I am the Party Pooper
Mar 21, 2009 Uncategorized
∞ I briefly considered searching for a title-appropriate image for this post, but rejected the idea. I’ve been familiar with the internet for way too long. Why, I’m compelled to ask, do people let themselves get completely plastered and stupid at parties full of their co-workers? If you know the clothes are going to come off [...]In the Good News Department…
Mar 18, 2009 Rewarding Performance
∞ Having gone over horror stories last week, and having been absolutely floored with a fantastic surprise today, I’d like to ask now what your pleasant office surprises have been. I asked one of my management team to give me a new hire for a project today. I needed basic information so I could interpret it [...]IT Likes Me
Mar 17, 2009 Co-workers
∞ I overheard the line “just fix it” used in a conversation with IT today, which reminded me of old private IT jokes. A dubious honor was once bestowed on me, when an IT pro in one of my company’s satellite offices printed out a trouble ticket I’d entered and tacked it to his wall. I [...]We Are Twelve.
Mar 16, 2009 Uncategorized
∞ I have a fun office activity for my readers this week that will require you to develop an interest in birdwatching. Take a moment for your research. I’ll wait. Okay. Now, can you identify a bird when you see one? Great. You have a new hobby. With your new-found interest at heart, personalize your work [...]My Management Brings all the Boys to the Yard
Mar 14, 2009 Employee Relations, Rewarding Performance
∞ And the girls, too. Let’s not have any Title VII rumblings here, thank you. I have enough humility that I’m still amazed by the kind of loyalty people show me in the workplace. The point was made today that I earn it, but still. I always feel awkward when someone passes up a good opportunity [...]Friday the 13th: Office Terror
Mar 13, 2009 Problem Behaviors
∞ With a nod to the calendar, I’d like to share a workplace horror story, and invite you - through comments or links to your own blog posts - to share yours. I once was responsible for a team of people who handled first-line customer contact in a high-risk area for several clients. Our training was [...]Sadistic Manager: Your Business Information Technician
Mar 12, 2009 Uncategorized
∞ Is anyone else as irritated as I am by some of the job titles companies are coming up with? I’ve seen references to research that indicates this is a valuable employee engagement tool, but it still blows my mind. I haven’t seen this research, mind you, which as far as I’m concerned is a [...]Oh. You Mean You Want Good People?
Mar 11, 2009 Interviewing and Hiring
∞ Internal referrals scare me. A lot. There are two reasons for this. The idea behind rewarding referrals is sound - who knows better what’s required to work somewhere than people who already do? The referral programs that come without disclaimers, though, tend to make me head for the hills. I don’t mean the standard line, [...]When You Work for Sybil…
Mar 10, 2009 Dealing with Bosses
∞ A manager friend asked me today what he should do about his new boss. Said new boss has been at the Director level for about two months now. In conversation, he’ll give a directive for something to take place, and a week or so later ask my friend why something was implemented in a certain [...]How to Get a Restful Night’s Sleep
Mar 8, 2009 Miscellaneous
∞ Good thing it’s the weekend. In order to feel fresh each Monday morning, I recommend the following steps: Skip the NyQuil because you’re no longer sicker than two dogs. Stay up for a bit - hey, it’s the weekend - playing around with an addictive new game you bought to treat yourself. Navigate into an area of that [...]
