No One Ever Tells Us/No One Ever Asks Us

The Seattle Sonics, a National Basketball Association team, are having problems. This is nothing new for the Sonics, nor for many professional teams. The same could be said for many businesses. The actual problem is universal.

What is Body Language

Humans have the tendencey to communicate with each other. This can happen in obvious and in not so obvious ways. We speak, we write. However, we can also communicate without even using words at all. If words are used to communicate content, this nonverbal communication speaks about our relatishonsips.

Oh, By The Way, FYI, and Other Messages of Great Importance

Sometimes information doesn't get passed along. Sometimes it's tacked on as an afterthought. Sometimes it's as though the information doesn't really matter at all. And, sometimes it's a gender problem.

Decorating Your Workplace with Tropical Office Furniture

Bring the tropical flair of the islands to your own home office or workplace. Tips to selecting Caribbean Office Furniture, Tropical Computer Armoires, and more.

The Power of Storytelling -- How to Use It in the Business World

Every company and business has great stories. We need to hear them, tell them and internalize them. The biggest challenges, however, are convincing others of the power of storytelling and the impact it can have in the business world. How can we do this?

Save Face, Time, and Money on Your Next IT Project

Well-managed communication can increase the rates of success on your IT projects by improving relations between you and your customers and decreasing the odds of hasty last-minute enhancements. This will save face, time, and money.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters: 3 Questions for Group Problem Solving

We have all had the experience of sitting in a staff meeting discussing some important issue to be solved or challenge to be overcome. Everyone is throwing out there thoughts and suggestions with one idea being trumped or dismissed by the next. The knowledge and ability to solve whatever problem you're facing is sitting around the table. The challenge is learning to access it in a way that leads to collaborative problem solving.

Why Should I Use Electronic Signatures

Electronic signatures save time, money and resources. Electronic signatures make your business more effecient and help you become more productive.

Safe Workplaces – Eight Pointers to Safer Premises

The majority of businesses have premises; getting the safety of your premises right is a good place to start. Eight questions to ask yourself about safety on your premises - and some answers.

Practice Makes Perfect: Changing Your Communication Habits One Step At a Time

The concept of practice applies to any skill that you want to cultivate. If you take up a new musical instrument, you will need to practice a while before you're ready to give your first concert. In Aikido, the martial art I study and teach, we get on the mat many times each week to practice and perfect our technique.

Gifts for Administrative Professionals Week

This holiday was originally called Secretary's Day, but is now more commonly known as Administrative Professionals Week. Administrative Professionals Week is always the last full week in April, and Wednesday of that week is sometimes called Administrative Professionals Day. Here are a few ideas on gifts to recognize the administrative professional at your company:

4 Simple Steps To Giving Effective Feedback

Feedback is an effective way of communicating with employees, colleagues or members of your team. Feedback can be both positive and constructive (rather than negative).

The Art of Listening

Good listening is not just looking at someone and nodding your head in agreement. You have to acknowledge what is being said and let the other person know that you understand. The more you can acknowledge what is being said, the greater ability you have to persuade and influence. Why? Because the person speaking with you will feel important and understood (Law of Esteem). Why is listening so difficult for most of us? Why is it that when two people get together and talk, they both walk away with two completely different views about the conversation?