Emailing

Emailing has become the norm for much of our professional communication, whether you like it or not.   Think about avoiding these five email mistakes and your messages just may come across significantly more professional.

Unstructured criticism

Words can seem harsher, and are more likely misunderstood when read on a fluorescent screen rather than heard in person.  If you choose to give critical feedback through an email, be sure to cushion your constructive criticism with some kinder words before and after --  it is also known as a compliment sandwich.

It's so unprofessional to blast a bunch of negativity at someone through an email.  Soften your email and get the point across  professionally.

Email vs. private messaging

With high volumes of emails, it can be very annoying to receive those that are a couple of words long. These should be sent using a work instant messaging system or simply by sending a text.

Reducing irrelevant emails is a great way to show your competence in the workplace.

Slow and no response time

It is unprofessional to have a slow response time or to completely ignore an email from a colleague or client. Even if you are short on time, email back a "Thanks!" or  "Got it!" and then follow up within a reasonable amount of time. Filtering your messages and prioritizing which emails need to be addressed first will keep you on track.

Double emailing

One email pet peeve many employers have is when someone sends many emails in a row without giving adequate time for a response. If people don't allow you at least 48 hours to sort things through, they can come off as pushy and unprofessional.

Emoticons

Emojis are for texting and instant messaging--not for emails. Stay away from adding that heart emoji or smiley face, regardless of how well you think it fits within the   content you are emailing.   Some say nothing says unprofessional more than a smiley face at the end of each paragraph —you decide!.



Link to Good Advice on the Web:

May Be The best way to start a new business

(MoneyWatch) With U.S. employers still reluctant to hire, more folks are considering starting a small business. But what's better, forming a corporation or a trust? Neither, actually. For individuals looking to start small and grow big, I typically suggest forming a limited liability company, or LLC.

Every state allows single-member LLCs. To create one, you'll need to file the proper documents with the appropriate state agency and pay filing fees. For example, in New York you'll need to file so-called articles of organization and obtain a "department of state filing receipt." You'll also need to advertise the existence of the LLC in a few local business journals and obtain an affidavit of publication.

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But before you make a decision on a corporate structure, you first need to understand the legal and tax implications. LLCs shield your personal assets from the liabilities of the business. This means that if your company sinks into debt, banks and other lenders cannot seize your personal property. The only exception is if you signed a personal guarantee on a loan to your business. So a LLC provides legal protection of your assets in much the same way as a corporation. But a LLC has more flexibility when it comes to management and taxes.

When it comes to taxes and tax reporting, LLCs are simpler than corporations. LLCs are "conduit entities," which means that they pass through the taxable income to the owner or members (the individuals who own the LLC). This means that the LLC itself does not pay taxes. Income from the business is instead passed down to the company's members. The members report the profits or losses from the LLC on their personal income tax returns.

For purposes of tax reporting, a single-member LLC is considered a sole proprietorship. The tax reporting for individuals who own a single-member LLC is straightforward. They report the income, expenses and net profit from the LLC on Schedule C of the Form1040 that they file with the Internal Revenue Service.

When there is more than one member of a LLC, it's referred to as a partnership LLC. These businesses must file partnership tax returns using Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income. Since a LLC does not pay income taxes on its own, it avoids the double taxation that is a problem with corporations. Corporations pay taxes on their income, and shareholders also pay taxes when the company's profits are distributed to them in the form of dividends.

Most states have a registry where you can search to see if the business name you are considering is available and not in use by another registered company.

One piece of advice: Don't use your surname as a part of the company's name. If something goes wrong down the road or you want to discontinue the business, you'll be glad your name isn't on the front door. 

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505143_162-57582156/the-best-way-to-start-a-new-business/?tag=nl.e857&s_cid=e857&ttag=e857



6 steps to resolve conflict

By Robert Pagliarini -

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57424513/6-steps-to-resolve-conflict/?tag=nl.e664

(MoneyWatch) COMMENTARY Yesterday a good friend of mine called me in tears. She said she had a very upsetting interaction with someone she had known for many years and didn't know what to do about it. Our conversation during those first few minutes was dominated by a flurry of emotions. Based on my experience coaching couples to resolve their financial disagreements, my master's education in clinical psychology, and my life coach experience with Robbins-Madanes Coach Training, I've distilled a few key steps that may not resolve every conflict, but will certainly help to improve communications. Here is the six-step process I followed with her:

1. Drill down. When you get upset, you become flooded with hormones and emotions. Your mind can start to resemble a bee hive of activity -- racing thoughts and a lack of clear focus. Your goal at this stage is drill down and to really try to figure out what you are actually most upset about. I know; you're probably upset over 20 different things, but your job is to keep drilling until you hit the core of what is most upsetting. Once you get past feeling angry and thinking that your boss is a jerk, you may find that there is something deeper that is really troubling you. Are you upset that your boss called you out in a meeting when he knew you didn't have the answer or that you're really upset you weren't prepared? The answer will have a profound effect on how you handle the situation.

2. Get positive. No, I'm not calling for pep talk. It's critical you do your best to determine the other person's positive intent. What's positive intent? Well, negative intent is when you attribute the other person's behavior to them wanting to hurt you and do you harm. When you are in the middle of a heated argument, negative intent comes naturally. "Why is he doing this to hurt me?" is a perfect example of assigning negative intent -- the assumption that he is trying to hurt you. It's difficult to resolve a conflict if you think the other person is hell-bent on doing you harm. Instead, play detective and try to figure out their positive intent. What positive outcome were they trying to achieve? Once you do this, understanding and empathy can begin to flow.

3. Step in their shoes. This is easier said than done -- especially when emotions are running hot -- but if you really want to resolve the disagreement or conflict, this is essential. Pretend you are the other person and answer these questions: What are your goals? Which of the six human needs are you trying to meet? What must I have been thinking and feeling in order to respond/react the way I did (remember to continue to assume positive intent!)? There is no truth, only interpretation. When you can step into the other person's shoes you can begin to see and understand their interpretation which can help you resolve the conflict.

4. Rub the "magic genie" lamp. Get clear on precisely what you need to have happen. Maybe at this point you realize it's not worth it to resolve the conflict, or alternatively, that what you really need is to rekindle the relationship. Whatever it is, figure it out. Stop focusing on what you didn't get and all the things that didn't work out and start focusing on what you need to have happen now. Notice I haven't suggested what you "want" to have happen. You may want a heartfelt apology and a dozen roses, but what really is the minimum you need in order to have the conflict resolved? Your answer will be your guide going forward.

5. Create a game plan. Now that you've taken a step back and tried to figure out their perspective and what it is you want to accomplish, now's the time to determine the best course of action to get you what you need. Should you send an email? A phone call? Call in a mediator? What can you do that will increase the chances you'll get your wish from step 4? Your game plan should focus exclusively on only those things you can control. While your wish from step 4 may be that the other person apologizes, this is not an effective game plan because you can't control this. Instead, what can you control? Scheduling a meeting? Yes. Having a civil conversation about what happened? Of course. Taking responsibility for things you would have done differently? Absolutely. Do you see what's happening here? You are controlling what you have control over to create an environment where an apology is more likely versus sitting back and waiting for an apology.

6. Execute. Now that you know what you need and what you control, go get it done.

I went through this process with my friend, and while she is still hurt and affected by what happened, she has a greater understanding of the other person's "side" and is actively doing what she has control over to get it resolved. Resolving conflict is not a simple task, but by keeping these guidelines in mind, it can be less painful and more effective.



EATING HEALTHY

(MoneyWatch) Eating healthy -- let alone losing weight -- while putting in long days at the office isn't a piece of cake. Buying sandwiches, wraps and super-sized salads drenched in dressing at the corner cafe can add unwanted padding to your waistline as well as your credit card statement.

But you don't necessarily have to pack your lunch every day to eat better, especially since eating out with co-workers can be a stress reliever and networking opportunity. Toting a healthy midday meal just twice a week can help you save money and shed pounds. Recently I spoke with chef Debra Ponzek, founder and co-owner of Aux Delices, a group of Fairfield County, Conn.-based specialty food shops and high-end catering business, about her best tips for lunches you'll actually want to eat. Here is her expert advice on how to never suffer through another sad, soggy turkey sandwich again.

Take leftovers

There is no easier packed lunch than last night's dinner. But if you don't have a microwave at work or don't love the idea of eating the same thing twice in two days, make something new out of the old meal. For instance, a roast chicken can be served in its original form with a vegetable and starch for dinner, and then sliced and stuffed into a wrap the next day. Here is an adapted version of Ponzek's "perfect" roast chicken. (The more detailed recipe appears in her new book, "The Dinnertime Survival Cookbook: Delicious, Inspiring Meals for Busy Families.")

Remove gizzards from one 3 1/2 pound chicken, lightly rinse the bird inside and out and pat dry. Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Rub the chicken with butter and season generously with salt and pepper. Put the chicken, breast side up, in a small roasting pan or dish, and roast for 1 hour.

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Upgrade your basics

Regularly toting a standard PB&J to work can begin to feel like punishment pretty fast. "I spice up PB&Js by making peanut butter, banana and agave (or honey) on whole wheat. Or sometimes I'll combine almond butter and sliced pears, or peanut butter, Nutella and banana," said Ponzek. For her version of a tuna sandwich, she swaps heart-healthy avocado in for mayo, and her take on ham and cheese uses Prosciutto and Manchego cheese instead of the usual deli slices. If you put a little more thought into your sack lunch, you'll be a lot more likely to eat it happily.

Use the right ingredients

Ponzek chooses a heartier bread, like a baguette, for her catered meals. The result? No more soggy sandwiches. Another inside tip from her extensive experience is thinking beyond an ice pack to cool your meal when space is at a premium.

"Sometimes I use a partially frozen small water bottle or a small yogurt to keep the other food cold. Brownies and blondies can even be packed frozen because they will thaw out by lunch while keeping the rest of the food cold," Ponzek said.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57585788/smart-ways-to-slash-your-weekday-lunch-tab/

Keeping Your Cool

(MoneyWatch) In 20 years of travel, I've stayed in lots of hotels in lots of places, from negative-star hotels in rural China to ultra-luxe properties in the world's biggest cities (the latter only if I got a steal, used points or someone else was picking up the tab... I travel cheap). I'd like to think I've seen the best and worst that the hospitality industry has to offer, and that nothing -- good or bad -- could faze me. So Imagine my surprise last month when a mid-range business hotel in New Jersey gave such jaw-droppingly great service that I practically had to walk outside to make sure I didn't accidentally walk into the Four Seasons.

Though I am obsessed with great service and loathe its opposite, I am actually a pretty easy customer. I don't expect extraordinary service everywhere, so if I get treated at a basically good level by basically friendly people, I am friendly and understanding in return. But it just so happened that I was a particularly "needy" customer on this trip: GPS took me an extra hour to the wrong place, not the room type I requested, in need of an unreasonably-late check-out, the inevitable missing toiletries, and more. Nobody's fault -- just one of those trips. Like any frequent business traveler, I took it in stride. But I did throw a lot at the fine overnight staff of this hotel.

They responded by taking it in even better stride than I did. GPS screw-up? The impossibly pleasant gentleman at the front desk talked me in by phone and stayed on until he saw my car. Room problem? Upgraded to executive floor. Mid-afternoon checkout? No problem -- "we'll make that work" (loved that answer). They just couldn't do enough, or nicely enough.

The capper was when my executive floor key didn't open the breakfast lounge door. The woman working the lounge let me in and said she was going to have someone come up immediately with new key cards. When I explained to her that I'd be checking out that day and probably wouldn't need them, she said "maybe not, but we inconvenienced you and it's the right thing to do." Two minutes later, a cheerful lady from the front desk showed up, tested the keys and handed them to me with another apology. I sat with my scrambled eggs, wondering if I had landed in some parallel universe of luxury resorts disguised as business hotels.

So this plain-vanilla national chain property wowed me sufficiently to write about it, by being unflusterable. Being unflusterable means keeping your attitude and actions positive, without fail, no matter what comes your way:

1. Never let 'em see you sweat. A really hard-to-please customer can test even the best service professional, but it's a test you can and should pass with flying colors. Keep a genuine smile on your face (a fake one is worse than none at all), listen more than you talk, and never stop visualizing and telegraphing a happy conclusion.

2. Own it. Whatever "it" is -- a real problem, a special request, or even a seemingly unfounded gripe. The what, why, who and when (especially the latter -- the past is the past) are far less important than what you do next. So don't look for another person or place to dump the issue -- grab it and run with it. If you need help or authorization, get it, but don't relinquish ownership of the issue.

3. Take your opinions and emotions out of the equation. Too many employees take business personally, and while there are times when a customer has a problem with a specific employee, more often she is just shooting the messenger. It's not about you -- take the bullet.

4. Let your default answer be "yes" (or "certainly," "absolutely," or any variation thereof). If there isn't a really good reason to say no, don't look for one. I'm not saying you should be a doormat or give someone $20 to break a five-dollar bill, I'm just saying that it's always best to look for ways to say yes. Saying yes to even half of what a customer asks for has a shot at making him happy; saying no is guaranteed not to.

5. Do something, fast. Minimize the amount of time you spend discussing, explaining, debating or negotiating. The sooner you get to some positive action, the less time there is for the customer to stew, grit her teeth and think of more (increasingly legitimate) reasons to be upset. Start solving before the end of the problem even leaves her lips.

Whenever I write a piece along these lines, some readers post comments or write to say that it's a nice thought, but unrealistic or inappropriate in some circumstances. Their argument is that there are customers who indeed ask too much, can't be pleased and are even abusive to employees. One commenter on an earlier post even suggested that I was rewarding bad customer behavior. But in my experience, truly "impossible" customers are really few and far between, and most people who are upset, demanding or venting can be turned around. So if the trade-off is that I get taken advantage of sometimes, I'll take it.

By being completely unflappable, this nondescript hotel showed that greatness has nothing to do with the sign on the door, the thread count of the sheets or even the price of the room. In fact, I wasn't even a paying customer -- I was staying for free, with points -- so after all this great service, I checked out with a zero bill. That didn't bother them either.

 http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505143_162-57578330/5-steps-to-becoming-unflusterable/