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This is the latest news and information for workers and managers from across the Web universe, brought to you by Monday Morning Manager writer Harvey Schachter. Follow us on Twitter @Globe_Careers or join our Linked In group.
Rotman School of Management Professor Roger Martin says the first question to ask of any strategy is whether you could make the opposite choice without looking stupid. If the opposite is foolish, then everyone will have a roughly similar strategy to you and that will limit your financial return. Harvard Business Review
Small changes can yield big results
You don't start marathon training with a 20-mile run. You start slowly and build to that distance. Similarly, consultant Dan Markovitz says it's wrong-headed to start a complicated kaizen process change without first building your fitness through small, manageable amounts of work. Markovitz Consulting
Help people get to the point
To shorten meetings, ask people for their conclusion when they begin speaking, trainer Dan Rockwell advises. Teach teammates to get to the point by asking what's your recommendation, or what's your conclusion, or what do you want? Also, send background materials a day before the meeting. Leadership Freak
Honest and inspiring the way to go
Research by bestselling authors James Kouzes and Barry Posner found four characteristics ranked as highly important for leaders: Honest, forward-looking, inspiring and competent. Consultant Maurice De Castro says that's also what people want from leaders every time they speak. Smart Blogs
Follow the 80/20 rule on charging
Don't leave your laptop battery fully charged if possible. Tech writer Matt O'Keefe says you should never (or at least rarely) go below 20 per cent of charge or above 80 per cent, which is known as the 80/20 method. Lifehack.org
Harvey Schachter is a Battersea, Ont.-based writer specializing in management issues. He writes Monday Morning Manager and management book reviews for the print edition of Report on Business and an online work-life column, Balance. E-mail Harvey Schachter
Harvey Schachter