This month’s best business resources, ideas and buys are all about looking at things differently, whether it’s tackling a bad habit with approaches tailored to your particular soft spot, stepping back from online business education to assess what you most need to know, trying a new way to sit or getting the most from your staff by giving them a break.
The Book for Breaking Habits: How to Change
Katy Milkman is terrific at explaining how behavioural psychology can help you achieve goals. Each chapter of her latest book, How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, tackles a different personal obstacle. Whether it’s laziness, procrastination or instant gratification, Milkman offers research-based strategies tailored to counter each block. This might be, for example, using a “commitment device” to make breaking a resolution cost you or “temptation bundling”, such as combining half an hour on a cardio machine with watching an episode of Ted Lasso.
The Alternative Chair: J.Burrows Kneeling Stool
For many of us, imagining a job where you sit all the time is not much of a stretch – literally. An entire work day with your body at 90-degree angles probably engages the core and leg muscles more than lying on a banana lounge, but there’s value in introducing some kneeling and squatting to the mix. Using this kneeling stool, for no more than five hours at a time, can ease stress on the tailbone.
SEE ALSO: Home Office Ergonomics: A How to Guide
The Workplace Idea to Consider: Self-Care Days
Recognising that 2021 hasn’t been quite the getaway from 2020 many had longed for, some companies are treating workforces to pop-up paid holidays. These sanctioned self-care days are often announced unexpectedly; an HR executive described LinkedIn’s campaign of impromptu Fridays off and meeting-free days as “surprise and delight moments”. While it can be difficult for smaller teams to hang up a “gone fishing" sign, wellness days could help SMEs retain and build trust in their staff.
SEE ALSO: Ask an Expert: How to Start a Small Business
The Planner for Online Learning: FutureLearn
The volume of options on open-learning platforms such as LinkedIn and Coursera can be as overwhelming as it is inspiring. So the first step is to design a professional roadmap, identifying which of your technical skills (such as coding) or soft skills (creative thinking) need an upgrade. UK-based FutureLearn offers a free Essential Skills for Your Career Development course that’s designed for jobseekers, but has a methodical approach that’s also a useful business resource if you lead an SME and want to boost your digital expertise, personally bridge a skills gap in your team, or get wise to an area that’s outside your role but essential to your business.
A Smart Security Camera for Indoors and Out: Google Nest
Monitor your premises 24/7 with the Google Nest security camera, which detects movement, people and vehicles and sends smart alerts you can address through two-way audio via your smart device. The camera is weather resistant, wire free, easy to install with a magnetic mount and retains a three-hour video history. (A Google Nest Aware subscription buys you an archive of up to 60 days.) This three-pack means multiple security points but remember, if you install any kind of camera at your workplace, make sure you fully comply with Australian laws and regulations.
