| How to Train Remote Employees Posted: 25 Jun 2018 05:00 PM PDT Remote employees can offer many great benefits for your business. Training these employees, however, may present some unique challenges. If your employees live far away from your place of business, make sure that you have set up a consistent and reliable communication platform. Send them well-crafted training materials so that they can teach themselves how to do the job. Consistent supervision and feedback can help get them onboard quickly and effectively. EditChoosing a Communication Platform - Ask them to come into the office for training if possible. Even if the employee is remote, you may be able to bring them in for training. This is usually the fastest and most effective training option for remote employees who live close to an office or branch. If they live far away, however, it may not be possible.[1]
- Set up conference calls for personalized training. Phone calls and video conferences provide a personal touch to training and can help clarify important details for the job. Weekly chats will allow you to monitor the employee's progress while still giving them flexibility to do their job.[2]
- Conference calls work best for remote employees who are involved in strategy and marketing for a business, as it allows you to discuss plans and ideas with them freely.
- If you and the employee are in different time zones, make sure that you choose a time that is convenient for both of you.
- Some great video conferencing software includes Skype, Zoom, or Slack.
- Use an instant messaging service to answer questions quickly. For companies that require collaboration or frequent communication between employees, instant messaging can be the most convenient option. This allows employees to talk and communicate in real time.[3]
- If your remote employee has any questions during training, they can reach out to you using the platform and get a quick response. Furthermore, instant messaging will allow you to send them quick feedback and messages regarding their work.
- Some great free services that you can use for your business include Skype, Google+ Hangouts, and Spark.
- Instant messaging may not be the best choice if your remote employee is working at different hours than the rest of the team.
- Send emails if the employee works on their own schedule. Email is a great option if the remote employee is working different hours, lives in a different time zone, or sets their own schedule. Send notes, training materials, links, and attachments easily over email.[4]
- Make sure that the employee understands how quickly they should respond to emails.
EditCreating Effective Training Materials - Write a training manual or handbook for the employee. Having a document available to the employees allows them to refer to it whenever they have a question. Email this manual to the employee or post it on a shared cloud-based storage system. You should include:[5]
- The primary responsibilities of the job
- The best practices for your company
- How to complete tasks using software, online interfaces, or other equipment
- How to contact management
- Specify how to complete tasks in detail. Try to anticipate any problems or questions the employee might have and include these details in your manual. Specific details help the employee understand what to do more quickly.[6]
- For example, don't just say "Submit your work when you are done." Instead write, "Click the button that says 'Submit' to send in your work when it is finished. This will refresh the page and take you back to the main portal."
- Make sure to cover details like how to report hours, where to submit work, or who to contact if something goes wrong.
- Establish quotas and expectations for each task. In addition to telling your employees how to do something, make sure they understand any rules, quotas, or guidelines they will be expected to follow. How much are they expected to do a week? How often should they communicate with you? When should they submit their work by?[7]
- For example, you might say, "We expect you to take 5 calls an hour" or "We need you to check your email at least once an hour between 9 am and 5 pm."
- Incorporate instructional videos and images for software or equipment. If there are any special programs or equipment that the employee has to use, provide clear visual instructions showing them how to use it in addition to written instructions.[8]
- If you're working with a computer platform, use a screenshot program to take pictures or videos of the screen demonstrating each step in the process.
- Diagrams and graphics may be useful for employees who need to install special equipment or software.
- Invest in a web-based training program for large companies. If you have many remote employees, you may want to hire a company to design an online training module to help automate part of the training process. These companies will work with you to create a personalized platform using videos and interactive tools.[9]
- These companies may advertise themselves as training or recruitment consultants.
- While this can be a more expensive option, it will save you significant time if you have to frequently train employees.
EditSupervising the Employee - Give the employee benchmarks to reach. Create a timeline of tasks for the employee, and set specific goals for them to reach by a certain time. This helps give your remote employees some direction and encourages them to become productive more quickly.[10]
- For example, you might say, "We want you to learn how to use our calling software by the end of the first week. By the end of the first month, you should be making at least $10,000 in sales."
- Provide specific feedback on the first several tasks. Give constructive feedback on each task for the first 2-3 weeks or until they have mastered the different parts of their job. This type of feedback can help employees learn the guidelines and expectations for the type of work they are doing.[11]
- For example, you might say, "Your design on these images is really good, but I think you need to stick with 1 color scheme to fit our company's brand better. We prefer smaller font too."
- Their first task should be something small with a quick deadline. For example, you might ask for a short article or a spreadsheet by the end of the first day. This will let you give them feedback quickly.
- Ask for feedback and questions from the employee. Encourage the employee to come to you with any questions that they might have. When training is over, ask them for honest feedback about the process. This can help you clarify the process for future remote employees.[12]
- If the employee comes to you with a question, answer the question as best as you can. If you feel as though the answer could be found in the training manual, refer the employee to the specific section.
- If the new employee doesn't reach out to you with any questions, you might send a friendly message saying something like, "I just want to check in. How is training going? Do you have any questions?"
- If you want, keep feedback anonymous so that the employee feels as though they can be honest. Use an online survey website to set up a feedback form.
- Communicate regularly with all remote employees. Both during and after training, stay in touch with your remote employees. Let them know what news is going on in the company. Newsletters, webinars, or even weekly conference calls can keep them in the loop.[13]
- Remote employees might feel isolated or left out of important company decisions, news, or events. To help support these employees, encourage them to reach out or collaborate with other members of the team and company through social media, instant messaging, or video chats.
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| How to Melt Chocolate in the Microwave Posted: 25 Jun 2018 09:00 AM PDT Melted chocolate is delicious, versatile, and fun to make. You can pour it on as a topping for ice cream and pastries, or you can use it as a dip to create fun desserts like cake pops or chocolate-covered fruits. Although chocolate is often melted in a double boiler, it's fast and easy to get perfectly smooth melted chocolate with just your microwave! EditPreparing the Chocolate - Chop the chocolate into small pieces with a serrated knife. If you try to melt a whole chocolate bar, the outside will melt before the center, and the chocolate will be more likely to scorch. By chopping up the chocolate into small pieces, it will melt more evenly.[1]
- You can skip this step if you're using chocolate chips.
- Place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. The bowl should not have metal trim, which can cause dangerous sparks that can make the microwave stop working. If the bowl is plastic, it should either say "microwave safe" or have a small square with wavy lines somewhere on the dish. Glass and ceramic are usually safe for use in the microwave.[2]
- You can test whether a dish is microwave safe by placing it in the microwave along with a cup of water. Turn on the microwave for 1 minute on high heat, then touch the dish. If the dish is cool and the water is warm, the dish is microwave-safe. However, if the dish is hot and the water is cold, the dish absorbs heat and should not be used in the microwave.
- Add milk or oil if you want to thin the chocolate. If you want a thinner chocolate glaze, or you just want to make your chocolate easier to work with, add a capful of milk, a small pat of butter, or of an unflavored oil, like canola or coconut oil. This will also help keep your chocolate from hardening as quickly once it's cool.[3]
- It's best to start with a small amount and add more if you need to.
- Do not allow any water to get into the chocolate. The chocolate will seize and become lumpy, making it unusable.
EditMicrowaving the Chocolate - Microwave the chocolate uncovered for 30 seconds on low power. Since microwave settings can vary, it's helpful to turn your microwave to the lowest setting so your chocolate doesn't scorch. It will take a little longer to melt your chocolate this way, but you will have more control over the finished product.[4]
- If you're not sure how to change the power level, check your microwave's manual.
- If you need to, you can also use the defrost setting.
- Stir the chocolate with a spoon or rubber spatula. Even if the chocolate doesn't look like it's melted, stir it after the first 30 seconds in the microwave. Chocolate can appear to hold its shape once it starts melting, so don't go by the appearance alone.[5]
- Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl when you stir the chocolate. The sides of the bowl will heat the fastest, so the chocolate will scorch there first.
- Microwave the chocolate in 10-15 second bursts until it's almost melted. As the chocolate begins to melt, microwave it in 10-15 second increments to help you control the temperature more easily. Scrape the sides of the bowl each time you take the chocolate out of the microwave.[6]
- When most of the chocolate is smooth with just a few solids remaining, do not heat it any further.
- Dark chocolate will take longer to melt, while milk and white chocolates will melt more quickly.
- Stir the chocolate until the remainder of the chocolate has melted. The heat from the melted chocolate should cause the remaining solid pieces to finish melting. If the chocolate isn't smooth after 30 seconds of stirring, place the bowl back in the microwave for another 5-10 seconds.[7]
- Allow the chocolate to cool for about 5 minutes. The chocolate will be too hot to enjoy as soon as it finishes melting. Once it's cool, enjoy your melted chocolate as a dipping sauce for fruit, marshmallows, or pretzels or as a drizzle for pastries or popcorn.[8]
- If the chocolate gets hard while you're working with it, place it into the microwave for an additional 20 seconds, then stir it again.[9]
EditThings You'll Need - Microwave
- Bowl
- Spoon or rubber spatula
- Your choice of chocolate
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| How to Deal with Attention Seeking Adults Posted: 25 Jun 2018 01:00 AM PDT Frequent dramatic displays, exaggerated stories, and over-the-top conflict are often the signs of an attention seeker. If someone is bothering you with these behaviors, the best thing to do is to ignore their antics. Strong personal boundaries can help you stay calm and in control. If the attention seeker is a loved one, however, you might want to see if you can help them overcome their behaviors with the assistance of a mental health professional. EditReacting to Their Behavior - Ignore them if they do something that bothers you. Ignoring the behavior is the best way to show that it won't get any attention from you. Don't look at the attention seeker or ask them to stop. Just simply pretend as though they aren't doing it.[1]
- Many attention seekers enjoy negative as well as positive attention. For example, they might whistle because they know it will annoy you and you will snap at them. As hard as it might be, ignore the whistling in the future. Use ear plugs or listen to music while it happens.
- If the person uses stories to get your attention, make an excuse not to listen to them. For example, you might say, "I have to get work done now" or "I'm sorry, but I'm busy at the moment."
- Remain calm during their antics. If you can't ignore the person, try not to show any emotion while interacting with them. Don't express anger, frustration, or excitement. Don't fake being interested either. Just keep a cool, calm expression.[2]
- For example, if your coworker sits down beside you and starts talking about an argument with your boss, just nod your head along. When they finish, tell them that you need to get back to work.
- Try not to ask any questions if they are telling a story. Respond using short statements like "that's nice" or "okay" instead.
- That said, if the person has a genuinely good idea or a fun story, don't be afraid to show your interest. Everyone needs genuine attention now and then. If you're actually interested in their hobbies or stories, you might enjoy the conversation.
- Ask for just the facts if they try to play the victim. Playing the victim is a common way for attention seekers to gain sympathy and compliments. They may tell a dramatic story in which they were targeted and insulted. In response, ask objective questions about the facts of the story, not about the storyteller's emotions or perspective.[3]
- For example, if they're ranting about how a cashier was rude to them, you might say, "What did they say exactly? Did they really call you that to your face? Where was the manager?"
- Learn to walk away during dangerous or extreme situations. Attention seekers do what they do for a reaction. Some may engage in increasingly dramatic displays for attention. If the situation gets too much to handle, walk away. This will send them a sign that their antics will not give them the reaction that they want.[4]
- Don't reward dangerous stunts or pranks with attention. If attention seeker engages in risky activities for attention, tell them outright, "I don't like seeing you harm yourself. If this continues, I'm not sure we can hang out."
- If you think the person is in danger of hurting themselves or another person, get them help as soon as possible. Some signs that they may be thinking of suicide include talking about their death, giving away their possessions, or increasing their use of alcohol or drugs.[5]
- If the person has numerous public displays of crying, screaming, or shouting, you may want to suggest that they see a mental health professional.
EditEstablishing Boundaries - Tell them what behavior you will and won't tolerate. Make sure that the attention seeker understands that you won't deal with certain behaviors. If they know that a certain activity won't get attention from you, they might stop doing it in the future.[6]
- For example, if you don't want them touching you, you might tell them, "Would you mind not tapping or grabbing me when you want my attention? How about you knock on my desk if you need me." Ignore any future touching.
- You might also say something like, "I know you're fond of parkour, but I get nervous when you show me videos of you jumping off buildings. Please don't show me anymore."
- Set time limits for conversations and talks. An attention seeker can quickly take up your day with their stories and needs. To help you break away, tell them at the beginning exactly how long you have to hang out or talk. When time is up, the conversation is over.[7]
- For example, if they call you, you might say, "Hey, I can only talk for 15 minutes. What's up?"
- If you're hanging out with them, try saying something like, "Let's get lunch, but I have to leave by 2:00."
- Set an alarm on your phone to tell you when you need to cut off the conversation. When it goes off, it is a signal to you and the other person that the conversation has to end.
- Stop following their social media accounts. Some people might overshare or post too much too on social media, like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. If these posts are annoying you, just unfriend the person or remove their posts from your feed.[8]
- Posting too much on social media might be a sign that the person wants more of a human connection. If this is someone you care about, reach out to them by phone or in person, and ask them to hang out.
- If they post controversial material on social media, you may be tempted to leave a comment or respond. Try to resist this urge.
- Minimize contact if they are causing stress, anxiety, or annoyance. If the attention seeker is creating too much of a burden in your life, cut off contact if possible. If this isn't possible, reduce your interactions as much as possible.[9]
- For family members, you might schedule 1 phone call a month or exchange pleasantries at family events. You don't have to constantly accept their calls, however.
- Tell attention-seeking coworkers that you prefer only to discuss work-related matters, especially in the office. If they try to come to you with office drama, give them a time limit before returning to work.
EditSupporting Loved Ones - Determine if there is an underlying cause to their behavior. Attention-seeking behaviors can sometimes be a result of trauma, neglect, or other stressful situations. It can also be a sign of low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy. If this is someone you care about, try to find a time to chat to see if there is something that is causing this behavior.[10]
- You might start this conversation by saying, "Hey, I want to check in. Has everything been going all right lately?"
- If the other person doesn't want to talk, they don't have to. You can simply tell them something like, "If you ever do want to talk, just let me know."
- Boost their self-esteem when they are not actively seeking your attention. Your loved one might be worried that no one will care for them if they don't constantly seek out their attention and approval. Let the person know that you will love them, even when you're not directly paying them attention.[11]
- You might send them a random text that says, "Hey, I was just thinking about you. Hope you're having a great day!" or "I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you do."
- You even tell them something like, "Even if we're apart, you're still important to me."
- It is important to approach them yourself so that they don't have a chance to try to grab your attention. This will help reassure them that they don't need to resort to drama or conflict to get positive attention.
- Suggest that they get professional help if you think they will hurt themselves. Extreme behavior might manifest as threatening to hurt or kill themselves, locking themselves in rooms, or breaking down over minor events. These are usually signs of underlying mental health issues. The good news is, your loved one can get support and treatment from a mental health professional.[12]
- You might tell your loved one, "I've noticed that you seemed really upset lately. I love you, and I want to make sure you get the help you need."
- These behaviors may be a call for help. Try not to dismiss these threats as just attention seeking. They may very well be legitimate.
- Personality disorders, like Histrionic Personality Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder, may cause people to engage in extreme attention-seeking behaviors.
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