Part of being a middle manager requires keeping tabs on what your subordinates are working on. The goal is to do this without being intrusive, yet staying aware and in control. So when applications come along that streamline the process and tear down the walls between employees and managers, you would think there would be an ice cream party in the conference room.I'll leave it for you to decide if Yammer, winner of the TechCrunch 50, is the ultimate micromanaging tool or if it's the communication breakthrough that thousands of career strategy books have been unable to uncover.As you likely know, Twitter is the micro-blogging site that asks you 'What are you doing?' Registered users post updates on the Web via computer or mobile device that are under 140 characters in length. Yammer puts a twist on the question, asking users 'What's happening at your company?'Each users' updates are centralized on a single page, giving employees the opportunity to discuss ideas, ask … [Read more...] about Big Brother Is Knocking at My Cubicle
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Where Are All the F*cking Pens?
OK, you are on a call with a potential client, whom you are desperately trying to get on board. He is about to give you a time and a place to meet, his personal cell number, and other important information. The adrenaline starts to pump as you envisage yourself at the meeting with the client as he scribbles his signature onto the awaiting dotted line. You then look for a pen, and low and behold, there are none on your desk, even though you swore you put one there 2 minutes ago. Not to worry, you put the client on hold for a moment and go to Ken, the womanizing, niftily dressed, closet alcoholic in the next cubicle to fetch one. However, Ken is on a call and there is no sign of a pen anywhere. You feel a slight rush of anger but subdue it instantly, and briskly walk to the next cubicle... Marie resides here. Marie is unbearably happy on this rainy Monday morning and probably suffers from some sort of a personality disorder, most likely borderline, and inquires into the … [Read more...] about Where Are All the F*cking Pens?
Where's That $22 Million Bonus Now, Lehman?
It seems that every survey that comes out about companies that "pay well" or have ridiculously "awesome" perks and bonuses, have always included Lehman Brothers. I guess those days are over. But when people with less than one year of experience are earning close to $60k and many jobs shoot to the six-figure range after only a short amount of time, should it come as any surprise that Lehman is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection? The American public loves reading outlandish lists on the Internet about overpaid CEOs and zany perks. However, they are no laughing matter. If you have a 401k account, you could be adversely affected by this mess. As the S&P 500 tanks and impacts index funds, your retirement balance(s) will dip. While you need not panic, as you are only royally screwed if you're pulling your money out in the immediate future, it is infuriating that these fat-cat companies are lining up to get bailed out by the government. Chairman and Chief Executive … [Read more...] about Where's That $22 Million Bonus Now, Lehman?
Work Itself Is a Benefit: The 3 ‘S’s
I'll bet that there isn't one of us who, at least sometimes (though more likely most of the time), doesn't piss n' moan about the abject unfairness of having to earn a living by...working! This type of whining permeates all levels, strata, and echelons, from the lowest paid 7-11 cashier to the CEO of Google. Actually, this attitude is equally endemic to both white and blue collar workers, and don't kid yourself, to the new green collars as well. Yet, who knows what the general 'dissatisfaction rate' really is? The media, when they deign to profile 'The Common Man,' will typically follow the scent of what they think is in vogue, like a stray dog in heat. So, one year when they want to pander to the conservatives, they tell us that, as Americans, we enjoy the very best working conditions possible. And that we should be grateful for what we got, and then they perennially insult our collective intelligence by comparing us to, let's say, who they think our counterparts are in either … [Read more...] about Work Itself Is a Benefit: The 3 ‘S’s
If Nothing Else, Thank Hurricane Ike for the Reminder
As Hurricane Ike nears the Texas coast, we can at least thank him (among his other friends of the 2008 season) for the reminder of natural disaster preparation. Even though we’re rounding out the end of hurricane season, the dangers don’t fade so much as change their form as we move on to the potential for other disastrous storms. Each landscape comes with its own natural disaster threats, be it floods, snow storms, tornadoes, or hurricanes. No matter what disaster your work site may be prone to, it is inevitable that weather will affect work in some way. Be sure to check into your company’s disaster policy and procedure to know what to expect. For example, does you company have a phone line to call into to see if work is closed when a disaster hits? When are you expected to be back to work after the dust settles (auto insurance companies may require employees back sooner to assess and help with the damage)? A time like this reminds us that being prepared is not only practical, it … [Read more...] about If Nothing Else, Thank Hurricane Ike for the Reminder
Workplace Hygiene Run Amok
I don’t know about you guys, but I have had it up to here (if you could see me you would observe that I’m standing up on my tip toes, with my hand stretched up high in the air) with the lack of personal cleanliness around the office. At first I thought I was being anal about the whole thing, but then I spoke to some colleagues, and they too are concerned. Here are the findings of my slightly neurotic observations...Not everyone washes their hands after using the toilet! Due to this I have now developed an aversion to handles on toilet doors, and refuse to touch them. After all, what’s the point in taking the time to wash your hands if the door handle is covered in the residue of somebody’s piss? This is of course only with regards to the male sex, as I have not had the privilege of using the ladies bathroom...yet.Along the same lines is food-related hygiene. At my last job, I noticed that in the workplace restaurant it is necessary to touch money before eating your food. That is, … [Read more...] about Workplace Hygiene Run Amok
12 Resume Writers Enter the Ring for Battle
The 2008 Jobacle Resume Writing Challenge is officially underway, with my resume distributed to 12 top-notch resume writers. Over the next few weeks you'll learn more about the process of choosing and hiring a resume writer. And in the end, YOU will help decide who produced the best resume.I must admit that I can already tell that I underestimated the amount of work the resume owner must but forth. Often, we think of hiring someone to perform a service so we don't have to. When it comes to resume writing, the final product will only be as strong/directed/beneficial as the information you provide. I'll leave it as this: At the extreme least you will be forced to take a long hard look in the mirror and figure out exactly what you want out of the document. That’s an exercise that is advantageous to you.Now let's meet our contestants. Read their own words below and visit their Web sites for more information. From seasoned professionals to industry … [Read more...] about 12 Resume Writers Enter the Ring for Battle
Just Shut Up Already.
You are sitting at your desk pouring over numbers and reports and…your loquacious coworker walks up. You oblige the polite “how are you” and the “how’s project XXX going”. Apparently this person doesn’t get much attention at home because they are eating up your inquisitiveness like it is a famine and you are the only one offering bread. You know these people, right? It certainly is a nice feeling to truly connect with coworkers, not just on a work level but on a personal level as well. I am fully a proponent of not only making allies at work but for racking up at least one or two real friendships at work too. Let’s face it; some of the non-work conversations that happen at work make it bearable to be there (and sometimes to face those personal issues). But then there are those “other” people. Those other people prey on the kind and good listeners of the workplace. Those other people that essentially use the good listeners as their personal garbage can when the spouse, family, … [Read more...] about Just Shut Up Already.
Job.com Launches 67 New Niche Web Sites
Jobacle has been lucky to have Job.com on board as a paid advertiser in 2008. Please take a moment to read about their 67 new career sites.Employers and Recruiters Can Expand Their Reach Across Job.com’s Network of SitesFredericksburg, VA – September 8, 2008 – The creators of Job.com are pleased to announce the rapid expansion of its career network by launching 67 new niche sites. These state, major metro and industry specific career sites have been developed by the Job.com Team to better serve their employers and recruiters by allowing them to place highly targeted job ads on Job.com’s posting platform.As the world of Online Recruiting evolves, employers and recruiters are looking to recruit using regional and niche focused methods. The growth of Job.com’s career network has given Job.com’s employers and recruiters the advantage of promoting their openings nationally while additionally zeroing in on local candidates who specialize in the exact discipline of the position. … [Read more...] about Job.com Launches 67 New Niche Web Sites
Stop Touching the Thermostat!
I've never heard of anyone suffering from heat stroke or hypothermia at the office, but that doesn't mean the masses are comfortable. Thermoregulation might make it tolerable, but temperature swings can still affect moods and productivity. Most offices are comprised of a diverse workforce; 250lb. men and 95lb. women, all from different backgrounds and cultures, each with different proclivities to the elements. What if there was a way to give each person their own personal climate control? Cold and hot at extremes are both uncomfortable, but, in my opinion, if the office is cold, you have more options. You can always slip on a sweater; you can't however, take off your top (assuming, of course, you're not working an "adult" club. And it should be noted that at least two strippers read Jobacle). You also have the option to flip on a portable space heater to warm up, drink a hot beverage or by taking a brisk stroll (assuming you're not anchored to your desk). Cooler … [Read more...] about Stop Touching the Thermostat!