Search Results

The one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdown has come and gone, inspiring many of us to reflect on the impact of this past year. We checked in with several of our BGSF consultants to see how they were personally and professionally impacted by the pandemic and where they stand now as we look toward a future past COVID. The Shutdown The shutdown was abrupt for many of us, including our consultants. Most were first told that their offices would be going through deep cleaning, quickly followed by an announcement that they would not be returning. At this point, a few had gone back to get some of their things, but they wished they had more time to prepare as they would have brought home files, documents, etc. when they first went remote. The “Work from Home” Transition The biggest change for everyone was, of course, working from home full time. While some employees had previously held remote positions and were prepared with home offices, others had to take the time to get situated with new computer monitors and to get set up on the client’s network. The initial transition was met with some connectivity issues, but overall, there was a smooth changeover regarding communication and working virtually with their colleagues. “We were very lucky because we had Teams set up beforehand and everyone communicates very well through that.” Each consultant also expressed that their output did not change much at all during this transition. In fact, they found that their productivity actually increased across their teams because they felt less burdened by the daily commute and less distracted by office interruptions. “Our team has been just as productive, if not more so. I have found myself to be quite productive and I believe my team members feel the same.” Consequently, some of their workloads increased, and their hours slowly extended due to the blur between work and home life. But overall, they each had a positive outlook on working remotely and expressed that they would be interested in a hybrid (working from home 2-3 days a week) as we slowly move back to the office. “My biggest hope is that coming out of this, managers will recognize that you don’t have to physically be together in a certain location to be productive.” Maintaining Relationships The discussion of relationships emerged as we examined their current team dynamics. Many missed the everyday, personal interactions and the ease at which they could communicate if they were in the same location. However, they believed moving to virtual interactions went smoother than anticipated because they had established relationships with their colleagues in person, having worked with their clients for at least two years before the shutdown. “We have virtual meetings twice a week to stay connected and we do leave time to talk about our daily lives.” So, while personal interactions have clearly changed, some felt better prepared for this transformation because they had begun these relationships in person. One consultant even noted that they couldn’t imagine coming into a completely virtual situation without being able to physically meet anyone on their team. Professional Support Each consultant maintains that their transition to remote work was fairly straightforward, and many attribute that to the support they received from the clients and BGSF. “I actually had COVID in November, but I was given enough support from the client, who allowed me to be flexible in my hours. This made me feel appreciated and pushed me to get back to work as soon as I could.” “Jacqui [my BGSF Client Engagement Manager] has been great. She is always asking if we need anything.” “BGSF was extremely supportive, especially Kristen [my BGSF Client Engagement Manager]. My wife has pulmonary issues and when I reached out, explaining I couldn’t put her at risk, Kristen spoke with my manager so I could work remotely before everything actually shut down.” “I received the best support from Jacqui [my BGSF Client Engagement Manager]. She checked in once or twice a week when this first started. She’s very helpful and will even reach out on weekends.” The COVID shutdown upended our lives and challenged us in a way we could have never prepared for. But from the chaos has come new realizations about the way we function as a workforce, what is possible when we need to rely on new technologies and processes, and has highlighted the support we give to one another when navigating new challenges. We are excited to see a future past COVID and curious what that will look like for us, our clients, and our consultants.

By: Eric Peters, President of the Professional Division It’s almost been a year since most BGSF offices transitioned to remote amid the Coronavirus pandemic…yes, a full YEAR! Feels like ten, doesn’t it? We’ve taken a moment to reflect on how this year has not only impacted us, but our candidates, and clients as well. Of course, we’ve all shifted to heavily rely on technology and video for our daily work lives. Ah, don’t you miss the days when a computer was a feature and not a necessary fixture? How Has This Impacted the Industry? Our Clients: Video killed the work/life balance! A necessary evil, but clients now must rely on video for recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and retaining talent. As well, there need to be meetings on strategy, initiatives, project management, and overall engagement. Topics easily discussed in passing in an office setting. The virtual work environment also brings new challenges to the work/life balance and allows for “relaxed” business etiquette to creep in. Our Candidates: This new virtual world has made it difficult for consultants to network and discover new opportunities. It also limits their ability to see the true work environment/culture of a company and makes mannerisms challenging to view on the candidate/hiring side. The Importance of Video Etiquette Dogs, kids, and messes! Oh MY! In this new age of WFH, it’s sometimes difficult to maintain professionalism which can sometimes have disadvantages when talking to potential, and current clients and candidates. Here are some easy tips and tricks to keep that work and life boundary up and running: Do’s Mute your microphone when necessary If you remain unmuted, your everyday noises may be completely disruptive to those speaking. We’re talking shuffling of clothing, clearing of the throat, dogs barking, etc. Your mic picks up a lot more than you think! Wear meeting appropriate clothes Keep your surroundings suitable and clean Try looking at the camera, to simulate ‘eye contact’ Stabilize your device – shaky camera movements will take the focus Select a professional background or picture Do Not’s Don’t position your camera too low, or too high Don’t try to multitask during meetings, stay focused. Don’t sneak out! Don’t mumble, but don’t shout Don’t interrupt others Set Your Space Up for Success Impressions are everything! Especially the first ones. Working from home presents unique challenges and culture shock.  A topic which we covered in Elaine Priesman’s Feature Friday blog. Equipment and Lighting Make sure your internet connection, camera, and microphone are all set up and functioning properly. Try to troubleshoot before any meetings. Frame your face! Set your camera as close to eye-level as possible Assess your lighting: Make use of natural light and overhead lighting. Backlighting can cause shadows and make it difficult for others to see you. Check your camera angle prior to meetings to catch any up-the-nose situations or the most dreaded: double-chin angles Connect your computer to your ethernet cable so you can have the best internet connection possible. If you cannot be hard-wired, make sure you have adequate bandwidth on your WiFi network. If you must use your WiFi network, forewarn those living with you that you will need the bandwidth for a certain amount of time, so they can limit their use. Privacy and Background If you cannot find a private space, use headphones to reduce background noise. If you have others in your home that are working from home or virtual learning, let them know you’ll be on a call to reduce interruptions. Clean up your background! Tip: Too messy, and too little time? Try using a blurred or virtual background. Tempting though it may be to use the fun backgrounds, try to choose less distracting ones

A lot of us are dealing with the unusual challenge of working from home full time and keeping your video calls professional. Even if you have worked from home before, the unusual circumstances probably make it feel like a whole new world. Not only that but now you have more variables to deal with: pets, significant others, roommates, children and the like.  It’s sudden, it’s for an extended period, and the whole company is doing it! Below are some tips that will help make sure you’re successful, with clients and candidates over video calls: 1. Create a quiet, professional work environment. Your home is now your office space, and the best way to utilize it is to find a spot that is: Quiet As away from pets as you can be Somewhere where the background is neutral 2. Plan and prepare. The video, audio, or conference calls Test video and what it looks like prior to call Have a sign for outside your door, so as not to be disturbed EX. “Call in Progress, Please Do Not Disturb” Have a plan-b Have direct-dial phone numbers in case the video call fails Download an offline form of materials, i.e. pdf or something similar Confirmation The day before confirm the date, time, and agenda with whomever you’re scheduled with Make sure to attach the link to download video conferencing software or video conferencing number 3. Routine and Professional Dress Maintaining some sort of routine will get you ready for your day, just as going to the office might. Dressing the part is something that will help you get into the work mode, it signals to your brain that it’s time to work. This helps maintain some normalcy for you as well as clients and candidates; it shows that you’re still here to work for them. Allot time in the mornings to ready your mind for work. Things like taking the dogs out, having a cup of coffee, or making breakfast to get your day started. Making new and maintaining morning routines will ensure, walking into your home workspace equates to a successful day.

Whether an industry veteran or just getting started, it’s never too early to start thinking about where you want to take your career. Having one, three, five, and even ten-year goals can help guide you in your current role and help you discover how to achieve your next steps. Keep reading for some helpful tips to not only hone your passion in the real estate industry but how to get to your long-term, short-term, and everything-in-between term goals. 1. Define your why. Is it to enrich your residents’ or tenants’ lives? Is it to build something beautiful? Is it to create meaningful connections to current and future clients through strategic and innovative marketing platforms (*waves*)? Start with WHY you want to do what you do in the industry. Hint: never make it about money. You can earn a living doing a million things. Why do you want to work in real estate? Note that your “why” can change over the course of your career! The most important part is to be aware of the reason you do what you do. 2. Pick your passion. List everything you do in your role from your most favorite thing to your least favorite. List everything, even the mundane! Now, look at your top five-six items. Those things can be used to start defining your passion in the real estate industry. Is it talking with clients or meeting new people? Is it coming up with new ideas or training new employees? Your passion can encompass more than one aspect, but those top items will help guide you to pinpoint your career path. 3. Think long term. Picture your career in ten years. Where are you? What role do you have? What is your title? What are your job responsibilities? How are you making an impact? Think BIG and know that ten years ago, people rarely had the title of “marketing director” or “social media strategist”. Now (*waves*), look where we are. So know that as the real estate industry continues to grow, so will the roles and positions we haven’t even thought of yet. 4. Think backwards. Starting with that lofty ten-year goal, work backwards. Where are you in five years? Does that five-year goal line up in a trajectory path to your ten-year goal? Take it back again; think about where you want to be in three years. Two years? One year. Six months. And now we start building our goal path. 5. Share it. If you don’t have a mentor in the real estate industry yet, get you one. Network with your local or state association, join a committee, reach out to a seasoned colleague or experienced leader in your company. Talk about your goals and ask for their feedback. What steps are you missing and what help might you need to get to where you want to go? Whether it’s credential courses, extra classes on design, engineering, public speaking, or leadership, there are lots of educational resources out there to help you along the way. Getting someone else invested in your goals is a great way to not only get advice on your big picture goals but to offer resources you might not have considered yet. Additionally, share your goal with your boss! Especially if you want to grow within the company you are with now, your boss will be delighted to help you along the way and keep you invested. 6. Keep checking in with yourself. Set yourself a calendar reminder for a self-check-in every six months. Ask questions like: “Am I still on the goal path I set for myself?” “What hurdles am I facing now and what do I need to overcome them?” “What can I do in the next six months to get me closer to my big picture goal?” “Who do I need to talk to about my career path?” 7. Don’t give up! Yes, we get passed over for promotions sometimes. And yes, there might be setbacks or days where you don’t feel like you’re progressing. Don’t give up! Ten years isn’t a short amount of time, and any long-term career goal should be a marathon, not a sprint. Treat each setback as a stepping stone and talk to your mentor or your boss about how you’re feeling. You might find that eventually, those setbacks were the perfect thing to get you even closer to your end goal. For all your goals, big and small, let BG Real Estate help! We offer the best in temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire candidates. We also have the perfect jumping-off point to get started in the real estate industry! Contact our team today or learn more at BGSF.com.

If you were laid off due to COVID-19 or another unforeseen circumstance, don’t be idle during your job search.  There are several things you can do to help keep your skills fresh, make yourself more marketable, and stay up to date with the latest technologies. One thing you can do is pursue certifications such as cloud certifications and other certifications in your field.  You can also work on your own side projects or build your own home lab to practice. Don’t forget to add those projects to your resume to highlight those newly learned skills. Potential hiring managers will appreciate your work ethic, commitment to your craft, and ability to learn when you are seeking new opportunities. The time is NOW to build up your skillset. Check out these links for some trusted resources to obtain HOT certifications that could make you more marketable and can be completed remotely! PMP AWS A+ Certified Scrum Master CCNA For all your goals, big and small, let BGSF Professional Division help! From IT implementation/configuration, data management, financial & accounting, project support, HR, creative marketing, and more, we deliver the largest national network of highly-skilled specialized talent. Whether you need professional recruitment for full-time positions, temporary labor, or sourcing for consulting engagements, there’s no business challenge we can’t solve. Contact our team today or learn more at BGSF.com.

Aswani Ayyala, Technical Recruiter with Vision Technology Services It’s normal for people to be nervous during an interview, but being overly nervous might show a lack of confidence in your skills. I always tell my candidates to keep in mind that this is a two-way street. The candidate is also interviewing the managers / company to see if this would be a long-term fit for THEM, not just the other way around. Asking questions about the team, the organization, the type of work they do, and their end goal is just as important as you answering each of the interview questions. This not only shows your interest in the organization, but it will provide clarity for you about the position and the company. Asking these questions will help you figure out if this is where you see yourself for years to come. The company needs to sell YOU on the job too! Our entire Professional Division is here to assist you in your career journey! Please contact us anytime for additional support.

In this guide, we highlight best practices around recruitment, interviewing, and retention to help guide you through these uncertain times. Often, it is much more than just compensation that aids in recruiting talent and retaining the best people. BGSF Professional Division 2021 Salary Guide #ProfessionalDivision #ProfessionalSalary #SalaryGuide

The debate continues every year from about mid-November to early January does real estate actually have a “slow” season? Sure, people might calm down on physically moving in and out of homes or offices, and some businesses/leasing offices might be closed for Christmas and New Year’s Day. But if you look closely, the slowdown of foot traffic might be the perfect opportunity to plan out successes and goals for the coming year. Keep reading for a few tips to make the most out of your downtime! Send handwritten cards. Whether it be to wish your clients or residents ‘happy holidays’, a $5 gift card for coffee on you, or a simple note to say hello; it’s a great time to remind your customers why they chose to do business with you in the first place. Among the holiday cards and packages, it’s nice to see a ‘thank you’ from a business or account manager. Complete all that nasty paperwork and filing. Yep – go ahead and bite the bullet. Now is the perfect time to do a deep clean of your office space, whether that’s a home office, remote office, or the kitchen table. File away papers from the previous year, making sure they’re labeled clearly, and store them in easy-to-see boxes (these from the Container Store are a team favorite!). Clean and wipe down surfaces and screens. Put everything back in its place. Now is also a great time to edit down your space and clear some room for new calendars, motivational quotes, or just enjoy a clear area to work and think. Check out these fun printables for your office area and get ready to get stuff done in the new year! Plan out your calendar. Sure, you don’t know what March 18th will bring EXACTLY. But now is a great time to pencil in some fun plans – not only for something to look forward to but how many times have we looked up and it’s July already? Plan things like tentative vacations, staycations, and self-care days. Pencil in employee appreciation weeks, team get-togethers (either in-person or virtually!), and make notes to book things like massages, spa days, book club dates, or wine with friends. Looking ahead and preparing yourself for the coming year will hopefully cut down on surprises or last-minute plans. These stickers are sure to help your calendar stay bright and cheery while reminding you of important dates and times. Make resolutions. Maybe resolutions aren’t your thing. Let’s call them “plans and goals” instead. Along with planning out your calendar, making goals for yourself is a great way to accomplish things you normally might put off. It could be a health goal, family goal, work goal, or anything in between –  speaking a goal out loud and/or writing it down makes you 50% MORE likely to accomplish it. We like those odds! Relax. Our guess is that you feel like this past year flew by in a flash. We feel you. Take this time among the holidays to breathe, spend time with family, and collect yourself. Drop the to-do lists, the cleaning frenzies, or the anxious organizing. You are perfectly okay to just sit, enjoy time with friends and family, and leave the chores for tomorrow. Give yourself grace in knowing that time spent with people who care for you is never wasted and the dust bunnies can wait. To kick off the new year on the right foot, give BG Real Estate a call for any additional help you need. Whether it’s maintenance, leasing, property management, or just someone to help welcome guests and guide them to the elevator at your community (yeah, we do that!) we are here for you. Reach us at BGSF.com. We can’t wait to be part of your success story in the new year!

The first question you may ask is “why is cybersecurity relevant to the manufacturing industry?” In the digital age that is the 21st century, almost everything is automated or at least computerized. Data is saved in online servers, tests are run in simulations, and more. And all the while, cybercriminals are becoming smarter, which means the manufacturing industry—one of the oldest industries in the country—must transform to protect itself. Still, aren’t sure? Here are five more reasons why you should invest in cybersecurity in the manufacturing industry. Cybercrime is Rising As the world becomes more technologically savvy, one guarantee is that cybercriminals are as well. Generations today were born into a tech world and they are comfortable with its constantly changing nature. So, with cybercriminals becoming more common and more data being saved online, it is no shock that crimes like these pose a serious threat to every industry. Manufacturers are Valuable Targets Manufacturing businesses specifically are significant targets for many reasons. Among the top reasons are the sheer size and necessity of the industry around the world. Proprietary data, prototypes, test results, automated processes, production, and more are all vulnerable when they are recorded and saved online. Even if the data stolen is not valuable or relevant on its own, it can be useful for ransom. Without proper security measures, these exclusive plans and processes are at risk for corporate espionage and corruption. Cyberattacks Could Become More Severe Due to the nature of the manufacturing industry, cyberattacks pose a huge risk to more than just one company. More often than not, these companies are part of a larger supply chain, so an attack on one will affect the entire line. The manufacturing process is more involved than ever as factory machinery, automation, and more are made to integrate seamlessly with each other, meaning the disruption of a single piece will cost every company and client connected to that supply chain a lot of money. Modernized Factories Have More Entry Points Factories that have bought into modern technologies are setting themselves up for a highly productive and profitable future. But, they must also be aware of the vulnerabilities that come along with it. Every tool, whether physical or digital, that is added to the automated, integrated toolbox is a potential point of entry unless properly protected. A cybersecurity team’s job is to guard these backdoors and sound the alarm if and when they are breached. Therefore, as a general rule, the more integrated a system is, the more robust the cybersecurity management system must be as well. The Industry Lacks Cybersecurity Experience Call it a competitive advantage or self–preservation, but cybersecurity is a necessity with which just a few companies in the manufacturing industry have experience. And while the number of new adopters is rising quickly, it is vital to never overestimate your own measures of protection or underestimate the lengths cybercriminals are willing to take to get your data. Educating yourself and your employees on the most common forms of cyberattacks—such as phishing—and how to recognize potential threats is just as important as investing in a top-of-the-line cybersecurity team. A security-minded culture is one of the best defenses against cybercriminals. Emphasize caution and good judgment among your teams and use robust cybersecurity software in the equipment they use every day, and your company will be in the best position it can be to withstand the risks that a highly productive, automated, and integrated future brings to your door. Looking to fortify your defenses? BGSF has what you need, from factory employees to cybersecurity professionals, and more. Reach out to a representative today and see how we can help you solve all your workforce problems! Nichols, Ray Megan. Euroscientist.com.

Four years ago, self-guided touring was the newest technology to hit multifamily housing. A number of start-up companies were in on this, speaking on how leasing could continue 24-7, allowing the prospect to guide themself through the amenities and model apartment, using a one-time code that allowed for doors to be unlocked for a certain period of time. This whole concept raised some questions. What about the rapport that leasing associates were expected to build during the leasing process? What about safety and loss prevention? More importantly- would this mean the end of traditional leasing offices? Enter 2020. In a pandemic and post-pandemic world, there are several large management firms that have opted to pull the trigger on self-guided tours. In a time of distancing and no contact, self-guided tours mean that prospects can continue to apartment hunt without the worry of encountering others. A self-guided tour, no matter the company that offers it, is usually pretty standard. A prospect can schedule the appointment from a website or a link provided by the leasing team. Upon giving an ID number and (sometimes) a credit card number for incidentals, the tour is set and all the prospect has to do is show up. Once a prospect has arrived, the coordinating tour app on their phone guides them through each step of the tour- with picture and video guides. Doors unlock magically with their one-time code, interior cameras are set up to monitor time spent in each space, and most apps usually have a feature to show off additional benefits in each room (i.e. “Check out the granite countertops and soft-close cabinets!”). As a bonus, the app will also ask the prospect if they are ready to lease the apartment home- and give them the direct link to apply right then and there. Easy, right? The list of additional pros for self-guided touring is amazing. Allowing only one prospect or prospect group per slot, there’s no chance of double booking. Additionally, while there is a time limit, it’s not a short one. You can take your time strolling through amenity areas, the model home, and community spaces at your leisure. For the prospect, there’s no “pressure” of making a leasing decision right then and there. It’s easy to inspect every square inch of the model apartment or vacant apartment without a leasing associate’s attentive presence. Plus, self-guided tours are usually scheduled for extended hours- starting as early at 6 am at some communities and ending at 8 pm. If you are one of the majority of Americans who work until 5 pm or 6 pm, you don’t have to scramble to get to a leasing office before closing time- simply schedule your self-guided tour at a time that’s the most convenient for you. As new technologies usually do, there are some cons, or at the very least, some questions that a renter or management company needs to consider before spending upwards of $10,000 to outfit a model home for a self-guided tour. What if things go missing? Loss prevention is one of the biggest setbacks and concerns for companies wanting to take the next step in self-guided tours. Sure, the prospect must submit a driver’s license when they tour as well as a credit card- but what if it’s fake? What if your custom furniture or décor gets nabbed out of a model home or an amenity area gets trashed? Some would say the risk outweighs the reward. Other concerns have to do with the personal touch that a leasing experience can provide. If prospects choose to go the self-guided route, who is there to overcome their objections? How will they form an emotional connection to the office team? What if they have questions, get lost on the tour route, or meet a resident who just HAS to tell them about their negative experience and there’s no leasing associate there to usher them kindly away? These are the things keeping some VPs up at night. There’s no argument that the leasing process is shifting- not only due to COVID-19, but also due to emerging technologies, a faster pace of life, and more people wanting to dole out their time wisely; whether that means more time at home with their family, or working-from-home and homeschooling coinciding with their typical nine to five jobs. As we continue to evolve as an industry, we need to be able to be flexible with the changing needs of our residents and prospective residents to stay relevant. Regardless of whether your company is beginning self-guided tours or keeping it old school, BG Real Estate is here for you. Maybe it’s in-person leasing associates or an additional concierge to assist with keeping that self-guided tour path clean. No matter your stance or where you are today, BGRE is making sure that your future is our purpose. Find out more at BGSF.com.

Overview More and more businesses are beginning to leverage predictive analytics to increase revenue, reduce cost and improve service to customers. However, many others are not sure how to get started or believe they need to hire a new department of data scientists. With these unknowns determining the true ROI of implementing predictive analytics can prevent many companies from even trying. All companies can benefit from predictive analytics to improve operations. To get started, determine a proof of concept use case that can be completed in 12 weeks. This POC enables the business team to understand the analytics process, outcomes and how to implement the model within operations. Machine Learning There are two types of machine learning algorithms used to create predictions, Supervised Learning, and Unsupervised Learning. Supervised learning makes predictions using past information and known outcomes. For example, predicting part failures by tracking historical part failures. Unsupervised learning makes predictions from only the data it has, no historical or known outcomes are known. An example of this is market basket analysis where all purchases made for the past year at a supermarket are analyzed to determine what products are frequently purchased together. How does Predictive Analytics Work? Predictive analytics leverages patterns and relationships in data by using historical data applied to current information. The core of predictive analytics is the data mining model. Data mining models are built using various machine learning algorithms that attempt to discover patterns, trends, and behaviors in the data. Using the best performing model for the individual use case, new insights can be gained by applying the model to new data. The following use cases explain how predictive analytics can improve business operations. Use Case – Predicting Credit Risk Default You can predict credit risk default by using a supervised learning algorithm that leverages historical data from all customers. A model can be built that scores each customer and provides the probability that they will default on their credit. The results of the model can be shared with the operations team to do further investigation and determine what actions to take to minimize defaults. Use Case – Predicting Customers Most Likely to Churn You can predict the customers most likely to churn by using a supervised learning algorithm that leverages historical data from all customers. A model can be built that scores each customer and provides the probability that they will churn or stop their service. The results of the model can be shared with the operations team to do further investigation and determine what actions to take to minimize churn and offer customers different products that lead to higher income. Use Case – Predicting Machine Failures You can predict which machines are most likely to fail by using a supervised learning algorithm that leverages historical data from all similar machines. For example, using the sensor data from a well pump. A model can be built that scores each pump and provides the probability of failure for each pump. The results of the model can be shared with the maintenance team to do further investigation and determine what actions to take to minimize downtime. Use Case – Predicting Products that Sell Together (Market Basket) You can predict which products are most likely to be used by customers using an unsupervised learning algorithm that leverages data from all customers. For example, using the product information from a financial institution such as saving account, checking account, ATM usage. A model can be built that determines which products customers commonly used by all customers. The results of the model can be shared with the product team to create new offerings and marketing efforts that get more customers leveraging. © Derek WilsonCEO – CDO Advisorswww.cdoadvisors.com

Think that the time for learning is done the day you graduate from college? Think again! On the contrary, the individuals who are most successful in life pursue continuing education throughout their careers. Here are just a few reasons that BGSF recommends job candidates keep learning new skills: Keep Current in Your Industry If you’re not keeping up on industry news, you may be missing out on valuable work opportunities. As technology and trends develop, employees who don’t keep up may find themselves at a disadvantage. In the long run, neglecting to learn new skills may even stop you from landing that dream job. There are a number of easy ways to stay current with the latest topics and developments. Reading blogs, following influencers on LinkedIn, finding interesting Twitter users and utilizing RSS feeds are four methods of getting news delivered to your fingertips multiple times a day. Increase Income Potential Who doesn’t want to make more money? If you want to increase your value in the workplace, consider going back to school to develop your skills and abilities. Not only do graduate degrees increase lifetime earning potential, but attending these programs in your off hours also shows your boss that you truly care about helping the company succeed. In the long run, going back to school may just help you score that much-desired promotion. Avoid Boredom It doesn’t matter how much you enjoy your job – if you routinely perform the same tasks and activities, you are bound to feel a little bored on occasion. Fortunately, education is a great way to stave off boredom. If you’re feeling unmotivated, consider signing up for a night course at your local college or taking a class online. Fully committing to a degree program isn’t a requirement, so finding a course that interests you is a great alternative. You could also attend a business seminar or trade show. Not only are these events a great way to stimulate your interest in the career you once loved, but they may also serve as valuable networking opportunities. You may even meet your next employer on the convention floor!