Microsoft Office 2010

Yeah, the next version of Office is releasing this month, according to various sources. Had I not attended a recent product launch by Microsoft, I wouldn't have been so excited over the new Office Suite. Well, at least in the past, I couldn't really be bothered with it.

"The Future of Productivity" Launch by Microsoft was held @ Marina Bay Sands, 26 May 2010. Their CEO, Steve Ballmer dropped by to give a 45min keynote speech. Several reasons why I attended this launch although it's not related to my job scope.

Firstly, Steve Ballmer is THE keynote speaker! Come on, how often do you get to see the CEO of a MAJOR company talking on stage? And I've not even mentioned that the MAJOR company is Microsoft, the world's LARGEST software company in the world!

Secondly, the event was held @ Marina Bay Sands, one of the 2 newly completed Intergrated Resorts (aka casinos) in Singapore. I've never been there before until that day. The place is HUGE and I really mean HUGE!! However, having said that, I must also remind you that the place is not completed yet. There are still lots of constructions, renovations and touch-ups going on. So far, only the Convention Centre, Hotel and Casino are operational. The rest? Coming soon... I was looking through the MBS Shopping Guide and found 90% of the listed tenants marked with an asterisk and the asterisks is meant to mean "Opening Soon". I guess that goes to show you how completed MBS is.

Back to Office 2010, they had incorporated many new features into the new product, among them the "Paste with Preview", "Conversation View in Outlook" (imagine Gmail's thread-view for emails), "Quick Steps in Outlook". Do refer to Top 10 Things to Look Forward to in Office 2010 for the details. There were also a few of my personal favourites that is not mentioned in the article; "Ignore button in Outlook", "Image/Video Editor in PowerPoint/Word" & "Simultaneous Editing".

A word of caution.... use the "Ignore" button wisely and carefully. :)

Worst words to say at work

By Linnda Durre.

Let’s look at some specific words and phrases that are used by some people to buy time, avoid giving answers and escape commitment. If you use these words and phrases yourself, take a scalpel and cut them out of your thinking, speaking and writing. Words like these only weaken you and make you sound noncommittal, undependable and untrustworthy.

“Try”

Try is a weasel word. “Well, I’ll try,” some people say. It’s a cop-out. They’re just giving you lip service when they probably have no real intention of doing what you ask. Remember what Yoda says to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: “Do or do not–there is no try.” Take Yoda’s advice. Give it your all when you attempt something. And if it doesn’t work, start over.

Put passion into your work and give it your best effort, so you can know that you did all you could to make it happen. So if the outcome you were expecting didn’t come to fruition, it’s not because you didn’t do everything you could to make it happen. It just wasn’t the right time for it or it wasn’t meant to be.

“Whatever”

This word is a trusted favourite of people who want to dismiss you, diminish what you say or get rid of you quickly. “Whatever,” they will say as an all-purpose response to your earnest request. It’s an insult and a verbal slap in the face. It’s a way to respond to a person without actually responding. When you say whatever after another person has said his or her piece, you have essentially put up a wall between the two of you and halted any progress in communicating. It’s a word to avoid.

“Maybe” and “I don’t know”

People will sometimes avoid making a decision and hide behind words and phrases like “maybe” and “I don’t know.” There’s a difference between legitimately not knowing something and using words like these as excuses. Sometimes, during a confrontation, people will claim not to know something or offer the noncommittal response “maybe,” just to avoid being put on the spot. If that seems to be the case, ask, “When do you think you will know?” or “How can you find out?” Don’t let the person off the hook so easily.

“I’ll get back to you”

When people need to buy time or avoid revealing a project’s status, they will say, “I’ll get back to you,” and they usually never do. If people say they will get back to you, always clarify. Ask them when they will get back to you, and make sure they specify the day and time. If they don’t, then pin them down to a day and time and hold them to it. If they won’t give you a day or time, tell them you’ll call in a day or week and follow up. Make sure you call and get the information you need.

“If”

Projects depend on everyone doing his or her part. People who use if are usually playing the blame game and betting against themselves. They like to set conditions, rather than assuming a successful outcome. People who rely on conditional responses are fortifying themselves against potential failure. They will say, “If Bob finishes his part, then I can do my part.” They’re laying the groundwork for a “no fault” excuse and for not finishing their work.

There are always alternatives, other routes and ways to get the job done. Excuse makers usually have the energy of a slug, the vision of Mr. Magoo and the spine of a jellyfish. You don’t want them on your mountain climbing team up K-2 or Mount Everest.

“Yes, but …”

This is another excuse. You might give your team members suggestions or solutions and they come back to you with “Yes, but . . .” as a response. They don’t really want answers, help, or solutions. You need to call the “Yes, but . . .” people out on their avoidance tactic by saying something like: “You know, Jackie, every time I offer you a suggestion you say, ‘Yes, but . . . ,” which makes me think you don’t really want to solve this problem. That’s not going to work. If you want to play the victim, go right ahead, but I’m not going to allow you to keep this up and I may have to report you.” After a response like that, you can be assured that the next words you hear will not be, “Yes, but . . .”!

“I guess …”

This is usually said in a weak, soft-spoken, shoulder-shrugging manner. It’s another attempt to shirk responsibility–a phrase is only muttered when people half agree with you, but want to leave enough leeway to say, “Well, I didn’t really know. . . . I was only guessing.” If you use this phrase, cut it out of your vocabulary.

“We’ll see”

How many times did we hear our parents say this? We knew they were buying time, avoiding a fight or confrontation or really saying no. It’s better to be decisive and honest by saying, “I need more information. Please present your case or send me the data–both pro and con–so I can make an informed decision.” That way the interested parties will contribute to an in-depth, well-researched “verdict.”

This column is an excerpt of Surviving The Toxic Workplace (McGraw-Hill, 2010) by Linnda Durré, a psychotherapist, business consultant and columnist.

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Which ones are you guilty of? I'm guilty of all of them but what the heck? You all know that I'm dying to flee!!

PS : I love the title of the McGraw-Hill book, Surviving The Toxic Workplace.... at least mine was toxic enough :s

Duped again?

A report from The New Paper....

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Father of 7 kids maxed out credit cards and can't pay electricity bills after losing $50,000 in scams
By Zubaidah Nazeer
May 16, 2010

In less than six months, Mr Ahmad has lost close to $50,000 to five Internet scams. But to this day, he is not fully convinced that he has been duped and is still hopeful that he will get some money back.

Meanwhile, his wife and seven children are in despair. They have repeatedly told him that the money is gone, but the 59-year-old technician just won't listen.

His wife even got the Malaysian police to talk to him, but nothing has worked so far.

As Mr Ahmad continues draining his savings from money disbursed from his CPF when he turned 55, his family watch helplessly as their bills go unpaid. He has lost almost $20,000 of his CPF.

They even had to put off plans of a pilgrimage to Mecca.

The sole breadwinner, who earns nearly $3,000 a month, has also maxed out his four credit cards, amounting to $24,000. Relations are strained as Mr Ahmad believes his wife has turned his children, aged 15 to 27, against him. His eldest son was retrenched from his computer engineering job a year ago and has been unemployed since. His second child, a daughter, is working part-time while pursuing a degree and does not contribute to the family. His other children are still in school.

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Can anyone get any dumber than this? Gotten duped 5 TIMES???

Should I Move On?

No, not with regard to my RS, but something else, actually...

So, how do you know if its time to move on? I guess no one can answer for sure. Wonders if the following counts?

• You dread getting to work.
• You do not think twice about taking the day off.
• You flip the Classified or Recruit (on wkends) frequently.
• You are receiving daily Job Alerts from online job-sites.
• The only reason you're smiling to your bosses is because they sign your paycheck.
• You think the company policies are a JOKE!
• You find office gatherings a 'Rah-Rah' event and try to avoid them in all ways possible.
• You are unable to answer when your boss asks you for a workplan for the upcoming year.
• You no longer bothers about the on-goings in the company/department and how they will affect you.
• You look forward to 6pm EVERYDAY....

Sounds familar?

Negotiating your Compensation Package

Looking for a job is not easy. As you enter the job market and decide on the job that suits you best, there are many angles you need to examine. One of them is your compensation package. It would be wise to be prepared to be asked and be expected to answer questions pertaining to your salary at the interview. When these questions arise, you will need to have well-thought-out responses. You should be comfortable enough with what you are going to say so that there is no hesitation. You can then move quickly to another subject without drawing undue attention to the issue. The key to this is preparation. The following key points of negotiation will prepare you to discuss your salary with prospective employers whilst not disadvantaging yourself in the process.

1. Discuss your total compensation, not just your salary.

It is important to assure a potential employer of your value first before discussing the compensation package. In this way, both of you can reach a middle ground satisfactorily. When the time comes to discuss the compensation package, do so without hesitation and reflection. Do not divulge your base salary per se, but remember to include all the perks you receive (car allowance, reimbursement for club dues, expense accounts, deferred compensation, stock and stock options, pension benefits, company-paid insurance etc) and better still, be as ambiguous as possible. For example, you can say: "My salary per annum ranges between $40,000 and $50,000 depending on the bonuses received, allowances, medical benefits etc." By describing your compensation in this way, you are communicating that you take the fact that you will earn a bonus for granted and that you consider it to be part of your basic compensation package.

A candidate's current salary is the single most important factor an employer will use in determining what to offer. As a rule, if a new job doesn't involve a promotion or a relocation to a higher-cost area, an employer will offer a 10 to 15 percent increase over the employee's current salary. Even when a promotion or relocation is involved, an employer will use current salary as the starting point in deciding what to offer.

2. Always take into account future raises and bonuses.

If you are asked specifically about your salary and cannot avoid the subject, be sure to describe your salary in its most favourable light. Because your bonus may vary from year to year, it can provide you with a certain amount of flexibility in the way you describe you compensation.

For example, if the bonus you earned last year was much larger than what you anticipate receiving this year, be sure that you state your compensation in terms of what you earned last year. If, on the other hand, you expect that this year's bonus will be larger than last year's, discuss what you expect to earn this year. Thus you could say that you are earning $50,000 in base salary and expect to receive a $15,000 bonus this year.

3. Never tell untruths.

When responding to questions about your compensation, bear in mind the fifth commandment of employment negotiations: "Never lie, but use the truth to your advantage." Not only is it wrong to lie about your salary; it is a tactical error as well. Remember that your current employer can easily confirm your salary. In fact, in most cases, you may be asked to provide a copy of your last pay slip after you are hired.

4. Focus on market data, if your salary is below the market rate.

A problem you may encounter if you have been with the same employer for a lengthy period of time is that your salary has not kept up with the market. If your current salary is used in setting the salary at a new job, you will continue to be paid less than you are worth. Under these circumstances it is critical to concentrate the discussion on the market rate for the position, and delay discussing your specific salary for as long as possible. Having information as to what other companies are paying for similar positions will help you highlight the value of the job, as opposed to your current salary. When the time comes to disclose your salary, not only should you make it clear that you know you are being underpaid, but you should also explain the reason without being defensive about it.

For example, you might state: "Companies are paying between $50,000 and $75,000 for graphic designers. Although I have been earning only $35,000 at my current company, I have improved myself professionally by taking relevant courses and therefore, I expect to be paid the going rate." Whatever the reason for your below-market salary, be prepared to explain why you have been willing to accept it and to demonstrate what other companies are paying for people with your skills. It would also be good if you could justify your value and thereby the salary you are asking for.

Finally, whatever job you are looking for, remember never to settle for anything less than what you are worth. When you are negotiating your compensation, you are selling your assets for a price, so remember to get the best value for your assets.

by Sophia Su

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More articles @ http://sg.jobstreet.com/career/search/default.htm

What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About You ?

The Foetus : Those who curl up in the foetus position are described as tough on the outside but sleep position sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax. This is the most common sleeping position, adopted by 41% of the 1,000 people who took part in the survey. More than twice as many women as men tend to adopt this position.

Log (15%) : Lying on your side with both arms down by your side. These sleepers are easy going, social people who like being part of the in-crowd, and who are trusting of strangers. However, they may be gullible.

The yearner (13%) : People who sleep on their side with both arms out in front are said to have an open nature, but can be suspicious, cynical. They are slow to make up their minds, but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely ever to change it.
 

Soldier (8%) : Lying on your back with both arms pinned to your sides. People who sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They don’t like a fuss, but set themselves and others high standards.

Freefall (7%) : Lying on your front with your hands around the pillow, and your head turned to one side. Often gregarious and brash people, but can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath, and don’t like criticism, or extreme situations.

Starfish (5%) : Lying on your back with both arms up around the pillow. These sleepers make good friends because they are always ready to listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally don’t like to be the centre of attention.

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Which one are you? I'm Foetus....