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"Because We've Always Done It That Way"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:41:00 -0800

I don’t know about you, but those words are the bane of my existence. Part of our job as administrative professionals is to design office processes and to improve on old ones. The first step in improving an existing process is to understand why it’s being done as it is. That’s when the dreaded words appear. “Because we’ve always done it that way.”

The Pay Stubs From Hell

Let me tell you a little story. I went to work for a large corporation in Houston, and my first week there I was delegated the task of delivering pay stubs to the employees in our department. Almost 700 pay stubs. I had to get the already sealed envelopes from payroll, sort them to the appropriate floor, and deliver the envelopes to the admin on that floor. The really bad part? Nowhere on the stub did it have the person’s floor, and we were growing so fast, people were moving every month or two. It was a nightmare job, and took me about 4-5 hours every 2 weeks.

When I asked why we did it this way, the answer was the dreaded, “We’ve always done it that way.” No one had any idea why we still did this. The admin I’d inherited the job from inherited it from someone else who inherited it from someone else. Payroll didn’t know; no other department in the company did this. Mail services didn’t know.

So I put together a proposal to mail the stupid stubs to each person’s home address, since they weren’t actual checks, just the stubs. Almost everyone had direct deposit. I showed that the number of hours we spent sorting and delivering pay stubs was much more costly than mailing them first class mail.

It Never Hurts To Ask

By now, I’m sure you’re thinking, “Is there a point to this story.”

Absolutely. The point is, never take “because we’ve always done it that way” as a reason not to update a process. Always investigate the reason for a process, but when no one can provide a coherent reason for it, go ahead and propose changes. Sometimes there’s a perfectly good reason it’s always been done that way, but you won’t know if you don’t ask.

Oh, did I mention that we started mailing the stubs, and I got a bonus for saving the company money? While improving processes can be it’s own reward, the rewards can sometimes be more tangible.

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Creating Dazzling Customer Experiences: How To Make It Work

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:11:00 -0800

Business Building Action Steps From Terry Brock

Today’s economy requires innovative ideas to generate more revenue. That comes from creating dazzling customer experiences that bring customers back again and again.

Recently I had the opportunity to hear Cathie Black, the President of Hearst Magazines, make a presentation at a Harvard Business School Alumni Club meeting in Atlanta. The insights she had about running a media business amidst today’s economy and the morphing change of paper newspapers has a lot of wisdom for you and me in our jobs as entrepreneurs and in running a small business.

Here are some insights which can help as we build experiences for those wonderful people called customers, clients and/or buyers who pay the bills for us.

1. Get A Different Attitude About Skill Sets. Today’s marketplace calls for new skill sets which are often different from what worked previously. Hearst magazines still sells millions of copies of good ole, paper-based magazines. However, they are also expanding into digital as never before. You and I need to embrace what still works — and is profitable — from the old way of doing business. In addition, we must also acquire the necessary skills for success in the future. For today that means getting acquainted with and using Social Media skills with tools like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and others. Have an attitude of constantly learning and growing. Make it your goal to learn something new every day (yes, every day!).

2. Focus On Customer Experience, Not The Device. Much talk is bantered about today concerning electronic E-Book readers. Personally I love reading good ole’ paper books. But I have to admit that I have found a lot of joy reading books through Kindle for iPhone. I can digitally download books (usually at substantial discounts) from Amazon and carry many books to read while on the road. This gives me a new experience in reading and I love it. Focus on the experience as it relates to your customer — not the device. Make it a pleasant experience doing business with you, regardless of the technology you use. Once you’ve focused on making the customer experience delightful, you can monetize both the device and the experience for your bottom line. As Cathie Black said, “It is not about the device but about the business issues that go into the device.”

3. Don’t Let The Negative Bleed Into Your Business. It would be very easy to be distraught when we hear negatives about the economy or our business. Think of the negatives bantered about concerning newspapers. As a writer for paper-based newspapers I feel they have a role but it has changed. They are no longer the fastest way to deliver. This was resolved long ago. However, they provide a reading experience that is pleasant and still enjoyed. I talk about this in my seminars and it is applicable in many businesses. Blend the best of the old with the new digital approach. Stop the negative aspects of your industry and business from overshadowing the realistically positive aspects for the future. Be strong with a “realistically optimistic” approach. This positive mental attitude was a strong component of serious business growth for greats like Napoleon Hill and Norman Vincent Peale years ago and the principles still apply today. Understand the realities of what is happening but have a dogged determination to find the good. This is not Pollyanna but a hard-core pragmatic approach that works!

Next: You're the CEO →

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4. Be The CEO — Chief Encouragement Officer. People do best when they are in an environment where they feel valued and accepted. It is your job to encourage others around you to be their best. As Steve Epner says, business is not about a supply chain as much as a supply team. Be the person who finds the good in others (and yes, sometimes you have to look hard). By accentuating positive aspects even in the midst of challenges, you bring out the best in people around you and ultimately help the bottom line.

5. Carefully Allocate Your Resources For Maximum Results. Today you can’t afford to waste any time, money or effort on projects or efforts which don’t generate a strong ROI for you. Time is the ultimate resource. To create dazzling customer experiences and build strong Relationship Marketing, you want to focus on those areas that yield the maximum return. Fortunately, many of the best uses of your time cost little or nothing. A quick phone call. A nice hand-writtern card. A kind encouraging email or “tweet” on Twitter can mean a lot to people. Make it realistic and not puffery. Allocate your resources so that you maximize your Relationship Marketing and you’ll enjoy favorable relationships with customers and your bottom line will be stronger.

Cathie Black demonstrates how to live life and do business successfully. She is a person who commands respect not just because of her position but because of what she does. We can all learn from these principles in our own businesses. Building quality, value-for-value relationships in business is the best way to create those dazzling customer experiences. This will work today or in any economy.

Copyright © 2009, Terry Brock and Achievement Systems, Inc. Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses generate profitable results. He can be reached by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com. Join the Twitter adventure with Terry through his Twitter address: TerryBrock

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Ask the Admin: How Secure Is Gmail?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:39:00 -0800

I had a question this week about the security of Gmail, the very popular on-line e-mail service from Google.

"Please let me know, how safe the confidential documents keeping in mails….?????

I would be much much thankful to you if u kindly provide me some details on it….As i would like to share with you that, i have kept some of my confidential documents in G-mail for my easy assess any where to avoid carrying the hard copy all along……

Please let me know about it….Eagerly waitng for your response in thais regard."

Many people keep documents in their e-mail when traveling, and Gmail is certainly a very popular e-mail service.

Here’s the scoop on Gmail. You use a secure site when you sign into your Gmail account (you’ll notice the https:// before the site name on the log-in page). However, once you are logged in, you go to a non-secure page (a regular http:// page) to see your mail and open attachments.

What this means is that when you log into your Gmail account, your information cannot be intercepted. However, when you’re reading your mail or opening attachments, it can be. This is especially true when you are using public wifi access, such as in an internet cafe.

If you need to carry confidential data with you when you travel, invest in an encrypted USB drive. It’s small enough to carry in your pocket, and since it’s encrypted, your documents are still safe if it gets stolen or lost. Here’s a relatively inexpensive Lexar 4 GB Secure USB drive at Amazon (affiliate link).

Of course, if you have Windows 7, you can encrypt any flash drive. You won’t have to buy one with encryption.

Networking at Work is Important for New Hires

John Rossheim | Monster Senior Contributing Writer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:23:00 -0800

After you’ve successfully completed a job search, shouldn’t networking be the last thing on your mind? Not so, say networking experts. In fact, internal networking, right from the beginning, is key to maintaining the upward trajectory of your career. Here’s how to successfully launch your networking campaign at a new job.

Why Network from the Start?

“When you start in a job, you’re going to be judged early, and you want to be judged as someone who makes things happen,” says Richard Moran, a partner at venture capital firm Venrock Associates. Introducing yourself to coworkers in a wide range of roles is a good way to begin.

So networking is important from the get-go. But given your newbie status, your internal networking should be carefully calibrated. Soon after you start a job, “you’ve got to increase your visibility, but without being pompous,” says Bill Behn, managing director for financial staffing firm SolomonEdwardsGroup.

Whom to Network With

Even early on, your network needs to go beyond the folks in adjoining cubes — without embracing everyone on the payroll. But where to begin?

“Start your networking with people who started the same job you have about a year ago, because they’ll tell you what you’re going to be measured on,” advises Moran.

After that, says Gayle Lantz, president of consulting firm WorkMatters Inc., “ask your boss who the most important people are for you to meet.”

Next, seek out people with more clout, Moran says. “Organizations have samurai who are out there doing the big stuff every day, and you have to figure out who they are and whether you can become one,” he adds.

How to Make Internal Networking Happen

When you’re new on the job, you want to make a lot of contacts fairly quickly while also building your reputation as a hard worker. “You don’t want to be the person who’s hanging out at everyone’s cubicle,” says Brendan Courtney, a senior vice president at staffing firm Spherion. “You want to take advantage of those opportunities that happen during lunch or while you’re getting coffee.”

When you’re asking for more substantial advice, be mindful of your colleagues’ full schedules. “Breakfast, before the workday starts, is a good time to pick people’s brains,” Courtney suggests.

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Cast Your Network Across the Company

It’s also important to extend your network beyond your department or division.

“There’s a body of research that says that your weaker ties get you jobs; your stronger ties are mostly to people who already know each other,” says Jeanne Hurlbert, president of Optinet Resources LLC and a professor of sociology at Louisiana State University. “Strong ties can have positive payoffs in terms of promotion.”

So look for opportunities to branch out. “Volunteer to serve on a cross-functional team,” advises Lantz. “Meeting regularly with people from other departments is an ideal way to network and learn about other aspects of the business.”

A Mentor Can Supercharge Your Networking

Especially when you’re a rookie, a mentor can be a great help in extending the upward reach of your internal network.

“There are usually three or four people who set the tone of the company’s value system,” says Courtney. “It’s good to have one of them as your mentor; someone who can help prepare you for your next step in the organization.”

But, Courtney cautions, do tread carefully when choosing a mentor. “If you’re creating a mentor relationship outside your immediate manager, you have to let your manager know,” he says.

Relax and Let Your Network Work

Finally, most of your internal networking efforts should be low-key and informal. “If you set up too many meetings too early, people will think, ‘What does this guy want from me?’” says Behn.

And although networking is important, many other priorities will compete for your attention in the beginning. Says Moran: “You don’t have to start networking before lunch on your first day.”

Read the original: Network at Your New Job.

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Do-It-Yourself Career Development

Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top

Are You Emotionally Intelligent?

Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

Are Your Work Communications Professional? ... Are You Sure?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:59:00 -0800

Came across an article from the site Careerealism recently that was a great story about the difference between being professional and “not so” professional in your communications at work and how that can affect your reputation, responsibilities and yeah, even your promotion.

I see this all the time at the advertising agency when either as an intern or new hire just out of college, no matter if you’re out on the town for a couple drinks with your college crew versus communicating with a client/partner/sr. executive at work, there is no difference in the quality and tone of their communication. Speaking, emailing or writing a new business deck, the communication doesn’t take on the formal tone that work communication deserves.

Some of this is because these young guns want to get their ideas out of their heads as quickly as possible so they don’t forget them and the other part is just not realizing that there is a more formal mode of communication when working with co-workers, superiors and especially clients and customers. I don’t blame our “wired in” generation for this; they’ve grown up with Twitter, Facebook, and IM status updates where slang and short communication rule.

The rule of thumb for work though is to be as formal as possible until the person your communicating with sets the tone of the relationship. And even then, I personally still communicate more formally since when I’m working, I’m working and then when I’m playing, I’m playing. Separating the two makes all the difference for me.

But the best trick of all for avoiding this communication pothole is two fold: Set automatic spell checking to all of your emails AND re-read every email and document you send out for tone before hitting that send button. Agree, disagree? We welcome your comments!

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Do-It-Yourself Career Development

Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top

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Excel Is NOT a Database!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:11:00 -0800

We all know what Microsoft Excel is. It’s a spreadsheet software. It’s not a database. It’s never been a database. It never will be a database. Do I sound strident there? GOOD!

Seriously, it’s not a database, folks, so please quit using it as one. I can’t tell you how many places I’ve worked keep critical data in spreadsheets, jumping through all kinds of hoops and writing all kinds of code to get it to act like a database. The employee hours they spend maintaining these spreadsheets and getting information back out of them just astounds me. Why don’t they just convert it to a database and be done with it?

Why Businesses Don’t Use Databases

I’ve heard many excuses over the years as to why businesses use Excel over Access. Let’s debunk some of those reasons.

Access Is Too Hard To Learn

It really isn’t, you know. Most employees who interact with the database only need to know how to fill in a form or click on an already created report. The only people who need any in-depth knowledge of Access are the ones who create the database and those who maintain the back end of the database. And honestly, they need less in-depth knowledge than the person struggling with coding in Excel to try and get a spreadsheet to act like a database, and they don’t have to spend nearly as much time to manage the database.

We’ve Always Used Excel for This

So what? You may have always used a hammer to crack nuts, but it doesn’t make it the best tool for the job. If you’re working on the company financials, by all means, use a spreadsheet. If you’re detailing your budget, of course you’ll use a spreadsheet. But if you’re maintaining non-numerical data, use a database. Actually, even most financial data is kept on a database these days (that’s what accounting programs are, they’re databases). They simply export cumulative data to spreadsheets for special financial calculations such as projections and planning.

There’s Not Enough Data Here to Warrant a Database

How many times have I heard this? And a year or three later, they’re still using that spreadsheet, only it’s grown to 10,000 rows and takes 5 minutes to open. Unless you’re intending this spreadsheet to be a list of your 50 or so employees with phone numbers, you’re probably better off with a spreadsheet. Although, even the list of employees could possibly grow exponentially, so scratch that idea. Seriously though, if you think you’re just making a small list, go ahead and put it into a spreadsheet. But if over time that list is growing unmanageable, then create a database and import your data from the spreadsheet. It’s really simple to do and well worth the 5 minutes it’s going to take you.
Why You Should Use a Database

Here’s the nitty gritty of why you should use a database to store data and not a spreadsheet:

1. More than one person can update a database at a time. Only one person at a time can update a spreadsheet. Right there you have an efficiency incentive to use a database. And how many times has someone opened a spreadsheet in Read Only mode, saved changes to it to their harddrive, and then copied it back over the network copy, eliminating any changes the other person made *shudders*. I’ve seen that happen a number of times over the years.

2. A database stores information more efficiently. Relational databases, such as Microsoft Access, uses tables to segregate data. You’ll have one table for customer information, and another one for customer purchases. These would be tied together via the customer ID. So you don’t have to repeat all of your customer information for each purchase made. Therefore, your database is smaller than your spreadsheet. This is a crude example, but it gives you an idea how, overtime, your database is hugely more streamlined than your spreadsheet.

3. Queries, and the reports based on those queries, are easier to write and run. Because your data is relational, you can mix and match and re-sort your data in all kinds of different ways. You can do that with a spreadsheet, given enough time and code. But with a database like Access, a person with relatively little knowledge can produce complex queries and reports.

4. Data recovery is more efficient. If you have a large amount of data, finding the particular data point you want can be especially difficult in a spreadsheet. Those of you who work with large spreadsheets know this. You get a spreadsheet with thousands of lines, and paging through the spreadsheet can slow to a crawl, especially if you don’t have an ultra-fast computer.

Just Say No

The next time your boss wants to use a spreadsheet for a project better suited to a database, just say no. Explain why a database is better and get permission to use a database. Like I said, Excel is a good tool for certain things, but it just isn’t a database.

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5 Friends You Should Have at Work

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:58:00 -0800

You spend most of your day at work, right? Why not make some friends while you're there?

You won't just have more fun — you'll work better. Gallup research shows that developing close friendships at work boosts employee satisfaction by almost 50%.

And while we don't always choose our friends with career success in mind (company happy hour, ahem), there are some people in the workplace whose friendship can actually make us perform better on the job. Whether or not you want to spend time with them after work, it would behoove you to develop at least a pleasant rapport with them.

Here's our top five:

1. The IT Manager

When your computer freezes, your emails disappear, or you can't for the life of you remember your password, there's only one person to turn to: the IT manager.

They may or may not be someone you'd actually hang out with outside of work, but make sure they're your buddy on the job.

Between making sure your computer won’t crash just before a big deadline and having the power to see everything you've ever done on the Internet, this is someone whose good side you definitely want to stay on.

And this means more than just smiling when you ask them for help. Be friendly even when you're not having a Windows crisis! Strike up conversations in the kitchen, find out where they're from, ask them what they're doing over the weekend. Be their friend and when the company orders a new MacBook Pro — and they get to choose who gets it — you'll be at the top of the list.

2. The Veteran

Chances are there's someone at your company who's been there longer than you. She was there when the company still offered free snacks, for goodness sake. She knows the processes inside out. She's connected to all the right people. She's your go-to gal for any question you have that you'd rather not ask your own manager. Sounds great, right?

Don't Forget the Receptionist! →

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But beware — all veterans were not created equal. Some are more willing to help than others, and it'll take some time and research to pinpoint your match. The veteran you want to make friends with is the one who has been most welcoming since you first started, the one who is patient and has always been comfortable answering your questions. Ideally, she's someone whose company you actually kind of enjoy and who you have other things in common with. You don't want her to feel like your friendship is a one-way street, right?

3. The Cross-Department Crony

No matter how much you love your job, there are always things you need to vent about. And while it's helpful to talk to others who share your job function — and therefore your specific grievances — sometimes this kind of relationship can be dangerous territory. You might end up feeding off of one another's negativity or reinforcing their biased opinion. And what happens when one of you gets promoted? Talk about awkward!

A safer shoulder to cry on is one that belongs to someone who works in an entirely different department. They may be able to give you a more objective perspective on your situation than someone who’s deep in it with you. They're far enough removed from the situation and most importantly, your own boss. And finally, they may confess to you their frustrations with their own crazy department, which will make you feel better about yours!

4. The Office Manager/Receptionist

She keeps the stock room ... well ... stocked. She plans company outings and makes reservations for your business trips. Above all else, she makes sure the whole organization stays afloat. Don't you want to stay afloat with it? Get your office manager’s good side and, hopefully, she'll look out for you where she can. The secret is most office managers get a little tired of being ignored.

Your New Best Friend! →

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Often, people only talk to her when they need something. Be a better friend than that! Go to lunch with her. Make her job easier by cleaning up after yourself. Refill the coffee maker when you've taken the last cup (you know you should be doing this anyway, right?).

Get to know your office manager above and beyond what she can do for you, and who knows where you’ll end up.

5. Your Work Best Friend

Need to someone to cover for you when you have to leave the office a little early? Looking for a colleague to bounce crazy ideas off of? Someone you trust to share gossip with (you just can't hold it in anymore!), your work best friend's got you covered.

According to Vital Friends author Tom Rath, people who have a “best friend” at the office are seven times more likely to be engaged in their work.

Your best friend is the person who you are absolutely closest to and, unlike the other friends on this list, you will probably spend a significant amount of time with them after work.

This type of closeness can be great for your productivity, your stress level, and your overall happiness — but it can also be dangerous if you have a falling out. Work hard to nurture this friendship but be prepared for the consequences if for some reason it doesn't work out.

Related Reads:

Do-It-Yourself Career Development

Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top

Are You Emotionally Intelligent?

Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

Organization + Systems = Clarity and Progress

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:53:00 -0800

You may recall me mentioning that my theme for 2010 is going to be “organization”. Two of the things I pride myself on in my business are knowing where everything in my office is and making steady progress in my business. But, I’ll be the first two admit, things are not always as organized as they could be.

I think this is the case with most entrepreneurs. We are so great with coming up with ideas. We LOVE to start new projects. But we aren’t always great at finishing those projects or keeping our business affairs in order. That fact often leads to a whole host of challenges.

It can result in a lot of wasted time (which directly affects one’s income). It can also create a lack of clarity (which prevents focused, consistent action). It will almost ALWAYS lead to frustration (which affects one’s mood and is NOT client attractive).

The good news is that organizing your business and implementing systems is not nearly as difficult as one might think. Following are a few strategies I’ve learned (in JUST two sessions) from my friend and organizer extraordinaire, Joshua Zerkel:

1. Determine what organization REALLY means to YOU! — I’ve learned that organization means different things to different people. But all that really matters is what it means to you and what YOUR goals are. So when you envision your business running like a well-oiled machine, what does that look like to you? How does it feel? Be specific and DON’T worry about what others (including your mother) think it means. Get comfortable with your own definition and own it.

2. Set specific goals — Saying to yourself, “I want to organize my office” is not a specific goal. A specific goal is one like, “I want to create a filing system for my client files” or “I plan to create a system for managing my receipts”. The more specific your goals are the easier they are to attain. Plus, you can then work on one at a time and not overwhelm yourself.

3. Schedule time to work on your projects — Your office (or any other room of your home) isn’t going to organize itself. Wishful thinking won’t get the job done either. You need to allocate specific blocks of time to work on JUST organizing and on just ONE small project at a time. TRUST me on this! Book a few 2 -3 hour sessions for yourself and plan ahead as to what you want to accomplish in that time. You’ll love how inspired and satisfied you feel when you’re done. Plus you’ll be much more excited and motivated to do it again.

Next: It's Okay to Ask for Help →

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4. Don’t be ashamed to get help if you need it — I’ve tried on numerous occasions to organize myself and it just didn’t work. I felt guilty about it for a long time, like “what is wrong with me”. But finally I decided to own it. It’s OK that I’m not so great at that. So I hired someone to help me. And what a difference it’s made! Joshua created a detailed plan just for me and comes to our sessions prepared to help me achieve specific goals. He doesn’t judge and supports me when I feel like quitting. It’s amazing what a HUGE difference having the support makes! So check out the National Association of Professional Organizers for an organizer in your area. If that option doesn’t work for you, check out this simple, easy to implement book I found – “Organize NOW!” by Jennifer Ford Berry. It’s a 52-week guide to organizing your life and available at her website. I LOVE Jennifer’s simple philosophy about organizing and that she wrote the book for REAL women like us. (She’s married, has two kids AND two businesses! ) By following the steps as they’re outlined in the book, you’ll have your WHOLE life in tip-top shape in just one year.

Organizing your business affairs and creating systems for maintaining order is going to bring you a sense of satisfaction and clarity that you may have never known. You’ll enjoy a renewed sense of focus, determination and confidence about your business. This will absolutely lead to you making progress in learning new skills, increasing your confidence and marketing to attracting new clients. Which all leads to a highly successful, profitable business!

Your Action Plan For This Week:

1. Make the time to do an honest assessment of your business and what aspects need to be tightened up. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge what you discover and DON’T feel bad about it!

2. Map out just five specific goals you’d like to accomplish in a specific period of time.

3. Break down what each goal means and schedule time on your calendar to work on each project.

4. Create a support system for yourself – Either look for an organizer in your area to assist you or pick up a copy of “Organize NOW!” If you choose the book route, make a commitment with a friend that you will both work through the steps and hold each other accountable. He/she will appreciate your nudge!

5. Let me know how you’re doing by posting your comments below.

More in Organization:

Organize Your Piles of Paperwork

Handling a Disorganized Boss

Calendar in Chief: Schedule like the President

How I Got a Grip on My Workweek

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5 Reasons You Need Your Girlfriends

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:56:00 -0800

I know this is a loaded statement, but here goes: I have always said that I don’t trust women who don’t have female friends.

You know the type — the girl who spends her time exclusively with men. She thinks women are catty (women other than her, of course). For some inexplicable reason, other women just don’t like her. And she can’t, for the life of her, figure out why (unless it’s that they’re just jealous or something). But I’m guessing you have a pretty good idea.

Women need other women. Female friends enrich our lives and make us better people. Even when you've got a boyfriend, a fiance, a husband, children or — if you're lucky — a gay best friend, your friendships with other women are crucial. They're important emotionally, physically, spiritually ... even professionally. And in case you need a reminder, here's why:

1. Women get you.

Sure, you have things in common with both genders — we’re all human, after all. But with other women, you share experiences that are exclusively female. Menstrual cramps, childbirth, and an X chromosome, to name some of the most basic. What about boy trouble, tricky mother-daughter relationships, gender discrimination, or a childhood obsession with glitter (or was that just me)? Of course, every woman will have unique life experiences, but it's hard to dismiss the fact that there are certain themes that unite us. Your girlfriends will get it when you just need a good cry. They'll understand the delicate balancing act of being a working mother. They'll appreciate your excitement at finding the perfect pair of jeans. And that's priceless.

2. They make better best friends

Okay, maybe not better. But possibly deeper. More meaningful. Longer lasting. Studies have shown that men are more fickle and calculating about who they stay friends with, whereas women tend to stick together through the good and bad. Women also work harder to maintain friendships. A Manchester University survey concluded that 47% of women contact their best friend on a daily basis, compared to 36% of men. The study also showed that men were more likely to base their friendships on activities (like drinking!) whereas women tended to base their friendships more on face-to-face interaction.

Next: We Make You Laugh →

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3. Women are funny

I've heard men say it, I've seen it pontificated in the media, and I've watched countless female comedians work a little too hard to combat it: the notion that women aren't funny. And nothing could be further from the truth. What about Sarah Silverman, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler? They seem to be doing pretty well as famous comedians. Some of the most hilarious friends I've had have been female. How could they not be? We've got so much to laugh at, what with men at our disposal.

4. They fill the gaps

No matter how much you love your boyfriend or spouse, you just can't get everything you need from one person. Your girlfriends offer another outlet, a uniquely female perspective on your struggles ... a type of emotional botox (or is that too much?). Besides, who else are you going to talk to about your man? Women who have more close friendships with other women are said to be happier, sleep better, stress less, and live longer than those who don't. And it makes sense. They're able to satisfy more of their emotional needs than someone who puts all their eggs in one testosterone-fueled basket.

5. If you're single, women are your greatest dating asset.

What's better than a wingman? A wingwoman! Your girlfriends are important regardless of your relationship status (of course). But when you're single, their companionship is a force to be reckoned with. Ever been out on the prowl with a guy friend? Most other men will steer clear, assuming your drinking buddy is your boyfriend (or at the very least, that he wants to be). Take your best girlfriend and it's a whole different story. Nightlife aside, a good girlfriend will always be your biggest evangelist. If she's already coupled up, she'll keep an eye out for any of her man's friends who she thinks would be a good match (even if she sometimes gets it horribly wrong!).

Hold onto your girlfriends. Nurture your friendships with other women. Don't let them go to the wayside because of mounting work stress, a new romance or even living hundreds of miles from one another. Don't get me wrong – men make fantastic friends too.

But your best guy pal is no substitute for a true-blue girl who'll stick by you in the best of times, the worst of times and – let's face it – even the most boy crazy of times.

Related Reads:

Do-It-Yourself Career Development

Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top

Are You Emotionally Intelligent?

Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

My Job Is Killing Me!

By Barbara Reinhold, Monster Contributing Writer — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:49:00 -0800

It's not your imagination, and it's not a joke: Your job may in fact be making you sick, robbing you of sleep and running down your immune system, making you more vulnerable to illness. Things really are more stressful these days. In fact, workplace stress has more than tripled in the past several years according to researchers. Expectations are higher and the pace faster than when you began your job.

Here's another tidbit from those researchers: The enemy may be within. What's making work stressful is not just about heightened expectations, but also about how you react to those changes and how well you take care of yourself.

Here are three simple steps for destressing and detoxifying your work:

1. Practice paying attention to what goes well each day, rather than obsessing about the problems. As you fall asleep each evening, force yourself to remember and review something good about the day.

2. Indulge in three pleasures every day — three things that are fun and relaxing for you. Do them religiously!

3. Don't let anything get in the way of you getting enough sleep, exercising at least 30 minutes every day (just a walk can do it) and eating healthy, well-balanced meals.

Unless you win the lottery, which would bring its own issues, workplace stressors are probably here to stay. But there's no reason why you can't put them in their place by managing your own thoughts and lifestyle choices.

Related Reads:

Do-It-Yourself Career Development

Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top

Are You Emotionally Intelligent?

Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

8 Money Saving Tips from the Great Depression

AdminSecret — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:36:00 -0800

The economy is sour and we have yet to see signs of the recovery in our own lives, but there’s no need to hoard every penny you’ve got and live in fear. Why? We’ve been through bad times before. And we didn't just survive — we emerged even stronger and smarter than before. When? The Great Depression of the 1930s, for example!

Even with unemployment hitting 25% (imagine a fourth of your friends and family out of work!), people in the 30s managed to stay afloat, pay their bills, and even have some fun. Sounds impossible? It's not. We just need to re-remember what we forgot. Here are eight ways — big and small — your grandparents kept things together that you can use too!

Learn how to love used stuff

Instead of buying a brand-new sofa, TV, or car, check out online resources like Craigslist or Ebay for nearly-new big-ticket items. We know you’d rather buy new, but just think about how much money you can save if you buy something that’s just a year old. By putting up with a tiny bit of wear and tear you can save up to thousands of dollars. After all, cars lose a huge amount of their value the second they’re driven off the lot. And do you need the absolute latest TV model? Let some other sucker pay a premium for the most cutting-edge toy and put that money into a savings account instead!

Stay realistic

We hate to say it, but it could be that things just aren’t going to get better any time soon. While an optimistic attitude is key, put that can-do spirit towards making do with things as they are, not how you hope they’ll be. If you make penny-pinching a habit, it becomes second nature, leaving you to enjoy life to the fullest without worrying about the next disaster. By approaching your finances with a realistic attitude, you’ll be able to weather changes with grace and style.

Next: Get Your Hands Dirty →

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Turn down the thermostat

Ever have your grandmother tell you to put a sweater on? That’s because the lady really knew what she was talking about. Give up the idea that your house is always going to be toasty-warm in the winter and refreshingly chill in the summer. By learning to live with a more moderate amount of artificial temperature regulation, you’ll be saving lots of money in the long run and be doing a great deed for the planet. Don’t forget to put this into practice in the car, too! Running the air conditioning at full blast noticeably lowers your mileage.

Get back to gardening

From Depression-era kitchen gardens to WWII Victory gardens, Americans have always gotten through tough times with green thumbs. By growing certain fruits and vegetables yourself you can save yourself a bundle at the grocery store and provide your family with super-tasty and ultra-fresh produce. Don’t have a lot of space? Don’t worry! You can grow a little herb garden in a window box, a planter, or even just a pot in your home. And gardening can help you with another money-saving tip you really should be using — eating out as rarely as possible. Even take-out can add up! Cooking for yourself is tasty and fun.

Don’t buy things you just want

Yeah, yeah, this one sounds like a bit of a no-brainer, but it’s time to start evaluating which things you really need and which ones you just want. We’ve been conditioned by decades of wall-to-wall, 24/7 advertising to believe we require the newest, the fanciest, and the shiniest anything you can think of. How many of these must-have toys are just collecting dust right now? Try to imagine a world without ads telling you what you need. Listen to your common sense and see if you notice a change. You’ll probably find you can make do with what you already have or buy smaller amounts of cheaper things. Do you think that on your deathbed you’ll wish you’d bought more designer clothing or faster cars? No, we didn’t think so either.

Be open to relocating

We're not talking about riding the rails like a Depression-era hobo, of course. We’re just saying that job growth tends to be concentrated in certain areas, and if you’re serious about getting a new or better job you may want to consider moving to an area with more opportunities. Like a modern-day Joad family, only not as depressing. People that stay mobile are more able to pick up jobs where they’re growing fastest rather than having to scramble for scarce jobs in a depressed part of the country. With a little research, you might find a region that’s booming and attractive to you and your family. And who knows — it could be an adventure!

Next: Do It Yourself! →

[page]

Do it yourself!

People in the Depression learned this one quickly: don’t pay somebody else to do what you can do yourself. Your time is valuable, but in rough times so is your paycheck. And we’re not just talking about obvious services like gardeners or maids. How many of you pay someone else to change your oil? Or to roast your chicken for you? Or deliver your groceries? Sit down with your family and see how much of your lives you can take over for yourselves. And, don’t forget, children can be a helpful work force with the right rewards and motivations!

Find lots of ways to make money

To follow up on our “Do it yourself” tip, don’t think of your day job as the only way you’ve got to make money. Putting your talents to work part-time is a smart way to make money, and possibly a stepping stone to a lucrative entrepreneurial career. Great cook? Try selling your delicious cakes and cookies to family and friends. Got some extra time on your hands? Run errands for cash. You’d be surprised what you can do. Just make sure you’re not running afoul of any local laws (particularly if you’re selling food) and the sky’s the limit!

Got some money-saving tips of your own? Share what you’ve learned!

Part II: What to Do When Your Boss is Wrong

Renee Weisman | WomenCo. — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:32:00 -0800

After my last article on What to Do When Your Boss Is Wrong appeared on AdminSecret, I received a number of notes from friends and coworkers. Most found the advice helpful. One went so far as to say “I'm sure I'll be able to put this to use every day!” and informed me he was looking to change jobs (no surprise there).

But several asked me to take this a step further. What do you do when you CAN’T follow the boss’s advice because you absolutely, positively know it is wrong? It could have severe consequences for you, for your company, for your customers, or for someone else if you allow something wrong to take place.

A basic assumption in the article was that the issue did not involve your integrity, safety, or something that went totally against everything you believe in. If you find yourself in one of these categories, then you absolutely need to do what is right.

A nurse should never give wrong medication because the doctor ordered it; an engineer should never use substandard materials because the boss wants to save money; a government worker should never accept or offer bribes to get something done. If it is illegal, immoral or inappropriate, you need to do what is right — even at the risk of your job. In these situations, I would first get advice and help, perhaps even consult a lawyer.

But what if it is not a matter of safety, integrity or reputation? You still believe you are right and cannot come to an agreement with your boss? Do you have any options short of quitting (which is always an option though painful)?

There are a few. Again. I always did try the methods in my prior article first, but if you are absolutely sure you cannot sway his or her opinion, here are a few other things to try.

Next Page: Four Tips to Try ->

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*1.* Do it your way but incorporate one or two of the ideas your boss suggested in it, if at all possible. Report back on those activities.

*2.* Don’t ask his or her advice at all. There’s an old saying that it is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Get the project underway the right way, and don’t engage your boss in the particulars. When asked, give updates on the details and results, not methods.

*3.* Discuss the issue with someone you can trust. If the person knows your boss and has a good relationship with him or her, perhaps he or she can suggest your approach as a good idea without mentioning you. Or perhaps he or she can at least get an understanding of why your boss is so adamant and can help you deal with this.

*4.* Go to your boss’s boss if you absolutely need permission before you can start. Again this depends on your relationship with him or her, and your boss may hold this against you. But if it you are ordered to do something you simply can’t do, than try this. Recognize that the next step may be transferring or quitting but you at least tried. If your boss’s boss sees the friction, it will raise his or her awareness about your boss’s inability to listen, and it may facilitate some management changes, especially if others have had a similar experience.

Remember, intransigent bosses like this rarely do succeed. If you can move to another department, do so. If you can last it out, he or she probably won’t be there long. I had two managers like this in my forty year career and neither lasted more than 9 months (9 stressful months in which I frequently practiced “not asking permission” and took every opportunity to present my positive results to upper level management).

Related Reads:

Do-It-Yourself Career Development

Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top

Are You Emotionally Intelligent?

Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

Life on Severance Pay

AdminSecret — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:43:00 -0800

There's an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal today about high-flying executives who have been laid off. Seems many of them have kept up their lavish (by an admin's standards) lifestyle on their severance pay:

"Paul Joegriner hasn't worked since March 2008, when he was laid off from his $200,000-a-year job as chief executive officer of a small bank. But you wouldn't know it by appearances.

His wife, Marzena, shuttles their two young children to private school every morning. The family recently vacationed in Virginia Beach, Va., and likes to dine on Porterhouse steaks. Since losing his job, Mr. Joegriner, 44 years old, has had several offers. He's turned each down in hopes of landing a position comparable to what he held before."

Sounds like the sweet life, right?

Well, think again. Even a huge severance deal has to run out sometime.

"The family's lifestyle over the past year and a half has been propped up by a $200,000 severance package and another $100,000 in savings -- funds the family has burned through rapidly. By Mr. Joegriner's own calculations, the family will be out of money in six months if he doesn't find work."

Wow, you'd think that a CEO would be smart enough to know to buckle down and cut expenses after a layoff, but I guess you'd be wrong. I be an admin would have been smarter with a budget!

Have you ever received a great severance package? If you did, how would you spend it?
Join the discussion!

Executive Assistants Beware of Being Too Busy

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:14:00 -0800

Did you read about the recent PepsiCo debacle? It was a big story in the news last week. Here is an excerpt from finance.yahoo.com.

“In court papers, PepsiCo claims it first received a legal document related to the case from the North Carolina agent on Sept 15 when a copy of the co-defendant’s letter was forwarded to Deputy General Counsel Tom Tamoney in PepsiCo’s law department. Tamoney’s secretary, Kathy Henry, put the letter aside and didn’t tell anyone about it because she was “so busy preparing for a board meeting.” PepsiCo said in its Oct 13 motion to vacate.” You might want to read the entire story.

The price to PepsiCo for not being in Court: $1.26 billion.

Who says that paperwork or filing is not important? Executive assistants and administrative assistants are responsible for being an information flow manager. Don’t ever take this task lightly and don’t ever be too busy to handle something that is truly important. If you are not certain of the importance of something, then be sure to ask the appropriate person.

Related Reads:

Do-It-Yourself Career Development

Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top

Are You Emotionally Intelligent?

Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

What Was Your First Job?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:14:00 -0800

You probably didn't start out as an Administrative Assistant — but that's definitely possible! Babysitter? Burger flipper? Dog walker? What was your first job?

Join the Discussion!

3 Step Formula to Success as a Virtual Assistant

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:58:00 -0800

Are you ready to create different results in your business in the new year? Most of us are. Whatever level of success you may have achieved in 2009, it’s almost certain that you can expand that in 2010.

But what is going to be so different about the new year? I can’t foretell the future and I don’t know what exciting changes and opportunities are in store for you. But what I can tell you is that the one thing you can control is…..

Your mindset!

Your mindset is simply the perspective from which you view the world. More specifically, in this case, the way you view your business. How are you feeling about your business these days? Are you struggling to fill your practice with clients? Wondering how you’re going to pay your bills? Overwhelmed by the time and energy it takes to run your business?

If so, you are not alone! Many in the industry are feeling the same way. BUT, there are many who are making progress, working with a practice full of clients and generating a consistent income. “What is different about these VAs”, you ask?

Their mindset!

So, let’s talk about how you can get on-board the VA” success train”. Here are the three keys to changing your mindset and achieving success in your business:

Gain Clarity

Feelings of overwhelm and frustration often stem from a lack of clarity. When you are clear and focused in your business, it’s easy to get off track and difficult to achieve your goals. So, one of the first things you need to do is to get clear on what it is you are trying to accomplish. Here are some questions to consider:

1. What am I really trying to accomplish in my business? (Be specific, i.e. the number of clients you want to work with, the amount of revenue you want to generate, etc.)

2. What are the results and benefits I provide to my target market? (Hint: I help ________________ do/eliminate/find_________________.)

3. Who is my ideal client? (Be VERY specific here – Make up a persona that needs and wants to buy your services from you.)

4. Where can I start connecting with groups of my ideal clients (Think trade associations, networking groups, chamber of commerce events, friends, family and past/present colleagues.)

5. What strategies can I use to connect with my client? (In person networking, online marketing, mailing a letter of introduction, etc.)

The goal here is to step back from what you’re currently doing in your business and get crystal clear on the results you want to create. Don’t worry about what hasn’t worked in the past. Embrace a positive, abundant attitude. Instead of saying “I can’t do that,” ask “How can I do that?” Shift the way you look at yourself and your business away from self-doubt, insecurity and procrastination to a mindset of confidence and tenacity.

Take Action

Now that you are clear on what you want to accomplish, it’s time to take action. If you want different results in your business, you’ve got to take action, starting NOW!

You aren’t going to overhaul your business overnight and you shouldn’t try. But what you SHOULD do is to break larger projects/tasks down into manageable pieces and schedule the time to make it happen. That’s right! Schedule it! Don’t leave it to chance.

Next: Make Your Mark →

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Plan ahead now to:

1. Create your business and marketing plan for 2010 (Need help with this? Be on the look out for a special announcement next Tuesday!)
2. Research your target market and find out what their current needs and struggles are. (NOTE: People’s lives change everyday. You have to stay abreast of what problems your ideal clients are looking to solve.)
3. Research networking opportunities either live or online where you can start connecting with your ideal clients
Practice talking about what you do so that it’s comfortable, authentic and attractive.

Embrace The Results

Now that you’ve gained clarity around what you want to accomplish, have started implementing and taking action, it’s time to enjoy the results! Start a journal where you keep track of the “wins” in your business (no matter how “small” they may seem”) and choose one person in your life to share them with.

Enjoy the process of upgrading your mindset. When you find a moment of overwhelm or discouragement coming up, open up your journal and review your progress and pat yourself on the back for what you HAVE done. Use this exercise to quiet the negative voices in your head that may be trying to hold you back.

Start stepping out of your comfort zone! It’s ok to take small steps, but you want to be progressive in your business. If an opportunity doesn’t work out as you planned or a particular networking event doesn’t offer any leads, don’t view the situation as a failure. Rather, look at what you can learn from it and how you can do better next time. That’s the beauty of being self-employed, you can make changes anytime you want to improve the quality of your business!

Here is the simple formula:

Gain Clarity + Take Action + Get Results = Entrepreneurial Success

Implementing these simple strategies will help you to overcome a limiting mindset and start attracting the business success you deserve!

Your Action Plan For This Week

1. Answer the questions listed above to get clear on your business goals
2. Map out your action plan and schedule time on your calendar to implement
3. Post your thoughts/feedback/comments below and let us know how you’re doing. We want to cheer you on!

Career or J-O-B? Which One Do You Have?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:34:00 -0800

Are you happy in your present workplace? Do you feel that you've finally found your calling in your career or do you feel that you are just going from paycheck to paycheck in another J-O-B?

Many people from all around the world feel the latter for the most part of their work lives. I even was stuck in dead end jobs in the past, where I thought to myself, "I need to get out! This is going nowhere."

I started working in a private institution as an English tutor. The kids were great to work with, but it was only to help me get through college, since it was part-time work. After this, I worked for a bank as a teller and a mortgage specialist. Then I moved onto a construction company working as an Administrative Assistant. Boy, was that a fun time (you can just feel my pain in this one).

The job that I landed before my current one (working for a magazine now) was at a securities firm, where I've obtained my Canadian Securities Course certificate. I thought that I wanted to become an Investment Advisor, but realized that this was just a hobby (making money with money).

The point of all of this is that you have to endure a little pain in order to get to where you want to be. Along the way, you have to question yourself to see if the career that you're in is a right fit for you, not the other way around.

Here are some points to consider checking if you are at the right place:

* Are you interested in getting a fair salary and being happy with it, as opposed to only being interested in money?

* Do you feel that you can advance in your company, if that's what you are looking for?

* Do you feel that you are content with the position that you are in, even if you don't advance?

* Do you enjoy your work environment and the people that you help?

If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you may be on the right track. But keep in mind that you are the only one that can determine if you are happy or not with what you are doing.

I love being an Administrative Assistant because I love to help people. I love the daily challenges that are thrown at me, as each day brings something new and exciting. I don't feel that I need to move up within my company as I am happy with where I am at this point in my life. Are you?

Subscribe to The Professional Assistant feeds or get posts e-mailed directly to you today.

Until next time,

Take care - of your clutter!

What's Your Perceived Professional Quotient?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:51:00 -0800

What sets you apart as an administrative professional?

Is it the way you conduct yourself in social settings? In business settings? Is it the type of speech you use or the positive attitude you display? Is it the way you treat your co-workers and the executives you support?

I think we’ve all worked with someone during our careers who simply stands out. They are the consummate professional in almost every setting with almost all personality types. They always know the right thing to say and the right way to say it. It is impossible to imagine someone not wanting to work with them because they display so many impressive and polished traits. And then we’ve all worked with the opposites.

What three things influence whether or not a person is perceived as professional? According to Erin O’Hara Meyer, PHR, founder of Administrative Excellence, Inc., and author of Administrative Excellence, those three things are IMAGE, CONDUCT, and EXPERTISE.

We have 1/20th of one second to make a first impression. With that first impression, the other individual makes an instant assessment about our knowledge, skills, and abilities. Image encompasses not only how we dress, but how we speak and present our work product each day. Do I capitalize words and punctuate my e-mail messages — even when I’m in a hurry? How do I answer the phone when it may be someone contacting my company for the first time — or the 20th time? Is my desk or office kept in a manner that indicates I’m a professional?

It’s easy to see how conduct is intertwined with overall image, too. Do I maintain the confidentiality that is required for the information I handle each day? Do I gossip or talk negatively about my co-workers, my boss or external partners with which my company does business? All of these things contribute to our Perceived Professional Quotient whether we intend them to or not.

No matter how polished our professional image, though, eventually our actual work product must live up to the image we are projecting. This is where our expertise is critical. What am I doing on a daily basis to further my education? Belonging to a professional association such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is a great place to start, but it’s only the beginning. Taking time each day to build our professional expertise requires planning and effort. But it must be done to continue our professional development. Am I reading books on soft skills or technical areas where I want to improve? Do I utilize some of the terrific online resources for professional development like www.StarDynamics.com and www.productivitypro.com or even the www.iaap-hq.org websites? Have I asked my employer what training classes are available to me?

Let’s continue to enhance our professional image and conduct, and work each day to increase our professional expertise. Then our Perceived Professional Quotient will go beyond mere form into the substance of true administrative excellence. And excellence always sets an administrative professional apart!

To your administrative success!

Julie Perrine CPS/CAP, MBTI Certified

Think you're a super-professional admin? Want to show us how you shine?Sound off!

Having Trouble Planning A "Non-Religious" Office Party?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:49:00 -0800

Do you have trouble planning your holiday office party? Do you feel that there are too many people opposing to different things that you plan such as religious issues?

I am sure that this happens within many organizations and each year, everyone has something to say about what they feel would be the "best" way to celebrate the holidays. Of course, you also have people that do not celebrate the holidays as they don't follow any religious followings and prefer not to have any religiousness tied into the celebrations.

Of of my readers asks:

I’m in the process of planning a Holiday Party for my office. It’s getting messy…really messy! Some people are very religious and have issues when others refer to their Christmas trees as Holiday trees. It’s been going further than that and someone brought up that Secret Santa is a Christmas event and shouldn't occur during our non-denominational party. I’m not even sure what to plan for anymore, nor can I think of how to bring up these issues to those who aren’t aware of it.

How does one go about planning a holiday party without making people feel as though it is religious AND without making people feel as though it is doing an injustice to their religion?

My answer to this is:

What I've done in the past with these types of parties is to get everyone's input on how they feel that the party would be best run, taking into account that there shouldn't be any religious ties to it. This way, everyone will enjoy themselves and not feel that they are being ridiculed because of their religion.

If people are not in agreement to exchanging gifts, then so be it. I would tell them that it's a nice thought, but there's no religious ties to it. If they feel that they want to give gifts, it should be because it's something that they want to share with the entire team, not because of religious reasons. It all depends on how everyone feels about this. You don't want to leave anyone out.

If all else fails, tell everyone that due to the lack of consensus, you are forced to not hold a party at all. This way, the onus will not be on you, as everyone else could not make up their minds. I know that this sounds harsh, but you want to make sure you cover yourself. Remember that you are trying to do something nice for everyone and if people don't pitch in, you can't act Superman / Superwoman and take care of everything.

You can also do some further reading on catering for your office party on my post entitled "Let Your Staff 'Cater' To Themselves", which talks about online catering that each individual staff member takes care of themselves. This helps you cut down on the number of tasks that you have to juggle.

Is there anything else that you can think of that would help people come to some sort of agreement with this issue? Please leave a comment and let us know.

Related Reads:

Do-It-Yourself Career Development

Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top

Are You Emotionally Intelligent?

Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

adminsecret

"Because We've Always Done It That Way"

The Pay Stubs From Hell

It Never Hurts To Ask

Related Reads: Do-It-Yourself Career Development Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top Are You Emotionally Intelligent? Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

Creating Dazzling Customer Experiences: How To Make It Work

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Ask the Admin: How Secure Is Gmail?

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Networking at Work is Important for New Hires

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Are Your Work Communications Professional? ... Are You Sure?

Related Reads: Do-It-Yourself Career Development Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top Are You Emotionally Intelligent? Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

Excel Is NOT a Database!

Why Businesses Don’t Use Databases

Access Is Too Hard To Learn

We’ve Always Used Excel for This

There’s Not Enough Data Here to Warrant a Database

Just Say No

More in Job Skills: How to Type Faster What to Capitalize in a Title How to Make My Computer Run Faster ...and more in our Tips and Skills section!

5 Friends You Should Have at Work

Related Reads: Do-It-Yourself Career Development Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top Are You Emotionally Intelligent? Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

Organization + Systems = Clarity and Progress

More in Organization: Organize Your Piles of Paperwork Handling a Disorganized Boss Calendar in Chief: Schedule like the President How I Got a Grip on My Workweek ...and more in our Organization section!

5 Reasons You Need Your Girlfriends

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My Job Is Killing Me!

Related Reads: Do-It-Yourself Career Development Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top Are You Emotionally Intelligent? Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

8 Money Saving Tips from the Great Depression

Learn how to love used stuff

Stay realistic

Turn down the thermostat

Get back to gardening

Don’t buy things you just want

Be open to relocating

Do it yourself!

Find lots of ways to make money

Got some money-saving tips of your own? Share what you’ve learned!

Related Reads: 25 Best U.S. Vacation Cities On the Cheap 5 Money Mistakes Smart People Make 4 Things That May Trigger Your Spending Save Unexpectedly on Your Groceries

More COBRA Questions

Can I Get COBRA if I’ve Been Fired?

What Happens if My Company Cancels My Plan?

What If I Don’t Pay Within 45 Days?

Any Other Questions?

More Job Seeker Advice Top 10 Resume Blunders 15 Toughest Interview Questions (and Answers!) How to Work with a Recruiter The 35 Best Places to Launch Your Career

Part II: What to Do When Your Boss is Wrong

Next Page: Four Tips to Try ->

Related Reads: Do-It-Yourself Career Development Earning Your Rightful Place at the Top Are You Emotionally Intelligent? Dying to Get Ahead? 10 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

Life on Severance Pay

Have you ever received a great severance package? If you did, how would you spend it? Join the discussion!

Executive Assistants Beware of Being Too Busy

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Have you ever received a great severance package? If you did, how would you spend it?
Join the discussion!

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