Just about one year ago I personally “discovered” the WNBA—the Women’s National Basketball Association—as embodied by my local team the Indiana Fever. I say “discovered” tongue in cheek, because the Fever celebrate their tenth season this year, so I can’t claim to have been out in front on noticing them or attending to the powerfully good sports entertainment they … [Read more...]
Managing and Protecting your Online Identity
These days your Google search results are your resume (or so some would have you believe). I use Gravatar to add a photo near my comments, and I keep my online profile up-to-date on most of the channels Claimid.com/monicadear. Here are ten steps to managing your online identity and protecting your personal and professional identity, reputation, credit score, and bank … [Read more...]
The Season for Giving Thanks
I know, 80 degrees, late-April is SO not that season, right? Wrong…I'm learning that every day of every season truly needs to be that time of acknowledgment. I’m reading The Noticer by Andy Andrews and while I’m only on chapter 4, some of what I’m reading is telling me not only to stop and smell the roses, but to let the roses know how much I appreciate them. Man, do I have … [Read more...]
8 Tips to Prepare for Your Performance Review
A performance review is a great opportunity to showcase your contribution to the organization and highlight your accomplishments for the past year. Always be prepared for your review. The worst thing you can do is to walk into a performance review cold. Here are some simple tips to set the stage for a great review that showcases your talent and value. … [Read more...]
A Feng Shui Happened on the Way to the Office
I never imagined using the words Feng Shui in a sentence, much less in a sentence concerning work. We sometimes get into a pattern that is not terribly uncomfortable, but nothing extraordinary either. I know because I’ve been there more than once…sometimes it’s a home rut and sometimes it’s an office rut, and sometimes it's a combination of both. It’s nothing tragic and it … [Read more...]
Taking a Risk: It’s All About Trust.
“Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what is next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark” ~Agnes De Mille How likely are you to take a “leap in the dark” in your life and your business? I like this quote because it creates a wonderful image for … [Read more...]
Word of Mouth Marketing
I have always maintained that the best way to market is by word of mouth. Communicating with your network is the most powerful and important marketing vehicle you've got. I was so pleased to read Seth Godin's blog last week, because he validated this marketing approach and labeled it, the secret of new marketing. In his blog, Seth states: Find ten people. Ten people who … [Read more...]
Recovering from Vacation
Monday mornings can be foggy all by themselves, but the morning after vacation can be completely gloomy. We all look forward to taking vacations; I'm back just today after 9 days off. My problem has always been gracefully exiting the workplace just before the time off and again entering back in. NOT working is a harder subject for me than working has ever been. We won't … [Read more...]
Do We Need to Be Selfish to Be Successful?
When we first came into this world as infants, we were very focused on having our immediate needs met. Life was simple. With more "socialization", we began to respond to those around us and our thoughts turned outward. Our parents, friends, and teachers were more interested in finding ways to have us please them than to have us please ourselves and we lost touch with whatever … [Read more...]
Do You Have a Fear of Selling?
I am always amazed at how many people are traumatized when it comes to selling their product and/or services. When I looked up the verb "sell" in the dictionary, I found these definitions. to transfer services to another in exchange for money. (OK. I can live with this definition.) to persuade or induce someone to buy something. (Used car salesman approach.) to … [Read more...]