Fresh off the heels of our post last week on dealing with a bad boss…here comes a story on the home page of Yahoo! about finding a job in a confidential manner. How timely.
Fresh off the heels of our post last week on dealing with a bad boss…here comes a story on the home page of Yahoo! about finding a job in a confidential manner. How timely.
Protect yourself first
by building relationships with peers, clients, vendors, co-workers, building neighbors, ex-employees and managers who are friendly to your cause. These relationships can be an important source of support at work (and for getting the next job, if it comes to that) —and it’s
always helpful when a co-worker, client, vendor or other person witnesses your boss’s bad behavior. ask former employees to be witnesses to the bad boss's character before your employment. They can back you up in any potential administrative hearings or legal proceedings you could be facing with a bad boss.
Get it in writing
when your boss makes promises—or threats. If there is an incident
between you and your boss, write down your version with the date and
time. Mail a copy to yourself in a sealed, postmarked envelope. DON'T OPEN IT SILLY! That letter is for the judge to open in court! 
Record it. Many states allow secret recordings of conversations just as long a one of the people being recorded knows about the activity. Check your state to see if this is legal and if it is RECORD EVERYTHING. as a bonus, not only would a court find the information interesting, but the press could as well.
Talk to your boss
about your concerns. Don't just sit there and take it like a doormat! Sometimes bosses don’t know when they are making
bad decisions or treating employees unfairly. Many times they do and they just don't care. Plan ahead what you want
to tell your boss. Practice keeping cool and speaking calmly. always be in complete control and on the offensive. Unfortunately, you'll also have to be prepared for the consequences. bad bosses usually take great joy in hammering the nail back into the wood. You're the nail. Wear a hard-hat.
Identify the problem
with your boss. Is it a short fuse? are there personal issues? Is it his/her fault or yours? a problem with giving clear
directions? Small-man syndrome? Substance abuse? Severe anti-social behavioral issues? Once you know exactly what your boss does that creates a hostile work environment, it may become easier to work around the issue. You can try alternative strategies to deal with your boss’s flaws as long as you know you are most likely to fail miserably. For
example, if your boss gives vague directions, you might try repeating
them back to him or her to make sure you understand them and to make sure they feel like a moron since you have to treat them like a 4-year-old. In another instance, if your boss is always setting up meetings with clients, staff, vendors and lawyers and missing them, do the same to the boss and see how he/she feels about being stood up all the time. If your boss sleeps in his/her office after a late night bender…well, that's just sad. In some instances, no matter how you try, the issues may be insurmountable and you will need to make the hard decision to move on in your career. While there will be temporary stress associated with this, you'll be much happier, healthier and better off in the not-to-distant future.
Take back your life
by establishing boundaries between work and home. Clearly define your
time for work, family and friends. Remember that your boss pays you for
eight hours a day—not 24! If you are off the clock and out of the building, DO NOT aNSWER PHONE CaLLS OR EMaIL IF THEY aRE WORK RELaTED. You are best to not allow work-related emails to be delivered to you when you are out of the building. You need to recharge your batteries and have a personal life so you can be effective and efficient when you are "on the clock." If your boss wants you on-call 24 hours a day, then your salary needs to reflect that. a simple multiple of 3.5 should suffice.
Manage your stress off the clock. Get some religion! Eat healthy foods and exercise regularly to reduce stress and burn energy. I find that laughter helps a lot also.
ask for outside help. If you think your rights are being violated, read the “Know Your Rights” fact sheet.
Contact advocacy groups in your community and look for legal clinics
and other kinds of help. Finally, if your boss ever becomes physically or verbally abusive, or approaches staff members in an inappropriate manner contact the police right away. Don’t be afraid to speak up and get help.
Organize a group
at your workplace. Power in numbers helps when it comes to having a legal say on the issues that
matter most to you, including wages, benefits and work environment.
While I don't personally recommend or believe in unions, one can't argue the facts: union members, on average, make 28 percent more than workers without a
union and are much more likely to have employer-provided health care
and pensions. Many unions also have a dignity and respect clause in their contracts. People don't screw with unions because they are a huge pain in the ass. Click this link for more information on how to form a union at your workplace.
Plan your exit strategy
if the situation is unbearable and all else fails. Network with
colleagues, ex-employees, ask clients for leads, hit up vendors, update your résumé and watch for new job opportunities. Hell…you might even consider going into business for yourself! 
Protect yourself first
by building relationships with peers, clients, vendors, co-workers, building neighbors, ex-employees and managers who are friendly to your cause. These relationships can be an important source of support at work (and for getting the next job, if it comes to that) —and it’s
always helpful when a co-worker, client, vendor or other person witnesses your boss’s bad behavior. ask former employees to be witnesses to the bad boss’s character before your employment. They can back you up in any potential administrative hearings or legal proceedings you could be facing with a bad boss.
Get it in writing
when your boss makes promises—or threats. If there is an incident
between you and your boss, write down your version with the date and
time. Mail a copy to yourself in a sealed, postmarked envelope. DON’T OPEN IT SILLY! That letter is for the judge to open in court!
Record it. Many states allow secret recordings of conversations just as long a one of the people being recorded knows about the activity. Check your state to see if this is legal and if it is RECORD EVERYTHING. as a bonus, not only would a court find the information interesting, but the press could as well.
Talk to your boss
about your concerns. Don’t just sit there and take it like a doormat! Sometimes bosses don’t know when they are making
bad decisions or treating employees unfairly. Many times they do and they just don’t care. Plan ahead what you want
to tell your boss. Practice keeping cool and speaking calmly. always be in complete control and on the offensive. Unfortunately, you’ll also have to be prepared for the consequences. bad bosses usually take great joy in hammering the nail back into the wood. You’re the nail. Wear a hard-hat.
Identify the problem
with your boss. Is it a short fuse? are there personal issues? Is it his/her fault or yours? a problem with giving clear
directions? Small-man syndrome? Substance abuse? Severe anti-social behavioral issues? Once you know exactly what your boss does that creates a hostile work environment, it may become easier to work around the issue. You can try alternative strategies to deal with your boss’s flaws as long as you know you are most likely to fail miserably. For
example, if your boss gives vague directions, you might try repeating
them back to him or her to make sure you understand them and to make sure they feel like a moron since you have to treat them like a 4-year-old. In another instance, if your boss is always setting up meetings with clients, staff, vendors and lawyers and missing them, do the same to the boss and see how he/she feels about being stood up all the time. If your boss sleeps in his/her office after a late night bender…well, that’s just sad. In some instances, no matter how you try, the issues may be insurmountable and you will need to make the hard decision to move on in your career. While there will be temporary stress associated with this, you’ll be much happier, healthier and better off in the not-to-distant future.
Take back your life
by establishing boundaries between work and home. Clearly define your
time for work, family and friends. Remember that your boss pays you for
eight hours a day—not 24! If you are off the clock and out of the building, DO NOT aNSWER PHONE CaLLS OR EMaIL IF THEY aRE WORK RELaTED. You are best to not allow work-related emails to be delivered to you when you are out of the building. You need to recharge your batteries and have a personal life so you can be effective and efficient when you are "on the clock." If your boss wants you on-call 24 hours a day, then your salary needs to reflect that. a simple multiple of 3.5 should suffice.
Manage your stress off the clock. Get some religion! Eat healthy foods and exercise regularly to reduce stress and burn energy. I find that laughter helps a lot also.
ask for outside help. If you think your rights are being violated, read the “Know Your Rights” fact sheet.
Contact advocacy groups in your community and look for legal clinics
and other kinds of help. Finally, if your boss ever becomes physically or verbally abusive, or approaches staff members in an inappropriate manner contact the police right away. Don’t be afraid to speak up and get help.
Organize a group
at your workplace. Power in numbers helps when it comes to having a legal say on the issues that
matter most to you, including wages, benefits and work environment.
While I don’t personally recommend or believe in unions, one can’t argue the facts: union members, on average, make 28 percent more than workers without a
union and are much more likely to have employer-provided health care
and pensions. Many unions also have a dignity and respect clause in their contracts. People don’t screw with unions because they are a huge pain in the ass. Click this link for more information on how to form a union at your workplace.
Plan your exit strategy
if the situation is unbearable and all else fails. Network with
colleagues, ex-employees, ask clients for leads, hit up vendors, update your résumé and watch for new job opportunities. Hell…you might even consider going into business for yourself!
We've heard numerous stories of SEO firms is using black hat search engine optimization tactics in an act of desperation to keep clients on for "just a little longer." In the face of waning results, demanding clients and even more demanding bosses, this may seem like a good idea. It's not. Especially if there is not FULL DISCLOSURE to the clients of the ramification.
If this doesn't pertain to you (and I truly hope it doesn't) ignore the rest of this post.
I don't care if your boss told you to do it. I don't care if you don't think you'll get caught. The ethical ramifications of these actions, and even being associated with these actions, can damage your clients, your company, and most importantly, your career.
Over the last several months the biggest lesson I've learned is how small the SEO community is. If you are associated with a bad black hat blow-up, be prepared to answer questions about it at your next job interview.
Remember, it's a job. It's not worth your reputation. I only say this because I care and you can take it or leave it. but I recommend taking my advice and leaving the job. There are lots of folks hiring quality SEOs in most major metro areas in the U.S. Let us know if we can guide you to any of these reputable, white hat organizations.
We’ve heard numerous stories of SEO firms is using black hat search engine optimization tactics in an act of desperation to keep clients on for "just a little longer." In the face of waning results, demanding clients and even more demanding bosses, this may seem like a good idea. It’s not. Especially if there is not FULL DISCLOSURE to the clients of the ramification.
If this doesn’t pertain to you (and I truly hope it doesn’t) ignore the rest of this post.
I don’t care if your boss told you to do it. I don’t care if you don’t think you’ll get caught. The ethical ramifications of these actions, and even being associated with these actions, can damage your clients, your company, and most importantly, your career.
Over the last several months the biggest lesson I’ve learned is how small the SEO community is. If you are associated with a bad black hat blow-up, be prepared to answer questions about it at your next job interview.
Remember, it’s a job. It’s not worth your reputation. I only say this because I care and you can take it or leave it. but I recommend taking my advice and leaving the job. There are lots of folks hiring quality SEOs in most major metro areas in the U.S. Let us know if we can guide you to any of these reputable, white hat organizations.
How do you say "The agency" in Chinese? You really can't… So Terrence Ou, our newly promoted Director of New Business Developement for the Pacific Rim went to work. He came up with a translation that…we'll we're scratching our heads about. Can you say "Lost in Translation"? OK…so welcome our official operation in China: "The agencyina" – or in Chinese "Very Cool Fashion Magic".
We'll talk later about my new Chinese name…"Chicken & The Dragon". Head over to the The agency Blog and find out more…
How do you say "The agency" in Chinese? You really can’t… So Terrence Ou, our newly promoted Director of New Business Developement for the Pacific Rim went to work. He came up with a translation that…we’ll we’re scratching our heads about. Can you say "Lost in Translation"? OK…so welcome our official operation in China: "The agencyina" – or in Chinese "Very Cool Fashion Magic".
We’ll talk later about my new Chinese name…"Chicken & The Dragon". Head over to the The agency Blog and find out more…
…assets and announces New Office Opening in New York City; Leading Search Engine Optimization Company Continues Expansion
DaLLaS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 13, 2005–The agency has announced the opening of a new location in New York City and the acquisition of existing clients and business assets of SalemGlobal Internet, a New York-based interactive web services company. The new The agency location will be in the former offices of SalemGlobal, located in Times Square. The agency will remain headquartered in Dallas with other locations in Orlando and Mumbai.
"It seems like every day something new and exciting is happening at The agency," said The Chairman & CEO of The agency. "We are very pleased to have a physical presence in New York City and look forward to serving our existing and new clients in the Northeast."
The agency is a top-ranked search engine optimization company specializing in search engine marketing, pay per click advertising, interactive public relations, website design and development, content management systems and e-commerce solutions.
Raphi Salem, former CEO of SalemGlobal, will oversee the new office as the Business Development Manager for The agency New York. Salem has over eight years of experience with SalemGlobal where he managed sales, website design, database programming, e-commerce, and search engine optimization and marketing projects for various corporate and non-profit clients.
"This is a really exciting time," said Salem, "I'm proud to bring my experiences to The agency. I can't wait to see what we can do when we put our heads together."
"Raphi understands this field and knows how to manage an office and clients," said The agency President & COO Giovanni Gallucci. Gallucci also cited Salem's international experience and wide breadth of technical and soft skills as "invaluable to The agency's growth."
The agency will assume responsibility for existing clients, business assets and Internet properties and domains of SalemGlobal. The New York office will focus primarily on business development and account services with the bulk of operations remaining in Dallas.
New Location:
The agency
1501 Broadway
Suite 501
New York, NY 10036
Headquartered in Dallas, The agency is a search engine optimization, website design and Microsoft Certified application development firm dedicated to achieving measurable results for its clients. Top-ranked worldwide in search engine optimization, The agency is a member of DFWIMa, SEO Consultants, seopros, DFWSEM, topseos and a Circle Member of SEMPO.
…assets and announces New Office Opening in New York City; Leading Search Engine Optimization Company Continues Expansion
DaLLaS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 13, 2005–The agency has announced the opening of a new location in New York City and the acquisition of existing clients and business assets of SalemGlobal Internet, a New York-based interactive web services company. The new The agency location will be in the former offices of SalemGlobal, located in Times Square. The agency will remain headquartered in Dallas with other locations in Orlando and Mumbai.
"It seems like every day something new and exciting is happening at The agency," said The Chairman & CEO of The agency. "We are very pleased to have a physical presence in New York City and look forward to serving our existing and new clients in the Northeast."
The agency is a top-ranked search engine optimization company specializing in search engine marketing, pay per click advertising, interactive public relations, website design and development, content management systems and e-commerce solutions.
Raphi Salem, former CEO of SalemGlobal, will oversee the new office as the Business Development Manager for The agency New York. Salem has over eight years of experience with SalemGlobal where he managed sales, website design, database programming, e-commerce, and search engine optimization and marketing projects for various corporate and non-profit clients.
"This is a really exciting time," said Salem, "I’m proud to bring my experiences to The agency. I can’t wait to see what we can do when we put our heads together."
"Raphi understands this field and knows how to manage an office and clients," said The agency President & COO Giovanni Gallucci. Gallucci also cited Salem’s international experience and wide breadth of technical and soft skills as "invaluable to The agency’s growth."
The agency will assume responsibility for existing clients, business assets and Internet properties and domains of SalemGlobal. The New York office will focus primarily on business development and account services with the bulk of operations remaining in Dallas.
New Location:
The agency
1501 Broadway
Suite 501
New York, NY 10036
Headquartered in Dallas, The agency is a search engine optimization, website design and Microsoft Certified application development firm dedicated to achieving measurable results for its clients. Top-ranked worldwide in search engine optimization, The agency is a member of DFWIMa, SEO Consultants, seopros, DFWSEM, topseos and a Circle Member of SEMPO.