The Briefcase vs. Backpack Debate

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backpack, briefcase, business, business attire, business dress, casual Friday, commuters, computer bag, du jour, fad, men's health, men's style, messenger bag, monocle, musings, professional, protractors, textbooks, three-piece suit, trend, urban, work

While sitting in a line of congested traffic on the way into the office one morning, I observe the foot commuters in Uptown making their way from parking lots and bus stops to high rises and office buildings. This area is one of the nation’s largest urban regions, with more than six million people living within a 100-mile radius, so there’s ample people watching available while traffic inches forward.

One common denominator becomes obvious: a significant number of men use backpacks, while only a handful sport messenger or computer bags, and nearly no one carries a briefcase. For a week after, I keep a vigilant eye open during the morning and evening commutes, and what I see is that backpacks are not just a fad but a trend swing.

 Briefcases are for self-important lawyers, not practical accountants. – Reddit user

When I started working in a variety of office environments about 25 years ago, backpacks were rarely or if ever used by anyone; briefcases or portfolio bags were all you saw. However, I did begin to notice a shift about 15 years ago when backpacks started popping up around the office (some the rollable kind with the retractable handle). Businesses embroidered them and companies gave them out to employees.

Sure, backpacks free up your hands, especially while travelling, but I’m still not convinced of their place in business. While I appreciate the comfort level and familiarity of it, the backpack conjures up a time long past: 18 years of schooling (along with the higher education years) stuffed full of wrinkled papers, dog-eared textbooks, broken pencils, unused protractors and smooshed brown bag lunches.

No one cares whether backpack vs briefcase until you make manager. Then other managers may make fun of you for wearing a backpack. That’s about it. But basically no one cares.

While more commuters in urban areas take mass transit, the backpack is seen as convenient, especially if the commute involves walking. It’s also a part of a business culture that is relaxing. No longer is formal business attire the dress-code standard and, in many places, casual Fridays have been extended throughout the entire workweek.

As our culture relaxes, the briefcase will always project a professional image but is no longer the bag du jour; it’s going the way of the three-piece suit and the monocle. Using a backpack seems to be the established trend, although it doesn’t mean you should look unprofessional or a snotty-nosed 12-year-old. Men’s Health offers style tips on which backpacks project professionalism: http://www.menshealth.com/style/backpack-at-the-office.

So which do you prefer – the briefcase or the backpack?

 

 

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Help Me Help You Help Your Team

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business report, business writing, employee development, human resources, jerry maguire, professional, sales manager, sales report, technical writing, training, writing, writing content

It’s no secret – most people don’t like to write. Some people are even afraid of it. Just as I know I will never be great (or even good) at calculus, but if I had to do it for a project, I’d certainly seek out a knowledgeable resource to offset my weakness. Writing is not everyone’s forte, and good writing is hard work. Unfortunately, it seems people are either reluctant to seek out writing help or unsure where to find it. Human Resources departments typically provide training on safety processes or employee engagement or sexual harassment, but sometimes it’s technical skills that actually need attention and don’t receive it.

Is Your Business Writing Ready for an Upgrade?

I once worked with a sales manager who had been on the receiving end of a rather unpleasant reprimand from her vice president. The VP was less than pleased with the level of writing and number of errors from the staff’s weekly reports. The sales manager needed to do something about it. She wanted her team to be better writers because she knew that writing is a reflection of the individual, and lacking strong writing skills would ultimately hinder advancement through the company. If a team member couldn’t write a good report, how could he or she expect to move into an executive role?

To get the process started, the sales manager shared samples of her team’s reports as well as their background and experience. Problems areas were identified quickly and solutions defined. We needed to increase each team member’s personal confidence and writing knowledge through the application of skills. Most people learn basic grammar skills in middle school, but never really get a chance to perfect or practice them – we’re just expected to know them when we submit an essay, report or presentation at school or work.

It was time to take her team back to basics and remind them that writing isn’t scary. During an interactive meeting, we discussed challenges and fears. Then we explored logical and effective methods for making the use of day-to-day writing more effective and professional. The team members left the session with improved writing skills and increased self-confidence. I also provided them with an simple reference handbook to which they could refer to for questions afterwards. It was a successful employee development workshop and future reports demonstrated fewer errors and stronger levels of writing.

Some days I feel like the lead character from the movie Jerry Maguire when I listen to businesspeople discuss their challenges with writing and communications. Just like the sports agent, I say, “Help me help you!”

So here I am, ready to help. Professional development courses and content in writing can be modified to fit your specific needs, and the number of sessions can be tailored as well. Let me know how I can help you.

Just a note to say…

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blogging, business etiquette, communication, professional, recommendations, technical, technical writing, thank you, writing

I’m experiencing a small dilemma. Recently, I wrote a recommendation for a young professional who is determining a career path and needs that extra boost to highlight her skills for prospective employers. I’ve written recommendations many times during my career – more frequently when I had interns on my team and they were heading out in the “real world.” It’s not overly time-consuming and doesn’t have to be an essay, but it still requires a bit of time to collect and organize your thoughts to create a clear, cohesive testimonial.

How often do you write or receive recommendations? I’ve only asked for a few through the years, and only have a couple on my Linked In profile. The amount is quite anemic, actually, when I look at the magnitude of recommendations on some of my contacts’ pages. I think I need to make a few more requests.

Anyway, back to my dilemma. Of all the recommendations I’ve written through the years, this is the first time I have not received a thank you note. They used to come through postal mail and more recently through email. Is it right or wrong to expect a thank you? I understand a good deed should be just that and doesn’t automatically warrant a thank you, but when I see this person frequently posting on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, I think it could be relatively easy to shoot off even a one-line thank you on any one of those mediums or through email or Linked in.

Business etiquette comes into play here. Perhaps the expectation is that this young adult learned how to be appreciative in the business world when maybe that’s not the case. Is this just a learning experience – for both of us? What would you do? Would you leave the recommendation as is or if there’s a possibility to remove it, would you?