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Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Should you turn down a bad job if you have no job ?
Small dents into company culture
| OCTOBER 23, 2012 Tuesday | |||
| Change Your Company's Story | |||
| How many times have you heard someone say, "That's the way we've always done it"? Narratives like these suggest inevitability, and can inhibit change rather than inspire it. They can be deeply ingrained and difficult to challenge. But people remember stories more easily than numbers, and if told in the right way and with the right message, they can motivate action. If you want to transform your organization, start by challenging the stories you tell about the company and how it operates. Do some reinforce the negative? Create and share new, positive narratives that show the path to success and the elements that will get you there. | |||
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R U creating a bunch of disgruntled employees ?
| DECEMBER 4, 2012 Tuesday | |||
| Motivate Disgruntled Employees | |||
No one likes to manage unhappy employees. They can be tough to motivate and resistant to change. But giving up isn't the solution either. Here are three counterintuitive ways to bring your most disillusioned back into the fold:
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Slotting time for daily dose of social media
| JANUARY 25, 2013 Friday | |||
| Stop Surfing the Internet Now | |||
How much time do you spend checking Facebook, sending and reading Tweets, and buying things you don't need online? If the answer is "too much," try these two ways to battle your internet addiction:
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Monday, February 27, 2023
Corporate Politics, Governance, and Value Before and After Citizens United
| DECEMBER 4, 2012 Tuesday |
| Companies' Political Activities Hurt Shareholder Value |
| Big U.S. corporations that created political action committees and made other forays into politics bounced back with less bounce from the financial crisis, according to a study of S&P 500 firms by John C. Coates IV of Harvard Law School. The post-2008 increase in these companies' industry-relative shareholder value was 8% lower, on average, than increases registered by politically inactive firms. Political engagement may dilute a company's strategic focus and lead it to make wasteful investments, Coates says. |
| Source: Corporate Politics, Governance, and Value Before and After Citizens United |
how 2 b assertive without losing yourself
| DECEMBER 5, 2012 | |||
| Be Assertive While Being Yourself | |||
If you're reserved, you've likely been told you need to be more assertive at work. But if that's not your natural style, how can you still ask for what you need and get what you want? Here are three ways:
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Corruption in Chinese Govts
DECEMBER 5, 2012 Wednesday
Under-the-Table Is the Way to Get Public Contracts in China !
(Perception of Corruption in 36 Major Chinese Cities: Based on Survey of 1,642 Experts)
Research finding :
More than 90% of experts responding to a survey in China said that a company conducting under-the-table practices to influence decision makers would have a better chance of winning a public-project contract than a company that followed all the rules, say Xuguang Song of Beijing Normal University and Wenhao Cheng of Tsinghua University, both in China !
'The survey of academics in 36 cities also indicated that Shanghai is perceived to be the ' most corrupt ' city in China.
On a more positive note, more than half of respondents said their cities had become less corrupt, while about one-third saw no change and fewer than 10% thought the situation had become worse.
Bad Boss
| DECEMBER 7, 2012 Friday | |||
| Don't Be a Bad Boss | |||
Bad managers come in many shapes and sizes. The worst ones do appalling things like berate people in public or take credit for others' work. But you should also beware of these less obvious infractions:
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Dos and don'ts in quitting job & timing
| DECEMBER 10, 2012 Monday | |||
| Quit Your Job, for Real This Time | |||
Wanting to quit your job is one thing. Finally walking out the door is another. If you're fed up with your job but can't get over the mental hurdle to hand in your resignation letter, these three tips can help:
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Make jobs more interesting ; gamification of jobs
31 Dec 2012 Monday
| ''Make the Job More Like a Game '' -------------------------------------- No manager ever says, "Let's make our company a boring place to work." Yet, many do exactly that ! To instill more fun and excitement into work, design jobs so they feel more like games. But how ? (a) By providing a sharply focused, urgent goal and a very tight deadline. (b) Set up autonomous teams and encourage them to experiment. Even long-term goals can be broken into smaller game-like chunks. Think 10 or 15 weeks instead of 6 months of a year. (c) For each goal, ask a team to plan an approach and carry it out. The whole effort should encourage creativity. Most importantly, take note of and celebrate successes along the way. |
Sunday, February 26, 2023
Lost Sleep and Cyberloafing: Evidence From the Laboratory and a Daylight Saving Time Quasi-Experiment
| JANUARY 8, 2013 |
| Being Sleepy Makes You More Inclined to Surf the Web at Work |
| For every hour of interrupted sleep the night before, research participants engaged in 8.4 minutes more cyberloafing—checking personal e-mails or visiting unrelated websites—during a 42-minute task, says a team led by David T. Wagner of Singapore Management University. The effect of lost sleep on cyberloafing at work is supported by data showing that on the Monday after the switch to Daylight Savings Time, Google users search for 3.1% to 6.4% more entertainment-related websites in comparison with other Mondays. Less-conscientious workers are the most prone to giving in to the cyberloafing temptation when sleep-deprived, the researchers say. |
| Source: Lost Sleep and Cyberloafing: Evidence From the Laboratory and a Daylight Saving Time Quasi-Experiment |
Self compassion - stress reliever
| JANUARY 7, 2013 | |||
| Forget Self-Esteem. You Need Self-Compassion. | |||
| Self-esteem has long been considered the bedrock of individual success. But high self-esteem may not be all that it's cracked up to be. Thinking you're great (which of course you are) comes with pressure to live up to your own self-image. You may live in quiet terror of making mistakes, and even worse, feel devastated when you do. When faced with a challenge, you don't need to believe in your own brilliance as much as you need to confront your flaws head on. Develop self-compassion, a willingness to look at your own shortcomings with kindness and understanding. With a realistic sense of your abilities and actions, you can figure out what needs to be done differently next time. Being perfect doesn't lead to success, but being able to avoid the same mistake twice does. | |||
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Tailor your presentation to your audience mix
| SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 | |||
| Match Your Presentation to Your Audience | |||
Every public speaking expert will tell you to get to know your audience ahead of time. But what do you do with that information? You need to adjust your presentation to meet their needs in several ways:
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Constructing your personal user interface with clients
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Be off line and relax - no smart phone don't answer calls or emails
| OCTOBER 10, 2012 Wednesday | |||
| Break the Cycle of Responsiveness | |||
Once you answer an email at midnight, or take a call on your vacation, you've set the expectation that you're always "on." Your team will keep asking things of you, and you'll likely continue to accommodate them. That is, until you break the cycle. Here's how:
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Work from home is free overtime to companies ?
| OCTOBER 25, 2012 Thursday |
| "Telecommuting" Is Mostly Just Overtime That You Do at Home |
| Half to two-thirds of the work that employees do at home pushes their work hours above 40 per week, an indication that in most cases, "telecommuters" are just adding overtime to their work days, Mary C. Noonan of the University of Iowa and Jennifer L. Glass of the University of Texas at Austin write in Monthly Labor Review. In effect, telecommuting allows employers to impose longer workdays and workweeks and to raise expectations that employees will be available evenings and weekends, the researchers say. |
| Source: The hard truth about telecommuting |
working couples - relationship advice
| NOVEMBER 13, 2012 | |||
| If You Both Work, Stay Happy | |||
Many relationships fail for work reasons: too much travel, too little time together, and too much relocation. It's not easy, but it's possible to manage a relationship and two careers. Here are three tips for doing so:
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A Working To Do List - make it doable !
| NOVEMBER 14, 2012 | |||
| Make Your To-Do List Work | |||
To-do lists can be lifesavers when it comes to managing your work. But sometimes they're nothing more than a list of things you never get to. Here are three tips for making them better:
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To Do List Tip
NOVEMBER 29, 2012 Thursday
Keep Your To-Do List Fresh with the 3-Day Rule
A to-do list is only useful if you cross things off as often as you add tasks on. If something's been on your list for more than three days, do one of the following:
(1) Do it immediately.
It may take you less time than you think.
(2) Schedule it.
Find a time slot on your calendar when you can get the task done. If it's important enough to have on your list, then commit to doing it at a specific time and day.
(3) Let it die.
If you're not willing to do something immediately or schedule it for later, you won't ever do it. Accept that it's not really a priority and take it off your list.
Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done.
" 40 years old intern "
DECEMBER 3, 2012 Monday
Use "Returnships" to Bring in Fresh Talent
Despite high unemployment, it can be tough to find the right applicants for higher-level positions. Some companies are trying "returnships," where experienced, highly educated workers who have been out of the workforce take on short-term paid positions, with the hope they'll join the firm long-term. Here are three ways to make such a program work:
(1) Model it on your existing internship program.
The work assigned to returning professionals should be more challenging, but many other elements — the application process, the orientation, and mentorship arrangements — can be similar.
(2) Give participants role models.
Expose them to high-performing employees who took time off during their own careers. This will give them a sense of the upward mobility they can hope for if they attain a regular position.
(3) Get hiring managers on-board.
Managers are often reluctant to consider people who've been out of the workforce, fearing that their skills are out-of-date. Set up face-to-face meetings with returnship participants so managers better understand where they're coming from.
"The 40-Year-Old Intern" by Carol Fishman Cohen.
Friday, February 24, 2023
Presenting to impatient senior executives
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social media for job hunt
| JANUARY 21, 2013 | |||
| Job Seekers: Social Media Is Your Friend | |||
People may go online to goof off but before long, they talk shop. Social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Quora, and even Pinterest can be valuable job-hunting tools. Here are two things social media can do to aid your job search:
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social exclusion and financial risk taking
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fishy smell and mistrust . Something fishy literally ?
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Presenation basics
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Breaking bad news to good boss
JANUARY 28, 2013 Monday
The Right Way to Give Your Boss Bad News
No one likes a difficult conversation with the boss, but it can be a valuable tool for building a trusting relationship. Try these four steps the next time you need to share upsetting news:
(1) Describe the problem.
Provide a general overview and show the specific impact it has on your work and the company's goals.
(2) Identify your solution.
Explain how you've already tried to solve the problem and what you've learned from those attempts. Recommend a specific approach, along with alternatives to give your manager options.
(3) Discuss the benefits.
Focus on concrete examples of how your idea will succeed. If you have tested your approach on a small scale with good results, share that information.
(4) Accept responsibility.
Demonstrate your commitment to ensuring success. Work with your manager to develop a final action plan.
Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Managing Up and Across.
Business Writing for better effect
JANUARY 29, 2013 Tuedsay
Before You Write Anything, Know Your Readers
Communication is a two-way exercise. Without knowing something about your readers, you'll rarely get your ideas across. Consider their goals and priorities and what motivates them. Depending on what your recipients value, your tone will change and so will your content. Highlight the things they care about most. If you're writing a memo to colleagues, for example, consider how they'll interpret what you're saying based on their levels in the organization. Or if you're responding to a client's request for proposal, address every need outlined in the RFP — but also think about the client's industry, company size, and culture. To make this easier, consider choosing an intelligent, non-specialist member of the audience — or invent one — and focus on writing for that person. Your message will be more accessible and persuasive to all your readers as a result.
Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Better Business Writing.
Reduce Email Overload - 3 tips
JANUARY 17, 2013 Thursday
3 Ways to Battle E-mail Overload
Has your inbox reached its size limit? Have you lost track of who's waiting for a response? Most people struggle to stay on top of e-mail. Here are three tactics that might help:
(1) Reply by phone.
Quick calls can often eliminate dozens of e-mails. A five-minute chat may be more efficient than crafting a message that adequately explains the situation.
(2) Do not copy.
If a message you're sending requires a recipient's attention, include that person in the "to" field; if not, leave them off entirely. Tell colleagues to do the same.
(3) Put down the smartphone.
When you have a few minutes between meetings, don't respond to e-mail on your mobile's tiny keyboard. Wait until you're back at your desk or with your laptop or tablet, when you can craft a better response in less time.
Generic vs branded, politically conservative shoppers
FEBRUARY 18, 2013 Monday
Politically Conservative Shoppers Shun Generics and New Products
In areas of the U.S. that are ideologically conservative, supermarket shoppers tend to prefer established national brands over generic substitutes, and they show a lower propensity to try newly launched products, according to a study of scanner data by Romana Khan of the University of Texas and two colleagues. Across all brand categories studied, a 1-standard-deviation increase in conservativeness was associated with a 4% decrease in generics' market share and a 6% decrease in new products' share. The findings are consistent with research showing that conservatism is associated with a preference for tradition, convention, and the status quo, the researchers say.
Source: Ideology and Brand Consumption
stealth sodium revolution
FEBRUARY 19, 2013 Tuesday
Big Food Companies Are Training You to Like Less Salt
Several major food companies have launched "stealth" campaigns to reduce salt in processed foods for health reasons, according to Agricultural Research. One firm has removed 2 million pounds of salt from retail brands in less than 10 years, and another plans to reformulate 600 products to reduce sodium. The companies are seeking to "retrain the American palate" but want to give consumers' taste buds time to adapt, the journal says. 80% of Americans' dietary sodium comes from salt added to processed foods.
Source: The Stealth Sodium Revolution
Stop Micro Managing, start delegating
FEBRUARY 20, 2013 Wednesday
When Delegating, Let Go of the How
Delegation can improve your team's productivity and build skills. But if you're prone to micromanaging, you may not reap the full benefits of passing on work to your direct reports. It's important to realize that other people won't do things exactly the same way you would. Focus less on how they should approach a task and more on the what and the why. For example, explain why the project is important, the key problems they need to resolve, and with whom they might collaborate. Don't hand over a project plan or specific instructions unless you're delegating to more inexperienced staff.
Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Stop Micromanaging and Learn to Delegate" by John Beeson.
How much salary do you want ? 4 tips
Mon 20 Feb 2023
How to Answer a Question About Salary Expectations
There are many interview questions that job applicants dread. But one in particular is especially complicated: “What are your salary expectations?” If you go too low, you might end up making less than the company is willing to pay. And if you go too high, you could price yourself out of the job. To avoid giving a specific number, try these strategies:
(1) Flip the question around and ask about the company’s budget.
For example, you might say something like, “I’m not sure I can accurately price myself at this point, but I’d love to know the budgeted salary range.”
(2) Move past the question and reemphasize your qualifications.
For example, “I’m still trying to fully understand the role. For now, I’d love to continue talking about my qualifications and why I think I’m a fit for this position.”
(3) Offer a salary range.
Try saying something like, “I’m looking for a competitive salary that reflects my qualifications and experience. Based on my research and the requirements of the role, I would expect a salary in the range of $X to $Y. Of course, I’m open to discussing the details of the entire compensation package since salary is just one factor.”
This tip is adapted from “How to Answer ‘What Are Your Salary Expectations?’,” by Amy Gallo
Team learning tips
Wed 22 Feb 2023
Build Learning into Your Team’s Day-to-Day Work
How can you help your team learn in the flow of work? Here are three strategies to try.
(1) To start, normalize making mistakes so employees fear them less and learn from them more. Encourage them to quickly share with someone else when they mess up, focusing on the question: What did you learn from that mistake? To model this behavior, you might start your monthly team meeting by sharing an insight you learned from a mistake you made.
(2) Next, build constructive feedback into your team’s regular workflows. Allot time in meeting agendas and project calendars to consider both what worked well and what would make the process and outcomes even better. Proactively showing your team what they’re doing well will increase confidence and prompt people to continue stretching their potential.
(3) Finally, encourage experimentation.
Show your team that you’re open to their pitches—and that you’re willing to prototype and pilot good ideas. You might ask: What is one idea for improvement that would support you to achieve your objectives for this quarter? To make that idea happen, what would you need to start, stop, or change? And how could you test that idea quickly? Asking your employees to think outside the box will stoke learning and development on your team.
This tip is adapted from “How to Help Your Team Learn in the Flow of Work,” by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis
Foster Empathy among team members
Thu 23 Feb 2023
Exercises to Boost Empathy on Your Team
Fostering a culture of empathy is key to building trust with your team. Here are some exercises that can help your team collectively practice compassion and emotional recognition.
(1) Appreciation round.
One person completes the following sentence about a colleague and then tags the next person, or the next person volunteers: “What I appreciate about you, John, is…” The more specific and detailed you can be about the behavior or attribute, the better.
(2) Complete-the-sentence.
Ask people to complete one of these statements, either verbally or in writing: “Compassion is hardest when...” or “I made a difference yesterday when I...” or “I show up every day because...”
(3) Step-in circles.
Get everyone together in a circle and ask them to move forward (or raise their hand) when they agree with a statement. After each statement, ask people to move back to the original circle or lower their hand. Start with a more superficial statement (“Step in if you prefer the beach to the mountains”), then increase vulnerability as you go (“Step in if you feel like you are not enough some days...”).
(4) Personal notes.
Provide note cards for employees to use to recognize someone, express gratitude, or acknowledge an emotional event. Remote employees can mail their cards or use e-cards.
This tip is adapted from “Practice Empathy as a Team,” by Christine Porath and Adrienne Boissy
3 steps in practicing for an AI HR round of job interview
Monday 13 Feb 2023
Prepare to Be Interviewed by AI
HR departments are increasingly turning to automated video interviews, and some are even using AI to make decisions about who moves on to the next round. As a job seeker, how can you prepare to be interviewed by an AI? The trick is to stay as natural as possible—despite how unnatural the process may feel.
(1) First, get used to speaking to a screen. Set up a video call with a friend, keep both cameras on, and record yourself answering a set of common interview questions. Then play back the video and analyze what you did well. Remember, positive psychology tells us that focusing on strengths, rather than on development points, can result in faster improvement.
(2) Next, repeat the exercise, but ask your friend to turn their camera off. This will feel less natural, but will more closely mimic the experience of an AI interview.
(3) Finally, go solo. Speak to your computer screen and record yourself. What did you do differently than when you were facing a human? By proceeding through all three steps analytically, you can get a sense of how you perform under different conditions, and with practice, you’ll be able to bring authenticity and humanity to your automated interview.
This tip is adapted from “Are You Prepared to Be Interviewed by an AI?,” by Zahira Jaser and Dimitra Petrakaki
Leadership self doubts
Wed 15 Feb 2023
Are You Doubting Your Leadership?
When you believe you’re falling short as a leader—and others are sharing feedback in line with that self-perception—it can feel overwhelming and demoralizing. But don’t fret; doubt and failure are an unavoidable part of becoming a leader. Here’s what to do if you’re in need of a leadership comeback.
(1) Start by taking a brief step away from work to clear your head, and use this time to prioritize honest self-reflection. Take notes—or even record voice memos—about how you wish to improve as a leader, considering feedback you’ve gotten along the way. Keep in mind that ruminating on mistakes, missed opportunities, or external criticism will only hold you back.
(2) Next, honestly evaluate your fit within your organization’s culture. Are your shortcomings as a leader the result of a mismatch? If so, recognize that you might need to adapt to the company’s stated culture, goals, and values. Then make a plan to boost your influence. Whose support can you enlist to grow? What do you need to set better goals and make better decisions for your team?
(3) Finally, consider whether a new opportunity would unlock your leadership potential. If, after reflection, it seems impossible to align with the demands of your role—and to have fun doing the job—it might be time to leave.
This tip is adapted from “When You’re Doubting Your Leadership—and Others Are, Too,” by Anne Sugar
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