Pet Peeves In The Workplace

Bringing in the Business

The beginning of a new year is the opportunity to take stock of your business, to take a look at how you’re doing things and think about what you could do better. Use the months ahead to fine-tune your routine, make yourself more accessible and bring in more business. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

n    Be available. Answer your own phone. When possible, meet with clients personally.

n    Stay in touch. Set up a database or file to remind yourself to keep in touch with clients regularly. If you can’t do it in person, send a letter or a brochure, or have a trusted employee follow things through for you.

n    Network, network, network. A little talking can pay off with big business. Talk about your business and the special benefits you have to offer …. without becoming a bore!

n    Be friendly. Employees on all levels talk about the workplace. Make sure they spread the “good word”. If you go out of your way for them, it will be remembered. Good morale means good ambassadors for your company.

Getting published

Maybe you know more about a particular subject than anyone else. If so, you might have considered writing a book about it. Your problem is that having written the book, no one is interested in publishing it.

To compound your dilemma, you know that there is a small, but enthusiastic market out there eager to share your knowledge. However, each publisher that you approach, is only interested in top ten Stephen King novels, which are sure to take in large returns.

So what can be done?

Now at last it is possible to publish books in small, cost effective runs. There is a modest, but growing market for small publishers. So now you can write down your words of wisdom on paper and sell a book or booklet for profit or at least to cover costs.

PUBLISHING?

“Small-time publishing” appeals to companies and individuals who have a message to spread. Until now, they may have had no means with which to communicate their wisdom. By using “small time publishing”, production costs are kept relatively low, small quantities of 50 to 5000 copies of a book, booklet or manual can be easily produced.

HOW MUCH DOES “SMALL-TIME PUBLISHING” COST?

One advantage of "small-time publishing” is that it can be largely posted to an allotted budget. The biggest cost factor is the quality of finished books required. Runs vary from just a few hundred dollars to several thousand. An average “small-time publishing” book costs about $1500.

HOW DO I RECOVER THE COST?

First, establish in your mind or by research that there is a market for your material. Second, cost out the project with your “small-time publishing” house and choose an appropriate cover price. The beauty of “small-time publishing” is that you take your own material and cover the cost of publishing it by setting the right cover price. “Small-time publishing” includes runs of up to 5000 copies. On these quantities, you can make impressive profits if required.

HOW IS MY “SMALL-TIME PUBLISHING” BOOK BOUND?

There are a number of options. From plastic comb binding, to metal ring binding to perfect binding and perfect hard back book binding.

HOW DO I GO ABOUT PLANNING A “SMALL-TIME PUBLISHING” PROJECT?

Write down your subject matter in the form that you require. A book with chapters, a booklet with reference pages or a manual for a new product that your company is marketing; the format choice is yours. Then approach a “small-time publisher” for help and advice. He/she will be able to cost out your book and advise on a minimum cover charge.

WHAT ABOUT TYPESETTING, DIAGRAMS AND PHOTOGRAPHS?

Your “small-time publisher” will be able to typeset your book for you, introducing design and feel to the production if required. Diagrams and photographs can also be added. A “small-time publisher” will probably use a PC based typesetting system and you might discuss saving typesetting time and some costs by handing over written material on disk.

HOW LONG DOES “SMALL-TIME PUBLISHING” TAKE?

Since the quantities are relatively small, production can take as little as one week on ready prepared artwork. However, the chances are that a total production including typesetting will take -8 weeks.

Lessons in Communication from the US Navy

This is a supposed transcript of the actual radio conversation of an US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995:

Canadians:  Please divert you course 15 degrees South to avoid a collision”.

Americans:  “Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees north to avoid a collision.

Canadians:  “Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees south to avoid a collision”.

Americans:  “This is the caption of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course”.

Canadians:  “NO. I say again, you divert YOUR course”.

Americans:  “This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States’ Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that you change your course 15 degrees North, I say again, that’s one five degrees north, or counter measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship”.

Canadians: “This is a lighthouse. Your call”.

Top Ten “Peeves”

Everyone has pet peeves in the workplace. A recent survey of Managers in America indicates what makes them boil:

1.   Bad attitude - the top one. Bosses notice when employees take on a passive-aggressive attitude or lack courtesy when dealing with others.

2.   Whining - there’s a difference between offering constructive criticism and always focusing on the negative side of things,

3.   Delegating up - if you have the responsibility for decisions, take it to heart. If a decision seems tough, don’t send it back to the boss - most believe that even a bad decision is a growing experience.

4.   Withholding information - if you have bad news, then deliver it. Don’t be afraid, as most people prefer to find out, and are grateful for early information.

5.   “It’s not my job” - bosses always remember who does and who doesn’t help out.

6.   Lack of dependability - be punctual and communicate effectively.

7.   Myopia - every company has a big picture, so don’t exist in your own world. Keep in mind the overall company objectives and how you can contribute to its goals.

8.   Overreacting - be flexible and don’t overreact to every change.

9.   Bickering - solve problems between yourself and work colleagues without involving others, except as a last resort.

10. Unrealistic expectations - those who think that things will always remain the same, or that the bottom line won’t have an effect on the workplace, are unrealistic. Change is inevitable.