Managing Your Business

Coping with stress

According to a Harvard cardiologist, 80 percent of doctor's visits are caused by stress. To reduce your stress level, avoid self-criticism. Stop thinking, "I should have" and start thinking, "To make fewer errors, here is what I will do."

In addition, do not set achievement levels that make it impossible for you to succeed. Learn the difference between what you can accomplish with hard work and what is unreasonable. You also should study your stress patterns. For example, if you are stressed every Wednesday, determine what is causing the stress and change your routine or adopt a new response to help you cope.

Source: Adapted from Facing Fears, as cited in Communication Briefings, February issue.

Adjust your company vision

As time passes, company goals change and a company's vision statement may need adjustment, as well. You can determine whether your company's vision statement needs to be revised by researching its value. Try the following:

• Survey employees. Ask employees how they carry out the company's vision statement every day and what it means to them. If the vision statement seems important to them, you probably can keep it. Otherwise, it is a good idea to modify the vision statement into something meaningful to everyone.
  
  
• Evaluate successes. Review your employees' accomplishments during the past few months, and ask them what they hope to achieve in the coming months. If accomplishments and ambitions do not relate to the company's vision statement, it should be adjusted.
  
  
• Set an example. Determine whether your performances support your company's vision statement. You may need to brainstorm ways to uphold the vision statement and incorporate these ideas into your daily tasks.
  
  
• Keep it in mind. Your company's vision statement constantly should be communicated to employees. Employees who are familiar with the vision statement can include it in their responsibilities more easily.
  
  

Source: Adapted from the InnoVision Communication Web site, as cited in Positive Leadership, February issue.

Do I have to go?

Have you noticed resistance from employees asked to attend out-of-town training seminars? To determine what could be causing their reluctance, consider the following possibilities:

• Commission. If your employees are paid commission, being out of the office for a few days reduces their income. And paying their trip expenses may not be much of an incentive. Ask whether they would be more enthusiastic about a seminar if you paid them for their time, as well.
  
  
• Family concerns. Single parents may be concerned about who is available to watch their children while they are away. Other employees may be reluctant to leave their families and miss scheduled activities. Ask if on-site or local training would be more convenient.
  
  
• Lack of interest. Maybe a particular seminar does not interest your employees. Ask them which training topics would be most helpful and interesting to them. Also, determine whether they dislike a certain type of training. Some employees may prefer hands-on training rather than a classroom approach.
  
  

Source: Adapted from the Workforce Online Web site, as cited in The Motivational Manager, February issue.

Maximize your telephone image

Despite the many ways to communicate, the telephone remains a powerful communication tool. Therefore, it is important to present yourself positively when speaking to someone on the telephone.

To help maximize your telephone image, give your listener a little time. It takes 10 seconds to 30 seconds to adjust to an unfamiliar voice. Offer a greeting, such as "Good morning" or "How can I help you?" to give the other person time to adjust. A greeting also portrays a positive image and will make your listener more receptive to what you say.

Remember, a successful telephone conversation depends on listening and talking. It is important to adjust your tone to the other person's voice to make him believe he is being heard. If a person believes he is the focus of your attention, he will be more willing to provide you with information.

Source: Adapted from Powerful Telephone Skills, as cited in The Working Communicator, June 2001 issue.