When you’re ready to put a big idea on the table, you’ll need to be a defender, a supporter and a champion of the idea. Classic example: Spence Silver’s glue that wasn’t so good at sticking. He championed his pet project, and Post-it notes became an office mainstay.
The trouble with that New Year’s resolution to declutter your desk is that it didn’t stick. It’s back to its old cluttered self. “You want to create new habits that last more than a week,” personal coach Miranda Kennet says. Five habits worth adopting:
Fewer employers may be hiring in 2009 (only 14%, compared to 32% last year), but the outlook isn’t entirely grim. Some employers will increase salaries, while others plan to offer flexible work arrangements.
You’re already doing your part to be “green” at the office by printing on both sides of paper, recycling and steering clear of bottled water. Now, what can you do to inspire your less-green co-workers? Tips from Tim Sanders, author of Saving the World at Work:
“Penny Pincher’s Almanac” columnist Gene Marks tells BusinessWeek that for many small businesses, a web page can work just fine: that is, a page with basic, important information, such as contact information and maybe a photo or two.
Travel expenses are on the chopping block at many companies. Three ways to help save money on business travel: Book air travel well in advance or combine several trips into one; ask for the lowest rate when booking a hotel, then ask for one that’s even lower; park cars at off-site lots near airports.
You probably know that a diverse group is likely to yield the most creative work. But you may not realize just how diverse a team should be, particularly if it needs to come up with new, innovative ideas. Your team needs diversity in three areas: job function, age and gender.