September 3, 2007

"BASIC BUSINESS SKILLS REQUIRED"

The following is an excerpt from my new book, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. The book offers considerable advice regarding how to manage our personal and professional lives. As a part of this, I found it necessary to discuss the basic business skills required in today's corporate world.

Basic Business Skills Required

Last week I discussed the need for "Continuous Improvement" which described how to improve yourself professionally, herein I discuss the basic business skills needed to survive in offices.

I cannot possibly list all of the business skills you are going to need to suit your particular line of work. However, there are some rather basic skills you will need to effectively perform in just about any office:

• Computer skills - in all likelihood, you will need to interact with a computer somehow during the course of conducting business, whether it is to place an order, track a shipment, record your time, or to write a letter or memo. As such, you should become familiar with the basic operation of a computer. Most High Schools today do a fair job of teaching the basics, but if you missed the course, there are plenty of places you can receive training, such as at public libraries and community service associations. Of course, there are also professional training programs you can also attend.

  In addition to the use of the keyboard, mouse, and monitor, one of the most important things to learn is the concept of the computer's "clipboard" which is used to copy and paste data from one program to another; e.g., from a spreadsheet to a word processing document. When using a computer, this is one of the most common features you will actively use. Also, learn the basics of the computer's file management system; e.g., the organization of the folders, the various file types used, and how to search the computer for its contents.

  Also learn how to use the computer's help facilities to assist you in problem areas. Most programs use similar help facilities making it easy to learn and follow.

• Word Processing - word processors are perhaps the most extensively used programs on a computer and there are a variety of programs available offering comparable features. Aside from basic typing, you should learn how to format a document in terms of setting up margins, pagination, headers and footers, and font selection (type, style, and size). More importantly, learn how to effectively use spell checkers and grammar checkers. I am amazed how many people use word processors yet know little about how to use such facilities. Consequently, a letter may look graphically appealing but is inundated with spelling errors and weak sentence structures.

• Spreadsheets - if your job requires any basic number crunching, you will undoubtedly have to learn how to use a spreadsheet. Their ability to perform basic math is an incredibly time-saver. Do yourself a favor and learn how to express a formula (such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). You cannot believe how many people use electronic spreadsheets yet still perform the math manually. Pretty scary.

• Graphics - office workers will inevitably need to work with graphics, if for nothing more than scanning, cropping and sizing photographs and illustrations. They may not need to know how to use robust graphic design tools (unless they are in that business), but they will need to know how to perform basic graphic manipulation. Also, depending on your job assignments, you may need to learn how to use slide presentation software; e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint, Lotus Freelance, etc. Such presentation aids are useful for sales and training situations.

• Desktop Publishing - if you will be responsible for producing brochures, books, and formal reports for presentation, in all likelihood you will have to learn a Desktop Publishing tool, such as Adobe InDesign or Microsoft Publisher. You will also have to learn how to produce documents in the Portable Document Format (PDF), a popular file format from Adobe.

• Multimedia - most office workers will not need to know how to produce audio/video files, but it would certainly look good on your resume if you did, as well as making you a more valuable resource to your company.

• Internet - this is an invaluable tool for communications and research. Here you will need to know: how to send and receive e-mails (including how to attach files), instant messaging, maintaining an address book, how to use a web browser, and how to effectively use a search engine. It may also be necessary to learn how to send and receive files using FTP facilities (File Transfer Protocol).

• Other computer utilities - two common types of programs actively used in business are calendars and calculators. Calendars are invaluable for coordinating schedules on a corporate-wide basis, and calculators, of course, help us with math.

  This brings up a point, most offices require their workers to have good basic math skills, to prepare such things as orders and purchases, calculate estimates and schedules, and to write a cost/benefit analysis.

• Telephone etiquette - it's interesting, despite the elaborate phone systems companies use, people still do not know how to properly answer the telephone. First, when the phone rings, answer it promptly, do not let it continuously ring thereby upsetting not only the caller but your coworkers as well. Second, when you answer, properly identify yourself and ask how you can be of assistance; for example, "This is John Doe. How can I help you?"

  If you are using Voice Mail (which seems like everybody does these days), put down a professional message that will not alienate callers; for example: "This is John Doe. I cannot take your call right now but if you leave a message I will be sure to return your call as soon as possible." Now for the real trick, follow-up on your promise and check your messages regularly and respond promptly.

• Writing & Penmanship - there are primarily three types of writing you will be involved with: memos, business letters, and reports. I do not have sufficient space here to provide you with the tutorial needed to instruct you in this regard. I suggest you either take a course in effective writing or research examples on the Internet. Nonetheless, write professionally (avoid slang) and courteously, get to the point and do not ramble.

  I realize people today are more inclined to type than to write something by hand, but if you do, write legibly so people can read it. Your penmanship says a lot about your personality, your professionalism, and level of education.

• Speaking - regardless of your job, you will undoubtedly have to meet and converse with people, attend meetings and presentations, and possibly conduct interviews. As such, it will be necessary for you to be able to articulate your ideas and positions. If you are shy and resist engaging in professional discussions, you will have to learn to overcome your fears.

If you would like to discuss this with me in more depth, please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail.

OUR BRYCE'S LAW OF THE WEEK therefore is... "If the mind really is the finest computer, then there are a lot of people out there who need to be rebooted."

"MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD"

Friends, as mentioned, we have just published a new book entitled, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. Reviewer Bill Petrey praised it by saying, "Every young person entering the workplace for the first time should be given a copy of this book." The book includes chapters to describe how a young person should organize themselves, how to adapt to the corporate culture, develop their career, and improve themselves professionally and socially. Basically, its 208 pages of good sound advice to jump start the young person into the work force. Corporate Human Resource departments will also find this book useful for setting new hires on the right track in their career. It not only reinforces the many formal rules as contained in corporate policy manuals, but also includes the subtle unwritten rules we must all observe while working with others. The book lists for $25 and can be ordered online through MBA or your local book store. Complementing the book is a one day seminar of the same name which can be purchased separately for $4,000.00 (U.S.) plus instructor travel expenses. For more information on both the book and the seminar, visit our corporate web site at: http://www.phmainstreet.com/mba/morph.htm
ISBN: 978-0-9786182-5-4

LIKE TO WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF MY NEW BOOK? Be the first one to e-mail me a message with your name and shipping address. In the SUBJECT or BODY of the e-mail, be sure to write "Morphing Book 090307". E-mail it to me at timb001@phmainstreet.com. Only one free book per person. I'll announce the winner on next week's broadcast.

MY "PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK" IS "APATHY"

I have always had a problem with apathy. It's rather hard for me to sit back on the sidelines without putting in my two cents. I guess that really doesn't surprise a lot of you who know me. Inevitably, I get involved simply because I care about the people and institutions I am associated with. Indifference leaves me cold.

I have a friend who owns a retail shop who has been complaining about the stress he is under at his business. I asked him what was causing the problem and he said his vendors were either bringing in the wrong products or charging the wrong amount. Basically, he found they were going on automatic and weren't paying attention to detail. In essence, they just didn't care what they were doing. He also complained about a few of his clerks who routinely come down with a bad case of the stupids, particularly around customers. I've got many other friends who complain about the same type of problems. Interestingly, each believes their problems are unique to their type of business. I contend they are wrong in this regard; apathy knows no industrial boundary.

When did it become cool to be apathetic? I must have missed the memo. Do we not care what others think of us or our work products? I think we too readily accept apathy which, to me, reflects a general lack of discipline in our culture.

Some time ago, I wrote a piece called "Our Growing Dependency on Mass Mediocrity" where I made the observation that we are being subliminally conditioned to accept inferior workmanship. I still believe this is true, but I also believe we are becoming conditioned to be apathetic.

Today we are living in a Theory X world where people are being micromanaged to death and, as such, are asked to become non-thinking robots. Consequently, I am finding more and more people who prefer to be told what to do, to go on automatic and not think for themselves. In particular, we are conditioning Generations Y and Z to be this way, starting with mom and pop.

I've been talking to some career counselors at universities lately who describe a growing dependency students have on their parents. They describe a scenario where students consult with their parents on just about every decision they have to make regardless of how mundane or important it is. As soon as a student leaves the classroom, the cell phones flip open and the student reports to his or her parent about what transpired in the classroom. The counselors tell me that no course selection, activity, or career choice is made without first getting the approval of the parents. In other words, the student is never allowed to stand on his or her own two feet. Yes, young people should always seek the advice of their parents, but more importantly they need to learn to think for themselves.

This phenomenon disturbs me greatly. If this trend continues, our society will consist of a lot of people with little initiative and imagination, who will not lift a finger until somebody gives them their marching orders. Pretty scary if you ask me.

People will be apathetic until they reach a condition they can no longer tolerate and forces them to act. Unfortunately, that threshold seems to have been pushed down rather low in today's world. If it were otherwise, we wouldn't accept inferior workmanship, we would demand quality products and services, and it would never occur to us to give customers anything other than what they wanted. In other words, we would become more sensitive to the needs of others. We would care.

But what would be the impetus for triggering a shift in apathy? I'm afraid it would have to be a catastrophe of some magnitude, such as an economic depression or a world war, something that would radically alter our standard of living. Americans may no longer be good at planning, but we are excellent when it comes to reacting to calamities. It just seems strange to me that we have to be hit over the head with a 2 X 4 just to get our attention. You would think we would be smarter than this.

Such is my Pet Peeve of the Week.

BONUS: BRYCE ON TODAY'S WRITING HABITS

txt msging is pop 4 yung people.
ths short lang is used 2 cut costs.
ths lang leads 2 bad wrtng habits - sent strcture, punct, slang, etc.
peop r lazy + put 4th min 2 commun.
writing sklls r declining - biz ltrs, memos, rpts, etc.
not good, look bad to pub.
instd of good writ, now sloppy.
need tool to trnslte english/shorthnd. LOL
how bout pro att insted?
btw, 24 spell errs in ths txt

TRANSLATION:

Text messaging has become one of the most prominent techniques young people use to communicate these days. Since it is ultimately based on time and number of characters to transmit, our youth have devised a shorthand language to reduce costs (which I am expressing herein). The problem as I see it, is this new language is leading to some very bad writing habits by young people in terms of sentence structure, punctuation, and use of slang. Basically, people have become lazy in their writing habits and put forth the bare minimum to communicate. Consequently we are seeing an erosion of writing skills in the work place. For example, simple business letters, memos, and reports, lack refinement and are embarrassingly amateurish, certainly not the type of image a well established corporation wishes to portray to the public. This is very disconcerting to me. Instead of crisp professional discourse, we now have to deal with some rather sloppy writing. Maybe we need a translation tool that can go from English to their shorthand language and back again. Then again, how about we just demand a little more professional attitude in the workplace.

By the way, there were zero errors in this version when I ran it against my spell checker.

"BRYCE'S PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK"

Folks, a couple of years ago I started to include my "Pet Peeve of the Week" in these "Management Visions" podcasts. They have become so popular that I now syndicate them through the Internet and they are available for republication in other media. To this end, I have created a separate web page for my writings which you can find at phmainstreet.com Look for the section, "The Bryce is Right!" Hope you enjoy them.

AND FINALLY...

I received an e-mail from my "Pet Peeve" regarding "Everybody's Got One" (a Black Sheep in the Family):

A J.W. in Arkansas wrote:

"I am the black sheep of the family, but I am no way as dysfunctional as the family or relatives that I know of. I am striving to move forward, but I believe they are the ones holding me down."

Thanks for your comments.

Keep those cards and letters coming.

MBA is an international management consulting firm specializing in Information Resource Management. We offer training, consulting, and writing services in the areas of Enterprise Engineering, Systems Engineering, Data Base Engineering, Project Management, Methodologies and Repositories. For information, call us at 727/786-4567. For a complete listing of my essays, see the "PRIDE" Special Subject Bulletins section of our corporate web site.

Our corporate web page is at:

http://phmainstreet.com/mba/

Management Visions is a presentation of M. Bryce & Associates, a division of M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. The program is produced on a weekly basis and updated on Sundays. It is available in versions for RealPlayer, Microsoft Media Player, and MP3 suitable for Podcasting. See our web site for details. You'll find our broadcast listed in several Podcast and Internet Search engines, as well as Apples' iTunes.

If you have any questions or would like to be placed on our e-mailing list to receive notification of future broadcasts, please e-mail it to timb001@phmainstreet.com

For a copy of past broadcasts, please contact me directly.

We accept MP3 files with your voice for possible inclusion in the broadcast.

There is no charge for adding a link to "Management Visions" on your web page, for details and HTML code, see the "Management Visions" web site.

Management Visions accepts advertising. For rates, please contact yours truly directly.

Copyright © 2007 by M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. All rights reserved. "PRIDE" is the registered trademark of M&JB Investment Company.

This is Tim Bryce reporting.

Since 1971: "Software for the finest computer - the Mind."

END

August 27, 2007

"CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT"

The following is an excerpt from my new book, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. The book offers considerable advice regarding how to manage our personal and professional lives. As a part of this, I found it necessary to discuss techniques for a person to constantly improve themselves professionally.

Continuous Improvement

Let me say from the outset that the burden of responsibility for improving your skills in your chosen profession rests with YOU, not your employer. Your company may offer supplemental training but more than anything YOU are responsible for your development, not anyone else. YOU must take the initiative. In most cases, your company will assist you in your development, but YOU must demonstrate your willingness to learn and improve.

Regardless of the type of job you have, you will observe changes over time in terms of how it is performed. This is because new methods, techniques and tools are introduced to expedite how your job is performed. Staying abreast of new technology, therefore, is an important part of your development. Continuous improvement is an inherent part of craftsmanship. You must either evolve and adapt, or be left behind.

There are numerous sources available to you for ongoing professional development:

1. Personal Observations - there is probably no better instructor than your own power of observation as you will be able to watch others succeed and fail in their assignments, their work habits and ethics, as well as their office politics. This requires an attention to detail, the ability to detect changes, and an inquisitive mind that constantly asks "Why?" As a new employee, pay particular attention to interoffice memos, not just for what they say, but why they were written.

   "A memorandum is written not to inform the reader but to protect the writer."
   - Dean Acheson

   When studying people, consider their strengths and weaknesses, what motivates them, their character, and their formulas for success or failure, e.g., what worked and what didn't? Never hesitate to ask questions, particularly as a new employee.

2. News and Trade Journals - just about every industry has some form of publication, either printed or in some electronic format, to report news and discuss trends. Such periodicals are invaluable in order to stay abreast of developments in your field. Many such publications offer free subscriptions, others require a modest charge. It is not uncommon for companies to pay for such subscriptions as they want to help their employees stay sharp in their field. But if such is not the case and you have to pay for a subscription out of your own pocket, the IRS will typically allow you to report it as a deduction on your income taxes.

   There will also be considerable information made freely available to you over the Internet, such as the trade publication web sites, along with pertinent blogs, discussion groups, news services, and podcasts.

   The important point here is you should develop a habit of staying current in your chosen profession, and you should perform such research either at home or during off hours at work. Managers generally frown on employees reading periodicals during normal working hours.

3. Participation in Industry Groups & Trade Shows - like the trade press, just about every industry has one or more nonprofit organizations to provide a forum to discuss your specialty. Such groups typically offer its members monthly meetings to listen to guest speakers, workshops and seminars, and access to a library of research papers. More importantly, it provides a venue for its members to network and compare notes pertaining to their profession. Participation in such groups are normally encouraged by businesses to promote the employee's continued education. However, some companies are leery about participation in trade groups as it is sometimes viewed as a vehicle for exchanging resumes and changing jobs. If you still want to participate in a trade group without the support of your company, again, the IRS will typically allow you to report your dues as a deduction on your income taxes.

   Major conventions and trade shows are also useful for learning about the latest technology in your field. Here you will meet vendors, obtain literature, view presentations, and touch and feel the latest gizmo. Companies encourage attendance at such shows, but typically not during business hours. And if the trade show is being held out of town, it is unlikely your company will sponsor your trip as it may be perceived as a boondoggle. The only exceptions to this is when such a trip is being used as either a form of reward to the employee or for a special fact-finding mission.

   Check with your employer about their policy on participating in such organizations.

4. Professional Training - there are numerous commercial training programs offered by experts in their field. Most are instructor-led seminars or workshops held either on the company's premises or off-site, and vary in length anywhere from a couple of hours to a week. There are also many independent study programs available that are implemented by books, DVD, or over the Internet. Regardless, your concern is the quality of education provided, and does the venue suit your needs?

5. Certification Programs - many professions offer certification programs which authenticate your level of knowledge in a subject area. Such programs typically require the person to take a test or examination, which can be rather extensive. To prepare people for the exam, the sponsor of the certification program (which is normally a nonprofit trade group) will offer a study curriculum to prepare the applicant for the test.

   As a new employee, you should pursue certification programs, especially if your company supports it and pays for it. Not only will you personally benefit from it, but it could mean an increase in pay to you as well.

   It is one thing to earn a certification, quite another to maintain it. Most certification programs require people to renew it periodically, such as every three years. A lot can happen in three years, which is why you should constantly stay abreast of developments in your profession.

6. Supplemental Education - many companies encourage their employees to either complete their formal education or pursue a higher degree. To this end, companies may offer financial incentives for you to complete High School or College. And if you want to obtain a Masters or Doctoral degree, they may offer programs to help you pay for such degrees. Be sure to review the benefits policies of your employer.

7. Mentors - years ago there was a period where mentors were assigned to new employees to chaperone them on their journey through the corporate world. Mentors were basically a "Big Brother/Sister" program where senior employees would offer sage advice to neophytes on adapting to the corporate world. But this is a program that has slowly been phased out over the last few years. Nonetheless, if you find someone you respect in the company who is willing to act as your mentor, by all means listen to them carefully. A mentor has three primary duties to perform:
   • Role Model - a mentor has attributes the subordinate wants to aspire to attain.

   • Teacher - a mentor has to be able to teach, not just academic or technical lessons but also those pertaining to corporate life; e.g., policies and procedures, ethics, socialization, politics, etc.

   • Guidance Counselor - to guide the subordinate on their path through life, explaining options and making recommendations.

   Very important, both the mentor and the subordinate must realize the mentor will not have all of the answers, but should be able to point the subordinate in the right direction to get the answers they need. The mentor also has to know when their work is complete and allow the subordinate to move on to the next stage of their corporate life.

8. Other Vehicles - there is a variety of other ways for perpetuating professional development in your company:
   • Employee-led training or roundtable discussions - held on a regularly scheduled basis to discuss pertinent subjects. In other words, your own in-house trade group. The only problems here are: having access to suitable company facilities to hold such meetings at off-hours (most companies do not have a problem with this), and getting people to participate (many of whom will not stay beyond quitting time). But if you can develop such a forum, it can become invaluable as a learning aid.

   • Private Blog or Discussion Group - to use as a clearinghouse to discuss problems and solutions pertaining to your trade. Some companies frown on such electronic forums as they suspect it is used to plot against the company or management. But if such forums are properly administered, they can be beneficial in the exchange of professional job-related information.

   • Corporate Boot Camps - representing off-site retreats for in-depth discussions or training.

   If such vehicles do not presently exist in your company, you might be able to earn accolades from management and your coworkers for setting up such forums.

Again I remind you, your professional development is up to YOU, not your employer. In most cases, your employer will encourage and support you in your professional development, but they cannot spoon-feed you. YOU must show the initiative.

If you would like to discuss this with me in more depth, please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail.

OUR BRYCE'S LAW OF THE WEEK therefore is... "Progress is arrested when we surrender to the status quo, that we no longer strive to exceed it."

"MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD"

Friends, as mentioned, we have just published a new book entitled, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. Reviewer Bill Petrey praised it by saying, "Every young person entering the workplace for the first time should be given a copy of this book." The book includes chapters to describe how a young person should organize themselves, how to adapt to the corporate culture, develop their career, and improve themselves professionally and socially. Basically, its 208 pages of good sound advice to jump start the young person into the work force. Corporate Human Resource departments will also find this book useful for setting new hires on the right track in their career. It not only reinforces the many formal rules as contained in corporate policy manuals, but also includes the subtle unwritten rules we must all observe while working with others. The book lists for $25 and can be ordered online through MBA or your local book store. Complementing the book is a one day seminar of the same name which can be purchased separately for $4,000.00 (U.S.) plus instructor travel expenses. For more information on both the book and the seminar, visit our corporate web site at: http://www.phmainstreet.com/mba/morph.htm
ISBN: 978-0-9786182-5-4

MY "PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK" IS "SCREAMERS"

This is one I think just about everyone will relate to. I sat down in a restaurant recently to enjoy my lunch. As I was about to lift the first forkful of my meal to my mouth, a blood curdling scream from a child erupted causing me to drop my fork and snap my head around to see a three year old throwing a temper tantrum two tables away from me. The kid was upset about something, I'm not sure what, and kept bellowing. Interestingly, the parents kept eating their meal like nothing was wrong, even though the whole restaurant had come to a complete standstill.

I also happened to be visiting the Department of Motor Vehicles not long ago to renew my license. As I was getting ready to pay my bill, the room exploded with the screaming of another toddler. Again, the parents simply went about their business like nothing was wrong.

Frankly, I don't know which is worse, kids screaming or the indifference of their parents. When my kids were little I would be embarrassed if they acted up in public. More than once I would pick my child up and take him outside to the car so the other patrons wouldn't be disturbed. But I guess that's not how it's done anymore. I suppose I am really showing my age now.

Since the parents today won't discipline the kids, I think I've come up with something that might turn the trick. How about a pocket aerosol sprayer with knockout drops in it, kind of like the pocket mace sprayers you see. The kid starts acting up, you give him or her a sprits of the knockout drops, and out they go. Somehow seeing a little mop top drop to the floor during a temper tantrum appeals to me. Maybe we can also create an adult version to sprits the indifferent parents. Then, when they wake up, they find themselves outside of the store or restaurant. I can just image the orders I would receive from restaurant owners alone.

Years ago I never understood why there would be special communities that were restricted to older adults, children were simply not allowed. It took me a while, but I think I now grasp the concept. It's not that I have anything against kids, I just have a problem with adults who don't know how to parent.

Such is my Pet Peeve of the Week.

"BRYCE'S PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK"

Folks, a couple of years ago I started to include my "Pet Peeve of the Week" in these "Management Visions" podcasts. They have become so popular that I now syndicate them through the Internet and they are available for republication in other media. To this end, I have created a separate web page for my writings which you can find at phmainstreet.com Look for the section, "The Bryce is Right!" Hope you enjoy them.

AND FINALLY...

I received quite a few responses from my "Pet Peeve" regarding "The Driving Top Ten":

A J.K. in Tampa wrote:

"This is really a good dose of reality on how it is to drive in today’s world is. I think every state should bring their driving tests up to today standards. Like driving while talking on the cell phone, putting on makeup, eating your fast food meal, reading anything, etc. I do think you forgot one thing, 'Turning On Red' should be number 11. Drivers today forgot that when this law was enacted there was a gas crisis going on. But you were only suppose to turn on red AFTER stopping at the red light; you were only allowed to turn if NOTHING, and I say NOTHING, was coming. If you drive, you know how everyone obeys this law."

An M.A. also in Tampa wrote:

"Reading this made me laugh. Because all of it is so true!

Tim, you obviously needed to vent. So glad you decided to take it out on-line rather than behind the wheel! We ALL feel the way you do at times while we’re driving.

My pet peeve is RUDE and inconsiderate drivers. People who WON’T let you in line NO matter what! Some even actually speed up so that you don’t get in front of them. Because we all know that what they have to do is way more important than what you have to do.

The second and third most irritating things to me are going speeds of one extreme to the next, with no in between. Some people are either going 20 mph or 90 mph!

Lastly, what I feel is the most dangerous and what seems to be a problem that has grown to epidemic proportions, is running red lights. I see it at almost every intersection! COME ON PEOPLE! You’re going to kill someone one day. For Pete’s sake, SLOW DOWN."

And finally, an S.T. in Florida wrote:

"My pet peeve is the cell phone users that are oblivious to what’s going around them. Never signals; Drives too slow; Erratic lane switches when they are about to miss their turn. Every time I see someone driving in a peculiar manner, sure enough, it’s Chatty Cathy or Gabby George smiling and having a great old time."

Thanks for your comments.

Keep those cards and letters coming.

MBA is an international management consulting firm specializing in Information Resource Management. We offer training, consulting, and writing services in the areas of Enterprise Engineering, Systems Engineering, Data Base Engineering, Project Management, Methodologies and Repositories. For information, call us at 727/786-4567. For a complete listing of my essays, see the "PRIDE" Special Subject Bulletins section of our corporate web site.

Our corporate web page is at:

http://phmainstreet.com/mba/

Management Visions is a presentation of M. Bryce & Associates, a division of M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. The program is produced on a weekly basis and updated on Sundays. It is available in versions for RealPlayer, Microsoft Media Player, and MP3 suitable for Podcasting. See our web site for details. You'll find our broadcast listed in several Podcast and Internet Search engines, as well as Apples' iTunes.

If you have any questions or would like to be placed on our e-mailing list to receive notification of future broadcasts, please e-mail it to timb001@phmainstreet.com

For a copy of past broadcasts, please contact me directly.

We accept MP3 files with your voice for possible inclusion in the broadcast.

There is no charge for adding a link to "Management Visions" on your web page, for details and HTML code, see the "Management Visions" web site.

Management Visions accepts advertising. For rates, please contact yours truly directly.

Copyright © 2007 by M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. All rights reserved. "PRIDE" is the registered trademark of M&JB Investment Company.

This is Tim Bryce reporting.

Since 1971: "Software for the finest computer - the Mind."

END

August 20, 2007

"CREATING A SENSE OF PROFESSIONALISM"

The following is an excerpt from my new book, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. The book offers considerable advice regarding how to manage our personal and professional lives. As a part of this, I found it necessary to discuss why it is important to create a sense of professionalism as it applies to a young person's career.

Creating a Sense of Professionalism

Although you may want to excel in your chosen profession, it may be difficult if the corporate culture doesn't encourage you to do so. Employees are sometimes ridiculed for aspiring to rise above the status quo and take on a more professional attitude towards their work. Even worse, jealous employees may even undermine your efforts. These are people who have surrendered to the status quo and put forth little effort to rise above it. This is what I refer to as the "Misery loves company" phenomenon. It takes a strong willed person with considerable perseverance to rise above the status quo.

As an individual, you have to find your niche, your area of specialty, and then master it. To do so, become a student of your profession. In addition to mastering your subject area, develop a sense of history to understand how the profession has changed and where it should be heading. Further, resist the temptation to produce mediocre workmanship and strive for perfection.

In addition to your continued professional development, you have to cultivate a certain image or persona that allows people to know you take your work seriously. This can take many forms: your physical appearance, your demeanor, but more importantly your resourcefulness and job performance. Be careful though not to violate the social norms of the corporate culture. If your appearance or actions are radically different, the culture will begin to resist your efforts even if you have the best intentions. To overcome this problem, solicit support from like-minded individuals and work together towards improving the professional standards in your department. In fact, you have a better chance of raising the sense of professionalism when your manager truly supports teamwork. If you can embed professional conduct into a team, it will inevitably become a part of the overall corporate culture.

One last thing in this regards, if you are really trying to cultivate a professional image, you might want to reconsider any listings you might have in Facebook.com, Myspace.com or any other such Internet listings. This might have been fun as a kid, but is this something you want your boss and coworkers to see?

Career Planning

Like it or not, the era of twenty or thirty years of employment are over. Even in Japan, the custom of "lifetime employment" is quickly coming to an end. This is probably due to the fast-paced world economy we now live in. Regardless, there is no longer any trust between management and its workers, and corporate loyalty is a thing of the past. Instead of having a career path within a single company, employees now realize their career path will probably take them through several different companies. Because of this, do not be afraid to leave a company if you feel your career plans are being delayed or sidetracked. Also understand the difference between a true promotion and a lateral move to another area in the company. Sometimes a lateral move can be helpful in that it may offer you an opportunity to shine where you couldn't before, but on the other hand, it could also be a hint to you to move along to another company and job, particularly if your new area is a dead end.

Before you decide to resign, make sure you have a better job lined up first. This means an employee should always keep his resume and skills inventory up to date. Further, if you are going to leave your job, try to maintain amicable relations with your company and workers, you never know when this might come in handy. I realize this may be difficult to do, particularly if you and your employer have little regard for each other, but you should not get in the habit of burning your bridges. And understand this, in today's litigious society, company's rarely give references. Most will only confirm your job title and the length of your employment, and little else. It is not that they want to give a good or a bad reference on you, they simply fear the legal repercussions for doing so.

If you decide to go back to the job market, there are now many more ways to get your resume in front of others than just a few years ago, particularly through the many Internet job portals now available. There are also job recruiters you might want to work with to locate a job for you. In this event, realize the job recruiters do not work for free and, as such, someone has to pay for their service, either you or the company recruiting you. Either way, make sure this is clear before entering into a contract with a recruiter. Sometimes companies like working through recruiters, others have policies prohibiting the use of them.

If you would like to discuss this with me in more depth, please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail.

OUR BRYCE'S LAW OF THE WEEK therefore is... "It takes a strong willed person with considerable perseverance to rise above the status quo."

"MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD"

Friends, as mentioned, we have just published a new book entitled, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. Reviewer Bill Petrey praised it by saying, "Every young person entering the workplace for the first time should be given a copy of this book." The book includes chapters to describe how a young person should organize themselves, how to adapt to the corporate culture, develop their career, and improve themselves professionally and socially. Basically, its 208 pages of good sound advice to jump start the young person into the work force. Corporate Human Resource departments will also find this book useful for setting new hires on the right track in their career. It not only reinforces the many formal rules as contained in corporate policy manuals, but also includes the subtle unwritten rules we must all observe while working with others. The book lists for $25 and can be ordered online through MBA or your local book store. Complementing the book is a one day seminar of the same name which can be purchased separately for $4,000.00 (U.S.) plus instructor travel expenses. For more information on both the book and the seminar, visit our corporate web site at: http://www.phmainstreet.com/mba/morph.htm
ISBN: 978-0-9786182-5-4

MY "PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK" IS "EVERYBODY'S GOT ONE"

In talking to my network of friends and business associates, I've discovered that everybody seems to have a family skeleton in their closet, a "Black Sheep," meaning there is some relative who you can count on to disrupt the harmony of the family. This could be a nutty aunt or uncle, a brother or sister, son or daughter, you get the idea. Time and again they seem to go out of their way to embarrass the family. Consequently, we like to keep them locked up at major family functions such as at weddings or get-togethers. We keep them at arm's length as we do not want their screwy life to disrupt our own and pray they do not drain the family emotionally or financially.

I always found it interesting that American presidents have had to keep a lid on certain relatives. For example, Jimmy Carter was always worried about the antics of his brother Billy who was best known for his beer and registering as a foreign agent on behalf of the Libyan Government. Ronald Reagan worried about what his offspring might say in public. I think Patti's pictorial in Playboy probably pushed him over the edge.

But the presidents are not alone in this regard. I think everyone has some relative, either distant or close, that has caused heartbreak for the family either because of money, substance abuse, something said out of turn, committing a crime, or just their whacky personality. I remember my father-in-law had an estranged brother living in Florida whom he hadn't spoken to in years over a fallout they had regarding the care of their elderly parents. Once a year though he would call his brother on the phone; if the brother answered, my father-in-law would promptly hang up on him before saying a word. He just wanted to know "If that bastard was still alive."

It seems strange we all have some dysfunctional person in the family we have to deal with. It is very awkward for all involved and is something we don't like to openly discuss with others but I think it's a fact of life. I think the old adage sums it up nicely, "You can pick your friends, but you cannot pick your family."

Maybe this is why we liked such shows in the 1950's like "Leave it to Beaver," "Father knows Best," or "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" ("Adventures"?) Critics claimed their squeaky clean personas were unrealistic but it was a lifestyle we all yearned for. Today, shows like "The Simpsons" and "Married with Children" reflect life as we know it, complete with embarrassing relatives and situations which many claim are more realistic.

Frankly, I think if we honestly had a choice, we would rather live more like Ozzie and Harriet than Homer and Marge Simpson. But such is not to be.

Such is my Pet Peeve of the Week.

"BRYCE'S PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK"

Folks, a couple of years ago I started to include my "Pet Peeve of the Week" in these "Management Visions" podcasts. They have become so popular that I now syndicate them through the Internet and they are available for republication in other media. To this end, I have created a separate web page for my writings which you can find at phmainstreet.com Look for the section, "The Bryce is Right!" Hope you enjoy them.

AND FINALLY...

I received quite a few responses from my "Pet Peeve" regarding "The Age of Specialists":

A P.S. in Montreal wrote:

"I'm in total agreement on this one. I often joke that I will die with perfect teeth, as a sign of specialization gone wrong. I believe the problem is compounded by the 'me-and-myself' selfish attitude so frequently seen nowadays. People rarely consider other people's interests and needs."

A D.O. in Illinois wrote:

"That desire to know everything about everything related to computers is an affliction that I suffer from. The problem is that I can't know everything about programming (even a few languages) and networking, security, sysadmin, hardware repair, etc. Curse you limited time!"

And finally, an A.L. in Turkey wrote:

"I totally agree with you and am proud of being a Jack of all trades."

Thanks for your comments.

Keep those cards and letters coming.

MBA is an international management consulting firm specializing in Information Resource Management. We offer training, consulting, and writing services in the areas of Enterprise Engineering, Systems Engineering, Data Base Engineering, Project Management, Methodologies and Repositories. For information, call us at 727/786-4567. For a complete listing of my essays, see the "PRIDE" Special Subject Bulletins section of our corporate web site.

Our corporate web page is at:

http://phmainstreet.com/mba/

Management Visions is a presentation of M. Bryce & Associates, a division of M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. The program is produced on a weekly basis and updated on Sundays. It is available in versions for RealPlayer, Microsoft Media Player, and MP3 suitable for Podcasting. See our web site for details. You'll find our broadcast listed in several Podcast and Internet Search engines, as well as Apples' iTunes.

If you have any questions or would like to be placed on our e-mailing list to receive notification of future broadcasts, please e-mail it to timb001@phmainstreet.com

For a copy of past broadcasts, please contact me directly.

We accept MP3 files with your voice for possible inclusion in the broadcast.

There is no charge for adding a link to "Management Visions" on your web page, for details and HTML code, see the "Management Visions" web site.

Management Visions accepts advertising. For rates, please contact yours truly directly.

Copyright © 2007 by M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. All rights reserved. "PRIDE" is the registered trademark of M&JB Investment Company.

This is Tim Bryce reporting.

Since 1971: "Software for the finest computer - the Mind."

END

August 13, 2007

"DEBRIEFING"

The following is an excerpt from my new book, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. The book offers considerable advice regarding how to manage our personal and professional lives. As a part of this, I found it necessary to discuss what it means to be the New Kid on the Block:

Debriefing

What you learned in school, of course, will be useful to you in your adult life, but more importantly, it means you possess the faculties to learn, that you can be taught; two important attributes employers are looking for. They are not so much interested in what you have learned in school as much as your ability to learn and adapt, which is what the diploma represents. Regardless of your degree, most employers are going to spend a period of time debriefing you and then teach you how to do things in the manner in which they want things done. This is an important first step in acclimating into the corporate culture. And just because you have graduated, don't think this is the end of your education. You will be learning lessons for the rest of your life. Our schools and universities do nothing more than train your mind to learn. That is their mission.

I had a friend who graduated from a trade school in Cincinnati as a machinist. He was very bright and graduated at the top of his class, making him an ideal candidate for a local tool and die company who hired him. Although my friend knew a lot about being a machinist, the company first put him through their in-house school which taught him their approach to building machines. He later confided that although he was at first skeptical of what he was going to learn, that he thought he was already suitably trained, he said what he learned from the company was light years ahead of what he learned in school. The lesson here was twofold: never be too cocky to think you know everything, and; there is always room for improvement.

Regardless of the type of company you are joining, getting debriefed is a natural part of entering the work force. Do not be insulted and resist it, learn from it. Keep one thing in mind, you are still an unknown quantity to the company and, as such, they want to point you in the right direction in starting your job. Further, you can expect quite a lot of supervision in the early stages of your employment as the company wants to be sure you are doing your job properly.

Debriefing can take many forms, a formal school like my friend experienced, classroom "hands-on" training, or simply on-the-job training. Regardless, now is the time to pay attention to detail and take lots of notes.

Being the "Newbie"

Being the new kid on the block (aka "Newbie") has its advantages and disadvantages. In terms of advantages, it's hard to blame the Newbie for things they are not expected to know yet. This means you are allowed to make certain innocent mistakes for awhile, but don't make a habit of it. You are also allowed to ask the naive "dumb question" which nobody else will ask. In fact, the veterans are expecting you to make certain slip-ups for which you will naturally be kidded about. Take this in stride and learn from it. The disadvantages are that you will be given mundane tasks to perform initially, many of which can be called "Gofor" work, e.g., "Go for this, go for that." The point is, as a Newbie, you are being tested to see not only how well you can perform, but how you react to certain situations. You are going to be gauged in terms of your performance, patience, persistence, diplomacy, risk, teamwork, etc. Most, if not all, of the veterans have gone through these same assignments and in order to gain their approval and trust, you must demonstrate your willingness to accept and execute such assignments. You may rightfully believe some of your tasks are below your dignity. Regardless, the best way to rise above this is to simply tackle any job they give you, do it well, do it fast, and do not gripe about it. Ultimately, how you perform in the Newbie stage establishes you on the totem pole (your seniority). It is also wise to remember this experience as it will have a bearing on how you relate to the next Newbie who comes along.

If you would like to discuss this with me in more depth, please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail.

OUR BRYCE'S LAW OF THE WEEK therefore is... "You cannot move to the top of the ladder by breaking rungs and breaking rules....we all must move through the learnings, the little successes, the disappointments, to develop and grow."

(courtesy of Michael B. Snyder)

"MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD"

Friends, as mentioned, we have just published a new book entitled, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. Reviewer Bill Petrey praised it by saying, "Every young person entering the workplace for the first time should be given a copy of this book." The book includes chapters to describe how a young person should organize themselves, how to adapt to the corporate culture, develop their career, and improve themselves professionally and socially. Basically, its 208 pages of good sound advice to jump start the young person into the work force. Corporate Human Resource departments will also find this book useful for setting new hires on the right track in their career. It not only reinforces the many formal rules as contained in corporate policy manuals, but also includes the subtle unwritten rules we must all observe while working with others. The book lists for $25 and can be ordered online through MBA or your local book store. Complementing the book is a one day seminar of the same name which can be purchased separately for $4,000.00 (U.S.) plus instructor travel expenses. For more information on both the book and the seminar, visit our corporate web site at: http://www.phmainstreet.com/mba/morph.htm
ISBN: 978-0-9786182-5-4

MY "PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK" IS "THE DRIVING TOP TEN"

I recently drove from the South to the Midwest and back again. It has been quite a while since I've driven a long distance (about 1,000 miles each way) and it caused me to remember why I don't like to take such trips anymore. We all have our own little idiosyncrasies for driving; for example, older people tend to move more slowly and cautiously than younger people who race pell-mell down the highway; and people tend to drive according to the customs of the geographical region they come from regardless where they currently are. Nonetheless, I have assembled a "Top 10" list of the basic driving habits that really irritates me and, if corrected, would make driving a lot more bearable for all of us. There is nothing earth-shattering here, just some observations on common driving deficiencies:

10. TURN SIGNALS - I guess I'm among the few people who still know what that little stick to the left side of the steering column is all about. It amazes me how many people do not use turn signals anymore. Maybe its because most of us are driving with one hand on the steering column and talking on a cell phone with the other. I guess letting another driver know where you are turning pales in comparison to asking Aunt Edna what to pick up at the grocery store. I tend to believe people who drive with a stick shift are more inclined to use turn signals as they are less likely to be talking on the phone as they are shifting (although I have seen it done). As trivial as the turn signal appears to be, it is a simple and effective means of communicating to other drivers what your intentions are, be it a turn or a lane change. But I think most drivers just want to keep others guessing what they are doing.

9. TAILGATING - You see this a lot in situations where younger and more aggressive drivers are frustrated with the old codgers driving below the speed limit. Its a little nerve-racking seeing someone draft another car like it was the Daytona 500. It makes you wonder why there aren't more accidents. Maybe the best way to overcome this problem is to assign times during the day when we are allowed to drive, thereby overcoming the problem of different driving speeds; for example:

Age	Morning	Lunchtime	Dinner
16-22	6:00am - 7:30am	11:30am - 12:00pm	3:00pm - 4:30pm
23-65	7:30am - 9:00am	12:00pm - 1:00pm	5:30pm - 7:00pm
66-90	9:00am - 11:30am	1:00pm - 3:00pm	4:30pm - 5:30pm

You are on your own anytime between 7:00pm - 6:00am.

8. OBNOXIOUS TRAFFIC LIGHTS - This is more of a problem with the Department of Transportation than a particular set of drivers. I don't know who programs the traffic lights these days, but someone seems hell bent on gnarling traffic during rush hour. Maybe its a game someone is playing with us as to who can cause the biggest traffic build up. I've had people tell me that traffic lights are becoming very expensive. If this is true, maybe it would be more economical to replace them all with traffic cops who at least know what they are doing. I realize we have some pretty sophisticated computer technology to help us with traffic but I for one don't see how it is helping us. When it comes to traffic control, I still don't believe a computer can match the commonsense of a human being.

7. WEAVING - No, I'm not talking about drunk drivers driving erratically on the highway. Instead, I'm talking about the younger people who are weaving between lanes at breakneck speed, either on motorcycles or high performance vehicles. Weaving has become somewhat of a national pastime on our interstate highways, a dangerous game of "Chicken" that could kill not just the drivers, but the other innocent drivers who are trying to mind their own business as well. Why can't they just stay home and do this on their X-Box or Playstation as opposed to driving the rest of us crazy?

6. LOST "OUT-OF-TOWNERS" - You know what I mean; those people who are just plain lost and instead of reading a map, they are content to slow down at every intersection to see if this is the road they should turn into. Wouldn't it be nice if the out-of-towners simply drove in the right-hand lane with their emergency signals flashing to let us know they are lost and to avoid them? It will never happen.

5. RUBBERNECKING - This drives me particularly crazy as I have been tied up in miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic too many times only to discover that drivers were rubbernecking to look at some insignificant problem on the highway. I don't care if the problem is large or small, keep your eyes looking forward and drive the car. You can always read about the accident in tomorrow's newspaper. Hey, maybe that's it: Instead of sending out a tow-truck or emergency vehicle to the site of a problem, let's rush a news team to the site first so they can report on the accident which the other drivers can tune into on their radios.

Rubbernecking turns small problems into larger ones.

4. LACK OF COMMON COURTESY - How many times have we seen people cut off others, or someone not allow another driver to enter traffic? Far too many I'm afraid. I tend to believe how we drive is a reflection of our socialization skills. As opposed to cooperating, we tend to viscously compete on the roadways which, of course, leads to road rage. Wouldn't it be nice if we had some other signal to use other than the one finger salute?

3. SLOW TURNS - Lately I've been seeing a lot of drivers who don't seem to know how to make a turn. Instead of just slowing down a bit before making their turn, I'm seeing people come to almost a standstill; kind of like having an invisible red light they are obeying. I hope they are not seeing something that I'm not.

2. EXPRESS LANE DRIVERS - Another name for the express lane is "passing lane" which perhaps more accurately describes the intent of the left lane on our highways. It disturbs me when it isn't used for this purpose. For example, some people get into the express lane and do nothing more than the speed limit, if that. They act like a pace car when the danger flags are out. I don't know why they do this other than they want to deliberately irritate the other people driving around them. It is kind of like them saying prissily, "Well the speed limit is 55 and I'll be damn if I'll let anybody go faster than that." I just wish I had a James Bond type of car where the rear axle would extend with knives on the end to rip out their tires.

1. CELL PHONES - Well, Duh!! What did you think my number one would be? I wish I had a jamming device which would shutdown all cell phones around me when I'm driving. This would force the other drivers to use both hands on the wheel and concentrate on traffic.

The rules and regulations of the road are really not that complicated. I remember when I first took the written test when I turned 16. The one section I found humorous is where they asked you to identify various street signs. For the "Crossroad" sign they gave you the following multiple choices: 1-Crossroad ahead, 2-Church ahead, 3-A person died on this spot. I wonder how many people got this wrong? Interestingly, I remember the Valedictorian of my High School class (a real "Brainiac") failed the written test three times. I guess he was looking for the meaning of life in a stop sign.

Driving should be a simple and pleasurable experience. Unfortunately, it's not. It seems we go out of our way to misinterpret the rules or devise our own on the fly. Which makes me wonder who is passing out the drivers licenses: 1-Homer Simpson, 2-American Foundation for the Blind, 3-Your local gas station attendant (Hint: we haven't had gas station attendants in 30 years).

Back in 1965, CBS aired the National Drivers Test during prime time, the purpose of which was to educate adults and try to determine the level of driver competency. This was well received and helped improve awareness of basic driving techniques. Sounds like it's about time CBS ran it again.

Such is my Pet Peeve of the Week.

"BRYCE'S PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK"

Folks, a couple of years ago I started to include my "Pet Peeve of the Week" in these "Management Visions" podcasts. They have become so popular that I now syndicate them through the Internet and they are available for republication in other media. To this end, I have created a separate web page for my writings which you can find at phmainstreet.com Look for the section, "The Bryce is Right!" Hope you enjoy them.

AND FINALLY...

I received quite a few responses from my "Pet Peeve" regarding "The Driving Top Ten":

A C.P. in California wrote:

"I lived next to a Suburban Nazi. She was always snooping over my fence and called the police when I was on vacation complaining I left my cat outside the entire week. The police showed up at my door when I returned to give me a fine. I promptly showed them the receipt for my cat's care at the kennel. I hope they let my neighbor know she was a nosy, meddling witch."

An M.H. in Pennsylvania wrote:

"I can relate. I live in a plan in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh and have to deal with the same type of Nazi regime. Shortly after moving in, I had to install a network of French drains to combat a growing problem with natural springs behind my house. Following all the county rules and guidelines was not enough.

The neighborhood association is now complaining about the 'green slime' that is forming on the side of the road where my water constantly runs to the sewer drains. I guess they would rather I be stuck with a stagnant backyard pond rather than to see something so vile on their precious street. So, every couple of weeks I have to hose down and brush the slime off the street to keep them happy. Give me a break!"

An F.H. in Tampa wrote:

"My coworker lived at a very small condo site with a HOA. He spoke of a constant harassing president. They had the police there for his antics. The police never once had him arrested. They never could make anything stick. His antics included mooning some folks at the pool, told an African-American family that the pool was closed and shot a member’s dog with a pellet rifle. He was also able to do background checks on members. Never again. Your happiness means more than another person’s lifestyle choice. Most of those 'lifestyle choices' only revolve around forcing someone’s will on another. Folks love to have their thumbs on your throat and in your pocket books. Don’t try to get even, the HOA’s seem to have politics and the law on their side. Just move on."

And finally an I.L. in New York wrote:

"This is the kind of crap that makes me glad I rent."

Thanks for your comments.

Keep those cards and letters coming.

MBA is an international management consulting firm specializing in Information Resource Management. We offer training, consulting, and writing services in the areas of Enterprise Engineering, Systems Engineering, Data Base Engineering, Project Management, Methodologies and Repositories. For information, call us at 727/786-4567. For a complete listing of my essays, see the "PRIDE" Special Subject Bulletins section of our corporate web site.

Our corporate web page is at:

http://phmainstreet.com/mba/

Management Visions is a presentation of M. Bryce & Associates, a division of M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. The program is produced on a weekly basis and updated on Sundays. It is available in versions for RealPlayer, Microsoft Media Player, and MP3 suitable for Podcasting. See our web site for details. You'll find our broadcast listed in several Podcast and Internet Search engines, as well as Apples' iTunes.

If you have any questions or would like to be placed on our e-mailing list to receive notification of future broadcasts, please e-mail it to timb001@phmainstreet.com

For a copy of past broadcasts, please contact me directly.

We accept MP3 files with your voice for possible inclusion in the broadcast.

There is no charge for adding a link to "Management Visions" on your web page, for details and HTML code, see the "Management Visions" web site.

Management Visions accepts advertising. For rates, please contact yours truly directly.

Copyright © 2007 by M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. All rights reserved. "PRIDE" is the registered trademark of M&JB Investment Company.

This is Tim Bryce reporting.

Since 1971: "Software for the finest computer - the Mind."

END

August 6, 2007

MGMT VISIONS
Internet Radio Show
Click one below

"DEALING WITH OFFICE POLITICS"

The following is an excerpt from my new book, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. The book offers considerable advice regarding how to manage our personal and professional lives. As a part of this, I found it necessary to discuss how to deal with office politics:

Sometimes it seems politics permeates every aspect of our lives, be it in government, our neighborhoods, our schools and places of worship, volunteer organizations, and our offices; something we simply cannot seem to escape. Because of this, we all seek a refuge from politics, a place where we can live in harmony and in peace, but this is very much like the search for the Holy Grail which ends time and again in futility and disappointment. Man is by nature a political animal; it is in our character. And perhaps this is natural as we strive by any means possible to not only survive but to improve our station in life.

Of all of our political institutions, none is as important to us individually as that which affects our professional livelihood. Office politics is based on human frailties, such as envy, jealousy, greed, indifference, and domination. Basically, it is driven by human ego. Interestingly, egos become more pronounced when the setting is designed to be competitive as opposed to cooperative. For example, in an environment promoting rugged individualism over teamwork, you will find more politics. On the other hand, teamwork tends to subdue politics as people are asked to put aside their petty differences and work together towards the common good. We see this in times of war, on our playing fields, and anywhere people are forced to depend on each other collectively.

Although teamwork offers considerable benefits, most companies establish a "dog-eat-dog" competitive environment where the first thing you learn is that fairness is sacrificed for personal gain. This means you should be nice and courteous to everyone, but do not trust a soul. As a new hire, you will not know the nature or depth of the office politics, so do not say anything derogatory about anyone or discuss any job assignment, even if you think they are a friend. It may come back to haunt you. This also means you should not rely on the support of others in a confrontation or fight; they will undoubtedly head for the hills when push comes to shove.

Next, you should learn the true boundaries of your job. Although this is typically defined by written job descriptions and organization charts, you will find there are also many unwritten rules you will be responsible for performing. I encourage you to seek out the total scope of your job, wherever it takes you. Don't worry about going too far as inevitably someone will slap your hand and tell you to stop as you are infringing on someone else's turf. Also be sure you understand the cast of characters you will be working with and their position on the totem pole (denoting administrative relationships; who reports to who).

Lines of Communications

Ever wonder why it seems the larger the company, the greater the politics? This is because communications plays a significant role, specifically the number of lines of communications to be maintained. Do you remember playing the game "Telephone" as children? This was where we whispered a message into one person's ear who passed it down through a chain of other people. By the time it reached the last person in the chain, the message was totally unlike how it was originally spoken. The same is true in interoffice communications where the number of lines of communications grow exponentially based on the number of people involved. For example:

Number of People	Lines of Communications
2	1
3	3
4	6
5	10
6	15
7	21
8	28
9	36
10	45

The more people involved, the greater the chances of misinterpreting the message. It also demonstrates how rumors are created and flourish. This is not to suggest smaller companies are devoid of politics, only that it is minimal in comparison to a larger company who has many more lines of communications which are prone to misinterpretation.

Perceptions

Office politics requires tact, diplomacy, attention to etiquette, and a refinement of our socialization skills. More than anything, you should be cognizant that people act on perceptions, which may or may not be based on reality. Unlike our legal system, in most companies you are considered guilty until proven innocent (not the other way around). This means unless you have something to hide, keep accurate records and notes and correct people of any misinterpretations they may have, particularly as it relates to you.

Also because of human perceptions, understand the importance of cultivating a proper image, not just your physical appearance, but your professional image; e.g., ethics, workmanship, resourcefulness, determination, etc. If you are the type who likes to do nothing more than complain or whine, then people will perceive you as a counterproductive trouble maker. But if you offer constructive advice and readily offer assistance, people will perceive you as an invaluable asset to turn to. Like it or not, you will also be judged by who you associate with in the workplace. As in any society, cliques are formed which often leads to petty rivalries. Even worse, you may encounter powerful political machines with an agenda not in line with your own. Either join the machine or be careful not to get in its way and become a casualty.

"Political Correctness"

This is an expression I particularly dislike as I believe people have become more concerned with making the right political move as opposed to tending to their job. Yes, we should respect the rights of others, but not to the point of being cold and complacent. Yes, we should avoid offensive slang and choose our words carefully, but not to the point it affects communications. And Yes, we should observe proper protocol and decorum, but not to the point it creates bureaucracy and impedes progress. More important than political correctness is the need for simply developing a professional attitude about our work; that we are serious about it, we enjoy it, and we demonstrate our competency in executing it.

Political Fights

Pick your political fights carefully. I'm not suggesting you walk around with a chip on your shoulder or be timid and submissive either, but there is a time and place for drawing a line in the sand. Recognize early on you will not win all of your arguments or fights. Question yourself as to the necessity of getting into a fight at this point in your career and creating an adversarial relationship. But if your back is to the wall, do not pull your punch. To get your way, it may be necessary to form your own political machine. To illustrate, consider Abraham Lincoln's early political career. It would be incorrect to assume he was highly successful early on. In reality, he suffered several setbacks; he lost an incumbent election for Congress and two runs for the Senate. Each stung Lincoln sorely, but to his credit, he learned from his mistakes. As the election of 1860 approached, he got his political house in order and devised a successful campaign which included his own political machine. Not only were all of the Illinois delegates behind Lincoln, but he recruited political handlers who had run against him in past campaigns (and won). Although Lincoln viewed political machines as ugly and unsavory, it ultimately won him the nomination and, of course, the presidential election.

Depending on the outcome of a political fight, be humble in defeat and magnanimous in victory. Again using Lincoln as an example, after losing his first Senate race, he shocked everyone by appearing at the victory party of his opponent and offered a genuine hand of friendship and support. This did not go unnoticed and was well remembered by his opponent who fought for his candidacy years later.

Turn Opponents into Proponents

Lincoln was also a genius in his ability to turn opponents into proponents. After he won the 1860 presidential election and knowing his country was approaching a flash point in its unity, Lincoln reached out to his recently defeated opponents in the Republican race and appointed them as key members of his cabinet. All were somewhat surprised to be asked to serve, but Lincoln's magnanimity encouraged them to put the interests of the country's ahead of their own. These people became his closest confidants and trusted advisors during the dark days of the Civil War.

Another way to overcome an opponent is to simply outperform him/her, particularly if you have been given a dirty job to perform. Nothing irritates your opponents more than to see you succeed when you are expected to fail. It also improves your notoriety as someone who can succeed in the face of adversity.

However, if you have lost a particularly nasty political fight that has caused you personal or professional damage, your only recourse may be to file a lawsuit. Think twice before doing so as it is highly unlikely you will get any support from anyone and your chances for success will be slim. Your coworkers will be hesitant to speak up on your behalf, especially if it means jeopardizing their jobs. However, if you do find it necessary to go to court over something, make sure everything is well documented and discuss the matter with an attorney to see if you have a valid claim.

Conclusion

Gamesmanship is every bit as important as perseverance, honesty, and strong moral values, maybe more so depending on the political climate of your company. Office politics involves how we address the human ego through our socialization skills. Regardless of how pleasant and congenial your demeanor is, there will always be people looking to sabotage you if for no other reason than spite. Although we should always try to turn the other cheek and not lower ourselves to our antagonist's level, there will be times where it is necessary to confront and confound our opponents. Do it with dignity, and do it with class. Or as President Theodore Roosevelt said, "Walk softly and carry a big stick."

If you would like to discuss this with me in more depth, please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail.

OUR BRYCE'S LAW OF THE WEEK therefore is... "Nothing irritates your opponents more than to see you succeed when you are expected to fail."

"MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD"

Friends, as mentioned, we have just published a new book entitled, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. Reviewer Bill Petrey praised it by saying, "Every young person entering the workplace for the first time should be given a copy of this book." The book includes chapters to describe how a young person should organize themselves, how to adapt to the corporate culture, develop their career, and improve themselves professionally and socially. Basically, its 208 pages of good sound advice to jump start the young person into the work force. Corporate Human Resource departments will also find this book useful for setting new hires on the right track in their career. It not only reinforces the many formal rules as contained in corporate policy manuals, but also includes the subtle unwritten rules we must all observe while working with others. The book lists for $25 and can be ordered online through MBA or your local book store. Complementing the book is a one day seminar of the same name which can be purchased separately for $4,000.00 (U.S.) plus instructor travel expenses. For more information on both the book and the seminar, visit our corporate web site at: http://www.phmainstreet.com/mba/morph.htm
ISBN: 978-0-9786182-5-4

MY "PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK" IS "SUBURBAN NAZIS"

Ever since the end of World War II, many Americans have sought the peace and tranquility of suburbia, a place where we can have our own homes as opposed to urban apartments; a place where we can raise a family in friendly and neighborly settings. Such is the dream; such is the myth. In reality, suburban neighborhoods have become places for high anxiety and paranoia as everyone watches what you do and turns you in to the authorities for any infraction of the rules. I like to call such people "Suburban Nazis" as they like to exert their will ruthlessly.

Down in my neck of the woods, and I suspect elsewhere in the country, we have three types of Suburban Nazis. First, we have the "Condo Commandos" which are generally retirees with nothing better to do than patrol the complex looking for any infringement, such as an unauthorized decoration or some minor alteration out of step with the condominium complex. Next we have the Homeowner Associations (HOA) who often employ management companies to perform the tasks the Board of Directors are too lazy to do themselves. Such management companies are often overzealous in performing their duties as they want to prove their worth to the Board. They generate a considerable amount of reports and form letters notifying residents of infringements guaranteed to irritate residents. And if they do not respond, it is turned over to the Gestapo (the attorneys for the HOA) who like nothing better than to goose-step you to court.

Here in Florida we also have the "Water Nazis" who are employed by the government to patrol neighborhoods for violations of water restrictions. One time I received a violation notification for watering my lawn on the wrong day. As it turned out, it was my next door neighbor watering his lawn next to my house. The Water Nazi found it easier to write me up as opposed to checking it out more closely. Of course I tried to refute the violation only to get lost in the Water Nazi's voice mail jail. I left a pretty terse message on the machine which, fortunately, led to them finally dropping the violation.

I've been a Past President of a HOA myself and understand the need for maintaining the appearance of a community. What I have a problem with is the coldness of how we enforce the rules. In most cases you are guilty until proven innocent. I also have a problem with the paper trail they create. Instead of calling you on the telephone, you are issued an impersonal form letter. During my day on the Board, we first tried to call or visit the homeowner to talk to them. I found that most people are embarrassed by the violation and promptly take care of it. A little friendly human contact goes a lot further than a cold form letter, but this is not how we handle things anymore.

Anytime I see a situation where the Homeowner or Condo Association doesn't openly communicate with the neighborhood, or comes forward with an accurate accounting of their finances or activities (such as published in minutes), an unhealthy situation inevitably ensues and the community loses faith in the Board of Directors. But then again, few people volunteer to serve on such Board of Directors, mostly because they see it as a thankless and futile effort (a kind of "You can't fight City Hall" type of phenomenon). Consequently, the Board of Directors typically consists of people who have some time on their hands, but do not have a clue as to how to run such an Association. Even worse is when participation on the Board is used as a means to settle an old score with a neighbor. I guess what troubles me most though is that Suburban Nazis are turning neighborhoods into concentration camps.

Yes, I love the peace and tranquility of suburbia, and the sound of jackboots in the Spring.

Such is my Pet Peeve of the Week.

"BRYCE'S PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK"

Folks, a couple of years ago I started to include my "Pet Peeve of the Week" in these "Management Visions" podcasts. They have become so popular that I now syndicate them through the Internet and they are available for republication in other media. To this end, I have created a separate web page for my writings which you can find at phmainstreet.com Look for the section, "The Bryce is Right!" Hope you enjoy them.

AND FINALLY...

I received quite a few responses from my "Pet Peeve" regarding "Doctors' Offices":

In O.W. in Minnesota wrote:

"We have, as a society, deemed special privilege to those who treat us in the medical field. We are to blame for their lack of respect, but really Tim, it is MONEY that drives them to schedule more people than they can see in 15 minute blocks. Since they are all fully employed, i.e., they limit their numbers so there are more patients than doctors, they don't have to care."

A S.M. in D.C. wrote:

"If you have a bad experience at a medical provider's office, make sure you let your health insurance carrier know. Talk to someone in their provider department and follow your phone conversation with a letter. This letter will be read, passed around management, imaged and permanently stored with that provider's records. If enough complaints are received about a provider by members (customers) the carrier WILL drop the provider.

Don't put up with crummy service - speak with your money and your feet!"

And finally, an N.K. in Florida, who is in the medical field, writes:

"There is a perfectly good explanation for the inability of doctors to keep schedules, and that is people are NOT machines. They do not follow any rules when they break down. There is no "sure" way to fix an ailment that does not fall into a certain category in the first place. Then there is the problem of multiple problems when the patient is scheduled for only ONE problem because they did not tell the schedule person the "real" problem. I guarantee you that if you show me a doctor who runs ON TIME, I will show you a doctor who doesn't really care for the patient; one who wants to herd the patients in and out to get the most money for his time. It's like a good restaurant; we will wait in line for the best food or the best movie, but we won't wait in line for the best physician? What is wrong with THAT picture? It is easy to tell the business person, "I'm sorry but our meeting must come to an end now....we will discuss the other problems at our next session." But try telling that to a person who has just been diagnosed with life-ending cancer, or a husband whose wife just died in the ICU the night before, or a person who is depressed over her husband leaving her suddenly for a younger woman...... my list goes on and on. I work in this profession as a nurse practitioner and my husband is a physician. There is not a day that goes by that one of us did not have a patient who has had a heart breaking problem or event. More often than not the patient comes into the office with more than he "signed up for" and believe it or not, most of us ARE compassionate people who just are NOT able to turn from a serious problem with this comment, "I'm sorry...your time is up". If that were YOU in the office, you certainly would want your practitioner to spend that extra time with you!"

Thanks for your comments.

Keep those cards and letters coming.

MBA is an international management consulting firm specializing in Information Resource Management. We offer training, consulting, and writing services in the areas of Enterprise Engineering, Systems Engineering, Data Base Engineering, Project Management, Methodologies and Repositories. For information, call us at 727/786-4567. For a complete listing of my essays, see the "PRIDE" Special Subject Bulletins section of our corporate web site.

Our corporate web page is at:

http://phmainstreet.com/mba/

Management Visions is a presentation of M. Bryce & Associates, a division of M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. The program is produced on a weekly basis and updated on Sundays. It is available in versions for RealPlayer, Microsoft Media Player, and MP3 suitable for Podcasting. See our web site for details. You'll find our broadcast listed in several Podcast and Internet Search engines, as well as Apples' iTunes.

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Copyright © 2007 by M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. All rights reserved. "PRIDE" is the registered trademark of M&JB Investment Company.

This is Tim Bryce reporting.

Since 1971: "Software for the finest computer - the Mind."

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