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A bit of advice on how to manage a micromanager boss
Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementI was recently asked the following question: "What do you do if you like your job but your boss is a micromanager who doesn’t have a clue how to manage projects, and his boss put him in that position due to nepotism?" Micromanagement is about lack of trust. The person who is micromanaging doesn’t believe anyone can do something as well as he or she can. Once you understand this, you’ll be better able to manage a micromanaging boss.
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Employee relocation costs: What to consider
Michael Krasman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementDoes your company have an employee relocation program? If not, you’re undoubtedly wondering if you should; if so, you’re undoubtedly wondering how to make it more cost-effective. There’s no question: relocation benefits can be expensive. Case in point: it can cost nearly $100,000 to relocate an established employee who owns a home! Move just a few people and costs add up fast. Yet, nearly two-thirds of U.S. employers have relocation programs in place for one excellent reason: it’s crucial to attracting and retaining top talent.
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Avoid these misguided association practices
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementThere is no single authority for how associations operate. Every nonprofit and its board are unique. They are influenced by culture, resources, scope and member expectations, for example. While rigid guidelines don’t exist, some processes are better than others. Here are examples of misguided practices regarding minutes, board meetings and consent agendas.
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An overlooked project management skill: Chief communicator
Deborah Ike CommunicationsWith all of the work involved in managing a project, it’s easy to focus on the details of tasks, risks, budget, and timelines. However, one issue that can quickly derail a project is a breakdown in communication. Many times, one group or department doesn’t understand another or doesn’t know who else needs to know about a particular issue. As the one person with both a 30,000-foot view and access to the detailed tasks, part of your role as the project manager is to bridge these communication gaps. Here are a few ways you can fill that communication role.
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The one factor that holds leaders back
Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementI do a lot of executive coaching, and when I ask clients to tell me about their core strengths, they’ll say things like, "I have solid communication skills." Or, "My team enjoys working with me." I’ll then ask their direct reports the same question about my clients. Their responses are usually a stark contrast to what the leader has told me. I’m often left wondering if we’re talking about the same person here! Here’s the reality. No matter how good (or bad) someone is, all that matters is perception.
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Volunteering can help you accelerate your career
Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementOne evening, 24-year-old Mary Hernandez was speaking with David, her career services advisor at Center Community College, about how she could transition into a medical records position. Because she was working full-time at Platt and attending classes a few evenings a week, it was not practical for her to serve an internship. David suggested that she consider volunteering at a healthcare facility on Saturdays. "Volunteering is a terrific way to gain experience, to give back to the community, and to build an effective network," he explained.
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How to recognize employees when summer Fridays aren’t practical
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementSummer Fridays refer to the practice that employees get to leave early or work remotely on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. While this can be a fantastic benefit for office workers, it can be extremely impractical to implement outside of standard 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. offices and cost-prohibitive to offer to nonexempt employees. This does not mean our hands are tied as leaders when it comes to giving employees a break during the summer months. Here are some other options to consider when summer Fridays are not practical.
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How to maintain a bold approach
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementBold is a word frequently used in news headlines. Seldom does bold describe the outcomes of board meetings and strategic plans. Directors tend to stay in comfort zones. Long-term thinking and taking risks by volunteers can be uncomfortable. Bold can be described as an action or decision that demonstrates an ability to take risks with confidence and courage. An example would be a state association creating and copyrighting a course that is licensed to 49 state counterparts, generating new income.
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US economy adds 75,000 jobs; unemployment rate stays at 3.6%
Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe May jobs report shows that nonfarm payroll employment rose 75,000 following 263,000 new hires in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. May’s rate of unemployment stayed at 3.6%. Is May’s drop in job creation a sign of a slowing economy? "One month doesn’t make a trend," according to Heidi Shierholz, director of policy at the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, hourly wages barely rose in May.
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6 excuses executives give when they can’t find talent
Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIs it just me or is anyone else tired of the excuses executives give when they can’t find talent? This article includes six of my favorites. For example, one I hear is, "there are no people out there." Really? Then explain to me why your competitor has people lining up outside her door waiting to work for her? There are plenty of people who are willing and ready to work. You have to be worthy of having them. Are you? If not, what can you do to change this?
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