Confidently Asking for a Raise in Salary

Asking for a raise can be very uncomfortable, especially if you are a bit shy, new to the company or unsure of your value/worth. Let me give you some hints that have helped me along my career path, and even now during self-employment. 1 – know the industry standards. You have to know what a […]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hello wonderful readers, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. It is funny that this greeting is almost becoming extinct here in Toronto, as some people are concerned with offending others who do not celebrate Christmas. Instead we use phrases like “Happy […]

English Acronyms and Short Forms for the Office

Here are a few acronyms that you most likely will come across as you work in a professional setting, like an office.  These will come in handy (be useful) as you read and write office memos, emails, texts and letters. Re:  This means “Regarding”, as in “regarding (or in regards to) your question/memo/email etc.” Appt:  […]

Christmas/Holiday Party Humour

Company Memo FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: November 18 RE: Gala Christmas Party I’m happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at Calhoun’s. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We’ll […]

Want a Raise? Look Better!

Interesting article today from Forbes. Discusses that as you gain weight or just not take care of yourself in general, your salary goes down too. This article specifically notes white women are subject to this type of discrimination. If this is actually true, what can you do? 1 – attitude is everything. Be positive and […]

Quick Interpersonal Communication Advice

Here is some advice that I often give to clients and friends (and to myself!), at different times. I hope you find them useful. See people eye to eye. Hear people with more than your ears. Talk to people heart to heart. Feel someone’s real message using empathy. Listen To words and FOR meaning. Deal […]

How to write a 5-paragraph report

Initial Criteria for Writing Reports Writing Conventions: These are the basic parts of your writing: the spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure. Do errors make it hard to understand your writing? Logic: Logic determines the order of your writing and how easy it is to follow your ideas. Proper logic determines how well your introduction, […]

What Those Words on Yearly Performance Reviews REALLY Mean

Hi folks, It’s been a while since my last update. I apologize for my tardiness. I have been quite busy with coaching, a presentation on PowerPoint repair, and setting up employee training courses at companies for immigrants who have English as a second language. In addition, I am moving in a couple of weeks. Busy […]

Positive Competitive Behaviour

“There are two types of competitive behavior. One is a sense of competition because you want to be at the top. You create obstacles and harm someone. That competition is negative. But there is a positive kind of competition, which benefits the individual, the competitors, and the economy. Let your competitors also grow, without any […]