Seven steps to workplace wellness

 With wellness and health promotion uppermost in everyone's minds lately, the June issue of HR Fact Finder caught our eye. The lead article, by freelance writer Philipp Harper, was about reaping bottom-line benefits from a wellness plan. The ideas in it came from WELCOA's David Hunnicutt.

Hunnicutt suggests adopting a plan that focuses on results rather than activities. Employee participation in a "smoke out" or fun run, for instance, may boost short-term awareness of good health, but generally doesn't have a long-term impact.

For real, long-term improvement, he says, you need to set goals and devise a reasonable strategy for achieving them. Here's his seven-step program:

1. Secure the support of top management. Any meaningful change will be driven from the top. He mentions one company's effort that involved the chief executive officer leading the mostly female staff in lunchroom aerobics.

2. Appoint a wellness team to oversee the effort. At a small company, this might be a single individual, perhaps even the boss.

3. Collect some form of data. "You can't change what you can't measure," says Hunnicutt. Data collection can run the gamut from having employees participate in health screenings (an online version can cost as little as $8 an employee; a blood workup is about $30 per head) to weighing the workforce on a grain elevator scale to establish a weight-loss benchmark.

4. Create a simple plan and set simple goals. If excess weight is identified as a primary concern, for instance, the wellness team might say, "In 12 weeks, we're going to lose 500 lbs. as a company."

5. Choose the appropriate intervention. This could be anything from providing information on healthy eating to promoting exercise as part of an employee's daily schedule.

6. Create a supportive environment. If, for example, you want your employees to exercise more, make it easier for them to do it during the workday. Consider designating or building walking trails around your company grounds, or providing shower facilities so employees can clean up after bicycling to work.

7. Carefully evaluate outcomes. If the desired result isn't being achieved, it may be necessary to change the intervention or make the environment even more supportive.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

9 Strategies For Regaining Your Work Life Balance

By Molly Gordon, MCC

I like working with independent professionals and artists because of the way the work life balance shows itself in our lives - for us, life, work, and business exist in a nexus from which we cannot easily extract our ways of loving, relating, and making meaning. The challenges we face in business inform our personal lives and personal challenges affect our businesses.

Rich as it is, the relationship between personal and professional life can be rocky and maintaining the work life balance is often a tricky issue. I experienced this recently when, within a few weeks of declaring some audacious goals for my business, a routine mammogram turned up some abnormalities. In the following weeks I had additional mammography, a biopsy, and surgery, with the happy outcome that the abnormalities were benign. I wanted to put the experience behind me and get back to work, full speed ahead.

The problem was that I didn't feel like it. I enjoyed my client work and my speaking engagements, but I dreaded the creative and analytic work related to teleclasses and Internet marketing. Try as I might, I just didn't have the juice for these projects. On the life side, I felt I needed time and energy for processing, renewal and restoring my inner balance; on the work side I felt I needed to make up for lost time.

I've been caught between the promptings of my spirit and the requirements of my business more than a few times, and I know pat success formulas don't help. I also know it is possible to take care of ourselves and our businesses if we are willing to do the work.

Here are nine strategies that, taken together, can help to change course without abandoning the destination and help you restore your work life balance:

1. Don't panic.

Even if you feel panicky, you can choose modest, recoverable steps to address the situation. This is no time to get a divorce, fire an employee, or buy a new computer system. Tip: Talk with a coach or therapist to get perspective.

2. Return to Source.

Whatever your spiritual orientation or tradition, connect with what for you is the Source of life or spirit. Know that there is something larger than you that encompasses you. Spend at least 15 minutes each day connecting with that Source.

3. Take a body inventory.

Are you sleeping well? How are you eating? What's your energy level? If these are not up to par, get a professional evaluation and take the steps that will restore your well being.

4. Tell the truth.

Sometimes energy flags when we've gotten into a pattern of pleasing others or living according to standards that are not our own. Notice if there is any imbalance. Notice where you're being less than forthright and get clear about your motives, then clean it up. (Talking to a coach or therapist can facilitate clear, authentic communication.)

5. Keep good company.

Are you stimulated and encouraged by your peers and clients? Do you have great playmates? Playing on the wrong playground with the wrong kids is neither fun nor productive.

6. Tune Up Your Thinking.

There's substantial evidence that managing the way we think can have a profound and lasting effect on mood and motivation.

7. Set Healthy, Flexible Boundaries.

Yes, real life and real business are intimately connected, but that doesn't mean that you need to give up your privacy. To find your work life balance, set boundaries so that you can feel generous without feeling depleted and available without feeling invaded. Keep them flexible, because (doncha know?) things change.

8. Create or Refine Systems.

We can't manage real life and a real business or hope to achieve meaningful balance without good systems. Look at where things feel most out of sorts and resolve to create or improve a system to get things on track.

9. Keep the Goal, Drop the Plan.

Sometimes the best way to achieve a goal is to let go of our plans. Promptly and clearly revise commitments and offers as necessary to bring current activity in line with current resources. Why abandon ship when you can drop anchor while you make some repairs (or while you enjoy a few weeks in the sun!)?

As for me, these strategies led me to postpone the re-launch of the Authentic Promotion teleclass and take a break from Internet marketing. Having stopped the war between myself and my business, I restored my work life balance and now feel more engaged with the things that I choose to take on (like writing this article.) My audacious goals are now shining possibilities instead of looming obligations, and if it takes a little longer to reach them, arriving will be all the sweeter. 

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Retail Jobs Are in Season

In just a few weeks, the walkways of the nation's malls and shopping centers will be packed with anxious holiday shoppers out to find the perfect gifts. This phenomenon means one thing for job seekers across the country: increased retail opportunities.

Retail hiring managers coast to coast are gearing up for the shopping season, and are anticipating increases in hiring across the board. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retailers increased their staffing by 3.2 percent during the holidays in 2002, which equated to an additional 750,000 holiday jobs. Hiring managers are already reporting big plans for holiday opportunities in 2003. CareerBuilder.com's "Hiring Trends 2003" survey found that 78 percent of retail hiring managers plan to hire new employees by the end of the year, with 85 percent hoping to fill open positions in one month or less.

These seasonal retail job openings are often ideal for college students who need extra funds and will have time off during the holidays, or anyone else with immediate employment needs.

So with all of the retail opportunities out there, it's a walk in the park to nail down a position, right?

Wrong. Retailers are looking for employees who are motivated, enthusiastic, and have a good customer service attitude – not just bodies to stand behind a counter. Pursuing a retail position – even if it is a temporary holiday position – should be done with the same professionalism and dedication as any other job search. Keep in mind these tips when shopping around for a seasonal gig:

1. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Just like with any other job opening, persistence pays off, as does face time with the hiring manager. Don't simply fill out an application and drop it off at the front counter. Ask to speak to the manager first. Introduce yourself, let him or her know why you are interested in a position, and make sure your name is known. After your interview, be sure to send a thank you letter and follow up. Retail managers are extremely busy at any time of the year, but their time cards get even more packed during the holidays. Sometimes, a follow-up phone call can make all the difference.

2. Dress for success.

In any business, first impressions go a long way. Your image is important to retailers, particularly when you are trying to set yourself apart from the pack of others who are looking for similar holiday work. Dressing professionally, even if you are just going into the store to fill out an application, will make you stand out from the crowd. Never fill out an application or submit your resume dressed in casual attire, or worse yet, in ripped jeans and an old sweatshirt – this sends the hiring manager the impression that you do not take the opportunity seriously.

3. Act like a pro.

When you are looking for any job, it pays to be professional. This is just as true in retail. Carefully fill out your application to make sure you do not have spelling or grammatical errors. Show up early for your interview and be prepared. Alert your references to the applications you are submitting. These simple steps will demonstrate to a prospective employer that you have respect for the company and will have respect for its customers, too.

4. Take the job seriously.

If you are hired for a holiday retail position, be sure to give it your all and take it as seriously as you would any other opportunity. There are experiences to be gained from the retail environment that are extremely valuable to companies in a wide variety of industries. Qualities like customer service, effective time and stress management, teamwork and conflict resolution are all used extensively in the retail environment, and are qualities that recruiters in a wide range of businesses look for in candidates. Make the most of your retail experience and develop these qualities. They will almost certainly pay off in the future.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Are You Weighing in from Work?

If the waistline on your workpants seems a little snug, you’re not alone. According to our recent “Work and Health” survey, forty-six percent of workers reported gaining weight since starting their present jobs. One-in-five workers say they are more than 10 pounds heavier, while nearly one-in-ten workers have packed on more than 20 pounds.

The industries people work in also play a big role in whether or not they gain weight. Retail workers reported the smallest weight increase at 35 percent. Sales workers had the second smallest with 39 percent reporting a weight gain. Accounting/finance workers saw a 53 percent increase and IT workers saw a 54 percent increase. Government workers topped the list at 57 percent.

With long work hours and office vending machines on-hand for easy snacking, company wellness programs would lead to significant improvement, but 80 percent of workers report their companies don’t offer incentives to help them stay healthy.

In addition, the state you live and work in could be playing a part in gaining weight.

Here are some tips Careerbuilder offer for keeping control over the battle of the bulge:

* Use your commute. If you drive to work, park farther away from the office. If you use public transportation, get off the bus or train a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way.

* Stock up on brown bags. One-third of workers say they buy their lunches instead of bringing them at least three times a week; 12 percent eat out Monday through Friday. By packing your own lunches, you can control portions and lessen the strain on both your waistband and your wallet.

* Put in some face time. Instead of relying on instant messaging or e-mail when you need to chat with a colleague, walk over and talk to them face-to-face. Those extra steps will add up.

* Only eat when you’re hungry. Many workers turn to food to ease their boredom and stress. Keep a bottle of water at your desk and drink it throughout the day to curb your urge to chow down.

Snack smart. One-third of workers say they snack at least twice a day at work, and 40 percent eat more unhealthy snacks at work than they do at home. Skip the vending machines and start packing healthier snacks like crackers or raw veggies.

By: Candace Corner

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

When you love your boss and hate your job

Everyone who works is likely to have had (or currently have) one bad boss or something negative to say about one of their current or previous employers. But what do you do when you and your boss get along great but the job itself is the cause of your dissatisfaction?

Here is some advice from a Careerbuilder article on how to deal:

1. Enlist your boss's help to find another opportunity within the company: If you like your company but are just unhappy in your position, talk to your boss about alternative opportunities within the company. Chances are, your boss will be happy to help. Shawn, a travel industry marketing coordinator, loved working for her manager. She was well-compensated, highly regarded and given great projects. But with the birth of her second child, the long hours and off-site photo shoots were causing serious child-care issues. When a position within the company opened that required no travel and more regular hours, she asked her boss to sponsor her for the job posting. She got the new job and was able to negotiate a flexible schedule that allowed her to work from home one day a week.

2. Be a team player: You may hate your job, but you should never leave a good boss in the lurch. Mike, a veteran auto parts sales director, had spent nearly every week of his career on the road making sales calls. He had a great relationship with his boss, but knew that as long as he continued in sales, he would always be away from home.

Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, Mike dreamed of owning his own business. He talked with his boss about his plans to quit his job and start a car restoration shop.

Though disappointed to be losing a good employee, his boss encouraged Mike to pursue his dream. Mike was not only honest with his supervisor, but he was also a team player and stayed on for two extra months until his boss found a replacement.

Five years later, Mike's business is thriving and he's received several business referrals from his former boss.

3. Realize good opportunities can pop up anywhere: You may think that your current job is just a way to pay the bills, but remember that every job is an opportunity to make new contacts. Emma was working her way through graduate school at a record store. The work was monotonous and dull, and she knew that it was not a long-term opportunity. However, she worked hard and was a strong employee.

She kept in touch with her former boss, with whom she had built a good working relationship. Today, Emma is a stay-at-home mom and her boss is running for office in

Colorado

. Emma helps him by editing his campaign materials. This opportunity provides her with experience for her resume, keeps her active in the field of writing and editing and will be valuable when she decides to re-enter the workforce full time.

4. Do a good job -- no matter what -- and earn a life-long ally: It might be tempting to take it easy if you are in a job that you hate. But taking pride in your work -- no matter what kind of work it is -- will help you. Sarah was a recent college graduate who worked as a secretary at a financial services company in order to make ends meet. The work was not challenging and she was frustrated that she had not yet found a job within her field.

She did her job well and her boss noticed her potential. He helped her with her resume, gave her career advice, and was supportive of her aspirations. In the end, Sarah got hired at a public relations firm, a success that was helped by her boss's positive recommendation.

Remember, all experiences are what you make of them. A good boss might not be enough to keep you in one place, but can be a wonderful mentor who will play a positive role in your future.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Opportunities of Software Quality Assurance Jobs

By Joahn Ellis

Software quality assurance and testing is an industry involved with making sure that software programs and applications are in great, working order before entering the marketplace for sale to consumers. As such, software quality assurance plays a vital role in the product development stage for software producers and makers. Many opportunities exist for individuals who want to further their education with either a bachelor's or master's degree, and some software QA and testing jobs can be quite lucrative-paying as well.

Educational Requirements for QA Careers:

As mentioned, a bachelor's or master's degree is required by the majority of employers. Getting one of these degrees in the field of quality assurance or even software engineering qualifies you for working in the field. Beyond your degree, however, two major certificates can further qualify you for software quality assurance and testing careers. The first certificate, the Certified Associate in Software Quality (CASQ), is a two-part test and can be obtained once you have at least three full years of undergraduate education even though most CASQ candidates choose to finish out their undergraduate bachelor degrees.

The second possible certificate, the Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA), can only be obtained for those who have earned a bachelor degree plus related experience in the software quality assurance and testing industry. Unlike the two-part Certified Associate's test, the Certified Analyst's test consists of four parts and tests your knowledge on topics such as quality control, quality assurance procedures, and security.

Responsibilities of QA Testers:

Working in software QA and testing jobs means that you'll have several responsibilities when working for a client. The first involves testing the actual software on its merits. Many types of testing procedures exist for those who work in the software quality assurance and testing field, including white box testing, black box testing, functional and stress testing techniques. While white box testing uses the software program's written code to test it out, black box uses a variety of other measures based on the program's stated functionality and requirements.

In addition, an individual working in software QA and testing will be responsible for testing the strength of the software as well. In other words, the QA tester must intentionally throw viruses, bugs, and other errors at the software to determine where security holes and faults lie. This enables the software developers to fix any known problems, if any exist.

Finding Jobs in the QA Field:

When it comes to finding jobs in the software quality assurance and testing field, there are basically two different types of places you can work for as QA worker. The first is for third-party agency companies that provide QA services to software developer and maker companies. Many small-to-medium size companies may not be able to afford or may not find it necessary to keep a QA tester in its software development at all times, which is why these services are contracted out.

The second job opportunity in the software quality assurance and testing field is working directly for large corporations and software developers, such as Microsoft, Kodak, and Electronic Arts (EA). These companies hire their own internal staff to perform software QA and testing duties.

Overall, the software QA and testing industry can be an enjoyable and exciting career, especially for those who love working with different programs and software each time they work with a client. In addition, signing on with a major software company may enable you to earn a high-paying salary as well.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Bad Career Habits

By Elizabeth Freedman

Fix your bad career habits

If 2010 is going to be your year, then get serious about fixing bad career and workplace habits that are dragging you down. Here are a few to think about:

Bad Career Habit #1: Not Networking

Let's agree on one point - most of us would rather pull out our eyelashes than network. If you're a networking champ, then skip this paragraph. Otherwise, consider the fact that one of the reasons you may avoid networking is simply because you're not good at it. You're not comfortable with it. You don't enjoy it. Makes sense - after all, if you only went to the gym once or twice a year, that would hurt too, wouldn't it? The only way to be a better networker is to do it more often. Practice. Make networking a habit - which means doing it when you don't feel like it (kind of like the gym, right?). Make the commitment to have lunch with someone once a week, or attend an event once a month. Whatever the number, pick it and stick to it.

Bad Career Habit #2: Ignoring Social Media

If you're not blogging, tweeting, or otherwise getting your ideas and expertise out there using social media tools, you're missing a golden career opportunity. Most of us have no problem sharing the latest on Facebook, but are you using social media tools strategically? For instance, a job seeker looking for networking contacts could use her blog (which she's already created and updates regularly as a way to showcase her expertise) to reach out to people to interview for an entry she's working on. And, if you are using tools, how often are you blogging/tweeting? My personal resolution is to get more focused and disciplined about doing this, too - so I'm not blogging periodically, but on a regular basis. Here's a habit I'm working on: Blogging three times/week. Readers, hold me to this!

Bad Career Habit #3: Mistaking Effort for Output

You and I know people that work their butts off - you may be one of them, in fact. There's nothing wrong with hard work, but if you're putting in lots of time and not getting the payoff (in promotions, raises, recognition, or whatever it is you're hoping the hard work will do for your career), make sure you're delivering value and real results that will matter to your personal bottom line. And, while you're at it, avoid this bad habit's evil stepsister - thinking that being busy is the same thing as being productive. We're all busy - but how many of us are really getting everything done that we need to? A simple, but effective way to stay on track: Spend five minutes each morning (before you turn on your laptop or Blackberry) to make a list of three priorities for the day. Keep your list short, sweet, and targeted, so that if nothing else happens, you've been productive where it matters most.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Money - 8 Reasons Not to Work For It

By Nisa Chitakasem

Many of us are money driven. This is understandable but when this is the only thing we have going for us - perhaps it's time to stop, think, evaluate and improve. I hear too many of the people around me working solely for money. I am no guru in this but this is my take on what happens:

1. Money you have - but no time to spend it

2. Tired, stressed and grumpy - makes you an unpleasant bunny to be around!

3. No time for you - will you burn out? How's your health?

4. No time for your friends - or for being there for them.

5. No time for family - to see mum, dad, partner, kids. Will they resent you? Will you regret it later? When will they be gone?

6. A missed opportunity - of what could have been but never was. Were you meant to be the next Britney? The next Richard Branson or Steve Jobs? Perhaps the greatest writer, architect, snowball thrower of all time! - (but not in this lifetime if you keep going as you are)

7. No real passion - for work, for hobbies, for life. I have found that your passion disappears when you are doing something you do not enjoy day in and day out. You may enjoy other activities or even some bits of work - but never fully. This article goes through the reasons why people most commonly hate their jobs

8. You can get by with less than you think. Really? Yes. Think about it. How much and what do you really need?

For me - I've always thought having money would be good and yes it is a requirement especially in this day and age to have some in order to get by. But - if it is the only thing that you are doing your job for - please do think again. We can help you find another option. Something that you actually want to do, find some enjoyment out of AND that meets your money requirements.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Strategies for Managing Everyday Conflict

 

Written by Dianne Schilling

We live daily with the unsettling possibility of conflict. We enter into conflicts reluctantly, cautiously, angrily, nervously, confidently—and emerge from them battered, exhausted, sad, satisfied, triumphant. And still many of us underestimate or overlook the merits of conflict—the opportunity conflict offers every time it occurs. So I'm starting this discussion with two premises. First, conflict is normal. We may not like it, but it's part of life, and that's not going to change. Second, conflict isn't necessarily something to be avoided. In fact, it can prove highly productive. Conflict signals the presence of diverse points of view, which in struggle or reconciliation can spark creativity, nourish growth, jump-start productivity, and strengthen relationships. A life without conflict is probably less peaceful than bland. Most of us experience abundant opportunities for conflict. From the breakfast table to the bedroom, from the water cooler to the conference room, a hundred little things each day can lead to discord—and for a variety of reasons, most of which are natural and unavoidable. Habits and Beliefs We bring to our relationships an accumulation of everything we've ever learned —all of our habits, and all the opinions and beliefs we've developed about ourselves, other people, politics, religion, lifestyle, acceptable behavior, and the "right" way to do everything from dress ourselves in the morning to shape the psyches of our children for life. All this diversity, including racial, cultural and gender differences, means we're going to nudge, bump and crash into each other occasionally. Limited Resources, Turf Wars and Change If there's one cookie and two kids want it, if funds are finite and programs to deplete them abound, if there's only one promotion and three people think they've earned it—conflict! Ditto for violating each other's property, possessions, reputation or space. And when someone says we have to change, or starts making changes around us without our consent, we respond with everything from passive aggression to open resistance. Reacting to Conflict Most of us have conflict "styles"—one or two favorite ways of reacting in conflict situations. Or we may react differently to different people -- for example, acquiescing to our boss, withdrawing from our mate, reasoning with our child, and engaging in subterfuge against an office rival. For the most part, styles are conditioned responses, not conscious choices. They're learned early in life and reinforced every time they pay off by getting us off the hook, evoking sympathy, or according a sense of control. The point is, with a style we don't usually think to ourselves, "Okay, now I'm going to blow my stack to get attention and establish myself as a force to deal with in this conflict." We just react. When Style Becomes Strategy (and Vice-versa) A strategy is a behavior (or series of behaviors) that is consciously chosen. Unlike a style (a rote reaction), a strategy has purpose. The very same behavior—for example, avoiding—can be either a strategy or a style, depending on whether we avoid because it's the best thing to do at the time or because avoiding is what we always do. When used unconsciously, even the most sophisticated conflict behaviors forfeit their status as strategies. When dealing with an emotionally charged situation, an effective conflict manager will attempt to gain control of the situation so it can be dealt with rationally and objectively. Depending on the nature of the conflict, the stage the conflict is in, and whether the objective is to escalate, de-escalate, or idle the conflict, different strategies have varying degrees of utility. Selecting the most effective strategy is the science of conflict management; applying it skillfully is the art. Getting Good at Conflict When selecting a conflict strategy, keep in mind that your partner in conflict may also be acting strategically. As early as possible in a conflict, try to discern whether the other person is in control of his behavior and has some flexibility in the way he responds, or is merely reacting the way he always does in conflict situations. If he's yelling or threatening or putting you off because that's his style and he's stuck there, you may have to work a lot harder to reach a productive resolution but you will also have the advantage. If, on the other hand, you are dealing with a skillful partner, prepare to both lead and follow in what may be a very creative dance. When your partner avoids you or tries to dominate the situation, for example, try to figure out what he hopes to gain and how he thinks you'll react. careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Ten Conflict Strategies

1. Abandoning. Abandoning a conflict means, literally or figuratively, walking away from it. Some conflicts amount to pointless jousting with few or no consequences, good or bad. They are simply not worth your time and energy. Moreover, when you are terribly outnumbered, feel physically threatened, or find yourself in the middle of someone else's conflict (and for personal, professional or ethical reasons don't wish to participate), then abandoning is probably the best choice.

2. Avoiding. Avoidance is one of the most common strategies for coping with conflict. Avoiding a conflict doesn't mean you're a coward—unless, of course, you do it all the time. Avoiding is a legitimate strategy when you need time to cool off, when you stand to gain nothing from confronting a situation, when power is drastically unequal, when you want to put distance between yourself and the other person, or when you need time to prepare. Avoidance buys time. Use the time wisely once you have it. For example, if you postpone a meeting, immediately get to work, prepare yourself and reschedule.

3. Dominating. Dominating is an effective strategy when a quick decision is needed or when the issue is relatively unimportant—it gets things done. Dominating is usually power-oriented and delivered assertively. The ability to take control can actually be quite helpful when the other person lacks knowledge or expertise, and your opponent may be relieved that you have offered a solution. Don't try to dominate too often, however. Dominating is only effective as long as you have "right and might" on your side.

4. Obliging. This strategy deliberately elevates the other person, making him or her feel better about the situation. By obliging, you play down the differences between yourself and your opponent. It's a way of seeking common ground. Obliging requires that you give away power, which, if you have plenty to spare, can build trust and confidence. If you are secure in your position, obliging becomes almost a form of delegation.

5. Getting help. This strategy involves bringing in a third party to act as a conflict mediator. Sometimes a conflict can't be resolved by opponents acting alone. If big skill differences put either of you at a distinct disadvantage, if emotions are highly charged, if there's a language barrier, or if your opponent is blatantly uncooperative, you probably need to get help. Mediation is always needed if your opponent threatens in any way to retaliate against you. Depending on the seriousness of the conflict and the potential impact of the resolution, the person doing the intervention can be anyone from a skillful communicator to a professional mediator, just as long as he or she is unbiased and respectful of both (or all) parties involved.

6. Humor. Using humor to defuse a conflict can be particularly effective if you and your opponent are peers, or if the conflict is not terribly serious. Being humorous may involve looking at the situation in a comical way, poking fun at yourself for a style of reacting that frequently gets you into trouble, or generally making light of the situation.

7. Postponing. Postponing is putting off until tomorrow what neither you nor the other person is prepared to deal with today. It differs from avoiding in that postponing is a low-level, handshake type of preliminary agreement. The ability to jointly agree to put off dealing with a conflict until you have cooled off, are more rested, or have your facts straight requires control and skill. However, postponing is a strategy, not an escape hatch, so before going your separate ways, establish the time and place of your next contact.

8. Compromise. This is a middle-of-the-road strategy that gets everyone talking about the issues and moves you closer to each other and to a resolution. In compromise, each person has something to give and something to take. Compromise is most effective when issues are complex, and power is balanced. Compromise can be chosen when other methods have failed and when both you and your opponent are looking for middle ground, willing to exchange concessions. It almost always means giving up something in order to attain part of what you want.

9. Integrating. Integrating focuses on gathering and organizing information; at the same time, it encourages creative thinking and welcomes diverse perspectives. Suppose, for example, that the conflict concerns a major financial outlay. You don't like the direction things are going, but lack all the facts and figures. The other person doesn't have complete information either, but sees no reason to change course. Instead of continuing to argue, you agree to integrate—to pool all of the information you can get your hands on, put your differences on the table and examine them along with any data that might contribute to a resolution. Integrating turns you and your opponent into allies on a mission to master the complexities of the issue and thereby develop alternative solutions. Integrating is often a prelude to collaboration and problem-solving.

10. Collaboration/Problem-solving. Collaborating means working together to resolve the conflict and necessitates information gathering as well as some form of problem-solving. In order to collaborate, you and your opponent must be able and willing to contribute time, energy and resources to finding and implementing a solution. You must also trust each other to a degree. Trust grows as you cooperate in finding a solution to the problem.

A good place to see expert conflict management in action is the courtroom. For many if not most attorneys, conflict is a way of life. The good ones rarely select a strategy without figuring out in advance a full range of possible responses from the opposing side. Even displays of emotion are calculated to produce specific results. I'm not suggesting you start acting like an attorney (talk about creating conflict!) but, rather, that you view conflict as an opportunity, giving it the respect and conscious attention it deserves. Win-win resolutions are often possible, and getting to them can be stimulating and productive. Good conflict management can clear the air, improve relationships, and produce creative solutions to tough problems.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Business Women Can Play in the Boys' Club

Written by Suzanne Doyle-Morris
The professional women I work with are always looking for that extra edge to take their careers to the next level and frequently turn to professional development courses and advanced degrees to give them an advantage. Certainly, additional years of education are shown to have a more positive effect on women’s earnings than on men’s (1). As an accredited executive coach with a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, I clearly believe in the added knowledge, confidence and credibility that additional qualifications can impart to an ambitious woman. However, they are only parts of a much larger and more complex set of issues that hinder women’s career progression, which include the underutilization of well-trained women, the long-hours culture endemic in many industries, and pernicious self-doubt in women. While these factors may seem beyond our control as working women, there are strategies, as successfully utilized by the senior women I interviewed for my book Beyond the Boys’ Club: Strategies for Achieving Career Success as a Woman Working in a Male Dominated Field to help address these real challenges that demonstrate there are indeed ways a business woman can play in the boys’ club...and win. Over-Qualified But Under-Utilized I have long suspected that the continual pursuit of more qualifications is a red herring for women in the struggle for workplace equality. It can be a distraction from looking at the actual qualifications of their male colleagues and what those male peers are actually doing to get ahead. More women are leaving the university with a wider range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees than ever before, and are making real inroads into fields that were previously male dominated, such as law, medicine and business administration. For example, London where I am based, is a metropolitan city like many others that attracts the best and brightest professional men and women from around the world. However, research from Women in London’s Economy (2) suggests, “By the time they enter the workforce, a larger proportion of women in London have higher level qualifications than their male colleagues...but are less likely than men to attain supervisory or managerial posts.” Clearly, the fact that women are not “trickling up” to senior positions cannot legitimately be blamed on a lack of the right qualifications for much longer. Top Tip: If you feel that confidence and a promotion always seem to be one more degree, qualification or training course away, the chances are you need to draw attention to what you are already achieving rather than concentrating on what you perceive yourself as lacking. Look realistically at the qualifications of the men around you. Another set of initials behind your name will not automatically lead to promotion. Presentee-ism and the Long-Hours Culture Presenteeism is experienced as a pressure—imposed by others or even by oneself—to be seen as putting in long hours. It’s based on the usually unspoken understanding that this is one of the traits upon which your commitment to your career will be judged in the future. Presenteeism is a game most women cannot and, in fact, do not want to play. Certainly technology can be a woman’s friend in the battle against presenteeism, as a business woman can indeed be contactable away from the office. While most of my clients at times lament the ubiquity of the “crackberry,” for example, they would not be without them for the flexibility they offer. Hours alone are never a game business women can “win.” Use the time you do have wisely. Top Tip: Make sure your key performance indicators are tied to realistic deliverables—it is easy for a manager to look to hours alone to judge who will get promoted if goals are fuzzy and not tied down to tangible measures. Schedule your lunches and coffee breaks with the rigor you would give your child’s dental appointments, to make the most of building strategic relationships with clients, colleagues and potential mentors. An hour spent building a relationship will get you further in the long run than an hour spent at your desk. The Specter of Self Doubt Rebecca George, a partner at Deloitte and one senior woman I interviewed for Beyond the Boys’ Club, recounted some of the main differences she saw between male and female candidates at interviews. “Often, I have found that I have two candidates with exactly the same qualifications, and the woman will never say she can do all of the job, whereas the man will not only say he can do it all, but that he’s the best possible choice,” she laughed. Rebecca found it interesting to see how the dynamic of confidence affects men and women before they even start their jobs. What she notices in job interviews was borne out in research from University College London in 2008 (3), where researchers found men, especially those of lower actual IQ scores, routinely overstated their intelligence—while women underplayed their own. They reported: “Men are not cleverer but they appear to be more confident, which can have beneficial effects in the interview room.” Unfortunately, the same research also found that very bright women often believed their IQ to be much lower than their actual score. Top Tip: As a smart woman you must tell others what you are achieving. Copy your boss in to any congratulatory e-mails you receive from clients or send to your team. Volunteer to deputize for your boss and speak at industry events as frequently as you can. As you begin, pursue and finish projects, send short reports highlighting the collaborations and successes to the internal company newsletter. Most editors are happy to receive content. Hard work will not be rewarded unless paired with visibility. careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Building relationships takes a certain discipline

Debra Desmond

Many company business models have shifted from product-based to customer relationship-based in order to reap the gains through good and poor economies. We’ve seen the shift among many professionals as well who understand the power of networking because you never know when you’ll have to tap into its equity. So how have the people who do relationship building well manage themselves? There is a certain discipline; attitude if you will when consistently applied that has an affect on the habits of the relationship builder and others he/she connects with in his travels.

Fortunately there’s evidence that a socio-cultural shift has evolved from the win-lose, every man for himself to every man for each other in this economy. The culture of Linked In that uses the connections of others to benefit your goals has helped advance the cause. Search engine Google has helped us be informed as to the backgrounds of who we are seeking to form a relationship with. Keith Ferrazzi., author of Never Eat Alone and expert relationship builder, reminds us to do our homework. He recommends putting together a biography on a person before we meet them. If we haven’t taken the time to Google the person before meeting, shame on us, the author remarks.

To illustrate, I had a meeting with an individual who I had not previously met who interjected in his conversation that he was speaking to someone who was also an alum of a particular university. I interjected with the comment that he didn’t go to that school; something I learned from my earlier Google search of him. He responded, “No, but you did.” Oh touché, he obviously did his own search on me to know that.

Another tenet of quality relationship building is to escape the predominant expectation of reciprocity. This means that doing good for someone else can stand alone on its own merits. There is an implication I recognize that you’re putting your good intentions out into the universe without a one-for-one payback. It may mean that the return can come from a different place than where it was left.

The last tenet I’ll mention is the deliberate intent to being gracious and compassionate in your interactions with others. People always remember the generosity of spirit when it is sincerely offered. Let kindness take you to success.

What part of your relationship philosophy is consistent with these practices? In what way do they differ? What might you consider doing differently because of what you’ve read today?

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

10 Signs of a Positive Workplace

By Linnda Durré, Monster Contributing Writer

As a business consultant, corporate trainer and psychotherapist for many years, many people have asked me, “How can I cope with negativity at work? Are there good companies to work for? How can I spot one and get hired?”

Positive workplaces tend to exhibit a common set of traits that foster excellence, productivity and camaraderie. Here are 10 characteristics of a healthy workplace to look for:

1. Positive Values

A positive mission statement outlines the goals and demonstrative behavior that exemplify the highest commitment to quality and service to each other, the company, customers and shareholders. The company sets out to achieve its goals in ethical, honest ways with an elevated sense of purpose to improving the planet and humanity.

Workplace Friendships: Asset or Liability?

By Susan Bryant, Monster Contributing Writer



Few would dispute the power that a true friendship has to enrich our lives. But what role should friendship play in the workplace? Is it smarter to keep your personal and professional lives separate or to purposely seek out and cultivate friendships on the job?

The Pros and Cons

A friend on the job can let you in on the inner workings of your company or field, provide feedback on your performance or act as a sounding board. Having a buddy at work can make a job more enjoyable, even enhancing your creativity and productivity. Many people get new jobs as a result of friendships, and companies often promote programs that reward employees for referring their friends for employment.

When workplace friendships go awry, however, the impact can be costly. Too much socializing impedes productivity; personal or professional information can be revealed to inappropriate people; and cliques may form, leading to favoritism, exclusivity and negativity.

Although clicking with someone on the job can spark a friendship, whether to invest in the relationship may become a deeper issue. It's a question of trust for Mary, a photo editor. "You make friends at work and eventually reveal what you really think about managers, coworkers and your job, and then you hope they won't divulge that information, intentionally or unintentionally, to anyone else," she says. "There are allegiances that have to be kept if you're friends at work. Don't let personal information you've discussed go beyond the circle of friendship."

Friends Forever?

Are the friendships you develop at work fundamentally different from other friendships? In some ways, yes, Yager says. A job provides financial security. If forced to choose between keeping your source of income and a friendship, most people would choose to keep their job. Because of the pros and cons of developing friendships at work, you have more at stake when deciding whether to enter into a workplace friendship. The right group of friends can be a great influence in your career. The wrong group can get you fired.

Befriending the Boss

Can, or should, bosses and subordinates be friends? "Same-level friendships are the easiest to maintain," Yager says. "Problems can arise if one friend has to supervise or evaluate the other." If you try to befriend the boss, your coworkers might question your motives. If your boss befriends you, he may be accused of having a favorite.

When Friendships Fizzle

"Workplace friendships are great, but they can burn out quickly, too," says Mary Ann, a bank vice president. "If you leave a department or change positions, the similar circumstances that originally brought you together are now gone, and so is the friendship."

What is the best indicator of whether a friendship can survive one person moving on? Shared values, according to Yager. Although a shared environment may jump-start a friendship, a deeper connection must be made to maintain it. You must genuinely like a person, whatever the circumstances, to become lasting friends. Unfortunately, because people often instinctively hold back from revealing too much about themselves to coworkers, this deeper connection can be difficult to make. On the plus side, if two people have become casual friends while on the job, they may be able to deepen their friendship once one person moves on and they no longer feel inhibited by the workplace environment.

Buddying Up

So how does one navigate the treacherous waters of workplace friendships? Yager provides this advice:

• Be discreet about your friend's confidences, and think carefully about the type of information you choose to divulge.

• If you think your friendship puts you or your friend in a compromising position on the job, talk about it. If necessary, withdraw yourself from situations that might be a conflict of interest.

• Find out if your company has a policy regarding workplace friendships, and follow the rules.
• 
  
• 
  
• careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

• 

How to Eat Better at Work

By John Rossheim,



Why is it so hard to eat right? “When you’re hungry, you’re not a philosopher,” explains Dr. Daisy Merey, a physician and authority on eating habits.

Indeed, food -- and especially the lack thereof -- brings out our animal nature. And when we homo sapiens find ourselves in the artificial environment of the workplace, complete with its stresses, catered temptations, psychosocial dramas, smelly refrigerators, bureaucratic tedium and, yes, vending machines, we are animals who eat badly more often than not.

“You’re sitting in a room with no windows for hours, and sometimes you just get bored and eat,” says Natalie Davis-Runyan, a regional vice president for staffing firm. And if you eat what’s within reach, such as cafeteria food, high-calorie snacks and so on, you’re alarmingly likely to develop health problems.

What can you do to improve what you eat at the office, which for many of us is the bulk of what we consume all day? Here are a few approaches to better nutrition in the land of heartburn and the pizza-sized chocolate chip cookie.

Bring Your Own Food
The consensus of health and nutrition professionals is that you’ll eat much better if you plan ahead and pack a lunch. “You have to be prepared and bring food that’s healthy,” says Merey. “A brown bag is always better than a restaurant or vending machines.”Brown baggers are a small but significant contingent of the workforce. “There’s about 25 percent of the people who bring their own lunches and walk away from the birthday cake,” says Davis-Runyan.

Your planning should go beyond a lunch that includes fruits and vegetables and not too much sugar or fat. “Ideally, you want snacks with fiber, protein and carbs,” says Elysse Lakatos, a registered dietitian. For example, “pistachios have those nutrients, and it takes time to shell them,” she says -- time that can give your craving a chance to subside before you stuff yourself.

Control Portions to Control Your Waistline

Whether it’s a meat entree or guilty snack in a bag, you’ve got to control portions to eat healthfully at the office. The key is to portion out at home what you’ll be eating in the break room. If you must snack on fat-infused carbohydrates, try pre-portioned 100- or 150-calorie bags. “We have a natural tendency to finish the bag, whatever the size, even though people can satisfy cravings with small amounts,” says Miriam Pappo, director of clinical nutrition at Montefiore Medical Center.

Get Real About What’s Healthy
Educate yourself to understand what’s really nutritious. Those little cheesy fish-shaped crackers may be less nutritionally damaging than most potato chips, but they’re still not health food. “There are a lot of foods that we think are healthy, but they’re not,” says Pappo. “One of the biggest is muffins; even a regular doughnut can have many fewer calories.”

Still, sometimes you can fool yourself in a good way. “People who hide candy in a dark container are less likely to eat it than if they put it in a glass bowl,” says Merey.

Advocate for Institutional Change
Employees should bring their nutritional needs to management, which often controls the cafeteria as well as the vending machines. “The food service is a money maker for hospitals, so they want to balance what is healthy with what is profitable,” says Pappo. Unfortunately, unhealthy foods often make the most money because they sell so well.

Then there are catered lunches, those stacks of meaty sandwiches and mountains of over-the-top desserts mandated by executives looking to trigger each others’ budget envy. The first solution to try is the simplest: “Ask the people who are ordering if they can change the food,” says Tammy Lakatos, a registered dietitian and sister of Elysse Lakatos.

Take Special Care If You’re a Woman
Finally, women should remind themselves that their cardiovascular health is of great concern, media emphasis on men’s heart attacks notwithstanding. “More women than men die of heart disease each year,” says Dr. Aliya Browne, clinical director for the Hainesport Women’s Heart Center. And women may have more difficulty staying away from unhealthy foods at the office, according to Browne: “We can become a bit more stressed than men, and that can make us more emotional eaters.”

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Workaholics say 'I don't want a vacation!'

Kenya McCullum

Although many workers say that they need a vacation this year more than ever, workaholics are just fine slaving away for hours in the office as the summertime passes them by.

In some cases, the reluctance to take a vacation has nothing to do with being a workaholic at all—the economy has made some workers fear that any time away from their jobs may result in the loss of their jobs. Other workers, however, are just obsessed with their jobs.

But how do you know that you’re a workaholic?

Workaholics Anonymous says that some signs that you may be a workaholic include if you take work to bed with you, if your loved ones no longer expect you to show up on time when you make plans with them, and if you get irritated if someone has the audacity to ask you not to work so much. Thanks to this compulsion to work all of the time, it’s not uncommon for workaholics to have problems in their interpersonal relationships.

What some workaholics fail to realize, however, is that taking a vacation actually makes them more effective in their jobs. It’s not too difficult to get burned out in the workplace nowadays, but taking a few days off can recharge even the staunchest workaholics’ batteries and clear their minds so that they can perform at their best when they return to the office.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy