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What to do After an Unfair Dismissal

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StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals ArticleBeing made jobless can be an extremely traumatic time. The sudden loss of your livelihood can have a range of adverse effects on one’s mental health and well-being. If you were dismissed unfairly, the unjustness of your situation can increase these adverse effects. It’s not the time to despair, to be angry or to take a short break from work, though. It’s the time to act. This article talks you through the stages you will need to take after an unfair dismissal to ensure you receive justice for the situation while at the same time preparing for a new life with a new job.

Emergency Budget

Usually, an unfair dismissal comes out of nowhere, which means you’ll not have had time to prepare your finances or your personal life for the effects of being without your regular source of income. Take an overview of your cash situation and consider your monthly payments. This might be a time where your lifestyle is forced to pause while you consolidate your resources and await either a new job, the reinstatement of your previous position, or some compensation for your unfair dismissal.

Legal Routes

An unfair dismissal often means you’ll be able to pursue your previous employer in an employment court. It’s very simple to check whether this is a possible route for you to take. When you call the number provided at spencerssolicitors.com, you will receive expert advice on your case. If there are grounds for complaining about your dismissal as unfair, these legal experts will be able to take the case on for you and offer you any advice you may have to follow for your claim to be as watertight as possible. Unfair dismissals are traumatic and can affect your future, so you’re well within your right to launch a legal proceeding.

New Income

Nevertheless, compensation from your previous employer will not necessarily be swift to arrive in your bank account. There might be a few weeks or even months between you being unfairly dismissed and you being able to claim your compensation, and in that time you’ll need an alternative source of income. Begin job hunting as soon as you can, even for part-time or temporary positions in your area. Don’t be afraid to take a lesser job to your previous one initially. It’s essential you’re earning before you search for that dream new job.

The Legacy

As you move into the future, it’s important to construct a palatable legacy from your previous position from which you were unfairly dismissed. Dismissals from work are something of a stain on your CV and your employment record, and that’s why it’ll be crucial to set the record straight. Keep on good terms with someone from your old workplace who’ll be able to give you a reference explaining the circumstances of your dismissal in an accurate and flattering fashion. Ensure that you’re able still to draw upon the good moments in your old place of work, and don’t isolate yourself from them entirely.

Unfair dismissals are a significant speed bump in life, but they can nonetheless be easily navigated. These tips will ensure your unfair dismissal is not too damaging to your lifestyle.

10 Personal Development Tips You Can Try Today

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article
 
Growing personally and professionally are ways to remain competitive and stay ahead of the market today. As a professional, you have to always be aware of the fact that your personal development starts with you; it is your responsibility to know how you want to improve and advance in your career and in life in general.

Personal development doesn’t have to be complicated too. Simple changes to how you do things, actively seeking new skills to master, and learning continuously are among the things you can do to continue to grow as a person and a professional. These next 10 personal development tips will help make managing your own growth even easier.

1. Now Is the Time

Don’t wait until tomorrow to take charge of your personal growth. Do the things that you can do today and worry about the rest later. Now is always the best time to start because the longer you wait, the further away you are from the goals you want to achieve.

Besides, there is no room for procrastination in a market as competitive as today. Whether your goal is to advance in your career, to make a jump to a new field, or to simply grow as a person, figure out how to achieve that goal and take action today.

2. Small and Steady

Big leaps are exciting and often take you to new places, but it is not always possible to make such a big leap forward. Rather than wait for the opportunity for that big step to come, focus more on making smaller steps and steady growth.

Taking small steps to improve yourself as a professional is much more sustainable than waiting for big opportunities to seize. You will be surprised by how far you can go when you start taking one small step after another.

3. Have Clear Objectives

It is much easier to plot a course when you know exactly where you are going; the same principle applies to personal development as well. There is nothing wrong with having big goals to achieve, but you also need to set smaller, more reachable milestones to keep you going.

Having clear objectives allow you to set clear plans on how to achieve them. More importantly, they let you stay driven for longer.

4. Define a Plan

Now that you have the objectives nailed, it is time to work on a detailed plan for how to achieve them. If the goal is to land that managerial position you have always wanted, find ways to showcase what you can do to get the attention of your superiors.

When the goal is to boost your wealth, learn more about how you can offer services and generate additional sources of income while working a full-time job. Every objective is reachable; you just have to know how to get there in a timely manner.

5. Learn from Others

One of the fastest ways to learn – especially for personal growth – is by learning from others. Fortunately, you have plenty of role models to follow and people whose skills and experience you can absorb.

Let’s say you want to start investing in the financial markets. Learning about the basics and mastering technical analysis are things you can do on your own. Quickly gaining the experience to be a successful trader, on the other hand, isn’t as straightforward.

As a solution, you can learn from other traders who are more successful in the market. It is possible to turn to trading signals and the technical strategies that other traders have used to speed up your learning process.

6. Appreciate Your Achievements

We’re back to the smaller milestones you have set earlier. The main purpose of having smaller milestones to achieve is so that you can appreciate hitting those milestones. Do so and show yourself the appreciation you deserve.

Whenever you feel tired of pushing for the big objectives, the smaller milestones will keep you going. You know that hitting one milestone means you are one step closer to your final goal. You can stay motivated for longer and you will be able to focus on your goals better too.

7. Challenge Yourself

There is nothing wrong with feeling afraid or uncertain when trying new things. Those emotions are parts of the process. Overcoming those emotions is exactly how you become a better person and a more capable professional.

You also want to challenge yourself frequently. Learn new skills and practice implementing those skills in real-life situations. You can bring the new abilities to work and become a better professional too. Don’t be afraid to try new things; don’t be afraid to fail at those things, especially on your first try.

8. Explore Your Passion

While you are at it, make sure you also listen to yourself better. Learn more about your true passion and give yourself the opportunity to pursue that passion to the fullest. You’ll be surprised by what you can achieve when you start doing things you are really passionate about.

Going after your passion is a realistic thing to do, especially since you have your full-time job acting as a safety net. As long as you can utilize your time effectively, you’ll be able to achieve great things while following your true passion.

9. Evaluate

We discussed how it is completely okay to fail when trying new things. Failures aren’t such a bad thing, especially when you think about the many things you can learn from them. All you need to do is be more critical about your failures – and your successes.

Evaluate your steps, assess the new skills you master, and get a clearer view of your progress as a whole. Whenever adjustments are needed, don’t hesitate to change your course and return to pursuing the big objectives you have in mind.

10. Persevere

Patience is your biggest asset in personal development. You cannot achieve great things overnight; everything takes time and you have to be patient enough to go through the process.

At the end of the day, every step you take to grow as a person and a professional is a step worth taking. With these tips in mind, personal development is even more manageable than you think.

The Big Picture of Business – Wisdom From the Disasters, Recovery Through Compassion and Resilience

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship ArticleThe month of September saw natural disasters. In times of crisis, people came together to help each other.

Forces of nature: from disasters came citizens with noble hearts and a willingness to serve others. Young people sought to help, thus inspiring lifelong commitments to community stewardship. The beacons of light came from caring people, corporate contributors and a spirit of goodwill.

Wisdom from hurricanes and natural disasters: Bring your hearts and your hands. The worst disasters bring out the best in caring, compassionate people.

Hurricane storms do not redefine who communities are… they make communities stronger. Volunteers are the glue to resilient communities. In rebuilding after hurricanes, don’t just build the way it was. When there are tragedies, there will always be helpers. Heroism emerging from Harvey and Irma.

The more we do for others, the more we feel the “potlache” of giving to others. Natural disaster stages: Warning, hit, search and rescue, recovery, rebounding, analysis, flood prevention planning, learning from crisis, community development.

Commit to a program of volunteering. Heart warming scenes of neighbors helping each other in disaster spark the passion of citizens to contribute further. Ongoing community needs for volunteers are supplied by Volunteer Houston: http://www.volunteerhou.org. This is the central contact, as they work with hundreds of non-profit organizations in the greater Houston area, ascertaining needs and scheduling volunteers. Volunteer Houston gave me their Lifetime Achievement Award two years ago. To volunteer statewide in Texas, OneStar Foundation is the coordinating entity: http://onestarfoundation.org.

Houston Strong motivational campaign launched. It embodies resilience, rebounding from disaster, teamwork and volunteer spirit. Other memorable campaigns have included: Houston Proud, Texas Cares, Clutch City, H-Town, The City With No Limits, Houston’s Hot, Magnolia City, Bayou City, Energy Capitol, Space City, Texas Sesquicentennial, Texas State of Mind, Don’t Mess With Texas, Spirit of Texas. There were classic radio jingles: “My Home Town” and “Sounds of the City.” And there was “Houston Legends,” my seventh book, a comprehensive city history that inspired community forums, volunteer recognition and nostalgia.

George R. Brown would be so proud that the convention center bearing his name would temporarily house flood victims. He was a community leader and would be warmly greeting the citizens if he were here today. I knew Mr. Brown in the 1960s and 1970s, first as friends of President Lyndon B. Johnson, then later serving together on charity boards. His favorite accomplishments included the establishment of intercity educational and daycare programs. He was born in Belton, TX, joined the U.S. Marines in World War I and co-founded the construction firm Brown and Root. Pictured, GRB and brother Herman Brown. GRB and LBJ.

There are 23,000 non-profit organizations in the greater Houston area, in action to assist flood victims and citizens in need. Many other cities are sending rescue vehicles, supplies and volunteers. Kudos to friends and community supporters. Volunteers are always to be thanked for their service. In crises and other times, neighbors help each other.

In recovery from the disaster weather crisis, it is important to honor volunteers for their service. The more we do, the more we feel the “potlache” of giving to others.

Realities of giving and charity:

  • Ego charities benefit the organizers.
  • Celebrities often get duped into promoting causes.
  • Charitable involvement is not a game or contest.
  • Most companies give to communities.
  • Cause-related marketing is a good thing.
  • Some companies use “philanthropy” as a marketing scam.

Best advice to You, the Humanitarian:

  • Give generously.
  • Pick causes about which you are passionate.
  • Serve causes which serve many.
  • Your time is your most valuable commodity.

We’re a very giving society and want to make a difference. Companies making donations should be recognized. Human caring and hours of their volunteer service are what matters most. After the crisis, many unsung heroes render glorious service behind the scenes, where it matters.

Love and respect to the humanitarians.

About the Author

Hank MoorePower Stars to Light the Business Flame, by Hank Moore, encompasses a full-scope business perspective, invaluable for the corporate and small business markets. It is a compendium book, containing quotes and extrapolations into business culture, arranged in 76 business categories.

Hank’s latest book functions as a ‘PDR of business,’ a view of Big Picture strategies, methodologies and recommendations. This is a creative way of re-treading old knowledge to enable executives to master change rather than feel as they’re victims of it.

Power Stars to Light the Business Flame is now out in all three e-book formats: iTunes, Kindle, and Nook.

Unexpected Issues with Business Trips

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No matter how well you plan your business trip, sometimes there are events that take control away from us entirely. The best-laid plans are often the ones that fall apart in the face of adversity, and if you’re in an airport lounge or driving across the country, those hindrances can heavily impact your travel arrangements and business schedule. Sometimes, issues with business trips are completely out of our control, but knowing how to react and respond to them will go a long way to minimizing their impact on you and your career. Here are the best ways to cope with the most unexpected of issues.

World-Changing Events

Getting swept up in global events can be very frightening, and the fact is that there is, unfortunately, very little that you can do to prepare for them. Natural disasters, worker strikes, and even political unrest can have a severe impact on your travel plans, and they are far too big to manage on a personal level. The only thing that you can do in these big situations is to ensure that your friends, family, employer and work colleagues are aware of your location and your plans. In worst case scenarios, contact your nearest embassy and get advice on what to do next.

Car Accidents

Business trips by car are a great opportunity to discuss your strategies with your team and bond closer. Even if you’re traveling alone, car trips can be ideal for organizing your thoughts and mentally preparing yourself for the work commitments ahead. Car accidents are, of course, all too common, and if you’re injured while on a business trip, then there are going to be additional issues to consider, such as the insurance of your employer. As with any kind of traffic collision, it’s worth seeking legal advice from a team that has experience in automobile cases. Ideally, you want a legal team that works cross-country, with firms like Lopezlawpa.com who can advise you and guide you on the best course of action and has specialist knowledge of road accident cases.

Lost Luggage

If you frequently travel for work, you will have already perfected the art of packing! Losing your best luggage sets can be a considerable source of frustration, but the smart traveler will be prepared for the eventuality. Never pack vital work equipment or notes in your check-in suitcases, and always keep the most critical parts of your inventory close to hand. Never travel on a business trip without adequate travel insurance, and always be aware of the responsibility of your airline or coach when it comes to lost luggage. Of course, the best advice to avoid lost luggage is not to check any in and rely on your carry-on allowance instead.

The more that you travel for work, the more likely that you will eventually encounter mishaps, mistakes, and accidents. Always be aware of the potential for them and know what to do in the more extreme cases. Delays and cancellations may impact the end result of your business trip, but your safety and security should always be the priority.

Why You Should Invest in Tech Stocks

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We are currently surrounded by big technology stocks such as Amazon, Alphabet Inc, Microsoft, Facebook, Apple; with some of these stocks crossing the $1,000 per share mark, they can be (and very much are) an attractive investment opportunity. Given that technology is currently shaping our world and everything in it, big technology stocks are only going to increase in price and become more valuable as time goes by, meaning they have the potential to make those who invest in them very rich indeed. Although some of the major technology stocks have climbed to astronomical levels, their current values are only just the beginning.

In the broadest sense, this category of “tech stocks” includes any stocks which are involved in the research, development and distribution of technological goods, services and solutions. So, they include companies which produce everything from computer software and hardware, televisions and even mobile games such as Angry Birds. In 2017, technology stocks offered investors the highest return on investment at an average of 34.28%… not too shabby!

#1: High Returns Does Not Mean Low Risk

Just because there have been strong returns, this does not mean that there are zero risks involved. As we are well aware, technology can change at a rapid pace, often overnight, and companies which are currently leading the way can soon fall behind as new and innovative companies come along and take the top spot. In some cases, technology companies can be forced out of business by new entrants to the market. Although this is unlikely to happen with market leaders such as Amazon, it is not impossible, and this is something which should always be kept in mind.

In addition, investing in emerging companies may appear like an attractive investment opportunity, however, it is not unheard of for companies which were expected to perform well disappear overnight into the abyss. The best stock research tools give you the most information in the most intuitive way. Many of these tools are free, and any investor can use them.

Although technology is a very exciting investment space that includes everything from smartphones to blockchain, artificial intelligence to streaming services and more, there are inherent risks which you expose yourself to by ploughing your money into technology companies.

#2: Areas for Investment

As mentioned, technology investments are very varied and include a range of companies and products. Once upon a time, tech stocks would have been almost exclusive to computer hardware and software. These days, however, it includes all sorts. In fact, it is hardly accurate to call most tech companies which operate in the market computer companies (think Apple, IBM and Microsoft) because they operate in several other areas such as:

  • Artificial Intelligence where computers perform tasks which once would have only been possible by human beings. AI is one of the fastest growing and most prominent areas for investment, however, this technology still has a long way to go and it is far from perfect.
  • Smartphones, the industry of which is led by Apple and Samsung. There are a lot of other players within the smartphone market producing everything from software, mobile apps and physical mobile devices.
  • Blockchain, something which has gained a lot of publicity in the last couple of years. It is the technology which backs up Bitcoin and other industry-leading cryptocurrencies, however, it has applications to far more than just cryptocurrency.

These three areas demonstrate that the tech space is dominated by far more than just computers, and that there are several investment opportunities available to those who want to get involved. Given that there are so many possibilities, it can be difficult for new investors to get involved in the market.

#3: 4 Tech Stocks Worth Looking At

Although the market is huge and there are infinite investment possibilities, there are four major contenders which are worth looking at.

1. Apple

Apple is by far the world’s favorite consumer tech company, leading the way with their range of smartphone and laptop computer devices. Apple’s stocks usually rest around the couple-of-hundred dollars mark and given the insatiable appetite of consumers for Apple’s products then it is a stock which isn’t going to be decreasing in value soon.

2. Alphabet Inc. (Google)

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is also a very attractive investment opportunity. Google leads the way on the internet by providing several services which we all know and love such as Googlemail and YouTube. The main problem with investing in Alphabet is the fact that their shares sit at around the $1,100 mark. If you can afford it, though, it is worth going for, because this company is going to continue to grow as it focuses on new ventures.

3. Facebook

Facebook is a money-making machine and whilst the recent data scandal has harmed the social networking giant, it is not going to be shutting up shop any time soon and at around the $200-mark, Facebook’s stock is incredibly cheap. It is likely that we will see Facebook continue to grow strongly over time at a rapid pace.

4. Amazon

Amazon is an unstoppable company which is beginning to encroach on our lives in entirely new ways. From Amazon Key and drone delivery to AI solutions such as Amazon Alexa, the company is really pushing boundaries with its innovative technologies and desire to satisfy consumer demand at all levels. Amazon’s shares usually rest around the $1,900 mark which, again, whilst pricing some people out, it is worth spending your money on should you have enough to do it. Amazon’s share price exceeding the $3,000 mark is far from being a far-fetched idea; it is more a question of when this will happen.

Today, tech stocks represent the most valuable of all investments, second perhaps only to gold and other timeless precious metals. As the world begins to demand more and more from technology and new developments occur, having a stake in some of the world’s foremost technology companies is likely to provide a sizeable return on investment in the future, especially if you buy into them now whilst their shares are still relatively low compared to what they could be.