Increase in Offers of Training and Development:

One of the interesting, and obvious, side-effects of the current economic recession, is the increase in emails offering training and development. I'm afraid I don't have rock-solid statistics so call this more of an anecdotal observation but the increase is noticeable. As an example (and not an endorsement), I've gotten several unsolicited emails from http://peakperformancesalestraining.com/. Their basic pitch is an offer to help me improve my sales skills: "Proactive Prospecting in a Negative Economy -- Overcome Call Reluctance and the Negative Impact of Ineffective Traditional Prospecting".

As a non-sales person, this particular trolling has no real impact on me. However, as noted previously, improving one's skills is a definite tactic for finding or holding onto one's position. Clearly, some sort of additional education can be very beneficial but caveat emptor.

College Enrollment is Up:

Reputable on-line training is one way to go as one looks to add to their educational arsenal. A more traditional approach as people look to improve their skills to gain an advantage in the work force, especially an ever more precarious work-force, is that people go back to and/or stay in school. That college enrollment is up is no surprise and is being reported by several sources, including USA today and Voice of America. Having just entered a student in UC Davis, I'm well aware of the increase in competition.

Employee Abuse on the Rise:

One of the more unsavory side-effects of a poor economy is that management may trend toward the dark-side.

When the economy turns sour, it only makes sense to take steps to preserve or enhance your career prospects. Is it time to clean up your act? Have you noticed things that need to be improved? What should you do to avoid the unemployment line, if you actually want to keep your job?

We present our list of top ten ways to help keep yourself gainfully employed during the late unpleasantness.

The good news is that you can do it honorably. While there are no guarantees, it's better to make the effort than sit back and wait for the axe to fall.

It's really as simple as increasing value and ensuring that your company understands how you improve the bottom line.

Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions author: Dan Ariely rating: ASIN or ISBN-10: 006135323X binding: Hardcover list price: $25.95 USD amazon price: $36.97 USD

"Why'd they do that?" -- a familiar refrain. Why do people engage in sometimes irrational behavior?

This is an excellent survey of the forces influencing the way people act. The author examines the effect of social norms, money, sexual arousal and more.

Why do people behave the way they do when faced with certain choices? Thought provoking and enlightening, worth reading again. I've added this book to my all-time favorites list.

Oh, and the author, Dan Ariely, maintains a blog on his web site.

There's no such thing as a perfect company - any enterprise consisting of more than one person is going to have issues (and to be sure, there are single-person enterprises that have major issues).

Frequently, the larger the organization, the more likely one or more of the following is going to be true. Note that there is a difference between an event or incident and an actual pattern. Incidents can sometimes be explained (everyone has bad days); patterns are worth noting.

Here, then, are the top ten patterns that could convince you to pack your bags:

⇒ Read more

Here are some ways that sociopathy and psychopathy can manifest themselves in the workplace.

The Sociopathic/Psychopathic Corporation

Some have likened the corporation to a sociopath or psychopath - because a corporation has no conscience beyond that of the people in it, even though it has a legal status and rights on its own -- it has some of the status of a "person" in the eyes of the law, but no conscience of its own.

The Sociopathic/Psychopathic Manager

Psychopath. Sociopath.

The terms strike fear in the hearts and minds of normal, conscientious, caring people. The media use these terms when describing vicious murderers or torturers. But what do the words really mean? Are all who can be labeled 'psychopath' or 'sociopath' prone to violence and physical abuse? Or are there other, more subtle, yet just as serious ways that these personality types manifest themselves in our daily lives?

Learning to identify and deal with psychopaths and sociopaths in the workplace is an important skill, even though they may represent only a small part of the population.

Click book to purchase
	The Sociopath Next Door author: Martha Stout ASIN or ISBN-10: 0767915828
	Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us author: Robert D. Hare PhD ASIN or ISBN-10: 1572304510

(Cartoon courtesy of gapingvoid.com)

This is one of my favorite resources from a few years back. Hugh MacLeod of gapingvoid.com offers his insights into some of the ways the modern organization fails to accommodate the human needs of the people in them. And he talks about ways to retain or regain your creativity and humanity.

I've worked up a list of mismanagement behavior patterns - common personalities and/or misbehaviors found in the workplace.

The pages that follow will present the behavior pattern (the 'archetype' if you will) followed by a fantasy response from the mismanager's staff.

Please revisit this page from time to time - we will be expanding the list as time goes on. Feel free to comment - we'd love to hear what you think!

Problemboss presents a collection of management and employee resources.

What

Staffing is the most time-consuming and critical function of any company, and is especially crucial for start-ups and small companies. Staffing of technical functions in software development companies requires careful planning encompassing skill sets, ratios between functions, transferable skills and other fit factors, and speed of hiring.

Why