Having the technical skills and knowledge to successfully execute your job duties is only one part of being the best you can be in the workplace. In addition to these "hard" skills, we also need "soft" skills. Soft skills are those skills which allow us to effectively work with others. No matter what your position, organization, or industry, you work with people. Taking the time to build effective soft skills can contribute to a more efficient, more harmonious, and more productive workplace, as well as to your own overall job happiness and satisfaction.

Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." We would like to add a third item to his list: anger. Anger can be an incredibly damaging force, costing people their jobs, personal relationships, and even their lives when it gets out of hand. However, since everyone experiences anger, it is important to have constructive approaches to manage it effectively.

Anticipatory Reality Using Appreciative Inquiry is a shift from looking at problems and deficiencies and instead focusing on strengths and successes. It is a tool for change, and it will strengthen relationships throughout an organization. Organizations can be thought of as living entities comprised of individuals working toward a common goal. Appreciative Inquiry has the ability to change an entire organization by changing its people. Through positive questioning employees will be directed to move in a positive direction. Recognizing the strengths and values of what works, as opposed to what...

A distracted workforce is less than effective. Employees who do not pay attention to their work can waste valuable time and make careless mistakes. Attention management is a useful skill that allows managers to connect with their employees on an emotional level and motivate them to focus on their work and how to reach their personal and company goals.

Numbers Numbers Numbers Wherever you go, you are bound to see them. On addresses, license plates, phones, prices, and of course, money Numbers connect us all to each other in many more ways than we might imagine. Essentially, our world revolves around numbers. Some of us enjoy dealing with numbers while others may have a fear of them, or even a phobia. For those of you who have already recognized and appreciate the impact that numbers actually have on just about everything, you deserve a cookie.

Can you tell if someone is telling the truth just by looking at them? It is a skill that a lot of people do not have. Through Body Language Basics you will be given a set of tools to use to your advantage. These tools can be utilized in the office and at home. Understanding Body Language will provide you a great advantage in your daily communications. Body Language Basics will provide you with a great set of skills to understand that what is not said is just as important than what is said. It will also give you the ability to see and understand how your own Body Language is being seen. You...

Everyday businesses deal with budgets and financial reports in some form or fashion. At minimum, business managers review budget numbers and run financial reports for decision-making and reporting to shareholders and Federal regulators once a month. Many companies devote the last few months of the calendar year to creating budgets for the next calendar year. In addition, organizations create and disseminate year-end financial reports to investors. The goal of this book is to give you a basic understanding of budgets and financial reports so they can hold relevant discussions and render...

Business Acumen is all about seeing the big picture and recognizing that all decisions, no matter how small, can have an effect on the bottom line. In this book, you will learn how to increase your financial literacy and improve your business sense. Business Acumen will give you an advantage everyone wishes they had. This book will help you recognize learning events, manage risk better, and increase your critical thinking. Business Acumen has the ability to influence your whole organization, and provide that additional edge that will lead to success.

A company's ethics will determine its reputation. Good business ethics are essential for the long-term success of an organization. Implementing an ethical program will foster a successful company culture and increase profitability. Developing a business ethics program takes time and effort, but doing so will do more than improve business, it will change lives. A company's ethics will have an influence on all levels of business. It will influence all who interact with the company including customers, employees, suppliers, competitors, etc. All of these groups will have an effect on the way a...

Success in any industry relies on relationships, whether with co-workers, clients, suppliers, or investors. When you're well-mannered and considerate in dealing with others, you create engaging, productive, and long term business relationships. As such, it is important to learn, not just the technical side of a business, but how to conduct one's self in the company of others. This is where business etiquette comes in. This book will introduce you to business etiquette, as well as provide guidelines for the practice of business etiquette across different situations.