Floors and passageways
It is important to ensure that areas for walking and maneuvering vehicles are kept tidy and clear of obstructions. Areas in question include doorways, stairs, gateways, ramps and loading bays. There also needs to be a sufficient number of these, with the right amount of height and width, to ensure that both vehicles and people have ease of movement. Furthermore, for safety reasons it is best if the areas for people and vehicles are kept separate.

Transparent doors, walls or windows
Any surfaces for doors, windows, walls, partitions or gates which are made of transparent material should also, where there is a risk to health and safety, be made of safe material. Furthermore, if it is in an area where people may accidentally come into contact with it, there should be writing on the surface to make its presence apparent. Windows should also be designed so that they are able to be opened and cleaned without risk to the safety of those performing these tasks.

Dangerous chemicals and/or liquids
While obviously this does not apply to a great many workplaces, if a business involves dealing with dangerous chemicals or liquids these must be stored safely and employees provided with the appropriate safety clothing and equipment. Areas where such liquids or chemicals are stored need to be securely sealed off and clearly labelled, while the routes to and from these areas should also be fenced in a secure manner.

Guest post provided by The Accidents At Work Site.

Don’t make it personal. No matter what the issue, as soon as you begin making personalized accusations—such as “you’re a slob” or “it’s your fault”– the situation will be hard to repair. The best way to approach a problem is to view it as a mysterious anomaly that you’re trying to get to the root of by enlisting the help of others.

Identify with the problem. If the copier keeps getting broken because the guy in the next cubicle bangs it with his fist, your best bet at resolving the issue is to approach him rationally. Instead of saying, “stop smashing the copier with your hand, you fool!” you’re better off saying, “I’ve noticed that when the copier lags for a moment you hit it. I hate that thing too, trust me, but check out this blog I read about how things don’t work as well when they’re damaged.” Obviously, you’d probably want to scale back the sarcasm at the tail end, but you get the point.

Smile, listen, and be concise. A smile goes a long way toward breaking tension. Without it, a colleague is more likely to feel attacked. Also, after you’ve spoken listen to what they say in response. If a person feels like they’re on the wrong side of an endless, accusatory monologue, they’ll likely get angry. Wouldn’t you? Keep the grievance short, concise, and to the point. And don’t lump in other things that have been bothering you. This isn’t therapy.

There are few things more aggravating and time-wasting than workplace conflict. Sometimes it’s inevitable, but usually if you adhere to basic social skills you can sooth an issue before it becomes a major point of office ire. This is a good management skill and if your clueless boss lacks it, perhaps you’ll end up replacing him anyway. Just a thought.

If you haven’t resolved to make specific changes in your life in the world of work and in your personal life during the new year you can expect to get the same results you experiencedin 2011. Ask yourself: Will that be good enough to get me where I want to go?

Some people rely on such factors as hopes, wishes, or desires, but they are more apt to fail to achieve success than those who set out in writing specific plans and have a strategy of action to advance their careers.
Despite this reality, fewer than half of those who make resolutions keep them for at least six months. Only about 19% stay true to their vows for two years.

“People who think about making specific changes, but don’t get around to actually codifying resolutions fail at a higher rate than others who make specific action plans to change their daily behavior,” according to John Norcross, a psychology professor at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.

Six Tips To Carry Out Your Resolutions
Here are six tips that will help you to carry out your resolutions for 2012:

1. Think of your resolutions as a contract with yourself. Put the deal in writing.

2. Break down your resolutions into small, bite-size steps. Have a plan for specific actions to advance toward each goal. Rome was not conquered in a day.

3. Tell your friends about your resolutions. This will result in self-imposed pressure to not stop short of reaching your goals. After all, you don’t want to be seen as failing. And, by the way, ask them for help.

4. Think back to what you did with your resolutions in past years. If you fell short, make sure you break the habits that were at fault.

5. Expect setbacks; they are inevitable. Take a deep breath. Get back on that horse that threw you off as quickly as possible.

6. Hold yourself accountable. Review your resolution on a regular basis against established measurements. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Be ready to change or add to you resolutions if you see an opportunity to improve them.
“Getting ‘psyched up’ is helpful for creating motivation before January 1; but after the New Year comes, it’s perspiration time,” declares Dr. Norcross.

Remember this admonition: “Good resolutions are a pleasant crop to sow. The seeds spring up readily, and the blossoms open so soon with such a brave show. But when the time for flowers has passed, what as to the fruit?”

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work

P.S. If you are thinking of going for a raise I believe you will find my new e-book, How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned, helpful. It’s available from  Amazon.com for only $1.99.

Getting a raise in salary and perks is not an easy undertaking, especially in these difficult times, but the odds for success can be significantly increased by executing the strategic plan spelled out in this new ebook, titled “How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned.”

“How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned” sets out comprehensive guidelines that will help you work your way through the challenge of negotiating the sensitive issues of why you deserve a raise. It also provides tips for how to avoid shooting yourself in the foot when you get an answer. Case histories of how not to campaign for a raise are included.

A successful campaign for a raise begins by recognizing the matter of your compensation is strictly a business proposition. You are not asking for a favor.

You have a service to sell (your expertise and your time). Your employer is the buyer. You must make the case that increasing your pay package is a sound investment that will pay off for your employer. In other words, the goal is to convince him that you are worth the price.

I have written this timely ebook based on my wide-ranging career, including serving as senior vice president of American Express; a professional director of a number of companies; entrepreneur; author; and career coach. He is currently The Career Coach at Common Sense At Work.

“How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned” is available for immediate downloading from Amazon.com for $1.99.

I wish you success in getting the raise you’ve earned.

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work

The first step toward a successful career is to clearly define your goals. Until you take this step you can’t know how to prepare to achieve them. In other words, if you don’t know where you are going you can’t get there.

The second step is to prepare an action plan to get you to your goals. Be sure to include a timeline. Stick to it.

The third step is to begin immediately to execute your career plan. Right now, not later today or tomorrow.

Only you, and you alone, can define what will mean success.

Only you, and you alone, can take the actions necessary to enjoy a successful career.

I wish you success!!!!

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work

P.S. I am excited to tell you that early next week I will be announcing the publication of my new ebook titled “How To Get The Pay Raise You’ve Earned.”

There are many lessons (both positive and negative) to be learned from Jobs’ career, as well as from the conclusions being drawn by various writers.

Consider this observation from one review of Isaacson’s book: “Most companies are managed in a way that keeps them producing what they already know how to produce. They play it safe. That’s why most companies fail to reach their true potential.”

Stop a minutes to ask yourself: Does this apply to how I manage my career?True career success requires reaching out into new territories, which will be populated with risks and opportunities.

To move ahead you have to be willing to leave some of the old things behind. Jobs was famous for casting out old products that did not meet his high standards for serving consumers’ needs and desires. He built his legend by focusing on three or four of the important products and issues at any given time.

Also, if you are to move forward with your career you have to form new relationships, particularly with people from whom you can learn and those who can contribute to your well-being. This may mean leaving behind old relationships that are easy and comfortable.

One has to gather new knowledge and acquire new skills to build a successful career. Some wise person has said, “If you keep on doing what you have been doing you are going to get the same results.

Products and attitudes (the total of your performance on the job) that are merely adequate are not good enough to put you ahead of the pack.

Reach out to grasp new responsibilities; embrace new ideas.

Have high expectations—even some that may seem irrational—for your career. Believe that you are more capable and more valuable than your present position allows.

While keeping the “big picture” of your ultimate goals in mind is critical, at the same time, it is necessary to pay meticulous attention to the day-to-day details that are required for success.

Sure, taking these steps to advance your career involves risks and discomfort. But remember, it is chipped in stone that when nothing is ventured, nothing is gained.

I wish you career success!

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work (Copyright 2011)

Career Counseling: Lessons From Steve Jobs

I’ve been mesmerized for the past few weeks by all of the media coverage of the death of Steve Jobs. I have been especially impressed with Walter Isaacson’s excellent book titled simply “Steve Jobs.”

There are many lessons (both positive and negative) to be learned from Jobs’ career, as well as from the conclusions being drawn by various writers.

Consider this observation from one review of Isaacson’s book: “Most companies are managed in a way that keeps them producing what they already know how to produce. They play it safe. That’s why most companies fail to reach their true potential.”

Stop a minutes to ask yourself: Does this apply to how I manage my career?

True career success requires reaching out into new territories, which will be populated with risks and opportunities.

To move ahead you have to be willing to leave some of the old things behind. Jobs was famous for casting out old products that did not meet his high standards for serving consumers’ needs and desires. He built his legend by focusing on three or four of the important products and issues at any given time.

Also, if you are to move forward with your career you have to form new relationships, particularly with people from whom you can learn and those who can contribute to your well-being. This may mean leaving behind old relationships that are easy and comfortable.

One has to gather new knowledge and acquire new skills to build a successful career. Some wise person has said, “If you keep on doing what you have been doing you are going to get the same results.

Products and attitudes (the total of your performance on the job) that are merely adequate are not good enough to put you ahead of the pack.

Reach out to grasp new responsibilities; embrace new ideas.

Have high expectations—even some that may seem irrational—for your career. Believe that you are more capable and more valuable than your present position allows.

While keeping the “big picture” of your ultimate goals in mind is critical, at the same time, it is necessary to pay meticulous attention to the day-to-day details that are required for success.

Sure, taking these steps to advance your career involves risks and discomfort. But remember, it is chipped in stone that when nothing is ventured, nothing is gained.

I wish you career success!

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work (Copyright 2011)

Confidence is an underutilized resource. Confidence is the reason people get hired, get dates, and get respect. But why does it seem like people are either overconfident or under-confident? Where is that magic medium; that point at which confidence is at its peak without going over the top? What should confidence look like?

• Confidence should be calm. Anyone who is truly confident is not frightened or nervous. Confidence is facing your fears and knowing that you have made the best choice possible. There should be an inner peace and tranquility in true confidence.
• Confidence can be faked. Sometimes, in fact most of the time, confidence does not come naturally. True confidence is the result of feeling secure in an insecure world. But if you can’t feel it naturally, feel free to fake it. The great thing about confidence is that if you pretend to be confident for long enough, eventually you actually become confident.
• Confidence is different than pride. Pride will get you fired, confidence will get you hired. Pride says, ‘I’m better than you.’ Confidence says, ‘I’m the best.’ A subtle difference, but an important one. Be sure of your abilities without lording it over others.
• Confidence is not blind. Even if you are confident in your decisions, that doesn’t mean you can’t change them. Another great thing about confidence is that it isn’t brittle. It can change and adapt. If someone has a better idea, you can still be confident and follow them.
• Confidence is leadership, even when following. It may sound counter-intuitive, but leaders can follow without losing their leadership- if they are confident. Confidence makes a leader. People want to follow confident people because they look like they know where they are going. However, confident leaders can still follow others without losing their leadership. Taking on a partner, starting down a different path, even taking control of another’s project are all acceptable as long as you maintain your confidence.

Confidence can seem like a complex thing, but in reality it is simple. If you believe in yourself, others will believe in you too. Keep your eyes on the goal, your head up, and keep moving. You can only make the best of a difficult situation. Once you uncover what the best thing to do is, do it with confidence. You can always, confidently, change directions later.

Author Bio:
Kate Croston is a freelance writer, holds a bachelors degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. She writes guest posts for different sites and loves contributing internet service <http://www.internetservice.net/>  related topics. Questions or comments can be sent to:  katecroston.croston09 @ gmail.com <http://gmail.com> .

I wish you career success!

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work

J. Paul Getty, an oilman who was once regarded as the richest man in the world, was right on when he declared:

“The individual who wants to reach the top in business must appreciate the might and force of habit. He must be quick to break those habits that can break him—and hasten to adopt those practices that will become the habits that help him achieve the success he desires.”

Jack Canfield, career coach extraordinary and author of the best-selling book, “The Success Principles”, advises:

“One of the problems for people with poor habits is that the results of their bad habits usually don’t show up until much later in life. When you develop a chronic bad habit, life will eventually give you consequences. You may not like the consequences, but life will still deliver them. The fact is, if you keep on doing things a certain way, you will always get predictable results. Negative habits breed negative consequences. Positive habits create positive consequences.”

So it makes common sense that if you want to achieve a successful career you should make a list of the habits, good and bad, that drive you every day. Build on the good; get rid of the bad.

I wish you success with your career.

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work

1.  Declaring “The more you pay me the harder I will work.”

2.  Listing as a reference someone who has fired you.

3.  Listing one’s dog as a reference.

4.  Using an inappropriate e-mail address such as “shakinmybooties.”

5.  Claiming the “ability to moonwalk” as an skill.

6.  Insisting on getting paid to come in for an interview.

7.  Reporting being arrested for assaulting one’s boss.

8.  Using only first name in resume. (This is akin to using employer’s first name in application documents.)

9.  Displaying arrogance with such statements as: “Would you pass up an opportunity to hire someone like this? I think not.”

To calibrate the damage caused by such errors consider that according to CareerBuilder.com 45% of HR managers spend less than one minute in reviewing the average person’s job  application materials.

I hope this career counseling helps you in your drive to career success!

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work