How to Protect Your Job in a Stormy Industry

The New York Times 'Career Couch' includes some very topical Q&A. While the questions are targeted at the financial services industry, the advice is broadly applicable.

The bottom line? “Just because financial services is down, don’t believe that there are no opportunities and lose hope in the process,” he said. “It only takes one job. Keep your perspective.”

Read the full Q&A here...

10 ways to survive office politics

TechRepublic author, Calvin Sun, writes: "Office politics will never go away. It’s a fact of company life. However, destructive office politics can demoralize an organization, hamper productivity, and increase turnover. Here are some tips, applicable for both staff and management, on dealing with office politics..."

The article then goes on to list ten suggestions. Here's a summary:

1. Live at peace with others
2. Don’t talk out of school
3. Be helpful
4. Stay away from gossip
5. Stay out of those talk-down-the-boss sessions
6. Be a straight arrow
7. Address the “politics” issue openly when appropriate
8. Document things
9. Set incentives to foster teamwork
10. Set an example for your staff

Read the list in full detail...

Best Corporate Practices 2008

businessweek.com: "Sometimes the difference between the best and worst company policies comes down to one thing: trust. Learn how to use it..."

This is an interesting article. The best stuff is in the 'slideshow' that covers "The 10 Best Corporate Practices, 2008 - A lot of these good ideas have been around for a while. It's time for employers to put them into practice before they lose their best workers..." Here's a summary of the 10 trends:

1. A Real Vacation Policy
2. Spot Bonuses
3. Instant Seniority
4. Community at Work
5. Pooled Sick-Time Banks
6. Customized Benefit Plans
7. Peer Mentoring
8. A Room of Her Own
9. Flex Time and Flex Place
10. Word of Mouth Recruiting

Read the full article...

Trouble at the Office?

Business Week launches special "Business @ Work" report. This is a insightful collection of articles covering topics such as:

• Toxic Bosses: How to Live with the S.O.B.
• Rigid Bureaucracy: Breaking Out of the Box
• Count Results, Not Hours
• Staying Creative: Success on a Shoestring
• Are You Being a Jerk? Again?
• And other great topics
  

Network Your Way to Job Security

getrichslowly.org guest author Brandt Smith shares his perspective on the importance of cultivating your work connections so that you can respond to unexpected changes in your career. His "Seven keys to a strong network" include:

1. Build it before you need it
2. You must make a deposit before you have the right to withdraw
3. Give more than you receive
4. Be open and genuine
5. Follow up and stay in touch
6. The devil is in the details
7. Your network doesn't end with your contact

Read the full article...

(thanks to The Consumerist for this link)

One in three IT staff snoops on colleagues: survey

Reuters: "One in three information technology professionals abuses administrative passwords to access confidential data such as colleagues' salary details, personal emails or board-meeting minutes, according to a survey.

U.S. information security company Cyber-Ark surveyed 300 senior IT professionals, and found that one-third admitted to secretly snooping, while 47 percent said they had accessed information that was not relevant to their role...

(the report) added that seven out of 10 companies rely on outdated and insecure methods to exchange sensitive data, with 35 percent choosing email and 35 percent using couriers, while 4 percent still relied on the postal system."

Read the article
or
Try a legitimate search instead ;-)

Tech's top 10 workspaces

"What makes for an appealing workspace? The envelopes they leave in your mailbox every two weeks. But after that, it comes down to design and amenities..."

Valleywag presents the ten best-looking offices

How to Deal With Bully Bosses

"Do you have a bad manager? Someone who makes your life miserable all week by criticizing your every move? Experts offer their tips on handling bully and toxic bosses...

According to a study by the Employment Law Alliance, almost half of all employees have been targeted by a bully boss.

The study also revealed the following:

• 81 percent of bullies are managers.
• 50 percent of bullies are women and 50 percent are men.
• 84 percent of targets are women.
• 82 percent of targets ultimately lost their job.
• 95 percent of bullying is witnessed."

How to Wake Up with Energy Each Morning

We dedicate this post to Daylight Saving Time. On to the article...

Take Those Numeric Ratings and - Make Them Motivational

about.com: "Do numeric ratings make a contribution in the workplace? Done well, I believe numeric ratings can motivate excellent work performance; done poorly, numeric ratings undermine your positive work environment... these six recommendations set the stage for what makes an appraisal rating system, for employees or non-employees, sound, and potentially - motivational...

1. should be objective rather than subjective;
2. should be job-related or based on job analysis;
3. should be based on behaviors rather than traits;
4. should be within the control of the ratee;
5. should relate to specific functions, not global assessments,
6. should be communicated to the employee."

As the article states "Numeric ratings can have a positive impact on your company". Read the entire article to see other guidelines, as well as common things to avoid.

Already hip to this? Create a Coworkers.com review now

Tip: Fight Your Way to Breakthroughs

behance.com: "Many creative teams believe that their greatest mistakes are made when nobody argues. When you really care about an idea, you are likely to develop an opinion; when multiple people have a strong opinion, you’re bound to disagree - and clash. Your approach to managing the impassioned "fighting" that ensues is a critical factor in your ability to find the best solution. While some people shy away from confrontation, we have found that a healthy dose of tension helps ideas thrive...

In poorly run teams, the person with the most power or experience just makes the call. Or, sometimes people openly disagree and eventually some people become apathetic and give up... Rather than focus on the discomforts of fighting, consider the benefits from opposite perspectives duking it out!" Read on...

This is an interesting perspective. It's important to consider the effectiveness of disagreeing, when balanced against a genuine effort to move an idea forward toward success.

Inc.com: "Are You a Bad Boss?"

From inc.com: "Seven signs that your employees detest you. (By you, of course, we mean some other boss.)"



"There's a reason Dilbert, The Office, and their ilk are so popular. Satire gets old fast, but the appeal of realism endures. And the real world, sadly, is full of lousy bosses. Someone ought to do a study on where these louts come from. Were they abused by their own bosses? Did they toss overboard the ballast of human kindness to hasten the ascent of their career balloons? Or is this an example of absolute power corrupting absolutely? Such research might also demonstrate how ubiquitous miserable managers are. The proliferation of boss-bashing screeds with titles like When You Work for a Bully, Nasty Bosses, and How To Work for an Idiot suggests a plague..."

The article outlines "seven signs that you are a bad boss". Here's our favorite excerpt:

"Sign # 4: Your 360-degree evaluations come back short and full of generically positive comments, with one very mild criticism ("Sometimes she works too damn hard for her own good") thrown in for credibility's sake..."

This is exactly why Coworkers.com Reviews are a more effective solution to providing and receiving unbiased feedback!

"Ask About My Co-Workers" Cartoon

via talentzoo.com: This cartoon by 'Brandtoonist' Gary Kopervas gave us a good chuckle...



Coworkers.com would like to remind you that there are indeed more subtle & informative ways to share your opinion ;-)

"Employers who are not listening to the X & Y -ers are mad!!"

Generation X & Y-ers use technology in different ways, and job searching is no different. Here are the differences between 9 different job seeking methods between the two generations. This blog entry has some interesting data points to back up it's assertion...

Should Employers Block Social Networking Sites?

"A new study out today shows that 43.9% of companies block MySpace, while 25.6% block Facebook. In the early days of social networking, it’s safe to say that most people who were sneaking onto social networking sites during the workday were doing so to goof off. But with companies now using social networks for legitimate purposes (see: Facebook Pages), should employers be restricting usage? The Daily Poll asks..."

Happy Halloween (*subject to certain terms and conditions)

CareerJournal | Beware of Workplace Horrors: Office Halloween Do's and Don'ts: "While some people can't resist the prospect of wearing a costume while performing daily work tasks, others would rather dress for business as usual. And even though the young-at-heart employee might see it as the perfect time to express creativity through an elaborate get-up, it's best to fully consider whether the witty garb is innocuous enough to make every co-worker smile or if some might deem it offensive...

If the office party-planning committee encourages employees to get into the Halloween spirit with a costume, the choice is up to the individual. Just remember this: Scheduled fun at the office is 'professional fun, which is different than when you're out of the office,'..."

So, is Halloween full of fun or stress at your workplace? Know any ghouls who could benefit from a bit of feedback?

Photo credit: Dane Kantner

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.

Holy $#%&! Researchers Say It's Good to Swear at Work!

A new study finds that profanity in the workplace can actually help boost office morale.

"Swearing can help develop and maintain solidarity among workers, as well as relieve stress, according to the study conducted by researchers at the University of East Anglia, based in Norwich, England."

Hmmm, well it seems to work for Gordon Ramsay, but we'll guess it's still a context sensitive issue.

New Feature Coming: Forum!

We have a new Forum feature, not fully rolled-out on the site yet. So, friendly blog reader, please go check it out!

http://www.coworkers.com/forum

Feedback & new forum posts will be greatly appreciated.

7 Tips for Resolving Conflicts Quickly and Peacefully

"Everyone has to deal with difficult people, whether they are argumentative, abusive, stubborn, or combative. The question is, how can you assert your own rights without creating an unnecessary incident?

In most cases, angry people are screaming to be heard. They want to be valued, loved, and listened to. They want to feel important but aren’t able to express themselves constructively. With the right attitude, it’s possible to get past these insecurities and reach an understanding. These 7 strategies will help you setting disputes quickly and peacefully for the benefit of everyone involved..."

See the list at PickTheBrain.com

CareerBuilder.com Survey Reveals How Many Workers Commit Office Taboos

So where do you fall, or might you care to note something interesting about your coworkers?...

via creativepro.com: "Ever wonder why you can't seem to get anything done in the office? It may be because your co-workers are preoccupied with something other than work. 'Workplace Taboos' is a new CareerBuilder.com survey, conducted by Harris Interactive of more than 5,700 workers. The most common workplace taboos that workers admitted to taking part in include:

• Falling asleep at work (45 percent)
• Kissing a co-worker (39 percent)
• Consuming alcoholic beverages while on the job (21 percent)
• Stealing from the office (22 percent)
• Spreading a rumor about a co-worker (22 percent)
• Snooping after hours (18 percent)
• Lying about an academic background (4 percent)
• Taking credit for someone else's work (2 percent)"

Social Networking in Plain English

The work of Common Craft, a NC Video Production Company, has been making the rounds on the web - and for good reason. Their simple demos are very well done - and the sparse, hands-on (put intended) art direction is extremely refreshing! Here's their explanation of social networking. Our only nit, is that they are missing a link at the end of the presentation ;-)

Showing Bad Customers the Door

Inc. - Women in Business: "Conventional wisdom says 'the customer is always right'; entrepreneurial need often compels you to take any client that pays. Living by these beliefs can cause you to overlook or excuse a customer's bad behavior, but when your business begins to suffer, it's time to take a page from Trump's playbook.

Following is a guide to firing those who pay you, including the types of clients to watch out for and some subtle (or not-so-subtle) tactics for letting them go:"

The article goes on to categorize axe-worthy customers into the following categories: The Bad Seed; The Toddler; The Narcissist; The Felon. An interesting read for consultants and other soloists. Don't forget to review your clients and customers as well. You can also look up a prospect on Coworkers.com to see if they might already have been identified as fitting any of the categories above.

Suggested Reading: The No A#*hole Rule

The No A#*hole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't, by Robert I. Sutton.
Based on our last blog entry, I'm sensing a theme here. This will be last A-bomb in a while, we promise.

Whether you are a worker trying to improve your skills at navigating the social intricacies of the workplace, or a higher-level manager trying to keep an eye out for trouble makers, this book may be of interest.

From the publisher: "Sutton then uses in-depth research and analysis to show how managers can eliminate mean-spirited and unproductive behavior (while positively channeling some of the virtues of a#*holes) to generate an a#*hole free—and newly productive—workplace. Enlightening case studies include an analysis of how Google's "don't be evil" maxim helped launch the company to unprecedented early growth, how JetBlue and Southwest Airlines "fire" passengers who demean their employees, and how a "belligerent" e-mail from Cerner CEO Neal Patterson made his company’s stock plunge 22% in three days (and how his graceful apology helped the stock bounce back)..."

A#*h^le driven development

"The software industry might be the world’s greatest breeding ground for new systems of management. From Agile, to Extreme Programming , to Test Driven Development (TDD), the acronyms and frameworks keep piling up. Why?

Some say it’s immaturity: that software is still a young industry and all the change is the path to some true fundamentals. Others say it’s because software people like making things up and can’t help themselves. Well I say this: if we’re going to have dozens of models we may as well have some that are honest, however cynical, to what’s really going on much of the time..."

With terms like "Get Me Promoted Methodology (GMPM)" and "Development By Denial (DBD)" this makes for a funny read.

Don't forget to check out some great additions in the comments...

Managing Generational Differences in the Workplace

fastcompany.com: "Different generations exude various qualities and have differing needs in the work place. Get an insider's tips on how to manage diverse teams by recognizing three fundamental needs that are common across employees of all generations...

I think that, underneath the dazzling differences, three perennial commonalities remain: the desire for fairness, the need to be stretched, and a yearning for community..."

This article attempts to specify the primary qualities of a universally satisfying workplace. The "three key ingredients" outlined in the article - fairness, stretch, and community - seem like pretty good buckets to lump things into. However it would be nice to see more elaboration on issues of: blending of personalities, flexible work schedules, and team communication.

Are you a windbag at work?

Think of someone who's long-winded (we all know such people). Chances are you also think of him or her as boring and self-absorbed. But is it possible people think you are a long-winded Benny Blowhard or Chatty Cathy? The more questions to which you answer yes, the more concerned you should be.

...

Recognize that you'll pay a big price for talking too much at work. You will be held in low esteem and will be less likely to have close friends. Some bigmouths believe it's worth the price -- talking is pleasurable and helps them clarify their thoughts. But you should consciously decide, perhaps on a case-by-case basis, whether it's worth the price.

Now, some remedial advice. Keep saying to yourself, Be concise! As you're talking, ask yourself whether you might be boring your listener. Recognize that you're probably rationalizing that your long stories are interesting. Details and tangents are usually much more fascinating to you than they are to your listener.

...

A rule of thumb. If, in any conversation, you're speaking more than 60% of the time, you're talking too much. Fifty percent is better. Thirty to forty percent is usually best.

Remember: If you care about other people, you'll make them part of the conversation. And if you tend to care more about yourself, know that you'll get further if you trade in your jibber-jabber self for someone who truly listens. Think of it this way: Big talkers learn little. Good listeners learn a lot.

Yes, we all know the guy who simply has to dominate the conversation, and who doesn't know how to pick up on nonverbal cues. Here's a killer product idea: a conference table that comes with a built-in buzzer that tells the loudmouth to zip it!