Adapting To The Four Generation Workforce

In today’s workplace, we have a four generation workforce, all sitting amongst each other, and although it is very exciting…it is not without challenges. Working with different generations requires patience and understanding because each generation brings new perspectives. We need to learn and value these new ideas, and embrace the changes that each new generation brings. Below is an article that addresses recruitment and talent development while having a multi-generation workforce.

Please take a few moments and look through this article. I would like to hear your thoughts, specifically around the areas of training and professional development.

Reducing File Sizes on PowerPoint Presentations – Part 2 of 3

In Part 1 of this series, I discussed how to detect hidden images and change the dimensions of an image. Both of these can have a large affect on your file size. But did you know that the type of image can also affect your file size?

It may not seem like it really matters, and image is an image, right? Well through trial and error over the years I have learned that the type of image can make a difference. Knowing when to use a vector image instead of a raster image is also very important.

But first, what is a vector image and what is a raster image?

Emotional Intelligence

The secret of success is not just what people are taught in school. What matters most is not always academic excellence, and is not always the amount of technical know-how, or what school you received your degree from. In business, what often distinguishes star performers and star leaders from mediocre is emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is a set of skills that anyone can acquire. In fact, the higher the position the person holds, the more emotional intelligence matters, and it is absolutely critical for successful leadership.

Emotional Intelligence describes an ability or capacity to perceive, assess, and manage the emotions of one’s self, and of others. You are not only being judged on how smart you are, or by your expertise and training, but also by how well you can handle yourself and each other. Emotional intelligence focuses on personal qualities, initiative, flexibility, understanding, adaptability, persuasiveness, and soft skills.

TEAMWORK IN THE SHAPE OF A “V”

If you want a quick and powerful lesson on leadership and teamwork, all you have to do is take a look at a flock of Geese. Start by asking this question….Why do geese fly in the shape of a “V”?  After reading on and seeing why so…step back and think about how you can apply these lessons of teamwork and leadership in your organization.

Geese fly thousands and thousands of miles, and they are able to because they fly in this “V” shape. It allows them as a group, to fly over 70% further than if they were to fly alone. The aerodynamic V shape reduces the air resistance, allowing the geese to cover longer distances. The goose at the head of the V is not necessarily the leader of the flock. Geese take turns leading. As one bird tires from taking the blunt of the resistance, it drops to the back of the formation and another takes its place. TEAMWORK.  This is only one example.

The Joel Test: Simple QA guidelines for software development & beyond

I wanted to bring a great resource from the blogisphere to your attention. 

Joel Spolsky, a software developer, has a website called joelonsoftware.  Joel is perhaps most famous for “The Joel Test,” which represents 12 simple questions relevant to maintaining quality when developing software. 

By simply answering “yes” or “no” to the questions, a software development team can quickly rate the quality assurance measures they have in place.  I believe you can apply a majority of these questions to any type of project.  Take a look and tell me what you think: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000043.html

Overcoming Mediocrity

How many of you have heard employees within an organization say the famous phrase “It’s not my job?” Sometimes that phrase is supported by its close cousin “It’s not me, it’s them.” Sometimes employees ignore problems by not even blaming other people; they say things like “We can’t solve that issue because our computer system does not allow that.”

High performance leaders and high performance organizations take strict action when this type of behavior is being conducted within the hallways of an organization. For managers, hearing those phrases is like hearing fingernails scratching against a chalkboard. In a partnership, it is every employee’s responsibility to ensure the mission is met, the job is complete, the customer is happy. When everyone understands the big picture within the organization, good things can happen. When employees are dis-engaged, they focus their attention only on themselves, and create the selfish attitude that allows comments like “That’s not my job” to be said.

Why Corporate Etiquette Intelligence is Important

Corporate etiquette and international protocol knowledge is a form of business intelligence that helps you compete in a global economy – an economy that demands mental flexibility. Using etiquette diplomacy will help tip the scales in your favor no matter where you are conducting business. In fact, such soft skills are so important in the workplace, most employers consider them to be among their most important hiring criteria. Some studies show that 85% of your ability to get a job, keep a job, or promote within a job originates from your soft skills. Only 15% originate from your actual job knowledge. Therefore investing in that corporate etiquette knowledge is instrumental in your success.

Reducing File Sizes on PowerPoint Presentations – Part 1 of 3

As Government contractors and employees, we all have to create a PowerPoint presentation at some point for various reasons. One of the major issues we each come across is that the file size is too big. This is a problem as most email has a size restriction, making it more difficult to send files to the proper people. Today we will look at some of the causes for large file sizes and go into a few methods to reduce the size.

Large file sizes can be caused by many things. The first thing that comes to mind is the amount of slides. Unfortunately we cannot always control this factor as the number of slides is necessary for a proper presentation. Other causes are large image files, hidden objects, the types of images used and the save settings.

Today we will go over hidden objects and large image files. A sample PowerPoint is available for download if you wish to follow along and see the effects as they are explained here.

A Few Words About Peer Reviews

The cornerstone of any sound quality assurance plan is quality control. In our industry, peer reviews serve as a quick and effective method of quality control…

I was always the guy in class who preferred to work alone. I loathed group projects or pairing with a partner – I wanted none of that. And, of course, this carried on into my professional life.

For starters, I preferred to work alone because, in my head, I was the only one on earth who could get the assignment done right.

Many of us, still fall into this trap. Come on – you know you do. But, the art of delegation is another lesson, for another time, to be taught by someone a tad wiser than me.

As I matured, I also realized that my tendency to hoard work had something to do with ego. I wanted to revel in the glory of a job well done all on my own. I didn’t want to share in my success one bit.

Welcome to “The Toolbox”

Welcome to The Toolbox
presented by DELTA Resources, Inc.

The Toolbox has been established as a means for DELTA to share its many experiences and knowledge with the rest of the Federal Contracting Industry. As you explore the advice and knowledge we share with the rest of the community, please feel free to ask questions or share your experiences.

“The only source of knowledge is experience.” — Albert Einstein

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.” — Margaret Fuller

Please feel free to browse through the different articles by selecting one of the subject categories to the left. 

To learn more about DELTA Resources, please visit http://www.deltaresources.com