Displaying All Posts from June, 2010

What Browser Are You Using?

Mike Vardy 16th June Productivity Leave a Comment

    How you surf the web can directly impact how productive you are at work – or in general.  We talked about Safari’s latest iteration recently, but there are plenty of options out there to choose from.

    An example of this would be the latest release of Flock, which went into beta testing this past Tuesday.  One of the great aspects of Flock is that you can integrate your social networking profiles from Facebook and Twitter into your browser rather than go to each website or external application.  It now becomes your “one stop shop” to make status updates or check out your latest “tweets” – among other nifty little features.  Its newest version (now built on the open-source Chromium code than previous versions) is only available for Windows right now, but you can sign up at their beta site to find out when it’s going be ready for Mac users.

    While Flock may not be everyone’s cup of tea, everyone does have a browser (or browsers) they prefer to use.  What do you use?  Why?  Let us know in the comments. Click Here to Read Article …

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    Are Traditional Offices Dead?

    Mike Vardy 16th June Office Life Leave a Comment

      Today Seth Godin posted his thoughts on the state of the “traditional office.”

      I hold the man in pretty high regard (he was listed as one of my examples of “really productive people”), and I even took part in this Monday’s Worldwide Linchpin Meetup Day. While not everyone will agree with his ideas, he puts them out there no matter what.

      He raises some really great points, including how one can be more productive if they work from wherever they choose.

      So, do you think the traditional office is dead?  Do you think there’s a place for it in today’s society? Click Here to Read Article …

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      Which OS Do You Use?

      Mike Vardy 16th June Productivity Leave a Comment

        With Microsoft closing in on its Windows XP support end date (and the fallout from the recent Help Centre flaw being broadcast all over the web), PC users are either looking to Windows 7 or sticking with XP “support free” as this transition takes place.  Because we know no one is using Vista, right?

        Macintosh OS (also known as OS X and OS 10) users have been “treated” to a new operating system approximately every two years now.  Linux users are having new “distros” developed at a breakneck pace as it gains popularity – but it is still has the smallest market share out there.  (I’m unaware of any standalone productivity applications developed for the OS – web applications seem to be the only option.  If any of our readers know of any, please enlighten me!)

        With support ending for what was likely the most widely-used operating system, it brings to the forefront the following:

        What OS do you use and why?

        Let us know in the comments. Click Here to Read Article …

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        Leadership 101

        Jason Finnerty 16th June General Leave a Comment

          There are two basic types of leaders; those in a leadership position, and those who lead.  One is called a leader because their title or level of seniority (or authority) says so, while one has a calling to be a leader.

          It’s important to be able to tell the difference between the two. Click Here to Read Article …

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          What’s Your Favorite Work-Themed Movie?

          Susan Johnston 15th June Office Life Leave a Comment

            One of the things I like to do in my spare time is catch up on movies. In an art-imitates-life fashion, there are oodles of office-themed movies in case you haven’t gotten your fix of life in the workplace.

            The classic workplace comedy is, of course, Office Space – which has a huge cult following. But Nine to Five is one of my personal faves (anyone who’s ever had a toxic boss will laugh hysterically at the “kill your boss” fantasy sequence). Then there’s Working Girl, Wall Street, and Clockwatchers.

            What are your favorite workplace movies? Anything else I should add to my NetFlix queue? Click Here to Read Article …

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            Why You Shouldn’t Underpromise and Overdeliver

            Peter North 15th June Communication Leave a Comment

              “Underpromise and overdeliver.”

              Have you ever heard this brief bit of business philosophy at work? It has to do with consciously managing the expectations of your clients and customers. The idea is that you set a comfortable scope and timeline for your service, and then “wow” them by delivering the results ahead of time and under budget.

              The question is: Is it a good way to build relationships with your customers?

              While the short-term results of “underpromising and overdelivering” look great, your clients might come to always expect super-fast, super-cheap work from you. Suddenly, the whole “managing expectations” idea backfires completely; your client has learned to set them very high, and raise them each time you exceed your own self-set expectations.  You’re caught up in a mess that you created.

              It’s not such a good idea to underpromise, overpromise, or – perhaps – make promises at all. To use another common work expression; maybe “honesty is the best policy.”

              What do you think? Click Here to Read Article …

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              Musical Motivation

              Mike Vardy 15th June Productivity Leave a Comment

                “I love rock ‘n roll” – Joan Jett

                I hear you, Joan.

                Not everyone loves rock ‘n roll, but I do.  Actually, my musical tastes range from jazz to rock to classical and several genres in between.  It all depends on the mood.  If I’m driving down the highway, I’ll pull out a great rock tune and if I’m curled up with a good book I’ll throw on some light jazz or classical.  My tastes seem to have me covered.

                When I’m trying to get stuff done, I need the same kind of motivational kickstart.  Rock will do it sometimes, classical another.  Sometimes silence is my muse’s best friend.  Music can play an integral part in how my day goes.

                What about you?  Does music get you moving? What kind of music?  What artists?  Let us know in the comments. Click Here to Read Article …

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                Put the Sleeper Hold on Boring Meetings

                Joe Taylor Jr. 15th June General Leave a Comment

                  Productivity gurus love to pick on lame meetings.

                  But let’s be realistic…even top creative professionals have to endure meetings with clients or with project teams. Taking ownership of your work means taking responsibility for the quality of your meetings. Click Here to Read Article …

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