Social Media Mayhem

Social media has gone viral! With the use of Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, etc, you can communicate with several people all over the world at the same time, share photos, sell products, and get the word out quickly.

With communication gone literally global with one key entry, we have a great advantage and a great responsibility. I have noticed that some don’t care what they say even when it hurts or slanders another. Whether true information or not, we have the responsibility as a civilized society to be courteous and professional with one another.

Don’t post on social media what you wouldn’t say to their face. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want your boss or Mother to see or hear. What you do on your own time DOES matter. We all have heard about the inappropriate party photos perused by a prospective employer, then not getting the job even if qualified.

There needs to be some civil and personal etiquette to social media. If you don’t want the boss to see it, then don’t post it. If your mother would be appalled, then don’t say it.

We need to remember there are liability consequences to the bashing someone which causes personal injury (emotional, defamation, etc) and is compensable.

So, let’s keep the posts positive and appropriate for public viewing, please!

Overexposed

With warm weather on its way, the workplace becomes more casual and more skin is revealed in the office. Employees should always dress professionally, but that is subject to interpretation by each individual. Even a carefully written dress code can be vague and confusing as to what professional dress really means. Employers are usually afraid to just say “no cleavage, no butt cracks, and no short skirts that ride up above the thighs when you sit. Most people claim to be non-judgmental when forming opinions about others by the way they dress. In reality, your image is everything, and people do judge you by the outward image first. I once attended a conference that the speaker said “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” If you think showing cleavage will get you the job you want, it might involve a job you really don’t want. The way you portray yourself is the way you will be perceived by co-workers, managers, and executives. I once was told; “I paid good money for these, and I’m not covering them up.” Okay, that’s your choice, but this may not be the place of employment for you. Another subject for concern is the “muffin tops” (skin overflowing over the belt), with the bare midriff showing. Why do people think that looks good? Bare midriffs are for the beach. Low riding pants are also crazy at work when bending over and the red thong is exposed. Please, this is not for the office. Then there’s the short skirt that is so short that when sitting it rides so high, you wonder if the person has seen “Basic Instinct.” Tats and body jewelry also need to be covered while at work. I am sounding like a prude, I know, and I don't care. This is the honest truth. Each office has an image they want to portray to their customers. Organizations can dictate their office image and demand a certain level of dress. If organizations want to have a professional office and want the customers to feel they are in a professional place of business, the dress of all employees must also be professional. Employees that dress professionally give the perception of being smart, confident, and ready for the executive position.

Addicted to Paper!

...for Michelle...

I recently attended an Advanced Agency Management conference, and one topic of discussion was Paper. They want us to get rid of the paper! The consultant said; we are so over it, get away from the paper, it’s an addiction, and it’s holding you back from being efficient and increasing profits. For those addicted to paper, they need to go into a room full of paper and rub themselves all over with the paper. Okay….we can always put a sticky note on our body as quit paper patch. They suggested even no notepad when the phone is answered, have headsets, and type the conversation right into the computer while talking to the client.

I was thinking, wow, we are in the dark ages! Then they asked about 50 people attending this session, how many still have paper on their desks? Almost everyone raised their hand. Shew, we are not as far behind as I thought. I’m not against paperless by any means. I would like to progress towards paperless with front end scanning and staff receiving their mail electronically. In order to implement, we first must have corporate acceptance from the very top, and no one is exempt. Getting that approval could take some intervention!