Several years ago, managment by walking around was all the rage.  We were told to be seen by our employees, show interest in their work, be available for questions, coach them, give them feedback…  It made a lot of sense ten or 20 years ago.

But what about Gen Y?  Many prefer to communicate electronically.  And many more do their best work when they are out of the office.  So who will I see when I’m doing my managing by walking around?

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In a recent article on CNN.com called Too tattooed to work? a young woman quit her job because she wasn’t allowed to show the tattoos on her arms — even though she lived in Miami where it gets very hot.  Employers should take note that as the talent shortage gets more intense, attitudes about body art might have to ease.  Customers should also take note that judging someone by their appearance can be limiting — we may miss an intelligent exchange or excellent customer service.

The employee advice in the article is the same as mine.  If you’re interested in a career in a conservative industry or conservative company, hide those tattoos and remove those studs.  If you’re looking for a more creative career or a job in a ‘younger’ industry, ask if they are body art friendly before you reveal your masterpieces.  You may get lucky.

Bottom line — I wish we didn’t judge people by their appearances, but unfortunately we all succumb to stereotypes.  So take heed!

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The Business Journal did some research and reported the results in a recent article Pay gap between men, women varies strikingly by occupation.  Take a look at the article and let me know if it is as frustrating for you as it is for me to read.

According to the research, gaps exist in virtually all occupations but they vary considerably.  The top twenty occupations that have the smallest gaps are listed — I’ll give you the top five:

1. Dining room, cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
2. Food preparation workers
3. Secondary school teachers
4. Cooks
5. Stock clerks and order fillers

Those occupations with the widest gap include jobs such as bus and truck mechanics, diesel-engine specialists, auto mechanics, operating engineers, plumbers and electricians.  Women account for a small percent of the employees in these occupations, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for paying us less.

What do you think?

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Memory Skills:  Never confuse Don with John again

• Introduce yourself first so you can focus on the other person
• Connect the name to your brain.  When you meet a guy named Bill, think of other Bills you know.
• Use the name three times.  Once to confirm you have the name right, then in mid-conversation, and again when you say good-bye.

Good advice — this is a skill that I won’t claim to have mastered.  Even so, I have a few other tips:

• If you’re not sure how to pronounce a name — even though you’ve heard it once — don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.  You don’t want to spend the rest of the conversation messing up a name.
• If you’re in a meeting use business cards to help you keep the names straight.  Arrange them on the table in front of you like the meeting attendees are sitting.  If no cards have been exchanged, draw a table diagram as people are being introduced.
• And finally, if you forget a name, ask for it again.  We’ve all been there many times.  So bite the bullet and tell the person you’ve forgotten.  Then promise never to forget their name again!

Thanks, Fortune.  And I promise to renew my subscription to discover more secrets!

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Negotiating Skills:  Using the right phrases matters

• How did you come up with that number?  Opens a window into the other side’s thoughts.
• Let me check with my wife.  Or husband, or boss.  Stops you from saying yes prematurely.
• If things change, give me a call.  Put the burden on them.

I will not describe myself as a negotiation expert — in fact I’d guess I’m a push-over.  But I do know one important piece of advice that Fortune didn’t mention:  Don’t talk too much.  If we’re uncomfortable we tend to babble (I do!) and give up too much information.  Keep your mouth shut and the tables might turn.

Stay tuned for Fortune’s final bit of Skills advice.

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Public Speaking:  Conquer fear with a game plan

• Podiums disconnect you from the audience.  Grab the mic and wander the stage.
• Eye contact is your friend.  Looking at people one by one shrinks the room.
• Questions.  If you’re stumped, talk about your team.  “We’re lucky to have an expert on that, I’ll get you in touch with him later.”

Excellent advice from Fortune.  I have a few things to add:

• I agree with the podium advice, but be sure you’ve either memorized your presentation or are comfortable holding your notes since you won’t have anything to set them on.  Of the two, I vote memorize your presentation or be comfortable speaking from your slides without notes.
• Eye contact is very important and you’ll make friends with the audience if you connect with them throughout your presentation.  But my best advice is to plant a few friendly faces in the audience and ask them to smile and nod as you’re speaking.  Even though you know you asked them to do it, it’s amazing how much confidence this will build.
• And finally, questions.  If you’re afraid of getting a question that will stump you or a question that will start a controversial conversation, don’t take questions at all.  That is an option and it’s your choice.  You can always invite the audience to email questions to you following your presentation.

It’s easy for me to tell people not to be nervous on the stage — because I LOVE giving presentations.  I’ve got ’spotlight fever.’  But if you take Fortune’s advice and add mine to the mix, your presentations should be a bit easier to face.

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My gripe — able bodied people were pushing their way in front of a young couple grappling with twins.  The airlines rightly give people who are traveling with small children a bit of an advantage — they get to board early.  But business travelers were pushing their way in front of this struggling couple.

Be polite.  Be generous.  Be aware of others’ struggles.  And wait your turn!!

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If you have a few minutes, listen.

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• the trades
• health sciences
• culinary arts
• manufacturing
• technology

Ask your local technical college what they have to offer and link that curricula with the industries in your region.  If you do your homework, you can go far!

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• The softer skills — like communication skills, problem-solving ability, teamwork.
• An acceptable work ethic — dress appropriately, show up on time and show up every day, get along with your co-workers, respect authority.
• Culture fit — the often-subtle corporate culture nuances can make or break you on the job.

So go to school.  Get that skill.  Work on that experience.  But seriously consider the other things that are necessary for long-term success.

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