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Year: 2011

Is cell phone chatter a problem or a symptom?

Question:  “One of my employees frequently takes personal calls on his cell phone. I don’t mind calls for important matters or emergencies, but I often hear him chatting with friends or discussing a business that he operates on the side. My main concern is that his job performance is not acceptable. He always seems to be preoccupied with something other than work. I discussed the issue of personal calls at a company-wide meeting, but he still seems to be receiving them. What would be a tactful way to deal with this problem?”  —K.B.

One in, one out

Cut down on the clutter by adopting the “one in, one out” rule when you create file folders. Once you add a new, active file, find one you can slim down, move to long-term storage or retire altogether.

I just inherited an Excel Workbook. Now what?

Ctrl + ` (Hint: Look for the tilde “~” symbol) This keyboard shortcut reveals all the formulas on a worksheet. Changing cells before you know what they do is always risky. If after you reveal all your formulas, you then format those cells with a certain highlight color, when you turn the reveal feature off […]

Can you be fired for the way you look?

Can employees be fired for being too fat? Can a job candidate who is missing her front teeth be turned down? Is it OK to hire or fire someone because of personal grooming or appearance? Most likely, the answer is yes.

Start that big project

Overcome the fear of starting a daunting project by visualizing yourself doing the task quickly and easily. Negotiate rewards for yourself, such as doing something you enjoy once you’ve knocked out a particular portion of the work, maybe calling a friend or taking a hike.

Administrative Professionals Week

Administrative Professionals Week — FREE downloads  In celebration of Administrative Professionals Week, Administrative Professional Today is offering FREE career-enhancing downloads. Each day this week, we’ll offer a different career-building resource to help you supercharge your productivity and take your office skills to the next level. Subscribers to Administrative Professional Today have access to valuable resources […]

Follow the 3-day rule on to-dos

Transferring to-dos into your calendar will help you make more stra­tegic choices about how to spend your time. But you’re also likely to end up with a handful of to-dos that don’t fit into your calendar. What do you do with them? Use the three-day rule.

Stop ‘space invaders’ with these tips

Sometimes personal space invaders are only looking for a pen and paper and other times they’re just plain annoying. Here’s how fellow Forum readers keep them away: Create  a separate supply station away from your desk; politely inform intruders the information on your desk is private; put up an OUT TO LUNCH sign when eating at your desk.  Other ideas: keep a neat desk, use color-coded files you can quickly shut when you leave your desk, use computer privacy screens or keyboard shortcuts to minimize and hide screens, and arrange furniture so that it is physically awkward for others to get behind your desk.