Things
I Think I Think
I
thought I'd do something different this newsletter. For our premium
content subscribers, I send out a weekly email in addition to the
newsletter called Things I Think I Think. The idea of ThIThITh is to
share ideas or concepts that may not make it into a show, or that we
don't yet have the right forum for. It's short and easily digested, and
is partly a way to say thanks for subscribing. We have been blown away
by the response - I never dreamed I would get this many
emails (on top of what we already get) saying thanks for something so
short and sweet.
I
thought everyone else might like to read a few excerpts. Hope your year
is off to a good start!
Mark
[
Friends ]
You
don't "NEED" Facebook. But you do need friends. MTCT
(ManagerTools/Career Tools) sounds like we're against Facebook, but
we're really not. We just think there are LOTS of risks, and you can
get the benefits other ways. Why not just be a good friend, and help
out whenever there's the smallest need, and believe that karma will
serve? Technology like Facebook is good - just don't think it takes the
place of...your face.
[
Beware Calls For Leadership ]
As the
economy revs up, companies that want to perform better will bemoan
the lack of "leaders". They're not wrong
- but be careful if you aspire to
being a leader without mastering being a manager. All those leaders
have to
manage others. Maybe management is like the plumbing that's
hidden, and
leadership is the soaring ceilings ... but watch out for
pretty buildings
that leak. Make sure you know your associates, you know your abilities,
you
know your strengths and weaknesses, you know the culture
you're in.
[
Watch Your Attire ]
I saw a
picture of US President Bill Clinton recently in slacks and a
sport coat (I think it was for a function around his
daughter's wedding).
His slacks didn't fit – they were 3-4 inches too
long! To me that portends
a continuing, even accelerating, decline in dress standards. Fight it.
You'll look (and be thought) sharper than those around you.
Jeans can
still work - we're not old-fashioned scolds here
– but sometimes the choice
to have on jeans (not at your daughter's wedding) just means
the more
important thought is “how do I make sure they don't
detract". (PS: a
jacket usually does it).
[
Save More ]
I know
it's hard - there's always month left
over at the end of the money,
it seems. But layoffs and cutbacks and salary freezes are going to last
longer in the future, all things being equal. The talent supply chain
has
slimmed down just like the one for products. You'll need a
bigger cushion.
On the plus side, when you need something, borrowing from yourself has
very low interest costs. ;-)
[
The Millenial Generation's Clash With Big Organizations Will Benefit
Them ]
We're
not big fans of generational management here: it groups people, rather
than focusing on the individual. But the "trophy
generation" get something no one else does: you have to
manage your own career. It may feel selfish now to hear them talk about
how much they want balance ... but they know they're
the ones who are going to get it for themselves. And that's
right, and necessary in today's world. Now,
Mil gens, no big
heads please... :-)
Forums
In each
newsletter we link to a number of the forum discussions which we think
you'll find interesting, useful or thought provoking. There's a lot
more going on in the forums than just those posts we link to, however.
From
questions about Manager Tools and Career Tools materials, how to find
things on the website, great posts on how to make technology work for
us, to testimonials and meetups, there's something on the forums for
everyone. Best of all, they're free.
All the
Manager Tools team stop by and we'd love to see you there. Get to the
forums via: http://www.manager-tools.com/forums
Premium
Member Conference Call
In the last newsletter we let you know about a snippet of the Premium
Member Conference Call you could listen to.
Unfortunately, there was a technical glitch (yes, between the keyboard
and the chair!) and the link didn't work. It's fixed now so if you
tried and didn't get it please do try again. The link is here:
http://www.manager-tools.com/2010/12/premium-member-conference-call-november-2010
I'm sorry for any frustration I caused.
Please
Forward This Newsletter
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of you who have premium content know that use of that content is only
for that particular member. This newsletter is not premium content, and
we'd love for you to forward it to anyone who would find it interesting
and useful. You just need to click the link at the bottom of the page.
If
someone
forwarded it
to you, and you'd like your own copy in future, become a Manager Tools
member here.
It's free!
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