Job Advertisement

At Pfizer, your ideas will help power a new generation of medicines - the breakthroughs that will make life a little easier to live for people everywhere. Whether you work with technology, finance or face-to-face with doctors and healthcare providers, everything you do impacts everything we do. This is your career at Pfizer - a career unlike any other.
Inventory Staff Accountant-Part-Time Job in Memphis 37501, Tennessee US
Description:This is a part-time position representing approximately 50% of a full-time role.- Work closely with Intercompany Analysis Team to research and resolve reconciling items as well as aged open items through contact with internal and external customers.- Perform period end financial close activities and meet all related deadlines. - Research and resolve reconciling items using system knowledge and analytical skills.- Handle accounting policy and procedure inquiries and ad hoc reporting & analysis requests.- Insure customer needs and relationships are fulfilled and enhanced through proactive involvement and interaction. - Maintain complete and accurate standard operating procedures and support control documentation requirements (SOX). - Provide assistance with requests related to inquiries from international entities, internal and external audit related to Intercompany product reconciliations.Qualifications:- BS degree is required. - CPA/MBA preferred. - Sales, inventory and intercompany experience a plus. - Supervisor experience preferred. - Proficiency in PC skills is essential. - Experience in system conversions. - Ability to work independently and handle several projects at once. - Strong accounting and organizational skills. - Must clearly demonstrate the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to interact with business partners. - Ability to work cross-functionally with teams. - Willingness to contribute beyond basic job responsibilities.Salary/Benefits: Salary commensurate with experienceThroughout our 153 years, a legacy of caring for others has been at the heart of everything we do at Pfizer. This commitment is no less important when it comes to our employees. Pfizer wants to ensure that employees have resources to help them develop and succeed both in their careers and personal lives. One way we can achieve this is through our comprehensive benefits program, which offers employees and their eligible dependents the variety and flexibility to help address their needs at different stages in life.Job Location: Memphis, TNJob Number: 929866Company URL: http://www.pfizer.comCompany Profile:Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must have authorization to work for Pfizer in the U.S. In certain circumstances it may be advantageous to Pfizer to support the application(s) for temporary visa classification and/or sponsor applications for permanent residence so that a foreign national colleague can accept or remain in a work assignment in the U. S. For certain classes of temporary visas, the resulting work authorization may be specific to Pfizer and the specific job and/or work site. Pfizer may at its business discretion decide to or refrain from obtaining, maintaining and/or extending the temporary visa status and/or sponsoring a colleague for permanent residency and /or employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified U.S. workers and the colleague's long-term prospects for securing lawful permanent residence, among other reasons. Employment applicants requiring immigration sponsorship must disclose, when initial application for employment is made, whether or not they are legally authorized to work for Pfizer in the U.S. and, if so, whether that authorization permits them to work in the job they seek. In no case should Pfizer's support of a colleague's temporary visa application or sponsorship of a colleague for permanent residence be construed to guarantee success of that application or amend or otherwise invalidate the "at-will" employment relationship between the colleague and Pfizer.

Brainstorming Tips

http://http://www.time-management-guide.com/to-do-list.htmlI. Prepare for a Brainstorm Session

A. Get situation/problem clearly in mind
B. Visualize ideal solution
C. Consider how others might handle situation/problem

II. Conduct the session

A. Set time limit
B. Option goal
C. Write as fast as possible
D. Accept all options, let imagination flow

III. Follow up after the Session

A. Try to think of more options
B. Shift through list
C. Discard unusable ones
D. Decide on best option
E. Use it

Blogging yourself out of a job

Discussing sensitive or confidential information should never ever be done except with the one it concerns or in a court of law. If withholding the information is a threat to the safety of others then there are other ways of disclosing rather than on a blog. My experience of blogs is very limited, but on an average they seem to be mostly a public area whose bloggers' main purpose seem to be either to vent or express personal views on matters.

Brainstorming

I. Brainstorm in a group
a. have as many ideas as possible
b. record each idea
c. accept no type of criticism
II. Participation
a. let each group member participate
b. let one idea lead to the next
III. After brainstorming
a. sort through all of the ideas
b. categorize and organize each idea

Brainstorming

I. Prepare for a brainstorming session
A. Prepare the room
B. Feel relaxed
C. Set a time limit

II. Conducting the session
A. Write down all ideas
B. Postpone you judgments
C. Quantity, Not Quality

III. After the Brainstorm
A. Select 5 best ideas
B. Number the ideas 1-5
C. Select the best idea

Brainstorming

• Produce a great number of ideas
• Record all ideas
• Allow no criticism- focus on quality, not quanity
• When your out of ideas, force yourself to add three more- innovation and creativity come affter the apparent solutions have been exhausted
• Brainstorm in a group
• Let one idea give you another idea
• Include outrageous and off-the-wall ideas
• If you brainstorm alone, write continuously for another 5 minutes after you feel like your out of ideas
• Only after brainstorming, think through the ideas and begin narrowing the list

http://www.besmart.org/scholarship/brainstorm.html

Brainstorming tips

I. How to prepare for a brainstorming session
A. Decide what is the problem.
B. Refresh your mind.
1. Think of five people from different backgrounds that are familiar to you.
2. Ask yourself what they would see is the problem and how they would approach it to
find a solution.

II. How to conduct the session
A. Take a pen and paper and set a goal of the number of ideas that you want to have down
on the sheet a paper in a short period of time.
B. Focus on the number of ideas, not the realism of the ideas.
C. Forget about the judgments, common sense, rules or practicality.
III. How to follow-up after a meeting
A. Take each idea and judge it.
B. Discard the ones that will not provide a solution.
http://www.time-management-guide.com/brainstorming-tips.html

Brainstorming Session Steps

I. Brainstorm in a group
a. have many ideas, quantity not quality
b. record all ideas
c. allow no criticism
II. Have off the wall ideas
a. let one idea lead to another
b. everyone has to participate
c. force out three more ideas after the solution is exhausted, creativity and innovation can arrise now
III. After brainstorming
a. sort through the ideas
b. keep the best by narrowing the list
IV. Brainstorming alone
a. if you must brainstorm alone write for atleast 5 min.
b. brainstorming alone can create some good ideas
c. write until you feel like you have run completely out of ideas

http://www.besmart.org/scholarship/brainstorm.html

Brainstorming

Brainstorming session must be targeted to a specific topic or else you run the risk of downgrading any future sessions. You must define the problem area or the opportunity area you want to create ideas for. You must draw up specific probortunity statement which defines what you are trying to achieve. It is acceptable to have a brainstorm session to investigate a whole area of interest you wish to explore. Here are some helpful brainstorming tips.
-Decide how you will run the session and who will take part. Who will lead the session. The facilitator is the person who needs to introduce the session and keep and eye on time and to make rules to be obeyed. They will also be responsible for restarting the creative process.
-Decide who will take part. It is easiest to gather a group of colleagues or friends.
-Prepare a room and materials.
-The group should contain at least twelve people.
-A dedicated secretary whose only job is to grab and write down ideas that are useful.
-Alternations for smaller groups. Smaller groups are easier to control but less people to keep the process moving smoothly onward.
-Alternations for larger groups. Try to arrange in a circle without people being too far out of the group. Get a microphone or loud speaker if needed.
-Get everyone to write down their ideas on a notepad.
-Prepare the participants and issue invites when you know who you will be inviting and where it is going to be held, you will need to invite everyone.
-Now you are ready for the stage where you have a room for your session and have a list of willing participants. Make sure they know what to expect by sending them rules.

Guide to Brainstorming

I. Preparing for a Brainstorming Session
A. Have all required materials
1. facilitator
2. flip chart
3. paper and pens
B. Choose a variety of people
1. Choose people from different backgrounds
2. choose people that do not think alike
C. Define problem clearly and lay out a criteria

II. Conducting a Brainstorming Session
A. Set a time limit and a goal
B. Focus on a large number of ideas instead of quality
C. Record all ideas
D. No critcism

III. Following up after a Brainstorming Session
A. Prepare notes a for group
B. Monitor and give feedback
C. Develop a clear and positive outcome

http://www.mindtools.com/brainstm.html
http://www.time-manamgement-guide.com/brainstorming-tips.html
http://www.businessballs.com/brainstorming.htm

Guide to Company Brainstorming

The key to company brainstorming is the group that is assembled. It is very important that the group that is going to do the brainstorming is very versatile. This will ensure that all of the basis are covered and will give a wide variety of ideas. Once you have assembled your team then you need to make sure you meet in a well relaxed environment and that everyone there participate in the session. Also, it is important that the brainstorming session is at a minimum time limit. This will ensure that the ideas are fresh. The next step in this process is to gather or cluster all of the ideas into organized groups. This will simplify the process and give each member a chance to elaborate on the ideas that have been given. Putting these ideas on flip charts and hanging them at eye level around the rooom will help in this process. Gather all the information into the categories that relate to the situation at hand and eliminate those that do not partain to the subject matter. Development, form and content are the categories that will help you in this step. Once you have gotten down to the ideas that will become your subtitle; then you can began with your outline. Those subclusters is the basis for your outline, which will help you in coming up with your message to your audience.

Guide to Brainstorming

I. Prepare for brainstorming.
A. Chose a location with a relaxed environment.
B. Chose a facilitator to guide the session and encourage participants.
C. Supply materials to write down ideas – paper, pen, white board or flip charts.
D. Invite a diverse group of people to the session.
II. Conducting the session.
A. Define the problem or issue as a creative challenge.
B. Set a time limit and a minimum number of ideas to obtain.
C. The facilitator should list all ideas for everyone to see.
D. Allow no criticism of ideas.
E. Chose the five best ideas for follow up.
F. Rate each of these to determine the number one idea.
III. Follow up after the meeting.
A. Apply the best idea to the situation.
B. Maintain the list so that if the chosen idea fails others can be considered.

COMPANY BRAINSTORIMING

First, preperation must be done for your session and goals must be set. Ideally, picture in your mind how you want this task to be accompished, then extend and refresh this problem. Think of at least five people who have differing backgrounds and views than yourself and imagine there approach. Invite the selected people to this session. Create a deadline for your session and set a quota of ideas.
Second, conduct this session with the five coworkers. Create together and seperately your lists of ideas, options, and thoughts. Give everyone a chance to speak and let there presence be known. Let your imagination flow and look at all others opinions with an absolute open mind. Once time is getting crunched squeeze out a few more options because those are most of the time some of the best. Take the best of your ideas and post them in the room until the team has created a unanimous decision. The session is now complete.
Lastly, Every one should attend a mandatory follow up briefing to discuss how the plan is in action and make any last need improvements to bring to perfection.

Site credited to http://www.time-management-guide.com/brainstorming-tips.html

Brainstorming

In this post you will find the guidelines for conducting successful brainstorming sessions.

I. How to Prepare a Brainstorming Session

• Define the problem. The problem must be clear and not too large. It should also be able to be captured in a question.
• Select the team. For a successful session you should choose no more than 10 team members. Pick employees from different departments of the company. Make sure to pick a few team members who have proven themselves to dedicated team members. Make sure you have someone who will be able to keep efficient notes.
• Select the appropriate meeting location. Choose a location that is free from distractions. You should have a room that has plenty of seating as well as a large enough table for everyone to sit around.
• Make sure you have all the needed materials. Some suggestions are: flip charts, colored pens, a projector, plenty of projector sheets, and notepads.
• Send the invitations. Compose a memo to all invited team members. Explain the purpose of the team. In the memo give the session name, problem, date, time, and location.

II. Conducting the Brainstorming Session

• Explain the guidelines or rules. Rules should include: everyone participates, no negative attitudes, keep an open mind, stick to the time limits, and do not waste time.
• Announce the objective. Explain the problem in detail. Let the team know what it is costing the company the longer this problem continues. Explain any benefits that will arise from correcting the problem.
• Determine a quota. For example: Take thirty minutes to submit 25 ideas. Use a timer so that you stay within the allotted time.
• Evaluate the ideas. Weigh the pros and cons of each idea. Determine the best idea for the situation.

III. Follow Up after Meeting

• Once the team has decided the best solution, you should begin the implementation process.
• Assign specific tasks to each team member. Make sure that the task is something the team member can do. They should have the resources available to complete the task.
• Once all tasks are complete the proposal should be prepared. It should begin with a well defined explanation of the problem. Make sure it introduces the team members involved in this process. Explain the solution in detail. Include the benefits and costs of implementing this solution.
• Set up a time for the presentation. Make sure that you invite a appropriate managers that this resolution with effect.

Brainstorming

I. Prepare for brainstorming
A. What to accomplish
1. Get a clear picture
2. Refresh and extend view
B. Set a goal
1. How many ideas
2. Set a specific time interval

II. Conduct the session
A. Focus on quantity not quality
1. Write in a list manner
2. Let your imagination flow
B. Feed off of each others ideas
1. Listen to what the others are saying
2. Expand on your ideas

III. Follow up
A. Look at your list
1. Evaluate your ideas
2. Think things over
B. Make final decisions
1. Keep the ideas everyone agrees on
2. Put those ideas into action

Check out www.brainstorming-that-works.com/brainstorming-tips.html

Brainstorming Tips

1. Questions are the best way to get brainstorming started. A question opens up the doors of thinking.
2. Use open ended questions so that you and all participants can let their thinking go in multiple directions.
3. Use one of the brainstorming questioning tools to inspire more questions and more ideas.
4. Start brainstorming sessions with one of the silent or on one's own brainstorming before opening up the brainstorming session to discussion and listening to others' ideas.
5. Once the sharing of ideas starts make everyone comfortable about using each others' ideas to extend and combine. Ideas are the result of the combined thinking rather than belonging to just one person.
6. During brainstorming put on hold all value judgments of ideas. Most of us know not to voice any negative comments because it stops the free expression. What some may not realize is that even complimentary comments can do the same thing. If someone says "Oh, what a great idea!" Others in the group suddenly compare their unspoken ideas to that one that was complimented or may feel like no more ideas are needed since a 'great' one was found.
7. Use a different brainstorming technique each time you get together to keep the sessions fun and productive.
8. Be sure all ideas are recorded. Even the ones that seem far fetched at the time can turn into something good later especially when thought about in other contexts or combinations.
9. Give everyone a small pad of paper and pen as they leave the brainstorming session. The process will continue to spawn ideas as your participants go on to their other tasks. Encourage them to keep writing down any ideas they get and to send them in or bring them to the next session.
10. Tell your participants to keep pen and paper and a small light (even one of those pens that lights up is a good idea) next to their bed. While a person sleeps, the brain is still sorting through thoughts and ideas and if he or she wakes up with an idea they need to write it down. We tend to think that the idea is so good we will remember it in the morning and that just doesn't happen. So write it down right away!

I got this information from www.brainstorming-that-works.com.

brainstorming tips

I found these tips on wikihow.com

1. Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Write a topic word or a thought that you would like to explore at the top of your paper, such as education or government. Continue writing words or phrases in list form down the page until your time has run out.
3. Never stop writing. Even if you have to write down an idea that's completely stupid and wouldn't work, it's better than stopping. Your pen should never stop.
4. Assume that no word is self-explanatory. Continue to focus on one topic word until you cannot describe it with any further detail. In other words, take a deeper look at an individual or minute part of a larger whole.
5. As your thoughts slow or become stagnant, begin to review your lists periodically. Previous terms may need further explanation or bring new ideas to the surface.
6. This is also an uncensored practice, so don't allow for corrections during the brainstorming process.
7. When you are finished brainstorming, re-organize your words and phrases into sequential categories.
8. If you have a sufficient collection of good ideas, begin to work on the rough draft. If more ideas are needed, try other informal invention techniques such as freewriting or mapping.
9. Utilizing a dictionary, search for random words. Close your eyes and place your finger on the page or choose the most attractive word as you scan through the pages. Write these words down as well as any other thoughts that may be in relation to these words.

[edit] Tips

• While brainstorming, it can be helpful to listen to classical music or songs without lyrics.
• A few extra writing utensils along with a thick pad of paper ensures for an adequate supply of materials - to continue the flow of your work without interruption.
• Keep going, even if you come across a good idea near the beginning of the brain storm session; as better ideas may come along.
• Don't immediately dismiss an idea - continue to write and see where your thoughts take you.
• Save your brainstorm as you may need it in the near or distant future.
• Brainstorming can be difficult during the first session. Don't give up. If it doesn't work, try again.

Brainstorming

The best way to prepare for a brainstorming session is to present good ideas, and then choose the best people for the task. Make sure you choose someone that is qualified. During your sessions already have in mind what you would like to complete for that day. Always keep in mind the people to whom you will be presenting this to. After the sessions get more information and talk to people about your ideas. This will help you get your message across to the people.

Blogging: Establishing Ethical Guidelines

Date: September 16, 2008

To: Ms. Amy Johnson

From: Ashley Martin

Subject: Establishing Ethical Guidelines

In response to the request for six ethical guidelines a blogger should follow while blogging about his employment, I have submitted this list:

1. When submitting a blog, always remember that it is being publically displayed.

2. Always talk in confidence about your place of employment.

3. Never release confidential information.

4. Never complain about coworkers or employment policies.

5. Use the blog to establish a helpful relationship with customers and help the company profit in the process.

6. Do not let personal issues or "grapevine" issues come out in the blog.

I have developed these guidelines based on mistakes made in the past by some employees. These guidelines are to ensure that the blogger has the knowledge of how to be a responsible employee and how to show it through the internet.

Brainstorming Tips

The best way to prepare for a brainstorming session is to have many good ideas first, then select the strongest candidates. The most important idea is to focus on quality, not quantity. When you conduct your sessions, set a clear picture in your mind of what goal you would like to accomplish. It is also a good idea to think of your audience.  Think of five people that you know that are diverse, and picture how those people would approach your subject.   When you follow up after the meeting, you may feel the need to gather more facts, interview people, or obtain documentation. After brainstorming, you should have a better idea of what needs to be done to deliver your message successfully.

 

http://boa2613.blogspot.com

Blogging Yourself Out of A Job

Blogging is a gray area.  You feel like you can say your true feelings, but only in a general sense.  Businesses encourage communication among workers to boost morale, but do not want anything posted that could possibly reflect negatively on the company.  It is hard to write "openly," if you are constantly worried that something you posted will later come back to haunt you, including possible termination.  My best advice is to keep two blogs: 1) a general, positive blog for the company you work for, and 2) a blog that is set to private that only allows readers that you invite to access your personal information. 

Blogging Guidelines

• Be creative, don't steal other people content.
• Remember blogs are public and accessible to anyone.
• Always return credit where possible.
• Post comments that are related.
• Use good manners.
• Keep in mind these 3R's Be responsible, Respect the person behind the other keyboard, and Relax.http://blogs.suite101.com

Blogging Yourself Out of a Job

In my opinion employers should be allowed very little freedom blogging when discussing their jobs. Its very important that employees realize the risks of blogging as well as the perks. I think each new employees packets should contain documents on blogging and what is accepted and what will not be tolerated.

Blogging Yourself Out of a Job

Establishing Ethical Guidelines

Recognize that employees who fail to adhere to this code could lead to disciplinary actions, including expulsion.   

 

1. Use language that is conducive in a professional, work related environment.  Do not use profanity or slang. 

 

2. Do not express opinions that could create potential conflicts of interest. 

 

3. Material posted using social media should not disclose privileged information.  

 

4. Do not post images, audio, or video that is not copyrighted or approved by a social media supervisor.  All media must be approved before it is uploaded.  

 

5. Defamation is not allowed.  

 

6. Personal use of social media is not permitted during working hours. 

blogging yourself out of a job

Today blogging is very helpful for employee's and employers. But some employee's are abusing it without company supervision. Its ok to discuss your job but discuss the importance of your job not whats going on in your job. Just as you have privacy your job have privacy also so think of yourself before you decide to discuss your job.

Blogging Out of a Job

Blogging can be very helpful. It can allow workers to share information without speaking face to face. Although a lot of unnecessary material can be posted into a blog. I believe companies should post certain guidelines about what its employers can post on the blog.

Blogging yourself Out of a Job

There are essential guidelines to all blogging websites and in most of these guide lines it specifically tells writers to be cautious of what they say. It is very important not to broadcast personal information about a company that could be devastating. I feel like everyone needs to exercise their freedom of speech but when it comes to the work place we should always keep our personal information about a company to ourselves. Writers all need to understand when blogging something that it is there for everyone to read. So if something is written that should not be it will not be a secret for long. So it is very important to keep internal information a secret when it comes to blogging.

Freedom of Bloggers

In the discussion of what freedoms do company bloggers have it should be based on ethics. Evey business person should have ethics to guide them and should also rely on them to govern their discussions about the companies they work for on their blogs. No one who works for a company should say to themselves "I wonder if........" That statement is self explanatory. There are no doublts that all negative, confidential policies, and all unethical comments about co-workers should absolutely not be published in a public setting as a company blog. This is not a channel designed to air all of the company's dirty laundry. If an employee of a particular company feels so badly about a company, then it might be time to move on and keep your ethics and moral conscience in tact. The company's blog is to help develop a sense of unity between co-workers and potential customers. All employee's should know that any negative publicity will only hurt themselves. The low man on the todom pole will suffer first. This kind of publicity can hurt sales and any potential growth. Once a business has a bad reputation it is hard to fix. All employee's should feel free to discuss their work experience in moderation. There is a level of responsibility that goes with the territory, so make sure that what you say it in respect of those resposibilities.

Blogging yourself out of a job

A good employee that takes notice and cares enough about their job and company should be able to follow simple rules. Blogging sites have rules and are viewed by millions of bloggers a day. If your gonna blog act professional and consider your company. If you have to ask yourself should I type that than I probably wouldn't. Who needs to get that indepth about their company over the internet? Millions and millions of people view these blogs every day. Just use caution and common sence when writing any company business over the internet.

Blogging yourself out of a job

With my job at the directv call center, I access all kinds of customer account infomation daily including addresses and credit card information. This sort of infomation is very confidental as well as other directv information that is to be kept inside the company. There are many pieces of information that could easily hurt our company or our customers if they were placed in the wrong hands. I think that people should be very cautious when discussing their company or any company business.

Blogging Yourself Out of a Job

I am majoring in the medical field and just to go to clinicals I have to sign a confidentuality clause to protect a persons personal information. A company should have the same rights. Their company information is given to employees to help them succeed in their jobs and to benifit the company, not to post on blogs for everyone to read. If an employee does this, they should be fired. If they cannot be trusted with confidential information, then they probably can't be trusted in other parts of their jobs.

Blogging Yourself Out of a Job

Blogging Yourself Out of a Job

All companies who have blogging sites have rules. Most companies large enough to have blogs have confidentiality agreements as well. On blogging sites, on myspace or any of the millions upon millions of public sites people are exposed to you should not express personal information about employees or private information about your company.

Anyone who reveals sensititive information has not only written there own pink slip, but ruined there name for possible jobs to come. I have heard of employers "googling" to see what they can find out about an idividual before they are put on payroll. If you blog yourself out of your job it will be found if a future employer decides to find it. Since the internet has arrived it seems no one can hide.

Freedom for Bloggers

I feel that a person should be able to grasp the concept of what a blog is before they sit in front of their computer and begin to type away. If they do not realize that it could be viewed by absolutely anyone then they will have a false sense of security in what they write. People should understand that there is no real privacy when it comes to blogs. They should be able so say what they feel, but should understand that if they were to cross a politically correct line by saying something that not all believe, that there might be reprecussions for their blogging.

Blogging Yourself Out of a Job

Blogging can be a very useful tool in the workplace. It can also be very damaging. It amazes me that people think they can say anything they want without there being any consequences. Anyone who divulges private company information on public forums can rest assured, that if seen by the their superiors, they will be held accountable. I would assume that the majority of people that are willing to jeopardize their jobs in this way, probably are not the most valuable employees.

The important thing to remember, when blogging about work issues, is to use common sense. If you wouldn't say it to your boss or announce it over the radio, then you probably shouldn't post it on a blog.

How far should blogging go in the work place?

I think you should limit your self about how much you blog about on an company blogging site. I think you should know not to tell any of the companies secrets online. I think that is just common since. But on the other hand I can see were most people go back to freedom of speach but in this case were you are giving out company secrets I really don't think that applies. I think it all goes back to the old addage think before you say or in this case type.

Blogging Yourself Out of a Job

I believe there should be some freedom, however not full freedom, to discuss your job on a public forum such as a blog site. The previous blog referred to the guidelines that corporations should have for their blog sites. It is very important that as employees are participating in blogging that they follow these guidelines carefully.

Employees can discuss what their job details are without giving out confidential information about the company. Throughout the past few weeks, I have explained in a lot of detail what my job description is with Ashley. However, I have not given confidential information about the company.

Should these employees have been terminated? Absolutely. I am not certain about these corporations, but I do not that I signed a confidentiality agreement when I was hired. I expect that these employees did to. This was an agreement between my employer and myself that I would not share any delicate information with our competition. If I do, I understand that I will be terminated on the spot.

On public forums, like this one, you never know who is actually reading your blogs. It would be a perfect way for a competitor to find out secrets that could have a huge negative impact on the company.

One of our rights as Americans is freedom of speech. However, it is also our duty. We should be allowed to speak openly in a public forum, however we must use common sense. Understand your company's policy regarding blogging and be careful not to release important confidential information. It should be something that is enjoyed, but there has to be guidelines. When those guidelines are not followed, corrective actions must be taken.

Blogging about Work

Working at a financial institution I fully understand why a company would release an employee for revealing damaging or sensitive information about the company or its customers. Upon being hired we are told that we deal with confidential information and that it is not to be disclosed to anyone without proper authority for obtaining.

I am not fully aware of the exact situations with these companies but would have to say that whether the blogs were written by a disgruntled employee which wrote information stating that these were bad places to work or releasing confidential information about the businesses that could cause competitor's to know of pending mergers or acquisitions, or even allowing the public to know information pertaining to the company's practices that the company has a right to limit these type of activities for the betterment of the company and other employees.

Many times people write and say things without considering the consequences and the issues that can arise.

Freedom in Blogging

I have the right to say what I want. The U.S. gives us rights and if we choose to exercise those rights we have to be prepared to except responsibility for our actions.

The web is a powerful tool that must be respected. Blogging, essentially makes you editor-in-chief of a world wide publication. That's alot of responsibility to hand over to any joe shmoe with a phone line, and a Dell, but that's what it is.

These people that got fired for blogging were, most likely, not the model employees in the first place. It's hard for me to imagine a guy (for instance) getting to work early, excelling at his assignments and generally loving his job, being so careless as to divulge sensitive information to millions of strangers. I can't say that I fully understand all circumstances surrounding these issues but I'm sure blogging about work wasn't any of these peoples' sole reason for being fired.

Being a novice blogger myself I've learned a few things that I follow when writing something that everyone can read. One, you don't have to blog about it. You most likely get nothing for what you write in your blog. Why, then, would you include any questionable information at all? Secondly, be prepared to talk about what you wrote, at such engagements such as family get-togethers, business meetings and so on. It will happen eventually.

Exercising your rights without imposing on others' rights, and excepting responsibility for your actions, is not only part of being a good employee but also a good person, a good citizen, and an adult. These lessons are not inherent and must be learned which is why we educate ourselves on the subjuct. Our Business Communications class tells us over and over to consider our audience, and if your audience is the world . . . that's quite a consideration.

Ethical Blogging

September 9, 2008

To: Meredith Mancuso

From: Luke Stanford

Subject: Six Guidelines

1. ALWAYS BLOG HONESTLY. If a person begins anything without upright truth then ethics goes right out the window.

2. BELIEVE IN YOUR BLOG. Always know that although it is just you at your computer typing, the blog will be seen by whomever chooses to look so have faith in what you write.

3. ALLOW ONLY POSITIVE BLOGS. If negative feelings and comments are written without correct authority, then it will get out of hand and emotions will begin to show in other places rather than just the computer screen.

4. ENCOURAGE THE COMPANY. Let the employees know that you want them to do this, to encourage faith in the company and all its members.

5. SET GOOD EXAMPLE. One way that the company will follow you and believe in this system is if you yourself blog by following the specific guidelines.

6. FEEDBACK MECHANISM. Always have someone responsible by keeping updated on all current blogs, making sure that the guidelines are staying true to form.

The Six Blogging Guidelines for a Corporation

September 8, 2008

To: Ms. Meredith Mancuso

From: Brandi McCraw

Subject: Blogging Guidelines

When blogging, one might find a guideline to be very useful. Below, I have composed a guideline that could help prevent one from making some of the mistakes in blogging that are very commonly made.

1) If you truly believe that your opinion on the topic of the blog is legit and fair and something that you feel is worth defending, take credit for it. Display your name in the blog title. Take credit when credit is due. If fellow employees are reading it they are more likely to respond to it when they can compare some one's blog to their work ethic. This may also give credibility to the company for hiring an employer with an incite on such topic.

2) Make sure that when you are blogging that you take full credit and responsibility for your blog. State somewhere in your blog that the opinions expressed on this site are the opinions of the author of the blog and do not necessarily reflect the same views as those of the company.

3) Write often and honestly. Express what you feel about the situation based on what you know. If you are familiar in a certain topic then explore that topic and give as much knowledge and insight in that particular topic as you possibly can. If however, it is a topic your not familiar with, write based on what you have research or what you have been told about it. You do not have to be an expert on every topic. More than likely someone will always know more than you on certain subjects. That is the purpose of a blog. To share with fellow employees on topics they might excel in and your not as familiar with.

4) If one chooses to, advertisement is also an option when creating a blog. Theirs no requirement to run an advertisement on your blog, but it just might help in drawing attention to your blog.

5) Be careful in posting personal information on your blog. Remember that blogs can be viewed by the public as well as the head executives of your company. There is a big risk in posting personal information about yourself as well as opinions one may have about their employer. It could possibly result in dismissal as an employee.

6) Always be nice and respectful to others opinions. Although you may not share the same opinion, if they see that your are respectful enough to consider their opinions, they are more likely to do the same with yours.

Company Blogging

1. Be respectful

2. Make sure that it doesn't hinder your working abilities

3. Use your own ideas

4. Make sure you know what your company expects of you when blogging

5. Ask questions if you are not sure

6. Know where you stand in the company

Stephanie Information
Interclass Memo


Date: September 3, 2008

To: Meredith Mancuso

From: Stephanie Hicks

Subject: GUIDELINE TO BLOGING IN THIS COMPANY


After long hours of research I have come up with six potential guide lines for our new blogging fetcher on our company site and they are:

Respecting copyright, fair use, and financial disclosure laws
Respect your audience
Identify your role and position in your company
Disclosing private information
Consider the level of interaction
Correcting mistakes

I hope these guidelines are use full to you and help you decide on more permanent ones.

Guidelines For Blogging

DATE: September 8, 2008

TO: MS. Mancuso, Supervisor

FROM: Saundra Morelock

SUBJECT: Employee blogging Guidlines


I have completed the list of blogging guidelines for employees that you requested.


1. Make it clear that the views expressed in the blog are yours alone and do not necessarily represent the views of your employer.
2. Respect the company’s confidentiality and proprietary information.
3. Ask your manager if you have any questions about what is appropriate to include in your blog. 4. Be respectful to the company, employees, customers, partners, and competitors.
5. Understand when the company asks that topics not be discussed for confidentiality or legal compliance reasons.
6. Ensure that your blogging activity does not interfere with your work commitments.


When you have had time to review this list, please let me know if you have any questions.

Guidelines for Blogging

Six Guidelines for Blogging



1. Use full name and exact name no nicknames.

2. Protect your privacy do not give any personal information.

3. No offensive language, personal insults, or racial slurs.

4. Do not discuss any confidental material about a company.

5. No the law and abide by the rules.

6. Be professional in what you write and how you write it.

Six Tips for Blogging

1. Write as yourself. In other words use your real name. We don't want people writing anonymously or under a pseudonym. Your name should be prominently displayed on your blog's title or subtitle. This will add credibility with your readers and promote accountability within our company.

Own your content. Employee blog sites are not Company communications. Therefore, your blog entries legally belong to you. They represent your thoughts and opinions. We think that it is important that you remind your readers of this fact by including the following disclaimer on your site: "The posts on this blog are provided "as is" with no warranties and confer no rights. The opinions expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my employer." You assume full responsibility and liability for all actions arising from your posts. We also encourage you to put a copyright notice on your site in your name.

Write relevant. Write often. Whether you know it or not, you're an expert. You have a unique perspective on our company based on your talents, skills, and current responsibilities. People want to hear about that perspective. Also, in order to develop an consistent readership, you should try to write on a regular basis. For some, this will be daily; for others, it may be weekly. The important thing is consistent posting. New content is what keeps readers coming back. You may also write during company time, provided that it doesn't become excessive and doesn't interfere with your job assignments and responsibilities.

Advertise-If you wish. While their is no requirement to run ads on your blog, you are free to do this if you wish. Some of the free blog services run ads as a way to offset their costs.

Be nice. Avoid attacking other persons or companies. This includes fellow employees, authors, customers, vendors, competitors, or shareholders. You are welcome to disagree with the Company's leaders, provided your tone is respectful. If in doubt, we suggest you "sleep on it".

Keep secrets. Do not disclose sensitive, propriety, private, or financial information about a company. This includes revenues, profits, forecasts, and other financial information related to specific authors, brands, products, product lines, customers, operating units, etc.

Corporate Guidelines for Blogging

Date: September 6, 2008

To: Amy Johnson

From: Kelly Thomas

Subject: Corporate Guidelines for Blogging

Below are the guidelines that we will use in our corporate blog site. Also make sure you follow all guidelines in our Policy and Procedures Handbook even though they may not be listed below.

1. Identify yourself - name and job title. Always write in first person. Make it clear that you are speaking for yourself and not the company.
2. Protect your privacy - what you write will be available to the public for a long time. Do not share personal information.
3. If you publish content to an outside website and it refers to this company and your job use a disclaimer such as: "The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent XYZ Company's positions, strategies, or opinions."
4. Confidentiality - Do not discuss any confidential information regarding the company. Always ask permission before publishing anything that is meant to be private or internal.
5. Respect everyone - Do not use obscene language, personal insults, or ethnic slurs.
6. Know the culture - Make sure you do not post anything that could offend someone in another culture. Use correct meanings of words. Some words do not mean the same in the United States as they do in other countries.
7. Remain professional - Remember you represent XYZ Company. The way you write, speak, and act is a direct reflection on you and this company.
8. Do not break the law.

ESTABLISHING ETHICAL GUIDELINES

DATE: September 5, 2008

TO: Ms. Amy Johnson

FROM: Julie C. Warlick

SUBJECT: GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEE BLOGS


In response to your request here are some potential guidelines for the employee blogs.

1. Employees must not release any confidential information about the company or their colleagues.

2. Employees will not comment on the company’s financial performance past, present or future.

3. Employees cannot discuss plans for future products or any other unauthorized topics

4. Employees’ benefit and company policies are confidential and should no be discussed

5. All employees’ comments should be beneficial to the industry partners and company geared toward a teamwork attitude.

6. All information should be helpful to the customer to develop a good relationship.

I have taken in consideration problems from other companies to come up with these potential guidelines. These guidelines are to help insure that the blogs are compliant with teamwork attitude and to build a good relationship with all present and future customers.

Enclosure

Guidelines for Blogging

Remember that all personnel policies and procedures must be followed.
1. When posting a blog you are responsible for the content of the blog. Protect your privacy as well as the company's privacy.
2. All blogs must be posted using the employees full name.
3. Do not post private company information.
4. Do not post private personal information of other employees or clients.
5. Respect copyrights and never post items without proper permission.
6. The goal is always to add value and gain knowledge for the betterment of the company.

Six Rules for Blogging

1. Please include first and last name.

2. When writing opinions, make sure they are productive and not offensive.

3. Always make sure you use proper spelling, grammer, and punctuation.

4. Never use offensive language. The rules of the workplace apply here.

5. When presenting something as a fact, make sure you can back it up with verifiable sources.

6. Use of this blog is for business purposes only. No personal business is allowed.

Blogging Guidlines

Please review the following guidlines for blogging on our corporate site.

1. Write as yourself. Use your real name. We don’t want people writing anonymously or under a pseudonym. The blogger's name should be prominently displayed on the blog’s title or subtitle. This will add credibility with readers and promote accountability within our company.

2. Be nice. Avoid attacking other individuals or companies. This includes fellow employees, authors, customers, vendors, or competitors. You are welcome to disagree with the Company’s leaders, provided your tone is respectful. If in doubt don't post it.

3. Keep secrets. Do not disclose sensitive, proprietary, confidential, or financial information about the Company, other than what is publicly available in our corporate press releases. This includes revenues, profits, forecasts, and other financial information related to specific authors, brands, products, product lines, customers, operating units, etc. Again, if in doubt don't post it.

4. Respect copyrights. For your protection, do not post any material that is copyrighted unless (a) you are the copyright owner, (b) you have written permission of the copyright owner to post the copyrighted material on your blog, or (c) you are sure that the use of any copyrighted material is permitted by the legal doctrine of “fair use.” (Please note: this is your responsibility. The Company cannot provide you with legal advice regarding this.)

5. Obey the law. This goes without saying, but by way of reminder, do not post any material that is obscene, defamatory, profane, libelous, threatening, harassing, abusive, hateful, embarrassing to another person or entity, or violates the privacy rights of another. Also, do not post material that contains viruses, Trojan horses, worms, or any other computer code that is intended to damage, interfere with, or surreptitiously intercept or expropriate any system, data, or information.

6. Remember the Handbook. As a condition of your employment, you agreed to abide by the rules of our company handbook. This also applies to your blogging activities. We suggest you take time to review the section entitled, “Employee Responsibilities”.

Brainstorming Tips

Conduct an Internet search for brainstorming tips. Locate an article with helpful tips. Prepare an outline that tells how to (a) prepare for a brainstorming session, (b) conduct the session, and (c) followup after the meeting. Post your outline to the class blog.

You must include the website url.

Blogging Yourself Out of A Job

Several companies—Delta Air Lines, Starbucks, and Google among them—have fired employees for allegedly revealing sensitive or damaging company information in their weblogs. Some bloggers subscribe to a false sense of privacy in a medium open to millions of users. How much freedom should bloggers enjoy in discussing their jobs?

Blogging: Establishing Ethical Guidelines

After reading assignment 2.9 on page 66. Post six potential blogging guidelines that you feel would important for developing a blog at your place of employment.