Management Blog

Gen Ys are our tech mavens

When it comes to technology, Generation Y has the ability to make or break a new product, new research has found.

Reporting on a recent Forrester Research study, Smart Company explains that Gen Ys are more likely to possess a PC, video game, broadband or home network than any other generation.

They are also voracious consumers of media content. Gen Ys are more inclined to read blogs, be involved in social networking or watch online videos than other age groups.

The study claims Generation X are large technology users but more inclined to use it to support a lifestyle need as opposed to Gen Ys who embed gadgets in everything they do.

Pitching the perfect presentation

Don't just try to be interesting to your audience… show you're interested in them, a new book on presentation skills claims.

In its review of I Hate Presentations by John Caplin, the Financial Times claims many people are stuck in the high school lecturette mindset of offering lots of detail to prove they've done lots of work.

Rather than take this approach, Caplin says presenters should have a clear idea of what the audience needs to get out of the experience and a method of elaborating that's unique and personal.

And, most importantly, it's suggested a 'less is more' approach forces listeners to think for themselves rather than be bored by non-essential information.

A holiday 'free for all' for staff?

A US firm's policy of allowing staff to take holidays whenever and for however long they like has proved to be a hit with workers and helped the company grow, BusinessWeek reports.

IT consulting firm Bluewolf says a 'no vacation policy' approach can be successful if staff members appreciate that they can only take time off if they've met their goals.

The self-regulation appears to be working. Bluewolf estimates its 200 strong multi-site staff only take an average of between three and four weeks leave a year.

BusinessWeek says the concept is indicative of the growing trend towards empowering staff to manage their own time.

Other initiatives in this area include allowing staff to take time off to work with environmental groups and the staff-led establishment of company metrics.

More managers enlist social networking

A growing number of managers are embracing social networking rather than banning its presence in the workplace, news.com.au reports.

A recent Konica Minolta survey suggests initial scepticism about social networking has subsided with many managers now seeing Web 2.0 sites as a means of tapping into business opportunities.

However, some age related differences of opinion on social networking use still exist.

The survey found 33 per cent of managers in their 20s and 30s embraced social networking in the workplace while just 16 per cent of bosses over 40 condoned the practice.

Feminising the workplace

Right brain thinking is becoming a cultural norm in many workplaces as more women take up management positions, management-issues argues in a recent post.

It's claimed left-brain thinking, which revolves around rational approaches to problem solving and organisational processes, has traditionally shaped male led workplaces.

However an influx of women into senior positions is said to be resulting the greater use of right brain functions in organisational decision-making processes.

It's suggested old structures and methods may soon be replaced by more lateral, collaborative approaches at all levels of corporate life as a result of the trend.

Aussie professionals keen on London

London has beaten New York, Hong Kong and Paris as the favourite business destination for Australian professionals in a recent wotif.com poll, The Age reports.

Melbourne was named as Australia's favourite local business destination; Sydney came in at second place, with Brisbane rounding out the top three.

In related news, new ABS figures show the number of Australians holidaying overseas grew by 11 per cent between January and April this year.

The increase is a worrying trend, according to industry experts, as inbound tourism grew by just 0.2 per cent during the same period.

'Flat' buzz phrase rises in popularity

In the wake of the US economic slowdown the saying 'flat is the new up' is destined to be 2008's hottest business buzz phrase, Newsweek reports.

The phrase is said to describe a situation in which a business is treading water as opposed to either experiencing growth or a revenue contraction.

Originally coined by the media sector to highlight the benefits of not losing market share, the saying has since become popular with the finance sector.

According to Newsweek: "'Flat is the new up' is a plea not to be judged on absolute terms, but on relative ones".

Taking the negativity out of work

Gossip, criticism and bitching are all avoidable workplace evils and should be tackled strategically in order to bolster productivity, a new book claims.

In The No Complaining Rule Jon Gordon claims negativity eats away at profits; in fact, it's claimed griping costs the US economy between $200 and $300 billion a year in lost productivity.

To this end Gordon suggests that businesses implement a ban on complaining unless criticism is directed to someone in a position to fix a problem.

Examples of positivity at work include 'complaints free' firm PPR, which has been voted one of the best US workplaces for the last five years and enjoyed above average growth for the past 12 years.

Small business owners happy with long hours

New research suggests a large number of small business owners are happy to work long hours to escape the prospect of being an employee, news.com.au reports.

This year's Business Owner/RACV Business Insurance survey indicates nearly a third of Australia's small business owners work in excess of 50 hours a week.

Yet despite the long hours nearly 75 per cent of small business people said they enjoy a better work/life balance as a result of being their own boss.

The survey claims 25 per cent of people decide to start their own business for one of two reasons: a lack of appreciation from management or a passion for their SME product or service.

Marketing in tough times

When the going gets tough... the tough continue marketing, according to a recent BusinessWeek post.

The following advice is offered to SMEs on how to market in a weak economy.

Stay top of mind - cutting your marketing budget may provide competitors with an opportunity to steal market share

Remain focused - don't try to be all things to all people in a bid to boost sales; stick to what you do best and add value to that offering

Don't discount - reducing the price of your offering can discount its value to consumers and 'train' them to expect price cuts