Thursday, June 29, 2006

When People Need to Leave the Company

I believe having to terminate someone's employment is one of the toughest things a manager has to do from time to time, especially if a somewhat good working relationship had existed beforehand.

In my company when people get terminated, they try to do it privately, making sure to escort the employee out of the building. I was unfortunately able to witness one of these occasions last December. That brings me to the question of timing.

(Once again, I feel the need to express that this is my own personal opinion and not that of my employer.)

One person in my company was let go the week of Christmas last year. Another two were let go right around their birthdays. Not really good timing, in my opinion. But then again, when is a good time to let someone go?

I think our company's practice of escorting the person out of the building is a good one, because it minimizes the potential for sabotage. However, an abrupt departure like that also means that no one is there to tie up loose ends or to provide any type of knowledge transfer.

Then again, why would a terminated employee feel obligated to so something like that? Perhaps if there was something else being provided - a severance package, or some outplacement, perhaps.

And then, on a more humorous note perhaps, there are those who opt to leave voluntarily...

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Bloglines - Funny Jokes - My Fault......

Bloglines user danimal0416 has sent this item to you, with the following personal message:

A little funny for all you office workers...


Funny Jokes
Humor and Funny Jokes

Funny Jokes - My Fault......

By Funny Jokes

Funny Jokes - My Fault......

A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted,

"Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The woman below replied, "You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 nd 60 degrees west longitude."

"You must be an engineer," said the balloonist.

"I am," replied the woman, "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything, you've delayed my trip." The woman below responded,

"You must be in Management."

"I am," replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"

"Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You have risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."


Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Preparing For a Software Engineering Interview

I saw this link on Digg.com, and, after reading it, thought it was great content for this blog.

Apparently it was written by someone who's interviewed hundreds of software engineers for Google and Microsoft. If you're in this field, this is good information for you.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Managing the Gray

A free podcast for you GTJ readers. From the website:

This podcast aims to help the business professional, through insights and interviews, stay up to date on what is happening in the world of new media, consumer generated content and no control PR.

Friday, April 28, 2006

How to tap your company's hidden network - April 1, 2006

Ooooh. This is a really good article with some tips on how to really get things done in a company. I think it's useful whether you're currently employed or not.

If you're currently employed, you can consider how to apply this at your job.

If you're not currently employed, you can consider how this works or might work at companies where you're applying.

Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, but I still think it's worth your consideration.

How to tap your company's hidden network - April 1, 2006

Monday, April 17, 2006

Monday, April 03, 2006

Feeling Unappreciated At Work?

This came, interestingly enough, from a coworker:

Friday, March 24, 2006

Why Your Boss May Start Sweating The Small Stuff -- Mar. 20, 2006

TIME Magazine Archive Article -- Why Your Boss May Start Sweating The Small Stuff -- Mar. 20, 2006: New sensitivity training at the office focuses on all the little ways a tone-deaf manager can demoralize a staff

I think much of this goes back to general politeness and good manners. Even the Golden Rule: do to others as you'd have them do to you.

Not being able to manage interruptions effectively - especially when you're having an important meeting with someone, IS demoralizing.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

High-demand for These Workers

ClarkHoward.com reports:

Are you looking for a job that has good pay, a lot of security and flexible hours? Would you believe the trucking industry has all that? Some people, such as Clark, would not do well in this job. But others love the open road and the solitude and would be great at the job. Better yet, you don’t need any training because most schools will train you for free. The industry needs about 20,000 truckers, so companies are offering signing bonuses and all kinds of incentives. Truckers make about $60,000 a year. Other jobs with lots of openings include registered nurses or RNs and pharmacists. If you are interested in those fields you could make a great living and do what you love. What could be better?
via ClarkHoward.com Show Archives for March 1, 2006

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Podcast for Jobs in Europe

I heard this promo for an IT jobcast where the host lets people know about projects or jobs (freelance or permanent). Locations are UK, Benelux, Germany and France.

spotted at PodShow Promos website

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

The Lies on Your Resume Will Find You Out

I heard this on the Mr. Nice Guy podcast (http://mrniceguy.org/ - Show number 267) recently and saw it reported on CNet.com and elsewhere: David Edmondson resigned as CEO of Radio Shack recently amid questions about his resume.

At my company, someone was recently let go for the same reason.

Know this to be true: with more companies doing background checks, the lies on your resume will find you out. Therefore, make sure not to overstate your accomplishments and qualifications.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Scrum (management) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I just read this article on an interesting management practice. When I say interesting, I mean something I'd like to see implemented to some degree at my own workplace.

What do you think?

Scrum (management) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Changing Jobs, Changing Benefits

Changing Jobs, Changing Benefits: "A new employer means a new retirement plan. Be sure to ask questions about benefits -- and conduct your own research -- before it's too late."

Friday, February 03, 2006

Unemployment rate declines in January

This appears to be good news on a macroeconomic scale, but I feel we should take with a grain of salt any numbers the Labor Department puts out. I don't think the unemployment numbers count those who have stopped looking for a job or who otherwise don't qualify for unemployment benefits.

I may be wrong. If so, please tell me.

Unemployment rate declines in January

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Get That Job via Podcast?

Hey there, everybody!

I found this service that lets you get text posts to a blog via a podcast. I just need to get everything set up right with the RSS feed and the service that will generate the mp3's of the posts.

Stay tuned.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Workplace Worries - JOKE ALERT!

crossposted to Journey Inside My Mind!

Fresh out of business school, the young man answered a want ad for an accountant. He was being interviewed by a very nervous man who ran a three-man business:

"I need someone with an accounting degree," the man said. "But mainly, I'm looking for someone to do my worrying for me."

"Excuse me?" the young accountant said.

"I worry about a lot of things," the man said. "But I don't want to have to worry about money. Your job will be to take all the money worries off my back."

"I see," the young accountant said. "And how much does the job pay?"

"I will start you at eighty-five thousand dollars."

"Eighty-five thousand dollars!" the young man exclaimed. "How can such a small business afford a sum like that?"

"That," the owner said, "is your first worry."

via the Funny Jokes - Funny Jokes and Humor page

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Friday, January 20, 2006

Thursday, January 19, 2006

ABC News: Web Surfing at Work Could Cost You Money

I just began reading this article, but decided to post this here so that I can read this in full later, for reasons that may be obvious when you've read it yourself.

ABC News: Web Surfing at Work Could Cost You Money