Archive for the ‘management’ Category
Breaking a Three-Way Tie
A few years into my management career, I found myself part of a triumvirate of managers. Three of us—Tom, Vince and me—of equal “rank,” working in the same department, and vying for control over our shared resources. (That’s what managers call people: “resources.”) It was an untenable situation, the three of us jockeying for position all the time, trying […]
Filed under: management | Leave a Comment
Tags: ambiguity in the workplace, Gatsby, John Updike, management decisions, power struggles, Rabbit Angstrom, Sloan Wilson, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
We’ve heard this advice before: Smile. Make eye contact. Ask questions. Be on time. Sit up straight. But beyond all that, what can you—and should you—do to make the best impression? Here are four things to consider that go beyond the basics: 1) Know as much as you can about your prospective employer. […]
Filed under: bachelor's degrees, business communication, business leadership, college, management, university | Leave a Comment
Tags: inner rudder, interview advice, interviewing skills, interviews, resumes
The ROI on Better Writing
Although it’s in the news in some form or another just about every day, if you don’t actually work in a business environment, you may not be aware just how intense is the focus on keeping costs down. “Reduce expenses.” At work, it’s often on everyone’s lips. From executives in the corner office […]
Filed under: bachelor's degrees, business communication, business leadership, college, higher education, management, university | Leave a Comment
Tags: bad business writing, bad communication, cost reduction, English majors, executives, expense reduction, return on investment, ROI
If you’re a literate English major and you want to position yourself as a viable candidate for a job in business, you must know what you have to offer. How would being a good writer be helpful? I mean, of the surface it seems like a good idea everyone should just “get.” But as I’m […]
Filed under: bachelor's degrees, business communication, college, higher education, management, university | Leave a Comment
Tags: bottom line, business writing, cliches, editing, hiring managers, organizing materials, problems with business writing, proposals, return on investment, ROI, strategy documents
If you’re planning to major in English, I bet you’re worried. You’re worried about your career prospects. You’re worried that you’re preparing yourself to lead a life of noble pursuit that comes with modest paycheck. And what good is a modest paycheck in this economy? Maybe you’re worried you’ll […]
Filed under: bachelor's degrees, business leadership, college, higher education, management, university | Leave a Comment
Tags: business leadership, business writing, careers, college, communication, English majors, Garrison Keillor, Humanities majors, job-hunting, management, paycheck, teaching
