Bright Business Consulting, Eau Claire, WI Videos

As times are slowly returning to 'normal', I've seen a lot of companies try to return to business as usual, as it was B.C. (Before Covid).⠀ ⠀ As much as we may wish we could go back to how things were, that's just not the reality. ⠀ ⠀ Things have fundamentally changed! And we need a whole new rulebook for this new normal.⠀ ⠀ Unfortunately, that rulebook doesn't exist, which is why these last few years have been so challenging. Businesses and leaders have been forced to pivot and adjust on the spot. ⠀ ⠀ Despite the challenges and the temptation to go 'back to normal', we have to embrace the 'new normal' and all that comes with it. ⠀ ⠀ It's going to feel weird at first and it's still pretty unknown, but I promise it's better than staying stuck in the past.

One of my favorite things to talk about is leadership development. ⠀ ⠀ So many people think they have to wait to work on their leadership skills until they have a certain job title or position. ⠀ ⠀ But this could not be farther from the truth!⠀ ⠀ Some of the best leaders don’t have a ‘leadership’ job title - they act as leaders where they’re at instead of waiting for a promotion to make them into a leader. ⠀ ⠀ Becoming a leader is really about looking at your situation and thinking ‘What do I think needs to change?’ ⠀ ⠀ It could be on your team, in your organization, or even in your community. ⠀ ⠀ Then, instead of sitting back and complaining about how things are, you step forward and take action. ⠀ ⠀ That is how change happens!⠀ ⠀ Times are still weird and life is hard but I truly believe everyone has the power to create change and be a leader. ⠀ ⠀ Keep rocking!

I was talking with a friend recently and she asked me, "How do I follow up on an action item without seeming like I'm micromanaging somebody?"⠀ ⠀ This is an excellent question especially if you are working remotely.⠀ ⠀ Now that we're in a virtual workplace, the old way of doing things can be thrown out the window!⠀ ⠀ The new way of doing things and following up on those action items is making sure first that you're being very clear about what you need and want from people.⠀ ⠀ I've got some steps you can take to be super clear on setting expectations so you don't have to feel like a micromanager.⠀ ⠀ As always, these things don't happen overnight! ⠀ ⠀ It times time, practice, and a lot of following up with folks!⠀ ⠀ If you're looking for more in-depth content on management concepts like this, check out the Bright Manager Circle!⠀ ⠀ You'll have access to webinars that will save you time Googling common management challenges like this. Head to the link in my bio for more info!⠀ ⠀ Remember - times are still really weird!! ⠀ ⠀ Take a deep breath. Everything is figuroutable. Keep rocking!

I've messed up.⠀ ⠀ You've messed up.⠀ ⠀ We've ALL messed up at work before. ⠀ ⠀ Messing up is a given, but receiving feedback on how we can do better in the future isn't.⠀ ⠀ This is something I wish I had had more often as a manager. ⠀ ⠀ Feedback is key to having people do their jobs well and maintaining a positive workplace culture.⠀ ⠀ As managers, giving helpful feedback like this the first time will save you time and energy by not having to address the same mistakes over and over. ⠀ ⠀ Want more management tips like this? Check out the Bright Manager Circle!! More details in my bio.⠀ ⠀ Keep rocking, friends!

Have you ever been in a meeting where a few folks hardly talk at all and then there’s one of two people who completely dominate the conversation? Yeah, I think we all have🙋‍♀️ This can be super frustrating. What this boils down to are personality differences. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert or somewhere in between, the more you can learn about other personality types the better. This will make it easier for you to communicate and interact with those people who have different communications styles. I’m not saying you’ll never be frustrated in a meeting again, but it will make it easier to reach a common goal. For more tips on navigating common workplace situations like this, I’ve got some free events coming up! Head to link in the comments to check them out and to register. Times are still weird!! Remember to take a deep breath and keep rocking! #companyculture #communication #managementtips

Manager Survival Guide - Working with Interns
I've been talking a lot about the skills and experiences interns need to succeed in the workplace. As managers, there are also skills you need to get the most out of having interns. Even if it starts smooth, things may pop up later that you didn't notice right off the bat. Gen-Zers learned differently than other generations. They've grown up with set learning objectives, outcomes, and clear assignments that were graded with a specific grading rubric. That's what they're used to! Then they got to college, and there was a syllabus of everything they needed to do to succeed. See what I'm getting at here? Gen-Zers are used to following a rubric to succeed. But there's not always a rubric in life. Inters may not realize there are things you are expecting them to take on on their own! It's not because they aren't motivated or ambitious, they just don't want to mess up or do something wrong. So what can you do? Have a conversation. Make sure the intern knows that it's okay to try and it's okay to make mistakes! You also may need to get into the habit of writing things down! Write down processes, directions, and any other information your intern can go back to as they work through a project. If this is helpful information for you, I'm pumped to share the Bright Manager Circle! You can check it out for free for a week to see if it's relevant to you. There's content on working with interns, how to lead meetings, setting expectations and boundaries, and so much more! You'll also have access to 2 webinars for even more relevant information. No more googling your management questions hoping to find a trustworthy source. It's all at your fingertips - saving you time and energy! You can find all the details below. Keep rocking!!

Headache Relief = Regular Meetings
New employees — interns or those new to your profession – don't have that same life experience as your employees that have been at it for 15-20 years. As a result, they may not know what they need to talk to you about versus what they can do confidently on their own. So what can you do? Have regular check-in meetings. Maybe it's half an hour, maybe it's 45 minutes, maybe it's an hour. No matter the length, make sure it is blocked off in both of your calendars. This will allow you to really check-in with the intern and find out how specific projects are going. More importantly, it helps you get a sense of how their work is going. It gives you the opportunity to resolve conflicts and complications before they get too challenging (or out of hand!). Having a standing meeting and agenda helps e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e involved. Make life a little easier for yourself — and your people! If you are looking for more ways to work better with your interns, I’ve got you covered. I have a new course specifically for interns all about different skills they need in the workplace. I'm super excited about this course because it's a chance to support the next generation of professionals navigate the work world. Which is so important right now! This work world is unlike anything we've experienced before and there are still changes happening daily. Okay - so check out those resources for interns and you can also find more tips for working with interns over on my blog! Keep rocking!

Create a Great Experience for Interns by being Intentional
This month we are talking all about internships! I have always loved working with students and being a part of their learning and growth. Internships are one of the best learning experiences for students! But in order for an internship to be a good experience, it has to be intentional. How can you, as a manager, be intentional so that your interns (and you!) have the best possible experience? Here are a few tips. First, set expectations for the intern. Be honest in what you want and need, and in your feedback! Let them know right away what's going well and especially what's not going well. The sooner you can redirect them, the better it will be in the long run. Second, show the intern examples. If this is their first experience in a professional setting, they may not know how to participate in a team meeting for example. The workplace is very different from school. You may need to say 'Hey, this is how you answer the phone!' or 'This is how you treat VIP clients.' Have them sit in on conversations so they can see hear and experience how you operate. This is SO beneficial for young professionals. It may seem basic to you, but remember...interns are just starting out! They may not know these things yet and that's okay! That is the point of an internship - to learn and grow and experience what life is like in the workplace. That can only happen if you as a manager put in the time and energy to show them the ropes. It will benefit the student immensely, AND it will benefit you! If this information was helpful, I have lots of awesome resources rolling out for you and your interns! I'm super excited to share that we have online trainings for interns! Check out the link in our bio for more information! Keep rocking!!

Building Relationships with Interns
When I was teaching at a university, my favorite time of the year was right before the Career Conference. I loved working with students and helping them get ready for internships and job hunting! That's why I'm excited to help small businesses learn how to work effectively with interns. Because I love students AND I love working with small businesses. Internships can be a huge benefit to your business. But they can also be a difficult thing to navigate. Check out the video for tips on how you can make the most of having an intern work with your small business. I also have resources for your interns with info like how to send a professional email and other skills that can help interns thrive. Or if you're a business owner looking to start hiring interns, I can help with that, too. Check out the link in the comments for more info on all of those resources and more. And stay tuned all month for more on working with interns!! Keep rocking!

Interns Are Like House-Guests: Plan Before They Arrive For A Successful Experience!
If you enjoy having house guests, you likely have a routine to get ready for their arrival. There might be some cleaning and picking up involved, planning and making a meal, and maybe even setting up a game or activity to entertain your guests. If you don't plan for having people over, you'll likely end up feeding them whatever's left in the fridge and twiddling your thumbs thinking of activities to pass the time. Not the best way to spend an evening. Just like how there's prep for entertaining, there's also prep that goes into bringing on an intern. If you don't plan for their arrival, it's not going to be a good experience for your organization OR for the intern. It's important to have simple logistics figured out like where they're going to sit, will they need a company email account, and other small yet important tools to help them be successful. Once you've got the logistics down, it's time to clarify what the intern will do and who they will be working with. Especially if an intern is working virtually, you want to make sure they know who they can talk to, how to ask questions, and really make them feel part of the team. Thinking through and planning for your fall interns to arrive makes a BIG difference in whether or not they have the tools to succeed or if they are left bored without enough to do. Check out the video for more tips on how to make sure your organization is ready when your fall intern arrives! #manamgement #leadershipdevelopment #internships

You're on your way to work when you get a call from home. Someone can't find the right socks. Talk about a crisis! You get the sock debacle settled and make it to work, only to see three employees on their phones instead of working. At this point, there's only so much you can tackle, especially before you've even had your first cup of coffee! You finally sit down at your desk to find an email from a client. They're upset about a new organization policy. Have you had a morning like this? It's a lot to deal with! Situations like this can send you into reactive mode, instead of being proactive which makes it tough to stay motivated. So how do you handle it? First, take a deep breath. Remember your priorities and goals. You might need to shut your door to have a second to focus on what is really important! Second, deal with conflicts sooner than later. It may seem easier to look the other way when your employees are on their phones, but addressing the issue right away can save you TIME and ENERGY in the long run. And if that's not enough? Check out our Leader Survival Vault rolling out next month. It's filled with 10-15 minute videos on topics that you need help on NOW. These are the complete version with step-by-step, practical tips to get you moving past the noise and focusing on what matters most. Make sure you're signed up for our newsletter (link in the comments) to stay up to date as we roll out this new content! Remember that times are STILL weird. But you got this! Keep rocking! #management #managertips #leadershipdevelopment #growthmindset