Give compliments at workplace, but watch your words

We all appreciate a compliment, but ironically, we don't practice giving them enough at work. Are we getting too caught up in political correctness and forgetting that acknowledging others is basic to who we are. Saying "thank you" and showing appreciation to someone who helps make our job easier or our work more interesting or enjoyable is an opportunity to make others feel special and advance relationships. Thanking another for help with a project, supporting you or believing in you is important. Extending a sincere compliment is almost universally appreciated and reflects positively on you.

Compliments regarding a co-worker's appearance or clothing, however, can be tricky, as sexual innuendo and sexual harassment issues are real. What may be intended as harmless may be misinterpreted.

President Obama introduced California Attorney General Kamala Harris at a Democratic fundraiser as "by far, the best-looking attorney general in the country.'' The remark raised a few eyebrows.

Was this a sexist remark? Was the superior/subordinate card in play? Are cross-gender compliments to be reconsidered at work? Are compliments on looks or other personal effects including attire ever acceptable at the office?

Despite having extended similar compliments to those of the same gender without incident, Obama called Harris to apologize for the remark, which I believe is ridiculous as there was clearly no sexual innuendo here.

Should we feel free to extend a compliment on attire/accessories or notice a new hair style? "I like your tie!" — said with a lilted voice and raised eyebrows — is not the same as looking pointedly at the tie and saying to the person, "That's a good-looking tie!"

Remember, it's how we say it. Tone, context and patterns of extending compliments are everything when it comes to unwanted remarks.

Also, the nature of the relationship should be considered. If a close friend at work is extending the compliment, this is different. We form close bonds with the people we work with and appreciate their candor.

Extending insincere compliments to make the other person feel better or because you know they like the tie is gracious and thoughtful. Any time we go out of our way to make another feel good about themselves is a positive thing.

Not extending compliments at work for fear of sexual innuendo or offending would be a great loss.

The bottom line is, no offense will ever come from saying, "You look fabulous!"

Judith Bowman is president of her own consulting company.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Road block for mayor’s plan to extend bar hours

Mayor Martin J. Walsh's plans to boost the Hub's nightlife with extended hours were scuttled on Beacon Hill this week, but other options to extend alcohol sales by bars and restaurants — including filing a bill in January — will be explored.

Legislators approved a $36.5 billion state budget yesterday for the new fiscal year that failed to include a Walsh-supported amendment allowing communities serviced by the MBTA's late-night routes to sell alcohol after 2 a.m.

"Certainly, I would have loved to have seen it," Walsh said. "But … we'll move on."

That kills Walsh's plan for a pilot late-night program that was targeted to begin in August in certain areas of the city.

"The Late Night Task Force is focused on a number of initiatives relative to making Boston a vibrant, cosmopolitan city," Walsh spokeswoman Kate Norton said. "Extending hours for liquor licenses was one piece of the puzzle, (which) we intend to revisit as there are a number of ways the city can get closer to that goal, including filing legislation in January."

The proposed budget amendment, initially approved by the Senate, was a fast-tracked end-run around the typical legislative process so the late-night pilot program could coincide with the MBTA's test of late-night service. The MBTA pilot program runs through next March and so far has garnered a favorable response, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said, with total subway ridership of more than 300,000 on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. in the first three months.

Richard Weir contributed to this report.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Asian stock markets inch higher

SEOUL, South Korea — Asian stock markets inched higher Monday as investors prepared for a busy week of economic news that will give new clues about the strength of the global recovery.

Investor sentiment was dented last week by weak data from China and the U.S., the world's two biggest economies.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 0.1 percent to 15,112.53, reversing morning losses. Japan's economy ministry said the country's industrial output recovered slightly in May from a fall in the previous month.

South Korea's Kospi was up 0.3 percent to 1,995.25 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.2 percent to 23,276.46. China's Shanghai Composite Index advanced 0.7 percent to 2,050.07.

Stocks in Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia also rose. But Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.4 percent to 5,422.60, one day ahead of the central bank's rate-setting meeting.

Trading this week is likely to turn on data from China and the U.S. and a European Central Bank meeting. Last week, Asian stock markets were buffeted by weak U.S. consumer spending and sluggish growth in Chinese industrial profits.

A preliminary reading of China's manufacturing for June, due Tuesday, will be scrutinized for evidence the slowdown in the world's No. 2 economy has stabilized.

Monthly U.S. employment figures are due Thursday. On the same day, the European Central Bank holds its monthly rate-setting meeting, where it is widely expected to stick with its easing stance.

In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude for August delivery was down 29 cents to $105.46 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 10 cents on Friday.

In currencies, the dollar slipped to 101.32 yen from 101.41 yen late Friday. The euro dropped to $1.3645 from $1.3648.

12.33 | 0 komentar | Read More

Philips to separate its LED parts arm

AMSTERDAM — Royal Philips NV says it will separate its LED lighting components unit into a stand-alone company within Philips by 2015, preparing it for a potential spin off or sale. The subsidiary had sales of 1.4 billion euros ($1.91 billion) in 2013.

Philips, which is the world's largest maker of lights, said in a statement Monday the new unit will include its profitable automotive lighting unit, which is a major supplier to carmakers around the globe.

Philips says it will explore "strategic options" to raise capital for the business, including from outside investors.

Philips said it will remain a customer and shareholder of the new company.

12.33 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aereo fades to black ... for now

Internet TV streaming service Aereo temporarily shut down its service yesterday, three days after a devastating U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

The company, which is headquartered in New York but has 80 of its roughly 115 employees in Boston, will "pause our operations temporarily as we consult with the court and map out our next steps," Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia said in a letter to customers. Around 11:40 yesterday morning, the service stopped working. Kanojia said customers will be refunded for the last month.

"Aereo could see the writing on the wall," said Rutgers University law professor Michael Carrier.

The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Aereo violated copyright law by rebroadcasting over-the-air channels to its subscribers without paying retransmission fees to broadcasters as cable companies do.

The Supreme Court could not order Aereo to shut down, instead leaving it up to a lower court to issue a preliminary injunction, as requested by broadcasters.

Instead, Aereo decided to stop operations for now, but insists the company is not shutting down.

"The spectrum that the broadcasters use to transmit over-the-air programming belongs to the American public and we believe you should have the right to access that live programming whether your antenna sits on the roof of your home, on top of your television or in the cloud," Kanojia wrote in the letter.

Aereo could end up licensing its technology, or could be acquired by a company looking to expand its cloud options, said David Shlansky, an intellectual property lawyer.

"They can probably salvage something pretty valuable," he said.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cause of RAV4’s whining noise baffles 3 mechanics

I hope you can help us find out what is causing a loud whining on our 2013 Toyota RAV4. It started a month ago at 9,500 miles and is getting louder. The noise starts at about 55 mph and winds down when we slow down. Three Toyota mechanics drove it and none know what it is.

A quick Internet search turned up a number of posts dealing with a whining noise from newer RAV4s. Many point to a transmission issue, others to a problem with the rear differential. Many express difficulty in having the noise confirmed by the dealer and repaired. My Alldata automotive database pulled up service bulletins covering 2006-2012 RAV4s dealing with a whining noise corrected by replacing the engine insulators/mounts. I also found a bulletin suggesting a "growl" sound caused by contamination of the front bearing in the rear differential coupler.

You might be able to help the dealership pinpoint the origins of the whine with a few simple tests. While the whine is occurring at 55-plus mph, release the throttle so the car begins to slow. As the whine starts to "wind down," shift the transmission into neutral. Does uncoupling the driveline from the wheels change the noise? If so, it's a driveline whine — engine, transmission or differentials.

If not, re-engage the transmission into "D," accelerate back up to road speed where you are hearing the whine, then safely change lanes and back, turning to the left and right. Does turning in either direction change the noise? If so, wheel bearing/hub assemblies are suspect.

If neither of these tests helps, rotate the tires/wheels front to back and retest. If there's a change in noise, it's likely an issue with the tires.

And finally, maintain contact with the dealer asking him and Toyota to continue to investigate this issue.

I have a 2003 Buick that I have to have jump started regularly. I have installed a new battery every year but it does not hold its charge. I've been told to start the car every three to four days but even this doesn't seem to help. What can I do to keep the battery charged?

You've installed 10 new batteries in this car? If so, that's a record! Basically you have three choices: Disconnect the battery while the vehicle is parked, connect a trickle charger or battery maintainer while the vehicle is parked, or find the cause of the battery drain that is discharging the battery. The first two options aren't particularly satisfactory or convenient although they will prevent a dead battery.

I'd suggest having a shop perform a parasitic drain test. Connecting an ammeter or test light between the battery cable and battery with the ignition off will monitor the flow of electricity and identify any excess current flow. Normal would be less than 150 milliamps, which is 1.5 tenths of an ampere. Then, with the meter still connected, remove each fuse and relay one at a time to find the circuit with the excess current draw.

A typical cause for discharging a battery to where the vehicle won't start in roughly three days is a stuck relay or perhaps a small light bulb such as a trunk or glove box light.

How mechanically safe is it to drive using cruise control at 25-35 mph? A friend uses cruise control on streets so she doesn't speed. Does this hurt the car?

I don't think so. Most cruise systems are designed to not engage below a certain speed, typically the 25-30 mph range. But if the system will engage, it won't cause any damage to the vehicle. Personally, I'd be more concerned that with one less thing to monitor and maintain, there would be more opportunity for distraction while driving.

Paul Brand, author of "How to Repair Your Car," is an automotive troubleshooter, driving instructor and former race-car driver. Readers may write to him at: Star Tribune, 425 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn., 55488 or via email at paulbrand@startribune.com. Please explain the problem in detail and include a daytime phone number. Because of the volume of mail, we cannot provide personal replies.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Senate probes GM supplier; new recall underway

The U.S. Senate is expanding its probe of General Motors' decade-long failure to recall vehicles with faulty ignition switches to include the part's supplier, as GM recalls even more cars for a different defect.

The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to question Delphi at an upcoming hearing about the ignition switches, which have been linked to crashes resulting in at least 13 deaths and prompting the recall of 2.6 million Saturn Ions, Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars.

"It certainly needs to be done," Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, said of the hearing into Delphi's role. "We haven't seen the end of this yet."

GM recalled about 29,000 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruzes on Thursday because an incorrect part in their air bags could cause the metal casing of the inflator to shatter, sending metal shards into the passenger area.

"It's unfortunate timing for GM," said Jeremy Acevedo, an analyst at the automotive website Edmunds.com. "In the scheme of things, this (defect) is minor, but it does have the capacity to get shoppers' attention, which is never good for an automaker."

Robert C. Hilliard, a Corpus Christi, Texas, attorney who represents the families of 80 people who were killed and 300 people who were "catastrophically injured" allegedly as a result of the ignition switch defect that led to the earlier recall, said it's "almost reassuring" that GM has continued to recall vehicles as problems arise. But he said there is a danger that consumers may stop paying attention.

"Psychologically, it's like battle fatigue," Hilliard said. "You stop appreciating that the guy in the foxhole next to you just got his head blown off because you've seen it so many times before."

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hub’s hot for solar benches

In search of that perfect spot to read, but worried a noisy field trip might ruin it? With a new crop of smart benches in the city, residents looking for a place to sit and relax can see noise level, weather conditions and more on the Internet before stepping outside.

"You want to know if you want to go to the Esplanade or the Greenway or the Boston Common to find a bench that is sunny, is quiet," said Sandra Richter, co-founder and CEO of Changing Environments, which is installing the benches in partnership with the mayor's office.

The benches have two charging ports for cellphones, but no cables. Richter said attached cables are often vandalized, and the company has found enough people travel with chargers.

"Your cell phone doesn't just make phone calls, why should our benches just be seats?" said Mayor Martin J. Walsh in a statement.
 "We are fortunate to have talented entrepreneurs and makers in Boston thinking creatively about sustainability and the next generation of amenities for our residents."

The benches send weather information, noise level data and whether the solar-powered charging ports are being used, all of which can be viewed online.

Changing Environments originated in the MIT Media Lab, and worked with the city's Office of New Urban Mechanics to pilot one of its benches last year.

Information from the benches can be seen at soofa.co.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Marty Walsh to panel: Delay casino OK

A casino mitigation deal that appeared close to being inked between Boston and Mohegan Sun is now up in the air after Mayor Martin J. Walsh's surprise call for the state Gaming Commission to delay its decision on the Boston-area license until after November's casino repeal referendum.

Walsh said yesterday the Supreme Judicial Court's Tuesday decision to allow a repeal question on the ballot "changed everything."

"We're spending money, the taxpayers' dollars, on lawyers and legal fees to work on these agreements," Walsh said. "At the end of the day, if the voters vote it down, we wasted taxpayers' dollars on having a negotiation that should have been put off until after November."

Walsh — who faces commission-imposed arbitration deadlines this week and has been negotiating for months with Mohegan and competitor Wynn Resorts — has already requested several delays. His latest was delivered via email shortly after 3 p.m. yesterday, while the commission was in formal session.

The commission, which wants to issue a Boston-area license decision by September, said it will review the request and noted it retains "the ability to deal with the contingences of the licensing process in a manner that serves the best interest of the public."

Walsh's announcement blindsided many, including Suffolk Downs, where Mohegan is planning its casino on property in Revere. In a statement, Suffolk Downs chairman Bill Mulrow directly criticized Walsh.

"On behalf of the family of workers at Suffolk Downs, we are dismayed by the approach the mayor has chosen here in dealing with our tenant, Mohegan Sun Massachusetts, and its proposal to create jobs — many of which would undoubtedly go to Boston residents," Mulrow said.

Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo told the Herald he'd heard Boston and Mohegan "were pretty much in-sync and, but for a few details, primarily legalese, that they had conceptually been on the same page." Rizzo noted other licenses have been awarded contingent on the outcome of November's referendum.

Rumors swirled for weeks that Walsh was close to a deal with Mohegan. He declined yesterday to comment on the status of the negotiations.

Asked Wednesday if he was leaning toward Mohegan over Wynn, Walsh responded, "I'll probably let you know in 12 hours." Asked about traffic mitigation, he said, "One proponent is willing to invest some serious money in mitigation, and the other proponent's willing to not invest that much. You'll know pretty soon who those are."

12.33 | 0 komentar | Read More

The Kensington using perks to full effect

When you're 90 percent rented, what's the best way to reach the fully leased finish line?

For The Kensington, a 27-story, 381-unit downtown luxury tower that's had a successful first year, it's generating some new ideas to attract tenants to its 26 penthouses on the top two floors.

Many buildings are offering concessions such as a month or so of free rent and reduced fees, but the Kensington is taking a different approach, as it competes with top-floor apartments at the nearby Radian, The Arlington in Park Square and the nearly completed Avalon Exeter at the Pru.

"There's lots of high-end penthouse apartments on the market, so we asked how could we differentiate ourselves other than by price," said Keri Walker, regional vice president of Bozzuto Management Co., which leases and manages the property. "We decided that adding free services was the best way to make tenants' lives easier and offers the best overall rental value."

If you sign a one- or two-year Kensington penthouse lease, you get a choice of a free Sports Club LA membership, free weekly housecleaning or free dog walking five days a week. There's a complimentary storage unit, as well as a premier space in the parking garage at the regular $425-a-month rate. Also, package and dry-cleaning delivery services are free to these floors.

Step off the access-controlled elevator on the top two floors and there are tables with bottled waters, Lindt chocolates and fresh flowers. Scented air is piped through hallways with stylish wall coverings and original art. Inside the penthouses are upgraded French door refrigerators, and California Closet built-ins are included in all bedroom closets.

And not all the penthouse units at the Kensington are super-expensive. A smaller 26th-floor one-bedroom with 553 square feet starts at $4,135 that includes all the extras. But if you want a spacious unit, be prepared to pay. A 27th-floor, 1,558-square-foot two-bedroom is renting for $8,825.

The penthouse units are nicely outfitted with stylish cabinets and quartz countertops, laminated oak floors and higher ceilings than apartments on lower floors.

"What's made the Kensington successful is that it has the best amenities package of any other luxury downtown building," said Kensington general manager Fred Colberg. "So our focus on adding more services makes sense for us."

The Kensington is one of the few downtown luxury buildings with a large outdoor pool and roof deck, and almost its entire sixth floor is a series of clubroom, conference, kitchen and billiards spaces, along with a 3,000-square-foot fitness facility.

"One reason why the building has done well is that there are no extra charges for any of the building's amenities," added Jason Gomes, The Kensington's assistant general manager.

Walker, whose company also manages The Victor and Waterside Place in Boston, says the Kensington's approach to penthouse-level service wouldn't work at all buildings. Kensington has been renting units from the bottom floors up and was able to save the choicest units, and views, for last.

The view from Penthouse 27G, a 1,073-square-foot, two-bedroom renting for $8,125, rivals the best in the city with the Boston Common and Public Garden serving as a front lawn and the entire Back Bay and Charles River beyond.

"The views from these penthouses are spectacular and beat those of our competitors," Walker said. "To be successful at this level, you need create a memorable experience for tenants from the front door to the top floor."

12.33 | 0 komentar | Read More