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<b style="color: blue">Human Resource Associates</b>
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<span class="heading">HR - On The Job</span>
<p class="issue">How To Manage Your Day</p>
<p>Some managers see their job as one long string of emergencies with the most important job each day being to put out fires. Such people will not become successful leaders. Most good managers work through their day from a list of things to do. Their normal process is to prepare that list either when they start in the morning or at the end of the previous day. Those lists can be important tools in accomplishing their goals and losing that list can sometimes mean losing that day. Even though most managers have lists and even though we all have the same 24 hours each day some managers seem to accomplish much more than others. Are they making better lists? Some pretty smart people seem to thinks so.</p>
<p class="section">To-Do Lists</p>
<p><b>Harness your "Hour of Power".</b> Earl Nightingale was one of the country's most popular philosophers, and best known inspirational business leaders whose key message was "We become what we think about". He believed that the most important hour of the day is that first early morning hour. He stated that if you start that first hour of your day in the study of your chosen field, you will be a national expert in five years or less. Rise early get your day started in the right direction.</p>
<p><b>Make it <em>your</em> list.</b> Napoleon Hill, author, journalist, attorney, lecturer and advisor to presidents was one of the 20th century's most famous personal success leaders. He advised people to start their day with a list based on this concept: <em>You will always do your best work when you feel that you are acting on your own initiative and to assume full responsibility for all your actions.</em> So start by knowing what you intend to do and take it on as <em>your</em> work, your <em>personal</em> goal.</p>
<p><b>Apply the 80/20 rule to everything.</b> About 20 percent of your daily activities are responsible for 80 percent of your success. It's called the Pareto Principle. So focus your time on the 20 percent that really matters most and minimize the time spent on the fire drills and distractions. Always look for ways to free up more time for the bigger pay-off activities by ruthlessly eliminating the dozens of low-pay-off activities you tolerate. Keep an index card in your pocket with this message - <em>Is this leading me to my main goal?</em> Check it several times each day as a reminder to stay on track and minimize the time-wasters.</p>
<p><b>Slow down and focus.</b> Focus on one high priority item at a time, don't rush through it. You do your best thinking when you take a little time to be relaxed and focused. Give high priority items the attention they deserve.</p>
<p><b>Ask these two questions of every task:</b> (1) Does this have to be done? (2) If so, does it have to be done by me? In all your work, strive to be efficient but effective. Efficient means doing things right, effective means doing the rights things.</p>
<p><b>Delegate the <i>Kaizen</i> way.</b> If you're a control freak and cannot delegate comfortably, take this lead from the Japanese. The Japanese approach to continuous improvement is called <i>Kaizen</i>. It means to advance by taking small, non-threatening, easy to take baby steps. Ask someone to do a small favor for you. As soon as you're comfortable with one delegation baby step, take another and so on. It's easier to get 10 people to work for you then for you to do the work of 10.</p>
<p><b>Gain six to eight hours of productivity every day.</b> Gary Bencivenga, a renowned direct-marketing expert and the author of the E-zine Success Bullets says that many famous historical leaders believed in the ability to resolve issues in their subconscious sleeping hours. He considers your second most productive hour is the one just before you go to sleep. Bencivenga says that just before going to bed, think about a problem, question or goal you're dealing with. Explore the possibilities, consider alternatives and then say to yourself, <em>I know my mind is powerful and I'm going to trust it to have some answers for me in the morning</em>. Then forget about the matter and go to sleep. He says that many people will often find that they're brimming over with ideas in the morning. That's the time to write them down. Keep a pad and pencil handy by your bedside.</p>
<p class="section">Not To-Do Lists</p>
<p><b>Don't carry your "To-Do" list in your head.</b> You will not only forget things that are on the list, but that inner ear of yours will perpetually nag that you must be dropping balls somewhere. Use a written to-do list to capture everything you need to remember, every phone call, task and follow up action. Review the most urgent and important items daily.</p>
<p><b>Don't multitask.</b> Confucius, the 6th century philosopher, thinker and teacher, said "A man who chases two rabbits catches neither". Today's modern studies show us that when you try to accomplish two activities that require focused attention at the same time both suffer significantly.</p>
<p><b>Never answer e-mail in the morning.</b> Reserve your precious morning time for your highest payoff activities. Shut off your e-mail program for most if the day so you won't be interrupted by each new incoming message. Limit reviewing your email to specific periods, perhaps once around noon and again later in the day. Keep replies short, "thanks", "look forward to it", "will do" or "I agree".</p>
<p><b>Don't answer phones just because they ring.</b> Too often it's a salesperson, fund-raiser or some nice soul out to waste your time and focus. Have an assistant or answering machine screen your calls or let them go to voice mail. Psychiatrist Edward M. Hallowell, MD and author of <i>Crazy Busy</i> says "If you don't manage your time, it will be taken from you".</p>
<p><b>Flex your "NO" muscle.</b> Whenever someone asks you to do something that you just can't do without hindering your work, remember this simple two-part formula- (1) "Thanks for asking" (for having the confidence that I could do this, etc). (2) I can't because... (You've just been given a major new assignment etc), so I wouldn't be able to give it the time that it deserves". Of course if the person making this request is your boss, remember that he/she is your number-one customer and that it's important to be on the same page about what's important. Sound out whether this request supersedes your current tasks. In other words, know what's most important at all times and keep your focus there.</p>
<p>Now where is that #%&* list?</p>
<hr />
<p align="center"><b><i>Have an employment question?</i></b></p>
<p align="center">Send it to <a href="mailto:[email protected]?subject=From HR On The Job">[email protected]</a>.</p>
<p align="center">Please include Company Name and Association in your e-mail. Company identification will be kept confidential.</p>
<hr />
<p class="heading">Hitchhiking on the Information Highway</p>
<p><b>Dateline:</b> April 2010</p>
<p><i>(Note: Although we attempt to provide the HRU update on the first of each month, we are normally delayed awaiting the release of several monthly government statistical reports. We will hereafter update the information as each report becomes available without waiting for all of them to be released.)</i></p>
<p class="section">Potty Parity or Bust</p>
<p>The Civil Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act have created a more non-discriminatory environment in the American work place. But the search for additional areas to which these bills may apply is ongoing.</p>
<p>In March, 2010 a bill was introduced into the U.S. Congress that illustrates that expansion. It's called the Restroom Gender Parity in Federal Buildings Act but is now being referred to as the <i>Potty Parity Act</i>. The act, as of this date not yet passed, would require that all new and existing federal buildings and buildings being renovated must include the same number (or more) of toilets in women's bathrooms as in men's bathrooms including urinals. The Congressman who introduced the bill stated that the nation's history shows that American public restrooms are manifestations of deeply rooted problems of discrimination based on race, physical ability and gender.</p>
<p>Also in the potty parity theme, one state school board has proposed a new rule that all bathrooms in all schools and at all grade levels must be uni-sex bathrooms with no separation based on gender.</p>
<p class="quote">"There will always be a battle between the sexes<br />
because men and women want different things.<br />
Men want women and women want men."<br />
- George Burns</p>
<p class="section">America's Worst Drivers</p>
<p>If you are an employer who depends on your employees to drive while working for you, you want to assure that they are the safest drivers you can find. After all, the safety of your employees, your customers and the public at large must be your most important priority. So which employees, by profession, make the best drivers?</p>
<p>According to a recent survey by insurance.com, athletes and homemakers are the safest drivers on the road. The top ten worst drivers are ranked below starting with the worst as No. 1.</p>
<ol>
<li>Attorneys/Judges</li>
<li>Financial Professors</li>
<li>Government Workers (GS6)</li>
<li>Bartenders/Waiters</li>
<li>Business Professionals</li>
<li>Dog Groomers</li>
<li>Marketing/Advertising Professionals</li>
<li>Barbers/Stylists</li>
<li>Coaches</li>
<li>Nurses</li>
</ol>
<p class="quote">"One can never consent to creep<br />
when one feels an impulse to soar"<br />
- Helen Keller</p>
<p class="section">Passwords for Those Passing On</p>
<p>Is there anyone reading this that does not have a password that allows you access to something? Probably not! Most Americans today use e-mail, social networking, blogs, electronic banking sites and even health information. Those who are serious about maintaining the integrity of that information guard those passwords with a passion, and maybe for a longer time than they really should.</p>
<p>But what happens to those passwords when you die? Often they're so well protected that no-one you know will ever again see that information. And maybe that's the way you want it. What if your family could not access that bank account or that lay-away you purchased or the book you've been writing? What if the company you work for should lose the passwords you use to access their financial information?</p>
<p>There are now several web based services that will forward the stored user names after you die to anyone you choose. LegacyLocker.com lets you store account information for such sites as Facebook, eBay and PayPal. After your death is verified your "beneficiaries" get your log in information to carry out your wishes. A basic account is free and a more comprehensive account is $29.95 or $299.99 for a one-time, lifetime account. At AssetLock.net, you can store notes about funeral arrangements, where to find insurance policies and wills. Plans range from $9.95 per year to $239.95 for lifetime service. MyWebwill.com will provide similar services and is less expensive.</p>
<p>Most attorneys, however, would advise that a safe deposit box to which the beneficiary has access is a better strategy.</p>
<p class="quote">"A person will sometimes devote all his life<br />
to the development of one part of his body -<br />
the wishbone"
- Robert Frost</p>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: center"><sub>© William J. Cook</sub></p>
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<span class="heading">Labor Stats</span>
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<b>Federal Minimum Wage</b>
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<p align="center">
<b>$7.25</b>/hour<br />
</p>
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<b>Average Income</b>
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<p align="center">
<u>Hourly</u><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>March 2010</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>$22.47</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>March 2009</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>$22.08</b></span><br />
</p>
<p align="center">
<u>Weekly</u><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>March 2010</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b> $763.98</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>March 2009</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>$750.72</b></span><br />
</p>
<hr />
<b>Federal Povery Level</b>
<hr />
<p>
<span style="float: left"><i>one person</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>$10,830</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>family of four</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>$22,050</b></span><br />
</p>
<hr />
<b>IRS Mileage Allowance</b>
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<p align="center">
As of <b>January 2010</b><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>business</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>50</b> cents/mile</span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>medical or moving</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>16.5</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>charitable</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>14</b></span><br />
</p>
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<b>Postage</b>
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<p align="center">
<span style="float: left"><i>1 oz</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>44</b> cents</span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>postcard</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>28</b></span><br />
</p>
<hr />
<b>Population</b>
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<p align="center">
<span style="float: left"><i>world</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>6.8 billion</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>U.S.</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>308.8 million</b></span><br />
<i>one birth every </i><b>7</b><i> seconds;</i><br />
<i>one death every </i><b>13</b><i> seconds;</i><br />
<i>one new immigrant every </i><b>35</b><i> seconds;</i><br />
net gain: <i>one person every </i><b>11</b><i> seconds.</i>
</p>
<hr />
<b>U.S. Civilian Workforce</b>
<hr />
<p align="center">
<u>March 2010</u><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>Total</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>153,910,000</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>Employed</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>138,905,000</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>Unemployed</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>15,005,000</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>Want A Job</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>6,004,000</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>Unemployment Rate</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>9.7%</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="float: left"><i>Absentee Rate</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>3.1%</b></span><br />
<span style="float:left"><i>- Female</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>4.2%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>- Male</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>2.3%</b></span><br />
</p>
<p align="center">
<u>March 2009</u><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>Total</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>154,164,000</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>Employed</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>140,854,000</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>Unemployed</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>13,381,000</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>Want A Job</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>5,830,000</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>Unemployment Rate</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>8.6%</b></span><br />
</p>
<br /><hr />
<b>U.S. Workforce Productivity</b><br />
<sub><i>(The amount of goods produced, divided by the number of work hours it took to produce it)</i></sub>
<hr />
<p align="center">
<span style="float: left"><i>1992</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>3.7%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>1993</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>0.5%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>1994</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>1.3%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>1995</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>0.9%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>1996</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>2.5%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>1997</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>2.0%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>1998</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>2.6%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>1999</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>3.3%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2000</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>3.4%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2001</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>2.9%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2002</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>4.6%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2003</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>3.7%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2004</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>2.8%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2005</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>1.7%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2006</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>0.9%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2007</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>1.9%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2008</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>1.8%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2009 1st quarter</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>0.3%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2009 2nd quarter</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>6.9%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2009 3rd quarter</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>8.1%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2009 4th quarter</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>+6.9%</b></span><br />
<span style="float: left"><i>2009 average</i></span>
<span style="float: right"><b>+5.8%</b></span>
</p>
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