If you’ve ever found yourself at a career fair, you know they can be overwhelming, regardless of which side of the table you’re standing on. As an employer, you’re faced with an endless stream of faces and resumes, all the while trying to pick out potential candidates from the masses. This process is enough to turn some employers away from career fairs entirely and stick to word-of-mouth or online recruiting, but there are some real benefits to sticking it out at a job fair. The first is that it gets your brand in front of people. Even if you do not find your next all-star employee, you are representing your company as an established, stable place to work.The second benefit to job fairs is a more selfish one. You know that pushy job-seeker who shoved their resume in your face and made no effort to connect with you? You saw how ineffective that was at impressing you, so if you ever find yourself on the job hunt again, you will know what type of behavior at job fairs makes a good impression on employers. Career fairs may not be your favorite way to spend a day, but appreciate what they can do for you and your business!

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has been in the news recently for her policy that all Yahoo employees must work in the office instead of having the option to work from home. This decision has been controversial, bringing  up a considerable amount of conversation regarding working remotely. What side are you on in the work from home debate? Do you feel that it gives your employees the opportunity to work in whichever environment they are more productive, or do you believe that nothing can replace the interaction of an office setting? There are pros and cons to each. Working remotely gives some employees the opportunity to earn a living when they may otherwise have had to stay home due to family or medical obligations. On the other hand, coordinating schedules can be difficult if everyone is not in the office at the same time. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, it is a hot topic right now and one worth discussing!

The old adage says that actions speak louder than words. This is especially true in the work place. We can be polite in emails and professional in our conversations, but it is also important to monitor our nonverbal cues. Regulating this can be very difficult because we often don’t even notice when it’s happening! Try to run your own mini-experiment. Do you find yourself grimacing whenever a particular employee comes in, or rolling your eyes when talking to disgruntled customers? Notice when this happens, and intentionally work to change your behavior the next time. It’s impossible to remove all emotion from the workplace – and you don’t want to -  but controlling both verbal and nonverbal communication can help quell negative undercurrents and lead to a happier, more productive workplace.

As the business world becomes increasingly internet-based, your online presence is incredibly important. Often people will search for your company online before making contact face-to-face or by phone, so your website is their first impression of your business. A professional website is a great investment. It gives potential clients confidence in your capabilities, and may be the reason why they choose your company over a competitor. No matter how well you can do your job, if potential customers are not impressed with your website, you may be missing out on business opportunities. Take time to review your website and make sure it’s representing your company in the best possible light. If you find that it’s not, begin forming a plan to make it shine!

Are you looking for a way to energize your employees and inspire them to work harder? Most people in a managerial position answer with a resounding “Yes!” A great way to do this is to give your employees an incentive to work other than their paycheck. Turning sales goals into friendly competition between departments, or having an “Office Olympics” style training day breathes new life into organizations that may have taken a turn for the monotonous. While these games may seem childish on the surface, they bring some fun back into the workplace and lighten things up, while still encouraging hard work and dedication. Remember – fostering a good mood in the work place contributes to good business!

A previous Tips from the Top post highlighted the importance of keeping your company’s social media platforms up-to-date. While social media is a great way to keep your customers informed, it is also essential to make sure that your employees are not keeping their followers too informed about what’s happening with your business. The Harvard Business Review recently posted an article warning that even seemingly inconsequential Facebook and Twitter posts about business travel or overly detailed LinkedIn profiles may be revealing too much. If you haven’t already, develop a social media policy and review with your employees what is and is not appropriate to post online to ensure that you safeguard confidential information.

All politics aside, the recent election can inspire us to look at our office environment and how decisions are made. Do you foster open discussion between employees and management or is it your way or the highway? It is important for employees to feel like they have a say in making decisions and creating new policies. Even if you think you know what your decision is going to be, get other opinions from people in your office and be open to their suggestions. You might be surprised by what they say, and it could change the way you think about your business. From anonymous comment boxes to weekly brainstorming sessions, there are many ways to make employees at all levels feel like they matter and have a role in business decisions. Keep an open mind and communicate often with your employees, and you will see an immediate difference!

A recent study conducted in China found that couples that commuted in the same direction were happier than those who commuted in the opposite direction. While this may be trivial data, it raises an interesting question about the daily commute. How big of a role does (or did) the commute play in your decision where to work? Is a great job worth a terrible commute? Or does the constant frustration of traveling reduce your desire to be successful at your job? With more and more companies offering opportunities to work remotely, the practice of traveling long distances every morning may become obsolete. When choosing a job or recruiting new employees, remember to consider the effects of commutes on morale.

This tip may seem like common sense, but having a sound business plan is a must if you are going to succeed. Whether you are just starting out or have been in business for years, take a moment to evaluate your business plan and make sure it is serving your company well. Businesses change over time, and what fit your mission in the beginning might not work for you now. It can be daunting to think about changing something as fundamental as your business plan, but it will be time well spent. Having a clear vision of how your business is set up will ensure the longevity of your company and give you piece of mind that you are operating with a sound structure.

The people you surround yourself with play a key role in your success, both personally and professionally. If you are surrounded by negative people, you will be less likely to share new ideas and think big. Having a positive support system, whether you’re an entry-level employee or a CEO, increases morale and productivity. Think about the kind of business you are running. Do your employees feel comfortable coming to you for help and sharing their thoughts and ideas? As important as it is for you to interact with positive people, it is also crucial for you to create a supportive environment for your employees. What goes around comes around, and if you treat everyone with respect and cultivate open communication that is the way you will be treated. If you notice employees not contributing to a healthy work environment, it may be time to reevaluate their role in the company. Above all, be positive!