Tips for working at HP in this economy

I recently read a blog post titled “Recession-Proof Yourself: Four Tips For Twentysomethings“. The tips in it are pretty good no matter if you categorize yourself as Gen Y, X or other. Two really resonate with me when thinking about what I hear in the halls at HP and sometimes even coming out of my own mouth.

2. Don’t take your job lightly. You’ve always had the upper hand in the employment equation. You could likely name your hours, salary, and title, and take days off if you felt like it. Those days are over, at least for the foreseeable future. Your boss is in the driver’s seat, and you will have to reapply for your job every day. How? Pay attention to the things that may tick him or her off: showing up late, calling in sick, turning in shoddy work, and being anything less than a first-rate professional. Bring your “A Game” to work; focus on what you’re giving, not what you’re getting. There are others who have lost their jobs, and they want yours.

4. This is the time to shine … so shine! The key to success is to notice what everyone else is doing and do the opposite. When your coworkers are dragging, hustle. When everyone in the cafeteria is moaning and complaining, smile like you’ve just found the Hope Diamond. The bad news is the economy looks grim, and people are worried. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to stand out above the crowd. Be stronger, tougher, and more determined. Keep positive, stay focused, do your very best.

Of course its easy to say that you should be doing this all the time - and you should. We are humans though and sometimes there is a need to bear down and really refocus efforts. This is one of those times. I’m going to add a few more specific items that people should be aware of in their day to day work around HP.

1. *This is not the time to be complaining about not having plasticware in the break room. Bring a fork. Its better for the environment and if it saves HP a few dollars, that’s good too.
2. This is not the time to be ordering a new keyboard for your PC because the Enter button is starting to look a little warn. Would you have ordered a new one to replace your home keyboard if it was coming out of your pocket?
3. This is the time to make your accomplishments known. Stop thinking of it as putting yourself above the team. Start thinking of it as a necessary part of your career.
4. This is not the time to moan about not getting reimbursed for your home Internet connection. You benefit from not having to drive into the office.
5. This is the time to continue to expect to be treated as an important and valued resource.
6. This is the time to treat your customers, suppliers, partners, co-workers, peers, managers and employees with respect.

The employer is in the driver’s seat in today’s environment. This is cyclical though and those people, teams and organizations that did their part by living up to #5 and #6 will reap benefits when the job market gets hot again.

* I did this one today.

给在经济危机下工作在HP的员工的几点建议

最近我读到一篇题为“金融危机-证明你自己：给二十几岁同事的4点提示”博文。文章里的提示都将对你大有裨益， 不论你在Gen Y（博文的作者是Generation Why的创始人）还是Gen X或是其他的什么公司工作的。想到在HP的大楼里听到的议论以及我自己曾说过的话，我对其中两点深表赞同。

2. 不要对自己的工作掉以轻心。你一直在工作的等式上占尽先机。你可以决定自己的工作时间、工资、头衔甚至当你不想来上班的时候请几天假。那样的日子已经一去不返了。你老板现在大权在握而你则要每天重新申请你的工作。如何申请呢？你要注意那些有可能导致你被裁掉的事情：迟到，经常请病假，糊弄差事以及所有那些不是一流员工应该做的事情。把你最好的表现投入到工作之中。现在你应关注的是你的付出不是所得。因为有些人已经失业，而他们正觊觎着你的工作。

4．是时候锋芒毕露了…那么就一鸣惊人！成功的关键就是注意别人都在干什么然后反其道而行之。当别的员工在磨洋工你就要抓紧时间。当所有人都在咖啡间里呻吟和抱怨，你要如刚刚发现了希望之钻一样微笑。现在坏消息是经济情况不容乐观但好的消息是让自己出类拔萃也并没有多么难。我们应该变得更强大，更坚强也更坚决。保持积极乐观，一如既往地专注，竭尽自己所能做到最好。

当然要求自己一直做到这些谈何容易但又别无他法。我等皆凡人但有些时候我们也需要全力以赴并高度集中精力。现在恰逢其时。我想加几点每天工作在HP的人需要了解的更加具体的事情。

1．           *这个时候不应该抱怨休息室内没有塑料餐具。自带刀叉。既环保有能为HP节省几块钱。

2．           这个时候不应该仅仅因为回车键有点磨损了就去订一个新的键盘。如果自掏腰包你会换掉你家里用的那个键盘吗？

3．           这个时候应该让大家知道你的成就。别再认为自己凌驾于团队之上了。你应该开始意识到你的团队是你事业不可或缺的一部分。

4．           这个时候不该为公司不给家里的网费报销而抱怨。不用再开车去公司已经让你节省不少。

5．           这个时候应该继续期待别人把自己当作一个重要的宝贵资源来对待。

6．           这个时候应该尊重你的顾客、供应商、合作伙伴、同事、朋友、经理以及员工。

在当今环境之中雇主大权在握。但是风水轮流转。只有能认真执行第5点和第6点的员工、小组和公司才能在人才市场回暖的时候获益。

*今天我做到了这一点