After hectic holiday schedules die down and PTO hours are exhausted, many teams find themselves in a bit of a slump during January.  For some, a New Year brings good feelings of change and new opportunities for growth, while a New Year full of unknown challenges creates a sense of dread in others.  Whether you’re a manager or an individual contributor, setting professional goals for yourself can help provide a direction and vision for your 2017!

The classic holiday gift is the ham. It's big. It's awkward - and in this day and age, it might even be insulting. With religious and cultural differences and dietary restrictions, it can be hard to find the perfect way to say "thank you" to your employees for a great year. Fortunately, these guidelines will help you celebrate and appreciate your team in style: 

If there’s one thing that all professionals learn throughout their career, it’s that there is no such thing as a perfect organization.  Just as every person has their flaws, so does every business.  But there’s a definite difference between a less-than-perfect company culture and a flat-out toxic work environment. Worried that your current work environment is negatively affecting your productivity, health or overall mojo?  Check all that apply below to see if you or someone you know is up to their eyeballs in bad juju from work.

September is a bittersweet month for many. It’s a tearful farewell to the warmth of summer, but welcomes all the goodness (in the form of Pumpkin Spice Lattes and everyone’s favorite flannel) of autumn.  If the shorter daylight hours and cool breezes are starting to make shoulders slump around the office, look to these out-of-the-box ideas to keep your team in the best of spirits!

Other than your organization’s reputation among clients and potential customers, your company’s standing as a superior employer should be a top priority for your business.  You may be familiar with the wise old saying, “News travels fast, but bad news travels faster.”  This little ditty isn’t just something that Aunt Susan spouts off at the Thanksgiving dinner table when discussing the latest family drama: It’s truer than true when it comes to your employer reputation.