Bad leadership impacts team effectiveness in pretty much every way. In this video, âteamwork doctorâ Dr. Liane Davey shares some of the biggest and most common problems that come from having a bad team leader.
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. Â
The problem? Â
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.Â
With societyâs 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.Â
What happens to e-waste that isnât recycled? And why?Â
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 â 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. Â
You might be wondering, âIf thatâs true, then why isnât more being done about the improper disposal?â 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.Â
What is being done?Â
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 â 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. Â
What is the resolution?Â
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. Â
In conclusionâŠÂ
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.Â
Letâs face it, we canât 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 âsmarterâ than us. In this issue of The Pulse, we discuss why itâs important to shift that mind set in order to leverage the groupâs 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 teamâs 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:
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.
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 arenât unfounded, employers are also starting to take note of the many benefits these programs can have on their business. If this consideration isnât in your businessâ overall strategy, then it should be. In this article, we take a look at why that is. Â
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 didnât also financially affect their employees. Â
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. Â
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 businessâ 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.Â
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, âWhen employees are healthier, they may have fewer claims, lower their health risks and slow or even reverse the progression of costly chronic conditions.âÂ
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, âThe employee benefits offered to me are an important reason why I remain with my employer,â and 40% agreed with the statement, âThe employee benefits offered to me were an important reason why I came to work for this employer.â 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. Â
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.Â
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, youâre 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.Â
As a leader, it can be intimidating to delegate tasks and there are many potential reasons for the hesitancy.Â
While these factors can be hard to overcome as a leader, the benefits certainly outweigh the uncertainties. Â
In this article, we discuss the ways in which the art of delegation can be an effective management tool.Â
An Efficient WorkplaceÂ
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. Â
Letâs take a look at some steps to achieve effective delegation in the workplace.Â
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
When it comes to the realm of shipping, an industry synonymous with greenhouse gases, large carbon footprints, and air pollution, any efforts made to increase sustainability are appreciated.
In this article we look at the importance of keeping sustainability at the forefront when it comes to Small Package and Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping.
In the United States, transportation accounts for 28% of the nationâs greenhouse gas emissions and of that, 42% comes from freight shipments. Broken down even further, of that 42%, 23% is from the trucking or motor freight industry specifically.
Shipping companies can also benefit from making a conscience effort in reducing their carbon footprint.
We are starting to see the ways in which some small package and LTL shippers are already adopting climate actions. USPS has over 246, 000 vehicles travelling over a billion miles per year and are aware of the impact that can have on our planet. Some climate-minded solutions they have adopted are optimizing truck routes, ensuring loads are as full as possible before departing to reduce the number of trips needed, and planning to deploy more than 66,000 electric vehicles by the year 2028.
Other shippers have their own approach to sustainability. FedEx is aiming for carbon neutrality by the year 2040. One of their methods for achieving this goal has been to collaborate with a number of other eco-conscious companies. BrightDrop, who enable emissions-free deliveries with their electric delivery systems, is one of them. They have started a pilot program with FedEx Express that has allowed couriers to handle 25% more packages per day, thus optimizing resources.
When choosing your shipping provider, ensure that they are keeping in mind all of the possible ways that they can optimize sustainability in their offerings. By working with providers who continuously value these goals, you are making a difference too.
While operating sustainably can sometimes be logistically complex, any extra effort made by small package and LTL shippers will have a significant impact on the well-being of our climate.
It can be very tempting to take on more than you have the time or energy for, especially at work. Everyone wants to do a good job, impress their colleagues, accomplish tasks, and make advancements. However, balancing these desires â whether they be ambition-based or people-pleasing in nature â with being realistic about your capacity is important to your success on the job. In this issue of the Pulse, we explore this balance.
Saying âyesâ all the time may not make you the high-performer that you set out to be. Thereâs a good chance it will lead to such consequences as burnout, missed deadlines, resentment, and frustration. Ensuring you are only working within your capacity means that things will get done on time, you wonât feel perpetually stressed, and your workplace relationships will operate more smoothly.
If youâre looking to do good work, avoiding burnout is critical. Burnout is a is a special type of work-related stress, characterized by:
Consistently risking burnout by agreeing to more than you can realistically handle is a threat to your career and your physical and mental well-being.
This isnât just preventative. There are other benefits to being honest about your workplace capacity. On top of maintaining the high quality of your work, it can also:
It is in your best interest, and the best interest of your whole team, to be upfront about what you can and cannot take on.
Saying âyesâ feels easier and more polite. Many of us have a sense of reluctance when it comes to saying no; fearing it will make us seem unhelpful, rude, or bad to work with. This doesnât have to be the case. There are ways to state your boundaries without coming across as negative.
Again, it all comes down to that honesty piece. Explaining what you have on your plate, and that it isnât a good time for you, but that youâd love to help when you can, is a constructive way of reiterating your capacity.
Despite the pressure and desire to be a person who always says yes, itâs not the only way to be helpful. Honesty and transparency goes a long way in preventing burnout and increasing efficacy across your whole team.
More and more, businesses are migrating their operations onto the cloud. Software as a Service (SaaS) is becoming standard across all industries, and for a variety of functions. However, moving any sort of data online comes with the risk of data breach. Â
This is no small fear. In 2023, IBM found the average data breach cost is $4.88 million USD â the highest that number has ever been. Â
So how can your business make a proactive, safe decision when purchasing SaaS subscriptions? In this article, we take a look. Â
When in doubt, ask.Â
Youâre likely working with a SaaS vendor or reseller who is an expert in their offerings. Ask them to explain the security and show proof. Some SaaS providers will even offer detailed security whitepapers or a more thorough security assessment upon request. If they canât answer your questions, thatâs a red flag. Â
Likewise, client testimonials that speak to this area are never an unfair ask. Â
Some questions to highlight.Â
If you are talking to a vendor and donât know what to ask, here are some questions to help guide the discussion:Â
Of course, depending on your industry and needs, there may be more to ask. But these questions are important when determining the strength of a platformâs security. Â
Keep security certifications in mind. Â
Industry standards mean that many SaaS applications should proudly disclose their security certifications. Some of the important ones to look out for include:Â
Again, this isnât an exhaustive list, of course. Industry-specific certifications also exist and should be taken seriously.Â
In conclusionâŠÂ
Itâs critical that you assess any SaaS platformâs security before purchasing a subscription. Your businessâ financial health and reputation depend on it. Asking the vendor tough questions and ensuring the necessary security accreditations are met is a strong first step in determining which platforms are safe for your business. Â
Arthur Brooks, author and public speaker, explains how metacognition helps us reflect on our emotional life, allowing our prefrontal cortex to evaluate signals from the limbic system. Watch this video for a deep dive.
Tap⊠and go! Â
The ability to tap-to-pay has been around since 1995, where it was first introduced as a way to pay for public transportation. Over the years, many other adaptations have been born and in recent years, consumers have had the ability to keep their bank cards right at their fingertips. Contactless payment has become the most prevalent method across all consumer industries in recent years- largely due to its convenience factor. Whether it be on our smartphones or smart watches, consumers no longer even have to go into their wallets to make their purchases. But what does that mean for the security of our sensitive information? In this article, we take a look at what measures are in place to protect your personal data and what you can be doing to help yourself. Â
The PCI SSC (Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council) is the governing body over which standards in payment account data security are continuously created, implemented, monitored, and adjusted in an effort to protect consumers who use bank cards. Any type of business that handles payment card data needs to be PCI compliant. Â
The four main ways that the PCI SSC help to keep your payments secure are by:Â
Over time, the PCI SSC has deployed many different standards in keeping with the ever-changing technological landscape. One of their most recent standards deals with mobile payments specifically. With the introduction of the ability to use our phones and watches to make contactless payments, there was a need to adjust the standard. This new standard ensures that merchants who accept cardholder PINs or contactless payments using a smartphone, or other commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices, are maintaining compliancy requirements.Â
Not only is it comforting to know that there is a governing body enforcing compliance when it comes to our financial privacy, but you may be surprised to know that experts have said that using âtapâ is physically the safest payment method currently available to us, as well. This goes for âtapâ using a credit or debit card and right from your smart device.Â
Card theft and fraud in the past has typically happened physically, wherein, a card would be stolen and then used for fraud, card cloning, or other counterfeit tampering methods. Now, with the innovation of tap-to-pay, you can feel safer. Each time you make a purchase using âtapâ, Near Field Communication (NFC) creates a unique, one-time code in order to transmit the customerâs account data to the merchantâs terminal, safely. That code ensures a secure communication between the two parties which significantly reduces the amount of risk you assume when making purchases this way. These same parameters go for tap-to-pay on your smart devices, but the level of security is even greater.Â
Letâs talk about why.Â
Of course, there is always an exception to every rule, so it is important to do your part in protecting your information. Â
While there are some dangers associated with using contactless payment methods, the overall consensus is that they are here to stay. Consumers enjoy the ease, convenience, and safety of tap-to-pay and even more so of mobile tap-to-pay. In the fast-moving pace of the world today, convenience is highly sought-after and using âtapâ is just one of the modern day conveniences we all enjoy.Â
