If you’re used to working closely with a partner, it’s easy to forget how complexity in working relationships grows when the size of your group grows. Next time it seems like a co-worker just isn’t getting it, consider this piece of research. More »
The modern office isn’t quite a wretched hive of scum and villainy, but it’s not always pleasant, either. If your workspace, your co-workers, or your sinking feeling of not getting anything done needs fixing, here are ten possible remedies. More »
Email signatures might be more annoying than you think, but we all experience plenty more gaffes, annoyances, and misfires in our inbox. We asked our savvy readers to share their biggest email annoyances, and here’s what they said. More »
Email – Marketing – Windows – History – Historians
The key to getting your boss to put the stamp of approval on your telecommuting dreams is an excellent proposal. Sell your boss on the benefits of getting you out of the office with a well-planned proposal. More »
Telecommuting – Work – Business – Employment – Small Business
If you’ve noticed how many people have voicemail messages that sound like they’re gasping for air when they record them, this simple trick from reader Gregor Samosa will help you leave smooth radio-announcer-quality messages. More »
Google lets its employees spend one day each work week focusing on their own projects, a practice that’s delivered 50% of Google’s offerings, including Gmail. Tech blog WebWorkerDaily suggests mixing up your work schedule by setting aside your own 20-percent time. More »
MEETorDIE takes a humorous approach to a serious issue—how much money is wasted by large staff meetings.
It's safe to argue that many times meetings aren't the most efficient way to spend the time—and the payroll!—of the people involved but unless you have access to HR records you have no way to even estimate just how much payroll is being wasted. MEETorDIE calculates the amount of payroll wasted based on industry wide averages, the number of the people in the meeting, and the type of employee they are.
Obviously it’s just an estimate but it’s a great way to get people thinking about whether or not a meeting is “worth it” and you might even be able to use it as an interesting talking point with your boss about cutting back on meetings that pull your team away from more productive work.
Have a neat tool for visualizing data? Let’s hear about it in the comments.
It’s easy to leave a short and ineffective out-of-office message, especially when you’re leaving it on the eve of a vacation or a conference you’re excited to attend. Doing so however, just ensures more work upon your return.
Photo by makelessnoise.
Over at Ian’s Messy Desk, Ian outlines how to create a good out-of-office message. First, what does a terrible out-of-office message sound like? At the worst end of things the message simply tells the caller that you’re not there which gives them nothing to work with except that you’re unavailable to help them or answer their questions. Ian suggests including:
1. Dates of your absence. Let the contact know when you are out of the office. It helps them decide what their next step is going to be; whether to wait for your return or to direct their request elsewhere.
2. Reason for absence. I like to let my contacts know whether I am on a business trip or vacation. A business trip means I am connected to the office in some way and might be able to respond to a message. If I’m on vacation, I’m out of contact range.
3. Who to contact in your absence. I try and leave contact information for alternate contacts when I am out of the office; a minimum of one up to as many as are needed.
The emphasis on the last entry is ours. Most of the phone calls you receive while you’re out of the office will be for matters that will need to be resolved while you are gone; if you leave proper contact information for the people who would most likely be able to resolve issues that crop up while you’re gone, you’re all the more likely to return to the office with those things done and taken care of. Leaving an ineffective message creates a mountain of work for you to wade through when you return.
For more tips on leaving an effective message check out the full article at the link below. Have a tip or trick for leaving a good out-of-office message or any other aspect of preparing to be away from work? Let’s hear about it in the comments.
Working on a joint project with a less-than-competent colleague can lead to less-than-stellar results. In order to avoid sharing in the blame where you weren’t in charge, the Harvard Business Blog suggests making sure to distinguish your contributions from theirs.
Photo by lumaxart.
The post offers three ways to avoid getting blamed for a sub-par group performance when your work was anything but. One key to making your work visible without bragging: use the pronoun “I” when speaking about the work you did and, if you have to present your work, take the lead and become the more active participant during the presentation where your work is highlighted.
Both are ways to take credit where credit is due. Of course, doing so requires some degree of tact, especially if you’ll be working with the same colleague in the future.
Browse the full post for other ways to avoid becoming the fall guy, then tell us your own tips for how you’ve successfully confronted a colleague for below average work in the comments.
