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This is the latest news and information for workers and managers from across the Web universe, brought to you by Monday Morning Manager writer Harvey Schachter. Follow us on Twitter @Globe_Careers or join our Linked In group.
Consultant Art Petty says the major "people mistake" of his career was investing too much time and effort on the wrong people – those who fooled him into believing they would change their ways and improve. If someone truly wants to grow, however, move mountains to help her. Leadership Caffeine Blog
Tricks to get direct mail noticed
Marketing consultant Drew McLellan says direct mail is hot these days. Use off-sized mail to be noticed; make any package lumpy and three-dimensional to be opened; and have it arrive later in the week since many people often address their mail on weekends. Drew's Marketing Minute
Categorize your to-do list
Productivity writer Mike Vardy recommends adding context to every item on your to-do list, indicating the best time to do it: H for high energy times, N for normal energy, and L for low energy. The Productivityist Newsletter
Ask staff what they would change
Hertz chief executive officer Mark Frissora and the company's 19 most senior managers hold formal "skip-level" reviews at least twice a quarter, meeting with front-line staff (without their immediate managers) to ask questions such as, "If you had a magic wand, what would you change about the company?" McKinsey.com
Upgrade your notes with Google Keep
For Android users, blogger Lewis Humphries recommends Google Keep, which he says is the last word in note-taking applications, with far greater capacity than standard tools, including the ability to create checklists and voice notes. Lifehack.org
Harvey Schachter is a Battersea, Ont.-based writer specializing in management issues. He writes Monday Morning Manager and management book reviews for the print edition of Report on Business and an online work-life column Balance. E-mail Harvey Schachter
Harvey Schachter