We’ve all experienced toxic coworkers in the past.  You know, the controlling manager, the pessimistic team mate, even the difficult to please client.

The truth is, difficult people are everywhere.  They exist in all facets of life and can sometimes seem especially prevalent in business.  While you can’t change these people, it is possible to deal with them.  Below are five tips for dealing with toxic coworkers:

1. Identify the “problem people.” Toxic coworkers come in all forms.  In fact, there is no formula for identifying those coworkers who are most likely to turn toxic.  Anyone who backstabs, gossips, or is harshly competitive or critical has the potential to poison your staff and company culture.
2. Asses the situation. The initial realization that you’re being treated unfairly or unprofessionally may be a shock at first.  Take a step back and realize that you’re not the only one in a toxic situation.  There may be others who are able to help you.
3. Take action. Rather than letting the problem get worse, face it head on.  Addressing issues with the coworker in question immediately will help you avoid taking emotional or irrational actions down the line.  Tackle the problem early to help maintain your objectivity in the situation.
4. Maintain your reputation. Constant discussion of the situation with others may earn you the title of “office whiner” and make you seem unable to handle issues on your own.  Avoid this unfortunate title and maintain your reputation by handling issues privately and professionally.
5. Agree to disagree. Despite your efforts, it is possible that issues with a coworker may still exist.  If this is the case, chalk it up to differences in opinion and move on.  Do not hold a grudge and try to work with the person as professionally as possible despite obvious differences.

Toxic coworkers are everywhere.  The key to managing in an environment with these types of people is to maintain professionalism at all times.  If problems persist despite your efforts, don’t be afraid to approach a higher-up with your concerns.  In the end, you’ll know that you did everything in your power to manage the situation.

How do you handle toxic coworkers?  What advice do you have for readers in a similar situation?

Despite the still-weak economy, Americans of all ages and incomes are continuing to grow increasingly unhappy at work.  According to a study conducted for The Conference Board, only 45% of people in 5,000 U.S. households surveyed said they were satisfied with their jobs.  In 1987, when the survey was first conducted, 61.1% of those surveyed were satisfied with their jobs.

So, what has changed so drastically in the last 23 years?  According to The Conference Board, the drop in job satisfaction can be attributed to a number of factors including interest in work and job security.  One of the main drivers of this trend is a lack of confidence in leaders and organizations.

How can you ensure that your employees are happy with their jobs and satisfied working for your company?  Below are 5 characteristics shared by the most inspirational, effective leaders:

1. Anchored. Anchored leaders are well-positioned in an organization’s culture and flow.  They understand contemporary trends and how they affect business.
2. Optimistic. The most inspirational leaders share a world view of possibility and choose to focus on future success rather than dwell on challenges and difficulties.
3. Purpose-driven. Leaders who inspire understand that a workforce will embrace a well-communicated purpose.  Inspirational leaders coax results through sharing a vision that engages employees.
4. Unselfish. Leaders who focus on creating a positive environment for employees first are often considered inspirational.  Unselfish leaders are also more likely to make decisions to benefit the business in the long-term.
5. Respectful. Inspirational leaders recognize that, with the economic dust starting to settle, businesses may require extreme changes.  They appreciate the value of treating employees with respect and keeping the lines of communication open.

Are you an inspirational leader?  Do you think that you have what it takes to turn around job satisfaction numbers?  What advice do you have for other leaders to help them increase job satisfaction in their own companies?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

Source:  The Conference Board (http://www.conference-board.org/)

Numbers can be complex and confusing, but in the small business world they are a huge determinant of a company’s success.

Often, it is easier to push numbers aside to focus on the more “fun” aspects of business.  Experienced entrepreneurs and small business owners know this and will surround themselves with a team of experienced accountants and bookkeepers.

But what about those small business owners with less experience — How do you know when it’s time to build or expand your accounting team?  How do you know whether you need a bookkeeper or controller in charge of your finances?

Hire a bookkeeper if:

• You’re company is a startup.  Hiring a bookkeeper in the beginning stages of your business will help you get started on the right foot with a good, well-kept record keeping system.
• Numbers make your head spin.  Enlisting the services of a bookkeeper can help you learn the basics of the financial aspects of your company – such as managing cash flow and tracking balance sheets.

Hire an accountant if:

• You’re adding employees.  Once your business begins to grow and you start to hire more employees, an accountant will be able to help you with financial matters while you focus on growth.
• You’re changing your business structure.  An accountant will be able to guide you through both the financial and tax implications of changing your company’s ownership structure.
• You’re seeking outside financing.  If you’re seeking financing, such as a bank loan, it is advisable to have your financials reviewed and organized by an accountant.

Hire a controller if:

• Your business continues to expand.  A business with an established management team and continued growth will want to hire a controller to manage day to day financial operations in order to place more focus on strategic issues.
• You’re seeking new financial software.  When your business outgrows off-the-shelf accounting software, a controller can help you to select a more appropriate software system.

Hire a CFO is:

• You’re planning to expand.  A company that grows rapidly or is interested in expanding its product lines should consider adding a CFO to the accounting team.  A CFO can provide advice and guide a company through the complex financial issues involved.
• You’re seeking complex financing.  If you’re planning a complex fundraising tactic, such as an Initial Public Offering (IPO), a CFO can be an invaluable asset to your accounting team by handling the influx of outside investors.

Ultimately, the decision to build or expand a small business accounting team depends on the aspirations of the entrepreneur.  If you’re operating a home-based, single person company, it might be advisable to handle the financials yourself while the business grows.  If you’re business grows steadily, it’s time to enlist the help of someone with financial savvy so that you can concentrate of nurturing new business.

Whatever path your company takes, it’s important to remember that most businesses fail due to lack of financial understanding and management.  Be honest with yourself, if any aspect of your financials is over your head, enlist help.

Rational:  of or based on reasoning, able to reason, sensible or sane.

Do you think rationally?  Are your decisions based on data and calculated thoughts?

Do you follow your gut?  Do faith and conviction guide your decisions?

Seth Godin, author of 12 books including “All Marketers are Liars” and “Survival is Not Enough,” makes some interesting arguments for irrational decision making here.

What are your thoughts?  Should we follow Seth’s advice and start thinking more irrationally?

I realize we’ve all heard these before, but certain things are worth repeating every now and again.  So, please, bear with me as I present The Top Marketing Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Marketing to everyone. Do your research, find your target audience, and gear your marketing message to that audience.  Don’t try to reach everyone.

2. Fractured brand unity. All of your marketing efforts should present a cohesive feel for your product, service, and company.  The more unified your advertisements, website, etc, the better.

3. Using a single marketing medium. Your marketing efforts should employ a variety of media from television to the internet and everything in between.  Ensure that your message reaches your entire target audience, market creatively through a cross-section of channels.

4. Ignoring current customers. Repeat purchasers make up 80% of customers in most businesses.  However, most marketing campaigns focus on new customers instead of current ones.  Use messages that reach both potential and repeat customers.

5. Sending mixed messages. Marketing messages that are too confusing, too subtle, too long, or too complicated can easily miss your target audience.  Keep your campaigns simple.

6. Not asking for feedback. Testing your marketing messages is extremely important.  Test your marketing ideas on focus groups and ask for feedback.  Don’t launch new marketing campaigns blindly.

See, that wasn’t so bad was it?  Not to mention, I can almost guarantee that, even though we can all recite them by heart, we’re all guilty of committing one of these sins a time or  two in our professional lives.  Like I said, some things are worth repeating on occassion.