http://www.mindtools.com/ Essential Skills for an Excellent Career! en rsseditor@mindtools.com (James Manktelow) rsseditor@mindtools.com (James Manktelow) Mind Tools Ltd, 1995-2007, All Rights Reserved Wed, 7 May 2008 16:49:50 +0100 PHP custom autogenerator http://www.mindtools.com/rss Returning to Work after an Extended Absence - Premium Members - Returning to work after a long absence can be challenging. Fnd out how to get back into your routine without being overwhelmed. Wed, 07 May 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-1 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_58.htm Developing strong "people skills" - All Readers - Empathy and motivation are increasingly important in today's business world. Learn what emotional intelligence is, so you can improve, both as a leader and an individual. Fri, 02 May 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-2 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_59.htm Understanding your interpersonal needs - Premium Members - Do you have trouble getting along with someone at work? Learn about FIRO-B... and discover three key elements of good interpersonal relationships. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-3 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_60.htm Think Positively, And a Big Thank You! - All Readers - In it, you can take our quiz to find out whether you're a positive or negative thinker, and we announce the winners of the prize draw for participants in our recent survey. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-4 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/29Apr08.htm Learn about, and change, how you think - All Readers - Positive thoughts can lead to positive outcomes and the opposite is also true. This short quiz will reveal how you think and, if you need to, help you change this. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-5 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_89.htm Using radical change to improve organizational performance - Premium Members - When you hear "business process reengineering," do you think of 1990s downsizing? There's more to BPR than that. Learn about it, and how it's used. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-6 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_74.htm Getting a Deeper Understanding of Your Strengths - All Readers - What are you best at? Find out how to identify your strengths, and how you should make the most of them. Fri, 18 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-7 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_68.htm Avoiding Promoting People to a Level of Incompetence - Premium Members - In traditional hierarchical organizations, success in one role is often rewarded with promotion to another. This approach contains a huge flaw. Find out how to avoid it. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-8 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_68.htm Make Your Ideas Count! - All Readers - In it we launch the Mind Tools Survey 2008 where participants can win a $100 Amazon.com voucher, and we also look at some techniques you can use to generate new ideas. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-9 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/15Apr08.htm Understanding the terminology - Premium Members - Project management jargon can really be baffling! Read our helpful glossary of terms to find clear definitions. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-10 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_Words.htm Planning and checking a process as a team - All Readers - Find out how this tool from the film industry can help you think about business processes. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-11 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_77.htm Choosing the best strategic way forward - Premium Members - Learn how to use this tool for choosing between different strategies. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-12 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_87.htm Think differently and spark creativity - All Readers - Learn how to spark creativity, think differently, and generate new ideas. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-13 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_88.htm A Recipe for Total Quality - Premium Members - "Quality management" is a term that most of us know. Find out where the idea originated, and learn the key points. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-14 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_75.htm Pep Up Your Motivation Skills! - All Readers - In it, you can take our interactive quiz to find out how good your motivation skills are, and also how to improve any weaknesses you have in this area. Tue, 01 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0100 GUID-1210175390-15 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/01Apr08.htm Getting better terms with a competitive bidding process - All Readers - A well-constructed RFP helps you procure the best products or services at the lowest prices. Find out how to draft RFPs that will bring in the supply relationships you need. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175390-16 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_79.htm An integrated approach to change - Premium Members - Learn about some of the things that you need to consider when you implement change. Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175390-17 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_80.htm Discover key factors for building a motivated team - All Readers - Motivation is not something you can just expect from your team: You have to develop it and nurture it. Take our motivation skills quiz, and identify your motivating strengths, and places that could use some improvement. Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175390-18 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_67.htm Creating a great impression for everyone - Premium Members - If the thought of facing a panel of interviewers sets your heart racing, relax! Learn what to expect, and how to impress many people at once. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-19 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_62.htm Get It Done: Just Two Days To Go! - All Readers - In it we look at how you an learn to get done the things you need to achieve; why it makes sense to have a network of "allies" at work, and how to go about building one. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-20 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/18Mar08.htm Building strong and supportive relationships at work - All Readers - Things are so much easier when people help and support one another at work. Find out how to build your own support network. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-21 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_63.htm Knowing what not to do - Premium Members - Change is complex, and knowing what NOT to do is just as important as knowing what TO do! Find out more in this article! Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-22 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_81.htm Helping people understand and enforce rules - All Readers - Do you react negatively to workplace rules? Learn why you need SOME rules, and make sure the ones you have serve their purpose. Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-23 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_69.htm Managing your career in an unstable economy - Premium Members - No one wants to think about a downturn. But ignoring reality won't help if things go wrong. Learn what to do now to prepare for this possibility. Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-24 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_64.htm Get the Recognition You Deserve - All Readers - In it, we cover some practical suggestions for encouraging your boss and your peers to give you kind of recognition you want. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-25 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/04Mar08.htm Using stories to inspire - All Readers - As a leader, it's your job to motivate and inspire your team. One good way of doing this is with stories. But how do you know which stories to tell? Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-26 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/BusinessStoryTelling.htm Avoiding "tall poppy syndrome" - Premium Members - Learn how to manage or avoid the "tall poppy syndrome" that can cut promising careers short. Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-27 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_65.htm Learning how to get praise - All Readers - It can be hard to work day after day, and never get a "thank you" from your boss. Learn some positive ways to get your boss's attention. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-28 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_66.htm Identifying and developing leaders in your organization - Premium Members - Learn how to spot leadership potential in the people around you, so that you can develop their skills and improve your company's performance. Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-29 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_62.htm Are You Accountable to Yourself? - All Readers - In it, we look at how leaders need to hold themselves, as well as their team, accountable for their actions if they're to have integrity and set the right example. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-30 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/19Feb08.htm Making sure things are done without mistakes and omissions - All Readers - Find out how to minimize errors and reduce training time by learning to write simple and understandable procedures. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-31 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_78.htm Finding peace amid chaos - Premium Members - If you're stressed at work, it can help to have somewhere peaceful to rest and re-energize. Find out how to use "Stability Zones" to do this. Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-32 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_90.htm Being accountable to yourself in leadership - All Readers - As a leader, you hold others accountable for fulfilling their responsibilities. But to what extent do you hold yourself accountable? Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-33 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_63.htm Seamlessly Transferring Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Premium Members - What if one of your key people left? Find out how to avoid having a major problem. Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-34 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_70.htm Are You Ready for Your Next Promotion? - All Readers - In it we look at the things you need to do to get ready for your next promotion, even if that is some years off, to make sure the right people KNOW how good you are. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-35 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/05Feb08.htm Choosing by weighing up many subjective factors - All Readers - Do you want be more objective in your decisions? Discover an admittedly complex way of weighing many options and factors. Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-36 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_88.htm Avoiding Confusion and Complexity - Premium Members - Simple is memorable. Simple is understandable. Simple gets results. Meet the challenge of making something complex into something simple. Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-37 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/KeepItSimple.htm Showing What You Can Do - All Readers - Do you want that promotion? It may not be enough to simply BE the best at what you do... you need to SHOW what you can do in the new role. Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-38 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_67.htm Comparing Your Performance with the Best - Premium Members - How does your performance really measure up? Find out, and discover a continuous source of best practice information. Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-39 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_76.htm Bring Out The Best In People! - All Readers - In it we look at how drawing up a formal performance agreement can help when one of your team persistently makes no improvement in their performance, despite your best efforts. Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-40 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/22Jan08.htm Using Rules of Thumb - All Readers - Quickly-available, rough approximations have their place in problem solving and decision making. Find out when and how to use them. Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-41 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_79.htm Steering Everyone in the Right Direction - Premium Members - How can you get everyone moving towards the right destination? Hoshin Planning helps you turn strategy into reality. Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-42 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_77.htm Increasing Personal Accountability - All Readers - Many approaches to performance management lack follow-through and personal accountability. Find out how to bridge this gap and improve performance. Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-43 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_71.htm Managing Ideas Effectively - Premium Members - How do you capture innovation? Can it be created and controlled, or does it just happen? Find out here! Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-44 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_89.htm Life Plan: One Day To Go! And Leading Equals - All Readers - In it, we are discussing the article Leading Equals, find out how do you motivate people and get the most from the team without authority of being the boss. Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-45 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/08Jan08.htm Using Backward Planning to Set Goals - All Readers - Goal planning typically goes from point A to B to C. But what if you start at C, and then work back toward A? Find out why this can have a different outcome! Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-46 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_84.htm Motivating People Effectively, Without Authority - Premium Members - If you're leading a group of your peers and you don't have much authority, how do you motivate them? Learn some useful strategies. Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-47 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_64.htm Goal Setting: The Root Cause of Success! - All Readers - In it, we published the article Root Cause Analysis, find out how get to root of every problem. Set your Goals for the year 2008 with the help of new a Mind Tools product, the Life Plan Workbook. Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-48 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/28Dec07.htm Members' most popular tools of the year - Premium Members - Curious what these are? Find out here! Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-49 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_TopTools2007.htm Making Better Group Decisions - All Readers - You know how hard it can be for everyone to participate and be heard in a group. Learn a simple technique to manage people to make better decisions. Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-50 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_89.htm Tracing a Problem to Its Origins - All Readers - Learn how to investigate and solve your problems, so that you leave them behind... for good. Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-51 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_80.htm Developing an effective working relationship - Premium Members - Find out how to take the lead in building a great working relationship with your boss. Wed, 19 Dec 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-52 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_68.htm Reducing Inventory, Minimizing Waste, and Responding to Your Customers - All Readers - What if you could have what you need without having to hold a huge inventory of parts and finished stock? Find out about "Just In Time" manufacturing. Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-53 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_78.htm Bringing more meaning to your career - Premium Members - If you feel that changing jobs is the only way to bring purpose to your work, think again. Find out how you can bring new meaning to your current job. Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-54 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_69.htm Breaking Your Glass Ceiling! - All Readers - In it, we look at some practical ways to address the issue of "glass ceilings" that block your career. Tue, 11 Dec 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-55 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/11Dec07.htm Keeping Envy Out of the Workplace - All Readers - Envy is one of the great, silent disruptors of good teamwork Find out what you can do to stop it taking hold. Fri, 07 Dec 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-56 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_65.htm Decision Making Techniques from Mind Tools - Premium Members - All of us can be susceptible to "blindspots" when it comes to making decisions. Find out about the six most common types of blindspots, and how to avoid them. Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-57 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_90.htm Mentoring from a Mentor's Perspective - All Readers - As a leader, you need to be able to nurture and develop your staff. This is why mentoring is a key part of leadership. Find out what's involved so that you can decide whether you should embark on it. Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-58 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_70.htm Reaching for the Top with Everyday Tools - All Readers - Many of us can hit "invisible" barriers that seem to keep us from career success. You don't have to accept this fate. Learn how to smash through that glass ceiling! Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-59 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_71.htm A Mutually Beneficial Partnership - Premium Members - How can a mentor help you develop your career? And why would anyone want to be a mentor? Find out in this article. Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-60 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_72.htm Use Your Influence! - All Readers - In today's newsletter we focus on how to influence other people by better understanding where power lies. Once you know, you'll find it easier to get your ideas heard, and to get things done in your project or organization! Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-61 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/27Nov07.htm Implementing change powerfully and successfully - All Readers - Impatience can often undermine the change process. Learn how to prepare for change thoroughly, and implement change powerfully and successfully. Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-62 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_82.htm Staying in Touch with Your Team - Premium Members - Find out what's really going in your organization. Learn MBWA, and watch openness, trust, and creativity flourish with your team. Wed, 21 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-63 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_72.htm Uncovering Where the Power Lies in Your Projects - All Readers - Who has the real power and control over your project's success? Learn how to map relationships between key stakeholders to find out how they affect you... so that you can accomplish more. Fri, 16 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-64 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_83.htm Measuring Your Organization's Wider Impact - Premium Members - Companies driven by profit alone can be cold, hard, unsatisfying places to work. Find out about one approach they can use to change this. Wed, 14 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-65 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_79.htm Powerful Communication! - All Readers - In it, we focus on communication. Our main article, Powers of Persuasion, looks at how you can communicate vividly, and with real impact. And we launch our new "Communicate at Your Best" communication skills workbook, which helps you tune up your communication skills and communicate powerfully and effectively. Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-66 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/Newsletters/13Nov07.htm Managing Your Product to Maximize Success - All Readers - It may seem intuitive that products go through a lifecycle from launch to withdrawal, but how should you manage the product along the way to get the greatest return from it? Fri, 09 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-67 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_80.htm Choosing the Role that's Best for You - Premium Members - When you're facing a fork in your career path, it's tough to know what to do. This article helps you make the right choice. Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-68 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_73.htm Managing a Co-worker's Superiority Complex - All Readers - Do you work with people who have big egos? Learn how to manage egotists' behavior without sinking to their level. Where to go from here: Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:00:00 +0000 GUID-1210175391-69 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_74.htm