Layoff scorecard

Today, we had layoffs at my workplace. Its so sad to see people leave. Years and years of their careers invested in a company goes kaput in few minutes they ask you to leave.

CNET has a living scorecard of layoffs happening at various tech companies.

Check it out here

How to stay awake at work?

1. Use your sense of smell.
   
   
   • rosemary
   • eucalyptus blue gum
   • peppermint 
   • scots pine oil
   • chili powder around, take a (careful) whiff of that.
2. Use acupressure.
   
   
   • top of your head (lightly tap with your fingertip)
   • top of the back of your neck
   • back of your hands (between thumb and index finger)
   • just below the knees
   • earlobes
3. Take a power nap.  (not more than 15-20 minutes)
4. Expose yourself to bright light
   
5. Keep yourself uncomfortable.
   
6. Exercise at your computer.
   
7. Avoid a full stomach.
8. Listen to music that's energizing to you
9. Every thirty minutes, do one of the following:
   
   
   • physical activity for 2-3 minutes (jumping jacks, push-ups, jogging in place)
   • splash cold water on your face
   • drink an ice cold glass of water (the coldness picks you up, and guarantees you getting up every half hour or so to go to the bathroom; you won't fall asleep on a full bladder)
   • brush your teeth

Read the rest here

13 ways to use LinkedIn

Until now, I used to marvel in the number of connections I added to my linkedIn. It used to be my status symbol. However, follow this link to get more out of LinkedIn.

Excerpt:
Most people use LinkedIn to “get to someone” in order to make a sale, form a partnership, or get a job. It works well for this because it is an online network of more than 8.5 million experienced professionals from around the world representing 130 industries. However, it is a tool that is under-utilized, so I’ve compiled a top-ten list of ways to increase the value of LinkedIn.

1. Increase your visibility.
2. Improve your connectability.
3. Improve your Google PageRank.
4. Enhance your search engine results.
5. Perform blind, “reverse,” and company reference checks.
6. Increase the relevancy of your job search.
7. Make your interview go smoother.
8. Gauge the health of a company.
9. Gauge the health of an industry.
10. Track startups.
11. Ask for advice.
12. Integrate into a new job.
13. Scope out the competition, customers, partners, etc.

10 best excuses for coming late to work

Image from CNN

1. While rowing across the river to work, I got lost in the fog.

2. Someone stole all my daffodils.

3. I had to go audition for American Idol.

4. My ex-husband stole my car so I couldn't drive to work.

5. My route to work was shut down by a Presidential motorcade.

6. I have transient amnesia and couldn't remember my job.

7. I was indicted for securities fraud this morning.

8. The line was too long at Starbucks.

9. I was trying to get my gun back from the police.

10. I didn't have money for gas because all of the pawn shops were closed.

Source

Eat cheese before you ask your boss for raise / promotion

Alamy: Tryptophan is present in several foods and
cheese is a particularly good source

It may look like an ordinary cheese sandwich – but it could contain the vital ingredient that helps you successfully negotiate that pay rise.
Scientists have found that people with high levels of the brain chemical serotonin are more likely to succeed in delicate negotiations affecting their own interests. Serotonin is manufactured in the body from the amino acid, tryptophan, which is present in several foods – and cheese is a particularly good source.

Eating a cheese sandwich before entering the boss's office could therefore give your brain that vital edge.

Psychologists at the University of Cambridge who manipulated the diets of volunteers to alter their serotonin levels found that when the levels of the brain chemical were low the volunteers were more likely to allow emotion to rule their heads and make decisions that harmed their long-term interests.

Read the rest here