In order to succeed in a sea of endless choice brands must understand the way consumers process information and make decisions, Sheena Iyengar argues in this TED Talk.

After establishing that the average person makes 70 decisions every day, Iyengar uses a simple supermarket study on buying jam to reinforce the benefits of a less means more approach.

Cricket Australia is currently transforming the sport's demographics and revenues in a case study that every marketer and CEOs should be taking notice of, this Smart Company case study suggests.

It's claimed the transformation that is the Big Bash League has seen big crowds and impressive television ratings as a result of a shift from a focus on older males to younger Australians.

While the introduction of a new game may lead to some branding complexities it's claimed Cricket Australia has employed a series of smart tactics to ensure success.

The strategy has seen not just an array of youth and digitally focused marketing activities but also a new club ownership structure.

Despite its name the new book The Plugged-In Manager by Terri Griffith isn't about cyborgs but instead describes a roadmap on how to use technology to better connect with staff and other stakeholders.

A recent review by management-issues claims the book reveals three important themes for those managers keen to find contemporary ways of connecting. In brief, these themes are:

• Stronger people skills – managers need to be plugged in to the lives of staff in order to keep communication flowing and engage on a psychological level
• Don't avoid connections – rather than being a means of hiding from the world being plugged in reinforces the need make to social and mental connections that add value to people's work
• Audit information flow – the plugged in manager ensures information flows freely across the organisation and that processes are in place to achieve this

The full review and an interview with the author can be found here.

Six simple mantras can help managers stay on top of their game no matter what the working day brings, entrepreneur Lauren Perkins writes in this Inc. blog.

While some might think mantras are the sole domain of hippies or Buddhist monks, Perkins offers a strong argument in favour of inserting a little positive reinforcement into daily life.

Some of the benefits described include the ability to inspire others through a positive attitude, a narrowing of focus to avoid distractions and an increased ability to follow your moral compass.

Positive reinforcement also offers a means of keeping cool in a crisis, or as the author puts it: "Abrupt reactions and decisions that aren't well thought-out don't do you or your company any good. To prevent them, try to plan proactively and keep the big picture in mind."

Here are Perkins' six mantras:

1. Get your head in the game
2. Narrow your objectives
3. Steady your reactions
4. Stick to your moral compass
5. Perception is King
6. Get your fight on

Sifting through resumes in a bid to find the right candidate is never an easily process. It is however one that can be made more effective by following a few rules, this Time post argues.

To help managers navigate the recruitment process post author and CEO Matthew Swyers offers his tips for resume filtering and job interviews. In summary these are:

• Look for attention to detail – it's a cliché for good reason, smart candidates deliver on the finer details of their application
• Proof-read – a typo here and there indicate the candidate may drop the ball if hired
• Preparedness – ask candidates what they did to prepare for a job interview
• Communication etiquette – strange or inappropriate email addresses and a poor phone manner should ring warning bells
• 100 per cent honesty is overrated – a "too truthful" answer to a difficult question can reveal a lack of judgement

When it comes to making a good first impression a chiseled jaw line or gym fit physique are less important than old-fashioned good grooming, according to this Executive Style post.

The post says social scientists believe being tall or possessing a perfect body account for very little if a person has a few errant eyebrow hairs, grubby nails or a scruffy outfit.

The following guidelines are offered if you're keen to do a quick New Year audit of your appearance:

• Grooming – it's all about hygiene, hair care and attention to detail, i.e. clipping, snipping and flossing
• Clothing – always opt for overdressed rather than underdressed and aim for classic styles and cuts
• Posture – it's claimed posture is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve your looks
• Attitude – experts say making time to take a non-work related interest in someone bolsters attractiveness

There can be little doubt Generation Y is remolding workplace environments, but one change that's coming the world's way in 2012 is particularly radical, according to this Fast Company feature.

The article claims the new 'quicksilver' world of work is increasingly seeing younger professionals chop and change careers every four years.

In a trend that's likely to be reflected locally, statistics reveal the median number of years a US worker has been in his or her current job is just 4.4 years.

Researchers claim the move towards shorter careers reflects the insecurity, risk and volatility of current economic conditions as well as the shift towards more contract and freelance work.

But one complication of the trend is the difficultly experienced by hiring managers who must differentiate between the aimless or difficult to work and genuinely talented job hoppers.

The answer, according to a HR person from YouTube, is to ask the right questions in order to identify candidates who have changed careers to grow as a professional and expand their scope.

What do you think – do highly mobile job candidates usually have the right stuff?

A new study indicates workplace flexibility delivers improvements in employee health and can boost morale, management-issues reports.

The University of Minnesota study compared white-collar firms that introduced programs that allowed staff to work where they wanted with organisations that maintained inflexible arrangements.

The results suggested staff at flexible, results-driven organisations enjoyed a number of benefits including more sleep on nights before work and were more likely to see a doctor when sick.

It's claimed these workers also had higher energy levels and recorded a decrease in emotional exhaustion and psychological distress.

The study reflects the finding of previous research that indicates flexible work arrangements can reduce sick leave and work-related impairment.

Twitter speedlinks from last week on @aimqld:

15 Emotional Intelligence Traits of Highly Successful People (via Leaders. Better. Brighter) http://bit.ly/zEjdmr

How to Let Go Without Giving in (via Leadership FreaK) http://bit.ly/xRYUHM

A 7-Step Process to Achieving Your Goals (via HBR) http://bit.ly/vZIrYL

10 Essential Thoughts to Proficient People Skills (via @katenasser) http://bit.ly/wWYDQX

Improving Decision Making with the Ladder of Inference (via Management is a Journey) http://bit.ly/yShuhG

Leadership and Emotional Reciprocity (via Lead Change Group) http://bit.ly/A63cn4

10 Innovation Resolutions for 2012 (via BusinessWeek) http://buswk.co/zvKexp

4 Ways Marketers Can Drive Revenue - and Prove it (via Fast Company) http://bit.ly/z0oqjC

Are You Running in Place When it Comes to Your Professional Development? (via @artpetty) http://bit.ly/wLfla7

4 Steps to Knock Out Workplace Stress (via Inc.) http://bit.ly/zJyXpZ

Instead of Killing Your Productivity With Multi-tasking, Try 'Set Shifting' (via Business Insider) http://read.bi/A8T7OF

5 Ways to Establish Friendly Relationships at Work (via On the Job) http://bit.ly/yORLzC

5 Ways to Become a More Authentic Leader (via Michael Hyatt International Leadership) http://bit.ly/xGUEOV

The Costs and Benefits of Office Design (via Office Snapshots) http://bit.ly/y2oklt

The Downside of Proactivity (via Thinking is Hard Work) http://bit.ly/xQ6lfT

Fundamental Advice for a Young Leader (via Wally Bock's Three Star Leadership Blog) http://bit.ly/wlMf2l

What Do People Want From Work? (via @ScottEblin) http://bit.ly/yrs9V9

10 Morning Habits that Promote Greater Success (via Leadership & Learning with Kevin Eikenberry) http://bit.ly/xzQHy6

3 Things Great Leaders Know About Managing Change (via Lead Change Group) http://bit.ly/wBH1q0

Where Do You Sit in a Meeting? The 4 Power Positions (via Beyond the Clinical) http://bit.ly/xryDzo

5 Tips to Make Things Happen (via All Things Workplace) http://bit.ly/z5FNM5