co-workers start talking about possibly throwing the person an office baby shower. And yet you have so many questions about the protocol of the whole thingDont fret- we talked to several working parents and employees whove thrown one before so youll know everything you need to make the event worthwhile.How Do You Even Know if You Should Throw One?This is the ultimate question, right?Well, after informally surveying 20 working parents, the answer varies. Some told me they were thrown one, yet they didnt want it. Others said they were glad they had one. And even others told me they werent thrown one and wish they had been.What I did discover is that if youre really unkoranvers if the person wants it, its best to ask. Because yes, surpris es are fun, but they could lead to making someone uncomfortable, or point attention at them when they dont want it, or highlight their pregnancy when theyd rather not get into specifics.And doing this also ensures you throw the right kind of anlass. One of my co-workers who recently planned one was glad she brought it up beforehand because she knew the mom-to-be was more introverted Finally, it helps to know if the person will even be available that day.Who Throws It?At some companies, HR plans all celebrations- meaning they may take the lead on any baby shower.But if this isnt the case at your organization, its usually the persons closest friend, manager, or direct report. If you fall into any of those three buckets and dont want to do it alone, loop in the other two people listed in that sentence above and see if theyd like to work together.Graphic by Tyler Tamulinas.Who Do You Invite? Men, Too?This also depends on your companys culture as well as the guest of honors personality. Like the above example, your colleague may be more introverted, and therefore, uncomfortable having a big, blowout party.So keep the person in mind- do they tend to like attention, or shy away from it? Do they like to spend time with everyone in the office or only with a small group?And again, it doesnt hurt to ask- and in terms of whether or not you should invite your male colleagues, thats also up to the person, what theyre comfortable with and who theyre close to at work. Where Do You Have It?If you want to have it in the office, make sure youve checked with your office manager to make sure you can reserve a spot. Of course, keep in mind if you have it at work, youre more likely to exclude people who werent invited- which is why if you want to keep it small, go elsewhere.The benefit of that is that going to a restaurant makes it feel less like a work event and more like a celebration.When Do You Have It?For the most part, baby showers occur before the baby is born so the parent c an celebrate before they go on parental leave. That said, make sure it doesnt conflict with the parents schedule (both in and outside of the office), and also that the parent and their baby is healthy. Planning a party when theyre going through a tough period may do more harm than good (which is another reason to ask the person before you plan it).And, if youre having trouble finding the right time, its definitely not off the table to throw it after the babys born- after all, its better late than neverWho Pays for It?For most baby showers, teammates chip in collectively for the event. You shouldnt expect your company to pay for it (especially if they havent in the past), but its worth asking HR or your own manager if there is budget for these types of events.Can Dads Have One, Too?Yes In fact, we believe that celebrating soon-to-be-fathers is an important reminder to everyone that men are parents, too. With that said, all the same rules above still apply (namely, making sure the per son wants it).Anything Else?Yes, a few final notesThink beyond the party You can still celebrate without making it a big deal by having the team pitch in for a nice gift instead. This is a great way to keep things simple and still show you care.Make sure the event isnt patronizing, inappropriate, or overly gendered. Be respectful of the parent, their situation, and their decisions (also, because this is a work event, you should respect your colleagues regardless). This means staying away from games that can be insulting or presumptuous.Keep conversations light and impersonal- and keep your parenting advice to yourself (even if youre a parent yourself). The shower should be about celebrating the person and having some fun during the work day, not an ask me anything on being pregnant.Baby showers can be an incredible opportunity to show your co-workers you care about them as more than just co-workers. Many of the parents I spoke with were pleasantly surprised and grateful for having b een thrown one.And, even pitching in on something on their registry or taking them to a nice lunch goes a long way in making them feel more at home at work.

High-Tech Startups Its About the Business

High-Tech Startups Its About the Business High-Tech Startups Its About the Business High-Tech Startups Its About the BusinessSteve Blank, co-author of The Startup Owners Manual, who also co-launched a course at Stanford University on starting a high-tech company, says one of the biggest mistakes engineers make is celebrating that they have a great product. It brings up that old question of why McDonalds blows away most fancy steakhouses in sales. Because its not just about the productits about the business.Having a technology idea is not the saatkorn as having a company, Blank says. Theres often a disconnect between engineers and scientists and what commerce and capitalism is about. These people are often the smartest but you dont get paid for being the smartest in the world in a start-up. You get paid for being the one who put it together the right way.Steve Blank, co-author of The Startup Owners Manual.In my class the real shock to the system is that I throw them out of class the f irst day, says Blank. You have an idea? Well get out and start talking to the potential customers. Call up your peers and friends and start testing key assumptions. Find out who would buy your product and how much would they pay? How much will it cost you to produce it?And some of the answers may even be in their eyes. Look for their pupils dilating, for that excitement, he says. Or for eyes glazing over and knowing you missed your mark. Until you get a reaction, you dont know where you stand.Understand Your CustomerThe Startup Owners Manual, co-authored with Bob Dorf, describes discovering who your customer is in four phases 1) The authors break down the business model into product, customers, channels, demand creation, revenue models, partners, resources, activities, and structures. They recommend writing a page for all hypotheses and deciding on the research to find out if theyre correct. 2) Test the hypotheses. 3) Try out a solution through a minimum viable product for customers . 4) Analyze the experiment results to assess if you understand the customers problems, passions or needs, confirm the value proposition for those saatkorn three things, and decide if you would have enough customers who will buy at a price point that will allow for profitability.Take Feedback SeriouslyRemember, you dont have to complete the product to find out valuable information. Keep building your product as you get feedback on part of it, Blank says. People dont need to see everything to get excited. Get earlyvangelists, people who will offer money for the product even before its done. This happens all the time.Now are you ready to scale? Does your research show that this product deserves a sales force, a formal training department, and can you raise the money for this because you have proof of need? Blank asks.Proof of need is vital. In The Startup Owners Manual, the authors mention Webvan, an online grocery store company that raised around $400 million and had $8.5 billion in market cap the day of its initial public offering, but went bankrupt less than three years later because, in the authors opinion, it tested less and grew more.But even if youre sure the business model fits, the brde key can be among the hardest to master staying with the process. Sometimes the same people who are great at starting something arent the best at the day-to-day, Blank says. They get bored. You need to keep policies in place, make the sales numbersthats why most founders dont end up running their companies but hire people who can. Its important to be honest about your personality.Eric Butterman is an independent writer.You have an idea? Well get out and start talking to the potential customers.Steve Blank, author of The Startup Owners Manual

The Importance of Using Symbolism In Fiction Writing

The Importance of Using Symbolism In Fiction WritingThe Importance of Using Symbolism In Fiction WritingIn literature, symbolism is used to produce an impact, which it accomplishes by attaching additional meaning to an action, object, or name. Symbolism takes something that is usually concrete and associates or affixes it to something else in order to give it a new and mora significant meaning. In other words, symbolism allows a writer to convey something to their audience in a poetic way instead of saying it outright. This indirect approach allows an author to create nuance and complexity. The caveat for authors is thatthe entire context of the story needs to support the symbols meaning. For example, in Harper Lees Pulitzer Prize-winning 1960 book To Kill a Mockingbird, the bird symbolizes innocence and beauty. Lee chose the mockingbird because its without guile. A mockingbirds only purpose in life is to sing- it doesnt want to harm anyone. Because of this, killing a Mockingbird is considered an act of senseless cruelty. 5 Different Types of Symbolism, with Examples MetaphorA metaphor is an implicit comparison of one thing to another without the use of a commonly known sign or equation. For example, a metaphor does not compare something using the word equals. One familiar example of a metaphor is Edward Bulwer-Lyttons expression The pen is mightier than the sword. English playwright and poetChristopher Marlowes famous quote Was this the face that launched a thousand ships? is another example. A subcategory of metaphors is personification, attributing a human characteristic- or emotion- to an animal, object, or concept. An example can be found in T.S. Eliots work Prelude, where he says, The winter evening settles down. SimileA simile differs from a metaphor in that a simile is not implied- it explicitly denotes a comparison. A simile very often uses either the word likeoras. Two examples of similes are,My love is like a red, red rose, and, As strong as an ox. AllegoryAn allegory is very similar to a metaphor in the sense that something- usually something abstract or religious- is implicitly articulated in terms of something else that is concrete. The difference between an allegory and a metaphor is that when an allegory is employed, the comparison reflects the entire work- or a large part of the work. The best example is The Pilgrims Progress. This book by John Bunyan uses characters to present a universal picture of Christian lifeand isthe second-best-selling book in history, after the Bible. ArchetypeThe plot of a piece of fiction- or the central element in a piece of fiction- that recurs in cross-cultural myths is called an archetype. Perhaps the best example of an archetype is the literary description of the devil in various works as a cloven-hoofed, horned humanoid. MythA myth is a close cousin of allegory in the sense that it is almost always symbolic and extensive. Myths can include an entire work. While the creation of myths has evolved over time- in the sense that theyre no longer specific to one culture- they are still considered communal or cultural in nature. One of the most famous myths is that of Icarus. In Greek mythology, Icarus tries to escape from Crete by fastening wings to his back made from feathers and wax. According to the myth, Icarus foolhardily flew too close to the sun- and fell into the ocean. This myth prompted the saying,Dont fly too close to the sun. Orson Welles Approach to Symbolism Filmmakers often attribute emotional significance to objects. These visual symbols help draw attention to a characters motivations, which was the case of Orson Welles film classic Citizen Kane. In that movie, a sled ultimately works as a symbol of the main characters innocence and idealism, which he left behind in pursuit of money and power. The sled is one of the most famous symbols in film history. Why Writers Like to Use Symbolism Its hard to identify a work of literature- from short poem s to epic plays- that lacks some kind of symbolism. Authors like to use symbolism in their work because it accomplishes the following Helps readers visualize complex concepts and follow central themesAffords writers the chance to relate big ideas in an efficient, artful wayFosters independent thinking among readers as they go through the process of interpreting the authors textAdds emotional weight to the textHelps to conceal a theme that may be too controversial to approach openly

Professional opinion The business of breaking up a partnership

Professional opinion The geschftsleben of breaking up a partnershipProfessional opinion The business of breaking up a partnership*Written anonymously to protect the NOT so innocent.I remember sitting there, just highlighting, highlighting and highlighting, so many numbers, so many charges, so much money- just gone. When we started the company together, it was thrilling. We were young, ambitious, hungry and starting something with a potential magnitude we didnt know or could even fathom. Thats how a lot of companies start, as an idea, a collaboration. Then all the sudden, youre in it.The co-founder,business-boss-gal-pals model is popular- see Gilt, Rent the Runway, Birchbox and Proactiv- and it makes sense why. Everyone loves a partner in crime, you can do double the work and have double the fun, and that feeling of leid being alone is, well, a good one. Partnering up with a friend can work out amazingly. Or it can notlage.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboa rd covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreCut to a few years into your business, employees, money and tensions run high, and while you may think your roles are clear as can be, your word means nothing unless its in writing.Breaking up with a business partner might just be the most painful breakup you can go through- because this one comes with a price tag.My story is not unique, but when it happened to me it felt like the world was crashing in. It was hard to breathe, difficult to believe that someone I trusted, and even cared about, could be taking money from a company that we had built together from the ground up. My gut had been telling me for months that something wasnt right, but I assumed it was more a personal issue and that no matter what was going on between us, we were both equally invested in the business.Wrong.It eventually came to light that not only was my partner not managing our finances, but actually manipulating them. This include d racking up unrelated business expenses, disregarding all things tax related, and straight up embezzling money.I was devastated, and what was worse, I had no idea what to do next. I felt ashamed and scared to talk about it- I thought it had to be a reflection on me and how I operated a business. It took me a few years and several conversations to get over it, and through it all, I realized that I wasnt alone. One business partner taking advantage of another happens, and it happens a lot. Partnerships split up and morph all the time and for all kinds of reasons. Being able to step back back and realize something isnt working is a part of being a mature business pro.The hardest- and yet ultimately most helpful- thing for me to accept was that it was NOT my fault. Trusting someone is not a flaw but a positive characteristic. It takes trust to build a business, and had I been skeptical and suspicious from day one, we would have never gotten off the ground.Moving on and away from a part ner does not have to mean the end of your business, and often, it will actually turn out to be the beginning of something great.I hope this never happens to you, but if it does, here are my tips for pulling through, and maybe even coming out on top.Dont overreact.When I found out, I wanted to freak out, confront and deal with it head on, but cooler heads prevailed. Take a deep breath, and assess all the details of the situation to 100% ensure you are in the right before initiating a confrontation.Get your team in place.I was lucky enough to have an incredible lawyer and forensic finance team that helped shape my case and bring to light things I would have overlooked. Beyond that, they were able to deal with the personal communication that I wasnt emotionally prepared to handle.Handle clients and employees with care.The business of breaking it to your employees and clients is extremely crucial. I personally called each client to explain that my partner and I were parting ways. I foll owed up with an email of how the transition would work and assured them we were ready to take on the challenge. When you do all of this, resist the urge to talk bad about your former partner and keep the details of why youre splitting to a minimum.Tune out the I told you soOne of the hardest things was hearing from many friends, family, business contacts and clients who swore that they saw this coming.I acknowledged that they meant well, but just tuned it out. Beating myself up wasnt going to help me move forward, and I had to focus on what was right in front of me.Revise and renewAs roles and responsibilities change in your partnership, update your operating agreement. Even when everything is smooth sailing, it is crucial to know who is in charge of what.Move on and UPI was nervous about keeping the same business name and dealing with the How is so and so? questions,but it gets easier and YOU get better. When someone asks a question about the past, politely change the subject to so mething in the future that youre really excited about.This article originally appeared on Create and Cultivate.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

More than one in three people worked as freelancers last year

More than one in three people worked as freelancers belastung yearMore than one in three people worked as freelancers last yearFreelancing there are just as many reasons to do it (more control over your life) as there are not to do it (taxes, buying your own healthcare, instability). Upwork and the Freelancers Union just released its fifth annual Freelancing in America study, commissioning Edelman Intelligent to survey 6,000 working adults (one-third of them freelancers). The most salient finding is how the freelance workforce has grown. Now 56.7 million people are considered freelancers, which means the freelance workforce has grown by 3.7 million since 2014. More than one in three (35%) Americans worked for themselves this year.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreNot everyone freelances full-timeNot everyone is freelancing full-time, however. Respondents said that 50% were freelan cing consistently, while the other 50% said that their freelancing was intermittent to regular. And 42% percent worked for themselves less than weekly.However, 60% of people who left a job to freelance full time said they now earned more.The main reasons that people who were full-time freelance made the jump were being their own boss, schedule flexibility, working from where they wanted, avoiding sekretariat politics, to have a schedule that allowed them to pursue their passions outside of work, and to be able to choose their own projects.More are choosing to freelanceWhile its true that some people are pushed into freelancing due to layoffs or a poor economy, the study found that over the last five years, people are increasingly choosing to freelance. When survey respondents were asked if they started freelancing out of choice or necessity, 61% of freelancers said choice. Thats a significant contrast from 2014 when respondents answered choice by only 53%.Half (51%) of freelancers s ay no amount of cash would convince them to take a regular job. And 42% of freelancers say that that type of work provides them with necessary flexibility that theyre unable to get from a regular employer but sorely need things like health issues and childcare.Still, its not all making your hours and working from home. Freelancers are the backbone of our economy, but this crucial segment of Americas workforce faces unique challenges, including access to affordable healthcare and workforce development training to update skills in a competitive environment, said Caitlin Pearce, executive director of the Freelancers Union.Freelancers proactive on trainingTraining is something that freelancers pay attention to, lest they fall behind those working out of the home office. However, its cost keeps out 53% of them from participating usually because they have to pay for any training themselves, instead of having their work ante up. Still, 70% of full-time freelancers participated in skills training in the last six months, in comparison to 49% of full-time workers who are not freelancers.Instead of Sunday-night scaries, tax and insurance anxietyWhile freelancers seem happy to be where they are and see an upward trajectory both career-wise and financially in being self-employed, they did reveal specific apprehensions that come with working for yourself. Sixty-three percent felt anxious about the things they had to manage themselves, like money, taxes, and insurance. An additional 63% worried about the unpredictable nature of their work. And about half (53%) found that freelancing could be isolating.

The Debate Over Accounting Resume Examples

The Debate Over Accounting Resume Examples You can take advantage of particular metrics in your resume to highlight the reach of your professional experience. If you dont locate the specific resolution you are interested in, then go for a native or greater resolution. In addition, in the event where ones belastung job reference wasnt the best one, an individual might need to select the assistance of a functional resume template. A top quality sample accounting resume will contain all the key terms and phrases an employer will be searching for a number of times throughout the resume. Lies Youve Been Told About Accounting Resume Examples The amount of your experience will establish if you set a resume objective at the peak of the webpage or a qualifications summary. Utilize our accounting resume samples to find a clearer idea of the information employers could possibly be searching for from you. It is essential to mention only that experience thats linked to your professiona l sphere. Avoid using generic materials for each and every job that you apply for. Accounting Resume Examples Secrets A sample resume is the secret to writing a good resume. Reviewing a case of good resume writing can result in a better comprehension of what resume writing tips attempt to inform you. If you need assistance writing your resume, it is going to be our pleasure to aid you. The best resumes are a reflection of somebody, NOT merely a group of words on a sheet of paper. Type of Accounting Resume Examples Accountant position in US its a wide position, which might call for distinctive responsibilities. As soon as its almost a given that any possible applicant will have accounting program experience, you still need to list each of the relevant applications on your bookkeeping resume. Keep in mind, a resume headline can incorporate details such as your education and abilities. There are various Resume Career Objectives on the site, and youll be able to check them out . Computer skills on resumes are becoming more and more vital for accountants. Accounting resumes arent any different than every other professional resume. Accounting Clerk Resume Your accountancy abilities and strengths should be displayed in a user-friendly format. An associates degree in accounting is the most frequent requirement. Bookkeeping is a stable career choice that could often provide flexibility with regard to hours and contracts. Just take the opportunity to check at as many resume examples as possible to help you produce an expert accounting resume. In 7 minutes, youre know precisely how to compose a job-winning accounting resume. If an expected employer officially declares certain values that the provider adheres to (for instance, supporting a wholesome lifestyle), you can specify sports preferences and so on. Let it be a reflection of the possible benefits you are able to bring to a certain job. Each business and profession has specific key terms. If yo ure looking for jobs as a bookkeeper or in any other region of expertise, your success will be dependent on your willingness to take the perfect actions. The War Against Accounting Resume Examples Naturally, each job will call for unique abilities and experiences, so make certain you read the job description with care and concentrate on the skills listed by the employer. The important issue is demonstrating your wisdom and skills as a bookkeeper. Hard skills are skills youll be able to learn through study or skills that you can readily quantify. Any extra skills its possible to add will offer your resume a boost. Characteristics of Accounting Resume Examples 1 general weakness of lots of resumes, is they include a laundry list of job duties instead of accomplishments. In addition, the letter ought to be dealt with to some specific individual, the man who gets probably the most sway to shield you in the meeting room. Beneath, youll find out when to include your own cover le tter and which type of letter youve got to send to find a particular partie or company. Obviously, you could even compose your own original cover letter. Things You Wont Like About Accounting Resume Examples and Things You Will If youre really attempting to land work, we recommend taking the opportunity to tailor your resume to fit certain positions. Accounting might look like a by-the-numbers job but the decent ones understand how to exercise a little bit of creativity to provide you with a more accurate description of business performance. If youre searching to boost or target your career, you should pick a path. Making a career out of being an accountant is well worth considering if youre good in the area of mathematics and statistics amongst others. If you are searching for a job as an account executive, your resume needs to demonstrate you have the wisdom and experience essential to advise clients and manage finances. Moreover, its great to understand how your resume reads. The Lost Secret of Accounting Resume Examples If you step through the very first, you are going to get a bookkeeping resume that shows all of your work experience. In that instance, you may require a bookkeeper resume instead. Youre going to observe an ideal bookkeeper resume sample. Bellow, youll locate a bookkeeper resume sample that youre able to download and edit depending on your experience and strengths.

6 Cheats to Help You Rocket Up the Corporate Ladder

6 Cheats to Help You Rocket Up the Corporate Ladder Although the goalof being a manager is not as popular as it once was, studies show that 34 percent of workers still aspiring to leadership positions. Even though the not-so-ambitious are bailing out of the corporate rat race in swarms, it hasnt exactly becomemuch easier for the remaining workers to climb the organizational ladder. There still remain millions of workers all over the world competing for the limited number of elite management positions at the top.Climbing up the management ladder is as hard as its ever been, so I thought I would outline some hints and tips to help you get an edge on the competition1. Get an MBADespite what the skeptics might tell you,it seems that MBAs do confer upon their holders a number of benefits.Post-MBA starting pay is 50 percent higher than pre-MBA pay for full-time students, and part-time MBA graduates also see incremental boosts in pay. The payback period for an MBA is about four years on average.So, the message is simple getting an MBA seems to be a very effective way to accelerateyour careeradvancement.2. Be Adaptable and FlexibleWhen your boss asks you to do some tasks that are outside of your job description, resist the temptation to say, Thats not my job. Why? Because 71 percent of employers see this lack offlexibility and adaptability asa red flag, one that could prevent you from getting a promotion.If you want to be seen as a promotion prospect, and you shouldalways be willing to take on work outside of your job description.3. Become the Managers FavoriteA survey from Georgetown Universitys McDonough School of Business found that 56 percent of senior executives had favorites for internal promotions before interviews even took place, and that 96 percent of these executives ended up giving the promotions to their favorites. That means that, regardless of whether or not it is fai r, one of the best ways to climb the corporate ladder is to become the managers favorite.This may be easier said than done, because you may simply not be your managers type. However, there are somethings you can do to get into your managers good graces. Go above and beyond the call of dutyat work, and be sureto showan interestin your bosss hobbies.Do you and your boss both enjoy endurance sports? Thenuse that to your advantage and bond with your manager over that marathon you just ran.4. Take an Overseas AssignmentMercers 2012 Worldwide Survey of International Assignment Policies and Practicesshows that one of the top five reasons for international assignments is to support career development. In a global geschftlicher umgang world, research shows that multinational employers favor management candidates who have international experience. Having international experience on your resume is a great way to boost your promotion potential. The next time you see an opportunity for a not-so- glamorous role overseas, jump at the chance to take it. View it as a freestepping stone in your career.If you cant get an overseas assignment, consider learning a second language, preferably in a country where your company or industry commonly does business. This should also increase your attractiveness as a potential manager.5. Start Your Own Business and Build Your Management SkillsIf you are struggling to be seen as promotion material, one option is to leave your company and start your own business. This will enable you to develop skills in sales, marketing, finance, people management, customer relationship management, and customer satisfaction. After gaining a few years of experience, you can either continue on your self-employed path or rejoin the working world at a higher level, thanks to yourvery impressive resume.6. Wear Professional AttireAsurvey developed by OfficeTeam found that 80 percentexecutives agreed that clothing choice can affect an employees chance of earning a p romotion. It seems that something as simple as presenting apolished appearance, wearing a suit, and dressing so that you look like management material is a great way to make yourself more promotable.If yourequesting to reach the top of the corporate ladder, these tips should help give your journey a little boost. They may not solve all of your problems, but theyll definitely make you more promotable and give you some serious advantages over your competitors.