Our thought leadership in blogs and podcasts

IM vs. Email in the Office

Most professionals these days are using--and misusing--IM and email. Learn when to use each tool, and you will become more efficient at work.
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #266 Childishness at Work Nick McCormick

Ever feel like you’re dealing with a bunch of children at work? Welcome to middle management,baby.Get used to it. Wayne Turmel discusses how childish behavior brings everyone down with Nick McCormick. We’ll talk about his new book, “Acting Up Brings Everyone Down- The Impacts of Childish Behavior in the Workplace”. We’ll also talk Chinese child rearing and English cynicism. A laid back way to end the year. God bless (or help!) us every one.

Don’t forget two great workshops this month!
The Most Common, Worst, Unavoidable Habit of Remote Teams

One of the curses of the modern workplace is the hybrid meeting- half the people in the conference room and half on the phone. How to make a necessary evil less evil.
"Managing by Presence" Never Worked Well- Now It's Just Pointless

Hovering over employees was always poor management. Working remotely it's physically impossible. Tips for managing through influence, not your presence.
The Cranky Middle Manager Show#265 Louder Than Words Bob Kelleher

Today we talk about employee engagement. Tons of books have been written, but is it all that complicated? Bob Kelleher doesn’t think so. He’s the author of Louder Than Words,10 Practical Employee Engagement Steps That Drive Results. We also talk about Gideon and his hiring methods, Benjamin Franklin’s take on passion and anything else we darn well feel like.

Don’t forget two great workshops this month!
Corn Farmers and Geeks- Adopting Technology Hasn't Changed in Years

Whether it's a corn farm or cube farm, resisting technology is nothing new. The words "adoption cycle" were first used in the 50s to describe corn farmers. Find out how nothing's changed.
Who Were The Best and Worst Communicators of 2010?

From leaders of countries to just plain folk, here's a list of the best and worst communicators of 2010. Who led the pack, and who fell from grace? More importantly, why?
Agile Techniques Can Develop Teams as Well as Software

Agile software development can sound arcane, but leaders of all kinds can learn great techniques for managing their teams from these folks. Here are some tips.
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #264 Hacking Work with Bill Jensen

Today Wayne Turmel is joined by Bill Jensen, author of “Hacking Work- Breaking Stupid Rules for Smart Results” to talk about breaking the rules: when is it okay and when should we just deal with it. We’ll also discuss ballpoint pens and tesla coils for what it’s worth. Something for the whole management family.

Don’t forget two great workshops this month!
Employee Tweets, Posts and Company Social Media-- Should Managers Care?

Monitoring your company and your employees' social media can be useful, but can also be time consuming. Tips for easily seeing what's going on in the world past your desk.
Why the Office May Be the Worst Place To Get Anything Done

Jason Fried of 37 Signals has made the controversial suggestion of doing away with the traditional office. Not so fast, maybe it's our thinking we need to change, not our cubicles.
Keeping Your Team Productive and Happy During the Holidays Ain't Easy-- But It's Important

The Holidays can wreak havoc on team productivity. Tips to get your work done without being all Scrooge-y about it.
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #263 Inside the Mind of a 25 Year Old CEO

Today I face my daughter’s high school graduation by looking at young leaders. We talk to Aaron Levie, CEO of Box.net. We’ll talk inspiration, youthful exhuberance and Egyptian pharaohs today as well as brag about the new GreatWebMeetings.com site and my upcoming book.
WikiLeak vs Bank of America: How to Maintain Morale Amid A PR Crisis

Employees suffer when the company is the subject of negative headlines. For remote workers, it can be especially tough. Five ways to handle this dicey situation.
Bipartisan Agreement on Remote Working - Well, It's a Start

Congress has passed the Telework Enhancement Act, but can outmoded thinking about management and costs destroy any potential benefits before it even gets going?