Is Gen Y the generation that has grown up ill-equipped to deal with the realities of day-to-day living? Has being connected become an obsession? Does GenY realise the impact of their ill-mannered behaviour; texting or talking while driving, walking along the footpath face submerged in a screen, sharing mobile conversations with disinterested commuters, gathering in groups in the middle of the footpath or aisle, and a host of other anti-social behaviours? GenY needs to learn that it is a You / We world, not their I / Me world. Here are 10 old-school office skills that still matter: In a madly electronic world, personal contact still matters. In todays plug n play workplaces – in which high-tech spaces are filled with huddles, hangouts, dashboard meetings and workflow talkfests – is there still a place for simple, old-school office skills? Yes, according to a number of corporate commentators and company executives who acknowledge the relevance and value of many commonsense business practices of the past. No, thats not to seriously suggest a return to the whisky-imbibing, chain-smoking, secretary-harassing practices of Mad Men. Instead, its an acknowledgement that a back-to-basics approach to professional etiquette will never go out of fashion. Here are 10 tried and true strategies that still make a lasting impression today. 1. Keep it simple, stupid Direct communication is an all too rare commodity in the modern workplace, says Dan Gregory, a behavioural strategist, panelist of TVs Gruen Planet and co-author of Selfish, Scared & Stupid (Wiley). Instead of hiding behind corporate-speak and political correctness, sometimes all thats required [to resolve a roadblock] is an honest conversation. I once did some work with a public utility where an issue that could have been sorted out easily with a simple No Entry sign ended up so convoluted and confusing it was ridiculous. 2. Program in rewards Modern business is so wrapped up in buzzwords such as meaning and purpose, it sometimes gets forgotten that people are motivated by rewards, Gregory says. Rewards are much more than just money. They can range from the simplest form of acknowledgement - one of the greatest employee engagement strategies is asking the question, What do you think? - to more formalised recognition in terms of position, title or increasing status. 3. The fear factor The intimidation of former years where the boss yelled at you and threatened to fire you can shut us down; whereas instilling an appropriate, modified, low-level fear - whether it be to hit a deadline or to come up with a novel idea or pitch for a new piece of business - can still be incredibly stimulating and culture- building, Grory says. 4. Seal the deal with a handshake Jennifer Taylor, faculty head at the Australasian College Broadway, says human touch is a powerful tool. In the world of conference calls and electronic interaction, many people are losing this form of unspoken communication, she says. A handshake builds bonds and demonstrates a sense of camaraderie between two people by releasing oxytocin, a chemical which tells the brain whether its safe to trust the other party. In the past, the oxytocin in our system ignited by touch was a way of entering into a contract. In todays technology-rich business environment, the power of touch has never been more important -- or more underestimated -- as the foundation for confidence and cooperation. 5. Show gratitude Andrew Margan, owner and head winemaker at Margan Wines, advises making time to properly thank clients and suppliers for their support. Its so important not to give up on meeting them face-to-face to save time. Make them feel special and appreciated by taking them out to lunch at least once a year, he says. And remember to acknowledge business milestones or Christmas with a nice gift such as a good bottle of wine. 6. Pick up the phone Vic Sacco, the managing director of Uniden Australia would rather deal with a real person than an email. While email is a great tool, nothing beats phoning or better still, face-to-face or Skype interactions, to build rapport with business contacts, he says. The audible tones, facial expressions, eye contact and body gestures offer a deeper, more personal connection. Its easy for confusion to brew from long-winded e-mail threads and it can be far more efficient to clarify an issue with a quick phone call. This also gives you a reason to say hello. 7. Respond ASAP Answering emails and phone calls promptly shows colleagues and external contacts they are top-of-mind. As a rule of thumb, I always try to reply to calls and emails within a two-hour window, even if its a simple acknowledgment that Ive seen your memo and will get back to you, Sacco says. 8. Turn off and tune in Picking up your smartphone to text or check emails during a meeting is as disrespectful as answering a landline call would have been in the past. Be courteous: put your phone on mute and make use of your out-of-office alert. Nobody needs to hear back from you instantly or queue-jump the people who are right there in front of you, Sacco advises. 9. Put pen to paper Clive Scott, the general manager of Sofitel Melbourne on Collins hotel, says a personal letter adds a feel-good factor. People still love to receive handwritten correspondence, especially by mail, and they really appreciate the time and effort involved, he says. On any given day, up to half our guests find a welcome gift in their room together with a special card with a handwritten message which acknowledges loyalty, an anniversary or a birthday. Compared to a [generic] typed note or With Compliments slip with a scribbled signature, a personalised note shows genuineness and care. 10. Get names right Dont be afraid to ask how a persons name is spelt, and pronounced, in order to get it right. This shows respect, Scott says. We train staff to listen carefully and then type [unusual names] phonetically into the computer. Guests are greeted by name, and I address back-of-house staff by their name too. In any business you have to recognise that each person is unique and not just another customer. Most of these are taken for granted by the more mature generations, is it time we taught Gen Y?
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 07:25:27 +0000
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