Category: 1-Minute Strategy

Gain an advantage over job candidates by having a great handshake. In a recent study at the University of Iowa, researchers found that women who had a firm handshake, complete grip and accompanying eye contact, benefited more than men who had the same.

Stay on top of the headlines, even when you’re short on time, by scanning “Today’s Papers” on Slate.com. It gives a concise roundup of the major national newspapers’ front-page stories. You can also have it sent to your inbox daily.

Pitch the idea to your boss, explaining how the change will benefit both him and the company. Then ask him to pilot the idea for 90 days. “Piloting is a great way to test out the new role and show results,” says career coach Maggie Mistal.

Determine which restaurant, manicurist or dry cleaner in any city is worth a visit with Yelp.com. It’s the leading destination for local reviews.

Learn which calls are important enough to put through to your boss, and take messages for the rest. Schedule a time each day for your boss to return missed calls.

Boost productivity by “plotting” the items on your to-do list. Before starting a task, spend the first five minutes creating a  road map. Assign times for each piece of your strategy. Watch the clock while you are working to gauge whether you are staying within your assigned time range.

Cell phone batteries last a little longer if they’re kept cool, so if you keep your phone in a coat pocket near your body, the batteries may run down faster. Try carrying it in your purse or on your belt. Away from home without a charger? Store your phone in the hotel room’s fridge. — […]

Manage conflict within a team with this tactic from Harvard Management Update: When tempers flare, arrange team members in a semicircle around a white board. Put ideas on the board, and then ask team members to ally against the conflict, not each other.

Take responsibility for your own professional development, says Steven DeMaio on HarvardBusiness.org, with this strategy: Set a goal of having one major learning experience each quarter. If work isn’t challenging you enough, seek out a volunteer opportunity or enroll in a class.

Looking to beat procrastination? Try the Swiss cheese technique. Punch holes in a task like it’s a block of cheese. Do a five-minute portion of an important task. Then another five. Anything can be broken down into small doable chunks.