Nine Ways to Win at Office Politics

By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

Politics in the workplace can get vicious – and we're not talking about the governmental kind. Rather, office politics, or how power and influence are managed in your company, will be a part of your career whether you choose to participate in them or not.

Some workers say they don't want to get caught up in politics at work, but most experts argue that playing the game is crucial to your career success. By not getting involved, you may find your talents ignored and your success limited, and you may feel left out of the loop, says Louellen Essex, co-author of "Manager's Desktop Consultant: Just-in-Time Solutions to the Top People Problems That Keep You Up at Night."

"Politics get nasty when an employee is out for his or her personal gain alone," Essex says.
"Think of playing office politics as a game of strategy through which you are able to get the resources and influence you need to accomplish your goals. Most often those who are diplomatic, respectful and build coalitions with effective people win."

Here are Essex's nine tips to help you win at office politics and still gain others' respect.

1. Observe how things get done in your organization.
Ask some key questions: What are the core values and how are they enacted? Are short- or long-term results most valued? How are decisions made? How much risk is tolerated? The answers to these questions should give you a good sense of the culture of your organization.

2. Profile powerful individuals.
Pay attention to their communication style, network of relationships and what types of proposals they say "yes" to most often. Emulate those traits by drawing on the strengths you have.

3. Determine strategic initiatives in the company.
Update your skills to be relevant to company initiatives. For example, don't lag behind in technology, quality or customer service approaches that are crucial to you and your company's success.

4. Develop a personal track record as someone who gets results.
Style without substance will not gain others' respect, especially in today's organizations that focus on outcome.

5. Don't be afraid to toot your own horn.
If no one knows of your good work, you may lose at the game of office politics – when you really deserve to win. Let others know what you've accomplished whenever you get the opportunity. If you don't know the fine art of diplomatic bragging, you might get lost in the shuffle of your co-workers.

6. Treat everyone with respect.
Don't show preferential treatment or treat co-workers badly. You never know to whom someone might be connected, and rude behavior may come back to bite you.

7. Don't align too strongly with one group.
While an alliance may be powerful for the moment, new leadership will often oust existing coalitions and surround themselves with a new team. Bridging across factions may be a more effective strategy for long-term success if you intend to stay in your current organization for some time.

8. Learn to communicate persuasively.
Develop an assertive style, backed with solid facts and examples, to focus others' attention on your ideas and proposals. Good politicians can adjust their messages for their audience and are always well-prepared.

9. Be true to yourself.
After analyzing the political landscape in your company, if you decide the game is one you can't play, prepare to move on. It's not typical, but some organizations actually condone – even promote – dishonest, ruthless or unethical behavior. The game of office politics in this situation is not one worth winning.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Choosing A Paper Folding Machine For Your Church Office

By Jeff McRitchie

Paper folding machines are commonly used by all types of organizations. You might find a paper folder in a corporate mail room, a government office, a school, a church or a print shop. All of these organizations process large numbers of documents and can greatly benefit from the assistance of a folding machine.

However, each of these types of organizations has a special set of needs that need to be considered when choosing a machine. This article is designed to provide a list of five things that Churches need to ask themselves before they buy a unit for thier office.

1. What types of folds do you need to produce? This is the first and most important question that you need to consider. In general, most churches will need to fold their church bulletin and letters to congregation members. This means that they need to choose a paper folder that can do a z fold and half fold. However, some churches fold large format documents, legal sized church bulletins, tri-fold brochures or other materials. It is important that before you go shopping for a folding machine that you know what types of folds that you will need it to do.

2. How much folding are you going to need to do? This is an important question to ask when choosing a paper folder. More than likely the paper folder will be used to fold Church bulletins more than any other type of document. Ask yourself, "how many bulletins do we print each week?" If you are going to need to fold hundreds of bulletins every week you are going to want to make sure that you buy a paper folder that will hold up over time.

3. How often are you going to need to change folds? I know a lot of churches that very rarely ever change the settings on their folding machine. They use their machine for their weekly bulletins and nothing else. For these churches, a heavy duty paper folder with folding plates that are adjusted manually is ideal. However, other churches are constantly changing the settings on their machine to produce different types of documents (think back to question one). If you plan on folding lots of different types of documents or are going to need to change the fold settings more than once a week it would be a really good idea to get a folder that has either easy to adjust fold plates or is completely digital.

4. What types of papers are you going to need to fold? If you are going to need to fold heavy duty card stocks or glossy papers with your folding machine you are going to want to make sure that the folder can handle it. Many paper folders are not capable of handling heavy or coated paper stocks. In fact, even expensive folders often require card stock to be pre scored before being run. It is always a good idea to have your special papers tested in the paperfolder of your choice before you make your purchase. That way you will know for sure if they will work or not.

5. What sizes of papers are you going to need to fold? Again, it is important to try to anticipate the different types of documents that you are going to need to fold. If you think that you will need to make brochures out of 11" x 17" paper it is important to choose a folding machine that can handle this size of paper. Likewise, if the Church uses legal sized bulletins you will need a paper folder that can handle legal sized paper. Generally if you choose a folder that can handle 11" x 17" or larger paper then it will be able to handle all of the smaller sizes as well.

Jeff McRitchie is the director of Marketing for www.mybinding.com He has written more than two hundred articles on topics related to binding machines, binding supplies, presentation covers, ring binders, index tabs, laminators, laminating pouches, roll film, shredders and paper handling equipment. If you have any questions about Paper Folding Machines or Paper Cutters check out MyBinding.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_McRitchie

The (Office Style) Rules

Here are ten rules to guide you as you get dressed in the morning, half-asleep, in near-darkness, before the coffee kicks in.

1. No casual Fridays, not ever.

2. Actuaries are the worst-dressed professionals, followed by IT guys and orthodontists.

3. Always keep two clean white shirts and a navy-blue blazer in your closet at work.

4. Don't abuse the khakis.

5. There is an 83 percent chance that a man in short sleeves has been called a putz at least once in the previous week.

6. The only thing that belongs on the back of your chair is your back.

7. Jackets go on hangers.

8. Never outdress your boss, unless you expect to have his job shortly.

9. Nothing starts the week better than a good shoe shine. Except for a promotion.

10. Exposed suspenders: no.

An Oversimplified Guide to Mixing Patterns
Don't go cross-eyed in your closet. Here's how to pair shirts and ties without incident or injury.

1. Fine-Striped Shirt
Best bet: textured knit tie.

2. Checkered Shirt
Best bet: dark solid tie with subtle pattern.

3. Windowpane Shirt
Best bet: patterned tie that echoes color of check.

4. Glen-Plaid Shirt
Best bet: thick-striped tie that accents the plaid.

5. Woven Shirt
Best bet: dark tie with stripes that match the shirt.

6. Bengal-Striped Shirt
Best bet: dark solid tie with subtle pattern.

[via MSN]

Advantages and Disadvantages Working From A Home Office

By Niall Roche

Many people are opting to leave the corporate office business buildings and remain at home to work. Working from a home office is growing in popularity as an option for many people.

Can everyone cope with working from a home office? What are the advantages and disadvantages to working from a home office?

The difficult thing about working from a home office is that many of the advantages can also turn into a disadvantage depending on the type of personality you have and work habits. One of the advantages to working from a home office is clothing. You can wear essentially anything you like while at home. There are no company dress codes or uniforms. A great deal can be saved on not having to purchase suits, corporate clothing or paying a dry cleaner.

However, on the opposite side it can be a disadvantage to work in anything that you want. Being required to report to work at a specific time and wearing certain clothing is a great motivational factor for many people. Not everyone is able to stay motivated to get started with their jobs in the morning if they don't have a routine they are mandated to follow.

Working from a home office means no commuting in business traffic or paying for gas to travel back and forth to work. There is no pressure to clock in at a certain time or go to the office when you are not feeling well. Stress is greatly reduced with the freedom to begin work when you are ready and take breaks as needed. In addition, you do not have to worry about road rage, traffic accidents or driving in inclement weather.

A disadvantage to keeping your individual work schedule is getting behind in work tasks. You can waste time and end up not being able to socialize or participate in anything outside the home while trying to complete deadlines and get organized.

Working from a home office enables you to save money on childcare. Children can be attended to between work tasks and have more time with you. Domestic responsibilities can be squeezed in during the daily routine between work assignments.

However, a disadvantage to working from a home office is spending too much time with the family. You can easily become distracted and get behind in your work schedule. Many of your friends might not realize that you are actually doing real work. They're apt to drop in at anytime to visit or call you to go out to socialize when you need to be doing work related tasks.

Working from a home office will save expenditures with renting an office space to operate your business. You can save on utilities and even make certain tax deductions because of using home space for work.

The flip side to saving rent is that clients might not want to come to your home. The clients that do visit or know you operate from a home office might want lower fees for services and products because they view you as less professional then a competitor with a rented office space.

Setting up your home office doesn't have to be a chore. Learn more about home office layout and home office design at HomeOfficeBuddy dot com. You'll be glad you visited our site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Niall_Roche

How To Create A Hidden Office

By Penny Day

Choose decorative storage
A dining room can be quickly transformed into a place to do paperwork. Store supplies in a smart cupboard that doesn't look like typical office furniture and use attractive storage boxes that can be displayed neatly on shelves overhead.

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK...
• Be sure to include good task lighting for doing paperwork, with ambient lighting for dining.

• Unless you're working, be scrupulous about keeping the dining table free from books, paper and clutter.

• Use subtle colour coding rather than labels to distinguish your tax files from your bank statements.

• Check that you have a telephone connection nearby.

Create a special area
The key to incorporating a workable home office in a bedroom scheme is to make sure that the desk or work area is concealed. A clever shelving unit can be made to hide a neat study area behind it.

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK...
• Create a calm rather than cluttered space by reserving some shelf space for favourite pieces of art or craftwork.

• Paint walls and shelves in a pale neutral shade to give the room a spacious feel.

• Consider covering the partition wall with felt so it can double as a pinboard.

Conceal Shelves and Filing
Create neat hidden storage with two false pillars that also serve to divide an office area from the rest of the room. Shelves can be tailor-made to suit your particular requirements and positioned so they are within easy reach of the desk.

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK...
• Paint the pillars and shelves the same colour as the walls of the room to give the scheme a cohesive look.

• Keep the room streamlined with a contemporary desk and fit a letter rack along its length to hide wiring and provide handy access to stationery supplies.

•Add a strong aesthetic element, such as the blind used here or a painting, to soften the office feel.

You can find more information on home office ideas and home office products at house to home, helping you create a look you'll love

Office Furniture - Importing

By Mark R Green

Mostly everyone would agree that the quality of imported furniture is good, provided that the factory is properly monitored, assuring a good quality furniture. It is also true that the pricing is much lower than for domestic goods. Equally its true that, the selection is large and availability is plenty. Generally this is great for the economy, by enabling a very large portion of our population, to purchase new furniture. The same holds true for any other industry as well.

These being the facts, production of manufactured goods in the USA, has mostly vanished.
Companies who had previously produced their goods locally, were forced to import from foreign countries.

Is this trend in the long run really beneficial? Even if we were to assume that all the displaced workers can find other forms of employment. Assuming that by the grace of the All-Mighty, the ever lurking terrorists will not take advantage of the so many containers arriving at these shores, from all over the globe.

However we are increasingly placing ourselves, at the mercy of foreign governments. Suppose that the United States and China were to have a dispute, which is prone to happen. What if China decides, that if the USA does not relent, they will not allow any shipments to leave. (Let us not forget that China is not a Democracy.) Or they were to decide that a large tax be applied. We wont be able to fall back on production over here, because most production plants have been dismantled. We will G-d forbid be stuck. Think a minute, and look around you. Basically everything comes from China.

Where will we buy computers, telephones, furniture, tools, cars, screws and nails etc.? Where will we the parts to fix the equipment? How many items operate on batteries, that are imported? It can create a very dangerous situation, worse than a blackout. Even food and food products are being brought in from China.

I think that the time has come for us geniuses, to create our own Chinaman. Instead of us teaching them, and thereby shooting ourselves in the foot. With our technical knowledge, the focus of this beloved nation should be to produce machinery, that can greatly reduce the manual workforce. By pursuing this approach, we will bring back this nation to its former glory.
Merchandise produced in USA will be the best at low cost. Our ports will not be cluttered with arriving containers, that may contain dangerous substance. They will however be loading merchandise from this country, shipping elsewhere. Most importantly we will not be held hostage by another government.

Comfort in furniture is a top priority and a must for every office. At Ace Office Furniture, our goal is to offer the best quality for the lowest price possible. Visit us at http://www.aceofficesystems.com to shop, find and buy high quality office furniture and enjoy our long lasting customer relationships.

New Ideas in Office Trailers

By Mike Strawbridge

Modern modular buildings have come along way from the construction site office trailer that many of us are accustomed to.

Some recent projects completed this year include a complex of 12 modular units joined together to form a single 72 foot by 90 foot space. This office complex contains numerous offices, a large conference and training room as well as large open areas. This space was created by connecting the trailers six wide and two back to back.

Another company created their large office space by joining eight trailers side by side.

So why are companies choosing modular buildings and trailer to house their office complexes?
There are three basic reasons, cost, speed of construction and quality of the construction.

The cost of modular construction can be half to a third of the cost of traditional site built buildings. Modular buildings can be built at lower cost due in part to the saving in material cost and delivery expense. In on site construction, material must be delivered in small lots to the site. In a modular factory, material can be purchased in bulk and delivered more cost effectively.
Also, due to the repetitive nature of the construction, there is less waste.

There is also savings in site preparation and foundation work. Traditional construction requires a concrete foundation and considerable grading to prepare the site. Since modular trailers have their own frames to support the units, foundation work can be minimal and a perfectly level site is not required.

However one of the greatest benefits of modular construction is speed of occupancy. The example above, went from concept to occupancy is just six weeks. Traditional construction techniques could have taken up to a year to build a similar building.

The quality of the building can also be much better in a modular building than in a construction subject to changing weather conditions and questionable craftsmanship.

Modular buildings are constructed in a facility protected from the weather under strict quality control procedures. Quality is not as dependent on the skill and mood of the individual workers.
In the modular factory, there are procedure and quality controls inspection process to insure that all steps are completed in a workman like manner.

In normal construction, materials are exposed to the weather as the building is being constructed. In a modular factory, raw materials and the assembly are protected from the elements during construction. This protection results in better fit and finish along with less chance of mold growth and other weather related problems.

Yet another added benefit is purchasing flexibility. Modular buildings can be purchased, leased or rented depending on the application. Modular buildings have the added advantage that they can be disassembled and moved to another location if the need ever arises.

So whatever your office space requirements, from a simple construction site trailer to a full office complex, modular construction can get you in a better place faster and more economically than traditional construction techniques.

Mike Strawbridge is a Performance Improvement Coach who loves helping people achieve what they truly want in life and business.

To learn more about office trailer options see ==>
http://www.induprod.com/officetrailers.shtml

Alpaca Rugs, Pillows & Bedspreads - A Natural Alternative for Decorating your Home, Lodge or Office

By Marc Loos

While hunting for decorating ideas, you may have heard about alpaca rugs and other home decor items made from alpaca, but still be unsure of what they are, or how they can be used. In this article, I will try to explain alpaca, and discuss the wonderful qualities and value it represents for people decorating their home, lodge or executive suite.

First of all, and to clear up any confusion, the word “alpaca” is used to refer not only to the animal, but also its wool, and its pelt. The wool is used to make clothing, while the pelts are used for a variety of quality home décor items such as rugs, throws, and wall hangings. As I will explain, the special qualities of alpaca make it highly desirable for these uses.

Alpacas are native to the alpine meadows, marshes, and grasslands of the high Andes of South America. Herds of alpaca graze almost wild there, on high plateaus thousands of feet above sea level. To survive in this harsh environment, the alpaca have evolved coats of incredible warmth and lightness. Alpaca's roots go back five or six thousand years, to when they were first bred (it is believed) from the wild vicuna for wool production. In their native countries, alpaca images can be found in cave paintings, on ceramics, jewelry, and carved in stone for ritual and decorative objects. In Peru, alpaca is considered a natural wealth, related in a very intimate way to its history and economy.

For most of known history alpaca have been herded by the Native Americans inhabiting the highlands of what is now Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. More famously, they were a pillar of the ancient Incan civilization, where alpacas were not only prized, but were 100% owned by the Incan government. Their fine, lustrous hair was woven into robes used by Inca royalty. The fleece was in fact, so revered that possession by commoners was considered a capital crime, and punishment for this crime could include death. Luckily, government attitudes have liberalized since then, and alpaca products are now widely available -- even to commoners!

So why all the excitement about alpaca? Turns out, alpaca is really something special. For one thing, alpaca wool is three times stronger and seven times warmer than even Merino sheep’s wool. Raised at high altitudes in freezing cold, the alpaca has developed more thermal capacity in its fiber than almost any other animal, creating garments that offer featherweight warmth. Its fibers contain tiny curls that give it a soft cushiony feel and provide air pockets that create insulation and warmth. In addition, alpaca is naturally fire-retardant and since, unlike wool it contains no lanolin or other oils, it’s hypoallergenic. Dust mites don’t like it, so they and their associated allergens stay away too. This lack of oils keeps dirt from sticking as well, so clothes and rugs, throws, and bedspreads made from alpaca stay cleaner.

Alpaca wool is ranked amongst the finest fibers by the fashion industry; alongside silk, mohair, and angora. It occurs naturally in an amazing variety of 22 different colors; from white, silver, creams, and ivories, to many browns, reds, grays, and total black. Alpaca fibers are straighter than sheep’s wool, not scratchy, and extremely rich and silky, with a fine luster. In fact, alpaca has a slippery, silky look and feel to put even fine cashmere to shame. Its combination of lightness, softness and warmth makes an alpaca rug, throw or bedspread a cloud-soft experience. And the strength of fine alpaca means that items made from it will remain an eye-attracting pleasure.

The alpaca was almost wiped out, along with their herdsmen by the Spanish Conquest. Today however there are almost three million alpaca in South America, with 85% of that number in Peru. Rather than a beast of burden, the alpaca is raised primarily for its wool, meat and milk.

Like sheep, they are sheared once per year to make sweaters and other garments. At a certain point, they are harvested as a food source and the pelt is used to make rugs, teddy bears, pillows, etc. The pelt is also salvaged when an alpaca fails to survive the harsh Andean winter or suffers an accident. So alpacas are not raised solely for their pelt as are mink, etc. The entire animal is used, as with sheep. The money derived from pelt sales is an important supplement to the income of the people in these regions.

The alpaca’s varied color palette is skillfully wielded by native artisans to create dramatic designs, both abstract and realistic to suit a wide variety of tastes and decorative motifs. Completely natural and handmade, no two products made from alpaca pelts are exactly alike. Check out 100% natural alpaca and explore the decorating possibilities!

To see alpaca rugs and bedspreads try visiting http://www.softrugs.com, a contemporary website providing a wide range of decorative styles and tips for using the amazing alpaca! And while you're there, be sure to check out the alpaca pillows and toys!