Nonsense At Work

James McIntosh — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:53:28 -0500

Absence makes the evil thought:

As I watch happy families rushing around collecting presents like squirrels gathering nuts, it is clear to me that money is not the root of all evil.

But then I remember the unhappy families, the ones forced by circumstances beyond their control to be spectators to this year’s shopping frenzy. That’s when I know George Bernard Shaw was right when he said that the lack of money is the root of all evil.

Nonsense At Work

James McIntosh — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:36:02 -0500

Expecting rewards from the jolly fat man:

It’s that time of year again and you’re wondering whether you’ve been good enough to expect a reward from the jolly fat man in the corner office.

Ah, but there’s a catch to the idea of ‘to expect’. The word ‘expectation’ has two meanings: likely-to-happen and ought-to-happen. In organizations, likely-to-happen often outweighs ought-to-happen. In other words, your boss knows what behavior is required, but believes that inappropriate behavior is more likely to occur.

Nonsense At Work

James McIntosh — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:25:23 -0500

Don’t listen to your customers:

I have been heard to shout loudly that you must listen to your customers. However, like all of us, I have a dark side. My dark side is very aware that you should not always listen to your customers. Surprise, surprise, your customer is not always right.

There is a catch. It takes insight to know when they are wrong and guts to go against what they think they want. As Henry Ford pointed out, if he had listened to his customers he would have built a better horse and buggy.

Nonsense At Work

James McIntosh — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:59:28 -0500

Suicides at work:

Have you seen any good suicides at work lately? I guess not. It’s just another difference between the French business model and the American model. While Americans tend to kill their bosses and co-workers, the French kill themselves. For example, since 2008, 24 workers at France Telecom have committed suicide, blamed on trouble at work.

Something is obviously wrong in the work place and it is no laughing matter. At this time of year these problems become even more noticeable at home.

Nonsense At Work

James McIntosh — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:52:45 -0500

Mr Retailer, break down that door!

Here’s one for all you retailers out there busy preparing for Black Friday. Mr Retailer, break down that door.

I have always wondered why I don’t like the open-air shopping malls so prevalent here in the USA. I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit that it took a banker to point out the obvious reason. The doors to the shops are always closed! How uninviting.

Nonsense At Work

James McIntosh — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:48:46 -0500

Boost their energy to keep your job:

Do you still have a job? If so, let me guess. You are working harder and doing more, because a few of your colleagues have been fired. (Now that more work is trickling in as business improves, no new hires are happening.)

Welcome to the era of doing more with less for longer.

Nonsense At Work

James McIntosh — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:13:17 -0500

Trust in paint for protection from stupid texters:

Let me tell you about one of the most amazingly powerful things found in our modern society. No, no, it’s not technology or weaponry. It’s something that has been around for a long, long time. It’s actually pretty low-tech.

It’s the strip of paint in the middle of the road that keeps that car speeding in your direction from colliding head-on with yours. A strip of paint. Every time I drive a car I marvel at its power.

Nonsense At Work

James McIntosh — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:43:16 -0500

Legally spreading illness:

Here’s a fun question for you. What is the quickest way to legally spread swine flu in the USA? You don’t know? Here’s a clue. It has to do with people you interact with every day.

The answer? Make it difficult, if not impossible, for people who already have swine flu to stay home.

Do you realize that people who interact with the public, people in the services sector, are among those millions of Americans who don’t get paid if they don’t go to work?

Nonsense At Work

James McIntosh — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:13:45 -0500

Don’t waste a nonsense moment:

Nonsense At Work

James McIntosh — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:22:33 -0500

Playing hard to get

Should you or shouldn’t you play hard to get when trying to make a sale or hoping to land a job - that is the question.

I once landed a good job because I played hard to get, by accident. I wasn’t sure about the job and so I turned the tables on the interviewing executives. I grilled them about why I should take the job.