To Like or Not to Like...

I was tricked into attending a "social media" workshop today.  I am always up for a new task or project, so when I saw the invite pop up on my outlook calendar late last week, I promptly accepted it, overlooking the three and a half hour time commitment.  Maybe I will be part of a guinea pig type focus group or my opinion will be solicited on some already implemented web based branding tool, I thought.  I am good at listening, contributing my thoughts and playing devil's advocate - no biggie, I said.

Well - guess again.  Ironically, for a person with no Facebook or Twitter account, no i gadgets and limited Linked In skill, I was scheduled to be a part of a "social media" team that would brainstorm and recommend the need for our company's entry into the social media world.  As I read the agenda and scanned the room for familiar faces, I began to think "is this a joke", does anyone in the room, know my expertise ends with email and online shopping?  Not sure if I am hurting or helping this group right now.  But, after calming down a bit, I figured, just because I am not a user, I at least recognize the value in a company having a strong presence or brand and social media can help us do just that. 

After the ice was broken, I became a part of a very progressive conversation about how and why social media is being used from a major corporation standpoint.  It's not all about liking, following or tweeting one's every move or or thought, but about connecting with customers and clients and trying to better understand needs, build a rapport, and deliver great customer service. 

Now, this committee still has a long way to go, to actually identify the type of social media presence that would be beneficial to the company and our customers, followed by executive approval, but we did agree that social media can bring an updated twist to a long standing company philosophy: customer satisfaction.

Spring cleaning for your house and your workspace!

As spring draws to an end and summer on its way in - you still have time to unclutter your space, toss what you don't need and create an effective organizational system for home and work.

I work for a company that emphasizes lean workspaces, inventory, and processes - so while I am pretty neat and organized by nature, working at an organization that measures employee's efforts towards neat workspaces by recording and tracking through metrics, has definitely catapulted me to an extreme level of clean!  Label this, sort that, shred this, but file that...after 5 years of complying with this requirement, I work faster, more efficiently and my office is envied by my entire department!

Still not sold on spring cleaning your office space...Check out why with this article from MSN Careers:

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2981-Workplace-Issues-The-benefits-of-clearing-workspace-clutter/?SiteId=cbmsnhp42981&sc_extcmp=JS_2981_home1




  

Happy Memorial Day!

Not only a day off of work, BUT a day to remember the men and women who died while serving in the US Armed Forces and support those who are serving as we speak.

So, while you are BBQing, having fun at a water park, or just lounging mentally recharging in preparation to face work on Tuesday, take a minute to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day. 

Workplace Must Have - Lint Roller!

Every working girl should have a lint roller in her desk.  I have the cutest fourteen pound kitty (no, his name is not Garfield, but he is orange) and his hair always finds his way in my eyes, in my hair and of course, on my clothes.  So, what that means for me is I have to keep a lint roller, at home, in my car, in my desk, and even a mini one for my purse....

But, keeping a lint roller in your desk is not just for pet owners whose homes have been overturned by pet hair.  Non pet-owners can also fall victim to linty clothing.  Didn't clean the lint tray in your dryer, your overcoat left particles on your blazer or cardigan, or that infamous kleenex residue, all can leave you looking a little dishelveled.  Please know I am speaking from experience here!

While many may debate what really pulls together an outfit (and I am by no means Tim Gunn), my two cents says if you are wearing that fab Power Suit from "The Limited" or your brand new black cardigan paired with the cutest pencil skirt (both which are still their pre-wash jet black), nothing can turn that outfit upside down, like a colony of lint!

So the next time you are out shopping, add a lint brush/roller to your list.  Hint: even if you don't have a pet, try the lint rollers designed specifically for pet owners, that paper is so sticky, one swipe and you're good!

Meanie McFeenie

My mom and I used to joke all the time about each of us at times being a "meanie mcfeenie". Basically, being insensitive, nonsupportive or down right sarcastic. I do have a little streak, I must admit and I know it comes from my lack of patience (which I pray everyday, that the trait develops). I do think I get that from my mother, but I have certainly taken it to the next level.  Whoops....
While both my mother and I can be short-fused, we are truly sweet, caring individuals and 9 out of 10 times recognize our overly mean 'tudes and adjust them. Thank goodness for that.
What is interesting is that in the February issue of HR Magazine there is an article titled "Don't be so rude: Quell workplace incivility". Incivility, hmmm, is what I initially thought. So, this is the fancy word for being "mean as hell". I like it.

For some reason, my work ethic does not allow my mean spirit to appear at work. Maybe because my sense of professionalism outweighs my desire and ability to be an "a-hole" between 8 and 5. I do believe there is a time and place for everything, and more so, I care about my professional reputation. In my last job and in my current I've encountered very mean-spirited people. It boggles my mind that people are so rude, and nasty at work. You clearly don't have to and most likely will not like all the people you work with - that's life. However, being cordial and tolerating others is more appropriate workplace behavior.

I've finally moved past the very mean people or those with negative dispositions at my job who stand right next to me in the elevator and wont respond to my hello, or someone not saying excuse me in the break room. I personally have tackled that by avoidance. If I see someone who is routinely mean to me waiting for the elevator, I choose to take the stairs and burn a couple calories instead, or if I choose to ride the elevator I pretend to talk on my cell phone or text. While, my own civility may come into question sometimes when I will push the close button on the elevator doors to prevent the mean person from entering the elevator with me - I'd rather call it meanness averted. Why subject myself to these people, if I don't have to, right?

The HR Magazine article said to prevent this type of toxic environment from forming or going to far, companies need to be clear and communicate the culture of the organization and what type of behavior is acceptable and what won't be tolerated.  We all know the saying, "misery loves company" or "monkey see monkey do" for that matter. Rudeness can be contagious. Just think...one mean girl or guy can start to rub off on the nice people, then you have a company full of mean people and even when you hire nice people they will either quit or turn mean - leaving the company a big pathetic mess.

So here's my two cents:

If you are a leader of an organization, be sure to include in your employee handbook or in your mission statement that "respecting others" also includes being courteous and putting forth your best efforts to present a positive disposition.

If you aren't in a leadership role, remember that you still have the opportunity to influence others, by not falling into the negativity when it comes your way and showing others that while everyday won't be perfect being mean or discourteous won't solve whatever is bringing them down.  My hopes is that the positivity will rub off on them.  If it doesn't, you can always try - avoidance!