Tuesday 21 January 2014

Remember your manners...


I recently read an article on manners and it had an impact on me so here I go piggybacking on that topic.  As an HR professional, I often work with individuals/teams on appropriate professional behavior or team dysfunction.  This is not an everyday occurrence but happens nonetheless – manners on the other hand are a different story.  Good manners should be habit for everyone, especially when interacting in business.  People remember good manners – it isn’t a generational thing either, good and bad manners are apparent in all generations.  I think in today’s society with everyone always face down on their smart phones or running from one a appointment to the other, society as a whole has dropped the ball on manners.  If you want to stand out as an employee, potential candidate, business leader, business owner, etc. good manners are important.  Here are a few things that drive people crazy when they’re not done and also some general ‘be nice’ tips as you walk (or run) through your day:

·        Answer emails promptly, even if it’s just to acknowledge that you received it but don’t have the response ready yet

·        Answer meeting invitations promptly as well

·        If you can’t make a meeting time, try and suggest another time

·        On that note, be on time to meetings – everyone is busy so that is no excuse for being late

·        Say thank you for a meeting

·        Ask how someone’s day is going

·        Don’t text or scroll your phone while in a meeting

·        Make sure you thank someone for a job interview

·        Thank someone if they helped you out in any way

·        If you run in to someone and you’re with someone else, please introduce them

·        Add a salutation before your email message and after

·        Capitalize people’s names in correspondence

·        Don’t interrupt people when they are trying to make a point

·        Be respectful of ‘normal’ work hours – don’t call at 9 PM unless a real emergency

Remember the golden rule…

 

Friday 10 January 2014


January blah, blah, blahs.  How can we as HR professionals or business owners help ourselves and our employees through the January blahs. This is a time to focus on positive, creative and fun initiatives within your business.  Here are a few ideas:

 
*      As with personal goal setting that often happens at the beginning of the year, use this theme to focus on business goals.  Just as with personal goals, these goals should be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely). Put on an employee lunch ‘n learn talking about setting goals both personally and professionally. 

*      Fitness resolutions are one of the most common – have a fitness challenge at your office.

*      Have a company New Year’s celebration – use it as a kick off for your 2014 strategy!

*      Sponsor a Financial Planning 101 seminar as we head into tax and RSP time – you’ll be surprised at how many employees are uneducated on financial and income protection basics.

*      Bring outdoor sports indoors – organize a lunch hour indoor mini golf game.

*      Have a board game tournament: chess, Pictionary, charades, Trivial Pursuit, etc.

*      Enjoy a summer style potluck – bar-b-que theme…

 
There are an infinite number of inexpensive employee engaging activities you can do to fight those January blahs.  You even get to sneak in a team building activity without anyone really knowing it!