How To Encourage Your Staff To Work Better Together

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When your staff are finding it difficult to work together, this can slowly but surely reduce the efficiency, productivity and standards that your business is able to maintain. It can no doubt feel as though you have been transported into some kind of nation simulator as you swim between warring islands of different team members, but you simply cannot let such immaturity have an impact on your potential for a healthy profit. You need to take back control and show your staff that communication and respect is the order of the day, and that those who choose to ignore your requests for a calm, peaceful working environment will soon be shown the door. Thankfully this couldn’t be easier, as there are so many simple steps that you can follow to make sure your team gets on better than ever before. So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then simply read on!

Image Source - Pexels 



Set Some House Rules 

One of the best ways to establish a positive atmosphere that is free of tension within your business environment is by setting a range of house rules that relate to staff behaviour. If you take the time to draw up a set of guidelines or ‘laws’ that your staff can follow to maintain an upbeat vibe with less arguments or negativity, then you will certainly notice a near immediate difference in the way your team feels while on shift. Less arguments means more time to focus on the task at hand, and teamwork will be as productive as ever thanks to your new house rules. Ideas for rules can include suggestions such as never raising your voice to a colleague (shouting is rude and unnecessary), and reporting any signs of intimidation or bullying seen elsewhere. If you set these guidelines as the business owner or manager then your team will have no option other than to listen and implement the rules, so make sure you are strict in enforcing them. 



Offer Attractive Incentives

Sometimes, the only way to encourage your staff to work better together is by offering some kind of attractive incentive if they do. For example, setting a group work session that should be as fruitful as any independent working can be taken to the next level by the prospect of an end of year bonus to those who show particular engagement and mutual respect, as this way every participant will be doing everything in their power to be a great team member that contributes in a positive, kind way. Make sure the incentives that you offer your team for friendly work are as attractive as possible, as serving up a dull box of chocolates to the best team player will likely disappoint them and could even encourage them to revert back to their old rude ways. 



Learning how to encourage your staff to work better together has never been such a simple task when you can utilize some of the brilliant tips and tricks detailed above!

5 Jobs that You Can Do in a Lab

Working in a lab might be a dream come true for many aspiring scientists, but few people actually know what goes on in a lab. Sure, experiments are conducted and samples are analyzed, but there’s more to lab work than just that. In fact, there are many possible career paths for those who hope to someday work in a lab. 

If this is something that interests you, but you’re not sure if it’s a good option or what exactly you would do in a lab, you’ve come to the right place. 

Scientist 

Of course, when people hear the word “lab”, their brains often immediately go to science, so it makes sense that we’d mention it in this post. 

Scientists often work in labs, although what work they do will depend on their field. Scientists may use labs as a space to conduct experiments, but there are also other things that they can do. Many scientists enjoy spending their time by analyzing samples from various sources. 

If this is the kind of scientist you hope to become, you might want to look into a few things that could help you. An additional course on lab safety will come in handy, as will this laboratory inventory management software solution by SciNote.

Chemist 

As mentioned above, there are many different kinds of labs. However, most labs can benefit from an expert in chemistry. 

Not only can chemists help to analyze samples using chemistry, but they can also help when it comes to experiments. On top of that, chemists are often invaluable when it comes to creating or bettering certain products or substances that might be produced in a lab. 

That being said, if you do decide to go into the field of chemistry, lab work isn’t your only option. Because chemistry is such a broad field, there are many things that you can do with a chemistry degree. 

Researcher 

As mentioned, all labs rely heavily on science. And as you probably know, science cannot exist without research. If you are interested in science, experiments, and other similar things, but you don’t actively want to participate in said experiments, becoming a researcher might be a great option for you. 

People who work in labs cannot work alone – they need a team. Scientists who are conducting experiments all day might not have the time to write up proper research reports, so if that is where your passion lies, you could be a valuable addition to their team. Of course, there are a few things that are vital in research, so you need to make sure you’re cut out for the job.

Technician 

The job of a lab technician is often a jack-of-all-trades kind of job. They often have to help people in various divisions of the lab, and their job is quite broad. 

As you can imagine, lab technicians are generally those responsible for making sure that all of the equipment and machinery in the lab is functioning as it should. However, they do more than that as well. Lab technicians may also be responsible for recording data and helping with certain scientific processes. If you want to work in a lab but you’re not sure what exactly you want to do there, this is a great option because of its involvement in various parts of the lab.

Assistant 

People often look down on assistants, but the truth is that they are a very important part of any lab. Becoming a lab assistant can also be very beneficial for you. 

The first reason for this is that it gives you a chance to dip your toes into the water. You can see how a lab works on the inside, and decide if that’s where you want to work. Secondly, it’s a great idea for people who want part-time work, especially students. You will get to learn more about your field of study while also earning an income and gaining valuable contacts. 

Conclusion 

Working in a lab can be a rewarding and fulfilling job. That being said, it’s certainly not for everyone. No matter what job you do in a lab, the odds are that you will have to work incredibly hard. Of course, if this is your passion, it will probably be something that you enjoy doing. 

A bonus of working in a lab is the fact that there are so many different job options that you can choose one that works for you and helps you hone your skills.

6 Ways to Keep Your Mind Active at Home

Your brain functions well when you exercise it the same way your body builds muscles when you do physical exercises. While at home, it's essential to prioritize your mental wellness and keep your mind active.

Taking simple steps regularly can significantly affect your mental health over time. There are different ways you can ensure your mind is sharp without moving from your home.


1.Try something new

One of the great ways to keep your mind active is by regularly challenging it. It is essential to put in mind that you can always try something new at any point. Depending on if you are executing a new recipe, hobby, learning a new language, or exploring new items has no limit.

Challenging your brain is very important, especially if you are learning something new, since it's a better way of supporting brain cell growth and keeping your brain stimulated. You can learn all these educational hobbies in the comfort of your house using your mobile phone or a computer.


2.Puzzzles

Puzzles are both a fun pastime and also good for cognitive development. Brain games like crossword puzzles, Sudokus, word searches, and chess are all good for your brain activation. These brain games are helpful in memory recognition and problem-solving in day-to-day life.

Study shows that finishing at least a puzzle a week is helpful in planning skills, processing speed, short-term memory, and decision making. A great way of helping your brain be active with these games is by constantly challenging yourself.


3.Read

Regularly reading can assist in keeping your mind sharp and fresh and help you study something along the way. Try to read different genres and topics that you may have an interest in. Reading can also help you expand your vocabulary and learn a new skill. You can try specializing in cartoons, poetry, recipes, or short stories to experience new information and make it exciting.


4.Write

Whether typing on a computer or physically writing, writing daily can give you creativity and assist you with memory recall. Be creative and note what you are happy about, journal your daily details, or write short stories. You can write for it to be documented or just for yourself; either way, get creative and have fun.


5. Get some rest

Getting a night of good sleep is among the best things you can offer your body and mind. Research shows that you can improve your alertness, memory, and creativity by just sleeping a minimum of eight hours per night.

If it's impossible to sleep full eight hours per night, you might consider a power nap during the day to assist in refreshing your brain. The study indicates that you retain 40% less information if your sleep is deprived; therefore, putting importance on your rest is vital.


6.Listen to music

Listening to the music you like is enjoyable and helps your memory function well. Study shows that singing and music can enhance mood, recall memories, aid cognitive development, and improve the quality of life. You can listen to your favorite record or explore to find new hits on platforms such as YouTube.

The Benefits of Taking Your Kids to a Museum

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Children these days tend to spend a lot of time learning at home. They use tablets and computers to look up online resources, and they’ll take part in activities and answer questions on the internet. This has made learning a lot easier, but it’s also removed some of the more enjoyable traditional activities out there. For example, kids these days don’t really know the joys of exploring a museum and using it as a thrilling learning experience.

So in this post, we’re going to take a look at some of the benefits of taking your kids to a museum.

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/bSrqpoOz7Ec (CC0)



Museums can teach lessons that schools don’t

Unfortunately, schools don’t always teach the subjects that your children are interested in. For example, a dinosaur museum is a great place to learn about prehistoric life, but many schools skip over this period of time because they don’t think that it’s very educational. However, this can upset many children who are genuinely interested in topics like dinosaurs. So in order to satisfy their curiosity, it’s a good idea to take them to different kinds of museums.

Not only is this a good way to learn about subjects that schools skip out on, but it’s also a fantastic way to introduce them to new and interesting things. Sure, not every museum trip is going to be successful in teaching your kids something new, but it’s still a brilliant way to at least expose them to all of the different things in the world.



Museums can encourage your kids to ask questions

Museum education professionals like Heidi Schave have strong opinions on how museums can be used as learning tools in the proper hands. One of the biggest benefits of taking children to a museum is to encourage them to be curious. Show them something they’ve never seen before and the questions will start flowing in. The more you answer about it, the more likely they’ll start asking even deeper questions.

Curiosity like this is great for the development of your children. People often don’t realize how important it is for their kids to ask more questions. Encouraging them to do so means they get to learn more about the world around them, and it also gives them a reliable source of information for when they’re uncertain about something.



Museums help children build listening skills

Lastly, museums are a great way for children to build listening skills. This is because a lot of the information they’ll get from a museum is told by someone else. Sometimes it’ll be you, or sometimes it’ll be a tour guide.

These are both great ways to encourage your children to listen and build those skills. It’s the same type of skill that will help them pay attention in class and it can be an excellent way for them to start understanding new and more complicated words. In short, museums are a fantastic opportunity for kids to start building more listening skills especially if they’re still young.