About Management

Biggest Business Stories Of The Decade

2009-11-24T12:53:36Z

Can you believe this first decade of the new millennium is nearing an end already? There have been some highs and a lot of lows. Which ones were the most memorable? Which were the most important? Which events made the biggest impact on you or your business? Click the comments link below to add your thoughts.

UK internet sales during the holiday season were expected to double to in excess of �1.7bn in 2002. In February 2009 they averaged of �167m per week (over �8.5bn for a year).
Harvey Pitt stepped down as Securities and Exchange Commission chairman in 2002 amid unfolding financial scandals. Little did we know what was ahead.
In 2005, Business Week Magazine profiled the rising importance of India and China, in a piece called The Rise Of Chindia.
In 2007, the growing service industry in India created a new "middle class" and provided significant opportunities for women there.
The Business Events Forum met in 2007 to find ways to tackle the problem of climate change.

So what do you remember? What were the major business events and trends in the past decade? Click the comments link below to add your thoughts.

Biggest Business Stories Of The Decade originally appeared on About.com Management on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 12:53:36.

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What Management Skill Level Are You?

2009-11-20T00:54:38Z

If you have been reading our Management Skills Pyramid articles this week, why not take a moment and share your thoughts with your peers.

We asked What Management Skill Level You Are and what you feel you have to do to move to the next level. Add your response to our management skill level poll and read others' answers.

And be sure to check back on Monday to read about Level 4 of the Management Skills Pyramid. What is at the top; what is the peak of the pyramid?

What Management Skill Level Are You? originally appeared on About.com Management on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 00:54:38.

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The Management Skills Pyramid, Level 3

2009-11-19T02:02:07Z

When you get to Level 3 of the Management Skills Pyramid you have mastered the basics and learned how to motivate your team. Now it's time to focus on yourself and your development.

There are two key areas of personal development the developing manager must master now, self management and time management.

Are you as good at managing yourself as you are at managing others? Are you as skilled at managing time as you are at managing people? Level 3 of the Management Skills Pyramid shows you how to master both of these management skill areas that are critical to your continued development as a manager and to the advancement of your career.

Photo � John Reh, 2009

The Management Skills Pyramid, Level 3 originally appeared on About.com Management on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 02:02:07.

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The Management Skills Pyramid, Level 2

2009-11-18T02:17:29Z

Level 2 is the team building skills any developing manager must master. It is the next level of the management skills pyramid, which shows the skills a manager must master to be successful and shows how these management skills build on each other toward success.

You will not be able to advance in your career as a manager until you develop your skill in these areas. Level 2 of the Management Skills Pyramid tells you how.

The Management Skills Pyramid, Level 2 originally appeared on About.com Management on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 02:17:29.

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The Management Skills Pyramid, Level 1

2009-11-17T02:01:30Z

Level 1 of the Management Skills Pyramid shows the basic skills a manager must master just to get the job done. These are the fundamentals of the management job:

Plan
Organize
Direct
Control

You will not be able to advance in your career as a manager until you develop your skill in each of these areas. Level 1 of the Management Skills Pyramid tells you how.

The Management Skills Pyramid, Level 1 originally appeared on About.com Management on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 02:01:30.

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The Management Skills Pyramid

2009-11-16T01:53:13Z

Much like the pyramids of ancient Egypt, there is a structure to the skills a manager must learn in order to succeed. Each level of skills builds on the previous level. As you master a skill, you add it to that level. As you complete a level you advance to the next level, building on your successes. That's how you get ahead in your career.

The article The Management Skills Pyramid gives an overview of these levels, starting with the basics (plan, organize, direct, and control) and moving upward in difficulty. As you read the article, you will find links to pages detailing each level and the skills you must master at that level.

Is your management career not moving along as quickly as you'd like? Maybe you don't have all the skill you need for promotion to the next level. Re-visit The Management Skills Pyramid as often as needed to stay on track.

The Management Skills Pyramid originally appeared on About.com Management on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 01:53:13.

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Is Now The Time To Change Your Company Culture?

2009-11-13T06:22:52Z

Organizations experience stress just as people do. How your organization has reacted to the current economic conditions may have changed your company culture in ways that aren't necessarily visible yet. You need to check and make sure your company culture still reflects what you want it to be.

Do you know what your current company culture really is as a result of these changes? Is it still what you want it to be? Companies with well defned cultures consistently outperform other companies - during good times and bad. Make sure your team is aligned with the company culture. They will be more efficient and your job will be easier.

If you know how to assess your company's current culture and how to change it to align with your strategic goals if necessary you should be doing that. If you aren't sure how to do that, here is what you need to know about company culture and how to change it.

Is Now The Time To Change Your Company Culture? originally appeared on About.com Management on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 06:22:52.

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Can You Motivate Employees?

2009-11-12T23:12:38Z

Brian Scudamore, CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, a trash removal service claims that employees cannot be motivated and all you can do is inspire them and equip them with the right tools. What do you think? Take our poll below.

Can You Motivate Employees? originally appeared on About.com Management on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 23:12:38.

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Public Speaking For Managers

2009-11-09T01:59:57Z

For many people, managers included, one of the most difficult times is when you have to speak in public. For some people, this is not a major problem, but you will not succeed as a manager if you are unable to speak confidently in front of a group. You don't have to enjoy it, but you do have to be able to do it well.

Like so many other things, public speaking gets easier with practice. You just go out and do it and each time it gets easier. To get you started, here are the 10 steps that show you How To Speak In Public To A Group. It gives you the tips you need to be an effective public speaker. They will help you whether you are speaking to your first handful of subordinates or addressing a major industry conference.

Public Speaking For Managers originally appeared on About.com Management on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 01:59:57.

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What Makes You A Good Boss?

2009-11-05T22:21:12Z

Here's a good article from MSN.com about What Makes a Good Boss. Personally, I think the most important comment in the article is in the second section where Wayne Botha is quoted as saying "good bosses focus on getting the job done, not on measuring the hours that a subordinate sits in the chair."

We've had a discussion going about best bosses for some time on this site. Here's a sampling of what your peers have said here about "best bosses". At the bottom is a place for you to submit your choice.

What Makes You A Good Boss? originally appeared on About.com Management on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 22:21:12.

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