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A forum sponsored by the Canadian Centre for Active Living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and attended by government and business leaders assessed the role of worker health in enhancing productivity. There is a growing imbalance between work and homelife among many Canadians, and the participants believe that active living can help restore the balance. Active living involves physical activity as an integral part of daily life. A wide range of activities should be made available to employees. Stu...
How secure is your job? (preparing for possible unemployment) (Executive Director's Corner)
The spate of massive layoffs in the business sector is leaving many North Americans unprepared for seeking new jobs. The executive advisory and outplacement firm Stellfox Associates advises that personnel equip themselves with a current catalog of their skills and experiences. Stellfox goes on to suggest that personnel update themselves on the current conditions of business and industry and be prepared for alternative job options. Contact with people who can advise or give referrals should be...
Merit pay - the hoax. (redefining the merit pay system)
The supposition that merit pay is a reward for good performance in the past and an incentive for its continuation makes the system flawed. This assumes merit pay to be perpetual if the employee continues to work at the same level of performance on the same tasks. It is proposed that merit pay be defined as a promise to pay a higher salary to an employee who, in return, promises to perform satisfactory future work. Merit pay, in this instance, will become commensurate to work complexity.
Multimedia development: what it takes?
Multimedia is the utilization of various digital media elements delivered on a single platform to provide interactive education, information and training. Multimedia requires balance between form and content. Knowledge in interface design standards, usability, sourcing and hyperlinking leads to understanding multiple media form. Content acquisition requires expertise on technical fundamentals. Multiple media content may be made or bought. The choice is made by assessing the range of distribut...
National President's message. (Canadian Institute of Management Pres. W. Jackson) (CIM News)
Criticism is a key to improving work performance and promoting goodwill in the workplace. It originally referred to the 'ability to discern or judge accordingly.' However, its meaning has evolved to become 'fault finding.' Destructive criticism can cause demoralization and friction in the workplace. Constructive criticism has the power to inspire change, hence, it is an effective tool for CEOs, managers and supervisors.
Plan your course for expansion. (expansion of business enterprise) (Moneycare)
A successful expansion of a business enterprise requires careful financial planning. Expansion is an effective method of diversifying and increasing market share and profitability. There are various methods of expansion. One is increasing domestic sales by increasing the sales force or by opening retail or franchise outlets in different locations. Another is by merger with or acquisition of another company. Small businesses have also found exporting as an effective growth strategy. Export sal...
Recruitment: more than a side show. (effective recruitment system as tool for corporate success)
Corporate success depends on hiring the right people to do the job. Executives and managers continually feel the pressure of increasing job expectations. Unfortunately, many organizations have failed to center on recruitment as a key to long-term favorable business performance, and fall prey to poor organizational effectiveness and large management turnover. The organization should, therefore, recognize the significance of recruitment and invest resources for the development of a sound recrui...
Remote-diagnostics puts a company's best face forward. (remote repair of facsimile machines)
The National Customer Diagnostic Centre of Pitney Bowes Facsimile Systems Division at Pickering, Ontario, Canada services customer calls on facsimile problems with remote-diagnostics technology. Remote-diagnostics locates and repairs fax problems via the telephone. The facsimile is operated and ordered to transmit a report of its functions and a list of its last 20 transactions. Human error accounts for 25 to 30% of fax troubles. Diagnostic engineers are dispatched if remote repair does not f...
A marketing audit evaluates the health of a company's marketing program. An audit may follow in the wake of plans for product line changes, expansion or contraction, diversification or change in image. This necessitates the selection of an auditor who is knowledgeable in marketing and who has a proven record of expertise. Objectivity is a key trait of the auditor, but empathy with the organization is a must. An effective audit results in the building up of the organization. It is expensive, b...
Telecommuting makes possible non-traditional work hours and home-based work. It is becoming the preferred alternative of employees who need to work in the home and of organizations wishing to retain their staff. Telecommuting is working outside of the office with a personal computer linked by telecommunications with the organization's computer network. It allows flexibility and increases employee productivity and satisfaction. Telecommuters hooked onto local area networks are allowed access t...
There's no excuse for failure: tips on how businesses can develop effective information systems.
Only 30% of all information systems installed in Canada are implemented. Firm corporate will and employee cooperation are needed to implement a successful system. Cognizance of the company's inner workings and a clear set of objectives pave the way for an effective project plan. A select team of enthusiastic users construct and test the system. End-users reserve the right to make suggestions for the refinement of the sytem. A product model will ensure a less expensive method of testing the sy...
