Management Blog

Productivity bolstering tips

As 2012 starts to settle into a familiar groove of tight deadlines and overflowing email in-boxes it could be time to think about ways to boost your personal productivity, news.com.au suggests.

A recent article on the website claims professionals are in a position to leave the office on time despite a growing workload by following a series of tips.

Based on ideas gathered from a range of productivity experts these tips include:

• 15-minute bursts – set a timer and spend 15 minutes working intensely on one project and avoid all communication distractions
• Cut down on email – apparently it takes 25 minutes to refocus after reading email, so only go through your inbox once or twice a day
• Be organised – avoid a messy desk, instead have a place for important information that's easy to access and file the rest
• Sort out your priorities – follow the 3Ds – do it, delegate it or dump it
• Time to focus – block out periods times when people can't approach to you (to tackle demanding tasks) as well as those when they can't

Is happiness the key to success?

Most people believe hard work results in success and that success makes people happy, but a growing body of research suggests this way of thinking may be flawed.

In this new TED Talk positive psychologist Shawn Achor offers a humorous overview of research that indicates happiness inspires workplace productivity.

Learning the art of charisma

A new book seeks to dispel the myth that charisma is something people are born with rather than a trait that can be learned, The Age reports.

The secret to success, according to The Charisma Myth author Olivia Fox Cabane, is to follow a few guidelines that are capable of building the ability to influence, persuade and inspire.

To assist in this process The Age has distilled some of the key themes from Fox Cabane's book. In summary, a few of these charisma guidelines are:

• It's not about being the most attractive person – apparently it helps but charisma isn't all about looks, e.g. Winston Churchill
• Focus on others – during conversations charismatic people make others feel like they are the most fascinating people in the room
• Look genuine – think of something pleasant so you appear sincere during a conversation; this helps you to avoid a fake smile
• Shake it up – the right handshake (not too hard, not too soft, no twisting) can boost your charisma points
• Listen up – rather than doing all the talking or dominating the conversation, listen attentively to what others are saying
• Dress right – uncomfortable clothes may distract you and make others think you are disengaged

What do you think? Is it really that simple or do you believe some people are born with the gift of charisma?

Blog your way to a new job

Blogging isn't for angry ranters or hobby enthusiasts, the online publishing platform can also help job seekers get ahead in their chosen fields, according to this PR Daily post. 

While blogging may seem like a daunting task for those who don't currently write on a regular basis, post author Mark Schaefer offers seven compelling reasons to build your writing skills.

In summary, these are:

• Blogs showcase knowledge – regular posts show hiring managers the extent of a candidate's knowledge of an industry or process
• Network building – when a reader appreciates your blog you may be top of mind when they know of a job vacancy
• More compelling than a resume – a resume is really only a list of points, a blog allows you to tell stories that illustrate success
• Profile building – top bloggers can achieve a celebrity-like status in their field, and that means more bargaining power
• Skill up – writing on a subject forces an author to build their knowledge though the processes of reflection and analysis
• Cross platform content – hiring managers who find you through LinkedIn or other social media can be led to your blog for more detail
• Longer interviews – mentioning your blog during an interview means an employer has the option of easily finding out more about you

Is the social networking bubble ready to bust?

A new report by Forrester Research suggests the social networking space is running out of people to convert.

According to CNET, Forrester says the near universal reach of social media and a limited amount of time that users can afford to spend on the medium will result in dramatic changes to the industry.

But that's not to say social media isn't currently making an big impact: statistics suggest the world spends more time consuming social media than going to church, phoning, emailing and exercising.

Consumer research has found 86 per cent of people have now adopted social media with some discrepancies between countries.

For example, 95 per cent of Polish people use social media, adoption has reached 88 per cent in Canada and 97 per cent in urban China.

Impending social media saturation, according to Forrester, means there will be less room for playful niche services like FourSquare and instead revolve around more efficient, time saving new media tools.

When less choice means more business

In order to succeed in a sea of endless choice brands must understand the way consumers process information and make decisions, Sheena Iyengar argues in this TED Talk.

After establishing that the average person makes 70 decisions every day, Iyengar uses a simple supermarket study on buying jam to reinforce the benefits of a less means more approach.

Daily inspiration for business success

Six simple mantras can help managers stay on top of their game no matter what the working day brings, entrepreneur Lauren Perkins writes in this Inc. blog.

While some might think mantras are the sole domain of hippies or Buddhist monks, Perkins offers a strong argument in favour of inserting a little positive reinforcement into daily life.

Some of the benefits described include the ability to inspire others through a positive attitude, a narrowing of focus to avoid distractions and an increased ability to follow your moral compass.

Positive reinforcement also offers a means of keeping cool in a crisis, or as the author puts it: "Abrupt reactions and decisions that aren't well thought-out don't do you or your company any good. To prevent them, try to plan proactively and keep the big picture in mind."

Here are Perkins' six mantras:

1. Get your head in the game
2. Narrow your objectives
3. Steady your reactions
4. Stick to your moral compass
5. Perception is King
6. Get your fight on

Why grooming dictates first impressions

When it comes to making a good first impression a chiseled jaw line or gym fit physique are less important than old-fashioned good grooming, according to this Executive Style post.

The post says social scientists believe being tall or possessing a perfect body account for very little if a person has a few errant eyebrow hairs, grubby nails or a scruffy outfit.

The following guidelines are offered if you're keen to do a quick New Year audit of your appearance:

• Grooming – it's all about hygiene, hair care and attention to detail, i.e. clipping, snipping and flossing
• Clothing – always opt for overdressed rather than underdressed and aim for classic styles and cuts
• Posture – it's claimed posture is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve your looks
• Attitude – experts say making time to take a non-work related interest in someone bolsters attractiveness

Workplace flexibility boosts employee health: study

A new study indicates workplace flexibility delivers improvements in employee health and can boost morale, management-issues reports.

The University of Minnesota study compared white-collar firms that introduced programs that allowed staff to work where they wanted with organisations that maintained inflexible arrangements.

The results suggested staff at flexible, results-driven organisations enjoyed a number of benefits including more sleep on nights before work and were more likely to see a doctor when sick.

It's claimed these workers also had higher energy levels and recorded a decrease in emotional exhaustion and psychological distress.

The study reflects the finding of previous research that indicates flexible work arrangements can reduce sick leave and work-related impairment.

1,000 ideas in six words

Since its inception the video site TED has offered the volume equivalent of three bibles worth of ideas, however all of its talks have a common theme that speaks volumes about the quest for innovation, according to Sebastian Wernicke.

Speaking at a recent TED event Wernicke, a bioinformatics specialist, says 1,000 talks about new ideas can be condensed into just six words...