Monthly Archives: April 2010

How to Give Your Boss ‘Upward’ Feedback

I never give advice. Let me rephrase that. I never give unsolicited advice. If you don’t ask for my opinion, I don’t give it. It’s not because I don’t want to help you. I do. It’s because people value what they pay for. And the ‘ask’ in asking for an opinion is a type of payment… and Trust is the currency. This brings us to the tricky subject to giving feedback to your boss. When do I give my opinion? How do I phrase things to avoid offense? What happens if I get it wrong? Here are a few ideas.

How to Answer 70 Emails a Day

As someone who runs their own company, lost time is lost money. And, it’s no different if you work for someone else. Lost time = lost money. Every minute counts. ‘Help me answer every email in the same biz day!’ I got this from a good friend a while back and this is what I wrote back to her. ‘I get approx 70 email a day. 120 is high. 50 low. I run 7 sites. Most of my customers are in the US but I have others in the UK, across Europe and in Australia. So, emails are always coming in. Here’s what I do:

Why Bill Gates Chose Warren Buffet as His Role Model

Should you use a role model to develop your business? Maybe you should: the top business magazines say, ‘be yourself, be authentic, share your story’ Or maybe you shouldn’t. For entrepreneurs, using a role model creates a dilemma. Does it mean you’ve sold out? Do you lose street cred? Can you really copy someone else and be true to yourself?

Why Middle-Age Waitresses Get Bigger Tips

Like experiments? Try this the next time you go out. Keep an eye on the waitresses and see who they touch, where they touch and when they touch. Understanding the power of touch, both inside and outside the office, can make a significant difference to your career. If you get it right! And you’d be forgiven for thinking that the leggy blondes, (or tall handsome waiters) would get the bigger tips. Doesn’t work like that. Here’s why.