There has always been great debate over whether employees should take personal calls while working. It is understandable that a friend or family member would need to get in touch with you in the event of an emergency or for a number of reasons. While each company has their own policy on personal calls, cell […]
Management
Four Strategies for Addressing Company Conflict
It doesn’t matter what type of company you run, conflicts within your business are quite inevitable. These company conflicts generally fall into two categories. The first is known as interpersonal conflict and is defined as hostility between individual employees on a personal level, which could arise as a result of personality differences, a specific negative […]
Tips for Overcoming the Winter Blues at Work
Winter time can be a challenging season for the office manager who has a vision to increase employee performance and overall productivity. Not only does winter seem to increase employee sick days through the colds, flu, and viruses which have perfected the cubicle hop, but winter’s coldness and decreased daylight result in an increase in […]
Understanding Performance-Based Pay
Performance-based pay is a great way to encourage motivation among employees. The compensation variations come in many forms, and each form will present a variety of benefits and challenges, depending on the structure of your company. Therefore, it may take some experimenting to determine which form of performance-based pay works most effectively for your business. […]
Which Absenteeism Policy is Right for Your Company?
There is no business owner who enjoys seeing chronic absenteeism patterning among his employees. Excessive employee absences are not only an inconvenience, but can also cost your company money in terms of lost labor or the need to hire a temp to cover the now vacant shift. While employee absences can never be completely eliminated, […]
How to Create a Culture of Trust Within Your Company
The importance of trust within a company is truly immeasurable. A culture of trust (also referred to as corporate culture of trust, although business cultures are certainly not limited to corporations) not only promotes a positive work environment, but it can also impact your company in more concrete ways. For example, a trusting workplace environment […]
Addressing Uncomfortable Personal Issues in the Workplace
There are certain personal issues you will probably never feel comfortable discussing with your employees. Whether the discussion involves problems with attitude, inappropriate dress, inadequate hygiene, or cultural misunderstandings, your first instinct may be to avoid the situation altogether. However, these issues can – and often do – have a real effect on the productivity […]
Motivating Employees With Participative Management
Participative management is defined as a management style in which leaders place emphasis on employees’ involvement in the management process. This management method is also known as employee involvement or participative decision making, and it presents many potential benefits to the companies that choose to encourage it. This is usually accomplished by providing employees with […]
Becoming a Better Negotiator (Part 2)
Negotiations are an essential component of doing business with other parties, and when your negotiating skills are well-developed, your chances of realizing mutually satisfactory deals are rather high. Although no two negotiation processes are alike, and the only certain way to become a skilled negotiator is through real life experience, the following general tips should […]
Becoming a Better Negotiator
As a business owner or high-ranking employee, learning to negotiate effectively in the business world is one of the most important skills you will ever need to employ. Successful negotiations often boast win-win outcomes and can benefit your company significantly, but if your negotiating skills are inadequate, you could be putting your business in serious […]