Not everyone has embraced the plethora of web apps that made online collaboration what it is today. Part of this may have to do with the fact that traditional collaboration is working well for the team, as well as the reluctance to adapt to new ways. Most of us, especially those working in a corporate environment, are used to boardroom meetings and conference calls. These tried and tested techniques have their place in the business world, but sometimes, adapting new technologies into our work process makes it more efficient.
If you’ve done your research and discovered that online collaboration will increase …read more

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Let me be honest: I slept for the most part of the day.  True, it was because I was feeling ill, but after a good day of sleep, I have to say that I feel more capable to tackle the work I have to do. I seem more focused and less likely to give in to distractions.
What are the benefits of sleeping, exactly?  If we think clocking in some overtime work and burning the midnight oil will do wonders for our careers, we might be in for a surprise if we find out that it might be doing the opposite.
A …read more

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There’s a stereotype about creative people – that they thrive on flexibility, rebel against rigid rules, and are subjected to the forces of inspiration (or lack thereof).  If this stereotype is true, then it’s amazing that creative people get anything done at all, let alone get anything done on time!
Obviously, the stereotype is a myth.  Creative people can be efficient, and, conversely, efficiency can be expected of creative types – even if it seems impossible.
So how can it be made possible?  How can creative people become more organized and productive?
Give ample time for brainstorming and idea generation.  Although great ideas …read more

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“Promises are meant to be broken.” – Ancient Hindu Proverb (well, not really)
We all make promises at work
We make promises to our supervisors, colleagues, or clients.
We don’t necessarily keep them, but we make them anyway.
When we break promises we look like jerks (or incompetent, or both).  When we keep them, people expect it and they just think you’re doing your job.
How do you keep promises and still get that wow factor?

Under-promise.
Over-deliver.
Quantify everything. 

To under-promise is to make a public commitment to do something, but this something is actually much less than what you have planned.

If you think you can finish a …read more

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Do you sometimes feel like a pet hamster running around the same exercise wheel day in and day out?  It may be exciting at first, but you’ll get bored eventually.  Don’t worry – boredom at work doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to switch jobs or get a promotion.  There are some simple things you can do to make monotony and uniformity go away.
Add variety to your work tasks.  If it’s always report-meeting-business call repeated ad infinitum, you’d definitely get bored. Try to find a way to get different types of work/projects for yourself, rather than settling for what you’re …read more

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Ever feel like you’re not noticed enough in the workplace?  If that’s the case, you need to make your mark and leave yourself indispensable – your job may just depend on it.
Here are some articles that have stories and ideas on what standing out in the workplace means, as well as tips on how to achieve it:
 5 Unusual Things to Do on Your First Week at the Job from NewlyCorporate
 Build Your Professional Persona from AskMen
Where is the place for irreplaceableness in the work environment? from Consumerism Commentary
10 WAys to make yourself indispensable at work from AllBusiness
Stand out at work and …read more

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Previously, we featured this strange Han Solo in carbonite office desk.  Also, former Pimp Your Work blogger Tris Hussey told us not to worry about our messy desks.  But what does the rest of the blogosphere have to say about the office desk?
Organizing Your Workspace @ The David Allen Company, where David Allen even lists the things he has in his office
What your desk says about you @ AskMen
10 Tips for keeping your desk neat and tidy @ LifeClever
The Benefits of a Clean Desk and a Tidy Office @ How to be an Original
 12 Tips for an Organized Desk @ …read more

A slideshow I found on the definition of insight and why it’s needed for leadership.

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It’s better when you do things yourself, right?
After all, you accomplish tasks better and faster than your teammates do. You can’t trust them to create the same high-quality work you do. So why not do everything yourself?
Because it’s a BAD idea, for the following reasons:

Your team won’t learn anything.
You automatically shut yourself off from their valuable input.
You’ll be overworked and stressed.
If the work quality is good, your teammates will get undeserved credit.
If the work quality is poor, you’ll be an easy target to blame.

So what’s the solution?
Delegate.
So how do you delegate tasks to your teammates?

Eliminate. …read more

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You’ve installed them all – Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, Skype, Google Talk, etc. Now, if you’re very popular (or you just have annoying contacts) you find that you get interrupted by instant messages constantly. Some of the messages are essential, while others can wait. How do you filter out the distractions while remaining accessible for emergencies?
Take advantage of selective invisible or stealth modes.  Most instant messengers allow you to selectively block contacts from seeing you. Use this feature as much as possible. While you’re working, temporarily block out your annoying cousin, while remaining visible to your …read more