| Workplace Success Myths & Tips | April 2011
|
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
It's tax time, and hopefully you have reconciled your results of 2010 and can now focus on your success in 2011!
We're excited to report that "The Essential Employee" will make its National TV debut on April 27th! We will be appearing on Lifetime TV on "The Balancing Act" in their Author's Corner segment. The show airs at 7:00 a.m. on the East and West coasts, (for our Central time friends, it's even earlier than that). So set your DVRs! And let us know what you think about the segment. Check out this link to view the teaser: http://www.thebalancingact.com/video/?v=H16THYWGZ02958 |
Workplace Myth #8
"The social network (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) is a waste of time and employees shouldn't be involved in it at work."
Surprisingly to most of us, this is a myth! It is a common corporate belief that employees should not participate in social networking at work. But here are some statistics that belie that myth.
A University of Melbourne study showed that taking a break to check out the social network can actually improve your productivity. In their study, productivity increased by 9% when employees took short mental breaks by surfing the internet. And this was when employees surfed on non-work-related subjects! Think what might happen to productivity if employees were stumbling upon topical subjects! Especially if your job requires creativity, taking a mental break may lead to a breakthrough.
An AT&T study of 2,500 employees in five European countries showed increases in employee efficiency as well. In fact, 46% of employees used the social network to get ideas and boost their creativity! Others found solutions to problems, gained information about employees and customers, and found the social network to be a good teambuilding tool.
Short mental breaks are good, but is social networking the best way to boost your efficiency? Another study from MIT showed that people who interact face-to-face with others actually can increase their productivity by 30%!
Either way, short breaks can enhance your productivity. Long breaks--either to surf your Facebook page or to gather in the break room--can make you less effective. The trick is to balance it all! |
|
Today's Workplace Trend:
Did you know...that many companies check your Facebook page before they hire you? And once you report to work, many companies block you from using social networking while on the clock. Companies can spend millions of dollars to block employees. But what are they losing? As you can see above, there are actually benefits to social networking at work.
Some companies are recognizing the social network as the wave of the future. After all, the Millenials who are entering the workforce today are well-versed in social media and use it all the time. These forward-thinking companies are using the social network to their advantage--creating in house networks for employees to use..
If you're allowed--here are a few tips to use social media effectively at work:
Social Media Tips:
- Use social media as a mental break. Unless you work for a social media company, recognize that it is not part of your official duties. Use it for no more than 15 minutes at a time. If you're in the middle of a large project or one that requires a lot of creative energy, give that project your all for 50 minutes. Then set your timer for 10 minutes and take a mental break by checking your Twitter or Facebook account. When the 10 minutes is up, go back to your project and see if you have some fresh ideas.
- Recognize your limitations. Some people go to take a "quick look" at Facebook and end up networking for hours. They may have missed dinner, forgotten to let the dog out, or just have wasted away the evening. If you're a social media addict, don't allow yourself to use it at work. Recognize your own limitations so that you can maintain maximum productivity at work.
- Try something new. If you always use social media the same way, try something different at work. "Like" pages in your field. Join blogs that pertain to your work. Stumble upon instead of tweeting for a few days. See what new ideas come up!
- Let others know when you find something that helps workplace productivity. You can be a trend-setter in your workplace if you find a great site or page that makes a difference at work. Share the information with your boss and co-workers. It may help eliminate the myth that social media is just a time-waster.
- Don't be a one-trick pony. Yes, this article is about social media. But don't get into a rut with it. It is just one way to increase productivity. Make sure you network in other ways too. Join a work-related group. Get up from your desk and network with others in your workplace. Start a brown-bag lunch group to talk about work issues. Remember that face-to-face interaction is still more personal and relationship-building than social media. |
|
|
|
|
Learn More:
Do you want to learn more about becoming more essential (and competitive) in the workplace - or would you like to help others become more essential? Be sure to confirm your email subscription at the top of this newsletter to continue to receive information about today's workplace and how to succeed in it.
Please forward this to the graduates, employees, supervisors, or educators in your life. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness (and our tips)!
|
|
Recommended Resources
The first book in the series is available!
"The Essential Employee: The Adventures of Carmen Senz."
Check out this engaging, easy-to-read story based on research in organizations across the USA. The story is about Carmen Senz's first six months at work and the lessons she learns about being an essential employee. It's a fun way to learn important lessons that will make you more essential in the workplace.
"I have read the first few chapters of The Essential Employee and found it difficult to put down. The story line teaches a lesson while remaining engaging for the reader. I would recommend this to other educators." - Carissa Monatukwa, Teacher
"Essential Employee Facilitation Guide"
The perfect resource for teachers and trainers to implement "The Essential Employee" in a learning environment. Includes suggestions for learning activities both in and away from the classroom.
"I highly recommend this book to training professionals, employers and most importantly to employees who want to discover what it takes to build their skills and be successful." - Karen Holcomb, Executive Director
|
|
About Us
Judy Free and Traci Maddox are friends, colleagues, and co-authors of "The Essential Employee." They met in 1999 and worked together for several years as organization consultants-helping large and small organizations implement change. During their work together, they discovered a mutual passion for helping individuals succeed! And so they embarked on the journey to help employees become more successful in the workplace. Most books are written for leaders and managers-but Traci and Judy thought employees could benefit from their own book. Thus, Carmen (our heroine) was born to teach all of us how to be more essential.
Traci and Judy conduct speaking engagements and workshops all over the country-helping others understand and use the REACH framework outlined in their book. In addition, they both own thriving consulting practices and work on a wide variety of projects like strategic planning, change management, teambuilding, facilitation, and training. Their desire is to help individuals and organizations REACH their Peaks.
|
|
Use Our News As A Resource
Would you like to reprint something you have read here? If so, you MUST include our bio and link. Please use the following information (changes only if we have reviewed and approved them):
Judy Free and Traci Maddox are authors, organization consultants, and coaches whose passion is to help individuals and organizations REACH their peaks. They help people across the USA become more effective, more focused, and more successful. Receive their free news updates and workplace tips at www.essentialemployee.com
|
Thank you for your time and interest! Visit us at www.essentialemployee.com for events, workshops, surveys, products, and more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
