The NUS MBA Programme transforms students to become Global Business Leaders by offering the Best of the East and West in management training.
Royal Holloway Business School, University of London, UK
Royal Holloway Business School,MSc, University of London, UK
Colombia Business School
Columbia Business School's Dean Glenn Hubbard sings about wanting Alan Greenspan's job that went instead to New Fed Chair Ben Bernanke.
Business School Tips - A look at SmartMoney magazine
This is an introduction to the different types of Business Magazines that are commonly read like Forbes, Fortune, The Economist, and Business Week. Find out which one is best suited to your reading needs. In this clip we look at SmartMoney magazine.
Columbia Business School
An overivew of the Columbia University Business School Master Class program
Cultural Show at Said Business School
Cultural Show at Said University of Oxford. Photos from the cultural show organized by 2006-2007 students community.
Visiting IE Business School
In April 2007 I went to Madrid to meet some alumni responsible for Alumni Clubs around the world. I decided to film parts of the school to publish here because many people ask me about IE in my country. By the way, I put Billy Paul singing "Your Song" in the back.
Visiting IE Business School
In April 2007 I went to Madrid to meet some alumni responsible for Alumni Clubs around the world. I decided to film parts of the school to publish here because many people ask me about IE in my country. By the way, I put Billy Paul singing "Your Song" in the back.
Work Experience that Works for Business School
Most MBA applicants have a good amount of work experience before they enroll. The bschooltalk panel of business school admissions experts answers the question, "Is there a certain kind of work experience needed to be successful in business school?"
Oxford MBA Said Business School
Some of the sweet memories from Hilary Term at Said Business School. Enjoy the show... Cheers!!!
International Business School, Budapest, Hungary
International Business School Budapest. A short introduction of the International Business School (IBS) Budapest, Hungary.
International Business School Interview
This is an interview with a student from IBS! For more information, go to www.ibs-b.hu
Difference between a CV and a Resume
This clip looks at the difference between a CV or curriculum vitae and a Resume, which most people use interchangeably.
Aston Business School
Aston Business School is consistently ranked in the top 10 of UK Business Schools by the Times. We are one of only 27 Business Schools in the world to have achieved triple accreditation with independent business authorities (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA).
We offer a full range of business programmes from broad-based subjects to specialist business degrees. Many of our students choose to go on an integrated placement year in the UK or abroad.
Aston Business School graduates are highly sought after. 84% go straight into graduate level employment, against a UK average of 57% for UK business programmes.
We offer a full range of business programmes from broad-based subjects to specialist business degrees. Many of our students choose to go on an integrated placement year in the UK or abroad.
Aston Business School graduates are highly sought after. 84% go straight into graduate level employment, against a UK average of 57% for UK business programmes.
University of Glamorgan, Business School
Perla is a twenty year old student from the University of Glamorgan.
Listen to Perla explain why taking one of our Business Excellence courses at the University of Glamorgan was the best move she ever made.
Glamorgan Business School is the largest business school in Wales and is part of the University of Glamorgan.
Listen to Perla explain why taking one of our Business Excellence courses at the University of Glamorgan was the best move she ever made.
Glamorgan Business School is the largest business school in Wales and is part of the University of Glamorgan.
HEC Montréal - Canada's top business school
HEC Montréal, Canada's top business school.
Visit our web site www.hec.ca/en.
Visit our web site www.hec.ca/en.
Leicester Business School
Leicester Business School provides leading-edge business and management education, combining teaching and research excellence with a strong professional focus. Over 4,000 students and 150 academic staff make Leicester Business School one of the larger providers of business and management education in the United Kingdom.
Business School Tips - 4 P's of Marketing
This clip looks at a basic topic in the world of Marketing which is known as the "4 P's"
Business School Tips
A look at Forbes Magazine in the guide to business magazines and which one you're best suited to read.
CEU Business School: Why MBA
CEU Business School Open House, Bucharest, October 9, 2007
Paul Garrison, Dean and Managing Director of Central European University Business School (Budapest, Hungary) on business education at CEU Business School Open House event for prospective students in Bucharest, on October 9, 2007.
The Bucharest branch of CEU Business School offers a 2-year Weekend MBA program.
Paul Garrison, Dean and Managing Director of Central European University Business School (Budapest, Hungary) on business education at CEU Business School Open House event for prospective students in Bucharest, on October 9, 2007.
The Bucharest branch of CEU Business School offers a 2-year Weekend MBA program.
Business School Tips
A look at The Economist Magazine in the guide to business magazines and which one you're best suited to read. See more business school tips at www.WatchMojo.com!
London Business School
London Business School
CNN Advertisement for Executive MBA Programme
Professor Rob Goffee
"Why should anyone be led by you?"
CNN Advertisement for Executive MBA Programme
Professor Rob Goffee
"Why should anyone be led by you?"
Tanaka Business School
Held from 12 - 14 July, the Reunion was the first event of its kind, bringing together alumni and friends of the School from across the years and around the globe. Over 150 alumni, faculty and guests attended the various reunion activities held over the three days to celebrate their part in making Tanaka Business School the world class entity it is today.
Neeley School of Business at TCU
Personal. Connected. Real. That's the nationally ranked Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University (TCU), located in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. High functioning classrooms and personal career development give students the platform to succeed. Renowned faculty, corporations and executives connect to share winning business practices. Students work for real clients to solve critical challenges. Neeley is consistently recognized as a premier business school by The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Forbes, Fortune, US News & World Report and The Princeton Review. From skills and strategies to team dynamics and global expeditions, we make sure Neeley graduates are trailblazing business leaders -- each in their own individual way. Visit www.neeley.tcu.edu.
Neeley School of Business at TCU
Personal. Connected. Real. That's the nationally ranked Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University (TCU), located in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. High functioning classrooms and personal career development give students the platform to succeed. Renowned faculty, corporations and executives connect to share winning business practices. Students work for real clients to solve critical challenges. Neeley is consistently recognized as a premier business school by The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Forbes, Fortune, US News & World Report and The Princeton Review. From skills and strategies to team dynamics and global expeditions, we make sure Neeley graduates are trailblazing business leaders -- each in their own individual way. Visit www.neeley.tcu.edu.
Oxford University MBA - Studying at Saïd Business School
Oxford University is the oldest university in the English speaking world and has been educating world changing leaders for over 800 years.
Find out more about our MBA programme taught within the Saïd Business School.
Find out more about our MBA programme taught within the Saïd Business School.
Business School For Entrepreneurs - Part 3
Robert focuses more on the B-I Triangle and the CASHFLOW Quadrant and why he wants to be on the B and I side of the quadrant as opposed to the E and S side.
Business School for Entrepreneurs - Part 2
Robert goes further into detail on the CASHFLOW Quadrant and the B-I Triangle and how the students at the event 30 April to 2 May will learn how to build a brand.
Business School for Entrepreneurs
Robert explains what he has in store for the students at the Business School event at the end of April.
Business School Tips - A look at Fortune magazine
This is an introduction to the different types of Business Magazines that are commonly read like Forbes, Fortune, The Economist, and Business Week. Find out which one is best suited to your reading needs. In this clip we look at Fortune magazine.
Ways to Deal Office Politics
Playing politics the right way can have a tremendous impact on your career.
Q. In your consulting work, do you often find that "politics" has gotten a bad name?
The first step is to figure out how success is measured in your organization. This might sound obvious, but when we poll people in companies, we find that they often don't know exactly what makes someone successful -- or not -- whether it's generating revenues, or delivering excellent customer service, or any number of things. But once you have analyzed what is really valued by the organization, you can start to align what you're doing with that.
Then, take a good look at the prevailing management style. How does your style fit in? If the power brokers in the company all have a very autocratic style, and yours is more consensus-driven, or vice versa, try to adapt your style. But do it in small steps. Trying to suddenly act in a way that is totally out of character for you is likely to backfire.
Q. Besides how success is measured, what else do you find many people don't know about their company's power structure?A. How much risk is tolerated, and what happens if you try something new and fail. This is crucial, yet many people don't take it into account ahead of time.
Let's say you work for an entrepreneurial organization where people are expected to make decisions quickly and rely a great deal on their intuition. If you're a very analytical person who has to dot every "i" and cross every "t" before you can reach a decision, you'll probably miss the boat. And the reverse is true as well. If you want to achieve influence in the organization, you have to be operating on the same wavelength as the people who have power.
You also need to know what the consequences will be if you take a risk and it doesn't work out. Will you get a slap on the wrist, or be ostracized for a while and then forgiven, or will you be fired? If it's the latter, you might decide to take a calculated risk anyway, but you won't be blindsided by the result.
Q. What's the most common mistake people make in trying to increase their own influence?
A. One very common mistake is, aligning themselves too closely with any one group or faction -- which has the effect of needlessly alienating other factions. Try to find a variety of benefits in a wide range of alliances. One sure way to build your influence is to learn how to work with your opponents and find areas of mutual interest and agreement. In my consulting practice, I've seen people really try to understand an "enemy's" position, and end up changing their own views as a result. That's very powerful. It shows that you're confident enough to be flexible.
Q. What if you do all these things -- analyze what the organization defines as "success," adapt your style to the prevailing style, understand the risk tolerance, and so on -- and you decide you're in the wrong place? Does that happen much?
A. Yes, and at that point I've seen people leave one organization and go to another one where they have a better chance of achieving real influence without having to change their entire personality. As a psychologist I can tell you, everyone can adapt to some extent, but people's essential personalities do not change.
So if you find yourself in a situation where you are struggling to connect to the power structure and build influence, but you just don't fit in well enough -- especially if what is expected is an affront to your sense of integrity -- maybe you don't belong there.
You have to be authentic. The cardinal rule of good politics is: If it isn't really you, don't do it.
The Cocktail Strategy for Career Success
The Secret Is All About How You Mix ItChristina Couch, ClassesUSA
Christina Couch, ClassesUSA
In today's competitive job market, maintaining an edge means more than getting a degree from a prestigious institution. It's all about integrating areas of study to become a multi-talented worker, say experts.
To gain a professional leg-up on the competition, employers are seeking workers that are proficient in a variety of disciplines.
Job-Market Shakers
"The job market has changed dramatically in the past 10 years," comments Sheila Curran, executive director of the Duke University Career Center and co-author of "Smart Moves for Liberal Arts Grads: Finding a Path to Your Perfect Career" (Ten Speed Press, 2006). "The skills workers are required to have today are ones that are going to prepare them for a lifetime of changing jobs."
Citing a recent Duke University study which shows that 43% of the school's graduates change career paths less than five years after turning the tassel, Curran says that having a multifaceted background -- one that develops skill sets in several areas -- is crucial in a marketplace marked by waning loyalty on both the part of employer and employee.
The Key Ingredient: Versatility
Billy Hinton, director of production for HKS Inc., the fourth largest architecture firm in the nation, agrees, stating that among of the firm's top employees are those who have a graduate degree in architecture as well as experience in an alternate subject.
"Those applicants are more versatile," he states. "We have one employee with an undergraduate degree in bioscience; when she switched to architecture, she decided she wanted to work in health care facilities. The diversity of her background is a big bonus for us."
Though double-degree programs in everything from globalized business to bioinformatics are springing up at colleges across the country, Curran confesses that workers don't necessarily need an official integrated degree to be well rounded.
Ways to Keep Mixing It Up
Here are a few tips on how to become a multi-skilled employee:
- Take on new projects -- Want to become more valuable to the company, meet new people, and get in good with the boss all without leaving the office? Spearhead a company initiative. Whether it's a work-related project or simply organizing a company bowling trip, volunteering for new projects will give you the chance to test your chops in chartered territory.
- Hit the books -- An easy way to build on or refine your existing skill set is to return to the classroom. Today it's easier than ever. Thanks to night, weekend, and online degree programs, as well as the sharp increase in employer tuition reimbursement programs over the past few years, working adults have myriad opportunities to tack another line onto their resume.
- Get a job -- A volunteer one, that is. Besides learning new skills, a volunteer job will also help expand your network of contacts, giving you ample chances to meet new clients, rub shoulders with future bosses, and learn about upcoming opportunities.
Title: Suggestions to deal with Offshore Development Projects
Summary: Simple tips that can make you Offshore Development Projects successful as well make you much more confident while pitching for a sale with Clients.
- Do not accept a team just because it’s ready. Build the team yourself.
- Put every candidate through at least the same vigorous interview process as you practice with your local candidates.
- Before leaving, make sure you plan what your team will be working on tomorrow.
- Try to use offshore teams for fixed-price projects only. This will allow you to better predict the final cost of the project.
- Fixed-price projects require more work from your side during the initiation of the project – you’ll have to actually take the time and think what you are planning to develop, create a functional specification that reflects the final product.
- Do not use the same team on the new project just because you’ve worked with these people. Their technical skills may not match your new requirements.
- When you give an assignment, make sure that the other side understood exactly what had to be done and by when. You may get the “Yes, Sir” answer, but when the delivery time comes, you’ll realize the other party did not even understand what had to be done.
If your outsourced project failed, and you are trying to find who to blame for it, look in the mirror. Do not blame the offshore team.
About the Author
xyg is a Project Lead consultant working with a . He has authored few articles about offshore projects.
Talking About Sports at Work
The fact that sports has its own daily section in every major newspaper -- unlike travel, fashion, automobiles, and other popular subjects -- tells you something about its significance in our society. This popularity and prominence make sports an ideal icebreaker in many business settings, especially when peers are unaware of any other common ground.
Most business professionals follow some aspect of sports closely, and they're passionate about it. But if you're not one of those people, you're likely to be perceived as out of the loop if you don't know who won the World Series or the Super Bowl.
With a little effort, you can change this situation and get back in the game.
Know the Score
Becoming interested in sports can be exciting and invigorating. Plus, learning about sports allows you the opportunity to understand a variety of games, businesses, and passions. It connects you to people's interests while also helping you to develop new hobbies and interests of your own.
Jump-start your own game plan by developing a baseline level of sports knowledge so that you can talk the talk and get started. If a new colleague says he's from Massachusetts, you can hit it off with him by asking if he's a Red Sox fan. Similarly, if your local team is in the NBA play-offs, there's no excuse not to be able to share in this excitement.
Master the Basics
To ace the essentials of asking about a colleague's interest in sports without getting bogged down in details, keep up with both local teams and national events:
Get to know your home turf. Make a habit of reading headlines in the sports pages every day or tuning in to the sports segment of your local television or radio news to learn how your local teams are performing. Be able to name the football, basketball, and hockey teams in your area in case you're asked about them. In addition to knowing the star players, as a businessperson you'll want to pay particular attention to leadership challenges or changes in team ownership and coaching staffs.
Pay attention to the big leagues. There is a handful of world and national sporting events that capture the headlines and the interest of our country. Among the most important to follow: the Super Bowl, the World Series, the NBA finals, the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, the Masters, the Stanley Cup, and the Kentucky Derby. Focus on top performers and any ensuing controversial calls.
While familiarity with these events requires dedicated effort, the payoff can be enormous in terms of forging meaningful business relationships.
Enjoy the Spoils of Victory
Knowledge of sports gives you plenty of ways to grease the conversational wheels, and you'll earn the respect of new colleagues, especially the men, when you ask about their favorite teams. You'll also feel better connected to individuals who are complete sports fanatics.
And the sporting world just might gain a brand-new fan when you discover that it can actually be fun and enjoyable.
Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women For Hire and the workplace contributor on ABC's "Good Morning
The opinions expressed in this column are solely the author's.
Make the Most of the Holiday Work Party
Naughty and Nice Behaviors to Watch Out For
Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs
For an event that's supposed to be fun, the annual holiday office party can sometimes be a tightrope walk between festive and fear-inducing.
If you worry that you're being observed for your behavior, you're not being paranoid. You are being watched. But business etiquette experts agree that a degree of party-going savvy can get you through the evening with your professional reputation intact, and may even give you a career boost.
What's Naughty
To make the most of the office party, experts strongly discourage:
Drinking to excess. "We all know alcohol lowers your inhibitions," says Randall Hansen, founder and president of Quintessential careers. "And if you imbibe too much you might find yourself telling off the boss or pulling a co-worker under the mistletoe."
Pulling anyone under the mistletoe. Flirting, or worse, sneaking off for a tryst, guarantees that you'll be part of the office gossip mill at least until the summer office picnic.
Fashion experimentation. Keep the low-cut, leopard-skin dress at home. "Remember that the office party is still business, so it not the time to bring your wild side out," according to business etiquette expert Hilka Klinkenberg. In general, if your outfit would be out of place on casual Friday, it probably wouldn't be appropriate at the party.
Gifting. Unless you bring (appropriate) gifts for everyone, some co-workers are bound to feel left out.
Bringing guests. If the invitation isn't specific on who's invited -- including spouses, significant others, children, and pets -- either don't bring them, or check it out with the event planner.
What's Nice
If navigating the holiday party minefield is daunting, go anyway, experts say. "It will show you're a part of the team, and if you're absent it will be noticed," Klinkenberg says.
To make the most out of the event, use it to network. For the rules of the holiday schmooze, etiquette experts suggest:
Mix and mingle. "You want to show you're good with people and confident in social situations, which is especially important if your job involves a lot of human interaction," according to Cynthia Lett, owner of the Lett Group. "This may be the one time when higher-ups in the company see your social skills, and a positive performance may give them enough ammo to recommend you when the promotion comes up."
Keep it light. “It's OK to talk about your team's accomplishments, but don't bore everyone by bragging about your own," says Andrea R. Nierenberg, networking expert and president of the Nierenberg Group. Likewise, don't monopolize anyone's time with a complex dissertation of corporate strategy. Nierenberg suggests having a list of "small talk" topics in mind, or going to a company's website press page to find lighter, business-relevant conversation starters.
Have an exit strategy. Knowing when to politely excuse yourself from a conversation and when to leave the party are two critical party-going skills. "You should instinctively know when it's right to move on to the next person, but when in doubt spend no more than seven minutes talking to someone," Nierenberg says. As for the amount of face time to spend, you don't have to stay the whole time, but a quick exit will be noticed. Conversely, don't stay until the bitter end; it may give the impression you're more party animal than professional.
Be courteous. It's always a good idea to thank your party planner, and, especially if it's at a private residence, the host.
'I Hate My Job -- Now What?!'
Whether it's a nightmare boss, a stagnant position in a dead-end company, or an unfulfilled career dream, it may be time for you to stop complaining and do something. Follow these steps, courtesy of Tony Lee, editor-in-chief of CareerJournal.com, and find a job you love.
Step 1: Assess your situation, review your strengths, and dig in your heels.
"To even think you won't have roadblocks is unrealistic, so number one -- accept them," says Andrea Kay, career consultant, speaker, and author of several books including "Greener Pastures: How to Find a Job in Another Place."
Once you've done that, take time out to reflect, she adds. "Don't rush to develop a new resume. That's the mistake almost everyone makes. Instead, reflect on what isn't working, what's not right about where you are, what your greatest strengths are, and what you love to do," says Kay.
Step 2: Explore your options, set goals, and make plans to develop yourself to fit your new career path.
Kay emphasizes the power of communication during this stage. "The best way to find a new job is to hold meaningful conversations with people," she advises. "Talk about your career with people who can guide you and refer you."
Networking with some old friends is how Cameron Herald eventually became the vice president of operations for 1800GotJunk, a junk removal company in
His advice? "Take a look and find the companies that are well-respected in the industry. See which ones are ranked as good employers." Of course, he says, there may be some bumps in the road. "Maybe you'll have to get a part time job on weekends at Starbucks to pay the rent. Or maybe you'll have to use an executive recruiter to help me find a new position." Nonetheless, he adds, "every single obstacle can be beaten."
Step 3: Acquire new skills by returning to school and/or volunteering.
For freelance writer Stephanie Jo Klein, it was volunteer work with the Newswomen's Club of New York -- she was the club's membership vice president in 2003 -- that sparked an entrepreneurial endeavor. When gift bags she created for the club's annual Front Page Awards gala were so well received by the journalists in attendance, she decided to start Klein Creative Communications, a promotional gift bag creation business based in
Stephanie further developed her skills via
Step 4: Do something you enjoy.
Ultimately, it's up to you to find a job in which you can be happy. "When you notice yourself not feeling challenges, not feeling energized, and watching the clock, start taking note," says Kay. Once your motivation to move on outweighs your fear, she says, you're ready to make the leap.
Fifty-nine percent of college-educated professionals in
Copyright 2007 ClassesUSA.com. All rights reserved. ClassesUSA, one of the Web's leading higher-education portals, enables professionals to find an online or career-specific, campus-based degree or certificate program best suited to advancing their personal and professional goals.
Comics publishers cautiously go online
Comics publishers cautiously go online
By RYAN PEARSON, AP Entertainment Writer Tue Nov 13, 8:24 AM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071113/ap_en_ot/comics_online
LOS ANGELES - Marvel is putting some of its older comics online Tuesday, hoping to reintroduce young people to the X-Men and Fantastic Four by showcasing the original issues in which such characters appeared.
t's a tentative move onto the Internet: Comics can only be viewed in a Web browser, not downloaded, and new issues will only go online at least six months after they first appear in print.
Still, it represents perhaps the comics industry's most aggressive Web push yet. Even as their creations -- from Iron Man to Wonder Woman -- become increasingly visible in pop culture through new movies and video games, old-school comics publishers rely primarily on specialized, out-of-the-way comic shops for distribution of their bread-and-butter product.
"You don't have that spinner rack of comic books sitting in the local five-and-dime any more," said Dan Buckley, president of Marvel Publishing. "We don't have our product intersecting kids in their lifestyle space as much as we used to."
Translate "kids' lifestyle space" into plain English and you get "the Internet." Marvel's two most prominent competitors currently offer online teasers designed to drive the sales of comics or book collections.
Dark Horse Comics now puts its monthly anthologies "Dark Horse Presents" up for free viewing on its MySpace site. The images are vibrant and large.
DC Comics has also put issues up on MySpace, and recently launched the competition-based Zuda Comics, which encourages users to rank each other's work, as a way to tap into the expanding Web comic scene. Company president Paul Levitz said he expects to put more original comics online in coming years.
"We look at anything that connects comics to people," Levitz said. "The most interesting thing about the online world to me is the opportunity for new forms of creativity. ... It's a question of what forms of storytelling work for the Web?"
For its mature Vertigo imprint, DC offers weekly sneak peeks at the first five or six pages of upcoming issues. The publisher also gives out downloadable PDF files of the first issues in certain series, timed to publication of the series in book or graphic novel format.
The Web release of DC's "Y the Last Man" sent sales of that book collection soaring at Bridge City Comics in
"They really do tend to be feeder systems," Ring said of online comics. "They give people that initial taste."
For Marvel, the general public has often already gotten its initial taste through movies like "Spider-Man" or the "Fantastic Four" franchises.
The publisher is hoping fans will be intrigued enough about the origins of those characters to shell out $9.99 a month, or $4.99 monthly with a year-long commitment. For that price, they'll be able to poke through, say, the first 100 issues of Stan Lee's 1963 creation "Amazing Spider-Man" at their leisure, along with more recent titles like "House of M" and "Young Avengers." Comics can be viewed in several different formats, including frame-by-frame navigation.
Ring expects Marvel's effort to put a slight dent in the back-issue segment of the comic shop industry, where rare, out-of-print titles sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay and at trade shows.
Though most comic fans are collectors, some simply want to catch up on the backstory of their favorite characters and would no longer have to pay top dollar to do so.
About 2,500 issues will be available at launch of Marvel Digital Comics, with 20 more being released each week.
___
On the Net:
Five Ways to Stay Focused Through the Holidays
Five Ways to Stay Focused Through the Holidays
Job Distractions Could Cost You a Bonus
Roberta Chinsky Matuson, for Yahoo! HotJobs
On the third Thursday of every November, many employees unofficially begin their holiday hiatus, and it's hard for many of us to resist workday dashes to the mall. However, year-end holiday bonuses are right around the corner, and they are based on a full year of company earnings. Why risk a year's worth of performance and bonus pay for a few days of holiday mania?
Follow the five tips below for keeping your focus on the job during the holidays.
Plan for Down Time
You know it's going to happen, so why not plan for it? It's not uncommon for companies to restrict the number of employees eligible to take vacation at the same time. If you are one of those people who celebrate the holidays in a big way, then sign up for time off during the holidays as soon as the vacation schedule hits your desk.
Suggest a New Employee Benefit
Employers are constantly looking for ways to improve their benefit packages without spending a lot of money. Suggest to your employer that they offer all employees one two-hour lunch during the holiday season. If you need to, remind them most employees are taking the time anyway. This new benefit will be well received by employees and will allow the company to cut down on unexpected absences or tardiness.
Resist Taking on New Projects
By the time the end of the year rolls around, most people are giving all they have just to finish what's already on their plate. Adding a new project to an already full plate can easily send you over the edge. Hold off on starting new initiatives until after the first of the year. You will return from your hiatus refreshed and ready to go.
Don't Skip the Gym
Seasonal stress comes with the territory. Customers expect deadlines to be met, even when they are out of the office preparing for the holidays. You can kick back a bit, but this is not the time to go into slow motion. Maintaining your regular workout routine can help keep your energy level up and your weight gain down.
Shift Outside Commitments
Is your December calendar filled with social events while your January calendar remains empty? Are you spending hours in traffic trying to keep all of your social commitments? How about a new tradition? Shift a few gatherings to January and February so you can avoid constantly leaving work early during the end-of-year crunch.
Now that you know how to stay on task during the holidays you can relax knowing that you've done all you can to preserve your performance and year-end bonus!
Copyright 2007 Human Resource Solutions. All rights reserved.
Roberta Chinsky Matuson is the president of Human Resource Solutions (yourhrexperts.com) and has been helping companies align their people assets with their business goals. She is considered an expert in generational workforce issues. You can reach her at Roberta@yourhrexperts.com.
10 secrets for everyday writing success
10 secrets for everyday writing success
November 02, 2007
During my 25 year career in a variety of professional positions in both the private and public sectors, I have written literally thousands of letters and memos and hundreds of reports. If I had to boil down everything I've learned about practical day-to-day writing for both personal and business purposes into 10 key points, this would be my 'Top 10' list.
1. Preparation is the key
Do all of your research first, before you start to write. Even a letter normally requires some minor research such as making some phone calls or reviewing a file. It's also very important to prepare yourself mentally before writing. So don't sit down to write too soon. Mull it over for a while, sometimes a day or two, sometimes an hour or two, depending on the complexity of the job at hand. It's amazing how the sub-conscious mind will work on the problem 'behind the scenes' and when you finally do start writing, it will flow.
2. Always use a sample
For me, this is critical. No matter what I write, it helps tremendously if I have some visual stimulation. If I'm writing a letter I post a copy of a similar letter, or the one I'm responding to, somewhere in my direct line-of-sight. It helps me focus and keeps my mind on the subject at hand, minimising the tendency for my mind to wander. No matter what it is, I always make a point to find some previous work or a sample of work similar to what I'm doing. It really stimulates the creative writing process and increases productivity significantly.
• Also read: Email etiquette for dummies
3. Shorter is always better
Whether you're writing a report or a letter, look for ways to cut it down in length. Concentrate on conveying the essential message. If something you've written does not enhance the core message, or doesn't add value, consider cutting it. These days, you have to be 'short and to the point' to get your message read.
4. Use concise and appropriate language
Your letter or report should use simple, straightforward language, for clarity and precision. Use short sentences and don't let paragraphs exceed three or four sentences. As much as possible, use language and terminology familiar to the intended recipient. Do not use technical terms and acronyms without explaining them, unless you are certain that the addressee is familiar with them.
5. 'Be' your addressee
A key technique to use when writing anything is to clearly 'visualise' your audience. As you write, try to imagine in your mind's eye the specific person(s) to whom your written product is directed. I often imagine that I am sitting across the boardroom table from my addressee, trying to explain my points in person. Make an effort to see the situation from the other person's perspective. What would you be looking to see if you were the recipient of the letter or report?
6. Do the outline first
Even if it's a one-page letter, it doesn't hurt to jot down a few quick notes on the main points that you want to cover. This process forces you to think logically about exactly what you want to cover and it helps you decide in which order you will approach your subject. For a letter this is helpful. For a report, this is absolutely essential. In fact, I believe that you should force yourself to go through the entire thinking process that is required to develop a complete draft Table of Contents, before you start to write any report.
7. Write and then rewrite
No matter how much preparation I do, I always find that I can improve on the first draft. That's partly because when I'm writing that first version, my main focus is to get the essence of my thoughts down on paper. At that stage I don't worry about perfect phrasing, grammar or logic. My main mission the first time through is to make sure that I capture the critical words and phrases that form the core meaning of what I want to communicate.
8. Format is important
Whatever you are writing, make sure it looks professional. This is where proper formatting comes in. Your credibility and/or that of your organisation is on the line, with your report or letter serving as your representative. If it is not professionally formatted, it will reflect negatively on you, even if the content is good and it is well-written. Rightly or wrongly, the value of your work will diminish in people's eyes if the formatting of your document is shoddy or amateurish looking.
• Three golden rules for effective communication
9. Read it out loud
Some people who haven't tried it may laugh when they read this, but it really works. At any point during the drafting process, but definitely at the draft final stage, read your report or letter to yourself 'out loud'. It's amazing what one picks up when they actually 'hear' their words as if they were being spoken to them as the addressee. I find this helps me the most in picking up awkward phrasing and unnecessary repetition of words or terms.
10. Check spelling and grammar
Last, but far from least, make sure you double check the spelling and grammar in your document. These days, with spell-checkers built into word processing programs there's really no excuse not to do this. Once again your document is a direct reflection of you and/or your organisation. If it is riddled with spelling mistakes and obvious grammatical errors, it will appear unprofessional and your credibility will suffer. Watch out for the words that sound the same but have completely different meanings that a spell-checker won't pick up. Words such as 'four' and 'fore', for example. Your final read-through out loud should catch any of these.
Whether you're writing a letter, a memorandum, a report or an essay, follow the above tips and you won't go wrong.
Shaun Fawcett is webmaster of the popular www.WritingHelp-Central.com. He is also the author of several best selling 'writing toolkit' eBooks. All of his eBooks and his world famous f-r-e-e Writing Success Course are available at www.WritingHelpTools.com.
November 02, 2007
During my 25 year career in a variety of professional positions in both the private and public sectors, I have written literally thousands of letters and memos and hundreds of reports. If I had to boil down everything I've learned about practical day-to-day writing for both personal and business purposes into 10 key points, this would be my 'Top 10' list.
1. Preparation is the key
Do all of your research first, before you start to write. Even a letter normally requires some minor research such as making some phone calls or reviewing a file. It's also very important to prepare yourself mentally before writing. So don't sit down to write too soon. Mull it over for a while, sometimes a day or two, sometimes an hour or two, depending on the complexity of the job at hand. It's amazing how the sub-conscious mind will work on the problem 'behind the scenes' and when you finally do start writing, it will flow.
2. Always use a sample
For me, this is critical. No matter what I write, it helps tremendously if I have some visual stimulation. If I'm writing a letter I post a copy of a similar letter, or the one I'm responding to, somewhere in my direct line-of-sight. It helps me focus and keeps my mind on the subject at hand, minimising the tendency for my mind to wander. No matter what it is, I always make a point to find some previous work or a sample of work similar to what I'm doing. It really stimulates the creative writing process and increases productivity significantly.
• Also read: Email etiquette for dummies
3. Shorter is always better
Whether you're writing a report or a letter, look for ways to cut it down in length. Concentrate on conveying the essential message. If something you've written does not enhance the core message, or doesn't add value, consider cutting it. These days, you have to be 'short and to the point' to get your message read.
4. Use concise and appropriate language
Your letter or report should use simple, straightforward language, for clarity and precision. Use short sentences and don't let paragraphs exceed three or four sentences. As much as possible, use language and terminology familiar to the intended recipient. Do not use technical terms and acronyms without explaining them, unless you are certain that the addressee is familiar with them.
5. 'Be' your addressee
A key technique to use when writing anything is to clearly 'visualise' your audience. As you write, try to imagine in your mind's eye the specific person(s) to whom your written product is directed. I often imagine that I am sitting across the boardroom table from my addressee, trying to explain my points in person. Make an effort to see the situation from the other person's perspective. What would you be looking to see if you were the recipient of the letter or report?
6. Do the outline first
Even if it's a one-page letter, it doesn't hurt to jot down a few quick notes on the main points that you want to cover. This process forces you to think logically about exactly what you want to cover and it helps you decide in which order you will approach your subject. For a letter this is helpful. For a report, this is absolutely essential. In fact, I believe that you should force yourself to go through the entire thinking process that is required to develop a complete draft Table of Contents, before you start to write any report.
7. Write and then rewrite
No matter how much preparation I do, I always find that I can improve on the first draft. That's partly because when I'm writing that first version, my main focus is to get the essence of my thoughts down on paper. At that stage I don't worry about perfect phrasing, grammar or logic. My main mission the first time through is to make sure that I capture the critical words and phrases that form the core meaning of what I want to communicate.
8. Format is important
Whatever you are writing, make sure it looks professional. This is where proper formatting comes in. Your credibility and/or that of your organisation is on the line, with your report or letter serving as your representative. If it is not professionally formatted, it will reflect negatively on you, even if the content is good and it is well-written. Rightly or wrongly, the value of your work will diminish in people's eyes if the formatting of your document is shoddy or amateurish looking.
• Three golden rules for effective communication
9. Read it out loud
Some people who haven't tried it may laugh when they read this, but it really works. At any point during the drafting process, but definitely at the draft final stage, read your report or letter to yourself 'out loud'. It's amazing what one picks up when they actually 'hear' their words as if they were being spoken to them as the addressee. I find this helps me the most in picking up awkward phrasing and unnecessary repetition of words or terms.
10. Check spelling and grammar
Last, but far from least, make sure you double check the spelling and grammar in your document. These days, with spell-checkers built into word processing programs there's really no excuse not to do this. Once again your document is a direct reflection of you and/or your organisation. If it is riddled with spelling mistakes and obvious grammatical errors, it will appear unprofessional and your credibility will suffer. Watch out for the words that sound the same but have completely different meanings that a spell-checker won't pick up. Words such as 'four' and 'fore', for example. Your final read-through out loud should catch any of these.
Whether you're writing a letter, a memorandum, a report or an essay, follow the above tips and you won't go wrong.
Shaun Fawcett is webmaster of the popular www.WritingHelp-Central.com. He is also the author of several best selling 'writing toolkit' eBooks. All of his eBooks and his world famous f-r-e-e Writing Success Course are available at www.WritingHelpTools.com.
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