MONEY&CAREER

5 Ways to Handle Workplace Arguments

2009-08-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

With diverse personalities and myriad work-related issues part of an office’s day-to-day scenario, squabbling comes with the territory. Here, top strategies for keeping a lid on potentially ugly outbursts.

Disagreements are not uncommon in the workplace. However, disagreement can become so emotional that they can hurt careers. here are five tips to help you approach argument the right way.

1.Know the rules of engagement.There are certain rules of engagement in a disagreement with someone over a work-related issue:

*State your reasons politely and dispassionately. A polite and calm demeanor gets you further than an angry and emotional one because the listener is focusing on your reasons rather than on your demeanor. His increases the chances that the listener will consider what you are saying and lessens the chance she will dismiss your arguments as irrational and emotional.

So the next time you need to confront someone over something you feel strongly about, wait and let the anger subside before bringing it up.

* Give the listener respect.Whether the listener is a member of upper management or a peer, she deserves to be spoken to respectfully. Even if you think the person is a dimwit and unworthy, it is important to respect the position that the person holds. It gets the listener to believe that you are considerate of what the listener has to say to you. Others who may be participating in the conversation may be positively influenced by your demeanor and listen more carefully to your point of view.

*Sabotage almost always backfires.If lobbying for your stand does not work, let it go for now. Don’t get caught up in your anger and attempt to prove your point by sabotaging the winner.

For instance, if you had a project that did not get priority, try being gracious and helping out in the other project. You will look like a team player and get more respect and consideration for your point of view the next time you propose something.

Badmouthing a project or its sponsor can make you look petty and you will lose the respect of your management and peers. That means they will be less likely to help you in the future.

2.Choose your battles.Know and fight only for what is important. Let little things go. An employee who complains about every small issue is labeled as a whiner and uncooperative by management. And someone who complains about management directives and is unwilling to accept them may be considered insubordinate and possibly be fired.

If you find yourself unhappy about most details of your job, perhaps it is better to look for another job rather than try to change or complain about every little that bothers you.

3.Some battles can never be won.Understand that in the workplace, some battle can never be won and never should be fought. Here are two examples:

* Your boss’s assessment of your work performance during evaluation time. Your boss may be a real jerk and extremely incomplete. You may be a star performer in your eyes and the eyes of clients. But work performance is usually exclusively evaluated by your supervisor. You stand little chance of changing your boss’s mind and almost no chance of getting any other manager to intervene, to change your boss’s evaluation of you.

* Trying to change corporate policies when you have not been assigned a job that would allow you to do so.You may think that the company’s policies stink and that you know how to manage better than the present managers. But unless you are in a policy-making job, you might as well save your energy. You may be not only ignored but also perceived as an arrogant, unhappy employee.

4.Be ready with backup information.You are likely to be convincing and come out on top in a disagreement when you have backup information.

For example, if you believe that you are entitled to a benefit under company policy,bring a copy of that policy with you to HR. If you believe that someone’s approach may violate a policy, present that policy with your argument.

The next time you want to make your case, try preparing some backup information before your meeting. Follow rules one through three, then present your argument with the backup information you prepared. You may be pleasantly surprised at how persuasive you can be.

5.Some battles cannot be fought alone.There are some disagreements that you alone cannot win. For example,if you feel that your employer is discriminating against you because of your gender, or doing something otherwise illegal, you will probably not change your employer’s mind by pointing it out again.When you suspect that you boss is doing something illegal to you or otherwise violating the law, it is best to get legal advice or a lawyer to help you win your battle.

Carerr Bags

2009-07-26T19:38:00.000-07:00

For the working women with a love for fashion and the drive for success, Memo's career bags are fashionable multi-taskers, whether as laptop bags,document bags, shopper's totes or travel carry-ons.

Elle NY in Patent
Matching your personality with its versatility, this patent bag with flat cover is a stylish option for carrying your documents, laptop case, travel or shopping.

George in Croc-Embossed Patent
If we suffer to lock fabulous in heels, surely, we won't stand for laptop bags that are typical and drab. This patent croc-embossed faux leather laptop bag with metallic trim looks modern-pretty, but is not ditzy: it comes organized with padded laptop bags, inner zip and cell phone pocket, with 100% cotton canvas or silk interior.

Jennifer Tote

Women carry their lives in their bags, all that they will need, could need or used to need. With this practical and roomy modern-city tote in versatile black, you can carry all that everywhere.

LV Epi Tote
For woman who has purpose. Made of epi man-made leather, this multi-functional bag comes with a patent leather laptop case and organizational features, including zip and cellphone pockets. Complete the chic with its leopard-print cotton-silk interior
Jill Croc-Embossed Tote
The cosmopolitan Jill tote is also offered in croc-embossed patent leather, with chain-print silk interior.

The New Color of the Dollar

2009-07-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

As part of its ongoing effort to stay ahead of currency counterfeiting and protect the people's hard-earned money, the United States government has introduced new currency designs, the latest of which is for the $10 note.
The $10 note is the third denomination in the new design series, with the redesigned $20 and $50 notes already in global circulation.
The redesigned currency is safer, smarter, and more secure: safer because it is harder to fake and easier to check; smarter to stay ahead of tech-savvy counterfeiters; and more secure of the U.S. currency.
The most noticeable difference in the new design, which features images of the Statue of Liberty's torch and the different background colors are used for each denomination.
In addition to recognizing the design elements and enhanced security features of the new $10 note, it is important to know that old notes need to be trated in for new ones. Older-design notes will maintain their full face value.

Don't Be a Victim of Counterfeits!

The new $10 note incorporates state-of0the-art security features to combat counterfeiting, including three that are easy to use by cash handler and consumers alike:
Color-shifting ink. Tilt your ten to check that the numeral '10' in lower right-hand corner on the face of the noe changes color from copper to green.
Watermark. Hold the note up to the light to see if a faint image of Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton appears to the right of his large portrait. It should be visible from either sides of the note. On the redesigned $10 note, it's easier than ever to locate the watermark- a blank oval has been incorporated into design to hoghlight the watermark's location.
Security thread. Hold the note up to the light and make sure there's a small strip that repeats 'USA TEN' in tiny print. It should run vertically to the right of the portrait.

Money-Saving tips

2009-06-09T17:27:00.000-07:00

Now, more than ever, it's important to keep an eye on your finance, so you don't get any nasty shocks. Use these great tips to help you budget and plan ahead.

* Always think ahead! Make a of all the expansive event such as weddings, big birthday, and holiday you have coming up over the next month/six month/year. You can then plan ahead and ensure enough money is kept inside in advance of these of these date.

*Make a budget planner for the month and year ahead by going through your average outgoing and incoming each month. This is a great way to calculate your monthly expenses but also see if there are any area that you can cut back on, such as mobile phone bills.

*Once you've set a budget, make sure you follow your progress across the month to see if you're sticking to eat. Be sure to keep hold of receipts so you can check your daily spending. Internet can also be really useful here.

*When paying back credit card bills, Try to avoid paying off just the minimum amount each month as this will lead to more interest accruing on your account. instead, pay off the maximum amount you feel you're able to budget for each month.

*a Avoid temptation! Just because something is on sale doesn't mean you need to buy it. Think carefully about whether you'll really enjoy using that item.

*Save where you but also reward yourself occasionally when meet your goals. Set yourself achievable saving targets and reward yourself with a treat when you reach them.

*Avoid the temptation to just throw bank statement in the bin as soon as you receive them-they're valuable document and will come in handy later on.

*keep us to date on the latest money news. Make sure to check the business section of your daily newspaper for valuable information on money saving.

*Planning your spending can take the financial sting out of big events, such as summer holidays. If you in the run-up to the big occasion, you may not need to borrow-or to borrow us mach

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