Cliques in the workplace extend well beyond who sits with whom in the lunchroom. These informal but tightly knit circles often hold the information and influence that make offices hum. Knowing how to maneuver among them can spin your career to new heights.
Answer the question “What do you want?” or “What should I know?” in the first sentence of your memo, report, e-mail or other piece of business writing, and your time-strapped, information-overloaded readers will see you as a hero.
Several readers recently asked us about the use of semicolons versus commas in a complex sentence.
A well-crafted task list allows you to focus your full attention on the most important matters without worrying that something will “fall through the cracks.”
People who interrupt when you speak don’t simply annoy; they block your ideas and opinions. Exert authority with these techniques
Casual. Corporate casual. Business casual. Smart casual. Resort casual. Don’t leave meeting attendees baffled about your event’s dress code. Explain what you mean by "business casual" or "corporate casual," etc. with examples of appropriate attire.
Standardized replies save you time but can cost you good will. Create templates and common paragraphs that you can pop into an e-mail or letter, then easily personalize. Use these shortcuts:
When executives don’t know how to work with the administrative staff, chaos and stress result. The boss hands you a job with unrealistic timelines, and your first thought is, “Are you crazy?”
If co-workers’ bad attitudes create tension, protect yourself from those office toxins.
Generic e-mail subjects aren’t just inefficient and confusing; they put your message at risk.