Do You Value Your Staff?

I had fun last evening attending a women's networking group that met at the Fort Lauderdale Art Museum which I have not had the pleasure of visiting before. What a really nice place with rooms filled with beautiful pieces of art. One of our tasks was dividing into teams, getting to know each other and then going on a scavenger hunt throughout the museum. Our team (Team #1 - 5 people) engaged each other in conversation, getting to know each other before we headed out on the "hunt". We worked really well together as a team and actually won the contest which involved 10 teams.

Why did we blend so well together and choose to work together as a team on the hunt?  Could have been the blend of our personalities, the common bond we found during our conversations and the fun we had during the hunt.  On our name tags we had to write down a catch-phrase somehow linked to what we do for a living. It was fun guessing what the words meant and laughing in the process as some were really unique. In the end, I met some nice ladies who I will stay in contact with.

Our second exercise for the evening was walking across the street to the Auto National Art Learning Center where we all got to paint or sketch under the guidance of staff teachers. I had fun sketching in charcoal a still life scene of oranges, a pitcher and a bottle. We did this for about an hour and I must say my finished product wasn't too bad. I approached this fun activity knowing I am not an artist and so I just wanted to have fun but create something in the process. A little background music would have been inspiring.

What I want to pass on to others is to have fun in networking situations. Be open to conversation, making sure to ask about the other person/people getting curious of who they are and why they are at the event, etc. If you are entrepreneur, own your own business, are a sales person or anyone who has to find new clients and new connections networking is a necessary part of your job. You might as well figure out how you can leverage networking and more importantly get comfortable doing it. People like doing business with people they like and they trust so what better way to begin a relationship than engaging someone in conversation at a networking event. Golden Rule: never let it be all about you. Networking is easy for extroverts but not so much for introverts.  I am blessed that networking comes naturally for me as I love engaging people and finding out about them. So most of the time I have fun, meet interesting people who sometimes join my circle of influence and become clients or I can introduce them to people they would benefit from meeting.

The Finding Joy Movie

The Finding Joy Movie

Power of Kindness Movie

Power of Kindness Movie: I once heard someone say, "If you teach your children the Golden Rule, you will have left them an incalculable estate." Truer words were never spoken. More than anything, the Golden Rule is about kindness. They improve your relationship with yourself and with others. It's not much in fashion these days to talk about the benefits of kindness, honesty and decency, but the benefits are there and they are valuable and worth the trouble.

Technology is Changing Constantly

I read in USA Today last week about 10 gadgets that are going to be obsolete in 2012 because of the advancement of technology around smart phones and iPads and the like. Some of the gadgets include the flip phone which is really pretty new; DVD players; CDs; netbooks; digital cameras. How are you keeping up with the ever changing times? I am a believer in the new, user-friendly technology but I try to be sensible at the same time. Maybe that is the Baby Boomer in me. As soon as you invest in some version of the smart phone, a newer, faster, fully load version is put on the market. The iPad2 is THE in product right now as well as the iphone4S. My cell phone provider shared with me this week that iPad3 will be released shortly with more dynamic capability around the screen and sound. I am treating myself to an iPad this year and when I get one (to add to my 4G Android phone) I will be content for at least a year to enjoy and learn from them.

The part that worries me the most is parents allowing their small children to have their own smart technology devices to help keep them amused. This can be good but through the lens of just one of the things they need to be exposed to.  Making sure children get out and play outdoors and exposing them to social settings without an electronic devise is so important for their development as little humans into responsible teens and adults, with the skills to interact with others and to be healthy.

There will be great opportunity for techies making a good living working with the older generations on getting comfortable with the new technologies as there is going to be a continuing need in this area.  All this change is here to stay so embrace it and be open to the advances of modern technology that will make your life easier, especially accessing information.

Dealing with Change and New Beginnings

I walk around our neighborhood a couple of times a week. One house I pass is one of my favorites; very comfortable and serene looking and the owner always decks it out for each holiday with appropriate decorations. For Halloween, she has statues and spiders, and ghoulish things around the well-attended front yard. There is always an angel sitting in a big chair and wonderful baskets hanging from the large Banyan tree. At Christmas time, a life-size Santa stands near the front door, there are poinsettia plants everywhere and beauty on display. I always look forward to walking by this house during the holidays, even on the Fourth of July the house is decked out in red, white and blue. I understand the owner sells/sold something on HSN.  Well, this year it's different. There is a for sale sign in front and for the first time in the 11 years when I walk by, there are no decorations, just the fall wreaths on the door - kind of sad. Is she sick; has she passed away? 

So today when I walked by, what  showed up for me was how fast things can change direction, many times without our permission. Because this is the last week of 2011, very appropriate to think about this as we complete the year and reflect on the lessons and gifts. 2012 will start with a clean slate; new page, opportunity to continue to grow, thrive, change, embrace new ways of being and doing. And because we don't know from one day to the next, if something is going to happen without our permission, BE with the day. Have your plans, goals and aspirations in place but be present in the moment and be grateful for the most important parts of your life and look for the clues that will help you thrive on your journey. Practice staying present in the moment and enjoy the day as it unfolds. After all, we are human beings NOT human doings. It takes practice but if you put your mind to focusing on the present moment, it will become easier (some say 21 days of practicing will make habits become part of your life) and easier. Think about this - what is the significance of being present in the moment? 

What Great Companies Know About Culture - Deidre H. Campbell - Harvard Business Review

What Great Companies Know About Culture - Deidre H. Campbell - Harvard Business Review

Why I Hire People Who Fail - Jeff Stibel - Harvard Business Review

Why I Hire People Who Fail - Jeff Stibel - Harvard Business Review