Author Archives: Grumpy100

I Hope Our Business Doesn’t Rely on You Supporting the Customer

On technical forums, this attitude often exposes itself: Someone else might have an easy answer, yet what leaps out at me, when I read this, is that we have no code. Nor do we have a way to ensure you … Continue reading

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If Not Talking on the Phone While Using the Restroom Impacts Your Performance

…you need either considerably more or considerably less fiber in your diet. I can only imagine the horror of the person on the other end of the line as you’re working through a problem and an automatic power flusher goes … Continue reading

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Embrace Your Inner Lackey

Have you been given a crappy assignment? Is your job your field’s equivalent of disassembling the drainage pipes in the building and cleaning them?  Is it beneath your skill set? Pride goeth before the fall. News flash: No one’s hiring … Continue reading

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The “I don’t want to risk taking action” Blockade

Apparently, conventional wisdom has decided that if you don’t take action, you can’t be blamed for anything: Sure, you’re about to hit an iceberg. However, if you try to steer the ship, and it ruptures, you’ll be at fault. If … Continue reading

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Automate Blatantly Repetitive Bureaucratic Tasks

(No, this isn’t a paid advertisement, unless they decide to pay after the fact.) Ever have one of those tasks on your computer that you feel like you could get a robot to do? I found that AutoHotkey works well for this … Continue reading

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How to Make Coffee

Obviously, automatic coffee makers with hot water supply are too challenging, so here is a step-by-step guide: 1) Pull filter basket out 2) Put a new coffee filter in the basket. 3) Open coffee packet. 4) Pour coffee in basket. … Continue reading

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How to Make Coffee

Obviously, automatic coffee makers with hot water supply are too challenging, so here is a step-by-step guide: 1) Pull filter basket out 2) Put a new coffee filter in the basket. 3) Open coffee packet. 4) Pour coffee in basket. … Continue reading

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Work Gathering Rules

Different types of work gatherings have different rules. Retirement/Departure/Birthday Lunch – Don’t be the last person to show up or the first person to leave. If you’re the one being honored, be sure to order from the reasonably-priced part of … Continue reading

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Creative Writing for Business

It seems like the greatest skill that many rely on to get through their careers is creative writing. Most jobs start with a resume, in which you may have to creatively explain how your dark periods, lack of qualifications, and … Continue reading

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Shock and Horror: A Bureaucracy Protecting Itself

The Sensational Side Insert news headline: Large bureaucratic organization covers up misdeeds of members to protect itself from admitting that there are anything but benevolent forces within the organization. Churches, non-profits, government organizations, and large corporations all suffer from this … Continue reading

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