15 or 50?
These two figures can sound alike when spoken. Say the digits individually: “I’ll need lunch for 15, that’s one-five.”
Year: 2010
Does your office need ‘creatonomy’?
Not everyone in the workplace needs to be innovative. Think about a movie set. For every director, there are hordes of people who must be technically proficient, patient and disciplined about their jobs. If everyone innovates, the project turns chaotic. What the workplace actually needs more of is creatonomy.
Subtract from 1,440
That’s the one finite resource we all share: the number of minutes in a day. So recognize that if you waste five minutes on a phone call or in a meeting, you’re stealing it from something else: your child, your partner or yourself.
Resurrecting the brown-bag lunch
We recently reported that workers are packing their lunches more often. Packing lunch is definitely more affordable. It can also offer a way to lessen your carbon footprint. Laurie Cleary, of Lunchville.com, says “by making small changes, like carrying reusable lunch containers, we can make a big impact in reducing waste.”
Shake that rigid look
Appear comfortable when you’re not by positioning your arms asymmetrically. Example: Place one arm on your armrest and the other in your lap. Symmetrical positions (crossed arms, both arms planted on armrests) tell people you’re rigid and nervous.
Calculation anomalies in Excel® 2007: That darned penny!
If you work with currency data and percentages, you have likely had an argument with that darned penny! You have flawlessly crafted your worksheet, expertly constructed formulas and can’t reconcile the penny that results when your calculations round up.
Should I attend happy hour get-togethers?
Question: “I often feel like an outsider in my office. I am 61 years old, slightly overweight, and have gray hair. All my co-workers are in their 20’s and 30’s. The whole group goes out for “happy hour” once every six weeks. My boss’s boss came up with this idea, and he always attends. I usually avoid these get-togethers, because I don’t feel comfortable with the youngsters. Recently, a good friend said that this is a mistake. She believes my colleagues and managers will think that I’m snubbing them. I had a pretty good time at one happy hour, but I’ve skipped the last two. Do you think I should start going?” — Old & Gray
Pitch your big idea
Jonah’s boss always tells employees to “think outside the box.” But when they do, top executives always turn them down. How can you convince the boss to try your ideas? Start by not selling an innovative big idea. Follow these steps:
Stay alert
Keep your attention from wandering during a meeting by imagining the leader might call on you at any moment to answer a question or to comment.
Admins lead way in community fundraising
“Corporate social responsibility” has become a popular concept and buzzword, driving many companies to reach out to the communities that surround them. Admins often lead those efforts. Example: At Imperial Sugar Company’s sugar refinery, admin Charmaine Ordeneaux recently co-chaired a fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society.