Managing meetings effectively is a core skill every manager should develop. Although there's no mystery to what makes a meeting productive, it can take practice and attention to detail to become an effective leader of meetings. It all starts with knowing when to call a meeting, and why.Is It a Meeting?How do you know it's time to call a meeting? What type of meeting is it? What's the purpose of the meeting? Here are some typical situations when a meeting may be called for:You're Managing a ProjectProjects tend to require meetings at various stages: at the beginning, as the project plan is comi... view article details

It is a teacher's daunting task to add life to their student's school day by generating interest in all subject areas, even those that can be tedious for most students.         Job descriptionThe majority of teachers are primary and secondary school teachers. They generally choose a specific grade level or area of specialty in which to teach. Teachers are responsible for planning and then evaluating student performance. They are then responsible for promoting growth through providing additional assistance and meeting with parents and school staff to discuss student development and ways to impr... view article details

Updated laws and legislation protect members of the uniformed services from certain workplace uncertainties, allowing reservists and guardsmen to leave their civilian posts to serve their country without having to worry about job security, delayed compensation, revoked benefits, or other adverse employer reactions. 'Weekend warriors' in peacetimeNormally, a reservist voluntarily signs up for part-time duty, sacrificing two days a month for training plus 15 days a year for an annual tour, a schedule that has led some observers to refer to them as 'weekend warriors.' In addition, if the reservis... view article details

What is a Severance Package? You've just been notified of your last day of employment. Your supervisor hands you a severance agreement and release, and your mind is flooded with questions about your severance package. If you are an employee at will, your employer can terminate you at any time, without notice and with or without severance. After the shock, here are nine things you should consider when reviewing a severance package agreement and managing the transition from one company to your next opportunity. 1. Last Paycheck vs. Severance Package For most people, the first questions that c... view article details

Summer Presents Unique Opportunities for You to Advance Your Career Summer is No Time to Slack Off at Work And suddenly, Summer. Coats go into storage, you’re buying sunscreen by the gallon, and your mind instantly shifts from spreadsheets and status meetings to suntans and sandy beaches. However, while kids might be screaming "school's out for summer" and racing for the playground, things don't quite work that way as an adult in the business world. But don't worry, the tips below won't be as painful as summer school. So here are 5 ways you can use summer to your advantage professionally. ... view article details

Finally Getting Some Daylight On April 18, the day before radio stations across the United States would decide whether the newly remixed song "Daylight" would see the light of day, singer/songwriter Mike Errico sent an appeal to his fan base via his Internet newsletter. "This is a big day," Errico wrote, "and competition is tough, as always, with Pearl Jam and Matchbox 20 also looking for spots. Please help us out by calling in to your local station and requesting 'Daylight.' Your call-in vote REALLY counts, believe me. They love to know that they're playing what you want to hear." What fans w... view article details

Historically, there tends to be increased interest in returning to school during an economic downturn. Many laid off workers may choose to complete a degree program, pursue a new course of study, or perhaps attain an advanced degree. Current students may choose to remain in school to further their studies while they wait out the current economic storm. Choosing to return to school, regardless of the reason, is a big decision for adult learners and a practical way for some to help survive a recession. Continuing personal development is always a smart choice regardless of the economic environmen... view article details

In our unstable economic times, there are few employees who feel absolutely sure their job will still be here tomorrow. But it's not productive to be distracted by needless worry every day. So how do we know when to relax and when to worry (and start polishing up that resume?) Pay attention to true warning signals, but don't get too caught up in office gossip. It can lead to low morale. Just keep your eyes open for these signs that your job may be on its way to the downsize dump.1. There are rumors of layoffs Here's an obvious one. Generally, when the... view article details

What Not to Do One Google search will turn up a plethora of articles out there discussing what to do if you want to be a great salary negotiator. But even though it's vital to know which traits you need to emulate for success, it's equally important to know which behaviors to avoid.There is perhaps no other endeavor so fraught with anxiety as a salary negotiation. You're dealing with your own feelings of inadequacy, wondering if you're good enough, if your employer likes you enough, and worrying about feeling rejected should you ask and get denied. But at the same time, you're also wo... view article details

Convince Your Boss Not to Fear the Flex This article is adapted from Chapter 5, “Negotiating for Work Flexibility,” of the new book, The Working Dad’s Survival Guide: How to Succeed at Work and at Home.Lots of working parents benefit from working alternative work schedules, such as telecommuting a day or two a week or shifting hours around family responsibilities. However, for the most part, companies will not come to us to ask us about our needs for flexibility. We have to take the first step. This can be difficult, but most good things in life are.To increase our chances of success,... view article details