The Collared Sheep - A Cubicle Community

Video: Worst Airport Freight Handling Worker Ever?

McFly — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:20:50 +0000

And they have the nerve to charge for extra leg room.

If you’re anything like me, you can’t stand airplanes. You can’t stand airports. You can’t stand airlines in general, and all the sleaze and filth that comes with it.

Am I bias? Too judgmental? Perhaps.

But it is videos like this one that make me feel validated. I mean, how does this guy even earn a paycheck?

Reasons Why an Epic Fail Can Be Good for Your Career

Claudia Somerfield — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:34:21 +0000

Failure is the first step towards getting a success in your career or life. This is the most common adage, which you could be hearing a lot in different circles. This may be an old axiom though but it still holds the same significance in the present context as it had long before. The truth is failure comes in almost everyone’s life in some way or the other including in your professional career. In fact, it gives you the opportunity to check the flaws at your end and try out things the best to get the success. In this way, it not only gives you the opportunity to learn things right but get a success with a complete new flavor and spirit especially when you fail in your career and rise up again to get the success. Epic failure or total failure could be virtually a disastrous thing, since you could see people turning bankrupt and meet heavy losses. But looking at the other side, it gives you enough reasons to stand up again and keep trying things in a more better and effective ways to get the success. Now, let’s check the reasons why anyone with epic failure can yield something good in his or her career.

You can learn lessons

The basic reason why epic failure could be good for career is that it gives you ample amount of lessons for the mistakes you have committed in your professional life. You have enough time to review the causes of your failure in your career, along with getting the opportunity to start things fresh and with corrected measurements, which will avoid the failure in the coming future. Though the failure in your career may differ from the others, yet it gives ample amount of reasons and opportunities to learn lessons from your mistakes. That’s the number one reason why epic failure could be good for your career.

You become committed to your career

The other reason why epic failures could be good for your career is the fact that you get the chance to emerge as a committed worker. Now, you are seen with more devotion and commitment when it comes to your career or business. Your hard work and the diligence would simply help in achieving your career goals, which was not the case earlier. Taking a pause after a failure could be inevitable but at the same time it gives you the opportunity to understand your pain and study your mistakes along with addressing them at the later stage. The moment you are back and reboot yourself from the previous thing, you feel motivated and become more sincere to achieve your career goal, which is one of the key reasons why failures can prove beneficial for you.

You can make out the difference between a friend and a foe

The saga of rise and fall in your career would definitely help you in understanding the difference between your real friends and foes. A friend would often remain with you both in your success and failure; however, this is not the case with your so called friends who are only there when you are at the peak of your success. A friend is there to celebrate your success and share your grief which has come along with the failure. So when you face such epic failures in your career, it is going to prove good in many ways including teaching you understand and judge people right.

You get reasons to innovate

If you face epic failure in your career you could open up the path to innovate. In fact, without failure you will never propel yourself to experiment with something new and creative. Without failure you would often stay away from taking risks and want to play safe. However, once you fail, the gates for innovation and experimentation open up. In fact, you could find a number of examples in which a several leading companies of today have started new and creative with things like epic failure. Apple could be called as one of the companies, which at one point of time was on the verge of collapsing, but with innovation and creativity it was able to overshadow the failure and now is known to be among the best players in technology in the current world.

Final word

No one likes to fail especially when it comes to their professional career. Forget about thinking the epic failure in your career. However, if you look at the other brighter side of the epic failure, you have enough reasons to come out in flying colors in your profession or business. The above is the list of few reasons why epic failure could be good for your career.

About The Author: Claudia is a writer/blogger. She loves writing, traveling and reading books. She contributes on ReputationChanger.com

Woman Claims She Is Too Pretty To Work

McFly — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:32:28 +0000

Some people are too lazy to work. Some are too tired to work. And some are too pretty to work.

Did I just say “too pretty” to work? Why yes, yes I did. Don’t believe me? Why not ask 33 year old Laura Fernee:

Laura Fernee says her good looks are so powerful they are ruining her life – and have forced her to quit her job.

After three years of real world work in a scientific research position, she threw in the towel. She claims that male coworkers were giving her too much (unwanted) attention, constantly asking her on dates. They also left countless romantic gifts on her desk.

‘Even when I was in a laboratory in scrubs with no make-up they still came on to me because of my natural attractiveness. There was nothing I could do to stop it,’ she added.

The females coworkers, on the other hand, became jealous and ostracized her, naturally.

She said: ‘They [other women] assumed because I was pretty, I was stupid, so didn’t take me seriously at first and, because of their own insecurities, were jealous of my looks. Then when they realized I was very good at my job, possibly better than them, they hated me even more.’

Can you imagine that? Looking so incredibly good, that working relationships become just impossible? No? Yeah, me neither. But let’s see what this goddess looks like to see what “too pretty to work” means, shall we?

We’re all adults here. You can draw your own conclusions, but I’ll leave you with a few more tidbits. After quitting her job, she now lives off of her wealthy parents income, spending most of her time and money socializing and staying too pretty. Bonus video included:

[Source: DailyMail]

Infographic: The Value of Women in Startups

McFly — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:23:28 +0000

If you are a women, and considering working for a startup, then this infographic could be quite useful to you.

If you are a man, considering working for a well established blue chip company, then perhaps just share this with your girlfriend.

[Source: OnlineBusinessDegree.org]

Video: Competition in the Workplace, with Facial Hair Styles

McFly — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:58:55 +0000

Good day, sir! A great Monday to you as well ol’ chap.

I like Key & Peele and I like workplace competition.

But most of all, I’d say I like exotic facial grooming styles, specifically how they can be applied in the corporate world for wheeling and dealing, thrills and spills.

You know you have a guy in your office like this, and if you don’t – share the video, and soon you will.

Picture: Worst Day Ever

McFly — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:45:06 +0000

We all have bad days at work. They just usually aren’t all THAT bad when you sit down and think about it.

5 Creative Ways to Get Your Logo Noticed (in the Real World)

Julie Hartwell — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:42:09 +0000

The best way to generate interest in your business is to get people to notice your company, and one of the best ways to do that is to get your brand out there. Something as simple as a logo, a captivating symbol that represents your company, can be the difference if someone finds out about your services or products or not. In 2013, most people market everything online, and it’s easy to forget that there are ways to brand yourself aside from your online presence. This is especially important for small businesses whose key source of income tends to come from local avenues, and luckily, there are many ways for you to get your logo noticed in the real world.

Give Out Promotional Items

One of the best ways to stimulate interest in your brand is to give away some promotional items. For every new client, customer, or employee that comes through your door, give something out with your logo on it. T-shirts, pens, coffee mugs, hats, and note pads are all great ways to give your logo a tangible existence, and having something that can be physically touched and carried away increases your chances of spreading the word. When that person wears the t-shirt with your name on it, especially if you have an eye-catching logo, there’s no telling how many people are going to take notice and become curious about the meaning behind it. Promotional items really do work for getting people to ask what your logo means, and opening up communication about your company is a vital first step.

Print It

Believe it or not, people still read print publications, and you could really be selling yourself short by limiting yourself to solely advertising online. Having your logo in the newspaper is going to increase awareness about your services or products, and the good news is that print advertising is cheap, and for some alternative or community newspapers, even free. It’s well worth the minimal effort required, and remember, any exposure is good exposure.

Utilize Bulletin Boards and Business Cards

The lack of attention span from people really can come in handy; human minds race a million miles a second and they’re constantly looking for something to pay attention to. For this reason, bulletin boards still have some leverage for marketing yourself, and while you’re not going to want to spend your whole budget using this approach, it can be useful for grabbing the attention of impatient folks waiting in line at the grocery store or sitting in a waiting room. It’s a cheap and fast marketing strategy, and it’s one of the few businesses decisions that can only help and never hurt. Hang up a few of your business cards with all of your contact information in a few public places, and you might be a surprised that it actually gets some calls coming in.

Host a Fundraiser

Community involvement is a great idea for any small business, and showing that you’re a compassionate and caring company can really help you create a positive public image. Pick a cause you feel is important (renewable energy, animal rights, domestic violence awareness, etc.), and advertise your fundraiser by handing out fliers and advertising in the newspaper and local radio (and yes, online). Having your logo on a flier next to an important cause is a great association for the subconscious mind to make (plus it makes for a great blog update to put on your website).

Try Your Hand at Ambient Advertising

Sometimes to really make something stand out, it has to be placed in the location you’d least expect, and that’s exactly what ambient advertising does. Hiring a graffiti artist to (legally) tag a building, creating 3D chalk art on the sidewalk, and building a creative sculpture are all effective ways other businesses have marketed their logos and companies. This type of advertising is not as subtle as the other approaches; in fact, it only works because it’s a complete in-your-face method that demands attention. See what your company can come up with, and get as creative as you can. This doesn’t have to be a regular tactic for you, but it’s a good opportunity to try something new and maybe even bring in a new wave of customers.

It’s reasonable to want to put the weight of your marketing efforts online, but at the same time, it’s important to avoid putting all of your eggs in one basket. The physical world still has its redeeming qualities in terms of getting your company recognized, and a key factor in generating interest in what your company is offering is to diversify the sources of where it’s being discovered.

Written by Julie Hartwell

Julie Hartwell is a freelance writer who loves anything to do with the arts, design, and fashion. When she’s not embarking on her own creative adventures, she writes about custom t-shirt printing for Blue Cotton.

UPS Employee of the Year

McFly — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:42:50 +0000

Someone give this man a raise.

Picture: Office Fort

McFly — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:01:12 +0000

A castle fit for a king, or at least a mid level manager.

Could probably do without the mounted horse head, though.

Keep Your Team Running Strong

Dennis Aimes — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:45:49 +0000

Being a team leader is a tough job. It seems to be a misunderstood position, often seen by those operating for a team leader, that being in charge of people is even easier than working for someone. The truth is that like any other job there are easy days and there are hard days. As a manager it is important to make sure that your team members are taken care of and have the ambition and drive to come to work every day.

Motivation can be the most difficult thing to do as a manager. You can always tell a person to “have a good attitude and work hard” but telling people to do something does not ensure that they will actually do it. Motivation comes from more than just a mission statement. The secret is not in motivating a person; it is in encouraging them to motivate themselves.

Communication

People thrive on communication in the workplace. One of the most common complaints when something goes wrong is “Nobody told me.” In an age where text messaging or intra-office chat programs are commonplace we are overlooking the importance of direct person to person communication.

It is very easy to disconnect from the humanity of office work when we’re surrounded by technology that separates us from each other. The problem with this disconnect is that it can create distance and work as a de-motivator in employee morale. People may begin to feel ignored and if they feel that they are forgotten about their performance will begin to reflect this.

Don’t take this as a call to immediately ban any form on impersonal communication. Instead take it as a call to make sure that you take the time to engage in personal communication. This helps employees realize that they are not forgotten about which will improve their performance and their professional esteem.

Feedback

Proper feedback is very important as well for keeping a person motivated. It would be nice if the only thing you had to say about a team member were uplifting and positive statements, but the truth is sometimes even a good team member performs poorly. Proper constructive feedback and criticisms are important for maintaining employee morale.

There is a method sometimes referred to as the “feedback sandwich” where you lead with a positive comment, state your negative, and end with a positive comment. This can be a very effective method for making sure that people leave a conversation without feeling like complete failures.

When you offer a negative critique of a person do not do so without a suggestion for improvement. It is easier for an employee to accept criticism if they know that their leadership is there willing to help them improve. If a worker receives only negative criticism without the help or offer of ways to improve they will feel criticized and abandoned. At best it negatively affects their performance, at worst they will look for another job, and then you have lost an employee that may have had the potential to become better if you had offered help.

Lead By Example

An old army buddy of mine once told me that the platoon leaders they respected the most were the ones who served in the enlisted ranks before they became officers, and less respect for college graduates who earned their officer status simply because they had a degree. They respected them because the soldiers who climbed the ranks to become officers were not afraid of getting back into the thick of work with the men that served under them.

These feelings of respect are often shared by people that work in office environments as well. A leader that came from the ranks or a leader that isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty and work doing the same tasks they are asking their team members to do is one that is going to earn the loyalty and respect of their members.

Never ask your team to do something that you are not prepared to do yourself. A manager that tells his employees they have to come in on a Saturday when he has no plans to be there himself is going to come in on a Monday to find out that nothing got done and that everyone is angry at him.

You don’t always have to be right there with your team. A separation of management and team members is important, but always be ready to jump in and help someone that needs it. Being ready to help your team will result in them appreciating your leadership style more, and it will also help you understand how your team is working and help you identify strengths and weaknesses.

The best leaders work with their team and lead with their team. By doing this you have a closer control on the attitudes and motivations of your team and are taking the right approach to being a better, stronger, and more motivational leader.

Written by Dennis Aimes

Dennis Aimes is a writer and insurance advisor with AAMI income protection insurance for Australians.

Infographic: Will Eat Good Food For Work

McFly — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:00:58 +0000

Does the food you eat affect your work productivity and/or mood?

The short answer is “absolutely”, and the long answer is described in the chart below.

I’m just happy dark chocolate made it to the list of brain-loving foods.

[Source: Compliance and Safety]

Picture: Future Archeology

McFly — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:00:59 +0000

Aren’t cubes biodegradable?

Three Amazing Advantages of Having a Virtual Office

Sarah Miah — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:52:14 +0000

As the internet becomes more accessible with higher speeds and data connections, businesses can take advantage of better operating methods and procedures. The virtual workplace is one of the more recent developments that have emerged. If you are looking for ways to expand and improve your company, this might be the answer you’re seeking as it can provide you with the following benefits.

Lower Costs

A virtual office works by providing you with a business address in a building that you share with other company owners. None of your staff actually work there; rather it is used for taking calls and sending mail so your company looks like it has a presence in a region when it actually doesn’t. By utilising one of these locales, you can lower or completely eliminate:

Rental fees for a physical office
Paying for maintenance and cleaning
Buying furniture and equipment

You can also save on tax since you mostly hire independent contractors who have to deal with their own taxation rates. One drawback of these virtual offices is that your communication costs may be higher as you talk to people via phone and email instead of in person. The savings you make elsewhere will more than make up for these added fees however.

More Flexibility

Since you won’t be renting a physical setting, your employees can now operate from home, doing their daily tasks in a more comfortable, less rigid environment. Rather than paying people for the time they spend in the workplace, you’ll now be rewarding them for what they achieve. By renting a regus office room that’s virtual, you’ll then switch your focus from quantity to quality, giving your employees more incentive to do an excellent job while letting them conduct it at their own pace. This will also save your staff time and money as they don’t have to commute to work each day. By giving yourself and your employees some added flexibility through one of these distance offices, you’ll enhance productivity and morale as well. This will then translate into extra profits as you receive higher quality work that takes far less effort to actually provide.

Access to Greater Talent

One main issue with working from a brick-and-mortar office is that you are limited in those you can hire. Basically, you’re stuck with applicants in the local area and having to pick and choose from this limited pool may result in a substandard team. By working through a virtual office, you eliminate this issue as everyone operates via the internet anyway. The amount of telecommuting job vacancies reflects this trend as more and more people choose to work online instead of in a physical workplace. For example, your accountant could be in London, your graphics designer in Sydney and your web developer in Los Angeles. All of these individuals can then work together through their high speed internet connection, giving a superior product despite the long distances. Your virtual office will still remind people of your business presence while all of the above is going on as well.

Written by Sarah Miah

Sarah Miah is a writer for Regus, a top service provider of regus office room in over 600 cities around the globe. They cater to about a million customers each day, working and flexing their products and services to suit every single client.