In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Cleaning Lady
Cleaning Lady
During one of my friends second month of college, his professor gave them a pop quiz. My friend was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until he read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. He had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would he know her name? My friend handed in paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers,you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."
My friend then never forgot that lesson. He also learned her name was Nancy.
Four Steps to Overcome Conflicting Work Styles
Four Steps to Overcome Conflicting Work Styles
by Robert Hosking | Talent Management
by Robert Hosking | Talent Management
The typical office environment is a melting pot of work styles, but the ingredients may not always blend easily. Differing approaches to work can lead to friction, miscommunication and even conflict among colleagues or between a manager and employee.
According to a recent survey by OfficeTeam, the International Association of Administrative Professionals, and Insights Learning and Development, 70 percent of support staff find it challenging to team up with someone who has a different work style - and it appears most managers aren't helping the situation. Sixty-five percent of respondents said they must adapt to their boss' work style to a great extent, while 72 percent said their supervisor either adjusts only somewhat or not at all to their style.
The results are outlined in a research guide titled "Your Work Style in Color: A Colorful Approach to Working Relationships."
Here are some guidelines for overcoming conflicting work styles and enhancing team collaboration.
1. Know Your Own Behaviors.
Oftentimes, managers' habits can frustrate employees, so being aware of how everyday behavior may affect others can help them make changes for the better.
Oftentimes, managers' habits can frustrate employees, so being aware of how everyday behavior may affect others can help them make changes for the better.
For starters, managers can poll colleagues they respect to see their work style from another's perspective. Questions include: What steps do I take that make it easy for people to work for me? In which areas could I improve? This exercise can provide valuable insight, even if what's said makes them cringe.
2. Make Communication a Priority.
It's important for managers to let their employees know about their work style and preferences, and not just assume they'll figure it out. A good starting place is to explain communication preferences, letting team members know how they'd prefer to receive information from them - be it via email, in person or over the phone - and how often. The reverse is also true because communication is a two-way street.
It's important for managers to let their employees know about their work style and preferences, and not just assume they'll figure it out. A good starting place is to explain communication preferences, letting team members know how they'd prefer to receive information from them - be it via email, in person or over the phone - and how often. The reverse is also true because communication is a two-way street.
3. Don't Jump to Conclusions.
Managers who start with the assumption that whatever an employee says or does that's bothersome isn't personal will be less likely to take offense and react negatively. For instance, an employee who looks grouchy every morning simply may not be an early bird or may be dealing with personal issues that could be affecting his or her mood.
4. Rise Above.
Managers cannot expect employees to simply adapt to their preferences and habits - overcoming conflicting work styles means focusing less on inalterable differences and more on common ground and compromise.
If, despite a manager's best efforts, his or her work style still clashes with that of an employee, it's important to take the high road and remain positive and professional whenever a disagreement or miscommunication arises. While not an easy path to take, it's rewarding to keep the peace and find a way to work productively with that individual.
The bottom line is that no one has the "best" approach to work, not even managers. Every person brings different assets to the table, and taking advantage of their complementary strengths is necessary for business success.
[About the Author: Robert Hosking is executive director of OfficeTeam, a staffing service specializing in the temporary placement of highly skilled office and administrative support professionals.]
Sunday, June 26, 2011
International Relocation Tips for Returning Residents
Relocation remains the one of the most challenging aspects for returning residents. You may be too caught by hundred different things to overlook the basic areas that need your attention.Outlined below are some useful tips for successful international relocation:
Choosing an International Mover
1) The very first step to ensure a smooth international relocation is to select the right international mover. Don't choose any new market entrant. Go for the known one and check its documentation and licensing. Ask for at least three customer references and also enquire about its insurance policy.
2) Make a reservation with the selected mover in advance; say a month ahead to avoid any bad aftermaths.
3) Also, every country has different rules for the exporting of goods. Therefore, know what international relocation documents you will require, complete them correctly. This may get you an exemption and save on taxes.
4) Opt for consolidated shipping to reduce costs.
Plan Ahead
1) Make a comprehensive list of things you want to ship and what you want to leave behind. The list will save you to miss on the important stuff. Start with adding the most important things you often use; things you use on a daily basis.
2) For heavy items like furniture, ship it only when you think it can comfortably fit into your new living place back home.
3) Also the other items should be worthy enough to ship. Many people tend to spend money to move things that will be thrown away some day, thereby not only adding to expenses but hassles too.
4) Ensure that the delivery and movement of furniture in the house don't turn out to be difficult.
5) You may arrange for a garage sale which is a nice way to get rid of futile stuff as well as to raise enough money to pay for the move.
Packing the stuff
6) Prepare for an early packing to keep yourself stress free as well as to save yourself from forgetting anything important.
7) Don't pack on your own. Let professionals handle the wrapping and packing of your stuff. However, keep your important documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, stock certificates, custody papers, passports, social security cards, medical records etc. in your possession. Anything that you require immediately to show during your departure from the host country or on your arrival back home should be brought with you.
8) Begin packing one area at a time; the basement and attic are good places to start with. Using this strategy, packing in one room at a time helps you organize things in the same boxes and will motivate you to keep on packing knowing you have already completed packaging an entire room. This is a good motivational strategy to speed up your packing momentum.
9) Pack related things together; kitchen tools with kitchen wares, pillow cases with beddings, electrical appliances with their cords etc. and label each box accordingly. It will help you in easy unpacking, retrieving and restoring. Label all the boxes according to the stuffs in them. It needs not to be detailed but ensure that you are able to identify the contents of the boxes with the labels you put.
Taking Care of Visas
10) It is recommended to contact the embassy of your new country regarding advices on Visas. Also you may ask them to put you in contact with other returnees families who can advice you.
Custom Duties
11) Update your knowledge on the custom regulations as they are subject to change. You may fetch the required information from the office of Consulate. It is advised to go in person than availing online information since it may or may not be updated.
Other Miscellaneous things
12) Collect all the necessary documents in advance like getting your kids school documents and other necessary papers of your transferred.
13) Returning borrowed books or DVDs, arranging utility shut offs, transferring prescriptions etc.
14) Don't rely on the last minute shopping to be stress if tasks are not done as expected. If you need to buy any important stuff, shop for it in advance. Packing ahead will save you a lot of time and effort on the moving day. But before anything else, be sure to have lots of boxes. Life would be easier if you have enough moving boxes cheap.
15) Note the contact information of all the important people in your personal diary. When you will be ready to move, this will save you from wracking your brain remembering who you need to call. Also let your near and dear ones in your host country know where you are relocating to. Share your contact information with all of them and do this before you get the current phone shut off.
16) Check weather reports for moving day. You definitely don't want to arrive in a bad weather with your stuff packed.
Source of article : http://jobsearch.monsterindia.com/return2origin/articles.html?acid=2759
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