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While the history of several professions such as the legal and medical fields is well known and documented, the history of the administrative assistants and/or secretarial profession is much more obscure.

Why is it that when conflict erupts in the workplace, some managers immediately think about training or counselling? They organize a team-building session, send individuals to communication skills training or offer coaching on how to manage interpersonal conflicts.

When was the last time your human resource policy manual was reviewed?

Well, if you're like many organizations, I'll bet your HR policy manuals are out of date. For instance, have you updated the manual to include the new Manitoba flextime rules? Do you have a policy for armed forces reservist leave? Has an employee inquired about and/or requested use of the compassionate care leave provisions? These are just a few of the changes made over the past few years.

According to recent news, Winnipeg has scored No. 15 in the list of most romantic cities. This so-called accomplishment is based on an analysis of retail sales for romance novels, romantic comedy DVDs and CDs, as well as sex and relationship books.

We've all heard the word alignment. It's a concept that is quite common we think about sports or dance. In this case, alignment refers to the synchronized movement of our body so that we are fast or graceful. If there is misalignment, people will try new strategies and practise, practise, practise. On the other hand, if the concept of alignment is applied to a car, it generally refers to the importance of the wheels and the suspension angles. If this is out of alignment it creates a safety issue that needs to be rectified right away.

It's mid-December already! Time sure flies. Thankfully, we have had a spectacular fall with a delay in the snowfall and beautiful, fairly warm weather. But there is no doubt about it: The annual December festive season is upon us.

The 99th Grey Cup game is over and another football season is at an end. During the game, coaches, media and fans alike were busy analyzing the game.

Oh those dreaded annual performance appraisals! Where do they come from? Why do we conduct a performance appraisal? What can you do if you are not happy with your appraisal?

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Our very own high-profile scandal! Resignations, suspension, investigation, financial penalties, lost reputation and lost revenue -- all within one week. What a difficult lesson for the youth sports world, its coaches and its players. What a disappointment for parents who entrusted their young lads to local community leaders.

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Have you ever experienced the sense of gnawing, raw pain that results from the death of a loved one? If so, you know this pain is gripping and numbs one's thoughts to such an extent your breath is taken away.

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Without proper focus, planning events become worthless time-wasters

Anyone who regularly chairs a meeting has certainly heard about the well-known video called Meetings, Meetings, Bloody Meetings, starring the famous John Cleese.

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Today's business world is complex, unpredictable, volatile and uncertain. One of the key elements of this volatility is the lightning speed of change all around us. Managing change has become the name of the game. To do this, leaders must build and nourish employee talent as they drive their organization toward growth and innovation -- definitely a difficult task.

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Q: We tend to use seasonal employees during the summer months; however, as supervisor, I find these individuals hard to motivate. Do you have any suggestions?

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Sometimes I compare organizational change to those shifting tectonic plates found in the Earth's crust. While tectonic plates usually move slowly and quietly, they often create a "big bang" accompanied by that feared tsunami that creates such a devastating aftermath.

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Take a moment and imagine playing a video showing people in today's modern workplace. What will you see?

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Q: I have moved around a lot in my hospitality career and in an effort to be truthful, I list all of the jobs on my resume. However, during some recent interview feedback, the potential employer made a comment that suggested I was a "job hopper." What can I do to overcome this impression and create a more positive impression?

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Fraud has a higher cost than most people realize. March is fraud prevention month in Canada and a good time to review the losses from, and reasons for, workplace fraud.
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Congratulations, you've been promoted!

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While many loved ones celebrated Valentine's Day with a specially worded card and perhaps a delightful dining out experience followed by warm hugs and kisses, there are others who did not.

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February has always been known as the month to celebrate relationships. Friends, family and loved ones share cards and various celebrations. Spouses and partners kiss, hug and enjoy the touch and feel of a warm, loving relationship. Yet Valentine's Day, for some reason, also reminds me of all of the progress women have made in the workplace as well as the dangers that still lurk.

In today's environment, you often hear the term connected. Typically, this refers to living and working in a 24/7 global world and being connected through Internet technology.

Much has been written in the past few years about the need for a psychologically healthy workplace, and I am thankful this issue is finally gaining recognition for its importance and value.

Welcome to 2011! Now that the festive season is over, life is getting back to normal. The hustle and bustle of work, school and children's sports activities are back on the calendar. Everyone is busy. But not everyone is happy.

Great news! The recent November 2010 Labour Market bulletin was full of good news for Manitobans. So, if you are feeling a bit depressed as a result of all the snow and cold weather; think again.

As the festive Christmas season moves along this week, families are basking in the joy of gift-giving, feasting on their favourite foods and enjoying their closest friends.

What happens at the office party stays with you for a long, long time.

Have you ever walked into an organization and quickly recognized that your behaviour needed to change?
Difficult, dysfunctional, disgruntled employees will bring down workplace morale, productivity
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press.
As originally published in The Winnipeg Free Press.

Many occupational groups are regulated by associations that don't have the legislative teeth to properly protect the public

Innovation, creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, combined with hard work and quality service have put a Manitoba construction company on the fast track to success
I haven't yet had much of a vacation this summer but I can tell you, I almost feel as though I have "pre-vacation blues."
It wasn’t that long ago that self-employment was a fast-rising phenomenon in the market­place.

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press
While do-it-yourselfers are reportedly shaking up the real estate industry by jumping into the market to sell their own homes, a do-it-yourself human resource strategy is rarely as successful.
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press.
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press.
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press.
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press.
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press.
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press.
Demographics have a tremendous impact on both our economy and our social structures.
Even in tough times, money isn't always the answer.
What's your perception of older workers? You know, those employees who are in the sunset of their lives (what age is that?) and who aren't as productive or as flexible as younger folk.
While we all know that staffing levels have a major impact on a company's costs, we often don't realize that staffing levels also have a huge impact on quality.
With plenty of real warfare in the world, it's hard to fathom our workplace being referred to as warfare.

Economic uncertainty no time for anxiety, indecision at the top of your organization.

Industrial landscape has changed, but respect for clients should top company agenda.
Build trust of public, employees.
Jargon and clichés in the workplace can cause confusion and discomfort.
Organizational change is constant.
Reading people and understanding body language is very intuitive.
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The arrival of a New Year always creates a pleasant sense of renewal.
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Barbara Bowes Barbara Bowes
"Barbara J. Bowes, FCHRP, CMC is president of Legac..."
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Mike A. Cuma Mike A. Cuma
"Mike A. Cuma is Partner and Vice President of Labo..."
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Paul Croteau Paul Croteau
"Paul Croteau is Managing Partner of Legacy Bowes G..."
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Richard Lannon Richard Lannon
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