Wah-wah.

Let’s start off on the right foot

"Great people do things before they’re ready.” 
—Amy Poehler

The skinny

Face your fears and allow technology to transform your workforce.

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Ready to rally?

Releasing a fruity twist on the Thin Mint™ this week, the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. taught us that, with a sprinkle of ingenuity, even perfection can be improved upon. Raspberry Rally™ will be the organization’s first online-exclusive cookie.

All aboard!

Do you think Karl Benz, inventor of the first motor car, ever imagined a vehicle with seat heaters and real-time GPS? Let alone the self-driving capabilities exploding on the market today? From treats to transportation, innovation is happening—with or without you.

Wah-wah.

Half of workers are frustrated with their organization’s deficient technology. And half of those feel the tools currently available to them are actually hindering work. It’s clear having at least adequate tech is crucial to employee satisfaction.

Let’s get digital!

The pandemic accelerated digital transformation by an average of three years, with under 5% of organizations changing nothing at all. These enhancements create self-service capabilities, integrate across multiple channels, increase personalization, automate repetitive tasks, and improve pretty much everything you can think of.

Icing on the cake.

The same technologies that delight your customers are changing how business gets done. For many employees, some are willing to fork out their own money for modern solutions, these digital “advancements” are the bare minimum. After all, who even wants to eat cake without icing?

Have a heart.

Simplifying workflows, innovation is an excellent recession-proofing strategy. But it’s not an excuse to forget the people behind the screens. Some organizations choose to track employee productivity and police remote workers. But the best use of technology is to enable the most wonderful aspects of working with real humans.

If it ain’t broke, do fix it.

Stave off the apathy best you can. Because new technologies, some of which you won’t immediately understand, are the breakthrough tools your workforce needs to collaborate, perform, and feel supported.

Date with Data: 40% of HR leaders say that HR technology is helping them reach their objectives.

Further Reading: Workplace Productivity: Are you being tracked?

Speaking of Tech: See you in Vegas?

The skinny

In life and in (responsible) gambling, taking risks pays off big time

♥

The pause button isn’t real.

Complacency doesn’t put success on hold—it drags success down like a heavy weight. Living in your comfort zone only makes it shrink, closing you off to more opportunities with each passing day. Those of us still struggling to leave the house post-COVID already know this.

Survival of the fittest.

Our brains and bodies are wired for adaptation. We naturally seek out efficiencies to find the easiest ways of getting things done. Which is why, especially in a world where we eat instant gratification for breakfast, you must put in the effort to stay creative and be adventurous.

Bite-sized bets.

Risk-taking is too often associated with irresponsible entrepreneurs (à la Fyre Festival) or compulsive individuals who throw away their life savings at the craps table. A better approach is to take small risks, more frequently.

Go small or go home.

Brainstorm some ideas if you like, but these rewarding opportunities lie in the innocuous happenings in your everyday life. Next time you feel your heart beating out of your chest, push through. Have that difficult conversation, express that wild idea, or take on a project that makes you a little nervous.

For you: How to Take Risks: 5 Tips for Smarter Risk-Taking

More: Cultivating Infectious Energy