Displaying All Posts from August, 2010

7 Green Office Tips Your Company Can Implement

“Going green” is a very popular phrase these days. Companies are going out of their way to ensure that they are considered a green company – and many initiatives are being spearheaded by the employees themselves. My company is no different. Over the past year or so, there have been a number of steps that have been taken to reduce my company’s carbon footprint. Here is a list of green office tips that we’ve actually implemented at my company. Click Here to Read Article …

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The Best Professional Advice You Ever Received

Throughout our careers, we accumulate a wealth of professional advice. These are the words that echo in our heads during our most challenging moments and help shape us into the professionals we want to be. They are the reminders we tack to our wall to glance at when we need inspiration or a push over the finish line. They are the signposts we turn to when faced with a tough decision about what to do or where to go next.

This wisdom can come from unexpected sources—a mentor (like a manager or professor), a relative, a friend, maybe even a client or an employee. Maybe it’s a reminder to trust your gut, or a warning against making promises you can’t keep. Perhaps it’s a charge to always put family first, or to always hire someone smarter than you.

What is the best professional advice you ever received? And where did it come from? Click Here to Read Article …

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5 Reasons to Practice Timeboxing

Timeboxing is a time management technique that limits the time during which a task (or set of tasks) is accomplished. Although it’s commonly used by software development teams, more and more individuals (designers, writers, engineers — even students) are using it to boost personal productivity. Why? Here are five good reasons.
Click Here to Read Article …

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Are You Sent on Solo Runs with Mission Critical Objectives?

Pilots are often sent on long solo missions with no guidance or assistance along the way. They are given an objective and a “blue sky” plan; anything unexpected is the problem of the pilot alone. Despite the importance of the mission, there is nobody on board to share the stress that comes with “mission critical” tasks. Sometimes it’s hard to stay in the air with the gravity of heavy responsibility pulling at your wings, but the faith that’s been placed in your abilities can be very uplifting.

Solo pilots must be as vigilant of their resources – fuel, oxygen, time – as they are of potential obstacles. Stormy weather, reroutes or faulty equipment can instantly turn dealing with a  straightforward mission into dealing with the impossible.

Does your work ever send you on a long, solo run with “mission critical” objectives? Does the lack of colleague camaraderie ever make the air feel thin? Would you welcome a solo flight as a testament to your skills and reliability, or would you find yourself reaching for the ejection handle? Click Here to Read Article …

Friend or Faux: How Do You Pick Your Friends on Social Networks?

Do you want to be my friend? Or my follower? Or whatever it is we call each other on this social network? I know we don’t know each other…but that shouldn’t stop you from making me one of your 1,742 friends.

To be honest, I’m kind of shy when I get friends requests. I generally don’t connect when I don’t know someone. Here are some rules of engagement on my social networks:

  • Foursquare: Absolutely no way if I don’t know you. Because I let people know where I’m hanging out, it seems a little to personal to notify complete strangers.
  • Facebook: Again, I want to know my friends. There are some casual acquaintances in the list. But they are people who I want to know better.
  • LinkedIn: If we haven’t met, then I want to get to know you better. This is purely professional.
  • Twitter: Anyone can follow me. And I follow people who interest me. I share a lot of information via Twitter because I see it as a publishing platform rather than a social network. Feel free to follow me.

This is what works for me, my comfort level and promotional needs. You may need to be friendlier or more restrictive. The important thing is that you have a strategy.

How do you choose your friends on social networks? Click Here to Read Article …

How to Make a Brochure on Microsoft Word 2007

Microsoft Word 2007 (a.k.a. Word 7) offers a variety of brochure templates, but what if you quickly want to create your own?  This tutorial gives a thorough walkthrough on how to do just that. Click Here to Read Article …

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5 Streaming Sound and Music Sites for Work

When we asked last week whether or not you need music at work, many of you responded in favor. Some mentioned that music lets you create a zone and focus more on what you are doing. In fact, there are many theories in support of that – like the so-called “Mozart effect”.

If you just can’t work with music on, you might want to try streaming sounds of different types to see if they have a positive effect on your focus and overall productivity. Check out the following tools if you intend to give it a shot. Click Here to Read Article …

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Are You Getting Paid Enough? Do a Salary Comparison

Sure, it sounds like the start of a hokey pyramid scheme – but unless your office is very transparent about salaries, it’s hard to know if you are in the top, middle, or bottom of what you should be earning.

Money isn’t everything, and you’ve been able to help your company through the economic downturn.  Are you curious to find out if you are being valued appropriately by your current employer?

Here’s a list of salary comparison links that might help you get an idea of what you are, or should be, earning:
Click Here to Read Article …

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