“One of the dumbest excuses for screwing up is ‘everyone else does it, it is industry standard,'” says Robert Sutton in his book Good Boss, Bad Boss. “Don’t mindlessly compare yourself to others … the people you imitate might be complete dolts,” he says.
Reach your goals faster by sharing them with others–to a point. Telling someone about a goal can foster accountability, making you more likely to follow through on it. But talking excessively about a goal can actually distract you from reaching it.
Lose your job, and it will take about nine months to get another one, reports The New York Times. You might just shave some time from the process by updating your résumé now. A few tips: Embrace technology; avoid overused words that make you blend in; differentiate yourself by replacing the summary.
Break the ice quickly with a new team by trying this: Ask each person to think of a nickname they’ve had, or one they’d like to have. Tell them to write it on an index card, keeping the name hidden from others. Collect the cards. Read the names one at a time, asking the group […]
Two nifty tools: one that helps business travelers get more done, and one that helps executives get more done by avoiding travel.
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.
The truth is we could all do a better job communicating. Here are four ways to improve any conversation:
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.
Last week, Amy asked for help dealing with a common time-waster: overly-persistent sales people. Forum readers say that you do not have to be rude. Karen advises, “Tell them the boss does not involve himself. Say, ‘We don’t handle sales calls in this office. Let me transfer you to purchasing.'” S. Marie asks them to send a catalog for the conference table. “I also say that we throw out duplicate catalogs. This works every time … and may introduce us to new products. We have found reliable vendors with discount pricing with this tactic.”
Think beyond Evite with these three digital greeting-card sites: Paperless Post, Pingg and Punchbowl.
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