Face-to-Face Benefits

Classroom Training Communicates

In economically tough times it's only natural that companies try to cut costs.

This has meant the emergence of more online training. It’s seen as a way to reduce the cost of travel, training venues and facilitators.

We have the resources to do online training, yet we have made a conscious decision not to. We don't believe in it.

In our experience it doesn't work well for communication training.

Online works well for transmitting facts, figures, analysis, and research. And it’s good for training follow-up and reinforcement after a training workshop.

To us, though, nothing can replace the classroom experience: Receiving personal feedback and coaching. Interacting with other participants. Practicing face-to-face communication.

From what we can see, the most successful companies agree with us.

What benefits have you gauged from face-to-face communication?

Tell us about a time you were successful in achieving a business goal through face-to-face communication?

It’s OK to Make a Mistake

Your company will expect you to make mistakes. That’s life.

It’s also how you learn.

Repeating the same mistake will concern your manager more.

Not “fessing up” to the mistake will be taken as a bigger strike against you than the mistake itself.

I’ve seen staff cover up, lie, and blame others. This enhances a blaming corporate culture. (Not where you want to be!)

© Canstockphoto

Most companies want the issue fixed professionally, quickly (now if possible), and handled better the next time. Blaming someone else accomplishes none of these things.

Collect major points if you say: “Sorry. I screwed up. I made a mistake. It won’t happen again!”

Communicate!

Issues around Confidentiality of Your Salary: Don’t Communicate!

It’s one of the unwritten protocols in business: Never, ever discuss your salary with anyone besides your manager! (Or immediate family.)

I have seen so much damage done by people comparing notes on pay levels. You gain nothing by knowing this information, and even less by discussing it freely.

You might think that knowledge of what others are paid will help you in your salary aspirations. It won’t. Rest assured, most organizations try to pay (and treat) staff fairly.

Recognize two additional unwritten rules about compensation.

1. Every position has a certain value to an organization. This value is based in part on what it would cost to replace you.

2. No mileage exists for anyone in underpaying you. The longer you stay with a company, the better you will end up being paid.

It’s not unreasonable to ask for more money. Just discuss it with your manager ALONE.

Otherwise, be discreet about your compensation and do not discuss with anyone other than your manager.

Focus more on increasing your value to your company. This usually translates into better pay!

The Importance of Communication with Your Immediate Supervisor

Usually, your immediate manager provides the gateway to your success.

If you are given a choice, choose that person wisely because they can really help you.

If you’re not given a choice, how should you cultivate a good relationship?  Key question: Ask them how they like to receive their communications, and through what technology. This at least shows you’re interested in communicating, and you’ll receive some insight on how they process communications.

In business, the relationship with your manager is called your “primary relationship”.

During the interview for a job or promotion, ensure you can communicate well with this person. If you can’t “connect” on a personal, face-to-face level, maybe this is not the job for you.

You also need to respect them, trust them, and understand them. Learn to “scratch their back” and they, in turn, will scratch yours.

Your manager will expect you to be a quick study, and if you have any questions: Don’t be afraid to ask, especially in the early days of your new job. What can you reasonably ask of your manager? Simply put: Ask anything that will help you do your job more effectively.

If you feel that trust and respect are issues, make the most of the situation. You can always learn from anyone. Even if you learn how NOT to do something in a certain way. It’s all a learning experience.

Handling those “Personal” Appointments

Your company will likely have a policy on how to handle personal appointments (haircuts, dentist visits, etc.). Regardless of your company policy, it’s not a bad idea to try and handle those appointments on your own time, if you can.

Sometimes that is not possible with medical matters, and employers tend to be reasonable about it. Still, there’s a balance.

You don’t want to give the impression you’re entitled to “time off” for whatever reason. You’re not!

Communicate with your immediate boss. If you take time off, make up the time! And schedule “cosmetic” appointments outside business hours, please, always.

Do you believe employees are given enough time to handle personal appointments? 

Should some exceptions, other than medical or dental, be made?

Technology Etiquette Depends on Corporate Culture (and Good Manners)

If you join a “conservative” company, you are going to have to bend over backwards to be respectful in the use of technology. In other words, you can’t text non-stop in meetings and continually go into your Gmail or Twitter account on company time.

Some companies are digitally focused and accepting of a technological free-for-all; many are not.

If you’re seeking success in a business, just look around and see how everyone else handles themselves.

We delivered a workshop recently to a large bank. You will appreciate our instructor, Amy, was not expecting the participants to be using their BlackBerries during the session. At the break, Amy went to them and said, “Do me a favour. Maybe you could use your BlackBerry on the breaks or at lunch.”

One participant turned around and said, “When you earn as much money as I do, you can tell me what to do.”

We thought the response to be totally out of line.

I’m guessing that person is no longer employed – financial meltdown or no financial meltdown.

Courtesies, respect and politeness go a long way!

Respect your corporate culture.

Should all corporate cultures adapt to allow people to use technology for personal use?
What are some of the pros and cons of allowing more digital freedom in the workplace?

The First Days at a New Job: Keep a Low Profile

In the first few days and weeks in a new role, keep your opinions to yourself! Focus on learning your job. Be the quiet observer. Avoid commenting on anything at this time, unless asked.

Remember: First impressions do count. I fired one person because he was disrespectful to his wife – on the phone in front of the whole office.

Reality check: It will probably take you one year to truly learn your job.

Once you know your job, you should receive ample chances to voice an opinion. Especially if you can streamline your processes.

Hopefully, you’re in a company where opinions are sought after!

Let us know: 

Why do first impressions count to you?

What is something you learned about someone based on your first impression of them? Were you right? Wrong?

Self Promotion

Use Technology Wisely to Enhance Your Job Opportunities/Promotions

Technology can both help you and harm you.

For example, most boomers have figured out how to access Facebook. A picture of your throwing up in a toilet is probably not the best PR to those who employ you.

Be aware of the obvious – such information may be available to anyone. Or a prospective employee may simply ask to see it.

Consider designing your Facebook portfolio so that if an employer does see it, you will look good.

It’s a sales opportunity. Make your portfolio professional. Show off your technical skills. Choose your photos – and friends – wisely.

Don’t shoot yourself in the foot! 

Taking Charge of Your Professional Development

What are Your Core Skills?

Force yourself to answer this question: What am I really good at?

I say this because many people still don’t know what they’re good at – even after 20 years. And they insist on doing what they’re not good at.

They haven’t accepted that you can’t possibly be good at everything.

In my own case, I realized this early in my career. I put it down to luck. I clearly recognized those things I wasn’t good at. Over time, I have deliberately surrounded myself with a team who can do the stuff I’m not good at. I try to focus on my strengths.

By default or by mistake, this turned into one of my best decisions.

Realize, however, that early in your career, you might have to compromise with the first job(s). As time goes on, you really have to get into somewhere where you feel comfortable.

Be honest with yourself about assessing your true skills.

Be prepared if necessary to take a menial job to get started. I’m now CEO. To get started in the workforce, I did the following: parked cars, swept floors, burnt garbage, sold door to door, drove tractors, worked behind a bar.

I didn’t see any of the jobs as menial. I saw them all as experience. A stepping-stone to my future.

What have been some of your “stepping-stones” to get to where you are in your career?

What are some goals you hope to achieve to advance your career?

Were you right? Wrong? What Company Policies Really Communicate

Companies issue policy manuals to save everyone time.

They are critical communications.

They spell out the “nitty gritty” of the little questions (and some big questions) that come up. Read the policies carefully.

I’ve seen people ask questions when the answer was already in the company policy manual. Clearly they had not read the document.

Tip: Read up on your company’s policies once a year as a refresher. Policies tend to change to accommodate new issues. They are living communication tools critical to all organizations.

Avoid tying up your manager’s time with questions that will likely be answered in your company’s policy documents, and you will clear another obstacle to success.