What's your name again?

Majority of us have them.  It could be based on our appearance, the shortened version of our name, or even our last name, the city or neighborhood we are from, something a boyfriend or girlfriend has given us, or something we were given from childhood or in our adult life.

YES - a nickname!   How prevalent are nicknames in the workplace I thought, I mean I use them for coworkers and other colleagues and they have been used in dun, dun, dun DUN, not the nicest fashion.  You could say that they are more-so created so that you talk in code about them.  I know its best to not talk about people, hence if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, but it happens sometimes. We all have coworkers who get on our nerves and having to work in such close quarters, nicknames allow you to speak of and vent about them when they are possibly near.

A couple that I utilized over my work history range from the person's last name or initials like "The NAG", or a physical descriptor like "Belly", "Shorty" or even "Red Face".  Now, of course, some may have some nicknames for me that are not that becoming, but I've never heard one yet.... I have been called "Precious" and I like that one!

If you would like to read more about "Nicknames in the Workplace" or if you want to confirm what nicknames you can use in the office or which ones to keep under wraps (inappropriate nicknames can spur lawsuits regarding discrimination!) give google a try.  I found that although I like my office nickname of "Precious" it is inappropriate and shouldn't be used.

TGIF!

Today was a great Friday.  I got a couple things accomplished that were on my to do list, followed by an after lunch ice cream social organized by a couple HR Managers in my department for the entire corporate office. 

Am I greedy or does food and treats just make everything so swell!  Since my flexible work schedules idea didn't go over so well, I think I'll press my luck with suggesting weekly treat sessions!  Hey you gotta give it to me for trying...

Have a great weekend!

Not so happy Monday

So today was the first day of work without my colleague, who resigned and her last day was Friday.  Although she left to go take on a great opportunity, I still wish she was right here beside me cracking jokes, lending me 25 cents for the vending machine and working with me to knock out implementation projects.  We were freakin' rock stars with our team work!

If you've ever made a good friend at work, you would know exactly how my day went - tremendously sad.  Last night I dreaded the fact that I would come into work and not find my BFF in the cubicle next to me.  No one to reciprocate my good morning, no one to recap the weekend, no one to mock our boss with (and this was the most important daily ritual we shared).   

I used to think that the friends I already had (a whopping) were all the friends I needed.  My best friend since 7th grade and then my college girls who double as my sorority sisters.  Yup, 3 that's it.  But boy, was I surprised when 2 years ago, I encountered a new good friend in of all places - WORK. 


Don't underestimate the genuine friendships and relationships that you can develop at work.  You are spending 40 plus hours a week with them, which is more than I am spending currently with my family who all live out of state along with my 3 besties! 

At the end of the day I spoke to my now former colleague, but even better my friend.  She had a great first day and since her new job is less than 3 miles away, I will still get to see her through the week.

Office Space is my life!

I am sitting at home watching the movie "Office Space" for the umpteenth time and I still find it a direct parallel to my real office life experience.
- Sitting in those infamous cubicles
- Stupid copier/fax machine that never works no matter how many times the repair guy comes to fix it
- Clueless managers like Lumbergh
- Rewarding and promoting slackers like Peter - it was only when he didn't care about his job anymore, that he got a promotion. What's up with that?
Although I have many favorite parts, check out this one - the death of fax machine. Go ahead, get your laugh on!

Thanks BigAndy488 for the You Tube clip!

Game Time!

In the final days of the Final Four, the conclusion of the March Madness festivities, and the championship game on Monday many of you may have taken part in your office NCAA tournament brackets with hopes to win big.

By the time I was old enough to participate I already knew the deal, as my grandfather used to be a football pool champ! I would watch him fill in his squares and turn in his money. But what I best remember is him collecting his winnings - which is the part I looked forward to when I began to participate.

I unfortunately missed the deadline for my company's brackets this year, I suppose because of its illegal nature I missed out on the silent announcement. I only came to find out about it when I ran across someone folding it inconspicuously and putting it their pocket. I was devastated that I was too late because I have to say, that I've won in the past (woo-hoo)!

Take a look at this article which actually proves the benefits of office pools. Although illegal in nature-yeah, the whole betting money at work-this article actually has survey results that say office pools whether, NCAA, Superbowl or a pregnant colleagues' due date, brings about positive morale around the office. So, with that said - let the games begin!

http://www.chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/03/study-sports-pools-can-lift-morale-at-work.html

Here comes the boss! How to stay out of trouble when surfing the internet at work.

Lately, I've found numerous websites that want you to look at their websites at work and not get in trouble for it! Websites like, http://www.tnt.tv/ provides a "Boss Coming? Dramatic Pause" link to a bogus MS Excel spreadsheet, so while you are watching a show, if your boss walks by or into your office you have an immediate solution to your wrongdoing. Who is catching up on episodes of their favorite TNT show at work - I don't know, but I find this hilarious and diabolically clever!

How did I learn about this you ask, not at work! One weekend a while back, when I was trying to catch up on TNT's police drama "Dark Blue" (which I like and hope comes back this summer, hopefully I wasn't the only one watching it), I discovered this interesting marketing tool and job saver.

I work in a cubicle with my back and computer screen facing the walk way. This could cause lots of problems for me, if I'm too slow to turn my head, peep the intruders, and click on a work appropriate website or document and commence working. Working in a cubicle, for the past three years, I've fine-tuned my hearing so that I can effectively surf the web or online shop and stay on my toes!

There are some job boards that also have these faux documents that allow you to search for jobs and always escape the job hunt with one click, when the coast isn't clear. This particular job board I was on, actually took you to a document that was about developing management styles. Now listen very closely here - I would never suggest looking for a job at work, ever. Unless you know how to delete your internet cookies and files completely and without a trace - I suggest you leave those activities for your home computer. Companies already have internet guidelines, and to tell you the truth yahoo and hotmail sometimes are against the rules too. Please don't lose your job over facebook.

While you should stick to more safe websites like msn.com and cnn.com, you can always make your own "boss is coming - getaway vehicle" by opening up actual work documents you are working on or have a standing new email message template from outlook and there you go. After that, you must, I repeat must, master the mouse click or the ALT - TAB combo to get you out of the inappropriate screen in enough time!

Good Luck!

What's on your desk?

I watch a lot of HGTV and one of my favorite shows is "Designed to Sell". Homeowners who are having trouble selling their homes get help from design pros who reposition and stage their homes. This staging gives off a perception of a lived in home, if the house is empty or a less personalized decor feel, leaving the potential buyers feeling like that they could see themselves living there.

Ironically, I have been staging my desk at work long before I had even known what HGTV was. I have incorporated what I call desk staging into my daily work routine and you should too.

Every morning when I come into work, I turn on my computer, open up my MS Outlook, unlock all my drawers and then I begin the staging process. I pull out my notebook with my to do list on it, some file folders, a couple of HR forms, pension forms that need processing, perhaps a benefit survey that needs to be completed and any other items that I may possibly work on throughout the day and neatly and strategically place these items on my desk.

Now, I initially started staging my desk to give the impression that I was busy. So you could say the items were more like props, so while I was catching up on the shows I watched the night before with coworkers, I could always easily pop back in my seat and get straight to work or appear to be working.

But more recently, I find that staging my desk, helps me prioritize my tasks for the day. Because I am a visual learner, putting the things I have to do out in the open where I can see them allows me to stop the chitter chatter sooner with my coworkers, and get to work.

So, I say - try it, whether you are trying to find a better way to effectively complete your tasks each day, or to to present the illusion that you are super busy, when actually you are checking your hotmail account, paying your bills or talking about what Ellen said on American Idol.

Fun career site to check out...

In my quest to find all things work related and fun, today I ran across "Karen Burns' - Working Girl" website, which offers career advice. Very cute site; take a look at the 59 jobs she's held over the last 48 years of her life. Whew....
One question: Where are the "Working Guys"? I know you're out there - somewhere...

http://www.karenburnsworkinggirl.com

Music at work

According to wikipedia, a score is written specifically to be used in an actual film and a soundtrack is the music inspired by the movie. I've gotten burned by running out to buy a movie soundtrack only to find that my favorite song from the movie score, is not on the soundtrack! So that's how I learned the difference between the two.

I love music and I can truly say that music gets me through my work day. I start off with a little Frou Frou to ease me into work mode, mid day I have gospel with Mary Mary to keep me from losing my religion, after lunch my instrumental or classic pieces like Gunnar Madsen helps me concentrate and towards the end of the day - Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" pick ups my momentum and carries me to 5 or 6pm (6 is when I've lost track of time, because I was jamming)!

What's your work day score or soundtrack?

If your job was a movie, what music would it contain? Or better yet, create your own signature soundtrack of music that is inspired by your work tasks, mood, etc. It is easy, fun and helps you get through your work day. Bring in your Ipod or MP3 and docking station and plug in at your desk - after creating your work playlist music at home. If you are not that tech savvy, there are numerous websites that allow you to listen to free music and create your own personal playlist that won't require you to lug around equipment or tote your Ipod back and forth each day. Just open up a web browser and type in the URL.

Here's to your sanity at work. Create your playlist now!

http://www.playlist.com/

http://www.imeem.com/ http://www.hypster.com/

http://www.123playlist.com/

http://www.bollymusicsearch.com/

~ Week In Review ~

Hello everybody! Yes - another week under my belt!

Monday - 2/16

Taking my own advice, I hyped myself up on Sunday night instead of Monday morning, so that I might waltz into work the next day, bubbly and ready to take on the week. Not only did I vow that I would go into work with a positive attitude and demeanor, I also made sure that I completed two out of the three mandatory preparation tasks that I created for myself. I know, a little OCD, but it works. In order for me to be on time to work, looking like I have sense, because believe me, you can get places on time, but depending on your prep - you could arrive looking crazy, I must follow my rules. You know I am talking from experience! Anyway, back to the regimen - I've charged myself with completing 2 out 3 tasks each work night: 1) Make Lunch, 2) Take Shower 3) Pick Clothes and Bonus 4) Iron the clothes (As long as the clothes are picked out - which takes the most time, ironing can be done in the morning. I may iron at night, if nothing is on tv).

So - with the hype and the 2 out of 3 - I MADE a great Monday for myself!

Tuesday - 2/17

Meetings, meetings and more meetings! Today, I spent approximately 6 hours in meetings and 2 hours debriefing about them. Soooo..... when I am suppose to do my work - was the question of the day. I actually need to create a separate post to discuss the ongoings of meetings. Do we need them, ok, we do need meetings, but do we need them to last all day. How about we put a daily or even better, a weekly cap on the number of meetings allowed! We can only talk about something for so long, and I urge everyone to pay attention to exactly how much time is actually spent on the topic the meeting was called for? I can recall meetings beginning with talks of recent vacations, the darnedest things one's kid is doing to the mega sale Target is having. When you look up 15 minutes has passed...I tell ya!

Wednesday - 2/18

Conference calls, conference calls and more conference calls!!!!!!!! Same as the day before, only over the phone. Hey - I got a great idea, let's have text and IM meetings, at least I can stay at my desk and multi-task on other projects. Oh - you don't think that will work. Ok!

Thursday - 2/19

Perks Anyone! Don't you just love a job with perks. Well - I do. And...actually, I've only had 3 jobs with perks - including the job I have now. Outlet Clothing store as a teen - can you say 75% employee discount! As a recruiter we always got free trinkets from job fairs - hey some companies really know how to spend dollars to attract applicants and fellow job fair attendants who just want free stuff - like myself and my coworker at the time! However, in my job now vendors like to spoil their clients with fine dining, delivered candy and fruit baskets and my personal favorite invites to sporting events where we enjoy the luxury of the "suite life"! So, to my indulgence, today was the day my coworker and myself - hob nobbed, networked and rooted for our favorite basketball player!

Friday - 2/20

All I got to say: Hallelujah, thank you Jesus!

"What does a "boss" really do? I mean really, my boss really doesn't do anything. He comes in late, goes to the hospital, hob-nobbing, and gives me all of his things to do...even his mail...so my new goal...should it be to become..........a boss?" A quote from my dear friend who is a Physician's Assistant. She has is a legitimate concern and she got me thinking. What does a boss really do?

Well...... from my experiences they:

• Come in late (some) and turn around and leave early. They even lie about staying late, "working all hours of the night" yeah right. Failed attempts to trick you into believing it, as they make sure they are still there when you leave but in reality are seconds behind you out the door.
• Ask you to do useless tasks unrelated to your career goals such as "preparing an overnight envelope for their personal use" or "going to the soda machine to get them a Pepsi".
• Speak aggressively in a meeting about what actions they are going to take with a project only to impress the VP. You are even impressed at how your boss is going to develop and launch that wonderful idea and then when you least expect it, their exciting idea and the work involved gets dumped on you with a very limiting deadline to deliver; All the while never letting you forget that this is a deliverable of theirs. "Then you should make sure it gets delivered!" is what I want to say!
• Bring in lunch for the department - we're not stupid, we know we are now on a "working lunch". We end up not getting a break at all, while they take 2 hour "business" lunches.
• Lastly, ride your back to meet goals that affect their bonus. Going as far as to make you stop meaningful work that affects your performance review, to have you work on labeling a drawer (something they could do themselves) so that they can pass the office audit and get upwards of tens of thousands of bonus dollars, while we suffer for low pay and get nothing but another paid for lunch that we end up working through.

So to answer April's question - "Should her new goal be to become a boss"?

I say noooooo, don't sell your soul to the devil, don't turn to the dark side, save your character and good will. We shall overcome!

Long time - No see.... No Talk.... No Write...., etc. I've been either voicing or hearing some rendition of that phrase since signing my name to the corporate dotted line - all while subjecting myself to the development of bags under my eyes, working through lunch or skipping it all together. This is what you get when you step into the real world and start on your many years towards seniority.

In the midst of our busy season at my job - as each industry has one ~ it's times like these I think back to my senior year in college when I was finished with my psychology major coursework and only taking electives, eagerly awaiting graduation, getting out of school and starting an adult life. My two best friends and I would sit up late at night ( as seniors we were smart enough to schedule late morning classes) in deep discussions about how "over" college we were, tired of stupid freshman and how much better life would be when we started our careers. We partied frequently, maintaining our academic scholarships all four years, shopped with our parent's money each weekend, and travelled during breaks - summer, Christmas, spring, Thanksgiving ~ there were so many.

Ironically all 3 of us - progressed on to achieve masters degrees in the 2 years following undergrad - while one is currently pursuing a doctorate degree, so much for entering the real world immediately. But, for 2 of us - 3 years after graduate school, 3 years of work experience under our belts when we finally get to talk once or twice a month (on the weekends of course) we like to reminisce about the best times of our lives - back in undergrad. We find it hilarious how naive we were. After 45 minutes to an hour of discussing what's new in our lives and all the details of our careers, the 2 of us who aren't in school find joy in ending our call with the PhD candidate saying- "stay in school, don't join the rat race!"

~ Week in Review ~

Does anybody really want to work?

Week of September 17th

I've been out of graduate school and working for about 3 years now.... and this week I seriously questioned, "Does anybody really want to work"?

Once I arrive to work on Monday mornings I either encounter or over hear greetings and responses from coworkers and other building dwellers:

"Good morning" with 2 possible responses 1) "its Monday!" or 2) "As good as it gets for a Monday" in a rather disgruntled, even irritated tone. What a way to start the work week. I mean, Mondays are rough for me too, but I try to fake it till I make it ~ through the day that is. With the 2 day weekends not being enough time to fully recuperate from the previous 5 day work week, it is understandable to be agitated at being back at work again. But I say - FAKE IT, people, don't bring everyone else down. Some people are actually trying to hype themselves up.

We then move on to Tuesday mornings; I'm in the the break room making my usual morning cup of oatmeal and in comes a fellow building mate, I say, "Good Morning" - they say - "Is today only Tuesday?" Did you honestly think it was Friday already you lazy bum - how much work did you get done yesterday that has you thinking its the end of the week already?

Wednesday becomes "Hump Day" because we are now getting over the hump and on a downward spiral towards the end of the week. I've noticed at this point employees are trying to put some pep in their step and get positive and motivated to make it to the finish line, we call "Friday".

Thursday takes people to the point of desperation, begging for the weekend. I hear numerous times a day, "I can't wait until Friday" and "I wish it were tomorrow already, like if its said enough we will time travel at warp speed into Friday at exactly 4:59pm.

If one just so happens to make it to Friday, everyone is thanking God and Goodness because they have survived the week. I hear cheerful voices greeting and shouting "Happy Friday" as I walk throughout the building.

Let us try to be a little more positive people. Apparently we have to work otherwise we wouldn't be subjecting ourselves to this torture every week.

.....Better Luck next week!

"Corporate Lingo"

After about 2 months of working in "Corporate America" I learned of this secret language. A language that I would eventually grow to mock. My good friend Olivia and I, have had countless conversations regarding the meanings of these phrases and the need to use them. Do these terms really get our points across in a more effective way? Are we trying to create an elite club where you can distinguish its members through these sayings? Can one be considered unprofessional, or lacking in intelligence, innovation and business savvy if these terms and phrases are not present in their vocabulary?



Top 10 Overly Communicated Corporate Terms, Phrases and Lingo

1. "Think outside the box" - Thinking creatively and not of the norm (lingo within lingo). Would it not be accepted to say, "try thinking of something that hasn't been thought of before" or "be a little more creative". What is the box, the box of business measurements the box of normalcy? Wouldn't it be great for everyone to think within their own box, their minds, and then exchange boxes, and then collaborate the boxes to create this great big box of creativity.

2. "Touch Base" - To follow up. Such an easy term to define, yet used way too much. No really, way too much!

3. "....Oriented" - According to Webster.com, oriented means intellectually, emotionally, or functionally directed. My gripe is that just adding "oriented" before or after something does not make it a power saying hence hearing this word in numerous variations many times a day. i.e. deadline-oriented.

4. "Drill down" - Digging/researching deeper into a problem or issue's core. I'm sure that one could say, "I am going to research further and get back to you" or a manager could ask their employee to "gather more information to get to the bottom of it".

5. "Show Stopper" - A highly important item that if not addressed will cause detrimental effects. I already have a short attention span, so sayings like this just take me away from the meeting at hand. It makes me think that the meeting I am in is really about something fun and interesting and then I snap back to reality and find myself in a boring meeting discussing budgets or something.

6. "Push Back" - To disagree with an idea. In different workplace settings I have had bosses who welcome push back or simply despise it. This takes us to my theory that these terms, thought to be universal can carry different meanings in different places and you never really know what your coworker or boss is talking about. Oh, or is that just me? Perhaps I am "pushing back" on all these terms because I don't know their true meanings.

7. "Buy In" - Gaining support perhaps from upper management and/or executives.

8. "Take this Offline" - Discuss a topic or issue at a later time, outside of the current meeting.

9. "Benchmark" - Making comparison or evaluation of best practices (lingo within lingo) within industry to aide in making informed and strategic decisions. And that is fine, it is actually needed in all business aspects to remain competitive in the company's respective industry. But another that I have witnessed be used numerous times a day.

10. "Stay in the loop" - Yet another form of "Touch Base". Staying informed of a variety of things including, physical whereabouts throughout the work day, progress on assignments, projects and tasks, all not to leave your boss, coworkers without a clue of what is going on in relevance to them. (wink, wink) Yes, it is the name of the blog, but believe me, this phrase is the only one that I admit has made a home in my vocabulary!