Do Business Well

First, their feedback was constant. They varied the frequency according to the preferences or the needs of the individual employee. But whether the meetings happened for twenty minutes every month or for an hour every quarter, these performance feedback meetings were, nonetheless, a constant part of their interaction with each employee throughoutthe year. How much of a time commitment did this represent? According to the managers in Gallup’s study, the total time spent discussing each employee’s style and performance was roughly four hours per employee per year. And as one front-line supervisor said, “If you can’t spend four hours a year with each of your people, then you’ve either got too many people, or you shouldn’t be a manager.” Continue Reading »

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How can the manager help? In the new career, the employee is the star. It is his responsibility to take control of his career. It is his responsibility to look in the mirror and make sound choices based upon what he discovers. But what role should the manager play? She is no longer the gatekeeper, picking and choosing from among the most attractive, the most skilled, the most experienced supplicants. What is her role? Continue Reading »

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Personal needs at work

• Do you prefer to work in a small business, a large organisation, or on your own?
• Do you enjoy initiating new developments and seeing them fulfilled in your work?
• How important are workplace friendships? Do you rely upon these daily contacts to provide interest and stimulation to your work day?
• Are you competitive? Do you like pushing yourself and comparing your achievements with others?
• Are you a creative person who needs to express yourself frequently in your work?
• Do you see yourself as a leader? Do you enjoy exercising control over your situation at work and delegating responsibilities to others?
• What sorts of rewards are important to you? High salary; status in the job title; fringe benefits (car, expenses); long-term security etc.
• How willing are you to take risks, to try even though you know there is a considerable chance of failure?
• Do you prefer to work: inside or outside; with people, ideas, or equipment?

Continue Reading »

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One of the most traumatic experiences for any worker is to get dismissed. No matter how gently the news might be given, losing one’s job is still a major loss experience. If your work has not been satisfactory and you have had at least one warning meeting with your boss, then the dismissal message might not be a surprise. However, the news is seldom cheerfully received.

The immediate emotional response to being dismissed might be any of the following: anger; numbness; denial; or perhaps even apathy. Whatever your response, you will want to summon your practical senses. Continue Reading »

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Overcoming our fears means that any dilemmas that may arise in our lives disappear, as situations are perceived differently. Once again, however, what in truth is simple is often difficult to accept. The situations that each of us creates by our fears should be viewed as blessings, each with a role to play. All bring us the same opportunity to learn to release our fears and allow love to emerge in their place.

Each time you confront and conquer your fears you are allowing your true conscience to grow in influence. In doing so you avoid failures and, indeed, view any setbacks as valuable lessons when encountered. People with high self-esteem and no fears about their own worth are excellent people to work for and with. Continue Reading »

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What greeted you when you arrived in your office this morning? Those reports, notes, letters and memos that I just have been discussing. By the time you have waded through it all, it’s nearly lunch break.

Did you know that the average person spends 45 minutes a day aimlessly searching for something lost on a desk? Moreover, an untidy desk may well cost you a contract, a new client or a project missed because you fail to react soon enough.

How did you fare? Did you find that you’re losing the battle? If so, you will need to implement all the ideas below to get on top of things. Continue Reading »

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• Plan your letter in rough. Note down, in logical sequence, all the points you want to cover.
• Use the correct name, title and address of the recipient. Check the spelling of names and quote the reference if you are replying to a letter.
• Write simply, clearly and concisely. Leave no room for any doubt as to what you mean. Give all details. Answer all questions.
• Divide the letter into paragraphs, each dealing with one point only.
• Make sure that your tone is appropriate for both the situation and the recipient. Be courteous at all costs. Don’t accuse, nag, talk down, preach or brag.
• Read your letter aloud to yourself. Does it sound polite? Should you cut, prune or rewrite sections?

Continue Reading »

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Have you ever postponed a pressing written communication — a letter, memo or report — until the very last moment? I have. Talk, which comes so effortlessly, is so much harder to commit to paper.

Even writing the briefest thank-you note is often a painful and time- consuming process. The result is that you keep postponing the arduous task.

Yet written communication, together with interpersonal and public communication, is an essential part of organisational life. Writing a report at the end of a project, drawing up a proposal tendering goods or services or writing an appraisal of a colleague’s work may be your most important task today. Continue Reading »

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At most meetings you will be a participant rather than an official. How can you be a more effective contributor? Here are eight basic techniques:

1. Prepare yourself

Diarise the date, time and venue. Arrive for the meeting in time to choose a power seat — right next to or opposite the chairperson. In this way you will have direct eye contact with all the members.

Prepare thoroughly for your meetings by taking time to read the relevant documentation, the agenda and the pre-planner.

Do background research so that you can make points and ask questions. Anticipate likely questions. Be aware of the personality types of other participants. Continue Reading »

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It can happen anytime. You get up in the morning and the prospect of going to the office doesn’t stir your juices. Sometimes it occurs because of a specific issue or job that must be handled that day. Other times, it may be the weather, the business climate, or a simple matter of body chemistry being out of whack. These problems are generally short-lived, and don’t require much in the way of remedial action.

However, there are instances where the problems are more deep-seated. Possibly you don’t feel like going to work almost all the time. You’ve concluded that your feelings aren’t related to the type of work you’ve chosen. You’ve also ruled out other aspects of your life such as marital problems or a general emotional disorder. Continue Reading »

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