Beach Bum

April 4, 2012

And, what about beach bum clothes? You know, those ripped, torn and faded T-shirts that spew sexual innuendo or beer advertisements? Do they belong in the workplace? Do women’s tights barely covered by a sweatshirt fit into the workplace? I don’t think so. From a corporate perspective, can you tell me how this improves employee [...]

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Casual Business Dress Code

March 31, 2012

Let’s be right up front. I’m annoyed and fed up with the business casual dress trend. It has simply gotten out of hand. While the trend has been around since the early 1990s, particularly in the high-tech firms, more and more companies are jumping on the bandwagon. In fact, a 1992 study conducted by the [...]

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The Need for Sense of Security

March 27, 2012

Once a decision has been made to adapt a uniform strategy, it is important to involve employees in moving the idea forward. Brainstorm with them on what style of uniform is most appropriate and what alternatives can be built in. Thankfully, today’s choices are far more fashionable than years ago. While it is important to [...]

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Sense of Security

March 23, 2012

In addition, employees can gain a sense of security from their uniforms, competition for dress between employees is reduced and employees feel professional and act accordingly. Finally, uniforms take away the employee cost of purchasing a large wardrobe and worrying about what to wear everyday. Uniforms are also known to have a positive impression on [...]

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Company Branding

March 19, 2012

Companies such as Procter and Gamble have achieved a good deal of success through branding strategies where each product – such as Tide laundry soap – is given its own identity. Other companies such as Sony have developed significant value and market positioning through corporate branding. The whole concept around brand marketing is to create [...]

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Anticipate Defensiveness

March 12, 2012

Most people don’t accept criticism well and will quickly move into a defensive mode. Prior to your meeting, take a moment to evaluate the employees’ past behavior during a feedback meeting, anticipate their response and prepare a strategy to deal with it. Structure the meeting – Being on the receiving end of constructive criticism is [...]

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Discuss Current Issues

March 8, 2012

Avoid the old trap of “gunnysacking.” In other words, avoid digging back into old incidents and dragging them into the current conversation. Discuss current issues and behavior only. Do not be tempted to overgeneralize the issues by using terms such as “always,” “never” or “worst”. Time criticisms well – Constructive criticism is much more effective [...]

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Constructing Criticism: Delivery can be as important as the message

March 4, 2012

If you’re a supervisor, it’s inevitable that you have had to deal with employee issues such as interpersonal problems, team conflict and poor performance. There are many reasons why these workplace issues arise. For instance, some employees don’t fully understand their duties, how to carry out specific tasks or unaware of their work expectations. In [...]

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Effects of Gossip in the Work Environment

February 29, 2012

Where possible, have regular group meetings. In the meantime, send e-mail announcements to all staff to keep them current on staff marriages, births, illnesses, new company contracts, employee departures and customer compliments. But a general approach alone will not prevent a chronic employee gossip from creating and spreading rumors about fellow employees and/or your company [...]

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The Rumour Mill (Malicious gossip has no place in the workplace)

February 24, 2012

Let’s face it, people working together eight hours a day are going to engage in casual coffee room conversations, small talk and gossip. Small talk, sometimes called networking, as it provides an informal way of learning about organizational structures and relationships, people’s work styles and organizational issues. Small talk about upcoming holidays, weddings, births, promotions [...]

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