Career Advice Blog

By Timothy Keiningham and Lerzan AksoyAuthors of Why Loyalty Matters: The Groundbreaking Approach to Rediscovering Happiness, Meaning and Lasting Fulfillment in Your Life and WorkThe landmark Ipsos Loyalty Study, the largest study of loyalty ever conducted, found less than 30 percent of US employees say they are loyal to their company. Only about 25 percent of US employees think their employer has earned their loyalty.The long-term success of any company depends heavily upon the quality and loyalty of its people. Few corporate executives would disagree with this idea conceptually. But it is also true that most treat the economic value of employees in enhancing customer relationships and company profits as "soft" numbers, unlike the "hard" numbers they use to manage their operations, such as the cost of labor.The problem with this is that when the going gets tough, managers focus on the hard numbers. And the reality is that at some point every company will go through tough times. That … [Read more...] about Why Managers Should Care About Employee Loyalty

Faded black socks; the story of my life. Since I am a corporate monkey who is required to wear a suit on a daily basis, I am forced into wearing black dress socks. The problem is, after several washings, no matter what method or detergent is used, the socks fade. And gray socks with a black suit can just kill the entire look.I often think too much is made about "dress for success" - but who am I to argue with the man who has revolutionized the fashion industry - and cured one of my greatest pet peeves. Meet the Blacksocks.com SOCKSCRIPTION: a fresh shipment of black socks shipped directly to your door several times a year.Samy Liechti, Blacksocks’ founder, shares career fashion tips to keep you looking smart from head to toe.1. Choose a conservative suit in black, navy or gray in solid or a small pinstripe. Remember—the quality of the fabric speaks as loud as the color. If the fabric could also be used on your grandmother’s sofa, chances are it’s not appropriate … [Read more...] about A Cure for Faded Black Dress Socks…and other work fashion tips

Don't hate me for saying this but being the boss isn't easy. As if playing corporate politics and making difficult decisions without a safety net weren't enough, the boss also has to take the brunt of your work frustrations. While most of this activity occurs behind his or her back, it can't be easy knowing that there are people who live to criticize you. All bosses, even the evil ones, have redeeming qualities. Some are fathers. Others are law-abiding, church-going citizens. A few of them might even be damn cool, albeit away from the fluorescent lights of work. Part of the problem is that we only get a fraction of the picture, and that slice is the one that tells us what to do and when to do it. We're trained to despise authority, so the boss rarely gets the benefit of the doubt. But what if your boss died? Suddenly. At his or her desk. I know it's a morbid thought, but this exercise has the potential to open your eyes to new possibilities, and maybe, just maybe, get you on … [Read more...] about Why You Should Write Your Boss’ Eulogy

I phoned in this morning's blog post - literally. This audio blog is for you - yes you - the coworkers who keep Googling me! I know who you are, and I really wish you'd find something else to do with your time. All kidding aside, it is a fact that Googling everyone and everything is a 21st century way of life. But that doesn't make it any less irritating when people are barely know are uncovering every last detail about you.   … [Read more...] about Dear Coworkers, Stop Googling Me!

We all work with someone who annoys us. It's a fact of life. And despite the fact that we'd like nothing more than to sic a horde of vampire bats on those annoying coworkers, we're pretty much helpless to act. However, because we all deal with some type of similar behavior, we can come together and laugh about the habits that drive us nuts. A little while back, I posed this question on Twitter: “What are some coworker habits that drive you absolutely crazy?” The responses came pretty quickly after the initial question, and they ranged from silly to disrespectful to gross. @RaiscaraAvalon said that "overpowering, gag a maggot perfume" was her pet peeve (and the guys sometimes aren’t any better with their cologne) @AliciaSanera carried the body odor conversation even further by asking, "What is harder to address: termination of employment or B.O.?" It’s very interesting what we learn from each other, and I bet you have something you’d like to add. The … [Read more...] about Coworker Pet Peeves

I always had a sweet spot in my heart for pitchman Billy Mays. Not just because I think my impression (BILLY MAYS HERE!) is pretty solid, but because Billy was a true American success story. Whether you loved or hated his style, there is no denying that he built himself up into an iconic figure. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone not familiar with his trademark delivery and appearance. (Black hair dye, some hair gel and a blue shirt.)Here are several career lessons to be learned from the college dropout.- Have your own style. Loud. Obnoxious. You might call it yelling, Billy called it projecting. Whatever you label it, it was undoubtedly effective. Standing out from the pack and becoming associated with success (OxiClean, Awesome Auger, etc.) can only help your career. Attach yourself to winners and future victories have a better chance to follow. It might appear that Billy accepted every product that came his way, but there were hundreds - if not thousands that he rejected.- Sell … [Read more...] about Billy Mays: American Success Story