BUSINESS SKILLS
Running a library requires some of the same skillset required to run a business, even if libraries don’t operate to make a profit. This page collects my notes and links to information about those skills.
TEAMWORK
GOOGLE’S 5 KEY DYNAMICS OF A SUCCESSFUL TEAM
Google’s research came up with 5 key dynamics of a successful team. They are:
- Psychological safety: Can we take risks on this team without feeling insecure or embarrassed?
- Dependability: Can we count on each other to do high quality work on time?
- Structure & clarity: Are goals, roles, and execution plans on our team clear?
- Meaning of work: Are we working on something that is personally important for each of us?
- Impact of work: Can we see how the work we do makes a difference?
The whole of Google’s Re:Work website is an interesting read to dip into.
SPONSORSHIP
Sponsorship is where a senior staff member provides guidance and opportunities for career development to a junior staff member. It’s often an informal relationship, but with concrete career outcomes.
This NYT article is where I first learnt about sponsorship, from reading about senior male staff afraid to sponsor junior female staff for fear of being accused of harassment. Which I think is rubbish, but the article does include some great tips on sponsorship at the end.
My take-away points from the article:
- Sponsor people who aren’t just “mini-me’s” – different genders, ethnicities, sexualities.
- Create regular relationship-building routines: a regular coffee, a designated restaurant for lunches
- Make explicit that the sponsorship relationship is purely business – talk about your partners and life outside work, ensure that your emotional needs are being met elsewhere. Respect boundaries.
- Likewise, tell others that you’re sponsoring a junior. Tell your boss. Tell your peers. Talk to them about the sponsorship process.
- Take advantage of casual relationship building opportunities in the workplace: a catch-up after a meeting, a chat over the coffee machine.
GENERAL SKILLS
DIGITAL MARKETING
Some notes and practical advice I wrote up while completing Google’s Digital Marketing course.
NEGOTIATIONS
My notes on the art of negotiating.
GAMESTORMING
From Squiggle Birds to Friend or Foe, set of games to encourage innovation and fresh thinking about your business.
IT SPECIFIC SKILLS
SFIA
The Skills Framework for the Information Age is a standardised set of names and descriptions for information technology skills.
CENTER FOR INTERNET SECURITY – CRITICAL SECURITY CONTROLS
From the Centre for Internet Security, a list of 20 controls organisations should put in place to ensure the security of their organisation. (There’s a version of this on Wikipedia too, if you don’t want to give CIS your contact details.)
IT HELPDESK – BASIC CUSTOMER SERVICE
My personal notes on structuring a customer service support call
LIBRARY_3000 