Is 30 seconds long enough to get any real answers to any real questions?
The folks at Fast Company think so. They’ve just launched something they’re calling the 30 Second MBA.

Last week’s question: How do you deliver difficult news to your staff, customers or to the public.
5 experts take a shot at the question throughout the week.
This week’s question: In a highly networked, global world, has the meaning of leadership changed?
I’m interested in learning from the 30 Second MBA faculty, none of which I’ve honestly heard of before this series.
I think the premise is a good one, and if they focus …read more

A connection of mine recently posed this question:
I’m about to start Twittering. What tips do you have for using Twitter for business?
Awesome question! I’ve got 5 great tips.
I hope they help my connection…and more importantly, I hope they help YOU!

5 Ways to Use Twitter for Business

Follow some folks you trust and listen/watch what they do. Follow some folks you’d like to know and listen/watch what they do.
Start tweeting about things that are in line with your brand.
Share links, share ideas, share thoughts, share pictures, and just share.
Use http://search.twitter.com and look for the topics/ideas you care about…and respond to those that …read more

President Obama proposes we limit executive pay to $500,000 for institutions that got bailout money. See the full story here. It got me thinking about what all managers are worth, pay wise, and I think I came up with an interesting way to look at it:
If each step you go up the ladder is twice as much responsibility, how about capping each step at double what the highest paid associate at the level below makes.
Here’s how it might work:

Front line employee makes $40,000 per year
Front line manager makes $80,000 per year
Second line manager makes $160,000 per year
Third line manager makes …read more

Lost luggage by David Zinger
 
As I write this, I am sitting in the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan airport waiting to catch a flight to Winnipeg, Manitoba. I am heading home. When I left home 3 days ago I forgot to pack two items that I needed for the trip (shoes can always come in handy).
This made me think about what we need to pack in our “management bag” as we journey into management. Here are 12 items I would place in my management bag and I look forward to what you would add to the bag so that I don’t get to …read more

Is your organization geared up to manage, master, and transform the ways work and the workplace has been changing?
Corporate Agility outlines a new model for competing in a flat world. Corporate Agility: A Revolutionary New Model for Competing in a Flat World was written by Charles E. Grantham, James P. Ware, and Cory Williamson.

Does your workplace produce a meaningful sense of self-control? From the book website:
We began with a presumption that, as population growth slowed and the baby boomers moved towards retirement, the workplace would become an increasingly important means of attracting and retaining talented workers. We knew from personal experience and …read more

Yes, Christmas is coming in just a few days, and if you’re like me, you’re wondering what to get yourself your friends this year for Christmas. Instead of looking all over the internet for a guide, and comparing all the different gizmos and gadgets against each other, do yourself a favor and download Uncle Mark’s Gift Guide. Inside, you’ll find tons of amazing stuff, specifically:
• Uncle Mark’s new digital camera pick
• Uncle Mark’s new cell phone pick (hint: same as the camera pick)
• Uncle Mark’s unsung hero of consumer technology
• Uncle Mark’s favorite new kitchen tool
• Uncle Mark’s new (and …read more

Does your work cause you to travel? How do you use your time in airports before take off?

I would appreciate tips that Slacker Managers use to make something out of their waiting.
Here are my 4 airport productivity habits.
I like to get to the airport early. After checking in I always go to the bookstore and look at the new business books. I write down any titles I find intriguing and usually check them out of my local library when I return. The last time at the airport I found the following titles:

Calming Your Anxious Mind
It is all in Your Head.
Stumbling on …read more

Regular readers of Slacker Manager know that I hold the Harvard Business Review (HBR) in high esteem.
Although the target audience is C-level leaders I believe anyone at any level of management can benefit by reading the HBR. The articles are well-written, they include wonderful illustrations, and the printed journal includes an eclectic collection of business cartoons.
What could be better than cartoons and Harvard together?
Click here to get your free 21 day pass to HBR-London. If you are a manager, make your next 3 weeks a chance to get a Harvard education.
You will have access to an engaging interactive site and …read more

One of our loyal readers shared this request:
I have been on the hunt for a software gaming program that would help maintain
or enhance management skills. I have looked at Sims2 business but would like
more real-life. I have e-mailed a couple of other companies but they are
designed more for Corporate. The level that I am looking for is more along MBA
degree programs (I recently graduated with my MBA). Would you or your readers
have any suggestions?
Any ideas? I’m drawing a blank, and as we have MANY smart readers, I thought I’d throw it out to you. If there isn’t one that you …read more

How do you you apply the principles of improvisation to management?

Too often our management plans consist of mental gymnastics that keep us in our heads and out of touch with what is occurring at work and with our staff.
Many managers are finding the benefit of learning about improvisation to improve their management approach and skills. See Patricia Ryan Madson’s Improv Wisdom blog links or Harvey Mackay’s latest newsletter: Making others look good reflects on you.
This week, I attended an improvisation class facilitated by Stephen Sims at the Prairie Theatre Exchange school in Winnipeg. Our class of 15 participants engaged in a number of improvisation games or …read more