Great meetings always start on time!

8380732_mMeetings are often perceived as a necessary evil, but why not eliminate this perception by making them more productive? This can only be achieved by respecting the most important rule: start and finish your meetings on schedule!

Never mind forgiving those who show up late, show your gratitude to those who arrive on time by starting the meeting as planned, by doing the opposite, you undermine every future meeting. The usual suspects will always be late, while those who respectfully show up as scheduled will inevitably think ʺwhy bother showing up on timeʺ.

Successful meetings are usually a reflection of the thought that was put into them. Prepare a point-by- point meeting agenda in priority order of the issues to be discussed and the allotted time for each. Provide a copy to every participant ahead of time along with all other relevant documents. Continue reading “Great meetings always start on time!”

Office Parties: Avoid Painful Hangovers!

47330904_mThe Holiday Season is just around the corner. Employers often choose this festive time of year to thank employees for a job well done, but this opportunity does come with its fair share of ethical and legal responsibilities.

For starters, employers must take all of the necessary measures to protect the health, safety and dignity of their employee’s, even if the party is held at an exterior venue or takes place after normal business hours. Continue reading “Office Parties: Avoid Painful Hangovers!”

Workplace Romances: A Risky Affair

12954660_mYour heart races and you break into a cold sweat at the sight of one of your colleagues at work? Should you follow your heart and jump right in, or is your brain telling you to do the exact opposite? How do you manage these conflicting impulses?

Workplace infatuations are commonplace: we spend a great deal of time at work, where we always strive to put our best foot forward. According to a Monster Europe survey, 30 percent of all couples originated in the workplace. Continue reading “Workplace Romances: A Risky Affair”

9 attributes that bosses seek

23839138_mMost bosses keep their thoughts to themselves, but the majority just love managing individuals with profiles that go beyond the usual skills and accomplishments. The following is a list of attributes that business leaders value most:

– Positive attitude: An easy-going personality and superior social skills go a long way in facilitating management/employee communication.

– Tact: Expressing dissatisfaction can be very productive when the opinion is backed by facts and experience.

– Open-Mindedness: New ways of accomplishing tasks and constructive criticism help improve skill levels and results.

– Self-Control: If you let momentary situations or emotions cloud your judgement, your credibility with your boss and co-workers will suffer. Continue reading “9 attributes that bosses seek”

7 Telltale signs that you may be fired

Fired-300x215The automotive industry is currently firing on all cylinders, and you feel that you are performing well in your current position, although a feeling of insecurity has started to creep in lately. Is it just your imagination? Numerous factors lead us to believe that we are solidly entrenched in the organization, but several telltale signs are often associated with the beginning of the end of our employment situation. Whether valid or not (and we rarely agree that they are), these signs are usually easy to recognize.

While you must be careful not to slip into a state of total paranoia, take a look at the seven warning signs that may be signalling that it’s time to launch an active job search: Continue reading “7 Telltale signs that you may be fired”