Online video use to soar

This year, two-thirds of U.S. Internet users, or 147.5 million people, will watch some form of online video content at least once per month, according to eMarketer. By 2014, the number of U.S. online video viewers will represent 77 percent of Internet users, or 193.1 million people, according to eMarketer's forecasts. This growth will be driven by an expansion in content availability, technology advances and an increasing comfort level with the activity, the firm reports.

Source: Multi Week AdWeek

Motivate yourself in minutes a day

Motivation doesn't have to take a lot of time. Try using some short motivation exercises to stay focused on your goals. Here's how to do it:

Every morning, spend two minutes reviewing your goals and going over what you can do that day to meet them

Every afternoon, spend another two minutes reviewing what problems you have already solved, which goals you have achieved, and what else you should do before the end of the day.

Finally, spend two minutes at the end of the day reviewing that goals you have achieved,a nd setting up tomorrow's goals.

Done right, this may be the most productive six minutes you spend all day.

SOURCE: The Manager's Intelligence Report, Adapted from 1,001 Ways to Inspire Your Organization, Your Team, and Yourself, by David E. Rye (Career Press)

Walking the talk effectively: How to practice MBWA

Your management duties shouldn't prevent you from getting away from your desk and talking to employees as much as possible.

"Management By Walking Around" can enhance your overall efforts to communication and engage with your workforce.

Just remember these caveats:

• You may not agree with everything you hear. Don't punish people or get angry when they disagree with you, as long as they do so respectfully.
• You'v egot to stay focused. One-on-one conversation show people you take them seriously. Don't try to include everyone in your informal talks.
• Business isn't everything. Don't limit yourself to what's going on around the office. Ask about families, activities, and anything else to show your interest in employees as individuals.

SOURCE: The Manager's Intelligence Report -- Adapted from the Washington Business Journal

2010 Meetig Trends

The meeting industry is forging ahead with signs of growth and new methods of conducting successful events. Here are some top trends:

• Meeting providers are cautiously optimistic for the year and are experiencing a booking pace that is ahead of 2009.
• The booking window for corporate meetings remains very short term -- from 30 to 45 days.
• The severe business climate of 2009 helped re-educate hotels on the merits of aggressive meeting package pricing.
• Meetings today tend to be more regional vs. national in nature.
• No frills meetings are ROI driven.
• Today's meeting planners generally expect hotels to be green and some, like government planners, may even require it.
• Planners have honed their negotiation skills over the last 12-18 months.
• Health-conscious food and beverage options that keep attendees focused are more desired.
• Websites like TripAdvisor.com are growing in importance to planners as they seek feedback on properties.

Source: Benchmark Hospitality International

Address poor performance with hard questions

The answer to employee performance problems isn't always complicated. Sometimes it's a matter of asking the right question. Here are some common reasons for poor performance:

• Does the employee know what to do?
• Do employees know why their tasks are important?
• Does the worker know how success is measured?
• Have you explained the rules?
• Do they understand the consequences?
• Do they have the proper training?
• Do you show your appreciation?

Source: The Manager's Intelligence Report; adapted from the Open Loops blog

To set better goals, begin at the end

Like a road map, a well-defined goal tells you where to go and how to get there. But without a specific endpoint, a map is just a piece of paper tat can send you anywhere. Setting a goal is like unfolding a map -- it's a beginning, not a destination.

Before you set any goals in your workplace, clarify your organization's strategic objectives. What does your company want to accomplish in the long term? Build your goals around these big-picture achievements.

Goals that support strategic objectives will make more sense to your employees, leading to greater commitment and effort as everyone moves forward.

Source: The Manager's Intelligence Report -- adapted from the Birmingham Business Journal