Templates2 by Libby Huffman: Project Management Worksheet (Word)

Article by Chrissy Scivicque: Managing People: New Series

Break rooms. Most people don’t give them much thought. But if you have a space at work where employees go for a time out from their jobs, then you should consider making that space the best it can be – fun, functional and fully Feng Shui.

What’s the fastest, easiest and least expensive way to advertise your business? Use an email signature! Today you’ll discover what to include in your signature, tips for making it work for you, and where to use it to promote your business.

Evaluating your company's developmental needs and future direction is essential to the overall success of your business. A SWOT analysis is an excellent evaluation tool for determining your company's overall plans and objectives.

If you deal with clients and subcontractors on a virtual basis, you may have noticed it can be difficult to keep track of all of your project information. Learn about a great new product that will help you track your time, while managing your client communication, assignments and files all in one place. What is it? Keep reading to learn more!

You may never have to deal with advertising issues at your company, but knowledge is power, right? So here's a very brief description of the benefits and drawbacks of the major types of media.The benefits of advertising in a major newspaper:

Are you the type of person who likes to learn by doing? This can actually be a very productive way of working – if you know when and how to do it. Like anything, there are benefits and limitations. Discover tips for how to make this productivity tool work for you.

Think you’re a business etiquette pro? Watching your p’s and q’s during a business function can take your farther than you ever imagined. Investigate the importance of professional manners and how to execute them flawlessly.

You’ve heard the words before but what the heck is an elevator speech? And how do you use one? We’ll break it down for you and show you what it is, why you need it and how to create one. You’ll also learn the difference between a good elevator speech and a bad one and we’ll give you some ideas on when to use it.

So, you’ve got big dreams for your business, right? But maybe you don’t have that big marketing budget. We’ll show you 10 low cost marketing ideas you can use to let the world know about your company for little or no money!

Referring to a well-respected article from the Harvard Review, this installment in our Managing People series describes how to effectively spot a jumping monkey (a task that has moved from an employee’s back to yours). It also explains how to return said monkey to its rightful owner without wasting precious time and resources.

I've been asked to create this column about advertising, marketing, promotions and I have to admit - I'm a little nervous! Shhhh! Don't tell anyone. I keep telling myself I have a degree in writing, so this should be easy. I grew up in a

Is your junk drawer weighing you down? Tired of digging through all those piles to find what you’re looking for? Junk drawers need not be what they imply. Learn to organize your junk and make that drawer a functional part of your office.

In his popular book, Getting Things Done, David Allen describes his comprehensive productivity system. While the GTD method is one of the most widely discussed organizational systems around, we think it might be a little over-hyped. In this article, we analyze the GTD program and share a few “golden nuggets” you’ll be sure to benefit from.

Although some cultures bow, offer air kisses or hugs, the handshake is now a universally accepted greeting. Deals are made and promises sealed with this simple gesture. But not all handshakes are created equal. Get some tips for pressing the flesh.

Creativity can be an elusive thing…like capturing lightning in a bottle. Help get your juices flowing with our tips for sparking ingenuity and inspiration at home and at the office.

Because we all spend so much time in our workspaces, it’s important to add our personal touch to it. But, are your toys and knickknacks an extension of your personality or a distraction? Explore the dos and don’ts of appropriately decorating your cubicle or workstation.

As office professionals, we often assist sales teams in closing deals. But do we really have the first clue about sales? Explore tried and true sales methods and how to use them in your career.

Tired of spending so much time looking for stuff on your desk when you could be getting things done? The search is over! We’ve got a 10-step plan that will take your desk from overwhelming to organized in no time!

Is your company moving locations? Stop stressing! The transition can be a lot easier than you think. Take the panic out of relocation and learn some simple ways to take the office from “here” to “there” with ease.

Emergencies happen when we least expect them. They require a quick response, yet not everyone is equipped with the knowledge to react. Do you know what to do when these things happen? We’ve created a step-by-step tutorial to help you create a Comprehensive Emergency Procedures Guide for your office.

Have you ever had a bad customer service experience? Did it impact your business with that company? Many underestimate the power of excellent service. Explore these 10 recommendations for providing your clients with extraordinary service every day.

It’s nearly impossible to remain busy for 8 solid hours every single the day, but you should be concerned by how your downtime is being perceived. Downtime can send the wrong impression, but there is hope. Learn ways to make your free time look like work time.

Dear Lisa: No matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to get my workspace organized efficiently. I'm continually moving things around on my desk and rearranging files. I feel overwhelmed by my workload and can't get a handle on the best

Augh! You know you have one: that task that just gets under your skin?? We all do! But now it’s time to take back control. Learn a few proven strategies to help make that irritating task a little bit less frustrating.

Productivity is the buzzword of the moment. Everyone wants to get more done in less time. Now, you really can! This technique will help you collect your to-do items in an efficient way, making productivity easy.

No matter what your definition of career success, there are some basic skills that can help anyone achieve their goals. Learn forty things you can do today to help you make your career dreams a reality.

You've thought about the type of promotional items you're looking for and you're ready to make decisions. Where do you start? 1. Never done this before? You should start with recommendations from friends or co-workers. The best advertising

If you’re just getting started with a big project, you may feel completely overwhelmed and not quite sure where to begin. A map is a great place to start! Learn how to use this helpful tool to track tasks, visualize large-scale concepts, and organize multiple layers of planning. And be sure to check out our sample map to get you inspired.

No matter what we do, we only have a limited supply of time (and who couldn’t use a little more?). Learn how to make the most of what you have by managing it well.

Look around your desk, office, house. You have promotional items staring at you from every corner, don't you? The pen you're using, mouse pad, calendar, paper clip dispenser, frame that holds your kids' picture, your key ring, magnets on your

Can you turn the simplest thing into a crazy complicated mess? If so, you may be guilty of being an over-complicator. Learn more about your condition and how to make the best of it.

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘change’? Some fear it and others accept it as a sign of opportunity. Change in the workplace is natural, although it can be challenging at times. What do you think of when you hear the word ‘change’? Some fear it and others accept it as a sign of opportunity. Change in the workplace is natural, although it can be challenging at times. What do you think of when you hear the word ‘change’? Some fear it and others accept it as a sign of opportunity. Change in the workplace is natural, although it can be challenging at times. Explore some tips for managing and embracing change instead of resisting and fearing it.

If you keep telling yourself, “I’ll do it later,” then you might have a little problem with procrastination. While the emotions behind putting things off are real and deep, it’s probably not very productive. Discover ways to overcome procrastination in 4 easy steps.

Marketing your company’s products and services through email is an inexpensive way to reach a lot of people. But how do you go about obtaining email addresses and getting permission to use them? Building your email list is challenging but we’ve got some helpful tips to get you going!

Looking to get more from your brain? Brainstorming in business is essential. Check out the latest and greatest tools to help you generate new ideas (and track their implementation) throughout the life of your projects.

Working outside of the office is becoming much more common these days. With modern technology, most of us can accomplish our work from anywhere with just a few basic pieces of equipment. If you’re telecommuting, or considering getting started, we have five essential tools that will help boost your productivity.

If you’re struggling with an overwhelming amount of calls, it’s time to get organized. Using a message pad alone is simply not efficient call management. Check out the ultimate organizational tool for incoming communication and grab our template to get started.

If your supervisor has ever asked you to conduct research to answer a question about a particular topic, even something as simple as what will the weather be like in another city next week, you understand how important it is to know how to conduct research. Here is the first of a two-part article that will provide you some tips on how to track down research data.

In this second part of our two-part series, you will now find out how to take the data that you’ve gathered, analyze it and come up with an answer to the question(s) you asked at the beginning of your search. Here are some helpful tips on how to analyze research data.

Tasks that take more time than employees have available can cause enormous stress in the office. While these kinds of projects are nearly impossible to complete on time, they’re even more impossible to avoid. Learn a few simple ways to constructively deal with these deadlines and make the impossible possible.

If your reception is a disaster area, you might be giving the wrong impression of your company. Creating an inviting atmosphere for you clients takes thought and effort. Use these tips for turning your reception area from drab to fab.

It’s no secret that we’re all experiencing tough economic times. But marketing is still an essential part of growing a business. So, how do you effectively use your marketing dollars these days? We’ve got some helpful ideas.

You’re ready to be a manager, but you want to be sure you have what it takes to do a good job. Before you take that leap to the next level in your career, be sure to get the training and experience you need AND be sure to develop these five essential skills that every manager should have.

Are you considering joining forces with a friend to create a business? Be careful! This can be a disaster waiting to happen. Learn what you need to consider before making the jump.

Got Cards? Business cards, that is. These hand held billboards are vital marketing tools for any business. Today we'll show you why you need them, how to create yours quickly and inexpensively, and what to do with them once you have them.

Does your company go above and beyond for your customers? The way you treat your clients when they’re upset can make or break your business. Explore these techniques for dealing with customer complaints.

Every week here at OfficeArrow, we scrub the web looking for great tips and fabulous resources so you don't have to! It can be a chore, slogging through all the junk out there. Let us save you time and energy. Stop by every Friday and pick up your cheat sheet of all the great stuff we've found around the web in the last seven days!

The American English language can be very confusing. And while there are certain memorable tips – “i before e except after c” – mostly it is a matter of studying hard and remembering the rules. Here are some of the more confusing grammar and punctuation errors, and tips for how to avoid them.

Looking for a way to get your product in front of the masses? Direct marketing might be the answer to increasing sales. Learn about this dynamic method of marketing and how it can work for your business.

Are you using your desktop like it’s a filing cabinet? If so, it’s time to take some steps towards getting your space in order. The office supply experts at Quill have a few recommendations to help you get things under control. From paperwork to unnecessary clutter, you’ll learn what to do with all that stuff!

These days, most of us are running low on time and money. But the email marketing experts over at VerticalResponse have some good news! You can create an effective, profitable email campaign in just thirty minutes! Surprised? Learn a few simple tricks that will save you some serious time.

The purpose of a flow chart is to visually illustrate a step-by-step process. If you’re guiding someone through a series of tasks, a flow chart can effectively demonstrate how a process works. Learn how to utilize this extremely beneficial tool.

Whether you’re at home, in the office or work from a home office, saving money is a top priority in today’s ecomony. So, it’s important to examine your current processes and assess whether there’s a better way to do them. Learn eight beneficial tips to help you save money at your home or office.

If you’re wondering how your organization stacks up against the competition, then it’s time to conduct a competitive analysis. This can help you understand your place in the market, competitive advantages and disadvantages, and available resources and priorities. Stay ahead of the game by utilizing this highly beneficial tool.

This week marks the beginning of National Cleaning Week. Are you keeping that New Year’s resolution to stay organized? As a follow-up to the Messy Desk contest last November, post before and after pictures of your newly clutter-free work spaces – and win!

You’ve just been asked to manage a long-term project. An impossible task, right? Wrong! Learn key strategies to ensure that the project stays on course and meets – and exceeds – clients’ expectations.

Oops! Something went wrong, and now a customer is upset. Whether it was a miscommunication, a poorly trained employee, or something else entirely, you now have to solve the problem and save the relationship. Read on to learn how to handle this situation.

When you work 40, 50, 60 or even 70 hours a week, the only thing on your mind at the end of the day is to fall into a comfortable bed and sleep. But, what a waste of your personal time! That’s why it’s so critical to incorporate balance into your life and ensure that you spend an equal amount of your waking hours fulfilling personal goals.

Whether you’re setting up a new filing system or just trying to maximize the efficiency of the one you’ve got, this comprehensive guide offers everything you need to get the job done. Learn how to manage your paper with simple solutions that will change the way you think of filing – from storage to retrieval to finding that mysterious “missing” file.

Today’s business world places more importance than ever on traditional business writing. Regardless of what you’re writing – whether it’s an e-mail, a memo, or a comprehensive annual report – the same basic principles apply. In part one of this series, learn how to communicate better in three simple steps.

The ability to produce well-written business documents is a key contributor to career success. This series provides a step-by-step guide to help you produce high-quality business materials that demonstrate your professionalism. In this article, learn how to create an effective message and keep your readers focused.

In today’s business world, you may find yourself writing memos, reports, emails, and letters on a daily basis. Do you know how to adapt your writing technique for each different form of communication? In the final installment of this series, you’ll learn the specific do’s and don’ts for each type of document you may encounter.

It’s tough to know if you’ve accomplished what you set out to if you haven’t defined your goal. That’s why creating a personal mission statement can not only help you focus on what you want in life, but it can keep you productively moving in the right direction.

With so many options or issues to consider, it’s often difficult to make the right decision. So, how do you move past this roadblock? Consider using the “10-10-10” formula for decision-making. Read on to learn more about this life-transforming principle.