Climbing the Ladder
Sunday, November 01, 2009 11:04 AM

What questions should YOU ask during an interview? 

A job interview shouldn't be an examination of the applicant, it should be a conversation. Sure, the objective of an interview is to make a business to think that you'll be a perfect fit for their company—but are they a perfect fit for you?

 

Often it's encouraged, and sometimes expected, for the applicant to ask the interviewer questions. Having the right questions prepared will help you stand out from the other applicants. Be sure to think of at least three questions to ask the interviewer and bring a notepad so you can jot down questions you may have during the course of the interview.

 

Consider asking the following questions during your next interview:


 

How would you describe a typical work day?
Get an idea of your daily work requirements and what you can expect to do every day.

 

How would you describe an ideal employee?
This question will tell you their expectations and give you insight on how you should behave.

What is the culture of the company?
Is this company professional or casual? Is it a suit and tie kind of company or does everyone wear jeans?

 

What happened to the last person in this position?
Whether they quit, were fired, promoted or demoted, each answer could give you a clue about what to expect in the future.

 

What are your expectations for this position during the first year?
Get your goals up front so you can work towards them from the very first day.

 

May I call if I have any other questions?
Interviewing is stressful and you might remember things you wanted to ask once you're more relaxed. This question will also let them know that you're interested in the job.

 

Are there opportunities for further education or training?
Show them you're willing to grow and adapt as the business changes over time.

 

Where do you see this company in the next five years?
This type of question is often asked by the interviewer to the applicant and you should ask it, too. Knowing their plans for the future will help you decide if you and the company will still be compatible in five years. It also shows that you plan on long-term employment.

 

If all of your prepared questions are answered, go back and ask for more details on points that you are particularly interested in. Avoid obvious questions—ones that could easily be found on their Web site. Show that you're interested in how you and the company can grow and be successful together instead of how the company can benefit you.

 

Do you have any helpful questions to add?

by tinadh | with no comments
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Family Matters
Sunday, November 01, 2009 1:02 AM

How do you fit in family downtime? 

It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day activities. Getting ahead in your professional life and balancing your family’s schedules means that family downtime gets put to the side far too often. Here are a few ways that you can adjust your life and reconnect with your family for some much needed downtime.

 

Sometimes finding the time to get everyone together can be the most daunting task. Between soccer practice, school recitals, your job, and other obligations, it is difficult to sit and spend time with your family. Pick a date and stick to it. Whether it is later in the week or later in the month, the important thing is that you find a date where the whole family can come together. Don’t let last-minute plans creep in either. That means you may have to say “no” to friends and other family members or even to your children when they want to go to a last-minute birthday party. Make your family the top priority and show your family how important it is that you all spend time together.

 

Planning ahead is extremely important. Have a few options of what you want to do and let the family decide. Plan a picnic at the park, go to the zoo, or take the family to a ballgame. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, plan a board game night or watch a movie as a family and talk about your favorite parts when the film is over. The most important thing is to remember you’re trying to spend quality time with your family and it’s not necessarily what you are doing but the fact that you are all together.

 

If your weekends are already jam packed with events, turn dinnertime into the most important time of the day. Turn off the TV, turn off the phone and turn to each other for entertainment. Ask your children how their day was and let them talk. Listen to them and let every member at the table be involved. A strong, open relationship with your children means that they will be more comfortable coming to you when they are having problems at school, in their relationships, or with any other problems while growing up.

 

Family downtime can be accomplished if you put in a little effort. Bringing everyone together will help reestablish closeness within your family. By putting family first and doing a little bit of planning you can turn something that seems like a chore into a wonderful new family tradition.

 

How do you fit in family downtime?

by tinadh | with no comments
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An Excerpt from The Survival Guide for Working Moms (and Other Stressed-Out Adults)
Sunday, November 01, 2009 12:15 AM

  

Help for the Holidays
As if working moms aren’t busy enough

Holidays may be filled with glitter and joy, but the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day can also be a very chaotic, stressful time. The following tips will help you navigate the holiday whirlwind and keep you off the "naughty" list.

Watch your spending
With all the emphasis on shopping for the holidays, it may be hard to stick to your budget or resist the shiny, new toys that come onto the market at this time. To guard yourself against excessive spending, remember that the spirit of giving has to do with showing people you care, not showering everyone with expensive gifts. First ask yourself, "What bills need to be paid?" and "How much can I afford to spend this year on gifts?"

Think before you shop
Don’t go into a store (or online) without knowing what you want to buy. Create a list of gift ideas and figure out exactly who you will buy gifts for and how much you can afford to spend on each gift. Keep the list in your wallet, stick with your plan, and stay within your budget for each gift.

To read more, get a FREE copy of our book, "The Survival Guide for Working Moms (and Other Stressed-Out Adults)," by Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D. and Brandel France de Bravo, M.P.H.  

* While quantities last. Premiums subject to availability. A substitution of equal or greater value may be made. 

About the authors
Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D. is the President of the National Research Center for Women & Families, a research and education charity that provides free health and safety information and works to improve policies and programs that improve the health of women, children and families. Brandel France de Bravo is the Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the National Research Center for Women & Families. For useful information about health issues that affect your family and for more information about the National Research Center for Women & Families, visit http://www.center4research.org/

Admin's Assistant
Sunday, November 01, 2009 12:08 AM

What gift should you give your boss this holiday season?  

The holidays are approaching. Do you buy your boss a gift? If so, what should you get? You have to avoid sending the wrong impression when giving gifts at work. You want it to be somewhat fun, but it must be tasteful. Think of the individual and what’s been offered in the past.

 

Do you really know a lot about your boss and their out-of-office interests? Do you know their hobbies? If they are avid golfers, consider a golf-related gift. Or maybe purchase a store gift card so they can choose their own gift! Just don’t overspend, so as not to look like you’re trying especially hard to impress.

 

They may be suitable for friends or family, but don’t be tempted by gag gifts—they are considered a workplace taboo. Check around your office and see if there are any policies in place about giving your boss a gift. Your Human Resource manual may have a policy that you’re unaware of. Many companies do not allow employer/employee gift exchanges.

 

Larger companies may frown on employee/employer gift exchanges because several employees report to the same boss. It may be totally acceptable at a small company and your boss may see it simply as an act of appreciation.

 

Whatever you decide to give your boss as a holiday gift, wrap it—you want your gift to be nicely presented. What you choose to give and how you present your gift can say a lot about you.

 

Appropriate gifts for your boss could include calendars, organizers, pen sets, food baskets, stationery, tea, coffee or even stress-reducing squeeze balls. Some other work-appropriate gift ideas to give your boss are:

  • Food trays for all employees to enjoy, even homemade
  • A donation made to a local charity in the name of all employees
  • Gift cards from coffee shops or book/music stores 

Will you be giving your boss a gift this holiday season?

by tinadh | with no comments
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Renew You!
Sunday, November 01, 2009 12:06 AM

 

Pilates – Fusing the Body and the Mind

 

Pilates is an exercise technique that uses aerobics and yoga postures to energize the entire body. Each exercise emphasizes focus on breathing, proper form and efficient movement patterns to help improve balance, increase coordination, decrease stress and strengthen muscles.

 

Joseph Pilates developed his method during the early 20th century in Germany. Joseph suffered from several medical conditions as a child, so he developed techniques to help his frail body grow stronger. During WWI, he started using his exercises to help rehabilitate veterans. Since treatment at this time usually only included surgery and morphine with bed rest, many veterans also developed muscular atrophy, loss of aerobic capacity and a weakened immune system. Using his technique—which emphasized control and form—he helped soldiers regain their strength by stretching, strengthening and stabilizing key muscles.

 

Joseph believed that the key to success was to engage the mind with your body to control your muscles. By focusing on the postural muscles, you keep the body balanced and support the spine while strengthening your torso muscles. The controlled movements tone and strengthen the body without adding muscle bulk. He used these six key principles:

 

Breathing – Fully inhaling and exhaling is the key element to Pilates exercises. Proper breathing will oxygenate the muscles and reduce muscle tension.

 

Centering – Exercises focus on the center core of the body, and the energy produced will radiate to the extremities.

 

Concentration – Each movement requires intense focus, forcing you to eliminate distractions and fully relax.

 

Control – Movements are all structured and don’t allow for any uncontrolled movements.

 

Precision - Each exercise has a purpose, and by following each exercise carefully, you will be able to gain the full mental and physical advantages.

 

Flow – Smooth, graceful and continuous movements build strength.

 

If you’re looking for a way to de-stress, tone your body, and improve balance and coordination, give Pilates a try. These exercises can easily be done at home on a mat or using specially designed equipment. Also, check out gyms in your area for class opportunities.

 

Have you tried Pilates? Has it helped you?

by tinadh | with no comments
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News You Can Use
Sunday, November 01, 2009 12:04 AM

 

What are superfoods and why should you eat them?


Superfoods are a group of natural (unprocessed), ultra-nutritious foods that provide many essential health benefits. They’re powerful enough to help lower your cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, and may even put you in a better mood. Do they sound too good to be true? Nope. Superfoods are readily available at your local grocer.

 

Dietary experts have flagged the following foods as being superfoods: berries, citrus, cruciferous vegetables, eggs, green foods, green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, oats, olives and olive oil, fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, orange vegetables, sea vegetables, seeds, soy, tea, tomatoes, turkey, whole grains, yogurt and kefir.

 

The language of superfoods can also be confusing, because many of the terms for nutrients overlap. Here is a basic glossary:

 

Antioxidants are an umbrella term for many substances that retard the body's normal process of oxidation: a reaction to oxygen that releases "free radicals" that damage cells and break the body down. Free radicals are released from food through digestion. Antioxidants help prevent this and are thought to destroy free radicals and slow oxidation, reducing heart disease, cancer, aging effects and allergies.

 

Flavonoids are the best-known antioxidants (tea and dark chocolate, for example) among a group called polyphenols.

 

Carotenoids are pigments that protect dark green, yellow, orange and red fruits, and vegetables from sun damage. They also function as antioxidants in humans—beta-carotene (or vitamin A) being the best known. Other famous carotenoids are lycopene and lutein.

 

Vitamins are nutrients considered essential to health; a shortage of vitamins can create health problems.

 

Phytonutrients are plant-derived compounds believed to improve your health, but are not essential to it. This includes many antioxidants.

 

So, how does this all translate? You should definitely eat the following every day: at least one or two cups of blueberries, half cup each of broccoli and pumpkin, five to seven servings of oats, one of tomatoes, one orange, at least half an ounce of soy, one cup of steamed spinach or two cups of raw, one cup of tea and two cups of yogurt. Every week you should also have four servings of beans, two to four of wild salmon, three or four of turkey and five ounces of walnuts. Do this and you are sure to be getting your fair share of essential superfoods.

 

Have you incorporated superfoods into your diet? Do you notice a difference in your well-being?

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Editor's Note
Sunday, November 01, 2009 12:00 AM

 

This month we are excited to introduce a new section of the Pen Pal! Our new section, called Family Matters, will focus on family and home life articles. Keep your eyes peeled for future articles on how to save money on groceries, eco-friendly home improvements, tips for vacationing with children, and how to finally get that cluttered garage organized. This section will be replacing our “Ask the Expert” section.

 

While work life is important to all of us, there is often a balance between work life and home life that needs to be achieved. I think a lot of us struggle with this. At Pen Pal, we hope that we can provide a little direction, quick tips, and useful information that can help you create this balance within your life.

 

So, a new section means new articles! And we’re looking for ideas! If you have any article suggestions you’d like to see covered here, please send me a note with your suggestions. This newsletter is all about you and we want to make sure we’re covering the topics you want to know about!

 

Be sure to check out our debut article in the Family Matters section this month, “How do you fit in family downtime?” Since we are always on the go, go, go these days, it can be hard to find the time to squeeze in family downtime. We show you how! Happy reading!

 

Christy Wolf

Editor

by tinadh | with no comments
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Admin's Assistant
Thursday, October 01, 2009 12:10 AM

How to Beat the 3:00 p.m. Work Slump

 

It's 3:00 p.m. and suddenly it hits you like a Mack truck. You're exhausted and considering sneaking into an empty conference room for a quick nap. An afternoon work slump is perfectly normal and is simply a function of our biological clock. But there are ways you can fight it and renew your energy for the remainder of the day!

 

Get plenty of sleep. Between 7-9 hours is generally what you should be getting every night to feel rested the next morning. Staying on a consistent sleep schedule will also help. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. When you have a late night, make up for the sleep you lost, but do it over time for best results. More sleep won't cure you of being sleepy in the afternoon, but you won't feel such a strong need to sleep at your desk.

 

When you wake up in the morning, don't forget to eat breakfast. If you have dinner around 6:00 p.m., go to bed at 10:00 p.m., and wake up at 6:00 a.m., that means you've gone 12 hours without a meal! To break your fast and start the day with lots of energy, have low-fat cereal, fruit, wheat toast and skim milk.

 

Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day, too! You may just feel tired because you're body is dehydrated. Keep a bottle of water by your side at all times. Don't wait until you feel thirsty to drink! By then your body is already dehydrated, which contributes to fatigue.

 

It's after lunch but before dinner and you're hungry and tired. At this point it's really tempting to run to the vending machine and get yourself a huge bottle of caffeinated soda and a candy bar, but that's not going to help you. Eventually the sugar rush will turn into a sugar crash and leave you even more tired than before. There's nothing wrong with an afternoon snack as long as it's healthy! Consider fresh fruit, yogurt, or even a small salad to boost your energy level.

 

Lastly, mild exercise can also help improve your productivity and energy. Deep breathing, chair stretches or a quick 10-minute walk around your office will greatly improve your energy level.

 

Don't forget to mix and match. If one of these tips works for you, imagine how two or three could help you power through your afternoon full of energy! Plus, they're easy to do and a part of an all-around healthy lifestyle.

 

What do you do to keep yourself from snoozing at your desk?

by tinadh | with no comments
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Climbing the Ladder
Thursday, October 01, 2009 12:08 AM

 

Build a better team with these team-building ideas

 

Team building is used by companies to help their employees excel as team members and make the work environment more enjoyable. Simple exercises and group activities can help individuals discover the strengths and weaknesses of their co-workers while revealing their own as well. Although most team-building exercises do focus on organization development, they can also be an outlet for team members to learn more about each other on a personal level. 

 

Finding Individual Strengths

Have each team member create a list of examples of when they excelled in their career. Depending on the team size, either divide individuals into smaller groups or have everyone come together to discuss their career strengths. As co-workers share their experiences, individual strengths will be revealed.

 

Improving Management

Managers are always looking for ways to improve their team’s functionality. Set up a meeting with managers throughout your company to share ideas of how they have effectively managed their team members. Ask everyone to bring tips, ideas, or examples of successful or unsuccessful solutions to common problems.

 

Organizing Events

In order to make the workplace more enjoyable, set up an event committee to coordinate team events. By having team members meet outside of the normal work environment, they are able to connect personally. While getting to know one another, you may discover common interests. To start, try setting up a monthly or quarterly lunch outing or after-hours event.

 

Volunteer Group

Try getting your co-workers together outside of the workplace to work towards a common goal. Look into fundraisers, marathons or volunteer groups in your area in which your organization can participate. This will help team members work together cohesively in a non-work environment.

 

By trying some team-building activities, hopefully you can help individuals draw out their special talents, train teams to work together cohesively and produce the best possible outcome. 

 

What do you do to improve your team’s performance?

by tinadh | with no comments
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Renew You!
Thursday, October 01, 2009 12:06 AM

 

Don’t Get Caught Without a Work-Emergency Kit!

 

What do you get when you combine a toothbrush, stain remover, and a nail clipper? The makings of your personal work-emergency kit! It’s best to be prepared for the worst (like playing peek-a-boo with your blouse that’s popped a button), and with a work-emergency kit, you can conquer whatever may interrupt your work day.

 

What should you include in your kit? One quick trip to the drugstore, or even to your own closet or medicine cabinet, can help you gather the supplies you need. Some supplies to consider include:

 

  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss
  • Lip balm
  • Mints
  • Pain reliever, antacids, cough drops, and Band-Aids
  • Hand lotion
  • Emery board, nail clipper, clear nail polish, and nail polish remover
  • Mirror
  • Hairbrush, hair clips
  • Lint remover
  • Mending kit/sewing kit
  • Stain remover
  • Static remover
  • Shoe shine wipes
  • Facial tissue
  • Double-stick tape, glue, safety pins
  • Granola bar

 

Some supplies you may already have at your desk, like cough drops or facial tissues. Consider double-stick tape or safety pins to fix a loose hem on your pants, and you can use clear nail polish to stop a run in your nylons. A sewing kit is good to have if you lose a button from your shirt or pants. Keep a healthy snack in your kit to avoid running to the vending machine.

 

A word of caution, though—while clear nail polish and nail polish remover may help a manicure stay fresh or stop a run in a pair of nylons, be aware that these products also produce a smell which may bother those around you. Just keep others in mind when using these products.

 

With a little planning, you can be prepared for anything. 

 

Ever had a major personal work emergency? What product saved the day?

by tinadh | 1 comment(s)
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News You Can Use
Thursday, October 01, 2009 12:04 AM

City of Hope™ 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Quill is partnering with City of Hope™ to raise money to support breast cancer research. All throughout our media this month you will see references made to City of Hope. Want to know more about the organization? Read on!

Each year it is estimated that nearly 200,000 women living in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die. Approximately 1,700 men will also be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die. Women in the United States get breast cancer more than any other type of cancer except for skin cancer. It is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in women. While no one knows the exact causes of breast cancer, research has shown that women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop the disease. These risk factors include:

Age: Half of all women diagnosed are 65 or older.

Weight: Being obese or overweight.

Diet & Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity, a diet high in saturated fat, and an alcoholic intake of more than two drinks per day.

Menstrual & Reproductive History: Early menstruation or late menopause, having your first child at an older age or not having given birth, or taking birth control pills for more than ten years if you are under 35. 

Family & Personal History: A family history of breast cancer—particularly a mother, sister, or a personal history of benign (non-cancer) breast disease.

Medical & Other Factors: Dense breast tissue (often identified by a mammogram), past radiation therapy to the breast or chest area or a history of hormone treatments—such as estrogen and progesterone.

When breast cancer is found in its early stages, the 5-year survival rate is 98%. That is why early detection with self-examination, clinical examination and mammograms is so important. Equally important is early treatment.

City of Hope is one of only 41 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country.  This is the highest designation bestowed by The National Cancer Institute. City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which defines and sets standards for cancer care nationally.

 

City of Hope was established in 1913 as a haven for those stricken with tuberculosis. It was believed that the dry, desert-like climate of the San Gabriel Valley in California was beneficial for those with the illness. Since then, the institution has grown to more than 300 physicians and scientists and more than 2,500 employees. 

 

At any given time, City of Hope is conducting at least 300 clinical studies, involving approximately 40 percent of its eligible patients. The national average at other cancer centers is less than 5 percent. 

 

In 2009, U.S. News & World Report recognized City of Hope as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for cancer treatment. City of Hope maintains the number one hematology program, number one prostate cancer program and number one sarcoma program in California. It ranks number two in the state for its breast cancer and musculoskeletal programs, based on the number of patients treated. Many City of Hope physicians are featured in the fourth edition of “America’s Top Doctors for Cancer,” a consumer guide to the nation’s top cancer specialists. Forbes, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and The Nonprofit Times featured City of Hope in their annual surveys of the nation’s top nonprofit organizations. City of Hope also earned Charity Navigator's four-star ranking and has been listed as one of its "10 of the Best Charities Everyone's Heard Of." Charity Navigator's independent research shows more than 81 cents of every dollar given goes directly to support City of Hope's lifesaving mission. That ratio is one of the best there is for medical charities.   

For more information on City of Hope, go to www.cityofhope.com

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An Excerpt from The Survival Guide for Working Moms (and Other Stressed-Out Adults)
Thursday, October 01, 2009 12:03 AM

Reducing Stress For a Healthier You and a Healthier Family
What you need to know about stress

 

Any challenge—or anything that seems like a challenge or a problem—can cause stress. Even wonderful events, such as a marriage or promotion, can cause stress. The body’s reaction to stress happens naturally, and can help us cope with a dangerous or difficult situation. But, if the stress continues, it can harm our health.

 

In the long run, the hormones from stress will weaken your immune system, so you can’t fight off viruses and bacteria as easily. You might be more likely to develop gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. You might also develop high blood pressure, stroke, or heart disease. Even wounds will heal more slowly.

 

If you don’t ask for help when you need it, you risk getting sick and not being able to provide your family with the support they count on. When you catch yourself saying, “I’ll grab something to eat after I go to the school meeting and get the kids into bed,” or “If I stay up a little later, I can get all the bills taken care of,” stop, take a deep breath and think about the oxygen masks on airplanes. Remember the announcement about them? It tells parents to first place the masks over their own faces before attending to their children. That’s because if parents don’t protect themselves first, they can’t take care of others.

 

 

To read more, get a FREE copy of our book, “The Survival Guide for Working Moms (and Other Stressed-Out Adults),” by Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D. and Brandel France de Bravo, M.P.H. 

 

 

About the authors

Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D. is the President of the National Research Center for Women & Families, a research and education charity that provides free health and safety information and works to improve policies and programs that improve the health of women, children and families. Brandel France de Bravo is the Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the National Research Center for Women & Families. For useful information about health issues that affect your family and for more information about the National Research Center for Women & Families, visit http://www.center4research.org/

Ask the Expert
Thursday, October 01, 2009 12:02 AM

 

Developing a Budget for your Department

by Quill Sr. Manager Financial Analyst Mark Schacher

 

Does the word “budget” strike fear in you? It is nothing more than an exercise in organization and planning. If you follow a few simple steps, you can have a great budget drawn up in no time!

 

1)       Identify your sources of income (revenue).  What are you selling?  Services? Products? This is your revenue stream. Determine any new anticipated sources of revenue and add these to your current baseline amount.

2)       Identify how you're spending money now to sell your products (expenses).

a.       Based on your business, what are the costs associated with your sales? Subtract these from your revenues. Some typical questions to ask yourself: How much does the product we’re selling cost us? How much does it cost to store and deliver the product to the customer? Do we have after-sales support such as customer service? What is the cost of that?

b.       Identify your employees and their total expenses. List your employees and their current wage amount. Will they get a merit increase? How much do their benefits cost you? Do they get bonuses? Do they travel? How much do you purchase when your employees need office products? Subtract these amounts from the total revenue above.

c.       Marketing/Sales: How much does it cost to tell people about your products/services? Advertising/catalogs/salespeople/etc….  Subtract from total revenue.

d.       Facilities: How much does it cost to rent your space? Telephone?  Furnishings? Insurance? Again, subtract from total revenue.

3)       Now you have a basic budget for your inflows (revenue) and your outflows (expenses). As long as your revenues are greater than your expenses, you have net income and you’re doing pretty well. If your outflows are larger than your inflows, you have a net deficit. Start back at Step 1 and identify ways to increase your sources of income and/or reduce your expenses.

 

Remember, creating a budget is a waste of time if you don’t take the time every month to compare what actually happened to what you planned. Track your spending to make sure you stay within your established budget guidelines.

 

Do you have any tips to add? If so, let us know!

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Editor's Note
Thursday, October 01, 2009 12:00 AM

 

A cause we hold near and dear to our hearts at Pen Pal and at Quill.com is breast cancer awareness. While October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, we encourage all you to learn the facts about breast cancer so that you can keep yourself in the know all year long. Knowledge about this disease could save your life.

Did you know that one out of eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in her lifetime? I was floored when I read that statistic from City of Hope™. That’s a very large number of women in the U.S. being directly affected by this disease. Think of eight of your girlfriends. Based on that statistic, one of them will get breast cancer. Chances are you know someone right now with this disease. Fortunately, due to early diagnosis and effective treatments, more women are surviving breast cancer.

 

I can’t urge you enough to learn how to perform breast self-exams now and see your doctor for regular mammograms starting at age 40. Breast cancer that is found early is the most treatable.

 

Please be sure to read this month’s News You Can Use article on City of Hope for some powerful information about this cancer center.

 

Christy Wolf

Editor

 

Have you been affected by breast cancer? Please share your story with us.

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Admin's Assistant
Tuesday, September 01, 2009 12:12 AM

 

Ways to improve your office people skills

 

Ever notice that when people complain about their boss or co-workers it's almost always about how they interact with others?

 

“She's always yelling at me,” “he doesn't appreciate my hard work,” and “they don't listen to me” are frequently heard complaints that not only should be immediately addressed but are also detrimental to employee morale. You may not have any power over other’s people skills, but you can make sure that you're not causing others to complain about you.

 

Treat others how you would like to be treated. For instance, nobody likes to be yelled at and doing so actually makes things worse. Regardless of what they have done, yelling at someone, especially in front of others, is disrespectful and will critically ruin working relationships.

 

Say "please" and "thank you." Your co-worker or employee may be occupationally obligated to do what you tell them, but that doesn't give you the right to demand anything without any courtesy. Just because they have to do it doesn’t mean that they have to do it as well as they can.

 

Listen to the people you work with. Everyone has something important to contribute and failing to really listen to them could seriously hurt the bottom line. People can tell when you're not really listening to them, which will cause a drop in morale and productivity. Maintain eye contact, nod to show you understand what they are saying, and respond with your own thoughts.

 

Be honest and eliminate gossip. If you withhold or stretch the truth someone will likely discover the deception. Remember that it's better for people to get angry at the truth than get angry at half-accurate gossip and the fact that you kept the truth from them.

Finally, be fair and sincere with everything that you do. Respect is earned and showing people that you actually care about their needs is critical for a positive working environment. Don't let negative situations continue and be sure to make fast, but well thought out, decisions that make everyone feel like they won. People are more productive and happy when they feel they are appreciated and everyone is working toward the same goal.

Do you work with someone who has terrible office people skills? Tell us about it!

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