Fall 2004
Volume 27 • Number 3
- Editor's Notebook (PDF, 51 KB)
All Work and No Play - On the Trail to a Solution. Problem Solving Should Be Like Treasure Hunting (PDF, 434 KB)
This article launches a seven-part series on ways to improve your organization's problem-solving efforts, making them more fun and rewarding for team members.
James Rooney and Deborah Hopen - In My View... (PDF, 88 KB)
Do You "Work to Live" or "Live to Work?"
Are you eager to get to work each day? Are you energized by the work you do? If you're not, there are a few simple steps you can take to improve the situation.
Charlotte Burton - Practical Tips (PDF, 97 KB)
Seven Inexplicable Things Customers Do and What to Do About Them
Are your customers making you crazy? Here are seven tips for how to handle customers' most annoying behaviors.
Andra Medea - Creating a Shift (PDF, 147 KB)
Making a Compelling Case for Change
What are the four essential questions to ask before a change process is launched? The final two are addressed in this segment of the two-part article that began in the Summer issue.
Rick Maurer - Up for Debate (PDF, 311 KB)
Do You Need a Chief Change Officer?
This new department poses a question for you to debate. Find out how to submit your comments and your suggested debate questions.
Randy Kesterson - Resources for Success (PDF, 181 KB)
Books and articles/conference proceedings from ASQ's Quality Information Center to provide more information on work-life balance. - This Issue in Summary (PDF, 51 KB)
Overviews of the featured topic and general interest articles in this issue to help you prioritize your reading.
Feature Topic: Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World
- Work-Life Balance: Achievable Goal or Pipe Dream? (PDF, 200 KB) Open Access
* SAMPLE ARTICLE *
Implementing and continuously improving a balanced work-life program is a challenging endeavor for most organizations. Employers, managers, and employees may accept these programs conceptually, but few understand the real changes that have to occur to make work-life balance a reality.
Nora Spinks - What Does Work-Life Balance Mean Anyway? (PDF, 129 KB)
Work-life balance: It’s a phrase that’s mentioned in most organizations today, but for many people its meaning is unclear. Here’s a short article to increase your understanding of this topic.
Charlotte Burton - How to Get the Payback From Investment in Work-Life Balance
(PDF, 178 KB)
Work-life balance sounds marvelous—in theory, but does it provide real payoffs for the organizations that implement these programs?
David Clutterbuck - Two Perspectives on How to Work From Anywhere (PDF, 102 KB)
Working from home sounds like a wonderful way to improve the balance between work and nonwork activities. Unfortunately, many employees who work at home actually find that they have less time for their families and themselves. At the same time, their managers feel a loss of control. Here are some tips for addressing these issues.
Phil Montero - Case Study: Flexibility at Work-Barclays UK Banking Centre
(PDF, 203 KB)
Barclays UK Banking Contact Centre has improved its performance greatly since it found ways to help its employees deal with their personal agendas without interrupting their workdays.
Sarah Jones
