Linda’s Insights

If you had to choose between these two job applicants, whom would you pick?

• Employee A, who works 16-hour days and weekends, is tethered to his laptop, suffers withdrawal when his cell phone battery dies, and checks voice mails and e-mails every 30 minutes even while sitting on the beach in Hawaii? Or,

• Employee B, who works diligently and conscientiously, is willing to put in extra if a true crisis develops, but shuts off her computer at 5 p.m. and spends the weekend with family and friends, never thinking about work?

The smart choice is Employee B. You’ll get more out of her (or him) in the long run.

Workaholism is as much an addiction as alcoholism. The similarities are striking:

• An alcoholic usually starts off as a social drinker who enjoys getting a little buzz-on. A workaholic usually starts off as an ambitious employee, putting in a little overtime and enjoying the attention he gets.

• The alcoholic tries to sneak drinks when she thinks no one is looking; the workaholic tries to sneak in work when he thinks he is alone.

• Alcoholics try to control everything in their environment. So do workaholics. With them, the control is manifested by a lack of delegation.

• A person in the throes of alcoholism becomes paranoid that everyone is trying to “do” him in. An employee in the throes of workaholism becomes paranoid that he is going to be fired if he lets up.

• An alcoholic gives up everything — friends, family, and fun — for the bottle. A workaholic gives up everything — friends, family, and fun — for work.

The analogy goes on, but you get the idea.

The problem is this: People die from alcoholism. And people die from workaholism.

Long before they die, however, each of the diseases takes its toll at work: The alcoholic starts to miss work and his productivity declines. The workaholic gets so overloaded that he can’t get the work done. He may put in long hours, but those hours are not effectively utilized.

So, if you have a choice (and you always do), hire Employee B. But if you already have some Employee A’s on your staff, consider how you can stop enabling them in their addiction:

• Make them go home.

• Give them a realistic workload.

• Don’t praise overtime; criticize it instead.

• Reward the positive behaviors of working and living a balanced life.

Finally, look at your own behavior. If you are a workaholic, take steps to fix yourself. You’ll live a longer, happier life.

Until next time,

Linda Segall

Segall Enterprises: Writing and Editing Solutions

www.SegallEnterprises.com

A new client approached me about doing a writing project for him. As I began our project, I discovered I needed some additional background information, so I searched for his business on the Web. I was surprised to find that although he had a registered domain, his business did not have a Web site.

A few days later, I was talking with a colleague who specializes in marketing. I asked him about his Web site. He said he hadn’t had time to put one up, and didn’t feel he had the need for one.

I believe these two business people, as good as they are, are missing an opportunity that could be costing them money. Every business needs a Web site.

A decade ago, you would not have opened a business without buying a yellow-pages ad. Today, you might (rightfully) question its value. Telephone-book ads are expensive, inflexible, and do not give you a lot of real estate to describe yourself and your business.

A Web site, on the other hand, is inexpensive, flexible, and gives you virtually unlimited room to describe and market yourself and your business.

When I first put up my Web site a number of years ago, my 86-year-old mother said, “That’s nice … but what does it do for you?”

I told her my Web site allowed potential clients to see samples of my work, download my resume, and get an understanding of what I could do for them. It allowed them to get to know me, if only a little. And it afforded me the opportunity to gain new clients who might be searching the Web for someone to do writing and editing services for them.

If you haven’t yet put up a Web site, please consider it. At the very least, let it:

• Introduce you to your potential clients,
• Explain your services,
• Publicize your accomplishments,
• Provide helpful information to visitors, and
• Tell people how they can contact you.

It’s true that few people will choose an accountant, lawyer, chiropractor, medical doctor, or any other professional just because of what they find on the individual’s Web site.  But it is also true that having information about you available can help an individual make a decision in your favor.

A case in point: Last year my mother needed some medical services. The telephone book listed a number of individuals, but I wanted to take her to someone with a specialized background. I searched the Web; I finally found one doctor who had the kind of background we needed. After I did some more background checking (to check on licensing and complaints), we made an appointment.

Did the other doctors have the necessary qualifications? Some did, probably. But I did not have time to interview all of them. I

A word of caution: When you put up a Web site, make it look professional. No misspelled words or bad grammar. Always remember that your Web site is a visitor’s first impression of you. Make it a good one.

Until next time,

Linda Segall
Segall Enterprises
Writing and Editing Services
www.SegallEnterprises.com