Expect More From Your Expectations

Have you ever had someone upset with you and had no idea why? We've all been there. It happens at work, at home and with our friends. The culprit? Expectations. Either an expectation hasn't been shared or it hasn't been defined. Where you find an unmet expectation you will almost always find an upset person.

So what can you do to uncover these elusive expectations? You could ask, but sometimes they don't even know they were expecting something of you. One of the best ways to understand the role expectations have in our lives is to understand the expectations you have of others. The following are three areas you can start working towards clearly defining your expectations of for others.

Delegation

One of the most important aspects of delegation is defining a timeline. There are two timelines that need to be defined. The first is the due date of the task you are delegating. If you ask someone to get something done "when they get around to it," then you can't get upset with them when they don't get it done "when you wanted them to get around to it." Be clear with deadlines and make sure they know what to do if the timeline needs to be altered.

Setting clear expectations about how and when you will check in on someone working on a task can avoid distracting miscommunications down the road. I shared this tip with one of my classes and a man became very upset with me. He said he had told his employee that he would check in with them "every once in a while" on a project that should take six months to complete, yet the person was still frustrated with him. I asked him how often he was checking in with the person and he said he was checking in every two days. The rest of the class started laughing.

The class had seen what he missed. He had failed to define the expectation clearly. He should have said he would check in every two days. Then they could have resolved the issue right on the spot.

Hiring

Orientation of new employees is a valuable opportunity to define both short-term and long-term expectations. This is particularly important when you have historically had specific issues at your organization with new hires. By defining expectations during the on-boarding you can help to prevent these issues. Examples of expectations to define could include cell phone usage, internet usage, attendance policies, behavior expectations and dress code.

Many organizations have employee handbooks that the employees are required to read and sign. However, the expectations still should be discussed with the employee with real world examples. The reality is that a handful of employees will not read the handbook; some will not fully understand the expectations and many others will have questions they will never ask. By giving them the handbooks and explaining the expectations in person the level of understanding will improve.

Discipline

This is one of the most important times to define expectations. Since discipline is a form of conflict, or at best an uncomfortable conversation; leaders tend to try to end the conversation as quickly as possible. The problem is that the disciplinary action occurred because of expectations not being met in the first place. This means a better job of defining expectations needs to be done to help prevent repeating the violation.

Of course, the employee knows that they failed to meet expectations. However, it's critical to reinforce the exact expectations you have of the employee. Perhaps more importantly you have to tell them what the next step will be if they fail to meet expectations again. This helps to avoid a high level conflict where the employee is shocked at the level of discipline they receive next time they violate the expectations.

Of course there are countless areas where we can improve on defining our expectations for others. When we put in the work to do this we improve our ability to identify the expectations others have of us. The best part is that your expectations might just get met more often.

Anthony Miller is the President of Stepping Stone Solutions. His company focuses on educating all levels of organizations to have outstanding and meaningful workplace communication skills. He can be reached with questions at Anthony@steppingstonesolutions.com or 504-421-1936. Follow us on Twitter @SSSTweets and on http://www.facebook.com/steppingstonesolutions

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Kids Lessons on Learned Behaviors of Animals

Students' own pets, including kittens, can provide examples of learned behaviors in animals.

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Animal behavior, also known as ethology, is a potentially complicated subject. Engaging lesson plans can help teachers introduce the basics of this topic to children. The best plans directly involve young students, encouraging their appreciation for the ways in which animals learn. Videos and field trips can galvanize the instruction further.

Related Searches: Pavlov's Dog

Ivan Pavlov's experiment with canines ranks as fundamental in education on animal behavior. A lesson plan on Pavlov's research best begins with a presentation on his work, which induced salivation in dogs at the sound of a bell. Instructors should encourage students to think of their own experiences with learned animal behavior. Many children likely own pets that quickly appear at the sound of a can opener or walking leash. If possible, a teacher can stage an experiment in which a mouse or hamster is slowly conditioned to respond to a certain sound.

The BBC and Learning in Wildlife

Domesticated dogs and cats are not the only creatures that exhibit learned behavior. Colobus monkeys, eyelash vipers and North Pacific giant octopuses, among other wildlife, also pick up important skills for their survival. The British Broadcasting Company, famed for its coverage of the natural world, has resources that can make for a dynamic lesson plan on behavior in animals. Its website features videos that teachers can use to introduce students to examples of wildlife learning. After each video, a discussion can take place, centered on how and why the animal acquires a particular ability.

Humans and Animal Learning

Students should understand that animal behavior is no mere school subject but rather a real concept that can be made into a career. Learning about ethologists can help achieve this. Ethologists observe animals, sometimes for weeks on end, to record their behavior. These scientists sometimes discover new and important learned behaviors in their subjects. As an activity, teachers can organize a zoo field trip, where each student selects an animal and notes its actions. Students also can imagine themselves as the animals, trying to perceive how people behave.

SeaWorld and Marine Mammals

Yet another career in animal behavior is that of a trainer. A visit to SeaWorld, or another marine animal park, can help young students witness learned animal behavior firsthand. Such parks frequently feature exciting shows where animals execute a trainer's commands as a result of positive reinforcement, a humane method of teaching behavior. SeaWorld publishes a helpful handout on animal behavior and training, complete with lessons that can engage students. Students can play "Hot and Cold," tell "A Story Without Words" and complete an "I Train the Dolphin" coloring book.

ReferencesTeacherVision: Pavlov's DogsBBC Nature: LearningPBS: Animal Einsteins: Thinking About ThinkingSeaWorld: Animal Behavior and Training K–3 Teacher’s GuidePhoto Credit Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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Startup Companies

Startup companies are a dream of individuals and institutional investors. Along with lower sustenance costs and a high potential of return on investment, startup companies also provide more scalability than an established business. In spite of the high failure rate associated with startup companies, their potential to grow with minimal resources and scalability to direct the growth in any direction has made them a popular investment choice. However, the intellectual property of startup companies plays an important role in deciding the value of the company. While 75% of the value of a public company is based on its intellectual property, 100% of the value of a startup depends on its intellectual property. This dependency of investor enthusiasm on the intellectual property has forced startup companies to look for newer ways to raise capital such as direct registration, reverse mergers, self registration etc.

Reverse merger is a cheaper and faster counterpart of IPO. When an existing public company becomes inactive and has any assets meeting with the exchange requirements, it may continue to be traded on a stock exchange. However, a company with no assets is normally traded in the OTCBB (Over the Counter Bulletin Board) or in the Pink sheets. A startup company may buy such "shell"s and continue to use the trading public stock. Though this is the fastest way to go public, it also had its share of disadvantages such as the new company stock trading without complete disclosure. In order to prevent abuse of the reverse merger option, the SEC review process mandates the submission of a Form-8K within four days of the merger. Since this was no different that issuing a public offering, the startup companies were now forced to find better alternatives.

Direct registration is a process where startup companies issuing the shares hold the shares, and the buyer is identified as the owner of the shares. Direct registration refers to registering the buyer's name in the books of the company and can be done by directly purchasing shares from the company. While similar to owning paper certificates, it also reduces the burden of paperwork. However, a minor disadvantage is that the shares cannot be sold at any time. Since the shares have been bought from the company, the share selling may happen once at the end of the day, week or month.

Despite their advantages, the aforementioned approaches are expensive. Self registration with the SEC is a cost-efficient alternative. This can be done by meeting the reporting requisites of the SEC review process. This way, the investor confidence in the shares increases. Moreover, registration with SEC is a better choice since unregistered companies are allowed to trade only on Pink sheets and other OTC forums.

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Lift Table for Pets

The lift table holds the dog at the proper height for the groomer.

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Lift tables for pets are used for various functions in the pet industry. Veterinarians often utilize a lift table while examining or working on a pet, and pet groomers often make use of lift tables as well. Lift tables are also important when showing dogs and cats. Animal crematoriums have lift tables to make the job of dealing with a large animal's remains easier.

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How to Pass a Plumbing Snake Through a Curved Pipe

Print this articleA plumbing snake is a device with a little drill at the end that is made to go into clogged drains and clear them. If the snake couldn’t navigate curves in a pipe system it wouldn’t be a very effective tool since most pipes in your home are not set out in a straight line. Luckily, curves are not a problem for the plumbing snake. Using the snake as instructed will work it through the curves in your pipes so it can clear the clog.

Related Searches:Difficulty:ModerateInstructions Things You'll NeedRubber glovesBucketSuggest Edits1

Remove the drain cover over the sink, if applicable. Put on the gloves.

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Place the snake’s head into the drain. Turn the snake's handle clockwise to wind it down into the drain. Keep turning the handle. The snake will automatically go through any curves in your pipes until it reaches the clog.

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Turn the handle clockwise once the snake meets the clog. Pull back on the snake to loosen the clog. Repeat this process until the snake pushes through the clog.

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Turn the handle counterclockwise to pull the snake back up through the drain. The remnants of the clog will come with the snake. Dispose of the clog in the bucket.

ReferencesBrown and Sons Plumbing: How to Use a Snake to Clear a DrainRead Next:

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Best Upcoming Industries for Businesses

Let's be frank, times are tough in today's world. People all over the world are struggling with finances, job security, and even debt. With everything looking bleak it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We keep telling ourselves that things will turn around soon but it can still be hard at times to continue with optimism. Now is the time that you can either give up or fight to have the life that you desire. There are still outlets that may benefit you. It is time to be creative and think outside of the box. This article will look at some of the industries that are expected to see growth. Whether you are looking to start over or tie yourself over, it is time to think outside of the box and put your best foot forward.

In a surprising climb onto the list is the area of beauty and accessories. It appears that many people are heading out of the main stream salons and going back to the roots of barber shops and smaller more personal beauty salons. This gives entrepreneurs great opportunity to start their dream salon. Also accessory stores are seeing an increase in profits as people are now looking for more affordable options to accessorize their outfits.

Families are also now forgoing the lavish trips and instead making smaller trips to historical sites. Our country is full of them and families are taking full advantage of the cheaper attraction compared to amusement parks and over the top adventures. They are getting back to their roots and focusing their trips on what really matters, spending quality time with the family. Now that families are moving outside of their homes now we can expect to see historical venues and recreational parks to continue to see an increase in revenue.

Since we are seeing our economy continuously switch and the competition is getting steeper in the job market, language education is seeing an increase in revenue. There are more opportunities available for those that are able to speak multiple languages. It opens up the whole world for you and not just the US. Many companies are now insisting that you be able to speak at least one other language. The language may vary based on the job and location.

As we continue to look for ways to save money and the economy, we will continue to see environmental companies continue to grow. There are many different areas that one can be involved in while working in this industry. The goal is to help maintain our environment and also provide consumers ways to save money. This industry focuses its attention on both households and businesses and shows no signs of slowing down for a while.

These are just a few of the industries that we are now seeing making a comeback. It may seem like the climb back is taking a long time and consumers may be tired of hearing that they just have to wait it out, but that is the way that things are these days. No, it's not ideal, but it just means that everyone needs to be creative and think outside of the box a little bit more.

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The Length of Drain Snakes

Clear clogs in a toilet, sink or tub with the appropriate drain snake.

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A drain snake has an auger end that can push through debris that causes blockage in a line. Because a clog might not be near its assumed source, the location of the clog in the pipe will determine what length drain snake to use. Drain snakes are available in several lengths to tackle clogs in sinks, tubs and toilets, and more distant clogs that can travel all the way to the main line.

Related Searches: Standard Drain Snake

Tackling clogs in the pipes that measure up to 2 inches in diameter, a standard drain snake comes in 10-, 25-, 50- and 100-foot lengths. Buying the right one for the home is a matter of determining where the clogs are most likely to occur, and which one works best against the common drain problems. For most homeowners, a 25-foot drain snake works well enough to reach a clog anywhere in the house. The drainage system forms a connection of the pipes from every water source and channels them to the main line, and at several places there are drain pipe access points. So if a clog is unreachable through the sink or tub, accessing the drain pipe below and using the drain snake that way is another way to unclog the drain.

Toilet Drain Snake

A clogged toilet that a plunger cannot remedy requires a closet auger, or toilet drain snake. Available in 3-foot and 6-foot lengths, the design of the toilet drain snake has a drop-head construction -- a bent, solid pipe sleeve that guides the inner drain snake cable down and around the bends of the toilet's drain. A 3-foot model reaches through the toilet and just to the upper part of the drain pipe, while the 6-foot option reaches the drain snake farther into the toilet's sewage line.

Power Drain Snake

Clogs that form farther along in the lines, even into the main drain line, require the use of a power drain snake, or power auger. The length of these drain snakes range from 50 feet to 200 feet, and can tackle a blockage in a large pipes with a 10-inch diameter. This means that if a massive clog travels down the line, even beyond the limits of a house or within an apartment complex, the power drain snake might be able to reach it from the starting location.

Manual or Power

While the larger power drain snake is powered and the smaller toilet drain snake, or closet auger is manual, the standard drain snakes are available as either manual or powered, or both. For a homeowner, buying a 25-foot, dual-powered drain snake gives you the flexibility to use it manually when the clog is easy to reach or to hook up the power when unclogging more tenacious clogs. One such type uses the power of a drill to convert the drain snake into a powered one, making this option a more versatile one.

ReferencesThe Home Depot: Augers and PlungersThis Old House: Clear Any Clogged DrainHometime: Plumbing: Unclogging DrainsResourcesThe Unclog Blog: All About Drain SnakesPhoto Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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