A man sits in his home office during a video call..
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This week’s question: Zoom meeting participants who have plants or books behind them are perceived as more competent than people with other backgrounds, scientists have determined. If the researchers were to write a self-help book detailing how to parlay a well-arranged video backdrop into career success, what should it be titled?

Click here to see the results of last week's contest: first dog 

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THE WINNER: “Background? Check!”

Michael Coyle, Burlington, Connecticut 

SECOND PLACE: “Your Future Is Behind You”

THIRD PLACE: “Bring Your Best Shelf to Work”

Erica Avery, Greenfield, Massachusetts 

“Skip the Pants But Show the Plants”

Norm Carrier, Flat Rock, North Carolina 

“The 7 Habitats of Highly Effective People”

“Think & Grow = Rich”

Tim Mistele, Coral Gables, Florida 

“Enlightened Shelf-Interest”

Claire Williams, Louisville, Kentucky 

“Pants Optional (But Make Your Bed)”

“Backdrop It Like It’s Hot”

“Put It All Behind You”

Mary Jo Astrachan, Oneida, New York

“Library of Conquest”

Bill Levine, Belmont, Massachusetts 

“How to Hype Your Skype”

Jonathan Venazindis, Zelienople, Pennsylvania 

“It’s What’s in Back That Counts”

“Screen Saviors”

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