Ask three important questions to determine what’s most important
To determine what’s most important, says time management expert Hyrum W. Smith, ask: “Why am I doing this?” “Should I really be doing this?” and “Do I want to do this?”
Double-check email messages
Double-check email messages where the stakes are high by taking this extra proofreading step: Print it out. It’s often easier to spy misspellings or other embarrassing errors when text is in print.
What to do when the boss won’t discipline
Question: Two people in our small office consistently come in late, leave early, and take two hours for lunch. As the human resources manager, I’ve told my boss that we need to put a stop to this, because other employees are starting to complain about unfair treatment. My boss gripes about this tardiness, but if I ask him to confront the employees, he always says “It won’t do any good” or “Maybe we should just get rid of them.” His refusal to deal with performance issues is driving me crazy. What can I do? Frustrated HR Professional
1-Minute Strategies: June ’12
Start each day with a prioritized to-do list, dividing it into A-B-C tasks … Ditch the half-truths, even the little white lies you tell to make someone feel better … Earn respect of senior management by showing the ROI for whatever you’re proposing.
Reap the benefits of belonging
Does joining a professional organization pay real dividends? The answer seems to be a resounding yes—if you truly engage. Many admins told us they belong to the International Association of Administrative Professionals; readers like Robin and Liz have even risen to positions of responsibility within it. Roz chimed in by recommending Toastmasters International. With the […]
Snap a business portrait worthy of framing
Peter Hurley, headshot artist for celebrities and executives, tells The New York Times that the most important element of a good headshot is the eyes.
3 great Excel questions
Some people ask why I keep teaching these applications. “Don’t I get bored?” Not with great questions like these! I solved one of the following questions awhile back for my own use. The other two started out as “I don’t know, let’s see…”
Annoyed? Step away from your keyboard
Remember, any message can be forwarded. Tanya Battel, principal of Elite EAs, warns, “Never use email to complain about someone.”
Create a successful Twitter account
Create a successful Twitter account: Make it 30% conversational comments (using the @ symbol), 30% retweets, 40% interesting opinions or links.
Boost productivity with a smartphone
Does a smartphone make your job more productive and efficient? Is it worth making the switch from a “dumb” phone? The jury is nearly unanimous. Here’s what administrative professionals say: