All posts by Awfis Editorial

Video Conferencing

Why Video Conferencing Beats Audio Meetings Any Day

Business Innovations, , , ,

When it comes to communication in the workplace, it might seem to be an easier idea to just pick up the
phone and talk to the concerned person. Isn’t that what most of us do? And this works just fine as long
as it’s a one-on-one call and there is simple exchange of information. But what about conference calls
between more people, where ideas are to be discussed or concepts tossed around?
Many businesses have already taken to video conferencing as the next best thing. It’s been around for a
while now, yet a few businesses are still to make the transition to this medium from the more traditional
audio conference calls.
Video conferencing brings an array of advantages to the corporate table, some of which cannot be
rivalled by audio calls. Video can help improve the value of communication in the workplace and make
the exchange of ideas more seamless than ever before.
How do you decide whether video conferencing is good for your business needs? We’ve jotted down a
few points of comparison which will allow you to take a more informed call.

#1 Simplicity
Often audio calls are considered to be an easier or simpler option than video conferencing; just dial the
number and talk. However, there are several video conferencing tools and systems that make it just as
easy to set up a video call.

#2 Convenience
Along with simplicity comes convenience. We agree that it’s much more convenient to dial into a
meeting from your desk, or even when in transit. A video conference might seem to be a slightly trickier
option but there are a range of cloud-based tools which allow you to create and participate in video
meetings with just one-click, wherever you may be.

#3 Distraction levels
A video call by its very nature requires participants to pay more attention. You’re on video and your
involvement can be seen by all. In an audio call it is easier to get distracted. Since no one can see you,
it’s tempting to doodle while chatting or check emails while it’s someone else’s turn to speak on the call.

#4 Quality of communication
Distraction is a two-way street. If you’re not paying attention, you’re not participating enough and
neither are you able to process information efficiently. It is known that we humans are more engaged
when visuals are involved. And finally, there is the question of non-verbal communication which finds no
mention in just an audio call.

#5 Data sharing
Many video conferencing tools make it easy to share visual information. Documents, files, links and even
participant screens can be shared and controlled in real time. Video conferencing makes a lot of sense
for meetings where a deal of data needs to be shared among all participants.

#6 Performance
The actual quality and performance of the call eventually depends upon the kind of system, software
and tools that you’re using. When both systems are of equal network quality, a video call meeting will
make you look more professional to colleagues and clients.

Conclusion
Although audio calls are still appreciated, they are slowly and gradually losing ground in the business
realm as more and more people become familiar with video conferencing and its advantages.

Wheels Wisdom Team photo

Wheels Wisdom Brings Back The ‘Service’ In Car Servicing In India

Inspiring Stories, , ,

Ever gave your car to a servicing centre for repair or just a regular check-up, and never felt fully confident that you got what you paid for?

We’ve all been there; none of us are car experts and leaving our car at the mercies of other people can be quite an unsettling experience.

However, all that is about to change now, with Wheels Wisdom – a company that is working hard to bring back the ‘service’ in car servicing. Wheels Wisdom is the brainchild of Sandeep Menon, who took his passion for cars and turned it into a business idea. Prior to setting out on this adventure, Sandeep has had a successful career in IT/ Information Security and Audit at Goldman Sachs, Wipro, and i-flex Solutions.

Yes, there is a surfeit of service centres in the car market today. What is lacking is the presence of a brand that is known to offer customers the best technical expertise, quality of service, and integrity of business.

The Managed Car Service Model that Wheels Wisdom has pioneered is the world’s first successfully executed business model. The company’s mission is to ‘Protect the customer’ and it aims to become India’s ‘Most Trusted Automotive Services Company’ through its offerings that include car servicing, car repairs, used car inspections, and even loans and new car sales in the foreseeable future.

In less than three years since inception, the company has received encouraging reviews from customers on several independent websites, bearing testimony to its hard work and commitment. And it has achieved all this without making customers download yet another app on their smartphones.

The company has a rich mix of professionals. It employs individuals from the corporate work culture, and its highly-trained, technical team members have been drawn from car dealerships.

For Wheels Wisdom, it all comes together at its Awfis location in Bangalore, the perfect cauldron for its business. For a company that is in the business of improving service for its customers, a setting like that of Awfis provides levels of professionalism and corporate culture that are truly appreciated and welcome.

If you too are looking for office solutions that support your business goals, while meeting all your core office requirements, then visit www.https://www.awfis.com/inspiration/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/shutterstock_3835072871.jpg.com.

AI in the workplace

How Are Businesses Around The World Making Real Applications of AI In The Workplace?

Business How To’s, , ,

There was never any doubt that Artificial Intelligence would have a large role to play in the real world, away from experiments and controlled studies. Till date AI has been seen proving itself in machine-learning solutions, such as understanding language or driving a vehicle.

But just how far AI would get businesses excited was something that no one could predict. We’re in the middle of 2018 now and there are several practical use cases of AI in the digital business space. Let’s look at how AI is dynamically performing beyond what anyone expected.

#1 Digital assistants in the enterprise

Chatbots and virtual assistants liaising between us and our phones and home devices is quite the norm now. So the question arises, can we use the same technology in the workplace setting? Can AI help in business tasks, such as purchasing contracts and collaborating with colleagues?

The idea behind SAP CoPilot is to reduce a worker’s dependence on multiple apps during the course of a working day. This AI application uses artificial intelligence, speech recognition, natural language processing, statistical analysis and machine learning to get the job done faster. Users can make requests and issue commands, and SAP CoPilot will then collate this unstructured speech, analyze it, execute relevant actions and finally present users with answers.

#2 Call and meeting transcriptions

Ever listened to a recorded call or meeting and wished there was a way you could hunt out a specific talking point without having to listen to the entire recording? Well, it seems now you can, thanks to AISense.

Its Ambient Voice Intelligence can offer users the option of making voice conversations searchable. The application can also work with a call-recording smartphone app and, using artificial intelligence, transcribe and curate recorded calls for the future. The technology includes automatic speech recognition, speaker identification and separation, speech-and-text sync, deep content search and natural language processing. You can soon say goodbye to the days of taking notes while also trying to focus on what’s being said.

#3 AI for software training

WalkMe digital adoption platform uses artificial intelligence to help business software learn about user’s individual preferences. The applications are vast; WalkMe can be used in the hospital sector where doctors and nurses can be taught how to use a system through guidance and training. In the sales department, the application can provide individual assistance on how to effectively create a sales opportunity using the CRM system.

#4 Learning slack conversations

AI can work wonders on a collaboration platform, by learning through listening and interaction, and recording conversations for future recall. Niles ‘learns’ answers to commonly-asked questions, like ‘what products do we manufacture?’, ‘what sizes do they come in?’, ‘how much do they cost’, etc. by listening to answers as they are shared.

Users can then ask Niles questions and the application can respond with an answer that’s been ‘heard’ and recorded. In case Niles does not have the answer, users have the option of proving it with the right response, ensuring Niles is always up-to-date.

#5 AI and social media

Imagine a world where AI can take social media content decisions on behalf of you. By using data-driven processes, AI and customised algorithms can actually create and post more effective content all by themselves, without any human intervention.

 

Conclusion:

AI is most certainly a positive addition to the workplace, with the future of automation in businesses looking optimistic. How do you see your business taking advantage of these new capabilities?

Collaboration in the workspace

Collaboration In The Workspace

Business Innovations, , ,

This article wouldn’t have gotten written if not for the collaborative effort, or the collaboration of, my team members. Someone is good at research, someone at writing, and another at editing and proofreading.

We’ve all collaborated with colleagues; there’s nothing new about that. We gather around in meeting rooms for discussions; some physically present and some via video; tasks get allotted and we all then get down do doing our part to meet a common goal. We work with people outside our teams and help get work done, either for ourselves or someone else.

But it’s not just individuals who collaborate; companies collaborate with each other to further their business or market reach. Why, even nations do, collaborating on technology or medical research or defence strategies.

Is collaboration the same as teamwork? In a manner of speaking, yes. While teamwork is when people come together to fulfil short-term goals, collaboration is more strategic and long-term, and might not always have an immediate, direct reward. Let’s read a bit more, together, shall we?

Meaning: What’s in a word?

Today everyone wants to ‘collaborate’. Unfortunately, the word has been so overused and overhyped that it’s almost lost its meaning. Everyone is trying to push for ‘new ways of working’ that it is leaving companies and people alike confused. And this ironically comes in at a time when business experts are constantly stressing on the importance of nurturing collaborative organizations.

So what exactly is collaboration? By definition, it is: Two or more people working together towards shared goals. But it’s not always been like that.

A mildly tainted history: the good and the bad

The word traces its origins to the mid-19th century to the Latin term collaborare, which means to ‘work together’. Around the 1830s it was limited in use to united labour in literature or scientific studies.

The meaning took a bit of a turn for the worse when it came to mean ‘traitorous cooperation with an occupying enemy’, with the earliest recorded references being made to the Vichy Government of France in 1940. It also had a bit of a tainted history since 1922, when ‘collaborationist’ was used disapprovingly as socialist lingo.

Luckily today, the meaning and usage of the words has gone back to being positive and it is much sought after by all professionals.

The business benefits of collaboration

Collaboration is the fuel that drives a business. As stated above, collaboration is a working system where individuals work together, could be towards a common goal and to realise a business benefit. Loosely, it can be split into:

Synchronous: everyone part of the team interacts in real time – through online meetings, instant messaging, via Skype, etc.

Asynchronous: here the interaction can be time-shifted, such as when uploading documents or annotations to shared work spaces, etc. A brilliant example of asynchronous collaboration is making contributions to a wiki page.

Collaboration brings unexpected benefits to an organisation, including:

Cultural innovation: Collaboration encourages innovation. It works from within and makes a difference to the business and the industry at large.

Original thinking: There are a bunch of online collaboration tools that organisations can use. Collaborating using those can help form connections between departments and teams that couldn’t otherwise have been possible.

Actual ROI: An innovative and collaborative environment is naturally more productive, and it will generate stronger ROI across the business.

Collaboration today

Collaboration is about the community as a whole. While teamwork means bringing together varied resources to achieve a specific goal, collaboration is about supporting people beyond teams and departments, when they need it. There may or may not be a direct reward from doing so, other than the warm feeling of having helped a fellow professional.

Shared workspaces offer the perfect crucible to foster and develop collaboration. Disparate people, either through chance or deliberation, come together and create something entirely new. Organisations can use these common working spaces to bring their team members from across geographies for a ‘brainstorming session’, which is nothing but collaboration in a different suit.

Genuine collaboration involves:

Awareness: becoming part of a working body with a common purpose

Motivation: working collectively to solve a problem

Self-synchronization: existing as individuals and doing things when they need to happen

Participation: wholehearted contribution and expecting the same from others

Mediation: negotiating and finding a middle path

Reciprocity: sharing, disclosing and expecting the same from others

Reflection: being open to considering alternatives

Engagement: being proactive and taking active ownership

 

Conclusion

From start-ups to entrepreneurs to large companies, everyone collaborates. While on one hand the idea of collaboration is largely dependent on openness and knowledge sharing, it also requires focus and accountability. Governance, in the form of a leader, should be put in place simply to ensure delegation of responsibility and to ensure genuine collaborative effort.

Flexible work environment

What Are The Factors That Enable A Flexible Work Environment?

Work Life Balance, , ,

The way we work is changing, and businesses have to revolutionise how they manage the workplace and their talent to create a positive environment for all to collaborate in.

How do employees want to work? Do they want the privacy of cubicles where they can work without the fear of interruption and disturbances? Or do they prefer open plans which remove all obstacles to collaboration and foster innovation at a wholly new level?

How about a mix of both?

Take this workplace experiment carried out by advertising genius, Jay Chiat, who declared that his office was gong the ‘virtual’ way. Mind you, this was somewhere in 1993, long before words like flexi-hours or ‘work from home’ had entered our workspaces.

In his experiment, he decided to abolish cubicles and dedicated desks. Only open space and freedom. Unfortunately, this radical idea bombed. His workers rebelled, and he had to redo the office design. Yes, his people wanted freedom but not at the expense of losing their privacy entirely. What he needed was flexible working, an idea that was to catch on many years later, now.

Are you looking for ways to incorporate flexible working in your workplace? How do you make it work? By addressing these needs.

Give employees the power to choose how they want to work

As long as the output aligns with the final goal of the company, it does not matter how your employees work. Do not force them to do it ‘your’ way, but rather give them the space and freedom to achieve their goals in the way they deem most convenient.

This distribution of power is what constitutes a truly flexible workplace. When you let go of control, you will see an immediate shift in the way work gets done. It tells your employees that you trust them, which, in turn, empowers them to perform better.

Work is something you do; not some place you go to

A business looking to create a healthy work environment has to understand that every individual performs their best work in their own ways. And for this, businesses must support the employee’s method with the right tools.

About 25 years ago, around the same time that Jay Chiat had tried his virtual office experiment, Erik Eldhoen, a consultant, coined the term Activity Based Working (ABW).

According to this concept, work is an activity rather than a place to go to. And for that to work, workspace should be malleable. Employees should be able to mould and shift their work environments as per their mood, personality or type on work on hand. This is possible only if they have the right tools and technology that allow constant changes or movement. Surprisingly not many businesses, even those that claim to be flexible, are providing that.

Did you know that even today fixed technology outnumbers mobile technology by 2:1? This means that not every employee can take a business call while walking in the garden or concentrate on a project in silence, away from the daily bustle of the office.

By being able to move away from a traditional fixed-desk set-up and giving workers a chance to get the best of both worlds in their workspace, businesses can not only boost creativity but foster unexpected collaborations too.

Enable uninterrupted work

Employees look for a nourishing place where they can achieve their goals, in peace and quiet. As a business, it is your responsibility to create such an environment.

It might shock you to learn that on average, a worker is interrupted every 11 minutes, and that it takes 23 minutes to be able to get back to the task at hand.

Your workspace, whether it has cubicles or open spaces, needs to contain quiet private corners for employees to work from.

Foster innovation, don’t stifle it

There are some businesses that have not yet touched flexible working because they have an unfounded fear of losing control and encouraging chaos. To them we say, done right, a truly flexible work environment will in fact a foster innovation.

 

To conclude…

Those workplaces that combine the design of space and the right technology are today a creative worker’s destination of choice. Work-life balance is a thing of the past now; people are looking for work-life integration. And people who are in the business of workspaces, like coworking spaces and business centres, have recognised this need and cater to it. From private cabins, to flexible desks; from open collaboration zones to sound-proof meeting pods and phone booths; there’s a space for every type of work style.

Work and Hobbies

And This Is Why Everyone Needs A Hobby

Inspiring Stories, ,

A hobby is undoubtedly a whole lot of fun, but it is so much more than that. Do you know that when you develop a skill outside of work you actually end up benefiting your professional life too? A hobby teaches you to be patient; it challenges you and shows you how to think through a project and see it to its rightful end. More importantly, it allows you to pick up new skills.

There are many reasons why we wish for everyone to have a hobby. Having one allows us to do something constructive in our free time. Now if you say you have no free time, then you definitely need to read this article. Are you really so busy, that you have no time to spare for yourself even?

#1 Makes you more interesting

When you start a hobby, you will notice an immediate jump in your social life. A hobby adds a new dimension to your personality and makes you more interesting to others. It gives people a reason to connect with you. They want to know your stories and experiences. If you create something, others want to engage with your creations. (and trust us, you will like the attention.)

A hobby means you have special knowledge that you can share with others; perhaps even pass on your skills to someone else who is as interested in your newly acquired activity.

#2 Slows you down

Our life is a whirlwind of to-do lists and tasks that need to be completed by a certain deadline.

A hobby is your personal goal, and you can choose how slowly or rapidly you want to achieve it. Also, if it’s a new skill that you’re developing, then chances are that you will go slowly. It is a new learning curve, and you need to build it carefully. The more you do it, the better you will get at it. And the joy of mastering a new skill, at any age, is truly incomparable.

#3 Challenge yourself

When was the last time you really challenged yourself? Pushed yourself to do something outside of your comfort zone?

A hobby is the best way to motivate yourself to learn something new. It will teach you a new skill and help you increase your knowledge. When you step away from your routine, you open up the possibility of discovering and developing new skill sets. Yes, there will be challenges, but like everything else in life that you have overcome, you will manage this too.

#4 Boosts your confidence

When you embark upon a new activity, it will open you up to new experiences. Your hobby gives you a chance to excel at something new, and when you do that, then the biggest boost will be to your confidence and self-esteem.

And of course, it doesn’t hurt a bit when friends and family also appreciate your newly-found talent. It’ll help you gain pride in your accomplishments.

#5 Helps relieve stress

A hobby will keep you engaged in something other than work and your deadlines. It is an amazing way to de-stress. When you immerse yourself in your hobby, you will lose track of what is happening in your everyday life. This will relax you and you will rediscover the pleasure of achieving something that is not connected with office work, your home chores or any other responsibilities.

#6 A stress-free life gets the creative juices flowing

A fantastic thing about including a hobby in your personal life is that you will start to see the benefits at work too. A stress-free mind is like a magnet for creative ideas. When you step away from the daily grind and allow yourself to focus on something else, the over-taxed part of your mind will relax and the subconscious will take over. That is where creative ideas spring from. Your sparks of creativity will increase and you will find yourself arriving at better answers to problems, and faster, too.

There are countless activities that you can explore. The internet is filled with ideas for you to choose from. It doesn’t always have to be a group activity if you want to use this time to be by yourself. Try your hand at a few and find one which you feel the most passionate about. And once you do, then the hobby will become a part of your life and make you a whole new person.

Business Centres

Doesn’t It Seem Like Business Centres Have Always Been Around?

Business Innovations, , ,

In today’s competitive environment businesses are always on the lookout for ways to improve productivity and efficiency, without increasing their overheads.

Furthermore, many businesses are crossing geographies and exploring opportunities in new territories. For many of them, it isn’t always possible to have the complete office set-up ready from day one. These businesses have the budgets, but they need to study the market and scout for locations that suit their needs before making the investment.

This is where business centres come as a boon to many a new company that is looking to establish a foothold in this tough marketplace or as an easier, more flexible way of working for established companies.

Its meaning: What makes a business centre?

A business centre can be termed as an office away from the office. This is a professionally managed commercial facility, and it offers professionals and companies alike a wide range of business support and services, for short- to medium-term requirements.

The beauty of a business centre lies in its flexibility. Customers have the option of selecting infrastructure as per their needs. They can choose from a range of fixed or customized services, for a specific period, or as and when they need it.

Its history: How did it all begin?

Business centres trace their origin back to 1929 in the USA during the Great Depression. Times were bad, but businesses had to continue, work had to be done and money had to be made. However, all this needed to be done while limiting expenses and cutting costs wherever possible.

A small group of attorneys began to gather in common workplaces, sharing management costs, and the expense of meeting rooms and office assistants. And that’s how a business centre first came into existence.

Its usage: What are the advantages of business centres?

Business centres have typically been used by accountants, wealth managers or other professionals looking for a place or a desk to work from.

Today, the use has broadened, and entrepreneurs and MNCs alike, use a business centre as the perfect setting to operate from.

There is no hassle of putting together services and support infrastructure critical for the business. And there is no immediate investment in buying or leasing a place either.

Customers of a business centre can use these services as they see fit for their needs

Additionally, most business centres are already located at prominent addresses. This way, clients can start to benefit from the advantages that a well-connected location brings.

A business centre often includes semi-private offices, private offices and also executive suites. Many business centres are fully equipped with boardrooms and tech-enabled meeting rooms as well.

Clients can also use support services like fax machines, photocopiers or printing facilities, which get billed at the end of the month. From a tax perspective, this works quite well as these monthly bills can be claimed as office expenses.

What is the present day scenario?

Business centres have been around for a while now and their demand is only going to increase. Most of these spaces come with fully-furnished offices, state-of-the-art infrastructure and complete technical support. However, before you pick one, there are a few pointers to consider.

*Location: You need to find a business centre that is centrally located. Which means proximity to the main business hub, financial centres, transport services and recreation facilities.

*Executive offices: The centre should offer the best possible business infrastructure, and have well-maintained and fully-equipped offices.

*Technological support: Basics like wi-fi, business support services, voice and video facilities, AC control, printing and copying facilities, power back-up, etc. are a must

*Meeting rooms: The business centre must offer a combination of fixed as well as flexible facilities, option to scale up and down, video conferencing and LCD projectors, etc.

*Hospitality: A professional receptionist, well-maintained guest handling procedures, snacks and refreshment options, housekeeping facilities and end-to-end maintenance support complete the business centre package.

Conclusion

The business landscape today is dotted with entrepreneurs and start-ups who wish to simply take an idea and turn it into something large and noteworthy. What they require is the infrastructure support and office services to be able to take off from. The seed might have been planted during the Great Depression; however, the times are anything but disheartening now. Entrepreneurship is widening its reach, and business centres are at the heart of this movement, continuing to support innovative business ideas in the years to come.

Lessons should learn from football

7 life lessons that you can learn from ‘The Beautiful Game’

Inspiring Stories,

Once in every 4 years, in the month of June, there is constant chatter in the pantry of your office to the news feeds on your social networks, about just one topic: Football.

The FIFA World Cup is more than a tournament, it’s an institution for players, fans and now even major brands who feed on its hype. If the numbers are anything to go by, we can expect the craze to stay at an all-time high. In India alone over 47 million people watched the first four matches, of which 45% were women. And the world over the numbers last stood at 3.2 billion, which is almost half the world’s population.
While the World cup is a non-stop frenzy, there is more to it than meets the eye. The hard work, ambition, passion of the players, coaches and associations who put in 4 years to constantly develop their talent is certainly something we can learn from. Here are 7 lessons we can pick up from what we have witnessed during the 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup.

#1 Learn to compete

Born with Growth Hormone Disorder, Lionel Messi was deemed to be a failure at the sport. How did he react? He decided to take his demons head-on. The fragile Messi, kept competing with opponents of larger stature and frame. He continued to do so until he could reinvent his game, adapt to the conditions and become a world beater.

Clearly Messi understands the importance of how competition breeds champions. The next time you see sizable problems in business, make sure to take them head-on and understand how you can focus on your strengths and get better with the situation.

#2 Learn the Value of Practice

Think Cristiano Ronaldo is a natural or was gifted with pure talent? Think again. What makes him the greatest is his constant urge to improve. Here’s a little story about his obsession with constant improvement. The one time he lost to a team-mate at table tennis and didn’t take it well. The very next day he purchased a table and practised up until he was sure he could beat all his team-mates.

If his obsession to get better for a sport he doesn’t play professionally was remarkable, imagine his thirst for getting better at Football. We can clearly see how practice pays off, as he has single-handedly carried Portugal into the knockouts of the tournament.
P.S. keep practising

#3 Learn To Lead

I know we’re in 2018, but for a second let’s take a trip down memory lane. Think about the greatest teams to have defied the odds in the World Cup: Italy from 2006, Germany from 1974 & 1990.  While these teams didn’t have the flair and panache of opponents such as Brazil, France, & Netherlands; they had one common factor: A GREAT LEADER AT THE HEART OF THE TEAM.

Remember Fabio Cannavaro, Franz Beckenbauer, & Lothar Matthäus; 3 different eras, but cut from the same cloth. Men who inspire greatness, by doing the grunt work and enabling their teammates to chase glory. Yes, a true leader is an enabler and not a glory hunter.
Do you think Diego Godin can do the same for Uruguay this year?

#4 Learn To Follow

Jesse Lingard of England is well, to put it politely, not Harry Kane. Known to be a late bloomer, and not the most gifted finisher or creative playmaker. But, here’s how Jesse is England’s X-Factor: He listens to the coach!

Jesse understands the importance of taking the coach’s advice, adapts his positional play, and does not fuss about taking up extra duties. He realizes the value of the mentorship he receives. After all he has gone from utility player at a lower league, to a key member of England’s successful campaign at the World Cup.

#5 Learn To Be Accountable

Football is a team sport with every player working together in tandem, taking up different duties across the pitch. While defending, there are two key tactics: Zonal or Man Marking. In both cases all 11 players have duties with regard to protecting a Zone or marking a Man.

The key lesson here is accountability. If even one player misses his Zone or Man, it could cost the team a loss. After all one moment is all it takes to turn the tides. Hence stay sharp, and make sure to showcase ownership for your Zone.

#6 Learn To Push Others

One of the more remarkable performances this world cup, have come from the Croatians. A team which depended only on their core at the mmidfield Modric & Rakitic; are now seeming like favourites.

Their secret is simple. Their core men are able to push and bring the best out of their younger and inexperienced team mates. The constant encouragement is what helps drive results, and yes they managed to beat Argentina, and top a very tricky group.

#7 Learn to stand for something

Only one team from Asia has qualified for the knockout stage, and on strange grounds. Japan owe it to their ethics to qualify. Yes you read that right, Ethics. As they were on level points with Senegal in their group and had the same goal difference, Japan moved forward due to their Fair Play.

Regret laughing at them when they decided not to appeal for fouls unnecessarily or when they denied opponents without any under handed tactics?  Standing for your ethics is essential, make sure to always stand for what’s right.

Whether you are a football fan or not, we hope these lessons will make a difference to your life. Do you have any other examples of lessons that you would like to share with us? Write to us in the comments below.

awfis meeting room

Follow These 7 Mantras For Meeting Room Etiquettes

Business How To’s,

A lot has been written about business meeting dos and don’ts. All of us who work in the corporate world understand the importance of putting our phones away, and on the silent mode, before stepping into a meeting room. Everyone instinctively knows that it is bad manners to interrupt someone while they speak, and of course, nothing really needs to be said about the value of punctuality.

Meeting rooms work as collaboration hubs for co-workers. And as with any shared space, there are some dos and don’ts that need to be adhered to. These are unspoken rules, but keeping them in mind can make a tremendous impact on the functioning of a company. It also ensures that shared spaces are used efficiently, and are used by all.

Here are a few mantras to meeting room etiquettes:

#1 Check before you slip into a meeting room

Sometimes all you need are a few minutes for a quick team discussion. You might think it’s alright to call a meeting and step into a room that is unoccupied.

However, what if someone else has a booking and is surprised to find you there already, when you have, in fact, not even reserved that space? It can be a bit awkward for both sides, with you asking for ‘just a few minutes’ while the other group just around doing nothing. Or you have to break up your meeting and go look for some other place to complete the discussion. Either way, the flow and momentum are lost.

Take a few minutes to check if the room you wish to occupy is booked, and if it not, then book it, even if it is for 10 minutes. This is respectful of everyone’s time, including yours.

Some offices also have small collaborative spaces within their premises which need not be booked. These can be a few chairs or bean bags, or even standing meeting areas. These can be utilized for quick discussions on the fly.

#2 Make sure there is no double booking

No one does this deliberately, of course.

In your bid to get a room at the earliest, what you might have done is booked all rooms to see which one gets free faster. And the moment one is, you get your meeting started. The only problem is that you forgot to unbook the others. Which means, they are now booked against your name and no one is using them, while others are scrambling to find a space for their discussions.

The best way to avoid this is to do a quick check before starting your meeting to ensure you cancel any double booking.

#3 Be quick to book (and cancel) rooms

In most offices meeting rooms are in great demand. As soon as you realize that you might need to call for a meeting, book a room. The longer you delay, the tougher it might get to find a slot that suits your needs. And believe us, it is embarrassing to ask co-workers to accommodate you just because you have not been proactive. Imagine if your client is standing with you while you go door to door, looking for a free meeting room. Not a pleasant image, right?

On the flipside, if your meeting gets cancelled, unbook the room right away. This opens it up to other people who might be looking to reserve a room.

#4 Don’t linger

Anticipate how long you will need the room for and book it accordingly. However, as is wont to happen, some discussions can go on for longer. Whether you have covered all the points that were to be discussed or not, leave the room once your allotted time slot is over. You are simply using up someone else’s booking and taking up their meeting time.

#5 Leave behind a clean meeting room

When you leave the meeting room, leave it neat and tidy.

If you came in with a coffee cup, take that with you when you leave or throw it in the bin. If printouts were being passed around the table, take them all with you. If it was a lunch meeting, make sure all traces of food are removed.

Clean the whiteboard, remove all post-its, close all computer applications, put the chairs back neatly, and lastly switch off the lights and air-conditioning.

In a nutshell, leave the room the way you found it, or better.

#6 Close that door

A discussion between a few people need not involve the entire office, right? And the best way to keep it that way is to shut the door while the meeting is in session. Similarly, if you need to enter a meeting room, knock on the door before walking in. This is irrespective of whether you are meant to be a part of the meeting or whether you just wish to have a quick word with someone present in the room. A closed door means you need to ask for permission before you enter.

#7 Be willing to adjust

If your meeting consists of just 2-3 people, and you are in a room meant for a larger group, be willing to change rooms if required. Sometimes other emergencies may crop up and a coworker might ask you to shift or use your room in the middle of your meeting. Be understanding and help your colleagues whenever possible. Someday you might need a room in an emergency, right?

None of these tips are tough to follow. In fact, if all of us climbed aboard the same wagon, everyone will get an equal opportunity to use shared spaces efficiently. Do you have any meeting room etiquettes that you would like to tell us about? Write to us in the comments below.

vacation can improve your productivity

5 Ways Your Next Vacation Can Improve Your Productivity

Business How To’s, Work Life Balance, ,

Vacations

It doesn’t matter what kind of a job you do; whether you work full-time or part-time, or even whether you run your own business or are employed in a company. If you are working, then you need to take a break. But therein lies the problem.

Do you believe that taking regular breaks will make you seem less serious about your job? Do you think that you will miss out on what’s happening at work? Or, and this is the biggest pain point, does the thought of the backlog that will be waiting to scare you from taking a well-deserved vacation?

The truth is that when you spend 1/3 of your life, about 90,000 waking hours, working, you need to take a break. All that accumulated leave that you are so proud of needs to be used up and not encashed at the end of the year. If you think that your manager will be pleased to have a workhorse on the team, think again. She probably knows that a vacation is actually a great way to increase productivity and creativity.

Don’t believe it just because we say so. Let’s look at the science behind why taking a vacation can help you get ahead at work.

#1 Daydreaming improves problem-solving skills and enhances creativity

What do you do when you’re on a vacation? No, we don’t mean spending hours on the phone or on the laptop checking emails.

Vacation time means lounging by the beach or the pool or just walking down narrow streets lined with trees. And as your feet wander, so does your mind. Away from the tunnel vision of daily work, wandering gives your subconscious mind a chance to take charge for once.

Daydreaming, it has been shown, uses the complex parts of your brain, those that are associated with problem solving. So when you give your mind a break from work, you can actually think clearer and find creative answers to problems that have been on your mind all along.

#2 Find happiness at work

It doesn’t take a genius to know that a happy person is a more productive person. Make that a happy and relaxed person. And going on vacation allows you to become just that.

The mere fact that you are on a break from work and the humdrum routine of office, raises your happiness levels. You are less stressed, more creative, healthier, more productive and, as a result, also likely to rise up faster in your profession.

Do something nice for yourself for a change; take that break.

#3 A vacation improves performance

Stepping away from work and office could undoubtedly make you better at work.

It gives you a change in perspective. You could meet someone interesting and suddenly view the world or your job from a new angle. A break gives you a chance to recharge your batteries – emotional, mental and physical. The renewed energy is infectious and your entire team’s performance can go up.

Travel can expand your mind and help you push boundaries that you never even knew existed. When you travel, especially to a new place, you will find yourself looking at things differently.

#4 Makes you a better business and thought leader

Besides improving your performance, a holiday can make you a better leader. The travel experience will open up the world to you in ways not possible within the confines of an office.

You could develop (or improve) your communication and teamwork skills. Travel will teach you about different cultures, a crucial asset for any business leader in this global economy.

When you visit a new place, when you step outside your comfort zone, you can reach levels of creativity that you never tapped before. Your decision making, time management and problem solving skills will be tested. Travel is a good teacher who can show you how to adapt to a new place and how to deal with stressful situations beyond your control.

And as a strong leader, polishing these skills could help you challenge the status quo and bring about a change, not just in yourself, but in the way you are perceived at work.

#5 Lose that stress to get the creative juices flowing

No one can be 100% creative, 100% of the time. Not 24 hours, all 7 days of the week.

If you find yourself getting stuck in a rut, the best thing to do is to take some time off. There are some people who take off for months every year just to recharge themselves, but that isn’t possible for the rest of us. However, even a short break can help get those creative juices flowing right away.

Convinced yet? Although it might be difficult to find the numbers that can substantiate the correlation between taking time off and increased productivity, we all know that we are not doing our best when we are exhausted, physically or mentally.

We’ve said this before, and we will say it again. Do something nice for yourself and your work today; take a vacation.