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Cal Wilson / January 13, 2025

Is your telecom provider phasing out your copper lines?

If your organization is still relying on traditional copper-line phone service – or Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) – you may be needing to have a conversation with your telecom provider soon.  Across the world, these POTS lines are being phased out slowly but surely, in favor of fiber-optic services. It might be time to look for a new solution.  

In this article, we look at why telecoms are phasing out POTS, what’s replacing it, and what this means for your business or organization.  

Why is POTS being phased out?  

There are several pragmatic reasons why telecom providers are retiring their POTS services. These include: 

  • Aging copper infrastructure is very expensive to maintain and replace. 
  • Offering POTS and digital solutions concurrently isn’t as cost effective for providers, especially as more and more telecom services rely on Internet Protocol (IP).  
  • There is less consumer demand for POTS solutions.  
  • There are more features and opportunities for consumers and providers with IP solutions.  

IP telephony has become the standard.  

In recent years, IP telephony has grown in popularity. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) has become widely accepted by businesses. The growing need for work-from-home and hybrid employment models has guaranteed that many companies have had to switch to VoIP, which often resulted in cost savings, making it a win-win for business owners.  

Likewise, many consumers have switched their home internet services to fiber-optic and cut the idea of a home phone completely. This means there is simply less and less incentive for telecoms to offer POTS solutions.  

Not everyone is ready for the switch.  

While for many, the adoption of more convenient technology is fantastic, for others, losing the option of POTS is a big concern. For example, businesses and organizations in rural areas don’t often have the benefit of the same infrastructure. Losing POTS services could be detrimental to operations. Likewise, some building emergency systems, fire alarms, and elevators are tied to POTS services; transitioning those presents potential difficulties.  

What if you still rely on POTS? 

If you’re one of the many organizations still reliant on POTS for your communications services, don’t fret. If it’s been working for you thus far, then you haven’t needed to switch. However, you may soon find yourself in a complicated situation.  

With many carriers decommissioning their copper lines, and therefore any POTS offerings, your business may be pressured into signing up for new services to avoid facing major  operational disruptions. This could be a problem for several reasons: 

  • Your existing equipment is designed to work with copper lines, meaning you’ll need upgrades.  
  • Transitioning to a new communications system means a change in invoices and potential downtime. 
  • Employees may require extensive training on new technology and systems. 

Don’t be pressured into signing anything. 

If you find yourself in this position, don’t panic, and don’t rush to sign anything. Avoid agreeing to a contract that’s overpriced or not in your best interest, just to maintain a form of service. Now is a great time to review marketplace options, reach out for quotes, and negotiate rates. Or, even easier, work with a third party consultant who can do this time-consuming labor for you.  

In conclusion
 

With many telecom companies phasing out their traditional copper line services, your organization may find itself needing to transition to IP telephony. This could be an expensive endeavor, so be sure to take your time, look at many options, and not sign the first offer you’re presented with.  

Jessica Pett / January 7, 2025

Start the New Year Strong!

It’s easy to fall victim to setting those New Year’s resolutions only to let our busy lives get in the way of the follow through. This year could be no different if you don’t implement some solid work-related intentions. In this edition of The Pulse, we discuss six helpful ways to start your year off strong.   

Reflection and Redirection 

After spending the month of December preparing for the holidays, spending valuable quality time with family and eating to our hearts’ content, we may also find ourselves reflecting on the past year. The new year can be a perfect time to reassess your professional goals based on the reflection you’ve done. Are the goals you set last year still aligned with what you wish to accomplish in the coming year? Are your intentions still the same; will they still help get you to the result you originally planned for? Do those goals still excite and inspire you? If the answers to questions like these are no longer supporting your vision for the new year, take them time to reassess, you owe it to yourself and your business!  

Once you’ve established a few concrete goals for the new year, it is important to continue to revisit often, maybe monthly, to ensure you’re on track. Without a clear vision for the future ahead, it can be far too easy to fall off track. As you monitor your progress throughout the year, it will become much more apparent when you’ve taken a misstep.  

A Mindset for Growth 

Along the same lines, a plan written down is just that, a plan. Like previously mentioned, it takes constant monitoring and dedication to ensure your goals are being worked toward efficiently, but that is not all. Above all, you have to want to reach that end goal. Set yourself up for success by ensuring that the goals you’ve set are not only achievable but are also something you really want to strive for. Your mindset should match the steps required to achieve your goal. 

Reimagine your Productivity 

A study done by Redbooth outlined when people are the most and least productive. In a typical day, most tasks are completed at around 11:00 a.m. with productivity dropping after lunch with a complete plummet following 4:00. Most tasks are completed at the beginning of the week and (maybe as expected) Fridays are the least impactful. Finally, the highest number of tasks are completed in October, but the least are in January. While these numbers are not universal, because everyone works differently, this information can be helpful in potentially adapting our own schedules in order to achieve the highest levels of productivity. 

Modify your Environment 

Clutter can equal chaos, both mentally and physically. Consider purging your workspace in order to create space. Anyone who has deep cleaned a closet or reorganized a basement knows that there is an instant feeling of relief when the unnecessary clutter has been removed from the space. Once the extra physical room is there, you’ll quickly notice the mental room that has become available. With the extra mental clarity there will be more room for productivity towards your goals. 

Positive Team Engagement 

Whether you’re a leader or a member, engaging with the team you are a part of is necessary for your overall success. A positive workplace environment cultivates productivity, so collaborating and engaging with your team will prove to be a helpful approach to your workday. While putting your head down and getting work done is obviously important, remember to enjoy the social aspects of work too. Get to know your coworkers, we could all use a little comedic relief in our day. 

Prioritize a Work-Life Balance 

It can be difficult to separate ourselves from work after leaving the office. I even sometimes find myself thinking about the workday before I fall asleep. With an increasingly virtual and accessible world, it can be difficult to disconnect at 5:00 p.m. Keep in mind, balance in this case doesn’t always mean 50/50, it should mean a healthy and fulfilling balance that works for you. However, as mentioned before, happy people are productive people and a healthy balance between home life and work life is another facet of that. If you can, try silencing or disabling your work email from your phone in the evenings, schedule yourself breaks if you have a hard time taking them organically and be sure to set and communicate boundaries regarding your availability and be strict about keeping them. These are just a few ways to promote a balance in your life and are definitely easier said than done. Do your best to focus on implementing the tactics that work for you and stay consistent with them.  

In conclusion, 

Implementing these strategies will help you to have a positive and productive start to 2025. Reset those goals where necessary, determine personal strategies that you feel are achievable and ensure you make the time for fun and relaxation alongside your work. The end goal is to feel fulfilled and content in both your work and personal life.  

Jessica Pett / December 16, 2024

Are You Throwing Away Money Due to Illegal Dumping?

Disposing of waste in unauthorized locations like dumpsters on unattended private properties, remote locations, and access roads, has been on the rise and could be negatively affecting your business in more ways than one. It’s been estimated that there are nearly 100 million tons of illegally dumped waste in the world. Americans alone are estimated to illegally dump almost 1.5 million tons of trash each year. In this article, we discuss the ways in which you can prevent having to throw money away at the hands of illegal dumpers.

Dealing with waste is a messy job and the costs associated with that aren’t any more pleasant, so many turn to illegal dumping – placing the financial responsibility and physical work of removal on somebody else. Those who partake in this practice often do so to save money, for convenience, they know that their city or state has lax enforcement around it, and/or they are ignorant of the severity of the potential consequences.

In the United States, the laws and regulations surrounding illegal dumping can vary, but the overall consensus is that it is a felony crime and, in some states, can carry a fine up to $18,000 in extreme cases. The problem is that illegal dumping often occurs during the night in uninhabited or unattended, poorly lit locations, making it difficult to catch the perpetrator. The property owner is then left responsible for the waste and the costs associated with it and the dumper is free to dump another day. The city/state will rarely, if ever, assist in the removal of dumped waste on any private property.

As a business owner, this should be raising a lot of red flags for you.

As previously mentioned, unattended locations in the night are the most common dumping grounds, so businesses with typical operating hours would fall into this category. Once a dump site has been established, it often becomes a recurring issue as it attracts others involved in the same activity- knowing it’s a location people have gotten away with it.

On average, it costs $600 per ton to clean up dumped waste. This can become an extremely costly problem for your business if gone unaddressed. Not to mention, the reputation of your business could take a hit too – it isn’t a good look to the community, being a common dumping ground and it could also portray that your business doesn’t care about the dangerous impacts it could cause, if there is constantly waste lying around your business.

Here are some proven ways to prevent illegal dumping on your property:

Education: Participate in, provide or promote educational programs for the public that inform on the harm caused by illegal dumping in the form of workshops, social media posts, brochures, etc. This can gradually affect change in attitudes and behaviours on the subject.

Ease of disposal: Keep your dumpsters as out of sight as possible but still near your building. Ensure your bins are locked outside of business hours. Hang signage that outlines the fines for illegal dumping and the fact that cameras are monitoring the area.

Legal Enforcement: Be aware of the laws and regulations in place in your state and follow through with reporting on them when incidents occur. While this can be time consuming, it will save you time and money in the long run.

Security monitoring: Cameras, lighting, and physical security are all surefire ways to halt these behaviours. Again, this can be an additional expense but in the long run will be much more cost effective than paying to have the dumped waste cleaned up at every occurrence.

Being proactive in the fight against illegal dumpers in your area is the best and most effective way to change behaviours. Your community will thank you and so will your bottom line.

Jessica Souza / December 10, 2024

Seasonal Productivity: How Daylight Loss Impacts Work Performance

The change of seasons is inevitable. During this time of year, as leaves turn and days grow shorter, we may find ourselves struggling with low energy, reduced focus, or even mood changes. But why?

As temperatures drop, an often-overlooked workplace challenge emerges: seasonal affective disorder, commonly known as SAD. SAD is a type of depression that occurs at specific times of the year and can significantly impact workplace performance.

How to identify SAD?

Here are some common signs and symptoms of SAD:

  • Increased sleep and daytime drowsiness
  • Social withdraw
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Impaired clear thinking
  • Physical issues, such as headaches

These symptoms can make it harder for employees to maintain their usual performance levels. Leaders must recognize these patterns and create environments that support mental and emotional well-being.

How can we manage SAD in the workplace?

To help manage SAD in the workplace, consider these wellness strategies:

  1. Seek natural sunlight whenever possible; light therapy can also be effective.
  2. Exercise regularly to invigorate both body and mind.
  3. Connect with friends and family to maintain emotional support.
  4. Prioritize good nutrition and sleep.
  5. Maintain work-life balance by setting clear boundaries.

The most important is to know that SAD is treatable, and recovery is achievable. If you recognize these signs in yourself or others, don’t hesitate to seek help.

In conclusion

Understanding SAD, recognizing its symptoms, and implementing supportive strategies are crucial for fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment. By raising awareness, encouraging open dialogue, and providing appropriate support and resources, employers can help employees manage SAD effectively.

Cal Wilson / December 2, 2024

How to choose the right packing tape for your shipped goods.

If your business ships goods to customers or retailers, choosing the right packaging and shipping supplies is an utmost priority. Faulty packaging and shipping supplies can damage your product, reputation, and therefore, profitability. Part of this is choosing the right tape for the job.  

How complicated can tape be, really? Well, as it turns out, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a tape for your packaging and shipping needs. In this article, we take a look.  

The risk of choosing the wrong tape. 

Did you know, 7-11% of packages shipped in the United States arrive damaged or broken? Not only does this result in costly refunds or replacements for businesses, but damaged customer relationships as well. Especially in the B2C world, shoppers are less likely to return to a brand that has sent them a damaged package in the past. 

Tape can make all the difference in preventing this. While other packaging supplies are certainly crucial, without the proper adhesive to seal it all together, even the best packaging efforts are useless.  

How do you pick the right tape? 

The right tape is all going to depend on what kind of packages you’re shipping. The perfect solution for one may not work for another. Some package considerations to keep in mind are: 

  • The weight of your boxes/packages – heavier weights may need stronger adhesives and more durable material.  
  • Box/package material – not all materials will take to the same tape as well; recycled cartons, for example, may require specific tape. 
  • Your packages’ storage conditions – temperature, moisture, and movement and handling frequency might make an impact on the tape used.  
  • The shipping distance and process – any packages travelling further and that  may pass through more checkpoints, and therefore more hands, need more damage-resistant tape.  

With your packaging requirements laid out, you can look into finding the right kind of tape to support it. Some variants to consider are: 

  • Adhesive – several types of adhesives are used in packaging tape, some of which are more suitable for some materials than others.  
  • Backing material – is it vinyl, cloth, or something else? 
  • Core size – the diameter of the roll.  
  • Elongation – or how long the tape can stretch without breaking. 
  • Tensile strength – which is a measurement of how much force is required to break the tape. 
  • Thickness and width of tape on each roll.  

Take cost optimization into consideration. 

With any sort of ongoing supplies purchase, it’s critical that your spend is optimized. Otherwise, this could reflect in a build up of significant wasted money over months and years. The funds may seem small when comparing individual rolls of tape, but over time, it can take a big bite from your budget.  

Some thinks to keep in mind are: 

  • The length of the tape on each roll – a cheaper roll may not be cheaper when it’s less tape overall.  
  • Don’t cheap out on low quality tape – this often leads to the need for double layering to match the strength of higher quality tape, costing you more in the long run.  
  • Look for bulk purchasing deals where possible – this usually reduces the price per roll.  

In conclusion
 

There are a lot of different types of packaging tapes out there; from acrylic, to hot melt, to water activated, and more. However, none of these are a ‘one size fits all’ solution when it comes to your shipped goods. Knowing your specific needs will lead to choosing the best product, and likely save you money and improve customer relationships in the long run.  

Cal Wilson / November 26, 2024

How Bad Leadership is Destroying Your Team

Bad leadership impacts team effectiveness in pretty much every way. In this video, “teamwork doctor” Dr. Liane Davey shares some of the biggest and most common problems that come from having a bad team leader.

Jessica Pett / November 18, 2024

Is the impending invasion of e-waste avoidable?

Lamps and microwaves, medical devices and routers, laptops and air conditioners; all these and infinitely more fall under one umbrella term, e-waste. E-waste refers to all electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), and their parts, that have been discarded without the intent of re-use. That goes for commercial and household products alike, all falling under one of six categories: cooling/freezing equipment, screens/monitors, lamps, large equipment, small equipment and small IT and telecommunications equipment. Any product under these categories has a lifecycle of its own, and comes with its own waste quantities, economic values, and potential health and environmental impacts.  

The problem?  

E-waste has been accumulating at astonishing rates in the last 10-15 years and recycling efforts are not keeping up. According to a report made by The Global E-Waste Statistics Partnership, a record 62 million tonnes (Mt) of e-waste was produced in 2022, up 82% from 2010. In contrast, less than a quarter of that e-waste, only 22.3% to be exact, was documented as being disposed of properly. When this waste is not handled properly, it can create major health and environmental hazards. Many of these electronic items contain toxic substances like mercury, which when exposed to us can damage the human brain. 

With society’s growing dependence on electronics in our daily lives, the numbers are only going to increase. It is important now more than ever that the issue of proper handling of e-waste be addressed, despite the significant barriers. 

What happens to e-waste that isn’t recycled? And why? 

According to Statista, close to 18-million metric tons of e-waste was handled by being shipped to low-income countries with limited management infrastructure and another 14 million metric tons were disposed of as residual waste – most likely ending up in landfills. Keeping in mind that these most recent numbers are from 2022, it is not surprising that e-waste is now the fastest growing waste stream in the world, forecasted to reach 82 million metric tonnes in 2030.  

You might be wondering, “If that’s true, then why isn’t more being done about the improper disposal?” Many challenges contribute to the fact that such a large percentage of e-waste is not being recycled. These include higher consumption, limited repair options, shorter product life cycles, design shortcomings, and inadequate e-waste management structures. Not to mention that processing e-waste is quite complicated and can be very hazardous for people, wildlife and the environment. 

What is being done? 

To help curb these numbers, some governing bodies have implemented legislations and regulations that require the producers of these items to take responsibility throughout the entire life cycle of a product. In Canada, these regulations are made provincially but all have the same end goal –  holding producers accountable of their product and the negative impact it could have. The United States has no federal legislation with regards to e-waste, but some states have implemented their own regulations. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) also oversees e-waste in America and one of their major initiatives is the International E-Waste Management Network (IEMN), where best practices and experiences are shared by officials from around the world in an effort to reduce the negative impact on public health and the environment while also promoting positive socio-economical outcomes.  

What is the resolution? 

While the resolution is not a one-and-done solve, there are some ways we can do our part to reduce the environmental impact of incorrectly handled waste.  

  1. Research and utilize recycling programs. Many electronic resellers have recycling programs wherein you can drop off your e-waste for them to properly dispose of it. 
  2. Donate your e-waste. While your electronic item may no longer serve its initial purpose, its parts could still be used in other ways. For example, sell back your old phone to the company you are buying your new one from, they will likely reuse its parts for refurbishment. 
  3. Set a limit for yourself. Allow yourself a limited number of electronic or appliance purchases in a set time period, reducing your share of the overconsumption. 
  4. Education. Implementing education programs in schools, community centres, reseller locations and other public forums will help to raise awareness of this rapidly growing problem. 

In conclusion
 

Electronics are not going anywhere, and therefore, neither is the corresponding e-waste. As the years go on and as society becomes more and more dependent on electronics, proper management of e-waste will become even more vital. If the public and governing bodies adopt the resolutions already put in place, educate where possible and do their part in their personal lives, there could be a chance to make a substantial impact. 

Jessica Pett / November 12, 2024

Overcoming the Feeling of Inferiority to Improve Your Team’s Knowledge Bank

Let’s face it, we can’t be experts in every field, so we can only benefit from surrounding ourselves with colleagues who have diverse expertise, adding to the overall knowledge bank of the team. That being said, it can also sometimes feel intimidating, working alongside those we might view as ‘smarter’ than us. In this issue of The Pulse, we discuss why it’s important to shift that mind set in order to leverage the group’s knowledge as a whole.

A successful and efficient team is typically made up of those whose knowledge covers a diverse range of topics. Teams are constantly evolving- most commonly due to a gap in skills as we face the ever-changing business landscape. In fact, 66% of employers say that hiring someone new is the main way they address a skill gap on their team. Now more than ever, there is a constant need for experts in new areas and adapting to this is not always easy.

Managers are responsible for ensuring their team’s success by creating an environment to thrive as a group. That can often mean hiring those who might have an advanced understanding of certain areas, have more up-to-date credentials, or have a different educational background. From the perspective of management, this can sometimes feel like an uncomfortable task. It is normal to feel some sense of insecurity when managing someone with a different level of expertise than you might have. It is important to keep in mind that the stronger a team you can build as a manager, the higher the potential for the team to achieve great things.

As a colleague in this situation, it can be difficult to acclimatize to a new team member. Often, we are set in our ways and our routines. We have worked together on many projects and have overcome different hurdles together. When a new member is added to the mix, it can feel like somewhat of an intrusion. Remember to focus on the value being added to the group as a whole. How will this lighten our load or strengthen our team? What new skills are they bringing that will elevate us to new heights? How will this positively affect our network of people and skills?

Whether a manager or a colleague, here are some helpful tips from a growth and development keynote speaker, Rob Collier, who passionately teaches about entrepreneurship, community and human performance in order to become the best you:

  1. Leverage your Collective Strengths: Recognizing that a diversity in strengths and talents can lead to more successful end results through effective problem-solving and innovations.
  2. Embrace Continuous Learning: Every interaction you have inside and outside of the workplace is an opportunity to learn. You will never know it all, so consider it a free education when you have a chance to learn and grow through observing those around you.
  3. Foster a Growth Mindset: Allow yourself to see that intelligence and ability are qualities that can be developed, so believe in your potential to grow.
  4. Build a Strong Network: Form connections with colleagues who can help you to create a valuable network of mentorship. These connections can open doors to new opportunities for you to learn and develop.
  5. Enhancement of Team Performance: Know that high-performing teams are composed of those with varied levels of expertise. Focus more on what you can bring to the team to uphold and elevate the performance level that is desired by all.

In conclusion, regardless of what one individual might bring to the team, it is the collective capabilities of the group that create success in the end. Rather than focusing on what you may not have to contribute, dive into what strengths you have that can help your team to succeed and achieve results. Having confidence in your own abilities while also keeping an open mind to learning from those around you will only make you and your team stronger.

Jessica Pett / November 4, 2024

Employee wellness plans are in your business’ best interest.

Many employers are concerned about the increasing cost of healthcare and other wellness programs, and how that impacts employee wellbeing and retention in the long run. While those concerns aren’t unfounded, employers are also starting to take note of the many benefits these programs can have on their business. If this consideration isn’t in your business’ overall strategy, then it should be. In this article, we take a look at why that is.  

Not Cheap but Worth It 

Companies are currently spending anywhere between 15% and 30% of their payroll on healthcare and wellness plans for their employees. For this reason, business leaders are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs in this area. Employers often try alternative solutions like reducing their number of employees, selecting a less expensive benefit plan, or shifting a portion of the costs to the employee – none of which have had significant impacts that didn’t also financially affect their employees.  

Benefits Outweigh the Costs 

Those who control the purse strings are starting to understand that there are financial benefits to enrolling in health and wellness plans. While the upfront cost of these programs can widely vary (anywhere from under $100 to over $2000 per employee), and can often feel like a substantial expense, when taking into account the return on investment to the company, the benefits come back three-fold.  

Offering a health and wellness program can reward you with significant tax reductions per participating employee each year. These savings can then be fed back into the business’ working capital. In addition, data has shown reductions of claim costs averaging $1,400 over a three-year period. While there are clear upfront savings to be had, there are other indirect benefits that also contribute to the ROI for the employer. 

Promoting Preventative Measures 

By providing easy access to a health and wellness program, companies are promoting a healthy lifestyle shift to their employees. When taking part in these programs, employees are able to take notice of and address any emerging health issues before they become more severe. This indirectly benefits the bottom line by reducing the number of health claims. In fact, United Healthcare states that 49% of healthcare costs can be addressed by the participation in wellness programs. They say, “When employees are healthier, they may have fewer claims, lower their health risks and slow or even reverse the progression of costly chronic conditions.” 

Improved Employee Retention 

One of the ways in which employers have been trying to lighten the burden of healthcare costs is by placing some of the financial responsibility on the employee by having them cover a portion of the cost. That has been a serious con for both current and incoming employees, and studies have shown that it is a significant roadblock to recruiting and maintaining good talent. In a study by MetLife, 60% of employees agreed with the statement, “The employee benefits offered to me are an important reason why I remain with my employer,” and 40% agreed with the statement, “The employee benefits offered to me were an important reason why I came to work for this employer.” When adopting a health and wellness program, companies are indirectly helping reduce their bottom line by retaining their workforce as the usual hiring and training expenses of regular employee turnover are reduced.  

Loyalty, Productivity and Mental Health 

United Healthcare found that nearly 90% of employees who work in a company that is focused on health report being happier. Employees find major value in knowing that their employer cares about their health and wellbeing. With that in mind, they are inherently more likely to stay loyal to their employer. In addition, productivity has been shown to significantly improve. Employees who partake in a health and wellness plan are more likely to feel happy and fulfilled in their personal lives, which inevitably transfers into a positive attitude at work and therefore creates higher levels of productivity. In contrast, a global survey by McKinsey Health Institute found that employees experiencing at least one mental health challenge (nearly three in five) report worse employee experience metrics and are four times more likely to want to leave their organization. 

In Conclusion
 

It is true that implementing a health and wellness program for your organization can be costly, but when looking at the number of benefits there are to be had by both employee and employer, you’re sure to come out on top. Besides the upfront financial benefits, the true ROI comes from ensuring that your employees are happy, healthy and satisfied – you should then see the indirect benefits of your health and wellness programs come to fruition too. 

Jessica Pett / October 29, 2024

The Art of Delegation

As a leader, it can be intimidating to delegate tasks and there are many potential reasons for the hesitancy. 

  • They may lack the confidence it takes to assign duties 
  • They may feel it will take longer to explain the task rather than just doing it themselves 
  • They may enjoy doing certain tasks themselves 
  • They may feel guilty adding anything more to a colleague’s plate 

While these factors can be hard to overcome as a leader, the benefits certainly outweigh the uncertainties.  

In this article, we discuss the ways in which the art of delegation can be an effective management tool. 

An Efficient Workplace 

Delegation can create an efficiency that is beneficial to all parties involved. Higher level management are awarded with more time to focus on their high priority tasks, while middle management and their teams can assist in getting other meaningful tasks completed. With this strategy in place, the workplace can function like an autonomous machine when done correctly.  

Let’s take a look at some steps to achieve effective delegation in the workplace. 

  1. Identifying the tasks that can be delegated. Of course, not everything can be assigned away, but labelling each task on your to-do list with a level of importance will help you determine what can. Maybe you have a team member who really excels in a certain area or has workplace goals that completing a certain task could help them achieve. What on your to-do list could be mutually beneficial for you to get off your plate? 
  2. Be okay with letting go of control. Many newer managers and leaders struggle with the idea of losing control over the outcomes of the work being done. Think of it this way- you’ve likely had a hand in the hiring of those on the other end of your delegation. They were chosen for the job because they are good at what they do, practice having trust in their abilities to complete the task-at-hand based on all of the reasons they were hired in the first place. 
  3. Know your team and their strengths. Delegating a creative task to an analytical numbers person isn’t going to work. Make time to understand the skill sets of each of your team members so that when tasks are delegated to them, you can feel confident that they will do a great job in completing it. 
  4. Provide training and guidance. Contrary to some of the previous points made, it is also important not to blindly assign work, simply because that member of your team ‘should know’ what to do. When delegating, it is important to outline your expectations for the task, provide any necessary context, and offer a helping hand throughout the process if needed. Maybe regular 1:1 check-ins would be beneficial throughout the completion process? 
  5. Allow differing results- but verify. Everyone does things differently; learn to understand that the work is not going to come back exactly the way you would have done it, and that’s ok! The focus here is that the work is being completed effectively. Constructive feedback can be helpful but putting trust into your team member to complete the task to the best of their ability is too. Ultimately, you will still verify that the work has been done to the standard you require. After all, the quality of the work will reflect the person who delegated it. 
  6. Give credit where credit is due. Delegating work should be a mutually beneficial process; you reduce your workload, and your team gets to develop new skills and work on important projects. While you, as the leader, may be praised by other department managers for a job well-done, it is important not to take credit if it’s work you’ve delegated. A strong team consists of effective team players and a part of that means appreciating colleagues who lend a hand in lightening your load.  

In conclusion…

Being able to delegate work is the perfect way to practice your leadership skills while also giving your team the opportunity to develop their skills too. The art of delegation is a mutually beneficial ideology that can and should be adopted throughout all of the workforce and has the ability to set you and your team up for success. Â