Communication

Beat the summer blahs: 9 tips to boost productivity & fun

05/18/2011

As the weather warms, the focus and productivity of your employees can sometimes drift. It’s time to create some fun and optimism at work. Think about simple activities that will help employees feel good and interact with each other on a friendly, personal level. Here are ideas to try:

Lower employee stress to raise performance

05/11/2011

Studies show that workplace stress has increased over the past several years and that productivity can drop if employers don’t address the problem. Here are just some of the issues likely stressing your staff—along with suggestions on how HR can help.

Management 101: Never hand off work without a checklist

05/10/2011

More than ever, work is collaborative. And where do things go wrong when it comes to collaborative work? At the handoff. It’s usually not because someone is incompetent or lazy; it’s due to poor communication. The bottom line: We all need checklists. Use or adapt this “handoff checklist” when delivering a project assignment, suggests the Harvard Business Review blog.

Admins aren’t personal assistants … and vice versa

05/10/2011

It’s one of the most sensitive issues HR pros have to deal with: the boss who treats administrative support staff like they’re personal assistants. Think it went out with the three-martini lunch? Think again.

New business etiquette rules for the modern age

04/26/2011

Having good manners today is less about using the right fork, and more about showing consideration toward others. As we celebrate Administrative Professionals Week, here’s sound business etiquette advice for everyone who works. The key, as always: Common courtesy.

Never hand off work without a checklist

04/19/2011

Staff become owners with open-book management

04/15/2011

The 28 employees of Anthony Wilder Design/Build, a remodeling firm in Cabin John, Md., act like they own the place. They don’t. But owners Anthony and Liz Wilder have given them full access to the company’s financial records. Result: Employees have an intimate understanding of the ultra-competitive remodeling industry.

NLRB ruling revisited: Can employees really trash you on Facebook?

04/05/2011

Don’t read too much into the NLRB’s recent “Facebook rant” ruling. Despite much employer hand-wringing, the decision didn’t give employees a free pass on social media posts. They still don’t have license to defame, disparage or otherwise trash their company, management, product or co-workers. Here’s why.

Micromanaging: 5 signs you’re doing it; 4 ways to stop it

03/28/2011

When it comes to assigning projects, do you spend most of your time telling employees how to do the work? Or do you give them clear goals and guidelines, then get out of the way? Micromanaging is an inefficient use of a manager’s time. It signals distrust of employees and inhibits them from taking initiative. Here are key signs of micromanaging and advice on how to reduce it.

Moving beyond carrot-and-stick motivation

03/24/2011

Encouraging autonomy doesn’t mean discouraging accountability. Rather than hovering, managers and HR should presume people want to be accountable and then provide the “scaffolding” to help new employees find their footing.