Afraid of Failure

By Sue Morem

Dear Sue:
I have what I think is a unique idea for a business. For years I've thought about going off on my own and starting my own business. I worry about someone else coming up with my idea before I've done anything about it, and I know I'll regret it if I never try, but I fear I'll regret it more if I try and then fail. Do you have any advice for me? (read more...)

Good Manners

By Maureen Anderson

Good manners are at least as important at work as they are in social situations. One way to demonstrate bad manners is by not returning phone calls. So says Dana May Casperson, author of Power Etiquette. Just think of how many times you need to place a second or even third call to get through to someone. (read more...)

Assessing and Fitting into a Company Culture

By Julie Jansen

Most of us have worked in a situation when we knew we just didn't "fit" with a company culture but couldn't necessarily put our thumb on why this was so. When you do fit you are enthusiastic about our work and in fact it may not even feel like work! You're proud of what you do, you like the people you work with and you feel fulfilled and rewarded. (read more...)

Afraid of Failure (^top)

By Sue Morem

Dear Sue:
I have what I think is a unique idea for a business. For years I've thought about going off on my own and starting my own business. I worry about someone else coming up with my idea before I've done anything about it, and I know I'll regret it if I never try, but I fear I'll regret it more if I try and then fail. Do you have any advice for me?
- Chicken

Sue Says:
No one sets out to fail; most people seek success, not failure, yet almost every successful person has failed before succeeding.

The truth is that failure isn't always bad. It can humble you, teach you, and helps prepare you for success. Every set back you have, rejection you experience, and hardship you encounter will teach you something of value, and help you to appreciate success when you reach it.

Behind the story of every successful person is a story of a time when things were different. Everyone has struggles, challenges, and obstacles to overcome. Abraham Lincoln failed numerous times; he was defeated and rejected, but it didn't stop him from running, and then becoming, one of America's most recognized and respected presidents.

Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before he successfully invented the light bulb. He never would have succeeded had he given up trying.

Joanne Rowling, creator of Harry Potter, was an unemployed single mother when she wrote her first manuscript. Today she is one of Brittan's wealthiest women.

Walt Disney suffered financial problems and a nervous breakdown before achieving fame and fortune.

The truth is that everyone starts somewhere. The tough times you go through will help prepare you for the better times yet to come. Everything takes time, persistence, a game plan, a belief in oneself, and the right attitude.

Successful people don't fear failure; they view failure as a temporary setback, not a permanent position. Successful people don't give up; they believe they will succeed. They focus on possibilities and tend to quickly rebound after a set-back or problem.

Instead of fearing failure, you can anticipate it and learn from your mistakes.

Every time you fail, rest assured you're one step closer to success. Don't be ashamed of failing; why not give yourself credit for trying? The only people who've never failed are those who have never tried.

Sue Morem is a professional speaker, trainer and syndicated columnist. She is author of the newly released 101 Tips for Graduates and How to Gain the Professional Edge, Second Edition. You can contact her by email at asksue@suemorem.com or visit her web site at http://www.suemorem.com.

Good Manners (^top)

By Maureen Anderson

Good manners are at least as important at work as they are in social situations. One way to demonstrate bad manners is by not returning phone calls. So says Dana May Casperson, author of Power Etiquette. Just think of how many times you need to place a second or even third call to get through to someone.

If you're not getting your messages returned, Casperson suggests you take more care when leaving them. "When you begin your message," she says, "state your name and your phone number, but also the reason for the call. That reason is like the subject line in an e-mail. So give your name, your phone number, why you are calling... and then your message. When you are finished, repeat your name and phone number. That way the person listening doesn't have to rewind the tape or play the whole message again to be able to return your call."

Speak slowly, Casperson suggests, and have a smile on your face. Many people find it helpful to put a mirror near the telephone to help them remember that. You may not believe the difference this makes in your voice.

Another common breach of business etiquette, according to Casperson, is failing to keep promises--even seemingly little ones. If you tell someone you'll scan a newspaper clipping and e-mail it to them, do that. You'll be known as a class act.

One other tip. Casperson is like many other consultants in that she loves handwritten thank-you notes. "Anyone can dash off an e-mail," she points out. "That's why sending something through the mail makes such an impression."

Assessing and Fitting into a Company Culture (^top)

By Julie Jansen

Most of us have worked in a situation when we knew we just didn't "fit" with a company culture but couldn't necessarily put our thumb on why this was so. When you do fit you are enthusiastic about our work and in fact it may not even feel like work! You're proud of what you do, you like the people you work with and you feel fulfilled and rewarded. When you don't fit, the opposite is true. Getting out of bed in the morning to go to work is a struggle, Sunday nights are depressing and you just don't feel accepted, fulfilled or appreciated.

Assessing a company's culture before you start working there is important to your career success, whether you're looking at a full-time position or a temporary consulting assignment.

What is a company culture really? A company culture exists whenever there are two or more people. A culture is an interwoven system of beliefs, values, history, mythology, rituals and ceremonies. These all create meaning for people at work and although it may not always be easy to describe it to others, the culture definitely influences behavior and the way that business is conducted.

Usually, when people interview for a new career situation they look at the job title, location, work responsibilities and compensation first. These things are important yet are rarely the reason a job doesn't work out. Instead a poor fit with the company culture or one's relationship with their immediate boss are the primary reasons people leave their jobs - whether involuntarily or of their own volition.

Remember that you spend a lot of time working. There is no reason to be unhappy or to be working in an unsuitable work situation. Learning how to identify the right culture for you is easy to do if you ask the right questions and rely more confidently on your intuition.

What are the elements of culture?

• History - the best companies ensure that new employees learn their historical roots. They understand that history bonds people together to a common purpose through shared mythology.
• Values and beliefs - the dictionary defines a value as a principle, standard, or quality considered inherently worthwhile and desirable. Values create focus and shape behavior. A heroic person in the firm exemplifies core values and beliefs. Ritual and ceremony dramatize values. Values are what we all stand for as a group, what we rally around when times get tough. Beliefs are shared convictions. Values and beliefs can't be neatly defined in a manual.
• Ritual and ceremony - what type of repetitious activity takes place in a company? When a company has a celebration, what does it tend to be? Rituals at work are focused on food, what happens in meetings, the way casual conversations take place, etc. Good companies hold periodic recognition ceremonies to recognize employees and gather people together.

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