Management Blog

MySpace a hit with young mums

Social networking isn't just for teenagers, new research suggests over 73,000 Australian mothers aged between 21 and 34 are hanging out on MySpace, Marketing reports.

It's claimed young mothers are gravitating to social networking for parenting advice and support, to make business contacts and be part of an adult work while looking after children.

One of the most popular online destinations for MySpace mothers is the 'Mummy Hideaway', which provides a forum for mothers to chat, find information about parenting and take part in online polls.

According to research, 70 per cent of MySpace mothers said they felt the networking site was like a digital coffee shop where they could connect with friends.

Older employees love their work

A British survey indicates older employees are more likely to be happy at work than their younger colleagues, the BBC reports.

The Vodafone survey found seven out of 10 employees aged over 50 years said their job was fulfilling; in comparison, around 50 per cent of 25 to 31 year olds enjoyed their work.

In addition, 97 per cent of survey participants aged over 65 said remaining at work meant they felt 'enabled' by their job as opposed to 61 per cent of 31 to 35 year old workers.

The survey authors say older workers may feel more fulfilled than younger employees because they have passed through the high-pressure stage of balancing a career and young family.

Reputation matters to job seekers

A new study suggests public image is an important factor for job seekers. In fact, it's claimed it is the second most influential factor for employees after compensation, management-issues reports.

The article argues that corporate social responsibility, the quality of a product or service and profitability are all factors that combine to make or break a company's reputation.

Yet despite the nexus between corporate reputation and recruitment, study author HR firm Kenexa say many managers and employers are surprisingly cavalier about the topic.

Another recent study of international recruitment trends found two thirds of companies did not have an 'employer brand strategy' in place nor were planning to introduce one.

Staff incentives for cash strapped businesses

Giving your staff a bonus or perk doesn't have to cost the earth if you add a little creative thinking into the equation, bnet suggests in a recent blog.

The post offers the following three examples of budget friendly staff incentives:

1. Focus on gifts with meaning - a Colorado brewery gives staff a bicycle to mark their one-year anniversaries… a tangible, tactile and environmentally sound gesture

2. The gift of time off - offer staff two free 'I don't want to get out of bed' days to be used when their schedule is meeting free; you may just find it results in a fall in absenteeism

3. Make it memorable - research shows cash staff don't remember cash incentives, but they might just remember being awarded a $10 or $25 gift card for meeting targets

Retail's 'remora' effect

Australian SME retailers are in a position to benefit from the impending invasion of large overseas stores, according to retail consultant Phil Bonanno.

Speaking with The Daily Telegraph, Bonanno predicts that huge discount stores like Costco and Wal-Mart could challenge local retail majors but assist SMEs thanks to the 'remora' effect.

A type of fish that attaches itself to sharks and other large sea dwellers, the remora receives free transport, security and food scraps from its host.

Like the remora, it's suggested SME stores that are positioned close to large retailers will prosper because of their ability to give consumers a quick fix or specialist experience.

Hong Kong rated world's best airport

Nobody likes being stuck at one, but it has to be said some airports make the experience of flight delays more pleasurable than others.

So where's the best airport in the world to find yourself stranded?

Look no further than Hong Kong International, which has been rated as the world's top airport for the seventh consecutive year in a poll of international travellers.

Survey respondents rated airports on shopping, dining, customer service, baggage delivery and security waiting times, according to Forbes.

Asian airports performed well in the survey with Singapore, Seoul, Kansai (Japan) and Kuala Lumpur all making the top 10.

European airports, including Munich, Copenhagen, Zurich and Helsinki, also proved popular. No US airports made the top 10, while Cape Town was the only Southern Hemisphere inclusion.

Australia's growing makeover industry

Are Australians becoming more superficial?

An increase in the number of Australians working as make-up artists, hairdressers, cosmetic surgeons, personal trainers and stylists suggest we might be, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The personal and community services sector is currently experiencing a jobs boom with 2006 Census data showing 220,000 jobs have been created in these areas over the last decade.

KPMG social commentator Bernard Salt suggests today's plasma-TV generation is fueling the increase in makeover jobs.

It's claimed Australians are more celebrity obsessed, health conscious, looks focused and self-empowered than we were a generation ago.

Dodgy restaurants feel the heat

In a dramatic illustration of the power of user-generated internet content, consumers have embraced a NSW Government website that 'names and shames' dodgy restaurants, the ABC reports.

The NSW Food Safety Act was amended earlier this year to allow the Food Authority to publish details of restaurants that receive penalty notices via its website.

According to the report, dozens of eateries have already been reported to the website by consumers. Complaint topics include pest control, faulty equipment and poor hygiene.

The online service has been receiving up to 1,200 hits a day since its introduction last month.

Multitasking leads to mistakes

Most knowledge workers accept the fact they must sometimes perform more than one task at the same time to stay on top of their workload.

But just how productive is multitasking?

A recent Career Intelligence article cites University of Michigan research that claims multitasking slows people down and increases the likelihood of making mistakes.

The study identifies three types of multi-taskers:

• The Desperates - people who multitask because they see it as the only way to stay ahead of coworkers
• The Impulsives - workers who are unaware they're multitasking, e.g. checking new emails when talking to a client or colleague
• The Proud - people who are deluded into thinking they're capable of effectively completing two complicated tasks at the same time

Romance blooms for 8 in 10 workers

Love is in the air at Australian workplaces. A new study indicates an unprecedented number of workers are becoming romantically involved with a colleague, news.com.au reports.

The research shows 11 per cent of workers are in a workplace relationship at any one time, while 80 per cent have admitted to being involved with a colleague at some point in their career.

Onetest's Matthew Neale says the trend reflects the fact that people are spending more time at work which means they have less time to meet partners elsewhere.

He says the workplace is seen as a safe option to get to know a potential lover (as opposed to a bar situation), as there is plenty of time to gather information on a romantic target.