Consider the following situations: A surgeon creates an online profile of her qualifications and experience for potential patients, but she does not include her patient mortality rates. After one of her patients dies on the operating table, a lawyer for the patient’s family discovers that the surgeon deliberately withheld the mortality data. You are eating […]
Executive Summary While mindfulness doesn’t necessarily work the way the hype proclaims, there are some things that a good mindfulness practice can really help with: focus, stress response, working memory, and corporate citizenship. By better understanding when mindfulness is the right approach — and how it works — HR and training programs can better enhance both leader performance and employee well-being. […]
Business leaders have significant concerns about energy. A Harvard Business Review Analytic Services report, sponsored by Siemens in conjunction with a national series of seminars focused on energy innovation, found that approximately 90 percent of executives feel significant pressure to reduce their energy spend, and more than 80 percent said fluctuating energy prices are a […]
Share If the perfect social video were a cake, what would go into making it? We talked to Hootsuite’s in-house video expert, Derek Saddler, to find out the four key ingredients you need to bake a delicious piece of content. Bonus: Download our free guide that shows you how to 10X your social media performance and beat […]
If I told you that content creation is a vital part of every company’s marketing strategy, your response would probably be a sarcastic “Well, duh.…
If I told you that content creation is a vital part of every company’s marketing strategy, your response would probably be a sarcastic “Well, duh. Thanks for that cutting-edge insight, John.” That’s because most of us know how important content is to our inbound marketing and our brands — both our respective company brands, as […]
Productivity is generally thought of in terms of, “How do I get more done?”
Productivity is generally thought of in terms of, “How do I get more done?” If we’re lucky, we work in teams and environments where that perspective is at least softened by combining it with a measure of efficiency or impact, but even then we don’t fully escape the rat-race-like pursuit of more. In fact, we […]
How do you feel when people comment on your social media posts? Awesome, right? A comment is or some form of engagement is usually a sign that people love your social media content. And it’s important to reciprocate and respond to these interactions. But at the same time, engaging with your followers can be time-consuming. […]
Making decisions too quickly makes you more likely to end up with short-sighted or superficial solutions. But if you take too long to decide, you might miss opportunities. How do you strike a balance? Try to retain a sense of urgency while also taking time to reflect. Think about what’s trapping you in your too-quick […]
You’re working on a cross-functional initiative that’s critical to your company. Given your position, you’ve assumed you’re in charge, but it seems your counterpart from another team has made the same assumption. And now you’re in the middle of a turf war. How do you determine who has authority? How do you navigate the situation with […]
There is a special kind of boss. The one who fills up every room with their big ego and even bigger heart. Who voices the hard truths without making you lose hope, and makes you work harder and feel lighter for it. We often call such bosses “rock stars,” to underscore their popular appeal. Some […]
Executive Summary The consumer products landscape is in the midst of a significant digital shake up. Success of these new ideas and approaches depends on the abilities, skills, and mindset of the company’s workforce. Work with leading consumer products companies around the world shows that there are clear practices and investments that drive a greater […]
Executive Summary The modern worker has very little time for learning, and yet continuous learning is vital for anyone who wants to maintain their edge. There’s a significant pressure on us all to learn the right stuff, but how do we identify what that is? A time-utility analysis can help you decide what to prioritize. By examining […]
Everyday life is filled with events that evoke emotional highs and lows—like celebrating a friend’s birthday, getting cut off in traffic, or even stubbing a toe. Amid all these ups and downs, how do we remain clear-headed in our judgments? Remarkably, feelings about one situation rarely color our first impressions of new people or situations […]
Despite the ever-present advice that long-tail keywords are king, many businesses still struggle to strategically use them to get content to the top of organic…
Despite the ever-present advice that long-tail keywords are king, many businesses still struggle to strategically use them to get content to the top of organic and paid search results. The truth is, tackling these long-tail keywords feels hard when you know you’re up against the giants. I know. I worked with many startups before I […]
September 27, 2017 10:00 am Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/rss.xml?tabid=6307&moduleid=8441&maxcount=250 Link: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/gestalt-psychology-and-why-its-essential-for-good-design
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Achieving a long-term objective, such as getting in shape, paying off debt, or switching careers, takes persistence. Recent research has found something that can help: incorporating immediate benefits into your pursuit of longer-term goals. Make the short-term activities fun. If you want to work out more, select a fitness class that you enjoy. If you […]
This article originally appeared on Business Insider. Source: Forget the 9 to 5 — research suggests there’s a case for the 3-hour workday Business Insider by feedback@businessinsider.com (Chris Weller) Claro Cortes/Reuters The average worker spends most of the eight-hour workday doing many other things beside work, including eating, socializing, or reading the news. Psychologists have found […]
Share Have you ever cringed at something a brand or business said on social media? Often, small words can make a big difference in how brands are perceived. Language is powerful and has a huge impact on the sentiment your content expresses. Nobody—not even a social media marketer—is perfect, so it’s understandable that a company’s […]
When you’re writing a blog post for a client, you have to think beyond the act of writing the content. Content marketing often intersects with search…
Executive Summary When we attempt to motivate people, we try to elicit an anticipation of pleasure by promising rewards (a bonus, a promotion, positive feedback, public recognition), or we try to warn of the pain of punishment (a demotion, negative feedback, public humiliation). But what’s not always clear is: Which should we be using — the […]
Executive Summary Becoming location-independent and traveling the world is more possible than ever. With the internet and a laptop, scores of professions that were once desk-bound — consulting, writing, researching, designing, and more — are now free to conduct business from around the globe. But is the lifestyle right for you? Before making the decision, […]
Executive Summary Companies need proactive employees. They are essential for suggesting, developing, and sustaining innovative new projects and for helping companies stay competitive. But organizations must make sure that proactive employees know the types of risks to take and those to avoid. On the one hand, top managers need to provide autonomy so that middle […]
Executive Summary Conventional wisdom suggests that the most charismatic leaders are also the best leaders. But research shows that, while at least a moderate level of charisma is important, too much may hinder a leader’s effectiveness. Three studies — involving 800 business leaders globally and around 7,500 of their superiors, peers, and subordinates — suggests that […]
Work events are really hit or miss. Let’s be honest: How many times have you found yourself anxiously fidgeting with a paper napkin in the…
Work events are really hit or miss. Let’s be honest: How many times have you found yourself anxiously fidgeting with a paper napkin in the corner of a stuffy networking happy hour? That’s why I was not only relieved, but also surprised and delighted, when I attended a holiday party that featured a live, interactive […]
During the last presidential election season, I visited a dear friend. In her front yard, I saw a sign for a candidate whom I vehemently opposed. “Are you kidding me?” I thought, in a moment of disbelief. I knew my political views were different from those of my friend, and I have also known her […]
Chances are, if you spend time on Instagram, you’ve come across influencer posts on the platform. You know the kind I’m talking about — featuring…
Chances are, if you spend time on Instagram, you’ve come across influencer posts on the platform. You know the kind I’m talking about — featuring a product or service, usually with the hashtag #sponsored or #ad in the caption. These influencers typically have hundreds of thousands of followers — or, in the case of people […]
We’ve made some important updates to our Android SDK to help keep your mobile apps lean. Today, we’re splitting the Android SDK into sub-modules so you only need to add libraries for the features your app uses. This helps developers build accessible, engaging apps with code that’s lightweight and efficient.
As a manager, it’s your job to watch for signs of stress on your team so that you can intervene before someone disengages, gets sick, or needs to take a leave. Keep an eye out for the warning signs: Does someone on your team seem overly tired or constantly overwhelmed? Have they been unable to […]
Executive Summary Executives spend too much time on information processing, reaction, and execution, and not enough on slow, deliberative, reflective thinking. But some CEOs have managed to resist these tendencies. Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg read extensively, safeguard time for personal development projects, and constantly seek new stimulus and perspectives. Leaders such as […]
Executive Summary It has been 10 years since the global financial crisis, and the fall-out continues in the industry that was at its epicentre: banking. There has been a truly dramatic retrenchment from foreign markets, making banking a rare case of an industry becoming less, rather than more, global. But as European banks retreat, China […]
Do you remember the last time you spoke in public? If you felt afraid, you’re not alone. In a recent survey, more Americans said they were afraid of public speaking than being robbed—or even dying! But if you’ve tried to “imagine your audience in their underwear” to quell your fears, you may need a new […]
Executive Summary Let’s face it. Most of us go through the motions, phoning it in, but engage in our work less than we are capable of. The consequence is not just lower productivity; it is lower quality of life. Half-hearted effort isn’t fun. The first responsibility of leaders — whether front line supervisors, middle managers, […]
Share We all make mistakes, but when it comes to your social media advertising efforts these seemingly innocent blunders can end up costing you—a lot. I spoke with Hootsuite’s social ads expert Gabrielle Maheux to find out what the biggest social ad mistakes are. Continuing reading to learn how you can avoid these mistakes—and save […]
List of Blogging Websites HubSpot.com Wordpress.com Squarespace.com Medium.com Wix.com Typepad.com Tumblr.com Ah, the job search. Some refer to it as a full-time job in itself.…
List of Blogging Websites HubSpot.com WordPress.com Squarespace.com Medium.com Wix.com Typepad.com Tumblr.com Ah, the job search. Some refer to it as a full-time job in itself. Others compare it to dating. And several cats over at BuzzFeed think it just plain sucks. But it doesn’t have to be that way. When you’re applying for a job, you’re […]
In case you haven’t already heard, bots are the new black. Seriously. The new strategy of providing 1:1, instantaneous assistance to users and customers is…
In case you haven’t already heard, bots are the new black. Seriously. The new strategy of providing 1:1, instantaneous assistance to users and customers is proving successful for brands across industries. And although we’ve rounded up AI and bot use cases for you as they relate to productivity and marketing, we wanted to round up […]
One of the challenges of managing people from afar is having a good sense of how they’re performing. Virtual workers may be more prone to loneliness and loss of motivation, which can result in compromised performance. Since you don’t usually get the opportunity to pick up visual cues or have impromptu conversations with remote employees, […]
Executive Summary The Equifax breach is different from previous breaches. It isn’t the largest or the most embarrassing, but it involves personal data that people didn’t directly give to Equifax, which makes the nature of the breach unique. The company is facing a number of lawsuits, and Congress is demanding answers. But U.S. citizens may find […]
There is a common social theme that emerges consistently from the World Happiness Report 2015. At both the individual and national levels, all measures of well-being, including emotions and life evaluations, are strongly influenced by the quality of the surrounding social norms and institutions. Paying greater attention to the levels and sources of subjective well-being […]
Executive Summary Work invariably ebbs and flows, cycling between steady states, where we feel more in control of the pace and workload, and peak periods, where the work crunch hits us hard. Maintaining focus and managing energy levels become critical as tasks pile onto an already full load. When you’re in your next work crunch, […]
Executive Summary The food and grocery industry feels threatened by Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods, but it faces a bigger but quieter threat: the long-term decline of people’s interest in cooking. Instead of ignoring this behavioral shift, food companies should become more proactive by exiting categories that have no future, focusing on super-premium products, and using […]
Executive Summary How do you evaluate the myriad of business opportunities you face every day? Should you speak at that event? Author a book? Attend a strategy summit? As you face an opportunity, or as you seek the opportunities you’d like to pursue, try ranking them according to five critical factors. 1.) Will this opportunity […]
Email is still the workhorse of digital marketing.
Email is still the workhorse of digital marketing. In fact, the number of emails sent and received per day total over 205 billion, according to The Radicati Group Email Statistics Report. There are no other marketing channels as effective and efficient as email — but there still might be a use for email your team is […]
We all spend a large part of our lives at our jobs. Yet how many of us are bored or frustrated at work, whether unhappy with our company’s goals, stressed from overwork, or dealing with toxic coworkers? Don’t we deserve better than that? The new book How to Be Happy at Work makes the case […]
Sometimes, I wonder if the internet can be boiled down to a single sentiment: “Oops.” That was certainly the underlying theme of some major news items this week, like the one our headline alludes to — more on that below. After all, the digital landscape is a setting that can be described at once as […]
Last week, while I was using a website’s chat feature to get some much-needed customer service, I realized something shocking: I couldn’t tell if I…
Last week, while I was using a website’s chat feature to get some much-needed customer service, I realized something shocking: I couldn’t tell if I was chatting with a human or a bot. Before 2017, my notion of bots — and chatbots, specifically — was that they could only provide canned, basic responses before escalating […]
When you’re ready to go back to work after being a stay-at-home parent, you often have to combat unfair stereotypes and myths that could penalize you as a job candidate. The hiring manager may be wondering “Do they really want to be here?” or “Do they have child care figured out?” Proactively allay these concerns […]
Jennifer Riel, an adjunct professor at the Rotman School of Management, presents a model way to solve problems: integrative thinking. It’s taking the best from two inadequate options to come up with a successful solution. She gives examples from the film industry to show how CEOs have put the process to work. Riel is the […]
If you’ve ever cringed in a meeting when your direct report was talking, you know how tough it can be to watch a team member undermine themselves. Maybe the person is interrupting colleagues too often. Or being condescending, or even combative. No matter the specific behavior, your employee is clearly rubbing people the wrong way. […]
Late last night — at least, here on the East Coast — a formal announcement was made that, if you’re as obsessed with the business of mobile as we are, didn’t exactly come as a surprise. The word: Google had acquired a team from mobile electronics company HTC in a $1.1 billion deal. When the […]
Late last night — at least, here on the East Coast — a formal announcement was made that, if you’re as obsessed with the business…
Executive Summary The online economy — from search to email to social media — is built in large part on the fact that consumers are willing to give away their data in exchange for products that are free and easy to use. But a new working paper, released this week by Lesley Chiou of Occidental College and Catherine Tucker […]
Odds are you’ve had to work with a difficult or even detestable person. That boss who takes pleasure in calling you on a Sunday to push a deadline up on a major project. The coworker who never gives you quite enough information to succeed in a team assignment. The continually dissatisfied client who proclaims his […]
When it comes to business blogging, how much time do people put into creating posts? How long are their articles? What goes into them? How…
When it comes to business blogging, how much time do people put into creating posts? How long are their articles? What goes into them? How often do they publish new content? How do they promote their posts? Do they measure the results? The answers to any and all of the questions deliver interesting insights on […]
If you’re a human with internet access in 2017, you’ve probably talked to a bot recently — even if you weren’t fully aware of it. With over five billion monthly active users on messaging platforms like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, the current tech landscape is set for a veritable explosion of chatbots and AI-based […]
If you work with someone who isn’t a team player, it’s tempting to shun the person for not chipping in when they should. But you’re better off reaching out to that person and making a connection. You can start by approaching your colleague with friendly questions, rather than accusations. You might ask “What else is […]
Last year, my colleagues launched a tool called The Next Five to help people navigate through those times in their career where they’re feeling kind…
Automation is a funny thing. Too little is the enemy of efficiency. Too much kills engagement.
Last year, my colleagues launched a tool called The Next Five to help people navigate through those times in their career where they’re feeling kind of stuck. You know — when you’re just not sure what the next step is on your career path. And while many of us think about this stuff from time […]
Automation is a funny thing. Too little is the enemy of efficiency. Too much kills engagement. Think about email. Automated email nurturing campaigns were the answer to individually following up with every single person who downloaded a piece of content from your website. In the name of efficiency, marketers queued up a series of emails […]
It’s hard to overstate how much good nature does for our well-being: Study after study documents the psychological and physical benefits of connecting with nature. People who are more connected with nature are happier, feel more vital, and have more meaning in their lives. Even in small doses, nature is a potent elixir: When their […]
Do you dream about changing careers but worry that the costs of switching are too high — and that the possibility of success seems too remote? Instead of plugging away in your current job, unfulfilled and slowly burning out, do both: Keep your current job while pursuing your new career. You don’t have to forgo […]
Share Hosting a Twitter chat lets you better engage with your followers and customers on Twitter and build community among them by using some of Twitter’s conversation-friendly features. Twitter chats are a great way to grow your social following, generate valuable discussions and feedback, and demonstrate thought leadership. Done right, they generate lively conversations and […]
Share If you’re a social media marketer, you know how difficult it can be to find the perfect image to accompany a post. We all know that photos are one of the most important components for boosting engagement, but unless you’re willing to pay for it, finding a great one can be seriously time-consuming. That’s […]
When people are uncomfortable with developing intimacy and closeness in their relationships, can they work to overcome this? The tendency to distance yourself from others is characteristic of an “avoidant attachment style,” which research traces back to childhood. When caregivers are available to respond to children’s needs, attachment theory says, children develop a secure attachment […]
Your success at the negotiation table requires a blend of different techniques. Chris Voss, former lead international kidnapping negotiator for the FBI, spent his career navigating high-pressure situations. While most individuals will never be bargaining to save a human life like Voss did, each of us negotiates daily with colleagues, vendors, friends, and family members. […]
Despite what you might have come to believe after sorting through the internet’s seemingly bottomless slew of articles on the subject, emotional intelligence is more than just a buzzword. The ability to empathize with others, build lasting relationships, and manage emotions in a healthy way has been proven time and time again to be one of the […]
Like the magnificent architectural wonders that hold up The Pantheon in Rome, pillars will help you hold up your blog’s architecture, too. You have to…
Like the magnificent architectural wonders that hold up The Pantheon in Rome, pillars will help you hold up your blog’s architecture, too. You have to build them yourself — but we promise it takes less time and effort than building them from marble or concrete. In this blog post, we’ll dive into everything you need […]
What do you do when someone’s work is OK but not great? The toughest test of a manager isn’t dealing with poor performance — it’s addressing mediocrity. Don’t let lackluster performance fester. Start by showing how mediocrity negatively affects your team, the organization, and its customers. You could, for example, have middling employees listen in […]
Share It’s an understatement of epic proportions to say there’s a lot of activity on Facebook every day. This biggest of the social networks has climbed to more than two billion users and 70 million Business Pages. So, how can your brand stand out from the crowd? According to a poll conducted by the Content […]
An “Echo Dot” device, left, and an “Echo” device stand on display during the U.K. launch event for the Amazon.com Inc. Echo voice-controlled home assistant speaker in London, U.K., on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. The Seattle-based company today announced that its Echo product line will be available in the U.K. and Germany starting in the […]
Instagram has become a finely curated destination for gorgeous photos, videos, and visual content that all clamor for the best Likes and comments. It’s as…
Instagram has become a finely curated destination for gorgeous photos, videos, and visual content that all clamor for the best Likes and comments. It’s as if the urge to visit a modern art museum can now be satisfied from the comfort of our own homes — or bus seats, or lunch breaks. That is, if […]
The first thing to acknowledge about diversity is that it can be difficult. In the U.S., where the dialogue of inclusion is relatively advanced, even the mention of the word “diversity” can lead to anxiety and conflict. Supreme Court justices disagree on the virtues of diversity and the means for achieving it. Corporations spend billions […]
I never used to understand what people mean when they say that they “interview well.” How was that possible? If you’re too prepared, your answers…
I never used to understand what people mean when they say that they “interview well.” How was that possible? If you’re too prepared, your answers sound robotic, and if you’re too unprepared, you start most answers with a long sip of water to gather your thoughts. Now, I understand (or at least, I think I […]
Everyone wants star employees on their team. But research shows that high performers can create resentment among peers, especially if they garner more resources than others. As the manager, it’s your job to reduce tension and assuage concerns. Emphasize how having high performers on the team is good for everyone — their expertise, experiences, and […]
Mindfulness meditation is everywhere these days. From the classroom to the board room, people are jumping on the mindfulness bandwagon, hoping to discover for themselves some of its promised benefits, like better focus, more harmonious relationships, and less stress. I too have started a mindfulness meditation practice and have found it to be helpful in […]
The drama of this week’s Apple event is hardly over. Despite many of the announcements having been leaked in the days leading up to it, the tech world is still positively a-Twitter about what was unveiled, and what will come of it. Many are wondering if the iPhone 8 models are really that different from […]
“Be yourself” is horrible advice for someone going on a job interview. That’s because you are literally auditioning for a new role. Take the time to craft your “job interview character” by making a list of the qualities a successful candidate should convey. And then rehearse. For example, if you tend to be shy, expand […]
Whether you’re writing a blog post, putting together a presentation, or working on a full-length report, using data in your content marketing strategy is a…
In marketing, it seems like the word “brand” is used a lot — the leading brand, off-brand, personal brand … you get the picture. But there’s…
Social media can be an overwhelming place — even for the experts. Which networks should they use, what should they write, how frequently should they…
More and more organizations are ditching ratings and forced distributions in performance reviews. Of course, if you’re required to rate your direct reports, do as your organization dictates, but don’t let the static number speak for itself. Some employees may be disappointed with a 3 out of 5 rating, for example, thinking it means they’re […]
When it comes to product-centric events and announcements, advance leaks and rumors are nothing new for Apple. But something about this round was different. The…
Some months ago, I was working a busy evening shift in our emergency room (ER). I had just stabilized a very sick patient and approached a physician colleague to refer the patient to him for admission to the ward. The dialogue that ensued was a perfect example of conflicted agendas: I needed to provide comprehensive […]
Here on the HubSpot blog, we’ve been writing content for a long time — more than 10 years. And for much of that time, our…
Creativity can fade when you get bored or discouraged at work. To get your creative juices flowing again, change your habits: Make an effort to try something new every month. Meet new people at work. Talk to new clients. Look for intersections — places where your department’s work overlaps with another’s. Volunteer for a cross-functional […]
