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I don't know about you, but I play video games (not often) in order to escape reality.  Whether I'm throwing a 90 yard touchdown pass or pulling some dude out of a car and beating him with a baseball bat, there's undoubtedly a vicarious thrill that comes along with gaming.So, when I first read that NBC had licensed The Office to be made into a video game, I cringed.  You see, I spend enough of my day making copies, avoiding awkward small talk and plodding through the corporate hallways.  If you think I'm going to enter Dunder-Mifflin (and not get paid!) to carry out silly pranks and everyday office duties, you are off base!  Unless I'm bashing Dwight's skull in, I'll pass.Look, the game might be wildly addictive, but I think these licensing deals have gone far enough.  For those of you looking to "work" after hours, the game will be available for the Nintendo DS, Sony's PSP, and downloadable on PCs this fall. … [Read more...] about The Office – The Video Game

Every day I get up at 7:08am.  I'm on the road by 7:52am.  Swipe my company ID at 8:23am.  I walk in, boot up my computer, put my lunch in the fridge and settle in for a day that is already looking like yesterday.I can sit at my desk and clank away at the keyboard for hours.  I can take my lunch break at 1pm and tell everyone to "have a good night" at 4:30pm.  The point is, that many of us get sucked into the monotonouss world of corporate routine.  There's no cheerleader urging me on to complete that latest project with a bang. No kind words of appreciation. No true incentive. At the end of the week, it will be the same paycheck.But fear not! Here are five tools that will help self-motivate - and they're all less embarrassing then bringing pom-poms to work!Set Personal Goals.  Long-term, short-term and everything in between!  Write them down and keep them visible.  Look at them often and assess what you are doing to reach … [Read more...] about Self-Motivation: A How-To Guide

Jason (name changed for security purposes) just hit his big 20 year anniversary with my company.  For his loyal dedication and service he received the cheapest piece of luggage I have ever seen. I've seen thicker paper towels!Company anniversary gifts are simply the WORST.  If you really want to thank me, you won't hand me a piece of corporate propaganda and ask me to be a walking billboard.Year 5: Pen and pencil setYear 10: A blanketYear 20: Piece of rolling luggage w/ monogram  Garbage.That brings up a question I'd like to talk about regarding YOU and your company logo.  How do you feel about wearing it in public?Personally, I've never been comfortable with it.  Whether I'm working for the largest XYZ firm in the nation or some mom and pop - I don't like people asking me questions while I'm waiting online for a poppy bagel and Formula 50 Vitamin Water.  I'll never forget the time I was working for FOX News Channel and I was out doing interviews in Times … [Read more...] about You Will Be Judged by Your Company Logo

It's an ugly metaphor but I'll go for it anyway.  You don't want your career to end up like the War in Iraq - a no-win situation - with no end in sight. You see, the days when dad had one job and retired on a pension are over.  Corporate allegiance to employees is scarce.    These days you're likely to change careers three to five times.  And don't forget, you might change jobs up to six times within a career. Job-hopping is not recommended.  However, getting stuck in career quicksand will only leave you with a lower paycheck and gold watch (after 30 years) for all of your troubles.Regardless of where you work, things can head south quickly.  Whether the company is undergoing a massive reorganization or your boss just retired and some hotshot took his place, you can't put a price on being prepared to jump when the time is right.Here's six items that will help you map out a Career Exit Strategy:- Update your resume regularly.  I … [Read more...] about How to Plan a Career EXIT Strategy

"What does your dad do for a living?" "He manages business." This exchange between Kevin Arnold and a classmate from the Wonder Years illustrates a common theme among kids of all ages - we had no idea what our parents did for a living (especially dad!). In light of Father's Day's being right around the corner, I wanted to share clips from the third episode of the Wonder Years - "My Father's Office." The episode is a brilliant commentary on the intermingling between work and family - or the lack thereof. Long before Office Space had their TPS Reports, poor Jack Arnold was pushing S14 Forms as a manager of distribution and product support services for NORCOM. KEVIN: What's your office like? JACK: It's an office. Four walls, a ceiling, a door. There were other lessons too. JACK: Tell you what, Kevin, it is time you learned about the most important part of the working day... the coffee break. I remember the handful of times I went up to work with my dad. It was like they added a holiday … [Read more...] about Going to Work With Dad – Contest!

Who knew that liquified difluoroethane, trifluoroethane, or tetrafluoroethane would create an at-work nightmare.  In laymans terms, I'm talking about canned air.  And the co-worker directly next to me is obsessed with it.10am - Pssss2pm - Psssssss4pm - PsssssssssCome on, lady! You're not a computer technician, photographer, or stereo enthusiast.  And your keyboard can't be dirty, can it?  Are you an addict?Gas dusters are one of the many inhalants that can be abused.  In fact, some office supply stores will ask for your ID to make sure you are 18 years or older.The sad part is, my salary suffers because of the Air Addicts' habit.  Cans sell for about two bucks a pop.  At the rate she's going, that's a big-ticket item!Here are a few canned air fun facts:- The canisters release zero moisture- 99% of brands are "ozone safe"- Canned air is banned from airplanes- You can get frostbite from spraying it on yourself- It can help remove car dents- … [Read more...] about Workplace Torture – Attacked by Canned Air

You're already frazzled.  You've checked six times to make sure you ripped the tags off those new pants.  It's your first day at a new job.  Shaking hands and remembering names is as difficult as it will get today.  For some reason, every boss in the universe has to make sure you meet everyone on Day One.The reason I bring this up is because I normally appreciate a boss who thinks "out of the box" and tries something out of the mainstream.  Except when it's the King of Awkward.A newbie joined our department yesterday and here's what she was subjected to.  The Big Bossman pulled a move I'd never experienced.  He asked the whole department (about 10 of us) to come into his office.  Already sitting there was the rookie.  We rolled up on her like we were straight out of Compton.  We formed a semi-circle and trapped her against the wall.The King of Awkward then went around and introduced us (hardly in the most flattering terms) one … [Read more...] about Awkward Alert: New Employee Introductions