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This morning, a gunman, who might have been fired a week ago, returned to his office - with a rifle.He opened fire on three people inside the Troy, Michigan office building, killing one person and injuring several others.I really can't think of anything scarier then sitting at your desk, killing time, and looking up and seeing a disgruntled ex-worker appear. My sympathies go out to the victims and their families.What I found even more shocking is that the term "going postal" has only been around since the late 80's. Between 1986 and 1997, more than 40 people were killed in over 20 incidents of workplace rage. Thinking back on some of the nuts I've had the pleasure of working with, it's amazing that number is so low.Remember: the greatest revenge is success.  Don't come back and kill me.  Just make a lot of money, buy my company, become my boss - and anchor me at my desk - then you'll really have the last laugh. … [Read more...] about Going Postal on a Monday Morning

Our buddy Duane over at the Commute Smarter blog tipped us off to a game that has a concept that most of you can relate to.  The premise?  You're so miserable at work that you have "Five Minutes to Kill Yourself" before you have to attend another meeting.  You can take yourself out in a variety of ways!  My personal fave - stapler to the head.  Ah, God bless those twisted folks over at Adult Swim.You use the arrow keys to storm around the office.  I found the controls a little awkward, but it could just be my lack of video game skills. It's a solid concept.  I've often thought of drowning myself in the toilet or sticking a wet paperclip into an outlet... so this game hits home.You can play it here.And just like Duane, please be sure to send us any career-related links for us to share on the blog or podcast.And don't forget to kick anyone in the ass who uses the word "hump day" today! … [Read more...] about Cubicle Suicide Made Easy

It's that time, dear readers.  My one year anniversary is rapidly approaching - along with it - the inevitable "review."  Below you will find some "tips." Basically, a few items I keep repeating in my head.  Please leave a comment below and share your words of wisdom!  I don't care what those monster sites have to say - I love hearing from REAL people who bust their butts everyday! Subscribe to the blog.Ask early.  Your review is extra work for your boss.  He'll likely stall until the last minute - potentially holding up the process.  Sure you'll get some retro money - but you also have to suffer with some extra butterflies in the tummy for a few days, weeks or even months. Remind your boss early and often without being a pain in the ass.Get a copy.  Before you sign off, ask if you can have a copy of your review to review overnight.  This way, you can look for items that you feel are missing or unfair and challenge … [Read more...] about 12 Rules of the Annual Review

Episode #63 of the Working Podcast is dedicated to all of you out there who are anchored to your chair - stuck in front of your computer day in and day out. On this show Chaz Rough of Yogamazing will teach you some yoga basics that you can do at your desk on the company dime. Also, New York City chiropractor, Dr. Todd Eglow will share 8 steps to save your back and spine if you're a desk slave. Use the embedded player below to stream the show. I just realized that I've never use this blog to invite YOU on to the show as a guest. If you feel you have something work-related that your fellow employees can benefit from drop me an e-mail or call the toll-free # @ 888/786-1080.  Direct Download … [Read more...] about Yoga at Your Desk

DotcomArchive.org is a Web site that collects "dot com tales" in order to allow society to learn from past mistakes and successes. Now that Web site is being folded into even a more valuable research tool - The Business Plan Archive.   The site is a partnership with the Library of Congress, the Center for History and New Media, and the University of Maryland Libraries.What's cool is that you can access thousands of business records - many which you probably thought were not for public consumption.  If you are thinking of starting your own business, or work for  an evolving company, this is an absolutely amazing resource.You can also put your stamp on history by contributing your own materials and experiences  for "permanent preservation."Ask yourself, what should the citizen of 2100 know about this important episode in the history of business?The Business Plan Archive has future plans to get all Web 2.0 on us.  There will eventually be … [Read more...] about Biggest Dot Com Blunders (and Successes)

One of our most popular blog posts to date was on Caller ID spoofing.  When it was working, it allowed people to make a phone call and "fake" the Caller ID to any number they liked.  If you're still looking for this gag - and are willing to pay for it - check out SpoofCard. Of course, we don't condone or encourage any of this nonsense, but hey, it's your career and you ARE an adult, right?  Two new tools, which could be useful in the workplace, have surfaced on the Net.Oh Don't Forget is a gem when it comes to getting you out of meetings, unwanted business lunches, etc. This tool  allows you to send a text message to yourself.  You pick a time, day and message and voila - your phone will be "ringing" when you want it too.  I suggest staggering several in a row for that "family emergency."Phone My Phone has been picked up by many popular tech blogs but they are "withholding" the link.  Lame.  They … [Read more...] about Ditch Meetings! Phone My Phone Tool.

A new employment index shows that job growth among privately-held South African companies is up over seven percent.  But that's child's play!  If you're looking for a job boom - you best be packing your bags and heading to India, the Philippines or Armenia.  Each of these is expecting growth of 60 - 80% in 2007.It also looks like Citigroup might cut 5% of its workforce in the U.S. and take those jobs to India.There's also Canada. New numbers show that the Canadian economy is expected to grow at a rate of 2.4% this year - the U.S. is expected to crawl along at 2.2% - down 1.1% from last year.Is it time to leave the country? I'd never really leave the good ol' U.S. of A but my salary over the last few years has been flatter than a pancake! … [Read more...] about Need a Job? South Africa or Bust!