Working Smart Works!

The Day After...Black Friday

2011-11-25T16:00:00.000-08:00

Today is Black Friday, and sorry, retailers, I didn't spend a dime today. There is nothing that I am willing to stand in line for at 2 a.m. in the morning with a bunch of crazed shoppers, no matter how incredibly cheap it is. The story in today's headlines about the woman who sprayed pepper spray on other shoppers so she could get a deeply discounted item she wanted is beyond comprehension and an abuse of what the holiday season is all about.

This is going to be a very weird holiday season, after all. It's tough to get your head around the high unemploynment rates, foreclosure rates and the real, hidden story of the economic downturn--hundreds of thousands of people living in upscale and middle-class neighborhoods putting on a brave face while debt mounts, credit card bills go unpaid, and relationships crumble under the stress of trying to keep up the charade of prosperity. You wouldn't know it by the retail ads on TV...the happy faces, shoppers carrying bags and bags of fresh new purchases. No mention of how they are supposed to pay for all that "stuff" and what to do when the bills come in January.

If the Occupy (take your pick of cities) people are right, who are all those people out shopping on Black Friday? That's more than the 1% rich people. No, it's all of us, the 100% with credit cards flashing, dazed by 50% off signs, IPads for $100 (only two in the store)and mesmerized by the sparkling lights and holiday music. My take is that they are not right. The reality is, the holidays suggest, no almost require, you to get out and buy. Not having the money isn't an excuse. On Christmas Day, you gotta have something for little Jimmy or Aunt Helen under the tree. And if you really love your spouse, there will be a shiny new Lexus in the driveway topped with a gigantic red bow.

The sad, reality part of all this is we really do need to get out and shop. The consequences of not shopping on Black Friday or the rest of the holiday season would be devastating to the economy. Retailers, especially small businesses, make 40% of their annual sales between Black Friday and Christmas Day. If they don't make it, they may have to close up, leaving hundreds or thousands of people without jobs. And, the ripple effect to suppliers, delivery services and countless websites would be astounding.

So, get out and shop. Actually, I did buy something today...a book from Amazon.com for a business proposal I am submitting. This year, I'm going to shop, but I'm going to try to give gifts that are more than bling or just "something" under the tree. I'm not a bargain shopper willing to stand in line for hours to save $5. And I'm sort of over "stuff." I'd rather give experiences--summer art camp for the grandchildren, an advanced class on digital photography at SCAD for my husband, or a spa visit or golf lessons. Something to enrich someone's life, open new doors or just make them feel good.

Are you changing your shopping habits or the way you celebrate the holidays this year? I'd love to have your comments and thoughts on the subject.

Becoming "Frankly Frugal"

2011-09-25T09:21:00.000-07:00

Are you unemployed, yet still shopping the malls on the weekend, or clicking away online lured by the hot bargain on O.com? What are you thinking?

If you haven't gone through the five stages of grief after losing your job, it's time to get on the fast track, and go from denial to acceptance. You can't live your old life (when you had a job and a paycheck) anymore. Well, not for awhile at least. It's time to take a good look at the narrowing gap between your savings and your bills and get "frankly frugal."

Being frugal, which means not spending money if it isn't absolutely necessary, is an old habit, made into an art by the depression-ear babies. No, not this one. The BIG one. Around 1920's or so. My parents were children of the depression, and even after they got out of it, they kept their frugal habits, which allowed them to acquire a tidy bit of wealth without masters degrees or corporate jobs. They just didn't spend money if it wasn't necessary. To illustrate, my mother, who never had two nickles to rub together when we were growing up, once gave each of us six grown children $10,000 because "the banks will only insure $100,000."

Now, necessary is the pivotal word here. Today, we've been duped into thinking the latest app, or version of the IPhone (one every three months) or a 62" flat screen TV with DVD and 3D (oops, that was last week's model) is a necessity. Or at least the way to escape embarassment because EVERYBODY has one (it, them.) Really, none of those things are necessities. In order to sustain life...that's more a definition of necessity. Not QUALITY of life. Many of people are going broke and broker trying to gain or sustain a completely unnecessary quality of life, even though they no longer have the income to support it. Really, we need very little to sustain life. Food, shelter, clothing, meaningful activity, love, companionship. You can add your own, but there aren't that many more.

Let's look at what costs so darn much these days, and how you can get frankly frugal. You can go down your monthly bills for great examples. First, the electric bill. I'm sure you don't want to go back to conditions during my childhood when we didn't have air conditioning, but it is true that human beings actually did survive without it. Plus, the electronics we feel we can't live without all need to be plugged in or kept charged in order to provide us with entertainment, connections and other comforts we were able to live without somehow. Unplug. Open a window. Go outside and talk to your neighbors. Take a walk. There are plenty of ways to entertain yourself, or keep cool without making your electric meter spin like Disney's teacup ride on meth.

Next is the phone bill. The constant connection to everything that we can't live without comes with a hefty price. In money, and in concentration, distraction and interruption to the point of rudeness. Not to mention the $200 or so phone bill every month. Frankly frugally speaking, do we need to be constantly reminded of where are friends are eating lunch or how they are feeling every minute of the day?

I have been struck lately, driving through Savannah, that there are very few areas that have clotheslines. While we are all running the dryers all day, other people are getting exercise, and slipping into fresh, air-dried clothes and sheets, free of charge. One of the hottest selling air freshener today is "fresh linen." So, for an extra $4.99, you can pay to have your house smell like mine did growing up. If you have ever hung clothes out on a clothesline, you know you had some great exercise, bending to pick the clothes out of the clothes basket, stretch to hang them on the line above your head while squeezing the clothespins to secure the clothes, and doing it over and over again. That was an easy way to get 45 minutes or so of great exercise, fresh air and save a bundle by not running the dryer and then spending $5 on air freshener (which is really a bunch of chemicals that, we'll probably hear on the morning news, are probably going to make you sick some day.) I have strung a clothesline between the queen palm trees in the back courtyard at home and hung sheets and towels to dry, and what a luxury (and trip down memory lane) to slide inbetween those air-dried sheets at night. Things that take forever in the dryer, like rugs or sweatshirts, when hung on the line are a real money saver. Those little wooden dryer stands are great for sweaters. Soak hand washables in the bathtub with a little woolite, roll them between bath towels to get most of the water out and drape over a wooden dryer stand or lay flat on a bed to dry overnight. Takes a bit of planning, but the savings on electricity, dry cleaning and driving to take and pick them up adds up.

Unemployment, or just trying to save a few bucks to pay the bills, can be an adventure. Unplug something tonight before you go to bed. Just because you unplug your laptop from the charger doens't mean you're saving money. Unplug the charger from the outlet as well.

What is your hot to for becoming "frankly frugal?" Leave them in the comments section. More to come on another post.

Laborless Day

2011-09-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

With unemployment stagnant at 9.1%, I suggest we rename this holiday "Labor-less Day." For many people who have been unemployed for over two years, exhausted their unemployment benefits and are struggling to meet their financial obligations and feed the family, this is no day to celebrate the dignity of work. Hey, they just want a shot at working again.

Contrary to the news, there are lots of jobs out there. But the jobs that were lost--middle management and supervisory jobs, manufacturing and production jobs--are probably not coming back, and not at the same pay rates as before. What has happened in the almost three years since the recession (yes, a rose by any other name...) is that companies have learned to live without the extra staff they used to have. They have replaced or eliminated positions with technology or figured out that the people they have weren't working all that hard after all and could do a lot more with a faster computer or better software. They also found they could do a lot virtually on the Web, or could get hungry freelancers to produce quality work for little money. They are sitting on a lot of cash as an emergency fund, and why not?

Everyone is (or should be) socking a little money away for emergencies these days. There is a delicate balancing act going on in most households. There is just so much money coming in, and if some expense goes up, something else has to go down. We're battling the energy bills during this record-breaking heat wave summer because if it goes up another $50, we'll have to cut out something else, like food or gas.

Back to the jobs. There are jobs, but in some cases, not enough qualified individuals to fill them. Many of the unemployed are overqualified for the lower-level jobs that are still available. If you have been off work for awhile, you may be regarded as an employment risk who has lost the drive and discipline of the regulated work day and accountability necessary to work in a business environment. If you are over 50, you may be regarded as a dinosaur, lost in outdated work habits and less likely to adapt to technology and your relaxed "whatever" generation co-workers, one of whom may be your boss.

With so many entitlement extensions, it is difficult for someone on unemployment to give up the weekly "paycheck," freedom, flexibility and hope of a better paying job, to take a low-paying job outside his industry and below his training, education and experience. There are simply so many jobs that we feel are beneath us that we won't take at all. What happened to the notion that all work has dignity?

Many of the unemployed are waking up to the fact that their old jobs are gone and they need to take some action to reinvent, repurpose and retool themselves to fit into today's changing workplace. They are finding exciting ways to use their talents and discovering opportunities to make a living and a satisfying life. Sometimes letting go is the best way to go forward. There are numerous ways to create business opportunities with the world as your marketplace. Washington, Congress, the President and all the cry babies on the news aren't responsible for employment or lack thereof. We are. Make this a real Labor Day and find what you want to do and, as Nike says, "Just Do It."

Wake-up Call or Company Wake? It's Time to Choose

2011-06-06T13:25:00.000-07:00

Organizations are battling the challenges of the 21st century workplace. Day-to-day manual tasks are now done by machines or computers. Very small companies can operate on a global scale through websites on the Internet. Employees work from virtual offices at home in their pajamas.

Organizations must wake up to the realities of the new workplace. Those who refuse to embrace change will find it difficult to do business, attract top talent and retain market share and profitability. To thrive in the 21st century and beyond, management needs to acknowledge and adopt the realities of a new workplace.

Step 1
Develop managers who care. Employees in the 21st century want leaders who value and care about them. Managers should meet with new employees the first week on the job and discuss their background and help them set goals for the next six months. They should get to know their families, hobbies, hopes and dreams. Managers should spend time expressing admiration and sincere appreciation for an employee's talents and skills.

Step 2
Forget the old formalities. Establish a workplace with a casual dress code and informal interaction. Managers and employees should use first names from the start. Abandon formal meetings governed by Roberts Rules of Order. Consider replacing traditional position titles like manager and supervisor, and opt for team leaders or just team members with rotating leadership. Productivity doesn't have a dress code. T-shirts and jeans aren't just for Google and Microsoft. Allow people to be comfortable and place more emphasis on producing a quality product than how employees are dressed.

Step 3
Examine the physical structure of your workplace and operations systems. Some companies are still stuck in the past with offices that separate employees in mazes of cubicles. They operate with outdated manual processes. Study your competitors or the leaders in your industry to learn how they are structured. Survey your customers to determine their needs and preferences. Restructure your work hours to accommodate a global marketplace. Organization that are only available certain times of the day will miss out on global customers eager to buy their products and services. Abandon the old hierarchy that equips upper management with laptops and cellphones. Equip all employees with technology that will make them accessible and productive.

Step 4
Allow employees to combine business and personal time. Since so much of life is available on line, there is no need to separate the day into "work" and "life." Instead of restricting the use of cell phones, Internet usage and texting, equip employees with technology and encourage them to take care of things while they are working. Use technology as time management tools. Help employees set up a Facebook account so they can keep track of their kids after school or family members during the workday. Instead of restricting social networking, use it to your advantage.

Step 5
Adopt new policies today. Create informal work areas where employees can gather for impromptu meetings. Establish rest periods during the day for employees who want to take a short nap, watch TV or surf the Internet. Invest in an XBox or Wii and encourage employees to play games on their meal breaks to relax and relieve stress. Put up a ping pong table and a basketball hoop. The new generation workforce is tech savvy and results oriented. Management needs to awaken to the realities of how they work and the environment that makes them productive in order to prosper.

The Co-Workers From Hell Survey

2011-02-09T04:36:00.000-08:00

With so many workplace (and other) shootings lately, I thought it would be helpful to revisit a survey I conducted about 10 years ago, "The Top Ten Things that Drive Co-Workers Crazy." The survey was a hoot to do, and I even did several call-in radio shows where people driving to work in the morning were talking on their cell phones in morning traffic while on the radio, for God's sake, instead of watching where they were going. It was hilarious the stuff they came up with. Things like farting in the office, eating other people's food out of the refrigerator, sleeping through meetings while appearing to be awake. One guy was so sick of people stealing his favorite pens that he would take them apart and write the word "Gotcha" on a little slip of paper, roll it up and stick it back in the barrel of the pen and put it back together. Then, when he found someone with one of his pens, he would confront them. They of course, denied any such thing as stealing a pen, whereby he ceremoniously unscrewed the barrel, and with great flourish, pulled out the piece of paper, and yelled, "Gotcha." Ten years ago, the #1 offender was not returning phone calls and emails on time or at all. Other transgressions included taking the last cup of coffee and not making more, resetting the copy machine for 20% and 1,000 copies and not setting it back to normal, and exploding their lunch in the break room microwave and not cleaning it up.

Now these may not seem like much, but string them together on a bad day and you have Bob from Accounting going out to his truck at lunch to get his shotgun (legal in the State of Georgia) and delivering his own sort of disciplinary action. The survey results will be interesting at least, and may help save some lives by serving as a warning to all the jerks in the office to clean up their act before Harriet, who needs at least 14 cups of coffee in the morning to even come near civility, finds out that the pot is dry. Sounds like there could be a public service award for this thing, and I might even end up on Oprah.

There is only one question....and you can complete the survey on Survey Monkey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CFKX7DB. I will share the results of the survey in a future blog, after I get back from the Coast when they turn this survey into a movie with Cameron Diaz and Bruce Willis.

So You Want to Be In Pictures?

2011-02-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

I saw an article this morning advising job seekers to jump on the latest trend and send a video resume. This was a video of you basically talking about your work history, experience while displaying your personality, communication skills and energy. Sounds like an interesting idea, but there are some things to consider before you call for, “…lights, camera, action.”

1. Putting down your attributes on paper in a professional but still personally anonymous way has its advantages. Your ability to do the job is what getting the interview is all about. Recruiters and hiring managers are comfortable with the written resume and may not be with a video.
2. Even the greatest actors don’t watch their own films. Why? They don’t like what they see. You can be the most talented actor, but the greatness is mainly in the viewer. What you think is a great delivery may leave someone cold. You are looking for a job, not a Golden Globe. And in this job market, the competition is much more intense.
3. A video will reveal things that employers can’t ask in an interview – age, race, color, sex, and other personal characteristics that can be discriminatory. In my years as a Human Resources Director, I occasionally received a resume that included a picture. Before forwarding it to a hiring manager, I always made a copy of the original and covered over the picture. This then became the official resume that was circulated. You may find that after all your efforts your video is never seen for fear of a future claim of discrimination.
4. Some positions require a video. When I was seeking a position as a contract trainer for an international training company, I had to send a video of myself conducting a class. Since I would be representing the company to clients all over the country, they needed to see my presentation style. On the other hand, sending a video for an administrative position may seem a little excessive and brand you as a Diva instead of a viable candidate.
5. YouTube won’t do for an interview. If you are going to send a video, or if one is requested, hire a professional to script, shoot and edit the film. A professional videographer can suggest the proper clothing, hair style, mannerisms and an appropriate setting for the position. Consider getting some advice from a professional career coach as well to review the video from an employer’s point of view.
6. Your job search may take awhile, so if you change your hair color or style, put on (or take off) a few pounds you need to update the video. Resumes customized for the position are more effective, so if you are targeting different industries or positions, you may need several versions of your video. This drives up the cost and time investment to keep things current.
7. Voice tone, body language, communication skills, speaking ability—you need to be at the top of your game for the video. If you are uncomfortable speaking in public, it will come across in the video and can work against you.

There is no substitute for a solid, well-written resume that showcases your individuality and accomplishments. Adding a video to your application can be risky but will offer a closer look that could work for you.

As posted on February 3,2011, BusinessWorkForceBlog.com.

Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a workplace consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for BusinessWorkForce.com. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing Alto II with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and creating original gift items available on http://www.etsy.spoolhardy.com/. You can read more of her blogs at businessworkforceblog.com and view additional job postings on Beyond.com.

I'll Have a Cup of Coffee With a Side of Hospitality, Please

2011-02-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

Last week, in an effort to stimulate my creative brain cells, I decided to take my laptop to a local coffee shop across from Forsyth Park. The Sentient Bean is a comfortable, worn-around-the-edges coffee shop with several seating areas. You can settle down at one of the many tables with wooden chairs or opt for one of the comfortable overstuffed couches scattered around the two rooms. Coffee is $1.25, with refills at $0.50 each. You get a real cup if you are “sipping in” with variety of coffees and teas to choose from. Quiet conversations between patrons can be heard above the key tapping on laptop computers, gently adding their own light to the sunlight from the large windows, filtered today by a sky wrapped in blanket of gray and white tweed clouds.

Hotels have always welcomed their guests to sit and lounge in their lobbies or lounges. Comfortable chairs, sofas, tables and chairs made it possible for a guest to escape the confines of their guest rooms, meet with clients or friends, or just have a quiet conversation with someone sitting next to them at the bar. Restaurants and coffee shops are now following suit, realizing that while customers still want the privacy and option of solitude, they like to be in the company of others, feel the energy and break the isolation that so many experience-- Entrepreneurs who are struggling to get their businesses going or need a place to meet prospective clients, home-based business owners who need to escape the proximity and distraction of dirty laundry or dishes piled in the sink. Students looking for a place to have a coffee and a sandwich, meet their friends, do some studying. Desperate housewives dishing the latest with their friends. These are customers in need of services with a side of hospitality.

Sitting here, I am struck by the fact that there are no intrusive wait staff checking back with me every few minutes. Now, in a conventional restaurant, that kind of attention may be welcome, but it can also give the impression that they are rushing you out the door. No one has come to my table to see if I am having more coffee or when I am going to free up this table. I am free to go or stay, and welcome to get some more coffee, have a muffin or sandwich. The atmosphere is more like being in a comfortable home with food available if you want it and no one waiting for you to get up and go. It is home without the solitude and the opportunity for social interaction on my terms.

Social networking is built on the premise that people like to choose who they interact with and share as much or as little as they like on their terms. Judging from the fact that all the tables and couches are filled, the hospitality at the Sentient Bean is just as popular as the coffee and muffins.

Originally seen on hospitalityjobsiteblog.com

Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a workplace consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for Hospitalityjobsite.com. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing Alto II with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and creating original gift items available on http://www.etsy.spoolhardy.com/. You can read more of her blogs at hospitalityjobsiteblog.com and view additional job postings on Beyond.com.

The First Seven Days

2011-01-08T05:07:00.000-08:00

It's been a week since the big day---New Years Day--the day to make all those resolutions that you are likely to break. Well, my only resolution this year was to clear a path through the past and break into the future. No definition or criteria for the goal, just try to shake off the old habits and re-energize with possiblities for the future.

I have to say that in the last seven days I've been amazed at how making little changes can have a big impact. One is merely changing locations. I used to have a habit of planting myself in the living room with my morning coffee and laptop and staying there through the morning news, the Early Show and even (sometimes) the local talk show at 10:30 a.m. There I was, still in my bathrobe with half the morning gone. I still enjoy a cup of coffee while going through emails and texting my daughter at the start of our days, but I now get dressed, and move my work area to the kitchen table. Instead of the TV, I've found several music stations on cable that I enjoy, and without the distraction of the TV, I find the music frees both my focus and creativity. It's also amazing to find that just those few extra hours in the morning has done wonders for my productivity. This may not sound like a revelation to those of you who have it all together, but to my sisters-in-bathrobes, it is monumental.

Another thing I decided to do was to go back to Weight Watchers. You can always count on WW to have a new plan each year, and being a Lifer, I can get the books for the price of $13 and a hop on the scale. I stayed for the meeting, bought their digital scale and the points calculator. I find that if I make an investment, I am more likely to follow through for a longer period of time. Well, that scale is the greatest thing to hit the kitchen and my sense of reality. I have used scales before, but the manual kind that I could play with. Not so when the numbers are staring you in the face. What I learned was part of the reason I haven't been able to lose weight is that I have been eating twice the amount of food than I thought I was! I can't believe that the little blot of ice cream in the pyrex cup was a half cup! I have been eating at least three times that much for a serving. Let's not even talk about potato chips! The great thing about WW is that no food is verboten; you just have to watch portion sizes. Well, this past week has been an education in reality--and so far I have lost three pounds, still eating potato chips and ice cream (now in the proper proportions) every day.

The other thing I did was to buy a simple planner. I went to Staples and passed up the fancy Day Runner with all its pockets and extra sections, leather covers, etc. I found a monthly/weekly planner with a black cover for about $13.00 and spent a few hours putting my life in order. All my appointments, notes, phone numbers, etc., are in there. No searching around in my Blackberry and emails (two accounts) to find that message that has the date for that board meeting next week. I love the physical act of writing things down and then crossing them off after they are completed. Retro chic that works

.

Now none of the things that I did last week were earth shaking or revolutionary, but they have made an impact on my last seven days. Today and tomorrow I am taking a class at SCAD on how to set up a crafts business, another foot forward into the future. I am reviving my crafts acumen from the past and melding it with my daughter's creativity and fashion design talents to launch a children's fashion/accessory business online.

What a difference a week can make.

New Year, New Me?

2011-01-01T07:54:00.000-08:00

Here it is, New Years Day, and many people are in a depressive funk thinking about all the things they didn't accomplish in 2010 and making a long list of things that they resolve to do (and know they probably won't) in 2011. I just went over the Georgia Speaker's Association website, and just reading the success stories of those who did actually join and participate over the past year made me feel like a slacker.

I used to belong to GSA, and I could have written one of the success sidebars about 10 years ago. What happened? Why did I stop participating? How did I get distracted? I am still a professional member of the National Speakers Association, but havent' attended any of the conventions or other workshops they offer.

A couple of life choices at the height of my career success changed the course of my professional career, as did the effects of the stock market crash in '99, and further broken by the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the chaos that followed. The weekend after the towers fell, I was on a plane to a training week for a client, and was struck by the empty airports and vacant faces I encountered on planes, hotels and in my sessions. Was that an omen of things to come? Divorced and in a faltering relationship, I felt a slow panic of instability as a sole proprietor watching my training schedule thin and the projects downsized or cancelled. A job offer in an area I knew little about but with a paycheck and benefits was the lifeline I grabbed, leaving the work I loved behind. Allowing an unknown fear take over, I traded my passion for creativity and motivation for the Corporate life. I learned a lot, made a lot of mistakes, and made my new profession work for the next seven years, but always regretted the road that I had taken and the knowledge that the I didn't believe in myself enough to tough it out.

Now, here it is a new year, and I am again reminded of the Marlon Brando's line from the movie On The Waterfront--"I could have been somebody...I could have been a contender." Looking back, I have no one to be disappointed in but myself--for not believing strongly enough in myself and taking the easy, sure way out. Holding on to what is safe and secure can keep us from falling, but it will never get us to the other side of what life has waiting for us.

I said I wouldn't make any New Years Resolutions this year, but I have changed my mind. This year, I am going to let go of the handlebars--the monkey bars--the safe path. One of my favorite consultant/writers is Alan Weiss. In his book, Thrive, he said we aren't put here to tread water...we are supposed to make waves. Instead of trying to go back to the person I once was, I am determined to walk forward to discover the person I have always been destined to be NOW! All paths have led up to this moment. Rediscover my passion. A lot have changed in the last 10 years, myself included. The world of work has changed dramatically. The drawers full of old speeches and training programs may not fit the new economy and they certainly don't fit me. Ten more years of life experiences have taught me a lot.

Security is fine, but it is limiting. If you spend all your time trying to maintain--your possessions, your home, your bank account, your present standard of living--that's all you will have. Letting go of the past and walking into the future with no requirements or predetermined expectations can be scary, but liberating. Being open to opportunities and paying attention to what life is offering is much more creative and inspiring than a bunch of resolutions that are supposed to guide me to success by the end of the year.

Letting go of your past, who you were, what you accomplished--especially if you have lost a job, failed at a business, saw a marriage or relationship end--is difficult, but staying there emotionally is a real killer. Letting go changes direction and focus. GSA, you are getting a new member this year who is ready to learn, grow, experience and enjoy every moment, whatever it brings.

Working Even Smarter!

2010-10-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I posted on this blog, and I have been busy with a lot of things. First of all, I am now blogging on several different websites -- www.beyond.com, www.ehow.com, www.blissique.com, and www.skirt.com. Also, I've been busy reinventing myself and my business. I have found that in order to succeed in today's fast changing business environment, you need to be able to morph quickly to keep up with your clients and one step ahead of your competition.

However, working smart doesn't just apply to the business world. You need to be smart about everything...your finances, family, home, relationships, how you spend your time and how you care for yourself. You need to be able to wade through the deluge of information that is available...some good and some not so good...in order to find the best for yourself. Then, you have to be able to filter it through the lens of your own life and needs to see what is best for you.

What I propose to offer in "WorkingSmartWorks!" is an place where you can find good advice, tips, suggestions--whatever you want to call them--on how to live your life to the fullest, save money, be successful, and find out what's best for you. No cookie cutters. No menu plans that must be followed to the letter. No hard and fast rules. A lot of information and suggestions that you can take or leave, but will give you food for thought and real help for living life to the fullest. I'll be drawing from my own experiences, those close to me, and things that I have found to be beneficial in my own life. My mistakes are great teachers, and I've made quite a few. You may be able to apply those lessons to your own, or just read, chuckle and move on.

The topics will vary widely--business, the workplace, food, children, relationships, travel--whatever seems to be on my mind and what I think can be of benefit. You can also give some suggestions on topics you'd like to hear about. Send me an email at maryhn@mjnhconsulting.com and let me know what is on your mind, or what you'd like to hear about.

There is always a faster, smarter, better way to do things. Saving money in this economy is always a hot topic, and I learned a lot of things from my mother growing up on how to have a lot with practically nothing. WorkingSmart is working--not getting someone to feel sorry for you and pay your way. No, WorkingSmart is how to accomplish something in life so that you enjoy life and have confidence, self-esteem and are able to share your abundance with others.

If this interests you, check in from time to time to see what the current topic is. WorkingSmartWorks!

Make Your Resume Stand Out!

2010-07-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

Even though the economic and job reports still seem dismal, there is evidence that things are getting better and companies are beginning to post jobs again. If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of unemployed that want to compete for those new jobs, you are going to need all the help you can get. I recently worked with a young man in the hospitality industry that wasn't getting any interviews, and needed some help. Through the discovery and coaching process, I was able to extract from his past experience a solid, dynamic resume that got him at least six interviews, resulting in a new position with a five-star hotel. The market may be tough, but there are jobs out there for the taking, only if you have the right tools and strategy.

Great education, work experience and cutting-edge skills won't get you anywhere unless you can communicate effectively to a prospective employer why YOU are the one that they can't live without. As an HR Director for over seven years, I reviewed thousands of resumes. The first thing that I would look for was a summary statement -- the prospective candidate would have 30 seconds or so of my time to impress me and make me want to read further. Sadly, not many made the cut. Now, more than ever, your resume has to be able to be clear, concise, and effectively market you in 30 seconds or less. Otherwise, it's on to the next one.

A resume won't get you the job...its purpose is to get you an interview. It has to prompt someone to make a phone call to get more information. If your phone hasn't been ringing despite sending out all those resumes, these tips may help:

1. When you email your resume, put your name and the position you are applying for in the subject line. Companies post a lot of jobs at one time, and this helps Human Resources (HR) identify you with a particular job right away.

2. Always, ALWAYS, send a hard copy of your resume after you apply online. You can usually find the address of the company online, and address it to the contact identified in the job post, or if no one is specified, to Human Resources. Use the person's name if you can locate it. The hard copy reinforces the email, and if HR didn't see your email, it may make them go back and look for it.

3. Put the date that you emailed your resume in your cover letter. It makes it easier for HR to locate the email version. Your name in the subject line will make you stand out.

4. Start out with a dynamite summary statement. No canned phrases cut and pasted from some Internet site. After looking at hundreds of resumes, HR professionals can spot boilerplate resume content immediately. Take some time and write your own. Three sentences is all you need. The first gives an overall statement of your experience. The second drills down to your particular areas of expertise. The third is all about you as a person -- traits and values that make you the right person for the company and its culture.

There is much more to a dynamic resume that gets results, and I'll continue in future posts. If you are not a writer, or have been unsuccessful in your search, stack the deck in your favor and get a professional to work with you on your resume. The investment will deliver results and cut down on the time it takes to get that first paycheck. A great resume is an investment from which you can expect a great return.

Five Tips to Retain Your Top Talent - NOW

2010-05-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Economic and employment news are frustrating at best. How can job numbers be going up when so many are still out of work? Since it's true that things run in cycles (like the Ice Ages) the economy IS going to get better. People will be finding new jobs again.

Some of them may be your company's top talent. According to the New York Post, 55% of Americans are unhappy with their jobs. Who can blame them? The recession has pushed employers to the brink trying to survive, and some of the dollars saved have been at the expense of their employees. When companies begin hiring again, those employees that have been "toughing it out" at jobs they hate will race out the door faster than Evil Knievel.

Employees have been taking it on the chin for awhile, as companies cut out paid holidays, required them to pay a higher percentage for their health care premiums, and eliminated some benefits altogether. Gone is the company picnic, birthday celebrations, and the off-site Holiday party. Bonuses disappeared, incentives were eliminated. Even internal transfers have been hit as employers cut back (or eliminated) relocation bonuses, paid moving expenses, housing assistance. A relocation package just a year ago with a house-hunting trip for a family of four, temporary housing and an unlimited moving budget (packing and unpacking) has shrunk to a lump sum reimbursement and a welcome note. Unwilling to make a move in an uncertain economy, talented employees with sought-after skills are biding their time until a revived economy offers opportunities for advancement, higher salaries and a better work experience.

How can you retain your top talent? How can you stave off the executive recruiter who now has an abundance of jobs to fill and is going after your best and brightest? Here are Five Tips To Retain Your Top Talent Now.

1. NOW is the time to assess what toll the recession and your own cost-cutting measures may have taken on your human capital. Conduct a survey, have some informal meetings, led by an outside facilitator. What has hurt the most, and what can you do to heal the wounds? Surveys don't count unless you actually implement some of the suggestions. Which leads to Tip #2.

2. Put things back, if you can, or devise a plan to restore some of the benefits or perks that were lost as the business recovers. If profits go up, and there is no consideration for what the employees have sacrificed to turn things around, they won't be around for the celebration party.

3. Resurrect the career plans and "fast-track" programs that show employees what they can expect by staying. Show how they will be able to learn and progress "up the ladder" as jobs expand or are added to the org chart.

4. Reassess the quality of work life you offer. Dust off the employee handbook, and compare it to the reality of the Facebook and Twitter generations. Do you still have outdated policies or dress codes on the books that have outlived their value? How can you make it more comfortable for your employees so they can be more productive?

5. How does your workforce communicate? Still churning out paper memos, or restricting communication by grade level or line on the org chart? Even Baby Boomers want more access and are savvy on the latest electronic communications tools. One of the highest rated employee satisfaction indicators is "being in on things." Open up the communications, especially when the upturn begins.

The most important thing is to get your employees involved now...everyone. Once the "Prosperity Train" leaves the station, you may find that some of your top employees purchased advance tickets and are already in their seats. Find a way to engage your workforce now in planning for the good times ahead, and you'll have more familiar faces around the table for years to come.

The Upturn of 2010

2009-06-06T09:14:00.001-07:00

Last month, the U.S. lost only about 350,000 jobs. Now, while that number is still alarming, contributing to the national 9.4% unemployment rate, the number is about half of what it has been in previous months. There will be more to come, once the ripples from the GM bankruptcy start to wash over the many small and large businesses that supported the auto industry. But, while announcing the GM bankruptcy, Press Secretary Gates said that GM would emerge even stronger in a couple of months. This action came with a positive prediction...a built in recovery.

Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke predicted in a recent speech that the recession will begin to turn around in 2010. This may be wishful thinking or a little Washington magic, but one thing is for sure. No matter how long it lasts, there will be a time when things start to get better. The 4.6 million jobs that were lost will need to be filled once again. They may not be the same jobs with the same requirements, though. The question is...will you (me, too) be ready to step up and qualify for the opportunities of the upturn of 2010? Will you have the skills necessary to step into the new jobs in the retooled marketplace? Will you have kept up with changes in your industry or field in order to compete with the millions of displaced workers vying for jobs?

Now is the time to take stock and take a class, participate in a webinar, buy some books for some self-study, volunteer, job-shadow, and get the experience or education so you'll be ready to compete with the best of them. If you were one of the lucky ones that still have a job, how have you become more valuable, knowlegable, or effective to be one of the keepers when all that new talent becomes available? When those upper-level management jobs that were eliminated open back up, will you be considered to move up, or be beaten out by someone from the outside with better skills, experience and value?

2010 is only seven months away. SEVEN months!!! Where do you want to be in seven months? What goals have you set for yourself professionally and personally? That's the first step. The second is to determine the one thing you can do in the next seven months that will have the greatest impact on your marketability and employability. What course will you enroll in come September that will keep you in the running, or move you to the front of the pack? How can you improve your professional image (lose weight, exercise, update your wardrobe) and your resume. What measurable accomplishments can you add to your resume in the next seven months that will put your resume at the top of the stack.

Like Annie sang, "The sun will come out tomorrow..." Ben says it is coming out in 2010. Now is the time to get ready to take your place in the sun.

Celebrate "May Day"

2009-05-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

Today is May 1, May Day as it is called. Over the world, there will be many celebrations, but this particular event hasn't caught on the in the US, like Valentines Day or Mothers Day, which will occur on May 10. I don't know why. Maybe it's because we associate "May Day" with "Mayday!!" the universal call for help.

I recently watched the original version of "The Poseidon Adventure." In the opening frames, the ship hits the wall of water from an earthquake, and Leslie Nielsen, playing the Captain, gets on the radio and starts shouting,"Mayday! Mayday!" The bells rang, sirens blared, and the passengers panicked. Did someone hear the distress call? Or was it just luck that led the rescue team came to the outside of the hull of the ship just as the few survivors had arrived at the same location on the inside? Even though it was filmed many years ago, it is a real cliffhanger.

Mayday!! Mayday!! How many times do people want to call that out when in real distress, but for some reason, are silent? Even though disaster is imminent, they say nothing, tell no one. Their fear or embarrassment or pride keeps them from asking for and receiving help in time of trouble. It could be someone suffering from the fear or reality of abuse. In some cases, the fear of walking away and the uncertainty of the future is somehow worse than enduring a painful present. Someone afraid of disappointment or rejection. Or a business owner too embarrassed to admit they need help to survive. Some people with great ideas or abilities are silenced because of the fear of failure or rejection. So many people lead lives of unfulfilled greatness because they are "Scared Silent." The fear is real to them, and in some cases, to them alone. Somewhere they learned that to ask for help is weakness, or to be avoided at all costs.

In this economy, there are many people who may be part of this group of the "Scared Silent." They sit in their houses, or go through the motions of a job they don't like but are afraid to leave. Don't rock the boat, for fear of setting someone off, be it a boyfriend, spouse, boss, or client. They have the next great business idea, best seller or hidden talent, but keep it hidden, far from the view of critics, real or imagined.

Speak up! Get out of the house! Take a chance. Get back into the game. Have a "Plan B." Talk to someone you trust who will be willing to help you find a place of refuge when things get rough, or can give you advice to turn your business around. Take one tip from all the books you have sitting around about dieting, or marketing, or self-improvement, or finances, or success and DO IT! Make a plan. Start now. When you shout "Mayday" out in your head, answer it with your own positive action. You may find that help is closer than you think.

New Look for MJNH Consulting

2009-04-29T05:01:00.000-07:00

Someone said that the only thing that never changes is that things will change. Read the newspaper, watch the news on TV, log on to your Internet provider and the first thing you will see is a list of news stories...things are always changing. Some changes are better than others, and one that I am excited about is our new website. MJN Consulting, founded in 1992, has emerged 17 years later as MJNH Consulting. After 10 years consulting as MJN Consulting, many changes took place -- I've added six years experience as a Human Resources Director, part of that time working in a union environment, achieving SPHR certification from SHRM and HRCI. I've experienced one job ending and the revitalization of a rewarding and energizing business, reconnecting with past clients and gaining new ones. I've found that love really does have a second chance with my new husband, Walter, and discovered the joy and wonder of living in the most beautiful city in the USA, Savannah, GA.

The latest change is our new website. Check us out at www.mjnhconsulting.com. New look, new experiences, new services, continued commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Over the past year, conducting seminars across the country, I've talked with hundreds of people working in many different industries, from different age groups and in various jobs at different levels of their companies. The faces change with every seminar, but the challenges are basically the same -- difficult employees and co-workers; managers who are inconsistent, micro-managers, and non-supportive; too much work and not enough appreciation. Lack of resources, training, money, and opportunities for advancement. One new challenge is the gap between the generations in work habits, company loyalty and techno-savvy. Uncertainty in the future with our current economic climate weighs heavily, but there are also a lot of companies and employees that are thriving. Lots of challenges, but opportunities as well.

Whatever your challenge, MJNH Consulting can help find solutions. With a wide variety of experience in management and organizational development, customized training, quality systems, process redesign, customer service, recruiting and retention, teambulding, motivational speaking, career transition/resume writing, or technical writing (policies, procedures, handbooks) MJNH Consulting will partner with your team to bring about positive change that helps your business grow. Call us. We can help.

Rethinking Work

2009-03-19T07:45:00.001-07:00

It's interesting to read the papers and watch the news during our current economic crisis. We have cut a record number of jobs, yet the executives are still working and getting bonuses and raises. Hey, aren't these the guys (and women) that are responsible for the management of these business, making the financial and strategic decisions that got them in such a mess in the first place? So why is the solution to lay off or fire the people who are actually serving the customers, making the products, implementing the processes, procedures, and policies? I think it's time to rethink how work and companies are structured. Here is my solution (or at least idea) of how to turn things around.

I have spent the past 25 years working with all kinds of companies, consulting, training, speaking and writing on workplace issues, process improvement, quality and customer service. I have spoken to (and listened to) thousands of employees from all levels of the organization -- from the person on the assembly line and customer service help desk to the CEO and GM of the company. Hourly staff, for the most part, have the closest contact with the customers and can make or break the customer experience that causes a consumer to buy and continue to buy from a provider.

The housekeeper in a hotel has a lot more influence on my decision to stay at a hotel AGAIN than the GM does. Because I come in contact in a very intimate way with the result of their work. If the room isn't clean, the bed made correctly, and the light bulbs don't work, I may or not complain. If the hotel operator or front desk agent doesn't answer the phone at least by the third ring and are not pleasant and helpful when they do answer, I may not complain. If the breakfast eggs look green instead of yellow, and the eating area isn't clean, I may not complain. But I can also choose not to come back. These are the areas that I see and use, which are not directly the result of the managers, but of the hourly staff. They are also the ones that are paid the least, do physically and mentally challenging jobs, and are regarded as the least valued employees. They work closest to the customer, but have the least to say in the decision making process on how best to serve the customers and make them happy. They are occasionally included in a brainstorming session on process improvement, or encouraged to offer suggestions on how to make improvements, but often those suggestions are shot down or ignored. After awhile, they stop believing in all those "motivational" programs that are supposed to make people happier at work. What they really want is respect...for my work, my ideas, and my contribution. What would happen if all the housekeepers and maintenance staff didn't show up for work one day in a major downtown hotel? Chaos!!! What would happen if the managers didn't show up for one day? The rest of the staff would probably get more done without a lot of meetings, interruptions, micro-managing, and e-mails to respond to. It would be interesting to try it out and see.

TQM turned the pyramid upside down and made the customer the top, with management supporting the process at the bottom. I suggest we put the employees who work directly with customers and have the most influence day-to-day at the top of the pyramid, pay them more...on a par with their value to the company, value and respect their work and contribution, and utilize their ideas and suggestions for process improvement. Making beds may not have the glitz and status of middle management, but every person who stays in a hotel is going to eventually slip between the sheets and directly experience the expertise and talent of the housekeeper. That experience has more to do with the bottom line than a supervisor or manager sitting in a boring meeting.

Hire the best for the most important jobs in your company, and "important" doesn't necessarily mean the highest title. Ask your customers what matters most to them, and it will probably be having work done correctly, the phone being answered on time, the food hot and cooked properly and the premises clean and orderly. I would bet it won't be having a lot of managers hanging around.

What's "IN" and What's "OUT" List

2009-01-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

I used to live in the Washington DC area, and every year I would look forward to the "IN" and "OUT" list that would appear in the Style Section of The Washington Post (TWP). Here it was, for those not savvy or self-assured enough to know instinctively, what was going to be THE thing to wear, eat, think, do, and avoid in the New Year to achieve maximum personal and professional success. Out went the old books, food, clothes, phrases, electronics, etc., and it was a frenzied trip to the mall to stock up and be "IN" as quickly as possible. How great it felt to have a visitor to your home glance at the coffee table and comment, "Oh, you're reading the latest book from Blah, Blah." You could then nod your head and smile smugly to yourself, knowing you haven't even leafed through the table of contents. The "List" had done its job, positioned you, like that crisp unread book on the coffee table, as one of the "IN" crowd. At least among those who also read the list. Or who cared about the list.

This year's List is interesting. I was surprised to hear that "drinking like Mad Men (the TV show) is now IN. I was a young secretary during that era, and I witnessed first hand what that was like. Vodka gimlets for lunch. The cut crystal liquor carafes in the office, which made it easy (and even acceptable) to have a drink during a meeting or casual discussion in the bosses office. I wonder how long it will take MADD to remind TWP about the statistics on alcoholism, drinking and driving and the AMA about liver disease.

I'm a little surprised at "vampire rights" as IN. I haven't heard many news reports on vampires protesting or marching to relieve unjust oppression. I am glad that boyfriend jeans are now IN, since they are way more comfortable than those designer, pencil thin, show your muffin top and more jeans that I see (not bigger than a size 2). I wonder when "Mom" jeans will come back in vogue? 20011?

I'm sorry to see that Fuji apples are now OUT, replaced by Honeycrisp. I really like Fuji, and though I risk being labled an old fuddy-duddy, I will continue to buy them and eat them. So there, TWP. They are just too good to pass up.

Finally the list found out what all us mothers in the 60's new...pots and pans in the bottom cabinets or drawers in the kitchen were THE best toys for toddlers. Organic toys are OUT, you young mothers. The problem is, a lot of moms don't cook, since the kids diet consists of frozen chicken fingers, microwaved macaroni and cheese, or something out of a box or bag, handed to them from a drive-thru window. I wonder if this listing will trigger a buying run on Calphalon (has to be designer for the young X and Yers). I can just see them texting Williams Sonoma to send the deluxe set NOW --- Tiffany or Dylan, the little darlings, are getting cranky!

The list goes on and on. I'm not going Goth, nor will I begin to wear white piping. To be honest, I don't even know what half the stuff was on the OUT list, or what the stuff was to replace it with on the IN list. Who cares. How much is driven by marketing, advertisers, and the desire to motivate people to spend, spend, spend. The desire to be IN -- in the know, "in with the IN crowd," in step, in front of the crowd. These basic desires lie behind the success of these lists. They also serve those of us who want to stand out, be different. It can be viewed as a list to avoid for 2009. Find what fits for you without the list for the Herd. Stand out. Be different. Be yourself. That's my mantra for 2009.

So much for that. I just noticed that it's already seven days into the new year. I have to get to the mall! Have a great day!

Looking ahead to 2009

2008-12-30T04:17:00.000-08:00

Here it is, the 30th of December. Time to reflect on 2008, almost "the past" and look forward to 2009. A new year, fresh start, new book with clean pages, clean slate...all those cliches that we buy into that give us hope that this next year, things will be different, better different.

On December 31, I pull out the envelope where I put last year's the New Year's Resolutions, open them up, and see how I did. Hmmmm. As I read the list, I am at times disappointed, amused, bewildered, angry, and resigned. Sometimes, one has actually been achieved. I'm a much better resolver than completer. That doesn't deter me from repeating the exercise for the next year. Undeterred, and always optomistic, I begin again. One year, after not making progress on a single item, I merely crossed out the year at the top of the page and put in the next year.

I always make New Years Resolutions. December 31, I take out the yellow legal pad (great expectations) and begin. #1 is always a repeat (except for 1997), "lose 20 lbs.) Then follows a litany of great expectations, such as "write book, remember everyone's birthday with card or call, make $1 million, be on 'Oprah" with new book, etc.)

One thing about making resolutions, is that making them isn't the thing. They say writing things down make them more likely to be achieved, like goals. I have found that writing them is helpful, but actually DOING them is what makes the difference. I learned the same thing over many years of buying the latest diet books when they hit the market. Buying the books isn't the key. Knowing what to do and why it works (or doesn't) to take off the pounds isn't enough. Actually cutting those calories, getting off your butt and walking or working out is what makes the numbers on the scale decrease. Knowing all the "secrets" and "surefire tips" to losing weight isn't enough. You do much better by putting knowledge to action. 1997 was proof of that...actually lost those 20 lbs!

This year, I'm going to add something to my resolutions. A start date, and a completion date. I'm going to take my own advice (that I give to my audiences in training and speaking) and use action words, set timelines and deadlines. Quantify results. Set milestones. This time the resolutions are not going to go in a sealed envelope, but hang on the wall over my PC in the office for all to see. They will even go in this blog. And not make so many. Too many resolutions are discouraging, since many are not achieved. With a shorter list, more likelihood that the percentage of success will be greater.

Hope springs eternal. There is always a new beginning. Why do we wait until New Year's Day to do it? Every day, every moment can be a new beginning from the previous one. Tomorrow when I make the short list for 2009, one of the resolutions will be to begin again every day. Falling short one day doesn't mean failure, just an opportunity to pick up again the next day.

What will you resolve this year? More money, better education, lose some weight, connect with family and friends? Write it down, share it with someone, and don't be discouraged. You've got a year to get it together and make some progress. They say if you don't have a plan, you will be at the mercy of someone who does. Make your own plan and work it in 2009. And remember to have some fun while you're doing it.

Happy New Year!

"Ho, Ho, Ho" or "Ho Hum" ?

2008-12-19T05:15:00.000-08:00

i just returned from my last training engagement for the month. I am now sitting in the midst of christmas cards that haven't been written, gifts that now have to be sent by FedEx ($$$$!!!), the pajamas patterns for the children and grandchildren cut but not yet sewed (7 of them) and a lovely Christmas tree aglow with lights, but with nary an ornament. The nutrolls haven't even gotten to the ingredient-buying stage. No stockings hung on the chimney with care (where are they, anyway??).

Someone asked me yesterday if I was ready for Christmas. I wasn't ready for Thanksgiving, but it came anyway. That's the way I feel about Christmas, too. It will come whether I'm "ready" or not. Thanks to my husband, the lighted wreaths with their beautiful red bows are already in place, hanging outside the upstairs bay windows on our old historic house in Savannah. What is "ready"??? How ready do you have to be, and who decides?

My son is coming tomorrow for a quick visit with two of my grandchildren. Next weekend, we will have the little girls, my husband's two children, and the following week, my two children and four grandchildren will descend on us for two days of welcomed chaos. Am I ready for that??? Absolutely. I can't wait.

Sometimes we let the preparation and some arbitrary standard of "readiness" measure our excitement or enjoyment of an event. The house has to be pristine, the decorations up to Southern Living Magazine standard, the food worthy of recognition by the Food Network. We lose the "Ho, Ho, Ho" merriment and enjoyment of the moment by exhausting ourselves with preparation, wanting that approval or adulation of what WE did instead of focusing on the mere joy of being together for a time in a special season.

This year, my decorations may be "Ho Hum", but when we open the door to family and friends, my heart will be singing "Ho, Ho, Ho." Don't miss the magic amid all the crazienss. Determine your own standards. Clear the clutter off the dining room table, dust off the good china, and really look at and talk to your family and guests. Give a few extra hugs, tell someone how much you love them and what they mean to you. Don't stress over the chocolate stains on the couch or the candy cane stuck to the curtains. That's what Resolve carpet and upholstery cleaners are for. Happy Holidays!

Homeward Bound

2008-12-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

It's one of those comfy Fridays...small wisps of clouds in the sky, a hint of warmth in the breeze for the middle of December. The house is quiet, except for the gentle sounds of one of the original albums of Simon and Garfunkle, taking me back to random days, times, sites, and people of a time long lost and often forgotten. Now it's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." I can see Art Garfunkle again (saw S&G in person in the 60's in concert at Valparaiso University) his curly hair almost standing up, thin, lanky silhouette on the stage, soft jacket, scarf carelessly wound around his neck. It is almost prayerful, the song. He closes his eyes, and the lyrics come, soft, liquid, caramel, soothing, yet aching, wrenching.

Music does things to me. Quiets, stirs, evokes. All those afternoons and evenings working in my Dad's music store (K Music, Glen Park, Gary Indiana)endlessly listening to the latest hits, country and western, classical, whatever was new or what the customer was interested in. I learned how to sing harmony by listening to all that music. In my teens, when I was lonely, or just wanted to escape the boredom of everyday or avoid my homework, I would put on a stack of LP's on the record player in the living room at home, and lay prone on the floor, ear up against the speakers on the front so I was enveloped, surrounded, caressed by the music. I could hear at once each individual part and all of them together. There was such beauty, power, emotion in those sounds, meeting, parting, soaring, and then coming together again.

Music has always been a part of my life. My children and I listened to lots of music together. Children's songs, christian songs (in our religious phase), nursery rhymes. I used to sing to them when they were babies, and was renowned for always having a song for everything. Give me a word, and I'd give you a song. We all loved music, and each had his or her own taste. My daughter with her "skater" phase. My son, the bass player for the high school garage band, "Midnight Raid", and husband/father, with some of the craziest songs, played over and over on those long trips to Hilton Head.

A nice, cozy, Friday, full of soft lights, music, and memories. Have a great weekend.

Go Buy Something!

2008-12-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

This thing with the economy is too big to even get your arms around, so I'm not going to try to sound intelligent about what caused it or what to do about it. I do know that there are still plenty of things that you have to buy, like food, gas, adult beverages, and new tunes for the IPod. The bailouts and economic recovery packages are designed for people to do just that....spend. So, if the government and all the people that screwed up the economy are getting trillions of dollars to spend FAST, why should the rest of us stop?

One thing that would help, along with a moratorium on foreclosures would be a moratorium on layoffs and terminations. Companies could take the hundreds of thousands (millions?) of dollars they budgeted for bonuses, raises and holiday parties and put it in a fund to pay salaries for the next year instead. Better to keep people working then ruin more lives and cause more economic havoc by putting more people on unemployment comp. Let the big guys with the big bucks learn how to clip coupons and run the self-check out at Wal-Mart, and maybe they would understand what it's like to live like the rest of us. Maybe they would care.

Anyway, have some fun and go out and buy something today. It's good for the psyche, and good for the economy. Buy something for yourself, and something for someone else. You get to smile and help someone else smile too. That's priceless.

Have some fun today!

Geeks to the Rescue in Portland, ME

2008-11-08T08:34:00.000-08:00

I have yet another "Geek to the rescue" story to tell. No, I am not an actor, and yes, I really am a customer just like you (hopefully) who just happened to have the need to be saved (yet again) from the treachery of cyberspace, a virus (perhaps), and the perils of using Microsoft Vista (nobody asked me!).

As a consultant, trainer, speaker, writer, I travel a lot and this past week found myself at the Eastland Park Hotel in beautiful downtown Portland, Maine, delivering a training program. I carry an LCD projector and laptop with me for my PowerPoint presentation, and have never had a problem with the computer. Now the LCD is another story. On another trip, just after purchase, the $350 bulb in my new projector blew out, leaving me with no A/V. Thanks to Circuit City and their more than generous return policy, I was given a brand new one (I had just asked for a replacement bulb). (Sorry, Best Buy, but they beat you on price for the same model.) However, every time I push the "Power" button on the LCD, I hold my breath, remembering the loud "pop" sound of that fateful day, hoping that I won't have another equipment failure.

As I was setting up the equipment on that Monday morning in Maine, I hooked up the laptop and projector, carefully pushed "power" (no popping sound) and then powered up the laptop. I entered my password, then got an error message that my password was not recognized. I tried again, but got into a maddening loop of entering the password, logging off, logging on, and then the same message. I was frantic, thinking I would have to do my program sans the dazzling PP presentation. Visions of shadow puppets against a blank screen, and recreating the graphics on a flip chart brought fear and terror to my heart. There was no reasoning with the laptop. No go. Nada.

Remembering my previous encounters, I immediately thought of the Geek Squad. Surely, they had one in Portland. To my relief, there was, and after a call to the Best Buy at the Maine Mall, I felt relief was only a cab ride away. After my program was over at 4, I got a cab and off to the mall. A very nice agent named Jeramy came to my rescue. Again, dressed in his official Geek Squad uniform, badge on his belt, he quickly assessed the problem. However, it appeared first that my laptop had a corrupted file, and the initial phone analysis of just a password change was not possible. I believe my pleading, positive affirmations that he was indeed a "genius" who could master anything, and my look of panic made him keep exploring possibilities. After conferring with another Geek at the desk, he successfully circumvented the nasty error message through safe mode and was able to set back my computer to a few days prior to the message. He logged off, and we held our collective breaths while he tried to log on again! Miracles do happen, there is an Easter Bunny, and good guys (and geeks) win in the end. There is no sweeter sound than the login tune for Microsoft and no greater sight than my desktop on the laptop screen (he also removed the password login screen). We cheered, we laughed, we cried (or at least I did). For a mere 30-minute counter charge, I was back in business.

Whether in Savannah, GA, Portland, ME, or anywhere else the 11,000 Geeks are on duty, you can rest assured that they can help. I was able to do my presentation the next day in all it's PowerPoint glory, and then go on to Bangor, Maine and do the same. Not resting on his laurels, Jeramy also personally escorted me to the business supply section (I wanted to get some overheads just in case), and had Ian, one of the store's Business Technology Professionals touch base to be sure all my needs were met.

A very class act. Experts that don't let you down. Best Buy and Geek Squad made a great team. Courteous, professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated to finding solutions. Fast and Economical!

What else can I say? Thanks to the Geek Squad once again.

Halloween Musings

2008-10-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the night for ghouls, goblins, and other scary things. In Savannah, we have lots of real ghosts who haven't yet passed over, and they will be at their best, delighting all the people taking the late night "ghost pub crawls." I don't know what's scarier, the real ghosts or tourists dressing up, drinking too much, and then stumbling around dark, creepy houses and bars, listening to stories of murder and mayhem.

There is a great deal on the media about keeping Halloween safe for kids. Lots of police out tonight. One reporter said the police are out to make sure the registered sex offenders are complying with their curfew and aren't out with the kiddies. Now that's really scary. It's sad to think that such a fun holiday has turned into a daytime, go with your parents, controlled activity where it starts going to only approved houses, and ends at the local hospital where the candy has to be x-rayed and analyzed before eaten.

Halloween was far different when I was a child. I remember putting on some semblance of home-made costume, and going out with my friends at a very young age, with a pillowcase for the booty, and walking for blocks and blocks until the bag was full. We went to every house, and before long, the grapevine had bulletins out on who was giving out full-size candy bars...hershey's bars with almonds and nestles crunch bars being the best. We would go up to church where the nuns and priests would OOOH and AHHHH over our costumes and give out some of the best candy. There was nary a parent in sight, but no problem. There were droves of kids making the rounds. If you were out too late when the crowds started thinning, there was the risk of running into the older kids who were out to steal candy bags,but those were few and far between. We would come home from our trek, dump the bags on the floor, and then begin the serious trading. My siblings and I would sort, and trade for what we liked best. Then, my brother would make a fort out of his candy, with Milky Way sentry positions and gun mounts out of sucker sticks. My mother would loan us her turkey roaster pan and soup pot to store the candy in, which went immediately to our rooms and hiding places, far from the other kids and parents with sweet tooths.

Now that I'm an adult, its not the ghosts or goblins that scare me most. It's reading the newspaper with all the violence in the city, or the business page, or the financial news. Recession, layoffs, foreclosures. We are just in the beginning, and who knows what tomorrow will bring. The news media is anticipating a "test" for the new President his first year in office. Dire predictions of a 9-11 type attack, maybe this time biological. Now that's scary. Too much TV time is bad for children, but now it's just as bad for adults. Tired of being scared? Turn off the TV and radio. Hold someone's hand that you trust and cares for you. Count your blessings. Take some time to think of something to be happy about, and don't stop until you do. And when the kids come home with their candy bags, or you've got some leftover nestle crunch bars when the trick-or-treaters have gone home, settle back, snuggle next to someone(thing) (person, pet, etc.)smile, and sink your teeth into some forbidden chocolate delight. Savor the moment.

Happy Halloween!

Eat slow and eat lots!

2008-10-27T03:14:00.000-07:00

This was my mother's directive when we would sit down to a Sunday dinner at home. She always made a grand dinner (actually the meal was after 11:00 a.m. mass on Sunday)with some type of meat, mashed potatoes, gravy, several vegetables, sliced tomatoes, salad (with her sweet/sour dressing), homemade rolls and at least two kinds of dessert. My mother showed her love by cooking, and she did it with gusto. We were all too happy to comply with her wishes. My five siblings and I would compete to see who could grab the spoon in the mashed potato bowl the fastest once my father finished the blessing with the final "amen." Six hands would reach, but only one won the privilege of taking the first helping. No worry that there wouldn't be enough. The bowls of food were always heaping full, glistening with that extra pat of real butter on top.

I still hear that phrase in my memory when I sit down to a meal. However, after fighting excess weight (probably due to obedience to it early on) for so many years, I now reach for the mashed potatoes with anxiety. How many calories? How many carbs have I had already today? How many points is this (I'm a lifetime Weight Watcher)? The angst repeats itself with each selection. My early love affair with food has turned into an obsession with the dark side of enjoyment. Right now, I'm about 10 lbs over my desired weight, and it seems that instead of losing the weight, I sabotage myself with Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia (tastes sooooooo good).

Deciding what to eat for breakfast is a major effort, with many considerations (see above). There is so much conflicting information about food and diets and what is good for you, it is mind boggling. The typical breakfast when I was a child was a bowl of cereal, toast with butter and jelly, orange juice and glass of milk. Today, that breakfast would be the target of a dozen diet experts. Orange juice? Too much sugar. Cereal with milk (oh, and it had a teaspoon of sugar in it, too) Carbs, sugar and whole milk with it's animal fat -- can't be good for you. Then, pile on the toast, and in those days it was white, Silvercup Bread, the most delicious, soft, full-bodied bread ever, with the most delicious crust. With butter, please. Top it off with a nice glass of milk, and you were ready for your ABC's

When I look back on those days, one thing stands out. We enjoyed food without guilt. Eating Sunday dinner together was a family affair. It was part of a very enjoyable time, one of few that I remember from my childhood. My mother glowed with compliments on her cooking, attested to by empty serving bowls and satisfied smiles. Sunday dinner was followed by my sisters and I washing and drying dishes together, and my dad taking a nap in his favorite chair while watching a football game. My mother would relax on the couch and read the rest of the Sunday paper. After the dishes, we would scatter to our rooms or call on friends to spend the rest of the day. No anxiety, no guilt, no obsessing over calories, points, and fat grams.

Maybe that's the secret. To weight loss? Maybe not, but to enjoying what food adds to life. Doctors say that stress adds to weight gain by releasing cortisol, which adds fat around the middle. Comfort food is the label attributed to those Sunday dinners of long ago. Not the low fat, low carb, pre-packaged diet meals we force ourselves to eat to gain an image in a mirror dictated by Project Runway or Dancing with the Stars. They call it comfort food for a reason. Good, tasty, relaxing, satisfying. I'll eat a "sensible" breakfast this morning. I still have my mother's meatloaf recipe, and her mashed potatoes I know by heart. Sounds like a plan for dinner. I feel better already.

Quick, someone throw me a "Life Link"

2008-10-01T04:47:00.000-07:00

i just returned from four days on the road, presenting four different seminars for four different clients. Whether it was garbage recycling, web design, aerospace or health care, the greatest challenge for each of these diverse organizations (when asked) was internal communication. Funny, with all the communication channels we have now -- e-mail, texting, IM, cell phones, voice mail, Blackberries (strawberries, raspberries) and the antiquated (yes, you can get your butt out of the chair and actually walk to talk to a co-worker) but amazingly effective face-to-face conversation, we still aren't getting any closer or clearer in communicating effectively.

Salary.com says in it's 2007 survey that the #1 reason people stay at a job is "Relationship with my co-workers" and the #2 reason is "Relationship with my manager." If that is true, being able to communicate effectively and build bridges with co-workers and managers should be Priority #1 for all companies who want to attract and retain top talent. But I find from talking with hundreds of employees across the country that the opposite is true. Many of our communication tools actually hinder building those relationships. We have fast, concise communication (who wants to type in a long message on a Blackberry?) but not much with the three V's critical for effective communication -- voice tone, visual (body language) and verbal (effective --and sufficient-- words). We may be taking care of business from the distance of VM, IM and Blackberry, but losing the all important side effect of face-to-face conversation and interaction, real understanding, follow-on quesions, and the nuances of facial expressions, voice tone, and body language.

So, with all this separation, how can companies help their employees build relatioships that are so important for attracting and retaining top talent? Smart companies are taking time to bring their employees together for retreats, conferences or (please forgive the ancient terminology) Teambuilding programs. Having an effecive relationship-building exercise and a skilled facilitator can make make or break the day. It has to be fun, thought provoking, and provide opportunity to learn more about co-workers and create "links" that bring people together and help them value each other.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to facilitate a retreat for a local organization, using my original exercise, "Life Links," which, through a series of questions (answered pre-meeting by the participants,_ helps them learn more about each other, find common links through life experiences, and discover strengths, values and clues as to what makes a person "tick" and how they view the world. It is a highly interactive, fun, laugh-filled exercise, ending with each person presenting a positive profile of how another member contributes to the success of the group by who they are and thier life experiences.

I created this exercise in 1996, and an article on it was published in Training and Development Magazine. It has been used successfully with organizations such as NASA, Western Michigan University, Coach, Inc., Georgia Power Company, Lighthouse Bank, and the Medical College of Georgia. If your employees, team, work group, or executive team need help in building relationships that make people want to stay on the job and work better together, consider "Life Links" for your next staff meeting, retreat or conference. Over the years, I have seen some of the most amazing answers to the questions, such as the guy who answered the question, "What's the scariest, craziest, most dangerous thing you've ever done" with the fact that he was a prisoner of war in Korea, and he escaped and took two other prisoners with him. Everyone thought the answer had to belong to a leader, so they attributed it to the CEO. It turned out to be the custodian. The awe and respect that the group had for him after that revelation was incredible. Helping co-workers to learn more about each other, and then relating that to strengths that they bring to the table because of who they are and their life experiences goes beyond the resume and work experience. They learn to value and respect each other as individuals, breaking the barriers that titles and position on an org chart can create.

In these times of economic uncertainty, it is even more important for co-workers to feel valued and an important part of the organization. "Life Links" can play a part in bringing people together in both good and challenging times. For more information, contact me through my website, www.mjnhconsulting.com, or e-mail marynh@mjnhconsulting.com

Have a

Is you PC down? Viruses all around? Who you gonna call? GEEK SQUAD!!

2008-09-15T06:27:00.000-07:00

Some sad stories have happy endings, there is a fairy godmother, and the good guys do win in the end. And, yes Margaret, there is a double agent from the Geek Squad who can unravel the mysteries of your PC, banish the boogeymen, viruses, trojans, worms and other evil things inside the hard drive, make the sun shine again and make the rainbow appear after the storm.

I know this is true, because my very own (well, scheduled to arrive) double agent saved the day (or I should say my desktop) on Saturday morning. He also synced up two laptops, moved files, and make all sorts of other tweeks that left the PC purring and running like the winner at the Kentucky Derby. The appointment was for "between noon and 4 p.m.," and at about 12 noon on the dot I got a call from him, saying he was in range and would be there shortly. I didn't know what to expect, since I had only seen "agents" at the store, but he certainly did not disappoint. I opened the door, and I could swear I saw rays of light emanating from behind him as he stood on the porch, black shoes shining, dressed in full Geek Double Agent attire (black pants, white dress shirt, black tie), with very cool black sunglasses to complete the picture. Calm, cool, collected, and very polite, warm, friendy smile. I knew this was going to be a pleasant experience. After talking just a few minutes I had complete confidence that this Geek knew what he was doing, and he had the great customer service skills necessary to assure me that he could take care of whatever ills had beset my PC.

During the five hours that he worked on the PC and laptops, my husband and I wandered in and out of the office, answering questions, chatting, and watching as he worked his magic. Armed with the proper tools (a portfolio of CDs) he took the PC through extensive diagnostics and tackled each problem one-by-one, taking them to the mat and scoring points each time.

What was remarkable was that he didn't seem to be "on the clock" and took time to be sure that we were completely satisfied with the outcome, and was happy to answer any questions and make modifications that would make the PC and laptops perform even better. I was impressed with his professionalism, confidence and respectful demeanor. I was amazed with his expertise and knowledge and ability to walk into a realtively unknown situation and handle it with ease. The cost of the in-home service was well worth the price, and the ease of scheduling a plus. If I hadn't procrastinated, a double agent could have been in my home the day after I visited the store (Wedneday). As it was, he was available the following Saturday.

One software package, ACT! was a new one to him, and was the only trojan standing after the service call. Still inoperable, he apolgized for not having the key to that one, but promised to do some research on it. Also, he reminded us that the work is guaranteed for 30 days, so if we need him, he's only a call away to the Geek Squad 800-number. We have also found a few files that we forgot to ask him to move (we have two user accounts on the desktop), and will be testing the 30-day guarantee this week.

Often, in home service providers are an annoyance, are in a hurry to get done and get out, are non-communicative, defensive, or know-it-alls who talk down to you. Not the Geeks from Best Buy. Either their parents or Best Buy's training taught them what customer service is all about. When we asked him about retrieving data from a hard drive had been dropped on the floor, he let us know that Best Buy has a new provider that can do a diagnostic for $59.95, and let us know if there is any hope for the data. We promptly took it to our local Best Buy with high hopes that somewhere there is a double agent (or just an agent) that can coax the data out of it. That will be my next story. Hopefully, it will have as happy an ending as this one.

"Double Agents" to the Rescue

2008-09-12T06:39:00.000-07:00

Somehow, a trojan horse or worm or virus has attacked my desktop, wiping out all the Microsoft programs. And, the trojan is at the gate of my hard drive, because it has blocked re-installation. I shop at Best Buy a lot, and have engaged the "Geek Squad" occasionally with a question, but now I really needed their help. So, off I went to Best Buy to set up an appointment. I could have called them up, or went online, but since I was out running errands anyway, thoughI would stop in for a few minutes and set up a service call.

How naive and foolish that was! I got in line behind about four other people. From the looks on their faces -- clenched teeth, glazed eyes -- I could see they had been there for awhile. There were two "agents" behind the counter, helping two customers. The time went by, and the line got longer, but no progress at the counter. I was quickly taken into the brotherhood/sisterhood of the waiting line, and we commiserated with each other. Some people were holding computer towers or other pieces of equipment, and as time went by they engaged in some creative balancing acts, leaning them agains the posts of the line barriers, holding them like teddy bears, or sitting on them.

As we waited, I noticed a lot of "geek" personnel (you can tell from their shirts) milling around, walking in and out of an office next to the counters or from behind the curtains behind the counter, but none of them noticed the line and came to help more customers. At one point, one of the agents finished with a customer and then, instead of taking the next customer, proceeded to put papers away, wandered around, disappeared for awhile behind the curtains, all the while deftly avoiding eye contact with the customers in the line. At one point this agent was carrying a CD behind the counter and in a surprise move, snapped the CD in half, sending shards of the CD into the air, some showering us with plastic missles. Not even a warning "incoming" or "fore!" A comment from one guy in the line got no response, not even a look or a nod. We began to feel like the Whos from Whoville in the Dr. Seuss book. Were we so insignificant that no one noticed us?

I noticed that when a transaction was completed, the agent would make some entries in a register and then leave the counter, walk to the back of the store, and return with papers in his hand. This happened every time. I wonder why, since they were techno-geeks, they didn't figure out that if you put the printer behind the counter you can save a lot of time walking back and forth. It didn't escape the brother/sisterhood in the line. We watched as this was repeated time and again.

Finally, I got to the front of the line, and was told that I had to call the 800-Geek line to set up an appointment, but that one of their "double agents" (the double agents do the in-home service) may be available as early as that afternoon. My hour in line got me information that I could have found if there was an "info" only line, or a poster somewhere with that info and the number.

Putting the printer at the counter where the transactions are completed, posting information for customers, making eye contact, and refraining from actions that can put your customers in jeopardy are only a few of the observations for making this customer service experience better. How is your customer service area arranged? Where is your equipment? What about signage, and flow? A simple analysis of these items and some observation can make a big difference to your customers and help keep their attitude positive while they are waiting. As for me, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my "double agent" tomorrow. I wonder if he will arrive by scaling the back garden wall, or be dropped out of a helicopter, or something equally 007-ish. I don't really care, just so long as he can slay a trojan, squash a worm or cure a virus.

Have a great weekend.

Waiting for Service

2008-09-10T05:51:00.001-07:00

Since I travel quite a bit, I have to squeeze in "home stuff" when I'm in town. This time the list of stuff includes the usual like going to the cleaners, shopping for jazzy clothes to take when I'm back on the road (thanks Ann Taylor Loft for the great $25 off when you spend $50 coupons), and cleaning (yuk!).

It's also time to tackle some larger issues, like the sectional that we bought six months ago that now looks like a large beige sharpei dog with folds of wrinkled fabric on the cushions, deep depressions in cushions long after the "sitters" have left, and seat cushions that no longer line up like soldiers on the parade field. I am also anticipating a return trip by the bug guy to re-spray for the pesky little german roaches that still roam occasionally over the kitchen countertops, inside the dishwasher, oblivious to the sprays and traps that were supposed to drop them in their tracks.

Waiting for service has become a commonplace thing. Some businesses, like the bug guy, schedule service at a particular time so you can plan your day around them. Others, like the furniture company, will call me tonight (as if it's a national secret) and let me know when they will be coming tomorrow. It won't be a definite time, just a range, say like between 10 and "whenever we feel like showing up." Fortunately, I have the flexibility to be home at random hours during the day to meet these people. Not so when I had a "real job" and had to squeeze service people in before 9 or after 5, or race home to be there or convince my husband to come home early to meet them.

That I have to spend time doing this at all is what irks me and most people that have to return or redo some service or product. If the quality of the product was what it should have been in the first place (and promised) or the bug spray service had knocked the little buggers off like it was supposed to (in one service, guaranteed), I could be off to the beach or taking advantage of the 20% off coupon at Steinmart this morning. But, here I am, sitting captive in my own home, not daring to leave lest someone show up early (or on time, God forbid) and I miss them. I would then have to endure a scolding from their customer service rep for missing my appointment, and then reschedule and do this all over again.

People are busy, with busy lives and not a lot of discretionary time to sit and wait. With prices going up for just about everything, shoppers are becoming more discerning. If I have to spend time after the sale to fix things or replace them, I will be less likely to return to the same store or service provider. Give me the "one-night-stand." I'm looking for vendors that see me once, take my money, and leave me with nothing but pleasant memories. I like to be the one to rekindle the relationship by seeking them out and buying again, not to cry, complain, and tell them why they've done me wrong. Who needs another disfunctional relationship?

Service providers take a lot of heat, since they are often fixing problems they had no part in creating. Companies spend a lot of money and create a lot of ill will when they have to send service workers out to fix things. They could be spending that money on new products, marketing, or printing up those great 20% off coupons to bring in new business. If I have to wait, let it be for the guys from Publisher's Clearing House with that $1 million check. That's worth waiting for.

Water, Batteries and TP

2008-09-03T18:19:00.000-07:00

This month is shaping up to be an active one for hurricanes. I happened to be in Jacksonville when Fay blew in (only a tropical storm) and she managed to shut down the town, close stores, and send rain and debris flying sideways in heavy winds all day and night. Midway in the second day of training the chandelier in the meeting room sprung a leak, showering water all over the table with all the AV equipment.

The hotel was very accommodating, but with all the rain and humidity, (and being Florida) when I got wet, it was almost impossible to dry out, even overnight. My one pair of comfortable shoes were soaked inside and out, and never did dry out over the three days I was in Jacksonville. Everything in the hotel room seemed damp, and I swear the bottomof my socks were wet when I walked on the carpet.

I made it out of Jacksonville and finally dried out, but now there are three possible hurricanes out in the Atlantic, all three with "cones of concern" projected to come up the eastern seaboard. Here we go again. Rain, damp, light fixtures that become upside-down fountains. Now, at home, we are urged to prepare for the worst, and go out and stock up on a few essentials -- bottled water, batteries and, most essential, toilet paper. On my trip to Sam's Club today, I was able to get all three, and a few other things on the survival list. Interesting how survival comes down to a shopping list of items that are so commonplace that we don't think of them when the sun is shining and there are no swirling masses on the weather map with names like Fay, Katrina and Hugo.

When disasters loom at work, what is on your list of survival items? Without electricity, lights, and air conditioning, what would you use to keep things going? Once when the electricity went out at the Resort where I was working, the servers at the restaurants had to write up manual tickets, make change (without the registers telling how much to return), and wash dishes by hand. We found out how unprepared our employees were to handle simple tasks like legibly writing up tickets, doing simple math to add up charges, figure sales tax and make change. And how unaccustomed they were to rolling up their sleeves and take on the unpleasant and repetitive task of washing dishes quickly in order to reset tables and take care of customers. Essential skills like math, writing, and innovation are often overlooked in employee training, but like water, batteries and toilet paper, they can surely keep you going when the lights go out (and the electricity is off). Working Smart means being prepared for whatever comes down the pike. How prepared is your workplace? What's on your "Essentials List?"

Welcome to Working Smart Works!!!

2008-09-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

I haven't seen many news articles lately where some HR person put a gun to an applicant's head and forced them to take a job. Most people take a shower, brush their teeth, put on their best "interview" suit or dress, shine their shoes, pick up a leather portfolio (with a great interview pen inside), and print off a couple copies of that professionally scripted resume. Then they head out for an interview hoping to make the final cut, and ulitmiately become the workplace version of "American Idol Employee." Take center stage, hear the roar of the crowd, see the paystub with their name on it, slide into their new leather chair behind their new mahogany desk.

Unfortunately, some workplaces more closely resemble "Survivor -- Workplace." When the employee shows up on the first day, the job they interviewed for has changed and the manager they interviewed with has moved on. The co-workers who were friendly in the interview are now suspicious of their ambition and fear their credentials. The new employee is either ignored, tolerated, or fed misinformation.

If you have to work at all, it makes sense to work smart! That means that you choose the job, the company, the hours, the terms. Sound impossible? Well, if you work for someone else, at some point you are going to voluntarily sign on the dotted line and agree to whatever was said (promised, written) in the interview and your offer letter. So, be smart about it and choose well.

If you work for yourself, you have more freedom to choose, but you still will sign a contract, agreement, or proposal promising to show up at the company or client's place of business, or deliver a product at some point in time. Either way, there is an agreement to deliver something and you have a chance to name the terms, the place, the timing and the compensation. Again, choose well, because you are committing precious time that could be used doing something else (and possibly more fun, challenging and lucrative).

This blog will discuss all aspects of what we call "working" and propose ways to work smart. We all know how to work hard, put in long hours, be productive. But are we working smart -- leveraging our days on the job to that next level, more recognition, building that resume, enjoying more free time and control of our life on the job? Or maybe just chukking it all and going on your own. I'll share my experiences, trials, tribulations, elations, triumphs and lessons learned. Share yours with me.

As I travel around the country consulting, training, writing and speaking, I am struck by the attitude of so many workers, regardless of the level -- boredom, stressed out, angry, negative, just "hanging on". There are some bright spots, someone who has found a way to make work interesting or bearable until they can leave at the end of the day and get on with their real life. Work should be real life, too -- fun, engaging, positive, rewarding, challenging, creative.

What makes you jump out of bed every morning and get to work (hopefully on time). Other than having to pay the bills, what is it about your job makes you (or you wish it would) willingly spend most of your waking hours four or five days a week working? What issues would you like to discuss? Have answers to? Log on to see what creative ways people are learning to work smart, join me in my travels, and find out who out there is really taking care of the customer.

Mary N-H