Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Bosses Feeling the Strain

I've been traveling a lot for business lately, and I've just got to get some pet peeves off my chest:

* If you've got a big case, stuffed with a heavy laptop, do not fling that thing over your shoulder without checking to see if someone is behind you. Chances are, if you're standing in line or on a crowded flight, there is someone close by and you could cause potentially cause serious bruises and/or brain damage when you whack them with it.
* Two words: Anti-perspirant. (Or is that two words?) No matter. Use it. When we're packed together like sushi rolls, your failure to shower or use such a product is very evident. Your fellow passengers would appreciate it.

OK, that's it. I know you thought I was going to get into people and their cell phones, but I figure no one is paying attention to that argument anymore. So, if you'll just stop smelling like a gym locker and refrain from giving me a black eye with your laptop, I'm good.

Now, on to Tidbit Tuesday:

* OMG: I wrote in my book about bosses being driven crazy by employee's poor writing skills, so here's another thought: The zealous text messaging by today's youth will only make the problem in the workplace much worse in the years to come.
“Text messaging is destroying the written word. The students aren’t writing letters, they’re typing into their cell phones one line at a time. Feelings aren’t communicated with words when your texting; emotions are sideways smiley faces. Kids are typing shorthand jargon that isn’t even a complete thought,” says Jacquie Ream, former teacher and author of “K.I.S.S. Keep It Short and Simple” (Book Publishers Network).
Ream contends it's up to today's parents to rescue our children from shoddy writing, or we're going to have a whole generation of workers who can't use their critical thinking skills to write reports for the boss. Her suggestion: Get the kids to talk about a novel they've read and put their thoughts down on paper.
Based on what bosses tell me, I think the problem has already hit the workplace...

* I want my YouTube: I'm starting to get press releases from companies who say they can do all kinds of technological wizardry to keep workers focused on their work. Example: eTelemetry says it can turn off the employee use of online videos at work. Seems the streaming video "stresses a network by 100x more than an email, and can cause problems ranging from slow download or surfing speed to complete network outage, plus the clear issues with employee productivity, says eTelemetry press release".
"Now businesses large and small have the capability to optimize their bandwidth usage to ensure that it is used for the highest-priority applications,” said eTelemetry President and CEO, Ermis Sfakiyanudis.
In other words, no more watching a dog windsail or a Madonna impersonator on YouTube when you're supposed to be working. Bummer, dude.

* Even the boss is depressed. A survey of 899 corporate leaders and managers finds their on-the-job confidence and energy are waning, suggesting the difficult business climate is taking a toll, says eePulse Inc.
“Over the last year, we have reported to our clients about warning signs in data from leaders whose energy is what we call ’below the zone,’” says Theresa Welbourne, eePulse president. “Executives say they are working at personal energy levels at which they are less productive due to uncertainty, lack of having the right people in the right jobs, continuing stress at work, and other issues."
All right, everyone, your mission today is clear: Give the boss a hug. Now go back to work.


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