…unless you plan to make some basic changes.
Recently I completed a Power Hour with a client I will call Roberta. We covered a lot of ground.
The next day Roberta called me. “Did you send the summary as promised? People are calling to tell me my mailbox is full.”
I told Roberta what I share in my […]

In the US News Blog On Careers, someone named “Andrew G.R.” wrote:
“…I can’t help but wonder if many jobs are designed to beat us all into idea submission. It just seems so much easier to show up, do what they want you to do, and go home. “
He’s got a point. Very few employers reward […]

When you lose an executive position - especially if you’re fairly senior in age and rank - finding your next position will be a challenge. You may be especially marketable. You might even be recruited. But if you’re out there searching on your own, the experience can be long, difficult and traumatic.
The answer, some experts […]

Recently I saw a brief TV segment designed to help viewers save money.
The secret? Negotiate for discounts when you buy retail. Ask the service person, “Is there a coupon I could use to save money?”
Often the answer will be a “yes.” Of course, there’s a catch. You have to get to the store on […]

The Wall Street Journal ran an article about the new style of telecommuting. Companies can install spyware on their employees’ computers. They randomly take screen shots. They count keystrokes.
The very idea sends chills down my spine. I’ve always been the kind of worker who works in spurts. I take lots of breaks. I take detours. […]

Recently I talked to “Julie,” a smart professional who realizes she is under-utilized in her job. Because she recently made a major career change, she’s at least three years away from a serious job search because she needs to build up her experience base in her new field.
Julie needs money. She complains bitterly about […]

“At a recent potluck dinner,” Gloria said,”my friend Brian brought a six-pack of his special cider. We had more beverages than we needed. At the end of the evening, Brian went into the refrigerator and grabbed his untouched cider. He took it home.
“Our hostess, Nancy, was furious. She wrote Brian a strong email, claiming he […]

I have to admit I’m enjoying the debate on women and pantyhose: should an employer require women to wear them.
Some time ago Wall Street Journal pointed out some pitfalls of a dress code. Men can get into a lot of trouble when they tell women how to dress.
What I don’t understand: Why don’t women rebel […]

…starting your own online e-business.
It’s not for everyone. If you are a totally outgoing person, you may go nuts sitting in front of a computer screen all day. You may need a face to face office and human contact.
On the plus side, you skip all the messy office politics. No more dressing up. No parking. […]

Marci Alboher writes in her blog about the book Sway — why we respond to irrational impulses.
Interviewing the authors, she uncovered an important reality: first impressions count.
One described a lawyer who worked hard to impress everyone as a hard worker: first in, last out, few breaks, no personal calls. As time went on, […]