Genre: Instruction

Tips Today is National Boss's Day ; a secular holiday celebrated around the world on Oct. 16 each year . It reportedly began in 1958 when a woman named Patricia Bays Haroski registered the holiday with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce because she wanted to designate a day for employees to show appreciation for their managers . Haroski chose Oct. 16 because it was her father's birthday , and she working for him at the time as a secretary for the State Farm Insurance Company in Illinois . In 1962 , four years after registering the holiday , the Illinois Governor officially proclaimed the day , which is now observed in the U.S. and countries such as Canada , Australia and India . Millions of appreciative workers will take full advantage of the day ; thanking their boss ' for their support , encouragement and guidance throughout the year . Others , however , have little to celebrate today . These are typically employees who have terrible relationships with their managers . If you fall into that second group of workers , National Boss's Day is the perfect opportunity to reflect on your employee-employer relationship , and think about ways to improve it . " It 's very important to have a strong , or otherwise healthy relationship with your boss for a variety of reasons , " says Teri Hockett , chief executive of What 's For Work ? , a career site for women . " First , your boss has a tremendous amount of influence over workplace stress , whether real or perceived . They can make the workplace exciting and something to look forward to each day , or a place that you dread visiting . In short , your health is at stake , " she says . " Second , they typically hold the key to your advancement within the company , or sometimes outside as well . Without a good relationship , they may not speak highly of you or consider nominating you to other positions , departments or companies , regardless of your performance . And third , having a good relationship with your boss just makes sense . Work consumes most of your time usually , and having good relationships will make things more enjoyable and lead to opportunities . " Joyce Maroney , senior director of customer experience and services marketing for Kronos , a Mass. - based workforce management software and services company , says the boss-employee relationship is much like others we need to manage in our lives . " We get out of them what we put into them – as long as both parties are committed to the relationship , " she says . " If both parties are n't clear in communicating their expectations and giving feedback when expectations are n't met , little issues can snowball to the point the relationship is no longer viable . " Maroney says a recent Kronos survey revealed that 69 % of employees believe their managers set a good example in the way they behave and 92 % of those employees also believe their managers adhere to those values on a regular basis . " But setting a good example for behavior does n't always translate into a strong relationship . Employees might not get the direct and constructive performance feedback they need to elevate their career – or the boss is n't all that invested so he or she does n't push the team to consistently achieve and grow . " Sandy Mazur , a division president at Spherion , a recruiting and staffing firm , agrees . " In order to grow , learn and advance in their careers , employees need to be on the same page with their supervisors about their goals , objectives and career path , " she says . " And employees should start this dialogue so that they can open the lines of communication with their supervisor and engage them in this process . " According to a recent Spherion " Emerging Workforce " study , most workers rate their relationship with their supervisor as good , great or excellent ( 84 % ) . " However , for the small amount of people that rate their relationship as weak , it could be related to trust . Strong relationships are based on trust from both parties , and it takes an open line of communication from both the employee and the supervisor to make that happen . " Other reasons some employees have such weak relationships with their boss ? Andy Teach , a corporate veteran and author of From Graduation to Corporation , says sometimes it 's simply due to the " very nature of the boss-employee dynamic . " " If an employee has someone over them who is constantly telling them what to do and in many instances , how to do it , this can easily cause friction and resentment , " he says . " An employee is always being held accountable by their supervisor and this just adds stress to the employee 's already stressful work day . In addition , there are many employees who are jealous of their boss and perhaps feel that they , not the boss , should be the one in charge . Again , this causes resentment toward the one person at work who has the most control over your career . " But Teach says it 's absolutely imperative to have a great work relationship with your boss " because they control your destiny . " " You do n't have to love your boss but you need to be able to work well with them . One of the main reasons employees leave their job is because of their boss . A troubled relationship with your boss can negatively affect your morale , your productivity , your happiness , and of course , your career . A positive relationship can improve your morale , productivity and happiness which could lead to more career success in the form of promotions , raises and higher self-esteem . " Maroney says a " strong relationship " may mean different things to different people , but what she has seen again and again is that " it 's important to manage your relationship with your boss if you expect to prosper in a job . " Here 's how to strengthen your relationship with your boss : Put yourself in your boss's shoes . Figure out the challenges your boss will encounter that day and be prepared to offer solutions , Mazur suggests . " Anticipate the questions that your supervisor may ask about your work or a project and have thoughtful answers or next steps for them to take . Thinking ahead can really show that you 're an invaluable team member . " Teach says it 's easy to be resentful of your boss , especially if they treat you a certain way , " but they have a job to do , just like you , " he explains . " There 's a lot about their job that you do n't know about or see , so do n't assume that they 're out to get you , " he adds . " Sometimes they act a certain way for a reason – perhaps their boss is putting a lot of pressure on them – so try to be understanding . " Show value . " They hired you for a reason , so make sure that you 're adding value to the organization and / or position , " Hockett says . " Bosses want employees not only to agree with them , but also be willing to speak up about the realities and challenges in the business that need to be addressed . Be the person that speaks with facts , confidence and reasonable suggestions that produce results . This builds your boss's confidence in you . " How did you choose your profession ? Did you pick a job that you thought would be easy ? Or lucrative ? Or glamorous ? Or , did you pursue a career related to your interests and hobbies ? Chances are , you did n't base your decision on the latter – but you probably should have . Why ? Hobbies are the things you choose to do ; activities that you 're probably good at and enjoy doing , and these personal expressions " will give us unedited clues as to our real desires and interests , " says Joyce K. Reynolds , an expert business coach . She says looking for career clues in one's choice of hobbies , interests and vocational activities will provide the most fruitful direction for highly successful career choices . " In fact , the earlier we are able to observe our personal tastes as they show up in hobbies and outside activities , the more powerful a lead these things will provide in steering us to meaningful professional and career choices . " Career coach Phyllis Mufson agrees . " A hobby you really enjoy can be an important part of choosing a career because your hobby is a window into what you love and value and do most naturally , which are all important components of a career where you 'll flourish . " While there can be tremendous joy in earning income from doing something that you might happily do for free , there are also practical benefits . " It can be easier to segue into a hobby-related career since you may already have many of the skills , experiences and personal connections needed for success , " says Nancy Collamer , a career coach at MyLifestyleCareer.com . But you need to spend time seriously evaluating whether turning your hobby into your work is a good idea , she adds . " Sometimes it 's best to leave the two as separate and distinct parts of your life . " Here are a few ways to monetize a hobby : Teach others to do what you love . Teach piano lessons , offer cooking classes , or teach another language , if those are your passions . You can do this by teaching through a college or continuing education program , by creating your own classes , or by creating your own webinars or tele-seminar series online , Collamer says . Sell / import / invent / craft a product or accessory for enthusiasts in your hobby . For example , if you are a wine enthusiast , you might import hand-blown wine glasses from a different country , or invent a unique wine refrigeration device , or develop a line of fun wine-themed T-shirts . " Hobbyists tend to be very enthusiastic , passionate and willing to spend money on items related to their hobby , " Collamer says . " Just think of what baseball enthusiasts are willing to pay for World Series tickets . " Teach the business of the hobby . " I actually talk about this in my book ( Second-Act Careers : 50 + Ways to Profit From Your Passions During Semi-Retirement ) , using an example of a man who used to work for Microsoft in marketing , but his hobby was magic , and now he teaches marketing to magicians , " Collamer says . So let 's say your background is in publishing , but you love cooking , you could specialize in teaching people in the food industry how to get their cookbooks published . " I have another example in my book of a woman who teaches people how to make a living importing goods from Ecuador , for people who love to travel and / or shop . " Speak or write about your hobby . Hobby related how-to topics , historical perspectives , and compelling stories , are all of interest to enthusiasts , Collamer says . And you could get paid to do it . Create a tour or performance series around what you love . " The other day I met a woman who bills herself as a ' Founding Fathers Fanatic ' and she performs at schools , in character , to teach students about the Founding Fathers , " Collamer says . " Another example of this is Tony Mula , who turned his love of pizza and Brooklyn into the highly successful ' A Slice of Brooklyn ' pizza tours , " she adds . " I also know of a bike enthusiast who runs bike tours in California . " Appraise , repair or fix items related to what you love . Most hobbies have " stuff " connected to them , and sometimes , that stuff needs to be fixed by a skilled and knowledgeable person . " You could fix computers , appraise collectibles , repair bicycles , source missing parts for highly unusual items , and so on , " Collamer says . " The next time you find yourself confused as to how to generate income from your hobbies , search out the most successful entrepreneurs in your area of interest and study their business models and revenue streams , " Collamer suggests . " Ask yourself : Is their income coming from consulting services , videos , accessories , events , classes or product sales ? What is their mix of products and services ? What is their pricing strategy ? " In doing this , you 'll discover proven models for monetizing your hobbies , as well as helpful information about how to price your own services and products . Mufson , who has interests outside of career coaching , says she managed to turn a hobby into a lucrative part-time gig . " I personally turned my hobby of creating gemstone jewelry into a side-line business , " she explains . " Jewelry making is an expensive hobby and early on I decided to make it pay for itself . Since then I have developed two online stores and a relationship with a jewelry gallery that sells most of my work . " Not everyone is going to wind up a star by following a well-loved hobby into a professional setting , Reynolds says . " We ca n't all be Olympic skaters , NBA top scorers or real estate moguls . However , it can be taken as a promise that , if we follow the lines and design of our natural interests and loves , we will give ourselves the very best chance to grow into the most successful human beings we can be . It will also ensure that we have more days we love because we 're doing the things that most interest us , nourish us , and give us expression , " she concludes . There are a few problems with the Tourism Authority of Thailand 4-page brochure mainly that they neglected to also publish this document in the Thai language since most of the offenses listed are committed by Thais and not by foreigners . The problem with the Tourism Authority of Thailand brochure for Chinese and Western tourists is that it has errors , assumes Thailand is Singapore , and only expects tourists to obey the rules – not local Thais . Right off the bat , the Tourism Authority of Thailand pamphlet tells us that smoking is allowed in all of Thailand's International Airports . The International Airports in Thailand have designated smoking areas – outside . At Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok , one has to cross the street and go to a designated area or face a 2,000 baht fine . I guess the Tourism Authority of Thailand is trying to help the cigarette-butt police increase their daily take . What the Tourism Authority of Thailand fails to mention is that if you get into a confrontation with a Thai , he will most likely get 10 of his buddies to come and beat the shit out of you . Failing that , he will pull a gun and shoot you . Tourism Authority of Thailand Counterfeits The Tourism Authority of Thailand also does n't tell you that you can buy your pornographic materials right out in the open on Sukhumvit Road . Dildos , XXX videos , and fake / real Viagra are readily available . All sorts of copyright material are also available . Tourism Authority of Thailand Loud Yes , Thais are soft-spoken except when they are drunk . They can also be quite noisy if handed a microphone especially when butchering karaoke songs . Tourism Authority of Thailand Proper Attire The Tourism Authority of Thailand also fails to point out , like Tom at Isaan-Live has done numerous times , that the biggest violators are Thai women . Tourism Authority of Thailand Spitting Yes , it is disgusting . For some reason the Tourism Authority of Thailand thinks this is Singapore where people get caned for spitting . But , no this is Thailand where at times it seems like the national pastime is spitting – and no one gets caned . Tourism Authority of Thailand Driving Safety I saved the best for last . The Tourism Authority of Thailand fails to mention that Thais are some of the worst drivers in the world , traffic laws are not followed , and the Thai Police selectively enforce laws . But , maybe since Chiang Mai targets foreign drivers these silly rules should be followed by tourists – after all – they are not followed by most Thais . Let 's take a look at them one by one : Drive safely in Thailand and strictly follow all traffic regulations . Yes , do n't do like Thai drivers and disobey every driving rule there is . Thailand adopts left-hand drive system . Always keep to the left lane when driving in Thailand . Actually , it should be that slower moving traffic stick to the left lane and only pass on the right . The Tourism Authority of Thailand does n't tell you that you can drive like a Thai and cross double yellow lines , pass on a hill , and drive at any speed you want . Always beware of bicycles and motorbikes as there are many on the roads . The Tourism Authority of Thailand fails to warn foreigners that Thais like to drive their motorcycles on the wrong side of the road and also like to drive on the sidewalks / footpaths . To prevent accidents , do not stop your car abruptly in the middle of a road for any reason . Unless you are Thai – then it is OK . If you are Thai , you can also stop in front of 7-11 or an ATM machine and block one lane of traffic as long as you put on one turn signal indicator . Please study the directions before each journey to make sure you know your way . And , do n't use any guidebooks from the Tourism Authority of Thailand unless you plan on getting lost . Always stop at zebra crossings to allow all pedestrians to cross the road first . The Tourism Authority of Thailand should warn people that zebra crossings / pedestrian crossing sare simply lines painted on the road that are ignored by all Thai drivers . If you stop for pedestrians in the crossing , be prepared to be rammed from the back . The rest of the list from the Tourism Authority of Thailand only pertain to those that bring vehicles into Thailand from foreign countries so it is of no value at all for Chinese / Western tourists and will most likely just confuse people . This just goes to show that the Tourism Authority of Thailand is clueless when it comes to foreign tourists and needs to focus some of its energy on cleaning up Thailand or tourists will stop visiting . One of the most important hiring criteria for many companies is the ability to work as a team player – yet , so many of us have colleagues who do n't play well with others . " If you have one bad apple in the bunch , it can really hurt the morale and enthusiasm of an entire department , " says Andy Teach , author of From Graduation to Corporation , and host of the YouTube channel FromGradToCorp . " A department , or company , that works well together , has the most success together . When you enjoy working with your colleagues and look forward to interacting with them , everyone benefits . " Working with other team members whom you have a great work relationship with can actually make work fun , he says . " Morale is high , which leads to better productivity , which leads to better results . " Skip Weisman , a leadership and workplace communication expert , agrees . " A high-morale work environment will always produce more than a low-morale work environment . " When people care about the people they work with , things get done faster , he says . " People will go the extra mile ; they will take ownership of a job , a decision or problem and work through it without feeling like they have to go up the chain to get things done . " Another benefit of colleagues working well together : Information flows more freely , says David Parnell , a legal consultant , communication coach and author . " In addition , the group 's well being and success become more of a priority ; patience , generosity and a gravitation toward interaction grows ; and good moods and dynamic information beget better moods and even more dynamic information , " he says . " All of this conspires to create a more balanced , functional , aggressive and successful company . " So , what happens when colleagues do n't work well together ? Parnell says time and cognitive bandwidth is wasted " exercising restraint , measuring words and otherwise forcing hands to play nicely in the sandbox . " The outcome is shoddy workmanship , pushed or missed deadlines and severe lacerations to the company culture or your group's sub-culture . Deborah Shane , a career author , writer , speaker and professional branding and social media marketing strategist , adds that a bad workplace relationship creates negative energy , which can affect everyone on the team , as well as customers or clients . It can also cause employee turnover , which " interrupts building and creating a strong , unified team . " Finally , she says , " conflict fosters cliques and factions within a team that always works against it . " Make teamwork a priority by making it part of the performance management system . This begins with performance expectations when someone joins the organization , Weisman says . " I was speaking with a prospective client last summer who was complaining about this very thing – that their people were not working well together – so I asked her , ' Well , do you assess their contribution to teamwork as part of your annual performance review process ? ' She looked at me like a deer in headlights and responded as if it was a master stroke of genius . " If you do n't measure it and give people the expectation at the very beginning of their role with the organization , it will not be seen as priority . Pinpoint the issue . " Explore your feelings and behavior toward your colleagues , " says Parnell . " Social and professional relationships are inextricably symbiotic and interactive , and much of the communication that occurs is both subconscious and reactive . " If your colleagues seem to be difficult , they may actually be reacting to the signals you are giving off – whether consciously or unconsciously . While this might be a bitter pill to swallow , you may be the very root of the problem and the first step toward recovery is discovering this . Think you deserve a bigger paycheck ? Want to ask for a raise but not sure you 'll get one ? Plenty of employees are finding themselves in this predicament , because many recession-wary companies that stopped handing out raises during the economic downturn are still hesitant to open their wallets today . But career experts say that despite all the penny-pinching , a salary hike is n't necessarily out of the question – so you might as well ask . " Clearly most companies today are not looking for opportunities to hand out money , " says Lynn Taylor , a national workplace expert and author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant ; How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job . " During the boom era of the late '90s when talent was scarce and retention was top of mind , nearly the opposite was true . While the corporate landscape is different now , you should n't sit idly and feel dissatisfied in silence . If you have supportive evidence your salary is at sub-market levels , you should speak up . " She says it is possible to get a raise , even in an environment where money is n't exactly falling from trees . " Your organization has invested time and money in you . Savvy bosses understand that unhappy and underpaid employees are under-performing employees , which helps no one . It 's a drain on their time to have to re-hire and train a replacement that fits the corporate culture . So if you have a legitimate request , you do have a certain amount of leverage . " Connie Thanasoulis-Cerrachio , a career expert and co-founder of SixFigureStart , a career coaching firm , agrees . " I think it 's always a good idea to ask for a raise , even when employers are not handing them out , " she says . " But only when that discussion is tied to performance . " Employees should keep careful records of how their actions helped the bottom line of their company , or helped other team members improve the bottom line of the company , she suggests . " No one is going to hold your hand and remind you of the great things you did all year , " she adds , so keep track and share them with your manager at the appropriate time . Asking for a pay raise is a delicate conversation and something you should not do without careful planning , says Dr. Katharine Brooks , executive director of the office of personal and career development at Wake Forest University and author of You Majored in What ? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career . " Being prepared can help you overcome your hesitation . " Aside from keeping track of your accomplishments and contributions , you can plan by thinking about things like timing . " This is key , " Brooks says . " If others are being laid off , or there has been a cutback in revenues to the organization , that is generally not the time to ask for a raise . Wait for things to settle , then assess the situation . Perhaps you are now doing the work of two former workers , or you have brought in more revenue than in previous years . Wait until you can approach from a positive rather than negative stance . " Know your value . Do the proper research to figure out what you 're worth , even if it means going on interviews or using resources like Getraised.com , Payscale.com , or Glassdoor.com , says Thanasoulis-Cerrachio . If you find out you 're underpaid , you can use that to negotiate an increase . " Look at salary surveys , cost-of-living comparisons , and rates of compensation within your organization , if possible , " Brooks says . " If you are aware that colleagues are earning more than you , tread carefully . You do n't want to put others in a negative light or violate a corporate written or unwritten rule about knowing what others earn . Simply present what the field generally pays , and why you believe your performance is at the top of your field . " Know the number . Once you do the research , figure out what you think is a fair amount of money to ask for , says Thanasoulis-Cerrachio . " Have that number in your head when you ask for a raise . " Schedule a meeting . Find a time that works best for you and your boss , Thanasoulis-Cerrachio says . Taylor adds , " Give your boss a head 's up that you want to chat about your career growth so that you both have ample time . " Practice salary negotiations . This can be a difficult or awkward conversation . Practice with a friend who can be a tough negotiator , Thanasoulis-Cerrachio says . We all have our moments of " multitask overload " – especially managers . But working with a perpetually disorganized boss can be exasperating and even detrimental to your workplace productivity . " You may feel like you 're spinning your wheels , " says Lynn Taylor , a national workplace expert and author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant ; How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job . " There can be many false starts if your boss has n't thought through a project or the resources required for it ; if he has n't set priorities well ; or if he ca n't get back to you because everything appears to be in disarray . And if you follow orders based on a disorganized initiative , a chaotic domino effect can occur within your department . " This work style can negatively affect your sense of accomplishment and performance , she adds . " And it can bring down an entire team . " Sara Sutton Fell , CEO and founder of FlexJobs , agrees . " It can be extremely frustrating to deal with a disorganized boss , because their disorganization often trickles ( or even pours ) down on you . It can hurt team morale , and it reflects poorly on everyone . " When the boss is disorganized , it can lead to partial project requests , misinformation , missed or wrong deadlines and " general messiness , " she says . " All of those can cause balls to be dropped , and then ensuing stress and rush to pick them back up again . " Katharine Brooks , executive director of the office of personal and career development at Wake Forest University and author of You Majored in What ? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career , says the word " disorganized " can mean several things . " It could be a failure to see the big picture and approach issues strategically ; difficulty remembering important deadlines , meetings , projects , etc. ; or failure to set goals and prioritize what is important for the office . " Productivity coach Casey Moore concurs . She says in the workplace , " disorganization " takes many forms . One , she says , is what she calls " the searcher . " " This supervisor ca n't find the objects or information she needs when she needs them . She frequently wastes time looking for keys , emails , digital files , etc. – and she wastes money replacing lost items and wastes energy ( and more time ) re-creating documents or other work products . She usually has a cluttered desk and email inbox , " explains Moore , the author of Stop Organizing , Start Producing . " You and your colleagues will likely be dragged into time-consuming searches or scrambles to re-do or replace what is n't found . You may have to exercise caution about what you give your supervisor because it may be lost and / or forgotten . " " The improviser " is another type of disorganized boss . This supervisor does n't plan ahead . He may be adept at reacting and improvising on the spot , but eventually you realizes he 's covering his tracks , not blazing a trail , Moore says . " He requires his team to reinvent the wheel over and over because there 's no time to fine-tune processes when you 're always behind the curve . " If this is your boss , you and your colleagues likely perform too many fire drills : rushing to meet deadlines , struggling to fix easily-preventable mistakes , and missing out on opportunities that require a modicum of foresight . Moore says the third type of disorganized supervisor is " the constrictor . " This boss does n't delegate , she says . " Her reasons vary from altruist ( ' protecting ' her team ) to arrogant ( only she can do it ' right ' ) ; from fearful ( of letting go ) to flummoxed ( unable to identify exactly how others could help ) . The result , however , is always the same : a bottleneck that slows everyone . " This type of boss's subordinates probably feel frustrated by her unresponsiveness , the lack of challenging goals and the subtle implication that she does n't think you they handle the work , Moore adds . Do you have a coworker who thinks he knows everything ? He believes he 's the go-to person ; the one with the special connections and authority . He acts as though he 's been everywhere and has experienced everything . If there 's a problem , he has the solution ; if there 's a question , he has the answer . He is n't open to new ideas or collaborating – and he has strong opinions , which he delivers in an obnoxious manner . Chances are , you 've never , ever heard him utter the words " I do n't know . " " They tend to monopolize conversations , dismiss input from others and make decisions without first considering all the facts , " she says . " A ' my way or the highway ' attitude often leads to unhappy coworkers , disgruntled clients , and an unhappy work environment . " Andrew G. Rosen , founder and editor of career advice blog Jobacle.com , says it can be extremely difficult to work with a know-it-all because " they are generally poor listeners , often thinking about what they are going to say next rather than hear what you are saying . Their mindset makes it hard to get through to them that their idea or solution might not be the best one . They have often already formed an opinion and will not be swayed . " Michael Kerr , an international business speaker , president of Humor at Work , and author of The Humor Advantage : Why Some Businesses are Laughing all the Way to the Bank ( Dec. 2013 ) , agrees . " Know-it-alls can be extremely frustrating to work with for a number of reasons , " he says . " One , they tend to speak more than they listen , so people can be left with the feeling that their opinions or ideas have n't been given a proper hearing . They can often be close-minded as well – which means they can become a severe impediment to the creative process by blocking any idea other than their own . They simply know an idea either will or wo n't work . Some know-it-alls can come across as opinionated , aggressive , brusque and even loud – all traits that wo n't win over a lot of people at the office – and in fact can be easily construed as bullying behavior . " Here are eight tips for dealing with a know-it-all coworker : 1 . Be empathetic . This coworker may irritate you – but remember that his or her know-it-all attitude is probably stemming from a confidence issue or some deeper personal issue , Rosen says . " Rather than get angry , allow yourself to be empathetic . " 2 . Pick your battles . " Dealing with a know-it-all can be exhausting and there are times when your best response is to ignore their ' helpful ' hints as much as possible , " Collamer says . " Deflect their comments with a simple , ' Thanks for that suggestion ' instead of engaging them in an ongoing conversation . " 3 . Lead by example . " A boss or manager , especially , needs to model the behavior that in many circumstances it 's not only okay to not know everything , it 's encouraged , " Kerr says . " Saying ' I do n't know , but let 's find some answers or get some great ideas ' demonstrates that you are flexible and open to other opinions . Saying ' I do n't know , ' can also build trust by demonstrating openness , vulnerability and honesty . " 4 . Be armed with your own facts . If you are delivering a presentation , selling an idea or heading into a meeting , be confident in your own facts , Kerr says . " Double check your sources and verify the facts . The more armed you are with knowledge , the less chance the know-it-all has to interject or one up you . " When in meetings , stick to an agenda ( passed around ahead of time ) that provides a set amount of time for each person to speak , Collamer adds . " Come prepared with facts and statistics in writing , so in the event ' Mr. Know-it-all ' does n't let you get a word in edgewise , you have something in writing to share with the team . The better prepared you are , the less room there will be for the know-it-all to commandeer the discussion . " " Although it 's highly tempting to use sarcasm with a know-it-all , this will undoubtedly backfire . Instead , take a deep breath , smile and do your best Johnny Carson impersonation , ' I did not know that . That is weird , wild stuff . ' Laugh it off by reminding yourself that often their behavior is harmless and they do n't really mean anything by it . A friendly , ' Okay , I want you on my Trivial Pursuit team ' can disarm a potentially tense situation . " 6 . Ask probing questions . Be respectful , but ask detailed question to peel back the layers of a know-it-all's stance , Kerr suggests . " Ask why they believe something to be true or where they found their sources , " he says . " Asking pointed questions on specific details can teach a know-it-all over time that they need to have their facts in order before speaking out . " 7 . Take the person aside and offer constructive feedback on their behavior . " Recognize that it 's possible that Ms. Know-it-all may be clueless about the impact of her behavior on others , " Collamer says . " If you suspect that 's the case , consider gently pointing this out during a private discussion away from the office . " Kerr adds : " Although this can be tricky , if you do it in a respectful way it can help . Keep in mind that many know-it-alls may be highly insecure , so stroke their ego , flatter them on their range of knowledge , but caution them as to how their communication style may be coming across to other people . " Remind them how important it is for less confident people than themselves to be able to speak up . 8 . Avoid involving your boss unless the know-it-all is truly threatening your success . " If that becomes necessary , maintain a positive tone and instead of complaining about the person , focus on what you 're willing to do to make sure the work is done well , " says Isa Adney , author of How to Get a Job Without a Resume and the blog firstjoboutofcollege.com . Collamer agrees . " If the situation really becomes unbearable , talk it over with your boss and let him or her know how the know-it-all's behavior is impacting the team and work environment . " Any new entrepreneur can become quickly overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork involved in running a business . A business owner has to be concerned about record-keeping requirements for tax purposes , client contact notes , marketing schedules , and billing , while still trying to meet the day-to-day needs of running a business . Try to be as paper-free as possible . This saves money and storage costs , and does n't tie you down to a desk . One advantage of being new is that you can start from the beginning with everything . It is difficult to try to get organized once your business is established . Take some time to consider some online options that will cut down on paperwork and get your office on track right from the very start . Here are five tips that can help : Dropbox : This free online service lets you bring your photos , documents , and videos anywhere and share them easily . Just start an account to install the Dropbox application on your computer . Then you simply create and share folders to exchange information with other people . Also use Dropbox to store your own files so they are available wherever you go . Join . me : Join . me offers free screen sharing and online meetings . Share your computer screen to go over any documents when you have telephone appointments with clients . Money Issues : Being in business requires you to become a good money manager . You must keep your financial commitments and be tenacious about accounts receivable . Whenever possible , have clients pay for as much work upfront as possible . If any amount is due , use scheduling reminders to send a reminder invoice . As your business grows , you might begin using QuickBooks or PayPal to help in collecting and sending money . Authorize . Net is another online payment solution , where clients receive a link via email and access the site to pay by credit or debit card . Tax Issues : Depending on your business you could be responsible for federal and state income tax , social security payments , sales tax , and other tax responsibilities . Consult a local accountant , tax advisor , tax authority , or Small Business Administration office to find out what taxes you are responsible for as a small business owner . A Little Now Saves A Lot Later It 's never too early for high school students to start checking out colleges on their list of potential schools . A campus tour is not only a great way for students to find places they love , but also to cross off those on their list that may not be the right fit . A college may look great in a brochure or say all the right things on its website , but the true test of fit often comes from a personal visit . Of course , several things can make or break a college tour . For example , students who visit during the summer or over breaks may not have the same experience as those who attend information sessions and tours during the fall or spring semesters . To ensure students have a successful college tour , I suggest the following tips . 1 . Explore Online Before students head to any campus , it 's a good idea to do a little reconnaissance . Students should check the college's website to verify the school offers the degree programs they may be interested in , as well as study abroad or research opportunities ( if desired ) . Students may want to browse the student activities page and see what clubs , organizations and groups may be present on campus , as well . It 's not a bad idea to check if any events ( sporting , concert , etc. ) will be held during the tour date , as there could be issues with parking or areas of the campus that are inaccessible at that time . Students should definitely familiarize themselves with the admissions and financial aid pages , too . After carefully reviewing the college's website , students should write down any questions they might have and bring these with them during the tour . 2 . Make Appointments Although some schools may have informal , walk-in tours available , most of the larger schools will require an appointment for students to participate in an admissions session and / or campus tour . This means students will need to go online or call weeks ( or even months ) in advance to secure their spot . Depending on the time of year , some schools may even limit the number of high school underclassmen allowed , saving those precious spaces for graduating seniors who will be attending next fall . Seniors should not only participate in an admissions session and tour , but also consider scheduling an interview with an admissions counselor , and possibly meeting with the department chairs or professors within their chosen degree field . Juniors , who tour during the spring or summer before senior year , should also consider going through the interview process . 3 . Roam Freely Campus tours are a great way to get a feel for a school , but students should remember that tours are geared to show them the best the college has to offer . To see what a college may be like on an average day , students should opt to roam on their own for a few hours before or after their tour . It 's a good idea for them to have a meal at the cafeteria ( they 'll be eating there quite a lot , if accepted ) , sit in on a class ( big and small ) , or chat up some students that are hanging out on campus . If possible , students should also spend some time exploring the surrounding community , or consider participating in an overnight stay , to see if it the college is a good match . It 's helpful if students bring along a campus scorecard to keep track of things they like ( or dislike ) during their tours , as campuses can start to blend together after a few visits . Students should pay attention to various things , such as dorm room sizes and options , typical class size , how many students stay after their first year and how many graduate on time , as well as other things that may play a role in their decision to apply . Once students have narrowed their lists , sent in their college applications , and received their acceptance letters , a second trip may be needed to help them make a final decision . A picture may speak a thousand words , but a campus visit is the best way for students to see themselves in that picture .