Dressing for the office can be a tricky task, especially as many workplaces have relaxed their once very formal corporate clothing expectations. Whether you're an employer keen to maintain a sense of decency and professionalism or an employee keen to know where to draw the line, here are 10 fashion faux pas that should be avoided at the office.1. Survey after survey, the number one gripe amongst employers is staff revealing a little too much at the office. Plunging necklines, mini-skirts and underwear  http://sbc201.siybase.com/vaaridas/blog/10-keys-for-unlocking-success-in-business/ on show are all unpopular choices when trying to maintain a professional appearance to visiting customers and clients, so should always be avoided.2. Nightclub attired doesn't end at sights of flesh. Heeled shoes are fine, but extremely high stilettos are difficult to walk around in also do little for the impression company bosses are trying to cultivate.3. Another big faux pas is when clothing is too casual, such as frayed jeans or crinked shirts. Neither communicates a particularly professional appearance and while corporate clothing may not be necessary in all workplaces, you should always aim to look smart.4. This rule extends to worn or dirty footwear, particularly trainers. Everyone has their favourite pair, but even if employers are okay with trainers, once they're worn or untidy in appearance, it's time to confine them to a life outside of work.5. Another footwear faux pas is the sandle. Your colleagues - and trust me on this - do not want to see your toes. This is particularly sound advice for the gents - especially those with hairy toes. It's not a good look. And if your colleagues don't want to see it, you can bet your house on the fact that your clients won't either.6. In most office environments, wearing hats of any kind is frowned upon. When that hat is a cap or beanie, it's a definite no-no.7. Sports clothing, particularly team shirts, should not be worn in the office. It's far too casual and only makes the business appear unprofessional to visitors. Embroidered polo shirts can be an exception, but only if they look smart.8. Unless you work on a beauty counter, keep the make-up layers to a minimum. Thick or tasteless make-up will do you little good from a career point of view and harm the company's reputation to others.9. Large, visible tattoos and unusual piercings might help your reputation socially, but it doesn't convey the right message in the workplace. Employers, colleagues and customers want office workers to look smart, clean-looking and professional.10. Finally, even in office environments where casual attire is accepted, steer clear of slogan T-shirts - particularly those that have the potential to offend others. It may be clever, funny and ironic, but if it's not to someone's liking it will land you in hot water and harm morale.

If you want to play a funny joke on a cardiologist friend, send them a link to the foods below and tell them this is how you've been indulging yourself. While I like unhealthy stuff as much as anyone else, I think I might have gained a few pounds just reading about the foods listed below. Though I have no qualms with indulgence in the finer things in life, you want to keep a defibrillator at the ready if you plan on eating these things!#1: Smith Island CakeYou might wonder why a delicate, beautiful, and innocent looking piece of chocolate cake is on this list. Besides, this ten layer chocolate cake only has about 300 calories, which, while a lot for a small piece of cake is nothing compared to some of the noxious delights described below. However, the whopping 26 grams of fat it hides between its not-so-innocent layers earns it a top spot on this list.#2: Mayonnaise DrinksI know people like mayonnaise, and I do too, but this seems to be taking things to a bit too far of an extreme. Mayonnaise cocktails, are they the next big thing in America? Let's hope not because after drinking a few of these, the next big thing will be your gut.#3: Every Topping Under the SundaeCold Stone Creamery, oh how I love thee... Before I start waxing poetic about the beauty that is Cold Stone, I will say, this is a cholesterol ridden heart attack in a blissfully sweet facade. But its worth it! Not only is Cold Stone on its own just about perfect, this sundae is topped with all their delightful toppings, making heaven just a little bit closer to Earth.#4: The Giant SundaeFor those with a major sweet tooth, how 'bout 90 gallons of ice cream, 10 gallons of fudge and strawberries, and 30 pounds of pecans? If that isn't enough for you, I think you might want to see someone about an overeating problem.#5: The KFC Double Down Sandwich Between 2 Krisy Kreme DonutsThis has got to  http://sbc201.siybase.com/vaaridas/blog/10-keys-for-unlocking-success-in-business/ be one of the most fattening and cholesterol ridden things you can get for under $7. Take the bread-less, two fried chicken patties, cheese, and mayonnaise goodness that is the KFC Double Down sandwich and put it between a pair of glistening Kripsy Kreme donuts. Now THAT is a meal of champions.#6: Deep Fried AnythingYou could deep fry a sock and it would be good. At least, that is the mentality of a couple of Brits who set up shop in Brooklyn. They run an eatery that specializes in all things deep fried. From french fries to deep fried Twinkies and Mars Bars, you are might want to wear some stretchy pants before you stop by here.#7: The Shackleton DinnerA 6,000 calorie dinner boasting a 20 ounce steak, stew, and ham, is a meal fit for a King. Or, as the namesake was, an adventurer. This meal would not be complete either without the requisite milkshake, glass of one, and bottle of beer.#8: The Giant SchnitzelNothing says German quite like the schnitzel, and who is Texas to try to have the biggest everything? Now, when you want a mammoth schnitzel and a pile of fries to match, you are in luck. However, this might be something you want to keep from your cardiologist, lest you get "the talk" about proper diet, 'cause this sure isn't.#9: The Scrambler BreakfastWhen you want a real breakfast, hit the Scrambler. This breakfast platter boasts eggs, ba

Imagine this, a co-worker enters your office and says:

"Cathy, could I talk with you for a minute?  I'm having a

real problem with...." You glance at your watch and think of

the report that's due in an hour.  What do you do?What happens if you were Cathy's supervisor?Let's continue.  You're cooking dinner, starting to

unstress, the food preparation timing is coming together--

for once, and your mother calls:  "Could we talk, it's

important, I need someone to talk to?"  What do you say?What we would like to say and what we end up doing is

usually two different things.  Good news, tactfully saying

no is a learned skill.  It requires know-how and practice.

Let's get into ten how-tos and alternatives to help you

practice.Tip 1:  There are three parts to meshing a "no but not no"

response.  The first part acknowledges and empathizes.  The

second part is a situation statement.  And the third part is

an action statement.An example of an empathy statement:  "Sam, I'm sure this

problem is important."Now let's add a situation statement:  "I'm working on a

report that I promised to finish within the next hour."The third, an action statement, needs to describe what you

will do or offer as an alternative:  "Let's get together

this afternoon at 2 PM.  I'll meet you in your office."You have just said no, without saying no.Tip 2: What if its your supervisor interrupting you?  What

do you do?  Here's how to mesh the three parts.Sandy, your supervisor enters, "Lisa, I hate to interrupt

you, but we have a real problem in the field, I need to talk

with you right away.  Could I see you in my office?"First, the acknowledgment statement:  "Sandy, I'm sure this

is an important problem."  Second, the situation segment:

"I'm working on that report you requested by noon."  Third,

adding the action:  "Would you like me to defer the report

until 2 PM [its imperative to offer an exact time] so we can

meet now?  Or would you like me to complete this and then

come to your office?"  This response allows your supervisor

to see your perspective, situation, and make a decision.Tip 3:  Discouraging professional interrupters.  These

professionals make a career out of interrupting.  They start

talking and don't stop.  They go on and on and when they

finally stop to catch a breath, and you get to say

something, they interrupt a few minutes later.  How do you

handle these?Movement is the key.  If cornered behind your desk, stand

up, and move.  If standing up, move away.  If sitting down,

stand up.  You can change momentum by dropping something, or

turning sideways.  Reach for something that has nothing to

do with the conversation, or excuse you to the restroom.Interrupt in the same manner the use with you.  Go ahead,

they do it because it appears normal to them.  Here are a

few template statements:  "Where is this leading?"  "What's

your point, I've gotten lost in what I think is the trivia?"It's important to practice patience.  These professionals

don't usually hear you the first few times.  Become a broken

record if need be.  Identify what it is about their

communication style or interruption process that annoys you.

Provide your feedback and your preferred method.Tip 4:  What about the few that don't get your hints?

Sometimes following you down the hall or continuing to talk

"at" you instead of "with" you?

Although some economic statistics declare we are out of the recession, the damaging effects are still felt by many. Businesses need to market themselves, but their lack of funding for promotional strategies is becoming an obstruction to businesses getting back on track financially.However, small changes to small marketing aspects of a company, whether it involves a minimal cost initially, will soon give an incentive for consumers to spend their hard-earned cash.One solution, often overlooked, is a simple 0800 number. Many businesses do not realise how the cost of making a phone call can often deter a customer from choosing between one company and the next.It may be that the potential customer sees that you are providing the service, and therefore whether it is a quote or query of a problem, but are put off calling because of the cost of calling a premium rate number. Freephone 0800 numbers are readily available to anyone  http://sbc201.siybase.com/vaaridas/blog/10-keys-for-unlocking-success-in-business/ and everyone, businesses small or large, and the add-on benefits are invaluable.We are not just talking of businesses that have suffered at the hands of the recession - it must also be remembered that consumers are also counting the pennies and companies need to adjust their marketing stance to the needs and circumstances of their target market.Not only do 0800 numbers generate more sales with their free of charge appeal, they also enable the company to become more readily available. A freephone 0800 number can be directed to various phone lines, landline and mobile, always ensuring the customer gets a responseExtra features available to guarantee a better service include fax to email capabilities. This is another cost cutter, saving the expense of printer cartridges, paper and electricity. With just one inbox and no paper jams, free 0800 numbers reduce the hassle and help your business run more efficiently with added concern for the environment.This one small initial cost could see businesses gain more trade by giving something back to the customer, and consideration for their expense alongside an improved service will certainly boost the rate of customer revisits.

Like many fears, the FEAR that hiring managers have about using pre-employment tests is nothing more than False Experiences Appearing Real. In this column I respond to the top 10 fears I consistently hear from HR managers, executives and business owners. A few of the fears are real. Some are merely exaggerations. And others - they are simply not true.  Beginning with number 10:10.  We don't have a budget for testing. Fortunately the ROI on pre-employment tests is many-fold when you consider the cost of a bad hire, estimated to be 1 to 2 times annual salary for lower-wage employees and upwards of 10 times annual salary for managers, professionals and executive. In low-wage, high turnover industries like hospitality, studies indicate it costs roughly 300 to 700 times an hourly worker's rate each time you have to fire and replace them when you take the effect of a bad hire on a guest's first experience. Ranging in costs from as little as $25 for screening tools to several hundred for job fit assessments, the cost of the pre-employment tests will be a fraction of the cost spent on trying to save a bad hire.  Pre-employment tests are an investment in productivity and innovation, not an HR line item.9. I read my report and don't agree with what it says about me. Face validity is very important. That means when you read the report it describes your to a "t." But face validity isn't a very good predictor of job fit. If it was every candidate who says he'd be a great fit would become your next super-performer. Tools like DISC and Myers-Briggs have very strong face validity but other psychometric tools that are normed against  http://sbc201.siybase.com/vaaridas/blog/10-keys-for-unlocking-success-in-business/ the population and used for job fit and potential are more sophisticated. Selection tests measure innate personality traits, or your core personality. With experience and training, you may have learned new skills that cover up potential shortcomings. That's why it is very important to use both the pre-employment test and interview to discover the natural fit, learned fit, and potential for growth. If you don't agree with a result, just ask your consultant for an interpretation. I can count on one hand how many times a candidate or employee doesn't agree after they understand how to use the results properly.8. We're just a small business. We're not sure why many managers feel they shouldn't have the same tools at their fingertips as large companies. Online technology has leveled the playing field. Now small business owners as well as mid-managers have the same tools as senior level executives at Fortune 50 companies. And the best news is that technology has lowered the cost to a level affordable to any size business in any industry.7. We don't have the time to get certified. Online hiring assessments make this an easy one to overcome. Certifications and training are not required for most programs. Our reports are written so that even the most inexperienced manager can understand the results. And to make the report even more manager-friendly, all our pre-employment tests come with personalized behavior interview question guides based on responses given by the candidates. We can't make it any easier. (Of course, for any managers wanting to become more skilled at reading the rep