The Nice Blog

Wed, May 11, 2011 - 3:05:04

The Surprising Link Between Productivity and Family Friendly Workplaces

If we told you that family-friendly workplaces are also some of the most productive, you probably wouldn’t be too surprised. After all, it seems only natural that workers who know their employers value their family lives will be more willing and able to devote their attention to work matters. But, as a study recently highlighted on author Daniel Pink’s blog reveals, there’s a bit more it. And it all boils down to one simple yet powerful truth: it pays to be nice.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Sat, May 07, 2011 - 8:59:56

A NICE Boss Never Says…

Recently, we came across a Business Insider article that really got us thinking. In it, Dylan Love discusses the ten things great bosses never say—and while we think it’s a good start, we think the list could use a few additions.

The original list includes a number of excellent—and NICE—ideas, centering on the concept that little comments managers make to their employees can have a profound effect on an office’s productivity, mood, and effectiveness. And that’s not just a hunch. In fact, numerous studies have found that comments from an immediate manager have a high impact on overall job happiness. So, simply learning what—and what not—to say at work can promote greater employee retention

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Mon, May 02, 2011 - 8:55:44

MoMA Gets the Write Stuff—and Grabs Attention—on the Web

The Museum of Modern Art recently garnered a lot of attention across the Web…and for a rather surprising reason. It wasn’t a controversial new exhibition, sought after acquisition, or even the appointment of a new senior level staff-member. No, it was something much simpler: a handwritten note, or rather, a large collection of them displayed on their website.

As part of the project, MoMA visitors simply completed the statement, “I went to MoMA and…” with their own experiences, in their own writing—an idiosyncratic and distinctly human touch, that made them so eye-catching, particularly when presented within a digital framework. But, “I went to MoMA and…” wasn’t only an innovative piece of Web design, it was also a great reminder of how something as simple as a handwritten note can make a big impact.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, April 29, 2011 - 8:46:42

Become a “Yes and” Man…Or Woman

In our book, THE POWER OF NICE: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness, we explained how you can harness the power of positivity and “Yes” your way to the top. And, now with the release of Tina Fey’s new bestselling book Bossypants, we’re seeing even more evidence that our strategy works.

In a recent interview with Google chairman, Bill Schmidt, Fey explains that she learned some of her most valuable lessons about business and management from a very unlikely source: improvisation. And, just as in sketch comedy, in business there is one word that is more damaging to collaboration, creativity, and innovation than any other: “No.”

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Tue, April 26, 2011 - 10:02:02

Cherry Card: The Cherry on Top for Businesses and Consumers Alike

Cause-based marketing has become one of the biggest business trends for 2011, and it’s easy to see why. Everybody wins; companies make money while giving back, worthy causes get the support they need, and consumers get to feel good about the purchases they’re making. And as The New York Times recently reported, there’s a new company helping other businesses make NICE automatic—and reap the rewards because of it.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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