Dynamic Happenings

I Resolve to Stop Making Lists

2011-01-17T09:38:00.000-06:00

As I was talking to a friend of mine about goal achievement she made the above statement. She felt she was drowning in lists and not getting anything accomplished. I have to admit, I know the feeling.

When we create lists because we are afraid we will forget something, we make ineffective lists (i.e. a bunch of stickies all over the office). That is why I am a big believer in lists with a purpose. I have a small white board by my monitor in my office for the things I need to get done soon (but only work items). I have a list in the kitchen for my grocery and household items. I have a list in my purse for shopping or errand items. Having specific lists for specific purposes helps me get things accomplished.

If you randomly grab for a piece of paper and pen and write something down, chances are good that it either will get lost - stuck in a pile - or forgotten about. Carrying a little notebook with you for your ideas is a good idea, however you have to remember to open your notebook. You can use lists effectively as long as you have a plan and a purpose for them, you look at them periodically, they are easily accessible and you don't have too many of them.

I greatly enjoy completing something on my to do list and crossing it out like a crazy person. Particularly if the task was something I was dreading having to do. It feels so good to make it physically and mentally go away. It gives me the boost I need to get going onto the next task.

My next task is to remind everyone that the 4 Dynamic Women Dare to be Dynamic event is coming up February 4th in Shoreview Minnesota with an Early Bird deadline of January 21. Don't bother putting this on your list, just sign up today - I would love to see you there! Good, now I can cross that task off of this morning's list with a smile on my face. http://www.4dynamicwomen.com/registration.html

I Got It - Now What?

2011-01-07T17:12:00.000-06:00

You are probably sick of hearing about New Year's Resolutions - Goal Setting - Starting New. Too bad! One of my favorite topics is Goal Attainment. I would be remiss if I didn't at least do one blog on the topic and at the beginning of a new year.

Did you note that my topic is Goal "Attainment" and not Goal Setting? I am a big goal setter. I write them down; they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timed (S.M.A.R.T. goals). I do that so I know what I am aiming for and know when I have reached it. And, if I procrastinate I know my deadline is near. However, a lot of people don't even start attaining goals because they think they must go through the task of writing them down AND then creating a plan AND then executing the plan AND then what if they actually achieve the goal - then what are they supposed to do?

Attaining the goal is the real goal of goal setting. If you write it out and use the S.M.A.R.T. method, you are statistically more likely to achieve it. Primarily because you clearly stated what "it" is. However, don't let that stop you. Pick out what it is that you want and then do something to start getting it besides just dreaming about it. Pick up the phone, cut up the credit card, do some research, get the book, whatever it takes to start physically, mentally and emotionally moving toward attaining your goal. It is more about changing your behavior than making out a big elaborate plan.

I find it funny in my goal workshops when at least one person has set a goal of getting out of debt or getting rid of a credit card. When I ask them if they are willing to cut up that one card that day and stop relying on it and adding to it - 100% of the time the answer has been "No." Well, good luck then. This is the rut we put ourselves in. We would like to achieve stuff, but that means doing things differently than we are currently doing - that hurts, that takes work, that isn't comfortable.

This is the year that I am going to stop saying, "Gee, I would like to..." and only dream about it. If I think it, I am taking action. I want to learn Spanish. I have had the Rosetta Stone program for a couple of years now and am through the first CD and am not confident enough to ask where the bathroom is. I can read the signs and can pick out the bathroom if someone shows me a picture of it. So, I signed up for a beginners Spanish class this winter and that should be the push I need. My mom has wanted to learn piano for years now. So, I signed us both up for a beginners piano course (I know, weird Christmas present, but it should be fun).

If you are a goal setter, that's great, just don't stop there. If you are a goal dreamer, that's great, just don't stop there. Be a goal doer and take action today. One tiny step, one change, get uncomfortable, read a book, take 10 minutes to do some research, ask someone a question - just do something! Before you know it, you will have achieved it.

Then what? Go for something else. Utilize the skill you just attained. Look back and bask in the glow of your success. Pat yourself on the back and realize that you can achieve, if you just do more than believe - get going.

Communicate How They Communicate

2010-12-29T16:31:00.000-06:00

Voice mail, email, snail mail, notes, texting, blogs, Intranets, memos, letters, cards, e-cards, faxing, face-to-face, and phone calls. Wow, that's a lot of different ways to communicate and I am pretty sure that is not an all-inclusive list. Do you have a preference? Do the people that you communicate with have a preference? I know I do and it can change depending on the subject, the convenience and the parties involved.

One of the problems with communication today is that we tend to use the communication medium that best suits the way we want to be communicated with. However, we don't tend to give a lot of thought about the person or people we are communicating to. Communication could be greatly improved if we just understood and utilized the medium that people preferred without assuming that our way is the best way.

I have to change which system I use depending on who it is that I need to reach and for what. If I want something from my Godmother, I better pick up the phone. It's okay to leave her a message, if her machine isn't full. If I want to catch breakfast with my Mom, either a quick email or phone call to her cell should work just fine. Making plans with friends requires a little coordination using Facebook and a bit of lead time.

If you aren't getting the responses you are expecting from people, take a step back and analyze whether the communication medium you chose was what they prefer. If they rarely turn on their cell phone, don't leave a voice mail or attempt a text message. If their inbox is overflowing, your email will just end up in the pile. If they are Facebook junkies, a quick chat there might just be the thing to do. Though it might not be your favorite way to communicate, paying attention to the receiver's preferences will get the communication flowing.

Spell Check - Really, It's That Simple

2010-12-22T16:30:00.000-06:00

Have you ever received an email from someone with spelling errors in it? Worse yet, ever send one? We have gotten so complacent with our communication that even if we are corresponding in a "professional" manner, it still looks like some code we would send to our best friend.

There is a difference between personal and professional images. One of the biggest factors is that in a business setting people expect us to do things to the best of our abilities. After all, we are getting paid for what we do - aren't we? What image are you sending to people? Is it something that shows you care about what you are doing? You care about them? You care about your job?

It appalls me when I see an advertisement or edited document that has a typo in it and it wasn't intended. Who did such sloppy work? Will that organization do as poor a job on my tasks?

How do you avoid such issues?
1) Slow down
2) Utilize spell check, but still check it with your own eyes
3) Utilize grammar check, but still check it with your own eyes
4) Reread it out loud and make sure it make sense to your ears as well
5) If all else fails, read it backwards so your brain can't read what you are expecting it to say

Do You Hear What I Hear

2010-12-15T08:47:00.000-06:00

Is it sleigh bells? Is it a group of carolers? When we aren't exactly sure what a sound is or where it is coming from, we lean in and listen harder to figure it out. When we have someone right in front of us telling us something, we don't always give them that same intentness. Instead, our heads are reeling with what we are going to say next, what else we have to do, or making judgments about the person. Many people say they aren't being heard and chances are really good that they aren't.

How can you improve your listening skills? Here are a few simple things to do the next time you should be listening:
1) Take a breath and focus your eyes on or next to the speaker. (Step away from the television!)
2) Repeat what they are saying, in your head. Pay particular attention to their word choice.
3) If appropriate, take notes.
4) If there is something you don't understand or needs clarification, don't let your mind wander to try to figure it out. Instead, politely ask them to hold up for just a second and ask them for the clarification.
5) When it is your turn to speak, use the words they chose (when appropriate) rather than synonyms and people will feel they were heard.

Have a wonderful holiday. I hope you hear lots of wonderful sounds, songs, and jolly conversations.

For more on improving your communication skills, join the 4 Dynamic Women on February 4 in Shoreview, MN for Dare to be Dynamic - The 4 Corners of Business Success. http://www.4dynamicwomen.com/registration.html

What Did She Say?

2010-12-06T10:10:00.000-06:00

IMHO I think you are terrific. BTW, did you know that I renewed my CPCU and CIC memberships. I really think it is important to keep up on your education and communication skills.

If you don't understand the use of the acronyms above, you aren't alone. When we have spent any time in an industry, all of a sudden we start speaking in acronyms and industry jargon. Not everyone gets it. That is why you need to be careful when talking to people that aren't in your industry or haven't had the same experiences as you. It's a great source for miscommunication.

I was teaching an insurance class and used a common insurance acronym of PIP. One brave audience member asked me what "Picture in a Picture" had to do with insurance. I suppose if you were insuring the television - a lot. However, PIP in insurance-speak means Personal Injury Protection, an automobile coverage available in some states. Even within the same industry, not everyone gets your shortcuts.

Be aware of who you are talking to and where you are. If you are on the Internet or texting it is common to shorten "In my humble opinion" to IMHO and start or end a sentence with "by the way" using BTW. The unfortunate situation is when you have emailed or texted someone, you don't get to see the deer-in-the-headlights look to know they didn't get what you just said. Hopefully, they are brave enough to ask for clarification to lessen miscommunication. We wish!

What acronyms or jargon do you commonly use in your industry? Note that even when it is common knowledge to you and your coworkers, it may not be common to your vendors or customers. If you have to explain something or are making a deal - spell it out, make it clear, keep it simple and you will reduce the chance of misunderstandings.

On February 4, I along with my three other business partners in 4 Dynamic Women are putting on a live seminar in Shoreview, MN. If communication is important to you, join us to learn about improving your communication skills from four different perspectives: http://www.4dynamicwomen.com/registration.html.

Sincerely,
Lisa Burnside, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)

Set It and Don't Forget It

2010-11-19T10:11:00.000-06:00

Wouldn't it be great if everyone in your office did things right? I believe they can. Leadership has a couple of key tasks to make that happen: set expectations and make sure they are followed. I spent this past week in Nebraska working with a multitude of people and the most common denominator I found was a frustration of having no expectations or having them but no one follows them. These two items go hand-in-hand.

Setting expectations is like letting everyone know the destination of the vacation. Once they know where they are going, they will know what to pack, which activities to expect, and anticipate having a great time. If you don't know where you are going, you might pack your ski equipment for a trip to Hawaii. Instead of anticipation they experience anxiety. Expectations give people something to strive for - a target.

Once expectations are in place they must then be watched. Yes, I mean Big Brother is Watching. Many people will do what they find is the easiest for them to do, take the path of least resistance, and will not stretch if they don't find the benefit for them. When you are measuring results, giving feedback, and letting people know where they stand in meeting the expectations, they then find moving toward the expectations becomes the path of least resistance. People will also find more satisfaction in their jobs when they know how they contribute and that their contributions are validated.

Set what you expect to get from your people. Let them know you are paying attention and appreciating their contribution to the success of those expectations. Let them know you don't accept them not moving toward the expectations. We need consequences for non-compliance to make the expectations matter to the person doing the job. It adds credibility to the organization and the leadership. It fosters personal and professional success.

Have you lost your senses?

2010-11-11T14:08:00.000-06:00

Well, laryngitis has set in. Not a good deal for a speaker. However, I have no speaking engagements until next week and I am hoping with a lot of care and keeping quiet that my voice will return to its full glorious self. It has been a challenge since I put off most of my phone calls this week until today. Obviously, that is not happening - at least not in the normal way of doing things. I have been able to be accommodating with the people I was supposed to call by faxing, emailing and doing online chats instead.

This got me thinking about disaster recovery planning. I had a training session yesterday (immediately prior to my voice going out) and we touched on the subject of the importance of disaster planning. There are many good resources out there to help with disaster planning. I wonder if any of them talk about losing your voice? They would if they were being set up for professional speakers. What things are core to your business that you haven't thought about ways to compensate when something happens?

I have heard it said that when you lose a sense, that the other senses take over and compensate. We have so many more options now with technology. Give it some thought. If something happened to your business and one service was shut down - how would you compensate? What could you use to replace it? Can you get things from somewhere else? Is there another way of doing something that you might not have thought of because you have been doing it that way for years? Who knows, with a little thought now about disaster planning, you might come up with better ways to do things now.

Get it Together Do it Together

2010-10-25T08:42:00.000-05:00

Are you overwhelmed? Most people are. There is so much to do and such little time. Therefore, you need to utilize that statement - get lots done in a little bit of time. How do you do that? Grouping! Batching!

When you group items together and do them all at the same time, you can get more of them done in less time than doing them at individual intervals. Think about this - some of the tasks you need to do will require materials, software, access codes, etc. and if you are constantly having to gather them, do the task and put them away, that all takes time. If you group your items together and cut down the number of times you have to pull out and put away the materials; access the software and wait for it to load and wait for it to shut down; and enter and re-enter your access codes, you will save time and be more accurate.

What can you group or batch together? Paying bills - do it once or twice a month. It takes some planning and organizing, but the time you take on the front end to set up the systems will save you hours on the back end from not processing multiple times. Opening your mail - do it once or twice a week and have a recycle bin handy. Doing your follow ups to prospects - pick a time once a week or a couple of times per month (depending on your business) to do and record the follow ups. Handling your email - open it twice or three times per day - work it, file it and close it.

Rather than treating every task as an individual item - look for ways you can batch things together. You may need to set up physical folders to group your items and save them until it is time to work them. Then work them and finish them. The less you have to touch processes, the more processing you can get done.

Actions Scream Louder Than Words

2010-10-16T19:57:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know it is "Actions speak louder than words." However, I know that isn't strong enough. Many of the companies that I work with come to me with "situations". When I ask the owner or the manager how they would handle the situation, unfortunately I tend to get an answer in the neighborhood of "do as I say, not as I do." Why not?

You can have every rule written down at work and at home, but they will constantly be broken when you break them. Yes, you. As a manager, owner, parent, or role model you are being watched. If you need to address a situation, take a look at how you have handled it in front of the offender. Chances are really good, they just mirrored your behavior.

If we want things done a certain way, then we need to do them that certain way. Using the excuse that you have authority or are in a different category doesn't work. Having it written down and then acting against it, doesn't work. Telling someone to do something and then you not doing it, doesn't work. Mimicking the behavior you want and the processes you desire, can work. Let your actions scream the words you are trying to convey (without actually screaming).

The King Has Arrived

2010-10-05T05:21:00.001-05:00

In the financial world, cash is king. In the behavior world, consistency is king - only if you want results. Consistency will instill trust, set expectations, and open communications. Without it, people aren't sure where to go, what to do and how to respond.

Stephen M.R. Covey's book, "The Speed of Trust" tells us that when you have trust, transactions can occur faster than without it. How do you gain trust? By doing what you say you are going to do, setting expectations, building integrity, and generally being consistent in all areas. Most people don't enjoy being blind sided and when you are consistent in what you do it is easier to instill trust and get results.

Consistency also helps set expectations. Many studies have proven that when people (or animals) are given expectations, the majority will either meet or exceed them. When there are no expectations, that is generally the same result you can expect from them. Being consistent in what you want and also how you react to what you don't want will help ingrain the importance of those expectations.

It also opens the lines of communication. If you are consistent in your responses, people will know how to communicate with you. Here you need to walk the talk of an open door policy. If you consistently say no and don't listen to people, that of course will not draw them in. If you consistently listen with an open mind and allow them to speak and ask for clarification when needed, you will likely find that people are willing to come to you with ideas and information.

Consistency is not complacency. Consistency will allow things to happen quicker as it helps instill trust, it helps set expectations and can improve communication. That is, only if you are consistent with your promises, walk the talk and have an open mind to new ideas. Find somewhere today that you haven't been consistent and make a conscientious effort to be more consistent. Notice the results.

Win-Win for Everyone

2010-09-20T07:44:00.000-05:00

I am not a big believer that everyone gets a ribbon - unless it is clear that they are only being rewarded for their participation. There are many situations in life where winning and losing happen. We need to learn to both win and lose gracefully. However, there are times in life where winner vs. loser is not necessary at all.

When you are in a work situation, do you feel like it is you against them (whoever "them" is)? As I talk with people that are are in various businesses, it is pretty evident that there is still a big split between management and staff. And, both sides have perceptions of the other that I find somewhat unrealistic. Unfortunately, it is these misguided perceptions that cause people in different positions to feel the need for win/lose. When a staff person asks management to implement something and it either doesn't happen or they don't get an answer regarding the idea, the staff person believes management thinks it is a bad idea. However, in talking with management they felt the staff person could have just run with the idea as it was within their skill set, or that the manager doesn't have the time at the moment to do the research the idea would require - therefore it gets pushed down the pile. When further investigation is done into the idea, I usually find that the person bringing it up already did a bit of research, is willing to take on the task of implementation and getting the buy-in of the other members. When the situation is readdressed and the true question is asked, "Would it be all right if I took this and ran with it?" there is either an answer or a further discussion on details.

Instead of just dropping something on someone, make it clear exactly what you need them to do. If you have already thought of this idea and found how it can improve what you do and how it can improve what the company does, make that clear. If you have a problem, look for a potential solution and then get others involved to help with the solution. Look at all involved when you want something and see how it can positively affect the parties. Only bringing one side to the table takes along a lot of misguided perceptions and generally leaves with hurt feelings or the feeling of not being validated. It may not be necessary to give everyone a ribbon, but if there is a way for everyone to win in the situation, bring that to the table so the success factor increases exponentially.

For more on this topic - I am offering A Discussion on Ethics in Minnesota Insurance throughout October. See the schedule at http://bdynamics.eventbrite.com.

When It Is Your Choice

2010-09-08T15:22:00.000-05:00

Are you were you want to be in life? I have met people throughout my life that have told me they are where they are because someone asked them to be. This is extremely true of volunteerism. Ask someone to get involved and chances are pretty good that they will. Wait for them to volunteer and they will wait just as long for someone to ask them. Just like the little boy sitting on the sidelines waiting for the other kids to ask him to play. He could probably go up and introduce himself or ask if he could play, but yet he sits and waits.

What about your job? Is it the job you want? Is it your passion? Or, did you just settle for whatever came along? If you aren't in the position where you want to be, start making changes. Talk to people who are in the industry where you want to be. In fact, talk to people not in the industry. I think you will be surprised at how many good connections come through people that you never thought would have anything to do with what you were looking for. Read, learn, absorb what you need to follow your passion. Live it!

Life is about the choices we make. Unfortunately, many people get stuck in the mud blaming others for their lot in life. However, there are others that realize life is full of choices and opportunities. Some choices are extremely difficult while others are temptingly easy. Which road do you take? The difficult one full of challenges and opportunities or the easy one that may be less fulfilling or challenging. You may look around and not see the choices. When you talk to others about your dreams or ideas, keep listening, they may help you see the openings you didn't even know where there.

False perceptions also keep people from making other choices. Most people want to see you happy. I know I do! So instead of assuming the worst or that you are stuck, talk about your ideas and dreams and take action to make them happen. I live my passion on a regular basis and life couldn't be any more amazing. It was an extremely tough choice to leave my family businesses after so many years, but it is fantastic to keep the family and move onto businesses that lift me to where the view is great.

Legalized Ethics

2010-08-28T09:29:00.001-05:00

I have been doing my Minnesota Insurance Agents Continuing Education Ethics seminars around the state and have had some interesting discussions. One thing that was clear to me while doing the research to write the class as well as in receiving the evaluation forms - you can't legislate ethics. The Federal Government as well as the State and I am sure even at other levels have attempted to put laws into place that will force people to act in a certain manner. However, as Forest Gump's mother says, "Stupid is as stupid does." I believe that to be true with anyone. If someone is going to be unethical or has a tendency toward that behavior, I really don't believe the law is going to change that. People weigh the consequences and when they don't believe there are any or they aren't going to be enforced, they may give way to unethical action because it is the easier thing to do or everyone else is doing it.

Even though it is legal does not mean it is ethical. There are many laws on the books that enforce behavior that some people would consider immoral or unethical. In fact, in the trucking industry they have tried to regulate the amount of time a driver can spend driving. The purpose is to keep everyone safe on the roads including the drivers. However, because of construction, congestion, delays in loading/unloading, etc. many drivers feel they can't physically meet the time constraints the government has imposed on their position and still get the job done. I have heard of this in the medical industry as well where the law puts restrictions on how much time a doctor can work. However, because of the amount of documentation and the fact that someone might come through the emergency room door before your shift ends and the time it takes to get lab results back, these doctors clock out but stay on the job. It is sad to know that people have had to find ways around the laws that really go against their morals, but they feel there is no other solution in order to meet the demands of all stakeholders.

Don't get me wrong - we need laws. However, I really don't think people need to solely rely on our legal system to protect people from themselves or others. We need to get some "common sense" and sense of pride in what we are doing and do things because it is the right thing to do.

The Cost of Ethics

2010-08-10T09:26:00.000-05:00

Have you ever associated financial gain or loss with ethical decisions? An easy one is to look at the Gulf Coast and see what it is costing BP right now for not putting the safety features in place. However, there are many times that we may not see what our decisions cost us.

According to the Ethics Resource Center, when economical times are tough, ethic awareness is on the rise. People are afraid to lose their jobs. Companies are attempting to instill confidence in their products and services so the consumer will choose to put their dollars with the company. They have also found that when times are financially strong, the ethical indicator takes a nose dive. Companies make decisions for the dollar rather than the benefit of the customer. Employees see all the money flowing through and reach out to nab a little more for themselves.

There are many factors that are affected by ethical decisions. When ethics are lacking in a company they are found to have higher turn-over, more product returns, less satisfied customers, increased employee misconduct, and higher vendor costs. When the company's philosophy is to act in the best interest for stakeholders, others tend to come on board to that idea and the costs go down. Employee misconduct is lessened, products and services are of a higher quality, the customers are more likely to refer others, and the vendors/suppliers are more willing to negotiate pricing and services. There is a direct correlation between ethical behavior and cost. Unfortunately, it doesn't always manifest itself at the time of the ethical/unethical situation.

If you want to improve your bottom line, improve your ethics. Many organizations put emphasis on increasing sales and decreasing costs but forget that one of the best ways to do that is to improve your behavior. The way to do that is to establish a code of ethics:

Determine what your company goal/mission/vision is
Identify the stakeholders in your company
Establish a code that aligns with your goals (can write it in terms of Do's or Don'ts)
Determine what is considered a Wrongdoing (list examples)
Appoint a compliance officer
Check with legal counsel to approve it
Have a meeting with the staff to help implement it
Walk the talk

I think this quote sums it up quite nicely:

Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care. - Theodore Roosevelt

Start caring and prospering.

Honest Interactions

2010-07-30T09:43:00.000-05:00

Wouldn't it be great if everyone was truly honest? Well, maybe not so much when you aren't feeling particularly great and you really don't want anyone to acknowledge what you really look like. However, there is an appropriate place for honesty: when you are asked your opinion; when you are in a business transaction; when honesty is difficult, but without would cause damage; and any time that you want to be able to face yourself.

I relate honesty to being a piece of establishing integrity. One of the best compliments someone could state is that I have high integrity. This is made up of honesty (without brutality), trust, and consistency. When you have integrity, people know they can count on you to do what is in the best interest of everyone. They also know that if something is not right, you will put it out on the table and not brush it under the rug.

Of course being honest does come with some responsibilities. Just like the commercial with Abe Lincoln where his wife puts him in that common predicament to comment on her looks in the dress. What should be the right answer? So much of the time it is in the delivery of the honesty that causes the conflict. Saying, "Yes, your butt does look fat in those jeans" could land you in the dog house. However, if you do like fat butts it might be better to say, "The view is smokin' from here." If that isn't the look she is going for, then something along the lines of, "They don't seem to compliment your shape" might be a little easier to take.

Honesty can be tough. It isn't that most people don't want to be honest. Sometimes we are just put in situations where honesty can seem too brutal. Watch your delivery, tone, facial features, and body language while you are making your honest statement and it could be in your favor.

For MN Insurance Agents, I am offering 7 ethics courses throughout the state of Minnesota from August through October. The credits for the classes will be uploaded within 24 hours of the class completion so no lapses due to the ethics requirement. You can find more at http://bdynamics.eventbrite.com/.

Little Miss Know-it-All

2010-07-26T08:44:00.000-05:00

I was asked after my last posting, "When is it right to get on a soap box and 'correct' someone?" Fortunately, for me, I now know the answer to that. I can't say that I always get it right, but the thought is there.

The teacher in me always wants to make sure people get the opportunity to know the right answer. As a student, I study hard and always shoot for 100% and knowing as much as possible. I like being right. However, there is a time and a place for being right outside yourself. When someone would misspeak, I would offer them a correction until one day my husband "rudely" corrected me. I felt belittled and a little hurt. He said to me, "That's what you do to people."

If it isn't going to send them off a cliff, kill anyone, make anyone bleed, or make them look like a complete idiot in public, keep it to yourself. Misspeaking happens. People have opinions about a variety of topics. Let them speak. If you are being offended by what they are saying, please let them know that. People can only treat you how you allow them to treat you. Keep calm and be polite.

Most people think faster than they speak and the misspeaking will happen. I was at a Toastmasters event a couple of weeks ago and must have made an inappropriate reference to either a lectern or a podium. I don't recall making such a statement, however in my evaluations someone made a big deal over the fact that I didn't know the difference. The problem is, I do know the difference, but obviously my mind and my mouth didn't match and the offended person didn't bother to make the correction for the rest of the group, but it sure bugged them during the presentation. I speak in front of people all the time and I know my mind and mouth don't always match. Sometimes I catch myself and attempt to make the correction. Sometimes I don't catch myself. In a classroom or seminar setting that is somewhat small and when people are hanging on every word, it is proper to make the minor corrections very politely. After all, someone might be writing it down.

So, how do you make the corrections? The way the initial question was posed to me referenced getting on your soap box. RARELY do you ever get on a soap box. The majority of the time when you feel a correction is needed, give the speaker the benefit of the doubt and politely state something like, "did you mean to say...." If a statement was made that offended you, offer something like, "I'm not comfortable with that statement/topic/etc. Could we move onto something else?" If it is a difference of opinion, how about, "I take a different view on that particular topic." You can be polite, gentle and non-offensive. Set the tone as to how you would like the tone of the conversation to go. If you are looking for confrontation or an argument, hop up on the soap box - the view is much different.

The Trigger

2010-07-22T15:27:00.000-05:00

While shopping a couple of weeks ago I was behind a lady in line at the checkout. She had three little kids climbing in and out of the cart while she was attempting to put her purchases up on the counter. She took out the pop (or for you Southerners, that would be soda) from the bottom of her cart and told the clerk that she had two. She then took out a gallon of milk and told the clerk she had four. I noticed she had a carton of ice cream down there too, but she didn't take it out. She leaned on the counter all poised to pay.

My head starting reeling. Do I say something? Who do I say it to? What do I say? Should I mind my own business? Hey, this is my business. If she gets away without paying for her ice cream, that is shoplifting and then the prices of goods I buy will increase. She looks innocent enough - I think it could be an oversight. After all, she had to try to entertain her kids and get all of the other groceries up there. I decided to quit rationalizing and politely let her know that she also had some ice cream at the bottom of her cart. She thanked me and proceeded to tell me that it would have been awful to find it when she got to the van and then had to turn around with the kids and come back in and pay for it. She thanked me again.

What did I get from this experience - the trigger. That would be the "do the right thing" trigger. When you start to rationalize your steps away from what you know is the right thing to do - just do the right thing.

Is Legal Always Right?

2010-07-07T19:06:00.000-05:00

When I change a procedure, one of the first things I consider is, "Is it legal?" If the answer is Yes, I continue. However, I have recently been reading a lot about different views on how ethics are developed and was surprised to read how even if it is legal, doesn't mean it is ethical. After reading their examples, I have to agree. Now, I rethink that first question.

Even though something is legal, it does not mean it is the right thing to do. Think of Rosa Parks. What she did by sitting in the front of the bus was not legal at that time. However, it is not right to make laws based on skin color. In fact, many people that get laws changed are sometimes doing it based on "doing the right thing". Of course this is a vague statement and comes from individual frames of reference.

The big tug seems to be between morals and legality. In every election there is much talk about the morals of the candidate (or lack thereof). Therefore, do people tend to consider the right thing as defined by morals instead of laws? I recently picked up a book regarding some of the most ridiculous laws in America and would agree that with some of those laws on the books (such as in one city it is illegal to walk your duck on a leash in town) I would prefer to use my moral compass instead of what someone could get passed as a bill.

How Important are Core Values?

2010-06-30T09:27:00.000-05:00

What do you believe in? Has it changed over time? Does it change with circumstances? Whether it is your home life or your business life, we need to recognize what really matters to us. When we can define those core values it is easier to make tough decision, to instill trust, to have integrity, and to be perceived in a positive light.

One of the quickest ways to lose trust with someone is to be inconsistent, to waiver in our beliefs, to let go of our values. When we stand up for what we believe in, no matter how difficult that can be, we gain respect and the confidence of others. If we are consistent in our actions, people will know what to expect from us and be more comfortable to interact. Studies have proven time and time again that setting expectations and then standing behind those expectations will gain positive results. It is easier to set those expectations when they are based on our core values and then as part of those values to back them up.

That is not to say that we can't be open to new information or ideas. We must incorporate this into our initial values. It is possible to change values as we learn new things. However, those changes must be based on how we view life and must be something in which we can align our actions.

My core values include integrity, trust, honesty, compassion, and a willingness to constantly learn new things. This helps me to make tough decisions when that little devil is sitting on my shoulder saying, "it's just a little white lie, it won't hurt anyone." It does hurt. It hurts me because I know that little white lie wasn't the truth and had I just done it right in the first place or confessed to the issue at hand I could have had the opportunity to build additional trust and confidence. Instead I may have to add additional lies to keep the story going. I have no control on where it is going to end. Therefore, I would prefer not to start down that slippery slope.

What are your core values? What can you stand behind that is not negotiable? It can be difficult to stand behind those values at times, but it is more rewarding when you do.

A Beautiful Day of Golf and Cure

2010-06-04T14:26:00.002-05:00

Last night I was the emcee at a wonderful fund raiser for the Spinal Cord Society. The weather was perfect for golf and the course, Oak Glen in Stillwater, was in great shape. The food was wonderful as well. The timing worked out great. As soon as I was done with my spiel on why they should open their wallets for the silent and live auctions, in walked a couple of the MN Viking Cheerleaders to help with festivities.

Fund raisers like these provide so much for so many. Those that can golf get to spend the day playing/competing. Others join in on a wonderful dinner. Everyone gets multiple opportunities to be heroes. That's right, heroes. Every dollar helps toward a cure. The $10 someone put in for a raffle chance might just be the final $10 that was needed to be able to purchase a piece of equipment, the amount of postage needed to mail an important paper, the money needed to connect doctors who collaborate on the missing piece of research, or the additional amount needed to pay a bill. It all matters and those that give are those that are heroes to the millions of people that benefit from the research. When you go to a fund raiser, keep in mind that you should be prepared to raise funds for the worthy cause and you could be the hero they were waiting for.

An Ethical Dilemma

2010-05-27T08:09:00.000-05:00

While I was writing my new ethics for Minnesota insurance course, I came across some very interesting statistics, cases and questions. Some of the books asked many questions, but didn't provide very many answers. That is because ethics is such a personal issue.

Where do ethics come from? It is a study, a philosophy, a methodology, something as simple as right vs. wrong. However, I have found that right vs.wrong isn't all that simple. When we are young, our family influences our version of what is right. Then we get out into the world, start making friends and get some conflicting information. And then we enter the realm of the working class and get even more conflicting information. It appears that "right" is on a sliding scale depending on many factors.

How do you determine what is the right action to take? Some people take action based on a gut reactions and what feels good. Some choose the path of least resistance. Others actually take the time to evaluate the pros and cons of their actions before deciding. When given the opportunity, I like the last tactic best. Negotiations go so much more smoothly when we can come up with win/win situations instead of win/lose. However, it is the most time consuming, possibly the most costly (initially) and sometimes it is the hardest thing to do.

Doing the "right" thing isn't always easy. Sometimes it takes courage to stand up and admit an error, correct a mistake or take the high road. There may be initial costs involved in doing the right thing. However, one look at situations such as Enron, the current BP oil spill, the various executives that are now going to jail - should tell you that taking the initial right steps in the first place would have been much less costly in the second place. Some of the costs come in forms of money while others come in the form of personal freedoms and integrity.

So, how do we do the right thing? Find your core values and stick to them! What were the lessons you learned early on? Take a deep breath, consider the pros and the cons, and then do what is right for those involved. Who knows, you might avert a world disaster.

Ready, set, Nah

2010-05-17T08:32:00.001-05:00

Do you have projects that you just can't seem to get started? I know I do. In fact, I have a lot of writing to do and I like to write, but for some reason I just can't seem to get started. It is the one thing I put off until "later". Unfortunately, later is just as busy as right now. Then I find myself up against a deadline and then the quality is not what I wanted it to be. So, how do I change that?

First, is to get in the right mindset. I have to have a good attitude about what it is that I am going to work on. I need to get excited about the creation of the project and its potential outcome. Doing a little brainstorming will help to warm up the situation.

Second, I need to make sure the tools I need are readily available. I purchased a netbook so that I could have a quick-booting machine at my disposal whenever I wanted to sit and type up anything. Well, that netbook has been sitting in its case for months on a shelf. It needs to come out and become a constant companion. So, when I am ready the tools I need are at my fingertips and I don't have to go in search of the items. Having to gather tools is one of the major road blocks to starting many projects.

Third, is to jump in! Boot up the netbook, grab my notebook with the latest ideas, and just start writing. Setting up my surroundings for success is another useful part of this process. Turn on the background music, fill up the coffee pot, and do a little warm-up stretching. Sometimes this means I also need to grab the netbook and go to the local coffee shop or library. A change of scenery can sometimes help get that project rolling. Look around, is the place where you plan to do your next project energizing? If not, think of another place for it. Sometimes even an unusual spot will be more inspiring. When I was in college, I did a lot of studying in the park under a shade tree in the spring. As the weather is getting nicer and nicer, I dream of being outside - so go there. If that isn't possible, use it as a project completion or even a step completion reward. When you get your project done or at least a good step within your project, treat yourself to something. Keep the energy up and get the project done. It works.

Facebook applications

2010-04-27T16:37:00.000-05:00

As of April 2010, Facebook added a new application of Instant Personalization Pilot Program. This allows other companies to personalize their websites using your Facebook information. To shut this off, go to ACCOUNT, PRIVACY SETTINGS, APPLICATIONS & WEBSITES, INSTANT PERSONALIZATION PILOT PROGRAM, EDIT. Uncheck the box allowing them to send your information to other websites. Right now they only have a few Select Partners, but who knows how this will explode and you are already putting enough information out there.

Another question asked of me this week is how to block all of the game moves, etc. on your News Feed. All you need to do while in the news feed is to hover over the item and HIDE should appear to the right. Click HIDE and it should ask you if you want to hide the person, the application or cancel. I suggest you hide the application only. That way your friends can play their games all day long and you don't have to be bothered with it. Also if you get invitations to games that you don't want to participate in, just hit BLOCK APPLICATION when the request comes in. That way you won't get any more requests.

Facebook is a great application and fun to share information. Just be watching it and every month or so take a look at your Privacy options to make sure you are only sharing what you think you are.

Happy Facebooking!

Password, Password, Who's got the Password?

2010-04-12T09:42:00.003-05:00

I have been reading so much lately about password hackings that I thought I should share some of the tips that have been brought to my attention.

Too many people are using the same password and/or user ID for their banking, important data sites, social networking, and the just-for-fun sites. DON'T!!! If one is hacked, they are all vulnerable. So, what do you do about it? Have at least 4 sets of user IDs/Password combinations:
1) For your email - this should be unique user ID and password that doesn't get reused anywhere. Think about it, all of these sites require an email address. Don't point them to your email account that uses the exact same signons.
2) Banking - have a special ID that is a combination of letters and numbers (not your Date of Birth nor your PIN number). For each banking site I suggest you change your password to be at least one character different for each bank. Such as add the first number of your bank account to the end of your password or the first letter of the bank name - something like that so each bank has a little different password.
3) Data sites that should be secured - Many of these sites require you to change your password often. I suggest that you end your password with a date such as 0110 (for January 2010) or Ja10. It will help you remember your core password and it usually gives you 3 tries before locking you out so if you just change the end to the most recent months and year, you have a chance of getting in before getting locked out.
4) Shopping or just-for-fun sites - I suggest you have a fun ID and a phrase password here using letters, numbers and symbols if you can. Such as $4KgzGr8 (the phrase reads "4 carat gold is great").

Some do's and don'ts:
DO

Make unique passwords that have meaning to you
Utilize password management software to help you remember passwords and allow you to copy/paste them (those tracking your keystrokes will only get a paste instead of the actual characters)
Password protect your PDA's, laptops and any other portable devise that can be found

DON'T

Use your pet or your children's names for passwords
Use your banking PIN numbers, Date of Birth, Current Phone Number or Address Number
Leave your data unprotected

Following a few simple rules will make life a lot more difficult for hackers and a lot more protected for you. I know it is a hassle to be changing passwords and utilizing multiple passwords and user ID's; however, think of the flip side of your bank account being attacked, your client data being compromised or your children in danger because you didn't want to be bothered with creating secure IDs and passwords. There is a lot at stake here and we can put one more layer of brick up on our protective walls by following these simple rules. Be creative and have fun!

Focus, Focus, Focus

2010-04-05T08:24:00.003-05:00

In photography you spend a lot of time making sure your shot is in focus. If the picture is fuzzy, we delete or discard it as "not good". However, sometimes the fuzzy pictures make for an artistic statement. I think the same is true in life: the majority of the time we want what we are doing to be in focus though we leave room for fuzziness.

The fuzzies can allow us to think outside the box, get out of the norm, consider other possibilities. We need to realize that this is a brainstorming session that we can draw from. Once we have those ideas out in front of us it is then time to grab hold of one or more of them and pursue. Pursue with a vengeance with as clear of a focus as we can muster. The clearer our focus of the goal, the more likely we are to attain it.

At the 4 Dynamic Women March event, we all talked about being goal focused. Vitalia took that a step further and instead of using the statement, "I would like to attain that goal." She said to change that statement to, "I will attain that goal." You see, "would like to" leaves room for fuzziness where as "I will" draws back the arrow and has it aimed directly at the target. The more committed you are to your goals, the more goals you will attain.

Toastmasters Isn't Just for Breakfast

2010-02-28T12:47:00.003-06:00

Many of you know that I am involved in Toastmasters and love it! So it shouldn't surprise you that I would write about the benefits of joining the organization. First let me tell you that it is one of the most inexpensive communication and leadership training venues around. At this time, the International dues are only $54 a YEAR and then you have your club dues on top of that and those will vary depending on where it is held and other expenses they incur. Second, it is a fun and safe environment to hone your skills. Yes, I said fun AND safe. The meetings encourage everyone to have fun - we even have a Jokemaster at some clubs. What's safe about it? You get to try things out, get constructive feedback and can improve without getting attacked. Everyone had to start out somewhere and they understand where you are coming from. They also understand where you can get to. Third is the confidence level you will achieve. I have not spoken to one person in the organization that didn't improve in some level of confidence whether it was speaking, listening, critiquing, using humor, running a meeting or just plain meeting people.

Everyone gains something out of Toastmasters. People come to the organization for a variety of reasons and get so much more out of it than they thought. Of course it directly correlates to what you put into it. If you don't do any speeches, your speaking skills will not do much improving. Though you will improve just by listening to others and watching what they are doing. However, practice, practice, practice will allow you to improve. Most people think Toastmasters is an organization to improve your speaking skills and who really wants to get up in front of a big group of people and talk - besides me that is? Though that is not what it is all about. One of the biggest benefits is the 2 minute talk called Table Topics. This exercise teaches you how to answer questions or come up with something thoughtful to say off the cuff. People have told me this has greatly improved their interview skills, responding to their coworkers, giving an update to an employer, and even dealing with their children.

I highly suggest you visit a couple of different Toastmasters Clubs because they are not all alike. You need to find the one that not only fits your schedule and location, but also your goals and personality. Toastmasters International can help you find the meetings near you. Once you find a couple, contact them and let them know you are coming as a guest. Then show up for free just to observe and get a feel. Then make your decision as to which one or more you want to join to start improving your overall communication and leadership skills.

For inexpensive entertainment, take in a speech contest. Some are free and some collect a small fee to cover the cost of the room and any food that may be served. We are currently in contest mode now so check out the District Calendar in your area. When I am in Minnesota, my District is 6 and you can get to the calendar here. I am also the Area 21 Governor and my contest will be held on March 11. Please RSVP to me if you would like to attend.

Does Your Opinion Really Count?

2010-02-20T06:47:00.005-06:00

We almost got sucked into an infomercial. The product looked too good to be true (at least they were doing their job well on the screen). Being the savvy consumer, I searched online to get more information. There were so many hidden fees in that product offer that it would have ended up costing us 13 times what they were stating on television that you could try the product for.

That seems so wrong that they can advertise a product, put up a "try it" price and then charge you so much more if you decide you like it. Some of the issues I found with the "try it" price were that the trial period began when you placed your order though you may not receive the product until right before the period ended or worse yet - after. And then the shipping fees are crazy. If you didn't want the product, you once again had to pay shipping. What a racket!

You may be asking yourself, how I did my research. I read blogs by just searching for the product with the word Reviews at the end. The big question is, who wrote the blogs? Was it a competitor who was just ripping the product down? Were some from the manufacturer itself? I didn't stop at just one blog site. I read many. During the research a competing product came up with glowing reviews (thus the suspicion regarding a competitor). I checked out their site and various reviews for that product too. I actually had a difficult time finding negative reviews about that product. When it referred to someone endorsing the product, I searched them and found that they actually did endorse it. So, I bought it. It arrived in only three days and it works!

If you ever thought your opinion didn't matter, just remember the blogs. People really do count on your honest opinion of products and services. With the Internet, it is much easier for people to find out the good and the bad before they try it. To comment or add to a blog, just like here, you will need to create at least a pen name, usually with an email address and then write away. Maybe one day you will help someone else keep from getting scammed.

What Do You Offer That is Free?

2010-02-12T09:32:00.002-06:00

We are all looking for good deals. The word Free sticks out and then we get skeptical about it. We have had the experience of getting something for free and then a charge shows up on our credit card, we get five emails a week from the company, the shipping and handling is more than the item is worth, or it turns out to just be an ad. What is the quality of your free offerings?

When I started Burnside Dynamics, the only thing I had to sell was my knowledge. So I created a subscription program where companies paid me a flat fee for the year and their employees could ask me questions. Very few actually ever used it. Then one day someone called and asked me if they could ask me a question. She wasn't sure they were still under contract. That was the last day I ever offered the subscription program. As a trainer and a person who loves to solve problems, I thrive on questions and the challenge of finding the best answer.

If you have a question, call or email me and I will do my best to either answer it or point you to someone or some place where you can get the answer. If the answer would involve a training session, I will offer that to you at my training rates. Since I have been answering questions for free, I have increased my business substantially, solidified my credibility, and increased my network.

I also offer an e-booklet called Take the Pitfalls Out of PowerPoint. You can get it on my website at no monetary charge, but I do require a subscription to my free email newsletter (which you can unsubscribe at any time though I don't know why you would). This booklet has received many compliments and even helped one women complete her MBA project at the top of her class.

Give quality free whenever you can. The ROI on free can be amazing!

Not Sure Who How or Where?

2010-02-05T11:21:00.002-06:00

When you have a question that you need the answer to and Google just doesn't do it for you, ask your network. Networking is one of the most important aspects of business success. Get involved in LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. and you can put a question out to the universe and get many answers back. It is amazing how much people are willing to share with each other.

We can tend to get caught up in, "I should be the expert so people will come to me". However, I am finding that people have more respect for people that ask questions rather than always just answering. The links and respect you can build by asking are amazing.

Most communication or sales seminars will tell you to listen more and talk less. This same theory applies here. Asking others to give you answers and giving them the ability to "talk" will make personal gains for you. Don't worry about people thinking you don't know things. The real take is that you respect others and are interested in them.

Got Scam?

2010-01-25T09:32:00.002-06:00

The Haiti tragedy is on the mind of so many people. It was great to see all those celebrities get on board by putting on an international concert and giving people the opportunitity to donate. They are even making it so easy to donate by just sending a quick text. Now that's using technology and psychology all in one shot. Millions are being raised. Now, if it just gets to the right place.

How do you know that what you see on television, hear on the radio, read in your email, see on your computer screen are legit? There are places you should go before you pick up the phone, write that check or click that link.
Government help: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm
IRS help: http://www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/
Hoax help: http://www.snopes.com

There are many types of scams out there so be prepared. Even if it looks legit and Oprah is endorsing it, check it out!

Read a Good Book

2010-01-18T09:15:00.002-06:00

Last year I was given the name of a book that was a "must read". It only took me 6 months to get my hands on a copy. OK, so I only looked for it while I was in a book store. I know I could have had it 6 months ago online. However, I am a big believer that when I am ready to read a book, the book will show up. This is such a book.

"The Hamster Revolution" is an awesome book about getting your email and files under control. Since I am currently writing new seminars on this subject, it was very timely to get my hands on this book. Super easy read and full of great information and easy-to-do items.

What's better about 2010?

2009-12-21T13:24:00.002-06:00

Well, it's a new year. It is fresh with possibilities and lots of unknowns. I am looking forward to seeing new things that are in store for me. Some I will make happen and others will happen to me. I am starting now to make things happen - designing new classes, setting up more webinars, trying new technology, looking into other venues, being open to new situations.

It is kind of fun to look back while looking forward. What didn't we have in 2008 that we got in 2009. For me it was Facebook, LinkedIn, some new friends, customers and acquaintences, another business and new venues. It is interesting to look at what we have today and to seem to forget what life was like prior to doing things the way we are doing them now.

I guess that is what I love about learning. It brings you forward based on the past and gives you so much more. I don't remember what it was like to not be able to read. I can't imagine not reading something every day. What am I going to learn in 2010?

Gift giving on a dime

2009-12-06T08:45:00.004-06:00

What ideas do you have for gift-giving on the inexpensive side? Share them here on our blog.

Some that I have seen in the past are:

making service coupons for family to help with chores
offering free-babysitting for friends so they can enjoy some time away
Working the websites and coupon codes to get great things at a discount
Designing a personalized book marker for the avid readers on your list

What gifts have you given or received that are inexpensive but make an impact?

Stick with What you Know

2009-11-18T10:14:00.002-06:00

I have a rule of never buy the first round of technology. Broke it last week when I bought the Droid. It doesn't sync with Outlook. I run my business with Outlook. So, back to the store it went and I bought the upgraded Blackberry Tour. Oh, so much happier!

Now I need to work on getting my recorded webinars edited so people can purchase, download and learn from them. However, the software I have is pretty limited and I only need to make a couple of quick edits. Should I purchase new software? Should I hire someone that actually knows what they are doing? I am thinking of leaning toward people help. Must get that into the budget and start making contacts.

I believe in letting the people that know what they are doing, do what they do best. Since I already learned from breaking one rule this past week, maybe I should pay attention to this one of sticking to what you know.

Take the Pitfalls out of Presenting with PowerPoint

2009-11-03T11:01:00.003-06:00

I have seen a lot of really good presentations go bad with the use of automation. Here are some of the problems I have found:

Presenters reading their screens (this is not a teleprompter)
Information overload on the screen
Animations for the sake of animating, just because you can
Sloppy transitions between slides or other programs
Presentations that need the room completely dark for anyone to see the screen
Emails and automatic updates popping onto the screen
Technology problems - can't get it to run!

I am sure there are many more, but these are some of the most common problems that I see out there and they don't have to happen. We have come to gather information and/or entertainment from your talk - so now we need you to deliver. There are some very simple rules to follow, easy ways to smoothly transition, and preparations you can take to avoid issues.

Anyone signed up for our monthly newsletter can receive the free e-book "Take thePitfalls out of Presenting with PowerPoint". If you would like to receive your free copy, sign up at: Subscribe to the Burnside Dynamics LLC newsletter.

Please feel free to share your tips and ideas regarding PowerPoint presentations here.

ROI of Decisions

2009-10-06T10:55:00.001-05:00

Should I? Shouldn’t I? Well, maybe… Every day we have decisions to make regarding a variety of topics: food, clothes, activities, relationships, directions, etc. When we make these decisions, we need to keep in mind what the Return on Investment (ROI) is of the choice we have made. I know, you have been told to just do things because it is the right thing to do and don’t do it with the purpose of getting something in return. Not many people are that altruistic. And, even those that are, probably find that they do get a lot in return for their good deeds.

In business we are taught to constantly keep our eye on the ROI. Don’t invest in the project, the stock, the employee if you aren’t going to get more in return. However, how do we do that? Sometimes we look at things at face value and the cost appears too high. We have to think in longer terms than this moment in time. The cash or time outlay right now should return more cash, time savings, or opportunities in the future. If you determine it is the right time to expand your business, hire that first employee, or start that project – make a plan. Know where you are now and where you want to get to. If you are hiring an employee so you can spend more time doing the things that bring in more funds to your organization, then trust that employee to do their job and make sure you are doing the tasks you envisioned yourself doing. With a plan in place, it is easier to see how we are going to reach that beneficial goal and attain it.

For our personal lives we have many decisions to make that will also bring returns – good or bad. Take food for an example. When we are stressed or in a hurry, we don’t tend to make the best decisions of what to eat to fuel our bodies with good energy and nutrition. When we plan, we have the baggies of cut up fruit in the fridge for a quick snack and delicious, nutritious meals prepared. When hitting the road, grab a small cooler and pack it with good stuff instead of needing to stop at fast food places or gas stations and making a junk food decision. We know what to do and will make the best decisions if we put ourselves in the best decision-making situations. Prepare.

Another life situation that has been proven time and time again to be of positive benefit is to do things for others. You generally not only feel good about yourself, but others also benefit from your participation. The deciding line here is do you have time, can you make time, is now the right time? If you can replace sitting in front of the television time with helping a student learn to read, or lounging around on a lazy Sunday with playing cards with the elderly or even your own family or friends; you will get returns. You need to make sure you have the time or can make the time without adding stress to your life. The inherent benefits that come from doing for others may be from a feeling or even a health-improvement situation. It may have nothing to do with monetary gain, just psychological enhancement.

Making decisions has consequences. Evaluate what those are to make the best decisions possible. Put yourself in the best decision-making situation that you can. The less stress you are under while making those decisions, the more you are capable of choosing what will be of the greatest benefit to you and those around you. What’s your ROI?

All Stressed Out With No Place to Go

2009-09-08T07:38:00.002-05:00

Isn't technology great? It can help and it can hurt. This week on the ACT group in LinkedIn we have been having great discussions on multiple monitors. Everyone is raving how great they are for productivity. I heartily believe that. However, there is a downside called workplace stress.

Ergonomics is extremely important to alleviate some of this stress and strain. You can find out some great tips at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/index.html and many more places. Two of the key factors are to make sure the placement of your equipment and furniture are correct to reduce physical strain. The second factor is to take additional breaks to release mental strain.

It is great that we have the all-in-one printers, multiple monitors, and document imaging available to us to create more efficient work flows. However, we still have to remember that we are now staring at a screen. Remember the staring contests when you were a kid? As soon as you were done, you would rub your eyes or blink a lot because they would dry out. With the frequency of the computer monitors, we don't blink as much as we should do naturally. We need to be aware of this and be looking away from time to time. We even forget to breath normally and that causes stress. Taking time to breath from the stomach and not your chest will invigorate your cells and help reduce some of this stress. Happy computing!

How can good get better?

2009-08-24T08:38:00.003-05:00

Do you enjoy donating to a good cause? Do you shop online? You can do both and get deals in the meantime at http://www.goodsearch.com/. You don't even have to shop to make donations. Just by searching using GoodSearch, they will make donations to your favorite organization. Some shopping sites also give a discount through GoodSearch.

The organization I am searching and shopping for is the Spinal Cord Society (SCS). I go to http://www.goodsearch.com/ and put in Spinal Cord Society and then hit Verify. The screen shows I am donating to Spinal Cord Society(Fergus Falls, MN). Shopping is then as easy as hitting Shop Now!, select where I want to shop and then watch as the screen searches for additional discounts and then brings me to the online store. If I have a discount code, I put it in and get a discount on my purchases while my charity gets a piece of the pie.

I have booked two hotel stays through GoodSearch - Hotels.com and have raised over $25 for SCS and saved over $15 per night over the convention prices. I sent flowers at 1-800-flowers.com and saved 10% on my order while dontating 7% of my order to SCS. It's a win for everyone.

Go to http://www.goodsearch.com/ today and start saving, shopping, searching and sharing.

WIIFM - You have no idea

2009-08-15T20:57:00.002-05:00

WIIFM - What's In It For Me? We ask this question when we are contemplating attending something, spending money, dealing with others. However, as I as found out recently, we can think we know what we will get when we do something, but we have no idea what we will truly get.

This world is so small! As I have been attending networking groups, parties, or small gatherings I have been meeting people that I am somehow connected to them. Just tonight I met some wonderful people and in our casual conversation I found out that we actually went to school together. We hung out with similar people, but at different times. We lived in close proximity. We attended valuable seminars by the same people. Others are meeting with people to discover who they are and I have already spent years with those same people. Who knew?

When you take the time to get to know what people are doing, who they are talking to and what they are looking for, you will find that there are connections. Whether it is people you both know, subjects you are interested in or services you can supply for each other. You won't know if you don't interact. Even though you look at a brochure or an invitation, you won't have a true clue about its intrinsic values until you participate. Get up, get out, and get involved. There is a lot in store for you, but you won't know until you move forward.

Learning to breath

2009-08-10T11:02:00.002-05:00

Ever get that completely overwhelming feeling where you just don't even have time to breath? That's me right now. However, I have found that breathing is something we just can't do without and we might even have to pay attention to it.

A good friend of mine and business partner in 4 Dynamic Women, Lori Bestler, teaches breathing for relaxation and focus. It isn't the usual breathing from the lungs, but from the stomach. It is slow and as you breath in, your stomach should expand and as you breath out, it should deflate. Try it, it isn't normal. I have also been told to breath in with a count of 6 and do the same as you breath out - without passing out. It is amazing that when you do pay attention to your breathing, you do tend to calm down and clear out your head.

Now that you have relaxed a little, make a list of what you need to accomplish. Look at the list and cross out what doesn't need to be done Right Now. Narrow it down to just the urgent. Then prioritize it. Gather your materials to accomplish it and write down a reward for accomplishing it. When you take time to breath, organize and prioritize the really important items and have something to look forward to, it is wonderful how empowered you feel. You can get things done. You just have to remember to breath first.

Toshiba NB205 Netbook has arrived!

2009-07-24T10:00:00.003-05:00

I have been testing my Toshiba NB205. It supposedly has up to a 9 hour battery life. I fully charged the battery and used it for over 2 hours and it said it still had 75% remaining - so not bad so far. I hooked it up to my projector and ran a PowerPoint using PowerPoint Viewer. The color and clarity were great, however I did note that a couple of animations did not deploy the first time I hit the slides. When I backed up and tried the slides again, it worked. It deployed some animations and not others. It was not consistent on the type of animations that didn't deploy - I added that for you techies that are attempting to trouble shoot this in your heads. So I have to figure this one out to see if it the version of PowerPoint Viewer that came pre-installed or if it is something with the Toshiba.

I have used this with my wireless network at home and that connection is working great.

The built-in camera was a little slow to load, but once I got it to work it is working great. I loaded Skype on there and that is working fine.

I loaded Internet Explorer 8 on it and Google Chrome - doing a test to see which one it likes best. One thing I am finding with both of them is that some websites are only compatible up to Explorer 7 so I have to hit Compatibility and that works well on those sites. So far on most sites, if the site likes it, Google Chrome is faster. If the site doesn't like that format, you will know it as it loads really slow if at all. Then I just switch back to IE and do compatibility.

The keyboard is slightly smaller than a regular one (no 10 key and the regular keys are a little closer together than a regular board, but the keys are the same size). This took a little while to get used to as the reach for the keys is closer. However, not nearly as small as my Blackberry.

The size and weight are great - no back strain and it fits in my projector bag. So far I am really liking it.

Kind of figuring out the videos

2009-07-16T16:35:00.005-05:00

I have been playing a lot with YouTube and my various websites and have learned something every time I have worked on another video. One of my sites will not take embeded code worth anything (this is where you see the actual video right within the page itself). So I took a still picture, put it in PowerPoint, added what looks like a play button, saved it as a picture and put that on the website with a hyperlink to the video. I thought it made it stand out more from the other pictures on the site. I didn't link this picture here as I don't want it to take you out of my blog to YouTube as it does on the actual site. Just put it here so you can see what I am talking about. Doesn't it just make you want to click on it since it has an arrow? If you want to see it on the site, it is at http://firststpaul.freetoasthost.us/membershipinfo.html

Then I found out from some of my other sites where it will take the embeded code that you can manipulate how the code works. Such as turning on or off if they get to see similar videos, the size of the video on the screen and the background color and borders. Check out http://www.4dynamicwomen.com/Presenters.html to see the embeded ones I did there.

Did you choose to be offended?

2009-07-14T07:13:00.000-05:00

I met with a friend last night that was having negative feelings with her husband. Then this morning I turn on the TV and they are talking about how people can only offend you if you choose to be offended. It was an interesting string of events as that is basically what I was telling my friend last night. So, I guess that means I should be sharing it with you in a blog this morning.

Most people have something going on in their lives and heads that we aren't privy to. Unfortunately, we might just happen to be in their path at the time that the pent-up feelings coming spilling forth. The easiest targets are those that are the closest to us and love us the most. When this happens, take a step back, take a deep breath, and take a look around. Was it really something you did that you have control over and can now apologize for, make amends for, or make a future change? Was it something that was done to them that they didn't deal with at the time and is now misdirected at you? Let them know you get that something is up with them and you want to communicate with them. Let them be heard without judgement. Stay calm and off of the defensive. If it isn't something that can be resolved right now, a nice smile, "I love you", "I would like us to get through this together." and then sometimes a quiet walking away from each other momentarily might be what is needed. And then you need to reflect on the positive things in life, in your relationship (when it was going well), and push the negative thoughts away.

When you clear your head with positive thoughts, it is amazing at how many times a solution to an issue can become clear. If your head is filled with the negative, you tend to spiral further down. Sometimes coming up with positive thoughts can be difficult, yet rarely impossible. It's your choice.

Using Google Presentations in LinkedIn

2009-07-10T14:31:00.004-05:00

I just used the Application "Google Presentations" on my LinkedIn account and it was frustrating! What was my problem you ask? I forgot to PUBLISH the presentation. You see it opens your Google Docs, which I am very familiar in work with that program. I have shared Christmas planning lists with my Mom, meeting planning documents with my volunteer groups, client documents with specific clients and more. However, rarely have I published anything and shared it with the world.

The instructions do not tell you to publish the presentation. All of the help files I went into said how to create the publication and they all ended with you making your last slide, playing it to make sure it was what you want, and then "there, you just created your presentation". Unfortunately it doesn't continue with sharing it with the world. So, my advise to you is that if you decide to take the plunge and create a Google Presentation, which is like a PowerPoint presentation, please remember to publish it if you are using it on any websites.

If you would like to see the little presentation I did, let me know. I guess Google Docs is experiencing an error and can't link there right now. Your other option is if you are on LinkedIn, check out my Profile.

Happy publishing!

Working on Videos

2009-07-08T16:08:00.001-05:00

Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook I can handle. This world of video creation is being a bit challenging for me. However, I have created a little video on Bruce's Mac and uploaded it to YouTube and added it to our website at http://burnsidedynamics.com. If you want to see the video check it out, here is the YouTube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwK8SoKPs-g

Setting up the blog site

2009-07-07T16:38:00.000-05:00

It is time to start sharing tips, tricks and ideas in a blog. Each month we produce a free newsletter letting everyone know where I am talking next; a tip on personal finance, technology and people skills; Bruce does an article on whatever he has been thinking about that month; and we try to be current with the information. Sometimes it comes from an article I have read, a discussion I had or just something that popped into my head. Now with the blogs, I get this stuff out on a more frequent basis and go backwards from there. To sign up for our free monthly newsletters, go to our website at http://burnsidedynamics.com/.