[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] In today's rapidly evolving software development landscape, distributed Agile teams have emerged as an effective way to ensure teams stay nimble and responsive to changing requirements. A distributed Agile team is a group of software development professionals working together across different geographical locations and time zones, united by a common goal and the Agile methodology. By embracing the latest practices and research in distributed Agile methodology, software development businesses can create powerful and flexible foundations to build great software products.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Choosing between a temp-to-hire and direct hire for your business boils down to this: Opt for temp-to-hires when you need to fill roles quickly or for projects with clear start and end dates, and choose direct hires as the more cost-effective option for long-term talent and skill set requirements. Think of temp-to-hire as a trial period where you and the candidate can test the waters before making a long-term commitment. On the other hand, a direct hire skips the trial and dives right into the candidate pool, fishing for a full-time employee who’s ready to join your team for the long haul. Imagine you have a position to fill. Which staffing solution should you choose? You know how to juggle the candidate pool like a pro, but you’re not sure how to find the right balance between a temporary employee and a full-time employee. This article explores the pros and cons of temp-to-hire and direct hire options to assist you in finding the right fit for your business needs.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] The distinction between exempt and nonexempt employees in the United States can make a huge impact on your business. Each employee’s classification determines their rights according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which defines exempt and nonexempt employment, and sets standards for the federal minimum wage and overtime pay, as well as youth employment record keeping. In this guide, we’ll help you navigate the murky waters of employee classification, so you can confidently classify employees.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] As a business owner or manager, you know that motivated employees are essential to success. But what motivates employees? The answer may surprise you. It’s not always about money or perks. Employee satisfaction and productivity are key in today’s fast-paced and competitive business world. Employees want to feel valued, appreciated, and invested in their work. So, how can you keep your employees motivated and engaged? By understanding what employees want and the motivating factors that drive them. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 motivating factors for employees and share simple strategies to help you motivate your team and improve employee satisfaction.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] A leadership performance review is a powerful tool to evaluate a leader’s performance, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and set clear goals for the future. Performance reviews provide valuable feedback to help leaders grow and develop their leadership skills. They can also help your organization assess the performance of its leaders and ensure everyone works toward common goals. This article will explain how to conduct effective leadership performance reviews. Our guide covers everything from setting expectations and collecting feedback to providing constructive criticism and setting SMART goals. By the end, you’ll understand what it takes to evaluate leadership skills and develop effective leaders within your company.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] In today’s fast-paced world, adaptable marketing strategies can lead to fulfillment of ever-expanding sales opportunities. Using data analytics of customer behavior and feedback, you can implement, execute, and modify plans for optimized results. Integral to this effort is a well-developed, closely managed marketing funnel that drives sales and delivers a high return on investment (ROI). The marketing funnel—which identifies various stages in converting potential customers into buyers—is a powerful, customer-focused tool. It has evolved over time, but the core elements remain the same. Our marketing funnel guide defines the funnel and explains what marketing initiatives best align with each phase.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Pay for performance (PFP or P4P) is a performance-based compensation plan that can impact how you reward your employees. Imagine a system where hard work and dedication are appreciated and rewarded with higher pay and other incentives. Pay-for-performance systems do just that by aligning an employee’s compensation with their contributions to the company. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at how pay for performance works, different types of pay for-performance systems, and pros and cons of implementing this strategy. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about PFP, such as how to decide if implementing such a program would benefit your business. If you’re an employer or business owner looking for ways to motivate your employees, improve accountability, and build high-performance teams, pay for performance may be an option. Let’s explore this in more detail.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] As companies continue to grapple with remote hiring and in-person team dynamics, it’s essential to have a strong onboarding process for new employees. Having the right practices can prepare your existing team for welcoming new members and set the foundation for the successful onboarding of new hires. Whether you manage a Human Resources (HR) department or lead a small business, this article can help you succeed in your company’s efforts for onboarding new employees. Check out our comprehensive list of employee onboarding best practices and our helpful onboarding FAQ to make sure your team is ready to go and set up for success.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Workforce development is a holistic approach to improving a company’s access to a qualified workforce by working with local organizations. Effective programs address numerous areas including educational opportunities, skill development, employment needs, career advancement, skill gaps and well-being. By investing in workforce development, companies can strengthen community relationships, attract top talent, improve employee retention, and increase productivity and profitability. In this guide, we’ll dive deeper into the basics of workforce development and provide real-world examples of successful workforce programs.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Effective communication is an essential skill for managers and employers. Using positive language to describe your team members is a powerful tool to show your support and admiration for their hard work. Whether you’re writing a performance review or letter of recommendation or simply expressing your appreciation for a job well done, using positive language to describe your employees is motivating and helps your team members feel valued and appreciated. Your positive words also help your company, as employees who feel valued are more productive and engaged and have greater job satisfaction. To help increase your positive communication, this guide lists the top 60 positive words to describe employees, along with tips for effectively incorporating these words into your communications. Let’s dive in and explore the power of positive language in the workplace.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Business expansion is the process of growing a business by increasing its revenue, market share, and customer base. While expansion can bring exciting opportunities, it can also be risky without proper planning. We’ll discuss how to make a comprehensive business expansion plan that covers everything from market analysis to financial projections. Whether you’re planning to expand your business into new territories or you want to launch new products, this guide provides the tools and strategies you need to succeed.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] While leadership and the role of a leader are naturally intertwined, understanding their differences is important. In this article, we look at the key differences between a leader and leadership to better understand both concepts and their importance in the business world. A leader is someone who has the power to influence and guide a team toward their shared goals. Others often see them as visionaries with charisma, integrity, and a talent for motivating others. But leadership is a bit different.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] A travel agency helps its personal clients plan the vacation of their dreams, and helps its corporate clients lower the costs of its business travel. Travel agencies can provide their clients with discounted rates, improved booking options, ticket management, and more. Operating a travel agency has many perks, including flexible hours, the joy of helping a family plan and afford their dream getaway, and the satisfaction of developing your business and watching it grow. Tourism and travel are also both consistently profitable industries, which may give you peace of mind as you set out on this venture! The costs of opening an agency can vary wildly. At minimum, you’ll likely need a computer, internet connection, and professional website, which can run into the hundreds of dollars. For agencies opening a brick-and-mortar storefront, the cost can grow into the six figures. How long it takes to reach profitability will largely depend on these early decisions! But whether you’re starting a traditional travel agency in a swank downtown office or a modern online travel agency with a sleek website, we’ve got eight best practices that can help you take that first step with your new business.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Getting your job listings in front of the right talent is essential to filling job openings and successfully growing your organization. We have compiled a list of job posting sites designed to help you find qualified candidates for your open position. Fumbling through hundreds of applications and potentially not finding the right talent is a hassle. Put time back into your day and out of the tedious hiring process with the right tools. Below are the 12 best free job posting sites for employers in 2022. Explore each one to create an effective strategy for finding your next team member.

[WRITTEN BY KAYLA HALL] Because operating expenses play a large role in the profitability of a business, business owners should understand the details of their own operating costs and how they impact the bottom line. This guide will help. Read on to learn about the different operating expenses and how to calculate these expenses for your company.