It might make scents to you
The aroma of jasmine, lemon, peppermint and cinnamon can relieve anxiety and cure drowsiness, say researchers at a Japanese cosmetics company. Lavender, sage and cypress can produce a calming effect.
Curbing profanity in the workplace
Question: “Our top executives use a lot of profanity. Most of us who report to them, both male and female, find this very offensive. During one meeting with hourly workers, some employees even asked them to ‘stop using that kind of language.’ Ironically, these men frequently tell us to treat our employees with respect, yet they seem to have no interest in being more respectful themselves. How can we end this verbal abuse without getting ourselves fired?” — Offended Manager
A fresh perspective
When seeking a solution to an office problem, remember to call on the newest staff members. By being unrestrained by the “how we’ve always done it” mindset, they may point out an option you would have otherwise overlooked.
Dread doing it? 5 ways to nudge yourself
With dreaded tasks hanging over your head, you’ll feel more drained and uneasy than if you just tackle them, says author Gretchen Rubin. Next time you don’t feel like making that phone call or going to the gym, try these strategies:
Stand and deliver
Want to keep a meeting brief? Don’t sit down to talk if you can complete the discussion in the time it would take to ride an elevator to the top of an office building. Standing for a “huddle” with colleagues helps keep the session brief.
Outlook on projects
Large or small, projects need to be managed. Or, quickly, we will find them managing us. Many of us can’t afford or choose not to use robust project management software. Can Microsoft Outlook 2007 be an alternative? You bet! Using Outlook tasks and a view called Timeline can give us the kind of look into our current projects once thought to be available only in expensive project management systems.
It’s ‘Out of Office’ reply season
You’re leaving for vacation, so you dutifully set up the classic “Out of the office, will reply to your message when I get back” e-mail auto-responder. But the auto-reply message doesn’t get rid of the nagging feeling that you’re missing something. Before you go on vacation, set up a custom auto-reply system that will make it easier for you to relax.
Slow your greeting
Don’t be surprised if callers are too stunned or confused to respond when you spurt out your standard greeting when answering the phone. (“ThankyouforcallingXYZCompany.ThisisKathy.HowcanIhelpyou?”) Pause, take a breath and speak slowly so the caller can understand you.
If you must tweet, be smart about it
Not everyone in the workplace needs to be on Twitter—indeed, some workplaces have deemed the social-media tool verboten. But the free messaging tool, used strategically, can be helpful for keeping tabs on your industry.
What’s in a name? Lots
When you complete a conversation, mention the other person’s name, which creates a bond and cements the name to memory. “I’ll reserve that conference room for your meeting right now, Tom.”