September 2008 newsletter
Culture and Diversity
Two Tiers for Foreign-born WorkersAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hispanics make up 50% of the foreign-born labor force and Asians make up 22%. These 2 groups tend to center on certain occupations and industries, and can make up a significant percentage of the company's human capital. Among these workers, 2 tiers exist: Latinos with low education and low skills, and educated professionals from Asia. [read more]
Workplace Communication
Dealing With Difficult PeopleEvery workplace has them--the chronic complainer; the chatterbox; the verbal abuser; the naysayer; the boundaries invader-the list goes on and on. Often, dealing with difficult people at work is the hardest part of your job. Hoping the problem will just go away on its own is unrealistic—you need to take control of the situation and create a plan of action. Here are 5 steps to dealing with difficult people while keeping your cool. [read more]
Tips for Foreign-Born Workers
Speak Clearly with Stress and IntonationEnglish intonation and stress patterns can be difficult for non-native speakers to pick up. Often, language learners are so focused on understanding the vocabulary and grammar for meaning, that they miss cues such as intonation and stress, which carry much of the meaning and nuance in conversation. [read more]
