Productivity
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From TANSTAAFL to Purple Sneakers?
People who know me know of my current obsession interest in Yahoo!’s recent changes to their telework policy. I just can’t wrap my mind around a good reason for it. It’s not about productivity (studies show that many people are more productive when they’re not in the office). It’s not really about collaboration; most people… Continue reading
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Yahoo!’s WFH Edict And Ensuing Debacle
Yahoo! recently decided to bring its “free range” (i.e., remote working) employees into the office. Much of the Net has an opinion on this edict. This is mine. Disclaimer: I worked at Yahoo from June 2006 – Nov 2011. I left before Marissa Mayer came on board. I have a vested interest in the future… Continue reading
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Highly Sensitive People and the Interruptive Workplace
Good News: I have a new manager and increased scope at Dayjob. My job title and description will be adjusted to formally recognize what I’ve actually been doing for the past three years. Bad news: New manager wants me in the office “more often”. It’s the only point on which we disagree. But it’s a… Continue reading
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Step Away from the Problem
When you’re in the middle of a problem, it can be difficult to step away. Your brain wants to Solve This Thing Right Now. But many times, stepping away is just what is needed. Continue reading
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Re-orgs Hazardous to Teams
On Monday, my manager said “We’re having a re-org. But don’t worry. it doesn’t affect anyone in my group.” She was partially correct. There is no immediate, direct, acute effect. However, the longterm indirect effects are demoralizing. We’re losing three people from the Team. Continue reading
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Four Walls and a Door
Consider the effects of four hard walls and a door. First of all, it’s quiet. Even with the door open, most extraneous sounds are greatly reduced. I don’t hear my neighbors’ typing, this one’s telephone conversation, that one’s talking to herself as she works out a problem. Continue reading
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Empowered Teams
Companies fear empowered teams. Employee empowerment represents the end of management as we have known it. That cannot happen too soon for me. … Being a part of an empowered team is a heady experience. Once you’ve experienced that, you want it again. Continue reading
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Commute Time Management
I’ve been reading various Time Management books lately, comparing and contrasting methods and recommendations. One book seemed pretty reasonable (if I discounted the fact that the author thought his audience consisted primarily of managers). Then toward the end, I tripped over a disturbing contradiction. Continue reading
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Business Communication
There is a popular belief, generally put forward by human resources departments, time management consultants, and other “experts”, that formal communication and discussion between people in the workplace should never be handled by email (i.e. written). I disagree. Continue reading
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Managing by “Piles”
Most Time Management books argue against managing paper by “piles”. They advocate making decisions as soon as the paper appears – respond, hand it off to someone else, file it appropriately, or throw it away. Also posted to Slightly Off Kilter Continue reading
Slightly Off KIlter 