Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Organizations over the globe are grappling with low productivity. Subsequently, they have invested heavily in H.R. technologies that can help manage resources better and improve productivity. However, all the provisions are intended to solve problems of low productivity at a material level, and less emphasis is given at an individual level. A positive work environment is the most significant variable that drive productivity. It is a fundamental factor in achieving high level of growth and productivity since it can bring the best out of the employees, whereas a negative environment can do exactly the opposite thereby hampering the morale of the employees and impacting productivity negatively.
How Does Negativity Around You Hamper Work Productivity?
Negativity Around You Hamper Work Productivity

1. Unhealthy competition : 

It is an undisputed fact that competition improves productivity. We have often come across examples of healthy competition across companies operating in the same vertical. But the outcome of the competition has yielded fruitful results. A healthy competition has nudged companies to be productive and improve their performance constantly. The competition is prevalent to the extent that companies launch new products of cutting edge-technology at the end of every quarter of a financial year (for example, smart phones). However, competition amongst counterparts is not the only way of nurturing productivity. Its prevalence within an organization can also be a boon when it comes to achieving high level of productivity. But in order to achieve that, it is imperative that the environment within the company is conducive for a healthy competition. If the workplace environment is engulfed with negativity, there is hardly any scope for a competitive environment. Also, an enmity amongst employees can make them adopt illicit means to stay ahead of their counterparts, with ethics taking a backseat and thereby putting their organization years back than rivals. Therefore, a healthy competition enhances productivity, and an unhealthy one impedes it.

2. Lack of enthusiasm at work : 

Just like a single rotten mango in a crate spoils the rest; a negative person can do the same to the work environment. A negative attitude amongst the employees can be detrimental to a workplace as it radiates and creates an unproductive work environment. Such an attitude is detrimental as it also affects the people willing and capable of performing. With negativity brewing around a workplace, the probability of a person being acclaimed for his/her hard work and performance is zilch. Therefore, the person willing to perform doesn't have any credible incentive to show a progressive attitude and keep performing with the same attitude. This leads to lack of enthusiasm at a workplace, which takes a toll on productivity.

3. Lack of will to take new challenges : 

Companies today have to walk an extra mile when it comes to being innovative and retaining their existing customers. It is only possible to achieve the said goal if they have productive human capital. With people lacking the positive attitude at a workplace, it is difficult for them to be progressive in terms of their performance. Even if they have a think-tank which is wiling to implement new policies instrumental in improving productivity, a negative outlook of the people who actually operate on the grass root level can deter such initiatives. People with negative mindsets lack the will to perform in a responsible manner subsequently affecting the productivity.

A negative work environment is detrimental to an organization. But it is a challenge that can be surmounted with the right approach. Companies have to pro-actively draft policies, which can make the environment devoid of resentment and negativity amongst the employees. Since it is a two-way exchange, it is obligatory for the companies to have empathy towards its employees and create an environment that nurtures positivity.

Wednesday, August 02, 2017

Education is a significant factor in evolution of the mankind. The practice of imparting education is an age-old phenomenon, and as a discipline, it has evolved based on the needs of the mankind. In ancient times, imparting education involved the art of making weapons, poaching of animals, understanding sign languages, and all other factors essential for survival. During the medieval period, it was archery, horse riding, and war techniques. Nowadays, education is not only constrained to survival, but has become a tool in order to stay relevant. The purpose of acquiring education is also to be employable and earn a regular income.

How Education Affects Income
Education Affects Income
With the industrial revolution and technological advancements, the appetite of consumers has increased significantly. The demand for a comfortable and an opulent lifestyle has led to an increase in consumption of goods and services manufactured and offered using a cutting-edge technology. That's why costs of consumables and services are exponentially high. Manufacturing of such commodities requires a great deal of skill and dexterity, which can only be imparted with a high-quality education. And in order to purchase those commodities, it requires a huge amount of money, as individuals at a high income level are the only ones who can afford the same. Therefore, increase in manufacturing and consumption of these commodities implies that the level of education and income has grown on the same trajectory.

Illiteracy is a vicious cycle that leads you astray from the path of development, and drags you into poverty and misery. People that attain dismal quality of education or no education at all, are devoid of essential skills to earn their livelihood. With poor skills, the likelihood of a person getting employed and earning a high income is very low. And if such is the case, the descendants of the person suffer the same fate since a person born in a poor environment is generally deprived of the basic amenities that are instrumental in the overall development. Consequently, the demon of poverty never ceases to exist in their case. Whereas if you compile the data of nations that have high-level of literacy, you can see their per capita income is also higher.

A. Hamilton's study points out that the earnings of those with a college degree have grown substantially, while the with just high school education or college dropouts have a stagnated income. There are reports of rising unemployment and loss of jobs as artificial intelligence, automation and other technological advancements have led to the replacement of hands by machine. The wage gap between those who are graduates and pose quality skills, and those who are bereft of it, is rapidly increasing. If the quality of education doesn't run in tandem with the technological advancements, there is no way in which this predicament can be mitigated. Thus, it is imperative on the government's part to empower their citizens with necessary skills, and have a significant amount of budgetary allocation for educational programs, as well as have subsidized education for the people in low income band.

Given the following nuances, education can yield a high level of income. It can be a vital tool for those who are deprived, and struggle to meet their ends. It can be a mediator in reducing the income gap that persists, and to address the problem of income inequality that has plagued many countries. However, along with education, a good resumes is also essential to earn a job one wish to do.