Marketing

Business & its success strongly hinge on people and what they think of it. Public talks are an influential tool both for a business and its customers. And Twitter is one of the best venues to host such conversations, especially after releasing a novel feature – Spaces.

Twitter Spaces for business opens up a whole new world of interactions, discussions, and even pep talks (depending on your area of operation). Using it effectively will not only improve your business; it will also allow you to connect to your clients and hear out people who have something to say!

Never used Twitter Spaces? Worry not, as making use of it is a walk in the park. All you need to do to employ it successfully is come up with a great invitation, like a banner–take a look at how to create designs for free–and read this guide.

Several Words About Twitter Spaces

So, what is Twitter Spaces anyway, and what is so unique about it? Twitter Spaces is a new feature presented by Twitter this spring. 

While the format of Spaces isn’t new–live audio conversations are available on many apps–it has a number of upsides. Among other things, hosts can give the floor to other people, decide who can speak and when, and turn on additional features like captions.

Hosting a Space

Hosting a talk is elementary. Open the Twitter app, long-press the compose button, and choose the Spaces option to start a conversation. Once you do that, remember to name your Space, and voila – you have launched a live meeting! Notably, running a Space is identical, whether you use Android or iOS.

If you don’t intend to go live right away, you can schedule a Space by tapping Schedule for later, choosing the date and time of your live talk. Whatever option you opt for, you can notify your followers about the upcoming Space so that everyone will be able to jump at the opportunity to listen to you or say something in real life.

Also read: How to hire the best marketing consultant

Managing a Space

So, you’ve decided to run a Space. What’s next? How do you manage it correctly? 

Although Twitter Spaces is simple UX-wise, it would still be reasonable to review the functions and how to use them effectively. 

Twitter Spaces comprises five controls that carry various functions. Once you go live, you will see the five following icons:

• Microphone: The icon serves several purposes, depending on whether you’re a host or a listener. Being the former allows you to mute or unmute yourself. For listeners, conversely, this button is the request to speak.
• Settings: Clicking Settings, you can turn on/off extra features, like captions, sharing feedback, and more. You can also reach out to technical support from Settings if you experience any problems. 
• Speakers: The Speakers button gives you total control of the attendees. That is, you can grant people access to join your Space, let them talk, send invites, and see who is present in the gathering. 
• Emoji: Other than reacting to various opinions, the Emoji feature lets users demonstrate that they are active or present. Plus, you can use it as a show of hands tool, which is very handy when discussing complex topics.
• Share: Obvious as it is, you can share your live talk on Twitter or any other social network. Make sure to do that, and don’t hesitate to ask your visitors to do the same. The more people attend your meeting, the better.

Also read: Hire the  best social media manager 

Tips to succeed in launching a Space

What you’ve seen above is a set of functions you can–and are encouraged to–use. Below, in turn, is a list of tips to ensure your hosted Space is revealing and calls your followers to act. 

1. Adjust Spaces to your area of operation

To get the most from Spaces, try to think of the format that’d be the most suitable for your business. You can diversify meetings, organizing different Spaces.

For instance, you can organize interviews or open-mic discussions, make your Spaces shorter or longer, and go live daily, biweekly, or weekly depending on the subject of conversation. 

2. Run Q&A sessions 

Responsiveness is a key component of every flourishing business. Thanks to Q&A sessions, answering people’s questions has never been easier. Render Q&A sessions once in a while to ensure your followers get answers to questions that interest them the most.

3. Pin a Tweet

You can pin any tweet to draw your attendees’ attention in Spaces. Simply choose the tweet you want to highlight and pin it. A pinned tweet is a simple yet effective way to point the talk in the needed direction.

The Bottom Line

It’s been approximately a year since Twitter launched its new feature called Spaces. And it didn’t take much time to realize that Twitter Spaces is an excellent tool to gain new clients and retain old ones.

As you can see, starting and managing a Space isn’t challenging. Indubitably, we can anticipate numerous updates coming soon, but they will rather improve the user interface and experience.

Therefore, wait no more: quickly decide on the topic, think of a catchy title, smash that Space button, and go live!

The contingency theory of leadership speaks of a different approach to leadership. In this blog, we deep dive into this concept and look into its models & principles.

Contingency theory of leadership

The contingency theory of leadership is an approach to leadership. According to it, there is no singular approach to leadership. Leaders will modify the processes depending on the situation. Effective leadership will lead to an efficient organization. The situational approach to leadership focuses on adaptability and combines different management styles in the best possible way.

What is contingency theory?

Before we begin, let us understand what is contingency theory? The contingency theory of leadership states the effectiveness of a leader is dependent on if their leadership style and its appropriateness in the situation. It emerged in the 1960s and was founded on the principle that no leadership style is appropriate for every situation.

An individual may be an effective leader in some situations and ineffective in others. When analyzing different leadership styles, there are three factors –traits, behavior, and the situation. The contingency theory of leadership emerged in the 1960s. It emphasized the leader’s personality and the circumstances in which they operate. The contingency theory of leadership has a multifaceted approach to management.

Also read: 21 irrefutable laws of leadership by John Maxwell

Contingency theory psychology

The Contingency theory of psychology is based on the assumption there is no universal approach to structuring organizations and managing people. The best path will depend on factors like the nature of the task, company culture, environment of the organization, and personality traits of the people involved. 

Contingency theory calls for a situational approach. Contingency theories emerged from real-life experiences of managers and leaders, who found there is no single approach that works in every situation. Contingency theory tries to find techniques appropriate for the present situation. Contingencies are affected by the external and internal environment. 

Contingency leadership models

Different contingency leadership models explain different leadership styles. Some of the contingency models of leadership are Fielder contingency theory, situational contingency theory, Path goal Theory, and Decision Theory. The Contingency models have similarities but have their distinct views on leadership.

1. Fiedler’s contingency theory

Fred Fielder developed one of the first contingency theories called Fiedler’s contingency theory of leadership. In the Fiedler contingency model, leadership styles are fixed and unchangeable. According to the Fiedler model, you cannot mold the leader. It is better to put leaders in a situation that matches their styles. Fielder’s contingency model has two features- 

• Leadership style – Fielder’s contingency has the least preferred co-worker scale (LPC) to analyze your leadership style. To use the scale, think about the team member you least enjoyed working with and then rate them on the scale. Adding the numbers will help you find the preferred working score. A low score would indicate you have a task-oriented style, while a high score would relationship-oriented. 
• Situational favorableness – Fiedler’s contingency model has a situational favorableness scale. This scale measures how favorable the situation is. It depends on three factors –

1. Leader-member reason
2. Task Structure
3. Leader Position Power

Also read: 5 levels of leadership by John Maxwell

2. Situational Leadership theories

Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard developed the Situational Theory of Leadership. Like other contingency theories of leadership, it focuses on the situation. The situational theory is also called the Hersey-Blanchard model. It focuses on the maturity level of your team members. There are two – situational approaches to leadership

• Leadership style – Hersey and Blanchard leadership style has four styles –

1. Telling or directing
2. Selling or coaching
3. Participating or supporting
4. Delegating

• Individual or group performance readiness level – According to situational-contingency theory, the group or person being led decides the right leadership style. The situation theory identified four maturity levels ranging from M1 to M4. This was later modified to the development levels ranging from D1 and D4.

3. Path-Goal Theory

Robert House developed the Path-Goal Theory in 1971. The theory identified processes that will allow the team members to meet their objectives. The leader will adjust their behavior and expectation to improve team productivity. The leader needs to have a flexible approach. Path-Goal theory identifies four styles of leadership –

1. Directive Clarifying leader – the leader explains what they expect from their team and how to perform the task.
2. Achievement Oriented Leader –Leaders will set high goals for their team, expect their team to meet them. They have complete confidence in their team’s performance. 
3. Participative Leader – The leader asks for their team’s inputs before making decisions.
4. Supportive Leader – The leader focuses on ensuring employee satisfaction.

Also read: Conscious leadership | How to become a conscious leader?

4. Decision-Making Theory

The decision-making theory or the Vroom Yetton Contingency Model believes that decisions are crucial elements of leadership. As per the model, decisions influence the relationship between leader and their team. The leader must maintain and build the relationship and directly affects their success. There are five leadership styles-

1. Autocratic (A1) – The leader believes the information they have is sufficient to make decisions. 
2. Autocratic (A2) – The leader consults their team as a unit, notes their suggestion but makes the final decision alone. 
3. Consultative (C1) – The leader consult each team member individually for input and opinions. They will consider the suggestion before making their decisions.
4. Consultative (C2) – The leader will consult on other employees at various levels. They may have in-depth discussions. They will take gather suggestions before making decisions.
5. Collaborative (G2) – this contingency approach to leadership. They hold meetings, take inputs, and make decisions by vote.

Key traits of contingency leadership

The different contingency models of leadership have their difference but share a common thread. Contingency theory emphasis that effective leadership depends on the situation, task, and people involved. Contingency Leaders may react to situations differently. The efficiency of contingency leadership depends on factors like project scope, team size, and resource availability. Key traits of contingency leadership are

1. Contingency model adopts a flexible approach

Contingency model adopts a flexible approach. The fundamental belief of the contingency model is that there is no fixed approach to solving a problem. Organizational requirements change all the time. Situational leaders are flexible and modify their leadership style suitable to the maturity level of their team and present situation. They change their approach to get the work done.

Leaders in contingency theory are not rigid as they use different leadership styles depending on the tasks. They look at the bigger picture and adapt their leadership styles to build a robust organization and improve work environments and relationships. They assess their work environment to the changing dynamics.

2. Contingency theories of leadership style changes with the situation

Contingency theories of leadership style will depend on two factors = present situation and the maturity of the team members. Contingency leaders use the Hersey-Blanchard model to assess the maturity levels and development levels of their team. If the team or an employee is inexperienced, the leader will adopt a more hands-on approach.

They will give specific instructions and supervise them closely. As the team matures and their skill level improves, the leader will need to modify their approach and allow the employee to handle some of the decisions making themselves. Effective leaders recognize when they need to supervise the situation and when they can step back.

Also read: Laissez faire leadership | What is laissez faire leadership [with examples!

3. The contingency approach to leadership by participating

One of the contingency approaches to leadership, is to encourage their team to become more independent in performing tasks and take routine decisions. The leadership approach uses consulting and democratic leadership styles, with the high-level problem solving still under the leader’s purview.

The leader allows capable and mature team members to participate in some of the decision-making processes. The leader must be open to ideas that come from their team members. It encourages team members without supervision, fosters trust, and helps them drivers in the company. 

4. Contingency leadership theory is directing

The contingency approach to leadership is an extension of the directive approach when inexperienced team members. These members need a lot of supervision, knowledge transfer, and motivation to complete tasks. For entry-level teams, the leader gives them direct instructions to achieve their goal.

They provide detailed instructions on how to achieve the goal. The leader needs to be nurturing and encouraging. The leader must look ahead and have a game plan to make team members independent, to enable them to make their own decisions. The situational leader understands that well-trained employee is more efficient.

5. The contingency approach to management knows delegation

When teams are capable and mature, the leader can take a contingency approach to management and reduce their supervision and involvement in day-to-day activities gradually. When delegating, the leader is involved in discussing tasks and the targets, but the team members are free to decide how the target will be achieved.

The situational theories suggest that a democratic form of leadership will encourage their followers to take more responsibility. The team will feel more empowered and will be encouraged to work more efficiently. The leader will be free to focus on management responsibilities.

Also read: Leadership philosophy | 8 philosophies of great leaders [with templates]

6. Contingency theory of leadership examples

In an organization, several factors can affect efficiency. Different leaders have distinct styles to respond to a situation. However, even capable leaders feel challenged. Various contingency theory examples will help you think of a unique solution to the problem.

7. The situational theory of leadership example

Apple owes its massive success to Steve Jobs. Many people associate Jobs with an authoritative style of leadership, but his approach was more layered. His leadership is a great situational theory leadership example. He could motivate his team to follow ideas even when they were skeptical. He could delegate responsibility in areas he was unfamiliar with.

8. Contingent leadership example

In this contingent leadership example, Archie Burke was company ABC, who preferred to communicate in writing in person rather than communicate verbally. He sends thoughtful and well-drafted emails every week to his team. Neal a recruit was not receptive to written communication. To connect with Neal, Mr. Burke will have to adapt and interact with Neal personally or assign the task to his assistant.

9. Fiedler’s contingency model example

Pizza hut branch in Los Angles has appointed a new manager. In this scenario, you may expect the following factors

• Trust may be low because you are new to the job. The staff turnover is high, so it will be tough to build relationships with them.
• Task structure is high. Companies like Pizza Hut have detailed operating manuals which you need to follow.
• You are in a position of power can hire and fire staff. 

If we adopt Fielder’s contingency model, we learn relationship-oriented leader is best suited for the position.

Also read: Trust Remote Teams | 10 best ways to build trust in remote teams of 2021?

10. Contingency management approach

Walter Elias Disney is the founder of Walter Disney Company. He was innovative, creative, and a fantastic leader because of his flexible leadership. Mr Disney followed a contingency management approach. He involved his employees in the decision-making process. There were instances he called his employees and act out scenes he envisioned. He would gauge if his employees had the same level of enthusiasm.

11. Contingency theory leadership example

In this contingency theory leadership example, Sam regularly shows up late to work. His manager could have given notice. A better approach would be to talk with the employee to determine why he is late before deciding the appropriate step. He may learn there are extenuating circumstances. The contingency approach theory allows Sam to keep his job.

Leaders can choose from different styles to lead and influence their team. In this post we cover what is autocratic leadership, its characteristics, examples & more.

Autocratic leadership

Leaders strive to bring out the best from their team. Leaders can choose different styles of leadership. There are over eight leadership styles popularly used in business – autocratic, democratic, Laissez-Faire leaderships, transactional, charismatic, servant, and bureaucratic leaderships are just some of the leadership styles followed by companies around the world. But, what is autocratic leadership? Autocratic leadership makes it apparent who is the boss and who will have control of the distribution of workload and responsibility.

Lewin’s leadership styles

Psychologist Kurt Lewin and his team identified different styles of leadership. The research was the basis for further analysis on leadership. He conducted the study in 1939 and identified three leadership styles are –

1. Authoritarian or autocratic leaders set a clear expectation for what needs to be done, when and how will it be done. The leadership style focuses on the command of the leader and control of the followers. They make decisions independently.
2. Participative or democratic leaders are said to be the most effective form of leadership. The leader offers guidance to their staff and takes inputs from them. The leader has the final say in the decision-making process. 
3. Delegative or Laissez-Faire leadership is the least productive form of leaders. The staff are demanding and are uncooperative. The leaders offer little or no guidance to their group members. 

Autocratic leadership definition

Autocratic leadership definition is as follows, it is the management style wherein one person controls all the decisions and takes little inputs from their team. They make decisions based on their own beliefs. 

We see autocratic leadership in small firms.

The leadership style is effective in companies that require quick decisions. Leaders take responsibility for decisions and consequences that follow. They have a clear vision that can motivate their team. Some consider autocratic leadership as flexible, while others consider it to be outdated.

Characteristics of autocratic leadership

The purpose of autocratic leadership is to establish centralized control to achieve the desired results. Leaders who follow the approach are called bossy or dictatorial. The level of control can be beneficial in certain situations. There are instances when authoritarian leadership traits are good for business. Characteristics of autocratic leadership are-

1. Autocratic leaders take limited inputs from stakeholders

Autocratic leaders make most of the decisions themselves. They rarely consult others or take feedback. It can boost productivity with decisions being taken faster but may lower team morale. Employees may feel they are not trusted and question if they add any value to the team.

2. Authoritarian leadership style demands a structured environment

Authoritarian leadership style requires a structured environment. Some detractors may call the environment rigid. When there is a clear command structure, work gets completed faster. Some people may find the work setting too stringent. However, employees may feel stressed if they think they are being monitored and evaluated constantly.

3. Authoritative leadership has clearly defined rules and processes

There are no questions on who is the boss in authoritative leadership. The leader has the final say on critical business decisions and how the business will run. They define roles, rules, and processes clearly, and things run smoothly. The leadership style may stifle creativity and inputs for improvement.

4. Lower creativity and morale in directive leadership

In directive leadership form, the power structure is centralized. Employees are dependent on the leadership for inputs, and they do not feel empowered. There is no creativity or innovation. The workplace environment is stressful and fearful.

5. Power and authority in autocratic leaders

Autocratic leaders have all power and authority to make decisions. Leaders assign tasks without consulting their team. They believe in a carrot and stick approach, rather than motivating their team. The leader takes both responsibility and credit for all tasks. The leader has no confidence in their team’s ability and exercises strict control.

Also read: 21 irrefutable laws of leadership

Pros and cons of autocracy

The pros and cons of autocracy are as follows –

Pros 

• Leads to quick decision-making – Autocratic leaders are driven by time urgency. They usually avoid procrastination and make quick decisions. They do not take inputs from others leading to faster decisions.
• Newcomers benefit – When a new employee may be unsure about their role and require inputs. Entry-level employees or employees who have low self-esteem do not know who to approach for help. An authoritarian leader can help by giving them directions. 
• Effective during stressful periods – During stressful or escalated situations, organizational and workplace communication can be counterproductive. Authoritative leadership is required.

Cons

• Increase stress and lower satisfaction – Employees dislike the authoritarian style of leadership. They experience higher stress levels. It is associated with lower job satisfaction. 
• Increase employee turnover – Autocratic leadership results in higher employee turnover. Staff quit even if the team is performing well. They feel undervalued. 
• Create a toxic atmosphere – The middle management starts mimicking the autocratic style. It can increase hierarchy in the organization and lead to ineffective culture. Ideas flow less freely, stemming innovation and creativity in this environment.

Also read: 5 levels of leadership | All you need to know

Autocratic leadership examples

Autocratic leaders exhibit total control over company policy, goals, and procedures. They control the direction the company is taking, work-related activities, and targets of the company. This extreme form of leadership can be difficult to implement. Here are some autocratic leadership examples in business-

1. Autocracy examples of Leona Helmsley

Leona Helmsley was the owner of Helmsley Hotels. She is one of the best autocracy examples in the business. Her management style was harsh and exacting. She strictly controlled the 23 hotels in the chain. She dismissed employees who carried out sub-standard work. Her autocratic management style helped create a culture of excellence and expand the chain.

2. Eon Musk’s authoritative leadership style

Eon Musk is an entrepreneur and the founder of SpaceX and is CEO of Tesla. The innovative genius has an authoritative leadership style. He sets exceptionally high standards for his staff. He is known to carefully examine the products they create and can change his mind and discard the idea after months of investing resources on the plan.

3. Bill Gates authoritarian leadership examples

Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft. Microsoft produces software products, consumer electronics, personal electronics, and a variety of services. Bill Gates adopted an authoritative leadership style in the early years so that Microsoft grew at a brisk pace. He was the master delegator of tasks, and employees had to adhere to the schedule.

4. Autocratic leadership in nursing

Autocratic leadership in nursing is generally a hands-on approach. Nursing leaders are comfortable deciding without consulting the team. They do not tolerate mistakes. This leadership approach is helpful in an emergency. However, they may not be able to utilize the insights and knowledge of their team.

5. Felix Magnath autocratic coaching style

Felix Magnath was a German football manager and player, had an autocratic coaching style. He had an impressive record as a coach. He had a goal to improve the fitness levels of the teams he coached. His players called him a hard taskmaster, and his approach alienated the team. Analysts feel his approach got immediate results but did not work in the long run.

Also read: startup consulting | A complete guide

How to implement authoritarian leadership in your team?

Autocratic leadership can be beneficial in certain situations but is not appropriate for all settings and every group. If this is a style of leadership you want to use. You need to be aware of the advantages and pitfalls. Here are some tips on how to implement authoritarian leadership in your team.

1. Authoritarian leaders define their purposes

As a leader, you need to know what qualities you bring to the table. Identify your strengths, weaknesses, and assess your overall ability. Practice these exercises will help you define your purposes as a leader. Having perspective will help you define your purpose. 

2. Autocratic management style requires set parameters

Autocratic management style requires you to set boundaries and accountability. Evaluate how far you will go to help an employee and to ensure they are effective at work. Examine your answers and make sure they are aligned with your organizational goals. If your parameters are not in sync with the goals, address them before you move forward.

3. Autocratic managers should engage with their staff

Autocratic leaders may have to push themselves to communicate and engage with their staff. Observe them and get involved if necessary. Ask your employees, how you can improve processes within your firm. Try to become part of your team and understand what occurs in your team daily.

4. Autocratic style of leadership should explain decisions

Try to be transparent and explain your reasoning when there is an issue with your employee. The autocratic style of leadership should involve calmly addressing the issue. Explain how the issue was identified and help your team understand how the situation will be solved in the future.

5. An authoritative leader should reflect

After the problem has been addressed an authoritative leader should spend some time reflecting on the situation. You need to identify what went wrong, and how the situation can be prevented in the future. You need to consider how you will address the problem with your staff.

Also read: 5 step guide to become a successful independent consultant

Authoritative vs authoritarian

The difference between authoritative and authoritarian leadership is as follows

Authoritarian	Authoritative
Authoritarian leaders make choices by themselves and rarely accept inputs from others.	Authoritative leaders uses the energy of individuals to meet organizational goals..
They may feel their experience and expertise are undervalued.	They readily admit they do not have all the answers.
The style of leadership is beneficial when decisions need to made quickly. Leader is experienced. They work well in crises mode.	Research show authoritative leaders are effective in the long run.
They do not feel the need to communicate but give orders.	The leader motivates their team by showing how their work contributes to the final product.

Also Read: Remote Meetings | A comprehensive guide

Autocracy vs dictatorship

The difference between autocracy vs dictatorship is as follows

Autocracy Leadership	Dictatorship
Autocracy is a system where one person rules the entire nation.	Dictatorial leadership has one person ruling the entire country
Autocratic leaders refrain from extreme decisions.	Dictator leaders  does not worry about the consequences of his decisions.
Characteristic of autocracy is considered less evil	Characteristic of dictatorship has negative implacations
It is rule by individual person in the system of governance.	It could be a rule of a particular party of class or a single party.

Also Read: Leadership skills at workplace | Everything you must know

Authoritarian vs. democratic

The difference between authoritarian vs. democratic can be summarized as

Authoritarian Leadership	Democratic Leadership
We can define authoritarian leadership as leader having complete control. The leader tells the group what to do and the team members execute it.	We can define democratic leadership as a balance of decision making responsibility between the group and leader.
This model works well  in the crises mode, when there is a time crunch.	It is more time consuming as leaders participate in the discussion.
The leader presents a clear vision and can motivate a divided group.	It leads to the positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.

Also Read: Remote Work Policy | Everything you must know

Famous autocratic leaders

Some famous autocratic leaders were-

• Ridley Scott is a famous Hollywood director who made several blockbusters. He began his career as a graphic designer. He expects his actors to know their lines, positions, and cues before the shooting starts.
• Lorne Michaels’s influence on TV culture and American culture is extraordinary. He was the creative producer of NBC’s Saturday Night Live. He was demanding. He was demanding but instinctively knew how to tap into America’s pulse and get the most out of the actors. 
• Roger Ailes was the president of Fox News Channel and was an advisor to President Nixon. He started tv consulting before shifting his focus to political consulting. He redefined news broadcasting through his autocratic style.

Are you in the process of hiring customer service professionals for your company? Read through these 7 tips to get the best candidates.

The hiring process for any business big or small is an important one. It’s the difference between an employee who sticks around for a year, to someone long-term.

A lot of recruitment drives can be poorly managed. They can lack detail. As a result, they hire individuals who might not be best suited for the role.

With that being said, there are some useful tips that this article will share. It will help your company hire the best customer service professionals. Due to the pandemic, there are plenty of applicants to choose from. So as a business it’s important to be more diligent when hiring in 2021. Here are seven tips for hiring the best customer service professional for your company.

1. Create customer support scenarios to assess performance

For the second or third stage interviews, it may be wise to try performance-based scenarios. This can require you to set up different customer support situations. The employee will then be expected to act out how they’d handle it.

By conducting these scenarios and seeing how the candidate would react. It should give you an indication of how good they are for the role itself.

If a physical scenario isn’t possible, then a customer service test is useful. This can be great for seeing which candidates handled it correctly.

A person might look good on their resume alone. However, it’s still necessary to see their experience in action. Otherwise, they could turn out to be a bad fit. These are just two examples of how you can find potential in the candidate.

Also Read: Hire Virtual Assistants | Know before you start

2. Be clear on the job description and expectations you have

Be clear and concise with the job description and expectations you have as a company. This can often be where recruitment can fall at the first hurdle. They’ve not thought enough about what the business wants and needs from new hires. Be thorough in detailing what’s expected from them as customer service professionals.

Each vacancy can cost a company on average $500 dollars per day. It’s money wasted if you’re not spending the time creating the right job description.

When drafting up a job description consider this. Whoever is writing it should have knowledge on what duties are needed for the role. This is also the case for the experience that’s needed. The same goes for key skills that the applicant will require.

A top tip for job descriptions is to be very specific. Make sure any expectations are made clear before you hit publish on the job listing.

Also Read: Performance rating scale | A priceless list of tips to succeed

3. Identify and incorporate your company’s values for customer service

Every business will have a different set of company values and morals. This can be in relation to the organization as well as the workforce and customers.

It’s important to be mindful of selecting customer service professionals who align with your company’s values. There may be customer service professionals who have experience. However it’s with previous companies that don’t operate in the same way as yours.

Be sure to remind those during the hiring process that the core values matter. Your business values need to align with theirs. It’s not just about a potential hire being the right fit for you but vice versa.

Core values within a business or individual aren’t something that can always be adapted to. To avoid the risk of them not complying, ensure they agree with company values. If not, you may have to terminate the contract sooner than necessary.

Also Read: Welcome to the team | A how-to guide for everyone

4. Hire those with a drive for customer service or track record

Depending on your customer service team, you could hire people with little to no experience. However, there are going to be some whereby you need experience. That, or a proven track record of providing customer support in some way.

70% of consumers make a choice to support a company that delivers great customer service. Your company may not be able to hire someone without proven experience in the field. The risk of losing customers may be too great. The customer service professionals are very influential part of a customer’s decision on the business. It’s the difference between staying with a business or leaving it for green pastures.

Be sure to take a look at the employee’s previous experience in customer service. It’s also necessary to make contact with their references when offering a job. It’s not always the case, but lying on a resume is more common than you’d think.

According to a study by Zippia, 30% of people exaggerate their resumes. Surprisingly, mostly never get caught. References are a useful thing to utilize when proving the employee’s capabilities in the role.

Also Read: Employment background check | A complete guide

5. Find methods to help test their personality

Experience and skills are a critical part of hiring a customer service professional. However, personality matters too. It’s essential to assess the fit of their personality to the company dynamic. They need to be the right match.

If your team tends to be social butterflies, an introverted person won’t be right. Every company is a little different when it comes to company culture. It’s useful to know what your own company culture is when hiring. That or the person hiring needs to be informed of what to look for.

A good way to find out someone’s personality is to conduct behavioural-style assessments. This can be a great way to check they’re a good fit for company culture. The Meyers-Brigg type of assessment can prove useful. You could also ask personal questions before the interview. This could be what hobbies they enjoy or to give a brief insight into their life so far.

Be sure to look at the results and take on board how questions are answered. It should give you a good indication of whether or not they’re the right match. Personality is an important factor when hiring customer service professionals. Don’t forget to incorporate it into the interview where appropriate.

Also Read: Millennials in the workplace | A how-to guide for everyone

6. Prepare for the interviews and choose questions carefully

Good interview prep is going to be handy when it comes to the interviews themselves. Without that interview prep, you could end up hiring the wrong candidate.

To pick the best customer service professionals for your company, consider a good mix of questions to test the interviewee.

Simply asking them to explain what the company does is useful. It’ll tell you whether they bothered to do any research prior. This is a good indication of how much they care about the company. No research is likely a red flag to go no further with the candidate.

There’s a balance between too many interviews as there is with too many questions. It’s good to be wary of how long your interview lasts. Do a practice run with a fellow colleague to see how long it takes. Whilst you want to get all the relevant questions answered, too many and it’s exhausting.

Ensure the same questions are asked and an interview sheet is used for each interviewee. This will help your organization to refer back to your notes when reviewing candidates. With so many interviews happening, it can be easy to forget one or two.

Also Read: Remote interview guide | Everything you must know

7. Retrieve feedback from those you hire and don’t hire

Finally, one of the big mistakes that companies make when hiring is feedback. Companies often don’t get feedback from the candidates they hire. The same goes for the ones they don’t hire during the recruitment process.

Getting feedback on the hiring process, provides insight into what worked and what didn’t. Like any part of the business progression, the more you learn, the better. When it comes to recruitment drives, there’s room for improvement. Don’t let valuable feedback slip through your fingers.

It’s worthwhile putting together a feedback form that the candidates can fill out. For those who aren’t hired, it’s good to offer this. This can be in exchange for your feedback on the candidate. Helping out one another is good to do for recruitment especially.

Improved knowledge on how effective or ineffective your hiring is, will help for future recruitment. It may also positively impact the quality of hires you make for the company. All of which is going to directly influence the company’s success moving forward.

Also Read: Remote onboarding |HR’s guide to welcoming new employees

Put in effort when hiring a customer service professional

There’s certainly a temptation to do a ‘copy and paste’ style recruitment drive. However, each hiring process can be different depending on the job and what’s required. It’s vital to put in the effort, resources and finances to hire the right people.

Customer service professionals are integral to your business. So they should really be getting the star-quality treatment when it comes to recruitment drives. Be sure to have a detailed job listing. Know what questions to ask and how to assess the candidate’s potential. With these methods of hiring, you should see plenty of talented individuals coming your way.

Is becoming a CXO in a prestigious organization your dream? Here’s a complete guide on how to become a Chief experience officer.

Almost everyone has dreamt of being at the top of the food chain at a prestigious organization. The truth is: the road to the top is often bumpy, but anything is possible with consistency and dedication.

Turning a dream into reality begins with identifying the means to make it possible. In academics, it involves knowing what to study to be best suited for a career path or job qualification.

Each executive-level position has its prerequisites and benefits. But an emerging C-suite role gaining popularity is Chief Experience Officer (CXO). Companies are increasingly replacing their Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Chief Customer Officer (CCO) roles with a CXO. In other cases, they opt to add it to their C-suite to complement the CMO and CCO.

So, what exactly is a CXO? How can students leverage their studies to land this new lucrative C-suite position? Here’s everything to know.

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What is a CXO?

A Chief Experience Officer handles the customer experience (CX) and employee experience (EX) in a company. This is influenced by the fact that customer satisfaction is closely related to employee satisfaction. Covering both ends of the spectrum, a CXO creates organizational balance and maintains a positive brand image.

A CXO makes sure employees understand and are in line with the company vision. Additionally, they solidify employee commitment by making sure they’re satisfied. Likewise, a Chief experience officer works to improve or maintain the perception a consumer has of the brand. They do so by ensuring a positive experience throughout the customer life cycle. 

Qualities of a Chief Experience officer

For an individual to be considered a good CXO, one should possess the following qualities:

• Communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to think outside the box
• Relationship building skills
• Analytical skills

Roles of a Chief experience officer 

Although the responsibilities of a CXO vary, here’s a list of duties that cut across the board:

• Develop and launch initiatives designed to promote customer satisfaction, loyalty, and brand awareness.
• Communicate the importance of understanding consumers and the customer life cycle to employees.
• Supervise a team of developers, designers, and researchers to enhance the user experience.
• Represent the ideas of customers and employees in the company’s decision-making process. 
• Co-create effective methods to improve the customer experience.
• Test and track the impact of efforts on company deliverables, such as consumer sentiment and satisfaction.

What and Where to Study to Become a Chief Experience officer

For a student, finding a course and institution of high standards can be like looking for a high-quality EssayWritingService – not an easy process; still, with some guidance, students can find a worthwhile institution (and get a high-quality essay writer service too).

It’s important to note that a person needs a Master’s degree to become a CXO. Below you will find the list of the best institutions to enrol in.

1. Master’s in Business Administration – Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Nothing prepares students for C-suite jobs better than an MBA. The program prepares students for executive-level positions in corporations and the public sector. Students learn how to leverage resources and employees to meet goals and objectives.

The program prepares students for real-world situations in managerial positions. Some of the skills taught in the program include problem-solving and resource management. Students also learn business operations and how to identify business opportunities.

According to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report ranking, Wharton’s MBA program ranks number 1 in the United States. Having notable figures like Elon Musk and Warren Buffet as alumni also helps solidify the institution’s prestige.

The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania holds the title of being the first business school in the United States.

According to U.S. News & World Report, over 80% of graduates find employment. The average salary for MBA graduates is $159,815. Simply put, it’s the best institution to get an MBA.

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2. Master of Science in Public Relations – Georgetown University

Public Relations focuses on media and communications. In particular, public relations aims at enhancing an organization’s image through strategic communication. Maintaining brand reputation and managing communication crises also fall under Public Relations.

To be a successful Chief experience officer, a student needs to know the basics of Public Relations. Having a grasp on the fundamentals can help them manage a company’s brand image. Creativity, quick thinking, and communications skills are among the top qualities required.

Georgetown ranks among the top universities in the U.S. and has a Public Relations Master’s program to show for it. The university is known for being highly selective, with a 14% acceptance rate. Although it values academic excellence and rigor, it also prides itself in valuing the well-being of its students.

In addition to teaching the latest trends in communications, the university also offers resources to improve students’ mental well-being.

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3. Master of Science in Marketing – Northwestern University, Kellogg

A marketing Master’s program is research-intensive. Students learn how to conduct statistical analysis to understand market trends. Students also learn to observe factors that drive product performance and revenue generation.

Marketing graduates are also taught the fundamentals of human psychology and physiology. The learning paths are designed to help marketers understand consumer behaviour. Furthermore, it highlights their motivations for interacting and purchasing a product. These observations influence product design decisions and how they carry out marketing campaigns.

Aside from marketing, the program also teaches students management skills. This is because they’ll be responsible for managing projects and people.

According to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report ranking, The Kellogg School of Management’s MSc in marketing ranks highest. Additionally, 80% of graduates find employment with an average base salary of $142,857.

Also Read: Marketing Consultant | Everything you must know

4. Masters in Business Analytics – MIT, Sloan

An MSc in business analytics teaches students how to interpret and analyze data. By the end of the course, graduates should know how to solve complex business problems. Students use statistical and advanced quantitative methods to manipulate large data sets. They learn how to use that information to make informed data-driven decisions.

The data can be used to influence human or automated decisions.

The program also prepares students to take up executive-level positions by teaching leadership skills, communication, and data visualization. Graduates learn to share their insights with managers and employees in a concise manner. This creates a positive influence on business performance.

MIT Sloan ranks as the 5th best business school in the U.S. It is also the top school for business analytics, according to U.S. News. It boasts a 79.3% employment rate of its graduates, with almost a quarter of them becoming CEOs and company presidents.

However, MIT Sloan isn’t for the weak. The university has built its culture around rigorous academics. The first year is usually the most difficult. Grades are calculated on a five-point scale.

Postgraduate students need to maintain a 4.0 GPA or above to graduate. Fortunately, it’s all worth it. A 2020 MBA Employment Report notes that the average base salary is $140,000.

Also read: Career change | All you should know before making a big move

Conclusion 

Stakeholders from multiple industries are beginning to realize the importance of a Chief experience officer.

As new roles and functions become necessary, corporate structures will continue to evolve.

Becoming a CXO is a long but rewarding path. With the right education, graduates can climb the corporate ladder and occupy a Chief experience officer position within 5-10 years. It all starts with the right educational and institutional choice.

Wish to become self employed? Here is a list of top 40 self employed jobs and businesses you must consider. Read on!

Self Employed Jobs

Self employed jobs are ways of earning livelihood independently and not through a company or any other individual. The individuals work for themselves only by contacting directly with customers. Now the question is, how to be self employed? or how to become self employed? In this article, we will discuss the best self-employment jobs and elaborate details on self employment careers.

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How to work for yourself?

You need to follow some vital steps to enter into the world of self employed jobs. The steps are elaborated below that demands patience, confidence, and self motivation. There will be financial impacts but you need to plan appropriately to balance money, risk, and work by yourself.

1. Are you focused and determined to work for yourself?

While you decide to work for yourself, check your readiness to face the change. You must be focused on your goals. Besides, you must be determined in overcoming the odds and continue to pursue your activities independently; the first question to ask is to work for yourself.

2. Are you prepared with potential self employment ideas?

There are numerous potential self employment ideas trending nowadays. You have to shortlist the ideas based on your expertise, and experience. Besides knowing customers for a specific work area drives the decision of selecting the best of the self employed jobs.

3. Do you possess the financial support for being self employed?

Being self employed implies running your financial system since you won’t be earning wages from elsewhere. You need to check your financial backup, savings and support before you quit your job and decide to be self employed. So if you are wondering how to start working for yourself, harp on ideas carefully.

4. Do you know how to work for yourself and make money?

After shortlisting the self employment job ideas, the next step is to understand how to work for yourself and make money. You need to identify the revenue-earning potential opportunities. The ways to approach clients and churn in sales and income.

5. Are you prepared to invest twice as much as effort while working for yourself?

Working in a salaried company and working for yourself are two opposite zones. You have to dedicate twice as much as effort and time to establish your independent firm. The reason being you need to manage and handle customers, employees, programs, HR, and all other supporting activities.

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Top 20 self employed jobs

Now when you have understood the intricacies of how to make money working for yourself, let us focus on the top 20 self employed jobs. You can refer them while shortlisting and finalising the self employed jobs you want to pursue and invest in.

1. Writer self employment jobs

Among the common self employment jobs, being a writer is respectable work. A writer operates in a freelance mode, penning down articles, journals, ads, scripts, and many more. Demands a good grasp of language, grammatical efficiency, and research mindset. One of the top self employed jobs to earn hourly almost USD 25.

2. Graphic Designer as one of the best self employed jobs

One of the best self employed jobs is to be a graphic designer if you possess the required acumen of designing websites and advertisements. You can be involved in the digital printing of documents, journals, and flyers. Approximately you can earn USD 19 per hour.

3. Social Media self employed business

Being a social media specialist or a manager is a happening self employed business now. You need to be fluent in the social media algorithms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. The work is either for an individual customer or an organization. Pay is almost USD 14 per hour.

4. Photography is one of the best be your own boss jobs

If you possess an inclination towards photography, then you can opt for being a freelance photographer. It is one of the best be your own boss jobs. Nowadays people look for exclusive photography sessions for various family events. One of the creative self employed jobs, generating an income of USD 15 per hour approximately.

5. Event Planner self employment opportunities

An event planner is one of the common self employment opportunities for creative-minded individuals. Cooperate events, family events like weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, etc. are several of such programs where events planners are required. The salary is almost USD 17 per hour.

6. Makeup artist jobs where you work by yourself

Individuals with knowledge of cosmetology are best fitted for being a makeup artist. It is one of the common jobs where you work for yourself. Make-up artists are required for decking up actors, actresses, models, dancers, singers, etc. Salary being USD 21 per hour.

7. Hair Stylist work for yourself jobs

Hairstylist work for yourself jobs is very common. It is one of the self employed jobs where you are expected to be proficient in the best practices of a stylish and decent hair-do. Awareness of the current trends on hair styling is needed, salary being USD 10 per hour.

8. Business consultancy is one of the best entrepreneur jobs

Business consultancy is one of the best entrepreneur jobs and prestigious self employed jobs. Annual earnings are quite high, being USD 66K approximately. There are various specialization areas like Sales, HR, Retail, Manufacturing, Travel and Transportation, Hi-tech and many other industrial sectors

9. Career coach self employment opportunities

Career coaching is now one of the demanding self employment opportunities in the entrepreneurship world. Guiding people for selecting the right career for their future and assisting them to appear for interviews are the key activities of a career coach. The hourly salary is almost USD 15.

10. Self employed company as a transcriptionist

Are you an active listener and possess the capability to translate spoken words into written or digitally printed texts? If the answer is Yes, then the best way to set up a self employed company is to be a transcriptionist. You can earn almost USD 14 per hour.

11. A good work for myself is being a cab driver

Cab drivers are in great demand with the advent of sharing ride services of Uber, Lyft, and many others. You simply need to register with them to operate your cab. The hourly earnings are almost USD 15 per hour.

12. Self starting business as a tutor

Tutors are in high demand for various grades in school, college, and university. Their main task is to provide additional guidance to accelerate the capability of the students. You can even work virtually. The salary earned is USD 25 per hour approximately.

13. Videographer jobs where you can be your own boss

Videography is one of the self employed jobs where you can be your own boss. If you are well versed with Video shooting, editing, and mixing, then it is the perfect option for you. The salary is attractive being USD 32 per hour.

14. Self run businesses in professional speaking

Business giants and corporate offices often involve professional speakers for pitching their products and services. Thus in the category of self run businesses or self employed jobs, professional speaking is gaining predominance. The salary is about USD 20 per hour.

15. One of the top entrepreneur jobs is e-commerce

Opening up your online venture or sell your products via an established online portal like Amazon, eBay, etc. is one of the top entrepreneur jobs. You need to sell unique or trending products. In the current pandemic situation, e-commerce is the most flourishing business.

16. Eldercare is one of the ways to be self employed

If you are trained in nursing, then eldercare is one of the ways to be self employed. You can work independently and directly work with households and families. Only you need to be calm and patient enough to treat the old-aged people. The salary can be approximately USD 25 per hour.

17. One of the self employed jobs with no qualifications is repair work

Repair work is one of the self employed jobs with no qualifications. You can own a repair business in any of the fields – vehicles, houses and buildings, furniture, electric appliances, IT equipment. The salary per hour is near to USD 12.

18. Child care is an occupation self employed

For an occupation self employed opportunity, child care is another good option. It is almost similar to elder care and demands the same calmness and patience. You can directly connect with the clients to offer your services. The salary is normally USD 13 per hour.

19. One of the easy self employed jobs is interior decorating

Interior decorating is one of the easy self employed jobs that you can opt for. You need an acumen for design and aesthetics for home décor and orientation. Salary is very lucrative, can rise to USD 35 – 40 per hour.

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Top 5 highest paying self employed jobs

Do you want to be your own boss in one day? In this section, we will specifically focus on the highest paying self employed jobs for your reference. These jobs constitute the top self employment careers as per the data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. So let’s check which are those self employed jobs or top entrepreneurial jobs.

1. Lodging managerial jobs where you are your own boss

Lodging managerial jobs are one of the highest paying self employed jobs where you are your own boss. Inspecting and managing guest houses, hotel rooms, public areas, and even housekeeping fall under their purview of activities. Salary is about USD 48K annually.

2. Real estate self owned business

Real estate is an attractive self owned business idea and one of the highest paying self employed jobs. So if you are looking for self employed options where you want to earn fast and be your own boss, then the real estate business is a perfect choice for you. The annual salary is approximately USD 58K.

3. Foodservice management is one of the best work for yourself ideas

Foodservice management is one of the best work for yourself ideas. Earning an annual income of USD 49K, it is one of the top entrepreneurs jobs. It is a self employment option where the managers need to operate the restaurants or any food establishments.

4. Self business ideas of farming and ranching

Farming and ranching are interesting self business ideas if you are deliberating on the best self employed careers. You need to manage and supervise farms, greenhouses, ranches, and other agricultural fields. Annual Salary is USD 69 and is one of the best work for yourself jobs.

5. One of the top self employed jobs is being an artist

One of the top self employed jobs is being an artist of your choice. Can be art directors, painters, animators, craftsmen, multimedia experts, sculptors, and many more. Ranked among the top self employment jobs, you can earn an annual salary of USD 69K.

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5 best independent contractor jobs

While you are looking for jobs with no boss, you can try out the best independent contractor jobs elaborated on in this section. These self employed jobs will help you to earn money through the contractor mode of employment. Hence if you are in a dilemma as, I want to be self employed but don’t know what to do, this list of self employed job ideas will be useful.

1. Becoming self employed by being an Accountant

Becoming self employed by utilizing your accountancy and finance know-how skills is the best self employed business you can think of. Companies outsource their financial work to contractors to availing the niche skills. An accountant with more than 10 years of experience earns almost USD 80K per annum.

2. A good idea for self employment is Carpentry

If you possess the skill for carpentry then it is a good idea for self employment. Carpenters are in great demand for the construction of buildings, houses, ships, dockyards, bridges, and many more. A carpenter with more than 10 years of experience earns almost USD 45K per annum.

3. One of the best be your own boss careers is Consultancy

Consultancy is a prestigious occupation and one of the best be your own boss careers. There are various options for consultants – doctors, business domain experts, technology experts, and many others. So if you are wondering, how to work for myself smartly, consultancy is one of the top 10 work for yourself jobs and best independent contractor jobs.

4. Graphic Designing is one of the interesting self employment options

Graphic designing is one of the interesting self employment options. If you possess an ardent desire to create visually appealing content, then you must pursue this career. It is one of the best independent contractor jobs and self employed jobs ideas.

5. Counseling jobs for independent workers

Counseling jobs for independent workers are one of the respected working for yourself jobs. If you want to know how to work for yourself online or offline, then counseling is well suited for both the options and is a potential self employment business idea.

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Top 5 self employed jobs from home

Are you looking for ways to work for yourself from home? In this section, we will discuss the top 5 self employed jobs from home or you may say self employed examples opportunities from home. These self employed jobs will enable you to maintain a work-life balance by comfortably executing your activities from home.

1. Virtual assistant self start businesses

With social media engagements on the high rise, the need for virtual assistants has been exponentially increasing. So if you are shortlisting your preferred self start businesses to work from home, a virtual assistant is the best option. It is one of the top self employed jobs from home.

2. Freelance content writer jobs you can do on your own time

Freelance content writing is one of the jobs you can do on your own time and from home. You just need your research and writing skills, and a good communication system. If you want to start working today and be among the list of self employment companies, then go for it.

3. Ecommerce be your own boss jobs selling products

Involving in e-commerce is one of the best be your own boss jobs selling products online. It is highly ranked in the self employed job list under the category of work from home. You need to advertise your products on e-commerce websites or set up your own online business. It is one of the greatest ideas for self employment when you are thinking of, I want to work for myself.

4. Catering services as self employed careers

If you love cooking, then utilize your culinary skills as one of your self employed careers. Catering services is one of the types of self employment or working for yourself job ideas. You can set up a firm serving food and beverages at various events and occasions.

5. Personal Trainer self owned businesses

If you are physically fit and love yoga, exercises, and gym, then you can try to be a personal trainer. It is one of the self owned businesses thriving in modern days. Among the different types of self employment, it is lucrative and flexible. You can conduct online classes and comfortably work from home.