Red Ditto offers "100 Ways How NOT To Run a Business"

Red Ditto is an interesting blog written by a "previous manager" of startups. Topics are varied, and include workplace gems like:

"Mistake # 41: Is there a reason for your employees to discuss their salaries amongst their coworkers?

Mistake #23: Walk in and tell your boss you are worth it (without proven results)

Mistake #13: Evil bosses!" (13 - can't be a coincidence)

Anyway, check out the blog as they count their way up to 100.

Ten Tactics That Could Save Your Online Reputation

via mashable.com: "Andy Beal, co-author of Radically Transparent: Monitoring and Managing Reputations Online and CEO of online reputation monitoring tool Trackur...outlines ten tactics that could prevent your company suffering its own online reputation meltdown..."

Summary:

1. Know your achilles heel
2. Assume everything will make it’s way to the web
3. Create a great online impression; dress to impress!
4. Choose your blog voice carefully
5. Hangout at the right social network
6. Send blogger’s love letters, not PR pitches
7. Build your Google reputation now, not later
8. Monitor your online reputation as often as your email
9. Ostriches are not great role-models
10. Three words to remember

While definitely a promo for his book, this is an insightful article nonetheless.

Building Credibility: 11 Ways to Show You’re a Professional

Here's an interesting article from freelanceswitch.com:

"When it comes down to the wire, your potential clients are trying to figure out which category you fall into: the good or the bad.

So how can you show that you’re an honest and hard-working freelancer? A lot of the time it’s the little things that count the most..."

Here's a summary of their key points:

1. Have an established pricing structure
2. Create a clean and professional brand
3. Pay for a professional telephone service
4. Show Professional Endorsements
5. Proudly display your previous work
6. Proudly display client testimonials and comments
   
7. Dress appropriately for client meetings
8. Always be well-groomed
9. Have lots of detailed information on your website
10. Maintain a confident voice in your industry
11. Always be willing to say no

Of course, you can address points 4 and 6 by Requesting Reviews via Coworkers.com...

Change management is role for human resources professionals

Here's an article with some interesting data about the changing face of HR within the enterprise.

"Change management skills are a key part of the job for most Human Resources practitioners, according to a study (by "Employment Review")...

More than four-fifths (83%) of the HR practitioners taking part said their organisation had undertaken initiatives requiring change management skills in the previous two years, with most reporting multiple change initiatives..."


Read the full article

Always Be Prepared: 5 Tips for Unexpected Job Loss

This is a helpful summary of things to keep in mind as a 21st century worker.

"Whether you’re Joe Torre or Joe Cubicle, your at-will (more aptly, fire-at-will) contract may come to an end unexpectedly. If you’re smart, you may have seen the writing on the wall and given yourself time to prepare. Life isn’t always that obvious, so you should be thinking ahead and protecting yourself. Here are some tips that you can start putting into effect now, particularly if you are not the sole controller of your employment destiny..."

The main points of the article include:

• Keep three to six months in accessible funds.
• Keep your resume and portfolio current.
• Always be networking.
• Get recommendations without asking.
• Study your industry.