Management Tip ~ Keep Your Network Active

Creating a broad and productive network is an accomplishment. But the work doesn’t stop there. To sustain the connections you’ve made, you need to nurture those relationships. Here are three ways to keep in regular contact:

• Share information. If you know someone is interested in a certain subject, find a good article or podcast that applies and forward it to her.

• Be a bridge. Act as a link between two members of your network who share an interest but wouldn’t normally connect with each other.

• Make a human connection. Send e-mails saying, “Thanks,” “Congratulations,” “I’m sorry for you,” or whatever is appropriate and genuine. Small, human touches are important.

Today’s Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Networking.  

 

Management Tip ~ A Better Way to Brainstorm in Groups

Brainstorming has gotten a bad rap for leading to uncreative and even unhealthy consensus. But getting together to try out ideas and come up with new ones can promote collaboration and creativity, if done right. Here’s how:

• Assemble a diverse team.  Bring together people from different disciplines, cultures, and age groups. Be sure that some members have necessary and relevant expertise, but that some are naïve about the issue at hand.

• Be clear about who decides.  If everyone in the room has to agree, you’ll gravitate toward the lowest common denominator. Name the person who is ultimately responsible and establish that everyone else is there to offer up ideas and build on others.

• Let ideas live.  At the end of the session, don’t kill the ideas that didn’t make it. Sometimes these lingering suggestions will make it into final concepts. Allow people to pick one and develop it further.

Today’s Management Tip was adapted from “Yes, You Can Brainstorm Without Groupthink” by Vijay Govindarajan and Jay Terwilliger.  

 

Management Tip ~ Make the Most of a Bad Job

If you’re unhappy at work, you don’t have to live with it.  And you don’t have to quit. Here’s how to make the most of an imperfect job situation. 

• Be clear about what you don’t like. You likely can’t alter your job description, but you may be able to minimize the time you spend doing unwanted tasks. 
• Make social connections. Stronger emotional ties to your co-workers can have a positive effect on your attitude. Spend time with colleagues you like, and avoid those you don’t. 
• Keep your options open.  You may be stuck due to a bad economy or limited openings in your industry, but circumstances may change. Be sure your resume and your LinkedIn profile are up to date and that you are continually meeting people in your field. 

Today’s Management Tip was adapted from “Don’t Like Your Job? Change It (Without Quitting)” by Amy Gallo.

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