1.) Focused Ass Kisser - These type of persons are fully aware that they are kissing ass to achieve a certain object and they are so determined to achieve that goal that they will stop at nothing even to the point of stepping over everyone and ass kiss anyone.

Their are two ways to deal will this type, first, accept it and try to get on the good side of the ass kisser, in other words, kiss their ass also. Second, leave with it and let them be, if you don't bother them, chances are they will not bother to drag you down.

2.) Compulsive or perennial Ass Kisser - These types are the once to be pitied upon, these types just cant control themselves, it's like an addiction, they just have to do it.

You can't do anything about it, so just live with these types of people.

3.) Incompetent Ass Kisser - This type has the more chance of curing themselves, these people do not know they are ass kissing.

You can help them out by pointing the obvious to them and chances are, it will cure them.

4.) Incompetent and Delusional Ass Kisser - I absolutely have no respect for these types and they should not be in the same room with you, this types either do not know they are ass kissing or they do but justify it as pro-active, helpfulness and others. Just the mere fact of justifying something wrong is already way of the board, but to believe that it is good ! you gotta be delusional.

Keep away from these people, they are like a contagious disease, be careful not to be stricken by one.

The purpose of this mental exercise is to point out that you cannot escape from these people, no matter how you evade, you will in one way or another fall into such a situation. The moral of this story is to just live with it, accept the fact that the world needs people like them, the organization you are in needs them to maintain balance, there has to be an illusion of something bad to maintain the illusion that we are good.

For everything is this world is a balance, we have to evolve, so what ever you experience, even as annoying as an ass kisser on door front, treat it as a challenge, accept them and leave them be. This is brings us to my home run point of trusting the upper ups, them people on the top of the food chain ain't as stupid as all of us think, they are up there for a reason and in time, ass kissers will be found out and left to dry.

A presentation by U21 and E-Learning the other day tackled the multi gen workforce, specifically GenY. They were explaining how their business or learning module/structure/framework can benefit training requirements for this segment. What I like most is that it has a couple of points or call to action on what managers can do to manage GenY.

1.) Use 360 degree Reviews, for them and for their bosses
2.) Run interference, keep office politics out of their way
3.) Focus on relationship with direct supervisor
4.) Give them a lot of space, they are used to being on their own and provide expectations, feedback and open dialogue
5.) You need credibility, they do not respect authority
6.) embrace their input

Although it is not yet complete, I feel it generally has the right concept and context, Everybody engaged in the mudslinging and ranting should focus on how we all move forward. For as they say "There are not enough GenX to fill the retiring Boomers" the next workforce and stake-holders will be majority GenY.

I couple of point for the GenY's though, although you get vindication and satisfaction that you get understood and you get to put on the table how you work and your attitudes, you should remember that it is always a two way street, the higher ups or the other Gens are not suppose to be the only ones to adjust, the GenY must adjust, be flexible and learn to be patient, fight the battles worth fighting and learn the politics, for it is still a social world and this world is not all GenY, learn to play with the Bully and the other kids in the playground.

Most importantly, love your work and be uncompromising of who you are, be firm on your character and integrity. It is what will define you. Focus on implementation and results, as with everything, specially in the corporate world, results will speak for itself.

Have fun and treat each day in the corporate world as a challenge and a adventure !

As I was reading a post on the "Building a Smarter Planet" Blog by Sacha Chua titled "Smarter employees and a smarter planet". I have been following Sacha on her blog for some time now and I just so happen to come across a post be her on the smarter planet blog. Anyways, I believe in her advocacy and I totally relate to it. I specially like it when she said "Even new employees can help build a smarter company. Even new employees can help build a smarter planet."

Also a good advice from her for both new employees and managers is

"If you're a new employee, stay in touch with the reasons you liked the job offer, and discover new reasons to be passionate about what you do. If you work with or manage new employees, help them stay engaged by connecting them with people who are passionate about their work, and help them harness their passion and infect others with their energy."

I believe that managers or people who are in the position to mentor, mold and guide human resources of a organization/corporation should focus on relationships  and engagement, being connected with your subordinates and peers helps in the overall performance of the entire team and organization while making TRUST as the foundation for all.

As a new and old employee, continue to challenge the status qou, continue to ask, continue to evolve. As a manager, build engaging relationships, build trust between both ends.

Some activities would be conferences, summits, social gathering, focus group meetings, training's and seminars. Aside from the technical value we get, the social aspect often yields more. One of this is the expansion of your personal network and the social skills we develop. More importantly, we get to learn what others in our field are doing, best practices, new technologies, implementations tips and others, we also get a chance to immerse at what the real situation is out of our comfort zone(box).

I attended a online and mobile marketing summit a year back and I can still remember the flood of information I learned from the two day event. I got immersed at a totally different industry from where I was and yet I was able to translate it into how I can capitalize on the new ideas this industry was undertaking.

As days, weeks and years pass by without people going out of their comfort zone, it becomes harder for people to venture out and admit that we are but a tiny fraction of the industry we are in and that the world is bigger than the box we have made. It is a hard fact to admit for most.

As we stay in our box day after day, we tend to bring other people inside our box too and we then become the hindrance or the boundary for other people. If we are truly open and free, let us not put a box in the first place, let us socialize and build relationships.

Trust is the key, as we build relationships among our peers, colleagues and management, trust becomes more and more important and vital. Let us capitalize on these relationships and make it worthwhile for all stake-holders, let us value each individuals strength and focus it to value adding initiatives.

Let us continuously poke each others minds and drive us to improve and evolve, as people become more flexible and open, organizations... corporations must be as agile and open as its human resource, the company who is not able to adapt will loose out on the new, upcoming and future great minds.

Trust and communication is the key !

Flight Schedule

Try not take the last flight if you plan to take the public transport system on your destination. This goes for the first flight also, as most airports will be at a good distance away from the City proper, most public transports like taxis only go to the airport if they are bringing someone to depart.

Luggage

I prefer a backpack but for longer stays in the metropolis, a trolley bag will come in very handy.

Food

Most hotels come with free breakfast, some even have it buffet. I would advise not eating too much as travelling for work will mean you will be in meetings and other work related activities, it will be very uncomfortable when you have to go out to the Comfort Room every now and then.

Experience

As you will be meeting a lot of people, don't forget to bring your Business Card. Always give it out with both hands as well as when receiving it, make sure to glance and give out a comment or two after receiving a card.

If you have time, venture out and see the city and sights, but make sure you hit the sack early as the primary objective of the travel it work, you should have enough energy for it.

Prepare

For whatever work related reason you are traveling for, make sure you are prepared, before traveling make sure you have 1.) finished your presentation 2.) printed hand-out 3.) studied and researched topics and relevant subject matter for the engagement of the travel 4.) researched who you will be meeting with.

Do not forget to bring your laptop power adapter and cellular phone charger, these are the two most important things not to forget.

Airport Wifi

The Centennial 2 domestic airport in Manila now provides tables for laptop users, with ample power outlets, I tried to connect to the free WIFI but I could not seem to surf. The Cebu Airport do not have tables for laptop users and there is no free WIFI, but I did see a couple of surf stations provided by Smart Bro.

Security

On my last flight, we were already able to bring bottled water as well as perfumes and others on our hand carry luggage, but do not bring a lot. Make sure you bring a couple of government issued IDs as this will be asked by security personnel at the airport.

Also have a couple of spare copies of your tickets just in case.

On your luggages, put your business card inside as this will help in-case of lost luggage.

The most important thing is to not make "Bomb or security threat jokes inside the airport and inside the airplane".

Tips and Tricks

On the new Airbus A320, there are headphone jacks, you have 16 channel options on PAL, this is great as Ipods and other devices are asked to be turned on and off during takeoff and landing.

If you are not feeling well, you can try and ask for some over the counter medicines from the Flight attendants(FA).

If you were not able to bring reading materials, local newspapers are available from the FA.

You can bring along a snack during flight or eat a light meal before the flight.

Be at the airport atleast 1 hour before your flight, sometimes, check-in lines gets really long and will take a lot of time, for international flights, be at the airport 2 hours before your flight.

Check the weather prior to your scheduled flights, for a tropical country like the Philippines, Tropical storms come out from nowhere from time to time and if you are a person who gets easily dizzy from turbulence, flying when the weather is good will be a great help.

I'll add to this post some more tips when it hits me .....