We work in a contemporary world. A world where things are changing — whether it's when and where employees are working, how employers are handling their human resources or the constantly changing trends — the world of work is moving and shifting. And as wacky as that world can be sometimes, it's also fascinating if you have the right guide.

This blog is designed to be just that — a companion on your journey through the changing world of work. Here you'll find tips, tools and information on topics as diverse as the workforce itself: the aging workforce, working women, professional etiquette, generational diversity, the talent crunch, and more. So whether you're an employer or an employee, and whether you're beginning or close to finishing your career, I hope you find the information here useful for navigating the contemporary world of work.

Thanks for reading and have fun!

Melanie

How many people can list all these skills (and many more) on their resume?

• Writer
• Communicator
• Financial planner
• Word expert
• PowerPoint expert
• Excel expert
• Travel agent
• Gate keeper
• Good listener
• Politician

I can think of one — the Administrative Professional!

I started my career at Manpower as an executive assistant (aka Administrative Professional).  I loved that job!

• I knew I was making a difference by supporting the CEO.  I was spending my time helping make someone else (and my company) successful.
• Many of the things I did were not easy.  Being an admin did not mean I wasn’t smart or capable.
• I learned so much about technology, communication and how to work with people.
• While I was often doing what I was told, I was also given the opportunity to think of new, innovative and creative ideas that could make a difference.

I wouldn’t change a thing.  You know that I think my current job at Manpower is the best in the world.  But I know in my heart that I will always have the option of going back to my first love — Executive Assistant.

This really has nothing to do with anything…

I was on an airplane today.  It was a four hour trip so I did several different things to stay busy.  I read some business magazines, I watched my iPod (Ugly Betty, season 1) and I started a great book called Tell Me Where it Hurts by Dr. Nick Trout.

Dr. Trout is a veterinarian in the Boston area.  His storytelling is compelling and his subject matter is near and dear to my heart.  The problem was I cried through half of my flight — any time I even think about a dog getting hurt, sick or dying I can’t control the tears.

I wonder what my fellow passengers thought about this middle-aged, professionally dressed woman sobbing all the way from Milwaukee to Las Vegas!

P.S.  And if you haven’t met my dogs, click on ‘about me’ at the top right of this page to see my fabulous companions!

I just read a terrific article on FT.com called Be yourself:  but know who you are meant to be. 

We all know people who are one thing at work and completely different on the outside — they are one thing but put on a show for others.  I’m not just talking about party animal vs. serious employee.  I know people who act, talk, laugh (etc.) differently — depending on the situation.

That seems exhausting to me.  Don’t be someone you think other people want you to be.  While ‘authentic’ is a trendy way of saying it, it makes perfect sense to always be that plus:

• Real
• Genuine
• True to yourself

What do you think about putting on a show — for your boss, your spouse or your friends?

Last evening I had the privilege of being a guest lecturer at an MBA class at a local university (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee).  The subject was all about the generations — how to lead and manage a multi-generational workforce.  Their textbook is Generations at Workby Ron Zemke, Claire Raines and Bob Filipczak.  I didn’t use the textbook.  Rather we talked about our experiences working and living with the different generations.

Not surprisingly, the class was all Gen X and Gen Y — so I was an aging Baby Boomer among the youngsters.  I was impressed with their sensitivity and insight into the characteristics of the different generations.  Their questions and comments were thoughtful and always on point.

My point?  The future looks bright if all Gen X and Gen Y are as intelligent and aware as this class!

According to a recent Zogby Poll, most of us feel that traditional journalism is out of touch with what we actually want from the news.

• 48% say the internet is our primary source of news
• 29% of us get our news from television
• 11% use the radio
• 10% say newspapers are their source

Most of us use a combination of the above and measure the accuracy and relevance of what we’re reading through comparing the sources.  But here’s the most interesting stat for me: 

• Only 1% of Americans surveyed trust information they read in blogs and a similar 1% use blogs as their primary source of news.

So why do we blog?  Why do we read blogs?

I was at a business dinner last evening — and it was a nightmare.  There were about 50 sales people in the audience who had just sat through two grueling days of training classes.  The original intention of the evening was for there to be relaxed fun — a multi-course dinner paired with wine.  The ‘entertainment’ was a wine expert who was to tell us about each wine and why it was paired with the food.  Sounds great, right?

Wrong!

The wine-expert-speaker was so totally not in touch with her audience that she alienated everyone in the room.  She talked on and on — blah, blah, blah — and it was pretty clear that no one cared.  All we wanted to do was let off a bit of steam and talk among ourselves.  But she was bound and determined to say everything she had intended to say — and then some.  She loudly asked us to be quiet, chided us for not paying attention, demanded that we sit down and listen — and even whistled at us at one point to attempt to shut us up.

You could argue that we were rude — but we started out trying to behave and pay attention.  When her commentary about a small glass of wine ended up being 20 minutes long, we got restless.

The lesson in here for every one of us is to pay attention to the audience.  Be flexible.  Change your game plan if it isn’t working.  The point of a dinner speaker is not to die trying, but rather to keep the group engaged with light information that will foster conversation when the speaker finishes.

When you’re the entertainment, be sure you’re entertaining — not torturing — your audience.

I read some alarming statistics in The Boston Globe recently regarding the percentage of children completing secondary school:

• Norway — 100%
• Germany — 99%
• Korea — 96%
• Russia — 87%
• Italy — 81%
• United States — 75%

Seventy-five percent here at home!  Wow!!

Is there a link between this horrible statistic and the talent shortage?

I read a small piece in a recent issue of The Week about an effort in Minnesota to convince high school students to stop wearing so much perfume.  The primary reason is because all of that scent is aggravating kids with asthma — and I can understand that.

I will argue that asthma or not, it is very unpleasant to be near someone who is wearing so much perfume that it stings your nose and makes your eyes water.  And how about when you get into a car or sit next to someone on a train or plane who has overdone it?  You’re trapped!

If you wear perfume, ask a friend to give you an honest answer to the question whether or not you’ve poured in on a bit too strong.  In the case of perfume, less is definitely more!

There’s been a lot in the news lately about the importance of sleep.  Studies are showing that sleep deprivation can cause:

• Memory loss
• Illness
• Dangerously poor driving
• Weight gain (!)

There can be many reasons for sleep deprivation and one of them can be our work.  According to the Associated Press, we’re staying up later to finish the average four and one-half hours of work we bring home each week.

Work/life balance?