Written by Rebecca MetschkeJun 07, 2009www.jobsarticle.com
Your network is extremely valuable; there's a good chance you're going to find your next job through the people you know.
Every contact with another person is a potential networking opportunity...and I'm not just talking about business functions or industry events. People you see at the gym, other parents from your child's school, people at church, somebody you run into at the deli, the person who cuts your hair, the people at the wedding reception you'll be attending this weekend...you never know where that golden lead is going to come from.
The smart job seeker is always working to increase his or her network.
And the smartest job seekers? They're looking to accomplish that goal just a little bit differently from the way the majority of the crowd seeks to do so.
They're thinking in terms of people they don't know.
They consider who they'd like to know...who they need to know...and then figure out how to meet these people. The contacts who end up in their network aren't random...they're targeted. Their "wish list" might include specific names but initially it's also likely be a little more generic and include companies or sectors.
For example, Company ABC may be on Meg's list of employers for whom she'd like to work - so she makes it a point to figure out how to meet people who work there. She may not know yet who specifically makes the most sense to connect with, but she knows she needs to find a way to network inside. She starts generically at first; then she can drill down.
She also targets professional organizations, conferences, and other events where she'll have a good chance to meet people on her target list.
Now, this isn't to say that "random" additions to your network are a negative. Many people whom you meet "out of the blue" turn out to be extremely valuable connections. Still, if you approach networking strategically, you'll be able to benefit that much more from your efforts.
Start thinking about who you don't know - and take it from there.
A messy and disorganized desk is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and viruses. These unwanted guests may result in you suffering from coughs and colds or other ailments. Would you like to work in an unhealthy workplace? I am sure the answer to the question would be a resounding NO. There are many ways that we can prevent our office workspace from becoming a proverbial pigsty. Here are some tips which are easy to follow and will help you keep your desk clean and your office healthier.
1.Have organizers for your work. Get files folders, in-out trays for urgent projects, CD boxes to store your digital documents and a stationary holder to keep your desk clutter free. Prioritize what you have by keeping the items that you use on a regular basis within reach. Items that are occasionally used should be stored away in cabinets, drawers or even separate shelves near your desk.
2.One photo frame is enough. Limit the number of decorative items on your desk as they are a magnet for dust and vie for the limited desktop space that you have.
3.Have anti-bacterial wipes and tissues on hand. It is important to routinely wipe down the phone, keyboard and surfaces to prevent the spread of germs with anti-bacterial wipes. Having tissues around to cover your nose if you do have a cold. If you do have a cold, take precautions to prevent your fellow employees from contracting the virus from you.
4.Open the windows to air out the room if possible. Having a fresh breeze now and then prevents the office from having stale air. Turning off the air-conditioner once in a while can help reduce the spread of germs.
5.Add plants to your workspace. A touch of greenery can help to improve the air quality in the office and make it a more pleasant place to work.
6.Do not store food in your office drawers or on at your workstation. If you have food around you will be tempted to munch while busily typing at the keyboard. Unnoticed to you there maybe food crumbs in your office chair or in the carpet which may lead to visits by ants or the growth of germs.
7.Do not eat at your workstation. Eating on the job is bad not only for your health but also you may accidently spill the contents of your lunch on the table or on your keyboard.
8.Have a five minute clean up routine. End each working day by filing away and putting away the items on your desk so you can arrive to a clean desk tomorrow. Clean all surfaces with a moist cloth then dry.
With these 8 handy tips you can be assured that your work desk is kept clean and hygienic.
Training may be the solution, but what is the problem it solves. Much training value is lost because there is a mismatch between the business problem, and training as a solution. If you like this article and you are looking for more material, advice and help with training, instructional design, return on investment, visit The Training World. There are good reasons to mandate training and development in your organization, and there are bad reasons for mandating training. There are ALSO good reasons for NOT training, in some circumstances, and bad reasons to refuse. Knowing what training can and cannot accomplish enables you to make the right decisions at the right time, ensuring that your limited training dollars are used effectively.
The Chaotic Work World
If our work worlds were stable, and un-changing, we might not need to worry too much about training. We might still do it to provide employee development but it would be less critical to our organization's success.
It ain't so. All you need to do is look around at your own organization, and what you are likely to see is significant changes that have occurred during the last year. You may have lived through down-sizing, re-structuring, changed mandates, increased workloads, flattening of management structure, and a host of other changes. It is not likely that these changes will cease in the future, and we may be looking at changed political imperatives that will result in movement towards Special Operating Agencies, and making government more entrepreneurial.
You know all this. Change has accelerated to the point where some organizations are in chaos, and most are at least staggered. What all this means is that as our work worlds change, new skills, knowledge and concepts are needed to achieve our corporate goals. And, our personal goals. Just to stay even, and just to keep our sanity.
Since change is occurring at such a rapid rate, while we may have taken our jobs at a time when we were fully qualified, we may now have gaps in our knowledge. At a management level, the skills needed to manage a flat organization, a Total Quality Management organization, or a Special Operating Agency are different than those we have. At an employee level, it is no different. Technology changes, or changes in the way organizations are managed, or even increased workloads change the actual JOBS in an organization, and change them in such away that new skills and abilities are needed so that new expectations can be met.
What Training Can Do
Training CAN accomplish many things. It can help people learn the new skills that are required to meet new expectations, both formal and informal. For example, a support staff person may have been hired originally for his/her ability to type, to answer the phone and file. But now, with increased workloads, we want that person to be able to do much more...perhaps to solve client problems, to use desktop publishing processes, to handle more of the day-to-day issues, so we can use our time more effectively. Training can help people accept the challenge of their evolving jobs.
Training can also help to:
. build a common understanding of the organization's purpose.
. show management's commitment and loyalty to employees
. develop people so they can increase their responsibilities and contribute to the organization in new ways.
What Training Cannot Do
There are many things that training can't do. Training, on its own, cannot change ineffective employees into effective ones. It is unlikely to address ALL the causes of poor performance. Limited training also will not turn a poor supervisor or manager into an effective one, unless it is coupled with ongoing coaching from above.
Training will not erase problems that occur as a result of poor structuring of work, mismatching of work with the person, unclear authorities and responsibilities or other organizationally related issues.
Training As A Tool
The best way of thinking about training is to think of it as a management tool, much like a carpenter's tool. Just like a carpenter picks the hammer and not a screwdriver to pound a nail, the manager should be choosing training because it is the RIGHT tool for the job.
Also, to continue the analogy, if the supporting structure (the wood) is rotted, only the foolish carpenter would attempt to pound the nail into the wood, and expect it to help. It is the same with the manager. If a manager expects things to improve as a result of training, he or she needs to ensure that the supports are there for the use of the tool, and that there are no other non-training related problems hanging about.
To conclude, training can be a valuable tool for the organization and the manager, provided it is the RIGHT tool to solve the problem or address the identified issues. Even then, there must be supports in the organization so the training can be effective. Other articles in this edition discuss some of these supports. (work911.com)
