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Veronica
I'm in the process of starting a small business. I finished my business plan. Now, I'm wondering if the next step is to get on television so I can promote my book and earn some income.
V. Holman:
If you want to be on television you can start by using local community access programs, they are usuallly free to use after paying for training. ...MoreIf you want to be on television you can start by using local community access programs, they are usuallly free to use after paying for training. I know it is here in NC. Or do a vlog and promote it yourself no training fees, annual fee or anything.
Also, like clay said depending on who the target market is for your book is the next step in where you would go with developing media for that target market.
61 weeks ago
Also, like clay said depending on who the target market is for your book is the next step in where you would go with developing media for that target market.
61 weeks ago
LY Gian:
When you say go on television, are you referring to attending television talk show or a TV advertisement? If it is talk shows it might be more ...MoreWhen you say go on television, are you referring to attending television talk show or a TV advertisement? If it is talk shows it might be more effective.
However, social medias e.g. blogs, a book club at facebook are also a good place to promote your books.
58 weeks ago
However, social medias e.g. blogs, a book club at facebook are also a good place to promote your books.
58 weeks ago
Vickie Elmer
What's your most valuable question for leading a team? What queries do you ask again and again? My new piece for Fortune.com looks at the questions leaders use - http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/21/the-one-question-every-boss... So what's your favorite question? How do you use questions to lead?
William Bryan and Allies Team recommended this
Vickie Elmer:
@Les, I agree with you, and the body of the article reflects that the questions are varied depending on circumstances.
@William, for some reason I ...More@Les, I agree with you, and the body of the article reflects that the questions are varied depending on circumstances.
@William, for some reason I couldn't get that blog post to show up. Who wrote it or what's the title? (Thanks for sharing!)
61 weeks ago
@William, for some reason I ...More@Les, I agree with you, and the body of the article reflects that the questions are varied depending on circumstances.
@William, for some reason I couldn't get that blog post to show up. Who wrote it or what's the title? (Thanks for sharing!)
61 weeks ago
William Bryan:
Vickie hopefully this works. I think it should. MoreVickie hopefully this works. I think it should. http://blogs.hbr.org/hmu/2011/02/making-sure-your-employees-suc.html
61 weeks ago
61 weeks ago
Sal Pellettieri
I have a site which I think will benefit schools greatly (and it's free). I'm having a hard time getting through to Principals, Superintendents and IT people though. I've tried emailing with little success and now am doing cold calling (which I hate). What do you think is the best strategy to get people to know about a website? and specifically to get through to schools?
Kate Hutchinson:
What kind of pitch do you have for them? How will your site benefit a school? What you've shared so far is very vague, so I can't tell what you're ...MoreWhat kind of pitch do you have for them? How will your site benefit a school? What you've shared so far is very vague, so I can't tell what you're trying to sell.
Keep in mind a few things about marketing to schools: unless you're looking at a private school, there is very little in a public school's budget for new tools, particularly IT. Secondly, schools have real obligations where privacy and care of students is concerned, and the Internet, any Internet is often an obstacle to the directives of educators. Be careful to share that you are offering a real tool/benefit and not just some gadget that looks cool but goes outside what students are obligated to learn in the classroom.
61 weeks ago
Keep in mind a few things about marketing to schools: unless you're looking at a private school, there is very little in a public school's budget for new tools, particularly IT. Secondly, schools have real obligations where privacy and care of students is concerned, and the Internet, any Internet is often an obstacle to the directives of educators. Be careful to share that you are offering a real tool/benefit and not just some gadget that looks cool but goes outside what students are obligated to learn in the classroom.
61 weeks ago
Mike Ambassador Bruny:
Sal,
Great suggestions and questions already on the table. I would add, start by using your network. Do you know someone, who knows someone? ...MoreSal,
Great suggestions and questions already on the table. I would add, start by using your network. Do you know someone, who knows someone? What school did the folks you are trying to connect with attend? You might have a connection there (I usually start with a bit of research / networking when I'm trying to reach folks). The other thing you could try is....just swing by when you are in the neighborhood (has worked very well for me to just introduce myself and connect later on).
Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny
61 weeks ago
Great suggestions and questions already on the table. I would add, start by using your network. Do you know someone, who knows someone? ...MoreSal,
Great suggestions and questions already on the table. I would add, start by using your network. Do you know someone, who knows someone? What school did the folks you are trying to connect with attend? You might have a connection there (I usually start with a bit of research / networking when I'm trying to reach folks). The other thing you could try is....just swing by when you are in the neighborhood (has worked very well for me to just introduce myself and connect later on).
Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny
61 weeks ago
William Bryan
Question for everyone, Is earrings on guys now acceptable for todays work environment? I wear earrings in both of my ears and I think my earrings represent me. So is it acceptable?
carol diane windfuhr:
I agree with both Anisha and Kelly. Check out the company and their culture first. Don't wear at the interview. Be very professional. But once you ...MoreI agree with both Anisha and Kelly. Check out the company and their culture first. Don't wear at the interview. Be very professional. But once you get the job, and you might see others wearing the earring, you can too. Just don't go overboard with too many piercings. Many companies still don't like it.
92 weeks ago
92 weeks ago
Danielle Albright:
Although I can understand the reasoning, It's somewhat unfortunate how looks still matter so much across the board for the professional ...More Although I can understand the reasoning, It's somewhat unfortunate how looks still matter so much across the board for the professional environment. If it were up to me, I'd have a full head of pink or blue hair right now! I know I've conformed to society's status quo but I applaud and appreciate the people who do the different representations of themselves even if I wouldn't have the guts to do it myself (like a tattoo)!
92 weeks ago
92 weeks ago
Iz
How do you ask for a progress report from an employee without sounding impatient?
Ben Donahower:
as for your present situation...
1. why not couch your question related to other work e.g. our team has another project coming our way next ...Moreas for your present situation...
1. why not couch your question related to other work e.g. our team has another project coming our way next week, what's going on with what you're working on now?
2. offer to help (while you don't want to come across as impatient clearly you want to get something moving here) e.g. i didn't make it clear when we were to hitting benchmarks with this project but i'd really like to get this thing moving. where are you at? can i help in any way?
3. give your progress report first e.g. hey coworker i just got done with X assignment, how is your assignment coming along?
4. blame someone else e.g. our consultant is wondering about this project. what feedback should i give him?
93 weeks ago
1. why not couch your question related to other work e.g. our team has another project coming our way next ...Moreas for your present situation...
1. why not couch your question related to other work e.g. our team has another project coming our way next week, what's going on with what you're working on now?
2. offer to help (while you don't want to come across as impatient clearly you want to get something moving here) e.g. i didn't make it clear when we were to hitting benchmarks with this project but i'd really like to get this thing moving. where are you at? can i help in any way?
3. give your progress report first e.g. hey coworker i just got done with X assignment, how is your assignment coming along?
4. blame someone else e.g. our consultant is wondering about this project. what feedback should i give him?
93 weeks ago
Iz:
There's some real gangster advice in there Ben. I was definetly looking at no.1 being the approach that I'd want to take. Thanks Ben.
93 weeks ago
93 weeks ago
Rebecca Thorman
When you leave a message talking so fast I can't understand you, then say your phone number EXTRA fast, chances are I won't call you back. Why are people so inept at leaving good messages!? This a pet peeve of mine. Here are my general rules for a good message 1) Keep it short, 2) Say your name and phone number SLOWLY in the beginning, 3) State the actual clear purpose of your call, 4) Say your name and phone number SLOWLY again at the end. What are your pet peeves and rules?
94 weeks ago from Networking Tips, Ask Penelope Trunk! and Productivity & Time-Management1 more
Ryan Healy, Meghan Skiff and Shana Ross recommended this
Blake McCammon:
I hate leaving voicemails and I had listening to them as well :P If it was important you will call me back, if it's really important you will ...MoreI hate leaving voicemails and I had listening to them as well :P If it was important you will call me back, if it's really important you will email me.
94 weeks ago
94 weeks ago
Shana Ross:
@Cary - I tend to feel a little like Elisabeth, that writing is preferable to voicemail...but if I've called you, I'm going to leave a message. ...More@Cary - I tend to feel a little like Elisabeth, that writing is preferable to voicemail...but if I've called you, I'm going to leave a message. So it's not nagging; it's a recognition that the voicemails I leave are usually incomplete or make me sound like an idiot. Sending an email after a voicemail might be less nagging and more just covering the bases.
94 weeks ago
94 weeks ago
Carmille
A friend recommended me to try: http://www.openoffice.org/ . What are your experiences with OpenOffice? Any better alternatives?
Alison Rayner:
I really didn't like Open Office, only because I was accustomed to Word & my employer didn't want to purchase the licenses for the Microsoft ...MoreI really didn't like Open Office, only because I was accustomed to Word & my employer didn't want to purchase the licenses for the Microsoft product. The shortcut functions are quite different & there were formatting issues from between Open Office & Word.
113 weeks ago
113 weeks ago
Todd Nilson:
OpenOffice works great. It's just not quite as pretty as the Microsoft Office Suite.
113 weeks ago
113 weeks ago
Mehul Kar
starting a business while going to school full time. good idea or not?
Mehul Kar:
@lindsey sounds like a full plate. remember the episode of Big Bang Theory a couple weeks ago when Burnadette says to Sheldon "what happens when ...More@lindsey sounds like a full plate. remember the episode of Big Bang Theory a couple weeks ago when Burnadette says to Sheldon "what happens when you don't sleep for a long time?" The something something shuts down in your brain. i.e. rest and activity are the steps to progress :)
@Zach thanks. I'm trying to think of some offbeat qs. Basic M.O.: put aside all the BS job q's and ask q's that I love answering myself (because I have good answers to them). If their answers match up, then we're on the same page. Then I just have to decide if I want to go the "same page" route or the "variety/balance" route.
116 weeks ago
@Zach thanks. I'm trying to think of some offbeat qs. Basic M.O.: put aside all the BS job q's and ask q's that I love answering myself (because I have good answers to them). If their answers match up, then we're on the same page. Then I just have to decide if I want to go the "same page" route or the "variety/balance" route.
116 weeks ago
Zachary Stark Jones:
I think you want to have a mix of standard / formal questions, then transition into an offbeat portion. You want to put forth capability, which ...MoreI think you want to have a mix of standard / formal questions, then transition into an offbeat portion. You want to put forth capability, which is the normal practice of q's; obviously you want to challenge people and have some questions that you expect would be beyond the ability of those you're interviewing. They flag the rare person that can answer them, and for the test they should paint a path of professional growth during tenure - you an take care that they do not belittle or make the person feel incapable by communicating, in closing that portion of the interview q's, a reinforcement of what those questions are designed to do: paint the road forward. The offbeat q's then get them out of the interview-mode and get them revealing their true passions and nature.
Read up on some NLP if you haven't. Listen to their use of words and look for negs, inhibition, and thinking-models that their language belies. Note those during the interview. Decide which can help or hurt and ask your next questions to confirm strengths or weaknesses to business issues relative to their nature. This forms the basis of your professional mentorship and employee / peer coaching.
I do these things in my own business process, and for my clients. Let me know if you turn out to need help in these areas.
116 weeks ago
Read up on some NLP if you haven't. Listen to their use of words and look for negs, inhibition, and thinking-models that their language belies. Note those during the interview. Decide which can help or hurt and ask your next questions to confirm strengths or weaknesses to business issues relative to their nature. This forms the basis of your professional mentorship and employee / peer coaching.
I do these things in my own business process, and for my clients. Let me know if you turn out to need help in these areas.
116 weeks ago
Lori Fagerholm
Hi all. I'm a freelance digital illustrator and graphic designer. I'd like some advice on estimates. When I submit a proposal or even try to estimate how long a personal project will take, I'm either woefully over or under. How do I deal with the inevitable "But, your last estimate was so much lower!" I don't want to appear unprofessional, and I don't want to lose clients based on high estimates--even accurate ones. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Lori Fagerholm:
Excellent advice all! Jessica: I agree with throwing back problem clients--experience backs this up 100% for me. James: great formula; I used ...MoreExcellent advice all! Jessica: I agree with throwing back problem clients--experience backs this up 100% for me. James: great formula; I used one like it to come up with my hourly rate, which is competitive for my region. Kevin: I recently implemented the hybrid scheme, it works well. Michael: great idea about billing no more than 10% over estimate! Follow-up: what to tell returning client? Last project: 25 hours spent, but only 9 estimated and billable! So new proj est. will be much higher.
119 weeks ago
119 weeks ago
Margaret Kimball:
I used an idea similar to Kevin's when billing my last client. I broke down all of the estimated time for them (sketches, revisions, digital ...MoreI used an idea similar to Kevin's when billing my last client. I broke down all of the estimated time for them (sketches, revisions, digital formatting), gave an hourly rate and said I'd let them know if we were scheduled to go over/under. This allowed me to keep track of my time pretty closely (good for future estimates) and be transparent with the client about time. Be confident about your hourly rate. Illustration/design is a highly skilled craft and if they value their identity, they want quality work.
102 weeks ago
102 weeks ago
Ed O'Brien
Hello Everyone
I am helping a small accounting firm to improve their service and reduce costs per account. I would like to scan some of their stuff for data entry in another country, is there a way to encrypt it? What is the safest way to do this? Any help would be great, Thanks
James DeRosia:
You could do what government contractors used to do when I was in the aerospace industry: use WinZip to zip and password protect the files then ...MoreYou could do what government contractors used to do when I was in the aerospace industry: use WinZip to zip and password protect the files then send them off and send the password separately. I'm know there are a lot better ways to do it, but this is by far one of the easiest. Most commercial document software products will let you password protect like Microsoft office products and adobe acrobat too.
119 weeks ago
119 weeks ago
Sam Schutte:
If I recall correctly, password protection in WinZip is really weak and easy to hack. Try 7-zip - it's got customizable levels of security and is ...MoreIf I recall correctly, password protection in WinZip is really weak and easy to hack. Try 7-zip - it's got customizable levels of security and is open source.
117 weeks ago
117 weeks ago
Neeraj Bhushan
I need feedbacks on my blog http://neerajbhushan.com/ Please feel free to give your opinion to improve the overall outlook. I am so excited and passionate about wordpress.
paulmacp:
You need to engage the person browsing your site within 30 seconds. There is no call to action, why am I visiting your site? If don't know why I ...MoreYou need to engage the person browsing your site within 30 seconds. There is no call to action, why am I visiting your site? If don't know why I am there, one click and I am gone
You are guaranteeing with the noise/sound on our site that no one will go there twice if they are accessing the website from work or mother around her kids.
119 weeks ago
You are guaranteeing with the noise/sound on our site that no one will go there twice if they are accessing the website from work or mother around her kids.
119 weeks ago
Neeraj Bhushan:
That's the beauty of this forum. Some beautiful (and handsome) people commented on the question I asked about my blog MoreThat's the beauty of this forum. Some beautiful (and handsome) people commented on the question I asked about my blog http://neerajbhushan.com/ I sincerely feel all the replies were honest, very honest. Accordingly, I've modified the music part. And I've learnt from you all - particularly Shane Mac, James DeRosia, Renee King, Felicia S. & Paul. Thank you so much.
119 weeks ago
119 weeks ago
So question for you all ..... I am trying to rebrand my site a little bit towards my consulting practices. I am targeting new and mid level sales professionals. I need to come up with a picture for the header of my site that shows the frustration, cluelessness, but also humor in being a new sales professional. It needs to target executives who might hire me to help their newer sales guys, but also be interesting to the new people themselves. Any thoughts?
http://www.samdiener.com (crrnt)
James DeRosia:
Nothing says frustration like a little face palm:
MoreNothing says frustration like a little face palm:
http://cdn1.knowyourmeme.com/i/6527/original/john_stewart_facepalm.jpg
http://holycrapthatsfunny.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/facepalm.jpg
bonus: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/319047856_dbf1ef3e92.jpg
120 weeks ago
MoreNothing says frustration like a little face palm:
http://cdn1.knowyourmeme.com/i/6527/original/john_stewart_facepalm.jpg
http://holycrapthatsfunny.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/facepalm.jpg
bonus: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/319047856_dbf1ef3e92.jpg
120 weeks ago
hi everyone! i've been lurking here for a while since i'm a new wordpress blogger. i'm really learning a lot! i'm still trying to learn how to use pictures more effectively and how to use some of the other features of wordpress. i was wondering if anyone would be willing to take a look at my blog and give me some feedback on what works and what doesn't. the address is theemptykitchen.wordpress.com thanks in advance!!!
paulmacp:
The look and feel of your site needs some work. I suggest the next time you make a grand meal in your kitchen take a picture of it and use that as ...MoreThe look and feel of your site needs some work. I suggest the next time you make a grand meal in your kitchen take a picture of it and use that as your header.
I suggest at least one picture per post and be consistent with size and location.
I suggest you move your blog to something you own, monetizing a shared hosted blog is difficult and are more difficult to sell. Also you will always be second rate content to the Google bot.
119 weeks ago
I suggest at least one picture per post and be consistent with size and location.
I suggest you move your blog to something you own, monetizing a shared hosted blog is difficult and are more difficult to sell. Also you will always be second rate content to the Google bot.
119 weeks ago
paulmacp:
I suggest you move your blog to something you own, monetizing a shared hosted blog is difficult and are more difficult to sell. The longer you ...MoreI suggest you move your blog to something you own, monetizing a shared hosted blog is difficult and are more difficult to sell. The longer you wait for our move the more difficult it will be. Also you will always be second rate content to the Google bot over a WordPress blog on your own domain.
119 weeks ago
119 weeks ago
Jung Fitzpatrick
So glad to see some men commenting here! What are dress code issues that guys face in the workplace?
James DeRosia:
The dress code issue that I saw with 90% of men in the workplace is that they don't know what the hell they're doing. It may be an issue of ...MoreThe dress code issue that I saw with 90% of men in the workplace is that they don't know what the hell they're doing. It may be an issue of working with engineers for so long (I was one) but the ill fitting clothes and the Dockers label are not doing anyone any favors. It's easy to dress appropriately, as a man, but apparently it's hard to dress with style. Here's the thing, guys, figure out how to buy clothes that fit you properly and you're 90% there to looking good.
120 weeks ago
120 weeks ago
Jung Fitzpatrick:
Well said James! Fitted clothes makes everyone look 100% better. I think someone posted about this earlier, but finding a great and affordable ...MoreWell said James! Fitted clothes makes everyone look 100% better. I think someone posted about this earlier, but finding a great and affordable tailor is a good investment.
120 weeks ago
120 weeks ago
James DeRosia
If you're gonna go Frye, at least in mens boots, the models that are made in the U.S.A. have noticeably better quality than the ones that are hecho en Mexico. Of course the price is a little steeper.
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