Corporate Hackathon: Benefits To The Employees

Published on: 20 May 2023 Last Updated on: 05 June 2023

Hackathons are becoming a growing hit in the business world as a tool to encourage employee innovation and collaboration.

A hackathon is an event where employees from different departments come together to work on specific projects. It is usually a time-bound event, ranging from a few hours to several days.

The objective is to come up with creative solutions that businesses may use and leverage.

Hackathon events offer various advantages to workers. In this post, we’ll talk about a few of these benefits and how they might raise an organization’s general productivity and efficacy.

Virtual Hackathon Platform

An online platform that allows businesses to hold hackathons remotely. Regardless of their geographical location, it offers a digital environment for participants to interact, share ideas, and work on projects together.

Benefits of Virtual Hackathons

Flexibility: Virtual hackathons can draw a more excellent range of participants from different locations.

Businesses hosting a Corporate Hackathon where employees are globally located benefit from Virtual hackathon platforms. As it involves multinational teams, participants can work from anywhere with an internet connection.

Scalability: Compared to physical events, virtual hackathons are not limited by venue capacity or logistical problems.

Supports collaboration: This includes video conferencing, chat rooms, project management tools, and real-time feedback mechanisms.

Exciting and engaging experience: It makes sharing ideas, working together, and building innovative solutions easier.

In general, virtual hackathons offer a practical and effective approach to organizing hackathons. One of which is corporate hackathons. With a virtual hackathon platform, businesses can use the power of cooperation and creativity to advance their operations.

How to Host a Hackathon at Your Organization?

Set specific goals and objectives for your hackathon.
Decide on a theme or problem statement to focus on.
Invite participants from across your organization. Think about opening up participation to outside parties as well.
Choose the right hackathon software to facilitate the event. Consider from idea submission and team formation to project management and presentation.
Provide appropriate resources and support, such as access to technology, mentors, and refreshments.
Encourage teamwork and communication amongst participants.
Set realistic deadlines for the hackathon. Ensure that teams have enough time to develop their ideas.
Plan for a post-hackathon review and feedback. Determine future steps to be taken.

Benefits of Corporate Hackathons to Employees

Advancement in the Workplace

Corporate hackathons are an essential tool for the professional development of employees. Through hackathons, employees can acquire new skills and approaches that can help them advance in their careers.

Here are some of the ways that corporate hackathons can promote professional growth:

Exposure to new technologies: Participants can learn about new technologies and hackathon software, which can broaden their skillset and improve their problem-solving abilities.
Project management: Hackathons often have tight deadlines, which can help employees learn to deal with pressure and improve their resilience and adaptability.
Leadership development: Leading a project during a hackathon allows participants to develop their leadership abilities and hone their decision-making skills.

Encourages Creativity and Innovation

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, it’s easy for employees to get bogged down with daily tasks and lose sight of their creative potential. However, hosting a hackathon can provide a platform for employees to unleash their creativity and come up with innovative ideas.

By using hackathon software, employees can collaborate and build on each other’s ideas. Together, they can generate unique and novel approaches. This kind of environment creates a space where employees can think beyond their comfort zones. It allows them to push the boundaries of traditional problem-solving methods.

Additionally, a hackathon can help identify the creative members of your team and encourage professional development in those areas.

Example: A company wants to improve its customer service experience. Employees from several departments collaborate to enhance customer support’s efficiency and engagement. One employee introduces gamification components to make the experience more interactive. Another employee suggests utilizing chatbots to respond to frequent consumer inquiries. Then the team combines these ideas and creates a prototype for a chatbot. This chatbot uses gamification to make the customer service experience more enjoyable.

Advocates Cooperation and Teamwork

Teamwork and cooperation are vital for a successful and productive workplace. Corporate hackathons provide an opportunity to promote these values and foster a collaborative culture.

Corporate hackathons provide a platform for networking ideas. This exposure to various viewpoints and skill sets can lead to new solutions. Thereby, directing to a better understanding of business operations.

Employee skill development is possible through this cross-functional cooperation. It promotes a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing. For example, a developer may learn about the user experience from a designer, whereas a marketing employee may work with a software engineer and learn to code.

The team-building component of a hackathon enables staff members to train in resolution techniques, enhancing interpersonal competencies.

Employees can leverage their individual strengths to achieve a common goal. This saves time, considering the pressure of time constraints and the need to produce a functional prototype.

Employees feel good that their ideas and contributions are acknowledged. They will likely have a positive attitude toward their work and the company.

Favors inclusion and diversity. By encouraging participation, hackathons can help break down barriers and promote a more inclusive work environment.

Boosts Morale and Motivation

Participating in a hackathon can be a great morale booster for employees. They feel satisfaction in their work and a sense of success. Staff members are motivated to put in more effort and advance the company.

Hackathons also provide employees with a break from their routine work. Staff members get to work on something different and exciting. This is helpful in reducing boredom and burnout. Increased job fulfillment and employee retention may also follow from this.

Hosting a corporate hackathon demonstrates the organization cares about its employees’ growth and creative potential. Creating a fun and exciting work atmosphere can increase employee engagement.

Safe Space: Hackathons give workers a place to try out novel ideas and take chances without worrying about failing. Employees from discriminated groups who might be reluctant to speak up in traditional workplaces may find this beneficial.

Summing Up

Corporate hackathons are a remarkable resource for professional development overall. Corporate hackathons are a fantastic method to promote innovation and creativity among employees. They offer a distinctive setting for workers to cooperate and devise original answers to challenging issues.

Employees can gain new talents, improve their interpersonal skills, and network with coworkers from various departments. It is a powerful tool for promoting a culture of inclusivity in the workplace.

The benefits of hosting a corporate hackathon include professional development, innovation, collaboration, employee morale, and diversity and inclusion. Hackathon software has made it more exciting and enjoyable for participants.

Moreover, hackathon software allows companies to make these events more accessible and streamlined. Hosting a corporate hackathon has advantages for businesses trying to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced business world.

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Arnab

Arnab is a professional blogger, having an enormous interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, He carries out sharing sentient blogs.

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How to Harvest Kale Throughout the Year: A Seasonal Guide

Kale is one of the most nutritious and versatile greens you can grow in your garden. It's packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber and can be used in salads, soups, smoothies, and more. But how do you harvest kale throughout the year so that you can enjoy it fresh and crisp and also make it last longer? In this article, I will show you how to harvest kale so it keeps growing, how to harvest kale from the garden, how to store and freeze kale, and the health benefits and taste of kale. Additionally, I will also share some tips and tricks on how to grow kale successfully and how to use it in delicious recipes. Whether you're a beginner or an expert gardener, this guide will help you make the most of your kale harvest. What is Kale & Why Should You Harvest It? Kale has a mild, earthy, and slightly bitter taste, which can vary depending on the variety, growing conditions, and harvesting time. It can also become sweeter after a frost, as the cold temperatures trigger the plant to produce more sugars. Kale can be eaten raw or cooked, and it can complement many dishes and flavors. It can also be seasoned with salt, pepper, lemon juice, garlic, onion, vinegar, or any other condiments you like. Kale is not only tasty, but also healthy. It's low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. It can help improve various aspects of health, such as: Eye health Kale is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. These are carotenoids that protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Kale also contains vitamin A, which is essential for vision and eye health. Blood pressure Kale is high in potassium, magnesium, and nitrates, which are compounds that help lower blood pressure and relax the blood vessels. Kale also contains vitamin C, which helps prevent homocysteine, an amino acid that can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Bone health Kale is a good source of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K, which are important for bone health and density. Kale also contains vitamin C, which helps the body absorb calcium and produce collagen, a protein that strengthens the bones and connective tissues. Immune system Kale is loaded with vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system and fights off infections and inflammation. Kale also contains vitamin E, which enhances the immune response and protects the cells from oxidative stress. Digestion Kale is high in fiber, which helps regulate digestion and prevent constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. Fiber also feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut, which improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients and support the immune system. Skin and hair Kale is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and iron, essential for healthy skin and hair. Vitamin A helps maintain the moisture and elasticity of the skin and prevents acne and wrinkles. Vitamin C helps produce collagen, which keeps the skin firm and smooth. On the other hand, vitamin E helps protect the skin from sun damage and aging. Iron helps deliver oxygen to the skin and hair cells and prevents anemia, which can cause hair loss and pale skin. How to Harvest Kale So It Keeps Growing? One of the best things about kale is that it's a cut-and-come-again crop. This means that you can harvest it multiple times throughout the season, as long as you do it correctly. Here are the steps to follow to harvest kale so it keeps growing: Choose the right time to harvest The best time to harvest kale is when the leaves are young and tender, usually about 30 to 40 days after planting. You can also harvest baby kale leaves about 15 to 25 days after planting. You should harvest kale before it starts to flower. This is when it produces yellow or white blossoms and becomes bitter and tough. Kale usually flowers when the days get longer and warmer. Therefore, you should harvest it more frequently in the spring and summer. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the leaves You can either cut the whole plant at the base, leaving about an inch of stem or cut individual leaves from the lower part of the plant, leaving the upper leaves to grow. Additionally, you should cut the leaves about an inch above the soil to avoid damaging the crown and the roots. You should also avoid cutting too many leaves from one plant. This is because this will weaken the plant and reduce the yield. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least half of the leaves on each plant. Wash and dry the leaves You should wash the kale leaves as soon as possible after harvesting to remove any dirt, bugs, or pesticides. To rinse the leaves under cold water, you can use a colander or a salad spinner. After that, pat them dry with a paper towel or a cloth. You should also remove any damaged or yellow leaves, and trim any tough stems. Enjoy or store the leaves You can eat the kale leaves fresh, or store them in the refrigerator or freezer for later use. I will explain how to store and freeze kale in the next sections. How to Harvest Kale from the Garden? If you want to harvest kale from the garden, you need to follow some simple steps and tips to ensure a successful and bountiful harvest. Here are some things to consider when harvesting kale from the garden: Choose the right variety There are many varieties of kale to choose from, depending on your preference and climate. Some of the most common varieties are curly kale, which has dark green, and curly leaves that are great for salads and chips. You can also try dinosaur kale, which has dark blue-green, flat leaves that are great for soups and stir-fries, and red Russian kale, which has purple-red, frilly leaves that are great for salads and smoothies. You can also choose kale varieties based on their maturity time, cold tolerance, flavor, and color. Some popular kale varieties are Winterbor, Redbor, Lacinato, and Scarlet. Plant the seeds or seedlings Depending on your preference and availability, you can plant kale seeds or seedlings in the garden. The best time to plant kale seeds or seedlings is in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked, or in late summer or early fall, for a winter harvest. You can also plant kale seeds or seedlings every two to three weeks, for a continuous harvest. You should plant the seeds or seedlings about a quarter to half an inch deep, and one to two inches apart, in rows that are 18 to 24 inches apart. Additionally, you should water the seeds or seedlings well, and keep the soil moist until they germinate or establish, which usually takes seven to 14 days. Thin the seedlings When the kale seedlings have two to four true leaves, you should thin them to avoid overcrowding and competition. You should leave about six to 12 inches of space between each plant and eat or transplant the thinned seedlings. You should also weed the area around the kale plants regularly, to prevent pests and diseases. Harvest the leaves You can start harvesting kale leaves when they are big enough to eat, usually about 30 to 40 days (about one and a half months) after planting, depending on the variety. You can either harvest the whole plant or pick individual leaves from the lower part of the plant, leaving the upper leaves to grow. That is not all. You should harvest kale in the morning when the leaves are crisp and fresh and before the sun gets too hot. You should also harvest kale before it starts to flower, which is when it produces yellow or white blossoms and becomes bitter and tough. How to Store and Freeze Kale Kale is best eaten fresh, as it loses its flavor and texture quickly. However, if you have a large harvest, or you want to preserve kale for later use, you can store or freeze it. Here are the best ways to store and freeze kale: Store kale in the refrigerator: You can store fresh kale in the refrigerator for up to a week, if you keep it in a perforated plastic bag or a container with a lid. You should also avoid washing the kale before storing it, as this will make it wilt faster. You should wash the kale just before using it. Freeze kale raw: You can freeze raw kale without blanching it, which is a process of briefly cooking and cooling the vegetables to stop the enzyme activity that causes them to spoil. However, freezing raw kale will result in a mushy and watery texture and a loss of flavor and nutrients. To freeze raw kale, you should wash and dry the leaves, and then pack them in freezer bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion. You can freeze raw kale for up to six months, and use it in smoothies, soups, or casseroles. Freeze kale blanched: You can freeze blanched kale, which will retain its color, texture, flavor, and nutrients better than raw kale. To freeze blanched kale, you should wash and trim the leaves, and then blanch them in boiling water for two to three minutes, depending on the size of the leaves. You should then drain and cool the leaves and squeeze out the excess water. Moreover, you can then pack the leaves in freezer bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion. You can freeze blanched kale for up to a year, and use it in salads, sandwiches, or quiches. How to Use Kale in Different Cuisines and Recipes Kale is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many different cuisines and recipes. Whether you want to make a salad, a soup, a smoothie, or a casserole, kale can add flavor, color, and nutrition to your dish. Here are some examples of how to use kale in different cuisines and recipes: American cuisine Kale is a popular ingredient in American cuisine, especially in salads, sandwiches, and casseroles. You can make a kale and apple salad with walnuts and honey mustard dressing, or a kale and chicken sandwich with mayonnaise and cheese. You can also make a kale and cheese casserole with eggs, milk, and bread crumbs, or a kale and sausage quiche with pie crust and cheddar cheese. Mediterranean cuisine Kale is a common ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, especially in Greek, Italian, and Spanish dishes. You can make a kale and feta cheese pie with phyllo dough and olive oil, or a kale and white bean soup with garlic, rosemary, and lemon juice. You can also make kale and tomato pasta with parmesan cheese and basil, or a kale and potato tortilla with eggs, onion, and paprika. Asian cuisine Kale is widely used in Asian cuisine, especially in Chinese, Japanese, and Indian dishes. You can make a kale and tofu stir-fry with ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Additionally, you can make a kale and seaweed salad with rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame seeds. You can also make kale and coconut curry with onion, garlic, curry paste, and coconut milk. If you like something Indian, you can also try kale and lentil dal with cumin, turmeric, and coriander. Wrapping It Up! Kale is a wonderful vegetable that you can harvest, store, and use in various ways. It's easy to grow, harvest, and store kale, as long as you follow some simple steps and tips. It's also healthy, delicious, and versatile, as you can use it in many different cuisines and recipes. Kale is a green treasure that you don't want to miss. If you want to know how to harvest kale, I hope that this blog has been of help to you. If there are any other queries related to the same, please feel free to let me know. All that you need to do is scroll down till you reach the bottom of the page. Then leave your comments and suggestions in the box below. And I will be there to help you out with the same! Read Also: How to Harvest Lettuce: A Step-by-Step Guide for Fresh and Crispy Salads Everything You Need To Know About Harvesting Basil!

The Importance Of Accurate CRM Estimating For Your Business

Customer relationship management (CRM) is an essential aspect of any successful business. It involves managing interactions with customers, storing their information, and analyzing their behavior to improve customer experience and increase revenue. However, accurately estimating the cost of a CRM system is often overlooked, leading to unexpected expenses and potential financial losses. In today's highly competitive business environment, it's critical to have a solid understanding of the costs associated with implementing and maintaining a CRM system. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of accurate CRM estimating for your business, including the potential risks of inaccurate estimates, the benefits of accurate estimates, and strategies for ensuring your CRM estimates are as accurate as possible. By the end of this post, you'll have a better understanding of how accurate CRM estimating can help your business thrive. What Is CRM? CRM is an approach to managing customer interactions which seeks to improve satisfaction, devotion and overall company success. By leveraging CRM software, marketing and advertising agencies can streamline their workflow, enhance communication among team members, and make data-driven decisions. a. Definition Of CRM At its core, CRM refers to the strategies, technologies, and practices used by businesses for acquiring new clients while retaining current ones. It encompasses various aspects such as sales management, contact management, customer support services, as well as marketing automation tools that help in building strong relationships with clients over time. b. Benefits Of Using CRM Better client relations: A well-implemented CRM system allows you to understand your clients' needs better by providing insights into their preferences and behavior patterns. Informed decision-making: With accurate data at your fingertips through a centralized database within the CRM platform, it becomes easier for teams across different departments like sales or marketing to collaborate effectively on campaigns or projects. Increase efficiency: Automating routine tasks using a robust CRM solution saves valuable time for employees who can focus more on critical activities that drive revenue growth instead of mundane administrative workloads. Sales forecasting: Accurate sales projections are crucial in planning budgets or allocating resources accordingly; hence having access to real-time analytics provided by modern-day CRMs helps companies stay ahead of competitors when strategizing future plans based on past trends observed within their industry niche markets worldwide. The Importance Of Accurate CRM Estimating For Your Business In today's competitive business landscape, marketing and advertising agencies need to have a clear understanding of their clients' needs and the resources required to meet those needs effectively. This is where accurate customer relationship management (CRM) estimating comes into play. Accurate estimating is critical to ensure that marketing and advertising agencies are able to understand their clients' needs, determine the resources required, and ultimately meet those needs effectively. Why Accurate Estimating Matters Accurate CRM estimation plays a crucial role in determining the success of your agency's projects by helping you: Allocate resources efficiently: With precise estimates, you can better allocate your team members' time and skills to various tasks within a project. Maintain profitability: Underestimating or overestimating costs can lead to budget overruns or wasted resources - both detrimental factors that affect an agency's bottom line. Achieve client satisfaction: When you accurately estimate project requirements from the start, it becomes easier to set realistic expectations with clients and deliver results on time. How To Ensure Accuracy In Your Estimates To improve the accuracy of your CRM estimates, consider implementing these strategies: Break down projects into smaller tasks, making it easier for team members to understand specific responsibilities and deadlines associated with each task. Gather input from all relevant stakeholders involved in a project; this helps create more comprehensive estimations based on collective knowledge rather than relying on a single person's perspective. Utilize historical data from past projects to identify trends and patterns that can inform your current estimates. Gathering multiple perspectives on a project and utilizing historical data can help you make wiser decisions regarding resources, timelines, and financials. The Impact Of Poor Estimating On Your Business Inaccurate CRM estimating can have several negative consequences for your agency: Loss of revenue: Underestimating project costs or overestimating potential profits may lead to financial losses in the long run. Damaged reputation: Consistently failing to meet client expectations due to poor estimation practices could harm your agency's credibility and deter future clients from working with you. Burnout among team members: Overworked employees who are constantly trying to compensate for inaccurate estimations might experience burnout, leading to decreased productivity and higher turnover rates. To avoid these pitfalls, it is essential for marketing and advertising agencies like yours to prioritize accurate CRM estimating as part of their overall business strategy. By doing so, you'll be better equipped to deliver successful results consistently while maintaining strong relationships with both clients and team members alike. Accurate CRM estimating is essential for businesses to ensure their success and profitability. By improving the process, companies can maximize efficiency while reducing costs associated with poor estimates. Let's investigate strategies to refine our CRM estimating process in order to gain optimal outcomes. What Can A CRM Do For An Organization? A CRM system improves organizational efficiency by centralizing customer information in one place. This allows for better communication, collaboration, and decision-making across teams. Agency CRM by Function Point can automate tasks like data entry or follow-ups, saving time and resources. Additionally, a CRM system helps in identifying sales opportunities by tracking leads and nurturing existing clients to drive revenue growth. Conclusion In conclusion, accurate CRM estimating is an essential element for any business that wants to achieve success. It allows businesses to make informed decisions that result in better customer experiences, improved sales, and greater profits. By investing in the right CRM tools and adopting best practices for estimating, businesses can increase their efficiency and productivity while minimizing costly errors. Moreover, accurate estimating enables businesses to stay ahead of the competition by identifying opportunities for growth and expansion. As a result, businesses that prioritize accurate CRM estimating are better positioned to achieve long-term success in today's highly competitive business landscape. Read Also: CRMDialer: A Zoho Alternative 6 Top CRM For Small Businesses In 2019 Cold Calling Script For Successful Sales Persons

5 Signs That Your Business Might Need Custom Software

Investing in custom software might help you solve a complex business problem, boost your productivity and stay at the top of your niche if you’re a small- to a medium-sized business owner. When assessing your software needs, making the right choice is crucial. Therefore, how do business owners know if it’s time to go for custom software? Here are five signs that show it’s time to partner with a software development firm. 1. You feel technology is leaving you behind: If you are running a business that offers much value to your customers but it seems like other companies are ahead of you, then this is a sign that it's time to invest in software development tools. This means your old software are not meeting your expectations and needs anymore. When you invest in new software, your business has the potential to benefit from functionalities that your old software is not offering, enable you to increase your market share and boost your sales. 2. Your whole business is running on Spreadsheets: Your company uses Excel to ensure the smooth running of your business when you first startup. However, as your business grow and expand, you’ll find that you’re wasting more time managing those spreadsheets rather than developing new products that add value to your company. When this happens, it’s time to migrate to customized software. All your company operations could be automated into custom software that does all the work for you with minimal manual labor. Custom software will reduce the time you spent on data entry, and focus on results so you could use your time planning and act on operations. 3. Your present software poses many problems: Your business has been using a piece of software that offers much value to your customers, and it takes care of the tasks you require, but recently, you noticed it slow, freezes up, and it’s been known to lose some of your most crucial data permanently. Besides, your workers hate using the software because it stuck in operations or it frequently sends back errors. It's a sign your business needs custom software that it is reliable and user-friendly. You can either hire a professional developer to create a custom solution, which is perfectly tailored to your business or invest in new software development tools, which will offer only solutions. 4. You spend more time on a task: If you have a given task that you find yourself dedicating many hours because you can’t work out how to do, then, it’s time to scale your software support and save your precious time by ‘hiring’ a software specialist. Excellent software development companies should help you find workable solutions to impossible manual tasks, and get your time back. They can configure your software to let you add more functions at each stage of your business growth as well as add different functionalities or expanding to different user groups incrementally over time. 5. You’re finding it challenging to satisfy your customers: Having a low customer satisfaction can hinder your efforts of staying on top of the competition. Communication issues like disorganization, low efficiency, and workflow breakdowns are all signs it may be time to get in touch with a software development company. It would help if you considered how custom software could help make your business more valuable and improve the customer’s experience as strive to improve customer satisfaction. Custom software can get the entire company back on track, help you improve communication, eliminate human error, and speed up service times. Whatever your business needs may be, custom software development is a tailored solution created to promote your bottom line. In Summary: It's time to think about using a custom software solution that allows you to run a better business if you find business reflecting on some of the named signs. Custom software developed from a reputable company like Skywell software development services is all your business. When you have custom software, you will start realizing that you’re saving time and money as well as improving your employee and customer satisfaction in the long term. Everyone is using custom software to boost their overall business efficiency, and companies who refuse to use might be risking his or her business. Read Also: Five Reasons Your Business Needs Incident Management Software 8 Reasons Why Your Company Should Get A Vendor Management Software

Corporate Hackathon: Benefits To The Employees