Sunday, March 15, 2020

The Logistics of a Career in Logistics

The Logistics of a Career in LogisticsWhether you are interested in a career in logistics, or you, like most of us, have no idea what that entails, then read on. Logistics jobs, particularly those in supply chain management, or SCM, work with business or organizational supplydeveloping and maintaining relationships, making sure materials get where they are going safely and on schedule, cost minimizing, and customer relations. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1472832551951-0) ) Sound good? Here are 7things you probably should know.These jobs are growingJobs in logistics are growing at more than twice the average job growth rate. And its not the kind of job most grads flock to first. If you dont mind working behind the scenes, there could be a bright and stable career out there for you, with less competition.Demand is much higher than needBecause these jobs fly under the radar, there is actually a shortage of qualified candidates for the more than one million jobs out there. If youre qualified, or can become so, this is a guaranteed leg up into a good career.You need educationOf course, you cant just walk into a logistics job. You will need some level of education. Approximately 70% of logistics employers advertising jobs last year strongly preferred a bachelors degree. An associate degree might get your foot in the door, but to be really competitive, you should go for the gold. Plus, it will show your motivation and tenacityboth qualities that are extremely highly valued in a field that requires nuance and comfort negotiating complexity.Dont just assume youll have an officeLogisticians have an enormous amount of information and tasks to manage, so youll want to be sure to ask potential employers where youll be spending the bulk of your work daywhether at a factory setting, a delivery or pick-up center, or a traditional office. As these settings vary from job to job, its best not to assume.The pressure is highJust because its under the radar, doesnt mean the stakes arent high. So many parts of the SCM operation will depend on you. And since most kerfluffles happen on the logistics side, its up to you to keep things running smoothly under fire.You need to see the forestSimply knowing about your job wont be enough. A good logistician will have comprehensive knowledge of the workings of the whole SCM system. This will help you keep things running smoothly.Its highly rankedAccording to Us News World Report, Logistics jobs are 26th on their list of best jobs overall, and also 6th on their Best Business Jobs list. Expect good pay and prospects, and manageable stress.Hopefully it all seems a little less complicated to you now. If this sounds good for you and you can handle a bit of pressure, then consider getting yourself a degree in SCM management. Or just a good BA and an entry-level in-demand jobyoull be well on your way to a solid career in Logistics.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Not All Bullies Are Obvious 7 Signs You Work With a Subtle One

Not All Bullies Are Obvious 7 Signs You Work With a Subtle One When we think about bullies, its common to visualize potty-mouthed grade-schoolers shoving classmates in lockers and holding frenemies heads in toilets. Of curse, in reality, the concept of bullying is far more nuanced than that, and related behaviors present challenges long after we bid our childhoods farewell.For example, bullies regularly pop up in the workplace, dominating collaborative projects, undermining their colleagues, and turning a once-pleasant office into a toxic environment. In the interest of exposing this issue, Inc. recently consulted with the Workplace Office Institute to gather the most frequent techniques used by workplace bullies to exert their influence, and these seven strategies topped their list.1. Pinning false accusations on threatening coworkers.If a workplace bully feels her influence waning due to the presence of other motivated, communicative, and high-performing individuals, she may retali ate against this perceived threat to her dominance by going to her coach and making untrue accusations against that colleague. In fact, the Workplace Bullying Institute told Inc. that a full 71% of surveyed employees weathered a false claim against them made by an office bully.2. Using body language and facial expressions to wear down colleagues.A bully doesnt always exert her dubious authority with snippy comments or physical aggression. Sometimes, a wayward glare, pursed lips, or a strategically-timed eyeroll can prove just as alienating to the bullys officemates. 68% of the WOIs surveyed population agreed with this estimation, telling researchers that the bullies theyve encountered at work have displayed hostility using their expressions and body language.3. Actively trying to diminish the input and contributions of others.An employee who uses dismissive language to respond to her colleagues ideas and opinions certainly qualifies as a bully, as the implicit goal of such behavior involves making the victim feel small and unimportant. Responding with phrases like Oh, thats silly when a colleague shares her perspective is a prime example of bully behavior, according to 64% of WOI survey respondents.4. Deciding to give dissenting coworkers the silent treatment.A step beyond the non-verbal hostility mentioned previously, the decision to give a colleague the full silent treatment popular among sullen children the world over is a particularly juvenile act, but its one thats still used by work bullies, according to 64% of WOIs subjects.5. Weaponizing mood swings.Sudden mood variations dont inherently indicate bullying tendencies, of course. But if a coworker uses unexpected bursts of anger to intimidate and silence those around her, 61% of survey participants gesangssolist that as an intentional act of antagonism.6. Playing fast and loose with company rules and policies.Just like schoolyard bullies, the workplace equivalents often have a tendency to flout establish ed rules. But in a slightly more insidious twist, 61% of WOI respondents claimed that theyve seen workplace bullies completely fabricate rules in an effort to control the behavior of others.7. Imposing overly-high standards on work performed by colleagues.Have you ever presented a project proposal or a document draft to a team of colleagues that you know meets expected criteria, only to have one coworker tell you that your work doesnt pass muster? That colleague could very well be a workplace bully, based on the opinions of 58% of surveyed workers.