The 4 Golden Rules of Millionaire Time Management

There’s really only one life hack you need to sit up and pay attention to when building your business: time management. It’s a ridiculously vital skill, yet many of us are guilty of falling behind. I think entrepreneurs are easy to label with this false image of rolling out of bed whenever they want, scheduling meetings ‘whenever’, as if being your own boss means you’re the boss of time itself.

That’s not how I grew BusinessNET, and it’s not the path to sustainable wealth. Ask anyone who’s ever grown a company. Being your own boss doesn’t mean you stop punching time cards - it just means you make the cards.

Time is Your Most Valuable Asset - Don't Waste It

I've been working with a bunch of interns and twenty-somethings of late. As I pondered their strengths and weaknesses - some want and need some direction and guidance, others won't take it - I remembered my first hiring effort from many years ago. It happened soon after my first management job as manager of capital budgeting for a large automotive parts manufacturer. I was asked to be part of the company's MBA recruitment effort and three days later was sent to a major university to compete with the likes of IBM, Ford and P&G to recruit the best of the bunch.

Google Is Blurring the Line Between Humans and Software

Imagine a future in which you have long-running personal conversations with the software that controls your home entertainment system while letting an algorithmic chatbot handle texting your mom for you. Google pretty much showcased that vision of the future at its annual developer conference, I/O, which kicked off Wednesday in Mountain View, California.

In his first I/O appearance since he was named CEO last August, Sundar Pichai opened by introducing Google Assistant, a voice-activated virtual assistant akin to Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa. Like Siri, Google Assistant will be accessible to users through Google's Android phones and tablets; like Alexa, she'll also live in a stylish new standalone wireless speaker, which will go on sale later this year. (Evidently, tech companies can't help but make all their assistants female: In the demos, Google Assistant speaks by default in a woman's voice, like both Alexa and Siri.)

"We want to be there for our users asking them, 'Hi, how can I help?'" Pichai told an audience of developers and journalists. "Think of it as a conversational assistant. We want users to have an ongoing two-way dialogue with Google."

7 Ways Bad Leaders Spread Stress Throughout the Office

Right now, there's a good chance one of your top employees is unhappy. They're struggling to make it through the workday without snapping, filled with frustration and resentment for the company and its leadership team.

They're returning home each evening to unload all the gritty details to their spouse who, undoubtedly, begins urging them to look for another job. Eventually, they'll agree and begin sending out their resume, interviewing and working with recruiters.

It's only a matter of time before a competitor offers them a better opportunity. And bam! Just like that, you've lost another key player.

There are a number of reasons why a formerly satisfied team member becomes unhappy with their job. And while some of these reasons are personal and beyond your control, there are many ways you may be perpetuating undue stress. To make matters worse, a 2014 study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found stress is contagious.

When Your Employer Breaks Its Promises to You

Alison Green answers questions about workplace and management issues-everything from how to deal with a micromanaging boss to how to talk to someone on your team about body odor.

A reader writes:

I work for a mid-size nonprofit doing fundraising. I have been here for 3+ years in a position that was a lateral move from my previous job. When I started, I took the same salary as my previous position because it was work I wanted to do, but was promised a raise and better title when it was available. That was three years ago, and I have not received a raise.

3 Ways Blogging Is Replacing Cover Letters

Studies show that 50%+ of recruiters and hiring managers aren't reading cover letters. Why? They're tired of reading the same stuffy, self-important, boring words from hundreds of candidates.

Cover Letters Used To Get You Noticed

The initial idea behind cover letters was simple: add a well-written note that showcases your communication skills and professionalism. However, fast-forward many years later and job seekers have gone on 'auto-pilot' with respect to cover letters. Using outdated templates and playing it safe, the result is a letter that screams one part narcissist and two parts copycat. In short, cover letters have lost their originality - the very thing that made them effective.

How to Interview When You’re Hiring for Soft Skills

When interviewing potential hires for roles that rely on soft skills--such as customer support--you always run the risk of repeating the same questions, receiving the same answers, having the same small talk, and then promptly forgetting all the important details.

The antidote? Think creatively, establish a system, and then stick to it. You won't be left groping for questions, your interactions will be more memorable, and you'll be able to standardize the circumstances under which you assess candidates.

The Mistake 99 Percent of LinkedIn Users Make

Last week, LinkedIn celebrated its 13th birthday. It's officially a teenager. With more than 414 million users, it's the largest professional social network. And it's getting bigger by the day, making it the biggest pool of talent online as well. When it comes to LinkedIn, we're all little fishes in a big pond. Which means, if you want to be contacted about great business and career opportunities through LinkedIn, you need to stand out. However, that's where many users are making a critical mistake.

What Everyone Can (And Should) Learn from Apple's Staff Retention

Apple's stores are absolutely integral to its success. With over 460 of them spanning 16 countries, the brand had the highest sales per square foot of retail space of any retailer in the US in 2014. At the heart of any Apple store customer experience is the representative they deal with. And Apple ended 2015 with an impressive 81% retention rate amongst its store staff - a company record.

Keeping great staff cuts costs associated with the recruitment process and helps to maintain the all-important company culture. But just how has Apple done it? Here are 3 things everyone can learn from the technology giant: