Management Blog

Working around bad manners

When can bad manners actually be good for you? When they allow you to understand that a supplier or client is bad news, Workplace Excellence blogger Dan Bobinski writes in a recent post.

Bobinksi argues that rude, impolite and discourteous behaviour on behalf of a supplier or client often indicates that the relationship is capable of delivering more trouble than the relationship is worth.

And bad manners don't have to be aimed specifically at you to indicate future problems; it's claimed being rude to waiters or coworkers may also indicate a troublesome client or supplier.

In order to handle this delicate situation the following tips are offered:

• Remain objective – avoid making a knee-jerk reaction to bad manners, look for trends not one-off instances
• Get help – ask others if they have experienced a similar problem, and discuss if a strained relationship can be fixed
• Don't take it personally – there may be personal issues at play that are causing poor behaviour

Bobinksi stresses that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It is, however, a problem worth tackling to ensure your day isn't continually being sullied by the poor behaviour of others.

Any tips for handling a badly behaved supplier or client?

An online issues management masterpiece?

The very public breakdown of JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater in the US has received a lot of press attention and watercooler discussion over the past week.

In an interesting turn of events and in spite of breaking key safety regulations, Slater's dramatic departure from a JetBlue plane has resulted in considerable support from the public and some journos.

But according to FastCompany the airline has managed to turn this opinion around to a large extent by taking a less is more approach to social media issues management.

The company achieved this with just one short blog post that mixed cheeky self-deprecation, a pop culture reference and a not too obvious dose of key messaging. The post can be found here.

When ideas procreate

True creativity is not an outcome of individual genius, but the result of a mating process, i.e. when ideas have sex, author Matt Ridley claims.

In this entertaining TED Talk, Ridley explains how throughout history the engine of human progress has been the meeting and mating of ideas to form new paradigms.

Hot new business trends

Looking to start a new business?

A recent Inc. magazine investigation suggests that environmental consulting, mobile app design and healthy drinks are all new SME possibilities worth considering.

The publication's listing of 'Best Industries for Starting a Business Right Now' is US focused but may offer some clues on emerging local business trends. The list includes:

• Healthy beverages – growing due to consumers becoming more health conscious, especially the boomer population
• Mobile apps – mobile tools like the iPad have created plenty of opportunities for programmers, developers and designers
• Bakeries and baked goods – the desire for 'little treats' is a big trend in the US that also appears to be taking off here
• Online vintage goods – apparently lovers of handmade jewellery and vintage clothing are bypassing stores and heading online
• Environmental consulting – a growing industry that's said to be well suited to specialist independent contractors 

The key to finding the perfect job candidate

Hiring the right person for your company has less to do with luck and a lot to do with disciplined recruitment processes, a recent Harvard Business Review article claims.

The article claims the 'science' of good hiring practice is a result of a range of variables. In summary, these include:

• A measured approach – avoid hiring staff quickly as finding the right person requires both time and a clear set of objectives
• Avoid the comfort zone – just because you're comfortable with a candidate doesn't mean they are ideal
• Stick to the guidelines – hiring in accordance to key competencies can help you avoid unconscious psychological traps
• Look for soft skills – to ensure a good fit consider interview questions that require candidates to reflect on their behaviour
• Take onboarding seriously – offer structured support for new employees and be clear about your expectations

What do you think – is hiring really a science or more of an art?

What can you learn from Google's mistakes?

It's not often that Google owns up to having a 'complete failure', so it is worth considering what caused the demise of the company's Wave service, Smart Company argues in a recent article.

Google had claimed its Wave – a collaborative email networking meets social media platform – would revolutionise Internet use but has recently announced it is closing the service.

What went wrong? And what can your business learn from Google's mistakes? Smart Company claims the failure of Google Wave offers five valuable lessons. In summary, these are:

• Keep it simple – rather than offering simplicity, Google Wave was boated with features and complicated to use
• Explain yourself – Google never bothered to clearly explain how Wave worked or the benefits to the user
• Avoid overselling – a number of OTT words like 'revolution' and even 'magical' were used to describe the product
• Learn by your mistakes – it's claimed Google has learned a number of valuable lessons from Wave and that many product features will be incorporated into other services

The insight of monkeynomics

Could research into the way monkeys behave hold clues as to why the global financial crisis took place?

It's a distinct possibility according to primate researcher Laurie Santos who has conducted a series of experiments into 'monkeynomics' to highlight the odd choices humans often make.

In this TED Talk, Santos offers a fascinating insight into why humans (and monkeys) often have trouble learning from their mistakes.

Tips on how to deal with a younger boss

There will soon be more Generation Xs and Ys in the workforce than Boomers, a trend that means it's inevitable that many middle aged or older workers will have a younger boss at some stage.

A recent news.com.au article looks at how 40-plus workers might choose to tackle this often vexing development. After speaking to a number of workplace culture experts the following advice is offered:

• Apply common sense – don't jump to judgments about age related experience, skills and knowledge; learn to identify and understand different generational work styles and perceptions
• Get with the program – a younger boss may be less interested in face time and more keen on electronic forms of communication, so it's helpful to build and maintain technology skills
• Share your knowledge – if you've been with the company for longer than a younger boss be open to sharing your insight into the company's culture, past and business cycles   

What do you think about younger bosses? And what can younger managers do to accommodate older subordinates?

LinkedIn grows locally

It might have taken a while to catch on, but professional social media network LinkedIn is starting to grow in popularity in Australia.

In March this year the site hit the one million Australian member mark, a milestone that coincides with the opening a Sydney office to develop a stronger connection with local professionals.

LinkedIn's point of difference from other social media sites is that it aims to offer a niche platform for professionals to connect in a timely manner online or via a smart phone.

And it appears the time is ripe for this kind of connection: a recent LinkedIn study found networking is a crucial goal for Australian professionals when it comes to career advancement.

Niche social networking is clearly starting to turn into a trend. In the US, a new online network for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) professionals has been launched.

The site dot429 (429 is GAY on a phone keypad) is national in scope, a development that makes it different from other GLBT networking groups that are industry or region based.

Six secrets of entrepreneurial greatness

Achieving entrepreneurial success doesn't rely on the possession of a God bestowed gift or even fortunate genetics, it's the outcome of understanding the secrets behind best business practice.

According to a recent Inc. magazine article, six secrets can help ambitious start-up owners achieve success. Each secret is based on an idea put forward by a leading entrepreneur.

In summary, these entrepreneurial best practice tips are:

• Treat the customer like gold – operate on the rule that the customer is always right rather than taking a cut-throat approach
• Be accountable to a great board of directors – even if you're a sole owner, it pays to make yourself answerable
• Understand your product – as your business grows retain an intimate knowledge of your offering and how it's created
• Guard your margins – it's suggested business owners always base their price on margins come what may
• Build a talented culture – pay attention to the up and comers, and stay in regular contact with talented employees
• Be willing to fail – try different approaches until you figure out the best path to take