Did you know that more than 95% of unhappy customers never even tell you they were displeased with the treatment they received? They will, however, tell someone else … who will tell someone else … who will tell someone else.…
Technology is essential to every business. The human-to-technology interface has increased dramatically in the workplace as enhancements in productivity and accessibility of information have been achieved. But at what cost? What society seems to be gaining in terms of knowledge…
While most people believe that they cannot think innovatively or creatively, surprisingly, most people are more creative than they think they are. Gaining insight into creative thinking, problem solving and innovation will help you be more successful in today’s business…
In the world of business, many people see themselves as a product or a commodity to sell, but this is not what personal branding is all about. Personal branding is about taking the cookie-cutter approach to business out of the…
Your work is piling up … everyone wants something different from you … you don’t know how you can possibly do it all and make everyone happy. A majority of the people who don’t have enough time to get things…
It seems like the new mantra of today’s workplace is “we’ve got to be strategic about this.” But, while there’s a lot of lip service proclaiming the virtues of strategic thinking, there isn’t a great deal of understanding of what…
Stephen Covey says it best: “ ‘Seek first to understand’ involves a very deep shift in paradigm. We typically seek first to be understood. Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to…
In business books and articles, the processes of addressing management challenges are described in a linear fashion. They suggest that, given a particular problem or opportunity, following a particular set of prescribed steps will most often result in an optimum…
In this high-tech marketing era, social media is the buzz word du jour. Everywhere you look, there it is. In fact, it’s being hailed as the one-stop resource for making your marketing dreams come true. That’s great if you know…
No matter where you work, you run into people who conceal information from coworkers, albeit sometimes inadvertently. Complete information makes an organization run more smoothly. It saves time. It prevents mistakes and duplication of efforts. It is often critical to…
Overcoming employee resistance to change lies in your leadership abilities, and no one knows better than you how hard it is to get employees to embrace change. Especially when you’re dealing with the frustration, uncertainty, and stress that often come…
Getting a handle on your time and creating an environment where you can work efficiently and effectively is the first step toward overcoming chaos and getting control of your work and life. It starts with taking stock of what you’re…
Clients, supervisors, even coworkers may not even always know they’re doing it — but they’re judging you on your written communication skills. And if you’re consistently missing the mark and letting incorrect word choice, poor writing, or bad grammar slip…
Your boss announces that the company will be adding a mid-level manager to your department and wants to fill the position with “an internal candidate.” You might be thinking you’re a shoo-in. You’ve been there five years, have a great…
Dealing with a new boss can be a stressful and difficult experience. A new face dishing out directives takes some getting used to. It’s hard enough for many of us to accept authority, let alone someone with whom you have…
Conflict with co-workers within your own department is commonplace, and, more often than not, easily resolvable. You spend afternoons sharing domestic anecdotes, trade daily emails, attend weekly team meetings, and generally feel a sense of shared vision, commitment and responsibility.…
You’ve been there before — staring at a blank page in frustration, silently willing the words to come forth to fill up the page with great copy. But for some reason the words won’t come. It’s writer’s block — the…
“ … you are in control of your life. Don’t ever forget that. You are what you are because of the conscious and subconscious choices you have made.” —Barbara Hall Managing multiple projects, objectives and deadlines can be a full-time…
Do you spend way too much time checking and double-checking your work for grammar and spelling errors — and you’re still nervous when it goes out the door? Find grammar rules confusing, frustrating, or just plain boring? When you make…
You approach an employee about a project you delegated to them whose deadline has long passed. You’re definitely OMG-peeved. But, ever the peacemaker, you summon up your inner Buddha to politely ask that they approach the task with a greater…
Are you spending your workday marking off your ‘to-do’ list but feeling like you’re not accomplishing much? Do you practice good time management skills but feel like your work lacks focus? If you want to increase the true payoff from…
You know the feeling: you’re running at top speed, performing at a high level and then suddenly, without warning, your productivity drops. You may find yourself apathetic and uninterested. You’re exhausted and can’t conjure up the energy to perform even…
Nothing affects employee morale more insidiously than persistent workplace negativity. It saps the energy of your organization and diverts critical attention from work and performance. As a manager, supervisor, or team leader, your job depends on identifying causes of negativity…
Success at work demands a high amount of self-confidence. From tackling new projects to building important business connections, believing in yourself puts you at ease and creates a positive energy that draws people to you. In general, we become more…
Weak listening skills cause more workplace errors, confusion, and unnecessary conflicts than any other skill gap! Listening is the most-used communication skill you have. Isn’t it time you gave it a little attention? You know how to listen. But are…
They say that the surest way to never get promoted is to make yourself indispensable in your current position. And while job security in this day and age is nothing to scoff at, recent evidence shows that this old saying…
The sun is shining. A breeze is blowing. Birds are singing. You long to break away from your desk and bask in the sun. Instead, you’re staring down hundreds of e-mails, mountains of work, and the phone is ringing off…
You’re buried at work. And your boss keeps giving you added responsibilities and new projects. On the one hand, it’s great that she’s confident in your work and you’ve become her go-to person. On the other, the thrill is gone.…
All work and no play makes Jack ... look for another job! Games can be great fun and promote healthy cooperation and competition. They’re also a great way to refuel and energize from the daily grind. Use games such as…
Do people and situations at work leave you fuming? Do you sometimes wish you had a better handle on your temper? Have you ever said something in anger that you later wished you could take back? Anger often seems to…
