Every year, Winnipeg consultant David Zinger picks a three-word theme for his work over the next 365 days. This year, his theme has been "Engage, educate and enliven." Next year it will be "Stop, finish, focus." The key in developing the theme is to mull it over, make it succinct – and tell others so that you will be more committed to sticking to it. DavidZinger.com
MANAGING
Weighing hiring choices? Think team spirit
Paul Block, chief executive officer of Merisant Company in Chicago, says that when you're making hiring decisions, don't think individually but instead collectively. Assess how each candidate will assist in creating extraordinary team results, and consider factors such as diversity and constructive dissent. PaulrBlock.com
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
And remember to duck when they step over you
We were told by Lord Acton that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, but Financial Times columnist Lucy Kellaway notes that sometimes people at the top are friendlier and more accommodating than middle managers or those in low-status positions with partial power: "The nastiest people I worked for were junior managers hell bent on climbing the ladder." FinancialTimes.com
TECH TIP
If your Outlook quits, you'll have backups
Backup My Mail is an Outlook tool that will create backups to your e-mail, appointments, calendars, tasks and other items at intervals that you schedule. It works for Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010. AddictiveTips.com