4 tips for decisive office meetings

 

NOVEMBER 8, 2011 Encourage Decisiveness at Your Next Meeting Meetings without outcomes are a waste of time. Yet, many meetings fail to produce results because the conversation circles around the issues rather than focuses on them. To make sure decisions happen and people take action, you need to have a productive dialogue. Here are four things every meeting should be: Open. The outcomes of your meeting should not be predetermined. Questions like, "What are we missing?" signal honest searching for alternative perspectives. Candid. Encourage people to air conflicts. When people express their real opinions, productivity increases. Informal. Keep it loose. Conversations should be unscripted with honest questions and spontaneity. Conclusive. Everyone should leave knowing exactly what they are expected to do. Today's Management Tip was adapted from Harvard Business Review on Making Smart Decisions.

coming back from vacation

 

NOVEMBER 7, 2011 Come Back from Vacation the Right Way Many things await you on your first day back from vacation: a full inbox, a long list of to-dos, and people needing your time. If you dive right in, you're likely to wipe out all the benefits of taking time off. Instead, get back in the swing of things while maintaining some of the calm and restoration of your break. Block off your morning. Make sure you don't have any meetings scheduled or big projects due. Then before you open your inbox, pause and think about your work priorities. As you make your way through emails and voicemails, focus on returning the messages that are connected to what matters most. Defer or delegate things that aren't top priority. And remember it will probably take more than one day to get caught up, so be easy on yourself. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "The Right Way to Come Back From Vacation" by Peter Bregman.

USA poor diluting from concentrated areas , migration

 

NOVEMBER 7, 2011

The Poor Moved Out of Blighted Areas in 1990s

The sharp decline in the concentration of extreme urban poverty in the U.S. at the end of the twentieth century appears to have been due to poor residents' migration out of very-low-income areas, says Robert L. Wagmiller Jr. of the University at Buffalo, SUNY. In a study of data on thousands of households, he found that poor black families had just a 19% likelihood of moving from high-poverty to low-poverty neighborhoods in the 1980s and early 1990s, but in the subsequent decade the likelihood rose to 27%.

Source: Why Did Poverty Become Less Geographically Concentrated in the 1990s?

learn how to think differently to connect dots

 

NOVEMBER 9, 2011 Wed

3 Ways to Think Like an Innovator

Most people struggle to do what innovators excel at: connecting the unconnected. Here are three ways to get in the habit of making new associations: Just do it. Force associations across different ideas when they don't come naturally. Ask yourself: What else could this idea be connected to? Shake it up. When associations don't emerge, try forcing them to surface. Put seemingly unrelated ideas or words together and see what comes to mind. The creative combinations may spark a new idea. Repeat. Research shows that if you practice associational thinking long enough, the task will energize you rather than exhaust you.

Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Learn How to Think Different(ly)" by Jeff Dyer and Hal Gregersen.

Embrace your crack colleagues

 

NOVEMBER 23, 2011 Wed

Don't Argue with Irrational Colleagues

It's frustrating to watch a colleague behave irrationally, whether it's refusing to follow a policy or failing to recognize a good idea. But people have reasons for doing things, even if you don't fully understand. Next time a colleague can't consider a completely reasonable suggestion, try these two things. Don't insist on rationality. It will only further frustrate you and make the other person defensive. No matter how many well-constructed arguments you offer, you won't progress until you understand your colleague's point of view. Figure out the other person's rationale. Resistance to logic always comes from somewhere. Find out what is motivating your coworker, whether it's conscious or unconscious. Then you can address the underlying issues.

Today's Management Tip was adapted from Embrace Your Irrational Colleagues by Ron Ashkenas.

2 tips to employee engagement

 

DECEMBER 16, 2011 Friday  Engage Employees Like Customers The same techniques for earning customer loyalty also work when engaging employees. After all, both efforts depend on treating people with respect. Here are two ways to use customer service tactics to improve relationships with employees. Get real-time feedback. Don't wait for the annual employee survey to ask people what they think. Conduct regular surveys that respect employees' time and only ask the few questions that yield the most important insights. This will generate a steady stream of ideas for improvement. Make engagement a priority for frontline managers. If customer service is a top priority for frontline managers, employee loyalty should be as well. Don't delegate the effort to HR. Instead, ask those who closely interact with employees to make sure they're engaged. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Engage Employees Using Customer Service Tactics" by Rob Markey.

What employers want from long term unemployed !

 

APRIL 5, 2012 Thu  A Temp Job Can Improve Your CV If You've Been Out of Work 79% of hiring managers say that if you've been out of work for an extended period, a contract or temporary job is a good thing to have on your CV when you apply for a permanent position, according to a CareerBuilder survey cited in a blog post on HBR.org. 61% of the managers say taking a course or re-enrolling in school improves your résumé too, and 60% say volunteering increases your marketability. Starting your own business and writing a professional blog were cited by just 28% and 11% of the managers, respectively. Source: What Employers Want from the Long-Term Unemployed

Project got struck ? get ur team think like biz people !

 

MARCH 27, 2012 Tue  Get Your Team Thinking Like Entrepreneurs Teams in large organizations can easily get tangled in bureaucracy. It takes a long time to execute on projects when waiting for approvals and gathering resources. But, you can get around this by helping your team members think and act like entrepreneurs. Try doing the following: Experiment. Challenge one or two people on your team to quietly push a project forward without analyzing it. Protect them from those who may question this approach. Broadcast results. Share the results of this experiment with other leaders in your company, and encourage them to support the project. Manage it closely. Throughout the process, ensure that the costs never exceed your organization's acceptable losses, so your team can clearly see the upside of acting fast. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "New Project? Don't Analyze—Act" by Leonard A. Schlesinger, Charles F. Kiefer, and Paul B. Brown.

Make a first move with the project

 

MARCH 19, 2012 Monday

Get Your Project Going Fast

It's challenging to launch a new project, especially if you're battling layers of bureaucracy. Don't fight the red tape. Instead, work around it to make things happen. Here are two ways: Use what you've got. Instead of jumping through hoops to get approvals and formal funding, simply use the people you know, the budget you have, and the resources you can muster. Secure only what you need for the next step. Don't try to get everyone on board. Just ask for permission to take the next action. Some people will want to know the end goal, but get the least amount of commitment you need to push the project forward.

Today's Management Tip was adapted from "New Project? Don't Analyze—Act" by Leonard A. Schlesinger, Charles F. Kiefer, and Paul B. Brown.

Work life balance

 

DECEMBER 23, 2011 Friday Don't Stay Late. Go Home. Do you control your work hours or do they control you? More people are staying late at work and suffering because of it. Before you have dinner at your desk (again), do these three things: Know your priorities. When deciding whether to stay and finish a task or put it aside until the next day, remember what your priorities are. If the task furthers your professional and personal goals, then it may be worth putting in the extra time. Agree on expectations at home. Discuss your work hours with the people closest to you—your partner, spouse, or friends—to be sure your expectations are aligned. Talk about it at work. Make it clear that you are willing to stay late if there is a legitimate reason, such as a client deadline. But emphasize that this should be the exception, not the rule. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Should You Stay Late or Go Home?" by Ron Ashkenas.

Treat workers well to attract more business

 

DECEMBER 23, 2011 Fair Treatment of Retail Workers Leads to Higher Consumer Spending Even a small improvement in retail employees' sense that their company treats them fairly yields significant benefits: The employees perform better, and customers spend more in stores. In a study of thousands of U.S. employees and customers, a team of researchers led by James G. Maxham III of the University of Virginia found that a one-point increase on a seven-point scale of perceived organizational justice on employees' part led to customers' spending $1.43 more per person per visit. Source: The Retail Value Chain: Linking Employee Perceptions to Employee Performance, Customer Evaluations, and Store Performance

3 must steps in Decision making meetings

 

DECEMBER 27, 2011 Set the Stage for your Next Meeting From the moment you send a meeting invite, as the meeting organizer you are responsible for setting the right tone and making the meeting a success. Here are three things you should do before people get in the room: Clarify the objective. Make sure people know why they're invited. If it's to make a decision, give participants the time and materials they need to prepare. Prep important people. Talk with key participants about agenda items ahead of time. You may hear insights that could change how you run the meeting. Expect full participation. Ask attendees to do their homework, come with relevant materials, and show up ready to contribute. Today's Management Tip was adapted from Guide to Project Management.

How should leaders spark & sustain change

 

JANUARY 4, 2012 Wed

Admit You Don't Know All the Answers

Leaders who insist on making all the decisions often find themselves with disengaged employees. If people aren't taking charge in your organization, your leadership style might be the problem. If you have an overly directive approach, take a step back. Acknowledge your failings with your team. Share your personal and organizational goals. Then, admit that you don't have all the answers and you need your team's help in reaching those goals. This will give your people room to actively participate in the organization's success. This act of humility is often seen as courageous and inspires others to follow suit.

Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Fire, Snowball, Mask, Movie: How Leaders Spark and Sustain Change" by Peter Fuda and Richard Badham.

Meaningful Brands ; Havas Media launches global results

 

NOVEMBER 25, 2011 friday  Consumers Say Companies Should Do More to Solve World Problems Just 28% of consumers think the corporate world is working hard enough to solve social and environmental challenges, and customers are increasingly willing to act on their views. 51% of consumers surveyed in 14 countries in 2011 say they'd reward responsible companies by choosing to buy their products; 53% say they'd pay a 10% premium for a product produced in a responsible way; and 44% say they'd punish irresponsible companies, according to Havas Media. All three figures are up substantially from last year. Source: Meaningful Brands—Havas Media launches global results

Spam volume falls in Jan 2012

 

JANUARY 4, 2012 Wednesday

Spam Volume Falls to 2007 Levels

Spam volume dropped from more than 379 billion messages daily to about 124 billion messages daily between August 2010 and November 2011—levels not seen since 2007 —as law enforcement and security agencies shut down major spam-sending botnets, according to Cisco. In September 2011, India was generating the highest percentage of spam volume (13.9%). Vietnam was second with 8% and the Russian Federation was third with 7.8%.

Source: Cisco Connected World Technology Report

Women voting recuces budget deficits

 

NOVEMBER 28, 2011 Monday .  When Women Began Voting, Budget Deficits Shrank Research Finding :  Enfranchisement of women in Switzerland led to reductions in local BUDGET DEFICITS  of between 139 and 148 Swiss francs per capita, say Signe Krogstrup and Sebastien Walti of the Swiss National Bank. Women's gradual enfranchisement in the country's 26 cantons from 1959 through  to year 2000 enabled the researchers to examine the effect on local government spending. Possible reason ?  They speculate that the reasons for the declining deficits have to do with women's altruism, patience, and prudence toward risk or lower risk appetite.

Reorganization or org restructuring

 

JANUARY 10, 2012 Tue Think Before You Reorganize Managers love to reorganize, but few employees like being reorganized. Structural changes provoke anxiety and confusion. Before you decide to redraw the org chart, consider these two things: What problem are you trying to solve? Are you trying to focus more on customers? Do you want to reduce costs? Has structure become overly complex? There might be good reasons, but before you leap into a reorganization, be clear on the goal. Is reorganization the only solution? Reorganization might solve many problems but it's rarely the only solution. Consider alternatives first, especially ones that entail less cost and risk. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Reorganizing? Think Again" by Ron Ashkenas.

impact of action movies on teenagers driving

 

JANUARY 5, 2012 Thu Viewing Action Movies Increases Teens' Risky Driving An increase in time spent watching action movies on TV—including car chases and other mayhem—led male teenagers to later report increases in joyriding and speeding, according to a study of more than 2,000 adolescents by Kathleen Beullens, Keith Roe, and Jan Van den Bulck of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium. 11.5% of the study participants, male and female, admitted regularly taking risks to make driving more fun, and 1% said they engaged in this behavior always or very often. Source: The Impact of Adolescents' News and Action Movie Viewing on Risky Driving Behavior: A Longitudinal Study

Geary Rummler and basic Q s for L&D guys to understand, of an ORG

 

The World lost Geary A Rummler, an L&D Guru , an authority , on this sad date in 2008, October 31 st. He was a very influential mentor to many a great L&D Pro . He is missed still, after 15 years . Guy A Wallace offers heartful tribute. #organizationaldevelopment 

Buddy checks in project

 

JANUARY 6, 2012 Friday  Use Buddy Checks to Keep Projects on Track As a project leader your job is to monitor progress against the project plan. But you don't have to do this alone. Use buddy checks to verify that tasks are done properly. When someone completes an activity, have another team member look at the results. This shouldn't be an in-depth analysis, just a quick check to confirm that the person didn't overlook or misunderstand anything. The ideal reviewer is someone who will use the results of the task. Just make clear that this is not a performance appraisal. It's one team member looking out for another. Today's Management Tip was adapted from Guide to Project Management.

coaching & learning scaffolds

 

JANUARY 3, 2012

To Teach, Show and Tell

How many times have you trained a colleague in a task, only to have that person come knocking on your door every five minutes with a question? People learn by watching others, so instead of telling people how to solve a problem, show them. Take them through each step, explaining the reasons behind each. Then allow them to ask as many questions as needed. This will not only give them the foundation they need to do the task, but will prompt you to master the task more deeply as you provide a justification for each step.

Today's Management Tip was adapted from "The Best Approach to Training" by Richard Catrambone.

Perfectionism ? Is there healthy and unhealthy types, huh ?

 

DECEMBER 1, 2011 Thu Practice Healthy Perfectionism True perfectionists get a bad rap for being time-wasting sticklers who demoralize those around them. But it isn't all bad. In fact, being a stickler has some valuable attributes. The key is to separate healthy perfectionist behaviors, such as striving for high but achievable standards or devoting time to things you care about, from the damaging ones, such as feeling that every mistake is catastrophic. Focus on the positives of being a perfectionist while keeping an eye out for the harmful tendencies. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Perfectionism: Healthy or Hurtful?" by Jeff Szymanski.

2 ways to improve customer service

 

DECEMBER 12, 2011 Monday

Build Client Relationships from Afar

When it comes to creating and sustaining client relationships there's no substitute for face-to-face contact. But with people doing business globally, that's not always possible. To build loyalty when you can't pop in for a visit, try these two things. Use between-time to check in via e-mail. Use spare time to send clients quick notes saying hello, forwarding an article, or asking about a conference they planned to attend. Even executives with overflowing inboxes usually appreciate the gesture—especially if you don't ask for a response. Keep a light touch through e-newsletters. A well-written e-newsletter with helpful content is an excellent way to remind clients you're out there and ready to help. Keep it infrequent (monthly or bimonthly) so you don't overwhelm people.

Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Keeping Your Clients Loyal, From Wherever You Are" by Dorie Clark.

getting customer feedback for betterment

 Thu 28 Sept 2023

Get the Feedback You Need from Your Customers

Your business can’t improve operations without honest and substantive feedback from your customers. But customers can often be reluctant to provide it. Here are three ways to get the input you need.

(1) Reframe customer feedback requests.

 When following up with customers after they’ve interacted with your company, make it clear that the organization is seeking to improve—not to be told it’s doing well. Instead of asking “How did I do?” ask “What’s one thing I could do to have served you better today?” Ask good second and third questions to encourage customers to generate ideas.

(2) Focus on customer actions, not their words. 

Instead of tracking “sentiment,” which can be misleading, track and observe customer behavior. How often are customers repeating purchases? How frequently do they come to your store or site? What do they do when they’re there?

(3) Make it habitual, not occasional. 

Switch up that bi-annual or quarterly survey in favor of mechanisms that are continual and can be integrated into your culture. Whenever you make a change to your operations—even if it’s small—observe how customers respond and seek honest input. Feedback from customers is not only a gift but an imperative.

This tip is adapted from “How to Get Honest and Substantive Feedback from Your Customers,” by Geoff Tuff, Steve Goldbach, and Elizabeth Lascaze

“How to Speak Confidently to Your Team During Chaotic Times,”

 Wed 27 Sept 2023

Is Your Team Feeling Overwhelmed? Run Some Small, Simple Experiments

When things are going wrong and work feels chaotic, it seems obvious that the team or company needs to try something new. But committing to a new direction during times of change can feel overwhelming and risky. So actively encourage small experiments, test runs, or pilot programs instead. These may be more fruitful ways to surface fresh ideas while alleviating people’s anxiety about the future.

For example, if your team needs more space in their days to adapt to all the changes coming their way, brainstorm a number of experiments to try to add hours (and energy) back to all of their schedules. This might include canceling a weekly status meeting, using countdown timers in scheduled meetings to keep people from running over, or pausing efforts on a weekly report to test if it can be done less frequently. .

Make the experiments small, specific, and time-bound to help disrupt the current pattern of thinking. They will give your team much-needed encouragement to be curious and examine different perspectives, even amidst what feels like chaos. Tiny changes could make a huge difference.

This tip is adapted from “How to Speak Confidently to Your Team During Chaotic Times,” by Darcy Eikenberg

overcoming procrastination

 Tue 26 Sept 2023

Break Through Procrastination to Get That Tough Project Done

It’s human nature to procrastinate—we all occasionally drag our feet on projects. But putting off a project that’s important (and perhaps not urgent) can be damaging to your career. If you find yourself repeatedly ignoring a particular item on your to-do list, here are five things you can do.

(1) Get clear on the vision. 

Ask yourself or your manager: What, precisely, are you being asked to do? What is the desired output, and how long do you estimate it will take? Getting specific will help you move forward.

(2) Identify concrete steps. 

Speak with colleagues who have done something similar in the past to find out what it took to get the project done.

(3) Take (small) action.

 Identify a task you can accomplish, even if it’s not the most strategic (such as sending an email or fixing the layout on a presentation deck). This can help disrupt your inertia and make it feel easier to return to the task in the future.

(4) Create forcing functions. 

Set up accountability mechanisms for yourself, like scheduling a weekly check-in with your manager or a trusted colleague.

(5) Limit competing distractions. 

Experiment to see what works for you; you might try keeping your phone in another room, using software to limit your access to certain websites, or even working on a computer that’s not connected to the internet.

This tip is adapted from “5 Ways to Actually Move Forward on That Task You’ve Been Avoiding,” by Dorie Clark

Don't try too hard finding a job

 

Need to Find a Job? Stop Looking  So Hard

Being unemployed can be unnerving ! ! But don't try to ease your anxiety by pounding the pavement 40 hours a week. In fact, don't spend more than one or two hours a day looking for a job. Instead, spend your time building relationships and doing things you care about. Most people find work through their networks, not job postings. Go out to lunch with former colleagues, call up old friends, or work on a volunteer basis. The key is to broaden and deepen your network so that people will notice your passion, commitment, and skill. Then they will either hire you, or help you get hired !

Delayed tough feedback

 

JANUARY 9, 2012 Monday

Giving Tough Feedback? Sleep on It

Many people advise that you should give difficult feedback immediately, preferably within 24 hours of an incident. But next time you have to provide constructive criticism, consider sleeping on it first. Your input will be far more effective, and better received, if you aren't feeling agitated. Put some distance between the offending action and the feedback to gain perspective. You may need to calm down over several days. This will give you time to prepare, consider the other's point of view, and deliver the message in a calm and helpful way.

Today's Management Tip was adapted from Guide to Giving Effective Feedback.

Delegation sometimes boomerangs !!

 

DECEMBER 9, 2011 Friday  Don't Let Your Team Delegate Back Have you ever delegated a task to a subordinate, and somehow it ends up back on your plate? Beware of this "reverse delegation." Employees who are unsure how to do something may enlist you in doing it for them. Don't automatically solve problems or make decisions for hesitant employees. Focus on generating alternative solutions together, making sure the employee maintains responsibility for executing. Don't fall for it when a subordinate makes statements like, "You'll do a better job with this." While flattering, and possibly even true, they are often a way to get you involved when you needn't be. Today's Management Tip was adapted from Guide to Project Management.

Leader on remote work

 

JANUARY 9, 2012

If the Boss is a Teleworker, Employees Are Less Satisfied

Workers whose bosses telework from remote locations get less feedback, feel less empowered, and are less satisfied with their jobs than workers whose bosses are on-site, according to a study of more than 11,000 corporate employees by Timothy D. Golden of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Allan Fromen of GfK Custom Research. While the differences are modest—the job-satisfaction average was 2.29 versus 2.36 on a one-to-five scale—they suggest that managers who work away from the office should take steps to counter the negative effects of their work mode, the researchers say.

Source: Does it matter where your manager works? Comparing managerial work mode (traditional, telework, virtual) across subordinate work experiences and outcomes

How to find your career Mojo

 Monday 25 Sept 2023

Discovering Your Purpose

There’s lots of career advice to let your purpose guide your career aspirations. But what if you don’t actually know what your purpose is? Here are steps you can take to sort out what your overarching intention in life should be.

(1) Seek out new experiences.

 Explore your interests by trying out new things. Look for opportunities to meaningfully connect with individuals and communities with different backgrounds, beliefs, and values than yours so you can reflect on what matters to you.

(2) Reflect on your experiences. 

Find positive meaning in the things you do. Ask yourself: How did this experience shape who I am? How did it impact my values and worldviews? The goal here is to gain insight into the aspects of the experiences you’ve most enjoyed, derived meaning from, and want to continue pursuing.

(3) Discuss your life goals and gather feedback.

 Once you’ve done some personal self-reflection, it’s important to discuss your aspirations with friends (not just with a therapist or coach). For example, you might share with your friend: “I’ve been thinking about what I want from life lately and would love to share some of my ideas with someone. Do you have time to talk? I would enjoy learning about your life goals as well.” These conversations can help you see your goals in a new light and articulate your purpose.

This tip is adapted from “How to Find Your Purpose,” by Ayse Yemiscigil, Melis Sena Yılmaz, and Matthew T. Lee

3 qualities of high performing teams

 

Friday 22 Sept 2023

The Elements of a Healthy Team Culture

The culture of a team—the habits and behavioral norms among its members—has a big impact on its performance. Every leader knows they need to build a strong team culture, but what does that actually entail? There are three key elements you need to develop and protect, according to research.

(1) Psychological safety.

 Do team members feel safe expressing themselves, speaking up when they have questions or concerns, disagreeing with each other, and making mistakes? When they do, diverse perspectives emerge and people are more likely to intervene and state their opinions or concerns before errors occur.

(2) Common goals. 

Everyone should understand how their own expertise and responsibilities contribute to the team’s overall performance and its place within the broader organizational context.

(3) Prosocial purpose.

 Knowing the purpose of their work isn’t enough; employees also want to know who their work is serving. When team members know that they’re making a valuable contribution to the world and producing work that positively impacts others, they feel prosocial purpose, which, in turn fuels collective focus and motivation.

This tip is adapted from “What Makes Some Teams High Performing?,” by David Burkus

Delegation in managing large teams

 Monday 23 Oct 2023

When You’re Stretched Thin as a Manager

Do you manage too many people? The more direct reports you have, the harder it is to give each of them individualized support and attention. Here’s how to create systems and processes to help you manage more effectively and make sure everyone feels supported.

(1) First, delegate decision-making responsibilities. Trying to handle everything on your own can slow things down and cause bottlenecks. Instead, empower your team to have agency and autonomy over lower-stakes decisions while you focus on the big-picture, high-level strategy.

(2) Then, leverage the power of groups. Individual autonomy is critical, but it’s not enough on its own. Teams need a culture that encourages everyone to hold each other accountable, give feedback, and learn from each other.

(3) Next, get out of the way. Effective delegation comes down to trust. Once you establish your team’s autonomy, resist the urge to meddle or micromanage.

(4) Finally, be proactive about connecting one-on-one. If you come across as too busy for your employees, you risk making them feel as if they don’t matter. Small check-ins can go a long way.

This tip is adapted from “Do You Manage Too Many People?,” by Rebecca Knight

Collaborating at work ? 3 tips

 

FEBRUARY 29, 2012 Wednesday Get Comfortable with Collaboration We praise collaboration for improving problem solving, increasing creativity, and spurring innovation. Done correctly, it does yield all these benefits. But it can also be scary. Here are three facts you have to accept, and embrace, about collaboration before it can work: You won't know the answer. There's no point in collaborating on a complex problem if you know how to solve it. Be comfortable with ambiguity and accept that you aren't necessarily the expert. Roles will be unclear. Responsibilities are often fluid. Be ready for the role you play to change with each phase of the work. You will fight. If you avoid conflict, nothing will happen. Knowing how to debate tradeoffs between options means knowing how to productively argue. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Eight Dangers of Collaboration" by Nilofer Merchant.

Calling bosses in first name terms

 

DECEMBER 26, 2011 Mon

Skip the Mr. and Mrs.

Forget what your parents taught you, it's not always prudent to use a formal salutation, especially in today's more informal business world. Addressing people by their first name is now the norm in corporate America. Use first names to address colleagues, clients, and bosses. If you are a junior employee, this will level the playing field so that you are perceived as more of an equal. Confidently addressing people by their first names establishes you as mature and self-assured. If you are a seasoned manager, it will convey accessibility. Today's workers see hierarchies as stiff and outdated. Demanding that subordinates use a formal title comes off as pompous. Note that this informality is not the global norm—learn the local customs before you travel.

Today's Management Tip was adapted from "What's in a (First) Name" by Jodi Glickman.

Tech jobs in USA

 

JANUARY 30, 2012 High-Tech Jobs Are No Longer Concentrated on U.S. Coasts The region of Tennessee that includes Nashville had more than 1,000 tech-related job openings in the fourth quarter of 2011, further evidence that technology positions are no longer as concentrated on the U.S. coasts as they once were but are spread throughout the country, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Technology is currently among the nation's strongest job markets. For example, employment at companies providing computer-systems design and related services increased by 60,200 in 2011 to 1,525,100, the firm says. Source: 12-Month Tech Layoffs Sink 21% to 37,038