Katrina, Vincent and I weren't in Kansas with Mom to wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY personally, so we improvised...


Love you Mama!

Career Advice

My friend Jill sent me this article. I read it and thought "wow, this person has never worked an entry-level job!" Granted, I have been told that I must be a real handful as an employee. Either way, see for yourself if any of this advice resonates--or at least have a good laugh.

7 Things Never to Say to Your Boss

Karen Burns, On Wednesday March 17, 2010, 11:19 am EDT

Everyone has a boss. Even if you "work for yourself," you're still an employee to your client.

A big part of maintaining the boss-employee relationship is to never allow a boss to think you dislike your work, are incapable of doing it, or--worse--consider it beneath you.

These sound like no-brainers, but many statements heard commonly around the workplace violate these basic rules. Looking for an example? Here are seven heard in workplaces all the time. They may seem ordinary, even harmless. But try reading these from your boss's point of view. You'll see right away why it's smart to never allow these seven sentences to pass your lips:

"That's not my job." You know what? A lot of bosses are simple souls who think your job is to do what's asked of you. So even if you're assigned a task that is, indeed, not your job, refrain from saying so. Instead, try to find out why your boss is assigning you this task--there may be a valid reason. If you believe that doing the task is a bad idea (as in, bad for the company) you can try explaining why and suggesting how it could be better done by someone else. This may work, depending on the boss. In any case, remember that doing what's asked of you, even tasks outside your job description, is good karma.

"It's not my problem." When people say something is not their problem it makes them look like they don't care. This does not endear them to anybody, especially the boss. If a problem is brewing and you have nothing constructive to say, it's better to say nothing at all. Even better is to pitch in and try to help. Because, ultimately, a problem in the workplace is everyone's problem. We're all in it together.

"It's not my fault." Yet another four words to be avoided. Human nature is weird. Claiming that something is not our fault often has the result of making people suspect it is. Besides, what's the real issue here? It's that something went wrong and needs to be fixed. That's what people should be thinking about--not who is to blame.

"I can only do one thing at a time." News flash: Complaining you are overworked will not make your boss feel sorry for you or go easier on you. Instead, a boss will think: (1) you resent your job, and/or (2) you aren't up to your job. Everybody, especially nowadays, feels pressured and overworked. If you're trying to be funny, please note that some sarcasm is funny and lightens the mood. Some just ticks people off.

"I am way overqualified for this job." Hey, maybe you are. But the fact is, this is the job you have. You agreed to take it on and, while you may now regret that decision, it's still your job. Complaining that it's beneath you only makes you look bad. Plus, coworkers doing similar jobs may resent and dislike you. And guess what? Bosses will not think, "Oh, this is a superior person whom I need to promote." Nope, they'll think, "What a jerk."

"This job is easy! Anyone could do it!" Maybe what you're trying to convey here is that you're so brilliant your work is easy. Unfortunately, it comes off sounding more like, "This work is stupid." Bosses don't like hearing that any work is stupid. Nor do they really like hearing that a job is easy peasy. It belittles the whole enterprise. If a task is simple, be glad and do it as quickly as you can. Even "stupid" work needs to get done.

"It can't be done." Saying something can't be done is like waving a red flag in a boss's eyes. Even if the thing being suggested truly is impossible, saying it is can make you look ineffectual or incapable. Better to play detective. Why is the boss asking you to do whatever it is? What's the problem that needs to be solved? What's the goal? Search for doable ways of solving that problem or reaching that goal. That's what bosses really want. Most of them do not expect the impossible.

Last words: When in doubt, remember that silence really is golden.

Karen Burns is the author of the illustrated career advice book The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use, recently released by Running Press. She blogs at www.karenburnsworkinggirl.com.

Meet my co-workers!

Our trusty AUW Government Liaison, Mizan Bhai (bhai means "brother" and is used as a term of endearment and respect) is leaving us. We had a going away lunch for him and took this picture afterwards.

I thought you all would enjoy "meeting" the staff I work with at AUW. See if you can find me in the picture!

Resume builder: pizza delivery

For months now I have been asking Pizza Hut here in Chittagong to deliver pizzas to our two faculty residences. I explained that we work really hard and are often too tired to cook when we get home. And that we love pizza. And that Pizza Hut could make a lot of money delivering. After the third request, the new manager said "yes, we will do that."

So I sent out a happy email to faculty with news:
Just wanted to let you know of some nifty food delivery options that are available here in Chittagong.

Pizza Hut: delivery to Panchlaish Apartment and 20C
Pizza Hut can deliver. I spoke with the manager, Md. Tanjim Uddin and he said you can call up and order, say you're from AUW, and ask to have your order delivered (explain where you live--I've given general explanations, but they may need refreshing).

I sent out the email on March 3 at 9:23 AM. That evening, I received a few responses saying "we tried it--didn't work." Around 9 pm, I received multiple phone calls from Pizza Hut. I didn't answer because you never know around here if someone is calling you to "speak English and chat." Then Tanjim sent me a long text messaging saying:
"I am so sorry ma'am. The other manager was on duty and did not know about delivery. Please call me as soon as possible. This is important."

I had friends over, and was annoyed with Pizza Hut. So I didn't answer. I texted back and said "call me tomorrow about this." I didn't hear from Tanjim the next day.

This morning something reminded me that Tanjim never called me back. I was feeling feisty and in the mood to follow up. I texted him to ask if Pizza Hut would do delivery or not. He responded saying, "Yes, we will."

So I sent out an email tonight entitled "Try again...Pizza Hut Part II." A Kansan co-worker responded: "We did delivery to AUW campus tonight, at about 7:30. It may have been the first pizza delivery in Bangladesh."

I have to say--this may have made my month. Heck--my year! I now have something truly unique to put on my resume: "Succeeded in assisting with the implementation of pizza delivery in Bangladesh."

More Travel Woes

From an email I sent out to faculty and staff regarding problems with our domestic airline choices. Here's another peek into the joys of traveling in, around, and out of Bangladesh!

Dear friends ready to go somewhere,

Every GMG flight that AUW guests have had in the past week from Dhaka-Chittagong/Chittagong-Dhaka has been delayed one to two hours (or more) due to "technical reasons." Meaning, most likely, that a plane is out of commission. GMG will call up a day or two before the flight and say "we're sorry, but there will be a delay." Sometimes they just call the night before and say "the flight is cancelled." At which point general panic, frustration, and yelling ensues.

How to avoid this?

If you need to fly domestically, I suggest using United. ...Although they're not much better! I just called to try get United flight info on flights from Dhaka to Kolkata, and they told me they don't have an updated schedule and that I should call back in a week to get it. So much for travel planning!

Finally, don't trust either United or GMG's online schedules--they are old and/or incorrect, and just plain frustrating to read. Call the airlines directly!

Best of luck to ya'all,
Summer

Big news: New espresso machine in our building

Here's a little slice of news from AUW...

New Nespresso machine in 20G 6th floor kitchen

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Ms. Summer Lewis	Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 11:43 AM
To: auwallstaff
Dear AUW faculty and staff, There is a new Nespresso machine in the kitchen on the 6th floor. Let's make our little kitchen a cafe! You can purchase the espresso pods from me for 70 taka/pod. One pod will make one drink. There is also a milk frother that I will keep in my office, if you wish to borrow it and use to make a cappuccino. Come to me to get your pods and I'll instruct you on how to use the machine. PLEASE DON'T MESS WITH THE MACHINE UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN SHOWN HOW TO USE IT! Let's make our little kitchen a cafe! Summer L. -- Concierge (Guest & Employee Relations) Asian University for Women (Chittagong, Bangladesh) http://sites.google.com/site/auwconciergedesk/ World Traveler http://kansaninbangladesh.blogspot.com/