A friend of mine used to have a dog that loved chasing squirrels. The problem (for the dog) was that he was incredibly bad at catching them. I remember watching as that dog chased squirrels up the tree, and then proceeded to bark at the top of the tree…while the squirrel ran right down the… Continue reading »
Jan
20
When trusted IT workers go bad
Security is a hot topic right now. It seems like I hear about a new data breach or hacking attempt every week. But, while we usually hear about the external attacks, the internal attacks (which typically go unreported) are far more dangerous. What happens when (seemingly) good IT workers go bad? That’s the focus of… Continue reading »
Nov
12
5 tips for avoiding management mistakes
As a manager, do you sometimes have trouble with employee performance? Do you sense dips in motivation from time to time? Before confronting them, first analyze your management methods. Leaders have an enormous effect on employee productivity. How can leaders negatively impact their employees? I recently read a great article in techrepublic.com that lists “5… Continue reading »
Sep
10
How to survive and thrive during a downturn
I’d like to share a story about two very similar companies in the same line of business. When the economy struggled last year, one company cut back and laid off workers. The other company started a new service that helps people who have upside-down mortgages. Which do you think is doing better right now? I… Continue reading »
Sep
03
10 unusual ways to cut costs in the office
Saving money around the office is a tricky topic because saving money often results in lower morale. In order to save money, managers often remove employee perks and other items that employees enjoyed. For example, I know of one company that stopped buying donuts for the weekly staff meetings in order to save money. Another… Continue reading »
Aug
20
14 ways to kill creativity
Do you feel like your company lags behind the competition? Do you feel like you’re struggling to keep up? I’d like to tell you about the secret key to innovation. It’s something that every company has: Employees! Specifically, your employee’s ideas are a great way to fuel innovation. Every company wants to think that their… Continue reading »
Aug
06
5 tips for becoming a better leader
What makes a good leader? I see some companies who assume a good leader is someone who is very smart or who is very good at their job. Not necessarily. While it’s definitely possible, a great employee does not always translate into a great leader. A leader inspires others to be better. A leader improves… Continue reading »
Jul
23
5 ways to ensure an unhappy staff
Would you rather have a miserable staff, or a happy staff? What a silly question! Of course you want a happy staff. Happy employees create a better work environment and are all around more productive. But, while I’m sure every manager wants happy employees, how many managers actually cause unhappiness among their employees?
Jun
25
8 ways to keep your best workers on board
The impending NBA free agent signing season has dominated the sporting news over the last month, at least in Chicago. Can the Cavaliers keep Lebron? Where will all the high-priced, high-talent players land? As a Bulls fan, I hope they all come to Chicago. (As a realist, I know they won’t.) I think this situation… Continue reading »
May
28
Leadership lesson: Let go to succeed
I’m curious: If I held an informal survey, how many managers would describe themselves as “micro-managers?” How many of your employees would describe you as a micro-manager? If you are a micro-manager, is that a bad thing? You might look at micro-managing as an annoyance or a personality trait. But you may not realize just… Continue reading »
About the author
Joe Stangarone is a 30+ year veteran of the IT industry and president of mrc—the software company behind the award winning development platform, m-Power. Joe shares his leadership and technology insights through the Cup of Joe Blog, focusing primarily on ways businesses can save time, money, and increase productivity using technology.
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