Sandwich method
The sandwich method of criticism
  • Productivity

With the help of the sandwich method, managers try to communicate criticism to their employees in the most pleasant way possible. Negative feedback is packed between two “sandwich slices” of praise. The sandwich method is also popular in sales methods, and increasingly also in everyday communication. However, there are not only positive aspects, and the method has been criticized by some.

The sandwich method of criticism
Minute taking
How to take minutes: What needs to be considered?
  • Productivity

Whether you’re at a board meeting or a project meeting, the question always comes up: “Do we really have to take minutes?“ In large companies, it is often policy that you need to record the minutes, but in small and medium sized companies, this isn’t always the case. Then comes the question: “What is the right way to take minutes?” Writing them can be done quickly and easily with a template. We...

How to take minutes: What needs to be considered?
Sinus-Milieu
Researching the right target market with Sinus-Milieus
  • Productivity

What are Sinus-Milieus? If you are unsure about your target market research, this classification from the Sinus Institute can help you. The market research institute created a model of society with 10 groups, and provides a comprehensive profile for each group based on scientific research. We explain how the model works and provide an easy-to-understand Sinus-Milieu definition.

Researching the right target market with Sinus-Milieus
Brainstorming
What is brainstorming and how does it work?
  • Productivity

Brainstorming is a technique applied simultaneously by a group of people allowing to form numerous ideas on any given topic in a short time and at a high rate. Apart from the need to keep up with all the brainstorming rules, good preparation on part of the group host is also important, if the group is to achieve a maximum possible output from its members. Read our guide to find out what...

What is brainstorming and how does it work?
Body language
Body language: The most important form of nonverbal communication
  • Productivity

Even when we don’t say anything, we communicate: Our body language is more or less consciously sending out signals to those around us. Gestures, expressions, and posture often share more than we’d like, including how we feel in a given situation. If you’re able to understand body language, you’re better prepared in conversations with others – and can adjust your body language accordingly.

Body language: The most important form of nonverbal communication
Work schedule excel
Creating a work schedule with Excel: a guide
  • Productivity

There’s a sale in the store. Large queues at the counter. Hardly any staff to be found. Apparently, there was a misunderstanding about the work schedule: two employees didn’t show up because they had lost theirs. The solution? Go digital. With Excel, you can easily create a work schedule and send it as a PDF file to your employees’ smartphones. But how does this work?

Creating a work schedule with Excel: a guide
LinkedIn Summary
The LinkedIn summary: Profile examples
  • Productivity

Having a perfect profile on LinkedIn also means having a summary that’s authentic, interesting, and informative. The LinkedIn summary is an introduction to your profile and gives readers a first idea of who you are. So that you can make a positive first impression, we have summarized the best LinkedIn profile summary examples. Get inspired with our examples and tips!

The LinkedIn summary: Profile examples
Register new employees
How to register a new employee
  • Productivity

Although it varies from state to state, there are some things employers should bear in mind when it comes to hiring new employees. There are forms to fill out and registrations to be made with the local authorities. The article explains what needs to be done and provides handy checklist to make sure you’ve completed each step to register a new employee.

How to register a new employee
Work schedule Excel template
Work schedule – free Excel template to download
  • Productivity

If you don’t want to invest in an expensive software solution for managing your staff, then you can use alternative management tools like shift and work schedules, and easily create them yourself in Excel. But what’s even quicker: To download the 1&1 IONOS free work schedule template in Excel. We’ll explain how to adapt it to your needs in just a few steps.

Work schedule – free Excel template to download
Interview follow up sample email
Following up with an interview: E-mail enquiry template
  • Productivity

You have mastered the job interview, but now comes the hardest part: waiting. If it’s taking too long, you can send a follow up e-mail after the interview. Sending an e-mail using a sample, you can avoid errors: Being pushy and rude could catapult your application to the sidelines. Find out what to look for!

Following up with an interview: E-mail enquiry template