VGCC Library Services: BUS 270: Professional Development: WorkplaceBasics

Ch. 5: Ethics, Politics, and Diversity

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to access it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Blind Spots: Why We Fail to Do What's Right and What to Do About It by Max H. Bazerman; Ann E. Tenbrunsel
ISBN: 9780691156224
Publication Date: 2012
Available online
Diversity Code: Unlock the Secrets to Making Differences Work in the Real World by Michelle T. Johnson
ISBN: 9780814416327
Publication Date: 2010
Available online.
In Confidence: When to Protect Secrecy and When to Require Disclosure by Ronald Goldfarb
ISBN: 9780300120097
Publication Date: 2009
Available online.

Online Resources

Creating an Ethical Workplace
An article looking at business ethics, what it is, why it's important, and how to make it a priority.
Cultural Diversity & Business Ethics
A short article that points out some of the ethical conflicts that can arise within a company that hires diverse employees or does business internationally.
Diversity Appreciation Planning and Management
Links to articles on differences that make for a diverse workplace.
How International Cultural Differences Can Affect Negotiations
An article looking at how cultural differences can affect how people from diverse countries approach negotiation.
How Office Politics Work
Gives beginners strategies for how to navigate corporate office politics.
What's the Cost of Following Your Conscience?
The article presents tips and strategies on how to be an ethical consumer.

Ch. 6: Accountability & Workplace Relationships

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to access it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Accountability: Taking Ownership of Your Responsibility by Henry Browning; Center for Creative Leadership Staff
ISBN: 9781604911169
Publication Date: 2013
Available online.
Peer Power: Transforming Workplace Relationships by Cynthia Clay; Ray Olitt
ISBN: 9781118205457
Publication Date: 2012
Available online.

Online Resources

How to Use Accountability to Empower Your Employees
Describes a culture of accountability, the benefits of having such a culture, and how to cultivate one throughout a business.
4 Ways to Determine If You Are Supporting an Accountable Leader
List important actions that identify someone as an accountable boss.
How to Build a Culture of Accountability
Examines the benefits of accountability for businesses and suggests strategies for business leaders to create a culture that encourages accountability.
Cultivate Accountability in the Workplace
Presents concrete strategies to encourage positive accountability for employees in a company.
How to Build the Perfect Workplace
Examines how cultivating strong relationships among employees is good business for companies.
Enemies to Allies: 6 Ways Employee Relationships Affect the Workplace
Offers example of how relationships between employees can impact the day-to-day operation of a business.
What Can Amazon Teach Us About Workplace Relations?
Examines the effects that negative workplace relations can have on employees' well-being and productivity.
Workplace Relationships: The Lifeblood of Culture and Engagement
Looks at the ways a company can encourage positive relationships among employees and managers, and why such positive relationships are important to hiring and retaining the best workers.
Valentine's Day: A Perfect Time to Review Your Workplace Romance Policy
Presents some of the challenges of workplace romance to companies and how company policies often come in to play in such situations.
Ethics of Workplace Dating
Advice for workers on how to manage workplace romantic relationships.

Ch. 7: Quality Organizations & Service

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to access it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Delivering Effective Social Customer Service by Martin Hill-Wilson; Carolyn Blunt
ISBN: 9781118662670
Publication Date: 2013
Available online.
One Minute Service by Bruce Loeffler
Call Number: HF 5415.5 .L64 2009
ISBN: 9781932021448
Publication Date: 2009
Available in print at Main, Franklin, and South.
People Love You: The Real Secret to Delivering Legendary Customer Experiences by Jeb Blount
ISBN: 9781118433249
Publication Date: 2013
Available online.
Customer Service Training 101: Quick and Easy Techniques That Get Great Results by Renee Evenson
ISBN: 9780814416419
Publication Date: 2010
Available online.

Online Resources

10 Steps for Making a Huge Impact on Your Customer Service
Describes 10 techniques to promote excellent customer service, with examples from specific companies like Amazon and Southwest Airlines.
How Customer Service Can Impact Your Business
An infographic, with commentary, that discusses how customer service and social media intersect, and how that can impact businesses.
How Customer Service Works
Strategies for promoting great customer service.
How to Deal With a Difficult Customer-Service Conversation
Discusses how to respond to a customer who is upset, and includes examples.
The Basics of Corporate Structure
Explains what a corporation's management and board of directors are and how they are structured.
The Complete Guide To The 5 Types Of Organizational Structures For The Future Of Work
Describes different kinds of organizational structures.
What Is an Internal Customer & a External Customer?
Introduces the concepts of internal and external customers and how each type is important to a business.
Why Is Customer Service Important to an Organization?
A short article that explains how customer service operates in different areas of business.
Why Is Quality Important for a Business?
Explains how product or service quality is critical to the success of small businesses.

Ch. 8: Human Resources & Policies

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to access it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Recruiting, Interviewing, Selecting and Orienting New Employees by Diane Arthur
ISBN: 9780814420249
Publication Date: 2012
Available online.
Employee Answer Book: Practical Answers to the Top 250 Questions Every Employee Has by Diana Brodman Summers
Call Number: KF 3455 .S86 2009
ISBN: 9781572486942
Publication Date: 2009
Available in print at Main Campus.
Human Resource Management by Robert G. Delcampo
Call Number: HF 5549 .D43612 2011
ISBN: 9780071737241
Publication Date: 2011
Available in print at Main and South Campuses.

Online Resources

4 Things CEOs Want From HR Leadership
Details some of the responsibilities of human resources managers.
5 Tips for Setting Up Your Employee Benefits
Explains some of the most common employee benefits and things to think about before deciding on them.
How Human Resources Can Be Better in 2015
Identifies some of the challenges faced by human resources departments.
Up Close and Personnel
An in-depth feature article on the purpose and history of human resources.
What Does the Human Resources Department Do?
Lists the major responsibilities of Human Resources.
Workplace Basics: Understanding Your Pay, Benefits, and Paycheck
A tutorial covering some basic information about employee pay and benefits.