One Act of Random Kindness.

Never before a film had a soothing affect on me, than during the repeat viewing of film "EVAN ALMIGHTY". The film is light and comic in nature, and underlines the need for bringing about change in the world order by building an ARK (one act of random kindness.)

Browsing the web on the subject provided me a link to the website http://www.actsofkindness.org. The website links to community sharing, learning and enjoying the ARK process.

Down here is the compiled a list of a few ideas to brighten someone else's day! (taken from the website.)
1. Volunteer at a kitchen
2. Donate old books
3. Donate canned goods
4. Send out cards telling people why they are special
5. Donate blood
6. Anonymously pay someone's parking ticket
7. Keep a supply of bottled water and crackers in your car to give to homeless people
8.Donate gently worn winter coats
9. Invite an acquaintance over for the holidays who doesn't have family close by
10. Give your coffee or tea to a construction worker
11. Drop off a bag of groceries for a family that is in need

SMALL ACTS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED

Do's and Do nots at the workplace.

Employees behaviour and attitude has both direct and indirect effect on the work environment and on the individual performance and team work. Some Do and Do nots at the workplace are as follows:

Do's at Work place:
1. Compliment your fellow colleague's and team members generously.
2. Share only positive experiences, ideas and learning during formal and informal meeting.
3. Respect and motivate your fellow colleagues and team members.
4. Try to add value to others learning when you share your ideas or suggestions.

Some Do nots at the Workplace
1.. Do not idle or pass time at the work place.
2. Do not become member of the grapevine community.
3. Do not share negative experiences. (Do it only when asked for).
4. Do not pass apprehensions, reservations to others during formal or informal meeting.
5. Do not criticize in public about your organization, team, project or work.
6. Do not compare your work, qualification and pay etc with your team members.

The Do's and Do nots are known to all, but we should practice it to remain free of unwanted office stress and increase productivity of the team and the individual.

First step towards knowledge sharing in the organization

Knowledge sharing between the employees within the organization is a greater challenge then it appears. There are many factors that contribute to barriers for knowledge sharing. These are:
1. Knowledge is assumed as Power
2. Lack of trust
3. Organization's Culture
Introduction of ICT tools and web has contributed to creation of CoPs and social networks, but these measures are not enough to facilitate free flow of knowledge between the employees.
The organization could start by reviewing its structure and work environment before demanding that the employees share and collaborate. This can be followed up with dismantling water tight compartments, introducing group mailing, arranging get together, following uniform and regular job rotation policy, providing training to its employees, allowing and encouraging informal discussions during lunchand tea break etc among all other enablers for knowledge sharing.

Knowledge Workers and Idle time....

I have observed time and again that office workers (knowledge workers) tend to keep themselves busy with redundant jobs, which do not add value to the employee or the organizations many a times. knowledge workers generally want to keep themselves occupied and tend to assimilate work and are happy to be referred as good worker. But given the chance to them to cut down on this work , they tend to complain of little work or Idle time.

My personal opinion is, knowledge workers should wear the thinking cap and works towards removing redundancy, cutting down waste, shortening the process, use technology effectively and efficiently, set priorities and find new ways to do the job. The idle time is indeed a period to review the job completed and find ways to do it correctly and fast. Hence there is no time to idle........