Skip to main content
power points

Struggling to make a decision – any decision – is frustrating for staff.Getty Images/iStockphoto

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.

Here are some habits that consultant Art Petty says irk your employees: Finding the problem in everything; never providing praise; struggling to make a decision – any decision; changing direction but failing to tell others that you changed your mind; and making your team members walk on eggshells around you. Management Excellence

Turn complainers into happy campers

That customer who is complaining doesn't want a refund, entrepreneur Seth Godin insists. He or she wants a connection, an apology and some understanding. The customer wants to know why you made him feel stupid or abused, and why it won't happen again. Seth's Blog

Schedule earnings calls early

When you book your next earnings call with analysts, choose early morning. Research by professors Baruch Lev and Elizabeth Demers and graduate student Jing Chen found that calls originating in the late afternoon were more negative and combative than morning ones. Just before lunch was also poor. Harvard Business Review

Don't follow your passion – lead it

Advertising expert Roy H. Williams says that never have successful people told him they followed their passion. Their jobs didn't give them passion – they gave passion to their jobs. So don't follow you passion; let your passion follow you. Monday Morning Memo

Convert PDFs in a snap

PDFBurger.com offers a free converter of PDFs into Microsoft Word, with no software needed to be downloaded and installed. The transfer is carried out on the website and the new document then downloaded. Neat Net Tricks

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

Report an editorial error

Report a technical issue

Editorial code of conduct

Tickers mentioned in this story

Study and track financial data on any traded entity: click to open the full quote page. Data updated as of 28/03/24 4:00pm EDT.

SymbolName% changeLast
MSFT-Q
Microsoft Corp
-0.17%420.72

Follow related authors and topics

Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following.

Interact with The Globe