The Online Newsletter for Clients of Express Services, Inc.

Make Time Work for You

Part Three: Who are the Organizers?

Do you plan out every detail of your life and workday in an indispensable calendar, complete with an extensive to do list you consult with on a regular basis? Is your desk neatly organized to be a place for efficiency and productivity, with all the necessary resources just within reach? Do you find yourself always attending meetings and appointments early? Is the biggest threat to your workflow unplanned interruptions? These are the attributes describe the time temperament of an Organizer.

The Organizer is one of four personality styles that guide how we think about and use time. When thinking about time management, it is important to remember that other people think about and use time in different ways based on their personalities.

Organizers are driven by order and structure, and they desire to act in ways that are appropriate and responsible. Traditionally, Organizers are the people we call ?good time managers? because they plan out their use of time in very detailed ways. However, despite their knack for ordering their world, their use of time can be hampered, especially when Murphy?s law kicks in and things don?t go according to plan. When their careful, detailed plans are derailed by unexpected demands on their time, it is characteristic of Organizers to get sidetracked and frustrated. That is why having a clear understanding of goals and expectations is vital to people of this temperament.

By organizing projects before they begin and following lists or procedures, Organizers can do their best work and help guide others to work more efficiently as well. � Organizers tend to get caught up in the details because they break tasks down into smaller tasks so they can check another item off their list. They frequently have to fight the urge to get too detail-oriented just for the sake of completing a small task. �

When working with Organizers, remember their need for direction and act accordingly. If an Organizer has requested that every assignment come with a deadline or priority level, give them deadlines and priority levels or they will likely become frustrated because planning becomes difficult. Make sure your instructions for tasks are detailed and clear for Organizers. Also, formalize feedback structures for this time temperament instead of using flexibility as your approach. Having a set time and process for communicating about their work will help Organizers smooth out rough patches created by unexpected work or other time stressors they experience. Respect meeting times by showing up on time and following an agenda. Work to honor deadlines and demonstrate efficiency and consistency to build a good working relationship with Organizers.

By identifying the Organizers in your workplace and tailoring your management style when dealing with them to show your respect for their ways of managing time, you will find your own time management skills improving and your team following your lead. Check out next month?s edition of e-Xchange to learn about Catalyzers and how to work with them.

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How to Improve Electronic Communication

Part Two: Enter the Blogosphere

The Internet has quickly become an integral part of business in America and across the globe. Organizations from small to large are using Web sites and online functions to increase sales and optimize performance. One of the newest and most talked-about innovations of the Web is the weblog or blog. Blogs are essentially single Web pages that include regular updates of information. They can be used as places for personal opinion to expert advice, and because they are inexpensive ? or often free ? to operate, literally millions of blogs have popped up all over the Internet in a short time.

Done well, blogs can be a valuable asset to businesses. In fact, many companies are beginning to employ the use of blogs in their operating strategies. CEOs or managers can post blogs directly to their employees on their company intranet, a quick and easy way to create a communication culture that encourages feedback and personal involvement. It can also be used internally for areas of business, such as human resources, to communicate somewhat complicated or changing information in a user-friendly way.

Externally, blogging can help create awareness or establish consumer trust. It can be used in service fields to establish your business or executive as the expert on a topic. Small companies with little Web experience can begin by using blogs as an information location while they build their Web presences.

You can easily start a blog, but first, you must find a place to put it. There are many Web sites that offer free blog posting for members who sign up through their service. The only downside is that the Web address will include the name of the blogging site. Another option is to purchase a domain name for your blog and hire a Web designer to create a blog-type function so that only a one-time, typically minimal cost is incurred but the information can be updated regularly.

Essentially, creating a good blog depends on the time spent writing and strategizing messages. Here are a few simple tips that can help you create and maintain a blog that will help build your business.

 •  Know your audience. If a blog is for employees, make sure that access is   limited to their eyes only. If it is for customers or clients, give easy access, make messages apply to their interests and avoid industry jargon.

•  Be business appropriate. Just like any business communication, don?t let your blog become a place where personal or private issues come out in the wash. Keep messages to business only and keep the tone and language professional and appropriate.

•  Keep it short and simple. Keep blog messages between 200-400 words and include only one main point in each entry to keep your readers engaged.

•  Avoid legal issues. Do not use the names of people or businesses ? especially the competition ? because your organization will be held legally liable for all messages it publishes. Internet posting is considered ?publishing,? so remember that copyright laws apply as well.

•  Use a word processor first. If you use a blog site that allows you to type your message and submit it for publishing, make sure to type your message in a program like Microsoft Word so you can check for punctuation and spelling errors.

•  Don?t write alone. Have someone else read your message to ensure clarity and make sure you spell check before publishing it.

•  Remember, blogs can be temporary. Blog messages can be erased or deleted after a certain time so messages don?t pile up or become outdated. Also, a blog may not be useful forever. Your organization may outgrow the use of a blog as a Web site is built or messages become outdated. Delete old blogs when they have outlived their usefulness.

Remember that no matter how large or small your business, perfect communication is rare. Using these tips and creating an effective blog can help you enhance your communication abilities and ultimately help your business grow.

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Corporate Citizenship for the Small Business

Make Volunteerism a Part of Your Culture

As we end a year in which natural disasters contributed to broad scale calamity, many businesses and individuals are counting their blessings. In this environment, the time is ripe to examine the levels and methods of corporate citizenship for your organization. Businesses interpret corporate citizenship in an increasingly broad way. A range of activities or actions characterize this practice, including: creating an ethical business culture, honesty in financial reports, philanthropy, community involvement and addressing social issues such as human rights, poverty and the environment.

In fact, many businesses are recognizing the value of corporate citizenship to the bottom line as well as to building and establishing essential business relationships. A recent survey by Boston College ?s Center for Corporate Citizenship showed that 81% of small, medium and large businesses said that they believe corporate citizenship should be a top priority for all companies. Further, 69% reported that they think the public should expect good corporate citizenship and 64% said that it makes a tangible contribution to the bottom line.

However, many organizations simply do not have the resources to make large monetary contributions or to spearhead fundraising events or awareness. So how can your small or mid-sized business utilize corporate citizenship in a way that makes a meaningful contribution but is feasible for a small workforce? One solution is to pump up volunteerism as a part of company culture.

Emphasizing volunteerism can be as easy as allotting a certain number of paid days each year for employees to volunteer on your company?s behalf. This allows employees to volunteer without having to take time off from work and it gives your company the benefit of community involvement. Many companies have specific organizations they encourage volunteering with and even coordinate volunteer efforts for specific charities or groups. Other companies allow employees the flexibility to choose organizations under a company approval process and simply ask employees to wear the company logo when going out in the community, since they are on company time.

Another method is to partner with other local companies in volunteer efforts. For example, if all the local automotive parts manufacturers had company volunteers for one common charity or fundraising event, the community-building power of the event would be immense. Small businesses partnering together is a great way to make a difference in your community and to encourage local support of your businesses.

No matter how small your organization is or what level of involvement is possible, prioritizing for community involvement and corporate citizenship will help your business establish valuable community relationships and a positive company image, adding to your bottom line.

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Employment Situation Summary

United States

Non-farm employment rose by 56,000 jobs in October, and the unemployment rate dropped slightly to 5%.

Major Industry Employment for October 2005

? Construction: + 33,000

? Manufacturing: + 12,000
? Retail Trade: - 5,000

? Professional & Business Services: + 12,000

? Educational & Health Services: + 11,000

? Leisure & Hospitality: - 18,000

? Government: + 10,000

Canada

Employment increased by 69,000 jobs in October, and the unemployment rate fell slightly to 6.6%.

Major Industry Employment for September 2005

? Trade: + 30,000

? Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing: + 26,000

? Professional, Scientific & Technical Services: + 18,000

? Natural Resources: + 9,000

? Public Administration: - 13,000

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