And the Award Goes To…

by Megan Bullard on March 9, 2010

Hurt_Locker_OscarsThe entertainment industry produces an estimated 2,000 films per year. Of those films only around 600 are released into select theatres all over the globe, and of those 600 only a handful are captivating enough to leave a lasting impression on audiences and the academy. This year’s 82nd Academy Awards nominated a whopping 10 films for the honor of Best Picture. These nominated films were recognized for their ability to tell a story unlike any other film, but at the end of the night “The Hurt Locker” beat out blockbusters like “Avatar” and “Precious” for the award.

This scenario could be likened to the surplus of American talent currently seeking employment. The job market is still recovering from the recession. The ratio of those unemployed to available jobs is dramatic. Companies are struggling to process the volume of applications received per available position. Like Oscar Night, only a handful of applicants will impress enough to be considered. Choosing Best Picture is simple. The Academy simply votes. But how do you ensure that of the handful of qualified applicants you choose the best?
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Shaken Foundations in the Office

by Megan Bullard on March 4, 2010

chile_bridgeImagine experiencing one of the worst natural disasters in history and living to tell about it. Imagine the destruction and chaos that follows an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8. The people of Chile are desperately trying to regain control over the fallen regions of their nation, and while many would expect national unity in the aftermath, some individuals have taken to acts of lawlessness and theft as a means of survival.

The catastrophe in Chile is horrific, and it is undeniably one of the greatest natural disasters in history. The people of Chile need support and aid now more than ever if they are to rebuild. Despite the devastation, the people of Chile have learned important lessons about the future. This disaster also provides several learning opportunities for those involved in business. The difficult state of the economy means that companies worldwide have had to make difficult decisions such as reducing workforces, reducing budgets, and redistributing employees. In the eyes of an employee, any of these three scenarios can be seen as a devastating and catastrophic. How can managers keep the peace in the office after the company is shaken by change or reconstruction?
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A Golden Turnaround

by Megan Bullard on February 25, 2010

Bode_Miller_SkiingImagine this scenario. A star employee is hired. They walk in the door the first day with a stellar resume that boasts a wealth of professional experience. Their references gushed about their professionalism and capability to perform. The entire office is buzzing about the potential the new employee will bring to the company and the success that is bound to come with his arrival. Then, unexpectedly, the superstar disappoints and the only thing he succeeds at is underwhelming the entire office.

Unfortunately a similar situation played out in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. American superstar Bode Miller was expected to take gold. Miller arrived at the games with a poor attitude and high expectations to fill. He was rude and often crass. Fans were disappointed to see their American hero leave the games empty-handed.
Miller shocked all when he won the gold for Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics on Sunday. Until this win he was the only Olympic skier to have won four alpine medals without a gold. He has been polite, well-mannered and supportive throughout his time in Vancouver. What happened to ignite such a change? How did this underperforming individual make a complete turnaround to win the gold?
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Performing Under Fire

February 17, 2010

The 2010 Winter Olympics began with an inspirational and impressive opening ceremony that highlighted the unity of countries worldwide. Thousands looked on as people from around the world gathered peacefully to celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship and the effort exhibited by the best athletes in the world. The torch relay came to a close as [...]

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Poor Management Leads to Spilt Milk

February 15, 2010

Organizations need to recognize the importance of each frontline manager’s role and the effects that the manager has on the employees and company.
Effective frontline managers have the capability and interest to be effective managers, have clear goals and roles, understand the people they manage, understand themselves and how they impact their employees, have been trained [...]

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Pump the Breaks on Poor Management

February 10, 2010

As a result, public perception of the company is that it is irresponsible and unprepared.
In late January, Toyota recalled over five million cars due to issues with the floor mat and the gas pedal. People have been seriously injured in accidents involving the faulty vehicle parts, but Toyota’s crisis communication has been ineffective and inefficient. [...]

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Eenie, Meenie, Miney, NO!

February 8, 2010

In what feels like the thousandth season of The Bachelor we witness once more a crowd of beautiful women waiting in line for their chance to be the fiancée of a handsome professional. The women are attractive, talented and sometimes charming, but every group has a black sheep, and this season is no different than [...]

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Going Gaga in the Office?

February 3, 2010

The early part of the year marks the start of a new quarter for businesses, but in Hollywood it simply means that award season has arrived. Stars prep for hours in order to look their best on red carpets for cameras and fans. Each celebrity scrutinizes every inch of themselves to ensure that every angle [...]

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Stress Less

February 1, 2010

Those suffering from stress generally don’t complain until their mental or physical health begins to suffer.
The new year is here, and 2010 already feels like it is in full swing. January is the month of resolutions and commitments. Individual resolutions range from losing weight to quitting smoking, but what kinds of resolutions do businesses make? [...]

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Pulling a Favre

January 27, 2010

Adaptation is crucial in business. People must adapt their skill sets and personality traits in order to blend with their work cultures. Unfortunately, adaptation can only get you so far, and when the going gets tough, people’s natural instincts and behaviors get going. Brett Favre is the perfect example: The man has one of the [...]

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