clock in a trashcan full of crumpled papers

(First in a random series on Business Time Wasters) Email.  If there was any greater curse ever cast over the workplace, I can’t think of one. Sure, it facilitates communication. And none of us can even imagine anymore how we could function in a business environment without the ability to dash off a quick note…

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two cocktails on a bar

Some of you got excited when you saw cocktail in the title above, didn’t you? You figured, “Finally, somebody agrees with me—a little liquid social lubricant can go a long way to getting people to loosen up and talk…”  Slow down there, Norm. We’re not heading for Cheers. That’s a different conversation.  But I’ll give you this much:…

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door with title Complaints Dept.

When your employees voice a problem, split off the complainer from the complaint to get at the real issue (For my previous thoughts on workplace problems and a drama-free workplace, see People are the Problem and Solve it with Structure.) We live in an age of outrage. Whatever it is—jobs, schools, restaurants, auto repair, retail…

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lady in front of a chalkboard with lines drawn in every which direction - resembles how she cant make up her mind and make a decision

Are big decisions keeping you up at night? Is fretting over the benefits and risks ahead of you taking up your time for work and rest? Are you losing sleep trying to decide which path will bring you to success and which one will lead to ruin? Stop it. “I want to stop it,” you…

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