The best way to get a feel for an office is to ASK your boss what is or isn’t appropriate.  It is a good start – then listen, and watch your colleagues.

As a rule of thumb:

1)      Do not gossip about yourself or others (really hard to do – ask your trusted peers to lightly redirect you if you get sucked in)

2)      Go business casual unless you are planning a corporate picnic for the day – below mid thigh on skirts/shorts – not too much cleavage – yes – you too, boys.  Check your local high school student rules for the allowances there and add some.

3)      Suggest keeping personal calls, chats, social networking, etc to a complete minimum – even during lunch at your desk – you are just inviting crazy.

4)      Language – profanity is a bear trap – suggest you don’t ever use it.  Apologize if it flies out – which sometimes it does when you spill your coffee in your lap. (OUCH!)

5)      Alcohol – ok guys – even after hours startup partying – bad idea – even more than 2 drinks at a social function … asking for trouble…  Of course, let your conscience be your guide.

Happy Officing -

–Grace Lanni, Career Manager, The Ginac Group.

I want to personally thank Wendy Nolin for her leadership in growing the Ginac Group over the past two years.  She has been instrumental to the growth of the company.  Wendy is not getting away from me yet, though!  She has accepted the position of VP of Marketing at TalentGuard and will be working closely with me and the sales team to become the leading talent management solution provider in the U.S. Wendy will be working with Grace over the next month to transition the business and clients smoothly.  She will continue to work with her existing clients until they have achieved success.

- Linda Ginac, Founder & CEO

I think that the number one hint I would offer relative to time is to be aware with how exactly you are spending it – when things go great – what are you spending your time on?  How much down time do you need – how much play time do you need – and how do you organization your career / work to maximize your time??

Personally – I can get by on 1 night of 5hrs sleep – but after that – bring on a full 8 hours.  My average is probably 6-7 hours of good deep sleep.  When I don’t have enough fun – complete non-electronic down time – I get cranky, loose more sleep, and I am less productive during the day.  When I am my most productive and my week schedule is humming,

• I get 8 hrs sleep
• 1 hour wake up, greet the day, get ready
• A full 8 hours of work –- which is sometimes think time, not necessarily face time
• 1 hour mid day break
• At least 1 other hour to myself at the end of the day (which often is while I’m cooking dinner for my family – which makes them very happy)
• 1 hour dinner/family time
• 3 hours fun (family, music, movie, reading, poolside)
• 1 hour exercise of some sort (could be cleaning, gym, walking outside)

So…  what is your perfect week day like??  Just like the steward on the plane says, put your mask on first before helping others J

–Grace Lanni, Career Manager, The Ginac Group.

Executives and managers are finally starting to see the benefits of allowing their workers to telecommute on a regular basis. Here are some more interesting stats found through a survey of 2,034 corporate executives:

• 42% felt that telecommuters were as productive as their in-office workers and 36% felt that their telecommuters were more productive versus 22% saying they were less productive.
• 77% of executives replied that they would definitely or probably take a job where they could telecommute regularly.

There are risks to telecommuting though.  Back in 2006 a survey of executives in 71 countries found that 61% agreed that telecommuters were less likely to advance in their careers than those working in a traditional setting.  As a telecommuter, you may find that you are left out of meetings and strategic decisions because of the “out of sight, out of mind” concept.  You may also find that developing real bonds with your co-workers is difficult and may find more resistance when trying to present new ideas to people that hardly know you.

Here are some tips that you can do to help improve your successes as a telecommuter:

1. Visit the office regularly and attend important meetings and social activities even if you have to pay out of your pocket to get there.  When you do go to the office, make sure that you visit your co-workers, peer managers, and executives and get as much team bonding as you can.
2. Keep visible through chat and email.  Remember to pick up the phone and call every once in a while so they remember your voice.  Video chat can be a great tool to help them remember that you are actually a person and not just a voice (remember to dress professional—no pajamas on the video call).
3. Offer to share your knowledge through webinars and one-on-one remote meetings.
4. Promote your successes and ask your manager to recognize you as well.

Although there are risks associated with telecommuting, many people feel that the benefits outweigh the potential struggles in the office.  Telecommuters gain a lot of time by not having to commute which allows them more opportunities to spend time with their children and other family members that need care and their love.  Some also find that their health improves due to reduced stress related to compromises being made between family and work. Companies are also finding that productivity increases through less absenteeism, employees start work earlier and stop later, and there is less “ideal chatter” preventing work from being accomplished.  Companies have also found there is less “job hopping” since employees are happier in their home environment.

Will telecommuting work for you?  Only you and your boss can make that decision.

Have a Grand weekend!

-          Scott Kukowski, PCM, Career Manager, The Ginac Group

Although it may seem overwhelming, time and time again I’m told that the first week on the job is typically the hardest one. One of my clients decided to return to work after a 15 year sabbatical and here is how she recounts her first week: “The first day – and even the whole first week, I was convinced it was all a horrible mistake and the only thing that kept me from quitting right then was the embarrassment.” You must remember that it takes time, typically several months to adjust to an entirely new routine. Even after two months of working on the job she told me, “I’ve taken on a couple of projects that have made me feel useful and necessary, but there are still other aspects (the main aspects) that make me feel incredibly out of place. The people I’m working with are patient and no one has been demanding of me, as I have been of myself. It is an adjustment and everyday you must tell yourself to keep an open mind. When you earn that first paycheck it is such a great feeling and before no time you will figure out how to “get over your fears”!

Making the move requires the right preparation, strategic thinking, and planning. Whether you’re looking for full or part-time work, you will need to do the following to make sure that you land in the right spot:

• Understand your skills set with the use of assessments
• Know how to find information on various jobs
• Understand how to put together a resume that markets your skills
• Identify companies that may be of interest and get your foot in the door
• Make sure you know how to sell your skills in an interview
• Learn how to negotiate for the best offer.

On a final note, when you choose to re-enter the workforce and still have young children you may be riddled with guilt. The first step in managing your guilt is to accept your choices and learn to feel good about them. When you are happy, your family will be happy. Other strategies to smooth your transition into the workforce so that you are less likely to feel guilty include:
• Recognizing that your life will be consumed with compromises and negotiations: There will be days when work is the priority and on other days family will be the priority. This is OK.
• Modifying your expectations: Eliminate the phrases “should have” and “ought to” from your vocabulary. They only increase feelings of guilt.
• Setting rules: Know what is important to you and set firm boundaries, otherwise your life may get out of control. For example, if family night is every Wednesday, make it a point to never miss it.
• Understanding the need to be more flexible: Without flexibility, everything remains constant and you and your family will cease to grow.
• Refraining from comparing your work/life relationship with others. Some people know how to paint a positive picture and communicate the ideals of their lifestyle while hiding all of the negative baggage.

You can have a career while meeting the demands of family. Feel good about your decision; accept the challenges and you can live a lifestyle that meets your needs and the needs of those who depend on you!

For more information on how to re-enter the workforce successfully, send email to info@ginacgroup.com or call 512-943-6801.

–Linda Ginac, Founder and CEO, The Ginac Group.

So often, daily tasks and meetings are the rule of the day, and without a framework of communication from and to your boss – too many decisions can be made without considering your position and/ or input.  Here’s a list of the top 10 things you can implement today to manage up in Letterman style:

 10. Daily Email at the beginning or end of the day – just a few lines describing the key projects you are working on, the progress, and what he can do to help.

9. At least 1 weekly conversation in which you ask your boss, ‘what can I do to help you’.

8. If you are asked to do something by your boss’ peers or mgmt, thank them for their request, let them know you’ll be confirming priority with your boss and get back to them TODAY with next steps.

7. What’s your boss’ communication style?  Are they type A?  Or are they a relationship builder who wants to talk about the weekend on Friday morning before closing out the week??  Articulate your style to your boss, and ask ‘what’s the best way to communicate with you?’  Remember – they probably don’t know the answer to this question… use an assessment tool like DISC so they can figure it out.  If you’re really feeling frisky, offer to lead a team exercise at the next weekly meeting.

6. Communicate any planned time off 4-6 weeks ahead for planning purposes.

5. Do you know the corporate mission?  Do you know your role in supporting the corporate mission?  Your boss or team’s role?  If what you’re doing doesn’t support this – create a conversation around supporting the corporate mission and/or connecting the dots between the mission and daily activity.  What’s the best way to support your company/ your team/ and you?

4. If you find yourself or another gossiping, excuse yourself to the restroom – don’t engage…  it can MAJORLY derail your and/or your boss’ agenda for no reason other than someone’s imagination.

3. Keep the personal chatter to a minimum in the office, keep the office detail chatter to a minimum out of the office.

2. If you go out for drinks with your boss after work, have 1. 

1. Un-friend your boss on Facebook – no need for him to know what you, your friends and/or your teenagers did over the weekend at 2am.

 –Grace Lanni, Career Manager, The Ginac Group

Our jobs are stressful; we have too much work and not enough time in the day. We are taking on tasks that are outside the traditional scope of our job. Thus, it is easy for us to put our career in reactive mode where we hope that we get the next promotion or next raise just because of how much work we do and how stressed we are. I think you already know that this approach doesn’t usually work.

Instead, it is really important that YOU take the steps needed to move your career forward. If you want that next promotion, be aware that the current trend is for you to prove that you can handle new responsibilities before you get promoted into the position. Take advantage of this trend and volunteer to take on some of your manager’s responsibilities. She is probably stressed as well and will appreciate the help—you will look good even if you have to sideline some of your less-important tasks.

If you are looking for a salary increase, make sure your boss knows all of the different tasks that you complete. Send her a daily update (bulleted accomplishments) or a weekly status report. Start doing this now, do not wait until it’s time for your 360. Then, when it’s time for your review, she will remember all of the different tasks that you have accomplished.

It’s up to you to proactively manage your career. Find creative ways to show you are committed to the organization and your career path. Distribute interesting articles to your team, identify training opportunities (both receiving and presenting), motivate those around you, and show that you really enjoy your job. Taking these simple actions can help you meet your career goals.

Have a GRAND weekend!

- Scott Kukowski, PCM, Career Manager, The Ginac Group

Having a great profile photo on Linked In, Facebook, your blog or any other place they might check you out is vital. You would never go to an interview in sweat pants, old tennis shoes and a ragged t-shirt. Some peoples photos online create this type of impression and they don’t get a second chance.

If you don’t have a good online photo, get one. A professionally taken photo is important. It is also important to develop the skill to look good in front of the camera or hire a photographer who is good at making you relax. Your expression should be relaxed not cheesy or frozen which many people do. You want to look like someone who they would want to work with.

Studies have shown that a job interview is over in the first 15 seconds, placing great importance on the first impression. Online the first impression of a photograph is less than 1 second. A first impression is physiological and emotional basically animal instinct. Once made it is very hard to change. It becomes a filter that everything their logical mind thinks must go through. Since they cannot disagree with themselves the first impression must hold firm. Job applicant qualifications are filtered through the first impression. A bad first impression only allows bad information and filters out good information. A good first impression only allows good information and filters out bad information.

If you Google “first impression” you will be amazed by some of the studies they have done. A confident relaxed friendly smile is not easy to achieve in front of a camera but vital to the first impression you make online. Keep dressing nicely for your job interviews but make sure your online photo looks just as professional.

–Jerry Hughes, Professional Photographer, Artist Studio 12

I received my first 360 evaluation about 5 years ago, at my own invitation as a part of a coaching program I was engaged in.  I was only mildly prepared for what I was about to receive, even though my coach “warned” me to come in to the debriefing open to the feedback that I had requested. I had no idea I was about to be shredded.  Now I know better.

If this is your first 360, beware:  you are going to receive some direct and sometimes harsh criticism.  We all know what our weaknesses are, but do we really need people to shine a light on them so brightly?

Yes. And no.  Yes, if you are truly prepared to do some deep self-discovery and actually make some modifications to your behavior.  But one thing I’ve learned in this profession is:  behavior is consistent.  Very rarely, unless someone goes through a massive trauma, can one really change their behavior.  At our fundamental core, we are who we are. 

So the 360 may be of value if you are committed to taking steps to modify your behavior and realize a potentially fundamental core shift.  This takes time and massive effort.  More than most are willing to invest in, especially because we don’t know if the changes we make are going to make us any better of a person or even more effective in our work.  And if you do chose to make these changes, you have to ask yourself, are you making them for the right reasons?  That in itself is a huge question one must ponder at length.

On the other hand, being reminded of our weaknesses can rock us back on our heels and actually undo and sometimes even reverse any progress we’ve made toward personal improvement.  The consequences can be debilitating to the more mild among us. 

The point here, is, if this is your first 360, heed the warning above and be prepared for a potentially crushing blow, because we can’t please all the people all the time.   If you are seasoned and have gone through this before, ask yourself what you expect to learn about yourself that you didn’t know before, and what are you committed to modify, if anything?  If nothing, and you are just following the protocol set by the organization, take it with a grain of salt, a shot of tequila, a squeeze of lime, call your best friend and laugh about it!

–Wendy Nolin, VP & General Manager, The Ginac Group

Ask your friends!  They are the ones you spend your off hours with – and who have observed your behavior over time.  Ask them if they’ve noticed any attitude or habit changes over the last month or so 1. eating out more, instead of bringing your lunch 2. Not going to the gym as much 3. Not going out much or going out all the time…  These behavioral changes can indicate stress going on in your system.

 Ok – what is a healthy friend?  A good test is – do you feel energized when their name lights up on your phone or ‘oh goodness, I just can’t talk to this person right now’.   A healthy friend will compliment you – and give you constructive criticism while helping you out – hey – I haven’t seen you at the gym lately – wanna schedule a hike, or bike ride this week??  I don’t want to be inside the gym either. 

 A healthy friend will take your lead – ask a healthy bud for their support during this tough time – they could arranging a free outing to the water, to do an afternoon craft session, to hear a band, an afternoon making healthy treats, or even to brainstorm business ideas.

 Allow those you love to lift you up – you are giving your friends a chance to express their love when you open yourself up to receive.  That emotional movement is a key to relieving stress, and to allowing new job opportunities to come your way.  OOOHHHHHMMMMMMMM.

 –Grace Lanni, Career Manager, The Ginac Group.